I'm in a Philly state of mind!

 Philly Skyline.  I'm not sure why he thinks he has to look to be contemplating something.  Mike being Mike I guess.

Hola Familia!!!!  This week was SWEET! Transfer calls came, and Elder Wall and I will be staying here in Bridgeton, which is awesome!!  Elder Wall is great and his Spanish is getting better day by day.

 Ok, the highlight of my week. On Friday, we had Elder Shane M. Bowen come to the mission. He did a mission tour, and we went up from Bridgeton to Philly to hear him. Before the conference, he had asked us to study the baptismal covenant, the Abrahamic covenant, the oath and covenant of the priesthood, and the house of Israel. I did. It was a great experience studying. I was also asked to play prelude for like 30 minutes before. I liked just playing around and doing my own little arrangements with the hymns for a while. Elder Minnich is SUPER good on the piano and arranging stuff and he taught me a couple little things to do to arrange the hymns on the go.

Elder Bowen knows his stuff. He did some great comparisons. His method was not really to tell us to be obedient. He showed to us who we really are. We are all, of the house of Israel. We are the fulfillers of the Abrahamic covenant. We are literally entitled to the blessings of that covenant just like Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were! What a blessing! Even if one is not a literal descendent of Abraham, they can be adopted into the covenant. God is not a respecter of persons. All are called but few are chosen. Elder Bowen replaced the word chosen with the word obedient. The obedient inherit the blessings. It made me want to change. There are some things that I need to improve. This conference made me want to change. Not because Élder Bowen told me to, rather that I understand the blessings that I would lose if I didn't keep my end of the covenant. We are the offspring of God Himself. He wants us to be like Him. If we do what He asks us to do, we can do it. Nothing is more important than that. We shouldn't let anything come between that. Do the half-obedient get to go sit down with Father Abraham? No they won't. Many are called, but few are chosen. If we keep our end of our covenants, we will be chosen. He also mentioned that the oath and covenant of the priesthood doesn't only apply to men. It applies to the couple. There are no single men or women in heaven. They have to take upon themselves the new and everlasting covenant to do so. He focused on that a lot too. It was a very enlightening conference. I liked his talks before, but now I feel like I know him a little better.

After the conference in Philly, we missed the bus to go back to Bridgeton, so we stayed the night in Camden, New Jersey, literally the most dangerous city in the United States. It was awesome. We met up with the Camden Elders and slept on the hardwood floor of their apartment, then got up at 6 am to catch the bus. 'Twas an excellent experience. Plus I got to take an AWESOME picture of the Philly skyline at night.

We talked to Agusto yesterday. He is a less-active that recently stopped going to church. He has a calling as a branch-missionary and LOVES the missionaries. He is drawing ridiculous conclusions about the members of the branch. According to him, because some members don't live the Gospel perfectly, obviously they do not believe in the Book of Mormon, he Bible, Doctrine and Covenants, etc. Not living the Gospel perfectly means that some members didn't say hello to him or offer food to him when they offered it to the missionaries. He uses 2 John 10-11 as justification. He is frustrating me right now. I am glad that my parents raised me in a way and that I have learned and become converted to The Lord, not to the missionaries, a bishop, or anyone else.

We also me with Pablo and Yerani, they are some new investigators that we found last week. They are awesome. The expressed some doubts and concerns as we taught them the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but they are extremely open and willing to experiment upon the word. It reminds me in Moroni 7 in the last verse of the chapter where it says that God has given charity to all those who are true followers of His Son. I see it in them. I hope and pray that they will read and pray about the Book of Mormon. It is the key. We sang a couple hymns together and they loved it. I can't wait to see how things go with them.

Well, that is my week. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARCUS!!!!! Holy fetch you're 13. That's super weird. HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDMA DIAL!!!!! Not quite 13 but that's ok!

I love you all!!! This Gospel is completely true. I love it more and more each day. 

Elder Mike Dial

Grande Eres Tu

This Friday we have the chance to go up to Philly again and hear from Elder Shane M. Bowen of the First Quorum of the Seventy. I am so excited. This is my third General Authority to come out to my mission! I love hearing from them. They always give such great counsel and advice.

We fasted this week as a zone to be guided to those who are ready to progress towards baptism. We don't quite have any progressing with a date this week, but we did see some awesome things happen with finding and with people that we have been working with. Only the future will be able to tell us if stuff really happens. I have faith that it will.

We met with Pablo and Yerani. They are new investigators. They stopped us in their car while we were walking home. They told us where they lived, so we passed by and set up an appointment. They are SUPER Catholic. When she said a prayer to finish, she said Amen like 12 times and did the little cross thing with her hands... We just kind of sat there haha. But they didn't just say they were Catholic to us so that we would go away. That's what most people do... This lesson was mostly getting to know their religious background and where they come from. We got around to about prophets in the first lesson. I sincerely hope and pray that they will humble themselves enough to read and pray about the Book of Mormon. When they do, they will know. It is that simple. That little book packs a lot of punch. It is filled with the Spirit. It is the great converter and retainer. When people read it, they can use it as evidence of our message. It made me think of in Moroni 7:48 where Moroni says that all true followers of Christ have been blessed with CHARITY!!! That isn't exclusive to members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Everyone. He also says we should PRAY ALWAYS that we might be filled with that love.

We had 2 people at church yesterday, 2 Investigators, one named Pedro, the other Genaro. They aren't really progressing that much, but we will see what happens, could be a nice little turning point for them.

We are also starting to teach a member's brother that has been here for like 3 months from Mexico. His name is Hector. He hasn't been studying or doing much anything spiritual recently, and he misses it from before. He used to be very spiritual. We said that we want to help him regain those feelings of spirituality that he had before! We taught him about the Restoration and the Book of Mormon. I can't wait to see how that works out.

Transfers are coming up this week. We will get calls to see if anyone leaves this Friday. I think Elder Wall is gonzo. It will be a bummer, because we have had some great times. But that's ok. We will do what the Lord wants us to do.

Well, things are going great here. This work is very true. Don't have any doubt about that. I love the Lord. I read today in 1 John 2:3-6 that we can't really say that we know God if we don't keep His commandments. That is the ultimate form of showing Him that we love Him. Just like John 14:15 says. If ye love me keep my commandments. If we really do love him, we will do our best to. We aren't perfect, and He knows that. He just asks us to do our best. Love you all!!!

-Elder Dial

P.S. Grandpa Bevan is totally in this video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZ5zeG87q7E#t=214

"Santos Venid‏" (Come, Come Ye Saints)

We totally had a baptism this week. That's always nice, right? A member's kid turned 8 years old on Sunday, and we went last week to teach him about baptism. It went well. He understands baptism like an 8 year old understands baptism. When he was asked why he was getting baptized, he answered, "Because Jesus was baptized first." It was an awesome experience. We went into the water and the water came up to about his neck…makes it super easy to baptize like that. When I was baptized I probably was immersed just by walking down into the water. I was just a little guy. But it was awesome. We had a bunch of food afterwards too. He had to travel to Vineland because our chapel doesn't have a baptismal font, so we all treked up there.

We saw a really cool miracle this week. We were visiting a more-or-less active member of the branch with another more-or-less active member. We had a really good lesson of the covenants that we make and how we should keep them. We finished the lesson by singing "Come, Come, Ye Saints." After we finished singing the song, another man that lives in the house came out and told us that as he was listening to us sing and he felt something. He absolutely loved the hymn. He asked us to come back. The hymn did all the teaching. It told him all that he needed to hear. The hymns really do have so much spiritual power. They are a pure vehicle of the Spirit. I have a strong testimony of that.

One of our investigators, Pedro, is more-or-less progressing. He love what we teach, sometimes reads,  and says he will come to church, but then never does. We have thought about reading 2 Nephi 9:34 (“Wo unto the liar, for he shall be thrust down to Hell!”)  to our investigators when they commit to come to church. Look up that scripture. It's short, sweet, and true. Anyways we have a Noche de Hogar every Monday night. He loves coming to that. Yesterday, they had a birthday party for someone in the branch. A member went and picked him and his family up, and when we got there, they were being completely fellowshipped. They were laughing, having a great time, and didn't look uncomfortable or awkward at all. Their kids were playing with member's kids, and everything was going great. Our branch is great a fellowshipping new members. They need to work on fellowshipping the rest of the branch, but we're taking baby-steps here.

Yesterday we ate this seafood soup. It was kind of gross. Just imagine taking a bunch of fish, putting them into a blender, bones and all, then pouring it into bowls, then adding some shrimp, a crab, and some fish-fat. It was ok, but not worth the smell that was on our hands and clothes for the rest of the day. I had to go and scrub myself in the shower last night to get the smell off me. But that's ok, pictures forthcoming.

Well this church is true. I love teaching people about it. I have come to know it SOO much more. I can say that I do know. It is a good feeling. I love you all. Thanks for supporting me and for being there. Thanks for all the birthday wishes last week. It was a good one. I got my face smashed in some cake. It was super yummy.  Jesus is the Christ. He lives. He loves us. All that he asks us to do is live in a way that makes Him pleased with us. When we do, we are promised the blessing of eternal life. Why would we let anything get in the way of that? Why would we compromise our eternal reward for some temporal pleasures that moth and dust corrupt? We aren't perfect, but we can try. Then He will make the difference.

Love you all!

-Elder Dial

20???

Elder Dial and Pancho (Investigator)

 



1 Year Ceremonial Shirt Burning

Dear Family,

Definitely thought that I would be way more mature and older by the time I was 20, but boy am I wrong. Don't really feel any different than yesterday. But that's ok, I’m lovin' life anyways! The package hasn't gotten here yet, but that's just because the people at the post office don't want to deliver it before my birthday! They want to make it extra special! That's why it is going to be there when we get home tonight! I have complete confidence that my package will be there. Don't even worry. It isn't because it got lost and is probably in Wisconsin or something. They just wanted to make it special.

One of our investigators, Pedro Gonzales, likes what we teach and all, but sometimes he doesn't like it enough to read in the Book of Mormon and come to church. We just want him to receive his own personal revelation.... We taught him chastity because he and his "señora" are just that, just a man and a woman chilling together in the same house with a couple little kids running around. But they took it well..(the law of chastity lesson). They were surprised that we offered the chapel for use and the Branch President can marry them for free. But apparently she is hung up on a wedding ring. If they can't get the one she wants they can't get married.... Apparently that is her concern.... that's ok. We will just help them realize why the marriage covenant is sooooo important so that they will be begging to be married.

We visited some recent converts, Sandra (mother) and Valeria (daughter). Elder Wright baptized them. Valeria commented to us a dream she had that made her want to be baptized. In her dream, she was watching  TV or something. Her mom was in the other room. She heard a knock at the door, and it was Elder Wright and Elder Lopez. They were the previous elders here. But they weren't in missionary clothes. They were in normal street clothing. (This is significant because when Valeria was baptized, Elder Lopez has already finished his mission). They asked her if she wanted to go swimming. She said yes. They went to a pool, and a bunch of people were there. She said that she and the missionaries were separated from the other people though. After getting in, she looked down and saw that there were a bunch of crocodiles at the bottom. Elder Wright told her to go down. She said no. Elder Wright told her again to go down. She said no. Elder Wright asked if she had faith, and Valeria answered yes. Elder Wright said that if you have faith, the crocodiles won't do anything. So she went down. The crocodiles didn't do anything. Then, she began to fear and the crocodiles began to swim at her and overtake her. When she saw that, she began to pray to The Lord that He would protect her. When she did that, the crocodiles went away. After the dream, she realized that faith isn't to have a perfect knowledge of things. She knew that being baptized would be an amazing step in her life, and she wanted to please The Lord, she she decided to do it. It was an amazing testimony builder to me. Also Sandra shared her testimony as well about a revelation that she had when she decided to be baptized. Her mother told her "Well you can forget you have a mother if you join that church." But that didn't stop her. She knew it was true. And that's all that mattered. There was an amazing spirit present. It was one of those moments where you think, "how can this Gospel not be true?" That was the sentiment of the lesson today.

Well, I have completed one year, crazy stuff. One year ago, I spoke zero Spanish, was stoked out of my mind to be a missionary, and had so many emotions running through my mind it was unreal. I had no idea what was in store for me. What this short year has done for me is immeasurable. I cannot begin to describe how my personal testimony has grown. Before I left, I believed that the Gospel was true. I know it now. I still have a million questions, but I don't doubt the Gospel. I really do know it is true, for sure. I have changed so much, but even more importantly, I have been an instrument in the hands of the Lord in serving others. I have been the means of bringing the Gospel to others so that they can experience the same joy that I feel. I am so excited when people respond positively to the message. I am really sad when people don't, but I don't let it get me down. This has been the best year of my life. The next will be even better. I am so excited for what the future holds. I am ready to face it and conquer it. I know that I am doing The Lord's work here. I knew I was before, but I know better now, in a different way. I am a changed person for the better. I know that if I continue to put my trust in God always, He will take me in His hands and make me into what He knows  I am capable of being. I am the clay and He is the potter. Even though sometimes I am tough and hard to deal with, and sometimes He needs to pound me out to soften that heart of mine, I know that He loves me unconditionally. I have felt that for myself and I have felt that love manifest itself through me to other people. There is no better feeling. I am so grateful to God for this short year that has passed, I’m grateful for every day, the good ones and the hard ones. This year coming up will be even better, if I put my trust and confidence in Him. Thanks everyone for the birthday wishes!!!!! Next one will be at home!! See you later!!

 Love you all,

-Elder Mike Dial

Service in Bridgeton New Jersey....

We are doing some cool things here in Bridgeton. This past week, Elder Wall and I started volunteering at the Library. We volunteer every Tuesday shelfing books, cleaning up outside, and whatever else there is to do. We had to do a little test to see how we could shelf books. So we did. The Libriarian was way impressed at our shelfing skills. Perhaps I was wrong, but I thought that it didn't require much intelligence to alphabetize books, but hey, I have been wrong before. She asked if we had worked in a Library before, and immediately put us to work haha. It is gonna be a good opportunity to talk to people and share the Gospel. If nothing else, we are showing them that, as missionaries, we try to help out everyone.

 

So on my first day here in Bridegton, we stopped by everyone's houses so that I could meet them. We stopped by this less-active's house, said hi, and talked to her and a friend that was over for a little bit. We couldn't go inside because there wasn't a man present. Had a cool experience Wednesday. We visit this less active, and she cooks for us and it is DELICIOUS!!! Even when Mexican's whip something together really fast because the missionaries are coming it is still good. Anyway, she told us that when we passed by and just talked to her, after we left, Sylva's (Less Active) fried mentioned to her that while we were at the door, she felt something "strange" that immediately left when we did. I HAVE ALWAYS WANTED ONE OF THOSE STORIES!!!! I thank God that I was worthy to be a vessel of His Spirit. We are doing all that we can to try and teach her!

 

A member here got her mission call to Pittsburgh. That is always a cool thing to see someone open a mission call. Took a trip down memory lane. It was pretty neat.

 

Well, things are going well here. Couldn't ask for anything better. Except I could ask for a washer and dryer in the apartment. But I won't let the little things get in the way. This work really is true. It is simply true. I could not find any other logical answer. Love you all. Thanks for the week-early birthday wishes. I hit a year on Thursday!!!!

 

-Elder Dial

 

 

 

 

 

Best Tortillas of the Century made right here

The Garden State

Yup!  Turkeys in their backyard. 

New comp Elder Casey Wall from Davis High School (Utah)

Yeah, never realized why New Jersey is called the Garden State. Well now I do. It is ALL farming. Apparently it is famous for it's crop. That also explains all of the Mexicans here too haha. They all work in "el campo." The city where we live, Bridgeton, really is a mini-Mexico. Probably 90% of the town is Mexican. It is awesome. We are on Bikes too!!!!! I have been waiting forever for this. I need to lose some weight. Well that may not happen, because we eat like crazy here. Probably at least once a day we get fed. Usually more. Not the worst thing that has happened in the world. Mexican food sure is yummy. I love the tortillas, even though that is where most of my weight is coming from nowadays. But that's ok.

My companion is Elder Casey Wall! He went to Davis High school, and actually came out with Elder Minnich. He is a boss. We are working on his Spanish. He can understand kind of what people are saying to him, and can get his message across, but we are gonna perfect his Spanish. He is gonna be fluent in 5 more weeks. Just wait. It is gonna be awesome.

For a paragraph here, I want to return to my last area. On Wednesday, my first day here in Bridgeton, I got a Facebook Message from Romeris, an investigator from my last area. She told me that she decided to get baptized that week. She was baptized this past Saturday, and was confirmed yesterday. Sadly, I personally was not able to be there, but I was 100% there in Spirit. She has made those covenants with our Heavenly Father, and now begins the process of enduring to the end. Hopefully one year from now I will be able to see her in the temple right before I leave that would be an awesome cap to the mission for me. I will be able to go to the temple in November with Fulvio! So stoked!!! Cool fact. Fulvio is now the 2nd counselor in the Allentown branch. He is awesome.

Well here we do lots of walking and riding. It has been very humid. It rains a crap ton here. I sweat like crazy. It is awesome. The Branch here is run by President Miller. He speaks Spanish. His wife is Hispanic. He lives about 40 minutes away. Our chapel used to be a bank, but has been converted into a chapel. It is right in the middle of town which is AWESOME! Now nobody has the excuse that it is too far. But, as in true Hispanic culture, we committed like 12 people to come to church but nobody came. That's ok though. We did our part by inviting. We called them before, texted, stopped at a couple houses on our way to church, but nobody came. We are gonna get like 400 people to church this Sunday though. Look out.

I am excited. There is a restaurant here that apparently has legendary tortas. We will be going soon. I will report with a personal review along with pictures. Get excited everyone.

Well, that's it for today. The church is true. I love it here in South Jersey. The church is just as true here. These people better get excited to hear about the Gospel. The members are gonna give us hundreds of referrals and we are going to talk to thousands of people. This branch is gonna become a ward in like 2 weeks.  I can't believe that I hit a year next week….crazy stuff.