GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD MORNING! :)

What a great day to be reporting from the East Coast.. Last night it thundered sooo LOUD I thought I was going to die... it's been raining like crazy here on the east. Like at least once a day. BUUUTTT I am okkkayy with that because it means that it isn't too hot! :) Hope you are all enjoying the heat! This weeeek though was a great one! Full of the Spirit...and way too much Spanish food. Love when that happens. 

Monday: We were able to go shopping on Monday… got a cute dress! :) Other than that, we saw a recent convert who is struggling but we were able to really talk to him about getting back on the path! Then we saw a family who just moved into the ward! They are from Utah and it is just cool to be able to be their first contact with someone from the church over here... It’s amazing when you meet someone in Utah you automatically have this connection. It's like family in the church! It’s the greatest! :)

Tuesday: We were able to go on exchanges after District meeting and I was able to go to FARDALE!!!!!! My birth place! It was so great... I didn't like being back into the small apartment haha but it was fun! I was able to go with Sister Bair and she is the greatest! We saw lots of potentials and I saw some of the old people I used to see so that was fun! But Sister Bair and I stayed up talking until like 2 in the morning! She is great and that was fun! haha 

Wednesday: 6:30 came way to early... but we were able to study and talk about things she needed help with (sometimes I am like a little counselor..) then we exchanged back and Sister Shearer and I had a busyyy day! We went to see our investigators from Brazil and that was great! :) They were excited to see us! Then we went to see some other investigators and had a really good lesson with them about the Articles of Faith actually… haha but it was good! She actually came to church on Sunday! So we were excited about that! Then we went to have dinner with a returning member family and they are so great! After that a lesson with another investigator and we talked about Family History and Temple work and it was sooo cool to see how excited he got when it clicked in his head what we do in the temple! :) Love that! :)

Thursday: We were able to walk and plan! We actually contacted lots of people then we walked to a member’s home for dinner and their family is all gluten free so we had a great gluten free meal! :) Heavenly Father blesses me so much! That was pretty much the day!

Friday: We were able to go on another exchange with the Spanish Sisters near Paterson and I went there... and let me just tell you... I have never eaten so much in my life. In the Spanish program the members love to feed you... every appointment you have they feed you and if they think you are skinny they give you more. So we had two meals back to back and it was stuffed full of chicken and rice and if you don't finish they get offended and it was a mess and oh my lanta I thought I was going to dieeee after the last one. Sister Clark was who I went with and not to mention I couldn't understand anything of what was happening in the lesson... she was laughing at me because I was so worried about the food! It was funny! But she is a great missionary so that was fun! 

Sat: WE were able to play soccer in the morning with the Spanish Branch! They are so good! Then we exchanged back! We had a pretty busy night. We went to see the two youth again. The girl is amazing and all by herself, read the story of Korihor and loved it! She found it in the back and was so excited to tell us! haha She is so smart! This next week she is going to girl’s camp! I know it will be a special experience for her! :) She will be baptized soon! Then we went to see another investigator again and had a great lesson with him about being Diligent! :) 

Sunday: Wonderful Sabbath day! :) CHURCH and then we were able to go to dinner with a member and that was fun (esp since they called you mom) then we were able to go and see a Recent Convert and we contacted for a while on the streets and got 2 return appts so that was fun! :) But it was a good day! :) 

That was the week. Man. I just wish I could explain things in more detail. I feel like my mission is sometimes a "have to be here" moment where It is sooo hard to explain but means soo much to me! :) Know that you have permission to pick my brain when I get home of all the stories and I will gladly tell you them all! :) I Love you and I know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ does too! There is a verse today I read in the 45 section of the Doctrine and Covenants about making sure that we become Disciples of Jesus Christ that stand in Holy Places. That way, when things get hard, we shall not move! It really made me think... I don't want to be one that moves as I go through life... but as I am trying every day to be a disciple of Christ and doing what He wants me to do, the scripture says, I shall not move! :) Know I love you all and I am grateful for the way that you have showed how to be a Disciple for my Savior! Have a good week! 

Sister Dahl!

(Click on photos to enlarge)

 A random army tank

 Me and Sister Bair in front of the army tank

Me and Sister Clark!

Family First...

Okay since last weeks email was sooo bad... I decided to put my Family Email first so hereeee we go! :) It was a great week but super busy... we had 3 exchanges and that just wears me out! :) but that is what preparation day is for right? So here is the week that we had! :) 

Monday: During our P-day we were able to go and have interviews with President and Sister Taggart… bitter sweet to take away our P-day but it was okay! :) They are a great couple. So different from the Jeppsons but I love them! They are really laid back. Sister Taggart just loves to talk and it is great... because we all know I like to talk too.. :) haha After that we were able to go and see the Bishop’s grand-daughter and teach her at their home. That was fun, she is 8 but isn't baptized yet. She loves learning sooo much so we were able to teach her about the Gospel of Jesus Christ! :) Then we came back and contacted some more before the night was over.

Tuesday: We had district meeting and then after that we were able to go on exchange with Sister Spencer and Sister Mendoza (both my former comps!) I was sad that I couldn't go with Sister Mendoza because I can't drive... :( But I was able to go with Sister Spencer and that was fun! We were in our area and we saw lots of people! We saw two investigators who are just funny people who want to know more. The man informed us that Isaiah is bald.. How does he know that?? haha After that we were able to see some Less Actives... then a Recent Convert who we talked about Testimonies and how to strengthen it every day!! He needed that! Then we saw another recent convert, we teach her 6 year old wild son who is so funny! :) So we showed him a magic trick about the gospel of Jesus Christ! :) FUN!

Wednesday: We were able to go contacting and we talked to some great people! :) Then we exchanged back and then ran to a meeting we had at the mission home with all the Sister Training Leaders to learn how the best way to help the Sisters is! :) So that was fun! The Taggarts fed us! YUM :) then after that we ran back home and went to an appt with a part member family! They are great and we watched the Restoration movie! It was super spiritual! (fyi.. they came to church Sunday! WOO)

Thursday: We did another exchange and I was with Sister Webb! That was fun because we were here in the area and we were able to contact all day because it was walking day! We met this guy on the street who told us that... "ya know... the way the Mormons do things is right!" We got his address and should be stopping by soon! :) 

Friday: We met with this guy we met on the street last week and wanted us back so we taught him… he was interesting but wants us back! :) So we will keep teaching him. Then we exchanged back and Sister Shearer and I had one appt together with a couple! They are a part member family with two girls who are waiting to get adopted and as soon as they are adopted they will be baptized! :) Just the paper work that takes forever... :( But we had a great lesson with them! Also their friend wants to investigate as well! :) yay! Then we had another exchange with a Sister named Sister Stansel. She came here and Sister Shearer went to Paterson with her companion and so that was a fun exchange. We went to teach a lesson to our awesome three investigators!! They are from Brazil... (and they are impressed with my Portuguese!) But we taught them the Plan of Salvation and they loved it! :) 

Saturday: We were able to contact in the morning then exchange back and then we got juked all day which wasn't fun :( so we did some planning and more contacting! :) 

Sunday: We had a great Sunday with 7 investigators at church! I think that is a high for me! It was fun! :) Hopefully we can get them all with a date soon! :) After that we taught a man who lives in a part member family and had a lesson about baptism with him... he wants to be baptized sooo bad he just has to wait for permission from church headquarters.. :( But it'll come soon! :)  Then we were able to teach a recent convert that night about family history work and that was fun :) and that was our crazy day!! 

Prettyyy crazy week! Exchanges are so fun... this week we will have two more then we get a rest because we are will be getting ready for transfers! They called and told us our area is splitting sooo we will make plans for that. That will be really good because we will be able to focus more on the important things! :) We have way too much work! (Never thought I would be saying that!! haha) but I love being busy. Ya know, I really love being a missionary. Thanks Nicket for reminding me that I have 100 days left, dad for telling me only 12 emails left, and Grandma counting down 3 months! Flip! Time has gone too fast! But how lucky am I to be able to have 3 months still! :) Remember "After all that has been said, the greatest and most important duty is to Preach the Gospel" and personally I think the best way to "Preach The Gospel" is by your actions! How you live and what you do! :) know I love you all so much! Have a great week!!!!

Sister Dahl! 

p.s. hopefully this email was better...

(Click on photos to enlarge)

 

My bowling score from the other day...the highest score :) be impressed!

 

 

Man. We are busy bees. It’s the best! :)

Uh... Soooo I am sorry but this letter is going to be a little short... :/ But this week has been a good one! :) Seeing miracles like crazy and doing the work of the Lord! :)

Monday: We had a great night with a returning less Active family, husband and wife, who fed us dinner! :) They fixed the BEST kale chips in the world. Mom don't worry I told her that you would love this and she said she would give me the recipe :) haha but anyways besides that... they are great. Taking the steps they need to! :) 

Tuesday: We had a great day at Zone Meeting then we were able to go and see an Investigator and then we were able to go to dinner and after that to a Less Actives for a lesson as well. Man. We are busy bees. It’s the best! :) 

Wednesday: We had a day where we met the Taggarts! That was fun and it was great to get to know them more. They are a great family! I am excited to work with them...after that I went on exchange to Patterson area and that was fun! We saw some great miracles! :) 

Thursday: We exchanged back, did weekly planning, and then went to a members house for dinner! :) 

Friday: WE WENT TO ELLIS ISLAND!!! It’s open and we were able to go and it was so fun! We were able to help soooo many people actually find their family members! :) It was amazing! I loved it so much! :) After that it was 7-11 so we had to go to 7-11 and get a free Slurpee... hah then we went on another exchange and Sister Herder came with me and we stayed in Caldwell and went to see some people! :)  

Saturday: we did studies and exchanged back and Sister Shearer and I saw our investigator… set her on a new baptismal date of Aug 10th... she is doing better with the smoking..it's still hard though.. :( 

Sunday:  we were able to go to church and 5 investigators came! :) That was nice! Some of them I hadn't even met yet because I have been on exchanges... weird right? That is the weird thing about this calling… I really only know half of what is going on haha but it was a great Sabbath day! :) 

Okay #worstemailintheworld. I am sorry. I will repent and be better next week I promise! :) I can't wait to be able to tell you all my miracles and not have to worry about time. :) But know the church is true! I love what I am doing and I am grateful for this time... I LOVE YOU ALL! Keep sharing the gospel! :) 

Sister DAHL!!

:)

Wellll Goooood Morning! :) 

So I totally forgot my planner to do emails again this morning soo I can't go through day by day and see what I did… but I will try my hardest to remember all the great and crazy details this week! Went on some exchanges and I honestly was in my area maybe 1 full day this week... crazy. But all is well because we had a baptism! :) 

Monday: PDAY! It was a great day! We were able to have fun by going shopping and going to play sports with our zone! :) 

Tuesday: We had district meeting in the morning then after that, we went on our first exchange of the transfer! I was able to go to NEW CITY for my very first one with a Sister named Sister Rigby! She is a sweet heart and loves New City! But we were able to go to an awesome member’s house for dinner and then they planned a lesson for me to go and see the lady that was baptized while I was there... it was great and she is sooo amazing! She is actually getting her Patriarchal blessing this week! I am so excited to hear about that! She just wants to go to the temple already. She is one I definitely want to come back and watch go to the temple! :) 

Wednesday: We did our studies and such and talked about what we learned from the exchange and how to improve and that was good then we exchanged back and as weird as it sounds... it was good to be home. Home in Caldwell at least! :) But then Sister Shearer and I went to loads of appts and I wish I could remember who we saw but I can't... :) 

Thurdsday: We were able to go to Leadership Meeting with President Taggart! First time we got to meet him and it was great! He is a lot different than Pres. Jeppson but still a good different. The meeting was inspiring and fun to see what the new monthly focus is going to be! Spiritually connecting with people! :) I am so excited to see the miracles from this focus! Then we went on another exchange after the meeting and I went to Englewood with a Sister named Sister Dorrough! She is brand new and she is a funny one! But that night we went out contacting and it started to rain... no actually it started to pour and neither of us had our umbrellas or rain jackets or anything and we got SOAKEDDDD!!!! It was nuts! haha but fun! We contacted 30 people that day!

Friday: We were able to wake up and do some more contacting and we actually found 2 new investigators for them. That was so fun how the Lord placed them in our path. They needed it! :) After we taught some lessons and then we exchanged back and Sister Shearer and I ran to eat dinner with a member then we were able to get together with the Zone and watch fireworks! Pics below. That was so much fun! We got to stay out til they were done and then come home! They were great fireworks and we didn't get home till 11:00!

Saturday: We were pretty tired sat morning... haha but we woke up and went and taught Bishop’s granddaughter... she is just here for a little bit but her dad is out of town and she hasn't been taught anything so he asked us to watch her. After that we went to a meeting with the zone leaders and district leaders to discuss the new monthly focus and then we were able to run back and we had our little investigator have her baptismal interview. Well you haven't heard me say anything about her that is because I never taught her. Hahah I was on exchange or it was before i got there... sooo anyway, she is a 10 year old girl and her mom is a returning member and she was sooooo excited to get baptized! :) She passed the interview and then that night we had a couple of appointments and ended with dinner with our Ward Mission Leader who is so amazing! :) 

Sunday: We woke up and went to church and after we were able to witness the baptism! She was soo excited and it was a great experience! After that we were able to teach a lady who is on date to be baptized soon but she needs to stop smoking so we talked to her about that... then we were able to come home and plan our week for next week because we still hadn't done that! :) But that was that! 

Crazy week eh? But it was awesome and fun! I am grateful for the chance to be here on this mission. I am grateful for the things I learn and the opportunity i have to serve others... whether it be missionaries or investigators! I know this church is true with all my heart and I KNOW Heavenly Father loves each and every one of us! Know that I love you and hope you have a great week! :) 

One favor: Everyone give Cade a hug for me.

Love you! 

Sister Dahl

(Click on photos to enlarge)

 Sister Ribgy and I grabbin' lunch!

Sister Dorrough and I soaking wet!!

 Sister Shearer (my comp) and I at fireworks!

Our Zone at fireworks!

 The baptism :)

The Jersey Sunset