Daylen has been re-assigned (for now)

So I recieved my reassignment last night. They gave me permission to call
and talk on the phone for 5 min. I didn't have time last night to call
because my companion and I were training the new district. It went well, I
love being Zone Leader. I was training a new District Leader, and he asked
me "Do you really grow that much at the MTC? Because you guys are
amazing Leaders. Or were you like this before the Mission?" I told him,
it's true. You really do grow so much at here. Next to the Temple, it is
the most spiritual place I've been to. I have changed alot. I feel much
differently and think differently and I love who I'm becoming. I've Learned
that It's more important to have Character, then to be a character. I've
started to always be thinking about the 2nd name on my name tag. Jesus
Christ. And remember I represent Him, and I will act like such. I've tried
hard to get out of the way, and pray night and day that I will yeild my
will to the Lord.
My testimony has grown. I understand more, know more, and beilieve more .
This Gospel is True, and I am so excited to Change Lives and lose myself
completly in service, I didn't realize just how important it was before.
The Lord wants all His children to return to Him, and I know He has people
prepared for me specifically in this reassignment till my Visa comes. I'm
not going out just to make people better, anyone can get to the two lower
kingdoms of Glory without me. As missionaries we offer something more.
Something so much greater. Starting with first covenant we make with
babtism and then recieveing the Holy Ghost, so that we may start on our
path back to our Father in Heaven and have eternal lives with our family.
I am filled with much positive thought to make a large difference, and I
have never felt more joy or love for other people. I will go anywhere, say
anything, and be whatever the Lord needs me to. I understand that without
Him I am nothing. This last week I've made a commitment, that when my time
comes to go home 2 years from now, I will return home, but I'll never leave
the Field.
Thank you for your prayers, I feel the strength from them. I feel more love
for my family everyday. I love the letters that make me laugh and smile. I
wish I had more time to write to all of you individually. And express that
without my 5 sisters, I wouldn't be half the person I am today. I may not
even gotten to the Mission in the first place.

So, I plan on calling home around 5:30
I'm great to being put on speaker, and I can talk for about 5 min. It would
be awesome. You can hear how I'm still the same goofy kid that has just
grown spiritually.

Carefull what you wish for ( or make fun of) You may just attract that very thing.

 

Remember a few months back wwhen we thought it would be funny to let Daylen "fake" his mission call. Here is one of the three that he "faked" There are no accidents he has been reassigned until his visa comes. This is where he is going next week

 

Teach Two Types Of People

Thanks for the pictures. I look at my sisters all the time, and when people don't believe I used to look like Abe Lincoln. I have something to show them. People are shocked to think I had a beard.

 

Oh, I left out some news. I was released as District Leader, and I'm now a Zone Leader with my companion. I'm over our whole Portuguese branch composed of a few districts with my companion. It's cool, great opportunity to serve. Makes me even more busy. This place is awesome. Looking forward to get out into the field. I've learned we are called to teach two types of people, one the people of Brazil (for me, or where ever I get reassigned), and other missionaries  There are a lot of missionaries who really weren't prepared. But it's so cool to see the change in them as their testimony grows. I had a great experience with a missionary who thought he was going to be sent home due to past sins he confessed to the Leaders here. But because of the atonement, he fully repented and is doing great. He is clean. He feels clean. He teaches with greater feeling and testimony and it's been great serving with him. He is focused on being like Christ. It's awesome.

Need a little push!

Dear Dad.

I spoke in Sacrament meeting last Sunday, and I recalled an experience I had with you

When I was rather young. I desired $5 to spend, most likely on some candy. Now, there are some fathers that would have simply given the Child the Money, and the child would have spent it, never appreciating it's vaule. My wise father wanted me to work for it.

He asked to mow the Lawn. A hard task for a young child with no experience. He started the lawn mower for me and left me to it. I was determined to please him and earn my reward. I pushed this Large machine with all my might. It weighed much more than I did. With all my strength I could just barely move it forward and progress. On step after another, often I felt like I wasn't moving much, but with each step I knew I was closer.

I had pushed for what felt like a very long time, the sun was hot, my burden heavy, I was tired, and I became discouraged. I was about to give up or just collaspe. I thought, it's not worth it. Just as I was ready to quit and let go, a large hand appeared behind me and pushed the Lawn mower. My Father had came out and began to push with me. Walking behind me and taking the weight on himself so mine would be light, we pushed together. He helped me finish.

I can Testify, that when we are stuggling and pushing, that if we give our best and work hard. Our Father in Heaven will come to us and help. Just as my Father had came out to help me. There are times that all of will feel we are asked to move a heavy object and do an impossbile task. It is important to go out and remember, He will do what you can't. As long as you do what you can.

I love you Dad. Thanks for being such a great example to me. Thank you for all that you have done to raise me. I plan to continue learning from you the rest of my life.

Gift of tounges

The next email you recieve from me will probably have my new reassignment on it. I get reassigned this Tuesday. A week after on like May 20th I'll head out to somewhere. Beats me where, probably North Carolina. :) I serve there, until the Visa Comes. As far as checking as to where my Visa is in the Process, I've heard there isn't a really good reliable source. They just call me to the Travel center, hand me my Visa when it gets here and then quickly pack and take off. Could happen tommorow or in a month from now. I dunno. Nothing to worry about, I'll let you know as soon as possible when it comes, I can call you at the airport.

About a week ago I was eating lunch with my district, an old man asked to sit by me. We said that's fine. We began having a casual conversation, He asked the usual questions, where from and where we were going. He then asked how the Langauge was going, my compainon and I replied "muito Bom!" We spoke a few phrases explaining we were doing well in the langauge, and then after we told it was because of the book of Mormon. We told him how we are here to learn two languages, first the langauge of the Spirit and then the language of portuguese. I recalled some of the last words you told me before I left. "It's okay if you don't speak portuguese, and it's okay that they don't speak English, because the Lord speaks them both, use him as your interperter." We informed him we were reading the Book of Mormon to learn Portuguese, his first thought was that we were reading it in Portuguese, but we told him no, in English. The best lessons in Portuguese I've given happen after I have been reading diligently the book of Mormon in English and feel the Spirit. Yeah, we study potuguese and practice speaking. But our best comes through the gift of tongues through the Lord.  I hadn't realized at the timethe older man was President Hacking, Over the whole MTC.

On fast sunday there was a Large mission conference with all the thousands of Missionaires in the MTC.  I was happy to see President Hacking speaking to us, and he started his talk with his experience of eating Lunch with two specific Missionaries Elder Pollard and Elder Price to had taught him something. He recounted the whole experience, it was cool. Glad I didn't say anything stupid. The moral of the Story is, don't let old important looking guys sit by you while eating, or you'll be known by all here. Just kidding. The moral is, be grateful for your mother who taught you true doctrine. A loving Mother who raised me to become the man the Lord wants me to become.

I love you Mom! I'm sending a letter too. You'll get it soon.

Transformed

 I came across an Elder who was really struggling. He was angry, depressed, and really hurting. He snapped and said things inappropriate for missionary words to any who tried to help him. I got down on my knees for guidance. I asked that I could represent the Savior and be guided by the Spirit how to minister and help this individual  It was amazing. I felt the spirit strongly throughout the day, it guided me with all the things I should do. It filled me with love when I should have been angered. It caused to be bold and stand large when I would have normally stood back. I felt like a different person, as I uplifted, corrected, and edified others including this Elder who was convinced he would go home that day. Long story short. We gave him a blessing. I saw a miracle happen before my eyes as I watched the dramatic change in character.

  This Elder was healed. Spiritually and physically. I can't give details at this time, but he was struggling with some very hard things that should have been resolved before coming, but I believe they were meant to be resolved here. He is now one of the happiest people I know. Each day I see a walking miracle. He bears a strong testimony of this church and the Power of Priesthood Authority. It has strengthened my testimony. This Elder has transformed into a great missionary, with a desire to serve others, and a greater relationship with the Savior.

There is this misconception about the atonement I feel some may not fully understand. Some may think that Jesus Christ paid for all our sins in a few hours. But it wasn't a pain all at once with a package deal. It was individually  The Atonement wasn't just infinite, but it was very intimate  It's something that should be, and is, very personal to each individual. He suffered all your pains specifically at a time. And because of that, he knows how to heal you. You. Each person, individually  He knows how to help. I am only just started to fully understand this and apply it. I have started to see things and feel things that are beyond description.

I will testify in English and in Portuguese that I know these things to be true. And Each person needs to come to know for themselves if they are. En Nome De Jesus Cristo, Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

P.S I love you Dad, Mom, Jo, Nate, Kendyl, Rayna, Sienna, and Lilly with all my heart. I miss you all so very much, and you help motivate me to work hard.

P.S.S Send me a family photo. Of our whole family. That would be otimo, muito bom.

Laundry with Joseph Smith- Photos

(Sent Tuesday)

P-day changed to friday. Until then. I love you
_____________________________________________________________________________________________

I'm sending a letter today, let me know if you get it. Let me know if you can open my pictures, the first one is Laundry day with Joseph Smith!

The next is me giving a piggy back ride to Elder West. He is a great missionary in my district. He's the youngest of 6, and all of his family have fallen away from the church. And at age 24, he felt something missing from his life, and decided to go on a mission. He's 24! I tease him about his age all the time, like asking if he had to leave his wife and kids at home. But, He's a great guy. An amazing example to people here, hey, when I'm 24 I want to go a mission too. He adds a higher level to the missionaries here.

 

 

I love you Jo, and I love Nate. Thank you for all the support. Write me soon.

A few more photos!

This Elder is doing a backflip in our room.