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!