And it came to pass...

Dallon is getting close to one year on the mission.  He is still excited about doing missionary work and truly loves the people that he is serving.  His letters recently have been full of concern and gratitude for the members and investigators in his sector.  He is anxious about the changes that are coming in the near future.

"Oh Wow!  That is so weird to think that you are all starting school again!  I can't believe how fast time is flying by.  That is so great that things are starting up again.  The good news is now that your summer is ending, you can give it to me! ha ha  No more freezing cold days and nights.  However, I have a feeling that I will like the winters here more than the summers...It's going to be sooooo hot!  I am not looking forward to it."

"Another week in the mission field has come and gone.  We had three investigators that all went to church and are progressing.  We should be seeing more people in the chapel, if Elder Gomez and I are allowed to stay the next change together.  President is going to talk with us next Friday.  I really don't want him to take us out of this sector."

"We also went to get Elder Gomez's patriarchal blessing.  The Patriarch spoke with us and I actually learned a lot about patriarchal blessings.  My blessing is soooo cool!  Lots of people have been sharing their blessings with me and I just love how the Lord knows each and every one of us so well.  Our patriarchal blessing is given to us for the eternities.  Mine has so many blessings in it...while some have many warnings and counsels.  I guess I'm just learning to love my blessing even more.  Elder Gomez really loved his blessing."

"A lot of members have been giving me gifts.  I am grateful for them, but at the same time, I don't know how to thank them.  Hermano Pallauta made me a big leather burned picture of Christ.  It is really awesome.  Another family, that is getting sealed in the temple, bought me a whole bunch of incense. ha ha  It was cool.  They want to invite me to their sealing and always make me feel special.  They are really excited to go to the temple."

"We are teaching a lot of investigators right now.  We have about five that are really progressing, but only three that are going to church.  Hopefully, they will continue strong in spite of all that is going on here.  My stomach gets tight thinking that we will be taken out and that they won't be able to be baptized.  The Bishop will get back the middle of September.  Church has been really good.  I gave a talk yesterday about the Restoration.  I thought it was good for the investigators.  Oh, a really cool thing happened too.  We shared with a menos activo and the spirit was sooooo strong!  She cried and we sat there listening to the spirit testify for five minutes!  Elder Gomez said that he never felt the spirit so strong in his life.  This lady came to church yesterday and it was awesome."

"Elder Smart is doing well, and Elder Adair, Hollister, and Mahoni, as well.  I almost never eat fruit or veggies unless the members give them to me.  We have markets, but we aren't allowed to go to them, so it will be hard for me to get a picture for you. ha ha  The weather has been clearing up and it's been warmer, so for that reason I am happy."

"Anyway, that was my week.  I hope it will be more bright and happy this week. ha ha  You are always in my heart."

Elder Dallon Smith

Comfort in the Atonement

Dallon was given some sad news from home and his letter reflected his feelings and concern for those who are suffering at this time.  It has also been a difficult and emotional week in Chile and he is trying to stay focused on the work and continue forging ahead.  Despite some difficulties, he and Elder Gomez are finding success and are optimistic about their new investigators.

"Oh that is so sad.  I can't believe it!  It is so crazy when things like that happen and we realize just how fragile life really is.  One day everything is fine and the next, we are thrown through a furnace and our faith is tested.  I know that things will be fine and that the Lord has a purpose on the other side of the veil.  She is a really good and talented girl and will be waiting for her family in the Celestial Kingdom.  I am sad for the family and am thankful for all the help they're getting.  Our ward has more unity than we realize."

"This week has been a roller coaster of emotions.  I went on divisions with Elder Wheelright and it was really nice to work in a new sector for the day.  Elder Wheelright is from Utah and it was fun getting to know him.  I think I made him talk more than he's ever talked before. ha ha  It was nice to get my mind off other things.  We also went to a "greenie" meeting on Friday and we learned a lot about the doctrine of Christ and about our purpose as missionaries.  It was like a big review, but it was still good."

"President said that if things don't change here, we're going to be moved out of the sector and placed in wards that want missionaries.  A lot of the members spoke to me a lot and some cried because we might have changes.  It was also strange because I had a dream that I was fighting with someone and I was left alone in a place that I did not recognize and I was lost.  Then a woman with blond hair came and helped me.  Two days later, Hermana Barrueto came and talked to us and I think maybe she is the lady from my dream.  I felt a lot better after that and decided to just work and forget about the problems that we have had.  I have faith that everything is going to clear up and that I and Elder Gomez are going to remain in this sector and have a lot of success together.  We have found a lot of investigators that want to be baptized and are progressing really fast.  I feel like they will all be able to make covenants with the Lord soon, if we continue to be obedient and try harder to be humble and patient.  I am excited for them and am grateful for the blessings of the Lord here."

"The week was long and intense but good.  I'm grateful that the Lord has been blessing me and teaching me to be stronger.  Sometimes I feel a little lost and like I'm just blindly moving forward, but I know that the Lord will take care of me.  I'm grateful that you are all safe and happy.  I love you so so so much.  I hope you enjoy the pics!

Elder Dallon Smith

Hard at work feeding the "sheep"?

The Ochagavia Missionary Team

Elder Smith showing off some skills!

Teammates!  Elder Smith and Elder Gomez

Little Things Count

The week just flew by for Dallon and Elder Gomez.  They are excited to be teaching some new families and placed another baptismal date.  In this letter, Dallon expresses his love for the ward members.  He hasn't been able to send any pictures for a couple weeks due to computer problems. 

"This week we were able to go to the temple, however, Francisca was the only one able to go with us.  I was happy and we had a lot of fun.  The temple was really cool and it is just a completely different experience here.  They make it a lot more personal and spiritual.  I love it.  You can tell they take care of the people that make sacrifices to go to the temple.  Instead of feeling like one of the kids in a line, you feel like every person that you are being baptized for is special and have been waiting just for you.  It was fun doing everything in Spanish.  I did like 150 confirmations!  It was great and I was glad I got to go with my kid, Elder Gomez. ha ha  He is so lucky.  We also had a lot of fun riding in the vans!  Oh good times."

"Yesterday our Ward Mission Leader was released and called to be Elders Quorum President.  I had mentioned to him the day before that I thought that was going to happen.  I am sad, but also glad that he accepted the call.  He will do great.  We also had a birthday party with the Relief Society and they gave us a whole bunch of food.  The sisters here love us.  The Relief Society President is awesome and always does a lot for us."

"The new converts are all incredible.  Estrella has been so kind to us.  She is such a good humble person and I love seeing how her family is being formed into the ward.  She doesn't let little problems bug her and she is always willing to help.  She has a place where she belongs and she always thanks me for giving her life meaning again.  She is awesome!  We went to her house the other day and took some pictures of sheep that they bought. ha ha  I wish I could send them, but this computer is a lame one...blah.  Oh, and Guillermo and Norka wrote me and said how much they loved me and that I will be considered their son forever.  It was good to hear from them and a great support to me.  I also received Debbie's letter!  I showed the picture she sent to a lot of the members and had them find my family in it. ha ha  It was funny because almost everyone said, "Just look for the happy people with big smiles."  I think that is a good thing to be remembered for.  It was a good picture and made me miss you all!"

"We found some new families to teach and were able to place another baptismal date with another young woman named Vanessa.  I am hoping she will do it and be able to be baptized in September.  We also have activated an Elder.  We randomly found him even though I have been looking for him for three months and we made an appointment for Thursday in the chapel.  He has memory issues because he had a tumor removed, but he promised to be there.  Then by some miracle...on Wednesday night, Elder Gomez and I had to go drop off some primary kids at the chapel and we were there about 5 minutes and he showed up thinking it was Thursday. ha ha  Hey at least he came and we were there, so we taught him a message that was really cool about enduring to the end and the Holy Ghost.  He felt the spirit so strong and I saw a 360 degree change in him.  He went from saying he excommunicated himself and then three days later saying he wanted to go and rescue more people that are less active!  He came to sacerdocio the next day and came to church yesterday.  It was really cool and I am hoping we will be able to activate a couple more families, as well as, find more people to be baptized."

"Elder Gomez and I are becoming great friends.  He is a really good missionary and a great support to me.  I like being with him.  Today we went to play soccer and Elder Barrett kicked the ball right in my face and gave me a bloody nose and apparently a black eye...ha ha It was awesome!  We have a lot of fun together when we all get together.  We all bought jerseys that say, "We are Ochagavia" and played soccer against another zone.  It was fun...no goals today though...however, my defense was legit! ha ha"

"Chile is great.  The members are awesome!  They feed us really well and do a lot for us.  I feel close to them.  They all know that I like french fries and have been making me a lot.  They also know that I am tired of rice and so they have been making me deliciousness!  Yesterday, we were fed so much that I almost threw up. ha ha  They are all really kind.  An inactive family also gave me a present and expressed their tearful thanks to me because they felt my love through my actions and diligence.  That was so cool.  It made me feel like even the small things we do count."

"I know the Lord is taking care of me.  I am grateful for having such a great family and I know that no matter what, we will have bright futures and accomplish a lot.  I put all your names in the temple, so I hope you are all looking for blessings.  I think it is kind of cool that your names are in the Santiago Temple.  Thanks for all you do and have a great week!  The work of the Lord will always move forward."

Elder Dallon Smith

The Elders with Youth at the Santiago Temple

Facing Challenges

Dallon's letter was short this week.  He had to write a report to the mission president which took up some of his time.  He says that times are challenging and that the ward is dealing with some difficulties, but it was still a successful week for contacting.  He and Elder Gomez taught 24 lessons and have the opportunity to attend the temple again with some of their new converts.

"We have been teaching a lot of members and have found a few new people to teach.  I am excited about the progress that we are having.  We taught 24 lessons this week which is really good.  We also had a noche de talentos that was awesome!  Lots of people went and we were able to bring a lot of less active people.  It was so fun and exciting!  I recorded it all for you.  It was a little miracle."

"Also, one night we were late so we ran home and I lost my name tag.  In the morning I said a prayer in my heart and, out of nowhere, I spotted it in the mud.  I don't know how I would have found it.  It was amazing!  It is really cold here and it has been raining really hard and we are all freezing!  Sadly, I lost one of the gloves you sent me too...I'm sad."

"Elder Gomez is great!  His first name is Alfredo and he is from Tacna, Peru.  It is in the south.  His mom and brother are members, but his dad is not.  He is having some nightmares that I am trying to comfort him about.  He is a little nervous and his testimony needs some strengthening.  Sometimes he says he feels like he needs to go home.  I'm helping him out and he has already come a long way.  Elder Gomez has great faith and is progressing really fast.  I am trying my best to fortify him and teach him.  He respects me and helps me out too.  We make a good team together."

"I was also able to get Estrella, Francisca, and Cynthia interviewed to take them to the temple this week!  Now Elder Gomez and I get to go to the temple again on Tuesday!  I'm so excited!"

"Anyways, we are doing fine.  There are a few things that are making me stress, but I know the Lord is with me and will help me out.  Sounds like everyone is still in the summer business.  That's fun and I'm jealous of you all...ha ha.., but not that much.  Thanks for everything.  I love you all and you are always in my heart.  Have a great week and talk to you soon."

Elder Dallon Smith

A Peruvian Companion

Dallon tells us about having changes and a new companion from Peru.  He had a great time seeing old friends and spent a day with them at the Santiago temple.  He is excited about finally being fluent in Spanish and is looking forward to working with Elder Gomez. 

"Hola mi familia.  Les extrano much pero yo se que el senor esta bendiciendoles mucho y que el tiene un plan para nosotros.  Esta Semana recibi me greenie se llama Elder Gomez.  El es de Peru y tiene 22 anos.  El tambien tiene 11 dedos. ha ha  El es bakan!"

"I started training this week and it has been a roller coaster.  First, we did despididos or good-byes for Elder Balling.  The ward threw him a little party and it was fun.  I was glad that they did that for him.  Then on Wednesday, I got to go to the temple!!!  Whoo hoo!!!  It was incredible.  The temple is so pretty.  Inside it has a lot of gold and light blue.  The stone is a dark blue granite that is only found in Chile and is really rare.  It was beautiful.  The best part is that Elder Smart is training with me, so we got to stick together the whole time. ha ha  We have gone through the same things at the same times throughout our whole mission.  How tight is that?! ha ha  The temple workers loved me because I actually did really well going through the temple in Spanish.  I understand about everything and felt so good about how far I have come.  The celestial room was beautiful and a little small, but the feeling there was the same.  The church is true.  Afterwards, a bunch of us all went to eat at Subway.  There is about six of us from my group that are all training.  We received 15 latinos.  Oh yeah, in the morning I got to see Elder Tialavea and a whole bunch of my friends and it was glorious. ha ha  I missed them and I received a bunch of letters from Barrancas.  Guillermo and Norka are still active and I also helped activate Clara Pozo who is so happy and expressed her gratitude to me.  It was so cool!"

"We all talked and waited for three hours for our greenies to arrive.  We had to face our backs to them when they came in and they had to find us.  My greenie is Elder Gomez from Peru.  He is 22 years old...which at first was a little hard because he didn't like the fact that I was younger than him.  I got to know him and he's gone through some rough stuff.  His family is really poor and broke up because he came on the mission.  He is really smart and kinda wanted to take the lead because he could speak the language better.  I've been working on getting him to think in a more team friendly way.  It's also been hard because we don't have many people to teach, which means that we are contacting a lot, which isn't very fun.  We are just beginning to become better friends and have strong unity between the two of us.  I know he's a good guy.  I've just got to help him get the vision of the mission.  He is really excited and I like that he has a lot of excitement to work.  That's what I want! ha ha  It's been good and I'm just praying that the Lord will help me know what to do and where to go.  I know that when we are obedient, the spirit will be able to be a strong partner in our companionship."

"On Saturday, we did a service project with the whole zone.  We cleaned up the side of a freeway and also a Catholic church.  It was great to be out in the service of the Lord.  We also had a really cool miracle happen because there was a ton of work and a lot of junk.  People just dump stuff wherever they want.  However, the community supported us and came out to take pictures and everything.  It was really cool.  We didn't have a lot of time and there was a lot of work to do.  Then out of nowhere, a tractor, that was passing by, saw us and came and did a ton of work to help with the service.  It was sooo cool.  He got everything done in 10 minutes that would have taken us about 2 hours.  It was awesome.  I love it when the Lord blesses us."

"Oh yeah, President made me play the piano again in the trainer orientation after not playing for 3 months.  It's so embarrassing.  I messed up a bit, but got through it.  I should have gotten good before the mission. ha ha right?  Now I am living with Elder Hansen who is hilarious.  He is great and amazing at the violin.  He is writing songs and wants me to sing them.  It's gonna be fun!  All my companions have taught me a lot.  Elder Opazo is so proud that he is going to be a grandpa in the mission. ha ha  We took family photos during changes.  Elder Tialavea is just like the older brother that I would have loved to have.  He takes care of me and taught me to just relax and love the work.  Elder Balling taught me to have patience.  I'm not sure what I am suppose to learn now.  I hope that we will be able to have success here.  I feel like I've grown a lot.  I know I have a long ways to go, but I have faith that I'll be able to get through anything.  The Lord has blessed me so much.  I only want to do his will...even though some days are harder than others.  I love that I can communicate in Spanish and understand everything.  Elder Gomez is going to help me improve with that, so I'm excited.  It's cool that I can survive in Spanish now.  Who woulda thought?"

"Tell everyone "hi" for me and that I love them all soooo much!  I hope you are all happy.  I miss you a ton and am grateful for your support.  I miss just relaxing, but I'd rather be here.  Thanks for everything!"

Elder Dallon Smith

President and Sister King with Elder Smith and Elder Gomez

Elder Hansen and Elder Smith hard at work.

Fun with the Barrueto family

Helping Elder Smith feel right at home!

Training!

It was exciting for us to hear from Dallon this week.  He tells us that he is being made a trainer and will have a new companion tomorrow.  He is excited and humbled by the responsibility he's being given.  He also gets to attend the Santiago temple for the first time. 

"First of all, we had interviews with the Mission President.  It was really great.  He always makes me feel so much better and helps me find my base again.  Elder Balling went first and then I did.  I wasn't sure of what I was going to tell President or what he was going to ask me.  He began by telling me thank you for all the things that I had done with Elder Balling.  I don't know why but it really threw me off and I got all choked up.  It was hard for me to get the words out, but I got through it.  We talked about the ward and all the things that were going on.  After that the President told me that he wanted me training this next change and that he was going to keep me here.  He said that he received revelation and that the Lord needed me training.  I responded by saying that if the Lord said I could do it than I could.  He said he knew I was ready and that I have been ready for a long time.  I was a little surprised and the whole interview was such a mix of emotions for me that when I came out, I felt a little light headed.  President King is really cool.  Last night he called to officially notify me.  I get to go to the temple tomorrow!!  I'm also pretty sure that I will be training a latino companion.  We have 12 latinos and 3 gringos coming in.  We'll see what happens.  I'm excited and nervous and anxious...ha ha a little of everything.  Elder McDougal got changes too, so it looks like Elder Belmar and I will be holding down the pension.  I can't believe I'm going from jr. companion to training.  I'm going to really need your prayers this week! ha ha"

"Another fun thing that happened is Elder Opazo sent me a trophy! ha ha  It was so random, yet so thoughtful of him.  It is a helm of a ship or steering wheel and it has a lighter on the bottom that comes through a skeleton head.  When you push the button to make the fire come out, it plays the Titanic song that I attempted to teach Elder Opazo how to play on the piano. ha ha  My whole zone was going crazy and thought it was so cool.  He also had my name engraved on it.  It was really great of him to do that for me."

"We had lots of people to visit and a lot of time to go contacting.  My poor greenie is going to be knocking doors all day. ha ha  I know I gotta be super good, so that he can have a great mission.  I also know the Lord will help me.  I was asked to confirm Marilia, a grandpa in the ward asked me to give him a blessing, and I blessed the sacrament in someone's home.  I truly felt the priesthood power a lot that day.  I also gave a talk in sacrament meeting about forgiveness and shared a story by Boyd K. Packer about, "John Leave it Alone".  I talked a little about Grandma Capps.  She is such a great example and the ward loved it.  I also had splits with Brother Arroyo, the 1st counselor.  We went to talk to the High Priest leader and it was awesome.  He told me that he was grateful for the work that I was doing and he wants to do splits with me sometime too.  I am glad to be gaining the trust of the people and am beginning to do the Lord's work with authority.  I think we'll be able to accomplish much here now that things are starting to move.  We really want to get the home teachers out and working."

"Last night Chile lost to Uruguay in the American Copa, so there were a lot of crazy people out on the streets that were mad.  Lots of people were swearing at us and saying that they were going to beat us up.  It was a little intense and we had to go to a safe zone and home a little early.  But Estrella and Francisco made a barbeque for us that was delicious!"

"Anyways, I love you all and am excited to start something new.  Also, I get to go to the temple tomorrow!!  Yayaaaaa finally!!  Santiago temple, here I come!!  It's going to be awesome!!  I hope you are all happy."

Elder Dallon Smith

The Ochagavia Zone symbol

Mail this week

Elder Smith cleaning mold off the shower.

Elder "Barney" Smith

Baptisms and Barbeques

This week Dallon talks about the highs and lows of missionary work.  He also tells us that it is so cold that we would get a good laugh watching the elders try to do their morning exercises wrapped up in blankets.  He says he might look back one day and laugh about it, but right now it is more like suffering.  He is having a wonderful experience and his letter talks about some of them. 

"Yes, we had baptisms!  Whoo hooo!  The girls were all able to be baptized and it all went really well and smooth.  I am so happy for them.  It was a little crazy making sure everyone made it there and that there wasn't any extra stuff to take care of.  It was really cool because we got to have Francisca and Marilia's mom come and Leontina's father was also there.  It all went by so fast and nice and even the temperature of the font was perfect.  It was great!  Marilia gave me a high five before and after her baptism. ha ha  They are all so fun.  I know that they will be strong examples for eachother forever.  I am so grateful for their testimonies and their strength.  Also, Elder Balling and I sang at the baptism.  We sang, "I Need Thee Every Hour".  All the members were surprised that we could sing. ha ha  Leontina started crying and it was sad, but the spirit was really strong.  Then the girls bore their testimonies and it was over.  It was awesome.  Afterward, we were invited to a barbeque which was really fun.  All in all, my soul is extremely happy because the Lord let me share the gospel with them.  It is so incredible!"

"This week we have been focusing on fortifying the members.  I bought the dvd, "Only a Stonecutter", and have been sharing it with the families.  I love that movie so much and we have been having a lot of success with it.  It made me miss my dad, though. ha ha  I'm not sure why?"

"It has been really hard to find people to teach this week because of the American Cup.  Chile has been doing quite well, which has meant that no one will let us in and there are a lot of drunks out.  But at least it is better than when they lose because then there are more drunks out. ha ha  This week we are going to have to work really hard to find new investigators.  We don't have anyone to teach anymore because they all got baptized! ha ha"

"In church yesterday, Hmo Soto asked me to be a part of his daughter's confirmation.  It was cool that he picked me and it was totally unexpected.  He asked me and a returned missionary to participate and he called us out over the pulpit.  Also, a family from Barrancas sent me a letter this week that told me that they have started going back to church and wanted to thank me because I had really made the difference.  That made me feel so good.  I love the families down here."

"Friday was the hard part of the week.  Elder Nilson had divisions and when he was with us doing exercises, we started talking and wasted a lot of time.  So Elder Balling got mad at me and I had to get ready really fast.  Then we went to teach English classes, but no one had keys, so we had to teach in an investigator's home.  Then some of the investigators we have told us that they didn't want to listen to us anymore and tried to give us back the Book of Mormon.  Elder Balling and I were having a tough day getting along and that night a kid hit me with a rock.  It was a horrible day, but everything is better now.  We have entrevistas this week.  I'm just taking everything day by day.  I don't know what is going to happen next change.  I just try to be obedient, follow the spirit, and try not to get discouraged."

"Anyways, I love you all!  I hope you like the pictures.  The little girl wearing gray, in the picture with the bunny, will be in the Liahona next month.  I thought that was kind of cool.  The bunny's name is Moroni. ha ha  He is awesome!  The other two girls are Leontina's daughters.  I love them to death!  Their names are Martina and Sophia."

Elder Dallon Smith

Francisca, Marilia and Leontina's Baptism Day

The celebration begins!

Meet Moroni the bunny

Elder Smith with Martina and Sophia