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

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 Treviño. 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!

Hurricane...What Hurricane?

 Transfers are this week. I'm being transferred to Tuxtepec to be the district leader there. I'm nervous beyond belief because I don't know the area, the language, or the other missionaries! HAHAHAHA just kidding. ……I'm staying here in Tres Valles along with the rest of my district. Yep, my entire district is the same. I'm so glad I'm staying here though. (Nice to see he still has his sense of humor)

So this week has been pretty great. I had my 3rd baptism on Saturday and we are going to have another one this Sunday. Also today is Mexico's Independence Day. We've had 3 parties the past couple nights. One for my companion, one was a ward activity, and the other was for sister in the ward that lives in the same apartment complex.  It made me feel good to just spend time with the ward members and made me realize I am not a lone as long as I have the gospel. I know Heavenly Father is always with me but it was neat to feel that I am loved by the people here as well. I have a lot of pictures but not a lot of time so you might have to wait until next week to get more. I use my umbrella a lot and my shoes are fine. I got mail last Tuesday so that was pretty great. I got the Lothspeich's package and letter the same day. Tell them thanks for me and I love the package!!

So besides that we have been super busy. Walking everywhere is very tiring but the Lord continues to bless me with the strength I need. I have lost 14 lbs in 5 weeks. That is almost Biggest Loser numbers!So how is every one doing on their goals? I write in my Journal everyday and walking is my exercise. I'm glad Boise State is doing better!

So the story with our Baptism…. Well I honestly didn't think he was going to be baptized. He didn't really pay attention much during our lessons and was constantly being distracted by other things. But he was ready and excited so he was baptized and confirmed. We have had a baptism every week since I have been here. This week all of the Veracruz Mexico Mission except here in Tierra Blanca and Tuxtepec were shut down because of a hurricane. We are about 3 hours from the coast and kind of protected so we didn’t even get much wind. We hardly got any rain up here but all is well and we are still working hard.

This is the way we wash our clothes!

Somebody loves the color turquoise!

 Happy Mexico Independence Day

My First Tarantula

 Last weeks Baptism

 Check out the sweet watch tan line!

 Representing Boise State

 Representing Borah

 The mother's baptism this week

 The suit is getting a little baggy!

  I got a package from the Lothspeichs. It's been in the Mission home for about a week but I probably wont get it for another week or so but tell them thanks so much. I will probably be staying in the same area when transfers happen.

   So they have a Parker Store here. You know the Parker store that you pass on your way to Roaring Springs on Overland? That same store, At least I think it's the same store. Oh and the members house we had lunch at had the exact same kitchen chairs we have at home. Unless you bought a new kitchen set to go with the new car.
 So we baptized the mother of the young woman we baptized last week, this week. Its confusing sorry, but my companion baptized her and I was the witness. Hopefully their cousin and Aunt will be baptized soon.

   So today was interesting. We went to Tierra Blanca for a Zone activity. We played Kickball which was fun but on our way back the bus we were on turned around so we had to get off. I don't know why it turned around but anyways, we ended up walking for a bit until a guy in a pickup offered us a ride. So we road in the back the rest of the way. 

   Things I miss from home besides the people are Panda Express and milk. They have Nesquick here so it makes the milk drinkable, but I am really craving Chinese food! I have lost a little bit of weight out here. I don't know if it is all the walking or the fact that we don't eat very much after 2:00. We have lunch at a members house at 2:00 but no dinner appointments. They ask me what I like to eat and I always tell, them meat, corn and potatoes so they usually make that for us.  We save our cereal for in the morning and eat very little in the evening. 

  I have become like dad in that I sweep the floor twice a day. Sorry dad for all those years of making messes. 

   We played volleyball and it started to rain. We got drenched so we ended a little early. We were walking with one of our investigators and decided to stop by a members house. I looked down and about 5 feet in front of me there is a tarantula. The first one I have seen here in Mexico. I get my companions attention and the member starts freaking out to kill it. I was memorized by it and didn't move but the investigator just stepped on it and you could hear the crunch. After that I decided that I don't want to step on them so I want to get some spider killer spray to carry in my pocket and let it takes its course. Which I bought some 2 weeks ago.

 

 

A Happy Missionary and his Zone

Trying new things!

I am having a little trouble with the blog this week....sorry. We have tried all night to upload an audio file with no luck. Then the text went all funny on me.....again so sorry! This really is how short his email was this week. Hopefully there will be more next week! Pauline


We only had one baptism but it went great. The other two are hopefully next week. So cool story, we had one of our investigators come to the baptism and after, he came up to us and asked "when can I get Baptized"? We set him up for 2 weeks from now. He felt the spirit so strong and realized he wanted that in his life.

We always eat with the members. This week I ate the grossest thing so far. It was boiled pig skin. 

So as i am writing this a drunk guy comes up and asks for money. I didn't understand completely, but my companion did and gave a little. 

I can't believe BSU lost that bad! How many interceptions were there? How was our Defense and Offense? What was everyone saying after the loss?