January 30, 2012

OK, Well transfers have happened! 
Here is my New information:

Elder Dallin G. Rees
52 1/2 N 15th Street
Beech Grove IN, 46107

I'm now serving with Elder Aquino!  (AH KEE NO)   He's from the great state of California...  He's a SMARTY!  He graduated high school at 16, went to school at UCLA after high school, and is going to be an Anesthesiologist!  He's so funny, and makes me laugh often!  He's been out about 15 months, and is a great Elder, and a great Teacher. 

Beech Grove ward is kind of a middle sized ward...  We cover the South East Portion of Indianapolis.  We are very close to Downtown, and just south of the "ghetto" of Indy...  It's a bit intimidating for sure.  The ward seems really nice.  There are several people here that are working on college degrees... We have the University of Indianapolis in our area, and that is where the Giants will be practicing all week.  The Patriots are Mortal enemies to the Colts, so EVERYONE here is cheering for the Giants to win!  We won't get caught up too much in the super bowl hype... but it's neat to say that we are here for it!  Downtown is pretty much blocked off to cars, and is all decked out with new signs. 
I don't have too much else to report... We have a couple of baptisms coming up... but they are up in the air right now as far as dates... We have to get some permission for 1, and another we are waiting to get into the states so we can baptize him.... his family got baptized recently... SWEET STORY!!  They are from Pakistan, and converted to the Gospel, Dad is still working over there, and will be here later this month!   so cool things are happening.

Sweet story:  We had a call from the Cross roads elders and they said there was this lady sitting in the foyer of the church and we should look out for her... she was going to be attending our ward today.  We met her, and she said she'd been up all night praying, and needed help spiritually.  She got dressed and ready for church but couldn't leave her house... the phone kept ringing etc... so she just ran out, got in her car, started driving, and was soon told to stop...  Our building was across the street!  Se came in, spent 4 hours at church (1 hour at the previous ward)  I sat next to her, and helped answer some questions, and explained a few things.  She participated in classes, and discussion, and we gave her a set of scriptures, and a gospel principles manual...  She's going to be coming back to our ward from now on!  SO COOL!  Miracles happen all the time!   She wants to make our church, and the people apart of her life!  God LITERALLY guided her to the truth, which i don't think she realizes that yet....  Sad thing is she isn't in our area... so we wouldn't be able to teach or baptize her....  but she is still going to come to our ward, and we'll work out those specifics when she has a stronger testimony! :)

I love you all, and hope to hear from you very soon! 
Love E

January 23, 2012

Here is a short post...  For the sake of time that I don't have.... Here are a few updates...


#1 I'm being transferred! 
#2 I'm going to be a District Leader.... EEEEK!!!
#3 I'm going to miss the Crawfordsville area so much!  It feels like I'm leaving home all over again! 
#4 We have 3 Baptismal Dates!  that I have to leave behind.... :(
#5 The Lord answers prayers! 

That is my week in a nutshell!  Actually it's in a list, but still....

Here are a few pictures... This is the Jensen Family!  ALL OF THEM!  They were all here for Abbi's baptism!  What a fun family, they truly are my Indiana family, and I have loved them from the beginning here... despite the fact that they like BYU...  Sister Jensen make sure you check out the Screen Saver on the missionaries phone... Brother Widdison helped me out with this one! 

This is our district!  Lebenon Elders Elder Lowe, and Elder Marchant, Elder Rivest on the end, and Elder Rees!  

Another Awesome picture of Abbi, at her baptism!  I have had the highlights of my mission while in this area! 

Well Got to run! 
Love Elder Rees

January 16, 2012

Ok family for the sake of Time today, I'm including you all in my letter to President Collins...  It was easier to type one letter today, and not have to worry about typing two! 

Love you all! 

Hello President Collins,

OK, well here we are, Monday again!  

I have a request.... Sister Cindy Miller in Logansport is Requesting me to be the one to baptize her on Feb 4th...  I just wanted to seek permission to attend, and perform that ordinance for her...  Sorry, I was typing this in the middle of the email, but moved it to the front and center!   Let me know what you think... I do understand if I'm in C-Ville, I'll have Blake's on the same day, and wouldn't attend hers, and If I'm Really far away that would make it difficult to attend... But I know it would mean the World to sister miller, and myself!  Thanks President! 

Updates...  Blake is still on for Feb 4th,

we also set a baptismal day with Brother Baker Feb 18th!   He's very excited and thirsty for the gospel.  I have truly loved teaching him, and his family.  There is a little fear for him that he'll make this step without his wife... his kids he know will eventually follow, and yet we still want them to gain their own understanding, he feels the same way.  His wife has been getting some anti from family, and has been thinking about this and the fact that her family (parents etc) would reject her and her decision to join the church.  We are planning to teach them the Plan of Salvation tonight, and help the WHOLE family see the bigger picture and understand how they will be able to be together! 

Crawfordsville is SO Great!  The youth are volunteering to come to our teaching appointments with Blake, and we have several other prospects!  Members keep giving Referrals!  We don't really have to ask anymore!  They want us to follow up with people, old friends, and meet new people!  It's been so fun to have this level of trust here!  I know that no matter what happens with transfers this area has been what I needed, and have really loved experiencing the work, and how preach my gospel says to further it in any area. 

Elder Rivest has been taking control of more and more lately.  it has been my goal to really step back, which is a struggle, but I see the good it's doing and will continue to do.  He's taking charge in lessons, and is striving to get the lessons to flow.  There are still times I give a little push, but then allow him to run with it.  I'm not perfect at this yet, but these last 2 weeks of the transfer will be great to continue to practice it.  We have been blessed to find new people this week, and to really work hard with Blake, and the Baker Family!  I know that this area needed us, and we needed it! 

I'm almost at a year mark, and have begun to see a change in myself, and my desires to serve a more righteous mission... I'm studying the attributes, and am loving it and learning so much!  I'm gaining from my study, and really hope to utilize these as i continue to serve in any capacity even if that meant a JR. Companion!   I have seen that the work will go one!  He's always preparing people, and as we strive for a greater companionship with the Spirit, We WILL FIND!  We will teach, and we will Baptize!   I'm gaining such a strong testimony of faith, and working hard!  Obedience is something that I know will create a protection for me, and any of my companions!  The things I'm learning here I also see how they will impact my life in the future!  I have wonderful siblings that have made me see that life goes on after a mission, and it gets busier!  So be prepared, study hard, and learn all I can now and then apply it as I go! 


Love Elder Rees

January 9, 2012

OK!  Family and Friends...

2012 is HERE!  It makes me think of that song... "it's the end of the world as we know it..."  HA!  Just kidding!  I totally don't believe in the hocus pocus!  We were talking the other day with a recent convert of about a year, and she was very anxious about the whole 2012 thing, and I gained an even greater testimony of prophets... I know we have a TRUE prophet, and if he says something, then I'll start worrying... However, don't get me wrong, Don't procrastinate the day of your repentance!  

Well 2011 went out with flare!   We were able to take part in a baptism of Sister Wilson!  I call her that, because it's been a joke with her for a long time that she wasn't a "member" even though her testimony far exceeds a lot of members.  She's so strong in her faith, and trust in God, and truly has been converted.  It was awesome to be at her baptism.  We had a full house, literally we had the chapel nearly full!  It was so cool!  We all filed into the relief society room, and there was standing room only, and we had several people out in the hall... us included... so we didn't even get to watch the actual ordinance... oh well it still counts. 

It's amazing to see how the Lord works.  The week following her baptism, we had 2 non-members, non-investigators approach us and inform us that they wanted to be baptized as well.  I know that the spirit works with those whom are prepared, and it was amazing to have them approach us, and begin the process of learning, and gaining a testimony.  We actually were able to set another baptismal date with another young person here in C-ville on Sunday, the 8th...  It is so cool to watch as this kid stands alone in his family.  His parents are supportive but not interested in learning about the church for themselves.  They are wonderfully nice people and I pray that the spirit will work through their son to soften their hearts. 

Well I'm still training Elder Rivest, It's still a wonderful experience!  We have had so much success, and have really seen how the Lord has worked with us, and with the people in our area. 

We have found many new people to teach, and are hopeful that they are getting closer to baptism.  A highlight over the last few weeks is a family of 7!!  5 Kids ages 15-12, and 2 parents.  They are progressing fast, and we have high hopes of a family baptism!  I've come to see just how rare those are on the mission, so to watch that would be a wonderful blessing. 

We had interviews this past week, and I always love being around President and Sister Collins.  They are some of my favorite people, and I feel so happy to be with them for my entire mission.  They always build me up, and express their thanks for the things that I bring to the mission... 25 years of experience and maturity isn't that much.... but compared to a few of the 19 year olds it is a big contrast at times.  I love their confidence that they have in me, and it makes me realize that God has the same confidence in all of us.  He trusts us, and wants us to do better, and is giving us experiences and trials to help us grow.  Training has been hard at times, and also very rewarding.  I have learned to love my companion for who they are... even if they are very strange and I feel they have split personalities at times...  That is whom the Lord called here!  and He needs all of that person to be here.  It's OK to be loopy, but you also have to find a balance, we are still representing the Lord here.  I told President Collins I've loved training, and I truly have!  and would be happy to do it again in a heart beat!  I know that we are chosen to bless the lives of those God wants us to.  We are placed in the right area, or circumstances to do the most good and the right time!  I find the hardest part of training is letting my trainee drown...  I have a hard time stepping back and allowing him to learn from the goods and the bads, it's hard!  I jump in too often, and am setting goals this week to really allow him the time to learn on his own. 

OK, so I've been talking a bunch, well rambling is a more appropriate word...  I hope that all of the thoughts i have been typing are making any sense. 

Life is good, Transfers are on the 25th...  which will be 5 months here in C-ville.... It's about time i go somewhere else... I'd be sad to go, but excited for something different. 

Love you all! 

Love Elder Rees