Life in the Field: A Trip to the Temple

Outside the Guadalajara Temple

This week Dallin had the opportunity to visit and teach a family outside the temple in Guadalajara. In order to get there, they all crammed into a small VW, and Dallin said his knees were touching the dash of the car the entire ride! They passed through the main downtown area of the city, and Dallin said it is truly beautiful. He has also found a new love in these delicious savory pastries that are sold on the street outside his apartment. They are filled with cheese, apples, and ham. YUM! He also shared that a couple of Mexican missionaries were complaining about how spicy and hot the food can be. Dallin said that he could handle it just fine! Thanks to Mom for teaching us that spicy is best! The work is going good and time is flying by. We are happy to report that all is well in Mexico! 

Delicious pastry for breakfast

On the way to the temple!

Central Guadalajara

Life in the Field: When a 65 Year Old Woman Asks to Marry You....

Viva Mexico & Feliz Navidad!

Yet another excellent week for Elder Jones! He is learning Spanish so quickly and teaching lessons on his own, and the best part is, everyone understands him! He is getting spoiled with delicious food and wonderful families to teach the gospel to each day. He taught an investigator about the restoration of the gospel, and a baptism date was set! A very exciting step in the life of a full time missionary! Here is a funny story & an excerpt from this past week in the words of Dallin:

On Saturday, this lady who was like 65 was telling me how hard it was to get a visa for the USA. She was very animated about it and she was like, "Why is it so hard?", and I said. " I don’t know."  She then said she had a great idea.  She said, "Well you’re a handsome man; marry me so I can get my papers".  It was so funny and the best part is that she spoke in Spanish... and I understood.  This happened just before a lesson we had with a family that owns a small shop. We teach them out in front of the shop, and the old lady was out front too. The lady who wanted to marry me sat in on our lesson.  She was so funny and the joke of the day and during the lesson was about the visa papers and us getting married.  She said at one point, "I want the papers and a honeymoon." I replied with "Usted tiene mucho dienero?" (Do you have a lot of money?) Everyone was dying after I said that.  The lesson went well and she really liked it as well.

The picture of the little girl and I is Pow, and she is adorable.  Her family has been members of the Church for about 4 months and they are so nice.  Her father comes with us a lot to teach lessons. They said they’ll be my family this Christmas. It made me happy so don’t worry I am good hands.

I finished reading The Book of Mormon again.  It was awesome to re-read it again.  What to read now besides Preach My Gospel?  I think I will read about Christ’s ministry.

Today we had the whole zone get together and play dodge ball, soccer and basketball. I played basketball and dodge ball. Everyone wanted me on their team for basketball they call me the MVP. We ate some good carne asada and sausage which was so good.  Tell Shawn Cook how good my food is here in Guadalajara!

Elder Jones & Pow!

Don't worry...this nasty guy was OUTSIDE. Dallin assured us, no bugs inside the house!

Everyone thinks it's so funny that Dallin loves "Frozen" and Disney so much! 

After a fun afternoon of dodge ball, basketball, and soccer!

Some delicious carne asada & sausage for lunch!

Such posers...

Everyone after a fun afternoon of playing some games

Life in the Field: A Soccer Star is Born

Most P-Days (Prep Days & E-mail Days) are spent playing soccer. 

Dallin had another wonderful (and fast!) week in Guadalajara. He is learning the language more and more each day and can tell he is improving, if only slightly! He is still happy, healthy, and loving it! He said the food is "amazing" and has had gumbo, pasta, and delicious carrot cake. Besides the blisters, the work is going well in the area. Dallin has handed out two Book of Mormons and they have invited an investigator (someone who is learning from the missionaries about the church) to pray about baptism. He is still enjoying the people, places, and fun he is having! Besides a couple close encounters by dogs, all is well. Here is an excerpt from his letter this week:

I have had a lot of fun here in Guadalajara!  I love it here.  Last week a dog tried to bite me, the dog wrapped his jaws around my leg and was going to bite but then stopped and ran away.  That was strange and weird; I got some dog slobber on my pants and socks.

Yesterday, (Sunday) we visited an investigator, and it was her birthday so she invited us to have cake with her.  She had been ill for a week so we gave her a blessing.  I was performed the anointing which is the third time so far in the mission field.  I feel like I stumbled through the words in Spanish, but every time I have managed to accomplish the prayer. 

We played soccer today and everyone calls me the MVP. I’m a pro at goalie position.  I only allowed 3 goals in 3 games.  The games were the first team to 10 wins, so yes, I was the MVP for today but that could all change next week.

A dog that didn't want to bite him! 

The new elders from the MTC with the mission president (center)

Working by candle light & some Coke!

Companionships are set and the Elders & Sisters are ready to head out!

Just a couple blisters.....

Life in the Field: First Week in Mexico!

Last visit to the Provo Temple while at the MTC.

Dallin arrived in Mexico on Monday, October 27, 2014. He and his MTC district traveled together and were picked up by missionaries and taken to the Mission President's home in Guadalajara. They all spent the night in the home, and on Tuesday were given companions and sent out to their first areas. Dallin is having a wonderful experience in Mexico. Everyone is friendly, and loves the missionaries. He has been able to have dinner with many families and says the food is delicious. He hasn't eaten anything "weird" yet, and has even had pasta twice (which he thought was quite funny!) The children in Mexico celebrated Halloween, which was also fun for him to see! He is enjoying his companion, Elder Moreno from Mexico, who only has about 10 more weeks in the mission field. Dallin is enjoying his time and anxious to share the gospel with the people of Mexico. He is currently serving in the Libertad Ward of the Refoma Stake in the city of Guadalajara. He and his companion have a very large apartment with a functioning kitchen and bathroom. Everything is going great, besides a few blisters, and Dallin is loving every minute! 

One of the MTC trainers and the Elders ready to head to Guadalajara!

One last photo with Elder Anderson!

This was where the Elders slept when they arrived at the Mission President's home. 

Elder Moreno & Elder Jones

Dallin's "Frozen" bed. Thanks to Lauren for the poster and pillow. Dallin chose the pink blanket while shopping at the missionary mall. Too funny!

***If you would like to write Dallin, please e-mail him at dallin007@myldsmail.net. He has 90 minutes for e-mail on Mondays and would love to hear from you!***

Life in the MTC: A Farewell to the MTC

The Elders received their travel plans to Mexico! 

This past week, Dallin moved from the MTC West campus in Provo to the main campus. Before he and his companions were transferred, they found the rumored "pillow room" with the custodial staff. They let them in and Dallin said they were "floating on clouds" while playing in the pillow room! The sweet custodians snapped a photo for them, and e-mailed it to us! Too funny. On Monday, October 27th, Dallin will head to Mexico! He is very excited to head out and start to share the gospel!

 Here is an excerpt from his letter this week:

I had an awesome week here at the MTC! This week Chad Lewis was the speaker at the weekly devotional.  Chad played football for BYU and the Philadelphia Eagles.  His devotional was so funny and encouraging. Chad speaks Chinese which he learned in the mission field and is now the NFL Ambassador to China, what an awesome opportunity.  He spoke about his relationship with the Head Coach of the Eagles, Andy Reid who is a member of the Church.  Chad told us about his experience in the NFL and how he always tried to share the gospel with others.   He also talked about Coach Reid's speech to the Eagle Team and Organization immediately after the 9/11 event.  Coach Reid basically shared a conference talk with the Eagles team, organization and media.  All the media in Philadelphia began referencing and quoting Coach Reid’s remarks.  Coach Reid was surprised that the players, team organization and media were talking about his talk.  Coach Reid confided with Chad that he basically summarized a General Conference and the entire Eagle organization and local media where quoting an Apostle!

We also had Carlos A. Godoy come and speak to us on Tuesday.  He was so funny with his remarks!  All the missionaries were dying with laughter. He talked about Alma 22:26 which speaks about 4 things we need to do and 2 promises we will receive for following and being obedient.  We need to repent, pray, have faith, and do good works.  In doing this we will receive revelation and baptized thousands.... It’s so true.... If I only baptize one soul, events about that person’s family will change including those who are dead.  They too can receive the blessing of the temple beyond the veil and the blessing will continue forward for many generations to come. 

The infamous pillow room! Looks like fun!

So tired.... Must take nap... ZzZZzzzZZzz

Sister Jones & Elder Jones in the MTC!

Doesn't this look like a boy band CD cover?

All the suitcases ready to transfer to the MTC main campus!

Life in the MTC: Week 4

Dallin received 9 letters in one day because Becca (his sister) was sending his letters to Mexico instead of the MTC. Don't worry, it only took her 3 weeks to figure it out. HA HA HA!

Another great week for Elder Jones in the MTC. He is still enjoying all his classes, his time in the call center, and getting letters from everyone who supports him! Before Dallin left, Derek gave him his philosophy of the MTC: "The days feel like weeks, and the weeks feel like days." It seems that Dallin has taken that to heart, as in every letter he can't believe it's already P-Day and a chance for him to write to all of us! The date for his departure to Mexico is Monday, October 27th! Very exciting for all of us! Here is an excerpt from his letter this week: 

The MTC has been great! I can’t believe its preparation day again! The weeks move so fast and I will move to main MTC campus next preparation day, and then I will leave 5 days to Mexico!  Time is flying by and it seems so weird that I will be leaving for Mexico in just 2 weeks from today!

Today I was able to the Temple as usual, and as I walked out, there was this super cute cat, and it came up to me and laid down right in front of me.  So I spent some time right in front of the Temple doors petting this cute kitty.  It made my whole day. 

We had an awesome devotional last night about how to stay away from Satan and how he tries and tempts us. It is nice to know that God only gives us feelings of love and peace, not doubt and hate which come from Satan. Whenever I face doubt, I know I can pray and ask Satan to leave and I will feel peace.  He also talked how Satan tries to replicate happiness or other things.  The truth is white but Satan might have a slight off white... looks good but it is wrong.

All ready to learn, work, and preach the gospel!

Shaka, brah!

I guess Frozen fruit snacks have taken the place of his iPhone case? 

With some Spanish literature about the church!

Life in the MTC: Week Three

Elder Sweeten, Elder Jones, and Elder Struhs outside the Provo, Utah LDS Temple

Elder Jones had another great week in the MTC. He was able to watch General Conference with all the missionaries serving in both the Provo MTC and the Provo West campus! He knew a lot of Elders in the MTC choir, but since he had no choir experience, he wasn't able to participate. Darn it! We always knew Dallin should've been in Glee Club! :) Elder Jones also took a trip up to the Mexican Consulate in Salt Lake City for a Visa interview, and rode the train with some other missionaries who will be serving there! He also ran into his good friend from Carlsbad, Elder Jordan Anderson in the MTC this week! Look at those handsome CA missionaries! Elder Anderson will be serving in Australia speaking Mandarin. Dallin also has another MTC companion named Elder Sweeten from Utah. Here is an excerpt from his letter this week:

Hey Family! Love you all and having a blast here at the Missionary Training Center!

So to start off.... yes the bat and mouse story was really funny and made our whole week fun.  Be sure to tell everyone about it.

So to begin, I loved conference.  I can’t really say i had a favorite talk but it was all so good. I enjoyed all the talks in foreign languages.   It was really neat to have my prayer answers re-affirmed about a certain question I had.  I was seeking additional help and continue to ask for guidance all week.  The day before conference I was reading my scriptures in Doctrine and Covenants section 3 verse 2 which reads, “For God doth not walk in crooked paths, neither doth he turn to the right hand nor to the left, neither doth he vary from that which he hath said, therefore his paths are straight, and his course is one eternal round." And those exact words were said 3 times during conference! It was a great feeling to see my question and worries answered through conference! It was a tremendous feeling. 

I love the temple and I miss serving in the every Tuesday and Thursday.  

LOVE YOU!!!!!!!

Elder Jones is loving his Dr. Pepper stash his cousin Matt picked up for him.

Elder Jones and the giant world map in the MTC. He is pointing to his mission, Mexico Guadalajara East!

Carlsbad Boys! Elder Anderson & Elder Jones serving in the MTC together.

This is what General Conference looks like in the MTC! 

Riding the train to Salt Lake City!

Interview at the Mexico Consulate in order to get his Visa!

MTC Companions- Elder Sweeten (UT), Elder Jones (CA), and Elder Struhs (UT).

Viva La Mexico!

As always, Dallin loves receiving letters! He only has a couple more weeks in the MTC! If you would like to write him, visit www.dearelder.com and click on the Provo MTC! Below is a screen shot of what to fill in!