Hato Mayor Week 1- February 19, 2014

The first week in Hato Mayor was pretty interesting. First off, it is a pretty big ward. They´ve got good leadership, a lot of active men, and there are cars in the parking lot. It is rather different, and the Area isnt even that big. But it is pretty compact, with LOTS of houses. So what are we doing? We are tracting. I came in and there was about 1 investigator, which was a little hard since in Villa Gonzalez we had like 12 or 15 when I left, so why not go and look for them? and we have made up a great way to enjoy it more... We go up to people and say a random name ¨Julio Vasquez?¨ then they usually say ¨no, mi nombre es ______¨ then we start talking to them. It makes it fun because we have a competition. So far I have guessed a first name and a different time a last name.

But yeah, we have found some good people and had some funny experiences. One inactive member we found beating a chicken and a few guys who wanted to argue about which books are inspired and which ones arent in the Bible, but also we have really gotten some real miracles. People who LOVED sharing with the missionaries but they just didnt continue for different reasons so now they want to get back on the train! It is pretty fun. That is what happens when you talk with the majority of people here. 

Also, there are a lot of part member families here, so we are going to work with them too. And we are already seeing success! It is amazing how far a simple invitation can go. 

But I am asking myself - what is it that I can do to help this ward progress? It is already strong... So I am looking back at what the Northwood Ward did out there at home. Bring a friend to church day, and different things like that. 

Elder Salgado is from small town Peru. He is shorter than Elder Villanueva, which is pretty funny, and he is a good guy. He is a quiet but funny spiritual guy. He really tries to listen to people and to the spirit so that he can help the people. 

I am glad that the funerals went well. The Grow and Bollard families are both in my prayers, and I am so greatful that they have the hope that comes from the restored gospel of Jesus Christ so that they can look forward in this time. 

Love you all! Thanks for all you do.

Elder Dallin Murphy

Changes- February 12, 2014

First off, I would like to say a few things about a very special person to me. Sister Cristy Bollard passed away today, and it is really hard to imagine. Wow, I hope that really all is well in Irvine, I know that the Bollard family has the strength and fortified faith to get through this hard time. I remember the last time I had the chance to talk to her, it was quite a special moment for me. I know she is well, I preach hope and I need to live what I preach. Although it is hard and I will never be able to say anthing like its ok, we know that she is okay on the other side. She isnt sick anymore, she is just now cheering Charlie and I and the other missionaries on as she hopes that we can go help save people in this work. The Lord and his mercy are the most real things in my life right now, I can feel her presence and love always.

But I got transfered! Now I am in Hato Mayor, a part of Santiago out in the East part. It is pretty different here, theres cars and streets and no tabaco. Although I was a little sad when I found out that I was leaving, I know that really I am supposed to be here. I entered into a branch 6 months ago in Villa that needed a lot of help. The  mission work was next to dead. But now it really is moving quickly, and the Lord wants me to wake up another ward that is in a deep sleep, mission work wise.  My companion is a little peruvian guy named Elder Salgado, I am excited to work with him. MAN! We are going to do work. I will probably be with him for 2 transfers since he finishes in 2, then I will keep working here. So I am going to be here for a good amount of time. 

It was hard to say goodbye to a few of the people I have really learned to love out in Villa, although I knew it was a good thing I JUST WANT TO HELP THEM! One of the families we have worked with a lot just had a big step back, and I was like NOOO PLEASE NOO!! He relapsed to drinking and the wife is ready to leave. But! The Lord knows I have got to do what I got to do. 

I am excited for this change.  It was awesome to see uncle wes, He is the man. i got to hear the real story from his point of view, and MAN what a chain of miracles! The Lord wants him to do something in this life, and he will keep doing it. 

Love you all, stay strong. The faith we have is all we really have in these times, so I just say  KEEP WORKING HARD because that is the only way. 

Elder Dallin Murphy

1. Goodbye tobacco. Goodbye my love

2. This was our district, I still got those hoppy hops!

PS, this was when Uncle Wes came to town.

We work hard- February 5, 2014

This week was probably the fastest week we have had so far... I feel like it was just last week that I was writing you... I have some GREAT pictures for you all, but the camera isnt working with this computer so yeah maybe next week! Its just me with tobaco but theyre pretty great.

So Ambioris is just doing AWESOME but still his wife doesnt want to get married, so it is a little problem. She likes him a lot and doesnt want to leave him, just doesnt want to get together formally marriage wise. Yesterday we had a wonderful lesson with him. We asked him how his reading was going and he said ¨buenisimo¨ (that means really good) and sometimes he says ¨perfecto¨ and he is just stoked. He reads and comes to church without us even telling him to! It is just his wife. But, if its the Lords will, it will happen. 

Brian, Wilson and Brittany (14, 12, 10) are all preparing to get baptized in March, and we really want their dad to be able to do it but he works every sunday. Their mom was inactive for a while then we shared with her and she began telling me how she wants her kids baptized and to go on missions then she hasnt missed a beat since that time! And also, their dad´s younger brother (14) named Oliver wants to get baptized with them too. Wow! It is just pretty crazy how the Lord works. He just puts people in our paths! 

Ignacia couldnt come to church because she was with her daughter who was going to give birth: She didnt give birth, but she will soon if everything goes to plan. Ignacia is just really prepared as well, she has a brother that was baptized and she told us ¨ever since then I have said I WANT TO BE BAPTIZED¨ so yeah! She is stoked. Her husband isnt as stoked but he really wants to change. Miguel is his name, and is really trying to improve. He went to jail and was just not in the right group of people, but hes the nephew of the 1st counselor in the Branch Presidency so we have support there. 

Wes called! He is coming tomorrow to Villa Gonzalez to have lunch. He is so awesome, I cannot believe how well he has just come along. THE MAN!!!

Um, yeah we are just working hard and I am doing everything to be the best companion I can be. Although at times I get frustrated with myself because I can always improve, I am doing all I can. But I can and will do more. as always. 

Love you all, I hope you have a great week! BETHANY KEEP DOING WORK OUT THERE! and cole too!

Elder Murphy

Water and Fire- January 29, 2014

helo and Juan Luis got baptized this week! Wow what an experience! I baptized them both as Elder Villanueva had the opportunity to confirm them both. WOW theyre so great! People talked a lot about the fact that missionaries find those Golden investigators who are just ready to change their lifes, and they were two of them that were just ready to go. They´ve become two of my best friends, I am so glad they had the opportunity to come closer to Christ. (yes mom, chelo is haitian but he was born here and speaks spanish way better than creole. and juan luis is dominican). But juan luis moved the sunday after church... MAN! He was going to help out a lot here, but he is going to help in the ward he lives in now.

In church we had Ambioris, Wilson, Brittani, a man named Leonardo (picture) and this really nice lady named Ignacia and her husband Miguel! The Lord has really put some prepared people in our way. The only thing holding Ambioris back from being baptized is that his wife doesnt want to get married. Hes 48 and shes 25, but hes such a good guy! JUST DO IT! ITS THE RIGHT THING TO DO!! Leonardo came then on monday we had a lesson with him that just really was rather weird... creepy and sketchy. I dont think we are going back. For a more detailed story on that, youll have to wait. Ignacia is a rather poor lady who just has great faith. She has 9 kids, and she wants to change and help her kids grow in the gospel. The only thing is that shes not too sure if her husband, miguel, wants to get married. BUT WE PRAY FOR MIRACLES.

I have been really tested in my pride at times, and have learned that I have a lot to learn in my patience. I need to understand more of where others are coming from. I have a vision and I want to do it! But at times people on the sides are more important than whats ahead of me at the moment. The Good Samaritan had a good excuse to keep going forward but paused to help someone in need. I need to get better at that. I need to be more patient. I see in my studies that that is one great example of Christ, the patience. People fall, and we are here to  help them back up.

I love reading about Alma and Amulek in the Book of Mormon, what great missionaries they were. They had it clicking!

Is there yuca out there? its a root food that is really popular out here.

love you all, thanks for the prayers!

Elder Dallin

Through the fire and the flames- January 22, 2014

Heres the answers to the questions you had mom!

1. we still do English class! Not so much people come, but it is all good because I feel like the weak ones got filtered out from my hard core style of teaching HAHA just kidding, its good though. like 8 to 10 come, all haitians!

2. We have a baptism this saturday of Chelo and Juan Luis! They are such studs, they are working so so so hard to succeed and come closer to Christ, it is amazing. Chelo went to a young single adult activity with diego, miguel, and Nene and he had a lot of fun. But he kept saying ¨todavia me falta murphy!¨ which means that its all good there, but wheres his boy Elder Murphy? HAHA i love that guy.

3. Elder Rincon´s dad did die, which was hard. But he went home for 2 days, and was able to do some good work out there. He gave a pamphlet and a book of mormon to his Uncle and now his uncle is baptised. Its really amazing, I talked to him and he said it was hard but he is glad to be out here and just loves the work. hes a good example to me. 

But yeah, its been an AWESOME week. We had 76 PEOPLE IN CHURCH!!! HOW GREAT IS THAT??? I have never been so grinny in my life. It was the most ever seen in Villa Gonzalez. We had 7 investigators, Chelo, Juan Luis, Ambioris, Nene´s friend Carlito, and the children of Rosi, brian, wilson and Brittani. WOW! And 4 less active members who we work with too! AHH I WAS SO HAPPY it was so fun! Really I love it. Nene was saying ¨murphy this is your hard work!¨ which I would like to agree with but really its all just the blessings the Lord sees fit to give me. 

Mom, I know you said that you would like to come back to visit with me someday. I made the promise to Miguel and Nene that I wouldnt come back and visit until they returned from their missions. I hope youre okay with that, they leave soon and I wouldnt want to come back without seeing them. Theyre going to be awesome missionaries, nene goes out with us literally whenever we ask, which is like 3 or 4 days of the week. He always says ¨the biggest rule to the smallest, I am going to keep them. And if my companion doesnt agree, we are going to have problems¨ hes going to be THE MAN out there. 

But yeah, its been a real special time here. We are helping people out and I feel so much like a servant of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. My life is this work, and I wouldnt change it for anything. I want so bad to help these people! They are so great. I have never been so happy, and it is a little sad to think that I am already a fourth of the way done. i have to use my time wisely!

Love you all, thanks for your prayers. 

Elder Murphy

p.s. I remembered it was Mallory Mortensen´s bday on the 20th, I hope shes finishing up these papers because THIS ARMY OF 80000 MISSIONARIES NEEDS HER TOO!

Another week of the good life- January 15, 2014

HAHA I never knew you were so funny at home, reading all the emails I get just makes me realize that maybe I should have given you all more credit for your sense of humor. 

It was a pretty regular week, nothing too crazy happened. The work is pretty similar every day, but I love it!

I´ll start with the questions my mom asked:

1. How is your branch doing? - Man its great. We are just seeing a lot of help from a lot of members. We had about 60 people in sacrament meeting last week, 5 less actives and 4 investigators. People are stoked about the gospel! I sometimes act here as Elders Quorum President, and sometimes as Branch President because people just dont finish their job at times here. but we work hard and we do well!  Nene and Miguel are almost done with their papers, and it is just a good way to see things go. One thing though about Villa Gonzalez is at times people dont see the importance of fidelity, and it really kills the spirit at times. But why do we fall? to learn to pick ourselves back up.

2. Investigators?- Chelo and Juan Luis have baptismal dates for next saturday, and it all looks pretty good. We are hoping that the Lord provides, but really it is too great. We are setting a lot of baptismal dates on people, and we are seeing a good response! People want to make the covenants with the Lord, and that is just an inspired way to help them with that. 

Zone Conferences? we have them every other transfer, and I am pretty sure I have told you about them! But our zone was split, and now it is just 16 missionaries. And we have a 4 missionary district, the 4 missionaries in Villa Gonzalez. 

But yeah, we really are just living life and loving our time here in Villa Gonzalez. I have to really work hard and keep at it, and as it says in Preach My Gospel, Diligence is to work hard, especially when youre tired and not too excited. i have realized really a few things in personal study, but especially the words of Jacob in Jacob 1:19, which talks about how if we don't work hard enough, the blood of the sins of others stain OUR garments in the last day. If we don't do all we can in our short time here, we are just bringing more condemnation upon ourselves. (Moroni 9:6) But it really is the funnest time of my life and I have never really enjoyed 6 months so quickly. Oh yeah, happy 6 months!

Thanks for all you do. I love you all, and hope you keep working hard!

Dallin Murphy

Week 1 of 2014- January 8, 2014

MAN the Lord is way too nice to us. I will explain why I say that in a second. But wow austin DOING WORK IN THE FREEZE what a guy. I hope people realize what he does for this work. But for those people who told my mom that I looked burnt in the picutures, thanks... now I am going to get the sunscreen talk AGAIN. HAHA just kidding, but really I dont get sunburnt. Ive gotten burnt like 2 times here, I am just a nice dark version of what you all know. Just turning into a true Dominican!

IF WES CAME TO SANTIAGO THAT WOULD BE SO COOL! I hope that would mean I would be near Santiago, you never know with these transfer things. I am just taking advantage of the good time I have in Villa Gonzalez. We had the branch council meeting, and the Branch President said ¨look everyone, I know that there were many people here on their knees PRAYING that Elder Murphy would stay. Take advantage of it! work with the missionaries!¨ and that made me feel good to know that they think of me that way.

But man, the Lord helped us A LOT. We found Ambioris, an AWESOME guy, once again after not finding him for 6 weeks. He came to church, hes reading a lot in the Book of Mormon, he is really working hard to come closer to Christ. Also, Juan Luis came to church, and also Lin. But one AWESOME thing was when I was up to give my testimony, this less active lady and her son came in, Rosy and Wilson. I WAS SO HAPPY I almost couldnt control breaking out in a HUGE smile. And I kind of did. And she liked it a lot, and now wants her kids to get baptized! Wow! and they want to too! The Lord really places people in our way. 

Chelo didnt come to church, so we had to reschedule his baptism until the 25th. It is ok, he is fine with that. He really rocks, and is really ready. We wont postpone again. 

Monday, we went out at 10am to get to work. A lot of missionaries dont even go out at 10 because in the morning it is hard to find people. But we do what the Lord says and we went out. We stopped at a 3 way intersection and I asked Elder Villanueva which way we should go. He said left. We walked up a street we had tracted on like 6 times, and just began walking. I saw a guy sitting in his seat, and we passed his house. I said ¨Lets go back¨ so we talked to him. LESS ACTIVE MEMBER! He expressed his real desire to change and put forward a plea for help. We are going to do all we can. But yeah, it was a cool little miracle. 

But, it was a great week. I enjoy every minute and my testimony is growing so much. Villa Gonzalez is great. 

Love you all, keep it up!

Elder Murphy

p.s. If anyone wants to see the cutest christmas card, look at Alyse and Tommy Leininger´s. I now have that in my scriptures to show people because MY GOODNESS HOW CAYUTE!!