Popayan, Colombia

Hello friends and family! It has been forever since I've updated Jason's blog!

He has been out in the field for about two and a half months and is doing really well! The thing he consistently says he's struggling with is is Spanish. Those who know Jason know he is a superstar student. He excels at everything he does. So the fact that he isn't fluent in Spanish yet really gets to him. The thing is, is Jason could very well be fluent! He's just too hard on himself. I think once he conquers Spanish in the way he would like to, he will feel so much better about himself and the work he is doing. He's been transferred a couple of times, once half-way through his transfer with his trainer, and once at the normal transfer date. He is currently in Popayan, Colombia. It is right here:

 I've only seen pictures on Google of Popayan, but it looks absolutely beautiful. Jason says there are really pretty mountains and the buildings are really cool. He says the food is actually pretty good. They eat a lot of chicken, rice, beans, and soup. I'm happy he's actually eating!

Here are his last two emails:

November 5, 2012

Hola Familia!!!

How is everyone doing? How are things going at home whats new? So this week was a little crazy. I have 3 stories to tell. First someone tried to rob me of my watch. He tried to take it off my wrist which didnt work. Then he asked for it but we just brushed passed him and at this point people started to notice and he left. Second story was that I saw an armed robbery right outside of the church. A couple was driving on a motorcycle, in colombia atleast 5 people can fit in a motorcycle its crazy, and 3 other motos with 6 robbers on them pulled up and cut them off. They threw the couple off and pointed a gun at them. One of the robbers hopped on and they all left. Right outside the church at 7 at night...The lady was crying and terrified so we helped them into the church. The police never showed up which is typical here I guess. The last is that we hiked a volcano today! 15,000 feet up....haha we had to walk a road for about 2 hours to reach the mountain. then we had another 2 hours to get to the top. The weather turned bad and the temperature dropped below 0 at about 14000 feet and the wind was blowing like crazy and it was raining. We were in 3 different groups. We were the last. The first was at the top and we called them to see where they were. They anwsered the phone yelling saying that they had just been robbed and that they were in trouble. So we turned around to get help. We had heard that the volcano was dangerous at times. We came to find out that it was a lie and they were just joking. The zone leaders took that really hard because they were responsible for the group. Everything turned out to be ok and now everyone is sick haha...This week we were supposed to have 3 baptisms but they got pushed to next saturday. we didnt have many lessons because we were focusing on the baptisms so we have alot of work to do here. The food is good. Its usually soup, a plate of rice beans a piece of meat and salad. Missions are tough thats for sure but I love it. I love and miss you guys so much let me know how things are!!

Con amor
Elder Dahlin

November 12, 2012

Hola familia!!!!

 

How are you doing!! How was the week whats new? We have freaking Obama for another 4 years that sucks. Everyone here loves him and I hate it haha I was on divisions with another North American when we found out and we about cried. This week was good, we had a couple cools things happen. The church donated 298 pairs of glasses and 40 wheelchairs to the elderly here in Popayan and it was awesome to be a part of it. The people were so humble and so happy to see us. We are trying to get it in the Liahona so look for us! We met the mayor of the city and a bunch of other leaders it was cool. Then we had a special reunion with Pres Prince. We learned how to teach lesson 1 in 5 min which is crazy haha and we learned more about how to work with members. Help the missionaries they need it haha Then we had 3 baptisms on saturday which were amazing. Planning one is so hard there are so many things that you have to do but it always works out. The confirmations were really powerful too. I have the best job ever haha Things with my comp are good. When you are with someone always it sucks but we work it out. The food is good im getting fat. I eat everything though suprise suprise. Ive never eaten more rice in my life haha each dish has a pound of it. It rains alot everything gets wet. I have a dentist appointment this week which is good. All is well on my end how are you guys!! I love and miss you sooooo much!! Tell Brother Housely that I got his letter also!!

Con amor

Elder Dahlin

He sounds great, huh? Sometimes I get really upset thinking that Jason is in any kind of danger, but I know that he is in the Lord's hands, and I trust in Him. Jason will be a trainer in his next transfer which will be a really good experience for him!

Well, keep e-mailing him and writing him! He loves it. Message me if you need his e-mail or mailing address.

Love,

Megan

This is Jason's mission president, President Prince.

One of Twelve Americans

Hey all!

Jason is in Colombia! He got there last Tuesday. He's loving the MTC in Colombia. He will be there for a few more weeks. There are a total of 12 Americans in the Colombia MTC; there are 69 "natives" as Jason calls them. They aren't allowed to play soccer because too many people get hurt. They can play volleyball though, and Jason is still dominating kids. This is Jason's first time out of the country, so he is adapting to how people drive in other countries. He says that people pay no attention to stop signs/lights and just drive nuts. So if anyone knows Jason, they know he is the pickiest eater. One of the most surprising things he said in his last email is that he loves the food down there. Whaaaat?! That's relieving to hear.. now we know he won't starve. We'll see how he feels about the food once he gets out of the MTC. Jason was made District Leader! That is so exciting! He's really excited about the opportunity. We're so impressed with that guy; he's such an inspiration.

Jason sent home his sim card with a bunch of pictures from the Provo MTC. Here are a few!

Well, Jason leaves the MTC September 3rd and begins his mission in Cali. Dear Elder isn't really worth it at this point because it gets there about as fast as normal letter gets there. His P-days are on Wednesday for the rest of the time he's in the MTC, so e-mail is the best option. 

Message me here for his e-mail address and mailing address!

The MTC

Elder Dahlin is doing amazing. Here are some updates on Jason's first 3 weeks.

The first letter we got from him was rough. We assume he wrote it in less than 24 hours of him reporting to the MTC. It had the tone of "what have I gotten myself into." We were all pretty heartbroken to hear how homesick Jason was. What wasn't in the letter was any hint of him wanting to come home. He only wanted to push through his doubts and continue to learn. It was hard to know that Jason was really struggling, but there was so much comfort knowing that he was going to be okay and overcome the doubts he was having.

The second letter was a night and day different from the first. He had settled into his surroundings and began to truly embrace what he has committed to do. We were so comforted knowing that he was being comforted and was really feeling the Spirit and embracing what he's learning about the Gospel. It was funny, because he was complaining that he hadn't learned Spanish yet (this was two letters in). He just wants to learn so much and has such drive to understand Spanish.

Over the last 3 weeks, I have seen such a change in my brother. I can't get through a letter without crying because I feel the Spirit so strongly when I read what he has to say. Jason is having amazing Spiritual experiences in the MTC and has been humbled by the Spirit. He's embracing the Gospel and has grown so much. I'm so inspired by him.

If anyone knows Jason's journey to getting on a mission, you can understand why the little details are so important to our family. Sometimes I think, "is this really my brother writing these things?!" I'm so impressed by him. Every little detail, no matter how simple, is the biggest thing to our family. We miss him so much, but wouldn't want him anywhere else right now.

The scripture Jason chose for his mission is from Alma 26:12 in the Book of Mormon:

Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever.

He's such an inspiration. I love that kid so much.

Elder Dahlin was supposed to leave for the Colombia MTC last Tuesday, but their visas got messed up, so he will be in the Provo MTC for a few weeks longer.

Keep sending him love! dearelder.com is the best because the MTC does same day delivery  to the missionaries if you send the letter by 12 noon mountain time.

Click on the "Write a Letter" tab at the top

In the drop-down box, click on "Provo MTC" and then "Write a Missionary"

Enter your information and Jason's

Message me here if you still don't have his information.

Love you guys!

Called To Serve

Hey family and friends! As you know, Jason went into the MTC yesterday to begin his mission to Cali, Colombia. I (Megan) will be updating this blog with everything related to Jason's mission.

Jason needs lots of love and encouragement throughout these 2 years, so send him all your love! It is such a huge blessing to our family, Jason's friends, and those in Colombia that Jason chose to serve a mission. We are so proud of him for his example.

I don't really feel comfortable putting Jason's address out there for the world to see (I know, protective big sister), so please message me on Facebook (here) if you would like his address. If you want to send him a package, he LOVES chocolate chip cookies, Skittles, Mike & Ikes, and teriyaki beef jerky.

I hope you enjoy reading all about his experiences in Colombia. I can hardly wait to get his first update.

Love you guys.