The Work Goes On- July 23, 2014

Another week, another email. This is so much fun! This week went pretty fast and pretty well. We now have 7 people with baptismal dates in August, which is really awesome, and it is a real honor to be a missionary here in Hato Mayor. But, next wednesday is transfer day and it is possible that this is my last email from this place. I cant say what I want to happen, but I am just so excited to have another week as a missionary!! 

On Sunday Vitiko, PEDRO JULIO, and this guy named Edward Polanco (less active member) came to church. The Polanco family couldnt come, but theyre still going good. Pedro Julio, the man, came and only could stay for the first hour, but that is okay he is on his way. Edward is a barber that is like the height of my father and has dread locks the length of Camille. AHAHA no, but he came and he really liked it. He is the brother of Roduel, the father of the Polanco Family, but they dont talk much. But it was super cool to see that he came. 

But yeah this week was just a super good missionary week. We taught a lot, found some new people, and just kept pushing this work forward. Elder Simonis is a super good elder, a hard working guy that is just doing all he can to help out these people. I was reading in Preach my Gospel about something that I had read like 100 times, but it got me once again. It talks about what is a successful missionary. Really, the success of a missionary cannot be measured by man. It is the commitment of one to preach the gospel and help the people around him. Commitment means that he will be willing to put off or sacrifice whatever he needs to be able to help the people. Especially the life before the mission. Or his worldly desires. I am not a perfect missionary, but I am trying to commit myself more and more every day. Everyone, at times, thinks about the numbers and different things like that, but that isnt that important. What really matters, simply enough, is the efforts that the Lord sees. He doesnt look at numbers, he looks at our actions and desires and THAT is how he will judge us in the last day. 

We watched the Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration movie with the Polanco Family and it was a super good experience. I didnt get my testimony from him, but from God. However, he was the instrument in the hands of God to restore the gospel that had been lost from the earth. They asked WHY WERE THESE PEOPLE SO HARD ON THE CHURCH?? and all I could tell them was that when God betters his forces, Satan tries to follow the trend. He gets stronger and works harder. But he just cant win. 

What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? - Romans 8:31

To the family at the family reunion: I hope that all that are there are reading their scriptures EVERY DAY. That is how I was able to assure myself that I was in the truth, and that is what every single one of you need to do. Going to church and prayers are so important, but when someone focuses on the words of Christ, they will tell him or her EVERYTHING that they must do. So, if you are reading, keep it up. If you arent, GET ON IT!! 

But yeah, I love you all, sorry if this letter was kind of boring, you are all great. THANKS FOR THE SUPPORT!!

Elder Dallin Murphy

El Año Más Rápido de Mi Vida- July 16, 2014

So first of all I would like to say sorry for using slang words in my emails, it is kind of hard because for 9 months I have only spoken spanish all day every day so my English hasnt progressed much. It has actually gotten worse! But I will be better. I promise!

But yeah it is pretty unbelievable that I have already been a missionary for a year. I feel really grateful first of all because I have never ever been happier in my life. Secondly, I am really excited to see what in the world the Lord has in store for me as his servant for the next half of the mission. And third, I am really sad because I feel like I havent been the best that I can be. I have given all that I have but I have 1 year as a missionary and I feel like I just started! It is like a big bag of Skittles or a box of Mike and Ikes, you dont want it to end but before you know it, there is like nothing left. I know I have half the time left but I feel weird to think that I am already on the 2nd half. But, what are you going to do? All that I can do is work harder, be even more obedient, and love the people more. 

I have been thinking a lot lately about perfection. What is perfection, how can we get to that point etc.? I always read Matthew 5:48 which is a COMMANDMENT of Jesus Christ saying that we need to be perfect like His Father. I had thought about it for a good amount of time. I realize that we cannot do it alone, it is literally, metaphorically, espiritually, and very impossible. So how do we do it? I love two things that the scriptures have told me. First of all, in Matthew when he talks to the young rich man, he tells him to first keep the commandments. And yeah he does that. There are a lot of people that are very obedient. So what is it that we lack? Then our Lord and Saviour says something really interesting. IF YOU WANT TO BE PERFECT, give all you have to the poor and follow me. He said later that the 2 great commandments are Love the Lord your God with all your heart might mind and strength. How do we do that? KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS. But the 2nd one is a little harder. Love your neighbor as yourself. Moroni10:32 says something similar too. But then I read something that just put everything together. In Doctrine and Covenants 88:125 it says:

 125 And above all things, clothe yourselves with the bond of charity, as with a mantle, which is the bond of perfectness and peace.

There it is. If someone has charity AND are obedient, then they will become perfect. Not here, but some day. That was the difference between us and Jesus Christ. OBEDIENCE and CHARITY. I am obedient, or at least I try to be. But, wow, I need to work a lot harder on my charity. 

But this week in church the Polanco Family came once again, and a few other people. We are really working hard with all these people. Pedro Julio couldnt because his whole family has the chickengoya. We worked super hard this week and we are really trying to do everything for this Area so that it keeps moving forward. 

I am really happy with the work and as I said, I am so happy. 

Love you all! 

Elder Murphy

1. This is a plate of Dominican food that I LOVE. Moro, Pollo guisado, ensalada rusa. MMMMM i love it. This is my plate and the plate of this sister missionary. Guess which one is mine 

Amo ser misionero- July 9, 2014

This week was a little weird... since last week I saw all of the pictures of Austin´s heroic return, but it was all good. I cant even imagine that he is REALLY home, but I am proud of him and a little jealous of the  missionaries in Irvine that they have such a stud RM to go out with them. 

But it was also a SUPER successful week!! We put down 2 baptismal dates, and also we had 6 investigators in church! And 2 less actives. A missionary is always pretty happy to see people walk in the door of the church. The Polanco Family came, all except for the oldest daughter (that is including the Less active dad!!), Leidy and Antonio (less active and investigator. The same family that had come last week) and then Victiko (his real name is Victor Antonio). We also put down a goal with the Polanco family so that they would read the Book of Mormon daily to be able to come to know these things for themselves. And they are pulling through! 

umm.. Pedro Julio, the big man, could not come to church because his feet are super swollen from the afterfects of CHIKINGUYA. But we talked about the importance of going and he said that he will go out and try to find a ride for next week. We talked and he is loving the Book of Mormon. He says that he gets up at 4am every morning to read!! HAHA I was super suprised, and he only has Jacob-Words of Mormon, alma, and heleman before he finishes the book. One question he had: if King Benjamin was so good and righteous, what in the world happened with King Noah??? That guy was terrible!!. Sometimes he teaches us about the Book of mormon!

Today we were able to go and help out with a move of leidy and Antonio. They lived super super far away from the chapel, and it was difficult to do anything from so far away, but now they live like 1 minute walking distance from our house. They are in a pretty... interesting situation right now with marriage, american visas, and everything like that. It is a long story! But they moved from a house with a bunch of fruit behind it (mango, coconut, orange, banana) and before we did the move we drank some and ate some coconut which was super good, and Elder Sanchez went crazy on those coconuts to cut it open like the good Dominican that he is. 

But yeah it was a super good week, but every week is just an awesome week that I love. I feel so good here on the mission. I got to have an interview with President Douglas and I cannot believe that I already have a year on the mission and he is going to be finishing with me. it is going to be so crazy. He is the man!!

But yeah, thanks for everything!! You all are great.

Elder Murphy

 

July 2, 2014

That is the last time I will talk about going home!! BUT ITS SO CRAZY HOW FAST TIME FLIES!!! It is insane to think that I am one of the ¨old¨ missionaries and I am half way done. ALSO I look at the pictures of Austin at home and I dont believe it. I really cannot comprend that he is in his house, that he is with all the fam! It looks like photoshop. He is a super good man, and has a super white back now, but it is all good because the Lord doesnt look at what we look at but he looks at the heart!! 

It is so weird to think that he is there... but I am super proud of him. He really served well and looks really happy and studly. One word of advice for him- Dont get married before I get back. All the girls will be herding, but just dont do it. DONT DO IT!!! 

This week was so crazy! Wow, It was so fun. So on Sunday the Zone Leaders called me, after I reported the weekly numbers, and told me that we need to put down more baptismal dates. So what have we been doing? WE HAVE BEEN PUTTING DOWN MORE BAPTISMAL DATES!!! It was pretty sweet. I sometimes am afraid of what the may say, but I just need to go out and say it. 

A family came to church on Sunday, and we didnt know who they were so we supposed that they were from the other missionaries´ side. Nope!! They are just a less active lady with her husband (not member) and her 3 kids that were active until they moved from their old ward a month ago!! Now, I dont know if that is something that happens often in the states but I have never seen that before! And we NEVER EVER would have found them because they live way out of the way and we have never even thought about going to where they live. But we met them, got to know them a little, then we went on Monday to their house. She has lived a pretty hard life, as a member and as a mother. But, we are here to help her once again complete with her baptismal and temple covenants!! It is so amazing the miracles that are so real and so powerful in our lives!!

Also, we had a pretty insane experience with Pedro Julio. I am not going to go into details, but when someone says ¨now I am sure that the Church is true¨, it is a pretty amazing thing. He said that he had dont black magic, white magic, and gone to every church. He said that he has even seen the devil, he was so off track. He would go and drink 24 7 and just didnt have any sort of religious or spiritual life. But when he read the Book of Mormon, he began to know. But then with this experience that we had, he came to be sure. 

I love the mission!! It is pretty amazing to see the hand of the Lord in all things, and I am so excited to hear about how the rest of everything goes with Austin´s journey back to normalness. That is so mean to make him watch Dark Knight Rises a few nights after getting home, now he may never understand the true magic of that movie. a wise friend told me-

¨Whenever anyone tells you that you've served enough in the DR, and say "you've given these people everything." Just say "not everything, not yet"¨ 

too true. The dominicans deserve more.  VAMOS PA´ ALLÁ!! 

Elder Dallin Blake Murphy

What a week!!- June 25, 2014

This week was pretty good! First of all though, enjoy Austin tomorrow. He may be a little white and kind of chubby, but his belly isnt the only thing that has gotten bigger. He is definately a new man! It is pretty insane that is already home, but hey, time flies when one is having fun. 

But anyways, this week was pretty good! The Polanco family didnt go to church this week... so I was a little worried, but then the mom told us yesterday that she accidentally slept in until 9:30! But they were going to go. They are so cool! These types of families are what missionaries dream of and always want. I think to myself every time I am with them ¨wow, the Lord is too good to me, letting me participate in their spiritual progress¨ AND ITS TOO TRUE!! I love it. THe whole family of 6 reads every thing we leave, from the mom to the 9 year old girl, and they all pay good attention and just it is so fun. My companion is really funny, he says ¨Whenever we are with this family, I just get so excited to work!!¨ HAHA saw cayute! He is really funny. (that was a spanish to english translation). 

Also, there is a man who (I may have already said this) that has almost read the entire Book of Mormon in 5 weeks or so, and he is 74 years old with a lot of health problems. He was totally a bad man in his past, but now he says ¨I have searched everywhere for the truth, and this is the first time I have recieved the answer to WHY AM I HERE and the purpose of Baptism.¨ and he has a fecha but we are just waiting because he has a hard time going to church. His name is Pedro Julio, but we are going to hope that he gets out there to get more blessings!!

The work here continues!! We are working hard and taking advantage of EVERYTHING WE CAN!! I love the work and I am getting close to a year which is INSANE but it is soooo funn!! Congrats on finishing school, Bethany and Cole, and work hard and do work this summer!!

Have fun with my big brother!! 

Elder Murphy (the one and only)

1. Mosquito Nets from zone conference that sister douglas gave us!! 

Mission Work!!- June 18, 2014

Man, it was a pretty good week. The family, that went to church last week, came again! And also 2 other investigators. How great!! But yeah this family is named the Polanco Family. But yesterday we had a lesson with them and there was something interesting that the mom said. She said that she had a few questions, and we were thinking  ¨oh man...¨ but then she just asked why people werent paying attention at church. She said ¨I understand the little kids... thats normal for them to be a little loud and uncontrolable. No one expects them to pay attention! But it was a little hard to focus when ADULTS were talking and making sounds and just not focusing. They were talking about important things, but it seemed like they just didnt care.¨ She opened my eyes on that one. WHY DO WE GO TO CHURCH IF WE DO NOT WANT TO GET ANYTHING OUT OF IT?!?! It is pretty interesting. She said that if people dont want to be there, they shouldnt go. I explained a little bit about the sacrement, and also we talked a little bit about sometimes it becomes just a habit to go to church, like whatever happens doesnt really matter. We know we should go, but we dont take advantage. PEOPLE ARE WATCHING!! If you dont want to pay attention, at least act like it because you dont know what kind of influence that will have on someone else.

Also, i got a few emails about Chickenguya or whatever its called, and yeah I am trying to remember my bug repellant. Actually, I wrote about the hard life that our Ward Mission Leader is living, and he got this sickness. We went to his house and he could barely move. Dont you all worry about me, I am doing all I can to avoid it. Our house doesnt have too many mosquitos, which is pretty lucky, but youve got to be careful!!

It has been a pretty good time this week. IT is pretty crazy that this is the last email that Austin will read from the mission, if he even reads it, I would just like to publicly thank him for his good example and the fun times that I had being on the mission with him. Even though we were in different parts of the world, we were a lot closer in this last year than when he was at BYU or when I was at school and he was on the mission. He is a great man and I cannot wait to hear about his future successes. He might have lost his hops and his ripped muscles, but he has grown and toned himself down spiritually. WHAT A BOSS!! Love you Austin!! NOTHINGS TO EXHAUSTIN FOR AUSTIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love you all!!

Elder Murphy

We Work!- June 11, 2014

Happy Birthday Grandma Murphy!! You are so great. I love you so much and I am so happy for all the advice and all the wonderful memories I have recieived from you. Keep it up, you are one of my heroes!!

What a week! Not anything too insane, but it was a really awesome experience to be a missionary for YET ANOTHER WEEK!! The mission is moving by way too fast, I feel like yesterday I was here writing. I am too blessed!

This Sunday we had 7 investigators in Church, one of them being a family of 5. (Or actually, the dad is less active but he was working. he got baptized a LONG TIME AGO so he wasnt able to come. but his wife and 4 kids came to Sacrament Meeting) and a guy named Anthony and another guy named Alfredo. It was a really cool thing to see how much the Lord blesses us, and I really just hope that we recieve the strength and the ability to help these people as much as we can. Also, last week in Ward Council, we went and it was a super long talk about the mission work. We explained about how we need more help from the members (even though it may have been the nicest, it went really well.) but we have seen real fruits come about from that meeting. We have really high goals this month, and we are hoping to get them done AS A WARD!! 

Our ward mission leader is named Edwin Arthur, a super awesome, humble man that is really trusting a lot in the Lord. He is super excited about the work, he is just going through a lot of trials. He got fired from his job a good while ago, and after getting fired he has decided to not accept any job that requires that he works on Sundays. Now he is really struggling and working hard to just get the food on the table every night for his family. But I try to talk to him and assure him that he is doing what he needs to do and as far as he trusts in God and also goes out and searches for work, he will find one and he will be able to provide for his family. He is a man of great faith, and we are really thankful for all of his help. Actually, he is going to go out with us in an hour or so!!

These people are such good people, and I really want to help them a lot. They have a lot of trials, but miracles are real and they come in the Lord´s time. I am super thankful for the opportunity to help them. THE WORK IS REAL!!

Love you all, have fun finishing high school and take advantage of the time you have because soon THE MAN OF THE HOUSE IS GETTING HOME!! HAHA 

Elder Murphy 2.0

1. We helped with these dentists from utah, and it was pretty fun translating. But now I dont know if I want to be a dentist. It is fine when the work on my mouth but to see them work on other peoples mouths is kind of hard to see and seems pretty sketchy. But they were funny, they asked stuff like ¨whats the weirdest thing you have eaten???¨ and ¨how many times have you gotten held up?¨ then I had to explain that I hadnt eaten anything all that weird... just a BUNCH of rice. and then I told them I had just gotten held up like 8 times or something so they weren't  disappointed HAHA.  no I haven't been held up. They fear me here. 

A pretty good week- June 4, 2014

Man, it has been a pretty good week. Today we went to Puerto Plata (since the zone did well on baptisms this last month) and spent a nice day at the beach. I saw my good friend ELDER RINCON for the first time in forever, so I was super thankful for that. We got to look at the beach and really enjoy the sand, but couldnt go in, since, as most of you know, missionaries arent permitted to swim. But it was a good view!

In church this week we had a good amount of people, but the most exciting (not the best but the most exciting) was a man named AUGUSTO NUÑEZ! This guy is a less active member that I have had the great chance to help in that point in which they have the desire to come back. There have been many that have taught him and it is an honor to be here in the time that he has taken the step to return to the church. He is so cool! And he will help a lot. He came with his whole family and it was just so fun. Also, another man named Joselito came, a less active man who was a little bit into the scrums spiritually and now he is animated to come back as well. We are hoping that they come back this week and more for the time to come!!!

We are really being super blessed, which is always a humbling experience. The Lord wants us to be successful in the mission, and thats why he gives us guidelines, or also called COMMANDMENTS. I love talking about obedience, and sometimes I talk about it too much. It is pretty weird being with a companion that is as stoked to have a great mission as I am, so I am getting used to not having to be like ¨leggo leggo leggo!!!!¨ To my companion. But it is so cool, I am so content with the work we are doing. 

Training is a new experience. I want to be a lot better, cooler, nicer, and more open, but everything is a process. As the dominicans say ¨todo es un proceso... a paso! a paso.¨ But I am really trying to improve because as smart and experienced as I am, I am 100 times more dumb and new at all this stuff. I just need to realize it and be willing to help Elder Simonis and accept help from him as well.

WAY TO GO BETHANY IN SCRIPTURE MASTERY!! I remember when I did scripture mastery with the Book of Mormon... I tied for 2nd too!! I was 1 page away from Jacob 2:18-19 (because Connor McCombs and Charlie Bollard told me the answer from the stands) but then I had to take a victorious fall for 2nd place. That was the peak of my career, maybe someday I will be able to get that crown back. NEXT YEAR DO WORK GIRLFRIEND!!!!

I hope all is well, and I am always excited when I come on wednesdays, sweaty and surrounded in Spanish speaking tigres, and all is well. You all rock! Keep it real!! Haha!

¨Its not who you are on the inside, but its what you do that defines you¨

Elder Dallin Murphy

1. Elder Simonis and I on the coasts of the country of my heart and soul

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BETHANYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!- May 28, 2014

I hope that you all tell Bethany to have a happy birthday!!! On Facebook or over telephone would be best, she deserves it. Who knew she was so funny?! I love Bethany because she is just a real BEAST!! She rocks in everything she does. She is just super funny and once Austin left the house I had to talk to SOMEONE so I began to talk to her and shes not too bad! HAHA just kidding, she is just a stinker winker mixed with a Lisa Leslie and man I dont know she is just too cool. She really became one of my best friends in the whole world, and is still up there. KEEP IT UP SIS!!

Dad, that is so cool. You´re really a prepared and capable man to complete with whatever calling you are given, just keep working hard and do all that you know that you need to do, and trust in the Lord. Pray for charity every day to be able to help all of the people recieve all they need from you. Youre the man!

This week was a little tough, but thats nothing that we cannot really handle. We had talks with 3 of our investigators that have been progressing a lot, Gladis, Brayanli, and Luis and have told us that they don't want to continue and they want to take another path. It was pretty hard for me, but it is their decision. I am not going to go into the details of exactly why, but they were good, interesting conversations. I love being able to sit there and testify and speak perfect (not perfect but pretty good) spanish with these people and just testify and feel that the Lord is pleased with what I am saying. I feel good about the future we have with the people we have, and Elder Simonis and I are going to keep working SO HARD to get these people all the blessings the Lord has reserved for them. I feel pretty happy with the future we have in this work here.

We had 0 investigators and 0 less actives in church, but hey the Lord makes us humble so that we recognize our weaknesses, just like he gives us weaknesses to make us humble. We have had a lot of self inspection (I have officially lost english as my native tounge, I dont know if what I am saying is really what is said in English) since we know that the Lord wants us to improve. I am really trying to do all I can to help these people progress, and I know that my companion is trying hard too. But I am really excited, I cannot wait for the miracles that will happen in front of our eyes here in Hato Mayor in the near future.

A friend sent me a letter recently with a few questions and it made me go to the 13 Articles of Faith. I love how precise and simple they put everything. We believe in this, this and this. If someone tells us we believe in something, they can look at the 13 Articles of Faith and there you have found your answer if it is true or not. But the most basic and important thing that we believe in is that Jesus Christ is the only way to get to the salvation. And that is what we preach.

I am pretty content, we are doing work out here in Hato Mayor. This Ward needs our help. And we are here to help.

Love you all!!

Elder Dallin Murphy

Another week in the wonderous world- May 21, 2014

Hey fam! Whats Up?? I Hope All Is Well Out There In The United States. It Was Cool To See Pictures And Hear About Big Brandon Running A Half Marathon And All. Way To Go Bud!!

Umm this organization that I am not in charge of is called Accion Callejera. Which is like this place that street kids go to so that they dont have to go to another worse place. I am not sure, but it sounds good. There are a few events that Sister Douglas has set up to be able to have her friends come and do medical and dentistry things, so they called me... To keep the relationship well mantained with them and keep contact. That means like 1 time a week I am going to go to do service with my companion and the other 2 missionaries in the district of Hato Mayor. I am not sure why she called me... But I guess I have to do it. I dont even live that close, but its ok. I am down!

But this week was pretty good. Gladis and Brayanli and Luis Vasquez came to church this week, which was really cool. I am always SUPER stoked when people come to church. We are working hard with these people and a lot of them didn't compete with their promises, which were that they would come to church, but I don't get suprised anymore. Just disappointed. That's all. But Gladis and Brayanli are going to see when they want to get baptized, since they are in a sticky situation. But It will happen soon, I really know it. Luis has had a few doubts, which are really little things like about Joseph Smith and why his name isnt in the Bible. But its ok, we help them understand that they only way to know these things is read the Book of Mormon and pray. If they do it, they will be able to get an answer. And until they do it, they cant tell us we are wrong because they havent experienced anything, just heard and believe. We want them to FEEL that it is true. Galatians 5:22-23 or something like that really explains how they can know IF it is true. We are willing to learn all of the things we preach on the Book Of Mormon. 

It is a pretty wonderful life out here. It is a little different teaching with someone that hasn't taught before, but he is coming along well and I am really excited to keep seeing him progress. I am not the funnest, coolest, or funniest companion he could have had, but he is going to work and work and work. I don't know... it is kind of weird. A lot of missionaries say that they want to get out of the routine. But I love the routine!! My life is get up, write in my journal or work out, shower, get ready with my white shirt and tie, study, study with my companion, go out or go to a meeting with other missionaries, go home, eat, do something for like an hour then go out to work for 7 hours then we get home at 9:30 and then plan, write my journal or eat or something then we go to sleep. Then I get up again at 6:30 and it is the same. THIS IS THE LIFE!! AND IT DOESN'T GET BETTER THAN THIS. I don't have time to change it up! But its ok, he loves the work too. It is a pretty intense lifestyle but pretty fun. 

But yeah this week I had an exchange with my zone leader, Elder Saucedo and for the first time in a while the people were IN their house. We taught 7 good lessons, and it was super cool. But its raining a lot, and the umbrella I have is still in the little bag that it was bought in in my luggage. Oops! HAHAHA

Love you all, and I cant wait to hear about the wonderful miracles you guys make in the mission work in this next week!

Elder Murphy,  2nd

Now I Am the Big 1-9!- May 14, 2014

It was a pretty fun birthday, not the most exciting one but definately the most spiritual one. Kind of. We had a zone meeting in the morning and they put up a few balloons then sang happy birthday! And that was basically it. But one specifically awesome lesson I had on my birthday was a great gift the Lord gave us. Remember Jose and Cristy? Well we shared with Cristy, a member, and her son Noel. We talked about baptism baptism baptism. About what it is, how it should be a change in our lives, how it needs to be by the proper authority, and how important it is. We were just on a good role. Then I asked my favorite question: What are your thoughts about what we have said? I had had a couple of worries about Cristy. She really is awesome but I didnt know if she was really going to be down to make that change in her life.  Then  she told us about how she wants to do it. And she is just really excited but needs to go to church more and get married and stuff. The spirit was super strong, and I was super content. Even though it was a slow day in which we walked for a while and didnt teach much, it was all worth it through that lesson. 

That was basically my birthday. We are really busy, Elder Simonis and I, and it is really hard to find time to make that cake that you sent me. But one of these days it will be made! It was super cool to talk to the whole fam about life as a missionary.  I am not overwhelmed by the responsibilities that have been given to me, just it is something new as a missionary. A new kind of patience and diligence is needed. It is just what I was asking for and I got it. Sometimes we dont know exactly what we want but the Lord gave it to me. Also, President and Sister Douglas called me to be in charge of the relationship between the mission and this one organization, and I wasnt to stoked but I am going to do all I can to do it. I want to be able to complete with the assignments that are given to me, and I will give it all I can. 

hmm...  oh yeah Gladis and Brayanli are progressing  really really well. They are trying to do everything to be able to complete with these requirements of baptism, and the Lord will bless them soon enough with the ability to do it. They came to church, and also Arismendi. Arismendi comes a lot, just has a few problems with his wife, and we are hoping he keeps it up to be able to  make this covenant with the Lord as well. He already is decided, just needs some preparation. 

But yeah. this week was ok. Elder Simonis (my trainee) is a good new missionary, willing to learn and listen, and just pushing himself a lot. I am just here to guide him and help him become the missionary that the Lord wants him to become. 

Well, thanks for all the birthday emails! You all are great! The next time you all write me I will have.... 10 MONTHS AS A MISSIONARY! It is moving way too fast. But as they always say, Time flies when youre having fun. And I am definetely enjoying myself. 

 Love you all!!!

Training a HAITIAN!!- May 7, 2014

I am training a Haitian!! His name is Elder Simonis, a pretty good kid. He has lived here in the DR for 3 years with his family. His whole family is members, and he is a 21 year old guy, but it will be a good experience. He is a good example to me, a really humble guy that is just here to work. It will be a really good experience!! I am stoked out of my mind.

But this week was pretty good. We had 3 investigators in church, Gladis and Brayanli and Laura, a sister of an hermana in the ward that is 15. Luis had to work (he doesnt work much so when he has work he needs to go) and a lot of people just HAD to do stuff. And a bunch of people just talked big and didn't deliver. But our purpose isn't to accuse or criticize, but more to help them be complete with the Lord and his commandments. Gladis had an operation on her mouth, so for like 2 weeks she doesnt have her 4 front teeth. She wasn't going to go to church, but then Brayanli said he would'nt go without her so then she decided to go so that he would go! What a great lady. Her husband lives in NY and she wants to get married before baptism so that she can obey the law of chastity to the letter.

This week was pretty good. Nothing too crazy, but it was a good time. I was pretty happy to get the call to train, I have only had old missionaries as companions and now I have more responsibility, which is always a good time. Also he gave me the title of district leader, so I am going to have to get a lot of spiritual strength from the Lord to be able to complete TO THE LETTER with both of these responsibilities.

Well, we will have more miracles next week. Just this week we talked about a lot of marriage. A LOT of marriage. Really, it is a big problem in this country. Because it costs 3000 to get married and 18000 to get divorced. But we will make it work with these people, there are some good vibes between a few of these families and it will happen.

The Lord blesses us according to our obedience D&C 132:6( I think that is where it is) . It is the ONLY way that he blesses us. 

Love you all, thanks for everything! 5:15 on sunday I am going to be waiting. I am going to use that elderdallindr thing that you guys made for christmas! It is going to work and I am going to be excited! I hope you all are excited too! The next time that you all read from me I WILL BE 19! WOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

Love,

Elder Dallin Murphy

 J-Piki, a good friend of ours. He talks about how he wants to get baptized, and we hope he will!

I love mom because:

Well how do I even start. Mom is the woman who gave birth to me and gave me everything I needed as I grew up into the man I am today. I feel so greatful for the firmness that she has in the true Gospel of Christ. I love my Mom because she loves me and she does everything for me. I love my mom because she worries about me even when she knows I am all good. I love my mom because she IS THE COOL MOM. She often says she doesnt want to be the cool mom but SHE IS THE COOL MOM (repeated for emphasis). I love her so much! She has taken a little naughty yet silent boy and made him into what I am. I cannot say that have reached what she wants me to be, but after my heavenly father, I want to make her proud. I love my mom because, in all reality, she loves me.

I'm on the Lord's Side- April 30, 2014

Here on the mission, it is really surreal to feel the presence of the Lord. Although I am still a little 18 year old muchachito, I love being able to be seen with such power and authority. People don't look at me as Dallin Murphy, the kid who graduated high school less than a year ago, but they look at me as Elder Murphy, missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I feel like I just got here and the time is flying way too fast.

Mom, I understand why you say "dont eat too much carbs!!" but it is a plea to change something that is already set. Forever. The dominicans eat really heavy stuff, and I LOVE IT. But I have eaten rice every day except like 7 or 8 days in the mission, and I am hungry so I eat a lot. Then there is a lot of bread that we buy from COLMADOS which are little stores that sell everyday things but especially food. 5 pesos for a little bread is pretty great, and that is usually my dinner. like 3 or 4 of them. So, I will try and follow your counsel, but dont be suprised if I come home without having eaten much vegetables in my time here. BUT LOOK AT THE BRIGHT SIDE!! I am not losing weight. I am gaining it, but it is ok. I am going to maintain myself lean and handsome for my homecoming. 

But this was a really good week. Elder Salgado finishes the mission next week, so I am going to recieve a different companion. I have been told that possibly I will train, but I dont listen to the rumors because President Douglas is a man to change his mind (for revelation's sake, of course). We have continued finding really prepared people and I really just thank the Lord daily for his love and mercy towards us. We are really unnecessary to him, but he does all that he does because he loves us and wants us to be happy. He works through a bunch of little chomacos as they say in the DR, and he helps us a lot. 

Last night we had a pretty cool lesson, a TESTIMONY that the members are the key in the mission work. We are sharing with a guy named LUIS VASQUEZ. He is really cool and tranquilo and just a prepared son of God to recieve the Gospel of Christ. Last night we went to his house and we talked with the Ward Mission Leader, Edwin Arthur, about baptism. How children dont need to be baptized because, as christ said, in them is eternal life. They are perfect! In Christ we are all saved from the Fall of Adam. So he understood it all, and after a vervent testimony from Edwin, Luis said "So I will do what he did! I will be baptized again" and then we put down a baptismal date for the 14th of june. THen he told us "i wasnt going to talk to you guys anymore... but then I got embarrassed with this nice man here so then i decided to do talk with you." HAHAHA wow what a miracle. 

Jesus Christ lives, and he loves us!! He is the only path back to the Father, and we have got to follow it. He put down the example through baptism, obedience, the organization of His Church, and we just need to do everything we can to be able to do as he did!

Elder Dallin Murphy

ps. I already opened the package THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Elder Dallin Murphy

Luscious Living- April 23, 2014

This week was Semana Santa, which is the week that mainly the Catholic Church celebrates to comemorate Christ for the sacrifice he made. We only have really celebrations on sunday, but it was an awesome time. It means that no one works and no one does anything from friday to sunday, just drink, go on vacation out of the city and listen to music. BUT it was super fun. Although we didnt join in on the fun, we really were able to work well.

They do this thing called Habichuelas con Dulce, which was super good! We ate it in like 6 houses in 3 days HAHA and it was just too much food. I feel like Dad would really love it, so I was asking a lot to be able to learn how to make it. HAHA wow they are such cool people. I love the food here, there is nothing better than a good 2 years where 9 of every 10 days you eat a fat pile of rice. But i have just made it part of my life! I love it.

But this week also was a good progress. We have a couple named Jose and Christy, with whom we have been sharing since my first Sunday here. But they have been progressing slowly and THEY CAME TO CHURCH THIS WEEK!! It was a really cool thing. They really liked it too, the members here welcomed them and they enjoyed everything. Gladis was there too, but Brayanli couldnt come since his dad came and took him to the beach. 

But yesterday we had a really cool lesson with Marcia and Alex (if you remember them, they came to church). They are super cool and i love talking with them. We talked about Mosiah 2, about the blessing that come with obedience. a while ago we talked with Alex alone and he was without work and just frustrated with God because he was praying and not recieving. He needed work to do so many things. So we told him that if he begins to take seriously what we teach, the blessings will come.  He began to read his Book of Mormon every day in the morning and pray every day. Within like 2 weeks he had a job. He wasnt even searching for one and he got called. Its not the best job in the world, but its a job. We talked about that yesterday and he recognized that really he is doing it to improve then asked if he could start to read from the beginning. WELL YEAH!! He is married with another woman, which is hard, since divorce is EXPENSIVE HERE. But, he wants to do it. They just really progress a lot. 

Other great things happened, but I dont have 10 hours to explain it. I am so glad all is well over there. Brandon, youre a best. Now that you are like 40, HAHA just kidding 27?? I dont know. But te quiero muchisimo porque eres tan mansito y tranquilo, me entiendes y legalmente te voy a hablar en espanol para que retengamos el idioma de los cielos. No puedo explicar el amor que tengo, pero ya tu sabes, estoy aqui hasta el fin contigo. 

HAHA that was a good dominican message, so it may not make much sense in real spanish, but brandon will get it, 

LOVE YOU ALL

Elder Murphy

 

Pupusas with Elder Ramirez

 

Wow- April 9, 2014

It was just too great of a weekend. We had more people in church than I had ever had, AND it was general conference. 9 INVESTIGATORS CAME and 3 LESS ACTIVES TOO. Wow. I was just so thrilled, I can't thank the Lord enough. First a sister named Dolores came with her son Carlos, who we have been teaching for a little while. Then also a couple named Nelky and Manuela, who have a baptismal date for the 24th of May. They are really cool, and Nelky doesnt know how to read so it was good for him to hear and watch conference. Then Gladis and Brayanli came! They are progressing very well, they are really excited. Then also a girl came with them that came last week too, Yanni. Also GEOVANNY CAPELLAN and his wife Biandy came. Geovany has a baptismal date for 24 of May as well. They all came and they said they enjoyed it! A less active mother with 2 adult sons came, Angelita and her sons  Javier and Chi-chi.

General conference was really awesome. I loved all of the talks, but I loved some of them more than others. (also I watched it in Spanish, which was not as good for me, but people came so it is ok.) The one that I loved more than anything was Dallin H. Oaks on the priesthood. But also the talk given by Robert B Hales was awesome. When he said ¨We should be so obedient that if God were to present us to people, he would say ´this is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased´¨ that really opened my eyes. Really I need to be like that. God doesn't look at sin with even the littlest bit of acceptance, so we have got to focus on that. I liked the talk on Gratitude also, President Uchtdorf always is awesome. David A Bednar talking about how BURDENS ARE NECESSARY to be able to progress in life. To move forward we need that. I love it. The Atonement of Christ is here so that every one of us takes advantage of it, but we need to , as Benjamin said, become as a little child, meek humble and willing to submit to the will of the father. 

This week was a great week too. We are seeing good progression on all sides, the Lord is really blessing us. We have a LOT of people with baptismal dates, and they all are reading and trying to get to church. It will happen. But on Friday we were there just working it up and no one was home. So, we went walking down to a house that we usually had visited, when I suddenly decided to turn and take a different route. Elder Salgado asked why, and I told him that maybe there was someone over there. Then we turned once again and I saw a man standing outside of his upstairs apartment. I said to Elder Salgado ¨háblele¨ then he did. Turns out that this man, Junior, and his wife, Morena, were taking the lessons from missionaries in the South stake like 2 years ago and almost got baptized, then moved. They want to start the lessons again. I was thinking WOW IS THIS REAL LIFE?? That was just an awesome thing. They are going to be a success. I am hoping that they really pull through this time and are able to make this covenant with the Lord. 

But yeah, its an awesome thing out here that's happening. I cant explain how gracious the Lord has been with us. I am really happy, I am enjoying it all. 

Good work on all the good old missionary work out there, the Lord needs EVERY MEMBER AS A MISSIONARY. I can testify to that.  

Elder Dallin Blake Murphy

p.s. I am almost 19! It feels like the other day I went to I HOP with my friends, but that was a quick year. This whole mission is passing by WAYYYY too fast, I am enjoying it a lot but I am almost 9 months done... dang

 PUPUSAS!!!!!!!! With elder vasquez

 

 

 

 

WHAT A WEEK- April 2, 2014

Wow it was basically one of the best weeks of my mission.

But in church we were having so much hope that people were coming. First, this couple named Alex and Marcia came! They are a really nice, but humble couple that we have been working with for a good while. I hope that they keep coming, it was a testimony meeting where many kids went up with their parents and everything so they were wondering about that but it was good, they seemed like they will be going back. Then Gladys and Brianly came!!!! We were so excited. I cannot explain how happy I was!! They said that they really liked it and they are going to go back. This week we have been passing out invitations for General Conference and it was just so wonderful. (For those who want to watch that don't know what that is, its on saturday and sunday on LDS.org). But people are really excited about it  and have plans to go. We were so happy with that day. But we had been fasting and we had no food in the house and no one had invited us to eat in their house, then DIGNA FROM VILLA GONZALEZ CALLED. She said ¨Elder Murphy! We are going to bring you and the other missionaries out there some MORO."   WHAT A BLESSING and then another family in the ward called us and said that we could go, so we ate there then we went back to the chapel and Digna was there with President Steven and his wife Ana with a bunch of food. It was so great  to catch up with the good old friends of my first area. All day Elder Salgado was saying ¨dont worry, the lord will provide¨ and I shouldnt have doubted because HE ALWAYS DOES. 

Remember Del Fin Montaz? We had a lesson with him and Randelfin, his son, yesterday. It was the most spiritual lesson of my life. We read Moroni 8 with them and it was just so amazing. After reading 1 verse (verse 8) he was saying he had received his answer to his questions about baptism. Then we read it all and I said ¨look, you need to know if this is true because if it is, then the church that we represent is the only one that has the authority to baptize and we know that it is NECESSARY for salvation¨. then Elder Salgado talked about receiving an answer and then I said ¨you guys are going to ask here and now. Randelfin, I want to you ask the Lord with all the faith you have in your heart to know if the Book of Mormon is true. Then after you say ¨in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen¨ we are going to sit there and listen. Ok?¨ so we kneeled down together and he gave a really awesome faith-filled prayer. Then he finished and we knelt in silence for 3 or 4 minutes. I was pleading that the Lord could just give them the answer that me and millions before me and after had received. Then Del Fin said ¨Lord, please remove these obstacles from my path so that I can do this. I know that this is what I need, help my family too so that they can get do these things as well¨ The spirit was so strong. All of the fruits of the spirit described in Galatians 5:22 and 23 were felt in that moment. I have never felt so at peace. He thanked us so much, nearly crying, and said that we have done a great work with him and his family. He wants his wife to be more open about it, but we assured him that with time the Lord would permit it. Those are the moments that preach to me that THIS IS THE WORK OF SALVATION THAT THE LORD WANTS US TO DO. This is why I have told people here and at home to read the Book of Mormon and pray about it. he that does is will receive the answer. he that doesn't, will be in this state of LIMBO, without knowing for sure what is right. 

I can testify that this is not the work of a man. Joseph Smith was inspired of God as a prophet so that he would begin this great and marvelous work. People say that the Devil wrote that book and began this church. Those who say that don't know me and don't know what this work is all about. One cannot be saved in ignorance. I know that this is what EVERYONE NEEDS. That is why I give people Book of Mormons. That is why I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That is why I am here. Because it doesn't matter who you are or where you are from, this is what you need. And whoever says no it is not, definitely hasn't tried it out still. 

I love you all, I pray for you every day. If I have one thing to say to all that are at home, mormons or no, is read the book of mormon with faith in Christ and I can promise you UNTIL I DIE that you will come closer to him. You all need that book. I say these things as a friend and brother to you all. Thanks for everything you all have done for me, I am never going to regret this time I have had as  a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ.

Elder Dallin Murphy

Hato Mayor Traslado Numero 2- March 26, 2014

I am still here in Hato Mayor with Elder Salgado one more transfer. I am here to help him finish his mission strong then we will see what the Lord has in store for me after that. I am too excited to see what the Lord has in store for the two servants he has here, I know he will really bless us according to our desires and our obedience to his commandments.

We had a zone conference with Elder Zivic and it was a really good experience. He talked a lot about our purpose and his wife talked a lot about faith. But what struck me most was what President Douglas said. He talked about VISION. WHAT IS OUR VISION? It is an interesting thing. He said our vision should be chapels filled with people in white waiting to be baptized and busses filled with people going to the temple in Santo Domingo to be sealed for time and all eternity. But how can we get that vision to be real? He said first we need goals. Then plans. Then we just need to straight up work as hard as our bodies will allow us. Then we need to be accountable and check up on the goals every once in a while. 

The Lord wants us to apply what we learn, so Elder Salgado and I have been doing that. We have the vision: A BRANCH IN OUR AREA. Really our area has a small percentage of the members of our ward, so we think that the mission work would progress more in this way. We have to start reactivating a few people, we have to baptize a few, then we have to see if it is what the Lord wants of Hato Mayor right now. But its possible and we are really working to be able to achieve this grand vision we have. 

But we have a few investigators that are showing good signs of progress. One of them is a single mom and her son, Gladis and Brayanli. (its pronounced Brian Lee, who was a good bud of mine out there forever ago at NHS). They are reading and really showing that they want to know if these things are true. We talked on monday about Faith and Repentance as the first 2 principles in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We talked about the peace and happiness that can come through the process of repentance. Then she asked ¨Do you guys just always have that peace and comfort? Because it really seems that you are just happy and freee from worry and just loving life.¨ And then Elder Salgado answered that we try and apply what we preach, and if we want others to live these things we have to live them ourselves. She needs a little bit of help going to church, but the Lord will help us help her.

There are a lot of others, but I don't have the time or space to explain all the good times that we are having here in Hato Mayor. We are seeing little signs of the Lords mercy every day in our lives. It is the Work of Salvation. 

Thanks for all of your prayers. I loved reading all of your emails.

Elder Dallin Blake Murphy

 Trying on wigs at the store.

Tuesday is Pday today!!- March 18, 2014

So today I am writing because tomorrow we have a zone conference with Elder Civic of the Seventy!! WOO! That guy is super cool. So for those who thought that they would write me today or tomorrow, sorry about that. I forgot to mention in last week!! But hey, look at  the blessings... YOU GET TO HEAR FROM ME 2 TIMES IN A WEEK.

But this week was stake conference here in the Santiago East stake. It was pretty cool. The saturday night session was A member of the stake presidency, then a nice lady from the stake, then President Douglas, then the Temple President President Almonte, then Sister Civic and then Elder Civic. That was awesome! Something awesome that said the first speaker was that parents are too often worried more about  helping their kids survive (food, water, light, medication) and they forget too often about whats most important! TEACHING YOUR CHILDREN THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST. That is the most important duty of a parent. Spiritually feed them. Then the sister said that the mission work is Keeping your covenants and helping others make and keep covenants with the Lord as well. That was an awesome thing to hear. 

 Then on sunday it was The stake president, then Sister Douglas , the President Douglas, then Sister Almonte, then President Almonte, then  Sister Civic, then Elder Civic. IT WAS A PACKED SESSION! But yeah it was so cool. One funny thing that the stake president said was he said that on his mission he was there with his companion one time when 2 men came up and said "hey! We want to fight you guys with only the bible" talking about bible bashing. Then the stake president said "ok!!" and hit the guy in the face with his bible HAHAHAHAH then the guy got mad and the stake president said "why would you  use the hold Word of God to cause contention?? that is the opposite of the use it has. we are here to share and invite people to learn more. Nothing more."  That was an awesome thing that he said.  Before the mission people tried to argue and I was there LETS GO but now  I am here and I hate when people want to argue. I know my bible, I can do it, but it is just a fat waste of time. There are missionaries who waste their study time trying to prepare to argue with different specific religions, but I just feel like the Devil is winning in that one. 3 Nephi 11 talks about how contention is not of God, but of the Devil. And I am not here to help the work of Satan progress.

But I am here to help the work of God progress here in Hato  Mayor! Daily I am walking, getting tanner and thinking "wow! I am actually here. I am actually a missionary and I am in the Dominican republic, speaking fluent spanish just living the life. there is nothing better than this" then the next day it is the same. It feels like yesterday I was too worried about things that now seem like nothing. Although it was fun, THERE IS NO GREATER JOY THAN WHEN YOU SEE THE DESIRE IN THE EYES OF SOMEONE TO CHANGE AND COME CLOSER TO CHRIST. There is nothing better. I told one of my companions once that the life I lived before the mission has been lived, and I dont want to return back to that. I want to get back home as a changed servant of the Lord, I want to be better and stronger. I want to be able to say that I was a missionary and I gave it all I had, 150% of what I had. The Lord doesnt respect more than our obedience, diligence, humility and faith. Thats what I am trying to do. 

That is awesome to see that Mom and Dad could have enjoyed the magical last moments of my fathers young life. Youre a big boy now dad! HAHA but seriously, that is just crazy. I feel like it was just yesterday and I was thinking about how Dad was going to have a sweet party at 50... that was before the age change HAHA!! But I love you dad, and Mom!! Youre awesome!

I also did something that would make Dad so proud. I participated in what Dad loves most after the gospel.. PUPUSAS. I would send you pictures but I cant find the chord at the moment. BUT SERIOUSLY DAD I LEARNED HOW TO MAKE IT AND YOU ARE GOING TO JUST LOVE IT WHEN I GET BACK. I am going to teach you all how to cook all that I know now, it is so fun. 

But hey, I hope all is well.  I hope Bethany is good, shes pretty busy.  I pray for you all on the daily, and I hope you are all reading your scriptures!!

Have a good week,  I will email on next wednesday! (p.s. it is like 99%  for sure I am going to be with Elder Salgado another transfer. He is finishing and President Douglas  told me that my responsibility is to help him finish well. SO THATS WHAT I WILL DO!)

Love you all, GOODNESS I LOVE YOU ALL haha oh austin.

Elder Murphy

Happy Birthday Dad!- March 12, 2014

Dad, I hope you have a wonderful birthday. You're 50 years old my big man!! HAHA wow youre almost old! But I love dad because really he is just a straight up example. The way he lives such a moderate, humble life, keeping the most important things first. He was my bishop in my growing years, and I woulnt have had it any other way! It amazes me how great of a guy he is, and if I can be like him one day I will be pretty content. AND i love him for his peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on hot dog buns. 

Wow, that is really hard to hear about Julie... She was one of my favorite people ever, seriously. First of all, she GAVE us Murphy, the greatest dog in the whole entire world. She always was so happy and willing to talk to me about whatever I was doing in life. She let me hold her baby that one day, I remember, when her baby, Gavin, was blessed . I sat there and sat there and sat there, ate some good tacos and had a great conversation with her. I really owe her a lot, and I will never be able to forget her. My prayers are with you Lanny and Barbara, you raised her to be a wonderful woman and daughter of God. They'll all be together again, with Joel and Julie. 

But this week was pretty good. Although ZERO people came to church that we have been teaching, the only thing we do is keep working like there is not tomorrow. And when tomorrow comes, we do it once again. I had an exchange with Elder Morales, one of our Zone Leaders, and it was a pretty good time. 

I feel like that week was just too fast, I am not sure what to tell you guys.  We are just working and I really cannot explain how happy I am. The mission will be the greatest thing I ever do, and I will never regret one minute. I really can testify of the things I teach, in the spanish I have learned until now, and it is an honor and a priviledge to carry 2 names on my plaque. First the name of Jesus Christ, who I represent and who I love and who I try to follow in every breath I take. The second is the Murphy name. Although dominicans only know of Eddie Murphy and laugh because he is black and I am white, I work to make my mom, dad, grandparents, siblings and all other family members proud of Elder Dallin Murphy.

Love you all, 

Elder Daliln Murphy

1. This is our district, Elder Mendoza, Salgado, Vasquez, and Murphy

 

The Dream Lives On- March 5, 2014

So this was a pretty good week. First off though, Mom, I need to know my blood type. They told me that I had to find out and I don't want to get it tested, that is just a big fat waste of time, so if you could tell me I would be SO GRATEFUL!!

But yeah, we are coming along little by little here in Hato Mayor. We had 3 investigators in church, Francisco "Bocho", a lady named Noelia, and a guy named Norman. Noelia and Norman have been investigators for more than like 3 years, so it is going to be a test for me to try and get them to GET COMMITTED TO WHAT THE LORD WANTS THEM TO DO!! But Francisco is a newer guy. His kids and his wife are all members, and he is now wanted to get baptized. One thing though is that he thinks he knows everything and a lot of times he doesnt quite allow us to talk!! HAHA But it is pretty good stuff. He is hilarious, but just doesn't want a few "kids in terms of the things of God", in his own words, teaching  him. But we are all friends and he is coming along well. 

Also, there are a few people that are here that are just AWESOME. I don't understand, the missionaries that were here before really weren't trying very hard because there are so many people that are so prepared to recieve the gospel of Jesus Christ!! We are teaching A LOT and it is just so much fun. I love teaching, and we are just talking with nearly everybody here in Hato Mayor. That is a goal that President Douglas has for us, he wants us to TALK WITH EVERYONE and that is what we are doing. 

Yesterday we had a Specialized Training in the mission office (which is like 5 minutes in a Ruta from our house) and it was pretty good. They talked about how we can complete with our goals that we set, and President Douglas gave  us a good hard talk on obedience. He said  "there are some people who just think that they are smarter than the Lord. They say that they dont have to go out in the time slot of 10 to 12 in the morning because there is nothing to do, although the Lord says we need to. There are people that say that they can sleep until 7am instead of 6:30 because it doesnt do anything to sleep a little bit more, although the Lord says that we need to get up at 6:30. There are some people who say that it is ok to teach a girl without a man present because we are stronger than any temptation that confronts us, even though the Lord tells us what we need to do. We are not smarter than the Lord. Do what he says." GET EM PRESIDENT. I love that guy. 

Oh yeah one more thing! I got a package from Elder Bowles (from south Jordan Utah) because he is in Dajabon, the area closest to Haiti. There there is a market that sells ties for CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP and they are just sweet ties, so I am now excited. I told him I would pay him back but he sent me like 8 ties. Dad would love these ties. In the picture below, you will see a CLASSIC DR tie. FAT, striped and a cool pattern.

Love you all!! See you later

Elder Dallin Murphy

1. Check out that tie!