Here is the video of Dallin arriving home on Wednesday, August 10.
Thursday, August 18, 2016
He's Home!
So ends this blog. It is so good to have Dallin home and see him off on his new adventure at BYU. We are starting a new blog for Carson, who starts his mission on August 23.
Here is the video of Dallin arriving home on Wednesday, August 10.
Here is the video of Dallin arriving home on Wednesday, August 10.
Monday, August 8, 2016
"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith"
Dear Loved Ones,
The time has come. I am so grateful for the opportunity I had to serve
a mission, it has changed my life forever. It has solidified my course
of who I will become. I have learned about myself and my relationship
with God. I have learned to love others, serve them, and teach the
gospel. I know that as we set goals, we can achieve them. It is
important to have a purpose.
My homecoming talk will be on August 21st with an open house later
that evening.
The time has come. I am so grateful for the opportunity I had to serve
a mission, it has changed my life forever. It has solidified my course
of who I will become. I have learned about myself and my relationship
with God. I have learned to love others, serve them, and teach the
gospel. I know that as we set goals, we can achieve them. It is
important to have a purpose.
My homecoming talk will be on August 21st with an open house later
that evening.
Thursday, August 4, 2016
"The Furnace of Affliction"
1 Nephi 20:10
"For, behold, I have refined thee, I have chosen thee in the furnace
of affliction."
The Furnace and Refiner's Fire: This week felt like the Refiner's Fire
with the heat of the Furnace. Not only was it hot temperature wise,
but it was a tough week. Monday and Tuesday we tough with not many
lessons. However, on Tuesday we did have a really good lesson with
Jose Rodriguez. We taught about repentance and he loved it! He said
that we have to follow all the steps and be sincere, we can't just ask
God for forgiveness, say we repented, then do what ever we want. He
loved that this will help him grow and become prepared for baptism. On
Wednesday we had a good district meeting where we planned all the
parts of the church tour in preparation for Thursday night. On
Wednesday night we met with a less active member from the English
ward. He just bashed on us for an hour then we were late to an
appointment with Anel and Alfonso. When we got there Anel was already
asleep but Alfonso said they would definitely be there for the church
tour and that they were bringing a friend. Thursday morning was the
heat. We were outside serving at the food bank signing people up for
distribution. It was fun and I got darker but it was hot. Then later
we set up for the church tour that we were having to help our
investigators feel comfortable at church and take away the fear of the
unknown. No one showed up. I'm pretty sure I grew some gray hair from
being so anxious and going from on side of the building to the other
looking to see who would come. It was a tough experience. On Friday,
Anel and Alfonso fed us dinner. It was fried fish and it was really
good!
"For, behold, I have refined thee, I have chosen thee in the furnace
of affliction."
The Furnace and Refiner's Fire: This week felt like the Refiner's Fire
with the heat of the Furnace. Not only was it hot temperature wise,
but it was a tough week. Monday and Tuesday we tough with not many
lessons. However, on Tuesday we did have a really good lesson with
Jose Rodriguez. We taught about repentance and he loved it! He said
that we have to follow all the steps and be sincere, we can't just ask
God for forgiveness, say we repented, then do what ever we want. He
loved that this will help him grow and become prepared for baptism. On
Wednesday we had a good district meeting where we planned all the
parts of the church tour in preparation for Thursday night. On
Wednesday night we met with a less active member from the English
ward. He just bashed on us for an hour then we were late to an
appointment with Anel and Alfonso. When we got there Anel was already
asleep but Alfonso said they would definitely be there for the church
tour and that they were bringing a friend. Thursday morning was the
heat. We were outside serving at the food bank signing people up for
distribution. It was fun and I got darker but it was hot. Then later
we set up for the church tour that we were having to help our
investigators feel comfortable at church and take away the fear of the
unknown. No one showed up. I'm pretty sure I grew some gray hair from
being so anxious and going from on side of the building to the other
looking to see who would come. It was a tough experience. On Friday,
Anel and Alfonso fed us dinner. It was fried fish and it was really
good!
Friday, July 22, 2016
"It's like a beautiful woman on a plate" - Elder Acosta
This week was really good! We had members at basically every lesson!
Monday: It was awesome! We had 3 members presents! One of them was a
doorstep new investigator lesson. We had President Allred with us. He
is a former Stake, Mission, and MTC president. He is now in the temple
presidency. So he knows his stuff but it was really good! We had a
lesson with Saieda Benitez and her sister from out of town named
Guadalupe. We talked about the Plan of Salvation. Then we met Jorge
and Osmar. They are two young guys from Mexico up here working.
Monday: It was awesome! We had 3 members presents! One of them was a
doorstep new investigator lesson. We had President Allred with us. He
is a former Stake, Mission, and MTC president. He is now in the temple
presidency. So he knows his stuff but it was really good! We had a
lesson with Saieda Benitez and her sister from out of town named
Guadalupe. We talked about the Plan of Salvation. Then we met Jorge
and Osmar. They are two young guys from Mexico up here working.
How Firm a Foundation
This is an amazing hymn!
Alfonso and Anel: We had an amazing lesson last night talking about repentance! They loved it! This is what they needed to help prepare them to accept baptism. They had good questions and understood it all very well!
Francisco: We taught him the Plan of Salvation. We taught it very simply and he loved it! He was happy to know that he has a purpose in this life and that he can fulfill it and live eternally with his family.
Alfonso and Anel: We had an amazing lesson last night talking about repentance! They loved it! This is what they needed to help prepare them to accept baptism. They had good questions and understood it all very well!
Francisco: We taught him the Plan of Salvation. We taught it very simply and he loved it! He was happy to know that he has a purpose in this life and that he can fulfill it and live eternally with his family.
Sunday, July 10, 2016
Elder Acosta is My Final Companion
Willcox is great! Besides the bugs that are make a full fledged
assault on our house, everything is great!
Mike: Mike is an interesting guy. He has a reputation here in Willcox
and so everyone is surprised that we are starting to teach him. He
promised his dying brother, and a member of the ward, that he would
take the lessons. And that is how we came in the picture. He is a
Seventh Day Adventist. It has been really good and we are having to
study the Bible a ton more!
assault on our house, everything is great!
Mike: Mike is an interesting guy. He has a reputation here in Willcox
and so everyone is surprised that we are starting to teach him. He
promised his dying brother, and a member of the ward, that he would
take the lessons. And that is how we came in the picture. He is a
Seventh Day Adventist. It has been really good and we are having to
study the Bible a ton more!
Last Week with Elder Crofts
So we got transfer news...
This was my last week with Elder Crofts. It has been a ton of fun and we have done a ton of work and really brought this area up and out of the dust and built it from the ground up. We went from few investigators when I first got here to now 30! Elder Crofts is a great missionary and I look up to him, he was in a tough situation with a companion last transfer that made working hard.
I am getting Elder Acosta! He was a fresh new missionary in my district when I was first a District Leader. He is from Ecuador and is a really cool guy! More about him next week!
This was my last week with Elder Crofts. It has been a ton of fun and we have done a ton of work and really brought this area up and out of the dust and built it from the ground up. We went from few investigators when I first got here to now 30! Elder Crofts is a great missionary and I look up to him, he was in a tough situation with a companion last transfer that made working hard.
I am getting Elder Acosta! He was a fresh new missionary in my district when I was first a District Leader. He is from Ecuador and is a really cool guy! More about him next week!
Tuesday, June 21, 2016
Prayers, Bonita, and Member Present Lessons
This week was really good! We saw almost all our investigators and less actives! We are also looking up some more less active men to build the priesthood strength of the ward. This week we also took a lot of members out with us so we had a ton of member present lessons!
Prayers: This week we prayed a ton for the families that we are teaching and that they will be able to come to church.
Prayers: This week we prayed a ton for the families that we are teaching and that they will be able to come to church.
Thursday, June 16, 2016
Cows, Rain, and Random Caller
Willcox is still awesome and getting better everyday! We found and started teaching this great family and they are the most prepared people I have ever met!
Perras Flacas Discoveries: This week on "Perras Flacas Discoveries" we discovered a nice "decoration" in a chair next to the door of a trailer. Picture of the doll will be included below. Also, for the second discovery, the body of some toy made to look like an animal! This was found in a former investigator's yard. The best thing is if you look in the background you will see that he used a couple doors as parts of his DIY fence. Picture of this double feature included below.
Perras Flacas Discoveries: This week on "Perras Flacas Discoveries" we discovered a nice "decoration" in a chair next to the door of a trailer. Picture of the doll will be included below. Also, for the second discovery, the body of some toy made to look like an animal! This was found in a former investigator's yard. The best thing is if you look in the background you will see that he used a couple doors as parts of his DIY fence. Picture of this double feature included below.
The Heat, The Temple, and The People
Oh Arizona... You are so crazy. It is getting into the 100* this week. It is SO CRAZY HOT HERE IT IS NOT EVEN FUNNY! The breeze is even hot!
The Temple: No pictures yet but we went to the Gila Valley Temple on Saturday! A member from Deming was going for the first time and we got to go! It was a Spanish session so that was cool! When you go to the temple you learn. You also perform sacred ordinances like baptisms for the dead, just like Christ taught. Dalia, the member, was getting what is called an endowment. It is basically a blessing from God of power. We are able to learn, be blessed, and learn the potential that we have as children of God. Elder Crofts and I found names through family history of relatives that have passed on where we were able to do all their work. We did baptisms, confirmations, then endowment. It was a great experience to do it all in one day at one time.
The Temple: No pictures yet but we went to the Gila Valley Temple on Saturday! A member from Deming was going for the first time and we got to go! It was a Spanish session so that was cool! When you go to the temple you learn. You also perform sacred ordinances like baptisms for the dead, just like Christ taught. Dalia, the member, was getting what is called an endowment. It is basically a blessing from God of power. We are able to learn, be blessed, and learn the potential that we have as children of God. Elder Crofts and I found names through family history of relatives that have passed on where we were able to do all their work. We did baptisms, confirmations, then endowment. It was a great experience to do it all in one day at one time.
Identifying and Removing Walls
Hey guys! A bit of a rough week but thats when you learn and
grow the most.
Orfilda and Artisema: We went on splits one night and Elder
Crofts visited them with Hno and Hna Cuevas. It was a super good lesson! Then
the other night we were talking about baptism and they were unsure. We asked if
they have been reading and praying and they haven't. It is kind of annoying
when we have really good powerful lessons with the Spirit then they don't read
and pray!
Thursday, May 26, 2016
The Music, The Food, The People
Willcox Transfer 2
This week was pretty good. We were tired, a lot of appointments fell through but we turned it into a great week! We had some great daily and weekly planning. We are becoming the missionaries Heavenly Father wants us to become.
Orfilda: Just amazing! We had a really powerful lesson on Tuesday and we talked about the Atonement and baptism. The Spirit was super strong but she was still a bit unsure. We read from Alma 7 and it is a very bold and powerful chapter.
This week was pretty good. We were tired, a lot of appointments fell through but we turned it into a great week! We had some great daily and weekly planning. We are becoming the missionaries Heavenly Father wants us to become.
Orfilda: Just amazing! We had a really powerful lesson on Tuesday and we talked about the Atonement and baptism. The Spirit was super strong but she was still a bit unsure. We read from Alma 7 and it is a very bold and powerful chapter.
Monday, May 16, 2016
Transfers... Church Miracles!!!
So first I just want to introduce the church miracle then I will talk about the transfer news!
This week was a really good week! It was filled with success and miracles! The work of the Lord is going forth!
Church: Church was great! Orfilda, Artisema, and Artisema's kids came. Arti's kids are Kerenia, Yara, and Iquer. They came for the whole time and loved it all! We then took them on a tour of the building before they left. They really loved the baptismal font. Also, the branch is super supportive! Our branch president called President Passey to get us and the sisters to stay together here in Willcox! The whole branch has a huge desire to do missionary work and it is amazing! The branch presidency is on top of it!
This week was a really good week! It was filled with success and miracles! The work of the Lord is going forth!
Church: Church was great! Orfilda, Artisema, and Artisema's kids came. Arti's kids are Kerenia, Yara, and Iquer. They came for the whole time and loved it all! We then took them on a tour of the building before they left. They really loved the baptismal font. Also, the branch is super supportive! Our branch president called President Passey to get us and the sisters to stay together here in Willcox! The whole branch has a huge desire to do missionary work and it is amazing! The branch presidency is on top of it!
Homage to the Most Important Women in My Life
Since yesterday was Mother's Day I want to honor my mom. I also want to honor the other important woman in my life, Marlie.
Mom: Diane, Mom, Ma, Mother, Parental Unit, She who birthed me; what ever the name you use, it can only point to one! Diane Baker is amazing! She has been there when I needed her and when I wasn't sure I needed anyone. She has taught me to love and to serve. She has shown me what a covenant-keeping daughter of God looks like. She has been a solid rock, along with my dad, to show the way for us. She loves to serve and go the extra mile. She doesn't have any daughters but she has shown me what to look for in a good future wife, her future daughter-in-law. I remember when I was little that we would sit on the couch and we would read together. She always gave the best summer buzz cuts and found the sweetest watermelon. She knew that ice cream was part of a balanced diet. She did things for me and my brothers that she didn't necessarily need to do, but she did them out of love and service. She served a mission to serve her Savior, but she didn't know how hard it would be to send her first son. It was hard to see her cry. She has been faithful in support and expressions of love. She is a great woman of even greater faith. She is my mom and I love her!
Mom: Diane, Mom, Ma, Mother, Parental Unit, She who birthed me; what ever the name you use, it can only point to one! Diane Baker is amazing! She has been there when I needed her and when I wasn't sure I needed anyone. She has taught me to love and to serve. She has shown me what a covenant-keeping daughter of God looks like. She has been a solid rock, along with my dad, to show the way for us. She loves to serve and go the extra mile. She doesn't have any daughters but she has shown me what to look for in a good future wife, her future daughter-in-law. I remember when I was little that we would sit on the couch and we would read together. She always gave the best summer buzz cuts and found the sweetest watermelon. She knew that ice cream was part of a balanced diet. She did things for me and my brothers that she didn't necessarily need to do, but she did them out of love and service. She served a mission to serve her Savior, but she didn't know how hard it would be to send her first son. It was hard to see her cry. She has been faithful in support and expressions of love. She is a great woman of even greater faith. She is my mom and I love her!
Friday, May 13, 2016
The Meeting with an Apostle of Jesus Christ
So this week was a bit tough. We had a great week and it finished wonderfully but it was tough because we didn't see much success in our lessons compared to the past few weeks.
Conference: Tuesday night we drove into Tucson. We stayed with some other Elders. We woke up the next morning at 5am to be at a church building at 7am. When we arrived we took our first full mission picture with the addition of Elder Holland, Elder Robbins, and Elder and Sister Heyman. Then we shook their hands as we filed into the chapel. The meeting was from 8am to noon! It was so amazing though!
Conference: Tuesday night we drove into Tucson. We stayed with some other Elders. We woke up the next morning at 5am to be at a church building at 7am. When we arrived we took our first full mission picture with the addition of Elder Holland, Elder Robbins, and Elder and Sister Heyman. Then we shook their hands as we filed into the chapel. The meeting was from 8am to noon! It was so amazing though!
Tuesday, April 26, 2016
D&C 31:7
Hey guys! Super good week out here in Willcox! Not that numbers matter, but we have been killing it with numbers too!
D&C 31:7: So in my studies this week I was reading through the Doctrine and Covenants, holy scripture comprised of revelations given to Joseph Smith. I came across this scripture and I think it applies perfectly to how things are going here for us in Willcox! It says, "Yea, I will open the hearts of the people, and they will receive you. And I will establish a church by your hand." Over the past 3 weeks here in Willcox I have seen many people with open hearts be placed in our path. We just need to help them take part in the gospel.
D&C 31:7: So in my studies this week I was reading through the Doctrine and Covenants, holy scripture comprised of revelations given to Joseph Smith. I came across this scripture and I think it applies perfectly to how things are going here for us in Willcox! It says, "Yea, I will open the hearts of the people, and they will receive you. And I will establish a church by your hand." Over the past 3 weeks here in Willcox I have seen many people with open hearts be placed in our path. We just need to help them take part in the gospel.
Monday, April 25, 2016
Becoming Preach My Gospel Missionaries
This is such an amazing time to be a missionary! I love it here in Willcox! The work is just exploding here! I love the people that we are finding and teaching! Elder Crofts and I are doing amazing and we are working great together and we feel guided by the Spirit. We are also progressing as people and disciples of Jesus Christ.
Adilene: Super cool girl! Quiet, but awesome! She is a young single mother that was a referral from a member family. She came to church last Sunday but not yesterday. We had a lesson with her on Monday and we talked about the Restoration and we set a baptismal date. She is kind of shy but she understands super well!
Adilene: Super cool girl! Quiet, but awesome! She is a young single mother that was a referral from a member family. She came to church last Sunday but not yesterday. We had a lesson with her on Monday and we talked about the Restoration and we set a baptismal date. She is kind of shy but she understands super well!
Tuesday, April 12, 2016
Dream Team, Farm House, and Stitches
So I am in Willcox, AZ! It is a small farming town off the
interstate. Elder crofts is great! We are getting along super well! We are both
very experienced and ready to work hard and make things happen this transfer!
We are the dream team! We were companions in the MTC and now we are together
again! We both have grown so much!
Thursday, April 7, 2016
Leaving Douglas
This week was a good week!
So we got transfer calls on Saturday... I am going to
Willcox to be companions with my MTC companion, Elder Crofts! I am super
excited and I feel really good about it. I am sad to leave Douglas but I am
excited for Willcox! It is a bilingual area so we teach who we find. The
congregation is bigger than Douglas. There is an English congregation separate
from a Spanish congregation. It will be super awesome!
Monday, April 4, 2016
"Hello Coke? This is Pepsi."
Hey everyone! I hope you had a great Easter!
I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. That he was born, he lived a perfect life, was baptized to fulfill the commandment of the Father, that He established his church, and performed the Atonement. The Atonement is His suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane for our pains, sicknesses, and sins, His suffering and death on the cross, and His resurrection. He rose that all men may rise again! He lives who once was dead! He the Lamb of God!
This week was pretty interesting.
I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. That he was born, he lived a perfect life, was baptized to fulfill the commandment of the Father, that He established his church, and performed the Atonement. The Atonement is His suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane for our pains, sicknesses, and sins, His suffering and death on the cross, and His resurrection. He rose that all men may rise again! He lives who once was dead! He the Lamb of God!
This week was pretty interesting.
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