February 3, 2013

Kaselelie Family!

How have things been? I am really excited to hear about Mandy and Megan! They are so awesome! I really enjoyed reading all of your emails. It sounds like things are going really great back home! I've got to admit that I am a little bit jealous of Spencers new invention. Thats something that I should have thought of.. ;) 

Mom is going to hate me for this, but I am really short on time today. I had a lot of people send me emails, and I was doing my best to write them back, which left me with a solid 10 minutes to email the family. I am sorry about that mom!

To answer some questions really quick, I did get a letter from Bethany on Thursday. I loved reading it so much. I had been having a little bit of a rough couple of days, and her letter really lifted me up. She has always had a way of lifting me up when I am in need. Please tell her that I say thank you, and that I just sent her a new letter today, and it should be there soon. Look at me, I am on a role! Two letters in three weeks! :) As for the other letters, I haven't gotten any other letters yet. I can't tell you how excited I am to get them though. I am thrilled to see that Jose wrote me. I miss him so much. How has he been doing. Please send him my love.

Alright. So I am going to give a super quick update. Life has been great this last week. I have been learning and growing so much. I have found so much Joy in the work lately. Its not that things are that much easier, but I have felt the Lords hand in my life so much lately. Our area is doing well. We are still working with our members, and we are trying to prepare one to take on the responsibility of a Unit Leader. My companion and I have been brainstorming new ways to help our area progress. I think we are on to some good ideas! I will keep you updated on how things are going!

Sorry this is so short! If people can, paper letters would be much easier for me, but I understand when it is tough to do it that way.. Things are going great here on Pohnpei. I am working hard, and doing my best. I can feel the Lords hand in the details.

I love you all so much. Thank you so much for everything that you do for me. I hope all is well, and know that you are in my prayers. Have a great week!

Mihmi Kehlial, and live like you mean it!

Ahm Pwutahk, Rie, oh Kompokapai,

Elder Dallin A Lyman

January, 27, 2013

Kaselelie Family!

Hello! How are things going for you guys this week? I really enjoyed reading your emails. It is really nice to get updates and to hear how you are doing. I am really glad that my package made it to you. I was really excited about that! Quick question for mom, is that the big turtle hanging from your rear view mirror? Or the smaller one? If that is the big one, then please find a safer spot for it! Talk about a blind spot.. ;) haha I am glad to hear that everyone enjoyed their gifts. It took several P-days, and a lot of analizing (as im sure you could imagine) to get that package together. I was really stoked about Dads necklace. I think it is so cool the way those necklaces are made. 

To answer some questions.. 

I havent recieved any of those letters yet. I did get a letter from Bethany a couple weeks ago that I loved reading! I sent her a letter last week, so I hope she gets it soon!

No, im not starving, but I am happy to hear that im at least not getting bigger! It is weird, because some missionaries gain (a lot) of weight here on pohnpei, and some of us lose it. Im not too sure how that works..

If anyone does want to send something though, I wouldn't mind some canned chicken! Not too much though.

I don't think that merleen will be leaving for a while, so I think you should be fine. She is a really awesome person. Thank you for doing this for her.

Just to give a really quick update on the week. Things have been really good this last week. On Tuesday, we had Zone Confrence, and it was amazing. President Mechem came for it. I learned so much from him. He is an incredible person. I look up to him a lot. He said something that that has stuck in my head this week. He said "All of us came here to do what the Lord calls his 'Great and marvelous' work. Did you plan to do that in an Ordinary way?" This statement really stuck out to me. It made me realize that it isn't enough to be an "ordinary" missionary. I need to strive to be the very best that I can be. It is so easy to just settle with meeting expectations. You have to strive to be more. You have to reach higher, you have to love deeper, you have to work harder, and you have to stand taller. You have to rely on the Lord, and trust that he will be by your side in times of need. You have to have faith in him, and do the very best that you can. Something else that President said has really stuck with me. He said "Pray to the Lord as if everything depends on him. And then go out and work as if everything depends on you."

I am sorry that this isn't a very long letter, but I am out of time now. I love you all so much. Don't ever forget that! Have a great week!

Stay Strong, and live like you mean it!

Love your Son, Brother, and Friend,

Elder Dallin A Lyman

P.S. Where is Jackson serving?? Keep me posted on mission calls!

January 20, 2013

Kaselelie Family!

I am glad you guys got that email I sent you! I wondered if you guys would see it in time. It sounds like you guys have had a fun week. I have been wondering all week how things have been going, and I have been anxious to hear about it :) 

This week has been a crazy week! It has been loaded with all sorts of crazy experiences. They make good memories though, and at least I will have good stories to tell when I get home. This week our water stopped working in our house. It does that a lot, but this week it completely stopped working. This week we have had to go down to the river to bathe. I'm not gonna lie, it has been pretty fun, but it feels weird to bathe in a river, especially as a missionary. Also, yesterday I was asked to give a talk in sacrament meeting right before the meeting started. I know that doesn't sound like a big deal, I would have loved that back home, but it totally changes the picture when you have to speak in a different language. The best part about that experiance was that I was able to do it, and it really wasn't too bad. Speaking of the Language, I finally got my language mastery this week! Language mastery is a program that missionaries made to help us learn the language more effectively  It feels so good to finally have that completed. It has been amazing to see how much the Lord has helped me with the language these last few weeks. It has really increased my testimony to see how much the Lords hand has been in my life. I know that the Lord has been helping me every step of the way!

I have to get going now, But I just want all of you to know that I love you so much. I think about you often, and I pray for you every night! I know that I haven't done well with keeping in contact, but I really do love all of you! Have fun at dinner tonight! Spence, your a stud. Beth, your amazing! 

Stay strong, and Live Like you mean it!

Love your Son, Brother, (Captain;), and friend,

Elder Dallin Lyman

P.S. Tell Beth that I just got the letter that she sent me a couple weeks ago!

January 13, 2013

Kaselelie Family!

It was really nice to read your emails this week! It is crazy to see how much can happen in one week. There is nothing in the world that makes me happier than to watch people as they find who they truly are, and who God really created them to be. I have always seen amazing potential in those two kids. I am happy to hear that they are starting to see it too:) I am really excited to hear about Spencer and Bethany coming up to visit! That sounds like fun! Take a lot of pictures for me!

So, since I have come out on my mission I have found many of my weaknesses. One of the biggest ones happens to be writing. I struggle so badly to write letters. I just don't know how to express my feelings on paper. I really do try, but I never know what to say or how to say it. Because of this weakness, and almost no writing time, it has become really difficult to communicate with friends and family. I just want all of you to know that I care about you, even though I have been terrible about getting back with everyone. Be patient with me!

The work has been going great here on Pohnpei. I have been learning so much these last few weeks. I have been progressing a lot in the Language, and we have been meeting a lot of amazing people. I am really excited, because I have almost completed my language Mastery! I should have it by next week!

Our area is doing really well. We are still working on finding a group leader, but I feel like this unit is just around the Corner. Thank you so much for your prayers, and thank you for everything that you have been doing. 

I am really sorry that this email is so short this week! But I want you all to know that I am doing great, and that I love you. Have a safe week, and have fun with the McClains! I love you!

Love your Son, Brother, and Friend,
Elder Dallin Lyman

P.S. Mom, let me know when you get my package! :)