Washington DC Temple-I love Technology!

The Allentown District 

Café Rio!!!!!  

Fulvio at the Washington DC Temple

Well it's just a great day to be alive!!! You know why? Because I am currently writing you from my iPad mini. You know that's right. I have  missed my iPad at home for 18 months (which better be in pristine condition when I get back by the way.... Will be using that again...) and this iPad mind makes me feel better. It is such a great tool that we are able to use to better fulfill our purpose as missionaries. It is preloaded with the Gospel Library, Facebook, Skype, FaceTime, and  our Area Book and daily planner. We don't carry around daily planners anymore. The iPad helps us to update our area book more diligently. It won't report our numbers unless we report our lessons, what was
taught, how it was received, and what commitments we left and followed up on. Out of set records will be a thing of the past. I love it. I am teaching and finding a bunch of people on Facebook. While we do it we try to refer them to the missionaries in their area, and we are there to supplement the teaching of the missionaries in their area. It is an exciting time of missionary work. The theme of the zone conference this past week when we received our iPads was Doctrine and Covenants 88:73, which says "I will hasten my work in its time." Those who have eyes to see and ears to hear will realize that The Lord really is hastening His work, and I am stoked and honored at the same time to be a part of it!nit is a lot of responsibility, but we are up to it.

So Allentown has been hit this past week with 3 bad snow storms. It basically shut down stuff for us. It snowed about 8 inches the first storm, about 8 or 9 the second storm, and then like 3 the last one.
People out here don't really know how to drive in the snow, but that's ok. Our cars were grounded so we didn't have to worry about that. That part kind of sucked because we live about a mile  and a half outside of our area, so there wasn't much we could do. So we ended up just trying to so some service by helping people shovel out their cars and stuff like that. Also our back windshield got cracked and fell in, so that kind of sucks. The car is in the shop now so the other Elders in our district are carting us around today. We hope that we get our car back pretty soon. That would be nice.

Ok,the highlight of this week for me was on Saturday. I had the opportunity of going to the Washington DC temple with one of my good friends, Fulvio Monegro, who was going to receive his endowment. We did an exchange with one of the elders in Reading, Elder Bloomfield, who came to Allentown after I left a year ago and helped teach Fulvio as well. It has been almost a year and a half since I have been to the temple, and it felt so good to get there again. The Spirit of The Lord
testified to me again that it is His house. He dwells there. His Spirit is manifest there in great abundance. Fulvio asked me to be his escort, and that was super cool. I was happy and more than willing to do it. I had an awesome question of mine that was answered in a very clear and direct way by the Holy Ghost through the scriptures, and the fact that I was in the temple completely amplified the Spirit that I felt. I feel a rededication of self. During the last stretch of my mission, this temple trip has come just in time to help me to sprint to the finish. I am the best missionary I have been so far, and I will continue to improve and do my best.

Ok, so when we went to the temple, we rented a 15 passenger van for the 3 hour one way trip. 16 people showed up. Guess who didn't get a seat? Yours truly. I rode to and from the temple for about 6.5 hours total wedged between the edge of the seat on top of the back right tire and side of the car. My bum was asleep for a while, but hey, I was going to the temple, and people have gone through a lot worse to get there. It was a little sacrifice of my personal comfort that I was able to make to go to the house of The Lord. But the best part of the trip was when we stopped at CAFE RIO!!!!!!!!! Oh yes. There is one about thirty minutes from the temple, and I suggested that we stop. Everyone loved
it.  Our branch president bought a pork burrito, ate it, then bought another steak burrito and took it home with him to eat that night! It was super good. I got my usual steak burrito with extra meat,
enchilada style, extra lettuce, but this time, I put a ton of habanero salsa on it. That's what my mission has done to me.... I guess that's what six months in Bridgeton New Jersey with Mexicans has done to me. Good times. I will probably be go again in about a month and a half, because someone else that I taught here, Martha, who got baptized about a month after I left, is going to receive her endowment and to be sealed! Super excited for Café Río and the temple again!!!!

Well that's basically my week. It was a good one. The church is true. My testimony has made leaps and bounds this week, and I am excited to see how far it continues to grow in the years to come. Love you all. Go to the temple. Listen closely. Focus on what you feel. God is there.

- Elder Dial

We'll Now go Up and Serve the Lord!

 

Mike's Companion Elder Acosta

 

Well we are super stoked about this upcoming week. We start it off by getting our iPads tomorrow at Zone Conference!!! They will be an awesome tool. I can't tell you how many times I would have killed to have a conference talk, a scripture that I couldn't find, a Mormon Message, or something of the sort in a lesson, but never could. Now, we will be able to do all of that. We will be able to teach people via Skype that we were not able to reach before. With people we know on Facebook, we can teach them anywhere in the world. There will be some collaboration with local missionaries on the other side, but we are excited nonetheless. It is going to revolutionize the way we keep in contact with, teach, and find investigators.

So the iPads are going to be pretty neat. Then the week will get topped off with the temple trip on Saturday with Fulvio! To say that I am stoked out of my mind would be an understatement. Haven't been to the temple in about 16 months, and I am super excited to go. Especially because this time the session will be in Spanish! So I am super excited to see Fulvio take upon himself these sacred exalting covenants, and am honored to be able to be there with him.

Something I love about Allentown is being able to play the organ during Sacrament Meeting. I love playing the Organ. Except yesterday they sang "Have I Done Any Good?" That song is crazy. The left hand is insane. I had to practice it for about 20 minutes before Sacrament Meeting, but I ended up doing alright. The Lord really made up the difference. I am experimenting using the foot pedals during prelude and postlude music. I will have to practice those a lot to get that down.

Well this past week we saw a miracle. Yesterday, we were walking in Bethlehem while it was snowing pretty heavily looking for a less active. We saw some people that were SUPER stuck in the snow. We offered our services. It was a little Mitsubishi Eclipse that had been stuck in that same spot since Thursday when we had some crazy snow and freezing rain. Well, it was pretty stuck. The tires had no traction. So Elder Dial started going ham on the ice behind the car with a baseball bat and made a pathway for the tires and about 40 minutes later they were out. We got a return appointment for dinner and a lesson with them. Service opens hearts. If you want to come to love someone more, serve them.

Well, the Spirit is working on the people here. Cool things are happening here, and they for sure are happening right where you are as well. Sometimes all we have to do is open our eyes to see them. I know that God is in this work. I have seen so many things fall into place. Too many to believe that it is just a coincidence taking place. The scriptures are true. If you are doubting your testimony, or it isn't as deep as you would like, feast upon the scriptures. They will tell you what to do and will help you to know with conviction the Gospel of God. This is my humble testimony. 

-Elder Dial

 

Saludos desde Allentown!

Saludos desde Allentown! It was snowing a TON yesterday and our cars were grounded so we weren't able to leave very far...... So that's why you're getting this letter today! Things are going super well here. We had a baptism on Saturday! Alicia Martinez. Her father came to the USA without his son or daughter a couple years ago, was baptized a year or two ago, and finally brought his son and daughter over a few months ago. The parents were awesome. They did not force their kids to convert. They invited the missionaries over and they began to teach. The daughter, Alicia, believed it was true and was baptized this past weekend. She is about 13 years old. We are still working on Carlos, her older brother, who is 15. He is close. I give him a month till he decides to be baptized. It will be an awesome day!!!

 

We are visiting a ton of less-actives. We are trying to help them rekindle that fire that they had when they were baptized! It is always deep down. We just need to do our part to find it and keep the flame burning. If we don't keep doing the little things the flame will burn out. Always do the little things! From them great things come to pass.

 

Well, in the words of my last companion, the 6 Month Re-Entry Program starts right about now. Yesterday we bought a whole bunch of fruits and vegetables. I made a delicious smoothie this morning. I just got some new running shoes. My basketball game is better than ever. Look out world. I am looking good.

 

We also had a reactivation of one hermana named Zulma. She is preparing to go to the temple in a few months. She has completely turned herself around. Situations in her home aren't preferrable. Not a whole lot of support from family. Not even a ton of confidence from members in the branch. But she is doing her part. She is reading, praying, coming to church, and participating. She is overcoming stereotypes and defying the norm. We are excited for her.

 

Yeah so yesterday it snowed about 6 or 7 inches. We had to shovel our car out. We got stuck a couple times but through faith and works we got out. haha It was very interesting. At least we have an AWD Subaru that drives through the snow like a champ.

 

Well, that's pretty much all we got this week. A WEEK FROM TODAY WE GET OUR IPADS!! So stoked about that. This work is true. God is in it. I know it. Love y'all

 

 

-Elder Dial

 

 

P.s. I vow that I will find my camera cord and send pictures next week!

Un Sueño Cumplido‏ (A Dream Fulfilled!)

Literally, a dream come true. I have been transferred back to Allentown, PA. Some would refer to it as the Promised Land. I refer to it as my birthplace, for it was here, almost 14 months ago, where I entered into the mission field. Literally I am sooooo stoked to be here. The area has since been split in two, one side being mostly Allentown and our side covering Bethlehem and the East side of Allentown. SOOOO Excited. Ok Mom, going through your questions. We are still in the same apartment on 129 South 8th St. Apt 1. Allentown, PA 18101. (Any other readers are free to send letters, packages, etc...) You can mail letters/packages here. They won't leave packages at our door. They leave a slip and we go to the post office to pick it up. Allentown is pretty much the same. The Branch is a bit bigger. Couple more members. We have a plan to become a ward in 3 months. Our Branch Mission Plan is super aggressive about reactivation. We have about 300 members and about 80 regular attendees. We are going to get that up. We are super stoked. My Comp is Elder Adrian Acosta from SoCal. Rosamond, I think. Yes, Fulvio, my convert from last November, is here and is planning to go to the temple next Saturday!!! I will def be there. So stoked to get to the temple. Haven't been there since October 2012.  There is also another convert, Martha that is going to the temple to get her Endowment and get sealed in March!! I get to go then too! Super stoked.

Yeah so Saturday night I caught a super bad stomach flu. I couldn't sleep all night, then woke up, wasn't going to go to church, threw up, felt better went to church, right as church ended I got super light-headed and went home and slept for the rest of the day. Now I feel like a new man. It sucked having to stay in, but now I am all better.

Well I would send pictures, but the computer here isn't recognizing my camera. We will see what happens next week.

Carlos Castro, one of my converts, I just found out was inactive for a few months. Not one week ago, he moved back to Allentown. He was at church yesterday and last Sunday as well. I honestly feel that the Lord's hand was in my returning here. I will find out what I need to do to strengthen him, and anything else the Lord sees fit for me to do here in Allentown. I am sure that's just one of many things that the Lord has prepared for me to do here.

 Well, it has been a short week here, but that's ok. The Church is true. I love the work. So excited to be back here in Allentown. Willing to do whatever the Lord wants me to do here. Love you all. Do the little things. They really do make a big difference!!!

 

-Elder Mike Dial

 

 

 

Oh hermanos, adiós, pues, adiós! Más allá, más allá, moraremos con Dios en amor‏!! (Oh Brothers farewell and goodbye. We will dwell in love in the future!)

Fulvio Monegro, my convert from Allentown that is preparing to go to the temple on February 15!!!! 

Bridgeton District takes on Philly

 

Saying goodbye to my good friend, Enrique Panteleón

 

Well, the speculations and worries were confirmed on Friday when we received transfer calls. Elder Dial's tenure in Bridgeton, New Jersey has come to an end. Super sad. I have loved my past 6 months here, and it has gone by in a flash. I always wonder where the time goes, and then I realize that that's what happens to time on your mission when you really work hard and lose yourself in the work. That literally happens. You lose yourself then find yourself weeks, months, and years down the road. It is amazing yet scary at the same time. I am sad to leave Bridgeton but am excited to do whatever the Lord has in store for me.

 Word of advice. Be humble. Don't take correction offensively or personally. In our branch some people have some doctrinal misconceptions then get all mad at people who try to help them know what the scriptures and prophets teach. Frustrating but that's ok. Make it easier on people like me by being humble!!

 Bridgeton is gonna take fire in the near future. We just got a Branch Mission Leader. His name is Juan Carlos Pascual, and he literally just returned to Bridgeton from his own mission in Rochester NY. In his homecoming talk, he said, "Wow, I don't even get a week to rest, do I?" He began magnifying his calling by inviting some less-actives and friends to the Noche de Hogar (FHE) we have every Monday night. Excited to hear what happens in Bridgeton with Brother Pascual as the Branch Mission Leader.

 We went to Philadelphia yesterday for our P-Day. We had a great time. I sent a picture of the Philly Temple. Going up fast. SOOOO coming back when it's up and running. We went to the Temple Site, ate a steak sandwich, and then went and bought some cheap stuff. Love that about Philly

 Well, not much to say this week. We said good-bye to a bunch of people. Sad. But I will see them again soon. No worries. I am excited to see where the Lord sends me tomorrow. His hand is guiding this work. It isn't President Anderson's. It is the Lord's. I know this. I have had too many experiences of divine guidance to think otherwise. More than that, the Holy Ghost has whispered to me that it is true. I know it. Love you all!!

Elder Mike Dial 

 

"Oh Hablemos con Tiernos Accentos" (Let us Oft Speak Kind Words to Each Other)

Dear Family,

 

Super good week. We have been working a TON with our less-actives. We have reactivated several of them. There is an awesome joy that comes from seeing people come back after a long absence. 2 Reactivations of ours have been endowed, and our goal is to get them back to the temple. The branch is doing a trip in March or April, and we want them both on that trip. It is gonna be awesome.

 With Enrique this week, we went into the lesson, and he basically told us that he didn't believe. He respected us, but then explained what he understood about baptisms for the dead and temple work. He had a false conception that it was like a second chance for salvation, which is completely untrue. It is an opportunity for those who did not have it here in this life. Haha we have explained this to him several times but I think he finally got it. I read to him in Alma 34 about how this life is our chance to prepare, and if we don't prepare here, we won't be able to do much about it. That hit home for him. The Spirit bore witness to him and to us that those words from the Book of Mormon were true. He always has trouble reading the Book of Mormon, his concern that it isn't the Bible. Well, it's not. It is more of God's word. I don't see it as the Bible and the Book of Mormon. I see it as the Word of God. We always asked him to read the Book of Mormon with the Bible, but I'm not sure we ever showed him how to do so. We showed him and with him, crossed referenced some scriptures, showed him about the Guia para el Estudio de las Escrituras in the back, and physically showed him how to do it. He then committed to us, but more importantly, we asked him to commit to the Lord in prayer that he was going to read and pray about the Book of Mormon. He did so. We are committing all our investigators like that. We have them write their commitment down on paper, then they commit to us, and then we ask them to pray and tell God their plan. Then, it isn't something that just the missionaries want them to do, it is literally a commitment between them and God. This commitment method was introduced to us by President Anderson in our last Zone Training. Pure inspiration. We are seeing miracles come every day from it.

 SUPER FUNNY STORY. There is a lady named Clydette that prowls the lofty streets of Bridgeton. The other day, she comes up to us and wants to say a prayer with us. She explains her life story, about what she has been going through, about how she has been running away from God and everything, then goes silent for a little bit. Then, she comes up in a super loud voice and scream/sings/shouts "I'm Better!!!" and then a verse or two of one of her favorite Gospel songs. Then she wants to pray. She gets in between Elder Morgan and I and grabs us both by the waist. She offers up a prayer saying, "Lord... Excuse me.... Big Man, ......" It was an awesome prayer. Super fun experience. She didn't even ask us for money this time!

 Subject line explanation. "Oh Hablemos con Tiernos Accentos" is "Let us Oft Speak Kind Words to Each Other" in Spanish. There is a member in our branch that insists that we sing that song like every other Sunday. I hate that song with a passion.

 Well, last night we were walking home, and we helped this random lady move some stuff into her house. She was super grateful. She is from El Salvador and she invited us back this coming Sunday to eat pupusas. Best food from El Salvador. Try some sometime. We are excited and now her heart may be open to listening to the message of the Restoration. We are stoked.

 I have loved my time in Bridgeton. President Anderson basically sent a huge hint to Elder Morgan that I am leaving, so I thank God for the time I  have had in Bridgeton. It has been awesome. I have loved the branch here and being able to meet, teach, testify, and feel the Power of the Holy Ghost with all these people. I am excited for whatever the Lord has in store for me. I love you all, family and friends and whatnot. Keep them testimonies strong. Read. Pray. Go to church. Fast. Go to the temple. This is true. I know it.

 ElderMike Dial

 

 

1. An AMAZING tie that I just got this week.

 

2. Elder Dial loves steak........

Happy New Year 2014!

Monday, January 6, 2014

 

Hey familia. It is a new year. Crazy how fast that went by. I feel like I just celebrated 2013 in Allentown. Well, I did. It was just a year ago. But we had a good New Year. Went to some cool parties, met some new people, ate some tamales, some chile, and enjoyed all manner of Mexican festivities. They go crazy for the New Year. But we were in and safe at 9:00 PM. Our personal festivities consisted of sleeping. It was a fantastic nights sleep. But I am determined to make this year the best year that I have had yet. I will be a better missionary, a better disciple of Christ, a better everything basically.

 

Neat Scripture. Doctrine and Covenants 81:5-6.  

5 Wherefore, be faithful; stand in the office which I have appointed unto you; succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees.

 6 And if thou art faithful unto the end thou shalt have a crown of immortality, and eternal life in the mansions which I have prepared in the house of my Father.

First of all, we need to be faithful in the calling which the Lord calls us. It doesn't really matter where we serve, but how we serve matters more. If we serve with all our heart, might, mind, and strength, we will accomplish that which the Lord wants us to do. Secondly, we are here to help out our fellow men, particularly those who are more feeble than we, and could use of our help. That applies to missionaries, bishops, primary presidents, etc.... We need to be the means of strengthening our brothers and sisters. Neat scripture that impressed me this week.

We had interviews with President this week. That was a good time. President Anderson is a super good guy. He knows his stuff and he loves his missionaries. I can feel it whenever I am around him. I know that he has been called of God to serve as my mission president for specific reasons.

We had a super cool experience. A member called us, and told us that one of his friends wanted us to come over and pray for him. We went over, with the member, and he said that he felt like something was "attacking him." He has lived in Bridgeton for about 12 or 13 years and had never felt like he did that day. We went over, and Elder Morgan blessed his house. He blessed in English, so Humberto (his name) couldn't even understand it that well. Afterwards, he felt completely fine and dandy. The evil feeling was completely overcome with joy and happiness. We went back later that day and taught him the Restoration and he committed to be baptized. The Lord is preparing his people. Just think. What would have happened if the member never opened his mouth? We would not have found him. There are prepared people that ONLY you can find. Have the faith to find them, then show God that faith by acting.

Enrique is SOOOO close. Had a super good lesson with him this week. We will see more and more progress as time goes by. Send some prayers for him please. Enrique Panteleon is his name. You gringos do you best to pronounce that name. God knows who he is..

Well, I love you all. I bear my testimony every email because I know that these things are true. SOOO true. I can't wait to get out and share it some more. God lives. He called Joseph Smith to be a prophet. Of this I have a testimony.

-Elder Mike Dial