On Monday, August 22, 2016 1:55 PM, Dustin Thelander <dustin.thelander@myldsmail.net> wrote:
So sorry that I did not get an email off last week. It was a crazy Monday as I was down the hill in Rancho Cucamonga. I was called to be a trainer, so I was down there to pick up my new missionary. I stayed the night there on Monday with some other Elders, and the next morning we helped them fix up their apartment and make some new beds (two sets of elders will now be staying there as opposed to just one). After that, we tried to find some people to talk to at the local parks, but the heat must have kept everyone away. So..... we went to Krispy Kreme to get some donuts :) Driving from there to the mission office I got a look at what I though to be a big rain cloud. Driving up the road further revealed it was a massive plume of smoke. It resembled a mushroom cloud. From where it was coming from I could tell it came from the area of the Cajon pass along the 15 freeway. I didn't think too much of it. We got to the mission office, and we had lunch with all of the new Elders not knowing who our new companions would be. After lunch concluded, President Taylor got us all together to assign us our new comps. Half way through his list he read my name, then the name of Elder Pooley. I took him in a happy embrace, and we sat down in the chapel. We had a meeting then with president Taylor to review how the training process works for new missionaries. Then he ended the meeting and also asked all the missionaries who would be going to the desert to remain there to talk further. He stated that the fire I had seen had progressed and that they had closed the Cajon pass. So, we were trapped. Elder Pooley and I were assigned to stay with President Taylor and his wife. It was pretty cool- we got to spend the night in the mission home. All this occurred on Tuesday.
The next day Elder Pooley and I spent part of the day in Upland. I figured we would go there because I know the area like the back of my hand. We were able to visit some less active members and teach them. We also saw the Eklof family later in the day which was awesome. Since I left she had her baby- a cute little girl. We returned to the mission office around 6 as Sister Taylor had prepared dinner for us. While eating President informed us the fire had scorched 15,000 acres and had a lovely 0% containment. So, we knew we weren't having our last dinner there. After dinner, we were sitting in the front room of the house- Elder Pooley and I and the other 4 Elders staying at the house. President and his wife walked in and together we talked about our favorite scriptures and shared testimonies. I shared Moroni 8:16 talking about how perfect love casteth out all fear. It was a great bonding time for us missionaries and a great chance to get to know President Taylor better.
Thursday came, and we were once again assigned to go to Upland for the day. We helped Elder Mitchell and his comp in the area for the day. We drove them around (which they really appreciated) and visited some people ourselves. Then it was back to the mission home for another night. The fire at this point had burned 20,000 or so acres but had moved beyond the Cajon pass. So after another night and an amazing waffle breakfast made by Sister Taylor, we began our trek back up the hill. Traffic was a nightmare, but after a while we made it back. Friday Afternoon was spent unpacking Elder Pooley's things and doing some shopping. We had a meeting in the evening with our ward mission leader, Brother Hivener. We talked about the work in the Adelanto ward and set up a meeting schedule.
After picking up Elder Pooley on Tuesday, our first official day of work came on Saturday. In the morning we visited some North Adelanto members with Brother Hivener. We saw Shanay and Sister Ingram. Both lessons went great and Elder Pooley did a wonderful job. Bro Hivener treated us to some lunch, and then we did our weekly planning session. We made sure to set goals that are both reachable yet push us at the same time. After that concluded, we stopped by the Faalogo family to try and visit Levi. We had the other Elders we live with visit Levi on Wednesday when we were stuck down the hill so we can keep him on track for his September 3rd baptismal date. He wasn't home when we went by, but we got to teach the rest of the family a lesson which they really liked. Our miracle of the week came in the evening. There is this family called the Motufau's and they have a son named Va'a (16) who was being taught by the missionaries here a while back. Then he moved to Colorado to stay the summer with his Uncle. We tried by there and he was home!!! Not only was he home, he was excited to see us. We got to talking and apparently when in Colorado, he had the missionaries over and he went to church every week. So now we have him on as well for baptism on September 3rd. He is already talking about serving a mission. We will see him this week to verify everything and make sure he knows all that he was taught.
Yesterday we had a great day at church. Sacrament meeting was packed, and Levi was there for the 3rd time putting in stone his readiness for baptism on the 3rd. After church, we taught him a lesson on the importance of Church, Prayer, and Reading the scriptures aka CPR, but for your spirit. We really make a point as well to make sure all of those things are done together. Leaving just one part our leaves space for the adversary to creep in and break you down. All of them together set up a mighty defense against that evil one trying to pull us down. After a great dinner with the Tuatoga family, we stopped by to meet with the other ward mission leader, Brother Hill.
So, some quick things on Elder Pooley. He is from Connecticut and has attended a year of school at UVU. He wrestled through high school and did a year of football. He is bull strong and great to talk to. He is also a sponge- he asks a lot of questions and acts on answers. That puts a lot of pressure on me, I just hope the Lord will bless me with strength. We are looking forward to working our tails off for the time that we are together.
Scripture of the Week is from Alma, chapter 42, verse 31, "And now, O my son, ye are called of God to preach the word unto this people. And now, my son, go thy way, declare the word with truth and soberness, that thou mayest bring souls unto repentance, that the great plan of mercy may have claim upon them. And may God grant unto you even according to my words. Amen."
I love you all so much. Have a great week and be safe... Don't play with fire!!!
Love,
Elder Thelander
photos- me with members from the Samoan ward saying goodbye to Elder Ockey and a picture of the fire that trapped us!
