December 24th: Pilot 2

I call it pilot 2 bc it's still the introduction of my mission and the preparation I'm receiving. I'll get more clever later ;)

First I'd like to wish all of you guys a merry Christmas! And I'm very excited to experience this Christmas at the MTC we will be visited by a general authority. My guess is Elder Eyering but after the messages I received from Elder Bednar, he is my new favorite apostle and I wouldn't mind him coming!

But onto this week. At the beginning of this week one of the district presidents in charge of the MTC called me aside during a class. (Proir to this I had a vaccine interview thing where I was asked if I got any vaccines of which I did not. And I didn't want to get any and I thought getting the vaccines was recommended and not required) and he told me that I may receive a reassignments to serve because I didn't get any and I got a little depressed not gonna lie. But after hearing from my mom and dad with their support and love I decided to get my vaccines as soon as possible. So I could go to Canada at the same time as the others leaving (which will be on the 1st of January at 5 AM on a 9 hour flight. yay. Haha) anyeay at this time my companion didn't quite help me out like I knew that I wanted to serve in Canada. Like a had a dream about it. But Elder Hicks told me that I was called to serve and not to the place. And I knew he was right but i was really sad. So i prayed and thought "you know I dont want the general authorities to look at my face and be like "ah this guy again? Oh and he can't get the vaccines..." so instead of getting a reassignment I got the vaccines the next day. And here is were it gets crazy. So part of the duty of the branch president is to communicate with the general authorities about missionaries in case any missionary needs a reassignment quickly so they can get out in the field as soon as possible. So he was already talking with them about me. and during this time I was called down to his office. When I got there he told me that the general authorities thought I should get the vaccines if I would be okay with it or something like that. And then the branch president told me to schedule my vaccines, but I got them that morning! And that's when he said "great we will try to get you on the same flight as the others departing missionaries" and so it was done. It was a spooky time and made me question certain rules, but if they are there, they must be important. And from that point I have tried my very best to keep the rules and be obedient. And I have been blessed because of it! 

One last really neat experience I had was in class and a film our district saw after. But a little background first. In the buildings there are different murals on each floor and an exercise we did was we would look at them ponder, read scripture, and write thoughts. The mural we went to was about Saul and how he was evil, had a change of heart and was good (basically) When our district had a discussion, they could all relate to Saul and the change of heart he had. (Much if not all the district were in a dark place because of the choices they made or others made prior to deciding to serve) but me being born and raised and taught to be a (my words here) "good boy" and their experiences with the faults of others made there testimony really strong and I felt that I needed to feel that darkness to return to the light. But sister Hindman told me that I could be one who lifts people from the darkness just like Sauls friends brought him to his feet after his change of heart. And I was like 0.0 holy ____.(I'll let you get creative) and then if the tender mercies couldn't get any more plentiful, we where able to watch another talk by Elder Bednar called recognizing the spirit. And he shared experiences that directly relate to my patriarical blessing. And it got me a little scared and freaking excited for the future! But on to how we can recognize the spirit (it ties more to missionaries) is that Elder Bednar told us that we should not worry about it. If it's our thoughts or the spirit, don't worry about it. "Be a good boy, keep the commandments, and your covenants, and get going. The lord will put people in your path just do what your are told and be a GOOD BOY". My own words which I said no more then 3 hours prior of which I was worried about because i was raised in the church and i didn't have dark experiences to turn to light to add to my testimony and motivate me like the others. And Elder Bednar just told me to not worry about it. Man was that Sunday for me or what. 

I hope that all of you had an awesome Sunday like me. Keep your eye out for those tender mercies they are pretty much everywhere. Sorry for any run on sentences or confusing language I'm writing these emails on a phone so it's a struggle haha. Anyway Merry Christmas! Love you all! Feel free to email me! 

Elder Dahl 2.0

December 17th. Pilot

So that's the title, like the pilot episode is the first one and sets the ground for the rest of the TV season. I don't know what this thing will be called yet, but feel free to email me suggestions haha. 

But from the beginning, after leaving the MTC garage/parking lot I was shown around the MTC a little and walked in several of the buildings where I got my name tags, MTC keys and cards and other things like permission to preach signed by President Nelsen! Then we went to the residence hall and dropped my stuff off. But I didn't unpack anything because the Elder that help me carry my stuff directed me to our classroom in another building. So no time to catch my breath yet. 

But I guess I got there early bc there was me and one other Elder named Elder Carlisle going to Cape town south Africa so I got to visit with him for a little and then we reached a somewhat awkward silence but more Elders and sisters came in as time passed. In a packet that was given with my name tag had information about my mission and who my companion is at the MTC and my companion was Elder Hicks. It took no more than like 10 minutes to tell that I was going to hate him.  Just kidding. It took less than 5 to tell that he was a really funny guy and we were going to get along super well. And 6 days later we are super tight. His testimony is really powerful  and his reason for being a missionary is solid. Like think of the most hard rock. That's his cause and will. He has been through way more then me and he is a spiritual giant. And is an inspiration to me. 

We went through several devotionals and meeting about how the MTC works. Then we got to retire to our residence halls where we were greeted by some shirtless and pantsless Elders hooping and hollering laughing and being really loud. And I was not expecting that. Then if it could get any worse it did and as we were unpacking and preparing for bed we received several knocks on the door and I was like oh a welcoming from the elders to the MTC and some tips and tricks. And I was somewhat right. There wants really a welcome but when we opened the door several Elders flooded in and and told us not to trust Elder so in so and Elder who's his name is a racist. And a few other things along with some compliments from one another until the zone leaders Elder Johnson and Greer came in and cleared them out and apologized a little but it kinda made us (the people in our residence hall: myself Elder Hicks, Madsen, and Lea) somewhat uncomfortable. But the relationship did improve a little as the days went by. But as of today they left the MTC and and in the field now so the residence halls are really quite and when the next missionaries get here (which are a lot like 20-30) we will be able to set a better example. 

Then on day 2 there was a lot of cool devotionals and lessons and the last meeting was a get to know you, why you are a mission, your testimony and a few other things. And I was going last. So I got to hear so many wonder testimonies and responses for serving and I was able to share mine. It was really awesome. And in that meeting we got assignments for our district. In our district we have 10 missionaries 4 sisters and 6 Elders the sisters are sister Hindman Heggie Keller and Mavy and the Elders are myself Hicks Madsen Lea and Carlisle and Fox and myself Elder Hicks Elder Carlisle and sister Mavy are all from Idaho. Then Elder Lea is from Texas Elder fox is from Arizona along with Sister Heggie then Elder Madsen and sister Keller are from Utah and sister Hindman is from Mississippi! And I gotta say our district is the best. Anyway back to our assignments sister Mavy and keller are the young women leaders, sister Heggie and Hindman are music cordinators Elder fox and Carlisle are zone leaders Elder Madsen and Lea are sacrament coordinators, Elder Hicks is our Tec specialist (which is funny bc he really struggles with tec) and yours truly as the district leader! 

Then the following days were really awesome and i learned alot of which is hard to explain via email but just take my word for it haha. But as Sunday came around many Elders and sisters told us that it was the longest day of the MTC and if you can get past that, you'll be fine. But my experience as well as Elder Hicks's was really touching we had an Elder (Greer a prev. Zone leader) do a special musical number with a violin and my companion and I cried haha. But when we came up to talk to him, Elder Hicks shared that in his patriarcal blessing that music would carry more spiritual feelings than words can and i feel that that ties to me as well. 

But before I carry on the the rest of the week we had a TRC (I don't know what it stands for but it's basically us finding someone to teach and this could be a member that is playing another member or an actual non member) and we prayed for guidance on who to find and stumbled upon Rodrigo. he is a really cool guy he loves the earth and has a website about how to take better care of it. So in this first Interaction we were just supposed to get to know each other which we did. Then in our companion study we decided to teach him about the creation because he loves the earth and ocean. But in this second meeting (it was on monday) we did not teach him about the creation. instead he had questions (really hard ones like "why are the people who are praying in California dying from the fire and why do bad things happen to good people and few others like that.) And my companion and I had no idea what to do but the spirit was in that meeting and it took over. It was crazy! We meet with him again on Wednesday so we will see what we can do. 

Also during this week there was an amazing musical devotional by Ryan Eggette (who is also the choir director)  it was so beautiful and Elder Hicks and I cried (again) in other news he and I joined the choir! And its really fun! Idk if I'm bad or not but time will tell haha. One last thing was we fasted as a district. Sister Heggie felt that we should after listening to a talk about the character of christ and turning outward and not inward so we fasted 2 meals in the MTC for us as a district so we can develop the character of christ in our lives. and i feel really good about it! And so does our district. I wish i could tell you all how I felt but I can't really describe it. its just awesome! I wish I could say more, and I will another time! 

Love you all! Feel free to email me! Especially Triston Tristen Corbin Connor Quinncey and my family ;) I'll try to callout as many as im inspired to, but know that I love all of you!

Elder Dahl 2.0

See you in 2!

Just like that, Elder Dahl is off to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Halifax Canada. He is ready to go!

We got up that morning and drove through some snow and slow traffic. Took the opportunity to show the kids are old stomping grounds in Provo; where we lived and went to church. Always such a trip down memory lane!

We then went up to the Provo temple for some more pictures and last words and hugs. It was cold! It was lightly snowing with snow on the ground. Lots of families with their missionaries. We all gave Henry hugs. It was sweet. Henry kneeled down to Norah and gave her a 50 cent piece she had wanted. He told her that when he comes home and she still have it, he will give him the other one. Pretty cute!

We then loaded up for the MTC. They guided us in to the underground parking lot. Before we even stopped there was an Elder there to greet us who opened my door and welcomed us. Our Elder was heading to Pocatello, Idaho. Eric got his luggage out, we got a last couple pictures and off they went. Henry was ready to go!

As our new tradition, we went to Smash Burger after. Lots of tears for this mama. Happy tears for his service and desire to serve and sad tears for the letting go and change. So grateful to be his mother! He is an amazing young man that will do so much good in Canada!!

Let's Make this Call Official

Over the last couple months, Henry prepared well for his mission. Every weekday morning, he and his friend Josh Christensen would get together to study "Preach My Gospel" and read the Book of Mormon. They also studied from some other great books. (Josh was called to the Uttica, NY mission going in on January 16, 2019.)

Henry also had the opportunity of working in the Meridian temple for a couple of weeks before leaving. He enjoyed working there and seeing how it all comes together in the temple. Eric and I had the opportunity of being in an endowment session that he officiated in. It was pretty special. One of the best sessions I have ever been to.

Tonight we met with our Stake President, President Gary Ashby, to make Henry's call official. At 9 pm we headed over to the church building. The Harris family was leaving as we were coming in. Their son, Josh, Henry's friend from the Spanish branch, had just been set apart as a missionary heading to Argentina.

We had a wonderful hour of prayer, inspiration, and council together. Henry was able to put in a pin on the Stake President's map to mark where he is going. Such a special night. When we got home we each got out a piece of paper and wrote down the things that we remembered and stood out in the priesthood blessing he was given.

Elder Dahl is an amazing young man with a heart to love people easily and sincerely. He is a loyal friend. I love that he is going to an area that is very rural, small towns, and less big city. He will be able to connect well with people and make some amazing new friends. Friends for a lifetime.

Mission Farewell Day

This day came quicker than I thought it would. Here we are! It was so great to see so many people come and support Henry.

*Sister Henderson, who puts the ward bulletin together, had Henry's picture and email on the back. Fun to see our missionary sons together on the program. So proud of them both!

*Family who came: G&G Holmstead, my sister Lindsay and her family. G&G Dahl, then Spencer and Bobette came after for lunch.

*So many friends. Josh Christensen and his family. Jeffery Olsen, Horace Hallenburger (Trae's dad), Hobson family, Tyler & Emily Jensen, and more.

*Kinda funny. Eric is on the high council and was asked to share in the ward council meetings to end meetings on time. Henry took several minutes at the beginning share his gratitude to family, friends, institute, mission prep. Then jumped into his talk. He went about 10 minutes over. haha.

After the meeting we had a family dinner at the house, then an open house for people to come by and wish Henry well. Fun to see so many family and friends come to support Elder Dahl 2.0.