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

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!

 

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.

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