...was given to me a few days ago, by a chair in a members home. I feel so good it's not even funny.
All:
I'm happy to talk again, from the cold north.
How cold is it up here?
It's so cold I saw polar bears wearing mink coats and beaver hats.
(badonk chss)
It's so cold I can outrun my own words, because they freeze coming out.
(badonk chss)
It's so cold that freeze tag is taken literally.
(
badonk chss)
Mostly, it's so cold that it's too cold to snow, which is why there
isn't snow on the ground.
I love everything up here. The work is still going on.
Hmong people seem to disappear in the cold. I need to remember that they were repatriated from the tropics. It's been harder to get meetings to go
through without people.
Still, everything's still going great.
I'm already out of time. You can rebuke me for this horrible email
next week.
I promise that it will be better next time,
Love from the North,
Elder Darcey
Monday, October 29, 2012
Monday, October 15, 2012
Rose Tinted Happiness
Family,
Well, I really am doing good here.
Even if I weren't, I wouldn't notice. You know me: I see through the world with rose-tinted contacts, and hear through rose-tinted... ears? Get the Pratchett Color of Magic quote for me, will you?
[Sorry, couldn't do it, I'm a Pratchett ignoramus, sorry no chance--Mom]
"Twoflower didn't just look at the world through rose tinted spectacles, he looked at it through a rose tinted brain, too, and heard it through rose tinted ears." Pratchett Proof that Mom has evolved during this mission too.
But really, everything is great. I love it up here. I'm already stressing that a year has gone by; it simultaneously feels like a day and an eternity.
Love Northward Elder Darcey
Well, I really am doing good here.
Even if I weren't, I wouldn't notice. You know me: I see through the world with rose-tinted contacts, and hear through rose-tinted... ears? Get the Pratchett Color of Magic quote for me, will you?[Sorry, couldn't do it, I'm a Pratchett ignoramus, sorry no chance--Mom]
"Twoflower didn't just look at the world through rose tinted spectacles, he looked at it through a rose tinted brain, too, and heard it through rose tinted ears." Pratchett Proof that Mom has evolved during this mission too.
But really, everything is great. I love it up here. I'm already stressing that a year has gone by; it simultaneously feels like a day and an eternity.
Love Northward Elder Darcey
Monday, October 8, 2012
Socks, Transfers and Conference
All,
The photo is a picture of me at transfer meeting. Elder Cameron, who mans the cameras during the meetings so he can broadcast to the bush, saw this picture of me on the camera, and took a picture of the "Angel in the Midst of the Missionaries".
Elder Cameron is Awesome.
First off, no one had actually told me Socks was on the downhill until today, but I felt sad about her a lot today, so I really figured as much. She blessed my life so much (I have the scars to prove it...) and I'll miss her until I see her again. I'll always remember her fighting with dogs, cats, foxes, wolverines (that last one may have been made up) and DAD. She is awesome. According to cat years, she was 92 when she died. That's a long, fulfilling life.
Next, transfers came through. I'm staying in the Hmong branch, which is exciting, because I have not yet conquered the language, nor have I gotten my Hmong name tag in the mail yet! I hope to stay in the branch for a while yet. Elder Chalfant, however, has served here 8 months, and is going down to Seward. I'll miss him; he's been an awesome companion. I'll be getting Elder Curtain, who is currently my Zone leader right now. Go figure.
Lastly is conference. WOW! BROCK AND MATI, YOU'RE NOT ALLOWED TO GO ON MISSIONS UNTIL I GET HOME. THUS SAYETH ELDER DARCEY. But really, I will understand if you do.
The announcement of younger missionaries floored me. Every missionary in the group with us looked like a mattock-ed Cow. [He sounds like he knows something about mattocked cows]
Stunned, wounded, a little in denial. This can only be a good thing for younger missionaries to be able to go out. I actually loved Elder Andersen's talk the most--the one about faith. Elder Andersen always has the best talks for me. I loved what he said about the need to have faith through trials. “Distancing yourself from the kingdom of God during a trial of faith is like leaving the safety of a secure storm cellar just as the tornado comes to view.” We shouldn't be surprised when we're backed to our walls of faith. I read a book recently that's really affected me. It's called "Here We Stand", by Joseph Fielding McConkie (not Bruce). It's a great book that I highly recommend. Anyway, that's about all. This transfer has passed far too quickly. I'm doing great up here. Winter is coming fast; The season of Almost-Winter is fading fast. (4 seasons in Alaska: Winter from October to April, Breakup from April to June, Construction from June to September, and Almost-Winter, from September to October Love you all from the North, Elder Darcey
Elder Cameron is Awesome.
First off, no one had actually told me Socks was on the downhill until today, but I felt sad about her a lot today, so I really figured as much. She blessed my life so much (I have the scars to prove it...) and I'll miss her until I see her again. I'll always remember her fighting with dogs, cats, foxes, wolverines (that last one may have been made up) and DAD. She is awesome. According to cat years, she was 92 when she died. That's a long, fulfilling life.
Next, transfers came through. I'm staying in the Hmong branch, which is exciting, because I have not yet conquered the language, nor have I gotten my Hmong name tag in the mail yet! I hope to stay in the branch for a while yet. Elder Chalfant, however, has served here 8 months, and is going down to Seward. I'll miss him; he's been an awesome companion. I'll be getting Elder Curtain, who is currently my Zone leader right now. Go figure.
Lastly is conference. WOW! BROCK AND MATI, YOU'RE NOT ALLOWED TO GO ON MISSIONS UNTIL I GET HOME. THUS SAYETH ELDER DARCEY. But really, I will understand if you do.
The announcement of younger missionaries floored me. Every missionary in the group with us looked like a mattock-ed Cow. [He sounds like he knows something about mattocked cows]
Stunned, wounded, a little in denial. This can only be a good thing for younger missionaries to be able to go out. I actually loved Elder Andersen's talk the most--the one about faith. Elder Andersen always has the best talks for me. I loved what he said about the need to have faith through trials. “Distancing yourself from the kingdom of God during a trial of faith is like leaving the safety of a secure storm cellar just as the tornado comes to view.” We shouldn't be surprised when we're backed to our walls of faith. I read a book recently that's really affected me. It's called "Here We Stand", by Joseph Fielding McConkie (not Bruce). It's a great book that I highly recommend. Anyway, that's about all. This transfer has passed far too quickly. I'm doing great up here. Winter is coming fast; The season of Almost-Winter is fading fast. (4 seasons in Alaska: Winter from October to April, Breakup from April to June, Construction from June to September, and Almost-Winter, from September to October Love you all from the North, Elder Darcey
Elder Dawbzaj = White Dragon
Dear Friends and family,
Transfers. I'm staying in
the Hmong branch, which is exciting, because I have not yet become proficient
in the language, nor have I gotten my Hmong name tag in the mail yet! I hope to
stay in the branch for a while yet. My new companion is Elder
Curtain, who is currently my Zone leader now.
Enjoyed Conference:
MISSIONARIES ! ! ! This can only be a good thing for
younger missionaries to go out.
I actually loved Elder
Andersen's Talk the most about faith. Elder Andersen always has the best talks
for me. I loved what he said about the need to have faith through trials.
“Distancing yourself from the kingdom of God during a trial of faith is like
leaving the safety of a secure storm cellar just as the tornado comes to
view.” This transfer period has passed far too quickly.
I'm doing great up here.
The Alaska Winter is coming fast; The season of Almost-Winter is fading fast.
(Seems there are four seasons in Alaska: Winter from October to April, Breakup
from April to June, Construction from June to September, and
Almost-Winter, from September to October.)
Love you all from the
North,
Elder Dawbzaj Hmong
name meaning White Dragon
AKA
Elder Darcey
Monday, October 1, 2012
First Snow Fall, One Year Mark, and Music
All,
It's great to talk again. I'm freaking out a little right now, (as much as I ever do; just imagine me waiting to play a new Legend of Zelda game, or waiting to watch Lord of the Rings, then quadruple it, then double that) because I happened to look at a calendar and realized that... I'm almost A YEAR OUT!@@!@#$@#$" FREAKINGOUTFREAKINGOUTFREAKINGOUT
OK, I'm good now. The librarian just shushed me, so I'll keep it down for the benefit of the other patrons. I'm terrified that the time is passing so quickly. I've been out here a year, and what do I have to show for it?
Well, that got me thinking, and I realized I have a lot to show. I've helped people come closer to Christ. I've learned new skills, like carding doors, and Hmong (sort of... it's a work in progress...). I've strengthened my testimony, and come to see miracles all around me.
Truly the scripture is fulfilled: "And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up" D & C 84:88 I've seen amazing sights, and met amazing people. I've come to know my Savior and King better than ever. And I've helped others do the same.
All in all, as I thought about it, a lot has happened out here, a hundredth I cannot even begin to write. It's been amazing As Brigham Young said about Zion's Camp, I wouldn't trade this experience for the world, and all the riches therein.
But anyway, enough musing. We had snow fall a couple days ago, which is officially earlier than all you you down south. HA This week we kind of met with our investigator De. She couldn't leave her house, and we couldn't come in, because the rest of the family was shamaning (yes, that is a made up word). when the shamans are doing their thing, no one's allowed in or out, for up to a week. It's actually kind of scary. They're trying to expel evil spirits and such, but it's really inviting them in. De is awesome though. She's been reading the Book of Mormon and she said that it always makes her feel better. Which is my testimony: Just like the Bible, the Book of Mormon contains the words of God.
How can you help but feel good while reading it?
I'm about out of time, but I'm doing great. Seriously, if there even was a problem, I probably wouldn't notice anyway. but anyway, I love you all.
Love from the Snowy-and-only-getting-snowy-er-North, Elder Darcey
The attachments are the songs an Elder wrote while up here. A little about Elder Calk: he's amazing. He was AP when I first came out, then he went and served in BARROW. ALL WINTER LONG. He's one of the best musicians around. These songs are just a sample of his amazing talent. His music has spread all over different missions; we heard that missionaries were listening to him down in Arizona, at last check. but anyway, the second song is exactly how I feel right now about going home.
It's great to talk again. I'm freaking out a little right now, (as much as I ever do; just imagine me waiting to play a new Legend of Zelda game, or waiting to watch Lord of the Rings, then quadruple it, then double that) because I happened to look at a calendar and realized that... I'm almost A YEAR OUT!@@!@#$@#$" FREAKINGOUTFREAKINGOUTFREAKINGOUT
OK, I'm good now. The librarian just shushed me, so I'll keep it down for the benefit of the other patrons. I'm terrified that the time is passing so quickly. I've been out here a year, and what do I have to show for it?
Well, that got me thinking, and I realized I have a lot to show. I've helped people come closer to Christ. I've learned new skills, like carding doors, and Hmong (sort of... it's a work in progress...). I've strengthened my testimony, and come to see miracles all around me.
Truly the scripture is fulfilled: "And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up" D & C 84:88 I've seen amazing sights, and met amazing people. I've come to know my Savior and King better than ever. And I've helped others do the same.
All in all, as I thought about it, a lot has happened out here, a hundredth I cannot even begin to write. It's been amazing As Brigham Young said about Zion's Camp, I wouldn't trade this experience for the world, and all the riches therein.
But anyway, enough musing. We had snow fall a couple days ago, which is officially earlier than all you you down south. HA This week we kind of met with our investigator De. She couldn't leave her house, and we couldn't come in, because the rest of the family was shamaning (yes, that is a made up word). when the shamans are doing their thing, no one's allowed in or out, for up to a week. It's actually kind of scary. They're trying to expel evil spirits and such, but it's really inviting them in. De is awesome though. She's been reading the Book of Mormon and she said that it always makes her feel better. Which is my testimony: Just like the Bible, the Book of Mormon contains the words of God.
How can you help but feel good while reading it?
I'm about out of time, but I'm doing great. Seriously, if there even was a problem, I probably wouldn't notice anyway. but anyway, I love you all.
Love from the Snowy-and-only-getting-snowy-er-North, Elder Darcey
The attachments are the songs an Elder wrote while up here. A little about Elder Calk: he's amazing. He was AP when I first came out, then he went and served in BARROW. ALL WINTER LONG. He's one of the best musicians around. These songs are just a sample of his amazing talent. His music has spread all over different missions; we heard that missionaries were listening to him down in Arizona, at last check. but anyway, the second song is exactly how I feel right now about going home.
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