Learning the Price of becoming a Follower of Christ

This week has been a little harder than most. Last transfer was hard because of the companion, and this one is a little hard for the work. I think this week has put me on my knees more than ever. We had very little visible results from this week. The constant image that was in my mind was that I was Atlas, and that I was trying to lift the world. Frustration: When you try to do things that aren't in your hands. Oh well. I just finished a fast. President told us that we should all fast and think about what it is that we still need to change in ourselves to be better. He told us to then study the attributes of Christ and ask ourselves the question that the rich young man asked Christ. What are the "possessions" I need to sell? What are the things that I need to change? What are the attitudes, teaching styles, disobedience, etc. that are holding me back from fully experiencing the spirit? So. I started my fast. This last week has been very humbling and this next week will be even more humbling. I've gone from thinking that I've always been a good leader to realizing that I have so much to learn. It seems like every decision I make needs a higher level of understanding that I still haven't gotten to. 

   We had a small handful of lessons this week. Lessons to members included. No one had time. We walked and walked and walked. We've prayed and prayed and prayed. One night we didn't know what to do-plans A,B, and C had fallen through, and so we went to a corner and prayed. We agreed to go in one direction. We then paused. I went down another road, and my companion said that we should talk to the people that lived in a green house there. I was feeling the same thing. We talked to them, the man responding from behind his door, and told him that we were looking for someone nearby. My companion said it was a woman. They asked for her name. We, only following revelation said that we didn't know. My companion said "her last name is Martinez." The man paused and said "We're the Martinez family." He then asked for her first name, but we didn't know. They were probably too scared to open the door, said goodbye. We returned the next day, and they said that they were Catholics and would not receive us.   

   What's the point of the story? Well. Obviously people have their free will. The point of that experience was that God taught two missionaries that they could listen to and receive revelation in any moment. Although that family did not accept the message, God lead us straight to them and taught us their name. What a marvelous experience! As Joseph Smith says in Joseph Smith history-that he had received one vision and that he could expect to receive another- so we, as representatives of Jesus Christ can receive and follow divine direction again and again. We just have to be ready to receive. Hopefully as I "sell my possessions" (rid myself of qualities Heavenly Father doesn’t want me to have) I can be even more receptive of the Spirit of the Lord.

   Anyway. I know this week will be better. We found an investigator this week that might go a bit slow, but we think she'll get baptized. She is really nice. Her name is Manuela and she works for a member in our ward. :D We've been praying hard. The miracles have begun, and they won't stop.

   Well, I love you guys. We climbed the hill that's in our area today and took some pictures  :D

Love,

Elder Dazey

I love my new companion!

Yeah. I have learned some good things already being district leader. We have awesome Zone Leaders. Like really. My companion and I love them. I'm going to print your letter so that I can think more about the ward council. It's crazy to think of church back home. It's like a whole ‘nother storyline that is somehow part of me. It really is a strange feeling, almost like I've lived two different lives with two different identities. ;D I love the Idea that we all have a little bit of God in us. I think that's awesome. It makes you think about what parts of you are like God, and that those parts can grow and grow until you know Him perfectly, because you will be like Him.

  Well this week has been great. I'm getting a little bit better at being a district leader. It's not as easy and not as hard as I thought. Honestly, it's really awesome. I feel like I'm gaining a confidence that I didn't have before. Also, I've been able to serve my district a lot. (They're all sisters) They're awesome. They are such hard workers.  I tell yeah, Elder Portillo is a good Elder. He is always ready to improve. We've been able to learn a lot together, and I often council with him about the decisions that I make as district leader. Our relationship is doing great. We were able to find a new family this week, and they seem really great! (German, Jema, Roberto, and Alejandro) The mom seems really interested, and also her son and grandson. The dad doesn't seem like he has much interest, but I think he could open up. It was a great experience teaching them. Elder Portillo and I were very happy. We decided this Thursday to set the goal of only having a lesson without a member present if it was the first lesson. We prayed and felt that we needed to take a chance and not have lessons without members present. I think that we will learn a lot of discipline from this, and that the investigators will progress much more. We haven't met our goals this week, but we have somewhat of a vision, and we are starting to work more with the bishop and with the members. We will continue praying and searching for guidance. We had a great exchange with the Zone leaders this week. I learned a lot from Elder Urbiola. He taught me a lot in the study and a lot through his example. We did a baptismal interview practice, he taught me about district meetings, and he taught me what it means to work out on the mission. (He's ripped and does a ton of excercise.) It's been great here, and they have been such a great help. Elder Portillo and I are super happy, and the work continues on. I'm learning so much. I've never been so happy on my mission. Elder Portillo understands obedience, and we are getting so much better together. He is always willing to take a chance and a new step. Maybe we aren't the best, but there is nothing stopping us from reaching our potential. It's like shooting for the stars was never so easy. 

   Anyway, I love you guys a lot. This week ends school, right? I hope everything keeps going well, and I'll be praying for the wedding. Sorry I didn't get back to the computers last week.

Love,

Elder Dazey

Missionary life is good!

Things are great mom. I'm in Atlixco :D Still in an area close to the mission office, and still living it up in the city. My companion is from Torreon, Coahuila. His name is Elder Portillo. I don't know if you remember those two missionaries that stayed in the house with Elder Hale and I when they got here their first night? He is one of them :D He's awesome. He's really caring, loving, and spiritual. He works hard, and he just finished his training. I do like him :D He's my bud. We live in a house in a department building right next to the city center. It's the nicest house I've had so far. Safe as can be. Do we have any Investigators?- not any that progress, but we're working on that. My companion is the companion of the District Leader. The ward is nice. The people are good, and it looks like the Bishop works hard. Most of the members are very helpful. This area is great. I'll try to take some pictures and send them to you later on. We have to meet up with the Zone leaders for a very important meeting in a Chinese restaurant :) To answer your question, I have taken showers out of buckets many times, but only when the boiler didn't work or the water didn't get to the shower. I'm scared, because in my setting apart as an Elder,  it said that I would be humbled by many experiences on my mission so I imagine that I'll be sent to some of the worst areas at some point ;D

   I'm so happy that everything turned out fine with your wreck. I'm glad to see the hand of God protecting you all. Stake Conference this weekend! Wooo! Tell Zack and Victoria congrats on their graduations and tell them to write me :D 

I love you! 

-Elder Dazey