Week # 15

Dear Family-

   It is starting to get a little chilly here ! I forgot to tell you mom that I busted out the rainjacket/overcoat thing like the first week I was in Sylmar. It was pouring rain and freezing. I didnt think I would ever use that here in sunny California. Well, unfortunately, Kevin was not baptized yesterday. He chose to postpone it more. We are not sure how to help him since he isn't telling us exactly what is going on. I have an interview with President Martin tomorrow and I will ask him for ideas. Well, what else is new back home ? How is Notre Dame doing Mom ?  I heard that the World Series is already going on... Geez haha suprisingly, I dont miss all the sports as much as I thought I would. I really only miss it on like Saturdays. Elder Tienda called me and told me that one of the guys that we found like 2 weeks before I left named Darian is going to be baptized this next Sunday. Hopefully I will be able to make it down in the valley for that. I was way excited.  Elder Thacker and I continue to work hard and we have found many new people to teach that we are excited for.  Morgan, how is Japan going ? Are you getting excited for your wedding ? 

   I look forward to the package mom ! Elder Thacker recently got two and he has been sharing the goodies with me. I will make sure to share a little bit with him. :) Anyways

I love you all !

 Keep being awesome,

Elder Dutson

Week # 14

Hey family

Finally I get some good timeto email ya'll. The new area continues to amaze me. Sylmar is a really nice place.We actually live very close to where they filmed the race scene in Little Rascals! This past friday we finsihed our apointments a little early so we went across the street and watched like 10 minute of the high school football game. It reminded me of when i would have to be at those games for marching band.

  NATE!!!!

Dude you are getting pretty old man, I kinda sad that I couldn't wish you a happy birthday ON your birthday but i hope that you had a good time !

      You bought me life saver gummies and butterfingers?? YAY!!!! I miss the dumb cat too.Everytime I see a cat I wanna pet it!

 Mom along with the pictures could you send a pic of the family ? I don't have one out here.

Well we should have a baptism this next sunday. He is a 14 year oldkid who is way cool.  His parents are trying their hardest to scare him off though.We will see what happens.

Oh so i found something way cool in my aprtm,ent this week.It is a New Era magazine from1978. It is way cool. I was reading it and their was a really cool article. IT was entitled," How well can you fly it when everything goes wrong ? It told the story of this guy who was a very good pilot.  He was test flying a plane for an insurance guy before he bought it.The pilot was pretty confident he would do fine as he had flown this type of plane before, but as they started to take off, the insurance guy told him I have complete confidence you can fly this plane, but can you fly it when everything goes wrong? It then goes on to say that during that whole flight, the insurance guy simulated a bunch of emergencies. He would turn switches on that were supposedto be off and turn switches off that were supposed to be on.Finally they returned to land and the insurance guy told him he was very good and that he would let his wife and kids fly with him. It continues to make the simile with life.Many times and I have witnessed this alot, that when life is "good",people are happy but when it is not, people become angry with God. This makes me sad. As it says in the scriptures that I give unto man weakness that they may be humble.If they will humble themselves before me I will show unto man their weakness and it will be made a strength. God tries us in many things but it is forour benefit.It is to test our faith and to see if we will remain faithful to him even during times of trouble. I would just like to ask you.. How well do you all fly when everything goes wrong ? Are we quickto blame God and others for our problems ordowe recognize blessings and persevere through them? I would just challenge all of us to learn to fly better when everything goes wrong. I know that we will be blessed in doing so. I am so grateful to be out here in the workof the Lord and even though it is hard sometimes, I recognize the blessings that you and I recieve fromit.

I love you all,

- Elder Weston Dutson

Week # 13

Hey family :) sorry about the delay.  My first week in Sylmar/ San fernando was way cool. Elder Thacker IS a really hard worker and a really great guy too. The area is cool but I am dying biking up all these hills haha. My new address is 13140 Dronfield AVE apt 111 Sylmar CA 91342 :)

Well unfortunately i am already out of time. I dont have a library card. I promise next week will be better :) love

Elder Dutson

-- 

con amor,

- Elder Dutson

Week # 12

Dear Family-

 I hope you all were as uplifted by the prophets this weekend as was I. Conference was absolutely amazing and i recieved answers to my prayers.I already cant wait until April rolls around and I get another opportunity to hear from them. Transfers went well. I am getting transferred to Sylmar, CA. I am not training, but I am the senior comp to a younger missionary. Elder Tienda is training. We will miss each other alot. We expected to be split up but when we finally heard it, we were both sad. Yesterday after conference, I said goodbye to all my investigators and it was tough. But I am not too far away. I will still be on bike :) Other than that, not too much to report. I dont have my new address yet but i will have it by next week. Well I love you all and hope that all is well at home.

- with love

Elder Dutson

oh by the way, I forgot to mention that my new comp is Elder Thacker from Utah. He is a hardworking farmboy and a really cool kid :)