Hi

This week was a lot of fun especially with my new companion. Elder Byron, like Elder Russo, was a "visa waiter" and is now assigned here so he will serve his full time in Tennessee! Did I tell you that the mission covers more than Tennessee already? Every Friday we travel to Bristol Virginia for a district meeting haha. So we have kept ourselves busy just working hard. We had 3 investigators come to church and that was the first time since ive been here! We are expecting miracles and we have seen them in our work. Many testimonies in Priesthood about how great it is to go out with the missionaries. Yay for us! Its just like a fresh start and we both are very similar and have the same goals which makes everything easier.

So just trying to make a difference here and set higher standards for everyone. Love the work. Love you guys and even though youre counting down the days im not getting TRUNKY!! haha :)

Love,
Elder Elias Dahlin

Hey Mom!

Soo when I came back to America they bought me a few things!! I always wear black so I decided to switch it up. I got my grey suit, a few white shirts, and brown shoes! Trying new things haha

Yeah my companion and I have a lot of fun working.

I also got the package you sent me!!! Thank you so much for everything inside! I have been setting higher goals for the end of my mission and the protein will really help :) Also Dad is awesome at making knives already... I hope we will be able to push one out when I get home.

I gave a talk on Sunday and I hope I got across my message well... I tried to teach something but im not sure if it came across the way I wanted it to. I tried teaching about how Doctrine & Principles can effect and govern our lives. Ohh well. We are preparing for another Zone Meeting this Wednesday which should be fun. I love instructing and talking in front of people. The one thing I dont like is doing role play but it is effective and helps us improve.

Next week we also find out transfer news so that will be exciting. Crazy it will be my last full transfer so I have to make the best of it. I want to do the work and teach. Crazy people need to listen haha They will. I just still need to find the right ones.

Have a great week!

Love,
Elder Dahlin

Between Conference Sessions

New Release date

Hey Mom!!

So what was the guys name that brought ebola to Texas? Is he Mormon? Where in Texas? Yeah I had to go into Mahoneys just to see! and teach...

Conference was awesome! Everyone was so direct and straight to the point. Teaching us to follow the prophet and explaining procedures. Conference always answers questions and it was awesome to actually see it this time. I will have to catch up on the rest of them. 

SOOO.... Some sad news for you guys. I got a call from president Friday explaining my release date will not work. So now my release date is the 27th of December so that it is still in the window of 30 days from my original release date. A few more weeks to baptize! No problem :) Sad we wont be able to hang out as long but thats alright. Late nights haha

Not too many crazy things happened this week. We are trying to teach more and more and lately we have had some amazing lessons. Its good to be real with people and tell them truth. Some times we get in the habit of trying to explain we are perfect but its been awesome with Elder Russo as my companion because we are teaching well together and fellowshipping those that need it. Cool beans

I love you all and hope everything is going well.

Love,

Elder Dahlin

Hey Mom,

It sounds like the gym is doing well for you guys! I think working out has been going well for me too... Since its over 15 pounds now hahaha Bass Pros sounds fun. We went to a store called Mahoneys and it is like bass pros!! SO awesome! Tried to contact people there but it didnt work. I was too in shock with the selection of Kimbers and the sight of a 338 Lapua. Also the GoPros look so awesome.

I am a Zone Leader in Knoxville East. Our Zone has 18 missionaries. Missionaries report to the District Leader, District Leaders report to Zone Leaders, then Zone Leaders report to the Assistants. We went on an exchange with the Assistants this week and that was a lot of fun. I was with Elder Mumm and hes a great missionary. It is getting colder here but im learning how to deal with the cold. Thats the reason why its nice to wear a suit to church. We also had our zone meeting on tuesday and that went really well. We are emphasizing finding and how we can improve our finding skills.

Tennessee is a beautiful area and Its nice to talk to other people that have the same views as you. They hope California goes under water too... no offense haha

This week was pretty busy and awesome since the members are really opening up to us. Everyone offers to feed us and help us in any way possible. I am thankful for that and for the people we are trying to teach. We need more people to teach so that is our goal to fill up our time with teaching!

Alright have a great week!!

Love,
Elder Eli Dahlin

In America! How do I rotate this picture?

Hey Mom!

Sounds like a lot is going on but its a lot different with Sophia gone. Im glad she's doing well and working hard! It will be fun to have a little more time at home so im excited for that and to test out the new workout room!! We finished off today with doing ring dips and holds. Ill be very happy to hear what President Kirkham had to say, he has done a lot for me and helped me be a good missionary. I want to shoot a Mountain Lion!

Well this week was full. We did a lot of preparation for Zone Meeting which is tomorrow so we are excited to instruct and see how that goes. Teaching has been fun and its been nice to teach some investigators. The family we are teaching is doing well and we hope to see them at church this Sunday. Teaching is refined here but when we do teach it is very nice. We had Stake Conference this weekend and we also went on an exchange with the Watauga District Leader. It was a lot of fun since I was able to go with Elder Conners who is the only other Elder from Liberia that came to Tennessee. So it was just fun to talk and to work hard in our new white people areas. Bikes are no fun at all. . . So far I have gained 15 pounds since I have been here. Im not sure if thats just the food or im exercising more. . . But its great! I guess I can eat a lot now haha

Its been great learning how to share the gospel with everyone here and being able to get out and do the work. I think there is a lot of potential for everyone here and if we just make the effort there will be miracles. We had a meeting with the Stake President and Mission President yesterday and it was nice to see where they wanted us to focus and how we can work more effectively together to bring people into the Church. There is a lot to think about and I am grateful that the leaders of the Church are inspired and help us see the vision of the Church and vision of the eternities. Its not easy to view a single assignment as progression in the church as a whole but when everyone is being told to make the same action there will be a reaction throughout the world. So when we chose to follow the leadership we are choosing to follow Jesus Christ and his direction.

I love you!!

Love,
Elder Elias Dahlin