Highlights of June through Pictures

 

10 Months -- 300 Days

How are you doing this week? What all have you guys been able to be up to lately? Any fun 4th of July and also Father's Day plans coming up in the next 3 weeks?

I had a very great week and was able to learn so much about who Heavenly Father wants me to be and to be able to continue to help and bless those lives around me. It made me think of Alma the Younger when he is forced with a decision on which path in life he is going to pursue. Just like Alma, we all have times in our life that we are faced with very key and pivotal decisions to make. I know Heavenly Father is always there with us and He is always there to bless us.

On Wednesday morning, Elder Moorwood left to go to New Albany. Me and Elder Johnson are now here in Wadsworth and chugging a long, making lots of good improvement with this area and seeing many of blessings and miracles. We headed down to Canton on Wednesday night to do a split exchange with those elders. While me and Elder Vaughn were driving to the Canton apt, the skies opened up and we literally almost had to pull over at 9:30 at night on the freeway because there was so much water and the wind was blowing super fast! So crazy but we made it safely to the apt, just not before we were engulfed with drenched clothes and happy smiles on from laughing at the situation.

Friday we were able to help a non member couple out at their house all day. It was MY favorite thing to do because . . . We got to shovel rocks and put them over the black fabric in their flower beds around their house. They had ordered 8 tons of rocks, so me and Elder Johnson worked from 10 am to 3 pm that day, with a lunch break of course. They also had us dig out 4 strips of grass and then lay rocks there too as well. So basically like what you guys have been doing at the house lately. We were able to share a message with them, which was Mosiah 2:17 and they all loved it, and it was fun to know that we were the first missionaries to be allowed to their house in almost 9 yrs since their last experience with them. And they said they very much appreciated us.

Now we get to Friday night which was so eventful! So, we got back to the apt and finished weekly planning, and then we were going to go change and get ready for a lesson we had scheduled that night. The member who the lesson was with called us and said he had pizza for us. So we both went down to the lobby of the apt and got the pizza. It was then that we realized we didn't have the keys with us and the door is an automatic lock on our front door. So we then proceeded to call the housing spec, and then 8 locksmiths (4 of which were stationed in Columbus 2 hrs away). After 90 min of being locked outside the apt (we did have pizza and brownies so that was good 😉), we got a hold of a locksmith here in Wadsworth and he came and got us back into the apt. And then, to make things even more exciting!! Another member family called us and said they wanted to buy us both ice cream from a really good place called Biddingers down the street. So we got ready quick since we were still in service clothes and then we had our district devotional after we got back from ice cream. A super fun day and many blessings were sent our way, as well as we now double and triple check we have both the key and the spare key to the apt 😉.

On Saturday morning, we had our weekly zone call with President and Sister Stratford. We haven't heard anything yet on quarantine and being released and allowed to go back outside yet, so we will see in the coming days and weeks what happens with all of that. President said that for right  now, as far as the new clothing goes for elders, it will be just the campus and university missionaries (OSU, Youngstown state, and Kent State universities). He said they will start letting all new missionaries coming here know to bring blue shirts from now on. He said it will be a gradual implementation of the whole mission using blue shirts and such, as the are presidency continues to approve everything.

We went back over to the non member house (the Kovacs) and finished up moving all 8 tons of rocks around their house. And oh man, it looks so so good! I was telling Elder Johnson they should just call us the landscaping crew haha! And the Jackson family (members) live right next door to the Kovacs. We were talking with them and Sister Jackson said they have family living in PAYSON UTAH and they will be traveling out to see them for a month, and leave to go to Utah on June 26th. I gave Sister Jackson mom's number so she can reach out to her and maybe meet up if it all works out and such. Super small world. Funny how things work out to where people meet and see they know similar things about others.

Sunday was just a regular day for me. We did the sacrament and listened to Hyrum Smith's talk called 'Why 1820' about the first vision and restoration. And then we had a lesson with the Zurrar family over facebook messenger. Then we decided to go on a walk to a park. It was so pretty and we walked by a train track which was cool. On the way back the apt, these 2 ginormous dogs started chasing us!! Me and Elder Johnson took off running down the street! The guy who lives there came and brought his dogs inside, but man oh man it gave us a run for our lives pretty much. I also gave the devotional again for the district devotional we have over messenger. It was fun and I did it on a vision of "The Belief window" and what small things we can see when our vision is pushed outward on the things that God gives us to be happy and keep motivated everyday.

It was such a great and very rewarding week. If someone would've asked me 91 days ago (that's how long quarantine has been now), if I would be happy in these conditions, I would have a different answer than I have now. I was listening to a talk by President Nelson on Saturday called "Spiritual Treasures" or something close to that. But in it, he talks about how we can make a "heaven, out of our own surroundings". So basically, we can take something that is not the best environment and location, and we can make it so beautiful and wonderful. That is my testimony now. Is that despite what may be going on around us, we have the unique priviledge and opportunity to be GREAT today and always! I remember that was my platform for Student Council, was that we can truly be changing the world, just by how we are acting and choosing to live our days, everyday. :) It's so beautiful what all we can do with a smile and a warm wave and happy and energetic HELLO 😁 

P.s. We decided we are going to celebrate in 9 days because it will be 100 days since we got quarantined, so we may have to do something celebratory for the momentous occasion.

My invite for all of us this week is going to be so so fabulous I think.

It is to: Wake up every morning and look yourself in the mirror and say, 1.) Today will be my best day yet, 2.) I'm going to serve someone today, and 3.) I'm going to trust Heavenly Father today.

We will be blessed as we continue to look to the positive and optimistic mindset of everyday life. Even 91 days now in self isolation and quarantine in the apt and houses, we can all be making amazing impacts on peoples lives just by who we are choosing to be everyday.

Also, I wanted to let you guys know that transfers are next week on Thursday June 25th, so pday will be Wednesday  June 24th. And then I will call for Father's Day as well on Sunday June 21. We have 17 new missionaries coming in next week. I'm not sure if that's re-assignments or new  ones, so we will see what they say next week. We also have zone conference this week, and sadly 😥 it will be over zoom call which means we won't be able to see Stratfords again before they leave on June 30. But it's okay though 'cuz we will see them after the mission since they just live in Ogden Utah :) 

Dad, Happy Fathers day to you (on the 21st 😁), Happy Fathers day to you, Happy Fathers day dear dad, Happy Fathers day to you! Thank you so much for your amazing and tremendous example and leadership to me and our family everyday, and to everyone you meet. You are incredible, and I love you lots.

How is Salem doing? I saw that Salem Hills baseball won some tournament this last week, which is super cool! Have you guys heard anything on Salem Days and if they're going to be having it this year and if so, what the regulations will be?? Church will be good to start back up on July 29 for you guys. I I'm hoping Ohio and the North America Northeast wards and stakes can get info on when we are going back??🤷‍♂️ But, all will be good though, just keep staying optimistic and hopeful.

Grandma ockler sent me a letter this last week so that was so fun to open! Tell her thank you for me please! 😁

I love and miss and pray for you guys everyday and am so so truly grateful for everything that you guys do for me! These last 10 months wouldn't have been possible without you guys all supporting me, thank you thank you! I'm so so excited to talk to everyone today!

I love YOU ALL Forever and Always!

Elder Dylan ❤💞💛

A Dead Turtle on the Road

How are you all doing this week? How did all of your activities and adventures go? Anything fun or exciting happening recently?

It has been officially 12 weeks today, that we have been in self isolation/quarantine. Which means it's been 84 days of not a whole lot of human face to face contact for us. I think we are starting to feel it, and go pretty stir crazy. I literally felt like it was Saturday and Sunday all week long. I don't even remember what day it is. I keep saying that if we make it to transfer day in 2 weeks, we will have to celebrate because transfer day is 100 days of quarantine.

Also, I will hit my 10 months on the mission this upcoming Sunday June 14th!! It honestly is so crazy how fast time has flown by, and how much faster it is flying by every week now. What a great 10 months! :) 

Mid Transfer transfers are happening this week on Wednesday. We found out the news last night, and I will be staying here in Wadsworth with Elder Johnson. Elder Johnson will now be the district leader to finish out the transfer. Elder Moorwood is getting transferred down to New Albany. I have loved Wadsworth the last 2 weeks and I'm so so happy I get to stay here a little longer 😁😁🤙We have 14 elders and 1 sister coming this week who have been re-assigned; and then 25 re-assigned missionaries coming on June 24th. Lots of things coming our way! 😉

I had a very very great week, and I'm so excited to tell you all about it.

On Tuesday we had interviews with President and Sister Stratford in the morning down in the city of Massilon, and after those got over we went to a really cool Catholic cathedral and took a few pictures of us in front of it. It was super sad though that day, because that was the last time that we will get to see the Stratfords here in Ohio. They said that zone conference next week will be over zoom. I'm going to miss the Stratfords so so much! They have been so great to and for me, truly a "grandma and grandpa" for the mission 😉 and then we came back to the apt and ate lunch, and did comp study, kind of just stuck around the apt. 

Wednesday we had district council and it was super fun! District council's have to be one of my very most favorite things of the whole entire week, especially with being inside right now. We went on a training visit with the Canton elders that night. Me and Elder Moorwood went down to stay the night with Elder Draper in Canton. I was able to drive while we were on the exchange, and ah it was just the best feeling to drive again. 

Thursday was a superb day! We had 5 lessons down in Canton, and were able to teach in some of them about Moses and the importance of knowing that we truly are all sons and daughters of our loving Heavenly Father. Me and Elder Moorwood made a video of us doing a baptismal interview role play and sent it into the zone chat, so that was pretty fun. Overall, super great day!

Friday was pretty standard, but we did have some excitement as people were out protesting all day and some cops had to show up to make sure everything stayed safe for everyone. We had weekly planning, and then listened to some talks, as well as went over to the church bldg and had our district devotional that we usually try and have on Fridays and Sundays, and it was super fun, and some very cool things are always shared, so it makes it one of my favorite things during the weeks too.

Saturday was great! We went on some walks and unfortunately nobody was able to do a video or a phone call with us for a lesson, so instead, we wrote scriptures on some 3x5 cards and took them around Wadsworth to 4 or 5 different families. They all loved them super a lot and we even got some food out of one family since they appreciated the notes so much. We watched THE RM movie on Saturday night and it was super good and fun to watch.

Sunday was amazing, as is every Sunday! We did some personal study, and then took the sacrament, and then we went on a walk. On the walk, we met a guy named Jim and were able to talk with him for about 10 min. He is super cool and shared some of his background with us. He loves God and we were able to share with him some things we believe in, so even better. The Lord has a hand in all things, even in walks during the day 😉 We were able to have 2 lessons that night with 2 member families and talked about the Restoration and why/how the Book of Mormon plays such an important and crucial role in the Restoration. I also gave the devotional that night for the district devotional that we do. I did it on Elder Utchdorfs talk,  A matter of a few degrees.

Some fun things we did this week: 

- Went running at Rittman High School track and I had some fun times running the 5ks for my workout by myself

- Had some Taco Bell, Burger King, and went on some walks during the week to counteract Taco Bell and Burger King 😉😁

- Did some drives up to Hinkley reservoir and walked around up there (super super pretty area).

- We saw a snapping turtle on the road and just as Elder Johnson was going to pick it up, it got ran over by a car and passed away sadly. So that's where the title of this email comes from ;) 

- It rained for about 2 hrs on Thursday down in Canton, and I was possibly thinking we might need to build a boat

My testimony has been strengthened so very much this week. Everyday when I wake up now, I think about the Savior Jesus Christ and about how He must've felt for those 3 or more long hours when He was in the garden, suffering for each of us. When I think about 84 days of quarantine, all of those days are already paid for by Jesus Christ. What we learn here in quarantine will be what Heavenly Father uses to help other people in the future. And I love Elder Holland's talk where he says, "This isn't a dry run, this isn't a rehearsal; this is it! So we have to make the most of it". I know Jesus Christ lives, and I most certainly know that He truly is there for each of us as we come to Him with a weak, humble, and submissive heart, and then allow Christ to make out of ourselves, what we can't do alone. Philippians 4:13 😁👍

My invitation for all of us this week is something that I think we all are going to love.

The invitation is to: Make a plate of cookies and take it over to a neighbor's or a friend's house and leave it on the doorstep and ring the doorbell, and then run and hide, and watch the people open the door. 

I love this weeks challenge, because Jesus Christ truly did minister and serve not by what He said, but ultimately by what He did and how He did it, which was with: LOVE ❤

What's the update on working from home for NSP? Parker was saying on Friday that NSP will be working from home til September 7th, and Garrett will be at home til Sept 7th I think too. Father's Day is in 2 weeks. Sean, were you able to hear back on your job you put in for at work bro?

I pray for all of you guys every single day, and I truly truly miss you guys so so very much. I'm grateful and so eternally happy to know that you're all doing so great and continuing to stay happy and doing such great things 💛 

I wanted to share a quote I heard this week that I love: "The finest and brightest things in life aren't things; they're PEOPLE". People are great and meeting new people are so awesome!

I'm so excited to talk to you guys today!!

I love YOU Forever and Always!

Elder Dylan

Wadsworth, Ohio . . . Day 77

How are you all doing this week? My week was very eventful and adventurous! And some changes have happened, but I know that the Lord truly does have a plan for every single one of us. My testimony has been strengthened a lot in these last few days, and I'm so grateful that even when the "furnace" is hot, that Jesus Christ who is the refiner, "cools" us off with His loving sacrifice. I was reminded this week about the talk called, "The Gardener". In the talk, the gardener cuts down this big and beautiful current Bush, and the current Bush is unhappy because now the Bush is not beautiful and big. The bush asks the gardner why it cut it down, and the gardener replies with, "If I would've let you grow, you wouldnt have been what I wanted you to be. You will thank me, for loving you enough, to hurt you". I would like to ditto that statement: "You will thank me for loving you enough, to hurt you". Heavenly Father is in control, He is the gardener. Sometimes things don't make sense to us, but they do make sense to Him. Always remember that when all hope seems lost, "hope is never lost (Elder Holland)" when centered on Jesus Christ. 💛

So, I am now in the city of Wadsworth, Ohio and I am with Elders Johnson and Moorwood. I am speaking English now, and so it will be good. Elder Johnson has a Division 1 scholarship to play basketball at Oregon next year, he graduated from AF high school in 2019. Elder Moorwood graduated from Snow Canyon in 2018, and is going to be doing environmental science stuff when he gets home. It's been fun to now be in a trio companionship. I've been learning so so much! Also, I found out that Lebron James' mom lives here in Wadsworth! Not sure exactly where, that's just what everyone has been telling me. That's pretty cool, maybe I'll get to meet her! Elder Moorwood is also the district leader, so that's been pretty fun to be around again too.

Here is my new address:

195 South Pardee Street, Apt 307
Wadsworth, Ohio 44281

Wadsworth is such a cool place, and it has been super sunny and blue skies here which is super good too and I'm loving the good weather 🤗😉☀️

We have had some really good lessons here in Wadsworth. One of the ladies we are teaching is named Sarah. She lives here in Akron area, and is super cool! We prayed with her over the phone on Saturday night and it was great. She wants to be baptized but currently goes to another church, so she is trying to decide what to do. Keep her in your prayers please. The other lady is named Hannah. She travels all over the country, but loves meeting with the missionaries and we have been able to text back and forth with her. We have also been finding some great success and lots of mini miracles from doing and using facebook. What we do is we will either make a post, or message someone and be able to set up a video lesson  with them. Akron, Ohio has a lot of neighborhood pages that we joined, so we are able to talk with people through that too which is super cool.

Alrighty, the question we all have today . . . . Did we get released from self isolation/quarantine on Friday May 29th?? We did not get released from quarantine. We still are being told to stay inside. Which officially marks 77 days TODAY or 11 weeks, that we have now been inside on quarantine. As you all heard and SAW, things are getting crazy on protesting too. Cleveland, Akron, and Columbus Ohio areas are all being told to proceed with caution currently because there has been very violent protesting and violence this weekend and currently Governor Dewine has the Ohio National Guard dispatched out to these 3 locations. So, my guess right now is that I don't think the missionaries here in Ohio are going to be getting allowed and to have permission to be outside at least for the next 2-ish weeks. 

President and Sister Stratford have officially 29 days left of being here as Mission President and wife. They leave on June 30. Horgesheimers are supposed to arrive here on June 30. Which we are all super excited for! We have received 10 to 15-ish new re-assigned missionaries this last week, and we have about another 30 missionaries coming in the next 2 to 3 weeks. Super exciting times! 

This week was very humbling and I learned a lot this week about the true nature and characteristics of Jesus Christ, and about who He wants me to be. The atonement of Jesus Christ is true and real, and Heavenly Father answers prayers as we come to Him with a willing and humble and desirable heart. On Thursday this last week, I was feeling terrible inside and out, and was not feeling good at all. It was at this time that I fell to my knees, and offered a prayer for strength and for help. My testimony is this, I know Jesus Christ lives and is our Savior, He is there for us and He will help and guide us through everything. Heavenly Father has a plan, and He has things set in place for us. Having the spirit with you is important to have because there are key and pivotal decisions coming that will be needful to have the Spirit. ❤ 77 days of being in quarantine is swallowed up in the joy and love of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

I know that this was how my mission was supposed to be. No, I didnt think I would be serving 3+ months inside of the apt, but honestly, as I look back on everything I've been able to learn and become over the last 3 months, I am truly truly humbled to be able to see a different side of me that I never thought I'd see in me. My heart is full today and always, for the countless miracles and blessings that are still being brought forth to help the Lords work go forth on the earth.💚

My invitation for us all this week (and always 😉) is: Use and share your testimony of Jesus Christ this week.

- Service
- Dropping plate of "treats" off on a doorstep
- Helping around the house
- Washing the car
- etc, etc

I know when we do this, it truly makes even the hardest days, the BEST AND MOST FULFILLING days as we turn outward and serve with Jesus Christ painted on our hearts.

Some fun things we have done this weekend: 

- Went running on Saturday morning on a high school track. I ran a 5k (3.2 miles) and it just felt so good to get out and move my legs really fast again :) It was a fun time that morning! 

- We went on a walk on Saturday and I fell into a creek and got SOAKED from head to toe, literally. It was pretty hilarious and I was quite the sight. Since we WALKED to the creek, then that meant we had to walk the 2 miles back to the apt. Which meant I had to walk back while I was soaking wet. What an adventure and I was getting some pretty funny looks 🤷‍♂️

- We went on a 6 mile walk around a huge park and waterfall on Sunday afternoon. It made me pretty tired, but it was so much fun. A lot of people were having parties and bbqs there too, so it was fun to say hi to them and talk to them a little. Then we did a little road trip before dinner and saw some more of the area. Johnson and Moorwood got doubled in during quarantine, so they haven't been able to see the area much, so it was good for all 3 of us to see it.

Crazy where this world is at, but the comfort is knowing that Heavenly Father has and is preparing us for far greater things to come 💚❤ 

I miss you guys so so much, and I'm very grateful for your constant love and support of me on my mission. Thank you for your wonderful examples to me and for always being there for me. I'm so excited to talk to everyone today! :) 

I love YOU Forever and Always 🤗

Elder Dylan

Inspirations to See Us Through

 

What a Month!