Dear Family -
My week was very good. I hope that everybody's new year went fantastic. As everybody knows, New Years is a time to look back on the year completed and to set goals to improve in the year to come. I would like to invite you all to think of a "New Year's Resolution" that you all could do as a family or individually that would help you show your faith in Christ. We did this with some investigators and members and they had some resolutions such as reading the Book of Mormon as a family, or having a FHE. These are wonderful. I promise you that if you all do this and think a Resolution to be more Christlike or show your faith in Christ, that your faith will increase and that you all will be blessed with strength to pass through the faith trying trials.
Our New Years was fun. We were not allowed to be out too late so we stayed in and played Monoply. We were woken up at Midnight by the celebrations though. We heard a lot of fireworks as well as quite a few guns going off. :)
I am glad Nate and Dad are spending some time together. That is something that I feel like I have failed in thus far as an older brother. I didnt spend as much time teaching and helping my siblings as much as I should have.. especially with Nate. Hopefuly this time spent with dad will make up for that and will benefit him.
How is Tim Matyas doing ? I thought he had joined the Army ? He is a really good kid.
I am sure that it is crazy to have only 2 kids in the house now but it probably makes it easier to do things since you have to work around less schedules.
It's hard to believe how much time has flown by. By the end of this transfer(in February) I will be almost a year completed. That gives me the determination to do more, to work harder and to devote myself even more completely to the work and to make the best of what I have left. I love you all and wish you all a Happy New Year. :)
- Elder Weston Dutson
ps... Dylan your awesome :)
Monday, January 23, 2012
Week # 23
Mi Familia-
I hope all had a wonderful Christmas ! I sure enjoyed talking with all of you. We have been allowed to email on Tuesday (today) this week because all libraries were closed yesterday. My Christmas was great and it included me eating alot! I think I ate 3 times on Christmas eve and we had a huge dinner with our ward mission leader on Christmas Day. I keep hearing how cold it is in Arizona and in Washington(Dylan) but I had a very warm Christmas. It was around 64 degrees all day. It felt super weird. We had a member family give us a present and our ward mission leader gave us a box of chocolates. Our district also had a baptism on Christmas Day so I think that was a nice Christmas present for us and the guy getting baptized. His name is Rodrigo. He is Elder Ruiz and Elder Ellsworth's companion. Elder Ellsworth has been transferred and Elder ruiz will be training :) Elder Grose and I were both pretty excited that we would be staying together just like we thought. Dylan I heard that our family was giving you trouble because it looked like you had gained weight. If it makes you feel any better, I have gained weight. not much though haha.. Well thanks everybody for the packages and the cards. It certainly was a nice suprise !!
- Elder Weston Dutson
I hope all had a wonderful Christmas ! I sure enjoyed talking with all of you. We have been allowed to email on Tuesday (today) this week because all libraries were closed yesterday. My Christmas was great and it included me eating alot! I think I ate 3 times on Christmas eve and we had a huge dinner with our ward mission leader on Christmas Day. I keep hearing how cold it is in Arizona and in Washington(Dylan) but I had a very warm Christmas. It was around 64 degrees all day. It felt super weird. We had a member family give us a present and our ward mission leader gave us a box of chocolates. Our district also had a baptism on Christmas Day so I think that was a nice Christmas present for us and the guy getting baptized. His name is Rodrigo. He is Elder Ruiz and Elder Ellsworth's companion. Elder Ellsworth has been transferred and Elder ruiz will be training :) Elder Grose and I were both pretty excited that we would be staying together just like we thought. Dylan I heard that our family was giving you trouble because it looked like you had gained weight. If it makes you feel any better, I have gained weight. not much though haha.. Well thanks everybody for the packages and the cards. It certainly was a nice suprise !!
- Elder Weston Dutson
Week # 22
Dear Family-
Its a week away from Christmas !!!!
Holy Cow that is crazy.
Mom, that is way awesome that you and Sister Smith are such good missionaries ! It really is SO important to get members involved in missionary work. President Hinckley said this, " Some think missionary work is simply tracting. Everyone involved knows there is a better way, and that way is through the members." When members take part in missionary work, it is more sucessful. Us as the full time set apart missionaries, can not stay with our investigators/ converts for forever. We have transfers every six weeks. But if that investigator/convert has a fellowshipper in the ward, it gives the investigator that added support after the missionaries leave :)
Mom, I am sure your sunbeams will miss you. You are an amazing teacher. I dont think I have mentioned this in my letters but since Elder Grose came, he and I have been teaching a Sunday school class for the 14- 18 youth. The ward does not have enough people to fill the calling right now so we stepped in. We have developed a friendship with several of the young men and they are coming to us now and volunteering to come out with us. That has been very fun for us.
It continues to rain off and on and we actually do get in more houses because people pity us haha. Our week went really well. Our hard work and patience has pulled through. We were blessed to find 4 new investigators in 4 days this week. It certainly made us grateful.
For the package mom, I dont have any more requests and it would probably be better sent to our apartment. I know Grandma said she sent hers to the mission office which is fine, but the people who pick those packages up( our zone leaders) are not very good at remembering to give the packages out that they send out. My apartment address is 13520 Foothill Apartment 209 Sylmar CA 91342. But grandma dont worry, I will bug my zone leaders until they give it to me.
As for the phone call business, I will be calling home at 11 am Arizona time. Hopefully all who want to talk will be able to at this time.
Glad to hear that the Gilbert Temple is coming along nicely. I wonder if I will beat it home?? I am sure all the new temples in Arizona will be a relief to the Mesa Temple. I have heard that besides the Provo Utah temple, the Mesa Temple is one of the busiest and services the most people. We have not gone to the temple yet, we actually go tomorrow ! Super Excited !!
Well I love you all and hope you enjoy the Christmas Caroling with the family. I will certainly miss singing with everybody. We went with our ward last night and caroled to all the less active members and the members who are too sick to make it to church. It was really special.
- Elder Weston Dutson
Its a week away from Christmas !!!!
Holy Cow that is crazy.
Mom, that is way awesome that you and Sister Smith are such good missionaries ! It really is SO important to get members involved in missionary work. President Hinckley said this, " Some think missionary work is simply tracting. Everyone involved knows there is a better way, and that way is through the members." When members take part in missionary work, it is more sucessful. Us as the full time set apart missionaries, can not stay with our investigators/ converts for forever. We have transfers every six weeks. But if that investigator/convert has a fellowshipper in the ward, it gives the investigator that added support after the missionaries leave :)
Mom, I am sure your sunbeams will miss you. You are an amazing teacher. I dont think I have mentioned this in my letters but since Elder Grose came, he and I have been teaching a Sunday school class for the 14- 18 youth. The ward does not have enough people to fill the calling right now so we stepped in. We have developed a friendship with several of the young men and they are coming to us now and volunteering to come out with us. That has been very fun for us.
It continues to rain off and on and we actually do get in more houses because people pity us haha. Our week went really well. Our hard work and patience has pulled through. We were blessed to find 4 new investigators in 4 days this week. It certainly made us grateful.
For the package mom, I dont have any more requests and it would probably be better sent to our apartment. I know Grandma said she sent hers to the mission office which is fine, but the people who pick those packages up( our zone leaders) are not very good at remembering to give the packages out that they send out. My apartment address is 13520 Foothill Apartment 209 Sylmar CA 91342. But grandma dont worry, I will bug my zone leaders until they give it to me.
As for the phone call business, I will be calling home at 11 am Arizona time. Hopefully all who want to talk will be able to at this time.
Glad to hear that the Gilbert Temple is coming along nicely. I wonder if I will beat it home?? I am sure all the new temples in Arizona will be a relief to the Mesa Temple. I have heard that besides the Provo Utah temple, the Mesa Temple is one of the busiest and services the most people. We have not gone to the temple yet, we actually go tomorrow ! Super Excited !!
Well I love you all and hope you enjoy the Christmas Caroling with the family. I will certainly miss singing with everybody. We went with our ward last night and caroled to all the less active members and the members who are too sick to make it to church. It was really special.
- Elder Weston Dutson
Monday, December 12, 2011
Week # 21
Dear Family-
It is pouring over here!! Oh boy being a bike missionary in the rain
is SOOO fun :) Anyways, this week was better than last week. Dad,
thanks for your advice. Elder Grose and I will do exactly what you
suggested. Well just to scare you all, I finally have a dog story....
Last monday after email, I was bit by a pitbull... But in that, I
witnessed a miracle. We were riding our bikes and we had to pull off
for a minute. I was right next to a chain link fence without really
realizing it. It was right next to a really busy street so I couldn't
hear the dog barking, but right on the other side of this fence was a
GIANT pitbull. All of a sudden I felt a really sharp pain in my hand.
I look down just as the dog is releasing my hand from its mouth. When
I get my hand back, it looked pretty bad but wasn't bleeding. But we
said a prayer right there on the street and within a half hour, there
was not even a mark on me.
I am so grateful for the power of prayer. I know that my Heavenly
Father was and is looking out for me and I am eternally grateful.
The rest of this week was good. We had a stake Christmas program
last night and all the wards sung a villancico(christmas hymn).
Because our ward's choir was very small, all us missionaries helped
out and sang with them. Then we also had a song that was sung by a
special missionary choir that I got to take part in.
OH MY GOODNESS.. Christmas is coming up ! I am not entirely sure when
I will be calling still but i will know for sure by next pday. We only
have church for one hour on Christmas so we will be done by 12. But we
might have a baptism so I will let you know exactly next pday. I
received a card and tie from the Montez family this week. I really
miss them ! I also got a card from Grandpa Phil and the Nutz as well.
Thanks for the cards everyone ! They are definitely appreciated. Next
Tuesday we are going on a San Fernando Valley missionary temple trip.
All the spanish speaking missionaries in the Valley have a special
session in the LA temple. I am way stoked!!! \
That is way scary for Kayln's family I am sure. Her and her family
will definitely be in my prayers. She is such a sweet girl and
hopefully things will go ok.
Well, I think that is about it for the week. and Dylan, stay bundled up!
With Love,
Elder Dutson
It is pouring over here!! Oh boy being a bike missionary in the rain
is SOOO fun :) Anyways, this week was better than last week. Dad,
thanks for your advice. Elder Grose and I will do exactly what you
suggested. Well just to scare you all, I finally have a dog story....
Last monday after email, I was bit by a pitbull... But in that, I
witnessed a miracle. We were riding our bikes and we had to pull off
for a minute. I was right next to a chain link fence without really
realizing it. It was right next to a really busy street so I couldn't
hear the dog barking, but right on the other side of this fence was a
GIANT pitbull. All of a sudden I felt a really sharp pain in my hand.
I look down just as the dog is releasing my hand from its mouth. When
I get my hand back, it looked pretty bad but wasn't bleeding. But we
said a prayer right there on the street and within a half hour, there
was not even a mark on me.
I am so grateful for the power of prayer. I know that my Heavenly
Father was and is looking out for me and I am eternally grateful.
The rest of this week was good. We had a stake Christmas program
last night and all the wards sung a villancico(christmas hymn).
Because our ward's choir was very small, all us missionaries helped
out and sang with them. Then we also had a song that was sung by a
special missionary choir that I got to take part in.
OH MY GOODNESS.. Christmas is coming up ! I am not entirely sure when
I will be calling still but i will know for sure by next pday. We only
have church for one hour on Christmas so we will be done by 12. But we
might have a baptism so I will let you know exactly next pday. I
received a card and tie from the Montez family this week. I really
miss them ! I also got a card from Grandpa Phil and the Nutz as well.
Thanks for the cards everyone ! They are definitely appreciated. Next
Tuesday we are going on a San Fernando Valley missionary temple trip.
All the spanish speaking missionaries in the Valley have a special
session in the LA temple. I am way stoked!!! \
That is way scary for Kayln's family I am sure. Her and her family
will definitely be in my prayers. She is such a sweet girl and
hopefully things will go ok.
Well, I think that is about it for the week. and Dylan, stay bundled up!
With Love,
Elder Dutson
Week # 20
Dear Family-
It is December!!!!
Last night was the Christmas devotional, and I hope all got the
opportunity to watch it. I loved it. It reminded me how much I love my
Savior and how much I am indebted to him.
Mom, the new ward theme about recieving, trutsing and following
personal revelation is key. That is something that I struggle with
sometimes is trusting and following. As a missionary, I definitely
recieve alot of help from Heavenly Father, but sometimes I dont follow
it as well as I should. If we do strive to follow the counsel we
recieve personally from Heavenly Father, we will become stronger
examples to all around us.
My training went ok this week. My district leader called me like 5
minutes before we left and asked me to do it in Espanol and I had
already prepared it in English. But I just translated it in my head as
I went. I thought it was a little rough but everybody told me that
they enjoyed it. Heavenly Father must have helped me out with it.
Nikki, BE NICE TO JAMES! :)
I sure do miss my Primary kids. Children are so much sweeter and
kind hearted than adults can be sometimes.
This week was pretty slow for us. We are trying super hard to find
some new people to teach and we have not had much luck. We did find
one really awesome one though named Mirna. Hopefully things go well
with her. And mom all those baptisms got pushed back :( Kevin's is the
25th now because his dad is in prison. He wants his dad to be there
and he gets out the 22nd. And the one that was gonna happen in my old
ward was pushed back too. Our other dates, The Saldana family is
struggling. They wont come to church and ever since we set a baptismal
date, they have been cancelling appointments. We are praying really
hard for them and hoping that we can help them, so we will see. Their
dates are the 18th, but since they have not come to church, that will
probably be pushed back as well. It has kind of been a frustrating
transfer thus far. We have not had as much success as in the past. It
has made me a little sad but I know that I am doing all I am supposed
to be doing so I will just have to wait for the success. Elder Grose
is still amazing and continues to progress everyday. :)
And Dylan, good luck with your greenie - busting ! Before you know it,
you will be training ! and maybe even AP by the time you hit a year ;p
Anyways, I love you all !!!!
- Elder Dutson
Elder Dutson and his "son" Elder Gose
It is December!!!!
Last night was the Christmas devotional, and I hope all got the
opportunity to watch it. I loved it. It reminded me how much I love my
Savior and how much I am indebted to him.
Mom, the new ward theme about recieving, trutsing and following
personal revelation is key. That is something that I struggle with
sometimes is trusting and following. As a missionary, I definitely
recieve alot of help from Heavenly Father, but sometimes I dont follow
it as well as I should. If we do strive to follow the counsel we
recieve personally from Heavenly Father, we will become stronger
examples to all around us.
My training went ok this week. My district leader called me like 5
minutes before we left and asked me to do it in Espanol and I had
already prepared it in English. But I just translated it in my head as
I went. I thought it was a little rough but everybody told me that
they enjoyed it. Heavenly Father must have helped me out with it.
Nikki, BE NICE TO JAMES! :)
I sure do miss my Primary kids. Children are so much sweeter and
kind hearted than adults can be sometimes.
This week was pretty slow for us. We are trying super hard to find
some new people to teach and we have not had much luck. We did find
one really awesome one though named Mirna. Hopefully things go well
with her. And mom all those baptisms got pushed back :( Kevin's is the
25th now because his dad is in prison. He wants his dad to be there
and he gets out the 22nd. And the one that was gonna happen in my old
ward was pushed back too. Our other dates, The Saldana family is
struggling. They wont come to church and ever since we set a baptismal
date, they have been cancelling appointments. We are praying really
hard for them and hoping that we can help them, so we will see. Their
dates are the 18th, but since they have not come to church, that will
probably be pushed back as well. It has kind of been a frustrating
transfer thus far. We have not had as much success as in the past. It
has made me a little sad but I know that I am doing all I am supposed
to be doing so I will just have to wait for the success. Elder Grose
is still amazing and continues to progress everyday. :)
And Dylan, good luck with your greenie - busting ! Before you know it,
you will be training ! and maybe even AP by the time you hit a year ;p
Anyways, I love you all !!!!
- Elder Dutson
The "Family Tree" Elders Gose, Dutson, Tienda (Elder Dutson's "father", and Gomm (Elder Tienda's other son).
Elder Dutson and his "son" Elder Gose
Elder Dutson and Elder Oaxaca (the DL)
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Week # 19
Dear Family-
This week was long haha. My new companion (Elder Grose by the way)
is very cool. He is from Bear Lake Idaho. Wednesday and thursday were
really long because I had to pick him up in Santa Clarita and then the
next day was all day training with President Martin. The training was
very nice but it was alot. I am glad you were able to get a letter
from President. I didnt know he did that for trainers. Elder Grose is
really amazing and he bears his testimony very strongly. His spanish
is decent but I will teach him as best as I can. He is not used to
biking all these hills though haha. He reminds me of me when I first
got to this area. But because I know how it feels I make sure not to
leave him in the dust.
We love our new apartment but our neighbors make it a little tough.
Since we have moved in, there has been two rough domestic disputes
with cussing and pushing and crying and it is not fun to listen to.
The walls are very thin so it is hard to escape. It certainly makes me
grateful that I have a loving family that doesn't have those kinds of
things go on. We are working very hard with a less active family
right now named the Arjon family. The hermano Arjon has problems with
faith. He has to know everything and have a reason to do everything.
He knows he needs to have faith but he would rather just know. We also
plan on visiting our investigator family tomorrow and invite them to
be baptized. We are very excited. We just had another person be
baptized yesterday from when I was with Elder Tienda. The kid really
wanted me to go to that baptism but the misioneras in our ward had a
baptism and I was supposed to sing again. Man, thats the second one
where I have been asked to sing a duet with a sister missionary. It
went well but its weird. I dont think anybody even girls would have
gotten me to sing a DUET with them before my mission. But now that I
am out here serving teh Lord, I will do it for Him.
I am glad Courtney and Santiago got back from their honeymoon safe.
Hopefully they enjoyed it. Bummer to hear about his grandfather
though.
I am certainly grateful for a lot of things too. I am most grateful
to be out here serving the Lord. I have been learning so much and am
having the time of my life out here. I am grateful for my family, for
loving, righteous parents who have taught me what is important in this
life. I am grateful for the gospel and the joy and peace it brings to
me. I am grateful to my Savior for His loving sacrifice for me. I hope
everybody pauses to think about all the wonderful blessings we have at
this time of the year and make a commitment to thank your Heavenly
Father for all the wonderful things He has given you.
With Love,
- Elder Dutson
This week was long haha. My new companion (Elder Grose by the way)
is very cool. He is from Bear Lake Idaho. Wednesday and thursday were
really long because I had to pick him up in Santa Clarita and then the
next day was all day training with President Martin. The training was
very nice but it was alot. I am glad you were able to get a letter
from President. I didnt know he did that for trainers. Elder Grose is
really amazing and he bears his testimony very strongly. His spanish
is decent but I will teach him as best as I can. He is not used to
biking all these hills though haha. He reminds me of me when I first
got to this area. But because I know how it feels I make sure not to
leave him in the dust.
We love our new apartment but our neighbors make it a little tough.
Since we have moved in, there has been two rough domestic disputes
with cussing and pushing and crying and it is not fun to listen to.
The walls are very thin so it is hard to escape. It certainly makes me
grateful that I have a loving family that doesn't have those kinds of
things go on. We are working very hard with a less active family
right now named the Arjon family. The hermano Arjon has problems with
faith. He has to know everything and have a reason to do everything.
He knows he needs to have faith but he would rather just know. We also
plan on visiting our investigator family tomorrow and invite them to
be baptized. We are very excited. We just had another person be
baptized yesterday from when I was with Elder Tienda. The kid really
wanted me to go to that baptism but the misioneras in our ward had a
baptism and I was supposed to sing again. Man, thats the second one
where I have been asked to sing a duet with a sister missionary. It
went well but its weird. I dont think anybody even girls would have
gotten me to sing a DUET with them before my mission. But now that I
am out here serving teh Lord, I will do it for Him.
I am glad Courtney and Santiago got back from their honeymoon safe.
Hopefully they enjoyed it. Bummer to hear about his grandfather
though.
I am certainly grateful for a lot of things too. I am most grateful
to be out here serving the Lord. I have been learning so much and am
having the time of my life out here. I am grateful for my family, for
loving, righteous parents who have taught me what is important in this
life. I am grateful for the gospel and the joy and peace it brings to
me. I am grateful to my Savior for His loving sacrifice for me. I hope
everybody pauses to think about all the wonderful blessings we have at
this time of the year and make a commitment to thank your Heavenly
Father for all the wonderful things He has given you.
With Love,
- Elder Dutson
Week # 18
Dear Family-
Dang my sister is a married woman ! That is crazy. I am so glad that she had such a wonderful time. I hope everyone is recuperating well from the reception. Polynesians and Hispanics are very similar in the fact that they like to party and they are good at it! haha. The work continues to advance here. We have been doing a ton of knocking and we found many many new people to teach. Yes mom, Elder Thacker did know Braedon Talbot. Sadly, Elder Thacker is leaving me though. He is going out to Palmdale. I will certainly miss him. He is an extremely hard working missionary. I will be training a new missionary now for the next little bit. He comes in on Wednesday so I am teaming up with a missionary in North Hollywood for a couple days. That means I will be in a car for a bit! Yay ! haha but the new missionary's name is Elder Grost I believe from Idaho. I am way nervous to be trusted with that responsibility but I am extremely excited :) We set another baptismal date with Kevin so things are starting to look up with him as well. The thing was that his parents put it into his head that he needs to know us for 6 months before he should be baptized. the average time it takes is usually like 1 month and a half soimetimes two. So that is why he has been pushing it off. But he committed to being baptized December 4th. Dylan I hope all is going swell in Washington. My former zoneleader goes home the 16th of this month. He is from Vancouver. His name is Benjamin Browning. If you happen to come across him or his family let me know :) I guess my final note would be that I absolutely HATE that California changes the stupid time. It has messed with my internal clock soo bad haha. I wake up at 630 and I feel like I slept in and then by 8 at night I am falling asleep. GRRRRR... anyways I am glad all is well and wish Dad luck on his tests!
- Elder Dutson
Dang my sister is a married woman ! That is crazy. I am so glad that she had such a wonderful time. I hope everyone is recuperating well from the reception. Polynesians and Hispanics are very similar in the fact that they like to party and they are good at it! haha. The work continues to advance here. We have been doing a ton of knocking and we found many many new people to teach. Yes mom, Elder Thacker did know Braedon Talbot. Sadly, Elder Thacker is leaving me though. He is going out to Palmdale. I will certainly miss him. He is an extremely hard working missionary. I will be training a new missionary now for the next little bit. He comes in on Wednesday so I am teaming up with a missionary in North Hollywood for a couple days. That means I will be in a car for a bit! Yay ! haha but the new missionary's name is Elder Grost I believe from Idaho. I am way nervous to be trusted with that responsibility but I am extremely excited :) We set another baptismal date with Kevin so things are starting to look up with him as well. The thing was that his parents put it into his head that he needs to know us for 6 months before he should be baptized. the average time it takes is usually like 1 month and a half soimetimes two. So that is why he has been pushing it off. But he committed to being baptized December 4th. Dylan I hope all is going swell in Washington. My former zoneleader goes home the 16th of this month. He is from Vancouver. His name is Benjamin Browning. If you happen to come across him or his family let me know :) I guess my final note would be that I absolutely HATE that California changes the stupid time. It has messed with my internal clock soo bad haha. I wake up at 630 and I feel like I slept in and then by 8 at night I am falling asleep. GRRRRR... anyways I am glad all is well and wish Dad luck on his tests!
- Elder Dutson
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