February 20, 2012

Well Here it is Monday once again!

Here is my official welcome from Indiana, to the "Mission Field!"  Got to love other churches that have the same desire to spread the word of God...  I can't help but see the amazing difference that there is between us and other faiths.  It seems like we have backing from God in our efforts... oh wait, we do!  HAHAHA!

Well life here in Beech Grove is great!   Elder Aquino and I are still getting along well, and we are working hard to get more and more people to baptize!   There are so many times that areas get stagnant and they just keep teaching the same people over and over again, and they really never progress, but that is why transfers are so often.  We spent time a few weeks ago "dropping" almost all of our investigators and making room for us to find new people.  I can't even begin to say how nice it's been to find new people to teach. 

We were biking the other day and we saw a younger kid walking 2 dogs.  I had a sliver of a prompting to say "stop and talk to him" so I did.  40 minutes later I left with his contact information and a return appointment!  His name is Patrick and he's been feeling guilt for all the things he's done in the past...  He always thought that one day church would be important, but not till he was 40 or so... but he'd been feeling something "telling him" that he should start these changes now.  We met him and he has such a wonderful desire to do what is right, and we are striving hard to teach him the right things and help him overcome some temptations!  I can totally for see that this kid could serve a mission, go to the UNIVERSITY OF UTAH, (not BYU) find a nice LDS girl and get married in the temple...  That is the dream with any investigator, but he has something about him.  He stands out from others, and that makes me think that this 20 year old can make some amazing differences in his life and in the life of those around him. 

Mona is doing well, she's still set for March 3rd!  I have loved watching her excitement grow as she gets closer and closer to her baptismal date!  She's officially stopped smoking and drinking tea and coffee, and has been sharing the gospel with her daughters!  One of them is also in our ward boundaries and we are starting to teach her!  Got to love it when people get excited about the work, they help us so much! 

Well not much else is going on...  life is good!  i'm striving hard not to gain weight... that's not going well i'm putting on a little bit of what was lost... I attribute that to eating out with members on a very regular basis here in Beech Grove...  I would so much rather be in their homes eating good food, but we are working on that.  Transfers are in about 3 weeks...  Crazy how fast time on the mission is going...  soon enough it will be summer, and we'll be planning my return home...

Got to run for now!  Love you all!

Love Elder Rees

February 13, 2012

Hey well today is just going to be quick...
I think I shared this experience the other week.... Mona!  Mona is a woman that walked into our church building 3 weeks ago... the Saturday before she was contemplating suicide and was very depressed.  She was struggling financially, and had lost her husband in November...  She started to pray, and asked for a new place where she could worship.  She prayed all night in the chapel of the Hospital, and set out Sunday morning in her car to find a place to go to church.  She drove about 20 minutes to the north, and was told by the spirit to STOP!  She stops and realizes that she's in front of "Chase bank", and "McDonald's" bank was closed and she doesn't eat Micky D's...  But right next door to the restaurant is our church!  So in she walks, talks with an Elder from the other ward that shares our building.... she stayed for 3rd hour of their meetings and she stayed for all of our meetings!   At the end of the meeting she said that this was her new church, and she was going to be coming back Every Sunday!   We have been meeting with her regularly these past few weeks.  Lesson 1 Restoration... I have never seen someone in such awe at the message that God has called another Prophet to the earth!  Lesson 2... Word of Wisdom...  Scary stuff... sometimes we lose investigators when they find out that they need to change.... Here is what prompted lesson 2....  2 pots of coffee each day, 1 gallon of sweet tea each day, and half a pack of cigarettes each day.... Lesson 3 Last half of the plan of salvation, with an emphasis on Eternal Families, and Temple ordinances... Deep doctrine for a 3rd lesson.... Yet with the loss of her husband and several children before birth this is the "money ball."  She was in tears to know that her husband could accept these same blessings on the other side, and that they could live with each other eternally!  At the end of this lesson we talked about how the Word of wisdom was going...  She had 2 cigarettes that day!  Huge improvement, and hadn't had coffee or tea for 2 days!   We met her at church yesterday, and she shared this same experience in her testimony over the pulpit!  WHAT!!  She hasn't been baptized yet and is sharing why she believes it's true!  At the end of church... she tells me: "I haven't had a cigarette in 2 days!"   God is a God of MIRACLES!!!  When we pray and are at the end of our rope, realize God will tie a harness around you, and guide you to the truth, to blessings, to happiness, and joy!   Mona does live out of our area, but shared last night at a "Why I Believe" fireside that she's going to be moving into our area so we can teach and baptize her!  She has such great faith!  and Knows this gospel is true!  At the fireside we had set speakers from different wards and stakes surrounding the Indy area...  At the end of one of the testimonies Mona decides to share hers... so up she went...  She wasn't on the program, but the spirit said speak, and so up to the stand she walked!   By this point I'm wigging out!!!!  My companion is having a panic attack, and the assistants are looking at us like "WHO IS THIS!"   Luckily they ran with it. She shared her story, and the spirit took away all anxiety!   What a blessing to be apart of such a wonderful miracle!  One day I'll go with her to the Temple and help her get the work done for her family! 

Don't EVER give up!  God hasn't and won't give up on you! 
Love Elder Rees

More Pictures

February 6, 2012

The BUZZ!
Well we did hear about the Giants... It's a good thing because the Colts and the Patriots are Mortal Enemies here so all the people were glad to not have the patriots win it all on their own field. 

We got to go and take some pictures of downtown, and see a little bit of the happenings of the super bowl, but it wasn't as cool as it would have been to actually be at the game or not be endowed with this calling.  There was just too much drinking and smoking going on... there was also a TON of people, and we weren't the only religion out there spreading our word... even though we were the quietest. 

We have no a lady with a baptismal date so we are excited for her... she walked into church 2 weeks ago, and won't go anywhere else... she is in a different wards boundaries but refuses to go any where else!  makes me laugh, but i'm glad to be the one teaching her.  I see her always look at me, and not my companion... I know that she trusts me more than her... maybe it's my age, but it's fascinating to see that most of our investigators turn to me. 

I did take some pictures of the Superbowl village stuff in down town but I didn't bring my camera into email today so I'll have to update them next week! 

I'm glad that all the PTC went well, and that it's over... the last one of this year right? 

Well life here in Indy is good, there are so many people here and the ward is great.  I actually met a guy who used to be a sheriff in Lyman Mt View area.... way back when... when the Cokeville bombing happened. He's in our ward and took us out to dinner, it was fun to have someone who knew so much about the area i grew up in. 

Well not much else... the work moves on!   I'm officially coming home on 2/5/2013, so yesterday was the official year mark!  CRAZY!  I also realized that i'm going to miss 3 Superbowls!  Lame.

Love you tons!

Love Elder Rees

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