Rough Patch

This week has definitely been a rough patch for Elder Welch and me. It seemed like everything we had planned fell through! Every lesson, dinner, activity, EVERYTHING! Our lives turned to mush and I was really struggling to keep going! But the Lord has this awesome way of being there for you, even when you aren't there for yourself.....does that make sense?

For example, as I've said in the past, we talk with every person we meet. Sometimes it's super easy and we have a great contact, but other times (and other weeks in this case) it seems like you can't find a single person that wants to talk with you. All day I had just been a little down on myself, but while we were out walking there was this lady kind of far ahead of us about to cross the street, and I just yelled out, "Hey, is it ok if we give you a card?" Long story short, it was a little awkward at first, but then we started explaining about mormon.org and what we believe. The situation totally shifted to a fantastic experience, and she invited us over for this week! Her name is Sarah (pray for her), and she was super great and wants to learn more about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

The part of the story that really made it amazing for me, was when she pointed to which house was hers', it was actually one that we had crossed last week, and I had felt this feeling like, "There is someone there that is ready for you" but I didn't act upon it because there was a gate and this crazy German shepherd. The Lord put Sarah in our path so that she can hear about is restored Gospel, and it definitely strengthened me this week, and gave me a lot of hope.

Also, we were able to attend a fireside by Alex Boye and it was amazing. He is absolutely hilarious, and powerful! His testimony of the Book of Mormon is so strong, and I know that if we read the Book of Mormon everyday, and really try to apply it into every aspect of our lives, then we will see the windows of heaven open. I love this gospel, and I am so excited for what the Lord has in store for me this week!

I love you all! Have a fantastic Thanksgiving! I'm so grateful that you are reading this and that you are a part of my life!

Elder Dahl

P.S. Right now we have 4 investigators with a baptismal date! Keep on praying for Cecilia, Marlene, Janet, and Juan! I'll try to talk more about them next time! Also the family with the girl with tomato on her face wanted to go to church in English, so we had to send them to the English elders.

Elder Welch and I have Breakfast adventures after night planning :)

I'm in a picture with Alex Boye!

Thanks Primary!

A HUGE THANK YOU to my primary back home! They sent me a package full of cards, which were about the cutest thing ever, and other goodies and such. It made my week! I can't thank you kids enough! I love and miss you!

This week has been FILLED with miracles! First off I want to start with Cecilia. Oh my heart she is the definition of a golden investigator. She loves to read the Book of Mormon and already knows that it is true, she loves to have us over, she wants to share the message with her family (her 23 year-old son Alberto wants to come to church too), and when she found out we wouldn't accept money, but we will accept food...well let's just say we haven't left her house with an empty stomach ever since! She is the sweetest lady, and I am SO GLAD that I am here so I can help her find even greater happiness in her life through the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

This week we had a special exchange, where each companionship received a coach (another missionary with more experience usually) that went with you throughout your day. Well Elder Welch was called to be a coach for someone else, so it was just me and my coach, Elder Dudley. This guy is the definition of pure awesomeness- a fantastic missionary that has a passion for people and passion for helping those people. Another companionship of missionaries asked us to cover an appointment (it was actually a referral that I had contacted the week before) because they were both being sent out of their area to be coaches, so Elder Dudley and I went on over to have a first lesson with this family. Long story short, Anna and her daughter, Stephanie (not their real names, but you'll find out why I changed them later) did not seem like they would be super interested in our message, but we pressed forward. As we 1) Invited them to act 2) Testified that what we were saying was true and 3) Promised them the blessing that would come with their actions, they literally changed right before our eyes. I almost forgot that the best part of this story is that Stephanie had made some tomato and lemon juice concoction in the blender, and throughout the lesson she was applying the concoction quite liberally on her face.....we taught someone the Gospel of Jesus Christ with tomato peels stuck to her face! hahaha During the lesson I hardly noticed, but then after we thought it was the best/funniest thing ever! Oh wait I lied, the best part of the story is that in that very first lesson we had with them, we invited them to follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized...and guess what....they both said YES! All of this happened with a tomato on her face! Miracles haven't ceased!

Oh there is so much more, but I always run out of time! Thank you for your prayers! You are all amazing and I know that God has a plan- a very specific plan- for every one of you! Love you!

Elder Dahl

 Elder Dudley pretending to teach Dominik (Cecilia's grandson). It was just about the cutest thing ever. 

 La familia Tafolla gave us a banana and cookies, and it was divine

Oh my Spanish

This week has been so great! We've been teaching more, working more, and eating more! I think I mentioned last time that Elder Welch and I agreed to only speak in Spanish to each other, which has been really hard sometimes, but really awesome too. It has definitely helped with developing my relationships with the people here, especially the members. Elder Welch speaks with a Portuguese accent according to the members (he has no idea why, but since I listen to him all day long, it's way easier to understand everyone else's Spanish, haha) and people are giving us more food, which is every missionaries dream.

We talk to everyone. No matter how crazy or scary looking we talk to them all! But this week my favorite contact was with this lady who was definitely not all there mentally, and she started taking stuff from us like Elder Welch's highlighter, a page from my agenda, some of our cards, and a Book of Mormon (that one was actually ok). When we introduced ourselves as Elder Welch and Elder Dahl she told us to call her Elder Diana. She was crazy, but super funny. Elder Welch and I decided at the end that she had mugged us, haha! Talking to strangers is the best!

The highlight of my week was definitely our investigator, Cecilia! We gave her a church tour on Saturday with a member and it was amazing! She loved the church, and at one point she even said, "Yes I know I'm going to be baptized. I just need to learn more first.".......I was smiling from ear to ear! She then came to church the next day (our sacrament meeting was the primary program.....picture about 30 or so Mexican children dressed in all white with teal scarves and ties singing at the top of their lungs....it was perfect) and she loved it! She is definitely progressing and I am so excited for her! Please pray for her! Also pray for la familia Tafolla because Hermano Tafolla had to work on Sunday and couldn't come, which was really sad. But the Lord has a plan for each one of us, and when they realize that the best place they can be on Sunday is sitting in the pews of the church building, well let's just say there will probably be angels singing, and Elder Dahl will be dancing a little jig as they walk into the chapel. 

I'm out of time as always. I'm going to plan a super awesome spiritual thought for next week. I love you all! Thank you for all of your support and prayers!

Elder Dahl

1. Elder Welch and me! It's a pretty bad picture, so I'll try to get another one soon!

2. This is my attempt at trying to take a scenic shot at the top of the small mountain we had to climb. You can see part of downtown and a little bit of the bay!

2

Three months?

My three month mark is in two days......I'm already 1/8 done with my mission........where did that time go!? Time flies by when you are working like crazy, and that's exactly what we've done this week- WORK!

My new companion is seriously awesome. Elder Welch is from Oklahoma (one of my favorite people in the world was born there!.....ok you caught me, it's my mom), loves rugby, speaks Spanish like crazy, and loves working! He is one of the most selfless people I've met, and it has been a blast of a first week! We made a goal to only speak in Spanish to each other (until after 9:30), and it has already helped me improve a lot. One of the coolest things about him is that he is younger than me! He turned 19 this past September! We help each other out a lot- he helps me with my Spanish and I show him how to eat food that isn't Ramen noodles.

Also, since my other trainer was transferred, I had to take over the area, and I was supposed to know everything! It's been crazy, but I'm proud to say we have only gotten a little lost once and it was because our map had a road that does not exist in real life.

Yesterday we had a lesson with a less-active family in our branch, la familia Tafolla. They have been inactive for quite some time, but they know that the Gospel is true, and I think they are finally ready to come back! I love this family so much, and yesterday we had some really pure, tender, and spiritual experiences with them. Please pray for them that they will be able to come to church this Sunday. I know that families are a gift from God, and I am so happy that I have my family. It is the best feeling when I can testify, "I know that the Gospel blesses families because I have seen it in my own family!" The power that comes with these words blows my mind every time! I know that we can live with our families forever, and that we find the MOST BESTEST joys in our lives within our own homes. I KNOW that this is true! 

I'm doing really well and I am SO HAPPY! I am working hard (evidence of that can be found on my feet- blisters are the best) and loving being a missionary. I'm praying for you everyday! Thank you to everyone who sends me emails and letters! I don't have a lot of time to write back, but know that I am working on my long list of letters to write, and that you MAKE MY WEEK! I love you all! Choose to be happy, and shine your light to all that you see!

Elder Dahl