Week 14 from The Colony, Texas

So excited it's October tomorrow! Fall is so incredible here! It's weird to me that below the 80s is chilly now. However I really love the crisp air and the colors of fall so I couldn't be happier. This week was great, but it's so hard to wait for the coming weeks ahead full of baptisms!

John's is this Saturday after conference! We are so excited for it. He's probably among the most kind, sincere people I've ever met. He loves the gospel! He loves God so much. This past week he told us another detail that helped with his conversion. In 1946 he served in the Marines. He knew a man named Ray who was an LDS marine serving along with him. He noticed whenever they went out to get drinks, Ray would always just drink milk. Ray was made fun of a lot, but stood for his beliefs. He also never judged anyone else for what they were doing and seemed to love everyone. He remembers that to this day! John, at the age of 83 now, has a somewhat limited memory, but he remembers Ray perfectly. He asked us if there's any way of contacting him all these years later to tell him about the baptism. I've heard miracle stories of this happening, but you have to have a lot of access and all we know is he's from Evansville, Wyoming. That would be quite the phone call though! John also asked if I would sing at his baptism. Of course! I'm so excited for my first baptism.

The Davis family is doing incredible as always. Daisy was in the Primary Program on Sunday- it was SO cute. Now that we are covering both wards, we actually had the pleasure of watching both Primary Programs in one Sunday. Best Sunday ever. It's so touching to see how much those kids know. They know who they are and more importantly they know God and of His love for them. At such a young age! How incredible.. It brought tears to my eyes watching The Colony's primary program because I've grown so close to so many of those kids! The Lewis boys- who WILL get baptized if I have anything to do with it hehe, the Riegal boys- who have never been to church until we started visiting their mother, Daisy of course, and this little girl named Emma who reminds me so much of my Emily! I feel so lucky to be a part of their lives.

The other really fun thing we just started doing a lot is service! Little Elm has so many opportunities. We volunteer at the animal shelter and the Food Bank. The animal shelter is so fun! We literally just play with and socialize all of the animals and give them baths if needed. I am just in love with this husky there. We even include in our prayers now that they will all find good homes soon. Volunteering at the Food Bank is incredible. It's so sad, but it gives me a good perspective. Some people can't even afford the bare minimum of essential food. This is an emergency food bank and it doesn't have a ton of support, but it saves lives! So many people came in the morning we helped out. Lots of families would go hungry without it. It was so humbling to see what others have to endure and what they need are things I've always taken for granted. I made sure to thank the Lord super good that day for the food I had. It felt so good to make a first hand difference.

I better get going, but the Relief Society Broadcast was great! I love this church with my whole heart! I'm so excited for conference.

Love y'all and thank y'all for all your support!

Sister Dalling

P.s this picture was from our first week together so since then I have died and cut my hair haha. I'll post pics next week.

My Address:

5008 Pemberton Ln. 

The Colony, TX 75056

kristina.dalling@myldsmail.net

Week 13 from The Colony, Texas: Wake me up when September ends..:)

Hello everyone! First off, the most important part, my new address:

5008 Pemberton Ln. 

The Colony, TX 75056

I'm now living with Sister Garcia, whom I adore! Her daughters are off at college so she's all alone and saved the day by agreeing to house us. She's this tiny ball of energy- everyone who knows her just has to love her. And she's a professional cosmetologist- so of course Sis Allred and I are enjoying that. I honestly feel like God spoils me no matter where I go. He must know I need it. It's an outright miracle I haven't been homesick like I was when I left for college. I will go where He wants me to go of course, but for now I am very happy with where I'm at! Oh and fall is so incredibly nice here in Texas! It is undoubtedly my favorite season. 

I absolutely am in love with The Colony. I'm so excited I get another transfer here. So many miracles are happening. In October we are expecting at least 3 baptisms! John- Oct 5, Daisy- Oct 12, and Byron- Oct 19. We've labored for so long, and now God is blessing us with weekly baptisms. It's one of the best feelings in the world to know that I'm making a difference here. The ward simply can't believe the success we've had. 

John has such a sweet story. He's 84 years old and has been married to a member for over 40 years. He never gave any thought to being baptized his whole life until in January he had a really bad fall and needed heart surgery and a hip replacement. He had a blessing by some elders and he said he could feel the power of God exude from that blessing. He said the church that has that power is the true church on the Earth, and ever since then has been begging to be baptized. Since then he's made a ton of progress health-wise and can finally walk, so we have been teaching him the lessons. He just eats up everything we tell him. He loves it! He ordered a large print Book of Mormon and studies it for hours each day. Every lesson he expresses his deep desire to marry his sweetheart in the temple as soon as he can. His baptism is going to be amazing. 

The Davis family- Daisy, Jeremy, and Aimee- are doing so well! They come to church every week, have family prayer and scripture study, and are such a cute family. We are so excited for Daisy's baptism. She's 9 years old and incredible. When we asked what the spirit felt like, she said it feels like there's love everywhere inside you. Her parents really loved that answer. They are also so excited to be sealed as a family. I can't wait to be at that sealing. 

Byron is also a great story! He's dating this wonderful member in Denton, TX outside of our mission actually, but he lives in The Colony. He's been going to church regularly with her for a month. He's a history major and absolutely loves The Book of Mormon because of it. 

I feel so blessed to have these people in my life! There are so many more miracles to come. The huge challenge we are now facing is working with Little Elm as well. We are so busy in The Colony and Little Elm is kind of far and there's not much work going on. That will change of course, we just have to find the right balance. October is going to be such an amazing month! I'm so excited to be a part of such an important step in these people's lives. Thank y'all so much for your continued prayers, letters, and thoughts. 

God Bless all y'all and each y'all!

Sister Dalling

Week 12 from The Colony, Texas

 Since I thought I was getting transferred, I got pictures with a few awesome people :)

My district!! Elders Walters, Wills, Stewart, Rowland, Briggs

Elders Briggs, Wills, and Walters :)

Bethany- a friend of The Stocks in our ward who will get baptized as soon as she figures work out!

Sis Wilson-  Love her. She accidentally colored her hair purple this week and didn't realize until saw herself in the mirror at work! 

Jared- the triathlon guy

It was a crazy weekend! We couldn't figure out housing for the longest time. Up until yesterday afternoon, I was going to have to be transferred to Allen 4th Ward. Luckily the Bishop was inspired and found someone we could live with. I get to stay here another transfer, but sadly Sis Hansen is going to Plano 6 and 8 wards. Oh another bit of change is now I cover Little Elm as well as The Colony! So my area doubled in size. It's going to be a very busy transfer. We have two baptisms coming up in October for Daisy (hopefully Jeremy) and John. The fruits of the work are finally showing. 

It's been an incredible transfer nonetheless. A mission of miracles- especially with my incredible companion and friend. I'm going to miss her so much! It was so sad thinking I was going to leave everyone in this ward as well. One lady in our ward who's husband is not a member yet came up to me on Sunday crying because we were both leaving at the time and her husband is finally beginning  to open his heart to the gospel! They have 5 boys under the age of 12 and we have stopped by and done fun lessons with them occasionally, but for whatever reason Sis Hansen and I have been the first missionaries to impact him. All it comes down to is loving the people I think. It broke my heart thinking I would have to leave. They were going to have some spanish elders who lived a town away try and cover The Colony until housing could be figured out, but that would not do. Luckily God is on our side, this is His work, so He made it possible for me to stay. My new companions name is Sis Allred. I have no idea who she is, but I'm sure we'll have another great transfer ahead. 

Also it's THE weirdest thing to me that It's still nearly 100 degrees every day and it's the middle of September. Well we have to get everything ready for the next sister. I'll be at this address this week I believe, but I'll have to update my address next week for yall. If a letter is sent here when I'm already gone, it's not too bad because I can just come pick it up. :) 

Letter from Kristina's Mission President Devin Durrant

President Devin Durrant, Sister Kristina Dalling, and Sister Durrant

Kristina's start group (29 strong)

Week 11 from The Colony, TX

 This was from the day our car overheated and we waited in the nice man's gas station 

 the nice man who tried fixing our car :)

The elders in our district came to the hospital and gave us both a blessing and drove our car home for us. Love the priesthood!  

Thank you daddy for the Imagine Dragons :) My music is the best in the whole mission 

 the fainting incident.. battle scars

Tj's new puppy.. the cutest thing ever. I love dogs.

The week before transfers is so hard! I love my companion and this area SO much. I know for a fact I'm switching houses in The Colony so my address will be different, but we aren't sure yet. It will be sad leaving the Allemans. Megan Alleman is leaving on her mission to South Dakota next week and I have to say I love her so much and know she will be an amazing missionary! We sang for her farewell on Sunday and had a ton of people there! The Allemans are such an amazing family, I feel so lucky to have spent this time with them in their home. 

I don't have much time today but I'll share a few brief thoughts with y'all. I can't express how much I love the people I get to talk to every day! They are so incredible. I'm also so grateful for good parents who want to raise their children in a good church. We are working with all families right now and their children seem to be the biggest motivation. I am slowly realizing how powerful love between a parent and child really is. 

No matter what happens during the week, I always get a strengthened testimony of my Savior each day. I love Him! Sorry if I've shared this quote already, but it is one of my favorites. It's from Bruce R. McConkie in his last talk before he died.

"I am one of His witnesses and in a coming day I shall feel the nail marks in His hands and in His feet and shall wet his feet with my tears. But I shall not know any better then than I know now that He is God's Almighty Son, that He is our Savior and Redeemer, and that salvation comes in and through His atoning blood and in no other way. God grant that all of us may walk in the light as God our Father is in the light so that, according to the promises, the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, will cleanse us from all sin."

Also thank you so much Tom Goins for the letter and articles about how other faiths have recognized LDS members as Christians. It means so much! 

I love you Mom, Dad, Katie, Sara, Jacob, Emily, Quinten, and Prince <3

PS Just in case I'm transferred on Tues 9/17, please start sending any mail to the main mission office, so that your letter doesn't get lost in the mail:

Sister Kristina Dalling

Texas Dallas Mission Office

13747 Montfort Dr. Suite 120

Dallas, TX 75240

Hymn: Called to Serve! Sung by Sister Dalling & Sister Hansen! (Pitch Perfect "Cup" Style)!

Click here to listen to Called To Serve (Pitch Perfect "Cup" Style)

Thanks to Annette Goode for sending this!!

From Wikipedia: "Called to Serve" is a hymn sung in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). The words were written by Grace Gordon and the music by Adam Giebel. It is hymn number 249 in the 1985 LDS Church hymnal^[1]and is also song number 174 in the Primary's Children's Songbook.
The words to the hymn reflect a desire to serve God and consequently the hymn is generally associated with missionaries and missionary work. The hymn has been translated into many languages and LDS missionaries called to foreign-speaking missions are often taught this song early in their language training.
The phrase called to serve is associated with missionary work. Letters calling church members to full-time missionary service begin with the phrase "You are hereby called to serve...."

Lyrics:
1. Called to serve Him, heav'nly King of glory,
Chosen e'er to witness for his name,
Far and wide we tell the Father's story,
Far and wide his love proclaim.
(Chorus)
Onward, ever onward, as we glory in his name;
Onward, ever onward, as we glory in his name;
Forward, pressing forward, as a triumph song we sing.
God our strength will be; press forward ever,
Called to serve our King.
2. Called to know the richness of his blessing--
Sons and daughters, children of a King--
Glad of heart, his holy name confessing,
Praises unto him we bring.
Text: Grace Gordon, alt.
Music: Adam Geibel, 1855-1933

Week 10 The Colony, Texas, "Opposition In All Things"

Hey y'all!

The lesson I have learned most on my mission (over and over again) is that there must be opposition in all things. It seems like everything that could go wrong, does. I have tended to forget all the miracles I see because of the hard things. But I am growing every day, and now I can more clearly recognize all of God's tender mercies He has given me. There's no reason to focus on the bad because at the end of the day, I'm left with SO many blessings!

However, there is one crazy story I have to tell just because it turned about to be quite an event. Last Thursday was our planning day. It was a completely normal day, at the end of planning we went out to knock on doors. It was 105 degrees at 6 o'clock.. However Sis Hansen and I are very good at drinking water and we've been in much worse conditions on bike so we didn't think anything of it. We were out maybe half hour and we knocked on a lady named Norma's door. We had a somewhat lengthy doorstep conversation because she had some different ideas about law versus grace. I was sharing my experience with Christ and following His commandments and all of a sudden Sis Hansen collapses! I turned around, she luckily fell onto some short bushes instead of the cement, but she was pale white and unconscious. Jess and I rolled her onto the cement, and as I dialed 911. I was absolutely terrified at the entire situation. The ambulance came right away. I am quite proud of how I kept it together til they got there. I asked the men in Jess's house to get some damp washcloths and a pillow. Sis Hansen was bleeding on her face and her hands from the fall, so I made sure it was controlled. Then, when the paramedics got there and I stepped away, it all of a sudden became very real and terrifying. Sis Hansen has became the best friend I've needed and it was so scary seeing her like that. When she came to, she was hyperventilating, cramped up, and was not very cognizant of anything. They checked her vitals and got her on a stretcher in the ambulance. I got to ride in the passenger seat up front, so that was kind of fun actually. I made a few calls that were necessary to the mission president and his wife as well as a lady in the ward I knew could handle the rest. She followed the ambulance all the way to the hospital and made sure to call the elders to come give Sis Hansen a blessing. She was a huge blessing. I was too overwhelmed to handle much at the time. Basically the rest of the night was spent at the hospital. A lot of oxygen, IV fluid and a blessing brought my companion back to normal. Overall it was 5 hours at the hospital. The mission president even made an appearance. I was so happy to go home that night, I can't even express it with words! We never really found out what problem, but the important thing is, it's all good now. When you have a companionship like Sis Hansen and I, we are basically called on a mission to the doctor's office ;) It's been quite the transfer.

But. After all that craziness came a shower of blessings. We had so many people at church that we invited! It was such a good Sunday. We are working with so many who are progressing with little effort on our part. I absolutely love the people I've met. It's just been incredible being able to share my feelings about the gospel and Jesus Christ and witnessing the outcome of it. The biggest miracle I've seen- which I fasted for- was with a part-memeber family we are working with. The mom has been less active since high school and has a 15 year old daughter and two sons who are 4 and 5. Her husband isn't interested at this time, but he's very nice. They came to church! But that wasn't even the miracle. Her two boys are THE craziest children I have ever met. I absolutely adore them, but every time we go over they throw things at us, hit, and cause huge distractions. They are also the sweetest boys at times. They were absolute angels at church. They behaved so well! The daughter even is good friends with one of the young women. It turned out to be an incredible experience for them. So thankful for the many miracles and blessings I've been a part of.

Til next week!

Love,

Sis Dalling