Season 2 Episode 27: ok then.

This week was solid. Also episode 27, that's 27 weeks here that's bonkers. 

This week had many ups and a few downs. So I'll get the downs in first so that when your done reading its happy!

So yeah, the first bummer is that Dan really isnt making any progress. Hes told us may times that he knows Joseph Smith is a prophet and that the Book of Mormon is like a missing part of the Bible. But hes not acting on it. So depending on our next lesson, it may be the last one. Hes a great guy and I love him and his whole family and all his friends, but he may not be quite ready. 

Next bummer is that we havent taught Brandon this week. Hes been out of town or one in his household was sick so that's a wee bit frustrating. 

And then the last bummer! Lisa, the lady we impressed with service in the rain, hates me :). So when we first met she confused myself and elder hatch's name (so in her mind I was elder hatch) and wanted to correct her the next time we met, elder hatch thought it was fun, but you'll see. It was our bad and so here's the scoop! So we met Sunday to talk about church and how she was doing and she had a falling out with her son that day (for what ever reason we show up when she needs us most it's kinda weird ;)) and so we asked if we could talk with her son Jake and she said sure, so we started chatting while he was playing fortnite  and he and elder Atkins got pretty tight (hes a sporty guy around the age of 12 so they talked about their favorite football and basketball players and teams etc.) And we asked if we could play some basketball with him and did and had a good time and told him that we try to swing by again Tuesday evening again and we told lisa the same. So then Tuesday came (this being last week pday) and we finally got some contact with Robert and stopped by him and others in fort Fairfield. We told lisa that we wouldn't be able to make it and she wasn't having it. So we stopped by a few days later on Thursday and in short, I deceived her because she thought I was elder hatch and not elder Dahl and that we broke her sons heart. Lots more she told us with some pretty fowl language all of which wasn't true and just disappointed me. Lisa has changed a lot since I first met her, but this was unexpected. I'm sure she will come around, but until then, I probably wont see her the rest of my time here. So yeah big bummer, but that's agency for you!

But on to the great things that are going on here! 

Dale has only had 1 cigarette in the past 3 days and loves the Book of Mormon and the videos along with it! So he is on his way on to the golden path I'm so pumped for him! His friend just needs to stop giving him cigarettes. Then brother Alliose (the guy we are reactivating) is doing equally as good and is super excited about general conference so we are going to hook it up in his home so he can watch it! And we have been reading the Book of Mormon and watching the videos with him too! Also in caribou we repicked up doug! And had 2 solid meets! The first we read the intro to the Book of Mormon and that went super well and he got pretty excited about it and so we asked him to read a few versus in 3 nephi 11 and in our second visit we found that he did! He got confused with some of the names but he liked what he read so we taught the restoration and this was probably the greatest restoration discussion I've had in a very long time. And when we got to Jesus Christs ministry we talked about the gospel of Jesus Christ and talked about baptism for a few minutes and moved on and by the end hes like, "so where do you want me to read next?" So we have him Mosiah 26 I think... (baptisms in the waters of Mormon) and well talk about baptism again and see if baptism is something that he would like! 

Then the bible study with Ryan was pretty apostate but we stayed quiet for the most part. For a group that had a lot of denominations (I think) the have some odd theories and ideas of what various scriptures mean and they are pretty far from what Jesus taught and that's all I'm saying haha. 

Then Sunday came around, the day before we met with dale again and he told us he would like to come to church but just doesn't know if he can, and so he didn't he was sick. But Cole (dating a member) came for like the 5th time in a row  and the weeks before he darted out of there before we could talk with him, but this time we talked with him and asked what hes up to, what he does fridays (we have a game night) and if he would be interested in learning more about the church and hes like yeah sure why not? -- fast forward Monday--  we were talking with brother white and it turns out that cole has a Book of Mormon, has been reading, prayed about it and knows its true! But here's the cool thing, is that they broke up and he has still been coming out!! So he'll probably get baptized in like 2 weeks. Hes a homie. He is a college student and hes a baller. Hes legit. Like as legit as Dale.  But we'll see we are hoping to have a lesson with him Wednesday! 

A lot is going on and it is awesome! Miracles ever day colors changing and getting colder, but its just all so good! 

But one thing that elder atkins and I had a comp study on was what if the Book of Mormon didnt exist. Where would I be? 

And thinking about it, no Book of Mormon, no church,  and so I obviously wouldn't be on a mission, I imagine my family would be torn,  i would probably have all sorts of poor habits or addictions and wouldn't have a purpose or direction. I just imagine that I would be a sinful guy. So I am way grateful for the Book of Mormon it's a life changing book. 

Love you all. Read the Book of Mormon and then watch the vids there legit. After that, pray about it and get yourself a witness from God that it is true. And then repent. Repenting is the way to live the happiest life you can. 

Elder Dahl
Presque Isle, Maine
United States of America