THIS IS MY LAST WEEK!! From Plano, Texas

Hey everyone!!!
THIS IS MY LAST WEEK!!!!!!!!! OH MY GOODNESS. 
I can't believe it. Next week there probably won't be a ton of an update but I'll be home soo soon :)

I kind of have a crazy update so hang on! Please don't worry about me, I am doing more than great. 
So basically we lost our car in Plano :( They needed it for another area and our apartment is too far. Sister Acton and I are with different Sister Training Leader comps for the time being. I'm with Sister Gavin and Sister Peterson! They are AMAZING and I love them so much. I'm having a ton of fun with them in Garland. Garland has soo much work. We taught 20 lessons! 10 LTMP's- which I haven't done for a long time. The investigators and members here are so great. 
It's hard to be away from Plano, I miss my area, but it looks like Elders Maloney and Crandell are going to take over which is a good thing because we had to drive 20 minutes every day to just get to our area. President Taylor reassured me I'd get to say goodbye to everyone. They'll find a way! Right now it looks like I'll be spending Wednesday, Sunday and Monday in Plano. Crazy situation and its a bit stressful, nobody really knows what's going on, but it happens! I'm just in this weird limbo part of my life, but it's been an adventure. I can feel my Father with me every step of the way though. 

In Garland we're teaching soo many people! I can't tell you about all of them, but I'll give you some highlights.
James. He is so great! He's kind of a hard core black baptist and is SO funny! His ex wife and kids are Mormon. He is the typical investigator I've always dreamed of teaching! He is basically a black version of someone named Brother Lucas who is a service missionary. He'll be baptized soon enough! He came to church which was a miracle and watched the Christmas Devo with us at a member's home. Speaking of the devotional.... President Durrant said the closing prayer!!! I love him sooo much. Not going to lie, my eyes were open the whole prayer. I miss the Durrants.
Dean- he looks so much like John Cook! He's in his 80s and it took me right back to my days in The Colony. He came to the ward's Christmas party we had on Saturday. 

I love being a missionary during this Season! We get to do so many fun things with the ward and members. The best part is we get to share the message of the gospel and of Jesus Christ! It has been so great to use the "He is the Gift" initiative. I really love that video and we are sharing it with everyone!! 

We have seen so many miracles this week and it has been so great to be with these sisters. I even got to spend some time with Sister Nance! I'm sad I don't get to fully finish my mission in Plano but we are being so blessed for the situation we are in. I am so ready to work my butt off this week. I am so insanely tired but I want to give my all this week. A midst all that is going on in my life, working is the only medicine. I have loved being able to serve here in Texas. It has and will forever change my life. 

I'm so excited to be home and to see and hug everyone!!! 
I'll try to send pics but if I don't..... I'll be home soon anyways and I'll just upload them then. 

Love you sooo much!!!!!!

Sister Dalling

2 Weeks!! (NEW ADDRESS)



12/1
Hey everyone!! 

This past week was just insane! So much change. This last transfer is definitely the hardest of all. But it's had its blessings for sure.

Thanksgiving was great! We went to Billy's mom's house. Billy is a recent convert in the Allen ysa and his parents aren't members. He's going on a mission beginning of next year so its a great opportunity to get to know his parents. The food was amazing of course! I tried jiblet....which is disgusting! It's basically all the organs of the turkey in a gravy.. bleh. But I had to try it! Oh Texas..

Other than that we've had some crazy changes! 
We are living in an apartment in Plano 7 ward and they gave us a car because its so far out of our area. 
Our new address is 1201 E Park Blvd Plano, TX 75074.

So sorry but I have to go! Might be able to get on later. I'll send an update in a letter.

Love y'all! I'll be home soon! 

Love,

Sister Dalling

11/24
Hey everyone!

I just love this holiday season. I have never been more ready to come home. It's like the worst roller coaster I've ever been on! One moment I'm so sad my  mission is ending but the next I am so ready to just be with my family. I can't explain it! But God is definitely preparing me in every way to go home.
This week was kind of a struggle! The last transfer of anyone's mission is so hard and now I understand. I jut want to give my all and work harder than I've ever worked but at the same time 18 months takes a big toll on your body and mind. I have never been so tired in my life. 

We met with Gloria and Paola and both lessons went very well! Gloria just needs time to accept that she needs to get baptized ;) She is so ready and prepared! Her whole family thought she was crazy for looking into Mormonism but she read them all the pamphlets and they all loved it! Really that happened! She told us she especially loved The Plan of Salvation. She had never heard it explained that way and just found so much hope and comfort through it. She is very strongly catholic though so it's going to be a journey for her. 

LaRon's situation breaks my heart. His mom has to move to another apartment possibly in Mckinney by the end of the month, but because LaRon isn't covered by the same welfare as her, he will likely be homeless.. This has been such an eye opener to me. The ward council is going to do their best to help them through this though. And a family offered to have them over for Thanksgiving! I just wish I could buy them a house and give them all the clothes and food they need! In fact I just wish the whole world could have that.. Growing up is hard.

I gave a talk in 6th ward. It was on gratitude! I am so thankful they asked me to speak on that. Gratitude in all circumstances is what carries us through. There is always something to be thankful for. I also thought it was very appropriate to speak on gratitude as sort of my farewell talk from Texas.. It was hard and I cried! 

Keep our housing situation in your prayers! We have to move out of the Ashursts by the week of Dec 1.. sooo next week! And we don't have a replacement home. Really ridiculous I know! The mission office said they might have to double transfer us out if there's no housing.. Really sad and scary! I would be so sad to be in a different area my last 2 weeks. But who am I to counsel God and His plan? At least as a missionary, I know He has control. It's a good opportunity to feel "Homeless, Homeless, like the Christ Child was." Love that music, brings back memories daddy!

"True gratitude is an act of faith and an expression of hope and testimony." -President Uchtdorf
"Find the compensatory blessings in your life when, in the wisdom of the Lord, He deprives you of something you very much want.. You will discover compensatory blessings when you willingly accept the will of the Lord and exercise faith in Him." -Elder Scott
Acts 21:13 What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? For I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.
"Difficulties come into our lives, problems we do not anticipate and which we would never choose. None of us is immune. The purpose of mortality is to learn and to grow to be more like our Father, and it is often during the most difficult times that we learn the most, as painful as the lessons may be." -President Monson
"Though we are incomplete, God loves us completely. Though we are imperfect, He loves us perfectly. Though we may feel lost and without compass, God's love encompasses us completely.. Regardless of our current state, there is hope for us. No matter our distress, no matter our sorrow, no matter our mistakes, our infinitely compassionate Heavenly Father desires that we draw near to Him so that He can draw near to us." <3 President Uchtdorf

I love you all so much! 
I'm so grateful for each of you.
I love you Daddy! I love you Mom! I love you Katie! I love you Sara! I love you Jacob! I love you Emily! I love you Quinten! I love my Grandparents and aunts/uncles/cousins. I love you Prince! Thank you for each being a part of my life and shaping my future.

Love,
Sister Dalling

ONE MORE MONTH! (news from Plano, Texas)

Sister Acton is my new companion!
Wow! I can't believe it. In exactly a month I'll be with my family again!!
This week I've had such mixed emotions about it though. This was probably the hardest week of my mission. Let me tell you!!

Sister Greenall got transferred to Dallas 6th ward. Sister Acton is my new companion! I love her already. We are working hard and really enjoying it. I am so thankful for companions because we suffer together. 
This week was the coldest week everrrr! It snowed last night and has been freezing in the 20s and 30s all week. I've  never had to ride a bike in the cold like this (except in college). It is the hardest thing ever! We put on a ton of layers, it is pretty funny. 3 tights/leggings, 3 shirts, a coat, gloves, a hat. I'm hoping to buy more boots today! I wear my one pair every day. 
Last night while tracting we both just looked at each other, laughed, and said we were crazy for Jesus Christ. Which is so true!! 
LaRon's baptism was so amazing!! His mom couldn't come.. but at a lesson afterwards he said when he came home his mom said he was literally glowing with the Spirit. He said his baptism made him feel so humble. I don't think I've met a more humble person! He is so happy and so accepting of what life throws at him. He is truly my Brother Brown! 
I got to sing at church again and I also sang at a mini music devotional at a members home. They invited their neighbors and it was awesome. My companion was really nervous to sing but it went well :)
I'm so happy I get to be with her and help her. She said she feels so good to be working hard and being obedient. She thanked me for helping her feel accomplished. I love my mission! 

Keep us in your prayers! Stay warm and loved!
Love,

Sister Dalling

Nov. 10, 2014

Hey Everyone!!

Wow, I can't believe I made it to my last transfer. And we still don't know if either one of us is getting transferred. President Taylor is changing things around and so we don't find out someone is leaving until Monday night, leave Tuesday morning, and at the meeting there you find out where you're going. Crazy, right?? They do it this way in other missions I've heard, but I'm so grateful this is my last transfer change. It stresses me out! I want Sister Greenall to stay to bad. I just love her. I've really enjoyed all my companions. I've learned so much from them and we've all become best friends.

We are having LaRon's baptism this Tuesday! We are so excited. He is so awesome. He reads the Book of Mormon every day and his prayers are just incredible. I've always wanted to have a baptism through tracting but I was never confident it would happen! 

Brother Restrepo is also doing very well. Wow I love their family. We had some amazing lessons with him this week. We taught the Plan of Salvation one night and invited President Hall from the Stake Presidency. Br Restrepo just loves him. When President Hall was bishop, he baptized Andrea when she turned 8. So ever since Sergio has always had a connection with him. He knows he'll be baptized eventually, so we are really focusing on getting him 'active' now so when he does decide to be baptized he'll already be living the lifestyle. It is incredible to see the change in their family as he's starting to really listen and open his heart to what we teach. 

We also had Sisters Conference this week. Super great! It was all about not beating ourselves up and loving ourselves more. They also talked a lot about seeing ourselves as God sees us, viewing our true beauty and potential. We as girls are so mean to ourselves! It makes me so sad. I was super touched by something they did as well. On a white board, we wrote down a trial or hardship that each sister or someone they knew was going through. Then one of the sisters was asked to say a prayer for every specific trial. We were all in tears of course. It really hit me when I thought of how awful all of the trials were and how hard it was for the one sister to pray for each one. It made me realize a little bit more of the reality and power of the Atonement. I love my Savior! 

We had a lot of fun on Saturday! We made a ton of cupcakes and pumpkin bread with the Edwards Family. They have 6 kids so it felt just like home. We put all the goodies in cute packages with Book of Mormons and passed them out to all their neighbors. It was so much better than tracting! People just took the Book of Mormon and didn't glare at us or slam the door or anything! It was like magic and the kids really enjoyed it too. 

On Sunday, I sang "I love Jesus Christ" (click here for youtube video) again with an elder in Plano 3rd ward. It was great! Joakim and Christelle actually came and gave us a ride. It was so much fun spending time with them. And we stayed and listened to the Chinese branch for a bit. The spirit was so strong there. 

Those are about it for the highlights! The weather wasn't too bad last week but it's supposed to get super cold this week. We'll get members to let you know if there's a transfer change! But I hope there isn't. I'll probably send a ton of pics in a bit. 

Love y'all!! 
Sissy Dalling

Happy November!!!









11/3 

Hey everyone!

This week was a little slow but it was a ton of fun! Halloween was so awesome. I'll send a ton of pics. We dressed up with the Plano 4th elders who share our building- Elder Crandell and Elder Maloney. We were cowboys and Indians. Elder Maloney is Navajo so we had authentic face paint and really awesome costumes we made. Sister Greenall sewed my whole dress and we beaded it and put feathers on it. It was quite the costume! Everyone at trunk or treat loved it. 

But it was freezing. 

I wanted to dedicate a whole paragraph on my hate of this cold weather. Riding a bike in the freezing cold in a dress is a joke! It's a joke! It's only like 50 degrees and I'm already freezing and shivering. We'll adjust....but Texas weather changes over night and I was not ready for this! These are my last 6 weeks I get to show my faith and devotion like this though so I'm pulling through. But I am not going to sugarcoat it or tell people I enjoy that bike. Oooooh I am not biking another mile for a long while after this mission. But I do enjoy wearing winter clothes :) and everything else that comes with this season. 

Laron is doing so well! He is officially being baptized November 11th at 7pm. We are so excited! And his family is going to come. They are so happy and proud of him. At the end of our lesson this week, he was sad we had to go because he said he was just so hungry for more truth. He's just been starving for years! 
Our ward mission leader, Brother Thomas has been such a huge help with him. We are so lucky to have such an awesome WML. He truly magnifies his calling and loves missionary work. 

This week Sister Walker put on an amazing Visiting Teaching Conference and Sister Greenall and I sang "I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go". Which reminds me- transfers are this week! But I feel somewhat confident we're both staying...but we'll see! I hate the nerves until we find out. 

We need lots of prayers for Denise and her husband Wayne. On their anniversary trip, he got in a serious accident and injured his spinal chord and neck. He was in the ICU for almost 2 weeks and is slowwwly recovering. Denise asked for local church members over there in California to come pray with them and give him a blessing. So I hope even though this is a scary and sad time for them that they will see God's magnificent hand in their lives. 

I just always remember the line from Praise to the Man that says "Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven". It's so true!! We are being so blessed here in Plano. Everyone is always telling us how grateful they are for us and what a difference we're making. It means so much when people see and recognize that. I really love being a missionary. I can't believe its almost over! There are hints of Christmas just everywhere telling me I'm almost home! 

Well I love y'all! Can't believe we're coming up on Thanksgiving soon! I love and miss y'all so much!

Love,
Sissy Dalling


Me and Tyler <3 Love this kid! Nothin better than some football in Texas Fall



10/27
Hey everyone!

I'm so excited for Halloween. Can't wait to send yall pictures..we have some great costumes planned! You'll just have to wait and see. 

We had a good week.
Here are some highlights:

Laron is doing AWESOME. We call him Brother Brown- that is his last name. He is like our brother! I just can't wait to see the awesome things God does with him. He came to church again and should be getting baptized November 9th. On Saturday we went and watched him play flag football with the elders quorum. That was SO much fun. He was awesome of course. And we also watched Brother Chappell, Tyler's dad, and got to hang out with Tyler at the game.

Also on Saturday we went to a relief society activity and learned how to decorate cakes! That was so fun too. These women here are such great examples of who I want to be someday! I am so lucky. 
Sunday both wards had their primary programs. That was the most adorable thing ever! Lots of people invited their friends and the spirit was so strong. It was incredible to see the faith and love these children have for the gospel and their Savior. Our church primary leaders are just the best! 

That's about it for this week! Things are going well, but I know I need to have a good balance of focusing and thinking about home and not stressing out about everything. Life is going by way too fast! But I'm ready to hit the ground running and prove to my God that I love Him and will do everything I can to return to Him and bring as many people as I can along with me. I love Him! 

I love y'all! Especially my beautiful sisters- Katie and Sara. You looked SO gorgeous in your pictures. Write me!

Love,
Sister Dalling 

10/20/2014


My Dearest Family and Friends,

 I love you so much! These next 2 months are going to be quite the challenge. It's always a missionaries nightmare to get a call from home bearing sad news about our loved ones. This weekend was very hard for me, finding out my Grandpa Leatham has cancer.. Family I am praying for you day and night! I know people are doing the same for me. I can't tell you how many tender mercies have been sent my way this week. "God will never us forsake". I can't tell you the peace I have found in the Plan of Salvation, that I have an eternal family. I hope I can bring that peace to the people here in Plano.. I need to make these last 8 weeks count. 

I did have a really good week other than that news though. The work is really moving forward here! 
Denise is doing really well! We were totally meant to meet. She's going on her anniversary trip this week so hopefully theres lots to update next time we meet with her! She is so close to the spirit and just wants to help everyone.
I have to tell you about Laron! He is so amazing. He had a couple of lessons around a year ago with Sister Hanson ( my trainer)!  We found him through contacting a few weeks ago. They live a humble life and he just lost his grandma. He's 23 but very mature because of all he's been through. He's so full of faith and hope! He truly wants to be better and is soo receptive. We gave him a second Book of Mormon and he gave it away to someone at work! He is already a missionary! He clicked right away with Brother Thomas, our ward mission leader. There's this other guy named Sam who lives in the complex as well who joined our lesson.. He's an interesting fella.. . He asked about why we don't wear crosses and Laron told him it's because we wear the cross on our hearts instead and glorify the living Christ. Perfect answer!! He came to church Sunday at 8:30am, met the bishopbric. After sacrament he even went up to the speakers and thanked them for their talks!! In gospel principles he participated. We had to leave that ward early because I was asked to sing in Plano 1 ward, but Brother Thomas texted us and said Laron ASKED to be baptized on November 1! I couldn't believe it!! He is totally going to be a bishop or something someday. We were shocked and so excited. It will probably be either Nov 1 or 8. 
Yes, I sang in Plano 1. An elder and I did a duet to "I Love Jesus Christ". It turned out really well! And the best part was that Joakim and Christelle (basically his sister) gave us a ride to it and spent half the day with us. It was so much fun! He will always be my big brother. 
Another fun thing that happened was the great night we had with the Restrepo family. They invited some other elders over too and we had a huge barbeque dinner and watched the long version of Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration. I just love that family! Can't wait for the day that Sergio is baptized. 

Those are the highlights of my week! Opposition in all things, right? I have a huge testimony about that for sure. 

I love you! Keep those prayers coming.

Sister Kristina Dalling




Oct 6th & 13th update from Plano, Texas


Oct 13

I love my momma SO much! 
I just want everyone to know about this incredible woman. I can honestly say she is the woman I want to become! She has taught me so much about my divine role as a mother. I know I was not the easiest daughter to raise but we got through it together because my mom has been there every step of the way. And now I'm here in Texas and she's there in Oregon and I miss her SO much. 
President Hinckley said: "You are the bearers of the children. You are they who nurture them and establish within them the habits of their lives. No other work reaches so close to divinity as does the nurturing of the sons and daughters of God."
Thank you mom for being so amazing! I am so indebted to you for where I am now, for what I know to be true, for my relationship with God. Just as the Strippling Warriors I know what I know because my mother knew it. I LOVE YOU! 

We got to watch Meet the Mormons on Tuesday. It was SO much fun! I loved that movie, everyone needs to see it. It's such a good thing for nonmembers to see as well. We are relatively normal people :) It was so much fun to see everyone too, but also sad because that will be my last Specialized Training with the whole mission. 

Thursday we found an amazing new investigator. She let us right in and we just clicked! She's had a few contacts with the church, including DoTerra (love it). She was so fascinated by our missions. We gave her a Book of Mormon and she said she'll read it. We are meeting again this week. 
I definitely had my testimony reaffirmed of talking to everyone. We saw so many miracles just opening our mouths to those who were in our path. I hope I always open my mouth. 

Friday was so much fun! we went to a place called Shoppes at Legacy (which is an amazing place btw) with some other missionaries. We  brought a guitar and a ukulele and jammed out to Primary songs. It was so great! A dad came up with his little girl, we sang her I am a Child of God and the dad said that was the first live song she has heard! So amazing. And the Restrepos came to listen to us too. I love them!! Afterward we all went to the Restrepo's house and had a Mormon Message party. 

Saturday was great too. We helped out at a youth conference for family history. It was all about the Game of Life. So much fun. That night we sang at a baptism- I love singing! 

Sunday I hit my Sweet 16 month mark!!! We also had a potluck to break the fast with the ward. So much good food! The weather has also been super amazing. Just like Oregon! It makes me so excited to go home and feel that perfect weather every day. I used to hate it but now its such a relief. Except last night was the craziest thunderstorm, woke me up like 5x because the thunder was so loud and the light from the lighting filled the whole room. 
Sunday was Brother Restrepo's birthday so we heart attacked his door and gave him a spanish Book of Mormon with our testimonies inside. He loved it of course! That family is just amazing.
The first and only door we knocked on that day was this lady who said she had been going through a hard time and she was so glad we came by. We gave her a Book of Mormon and are coming back this week! It was so amazing to be led by God like that. Then that night we went out with Sister Walker who is SO amazing. We all have those people in our lives that influence us forever- she is one of those. 




General Conference with the Restrepos!

October 6, 2014

Hey everyone :)

I LOVE this fall weather. It's beautiful! It also  makes riding a bike a little more enjoyable. I'm excited to tell y'all about our week! It was a good one.

Elder Evans was transferred, which was sad. We've been working on music together since last Christmas! But his replacement is new to the mission, E.Lee is training him and he is also a cellist and a pianist. Of course, we are planning another musical number in their ward in 2 weeks. 
Speaking of music... Sister Greenall and I do this thing we call 'sing tracting'. It's quite the experience (haha), keeps things interesting for sure. When we tract and night it's always dark and creepy, so we wanted to think of a way to help us stay motivated to stay out. So when people answer the door we ask if we can sing a hymn for them. We usually sing "Nearer, My god, to Thee" and people love it! It is so much easier to feel the spirit and we hand out so much more material that way. Don't know why I didn't think of doing this sooner! 

We're kind of teaching a Muslim family--They are super nice though! Every time we go over, they make the best food for us! 
We're also teaching this guy who we found him through contacting, he's 19 so we might have to hand him over to ysa. But he almost got baptized at 17 because he's good friends with a member, but his parents didn't give him permission sadly. But he really wants to now. Work is the only issue, but he's going to try to make this a priority in his life! 
Right after his lesson, this lady walked up to us and asked who we were. She said the only reason she had never gone to our church was because she thought we didn't like black people so she wouldn't be accepted. We had a super good discussion with her outside. She has been in a lot of bad places in life through her decisions. She says all she wants is peace and knows she is missing something. She wants her 8 year old daughter to have the foundation she never had. She lost hope for herself, but wants this for her daughter. Of course we testified of the Savior's Atonement and how she has never done anything in her life that would take her too far out of the reach of His loving arms. Definitely cried in that contact! She is coming to church this week!!
I LOVE SISTER WALKER. I've mentioned her in a couple of my emails, but she is just the best. She is sooo busy, RS President, but always makes time to come out with us and help us with whatever. She is so close to the Spirit and just wants to share the gospel with everyone. She recently befriended her new neighbors and she is just setting them up perfectly for us. She brought the kids to youth activities, told the mom about General Conference, talks with her often about the gospel. Sister Walkers sister had a stroke this weekend, so she wasn't able to watch conference with her neighbor. But she asked us to stop by and explain it to her. So we did and she is so great! She recently moved from Vegas, got out of a bad marriage, has 3 kids.. She is so great! So we have high hopes for that as well. 
We also met another new investigator who let us right in! She's strong in the Catholic faith but is open. She is an awesome mom too! Basically taught her kids all the standards that we have in our church. Her daughter, who is my age, is just amazing! She wants to devote her whole life to service pretty much. Which is my dream too! Great family.
Thursday we had a tornado warning! And right after it was a perfectly sunny day.. Texas weather... hmm.. gotta love it! 
Friday we had dinner with Sister Dalling (haha). We went to Olive Garden- love that place!

GENERAL CONFERENCE WAS SO GOOD. 
So many of the talks were exactly what I needed. I loved President Uchtdorf's talk (of course), President Eyring just made me cry (love you mom!), Elder Holland's talk (possibly my favorite).
I loved the theme of prophets and personal revelation. We are just so lucky and blessed to have what we have! I just want every person in Texas to listen to Elder Christofferson's talk! Elder Klebingat's talk was incredible as well. 
Ahh I loved Elder Holland's talk. I remember when my family lived in Cali and every time we went downtown to San Francisco my heart could not contain the pain I felt for all those homeless suffering there. We are all beggars. We all need to do our part to bless others. I love Jesus Christ and His example to us. I love Mother Theresa! I want Christ to be able to say "She hath done what she could" about me. 
I loved Elder Perry's talk! And Elder Eyring's because it made me appreciate so much the parents that I have. In my notes I wrote "Thank you Dad for teaching me the meaning of work, for our unforgettable family trips, for our 101 teaching moments in the car on the way to school or practices. Thank you mom for making your family and house a home, for being the influence of the strong, loving woman I want to be, for believing in us and setting such a good example." "Who can put a price tag on the influence of a mother?"E.Perry. My parents are priceless to me! 
I loved when President Monson said, "To obey is better than to sacrifice." We have no idea the blessings and promises we are sacrificing, or even the protection, when we are not obedient. 
Of course I loved E.Bednar's talk! We watched conference with the Restrepos 3/4 sessions so I felt a lot of the talks were just perfect for him! I LOVE THEIR FAMILY. I feel right at home there.  You'll see, in the pictures they took (haha). I am just snuggled up on their couch. 
And of course I love our Prophet, Thomas S. Monson. He is so amazing, so strong. I know he is a prophet. I always love how he closes inviting us to resolve to do a little better, serve a little more.

Sorry that email was SO long! Just had a lot on my mind. It was such a good week! I love being a missionary!! 
Tomorrow the whole mission is getting together to watch Meet the Mormons so I am psyched about that! Love you all! 

Love,
Sister Dalling


Mission Update from Plano, Texas!


I sent most of my pics in my last email but here are the rest! Sister Cavalcante (from Brazil) is an amazing photographer and insisted to do a photo shoot. I will always love Sister Reboquio! Each companion has taught me so much!









I just love my companion! 
On Saturday we had a real Texas "Hoedown". It was way fun! Sister Greenall could not stop laughing when everyone in the room sang "Deep in the Heart of Texas" together. Oh man! Texas is THE best. Did you know it is the only state that is allowed to raise it's state flag at level with our country flag? And students say their allegiance to the Texas flag each morning in school? And we have the tallest state capital in all the country? Yep! Texas is something else.




Love these people! Seriously some of the best friends to be around. 


We went to the Perot Museum- which was cool. But it would've been fun enough to just walk around Dallas. Let me tell you though- I am so excited to go to Portland. I feel like Portland is a lot more fun than Dallas.. no offense to my Texans ;)



My first time doing a true face mask haha don't make fun, it was a blast.
I got to see TJ and Kaycee at the baptism!
Isn't that the cutest note?? Tyler is so amazing! 
The Lewis boys' baptism! It was sooo amazing! 
Tyler's baptism!! 
He gave us each this cute book as well with a sweet note inside thanking us for being his missionaries. It has been such an awesome experience to watch him and his dad as they progress in the gospel together. His dad has become very active in church and has become a worthy priesthood holder. Tyler looks up to his dad so much and it is awesome to see how strong their relationship is. Tyler's dad choked up with tears as he baptized son. It was a really powerful experience.

This picture was just too funny of E.Evans. It will be so weird to be separated eventually. Seems like we are just always performing something. He's a musical genius for sure.
And I just love Sarah and Shomari Lewis. Shomari is one heck of a father. I am so grateful he allowed that day to happen. They are both such an inspiration raising 5 boys.





9/29
Surprise I'm staying! Haha jk I wasn't even scared. I'm excited to have another 6 weeks with Sister Greenall! This is my 2nd to last transfer! Wow! 
Everything is just going right here in Plano. Things are just starting to happen. We had an amazing week. Of course there are always ups and downs but the ups definitely out weighed the downs. 

First off- HAPPY BIRTHDAY QUINTEN. Who would have ever thought I'd be saying that? Wow! We are so lucky to have you in our family. I remember getting a call a few days before I came home from college. Mom said "So when you get home, we're going to have a baby here...". And it has just gone from there. I loved taking care of you before I left and singing you to sleep. You were the tender mercy our family didn't even know we were going to  have. But you complete our family! Mom and Dad always said they wanted 6 kids. Through children- that's how we really learn of God's love. I never thought I could love and worry and stress and cry from joy and sympathy for a little boy I hardly know. You won't understand this now, but when you're older you'll read back on this and know someone in Texas loved you on your third birthday! 

The spirit was insanely strong in my life this week. 
We had specialized training- probably my last one! I got a little teary thinking about how far I've come on my mission. How much this mission and gospel have saved my life. We also got these amazing mission rings that  President Taylor designed. they say 'PRO'- which stands for Pray, Read, and Obey. These three things I will cherish and do for the rest of my life. 

Women's Conference was INCREDIBLE. I loved knowing that my mom and sisters-including Em- were watching it with me just a few miles northwest ;) I can't believe Emily is 8 now. And I LOVE PRESIDENT UCHTDORF. My face just lit up as soon as they announced he was speaking. He is like my Morgan Freeman.

This next highlight I can not even put into words and give it justice. It is an experience I will forever cherish. We got a referral from some other missionaries for this lady named Paola. They just talked to her on the street, she had been having a really hard day and when they talked to her and asked if she needed help carrying in groceries, she just cried. She didn't know what it was at the time, but the spirit prompted her to accept their invitation for her to meet with us. She told us this story when we met Friday night. She brought her kids with her and there was this crazy, instant connection between us. We told her about the Book of Mormon and she was listening so intently. The Spirit was just telling us exactly what to say. In fact we told her the Spirit would give her a witness and she asked what the Spirit was. We told her and then she made the connection that she felt the Spirit when the other missionaries talked to her. I also felt prompted to say some special things the Spirit told me to tell her son, Christopher who is 11. After ward Sister Greenall asked me how I knew to say that because Christopher got teary and obviously really needed to hear what I said. I couldn't explain it! Then early, early the next morning I got this crazy overpowering prompting from the Spirit that this was the family I've been searching for. Earlier this summer, I got a blessing because my back/neck pain was starting up again. In that blessing, it said that a family I knew in the Pre-existence would be led to me, that I would find them and recognize them. That they would change my life and I would change theirs. I couldn't hold back the tears! All throughout companion study I was just super emotional. I couldn't read a sentence from PMG without crying- I felt ridiculous! We'll see where this goes, but I know I was meant to meet them. I love them so much!!

Sunday we sang at sacrament and Elder Claudio Zivic was there! He spoke for a few minutes at the end of sacrament and it was so amazing! We  got to talk to him afterward, it was so great to have him there. It's sad that even when General Authorities are visiting their families' wards, they still have to sit on the stand. Great day at church though! All the speakers and lessons were just amazing. 

As you can tell, I  had an awesome week! 
I love you all! Here we go for another week in Plano :)


Love,
Sister Dalling



9/22
Ok! Here we go! 
I'll try to update as much as I can..
I hit my 15 month mark which is crazy! 
We served at a cemetery and I mowed a lawn for the first time in my whole life! I have been so sheltered- haha. 
On the 13th that was Emily ( my sister), Shomari, Ethan, and Jayvin's baptism! What an amazing day that was. Of course I cried thinking about what a tender mercy that even was. I thought those boys would have to wait until they were 18. Sarah has held on for so long- she is so strong! Wow I love that family. It felt so good to have a baptism again. And I sang with some other sisters at their baptism. We sang "A Child's Prayer". 
Also that night I sang at Stake Conference (click here to listen)which was definitely a good experience. I am just so grateful I get to sing ALL the time. It keeps my spirit happy! One time after practicing with Elder Lee and Evans, Elder Evans and I just played through all of our all time favorite songs..from Phantom of the Opera and Wicked. Oh man! You should have seen how happy I was! We probably played through them for almost an hour! Reminded me of the best times with my daddy. 
We have just seen so many miracles the past 2 weeks. We have found so many investigators and almost all of them are formers that we just happened to run into! Strengthened my testimony so much of being in the right place at the right time. We even set another baptismal date. It's not super solid but it's something! The wards are definitely building in excitement. This week we spoke in 8th ward. Next week we're singing in 6th ward. Almost every week we're doing something. 
Tyler's baptism was Sunday. Such a good way to end the week! It was such an honor to be a part of it. His whole family from around the country came. And they planned it to be on his grandpa's birthday. His grandpa passed away just a few months ago, so that was SUCH a special experience. 

I love you all so much! I'm working hard, trying my best. Time is literally flying by, so fast I just can't grasp it. Soon I'll be home for Christmas ;) That is my new favorite song by the way! 
Miss you!
Love,
Sister Dalling



And I just love Sarah and Shomari Lewis. Shomari is one heck of a father. I am so grateful he allowed that day to happen. They are both such an inspiration raising 5 boys.



Isn't that the cutest note?? Tyler is so amazing!

Tyler's baptism!!
He gave us each this cute book as well with a sweet note inside thanking us for being his missionaries. It has been such an awesome experience to watch him and his dad as they progress in the gospel together. His dad has become very active in church and has become a worthy priesthood holder. Tyler looks up to his dad so much and it is awesome to see how strong their relationship is. Tyler's dad choked up with tears as he baptized son. It was a really powerful experience.

2.The Lewis boys' baptism! It was sooo amazing!

This is from the catholic festival we went to that Brother Restrepo's band played at!
Sept 15
So sorry I really don't have time this week! I'll send a letter home that will be a better update. 
Went to Dallas today with some missionary friends, it was fun :) But traffic was awful. We just went to a museum. 
We had a great week! the weather has been incredible! Thanks for your love and prayers.
Sorry this is so short.
Love,
Sister Dalling

Sept 8
I can't believe how fast time is flying by!
Let me tell you about my week. Kind of boring, not much to report! So I got super sick.... I'm pretty sure it was the stomach flu and it hit wednesday night. I was completely out Thursday- slept 24 hours! Got super dehydrated the next day and slowly got nursed back to health haha. I'll spare you allll the details, but it was not fun. I finally started feeling normal again yesterday :) It was so hard being sick! Just miserable. All I wanted was sleep, 7-up, and ice cream which is just what I got! I am one spoiled girl! Mom, how did you learn all your tricks?;) 

Other than that, really there is not much to report! The weather is finally getting better! Everything is cooling down. Oh I have to tell you about our brilliant inspiration! We are going to start doing 'mini musical devotionals'. We'll go over to members houses and they'll invite friends and neighbors to listen to Christian music! It's so great! And it's already working. We announced it yesterday and someone already wants us to come over and do it tonight. Members are telling us about their friends left and right and the best part is we'll get to meet them! And they'll feel the spirit and BAM conversions will happen. I can't wait. It will be such a great use of our time. 

Oh also we had a fun Saturday! Brother Restrepo- our investigator- plays in a Catholic band so we went to a huge carnival at that church and listened to them play. It was really fun! And a good experience to feel what nonmembers feel like even at our activities. I totally felt like an outsider. I love that family though! They took us out to Cracker Barrel after and it reminded me of NC! I could hardly eat anything at all until Sunday though. 

We also met with the a new family. They are part member and have a tonnn of potential! She's the nonmember and has been going to church with him for 4 years. They're both 20 and have been married for a year. She actually grew up Muslim in Bosnia but really loves our church, she just says she's waiting for the right time. Which is NOW so that's good! She and I click really well, love her already. Stay tuned!

Spiritual thought: 
So Elder Zivic's (Seventy) son is in our ward. He's a ward missionary. Elder Zivic is visiting our ward in a few weeks, so I decided to read his talk from Conference! So good! He mentioned a few things we should always remember.
1.The works and purposes of God cannot be frustrated
2.We must not fear man more than God
3.There is a need of constant repentance
I love those reminders! 

Well! It's about to be a great week ahead! Going to see a few baptisms this week and sing at stake conference! 
Thanks for your prayers! I know they are the reason I was able to recover as soon as I did.

Love,
Sister Dalling

New Area!: Plano, Texas

The one on the left is my new companion, Sister Greenall! 

NOTE: NEW MAILING ADDRESS:
8708 Clearsky Dr. Plano, Tx 75025 

September 2nd:
Hey Everyone :)

Yes, it was sooo hot this week but we have been working so hard. I think the hardest part for me is having enough energy to do what I need to do at home..like plan, unwind, etc. I didn't think it was possible to yawn while biking like crazy in the middle of the day. I could fall asleep riding that bike. I'm soo happy I've only partially fallen asleep in one lesson- haha. Every time I think I'm working hard, it just gets harder and I realize I never even knew what hard work was. I used to take naps sometimes during lunch, but if I let myself sleep, I go into that super deep sleep and can not get out of it. So! Luckily summer should be cooling down soon. 

Sister Greenall is so great. We have gotten so close this week. She is soo good at guitar! So we jam all the time :) Well..when we can!
We got a lot accomplished this week. We had a super good meeting with the Bishop of 8th ward. The work should move forward very soon! We did a missionary training for combined 3rd hour that went so well. We sang at sacrament too, so the wards just love us! I am loving it here in Plano. The members are the best.
GUESS WHAT? I met some cousins of ours! The Dallings live in our ward. They are so great, we already connected that we are family because of Sugar City, ID. So good to know I have family everywhere I go. 
We met with John Paul this week who is a ysa returning to activity. He is so great! Meeting with him really reminded me that we need to all work on ourselves line upon line. That's how the gospel works! I love the talk by Elder Scott- "I Have Given You an Example." Read it! It's so strange because even though we are in different zones, Elder Munday covers part of my area because of the ysa in Allen. I cover a bit of Allen so he actually found John Paul for us. We had a great fhe with them last night for Labor Day. 
One more new family I have to tell you about!  They are so awesome. The husband is not a member yet but he is so prepared. He recently went to SLC and did the tour there with his family as they dropped their daughter off for college. Even though he has known missionaries for years, he is so prepared now! He said the Spirit worked on him so strongly. So we are teaching him and he came to church to hear us sing! They are such a funny, amazing family. Being with them is just a blessing.

Well I have to go! Hope everyone had a great Labor Day! 
Love you so much,

Sister Dalling

"Remember, heaven is filled with those who have this in common: They are forgiven and they forgive." President Uchtdorf

PS:
The Carrillo family is being baptized on Sept.13!!!!!!!!!! 
It's a miracle! I am so happy for them. That will be such an amazing day.
Also I can't figure out how to do pictures at this library so hold tight!

August 25th:
Hey everyone!!:)

First off, HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMILY, my love :) My goodness, I can't believe you are 8!!! This is such an exciting time in your life, and even though I'm not there physically, I am with you always. You're my little girl! My world would not be the same without you. I will always remember when you were born, and I was the first to hold you in my arms and sing to you [please see previous blog on a letter I wrote about Emily's birth]. A little baby girl stole my heart 8 years ago. I wrote you a birthday card so check the mail this week! 

So I've had an awesome week. Sister Greenall, my new companion is so great! I was nervous about back up training because sometimes trainers don't do the best job. But she is so amazing, she's like a sponge, wanting to learn more and more.  She is one of the best contacters I know now! She loves working hard, which is so great. We definitely get along. We both kind of go insane if we don't work hard, so putting us together is just awesome. I'm excited to see her be one of the best missionaries in this mission!

Plano is really slow right now.. People say when you're in Plano, you 'plan for 0'. Awful, I know!! We're gonna switch that around though. The members are just AMAZING. Member work is really key here, and they are so willing and ready. Covering two wards is a challenge. 6th Ward definitely has more going on then 8th. There's a ton of potential in both wards though, I'm excited.

6th Ward we are going to have a baptism on September 21st!!!! His name is Tyler Chappell. He's adorable. His dad is a returning member. Tyler is turning 9 this Thursday. I love him! He's so ready. Our lessons with him are great. 

I have to tell you about this one AMAZING sister in 6th ward, Sister Walker. She offered to come out with us last night, ended up staying with us for 3 hours. She felt a huge prompting to introduce us to her neighbors, then we visited several part-member, and less active members. We got so much done! She's such an inspiration because she was so nervous, especially with her neighbors but she followed the spirit and said she felt so much calmer after. She's been through so much in life, but you can truly tell that she listens and follows the spirit. And also the Briggmans invited their neighbors to dinner, we taught the restoration! We've been getting so many referrals and so much help from the members.

ALSO. I just got the news that the Lewis boys from The Colony are getting baptized Sept.13!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Shomari Jr., Ethan, and Jayvin!!!!! I love those boys so much. I'm sooo happy. Miracles do happen! I'm so grateful hearts can soften and change. Wow! Same day as my precious Emily Joy!  Also John and Shirlene are most likely going to make it to the temple in October! John was very sick for a while, they weren't sure if he'd make it but he miraculously recovered. The missionaries there say he still talks about me all the time and reads my letters and shows our pictures to everyone. I will always love The Colony.

I'm looking forward to all the miracles we're going to see this transfer! And I've already been asked to sing at church next Sunday and at Stake Conference in September!! I sang at a baptism on Saturday!:) I love singing :)
I have such a testimony of prayer. Let me tell you! My Father loves me, He listens to me, He blesses me so much. "It is of great significance to me, that I may at any moment and in any circumstance approach through prayer the throne of grace, that my Heavenly Father will hear my petition, that my Advocate, Him who did no sin, whose blood was shed, will plead my cause." -Elder Christofferson

I really love my mission. All I want to do is to be used as a tool in His Hands. I've never felt happier, more at peace, than when I am doing the work of my Father in Heaven.  He knows me, and loves me. And I love Him! I also love my family SO much. "Families are the treasure of heaven." -Elder Anderson

I am a happy missionary! But I could still use a lot of prayers! Love you all!

Love,
Sister Dalling

I'll probably send pics next week! Sorry!

August 18th:
First of all:
Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!!! I love you so much. I lost track of the years but I know it's over 20! I am so lucky to be your daughter. I love your love story, and I love how I'm a product of it. Thank you for finding each other, following the Spirit, and having an Eternal family. I miss you so much.

So I'm finally being transferred. Sister Reboquio is staying. Now that the time has come, I'm kind of stressed about leaving. God knows I need relationships with people, so He let's me stay in my areas forever, which makes it so hard to leave. Changing never gets easier. Leaving those I love just seems to get harder as I accumulate more people I love. I'm going to Plano 6&8, covering two wards, on a bike, back up training- which means my companion has only been out 6 weeks. This week is supposed to be 100+ all week.. I'm so tired from packing and cleaning and thinking about what's coming. I'm sprinting to the end, giving it all I can. I'm curious to find out what the Lord has in store for me in Plano!! Even though I know it will definitely be challenging, I'm ready and I will answer the call.

I don't have much time today because I still have so much to do! People to say bye to, stuff to pack.

Alisha was soooo sweet! She bought us clothes from Downeast. She even looked in the Book of Mormon and proved we had to accept gifts- haha. She is amazing, so giving. She even cried talking about her family who have passed on, they have their temple work done, and she knows they are just waiting for her. The veil is so thin around her!  So the ward is doing a fast in general for missionary work but I know many will be fasting for her.

All of our lessons this week were really filled with the Spirit. I almost cried in every one, even the dinner thoughts! I usually don't do that. But Sachse is such a sacred place to me. A place where I've really learned to let the Savior carry me.

I have some quotes I wanted to share:
"Jesus Christ is the Savior and Redeemer of the world. He is the promised Messiah. He lived a perfect life and atoned for our sins. He will ever be at our side. He will fight our battles. He is our hope; He is our salvation; He is the way." -President Uchtdorf
"What an amazing source of power, of strength, and of comfort is available to each of us. He who knows us better than we know ourselves, He who sees the larger picture and who knows the end from the beginning, has assured us that He will be there for us to provide help if we but ask. We have the promise: 'Pray always and be believing, and all things shall work together for your good' D&C 90:24". -President Monson
"Often the deep valleys of our present will be understood only by looking back on them from the mountains of our future experience. Often we can't see the Lord's hand in our lives until long after trials have passed. Often the most difficult times of our lives are essential building blocks that form the foundation of our character and pave the way to future opportunity, understanding, and happiness." -President Uchtdorf

I LOVE President Uchtdorf!! He is and always will be my celebrity crush haha in a very appropriate way. Love him.

Wish me luck this week! And please pray for me! Know I will try my best and will realllly try not to complain.

Love y'all!
Sissy Dalling

p.s. pics will be next week probably unless I get back on late! I forgot the memory card.
p.p.s. my address is 8708 Clearsky Dr. Plano, Tx 75025 living with members again!