Week # 26 - Training NOW! New Area, New Companion - Mangaldan

Hey Mom and Dad,

Well I transferred. That is nuts. My trainee is Elder Baldove, a Filipino from Quezon City (you have no idea how happy I am that he is Filipino). The past week we have done some really awesome work and even just with 3 days of work here in Mangaldan our stats look like my stats from San Manuel, so a whole week is going to be awesome. I feel some really personal responsibility for the trust the Lord has given me with this trainee and the 2nd most progressing area in the mission. The difference in this area is night and day from my previous. Still have things to improve on but it is significantly more manageable than San Manuel.

Anyway I just want to share a little bit from my personal study today that blew my mind. I really have been studying the life of Jesus and the things he did. I studied about when he was taken up to the mountain to be tempted. I thought it was really interesting, Satans use of the word "if". "if thou be the Son of Man, change these rocks to bread" Knowing Christ was human, and still had weaknesses (though he was perfect) Satan would do anything to get Christ to doubt his divine and Royal lineage. Then later Satan works through those passerby's as Christ is on the Cross "IF thou be the Christ" The adversary will do to get us to doubt our potential and destination and royal sons and daughters of God. And it is also interesting the way he tempts Jesus. "turn the stones into bread..." To be clear this action is not inherently bad. Jesus (having complete control of the natural and physical state of all his creations) could easily do this. In fact only 2 weeks later he changes water to wine for his mother. the difference is WHO is offering it. There are examples of this in our world today. Sex between a man and a woman is not bad BUT if outside the bonds of marriage it is from the adversary. Sometimes we say "oh the content in this movie is bad but it doesnt hurt you" But that is not even the issue! it is less the sex, drug use, swearing, and violence in the film but WHO is offering those things. Anyway haha that was a way cool study I wanted to share, Iove you have a good week!

Elder Dahle

April 2015 Zone Conference

The theme for this conference was: "Sacrifice: Becoming a Consecrated Missionary." 

We must have the desire to place God above all else in our lives and recognize His hand in all things. Those who do this become instruments in hastening the work of the Lord and experience true miracles.

Week #24 - GREAT CONFERENCE!!!!

Magandang Buhay!

Hello all! I am so sorry it has been so long since I have sent a big email to all of you! To update.

1.I am still here in San Manuel, I did transfer but only to a different room in the house because there are two sets of Elders that live in this house.

2. My new companion is Elder Yadao from Ilocos Sur. He is waaayyyy cool, and can speak Ilicano, which is super useful for our investigators.

My new area is way different from my old one. It is 100% rice terraces. and to get to a lot of our investigators you have to walk through them on little paths no more than 8 inches wide to get to them. Also this new area is full of really really mangy dogs. I will send pictures. words can't describe!

Right now we have 2 really really cool investigators Ian and Anita. Anita is Ians grandma and she is is being baptized next week! Ian is the coolest Filipino kid I have yet. He and I are way tight and he is excited to follow his grandmas example!

Wow. What a wonderful conference.  All talks were inspired and motivating. I really needed that and now I feel a real sense of motivation to push over and through the struggles this branch has. As usual, this transfer was lightning fast compared to the rest. I feel the time I have here in the mission slipping out of my hands getting ready to drop me into the "real world" YIKES. But all is well. I am savoring this time to serve by giving it all I have got.
I love you all!!

Elder Dahle

Week #23 - Weathered Typhoon Maysak well!

Elder Dahle & Elder Arrington 

Hey all!

It's Alex's Mom again:-) He again ran out of time and was unable to write a blog post so I will do my best to give you an update on the boy!

Gratefully Typhoon Maysak happily fizzled out by the time it hit San Manuel. He said it was "Pretty much just a little rain like you would see in Ohio haha." It was a very challenging week with investigators and his branch is struggling. He asks for prayers for him, his companion, his branch and the people he is teaching. On an up note - he is still keeping his sense of humor about him as he sent us a picture of a water buffalo because according to Veggie Tails "Everybody needs a water buffalo!" :-) Gotta love the boy! And we got a picture of him with Elder Arrington (the Elder who also knows the Ogdens!!)!!

"EVERYBODY NEEDS A WATER BUFFALO"