Preaching Fourth

Volume 7 February 2009 Issue 37
Hermana Emily Dahl
Argentina Bahia Blanca 7-09
Hermana Dahl, still assigned to Pompeya, recently received a "new" companion--her first companion in the MTC, Hermana Fagergren! They have been excited to work together again, and have spent some happy and hilarious moments reminiscing about their first days as "newbies".
Emily has now passed the year mark on her mission, heading towards her return this summer. She says, "Life is really good; every week brings new challenges, and I am learning so much. I feel as though I've changed a lot, but I'm not really sure just how! I know that my testimony has changed, and I really am excited and grateful to share it each day. This past week I really felt an emotional connection with my area. It has taken me awhile to become connected with this area, but it has finally happened. This beautiful country of Argentina and the people will forever have my heart! I love them all so much, and both the members and the converts are so special to me."
Elder Trey Nelson
California Roseville 1-10
Elder Nelson really enjoyed the holidays in California in the Citrus Heights/Antelope area. For him, getting to tell people that they were sharing a Christmas message really put a different light on tracting. People would sometimes say, "I thought you guys didn't celebrate Christmas." During zone conference, President Pendleton dressed up as Santa and handed out gifts we had sent in ahead of time. Trey had the added bonus of celebrating his 20th birthday on December 20. We all enjoyed chatting with Trey on the phone on Christmas day and had a nice, long conversation. He had even knitted hats for us for Christmas with a knitting loom found in one of his apartments.Trey is a great zone leader and is still seeing much success with all ages of people. He says the baptism of a nine year old girl was "hecka awesome" and that "the primary does an awesome job with the children." He's teaching an older lady who told them she was looking at some of the church organization too and saw the various callings (like apostle and seventy) and it clicked for her that was how Christ's early church was organized. Trey also has several singles ward investigators and is excited to see the progress and changes people are willing to make.
Elder Mckay Crandall
Puerto Rico San Juan East 6-10
Elder Crandall is doing great! He's been transferred since the last newsletter to another suburb of San Juan. His new companion is from Colorado. Even though he's only had 3 transfers in the PR, he has moved 5 times so far. He and his companion moved into a new apartment last week, and he is very happy with it. McKay said they are working harder than ever and therefore his time to write much is very limited. They already have 3 baptism dates set for February. They are teaching a younger woman named Karina, Daniel Zambrana, a 15 year old boy who is a boxer, and a man they just recently met.
Elder Jacob Reading
California Carlsbad Mission 7-10
Elder Reading has just passed the 6 month mark of his mission. He sends home great emails, full of love and excitement for the work. He is currently serving in two wards. One is in San Clemente and the other in San Juan Capistrano. He lives in an apartment for the first time, and likes it, even though he also loves living in members homes. He said he can see the ocean from his apartment. But that is as close as he gets. We recently heard from the ward mission leader in San Juan Capistrano. He said how much they are enjoying Elder Reading and what a good missionary he is. That is good news. Jacob says he has talked in church 5 times in 6 months, and his favorite subject is missionary work. Recently a general Authority came to his mission. His name was Elder Hamula. Jacob said Elder Hamula talked in an area conference and challenged them to get 20 referrals for every missionary companionship. It was mandatory, not an option. So both of the wards Jacob serves in have given them lots of names of people to teach. Things have been slower than in his last area, so he is real hopeful for greater things to come. His current companion is Elder Taylor from Colorado and he is 6’6”.
Jacob has met people who know our daughter Sara and Justin Martin and even a lady who looked at Jacob’s last name and asked if his dad or granddad played football at BYU in the 60’s-70’s. Jacob said yes, my dad played football. She said she knew Chris back then and had a crush on him. What’s up with that? It is always a small world when we share the gospel.
It was great to talk to Jacob on the phone Christmas morning. We are so happy that he is so happy serving the Lord and being his representative. He expresses his joy and wishes his best to Elder Thiot and Elder Martin. He always ends his letters with THE GOSPEL IS TRUE!!!
Elder Skyler Thiot
New York New York South Mission 8-10
Elder Thiot left early Wednesday morning in the middle of one of the worst ice storms Texas has seen in a long time. The cold only made him more excited to go to his new assignment. As Sky’s mom, I want to thank each one of you for your prayers for him. It’s been a blessing for him to have your strength and great examples of service while he recovered. I wanted to share the sweetest quote from Bishop Martin. “Elder Thiot...Hoorah for Israel!! We are so happy for you. You will be missed, especially by all of us in the Priest Quorum. Your example and enthusiasm was a great blessing to all of us. Perhaps the Lord had this special transfer to Plano especially arranged for you so that He could bless the lives of these young men through you. One of the primary assignments of a mission president is to teach and inspire the missionaries. You certainly did that with these young men, and inspired me. May the Lord bless you in your new assigned area of New York South. And by the way, New York, New York is one of my favorite songs. When I hear it now, I will be thinking of you. Love you Elder Thiot, Sincerely, Bishop Martin”
Elder Christopher L. Martin
Santa Domingo West Dominican Republic 1-11
Elder Martin is really enjoying his experiences at the MTC in Provo, Utah. He even likes the food! (Contrary to what his two older brothers has warned him in regards to the MTC food.) He reports that Spanish is coming easy to him and he is grateful for the four years of high school Spanish he had. He tells us that he has learned to greet people and say a prayer in "espanol." He says that the people of the Dominican Republic prefer to be spoken to in Spanish. His companion is Elder Akana from Hawaii. He is also good friends with an Elder Potter. Elder Martin tells us that he will have a layover at the DFW airport enroute to the Dominican Republic on February 5th. He will be in the Dominican Republic MTC to complete his training in Spanish. He reports that his testimony of the Gospel is growing. He says, "I wish I would have realized sooner that reading from the word of God is so much more joyous than the worldly activities I usually did at home. I don't have the desire to be entertained and I go to bed early and it's so much more awesomer! (That said, he asks to be informed on the outcome of the Superbowl)." He further states, "I love it here and there's nothing else I would want to be doing except learn to teach the people of the Dominican Republic. He says that like Ammon (from the Book of Mormon), he has a great desire to teach to gospel. We are happy for Elder Martin and are excited to hear further adventures from the Dominican Republic MTC.
Newly Called Mission President…
President & Sister Martin & Adam
Spanish Speaking Mission July 1, 2009