Week 46 - MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!! WOOHOO!

We got approval to email at a member's home since places were closed today...since it's 2 days before Christmas...??

Well holy crap. It's insane to look back a year ago and see what was going on. Now I look at what's going on now and what has changed. It is crazy to see what has changed. It's pretty awesome. What an awesome opportunity to serve yo.

So to start out this past week, we taught seminary a couple days for like 20 mins. or so. We are having an event on Jan. 16 for everyone to invite people to bring their non-member friends with questions and what not. 1Nephi8:10-12 and Alma 29:10 is what was shared and focused on. Good stuff.

Teaching seminary!

So tomorrow our mission is having a FULL mission conference for all of the missionaries here. It should be SWEET! White elephant, tie exchanges, lots of cool things shared and it'll be good to see all of the mission buds. Sis. Killpack called and asked me to share the miracle of "Dave" - a recent convert who passed away 3 days after. So it should be a cool time to share miracles with all of the missionaries. Woot! We'll also be opening up any packages sent within the past week since they've been holding mail. Elder Smith and I bought the zone some little presents per companionship. It'll be fun to go back to Tucson!

Our so called "Aeropostale" photo shoot yo. haha

Other Christmas plans? President Killpack let's us go to a midnight mass! So sweet! The only day we can. So that should be pretty awesome. We'll be very tired haha. Meh.

On Wednesday we went down to a District Meeting down in the town of Bisbee. It's known to have a lot of 'homos'? But it's a really historic town so on our way back we took a few pics. The District meeting went well. Bisbee is a tiny town! There's not a whole lot there. I find myself often reflecting back to Deming, one of the most HUMBLING experiences in my life. Pres. said there's potential in this area, and no matter where you serve, there's people waiting!

Our quick visit to Bisbee. It seems like a place where there would be a lot of high people. Pretty cool place though.

Sooo....we got bashed pretty hard this past Wednesday as well. We met an investigator at the library who wasn't interested at all in the BoM or what WE believe, but wanted to talk about God, which is chill. Very different beliefs, especially with the Godhead. Then another random dude came up and asked if he could 'sit in'. Sweet! We thought we'd be getting a lesson with two investigators.....but the new guy had a different thought haha. He is a 'free mason' which are pretty sweet people! He has researched the Mormon faith down to the CORE. It was weird. The time while he unleashed his issues withus and what we believe, I kept saying a prayer in my heart that we would be able to answer his 'anti' questions. Something that really got us somewhat frustrated, was the fact that he knows everything we do in the temple. Literally. We did not elaborate off of the temple stuff, because we've never talked to someone talk about the temple so much in freakin' detail! It was really weird. Afterwards, I tried to remember something I said....so here's a little paraphrasing :D :

"This book (BoM) has been attacked more than any other book. Out of all the people we come across, one of their biggest problems with it is the architectural and physical evidence, or lack of where everything took place. We can't prove you that, but if that's people's main concern, the Book of Mormon is doing a pretty good job considering people often don't have a problem with what's being taught in the Book of Mormon."

So that's a little bit of what the lesson was based on. It's SO easy to just unleash yourself on someone and try to prove them wrong. But we both felt the spirit in this one, and it wasn't about proving him wrong as much as it was testifying and proving what the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints doctrine is. Meh. Stupid satan. This man was really confused, and then after we stayed too long already, he told us we were wicked people because we had to go. Ever since we encountered Jehovah Witness missionaries and talked back and forth for like 30 mins. with my comp. Elder Dayley about the differences of our beliefs. Ever since then, I've learned to rely on my testimony and it feels more solid. I felt horrible after talking to those JW missionaries, and have definitely learned since.

While visiting a potential, oh look, a voodoo doll. Rather creepy.

After talking with some buds serving missions, apparently they are using their OWN account for Facebook. CRAZY. Soooo I'll be on FB in the oncoming future. That's going to explode my entire universe. We'll see what the restrictions will be.

Well holy cow, I can't believe it's Christmas. AND THERE'S NO SNOW! It's really weird...but really nice :D My comp. hates it haha since he's from Spokane.

Taking pics. for our awesome Christmas card.

 Chillin' and lookin' over our zone. SNOW in the mountains! Never thought we'd see that..

Not your everyday Santa Claus. heheh.

-You should never hold one's level to another, but you sure can help raise it!

-Sometimes, you're scared of your potential.

-The more you serve others, the more you understand God.

A year ago I was a tard.....now....nothing's really changed. In a year from now, I'll be wrapping up my mission....tard style.

We got over and play for a few mins. with a member's kids to help her out. They are some entertaining kids!

Just want to especially thank everyone for the cards, and gifts. Even people I haven't met before, it is so awesome to have support from people back home. I love you all. Have a Merry Christmas.

Took this today at PDAY sports haha. Suuuper creepy.

The mission is flying by yo!

1Nephi17:13.

Luke Chapter 2

The members we're at right now are sword fighting with wrapping papers things. haha awesome. Awesome members down here.

Time's up!

Nos Vemos!

-Elder Dallin Hales