January 14, 2013

Hi Dallin,

 

How was your week?  We loved the pics of you and Dave! So happy that you get to work together.  I'm sure your area will get a fresh look at missionary work with you two taking care of it. 

 

Relax about your new responsibility.  You are doing exactly what the Lord wants you to do and He will provide the tools for you to use to be the most effect ZL you can be.  I spoke with Sister Jergensen. She will help you get the MD attention to get an RX.  You can start at a lower dose, if you want.  I hope it quiets your anxiety/sleep issues.  If so, then that is the tool that will help you in your calling. 

We had a great Sunday.  We went to Tim's farewell.  Rachel and LIzzy sang, "Jesus was no Ordinary Man."  It was so sweet-they could not finish because they were too emotional.  Tim's talk was great.  I skyped Beau while TIme was talking :):) Beau could hear the talk.  Tim talked about his experiences with Beau in Alaska-out on the ocean when the skiff broke and they were totally scared. He said he always sings hymns when he is in difficult situations.  He also talked about his experience on Granite Peak with you and Aaron.  It was a really spritual meeting.  He is going to be a great missionary.

 

We also had the Turley funeral.  It was very nice.  The Bishop talked about how much Bro Turley loved Sis. Turley.  When he was in the nursing home, he always worried that someone could take Frieda to get her "feathers fluffed." ( her hair done)  So cute.  Big family.  Funerals are a bummer, but the always remind me about how important families are and the covenants we make so we can be together.

 

It's cold here and I know that it has been chilly there.  Do you need anything?  YIKES!  I forgot you need garment tops. I promise-this week I can get over there.  It was -38 degrees at the cabin this weekend!!

 

Well, all is well here.  Dad is almost finished with the little house.  I'm sure he'll send pics. Chels and Jordan are moving into another apartment.  Norah is almost 1 year old!!  Angie is very uncomfortable as she goes into these last few weeks of pregnancy.  We are very blessed. 

 

We love you-hope you have a great week this week!

 

Mom

Hey Mom!

 

It's always so good to hear from you. I love you so much. Thanks for carefully writing me.

 

It has been a busy week! We drive a lot. This week we had a Zone Meeting in Osceola. A zone meeting is about 3 hours long. The whole zone gets together and discusses every area, every investigator, and every way we can improve. They are monthly, and this month President Jergensen was there with his wife. I love them so much. They remind me of the Tall grandparents. We gave a training on becoming conduits of the Spirit by putting off the natural man. We discussed goals, and how to achieve them. President trained on last year's 400 success, and how the Savior comes in the "fourth watch"....which in Hebrew culture is like saying at the last minute, after all we can do. We also had Stake Coordination  in Des Moines with President Pentz (Des Moines stake), and Presidnt Jergensen. The Des Moines Stake is massive. It was a bit crazy...There are two presidents who hold all the keys for the gathering of scattered Israel for their sphere, and then there were Elder Purcell and I and one other set of zone leaders. Stake coordination is cool because it really helps the units improve their work.

 

As for our area we are being blessed despite how busy we are. It causes us to refine and refocus, so we get a lot done in a little time.  We set dates with four 19 year olds. Two of them are married. Their names are Madison, Ray, Shylee, and Jake. They came to church yesterday and loved it! I pray that we can continue to see them progress. We have a solid baptismal date with Karina Stewart. She even found the church on her trip to Marshalltown and attended by herself! She is set for the 26th. 

We are having a lot of fun doing the Lord work, and I am so grateful.

 

I am still memorizing scriptures daily. Today I memorized Moroni 7:42-48.

 I love that passage...probably my favorite in the scriptures.

 

Yes I am  bit stressed, but it will work out.

 

I love you!

Elder Tall

January 14, 2013 Ang & Dal

From Ang: Haahahahahaahahahah

From Dal:
hahaha! !!!!!!!! I was like huh? Until I zoomed in on it. So funny! Everyone says 'hey you guys should switch nametags'...thinking they are real original.

January 7, 2013

Hi Dallin,

How was your first week in Oskaloosa?  I love saying that word:)  It looks like it is a pretty small town/area.  I can't believe you actually get to be with Elder Purcell.  I have laughed about that several times this week. Please take a pic of you two and I will send it to your friends-Caleb and Dillon.  Jacob Hooton was called to serve in Farmington, AZ.  Tim leaves in a couple weeks for Korea.

 

So, did you get to see April this week?  How is she doing?  

Some news from home: Brother and Sister Turley passed away on Wednesday.  They were both in Eagle Cliff and he passed away in the morning and she died 3 hours later. Amazing.  We are a little relieved because they were so sick and having such a difficult time. We have a wonderful ward who have really rallied around their family.  Their funerals will be Saturday.

Also Travis Tiner had to undergo an emergency appendectomy.  He's doing better-keep him in your prayers.  Dad and I had a wonderful fast today for family members.  We are routinely doing a full 24 hour fast and it has been humbling and strengthening to me. We truly are dependent upon the Lord for everything.  

 

Dad had his HP meeting at 8:30 am and was asked to give Kent Jones a blessing, which he did.  He then was asked to go to Ward Council at 11:40 am, which he did happily and then all three hours of church, which he did happily while fasting for 24 hours!  

As I was pondering Sunday dinner, I saw a can of Sloppy Joe sauce and thought of you.  That would be a really simple dinner to make.  1 onion, chopped and 1 lb ground beef, cooked together and then add the sauce. Put on a hamburger bun.  Easy.

 

I look forward to hearing all about your new area and comp.  We love both of you and are confident that you will do all that the Lord wants you to.

 

I love you!

 

Mom

 

Hey Mom!

 

Thank you so much for sharing that with me about your dream. 

Words cannot describe my gratitude for the Atonement.

 

Oskaloosa is said better in an "indian" accent...cousin :). I love being companions with Elder Purcell. We are genuine when we teach. It's nice to be paired up with someone who is like a brother, especially when you miss your own brother so much. We are working hard to improve ourselves each day. Randomly throughout the day we yell a random number like"12!" and then do 13 push ups, because in setting goals it is always better to "under promise and over deliver", as we learned from Elder Clarke. Among the biggest changes in ourselves is that we learned how to set goals. Thats what 400 taught me. We have a goal that he will lose 15 lbs. before we are transferred, whenever that may be. He has already lost over 30 pounds. He is doing great.

 

As a zone leader we go on exchanges once a week with various companionships throughout the zone to see their area and help them out if we can. It is a lot of fun. I went to Indianola and visited April. She is having trouble with stupid smoking, so Elder Austin and Elder Gibson will be visiting her regularly. Plus, she is living with her non member family so...scattered Israel gathering bonus! I love her a lot. She still reads a lot and loves the gospel. It would be hard to change like we ask people to do! I have to trust that the Lord will take care of her.

 

I have begun memorizing a scripture every day. I heard that an apostle promised a photographic memory if you memorize scriptures every day. It is helping already. Alma 37:6 small and simple things. Ether 12:27 overcoming weakeness through humility. I don't know what Ill try tomorrow.

 

One night we prayed after our plans fell through to find just one prepared person in a neighborhood. It was freezing! So we started walking and it was like there was something pushing us in a certain direction. Toward the end of the night we passed a house and both our heads turned back and our bodies with it at the same time without saying anything! It was almost cartoon like haha our legs kept going and our top half turned. Anyway, this lady answered the door and let us in. We had a great lesson with her, and she had alreay read a lot of first Nephi. We will be setting a date with her on Wednesday! Her name is Cathy. We also have a date with a girl named Karina. Also I got a letter from a guy in Iowa City. A less active that we always bugged a lot. I'll copy it and send it. I thought he may never come back, but he is now preparing for the temple!

 

Miracles never cease. I love this work.

 

I love you.

ps tell Tim how proud I am.
pss Pictures: We made a steak dinner to celebrate...we live in a sweet barn in a vineyard, and we have a grill! 

 

January 7, 2012 Ang & Dal

Hey dal!
It was soooooooooo awesome to see your sweet face on Christmas! I hope my pregnancy tears didn't make you feel bad, they are 90% happy tears from seeing how happy you are and all the progress you are making. The other 10% wants you here. I can't wait to hear all about your transfer and you Zone Leading position. Mom and dad left on Friday and Beau is still here for another week or so. I'm getting attached to having him here, he's prob sick of me. He's been an easy houseguest. Anyway I'm feelin laaaaarge. 8 weeks to go!!!!! I love you
Ang

Sent from Angie's iPhone

Ang! 

Can you belive I am serving with Elder Purcell! We are workin so hard together.  We are so unified already. It is so much easier to teach when you really understand your companion, and understand his intentions. We work out a lot too. Gettin bouldahs for shouldahs. :)

The Lord is guiding us and we have been changed by our missions so much. I know the Lord guides this work. I hope you and the forming babe are doing well. I can't wait! Thanks for the video it was hilarious!

Love you

December 28, 2012

Good Morning Elder Tall :)

 

Wow our last emails of 2012.  The time is really flying by. It was soooooo great to talk to you last week.  You look the same but I can tell the gospel has changed you and enlarged your capacity to love and serve.  That's what it's all about.  It was fun to meet your investigator and the host family.  Such good people. 

 

Well, where are you and how is it going?  I will laugh if you are back in Iowa City -Ha.  If so, you were meant to be there for a great purpose.  I'm sure it was had to leave Elder Barger, but you trained him well and he will do fine. 

 

We had a great time at Angie's house.  She should be a cruise activity director.  She had us going all over the place and doing some pretty cool things.  Our surprise for Dad was an 18 hole round of golf at Pebble Beach- He was so surprised.  Ang's friend works there and hooked us up with a super great deal. Cade is so cute and I loved waking up to  him saying, "gramma, come pway twains wif me" then he would say--"wook, wook at da twains."

 

Beau is staying there a few days extra and then back to the arctic. We are back at home and hitting the work grind again but feeling refreshed from our getaway.  Dad is still renovating the little house and hopefully it will be ready to put a for sale sign by the end of this month.  Dad went to Eagle Cliff again yesterday to conduct.  He's pretty dedicated. 

 

Well, I'm so glad you are doing well.  I have to get to work now.  I love you and as always, we are praying for you and your mission.  You have a beautiful smile- keep sharing it. (how are the whitestrips working?)

 

Love you!  Mom

Mom!!

 

Where do I start?

 

Thanks for the whitestrips they are working great. My new companion is loving all the goodies as well.

 

Soo transfer meeting was so full of energy. It was the last couple weeks of the year.

 We have all been striving to acheive the goal of 400.

 Big changes were occuring in the mission, and seemingly we would not acheive the goal. 

We have worked hard all year, and I can say with gratitude that I have tried so hard to be diligent. We made our offering to the Lord, and sacrificed a lot. I never lost faith that we would acheive it with the Lord's help. 

The anxiety was tremendous though, as President jergensen read the transfer news.

 I had chances of going with several zones. Finally He got to it.

 "And in Oskaloosa Elder Purcell's new companion is...kinda short!" 

Right when he said that I dove over three missionaries to him! haha. 

All the Elders freaked out. I heard how President decided that I would be with Elder Purcell. 

He had no intentions at all of placing us together, but he prayed and laughed and knew for certain that it was the Lord's will. I know it is as well. I only have a couple more minutes to be in the Library, but I am so happy and so grateful. The Gospel that we took for granted as teenage punks has changed us so much. We are so much happier and closer than we ever were, and we are going to have so much fun helping the Oskaloosa Zone acheive  the Lord's will for it. We found out last night that the mission acheved 400 exactly, and the 400th baptism was right here in our chapel. His name was Spencer.

 

I love you

 

ps. I get to see April Higginbottom next week. She doesn't live too far away. 

So when I go on exchanges, I'll see her. I know I am supposed to be here.

December 17, 2012

Good Morning, Son!

 

How's Galesburg this week?  I'm kinda like GPa Tall and Gpa Tiner- I check your weather everyday on my iphone and give the report to dad.  I keep track of the weather in Anchorage, Monterey, Chico, Ogden, Provo and just to make me crazy- Kona. HA! 

Looks like you're going to be a little chilly today.  Are you wearing your v-neck sweaters?

 

I'm so happy to hear about your baptismal dates.  The gospel tends to be contagious when new members are on fire.  I hope your ward will fellowship April and her sister!  7 new investigators is pretty awesome. 

 

We are really trying to do our missionary work- but dad and I are focused on certain members of our ward that are struggling.  Some everyone thinks are solid, but really- they have been offended and are not really attending and sort of go unnoticed.  Dad is so good at talking with a couple of these gruff guys.  Dad loves his calling and is dutiful in his HP visits, meetings, and hometeaching.

 

We had a busy Saturday with working and my work Christmas party, (held in the classy Sunset Bowl) then coming home that night to prepare our talks.  We wrote them until midnight, then Beau got home with Matt and Chase and we stayed up until 1:30 am.  It was a long Sunday- but our talks went well.  Can't really go wrong  talking on Christmas. I had to tell my fave Christmas story that I read every year-  Trouble at the Inn. Do you remember it?  I should send it to you.

 

Did you get the packages?  I sent small ones to all your missionary friends from here-Dave, Dillon and Caleb.  I hope the garms fit.  I will get you tops ASAP.  I know I sent a lot of small stuff but if you can share it, that would be great.  What will you do for Christmas? Do you open presents with your comp or with a family?  Angie moved into a bigger house at the top of a hill and now she has great internet service-  I'm so relieved since we will be there when we get to "google circle with you."  I'm excited that Scotty gets to bring his family down to her house for the weekend, too.  I miss them.

 

Funny story-  Cade saw a parody picture of the Mona Lisa holding a rottweiler.  He said, "Gramma (meaning me) and Rosie!" I definitely have to wear more makeup when I skype with the little stinker!  He made me a concrete 12x12 block with jewels in it for my birthday.  Vance cut a silouette of himself out of christmas paper and shaped it like a hug and mailed it to me.  So cute!

 

Well, I have to start my appts for the day.  I love you and can't wait to here about your week.  We are so blessed and all is well.

 

Love you! 

Mom

Mooom! 

Happy late Birthday. You are amazing.

 

Thanks so much for the package! It got here safely. Merry Christmas!

 

Great week! April Higginbottom was baptized and confirmed on Thursday. She was glowing afterward. There is an incredible power that comes over you when you confirm someone. I know that the Lord loves her. It was hard to see her go when we saw her off at the train station headed for Iowa. She said she loved us and thanked us, and now she is in the care of the Elders in Indianola. They had better take great care. 

Now we are working on the rest of her family!

 

Steven Kirkman had his baptismal interview and is all set to be baptized with his family in Pocatello. His Dad, who is repenting and getting active again got permission to baptize him, so that is awesome. I feel bad for him. His parents split not too long ago, and it wasn't a real pretty one. He is excited to be a deacon!

 

We are working on getting a woman named Dawn Carlson to have a solid date for Jan 12. It is hard to get her to church, but we had a really powerful experience teaching her the restoration. After she said her first vocal prayer, asking if what we were teaching was true, she said," I have goosebumps, I have never ever felt this way before." While we knelt, we told her that Heavenly Father loved her, and that the Holy Ghost was telling her that. 

 

We are having alot of fun and alot of spirit filled experiences, 

and I have never been more sure of the reality of the Atonement.

 I love this work. 

 

I love you 

December 17, 2012- Ang & Dal

Oh man I've gotta be the worst sister! I'm so sorry I've missed like 3 weeks in a row! I miss reading your letters. Guess what?? We moved!!!!! To a cuuuute house by the wharf and Bill's work. Bigger & better. So the last week or 2 had been Ca-razy trying to get ready for Christmas and packing the whole house. Aaaanyhoo, can't wait to hear an update.
 Cade is singing in his 'mine own room' right now 'cwean up, cwean up eberbody eberbody cwean up, Elephant! Did u hear me?CWEAN UP!'
 I hope you get you Christmas package in time...it was let's call it, very homemade due to my sewing machine jamming and resorting to the Glue gun. I'm getting super super big. The new babe kicks not all day long, but all night. Despite waking me up, I love it so I don't worry. Things seem to be plugging along well here. We are happy and your letters only make each week better. Love you.
Ang

Heeey! Congrats on the move! I loved the clean up story! I feel like I have seen that house. Quite swank indeed. I love the roof. Das TIGHT.

 

I haven't gotten the package yet, but I am excited to see what involves both a sewing machine and gluegun!.

 

As you read in Mom's email we had a baptism this week. It was amazing! The spirit was powerful. April was so fun to teach. I am so grateful that I get to meet so many characters and hear their stories, their fears, and their cares.

 

I hope Google thing works on Christmas. I cant wait to see you.

 

Love you!! Thanks for the pictures!