October 29, 2013 - Happy Halloween -The Pueblo Life!‏

Elder Farrell & Elder Ellsworth

Hello family and Happy Halloween! How are all of you doing?

 I know I start all of my letters off this way, but I am going to continue because it is true. . . THANK YOU so much for all of your letters, prayers, and support! You all mean so much to me! I am so very blessed to have you. This past week was a pretty crazy one, but what can you expect, that is la vida misional;) Here is a little recap of all the many miracles we saw here this past week.

Mon-Monday night after P Day had concluded, Elder Ellsworth and I met with an antiguo investigator. She has kind of an interesting story, but it was so nice to visit with her. She is from Blackfoot Idaho, and has lived here with her children for the past 15 years. Her children are pretty young, but they are fluent in both Spanish and English, so it was pretty nice to have a lesson in English this week;) We had a great lesson, and are looking forward to meeting with their family. After as we were walking down the street we continued our street contacting efforts. We had 2 miracle contacts that we are hoping we can meet with this upcoming week. One had a really neat story. She is from Ecuador, and has lived here for about 19 years. She had met with the missionaries in Ecuador, and had received the discussions, but when she moved, she lost contact with the missionaries, and has not heard from them for 19 years. We are praying that we may be able to visit with her and continue on with what she has lost.

Tue-Tuesday morning we went to the locatorio to work on my 12 week program. For some reason, right before we left piso, I decided to put on my CTR ring that I had yet to wear on my mission. Right as we walked into the loc, a lady saw my ring, and said "You are Mormon aren´t you?" She could tell us apart not because of our tags, but because she had seen a CTR ring before. The Lord works in mysterious ways. What we may view as a coincidence is all part of the grand scheme our Father in Heaven has. We were able to get her contact information, and she told us that she wanted to attend church with us.

Wed-Wednesday morning we met with one of our street contacts. From what I have learned as a missionary, it’s that street contacting is the last thing you want to do because it is the least effective form of missionary work. Our time is so short as a missionary, that is why it is so crucial to work not only hard but smart. That is why he is such a miracle of a contact. We met with him at his house. He is about 25 and studying at the University. We met with him and had a great lesson 0 and explained a little bit about the Book of Mormon. He was so attentive, receptive, and interested. We have a return cita with him this upcoming week where we will be teaching him the Restoration of this incredible gospel. That night, we had Consejo de Barrio which was very humbling. The focus was on Elder Ellsworth and I because we are opening up this area. They have huge plans for this area that right now has only one member family. They told us that they want to construct a capilla here within the next 6 months with a base of 50 members. They told us, and it finally rang so true to me, "The Lord has placed great trust in you two as the Pioneers of [this area]." We have a great work to do. Also, I RECIEVED YOUR PACKAGE FAMILY! Thank you so so much for that, it meant so much to me. Thank you so much for the food, dni, letters, and sweet note you sent me mom. I love you so much.

Thurs. I sewed a button on my pants. Enough said. Hahaha that may seem like a simple accomplishment, but that is a huge milestone for me, not only in my mission, but in my life;) haha... you would have been proud mom! A couple of funny stories from Thursday: Elder Ellsworth and I went to a park close to our house to meet with a contact named Ulysis. It turns out he wasn´t there, but there was a crazy 60 year old woman which is always fun! Hahah she came up to us and just kept saying how much she loved Americans and how "guapo we were" Thankfully my Spanish isn´t quite fluent yet so when she asked me a question, ¨"Are you married" I replied "Si" which I didn´t understand at the time, haha she left us alone after that;) Later on, we were walking to a cita when the darkest man I have ever seen in my life came up to Elder Ellsworth and I trying to sell us stuff. He wouldn´t leave until we bought some awful glasses or some bracelets. We said that we liked the bracelets so he tied them on our wrists so we couldn´t take them off... haha smart man. It turns out that we were able to buy both of the bracelets for 3 Euros rather than one for 10. Haha although he gipped us, I think we got our moneys worth. That night, Elder Ellsworth and I went to our only member family. They are angles. I honestly love them so much already! Everytime we go over, they do not let us leave without a huge bowl of icecream. They are definitely taking care of us!

Fri. Friday morning, we had specialized Zone Training with President. It was so good to see President again!  It was a great conference, and he shared with us exactly what we needed to hear. "How to Find People to Teach". After the meeting we talked to President, and he told us ¨"I hope you two know you are my heroes". This area is definitely not easy, but he sent us here for a reason, so we will continue to work hard.

Sat. Saturday morning, we played soccer with the new members. SO much fun, I am loving soccer more every week, even though I am still pretty awful... haha watch out Naters;) Saturday night, Elder Ellsworth and I were able to decorate our piso with all of the Halloween decorations we have received, just like home;)

Sun. Sundays are probably one of my favorite days on the mission! It is a little different here than it is in Malaga, because we have weekly planning on Sunday rather than Thursday. So we are able to get all planned and ready for the new week ahead of us. When I was back in Utah, I thought it was awful having church from 1-4... that sounds like heaven now! Hahaha our ward meets from 5-8 so I am in church at the same time as some of you back in Utah, kind of weird though. Although the hours are pretty rough, our ward is incredible. We have a nice building, and we are a ward of about 80. They had all of the new missionaries get up and bear testimony this week. It was a nice experience! After we gave testimonies, one of the members of the stake presidency got up and called me back up to the stand and said, "When President Monson made the age change, we all thought that we would be receiving kids, this is not what we were expecting" Everyone here is obsessed with how tall I am. Haha back in the states my height is normal, but here I feel like a giant. Don´t be surprised if next week I tell you about our "circus to see the giant" to find people to teach...;) haha jokes, not a bad idea though.

There is a little update of our past week. I hope you are all doing well, and I hope you all have a HAPPY HALLOWEEN! You are in my heart and prayers continually. Until next week,

Elder Dallin Farrell

October 21, 2013 - My New Home-Week 13‏

*Elder Farrell has a new address, if you would like to write him you may contact me at auf4@hotmail.com and I will get back to you - Andrea*

Thank you family and friends, I always look forward to hearing from you, it is a definite highlight in my week! For this past week, here we go!

Wed- A crazy day full of travel. My bus left Malaga Station around 1 15 with a group of about 15 missionaries all headed to different destinations on the East side of Spain. I knew a few of the missionaries, but it honestly felt just like day one again on my mission, which isn´t the best feeling because I have been here 6 weeks, but on the mission you just get used to meeting new people which is great;) 6 hours into the trip, we finally arrived in Murcia where I picked up my new comp and best friend Elder Ellsworth. At the bus stop I was also able to see Elder Allsop and Adamson! It was so good to hear that they are doing well and loving their service here in this beautiful country. Elder Ellsworth and I are opening an area. We have all of the pueblos just outside of Alicante. Little did I know what opening an area meant until we got to our brand new piso with no food, no area book, and literally NO idea what is going on... haha thankfully we get along well, and just laughed about the challenge that we have in front of us. We are both very humbled and VERY excited to work here.

Thurs- All day Thursday, we got unpacked, purchased food and living supplies for our piso, and at night two Elders came by to kind of show us around. They also showed us where our Capilla is which is a good 30 minute tram ride away from our house. As you can tell, this past week we have really just been getting our feet wet, and getting used to our new living conditions (which are great).

Fri- We walked our whole area to find where everything is, and to become more and more familiar with where we will be serving.  Friday night we went to ward council meeting with our ward mission leader. It turns out that we have 6 companionships in our ward (Alicante 2) Elder Ellsworth and I, Elder Durfey and Day, and two Hermanas. We also have 3 less active member families and an active family that just recently moved into our area a week before we got here. That is where our work will begin:) Elder Ellsworth and I are already best friends! These are going to be a quick 12 weeks together. He is honestly helping me so much, and teaching me those qualities I need to learn to become the missionary the Lord would have me become.

Sat- Saturday morning, we visited the new member family that recently moved into our area, they are INCREDIBLE! Son 5, the mother father, and three children (17, 16, and 11) We had a great lesson with them and definitely felt the spirit in their home. The Spirit is SO strong in the homes of the members here. They also treated us to a whopping bowl of an ice cream sundae with a nice muffin on the side-just like the one that you make mom:) It reminded me of you:) As we were leaving the mother made it clear that if we needed ANYTHING they are here for us. I know the Lord has placed them here for a reason, they are here for us, and to assist us in building the Kingdom in this beautiful part of the Lord´s vineyard. That night Elder Ellsworth and I had a good five hours of street contacting. Wow. I am not going to lie, it may have been one of the longest, hardest, and most tiring days of my mission, but I know there is a reason for it. The Lord has placed so much trust and responsibility into our hands in opening this new area, and if that includes 5 hours of street contacting everyday to increase our investigator pool, we will pray hard, go and do. What a glorious message we carry!

Sun- Yesterday we had Stake Conference in the Elche Stake. We still do not know ANY of our members, but it was a very nice conference. President Deere came and spoke with an area 70 about how this is the time for members and missionaries to unite, and come together in this great cause. The Lord is truly hastening His work. One quote that Elder Herbertson gave that really stuck with me. "Although God´s plan, the Gospel, is intended to be simple, that doesn´t mean it is going to be easy.¨ That is so true. This life is a journey, but thankfully we have the road map through it. Sunday´s are such a wonderful day to recharge and get ready for a new week. I love this work!

Elder Ellsworth told me something this morning that really stuck out to me. He said, "Elder, you only have two names on your tag, Farrell, and Jesucristo. Bring honor to your family name, and glorify your Savior and Redeemer." That is my prayer as a missionary. I know the Lord gives us mountains to climb for a reason, always remember that WHATEVER you are facing in your life, the Lord understands completely and is there for you. Don´t give up when you face trials, view them as a challenge, and as a way the Lord is transforming you into who He KNOWS you can become. This message is incredible. I love you SO much family and miss you but I know this is the work of the Lord, and this is where I need to be to bring others the joy we have found. I am doing well, I am doing my best. I love hearing from you, and am looking forward to hearing from you next week:) Thank you for everything you do, you are in my heart and prayers always!

Con Amor,

Elder Dallin Farrell

October 15, 2013 - Alicante here I come! (Continued)

Sorry this letter is a little late, but this past week has been so crazy! So to begin, I have finished my first transfer in the field!! It is so crazy to think that Ad was in the MTC for all this time, I gain more respect for you every day ;) Last Friday we received transfer calls from President! There are a lot of changes happening in Malaga, thus I am leaving to Alicante! President told me that it was unusual to be in an area for only one transfer, especially when you are training, but the APs and Zone Leaders are moving from Fuen to Málaga. Elder Cortes will be the Zone Leader in Malaga next transfer that is why he will not be able to finish my training. President told me that I would be heading to Alicante and my new comp will be Elder Ellsworth. He was the trainer of Elder Allsop, one of my best friends in the MTC. I really am so excited to go to Alicante, and get to work. Each transfer is a fresh start, and I feel like Alicante is where I am really going to start to develop into the missionary that I want to become. That being said, I have an 8 hour bus ride ahead of me tomorrow, so that should be fun;) I will let you know how that goes next week! Also, thank you to Matt, Kistine, Todd, Linsey, and fam I received your package, and LOVED it!! Thanks for the ¨more¨ uplifting magazine Matt! And Todd, shout out to your Seminary class! Please tell them that the mission is the best thing they could be doing at the next stage of their lives!

As for this last week, it was another great one. Here are just a few updates.

Mon. Right after Pday Elder Cortes and I were heading to a cita with the [] family. As we were walking, we started talking about holidays, and Thanksgiving came up. Elder Cortes made turkey noises for the next 15 minutes... haha he always knows how to make me laugh.

Tue. Elder Cortes and I had a lesson with our recent convert. We had such a great lesson with her, and this was the first time that we really switched off teaching half and half. The gift of tongues is such an amazing thing! Thank you for your prayers at home because this week was a great week for my Spanish. I still have a LONG way to go, but it is coming!

Wed. My last noche de hogar here in Malaga. At the time I didn´t know it, but I have been so blessed to meet so many amazing people here. The nice thing is that I still have time, so maybe I will be able to serve in this incredible area again sometime!

Thurs. Elder Cortes visited the Santiago family for a lunch cita, but rather than having them cook for us, Elder Cortes and I cooked a dish for them from his native paiz Chile. We always have a good time with the Santiagos, I love that family! Thursday night, I went up to Fuen to spend the night at the mission home to retrieve my Residency card early Friday morning. President and Hermana Deere had homemade cafe rio waiting for 8 of us!! Wow, SO good, almost as good as yours Mom;) It was my first ¨Mom¨ cooked meal in 3 months so I loved it.

Fri. Friday Morning, we had a question and answer question with President and Hermana Deere. At first we asked Pres. all about missionary work, and what we need to expect as missionaries. At noon after he left, we all relaxed and asked Hermana Deere ¨mom¨ questions. I have said it before, and I am going to keep saying it for the next 21, it is such a blessing to have the Deere’s here with me. They are such a tender mercy, and they always carry such a strong spirit. After we went to the mission office and picked up our residency cards. I am officially a resident of Spain now! No big deal ;)

Sat. Saturday morning, we received transfer calls from Pres. I know I wrote about it, but I cannot believe I have already served a transfer in the field. Mission time is so crazy, but in hindsight it seems like a blink of an eye! Por la mañana we played soccer with members and investigators which was awesome! My soccer is getting there, you better be ready Naters;) Jokes... haha like my Spanish, poco a poco. That night we went to a baptism at the other capilla. The Spirit was so strong, and I was able to be a witness, such a great experience!

Sun. My last Sunday in Barrio 4. It was such a bitter sweet experience. I know I have only been here for 6 short weeks, but the Spirit really brings people together when we work together in the work of the Lord. Thankfully it was fast Sunday so I was able to bear my testimony, and also thank the ward members. They will always have a special place in my heart.

Well there is the reader’s digest version of my last week in this incredible journey. I am loving each day even more. I am so excited to head to Alicante, and I hope that I will be able to have a more organized e mail time with my comp next week. I love you all and pray for you every day. Have the best week. 

Love,

Elder Dallin Farrell

October 14, 2013 - Alicante here I come!‏‏

We got transfer calls last Friday, and I am heading to Alicante! It was a quick transfer here, but President told me that I will love this new area. My new comps name is Elder Ellsworth, I don't know anything about him yet, but I will definitely tell you about him when I do:)  I have learned a great quote on my mission "blessed are the flexible";)Time is short so I need to say goodbye. Know that I am doing well and that I love you!  

Much Love,

Elder Farrell

October 7,2013 - Conference Weekend

Well Family and Friends, another week has come and gone here in the sunny city of Málaga. I have seen many miracles, and I am ever grateful for your prayers. Thank you. This past week was another great one, and Conference was such a blessing. Here we go:

Tue- Tuesday I read a talk that really changed my perspective on a lot of things. It was a huge blessing for me to read. It was a talk from President Uchtdorf from a past conference entitled Of Regrets and Resolutions. ¨Sometimes in life we become so focused on the finish line that we fail to find joy in the journey”. What a beautiful message that I hope we can all apply. “It is not a race, it is a journey. Enjoy the moment”.  I really encourage everyone to read and ponder the message of this talk. Later that night,I was able to go on exchanges with Elder Buckway. We witnessed many miracles and finished the night with a dinner cita with Hermana Soto from our ward. She is one of the happiest women I have ever met - she is so sweet. After, Elder Buckway thanked me saying, “I haven´t laughed for 3 weeks, thank you Elder Farrell”. It really meant so much to me. I love other people and I desire the best for them.

Wed-One thing that I have learned is that you can make everyday a great day thanks to the Atonement. Take a deep breath, put a smile on your face, and walk forward with faith with a determination to work hard. This work is truly incredible. That night we had another Noche de Hogar. One of my favorite times of the week:) I love seeing everyone come together and enjoy each other’s company while we learn more about this wonderful gospel!

Thurs-What a special night. Elder Cortes and I were able to go over to the Santiago´s house to teach a lesson. We answered some of their questions and asked the parents if they would follow the example of Jesus Christ and their kids, and be baptized. They looked at each other with some of the biggest smiles I have ever seen. They were honestly grinning from ear to ear. They are working towards it, I know that if they sincerely have desires, the Lord will bless them through their trials. I love that family. 

Fri-Another crazy day of intercambios. Today I was with the zone leaders in their area. My suitcase has become my most consistent comp with all of these intercambios;) haha the mission life is crazy, but I am sure loving each day. I am learning so much, and doing things I never thought I could. This is truly such an amazing opportunity.

Sat-Like I have mentioned in most of my previous e-mails, the Lord is always blessing his missionaries with tender mercies - especially right when we need them. When I was finishing up my intercambio with the ZLs I ran into a man named Antonio. He was so nice. There are all sorts of people here in Spain, and I may have to say that he has been the nicest one I have met;) He very kindly welcomed me to Spain and thanked me for what I was doing. He wished me the best of luck with everything, and told me I would do great. He was just a man on the street that told me that. It meant so much! Saturday night we watched the Saturday morning session live. It is such an incredible blessing to watch conference as a missionary! I still cannot believe I am already here, and this is my time. I definitely missed Utah, and missed seeing you guys, but I KNOW that this is where I want and need to be right now. ¨What a wonderful season to be a missionary in the Lord´s restored church¨.

Sun-We got the wonderful opportunity to watch 8 hours of conference. Wow, that makes for a full day of spiritual stuff. I will put it this way, I am still tired;) haha, we were able to watch all of the sessions, and 3 of them live. We finished around 1 last night, so that made for a pretty late night;) Pres. gave us approval though, and told us we needed to sleep 8 hours, so it was kind of weird sleeping in until 9 today... haha that doesn´t happen often on your mission;) Back to conference, I loved it. I heard everything I needed to hear, and more. We are so so blessed to listen to the Prophet. We had a neat experience when we watched it with a new member and an investigator. Their names are Christian and Betram. It was the first time either of them have seen conference, and the Spirit was so strong. They bore such strong testimonies after. Wow, the spirit was so strong. I learned so much from conference, and I hope that you all did too. Echoing the words of our beloved Prophet President Thomas S. Monson, “Be a little kinder, and do the work of the Lord. Let us live this beautiful message the best we can for the next 6 months and always”. Once again, we thank thee oh God for a Prophet. Well fam, another great week here in Spain. Hopefully I will be fluent next week;) jokes.. haha it is coming poco a poco. I am doing so well, and loving my service as a missionary! I can´t wait to hear from you next week! God be with you.

With Much Love,

Elder Dallin Farrell