Week 89 - Patience Much?

Mosiah 26:13 "And now the spirit of Alma was again troubled; and he went and inquired of the Lord what he should do concerning this matter, for he feared that he should do wrong in the sight of God."

-That gives a pretty good sum of what's been going down! There seems to have been so many things going on in the past week or two, that we're constantly trying to do what's right....and sometimes you're in situations where you don't really know what's right, but you must find out what is God's will.

Hello everey bodey. How is life eh? :D Life is AWESOME!

I labeled this past week's notes "Patience Much?" hahah so when I look back at this week I'll think of all the things that have been happening. 

Here we go.

KELLIE WENT TO THE PHOENIX OPEN HOUSE!!! So awesome!! The day before she did a couple hours of family history work and then went to the open house with our Bishop and his family the next day and LOVED it!! So awesome. We've learned that recent converts who actively do family history, stay active in the church 90% or so of the time....I also learned that a two year mission, is equal to earning a 4-year communications degree. Hah. SO true. People people people. Anyways, Kellie is awesome and solid.

Family history with Kellie!

Our EQP gave us some names and families to stop by and see. One day while trying to find this apartment, we finally found it and right then, Robert walked up. Perfect timing. Robert's been studying "Demons" a lot and how they work, so it was a great time for us to go over. We read 2Nephi32:2 I think and expanded off of how angels work. The father came to church! Wooh!

On Tuesday we were on exchanges, and felt we needed to go to the park. One lady named "Mary" was at the park alone with her two dogs. We approached her and started talking to her and it went really well! Then, as soon as we brought up the Book of Mormon she shut us out. Elder West and I felt the spirit and thought we introduced it well, but people don't always accept. She may not have been prepared for baptism, but she was prepared for progression!

 Exchanges with Elder West!

Alicia moved!! Sad day. Our prayers are with her and the missionaries teaching her.

 Saying bye to Alicia! Our investigator for a month or so now. We helped her move along with doing our ward service project. She will be missed!

While blitzing an area a few days ago, Elder Taylor and I knocked on a house and they let us right in, sat us down, and said "What do you want to tell us?" ....we said, "We're just going around getting to know people around here and how we can all get closer to Christ!" Then they both unleashed all the anti-mormon stuff they knew. Wow. It's simply ridiculous what people believe. The spirit was gone as they said false things about the church. Although, sometimes you feel this urge to go study certain topics after being "anti'd" but I did not feel my testimony shaken at all that whole time, for that I'm very grateful. Gosh I love this church.

Yesterday we spoke at a Sister's homecoming in our ward, and also sang in the choir. Then, last night, all the missionaries in our zone and all the prospective missionaries gathered at a house to have a "missionary experience." Our mission President and his wife were both there, along with our Stake President and the mission prep. teacher, a former mission President. Powerhouse. They trained us for an hour, and then we (Elder Rogers and I) split all the prospective missionaries up with full time missionaries. All companionships went on splits, and lots of cool things happened! Brit and I went out and felt to visit this one place. A lady was walking so we rolled down our window and started talking with her! We got out, intro'd the BOM, said a prayer with her and testified of the truthfulness. Sheryl said that she had been "searching" lately and praying a lot. Unfortunately her husband would not want us over there. She is in our prayers though!

Me and Brit! - a prospective missionary

This Wednesday is zone conference where Elder Rogers and I will be training North Tucson, West Tucson, and Tucson zones about "Planning for conversion." We're excited, training always rocks face. Elder Rogers gets to train 1/3 of the mission after 3 weeks of being leadership. haha STUD!!

With all of these things going on, I've learned that God knows how much time we have to prepare. Sometimes it's not much, but He will qualify us. Sometimes we have a lot of time to prepare, and He wants us to do as much possible to qualify ourselves with His guidance. It's crazy. But I cannot express my gratitude enough for family, friends, our Mission President, and other missionaries for the continual influence they/you have on the missions for those that you know whom are serving. The miracles are highly influenced by the prayers of others and I know that to be true. 

Oh, FYI, Pres. Passey talked with me last Monday, turns out I'll be coming home Feb. 4 most likely. That's SO soon!!

Love you all!!

-Elder Dallin Joseph Hales