Week 41 - The wind did never cease to blow towards the promised land.

You basically have to accept the fact of being tired 24/7, but, there's nothing else like serving a mission. 

"Everything good that's happened to me, in all the years that have since passed, I can trace back to my experience as a missionary." - President Hinckley. 

Setting the bar high!

This past week was quite the week. Blessings. Bikes stolen. New investigators. Appointments falling through like no body's business. Lots of peanut butter and honey sandwiches.

Let's start with last night!

Last night after two appointments fell through, bleh, we had a elderly lady who's a member who wanted a blessing in the hospital. We went over and gave her one and then went from house to house to see who was home. While on exchanges earlier in the week (we went on two 24 hour exchanges and one two hour), Elder Hall and his comp. found where a member lived. So our member went with us to her house. She's a full blooded indian! Pretty rad. She's pretty active but has been sick. Her daughter was there which we've never seen before. We felt inclined to share a message about the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Elder Hall shared Alma 7:11-12 and later I shared Mosiah 7:11 before leaving. The lesson went well and her daughter's concerns was fear of her kids having to grow up in this world. Can't blame her really. She will be having another kid THIS Friday. Crazy. Both Jerilyn and her mom had tears in their eyes during the lesson. The spirit was there and she wanted us to come over....BEFORE her belly pops on Friday.

This is Elder Banner. Awesome exchange.

You get entertained by the smallest and dumbest things on a mission. It's great.

One of the exchanges we went on was with Elder Banner...guess where he's from?....Layton! Awe yeah. He goes home next transfer, but turns out, we know each other pretty well. We probably hung out together and know each other's friends. It was crazy to tell people we're both from Layton, Utah when we asked. It was a good exchange as we found a couple new investigators and taught a few lessons. Sick. Also went on an exchange with Elder Bouwhuis who is a Zone Leader in another zone. We are also both from Layton. Goood stuff.

Another exchange serving in the only ASL part of the mission. Brushin' up on some ASL!

While walking down the sidewalk, a group of people yelled, "Heyy!!....do you know you look like Eminem!?" hahah Elder Banner and I started laughing. We later learned he just came out with a new album or something haha. Pretty funny. I'll rap about the Gospel I guess.

Checkin' out a referral yo. 

One of the new invests. we found this past week is Don. He's awesome. He was very accepting of a return visit this week and also accepted a BoM. Really hope things work out with him.

This past week was a weird week...in a sense that our district's #'s weren't as high, along with ours. Everyone said they were out working and just couldn't find anyone interested and that tons of appointments fell through. I remember in this past District Meeting focusing on 'consistency' within our own efforts. It seems it's just a test of our faith as a whole, and feel that things will look up in a couple weeks. We tend to go through something to help us recognize more, right before something good happens. We're hoping this follows that.

We have a General Authority speaking to us this Thursday! YES! Elder Paul Johnson of the 70 will be speaking to us missionaries down here. Man we are stoked as. That should give us all a good chunk of motivation to be diligent. WOOT!

Alma 29:10

Ether 6:8 "..the wind did never cease to blow towards the promised land." God has prompted us towards the promises he has given us. We must keep pushing forth and do our best!

D&C 6:11, 22-24.

"No one cares how much you know, until they know how much you care."

boom.

PDAY!

If you don't enjoy what you do, you're screwed. Yup.

Well time is about up. Thank you everyone for the prayers and support. It's just an awesome thing to have so many loved ones back home. Peace out yo.

Stay real.

-Elder Dallin Hales

Week 40 - How do you have a blog on the mission?!

I have no idea who reads this blog, but to whoever does, you rock.

This past week in the ATM was a pretty chill yet chaotic week.....a former investigator is sitting next to us..his name is JW. He's rad. 

This was this morning...at 5:45am, we've been going to the gym....never thought I would wake up early volunteeringly for stuff. Hah.

My comp. is kicking butt and is constantly wanting to improve and is very motivated for missionary work, which is sweeet as. Nothing really crazy happened this past week, but lots of little things.

The entire zone thinks I look just like Eminem...so there ya go.

This past week, we had some encounters with an (sort of) investigator. She's 'prayed in tongues' to us, which was quite the experience. She's knocked on our door and talked to us about how she thinks we're wrong....funny enough, she found out her 'answers' about the BOM....online. Yup. There's so much anti stuff, it's ridiculous. She talked about how at first the Book of Mormon brought to her good feelings....then before you know it, anti crap kicked in and she gave us back the BoM. I talked to her about recognizing her feelings from the BOM compared to online and why it may be different feelings....she came back again later, and apologized to us. We see each other and she's chill. Got to love Tucson.

I'm trying to type and talk to the two people in here too..

"Are you Mormon? No? Well I'm MORE MAN than you!" hahah our investigator John.

Yesterday at church, no investigators showed up, and we were expected 3 or so. Somewhat frustrating, but meh, it's the missionary life. Our progress with some investigators is coming along. We set a date with an investigator last night who said, "I have no doubt that it could be true. I would love to read and pray and fast about it." Holy awesome. 

Nick is coming along too. He still has a date for the 30th and is working towards it, but he didn't wake up in time to go to church. 

John and Laura are doing pretty good! They both committed to living the WoW last night, and we're trying to get them married so then they can be baptized. John now has a job, and a car, so they are being watched over.

How many missionaries does it take to put up a flag?

After church yesterday, we had to bike over to the Stake Center so I could do an interview. Right before the interview, a member came up to me whom I've never met before and said, "So how do you have a blog on the mission?" hahah whattt? He looked up some blogs and found this blog. Awesome. 

Alma 32:25: "For I do not mean that ye all of you have been compelled to humble yourselves; for I verily believe that there are some among you who would humble themselves, let them be in whatsoever circumstances they might.

John 16:4

Romans 8:25

At the "Heritage Festival" we rocked the parking lot yo.

This past Saturday, we were invited to a city-run "Mormon Heritage Festival" at a really big park. There was about 130 missionaries or so helping out all throughout the day. We got to wear the sweet "helping hands" vests. SICK. Elder Hall and I were assigned to the baptist parking lot to help people park....good thing we're awesome, because we directed about 4 cars in a few hours. haha. It was a good turnout though, people just parked elsewhere..

HALESTORM. We were in the same district down in Deming for a while.

Sister Shimitzu...I think. It only took about 9 months for us to see each other haha. She used to hang out with my bro! My brother told me to add her on Facebook friends before I left....so we finally met haha. She rocks. 

Life is crazy. I've learned more and more that if you gain patience for yourself, than comes the patience for others, or else it just stacks up. Got knows our weaknesses, otherwise patience would be a very very hard thing....

I continue to reflect on my brother's 'story' with many people. One invest. asked about our church's stand point with "gay people." So I pulled out Romans Chapter 1 and went from there. There's so many people out there struggling with something. If it weren't for my brother, I would have no knowledge about it. 

Well. Time to go. I'm surprised these computers aren't closed down for Veteran's day. This church is true. It's there to help us! Not to discourage! 

 I saw this on a letter...Elder Kunz is now home in Idaho, he must have seen this letter the day he went home. That dawg. 

JW is talking to me about insurance haha. He's still rad.

Love you all! Next week should have more things happen!

Peace.

Elder D.Hales

Week 39 - I received my mission call OVER a year ago.

High School throwback. Miracles. District Meeting. Two Jews. Appointment with the Lord. Talking with Weed dudes. Training comp. Tears in lessons. Missionary costume. Fixing cars. Fasting. Boom. 

It was quite an awesome week! My new comp. Elder Hall is loving the work out here, even though the mission is nothing like he imagined it to be haha. I don't think the mission is what ANYONE expects. WELCOME TO THE ATM!

Part of training! 

Last week, we hitched a ride with the ZL's and apparently Elder Banner went to Layton High and was friends with a lot of people I hung out with too...it was awesome. We started listing off people and we were both really close friends with them. Haha small world!

Let's move on to the miracle part of this past week. In District Meeting, I focused the training that week on 'finding'. We set apart a time of the week to do 2 hours of specific finding and to do an appointment with the Lord. Elder Hall and I prayed, looked at a map, tried to focus and pick one we both felt was a good one, then prayed about what time and what day we were going there. Saturday came, the day we had the appointment with the Lord. We showed up to the (disappointing park) at 1pm and there was like no one there haha. Crap. I still had a good feeling. Sometimes you only have your Faith to run on. 3Nephi27:21. 

We talked to a couple people who are homeless. Their names were "Jersey" from New Jersey and then Brian. They were nice to us but then quickly had to leave. Then we headed over to the other side and saw some college kids 'passing around' some stuff...nice. So we went and talked to them haha. They were really chill, maybe because some were stoned, but hey, whatever works. One of them was Eli who was super chill and just got clean and was interested in the institute at UoA. Awesome. Had a good time talking with them. But then a family of 4 walked up to the park....YES! We slowly secretly made our way over to where they were...and the lady was really friendly to us! They are a black family. My blessing says "many nationalities" when talking about my mission, so I always feel comfortable around people, regardless of their ethnicity. Her name was Mosette and got talking and said she just recently started reading the Bible and accepting Christ more into her life. We had a good talk, Elder Hall introduced the BoM to her, and we got an appointment to go back! Wow. So awesome. While we were leaving, Elder Hall said, "Wow...did that just happen?" It was pretty cool. Been praying all week to try and get some cool things to happen to start off Elder Hall's mission well.

Just found out my dad is leaving the Mo-Tab (spoiler alert)...it's sad and sucks, because Waldo will be even harder to find....buut it's for the best! :D

Nick is one of our investigators who we found on the street. He came to church yesterday and still has a BD! He's one of the nicest people I've taught, and we're excited for his progress. He had a picture of Moroni on his wall the first time we met with him....that's quite the 'sign'.

Then we also have John and his new gf/fiance Laura. They both came to church yesterday and looked like new people....holy crap. John was all cleaned up and has been sober for a week! Laura was dressed nice too and had tears throughout fast and testimony meeting. We've been trying to go over there most days, and it's such an awesome experience to have worked with John for weeks now. John is sober, and at our lesson last night, he read! He usually can't read! John is like a new person and he wants us coming over. Last night he grabbed some sunscreen and he said, "I love the way sunscreen smells. Makes me think I'm at the beach!" and then wiped a huge glob on his face haha...it was 8:00pm. John gave me an Irish Necklace (which I forgot to take a picture of, crap) and gave it to me. Apparently he's had it for years. The Gospel certainly has enlightened them both, and they are both comfortable at church now and are receptive in lessons. Man they rock.

A shirt from my Mom given to her by my Sister Jolie. YES.

It's crazy to think that I received my mission call OVER a year ago. Wow. It literally seems like yesterday I got home from WSU and was waiting for my call to come. There's nothing else I'd rather be doing than serving the Lord. It BLOWS my mind to think I've been out for almost 9 months (on Wednesday). Especially with having my comp. being out only 3 weeks...so crazy. It seems like Demnation was yesterday, but now I'm creepin' up on halfway. Whaa?

This morning at the bank haha

I love you all and all the support that's been given. My family, the Ward back home, my friends, and everyone else. This church is so awesome...and although I still think of drinking a Monster EVERY time I see one....and sometimes think of blasting music in my truck when I see a Tacoma....I know there's nothing else the Lord would want me to do. Elder Hall and I were just talking about how we get to separate ourselves from the world for 2 years, and have a simple lifestyle, although stressful at times. I'm grateful for my Savior. Even though my sins and pains added to His, I know his sacrifice was out of love for His Father and his brothers and Sisters. The church is true and can bless families, whether you're in much contact with them or not.

3Nephi26:9:

"And when they shall have received this, which is expedient that they should have first, to try their faith, and if it shall so be that they shall believe these things then shall the greater things be made manifest unto them."

Hope everyone has a good week! Don't be a total tard.

-Elder D. Hales 

[Transfers] Week 38 - I'm now training Elder Hall!

Holy shnoz, I can't believe today is the beginning of transfer #7 and coming up on 9 months. WHAT?

Well crap, where to start. Sunday we got transfer calls and President called us and told Elder Auva'a that he's being transferred to Central Tucson and is now comp's with a BYU Rugby Player. SICK. Then he asked if I could train! So I'm now training Elder Hall. He's from Boise, Idaho (quite a change from Samoa haha) and is so stoked to be out here. We didn't find out until this morning who our companions were and then we had a 4 hour meeting after that, so we're stoked to be in this companionship. Will be doing my best to train Elder Hall. We'll be doing the 12 week program and see what we can make of it!

Had no idea who I was training until this morning, his name is Elder Hall and he's a stud. AWE YEAH.

Sooooo...there's an investigator in our apartment complex who is Penecostal and believes to pray in 'tongues'. One night, we said a prayer with her and then she started chanting stuff and then told me to 'pray in tongues'...I looked at her and was like "uhhh....I'm good! We can say a prayer in English!" so it was..different. Nothing against her at all and she's a really nice and kind lady. Crazy things happen on the mish. haha. 

Elder Ta'Ofi is from Australia! Not Utah. He calls me Eminem.

There's times while on a mission when you just do or say something really sudden and randomly....last week while biking to an appointment, we past a guy was walking on the side walk. Usually we say something to them and if they respond at all...we might talk with them! The guy whose name is Nick was walking down the sidewalk and looked at us, and then I randomly asked, "Do you need any help?" He said, "Yes, maybe later?" We went over a couple nights later, taught the Restoration and set a baptism date with him. AWESOME! The lesson went really well. Right after, he said he was going to go talk with his mom....we haven't followed up with him since, but I hope she didn't bash us to him..if he's prepared, he's prepared. If not, we were able to plant a seed. Can only hope for the best.

This is the usual group that played Football every once in a while on Saturday nights with investigators. WHADDUP.

One night our ward mission leader and us put together a 'Family Home Evening' for anyone who could come. One of our investigators John showed up and had been sober alll day...but then showed up and was hammered...in the middle of it we took him outside and literally almost carried him home because he pounded some Vodka right before he came over. Man. Freakin' Satan. He recently broke up with his ex, then called up his other ex from California who then showed up a few days later and is now living with John....and apparently they're engaged....wow. Little bit of a REBOUND, but hopefully it's God's plan! I might wait a day to introduce my comp. to John haha. Hmm...we hope to plan a date for them both, and get them married in the oncoming weeks.

ELDER ROMNEY! We hung out yeeears back a few times and was in the same ward as him for a while, while living with my mom. He's a 'Visa Waiter' and will be here for a while. It was a sick surprise hahah.

"Elder Hales, you have 3 seconds to make up a word!"

".......Kadonga!!" hahah. 

It's crazy to think I've had my call ONE YEAR. Dang. 

Elder Kunz! He's going home! He ran the same leg I did at Wasatch Ragnar which was awesome.

There's a ton of change that has happened within our district and our zone, but things are good! Time to go shop, change laundry, find somehow to get somewhere to buy my comp. a bike, and then try to get to the Stake Center to drop off a bike for a Sister. Got to love the mish. life! 

East (SIDE!) Zone

D&C9:8-9

D&C 45:35

D&C 52:4, 14

Moroni 7:16 - we've been teaching quite a few lessons about the "Light of Christ" and how it's the influence we all have to do good in this life. It will often help us know what is of the spirit and what is of the "natural man" within all of us. Boom.

Stay real everyone. Love to hear from all of you. Nothing is as awesome as getting letters. 

Love you all!

-Elder D. Hales

Week 37 - It truly is THY will and not MY will.

Hope erryone's doing good! :D This past week was quite the week, pretty weird too.

some missionaries in our zone. There was an awesome Stake BBQ which we could go to...so we did! Always is awesome to be around a ton of people.

A couple Sisters in our district had their apartment FLOOD this past week (they blamed it on me for praying for something funny hahah), like hardcore haha. Then their bike was stolen, and then her new bike broke. Got to love being on bikes. My comp's brand new bike just got a flat too. Bleh. Whatevs.

First off, this past week I prayed a lot to help me learn how to become a better teacher. I've learned a ton the past couple weeks. One of the things I've learned is that when you learn something while you're teaching, you're teaching by the spirit. One day, I learned 1)Disobedience can mean a lack of trust. 2)Recognizing weaknesses is a sign of being humble. 3) Doubt is temporary. Faith is eternal and is something we work our entire life work. Why doubt it?

Out going to appointments with a member. 

Anyways! One night while I was on an exchange with Elder Roney, we were flooded with people calling and asking for Priesthood blessings. One was from a  member who offered one to a non-member who was about to have surgery, another one was from a member for someone who was delirious in the hospital, and the other was for a member who was in rehab from surgery. The blessings went well and Elder Roney hasn't been out 3 months yet so it was a cool experience. One of the blessings was for "Betty-Lou" and older lady who talked randomly about random stuff even if no one was there....random. Although, earlier that day, she asked someone for a blessing and kept telling people she had "visitors" coming amongst all the craziness she was saying. Elder Roney anointed her head with oil, and she went silent....but then started talking quietly through the blessing....cool things were said in the blessing. We were confident she knew we were there. The church is true!

Brother Awa! He's from Hawaii and is one of the nicest people I've ever met. He calls me Elder Ha-Lays which means "many homes" in Hawaiian apparently. SOOWOO

We've had some craziness the past 2-3 days....one night we got done with an appointment with a member and were headed to another one...but then I received a prompting to go visit "John" who hasn't been visited for 5 days or so because he was struggling and wanted some free space. After knocking on the door, they let us in. John and Kim (John's gf and also an investigator) said we always seem to come at the perfect time as they were deciding if John should go to Texas with Kim who was moving the next morning. They asked for our input, so we let the scriptures give the input hahah. I shared with them Mosiah 7:33 I think. The next morning we went over and John said he was leaving too....it sucked, but we hoped the best for him. John got some pictures with us and then said bye...that sucked hardcore....but then the next morning...Sister Wilkinson came up to me and said, "Did you see Johnny?" I said no and started running to find him haha. John got in a fight with Kim's kids and wasn't doing so hot. Man, it sucks to see these people you work with down in the dumps. John said something told him to go to the church. He found some members and then started talking with us. We took him inside and sat down with a couple members and also gave him a Priesthood blessing. Crap I'm runnning out of time. John is doing good now after we walked with him a couple miles and chatted with him. One of our members, Chad Johansen is awesome and went on a walk with him yesterday. So many coincidences happen when someone is in need, but of course they aren't coincidences at all.

John. Can't even describe this awesome dude.

These two BoM's were sent to me by a couple young woman in my ward back home. I prayed to see who I should give them out too, and was able to give them both out in the same day. What an awesome idea. Thanks again!!

This is John and Kim. I felt to give one of the copies of the Book of Mormon to her. So we wrote our testimony in it and gave it to her! The other one that has a picture of my good buddy Elder Wolfley's little sister in it, I gave out two nights ago after a lady who "spoke in tongues" to us knocked on our door and asked for one! Woah. Crazy. Will try to get a picture with her too since she lives in our apartment complex.

Then, our former progressing investigator, Barbara from Germany, dropped us this past Saturday...bleh. After having NO contact with her kids for years, her daughter came down and is now living with her and they're getting along great!! YES! We talked with her after it seemed like there would be nothing to stop her from getting baptized, she said having her daughter living with her was the answer to everything. Barbara said "you did your job." She really did seem happy, but it was still rough to drop someone just like that after working with them most days. Alwell. Sometimes God wants us to plant seeds because maybe they're not ready for baptism. It truly is THY will and not MY will.

This is the only pic. I have at Barbara's place. Her dog was insane.

I've also learned, that if you think you're good at something, that you're not living up to your potential. 

This past week's District training included patience - something we will never perfect. I've learned a TON about patience lately, as it is something that has a huge influence on so many things. 

 Picking up some people with our Ward Mission leader for lunch! 

Patience:

-Trials will often start by testing your patience.

Alma 17:11

Alma 26:27

Well time is up! Keep being rad yo. Can't believe next week is transfers. Both of our minds are BLOWN....maybe I'll get sent to Deming....hahah

"The only problem in life is thinking there won't be any." - our ward mission leader who is a BOSS. 

Week 36 - Sometimes all we can do is plant seeds.

Happy bday to ma bro! Woot!

Well, another week is done...it's insane how fast time is flying by. Another week of being persecuted, blessed, and lots of funny moments.

haha we came out and the Sister missionaries locked Elder Auva'a's bike up....so after we found out their comb...we put Sister Marsh's bike in a tree and locked it. :D hahah 

A week ago today, we went to a couple people who weren't home so then the prompting came to call a less active. So we did and a lady answered randomly...I was like "HI! We're the missionaries! Who's this?" Then the member shortly after invited us over and told us to come over asap. Got there in a few minutes after biking 4 miles, and met a girl name Gina. Apparently her son was killed, supposedly suicidal, the night before and she was having a hard time. (Can't blame her). Gina and her family were raised in a Jewish background religion and all that, so she had little to NO knowledge of Christ, and any sort of after life. We taught her the Plan of Salvation and she very kindly accepted a baptismal date. AWESOME. She kept talking about the good feelings she had while we taught her. Things went awesome and we gave her a blessing the next day.....unfortunately, Satan still has influence. Gina over dosed yesterday before church and was rushed to the hospital by ambulance and then wasn't welcomed to the members home anymore for some things she did...well....sometimes all we can do is plant seeds...and sometimes that's all we're supposed to do.

We were out street contacting (one of our favorite things to do) and felt an impression to chase down this guy on the street. Turns out, Robert is a member who is now homeless because of some drinking problems so he lost just about everything. We got an appointment with him at the church!....but he never showed. Meh. Lame.

This one's for Ben. Awe yeah.

We picked up a new investigator whose brother pointed a gun at one of our members..well...he's pretty cool. Crazy.

Last week, the ASL Elders have been going on blitz (where they both come to your own area) in hopes of finding deaf people which is awesome. On our blitz, we did an appointment with the Lord where we felt impressed to go tract down these apartments where I did my best to contact deaf people. Elder Van Noy did a deaf knock on this one house (where you stick you foot in the bottom of the door and bang on the door so it shakes the house) and he answered! They talked away...or signed, and got a return appointment. Unfortunately, they haven't been able to get his attention to answer the door yet, but soon enough! Let's blame it on Satan.

Yuup. Pet pig.

Why doesn't Angel Moroni on top of temples play the drums?

In one lesson, our investigator started singing to us....really awkwardly hahah. 

This past week we were able to get more member present lessons than either of us have ever gotten before by DOUBLING our goal. There was 'high hopes' for getting investigators to church, but even after having 3 committed to coming, ....zero showed up. BUT, we did have a member who hasn't been to church in over 10 years come! Anyways, John found out he has to pay $300 child support which is almost as much as he makes at the moment, Gina over dosed, and then our lesson with Barbara the previous night told us she wasn't coming. It was truly disappointing when people tell you that, even after you feel they are SOLID. Barbara has been going through a lot, and we are going over there everyday until her baptism to ensure she's doing okay. Barbara has come a looong way, and has her sights set. Hoping, praying, and fasting for the best.

Waiting for Robert to show up at the church...

Ever heard of CPS? They are literally taking EVERYONE'S kids down here...it's ridiculous.

After we took this pic., a guy opened up and accepted some help moving haha. Later...we were yelled at by the management for being on their property...and all we were doing was helping someone move.

"Don't demand yourself perfection - something that we won't have until Heaven, but demand yourself improvement and be patient with yourself." - Russel M. Nelson

Thanks again for everyone's support, it really does go a long way. If you write me, I WILL reply.

On exchanges with the ASL Elders.

Keep pushing on erryone. God loves us all, the more we can realize that, the less pride will come across.

Will have more pics. with people next week I sware haha.

Stay real.

-Elder D. Hales

Week 35 - Choose To Become

"Choose to Become"

That's our mission motto if you will, and it's something I think is very effective.

Some missionaries are clean haha.

Last week started off with an exchange with Elder Kunz who is one of our ZL's. We started out the morning by going to an appointment who then told us he doesn't want us coming over unless he calls.....awesome. So we felt the prompting to go back to our place, drop off the bikes, and do a "Red Shirt Contact" which is praying where to go and what color to look for...pretty crazy stuff. We got our apt. and felt the prompting of "yellow"....not sure why, but we prayed about it and went with it. After, the prompting came to walk down to Crafycroft, make our way to 5th street, then make our way back to our place. Again, not sure why. A few people stopped and talked to US but we kept walking the 3ish miles. Then, we looked up ahead and saw a dude in yellow. FTW! We talked to him and he was quite receptive. The only person we saw that was wearing yellow...all day. It's crazy going out and searching and hoping that the promptings you feel are not just...you. It's such a blessing to have this guidance upon us. 

I remember talking about praying for something funny...hahah. So one of our investigators 'Johnny' who has come a loong way and is sober and everything. He does struggle from some things still, but hey, we're human. He was there for our appointment....and he ran out of his ADHD meds...hahahaha holy crap. He was bouncing off the walls, got up and did an awesome dance move, arm wrestled, and everything hahaha. Oh man. We got a little on video, but sadly it won't get home until beginning of next month. God has the best humor. He knows what will be funny for EACH of us, without hurting anyone. Boom.

I kept imagining it biting me then me dropping it to the grown and stomping on it...but it didn't get that far luckily haha

District Meeting last week was on "Revelation through Church Attendance", I found Alma Chapter 6 and based a lot of it off that chapter. Got to get people to church yo.

The random songs that randomly come to my head. Aweee man. Music. "Sacrifice brings the blessings of heaven!"

We taught someone on medical marijuana this past week. He has avoided us before but after he left (after seeing us) he came back and said, "Something told me to come back." Even though he was stoned as crap..."legally". We shared a message about baptism and he said "That's exactly what I wanted to hear!" Again, very high. He's being taught by the JW's, but planting seeds goes a long way.

Mail has been taking a while lately...they say "fwd" on them...whatevs. It's like the government is shut down or something.....that's all we know haha.

One of our investigator's, Barbara, had some rough patches, but it solid! Yesterday we hooked her up with a ride to Conference and we had previously had a lesson about prayer and taking a question to conference and search for the answer. Well, there was some mis-communcation and our member thought she would be waiting outside, but she was waiting inside her house ready to go. Man, we felt awful. We told her she (not anyone else back home or else) can make fun of us for that. She has been coming along. She smiles, laughs, and has input during lessons which she never had any of that when we first taught her. We invited her to pray about a baptism date for the 26th of October, which has relevance to her as that's her mom's birthday who passed away. Yesterday at our lesson, she said she was excited to tell us that that was the day she felt to be baptized. Barbara is aware of satan's influence as good things come about. It's crucial to go over to progressing investigator's home to check up on them "daily nourish" because if we don't, satan will.

Something I've learned a lot on my mission is that the Lord calls YOU where he needs your help, not to be someone else, but to be YOU. Regardless of your strengths and weaknesses, there's always a reason for it. 

Have to keep weekly planning upbeat somehow!

Yup. So we had 10 hours of church this past weekend. CONFERENCE. 

Not too many things are as rewarding as when you find Waldo....

Seriously.

Some quotes and thoughts I liked from this conference.

-"Doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith." - President Ucktdorf

-"We must be 1) Anxious to improve 2)desiring to please God 3)Recognizing our weaknesses" referring to 'meekness' - Ulisses Soares

-"It's impossible to fail when we do our best." - Elder Ballard

-"Faithfully pursue what brings happiness to your life." - Elder Holland

-"Help by being merciful, not judgmental, but kind." - Elder Holland

-"We should not be comfortable with our weaknesses." - President Ucktdorf

-"The adversary confuses us o who we are or what our desires are." - President Ucktdorf

-"Sometimes when questions come, we need patience until they're answered to our satisfaction." - President Ucktdorf

Some of my fav. talks were:

Elder Holland's

Elder Oak's

President Ucktdorf's first one.

President Monson's

Look 'em up yo.'

I picked up a guitar and wrote a verse in a few minutes during dinner on exchanges.

"Try"

"When troubles hang o'er us, they try to knock me down where I can't get up.

Struggles come o'er us, they try to lead where I don't belong.

So I will try. I will try, to servive, if I tryyyyyyy."

Meh.

Love you all. Will write some letters today. Thank you for everything! Elder Auva'a and I can't freakin' believe yesterday was our 8th month mark. Just insane.

Stay real!

:D

-Elder D. Hales