Season 1 Episode 13: Departing Progress

I'm so sad yet excited I can't think of emotions to express but here we go.

This week was pretty sweet because we found some people that invited us back! One guy with 3 little kids named Morgan and another guy named Jack! But that's all fine and dandy you know...

So typically when transfers are done, the missionaries who get transferred get a call early Monday or Tuesday to tell them to get packed and say goodbye to the friends you made you know? But we didn't get a call so elder Robinson and I were like sick yo! Another transfer together! Until around 6 on Tuesday night we get a call from the assistants ad asked if we had seen the transfer table. Of which we hadn't (and it turns out we weren't the only ones) and they were like oh ok well elder Robinson, your going to white wash train in saint John's new Brunswick. And I was like oof. But then he was like just kidding and I was like oof. And he proceeded to tell me that I was getting transferred to presque isle Maine! Returning to the land of the stars and stripes, better and cheaper food, and with Elder Scott as my companion. Plus our district is 2 companion ships so that just tells us that this is going to be legit. But then I was like oof. What about all te people who I have come to love so much and all the branch members?! I was like freak. Then we had to go to dr. Fox in fall river (like an hour away and then an hour back) to get his judgement on elder Robinson's bodily problems, plus fit in emailing, calling, shopping, and cleaning. And I was like, freak. How am I going to say goodbye to everyone? Of which I still haven't found a solution so I'll just have to tell elder Robinson to pass the word of my sorrow for not saying bye. I leave at 10 tomorrow morning for Maine in the party van! 

But man I have learned and grown so much here and I was so hoping to stay for 6 months. But my expertise is required in another area. And right after we had put together a branch mission plan and activities that can really bring in activity too.

One thing that I found myself saying during a member visit where we were talking about people that had been offended and the best way to reach out to them and show care and love. And sometime later the discussion went something like this: why didn't we get any doctors or lawyers as converts? They are smart and should know how to bring activity in this branch and know what to do when it came to problems. This town is full of mentally I'll people and addicts and why do they keep getting converted? And then fall back to habits and reject anything we try to help them with? Me: as members of the church we know the truth and we have to hold on to it. We may offend people and people may and pretty much will offend us. But that's all part of the process! We go to church to learn what heaven is like and how heaven is governed. The gospel of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints is perfect, but the people participating are far from it and are (or at least should be) trying their best to be better. That's why we have all these challenged people, and the mentally ill. I believe that its a series of tests to see how our love for others is tested as well as or patience and acceptance. 

We had a similar discussion with another member, and they asked, well would if I don't want them to come to church? They were sent to prison because of it and I don't want that person near anyone. We didn't get around to answering that question. But it got me thinking. It's true and right to feel that way. Its revolting to think someone would do something like that and as missionaries and members, how do we even address that? I should have directed the conversation to who is someone else that you could try to work with, but honestly I was confounded. I don't know how to help those who have sinned grievously and don't want to change or repent for that matter.  Its troubling. But its something I can try to learn. So far, I have found that if you can awaken or start a testimony and found it on blessings that's a good way to start, but that's all I've got so far.  So pitch in your ideas or insights! 

Maple tapping was also super fun and pretty simple too you just drill a hole in a maple tree, put in a drain/stopper, then hook a bucket onto it and slowly the sap will drain and then you boil it until you have the syrup! Then add sugar or something. We haven't completed the whole process and I wont even be here for :(. Man I'm going to miss the Lewis's. And everyone, but they're really great. Don't tell anyone (especially the Lewis's, but elder Lewis was my favorite... or was he?) (Had to put that just in case we had a talker) 

I'm sad to leave and excited to go. There's more learning to be done! I love you all! Thanks so much for your prayers!

This is your favorite elder signing off for the last Episode of season one. 

The journey continues with season 2, The Fame of Maine. 

This has been season 1, New Year, New Country, New Me.

Elder Dahl 2.0
Truro Nova Scotia,
Canada

https://youtu.be/mbEXExz_O4s (Driving tour of Truro) 

https://youtu.be/uQ7kjm7lsHs (Juice bubbles)

https://youtu.be/Wo4uOcL5G2o (Playing on the ice on pday)

https://youtu.be/VS9U_sGdDqA (Eating a lemon. Classic Henry :))

Season 1: Episode 12: :D

Yeah this week was a little nuts.

Also sorry for the last email being late and not that good haha. 

On Wednesday we had a collaboration lunch/meeting with the senior couple, and the presidents of the quorums, bro Moses and the branch president where we discussed that this branch needs a change of culture.  (And it does this branch as around 30 active members, and 200 people on record) and it's the duty of primarily the members to bring back the lost sheep. We as missionaries can help, but we aren't going to be here for the rest of our lives, and our purpose is to teach repentance and baptize converts. Nonetheless, we will help. And as the meeting occurred (right after lunch at this super nice Thai restaurant where I had some bomb cashew chicken) and the meeting revolved around love. Like we need to love the members and we can look at it like a number. And the purpose is to bring them back to church, because that's not it! It's to love them so they will want to come back to church. Or at least be a friend for them to turn to, and further down the line, they may returned to activity. That's the prime goal. And it's the same for missionary work! We can have the point of knocking on doors to get someone to teach and baptize. It's nice if that ends up being the case, but the the point is to love them and teach them about Gods love for them. Another point of missionary work is to help people exercise their agency, to accept or reject, but it makes it easier for them to accept if we love them. 

So I'm going to ask a favor of you all.

When you retire for the day and are on your knees in prayer, will you pray that I can love the people here even more? Its something that I need to work on. 

And it's not that I don't love the people, or the work, because I freaking love this place and everything we do! But I find myself hesitant at times. And its difficult for me to understand people, especially if they abuse drugs, or are inactive. Because I don't know what that is like. But I do know that Heavenly Father can help them with anything! And through Christ's atonement, we can better ourselves! And be forgiven and free. And this doesn't just have to be for me, but for you all as well! A thought that was brought to me by brother Moses, was if I had 20-25 people praying they I can love more, what kind of difference would that make in the work I do? Maybe its selfish. But if it's to love other people? Maybe not right?

Anyway haha we also had Exchanges this week! And district council in Sydney! (Thursday and Friday) a And that's like 3 hours away, so there was quite a bit of driving, but I got to read a heck'n lot of the saints book and its way good! And also during the drive create a story. So we were all driving to district council and there was this object that was getting bigger and bigger as we got close to it. Elder Surette: that's because we were getting closer that's how it works. (Bless his literal heart) and as we got to this huge object we found it was a huge rubber duck that was on fire and can fly. So we called the mission president for action and we were told to convert it! And we did because we are great missionaries and ended up riding on it's back to Newfoundland where we had to kill it with a magic sword, of which as we swung, missed and cut his hair. But his hair was like unto Samson and the rubber duck shrunk and lost its flaming brilliance. 

Quite a story we created haha.

So that was 2 days of not classic work, but then it gets better (not really tho) when we got home, elder Robinson pulled a Mr. Stark I don't feel so good. And got to taste dinner again, but when he came out he said there was a little blood. And that freaked me out like crap what am I gonna do? So I was like call sister low (she is the stand in nurse for now) and he was like, well let me sleep it off, and I was like but would if she gets upset for not calling her yesterday and whips us with a noodle? And he was like ight let's do it. Called her and tried to move our previous appointment up, which we couldn't get in contact with the mission doctor, so we headed for the Canadian hospital and spent a total of 7 hours. About 6 waiting, and then 1 to actually see the doctor and assume that (based on elder Robinson's experiences) that he might have a stomach ulcer. So the doctor he gave him a prescription and we went and picked it up and by then it was 6:30. (Side note, the hospital is a beautiful well maintained building but there is no staff what so ever. So if you want to be a doctor and need a place to work that is pretty clean and well equipped, Canada is a pretty neat place to come to. There are so few doctors here its unfortunate) Went home had a little dinner, and headed to brother Putnam's! Were we learned quite a bit of his family history! (Saturday) 

Then we had church which is always good and we help give the sacrament to the home bound members. Then in the afternoon Trish (Matthew's) reach out to both us, the Lewis's and brother Moses! And wants to come to church and meet with us again! Prayers have been answered and we will do are best to support her as she goes through these painful times here in the next week or 2.

Thanks so much for your prayers, support, and memories! It truly means a lot!

Elder Dahl 2.0
Truro Nova Scotia,
Canada

https://youtu.be/80ENpstET1w (Brother Putnam's refurbished record player)

https://youtu.be/V3GprbOcUe8 (Elder Robinson)

 I am laughing really hard at something that's why my face is really red haha

Looking good!

 THE bistro

Season 1 Episode 11: i met a celebrity! And you're not killing me with tap water!

This week went by so fast! And here is what happened!

We had interviews and zone conference on Wednesday and Thursday so that took a lot of the day(s) but I learned from interviews that president Low was trained to be a mission president with president Vest who is the president over the Utica new York mission! So quite a small world! 

Then we had zone conference were we got to hear about nutrition, exercise, and other heath/cleaning from sister Low so keeping it short, elder Robinson and I have a little to work on haha.

But then we had some solid training from president Low about earning trust from members, and invitations to baptism! So we have a little more to improve and practice on and I hope to put the training on baptism invitations soon haha. But I got to see Elder Madsen, and sisters Mavy and Keller! They are in my zone! So we have half the gang haha.

And as it turns out, I wont be driving for a little longer. We went to the Canadian equivalent to the D&V and found that it got mailed to the wrong place so...yay?

Then I got to meet a celebrity! So some of my favorite members the Mahoney's, had two of their sons come home to visit, Micheal and Danial. And Danial is a world known pogo artist and a Guinness world record holder for tricks! I got his autograph and a picture with him so ha!

Then we had quite the time cleaning out the homeless shelter and helping organize all the donations they received and man there is a lot that they do not need haha I'll add another picture ill try not to forget haha.

And then a few days ago, we knocked into a heavily accented Britain which said ah yes I do believe in Jesus, but i do not believe in God, i think that's a whole bunch of rubbish" and he said some kind of England equivalent to "hippy dippy bologna " but I can't remember quite what he said. But we were like, wait say that again but slower, and think about what you just said. There are some pretty fantastic people here I love it!

Sorry if this email is a little shorter or less spiritual, I had to write it rather quick haha

Love you all! 

Things are warming up!

You're all in my prayers!

Also send me some jokes :D

Keep at the scriptures!

Elder Dahl 2.0
Truro Nova Scotia,
Canada

Season 1 Episode 10: The Answer to many prayers!

Yeah believe it! We had quite a miracle this week!

So last time, I believe that I told you all about the bible add we put on Facebook, and there was a lady that really wanted one. So we went by the next day and was able to give her one! She was sitting at a table and she was expecting us so she just told us to come in. We got to talking (or rather she (Canadians especially Newfoundlanders talk a heckin lot)) and we had the opportunity to hear about her life and her struggles but also her religion and love of Christ. During this conversation we were able to read from the bible that we read her scriptures that really put her at ease. Her mother was super religious and read from a king James version and that's what we were offering! And she didn't know where to start reading. She was also struggling to find a purpose in life because she had graduated and done so many things and gave her heart to the lord and gave anything to anyone who asked. Plus she's trying to get on some kind of financial aid from the government (which in itself sucks way worse then the American government but I wont get into that right now...) and on top of that, her son pretty much disowned her so she was in a state of a lot of stuff. So when we told her we were from the church, and from the states she was just in Awe. And repeated a few times "I have Americans in my home!" But back to reading the bible with her, we were able to use so many passages to teach the restoration! And then smoothly introduced the Book of Mormon to her. Then she got on a tangent about how she loves nature and takes pictures, and I told her that I too love taking pictures and showed her on that was on my story a little while ago with the rocks and smooth red sand,  and she said oh I love rocks! *shows us her rock collection * "yeah I love rocks it reminds me of how solid jesus is hes a foundation for me.  And then I was like oh boy do I have a scripture for you! (A little background, I have this story about worth and it's about a stone that changes value from being sold in a market, museum, and rock collector and elder Robinson compared that to helaman 5:12. so this lesson was a bomb lesson when we taught it to members) so I told her about Helaman 5:12 and requested that she read it. So she flipped through her new Book of Mormon until she found helaman and started reading and she got to ...it is upon the rock of our redeemer... and she started crying. And you know me, I cried a little too, but it was so amazing and I wish I had the words to describe to you what I felt and the realization that prayers have been answered both hers, those at home, those here, and its impossible to describe but it's pretty close to Alma 27:17. We wanted to meet with her as soon as possible again, but she told us she was quite busy the rest of the week and told us maybe sometime next week. So we await meeting with her again.

Then digital finding event!

So I've been conversing back and forth with this guy over Instagram and I won't say his name just in case someone tries something. But we were able to meet with him and one of his friends! He invited us to go to Victoria park with him and his friend and it was really good! Hes a university student at the campus in Truro, and hes originally from Newfoundland! At the end of our little hike, I offered him a Book of Mormon and he accepted, but a little more about him is that hes into a more indigenous kind of religion (like burning incense and praying to ancestors and spirits) and I told him that the Book of Mormon was about an indigenous people and their relationship with God and each other and wars. So he thought that was interesting, but as a university student, hes got homework but he seems fascinated about it so hopefully he looks into it as well as his friend! I'll add some pictures of Victoria park its so stunningly beautiful especially with the snow and its probably just as pretty in the summer!

And finally, not so much a miracle, as much as a touching moment. There is the couple the Putnams, (Robert had the sweet cars) and Kathy. Kathy is literally my favorite. she has parkinsons which is some kind of disabling disorder and the medication that one can take helps you move, but it sometimes makes movement hyperactive and then when your off the medication, you become stiff and lose mobility in your legs and arms. But she is the absolute best! We have the wonderful opportunity to give the sacrament to the members who are home bound and she is one in a assisted living facility. And she is so kind and supportive. And recently she's been struggling mentally. But whenever we visit or give her the sacrament it makes her day! And it turn makes our day. It's really sad to the assisted living or elderly homes. They are just stuck in the same place, not having may opportunities to go out (especially in the winter) and they are left to think and wonder if things are going to get better. Then in the off chance that they have a visitor, they are so happy. 

I hope that this touches your hearts especially because one day we may be in one. So if you know someone who is in one of these places pay them a visit. You won't regret it. And it will make their day. Each time I visit her its fantastic and her attitude is cheerful and bright. And its humbling to me. Her spirit is so powerful and it's just her body that's restraining. She is an inspiration to me. I would do anything for her. 

But what makes it more touching is that her husband was able to be with us when we gave her the sacrament this last week. And her parkinsons has really put a strain on their relationship (one other thing that parkinsons does is makes you really chatty) but when we were all there, it was just amazing and the spirit really softened everyone's hearts.

I love you all.

Thanks so much for your prayers I'll continue to try to live up to them! 

I hope the spirit will be able to help you feel what I feel.

This is the true work.

Elder Dahl 2.0
Truro Nova Scotia,
Canada

https://youtu.be/yA7NMN4uaOw

https://youtu.be/39L_3Qm-EHE

https://youtu.be/W_HDqIO0Y3U