Week 51 - #SaveaSoulToday #HastaLaVista

11 going on 12. 19 going on 20. Life is nuts.

Well it's only been 5 days since last time we were able to email. Buut good things are happening out here in good ol' Sierra Vista. #SaveASoulToday #HastaLaVista yup, I'll have lots of things to tweet when I get home.

Elder Simps and I!

Some things that Elder Simpson and I are doing is blitzing other areas in the zone. Meaning we'll go into another area besides our own and spend 2-3 hours 'finding'. This next week we'll do a couple more and then hopefully soon enough we'll do a  2 nighter where we'll blitz two areas in Douglas (Americanized Mexico) and then get us all to blitz the Bisbee area. Good things to come! We're also moving apartments this Wednesday. Our new place has our own washer and dryer. FTW!! 

On our way to blitz an Elders' area. The GPS literally leads us to the middle of no where sometimes. Got to love SV!

Reminded me slightly of my first area. We tracted here and came across 'Raychel' and her son who is a pastor for a penecostal church. We all had a really good talk. Although they weren't interested, we were able to clear up some stuff. Sometimes that's all you can do to those who may not listen, but they'll have a better impression.

Everyone has been sick in Sierra Vista. We were able to give a few blessings this past week to people who were sick. Members and non-members. Giving blessings is probably one of my favorite things to do on the mish. What a remarkable opportunity to feel a portion of God's love for those the blessing is being given too. 

Our last zone lunch last transfer before almost half of the zone was transferred. We ate at a literal haunted hotel in Bisbee. Awe yeah.

Even when you don't have a ton of time to go out and work in your own area because you have to travel around or get some things done. If you do what's right, the Lord gives you opportunities when you have free time to get new investigators. 

Few mins. to spare. Chillin' and waiting for a member to take us to a blessing.

Let's update on some peeps!

This past week, an investigator named Cynthia contacted us and asked us to come over. SWEET. I never met her last transfer because she's very busy. She's read the BOM once and is in Mosiah again, along with completing the D&C and Pearl of Great Price. Dang. She said, "I'll get baptized, just not sure when." So that's what where we're at with her. We had a solid lesson with overviewing everything, asking her what may prevent her from progressing, or what she's expecting to get that 'aha' moment she's looking for, for when it's right. It went well and she said there will be another good time this week to go by. TBA.

The couple Lanney(member) and Aaron(investigator) that we've been working with are coming along. They've kept the promise that they'd read and pray nightly if possible. Even sometimes at 3am or 6am, so they seem committed. They are both married to other people in difficult situations where it would be very hard to try and get divorce. Sooo..it's quite funny. The cost to get married is $50 or something? ....and the cost to divorce is around $600? Man. I wonder where the investment is. It sucks for them right now. We talked with our Bishop, and he counseled us by saying keep working with them with high faith, because if something should happen to them to help Aaron progress, God will make it happen.

Jen and Jeff (investigators - also married to other people. It's a trend sometimes) apparently got up and moved... so we have no idea where they are now. Although, Jen's mom is there and although she's Catholic, she accepted an RA (return appointment) and a BOM! Saweet. The Lord places people prepared in houses you come across. It's happened quite a bit. It's eye-opening when you see how the Lord works. To be continued...

Loretta! Our progressing investigator! Man, she's solid. We had a couple good lessons about prayer and the BOM more in depth along with a Plan of Salvation lesson. Loretta has come to church every week since first contacted and loves church! She's definitely a blessing for us to work with because she has her eyes set on what Heavenly Father wants for her. The generally ends up blessing their lives when those two things match up. Her baptism date is for Feb. 15th - 2 weeks from this Saturday! YES! We're stoked for her. Our ward has awesome fellowshippers who help her out without us lining anything up for her. So awesome.

Our zone is making improvements. It's cool to see the #'s go up weekly. Numbers definitely don't mean success always, but they can reflect effort. Our referrals have gone up, which is a sign of Heavenly Father blessing our areas. Lots of praying and fasting - two things that never fail.

We had an ex- J-DUB come to church yesterday with her husband. We have an appointment with them for friday. Perfect way to spend the bday! We'll also be in Tucson for mlc and then have some appointments afterwards. Next bday I'll almost be home. crazy.

I'm tired. Last night we finished off our day with over 90 mins. of calls and forms. Pretty great! Going to the gym in the morning definitely helps wake you up!

The Lord definitely prepares you for future events (transfers). 

We have been doing some recent covert lessons to Jeffrey who was baptized a few weeks ago. We watched the Restoration video and it made me think of the first time that my dad took me to the premiere of the Joseph Smith video in SLC. I'll never forget the feelings, even at a young age,  that overwhelmed me to see what happened to Joseph Smith.. Although he was simply just a man and no more, God called him to restore the church because He trusted him. My testimony of the BOM and Joseph Smith's experience has without a doubt grown on my mission. There's a reason why there is so much false hood out there. When something good happens, Satan tries his best, and he's good at what he does. People bring up "Joe Smith" all the time, and I'm grateful to have a testimony that has grown that can lead me no matter what people may say about him. Joseph Smith truly walked the earth and saw our Heavenly Father and Savior to restore the church once more to help bring clarity, truth, and peace into anyone's life. The church is true! And it's great to serve.

Well that's that. We might be doing a split with the AP's which should be fun.

Elder Simpson drinking some mate. No worries. It's okay.

Love you all. Yup. I'm a missionary. It still blows my freakin' mind. 

"The Best Two Years" I accidentally just put this picture as this computer's screensaver haha. At least our Bishop's the President! Oops. Alwell. Missionary opportunity.

Thank you for the prayers and support, I never shut up about it, but it's truly helped me.

STAY REAL 801, 435, OR WHEREVER. Don't be stupid. :D

-Elder Dallin Hales