April 2009

Volume 7 April 2009 Issue 38
Hermana Emily Dahl
Argentina Bahia Blanca 7-09
Hermana Dahl has been on her mission for 14 months now, 12 months in Argentina. She writes: "We had a zone conference in Pompeya, and afterwards Hermana Johnston and I got to see all of our converts in Pompeya. We went to visit new converts Alejandro and Liliana--- their little girl, Ana Milagros, was baptized by her father. They have already set a goal to be sealed in the temple in a year. It is one of the most incredible things to be a missionary and help someone be baptized, but what is even better is to see them progress in the church. I love seeing them bless and pass the sacrament, become Relief Society Presidents, and go to the temple for the first time; it is a priceless feeling. Last night we had a priesthood meeting here in Olavarria---our chapel is the district center for all the branches--and I was able to see my friends from one of my first areas, Bolivar! We missionaries were there to sing a special musical number. I got to see Arturo, "my" convert-- he was doing so well, and it was the first time I saw him complete with shined shoes, black pants, white shirt and tie! It was announced in the conference that he would be receiving the Melchizedek priesthood. I was so
excited and nearly brought to tears, knowing the long path and all the hard times before his baptism." "One night recently I was trying to sleep, and I thought how special this time has been and is to me. My mission is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I'm never going to have another time like it. Ever. Never will I see so many miracles, or have my life touched by so many people, by finding and teaching them."
Elder Trey Nelson
California Roseville 1-10
Elder Nelson has just been transferred to the Roseville stake area to again be zone leader there. He enjoyed the last six months in the Antelope area. He taught and baptized many people and will even get to return to the area to baptize a few more in the next few weeks. Trey's experiences are wide and varied and he is becoming well-rounded as he interviews people (a really sharp 16-year-old boy who even showed up in a white shirt and tie on his own) for baptism, gives chastity lessons and dating advice, teaches the Gospel Essentials class, gives lessons to BMX bikers doing cool and crazy tricks, endures no-show appointments without becoming discouraged and helps other elders become less uptight. Trey has been willing to do major yardwork trimming giant trees, he's learned what to do when he mows a lawn and breaks a water spicket (get tools from the neighbors if the homeowner's not home), and how to get his clothes clean (rinse in the tub, then wash twice) when they play mud Frisbee on P-day. He's looking forward to the new area and new experiences.
Elder McKay Crandall
Puerto Rico San Juan East 6-10
Elder Crandall After serving close to 7 months in the same area, McKay was recently transferred to an area called Arroyo, which is on the south side of Puerto Rico. His area encompasses some mountains that have “single roads without exits.” I’m sure this is quite the contrast to the more urban areas where he previously has served. They are “white-washing” the area, which is a term they use in referencing the replacement of a companionship with two missionaries unfamiliar with the area. This brings challenges of getting to know the people and the area; fortunately McKay is good with maps. His companion is a district leader and they have a car. This brings mixed blessings as he enjoys having a car, while he misses the exercise of biking and walking. He said the ward “is cool”, although apparently not cool enough given that the chapel they attend does not have air conditioning and the elders are required to wear their coats to church. McKay is getting much more comfortable with the language. He previously was really struggling with the accent and the speed at which people spoke. On occasion he works with people who prefer to speak English, which in his words “is fun.”
Elder Jacob Reading
California Carlsbad Mission 7-10
Elder Reading We have had some great emails from Elder Reading lately. Her is one I particularly love. "We had Zone Conference yesterday. I loved this one! Our Zone Leader Elder Springer gave us some great training! He talked about talking to everyone. Sometimes as missionaries, we don't always talk to everyone we see because they might look like they are in a hurry or talking on the phone or just really busy! He told this story of a man that went 1,000 miles to go to Salt Lake City and Temple Square to learn more about the church. He was there for a month and not one person talked to him about the church! There are people the Lord has prepared and we need to talk to everyone we see because they might be one of those people. When we got home from the Zone Conference that night, it was really late. It was 9:30 and we are supposed to be in by 9, but we ran late because we had a teaching appointment. We saw our next door neighbor who we had never talked to about the gospel because she always looked really busy. But, we felt impressed to go talk to her. We ended up talking about 30 minutes about this church. She said she was very interested! It was amazing, because if we weren't given that training to talk to everyone, we probably wouldn't have talked to her because it was late and we needed to be in our apartment. It was a really cool experience! I got an email from Elder Martin. It was really cool. He said he only had 5 more days in the MTC. I gave him some advice and told him how amazing he is. He said something I have never heard him say before. He said that he always looked up to me, which is weird because he was the one who was always the example to me. You never know who is watching you! So we must always be an example."
He has been real busy giving lots of service. He helps every week at the local thrift store helping to move large furniture around and helping in any way he can. He has been able to step up the investigators he has to teach, either through contacts or tracking out, since his Zone Conference. He was hoping to have some investigators attend with him at Conference. A mission can really change lives. As Elder Reading's mother, I can also see another life that has changed. The life of Elder Reading. I know all you Elders and Hermana are experiencing wonderful things and we pray for your success and well being every day. May the Lord bless you in all that you do.
Elder Skyler Thiot
New York New York South Mission 8-10
Elder Thiot was set apart by President Wilding and promised that there were people waiting in New York to be taught the gospel in their native tongue of Russian. Elder Sky had his first baptism of a sister from Russia that he met his first week in New York. Here is what he had to say. “So yesterday, we had a baptism of Natasha, and it went perfect. So it was the greatest baptism ever. President Bennion surprised us by showing up for the baptism which was great. Anyways, Natasha's friends showed up, and so we had like 10 less active/non member Russians at the baptism, which was extremely cool. The first miracle of the baptism was that when I was filling up the font, the water was really cold because the hot water heater stopped working, but when we got in the water, it was really, really warm! I have no idea how that happened! I’m still a little confused by the Miracle of the font.” “So this week we called a man named Johan we met on a street sweep and said he wanted to come to church, so I told him the directions and we were pretty excited. He didn’t show up at first, so I had a Russian member of the ward call him, and he said he would be there in a few minutes. He showed up for priesthood, and afterwards we sat and talked to him. So his story is pretty much amazing! He is from Armenia and while he was there, he met the missionaries, was taught, but never got baptized. So yesterday he told us he really wants to be baptized, and he knows this is the true church! So the Russian program is about to get a new priesthood holder! Pray for Johan!
Elder Christopher L. Martin
Santa Domingo West Dominican Republic 1-11
Elder Martin has left the CCM (Santo Domingo MTC)! He has already had a baptism! What a way to start out your mission! Of course he is quick to point out that it is mostly a credit to his companion Elder Cowdell and Elder Cowdell's former companion. Christopher did get to help teach two lessons to her. Elder Martin is experiencing a little culture shock. He writes, "The area we're in is called Enriquillo and our zone is San Geronimo. It's a way poorer part of the city compared to where we were at Independencia in the CCM. The power goes out a lot . . . the houses are all stacked up on each other and it's very loud. People don't put mufflers on their motorbikes and [there is] loud music in the colmados [stores]. Many times it's [so loud that it is] difficult to teach a lesson . . . but you get used to it. The members have a hard time with remembering to go with us to teach and we have to be very patient. Punctuality is not that important to the culture here." He explained that the baptism which was supposed to start at 6:00 PM started two hours late. In the Dominican Republic, the missionaries are cautioned not to eat food prepared by the members or buy food off street vendors. They also drink only bottled water. Elder Martin wishes he could just download Español into his mind, but is confident that the language will come easier with practice.

President and Sister Martin
California San Fernando Mission 7-12
Jerald Lynn Martin, 55, and Gemie Johnson Martin, eight children, California San Fernando Mission; Plano 4th Ward, Plano Texas Stake. Brother Martin is a former bishop, stake Young Men president, Scoutmaster and assistant, high priest group leader and missionary in the Argentina Cordoba Mission. Retired senior vice president, PepsiCo Financial Shared Services, PepsiCo. Born in Palo Alto, Calif., to Marion Borges and Melba Jaussi Martin. Sister Martin is a former ward Young Women adviser, ward Relief Society president, counselor in ward Relief Society and Primary presidencies, meetinghouse librarian, Cub Scout leader and enrichment leader. Born in Moab, Utah, to Loren Hills and Genevieve Holyoak Johnson. LDS Church News April 4, 2009