Dal & Ang 6/2/12

Dal...
GUESS WHAT?? I got my patriarchal blessing today! Yes, I am aware I am 26. It was awesome. The patriarch is 91 and knew Gpa Asael from Rigby and stuff. It was amazing. I taught a semi-boring lesson on 'the sabbath' today, but the YW seemed to love it which is all the matters I guess. My next trip the occasion is going ( driving)  to Billings to see Ma & Pa and let Cade throw a ball to Chico. Then its cabin week. Lots of people won't be there, so don't get homesick. Then I head to UT for like a week or 2 to kick out our lousy, I mean LOUSY tenants and gut the condo in hopes of selling that bane of my existence:) I had the missionaries over for dinner today! I love them. They always give me some sweet insight into how you might be feeling and I almost feel closer to you after I talk to them, is that weird? update: Cade can count to 14, and then promptly ends with '5'. He asked to go "ni-night" last night instead of a bath, uh, you got it pal. Bill says hi and he is still semi-rotten at racquetball. Can't wait to read your update. 
Joke of the week:

A mother was preparing pancakes for her sons, Kevin, 5,
Ryan 3. The boys began to argue over who would get the
first pancake. Their mother saw the opportunity for a moral
lesson. "If Jesus were sitting here, He would say,

 'Let my brother have the first pancake, I can wait.'"
Kevin turned to his younger brother and said,
"Ryan, you be Jesus."

LOVE YOU SO SO MUCH.

Ang, B & C

 

Deep thought:

I can picture in my mind a world without war, a world without hate.
And I can picture us attacking that world, because they'd never
expect it.

Ang and fam:

Oh man that is one of my favorite deep thoughts. 

It totally applies to the guy i just talked to about UFOs for 20 minutes and stuff.

I never knew you didn't have your patriarchal blessing! That's awesome! 

Mom and Dad crack me up. They are going to be the weirdest grand parents..

buying shady campers and baby blue ghetto trucks...

I hope you are giving those missionaries people to teach! Even if you don't think they will listen.

 I learned that. I put the story in Moms email, but we just had some 

members give us a not so solid referral, and we are teachi8ng them now.

Well The work is going great, and Elder Davey is...fun. ha no i love him.

I love you !

Letter #19 7/2/12

Hi Dallin,

Well, it looks like another week of heat for all of us, except Angie.  I hope you are doing ok with it.  Are you using the car more because of the heat?  How have your discussions been with Jason and his girlfriend.  We have been praying for you and Elder Davey.  How is he doing?  I'm sure you are doing a great job with him.  

Grandma and GrandpaTiner received your letter and said to tell you that it made their week. They are very proud of you and are always praying for you, too.  

 We have had a busy week. The tenants in the townhome moved out-with Dad and 6 other boys' help.  We sold it to a nice couple from Cody.  YEAH!!  I'm glad to be out of the townhome association.  The Crist house is still for sale. 

 

We are taking the camper for a maiden voyage this weekend.  We are going to Eastern Montana and North Dakota to check out the oild boom madness. It should be fun.  We have had so many fires in Montana that they have banned personal fire works this year.  That's ok-  it wouldnt be near as fun with just Dad and I :)

 

We have a new sister missionary in our ward.  She's from Idaho Falls and she used to date Jake Tall (Mark and Wendy's boy).  She is very cute.  It was her first Sunday out. We will have them over for dinner and maybe invite your buddies.  Maybe Ben will listen to her :)  We are praying for missionary opportunities.

 

Billings News: Catherine Lewis is getting married in a couple weeks. Levi Selfridge is married and going to be a dad.

 

Well, keep smiling and work hard. We are all thinking about you and all efforts!

 

I love you!

 

Mom

Hey,

                       Well I just got done talking here in the library with Ross, or "doctor molecule"

 on his theories about the book of revelations and pre flood earth. 

Interesting. 

UFOs, pure gold and all that...you know.

Yes it was a nice hot week. We did have a pretty serious storm on sunday, 

but it blew through pretty quick. Literally every person I talk to has something to say 

about the weather and how this is the weirdest year they have ever seen. 

Times are changing! We have been using the car alot because Elder Davey was 

waiting for his parents to send his helmet.Elder Davey struggled alot this week, 

but improved alot as well. One day he was especially discouraged, and being for 

lack of a better term, a real butt nug. Before my mission and lessons in patience it 

would have been tough to keep my head cool. Being blessed with that I was able to 

remember that he likes singing hymns, so for companion study we just sang hymns while 

he worked through some tears. He let me give him a blessing. I gave him a hug and made 

sure he knew I loved him. It was a good moment. 

This all sounds like a dumb movie some returned missionaries made huh? 

I hope things will improve for him. You can bring the horse to water, but you can't make it drink though. He is making friends with the Elders in the district though so thats a huge improvement.

 WOW..who is Cathrine marrying?...weird to even write that. 

Also I hope your trip goes well! haha!! Maiden Voyage.

I wanted to write gma and gpa tall back as well, but they didn't put their address on their letter.

As for the work. It is picking up here. We couldn't meet with jason this week, but we will be tomorrow. 

He is not as zealous about coming to church, so I am just praying for a miracle and studying hard for him. 

We want to set a date with him tomorrow if the spirit directs.

 We have an appointment tonight with another couple like Jason and Pheobe, 

only they are married and she is less active. Their names are the Tylers. He is halfrican and he has a problem with the preisthood being delayed for all male members thing.

 I will be telling him in a nice way that he has his face up against one tree, and he is never going to see any of the other beautiful trees in the forest if he doesn't back up and set the problem tree aside. 

We met with Agusta too, and we just reviewed some things, 

and talked about her experience with Elder Perry. 

I know last week I asked you guys to pray for new investigators.

 Surprise! prayer maintains its 100% answer rating for righteous requests! 

We were referred to the neighbors of a new couple to the ward. 

We were seeking shelter from the storm on Sunday, which brought us to this couple's house(Larsons), 

who sent us next door to another couple(Batashawns), who promptly let us in, listened, and even took notes. Next Sunday we will be having dinner with both couples and teaching the Plan of Slavation! 

The new investigators are called the Batashawns. They are awesome. 

Please pray for this appointment to stay solid.

Ben will always listen to cute girls!!! Just tell him he will be taking to discussions again, 

but this time from a cute girl. 

Oh and offer him stroganoff...however you spell that. He can't resist. 

Love you guys! I appreciate the love, support, and prayers.

Elder Tall

Dal & Ang 6/25/12

Hey Dal! 

I gotta write this fast because as usual I am trying to catch you before you get to the library...update...I gave a talk in  church yesterday on " Feeding the Lord's Sheep". People were crying so I guess that means it was awesome. I'll give you more details later. How are you? How's the struggling comp? Are you glad to be back where you felt comfortable before? Can't wait to hear your update. At this current juncture Cade is untying my shoes saying " no gym, no gym" stinker. We are headed out to UT/MT/ID in a few weeks and I have started a countdown, I miss the fam. I am sure you relate:) Now my sweet 2 year old is kicking my shins. He needs a paddlin'. By the way, 

what do you call a deer with no eyes?

No idear.

what does a nosy pepper do?

gets jalepeno business.

hahahah 

We are just plugging along as usual. Life is good. Simple. And I love it. We pray for you every single night and I hope you can feel our massive support network you have around you. You are my weekly inspiration. I love you.

Ang

Ang:

HAHAHAA!

Oh man that pepper joke got all the Elders here in the library laughing. 

That is prime humor real estate right there. 

             So this week was sweat and toil :). It was good though because soon I will have an

 immunity to sweat and toil and ill be helping all the other sweaty toilies that need it! 

I am really happy to be back here. The ward loves us, and it is nice. 

When a ward doesn't like the missionaries it is impossible to do the work. 

What is the occasion on your next trip? Elder Davey is learning alot too I hope, 

and he is definitely happier. He promised me that when he gets 

home he will go find a girl, and not play too many computer games.

Short on time! LOve you!

Elder Tall

Letter #18 6/25/12

HI Dallin-

 

Well, how was you week back in Iowa City? I know that it has been pretty hot there and looks to get even hotter.  Do your best to drink lots and lots of water.  How's Elder Davey and the battle plan? We pray for both of you every day.

 

I was asked, impromptu, to get up in Sacrament meeting to give the ward an update of your mission.  As were Sister Selfridge and Molly Stott.  All of us said pretty much the same thing.  You are busy being a missionary and, although you miss family, you are not homesick and enjoying serving the Lord.  I got a FB message from Mason yesterday, too.  He's still going strong and sounds happy.  Have you seen Dave yet?

 

It has been very hot here for a couple days.  So hot that it was difficult to sit on the deck last night to eat.  That's hot for MT.  I sent another package to you with your contacts and some treats.  Put the bread in the fridge.   I hope it is still good.  I froze it before I sent it. It should be at the mission home today.

 

Dad is working this am and said to tell you hi and that he loves you.  He won't be able to write today. He finished his job in roundup for the time being, until the septic system is ready to be put in.  In the meantime, he has other work as usual.  Although it will be a financial hit, the benefit of dad being at home is very apparent. We are putting our own spiritual and financial battle plan together and feel that HF is really watching over us.

 

Keep up the great work and attitude.  You are an example to all of us.  So many ward members said to tell you hello and they, too, are praying for you.

 

Love you,

 

Mom 

Hey!

                           Yes it has been very hot here. Its so good to hear about the ward and all! 

And thank you in advance for the package and contacts. This week was interesting.

 I have alot of things to focus on.

 I am really grateful for the challenges that I have been given. 

Before my mission I hated studying mainly because I didn't know how, 

and now I love it because the Lord helped me figure it out. 

I also was quite impatient and critical, but through prayer, fasting,

 and a bit of the refiner's fire I have learned alot. I still have much to learn, 

but I know the Lord provided a way for me to be strong enough in these areas to help Elder Davey. 

Yes it is a struggle, but I know I will have grown because of it.

 Improvement is powerful. Especially in the areas of patience and love. 

In fact Love is the reason we do everything. Love is the reason that all of our greatest fears come down to one fear, being alone. Perfect love casteth out all fear. Christ overcame that fear with love. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have mastered love. They are perfect at it. That is why they can save us, among other perfections. I think it really does all come down to love though. It is the most powerful thing to me.

 I think Moroni 7:42-end is my favorite batch of scriptures ever. 

There are so many levels of understanding in them.

We are teaching a guy named Jason, and his less active girlfriend. 

We are going to try to set a baptismal date with him on tuesday. 

PRAYERS. 

They live together and have a kid together, and its a big mess because she has five other kids from another marriage in Arizona. Basically we are going to have a serious lesson on chastity... 

I usually am not afraid to bring up big issues like this, but I really don't want to lose Jason. 

He is awesome. Gotta do what we gotta do. 

We also have an appointment with Agusta the Indian lady again!

 She went to stake conference and Elder Perry talked to her in front of the whole conference, 

like during the meeting, and told her believe everything the missionaries tell you...it is true! 

He is also going to be sending her a letter soon. An apostle doing our work for us...Yeah I'm ok with that.

Other than that it has been a week of meeting members and building more trust.

 We are searching hard for new investigators and members are the key!I

 love you guys thanks for all the love and prayers

Elder Tall  

 

Dal & Ang 6/18/12

HEYYYOO.
I can't believe I got to see your beautiful face yesterday!!! I felt like I had 100 things to ask you or tell you and then I drew a blank when I heard your voice. Then I turned into a blubbering idiot. I do miss you a lot, but I was telling Mom that when I get emotional it's because you look so happy and we aren't really all that involved in this small portion of your life and it's weird not to be directly influencing and bossing you around and getting feed back. You're like, a man now. Seems like it was just yesterday you were the chubby cheeked punky with poopy pants I got to wipe:):):) Anyway, I was so impressed by your aura, which is a hippie term for the gospel term, countenance I guess. You didn't say much, but I think that's a good thing...Bill says that it's because you are in the right place within your calling if it's hard to talk to those at home because it means you are trying to stay focused on what you have at hand and not get homesick etc...so, good work. How is the new place? Was everyone glad to see you back? Can't wait to read your update. Things are going going going around here...had a garage sale, made 70$. Cade is so funny. I can hear him upstairs right now belly laughing at  Nick Jr. Gearing up to go out to UT for like a month to re-do a bunch of crap in my condo and sell that bane of my existence. I wish Beau could come down and help me. I have to give a talk next week on " Feed My Sheep" so that should be awwwwwesome. Can't wait. right. Anyway, I love you. Stay positive, prayerful and happy. Happiness is contagious. Spread it like a plague. 

Ang

Deep Thought:

" Consider the daffodil. And while you're doing that, I'll be over here looking through all your stuff."

Ang!

Oh man I am so glad you told me what Bill said. I felt...handicapped yesterday. I didn't know what to say. All the amazing experiences would take novels to explain. Joseph Smith said: You could see more in five minutes looking into the heavens than you could read about and research on Earth for five years. That is basically how I felt. Only the spirit  could explain my thoughts and feelings. It was so good to see you guys though. Everyone is glad to have me back in Iowa City. It is nice. The ward really trusts me. 

The feed my sheep talk will be awesome! Sheep are fed by doctrine! POWER CHAPTER: 2nd nephi 31.

I love you

Chels & Dal 6/18/12

yo yo yo!
Hi! This week was good. Jordan had some good prospects with some investors and it was good for Jordan and his buddies to practice their presentation before they try to sell to other ppl. We are excited about the way things are going though. Anyway, Vance got a hair cut! We shaved his head!!!! He was broken hearted when he saw all of his hair in the sink. He cried a lot! Haha. He likes it now though because he thinks he looks like Jordan. This week Vance informed us that when he grows up he wants to go to the temple... I pray this will always be the way he thinks. He also really likes the book ' The Little Train That Could' and the little train in the book climbs a mountain and says, " I think I can, I think I can, I know I can, I know I can" over and over and over... so a couple days ago Vance wouldn't finish his waffles and then he began saying, " I know I can, I know I can, I know I can!", and then finished his waffles. haha he had to encourage himself to finish his food. Whatever works right? :) 

Norah went to her 4 month appt. and she is 16.9 lbs haha. She is in the 80 percentile for weight and the 45th percentile for height. She is fat and short:) I love this little rollie pollie girl. She is trying to roll over but her belly gets in the way. She is happy still and sleeps mostly through the night... yea! 

How is training? Is it everything you expected? Do you feel prepared and trained enough to train someone else? I bet that would be so challenging to always be on your best behavior, happy and positive. Is he responding to your training? Do you get along with him? Were you guys able to find any new investigators? It is supposed to be 100 degrees here today so I bet it will be a scorcher there... I feel so bad. Do you have a personal size fan? I would have to install those into my church shirts if I were you... haha. That's funny. Anyway, we are praying for you and your companion. Do you need us to pray for anything in particular? We can't wait to hear about this week! LOVE YOU! 

Chelsea and Fam

Hey yo-

Im so glad to hear your week was good! My week was definitely a learning experience. I took alot of deep breaths and said alot of prayers. Like what I had to do not to kill Mason sometimes.  It is way hot here and nice and sticky too. I love a challenge now more than ever though. Out here you see immediate blessings from challenges usually. Training is good. He always says man you are way better than my last trainer on that, or this. He says he is smiling and laughing alot more, which is always the best medicine anyway. Gotta get this kid a baptism though :). 

We need prayers for investigators. We have been working hard and we are having trouble finding people. I love the personal fan idea haha. I should probably just duct tape ice bags in my shirt. Thank you so much for the cute stories. Oh man that kid gets me laughing.  He has your personality and Jordan's wit....whitt...whit..wheat. Anyway... I want to hold Norah so bad!I am learning alot of patience :) 

Love you, 

Elder Tall

Letter #17 June 18th, 2012

Hi Dal!

 

It was so great to talk to you!!  You look so happy and full of the spirit of service!  Dad and I couldn't stop grinning and happy tearing up after we got off the phone.  We are so thankful for the members who are helping you and feeding you.  I would like to have their emails- Bro. Merganthaller and Patricia.  Maybe even their addresses to send them a card.  It was fun to hear about Justus and her beau giving up their vices.  I hope they stay with it and can feel the power in feeling physically healthy.

Not to mention the money they will save:) ! 

 

So glad to hear you can cook a little.  Coffee cake and brownies! good job.  I really like that you used them to share with others!  Truly I will be sending you some banana bread soon. 

 

It was funny--we talked to Angie, Chels and Beau last night after we all talked to you--  It is truly the concensus that we miss you but we are so happy for you.  We will all pray for your comp and his family.  I know that if I had a struggling missionary son, I would be so happy if others were praying for him specifically.  He seems like a cute kid. The power of love, acceptance and example will be your best instruments for this new training position.  We love your "how do you take an island" approach.  Especially, befriending the natives :)  Your ward will respond.  Your bishop sounds awesome! 

 

Well, I hope you have a great week.  I know it's going to be hot so drink lots of water!

 

We love you so much!

 

Mom

 

PS  I will get your contacts sent ASAP.  Calling Dr. Kimball right now.

Hey!

Oh man yesterday was so awesome, but there are so many things I wish I could have said. It is hard to describe, but it is just another world that I have been in. I can honestly say I was speechless to see you guys. I wondered if it was normal to feel like you have so much to express, but you just can't for some reason. 

Anyway, it made me so happy to see you guys. The boys are fluent in English (up to the number 14 at least) and Norah is....rolls. Beau and I just stared at the screens and cried. Skype didn't allow for much talking because of the reception, and that's how I justify being a baby. Its hard hearing him describe the dangerous stuff he's doing in Alaska that I used to do, which I never maybe should have done :). It was great to see the yard and that ancient chevy Dad just bought. Thank you all for being so supportive and loving. It means alot. Also thanks for taking care of the contacts Mom. Please tell Aunt Ally thanks for the letter, and the letters from the boys.

 I totally hung them up as motivators! Sweet dinosaur stickers and everything!

I'll get those email addresses for you. 

Elder Davey and I are starting from square 1 this week and its going to be sweet to 

see what happens with our battle plan!

I love you guys !

Elder Tall