short but sweet

Hellloo!

Well sounds like everything is going great there. I cant believe how fast the building is going up. I would love to workout in it one day haha I am not looking too closely at the blocks dont worry........... 

Well I sent you a letter this week so you should get it in about a month. I wrote about one day here and it took up the page. Its so nice to have so much work and to have it be so fulfilling. Its the Lords work so whenever there is work there is the spirit. The spirit will always testify that what you are doing is of God or it is not. Its amazing that the Lord wants us to be guided by the spirit in all that we do. We have a sick companion and so on Sunday we were not able to attend service. President Kirkham came to the mission office so that we were able to partake of the sacrament and have a very short sacrament meeting where each of us bore our testimonies. 

This week was pretty exciting and a lot of travelling back and forth happened. I think I got sun burned today!

Talk to you next week!

Elder Dahlin

AP's welcoming new missionaries and a Baptism

Hello!!

Well this week was a great week. We went on an exchange with the Matadi ZLs which was pretty awesome. It was my first time teaching in that area. We also had a few days of teaching to ourselves!! We didnt know what to do with so much time in our area at first but we taught some great lessons.

We had an Other Lesson (the first in months) with a man who will be a stake president one day!! We sat down with him just to invite him to church and to see how he is doing. He has been sick with Malaria.  He began to question why we would invited him to church when he has a church. Why would he change his plans for the next day. That comment really changed the direction of the conversation into bold statements by us. We then said this is the only true church on the earth and began to explain about the blessing of the atonement. He is so humble and curious and very bold so it was a very interesting conversation. At one point he said "the statement you made earlier about this being the only true church, its just.." our reply "seems kind of strange isnt it?" His response "Not strange. . . Its unbelievable"  Thats when the lesson really started to change because we could see his thoughts running and trying to figure out how this is true. He said maybe ill plan to visit your church next week but I dont see why I should come this week. We said "Well, this is the only true church. If you want to wait to know that then come to church next Sunday. If you want to know sooner come to church tomorrow." His response "I want to know now if possible!" My companion and I looked at eachother and nodded our heads. PRAY NOW... We told him if he wants to know if this is the only true church we invite you to pray right now and ask that same question to God. We got on our knees and he offered an amazing prayer. After the prayer we stayed on our knees and we asked how he was feeling. "I feel good... Peaceful... I feel strong..." We then testified that that is the spirit of God telling him that this is the only true church. We got up and left. Powerful lesson and sweet is the work. He is very smart and very humble so it will take some teaching for him to come to the knowledge of the truth. We have taught him 3 times and we are still teaching the Restoration! Its pretty amazing to see how prepared these men are. We have investigators we have never taught before coming to church every Sunday. The Lord sure makes the work hard in Liberia.

Anyway, we baptized Sam J. on Saturday and he brought a friend to his baptism. He told the friend "lets go look for something to eat" haha Then they showed up at the baptism! Thats one way to get your friend to witness your baptism. Now he has a baptismal date of August 2nd. Cool stuff. 

Well my companion is going to be going home in less than a month. That means I will be receiving a new companion that I will train. Its been great getting to know all my duties and trying to take on more and more responsibility. I love this work because you can put more work on yourself and I am trying to learn as much as possible. We always try to convince President to let us drive but we havent had too much success...

Alright well I hope everything is going great at home! I love you all and know that if you desire to have opportunities to teach the gospel it becomes very simple. Pray for it and you will get it. Easy way to strengthen your testimony is to open your mouth and share what you have. 

Love,

Elder Dahlin

Hello!!

Well seems like you had a great week!! Im surprised at how tall the building is getting already! I love working and it will be too cool to put all the workout equipment inside. I am sad though since you mentioned Strawberry Rhubarb Pie, and Lemon Cake!!!! I saw the welding job on the windows and it looks great! I guess the style we did last time worked out well. Exciting news. The place is looking different!! 

This week was great just dealing with the new missionaries!! They are all so great and im excited to have them here. Its great getting to know all those that are newly coming on mission and feel their willingness to learn. Also to know how scared they are and how I used to be that way! Its amazing to teach those  that are new in Liberia about how we do things. Im sure there are so many different expectations but at orientation we are able to give the overview of how the mission is. Then in two week we have another orientation on what they have learned and what they truly need to be focusing on. That was on Thursday then Friday we trained the new District leaders in the mission which was a very small crowd. Only 4! Its ok we are getting so many new missionaries which will be so great for the mission. We will receive 21 in September and some will be Americans. The last two MTCs that came were all Africans. Im getting the hang of my calling and im excited to really work harder and harder! I always feel like I could do more but im grateful with the work that I have to do now.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY STANLEY!!! YOURE AN OLD MAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hope you enjoyed the cake. Youll have to send some pictures of your presents! Any cool ones??

Well I love you all and hope you have a great week!! DAD HAPPY FATHERS DAY!

Love,

Elder Dahlin

Photo from a traveling business man!!!!

He said Eli is healthy and happy!!!

Elders

Families can be together forever

New District in Liberia and Matching Ties for Teaching

Hello Mom!

Well it sounds like everyone is giving speeches or talks! Sounds like what we do a lot here except we teach! And for us we teach missionaries! Happy Birthday Grandma! Remember you will have to be there for my wedding so you have many more years ahead of you! 

I hope Dad is watching out for those spider bites. Dads on a roll of having things happen to him! 

Well mission council was very fun and very full of information. It was all about using Preach My Gospel more in teaching and answering our own questions. Preach My Gospel is full of doctrine that is outlined very simply. It is great to look over what is written and think of how you can answer that with the scriptures. For instance "God has a body of flesh and Bones" What scriptures do you know that conforms with that doctrine. 

Train the Trainers was fun too. Just going over how stress is part of missionary work and how we can train our trainees better! We have 12 trainers this transfer. It was funny talking about stress and I knew it was stressful instructing when I went to tip over some chips on a napkin and missed the napkin completely.. Its alright though they were just the crumbs! 

We gave out transfer news on Saturday and a few were very excited for their news. Its crazy that my sons Elder Morrison and Elder Falemai were trained in Gardnersville and then left right after training. Now both of them are BACK in Gardnersville!! I must have had some unfinished work they have to continue there... 

Sunday Monrovia district was split into Monrovia and Paynesville District which was exciting news. Liberia is growing!! I hope to see more branches open up and work along with everyone to make that possible. We have a baptism this saturday, Sam J will be baptized. He is very prepared and ready to be a member of the true church. I also baptized the M family this last saturday!! It was so nice to see them and see a Ring on Sister M's finger!! So Cool!!

This week we have orientation for the new missionaries so another busy week!! Have a great week! \

Love,

Eli

Hi Mom!!!!

"Sunday I get to speak in the branch with the seminary students and it's also Seminary graduation!!! " You have branches??!?! haha  (Why does he think this is funny?  Ha Ha Head!)

Well I do love teaching even if it is other missionaries. Giving instruction is a lot of fun and i'm learning a lot from it. This week we have Mission Council, and Train the Trainers. That will be pretty exciting. We have 12 new trainers this transfer!! The mission is growing a lot! We are going to be doing a few demonstrations of planning and teaching and just improving on a few things in the mission. The great thing about instructing here is that you always have an idea of what you will be talking about since follow ups with the zone leaders tell you a lot about the mission. I think this one will be very good. Elder Finau and I try to always match for these events. I dont know if you have seen pictures from the Conferences?

This week we put together maps for each proselyting area in the mission. It was pretty fun to learn more about the mission and area boundaries. I learned a lot doing it and it sure took a good amount of time. We have fun here in the office doing that kind of work and really getting to know the mission as a whole. I enjoy doing follow up calls with each zone to find out how everyone is doing. This week we were able to teach for a full day which was awesome! Even when we go out from the office for a break we always start finding and teaching. Our break is usually right outside of the compound to eat some Liberian food so while we eat we talk about the gospel with whoever is there! 

Well It seems like everyone had a great week and is working hard! There are a few new things at the house which is great! I am sure you all are having fun with Marvin and tell him goodbye for me! He is more than welcome to California any time he wants to come.

Love you all!

Elder Dahlin