Week 61 - Baptism this Friday!

Last week. OHh man. Commodities. Mission Leadership Conference, GENERAL CONFERENCE, and one week to go in this transfer. 

Elder Donovan working commodities like a boss.

There's a guy named big Mike that asks for our whole zone to get together to do commodities the first Wednesday of every month. We did it my first transfer here and so we gave it another shot and found some good potentials! You run around doing a lot of different things, getting food prepared for people in line and then help them carry it to their cars. Always makes you feel good.

 After Elder Chamberlain's district meeting, "Big Mike" made us a full course meal at the church! 

One of 'finding goals' recently is to go around, look for moving trucks, and stop and ask if they need help moving in or out! It's worked really well and we've come a crossed a few people that are interested! Some people we moved last week were from Tombstone (one of them therefore being stupendously drunk hahah) and we'll keep everyone updated on them Tombstonians. Another time was last week (I think - everything literally blends together) where they are interested and one night, we went over there to conveniently find an inactive member we helped move a piano for months ago. SWEET! Turns out they were friends! She has a great testimony and taught a lot of things about the Restoration. Her son came across a punk who did some pathetic stuff to her son and now the man is in jail, so they are somewhat distant to us for now, but things are going great with them. At the end of the lesson, the maintenance man knocked on the door and Joyce "Perfect! Now we don't have to pray!" US: "Perfect! He'll pray with us! He's a member!" which he is and he joined us in prayer :D there are no coincidences.

Attempting an awesome pyramid picture. I was in the back waiting to get on top...but then...it fell down *notice President's expression* haha

For MLC we were asked by our Mission President to think of something we've done that has helped out zone positively in the past little while. Our zone's responses were very motivating: 1) Obedience 2)Organized PDAY sports 3)Zone Conference Trainings 4)Zone Unity 5)Caring (ZL's) for each other 6) Change of attitude. So there has been a big change out here in Sierra Vista (#supervista - hashtag it for me) and it's a blessing to see the Lord's arm throughout the Zone and Stake. Our zone has 100% of investigators with a baptism date progressing!! MIRACLE! Tonight and tomorrow we're doing a Zone (and mission)-wide exchange for the ongoing "The Day" where our mission focuses on one specific thing. This time it is 'finding' that is ALWAYS a great thing to improve on. WOOTWOOT

ZL's and STL's in the mission. MLC is by far my favorite meeting. 

Elder Teio! Stud. He's chillin' down in Douglas right now and is basically a professional boxer from Tahiti!

When I talk and write emails/letters, I always forget random words (who proofreads?) and I've noticed it happening while I speak too....I told an investigator "Have a good, enjoy your pizza!" I'm awesome.

"POWER WAGON STATUS" (I don't like dodge trucks. Meh) haha

We have a baptism this FRIDAY!! One that Elder Simpson and I have been working with since about January or so. At first, she said she wouldn't become a Mormon (hear that all the time) and now she is in the book of Alma, asking incredible questions, and is so excited to get baptized this Friday at 5:30! Her husband who has been less active for many many years due to military and what not (but has always had a SOLID testimony) is baptizing her! What a great way to end the transfer. Afterall, our Bishop did say "Jehovah Witnesses make the best members." Whaddup.

My companion gets a kick out of how many times the subject of "gays and mormons" comes up. He said it's never been brought up so much than it has than being my comp. haha. Yesterday, trying to get investigators to meet with us, one investigator wrote us back saying they had a hard time at church because they talked about not accepting gays/lesbians or something like that...we don't remember anything like that, and I wrote back about how our church accepts everyone for who they and we believe in exactly what's taught in the Bible about it, in Romans Chapter 1...no response....bleh. There's a lot of misconception about the church out there, but hey, there's a TON of misconception about Christ, and He was and is perfect.

One of our investigators had a crazy cool experience with the closing prayer of Priesthood meeting. Let's just say he knew the words of the closing prayer, beforehand. Mind=BLOWN. Think that's an answer to a prayer? haha. Pun.

General Conference rocked our world! (although sad not seeing my pops :[) here's some fav. quotes/notes yo! :]

GC in SV, AZ!

We missed the first half of Saturday morning because we were setting up for a baptism, but meh.

"Don't let the whirlwinds of life get you down." You will see the whirlwinds for what they are." - Elder Anderson

"Of course we will meet fear. Let us have courage, not compromise, that brings a smile of God's approval." - Elder Nelson

"He learned obedience by the things which he suffered." - Elder Hales

"The Gospel helps us treat people peacefully, even when we disagree." - Elder W. Craig Zwick

"There is no up and down in the service of the Lord. Only forward and backwards." - Elder Oaks

"Develope the skill to look beyond the moment." - Randall L. Ridd

"It's impossible to stand up straight according to popularity and opinions." - President Monson

"In His plan there are no endings, only everlasting beginnings." - Elder Uchtdorf

"Dieter, don't even think about it!!" - President Monson :D

"He will help us in a way that will help us grow." - Jean A. Stevens

"Blame keep wounds open. Only forgiveness heals." - President Monson

"It is critical to recognize when we have enough." - Michael Jon U. Teh

This week we have "The Day", Zone Meeting on Wednesday where we'll train on "Fulfilling 'My Purpose' in all that we do." Good things are happening out here! While talking to one of the assistants on calls last night, I asked him if I should start packing my bags, he said, "Yup!" But anything can happen, but I'm afraid this may be my last week in Sierra Vista. He also asked me if the ages of 20-30 sounded good to work with! Hmmm...YSA?? OH man. 

Next week I'll email on Tuesday (hopefully) since it's transfers! I love you all and LOVE hearing from anyone about anything at time in any place. Wow. Waking up at 5am is getting to me O_o

Love you all!! 

-Elder Dallin Hales

#supervista

No idea how this started...but whenever you look at someone doing this, you have to lay on the ground for 10 seconds, no matter what. hahah it's awesome, especially out walking haha.