September 2, 2013
It was really hot but then Saturday and Sunday
it poured like I have never seen before and there was a huge thunderstorm. We got
soaked, even our shoes, and it destroyed my umbrella. It was crazy!
Things in Dryden have been really good and we
have been really busy, it is great! I am just writing now because yesterday we
didn't have any time to e-mail. We were out of town in Ignace and went on a
great hike around sandbar lake or sandbar park or something with some of the
members of our branch and the senior missionaries and right when we got back we
had a lesson/FHE with J, the lady we have our Baptismal date with. Today we
left at 7 to drive to Fort Frances, which is a 2 and a half hour drive through
wilderness with literally no civilization or human contact for 180km, for a
zone training meeting, which was great by the way, and then we went across to
Minnesota to International Falls and had lunch, bought some cheese, and drove
back just in time for my first dinner appointment since I have been here. We
had a great visit with them and really go to know them. They are such great
people and we didn’t have time to teach them but they said that they are coming
to church, which will be great!
Last week so much happened but I don't have
enough time to write it all! We had so many service opportunities and were the
guest of honor at the community gardens potluck dinner. They thanked us for all
the work we have done there and they gave us a huge basket full of vegetables
and fruits from their gardens. The people here in Dryden are so nice and
friendly! We also have made a great friendship with one of the people we serve
here. His name is J and he had a baptismal date two years ago but for various reasons
wasn't baptized and hadn't actually met and talked with the missionaries for
over a year. But ever since I
have been here, he has had a great softening of his heart and really opened up
to us. He took us for dinner and then we talked for a very long time and taught
him his favorite lesson, the plan of Salvation. I have developed a great love for
him. He is such a great guy and everything he does and works for is for other
people, just a great disciple of Christ, and very humble. I have learnt so
much from him. There is an organization he has created and
has devoted almost his whole life to. It is like the Salvation Army stores but
soo much more.
We were also able to have 4 lessons with J since the last
time I wrote you and we taught her the word of wisdom. We were worried that she
would have a problem with it but she was very good. She said, "I love my
coffee and my tea, but I think about the sacrifice He made for me. I think I
can make this small sacrifice."
She also just has so much faith and said, "I know I don't always
understand things but if He gives us commandments we should just do it."
and she even had a pot of tea that she made before we came there, and was
planning on having it after, but instead of drinking it and starting keeping
the Word of Wisdom after, she just put it down the drain. The next day she
forgot and made coffee, and half way through drinking it, she remembered that
she wasn't supposed to drink it, so instead of drinking the rest, she stopped
and dumped it down the drain again! She had a friend over Saturday night and
made her tea or coffee but she didn't have any herself! It has just been so
humbling to see how the Lord has prepared people and how he truly does answer
all of our prayers. Everything we have had success with was from answered
prayers and miracles! But it has been great! So much has happened!
I love
you very much!
-Love Elder Shane Dola
