The Evaluation

Hey all. This was a pivotal week for Dallin. He was given a questionnaire that would determine if he will continue on his mission, or if he will be done at the end of 12 weeks. He feels like the Spirit wants him to continue, but he is struggling. He is stressed and worried and doesn't feel confident in his social skills. If you could all please pray for him especially hard this week, that would mean the world to me. And help him feel peace and comfort in his decision. And-if you could drop him a quick note to encourage him and lift his spirits, that would be awesome!! His email is dallin.atchley@myldsmail.net

Hey all!

It's certainly been an eventful week! Buckle up - it's going to be a long email!

I was asked to give a talk in another ward yesterday. Haven't done that in a while, so it felt kind of refreshing! I talked about the Plan of Salvation, and what it means to me. It went really well! The Spirit was definitely with me, and I'm positive that the congregation felt that as well!

Here's a funny story for you: remember Ray, a potential investigator I mentioned a few weeks ago? Since our initial visit, we have visited his house a few times, but he never answered the door. Earlier this week, we approached his door, when the neighbor informed us that they had moved out. What?! Why would they tell us to come back if they were just going to move out? Honestly, I found it more amusing than frustrating. I got a good laugh out of it, and my companion did, too. We still have had no success contacting Rosalyn.

I went on yet another exchange this week (when your companion is the district leader, these things happen). I spent a day working with Elder Millet. Sound familiar? He's one of the zone leaders who stays in our apartment. We didn't even have to go to a different house! Anyway, it went really well! I noticed that he is SUPER out-going, and never missed an opportunity to strike up a conversation with anyone and everyone we came across, compared to my shy, not-outgoing self. Thanks to him, we were able to schedule a few teaching visits.

While some of the scheduled appointments fell through, we were able to meet with a truck-obsessed man named Scott. He is very nice and interested in religion. His really young daughter was there when we came, so we taught her about who God and Jesus Christ are. I think the lesson went really well! His wife made delicious sandwiches and jalapeno poppers!

Good news! Remember how last week, I mentioned that the apps on our phone were gone and/or not working? Well, they've been restored to their former glory! Thankfully, the apps are working properly now. The incident only lasted for one day, so I'm really thankful that it was a P-Day, rather than a day where we would need to use those apps!

More good news! Remember Patsy? I was able to see her again! She told me she had a lot of financial difficulties and such, and she seemed really distressed. So, I gave her a blessing of comfort and invited her to continue reading the Book of Mormon. She doesn't want to talk to missionaries right now, but at least it was nice to see her again!

So, I mentioned that Kaden's baptism had been rescheduled for the middle of March, right? We talked to President Seegmiller about it. He was disappointed, but he said something that made me feel a lot better. He said he truly believes that Kaden will get baptized someday, and that made me realize that I don't have to be around when it happens. What matters is that he just gets baptized. That will be enough to satisfy both me and the Lord!

During one of the sacrament meetings we attended, we sang all five verses of Hymn #284, "If You Could Hie to Kolob." That isn't a hymn we sing in church very often, but it's very special to me. I first heard someone playing that song on a piano at college, but didn't have the courage to ask what the song was called. A few weeks after that, we sang it during sacrament meeting, and I thought it was really cool! Also, remember Elder Hartman, from my first week? The morning before he left, he played "If You Could Hie to Kolob" on the piano shortly before he left. It was beautiful! A cried a little. Maybe more than a little. So yes, I really love the hymn, and I have a lot of emotional attachment to it.

Our landlords, the Zitos, received a TON of Dr. Pepper from one of their kids, and they said we can drink as much as we want! So, I may have diabetes by the time I come home. Hehe!

Transfers are this week. Looks like I'm staying put, but Elder Killpack is going elsewhere. I will miss him. I don't know the name of my new companion, but I hope that the two of us can get along!

One last story: as the two of us were walking home last night, a vicious German Shepherd escaped its fence and attacked us! Elder Killpack escaped scratch-free, but I wasn't as lucky - the dog bit my left leg, right underneath my posterior! It still hurts, but we got antibiotic and ibuprofen, and the doctor said it's going to be OK, so I'm not worried.  Just another trial in my mission for me to overcome. I'll be fine - I just don't think I'll be able to ride a bicycle for the next few days.

Take care,

-Elder Atchley

The dog ruined a pair of his pants. Good thing he has all that Dr. Pepper to help him heal. No photos this week, so that's a bummer. We are praying this new companion will be understanding and patient and kind.

The Really Rough Week

Dallin had a really tough week. A lot of his appointments fell through. He is pretty disappointed that Kaden's parents put a stop to his baptism. He is frustrated with the other companionship in the apartment. They are messy and one of them snores like crazy so he isn't getting good sleep. Please continue to keep him in your prayers. We think this week is when he decides if he will continue on his mission after the 12 weeks. And if he has another week like this last one, he will throw in the towel. Thanks!!

Hey all!

We had Stake Conference on Sunday. It was incredible! We sang all 7 verses of How Firm A Foundation, and there were so many good speakers! My favorite quote from it was "It is not enough to be members of the church; we must be converted to the Lord." I like that quote because it says you need to live how the Lord wants you to live, not simply attend church every week. 

This morning, something bizarre happened. The mobile devices' security updated, and every mobile device lost access to a large portion of once-approved apps, including the app we use for planning our daily schedule and map! I don't have my own mobile device, but my companionship still needs these apps, so I have no idea what's going to happen. I'm just glad Gmail still works.

We visited Isaac the other day. He's a nice kid! We reviewed some of the lessons with him, and he seems to understand the gospel fairly well! His baptism is scheduled for September 1.

I spent a day with Elder Policarpio. He's super hard working! He goes home in about a week or so, so I'm glad I got to meet him!

There will be a mission conference on September 7. A General Authority will be speaking, but nobody knows which one. I will keep you updated.

We found two potential investigators, named Rosalyn and Ray. They were both raised Catholic, but they said we can share the gospel with them! We've been trying to visit them all week, but could never reach them at a good time. We will keep trying, though.

We've been unable to help Patsy progress any further with the gospel. From what I understand, she's having some financial difficulties, and doesn't want to listen to any missionaries until it is resolved.

I'm afraid I have bad news. Kaden's parents decided that his previously scheduled baptism this Friday would be too soon for him, so his family pushed the date back until March. That's 7 months from now! 

Did I ever tell you how much I love reading The Book of Mormon? It's when I feel the Spirit the strongest, and it helps me have a better day overall!

Take care,

-Elder Atchley 

The Duck's Have Moved

Dallin sounds really good this week. Meetings and service-just living the life of a missionary!

Beating the heat with fudgesicles

Hey all!

Honestly, I am convinced that goatheads are the spawn of the devil. They have caused so many flat tires these past few weeks! They also get stuck in my shoes a bunch. Not fun ☹

On Wednesday, I went on another companion exchange. I spent the day with Elder Luju, a super nice and diligent Elder from Malaysia!

I had my first Zone Conference on Thursday. If I had to describe it in one word, it was LOOOOOOOOONG. It wasn't bad, though. The mission President said this mission was all about change, so hopefully there will be some improvements.

Saturday was all about service. First, we helped the Duck family move the last few packages and furniture out of there house. They have officially left now, so I will deeply miss them. I hope their new home treats them well.

After that, we went to a community fair, where my companion and I helped some younger kids make it through an obstacle course. I had a great time serving there! Someone even gave us free cotton candy!

We've continued to teach Kaden some more lessons, and he's loving the gospel! I'm so impressed at how much he's learned. He's even scheduled to get baptized in the next few weeks!

A young boy named Isaac moved back with his mom after being away for a month with his dad. I've heard he's planning on getting baptized soon, as well. I'll keep you updated!

Take care,

-Elder Atchley

The Book of Omni (Dallin)

Last Monday was a little crazy so I missed posting. Here it is:

Hey all!

I hope everyone is doing well! I'm good, but I'm starting to get tired of pulling goatheads out of my shoes. Haha.

On Wednesday, I went on my first companion exchange. My companion for the day was Elder Duce. He was a very nice and hardworking Elder! When he and I returned for the evening, the keypad to the garage was dead, and the homeowner was gone, so we had to go around the house and through a door that led into the garage, but was barricaded from the inside by a bunch of junk. Thankfully, I was able to squeeze through and open the garage door from the inside!

Did I ever tell you about Burger Bar? It's a burger joint that serves missionaries for free on Wednesdays, and their food is pretty good! I try to go there every week, if possible.

Kaden was excited to come to church yesterday, and he even bore his testimony!  I know the Lord will bless him immensely because of it! I'm glad the Spirit is so strong with him!

The Ducks have just about packed up everything and moved to their new house. I am sad to see them go, but I know their new house will be significantly better for them!

Thanks again for all of the wonderful emails you've been sending!

Take care, 

-Elder Atchley 

The people he lives with had 3 dogs. One of them passed away from kidney failure, and Dallin was pretty sad about that.

We had a family dinner at Steve's sister's house and she had everyone write a quick note to Dallin in one email. Dallin loved getting it and said he felt like he was reading the Book of Omni, just dedicated to him.

At one of his dinner appointments, the family was hosting an exchange student from Japan. Dallin got to use his Japanese, which he loved.

Japanese Exchange student