Week 98 - "Elders, you're up."

HO HO HO everybody!!! :D Mrry Christmas!

Let's begin with an eye opening miracle that I forgot to include last week.

Elder Dalling and I just got done with exchanges and had a lesson at the institute at 8:30 with Kayla, a recent-convert. When we got there, we were a few minutes late, there was a man laying on the ground with people standing around him...hmm...the man that was lying down was out cold. Apparently he had a seizure of some kind and fell and hit his head really hard. It's happened before, but this time was a little bit more serious. As we walked up, the group around them said, "Elders, you're up." Having no idea what happened, Elder Dalling annointed Todd and I gave the blessing. It was pretty intense giving a blessing to someone who was out cold. What will the blessing say? To be honest, I don't really remember, other than that he would arise "shortly." Almost instantly after we finished the blessing, he fluttered his eyes, and then rolled over. He gained consciousness and then shortly was able to walk to a car to go home, after the paramedics treated him. It was such a miracle! A minute after, we headed on our way to continue with what was planned. I love the priesthood.

This past week, Elder Teichert and I probably spend a solid 5 or so hours in our area. Probably the most tired week of mission (and it doesn't help I cut the pre-workout weeks ago). Waking up at 4 for days in a row has a toll on you! But the Atonement always pulls through. How cray? In those 5 hours of work we actually had, we were able to find 2 new investigators from referrals and also set a baptism date with Megan!! The Lord blessed us even though the whole week we were traveling around the entire mission, and working with transfer things. What a crazy and exhausting week. Holy cow. That's the effect of only a few companionships not getting changed. 

The Ott's!! Sierra Vista miracle couple. 

Adrian and Kelly were the new investigators in that slim amount of time. Adrian was taught up at EAC (woo!) and almost was baptized. He has a couple concerns to work with before he heads out to the military Jan. 20th. Here we go. Then we have Kelly, a referral from the Sisters. She is 28ish, and isn't sure if she was baptized. Her dad has dementia and can't remember either. She had no knowledge until recently finding mormon.org and studying it. We're trying to find if she's a member or not so we can move forward. She's so solid and has been through a lot lately, and just wants to get closer to God.

Megan is also doing great! Although, she wasn't at church -_- blah. We set a date with her and she accepted with no hesitation. Growing up JW, and not knowing who Christ is aloud us to set good expectations with her and really means she needs the Book of Mormon more than anything. She works 6 days a week from 8-8, so they'll be short lessons. But sometimes those are the best!!

Remember an old companion from Sierra Vista, Elder Simpson? Woot! He spends a coupe days out of the week with us while he's not on exchanges. He's getting us swole and we're having a good time with the work.

Our mission had a mission-wide fast yesterday where all the missionaries fasted to help progressing investigators towards baptism. President Killpack set a goal of 500 baptisms at the beginning of the year. A week or two ago, we were at 480....we might hit it!!! It's well over 100 more than last year's. Wow. So great to be apart of this work. I love being able to work with all the missionaries in the ATM. To see how they're growing and what can be done to help them all out. Next week we have MUD (mission unity day) where the whole mission will come together for sports and crafts, and then MLC the next day where Elder Teichert and I will train. I can't believe how much time isn't left. There isn't any slowing down in sight! There's an MLC the Friday before I leave. I'm excited to finish with all I have left. 

 Saying goodbye to Elder Netane, and Elder Dalling at the airport. This group was such a good group. I learned so much from these two companions, but we'll reunite in the future!

Thank you to all. The church is true and #Heisthegift!! Thank you for all the support from everyone this Christmas season. I love you all!!

Family? I'll talk to you on Thursday!! wootwoot!!

-Elder Dallin Hales