Monday, November 25, 2013

Things I am Thankful For....

 I am thankful for pizza and the members 
 who feed us!







We found one person who is really awesome. In the first lesson she accepted a baptismal date and promised to be at church 10 minutes early! Hey 10 minutes here is like 30 minutes in the USA. We also have a couple others who are progressing really fast. Then we also have others who aren't progressing as fast and it takes patience. We will go to pick up our investigators and walk with them to church but they are busy or have to work. Even though the night before we called them or talked to them and they said they would go. We will keep trying and just work harder.So Sunday, I spent an hour with the primary....of about 7 kids.  None of them would listen to their teachers and they were running around like crazy.  I was there to help them with their primary program practice. I played the piano...well attempted to play....for them. I doubt I'll play for the real thing but who knows. There was one kid who is a real great kid. He doesn't have a father and I can tell he's looking for a father figure. He absolutely loves Elder C. and myself. We ate at his house for lunch on Sunday and he was showing us all these things that he was interested in.So this week is Thanksgiving, so I wanted to share a few things that I'm thankful for...I'm thankful for my family and all my wonderful friends. Your examples have helped me throughout my entire life and I wouldn't be here in Mexico if it weren't for you. I'm thankful for this Gospel. The Gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored to the earth through Joseph Smith. I'm thankful for the opportunity I have to share this glorious message of this restored gospel to the people here in Mexico. I'm thankful that God loves all his children and knows them better than anyone else. I'm thankful that he hears and answers every child's prayer. It may not be the answer that we want, but it will be the answer we need. I am extremely thankful for my Savior, Jesus Christ. He suffered for me and for each one of us, personally. He suffered for our sins, pains, and afflictions. He knows what we need and is willing to give it to us if we just ask. Through Christ I can live with my family for eternity. These are just a few of the many blessings, God has granted me and they are available for all. This week we celebrate Thanksgiving. This one day a year is when we give thanks for all we have. Is it sufficient? I submit that it is not. We have 364 other days in the year that we can and we should give thanks to our God who has given us all and has promised us all that he has. It is my hope and prayer that we may always have a heart full of thanks. When we have a heart full of thanks, it is easier to focus on the positive and in general we can live a more happy, joyful, and peaceful life. Again I'm thankful for all of you. May the Lord continue to bless you. Love you and Happy Thanksgiving!!

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Elder's will be Elder's





This past week has been dificult to say the least. We weren't able to find any new investigators. And yesterday only one of our investigators attended church. Sometimes the mission and life can be dificult. But one thing I learned from Elder Jeffery R Holland is that missionary work is never easy. He likened it to missionary work but Im going to liken it to life in general. He said (his own personal opinion) that life isn't easy maybe because salvation isn't a cheep experience! It was never easy for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ so why should it be easy for us. He goes on and says, still his opinion and not church doctrine, that maybe we need to walk just a little in his shoes and feel in a very small portion what he felt.  When we find ourselves asking is there an easier way, let us remember that we are not the first to ask that. One a lot greater than us asked that a long time ago. He pleaded saying "Father, if thou be willing take this cup from me." Never-the-less he said "not my will but thine be done." Things happen for a reason. We recieve no witness until AFTER the TRIAL of our faith. May we always remember our Savior, in good times as well as in bad.
Sunday I also gave a talk about missionary work. I talked about how every member is a missionary. I got thinking after I gave my talk and more came to my mind. As a missionary I wear a name tag. It has my last name and the name of Jesus Christ on it. I represent my family and more importantly Jesus Christ. But a name tag can have some disadvantages. When people see our name tag it can often times set off a warning, a red flag if you will, and many people shut the door on us. But as members, we need no name tag because when we were baptised we promised to take upon ourselves the name of Christ. You already represent him. And when you serve others and make friends who are not of our faith, you are opening the door for them to recieve the restored gospel.   You have the name of Christ written upon your hearts and people recognize you by your works, not by a name tag. It is my prayer that every member will be a missionary. It is a call from the prophets of the Lord and is our responsibility and duty to be missionaries. Come join with me in this great work, "for the worth of souls is great in the sight of God. And if you should labor all your days crying repentance unto this people and bring save it be one soul unto me (Christ) how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my father. And if your joy will be great with one soul whom you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me." I love you and pray for your success daily! 

Love Elder Dial
 
 





Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Happy Halloween 2013

So this week has brought a whole new change. Elder G left and Elder C is my new companion.

He is such a cool missionary. He speaks little English but more than Elder Gonzalez so he teaches me and I teach him. He is from Quatalahara Mexico. I don't know if I spelled that right or not. Any ways he is super cool. I've already learned so much from him. And he is a companion that, like me, likes a clean house. So today we cleaned the entire house! It's great to have a clean house.



 
This past week was Dia de los muertos, or Day of the Dead. It wasn't what I expected it to be. I expected a giant party of some sort but there was nothing. Only shrines made to those that died. It did however make me even more grateful for the Plan of Salvation. Millions of people don't know about this plan and I love sharing it with them because it brings hope into their lives. It is such an amazing experience to watch and see how the Gospel of Jesus Christ can completely change someones life.
Also this past week was Halloween. My companion and I celebrated it by wearing Halloween ties.
Other than that, nada. We continue to find new investigators every week and we found a few that are from the US but because of paper work they have to return. They want to return to the US as soon as they can. So they have a little boy that talks English with me but its funny how much he has forgotten in only a month. 
Yesterday was Sunday, Fast Sunday..... Only 19 more mom. Anyways we went with our ward mission leader to some inactive members and we encountered one who, well she is now attending a different church. I was brought almost to the point of tears. I kept wondering how could someone who has tasted of this wonderful fruit, completely reject it and go to another church. And all I can do is serve her. So that's what we are going to do this week. Serve everyone!! Saturday we helped build a house! Ok so we only mixed the cement but it felt good to serve. Mosiah 2:17 says "And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when you are in the service of your fellow beings, ye are only in the service of your God" I don't know if I quoted that completely correctly but you get the point. 
This Sunday the 10th the bishop asked me and my companion to speak on Missionary Work. He wants us to get the ward motivated and involved more in the missionary work. I have a few ideas, mainly using Preach my Gospel, but hey use your best resources right! haha anyways, I hope all is well and know that I love you.

Love Elder Parker Dial

Our new house guest

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Good-bye to My First Companion





Well this past week was my last week with Elder G. He is leaving but I am staying and my companion will be  Elder C. He only has 6 months on his mission so we are both pretty new.
So last week after I wrote I had an experience that I won't soon forget. A man was walking and flagged us down. He asked us this haunting question, "What is easier, suicide? Or believing what you guys believe?" I was shocked. The answer was obvious but what more could we say to help him? He was in a horrible situation, I don't want to go into detail but it was pretty bad. So we set up an appointment in the Chapel for him the following day. We haven't heard from him since. I fear the worst. There is always a better way. The Lord loves each of his children and is ALWAYS there to help! No matter what trials we may face, we can overcome them with the help of the Lord.

The work here is slowing down though. We haven't had a baptism in a couple weeks. None of our investigators went to church even when we went to pick them up. It's disheartening but it just means we have to work harder.
I hope all is well and I pray for you always. Love you and may the Lord continue to bless each of you in all you do.  Love Elder Parker Dial



Some of the local Wild Life






Moon Over Mexico








Moon Over Mexico

Our President challenged us to read the Book of Mormon by the end of the year. He said 10 pages a day should be a good start. So far I’ve read 10 pages everyday and am almost done with 1 Nephi. For those of you who are not currently reading the Book of Mormon, I extend this challenge to you. The Book of Mormon is our machine gun in a war of bows and arrows. 

We played baseball today, and yes I pitched. We played with a tennis ball because not everyone had gloves. No I didn't throw my fastest because a lot of the guys didn't know how to play. But none the less, we had a great time.
I want to go back and talk about some things I learned at our Zone conference. I learned that God will always help his children. No matter how many times we may fall, He will be there with hands out stretched to help us back up. The only difference between fall and fail is that we can only fail when we refuse the help of our Lord and Savior. Jesus Christ died for our sins, pains, and afflictions, so if you think no one knows how you feel, you are so wrong! Christ knows his children inside and out and knows what is best for them.
This week has been nice and cool! It has rained and been cloudy the past couple days and that has been really nice. It's been wonderful to not have to worry about sweating my brains out. 
We went tracking this week and encountered a man and his two sons. I immediately felt love for them and I am super excited to work with them. I can see that they are going to be wonderful priesthood holders!! The work here is slowing down though. We haven't had a baptism in a couple weeks. None of our investigators went to church even when we went to pick them up. It's disheartening but it just means we have to work harder.
I hope all is well and I pray for you always. May the Lord continue to bless you in all you do.
Our Zone


Monday, October 14, 2013

My Birthday Mexico Style

So this week has been up and down. Thursday was my birthday and, well, it was like any other day. We went to work. We went to a less active members home and made some donuts. It was a little funny because they didn't know it was my birthday but my companion and I thought they did. We thought that was why they had us over for donuts.
Anyways when we returned home I got a soaked with water and egg mixture and to top it off, they (members who live in our apartment complex) poured flour on me.
But after I washed up and changed we went to the apartment of a member and had dinner and cake. It was another reminder that I'm always surrounded by people that love me.
On Sunday we were suppose to have another baptism, but it didn't happen. We waited at the church for an hour but they didn't show up. It all started when the mom got a boyfriend who is a Jehovah Witness. Every since then the mom and the son who we were suppose to baptize haven't been coming to church. It amazes me how hard the adversary is working to halt the work of the Lord. But really all he is doing is strengthening my resolve to bring ALL unto Christ.
I finished the Book of Mormon in English on Wednesday and in Spanish on Thursday. I absolutely love the Book of Mormon. It is the key stone of our religion. If people would just read it they would find the entire doctrine of Christ. Through the Book of Mormon we gain a testimony of tithing, the word of wisdom, Joseph Smith, Prophets, Jesus Christ is our Savior, and so much more.  Honestly, if I was only given one opportunity to teach a lesson I would tech about the Book of Mormon. It truly is another testament of Jesus Christ.
Well, my area, Tres Valles, isn't small, but isn't huge either. Some times I feel like we've tracked everybody here but the Lord always manages to show us people who we haven't met yet. My zone, Tierra Blanca is struggling. Like I said, the adversary is hard at work but we must be diligent, obedient, patient, and humble, and then the Lord will help us and answer our prayers. Thanks again for all the birthday wishes. It is now my turn to wish  very happy birthday and a little late happy birthday to a couple of my dear friends. Happy Birthday Cody Spjute, Kayley Hastings, and Jon Hastings. Love you all and may the Lord continue to bless us as we ALL labor in the vineyard of the Lord.
Elder Dial
Gifts from Home

Mexican "Smashing your face into your cake" tradition



Thank you all for your birthday wishes and your acts of service on my birthday!
 

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Happy Birthday!

So talk about a spiritual feast!! Man conference was amazing!! Yes, I was able to watch it in English! I loved them all! I literally can't pick a favorite! I love that a lot were about missionary work both to the full time AND members! It is crucial that the members learn to work with the missionaries. I was able to baptize a little 11 year old boy this past week. He is such a wonderful kid. His mom is getting baptized this Sunday. Watching conference strengthened my will to be here and to teach the message of the restored Gospel to ALL!
This past week has been so hot!! it's been so hot we've had black outs. they don't last very long.... only about 10 minutes or so but still. Luckily today we're getting some rain. Last night we had a storm! It was amazing!... other than the fact that it woke me up around 2 AM due to the thunder sounding like its 10 feet away. But it was awesome. 
So yes my birthday is this Thursday and thank you all for the birthday wishes! The one thing I want for my birthday, is for you to serve. It was stated in conference may times. ALL of us have been called by a prophet of God to labor in the field. The field is White and ready to harvest and the Lord needs ALL who are capable and worthy. So if you want to get me something for my birthday, serve another. Go out of your way to help just one person. I loved what Elder M Russell Ballard said, that if every member reached out and touched just one person by Christmas, Millions will be blessed!! That is what I will be doing on Thursday and there is no greater gift. I also want you to write a short little note explaining your service and who you served and send it to me. 
This is my prayer, that we may apply what we have learned from our church leaders. It is only when we ACT that we receive the blessings. "We receive no witness

until after the trial of our faith" Ether 12:6. I hope and pray the Lord may continue to bless all of you in your lives. Love you all and pray for you also.

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Trek Training



These are the roads I walk on everyday now. They remind me a lot of the Pioneer Trek. On that trek we learned that we could do hard things. Sometimes a mission is one of those hard things but it is so worth it.

  This is why it is so worth it!
           So this week has gone by pretty fast. On Tuesday we had zone class which was pretty good but we couldn't return home until about 8 because the people here love to create problems! Yes again people couldn't pass because of another strike. We took a taxi the back way but we could only go so far. But we ended up having like 6 to 10 cars following us. It was pretty entertaining. But I thought of an object lesson. We as missionaries and members are the taxi drivers and the taxi represents the Gospel. We know where we should be going.  When other cars or people are lost, if they will follow us we can show them the way home and they can receive eternal life.                                                           

  And then on Wednesday we baptized J.! His mother and brothers are scheduled to be baptized these next two weeks. I hope I can watch conference in English because Prophets are so important and I want to be able to understand all that they have to say! Even though my Spanish is getting better, I don't want to miss a single word. I hope everybody takes time to watch and listen to Conference.Well Thursday was the dud day of the week. it was a normal day. But Friday I took on the role as senior companion because Elder G. had to go to Veracruz with the District Leader. So I was companions with Elder S. for the day. Boy did we get to work! We contacted 21 people and got 5 new investigators all in one day!! And then Saturday elder G. and I went back to work and contacted another 10 people. It amazes me how many people want or are willing to hear our message but aren't willing to take the steps necessary for their salvation like read and pray and attend church. We can sit there and teach them all day but unless they take the initiative and do something and apply the things that they learn, it is all in vain.
Sunday I played the Piano in sacrament meeting and it wasn't as bad as i thought it would be but it wasn't my best either. Well I hope all is well I love you all!
Elder Dial
Our Zone

Monday, September 23, 2013

A Little Elbow Grease Does Wonders



I had my 4th baptism yesterday!  His wife is a member and he has been going to church for awhile and he was finally ready to be baptized.  Here is a cool story. Last Monday we were at family home evening at a members home and a less active member was walking to her house and was prompted to stop by the members' home. She had been having struggles.
The house we were at wasn't very close to her house. Anyways, she was prompted to stop by and told us what was going on. She asked for a blessing and I was able to give her a blessing of comfort in Spanish. The first blessing I've given. The Lord put the words in my mouth because after, I couldn't remember what I said. That's just one of the ways the Lord has blessed me this week.

Thursday we went to Tuxtepec to listen to President TreviƱo. We also went on splits with the Elder's in that area. One of the Elders' was Elder S.  from Boise and he said "I want to take Elder Dial." We had a great experience. I really like him.  Anyways, we were suppose to return to our area but there was a teacher strike and nobody could get past. The buses weren't running. Needless to say we stayed the night in Tuxtepec. 8 Elders in one appartment. We eventually got back home around 9 am the next day. We also were able to eat at McDonalds while we were there! What a treat!! Speaking of McDonalds, I've lost 17 pounds! WOW!!!!





A Little P-Day Cleaning Project!




Our New Stove....I am so excited to cook up some scrambled eggs!