August 2, 2012

Hey Mom! It is really good to hear from you. I havent gotten letters this week, so I had high hopes that there would be something in my email. It is really great to hear how the family is doing! I forgot how cute Jay is.. I bet it is nice boing in the new house! You can probably sleep better at night too.. Is Spencer still there? Or did he head home? It is great to hear a little bit about Dawson and Jay, I have been wondering how theyre taking the new change. I hope that all of you know how much I love you!

This week has been really interesting! Each day has been loaded with ups and downs. I usually start off the day doing great, until I stumble upon one of my weaknesses. But somehow God always helps me to see a more positive side of everything. The MTC is really different then I expected it to be. I expected more firesides and uplifting experiances, but the focus has been more on the specifics of teaching investigators. I guess that makes sense huh..? God truly does know what he is doing though. I was really surprised when I was called to be a District Leader. I was a little overwhelmed when I was first called, but now that the Lord has blessed me and I have gotten to work, I wouldn't want it any other way! This calling has kept my focus more on others, and it keeps me more busy then I would otherwise be. I love my district so much. Everyone is so amazing, and we are really unified. This experience has been amazing so far, and I am already becoming a better person!

I have seen a lot more friends here than I ever expected! I have seen Elder Mckade Claypool, Elder Scott Woody, and a couple other friends that I don't think you would know. Everyone is so amazing here, and we are all here for the same reason. This is one of the first places that I have ever felt so accepted, and I truly feel like I belong. I no longer feel like the odd one out. What a blessing! I was born to serve a mission. I have no doubt of that. There is no place I would rather be. In a spiritual sense, I feel like I am home.

There is so much that I would love to say, but I am watching the time on my monitor go down by three minutes every second, and when the time runs out, the computer shuts off. But I want you all to know how much I love you. Don't ever doubt that, and always remember that we are doing the right things, and I am finally living the dream! We will be together again soon, and we will love eachother more than ever. As Kaden would say: " I'll be back again some day, and you'll be right here, waiting for me. God is on my side, so don't you cry no more, your Son is gonna be alright." I still tear up when I think of this song. Kaden, you are an Incredible singer, I love you, and chase your dreams buddy. I love you. so much!

I have to go, but I love you all, and I will be just fine! 

I love you all! Live like you mean it!

Your Son, Brother, and Friend.

Elder Dallin Lyman

August 2, 2012

Dear Mom,

It was great to see your email this morning! I really enjoyed hearing about the family! I love you all so much and I hope you remember that! We only had 30 minutes on the computer today and we are only allowed on once a week, so I apologize for being somewhat brief. I just want you to know that I am doing very well here. My heart is feasting on the enviroment that surrounds me! It is amazing to think it has already been a week since I first got here. Even more surprising, I am technically in my 2nd week at the MTC and in just a week and a half I will be on a plane to Guam. Time has flown and it has been precious to me! I am going to get my flight plans this weekend, so I will update you on my next P-day, when I will be flying out.

I have learned so much here!I have found out alot more about myself, both good and bad. Sometimes it gets hard and I am scared to death, but most of the time I am beibg lifted up by the Holy Ghost. It is different being here, because I am used to talking to you and dad about my struggles. I have had to rely completley on the Lord. It has strenghtened my faith and trust in him quite a bit. I have learned this week that strength as a missionary isn't measured by how much I know or how prepared I am, but rather how humble and reliant upon the Spirit I am. This realization has helped me alot in my teaching and my understanding of my purpose as a missionary. Our purpose is to help other come unto Christ and recieive the restored Gospel. How amazing is that? I love being a missionary! It is the greatest thing I have ever experienced!
Love your son, Elder Dallin Lyman

Elder Lyman in front of the Provo Temple

July 27, 2012

Dear Family,
It isn't P-day yet, but they asked us to write our families so they would know we were doing well. It is amazing here! I have already learned so much and the spirit is so strong here! I can't ever describe the feeling that came over me as they slipped my nametag onto my pocket. It was one of the greatest feeling that I have ever felt! I am finally a missionary! On Wednesday I was assigned to a companion. He is really strong and the Spirit radiates from him. I feel that we are a well rounded companionship, and a great influence to each other. We have already had alot of time to study, and we have already had some teaching opprtunities. Through teaching I have uncovered some of my weaknesses, but by the time I leave the MTC, I plan on them being strengths. This place feels alot like YFF, only it is real and 100% more life-changing. Everything is perfectly organized and the Gospel is the only thing that matters. Not only that, but I am surrounded by people with the same goals and desires. On Wednesday, 350 new missionaries entered the MTC, and currently there are 2600 missionaries at this MTC alone. This is a true army! My doctrine teacher is Brother Anderson, who used to attend George Wythe with Jamin Rock. Jamin is his favorite person, and they were both counselors my first year at YFF! It's a small world.

Yesterday took me by surprise. We were all interviewed by our branch president and didn't know why. It turned out we were being interviewed for district leadership and I was called to be our district leader! I had no idea I would get a calling like that so soon! It is a true honor, and a big responsibily, but I know that the Lord will help me through it.There is a reason for everything, right? As a district leader I am supposed to lead the other missionaries by example. I am supposed to study the scriptures prayerfully,and be sensitive to the needs of others. I am also supposed to prayerfully seek ways to strenghten my district, and 2 weeks from today I am supposed to teach a 1 hour lesson on recognizing and following the Spirit. It is going to be alot of work, but a great opportunity.

I hope that everyone of you know how much I love you and that you are in my prayers. There is so much to be grateful for. We are all where we need to be and God is watching over us. I will return home safely before we know it. Just hold tight and enjoy the adventure. Stay strong and rely on the Atonement at all times! I love you all! Live like you mean it!
Love your son, brother and friend,
Elder Dallin A. Lyman