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

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 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  

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.

Moar Photographs (LOL Cats spelling)

Dear All,

Photos are first, The logs we carried up a mountain and arranged, with no idea what we were doing. We later climbed another mountain, and saw the result.

 "And the Lord called his people because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them" (Moses 7:18).

 Second photo is Our Zone, the Chugach Zone. You see Elders from Eagle River, Anchorage, Nome, Bethel and Kotzebue.

 I guess I'll just have to be quick.... (Photos are hiking Mt Baldy *(Dad, I can't get away from bald mountains, even in Alaska!) and Slingshot-ing at Zone Conference. Be it known that I rock at those things. It's great to talk again.

This week flew by with speed. I was shocked to see that there was already a week less remaining on my mission. There wasn't a lot to talk about until yesterday, which I loved. We had our little room in the church building FILLED with Hmong people at sacrament meeting. There were probably 50 people there. It was an amazing meeting.

I had been assigned to give a talk, which I did. I really couldn't thing of anything to speak about, so I fell back on What's important, and talked about God's love for us. I brought up Moses 1, which first shows God's power, his creations, and his works. Then I went on to the next verse: "Behold, Thou art my son". God has all these creations to thing about, yet he takes time for each and every one of us. he will never slack off on caring for and looking after us. Moses 1:39: The point of God Even BEING there is because he loves us. God is Love, And we can feel that wherever we are.

 It always makes me think about the Restoration in a new light when I think about The first word God said to Joseph Smith. He Called him BY NAME. God knows all of us on a "first name basis". Anyway, I didn't really think it was that great of a talk, but people said it was what they needed to hear, so that's good.

 I Got the second package from my family. The Sobe didn't explode, but the cereal did, a bit. Don't worry though, because I am so loaded on Cereal you don't need to send any more. Seriously. Don't.

 Anyway, The weather's been turning colder, and it won't be more than a few more weeks before we have lasting snow. I realize I never sent my family any winter stuff for them to send back to me, which is just as well. Don't worry about sending the socks back; I'm still loaded on those too.

Hmong is slowly progressing. It's slow, hard, and memorization is hardest, but it's coming. So, I'll leave you with an illegible testimony. Don't use Bing to translate, unless you want a laugh.

 Kuv paub hais tias Phau Ntawv Maumoos muaj tseev. Kuv paub hais tias Yexus Khetos yog Vajtswv leej tub. Vajtswv yog peleej txiv saum ntuj ceeb tsheeb, Thiab kuv hais tej yam no los ntawm Yexus Khetos lub npe, Amees.

  Hlub from the North

 Elder Dawbzaj  (White Dragon)

Glaciers and Musk Ox and Transfers... OH MY!

All

 First off, I'm on a bad computer again, so sorry.

Second, I just got transfer calls. I'm going to serve in the Hmong branch. I'm serious! I get to go and learn a language! (TAKE THAT, COUSINS, SIBLINGS AND SIBLINGS BOYFRIEND WHO ALL KNOW CHINESE AND SPANISH (and french; How's that going anyway, Dia?)...


 So, I'm pretty sure most of you are wondering what that is anyway, so I'll explain. Hmongs are from China, Laos and the surrounding areas, and they've been kicked out for various reasons.

Wikipiedia has it better; just check it out there. Anyway, A lot of them found their way to Alaska (and Tulsa, by the way) and there found us, the LDS missionaries. Therefore, the Hmong Branch was born. And now I'm going to serve there.

 "But Elder Darcey! What will happen to Brayton, your current area?

 I'm glad you asked, random questioner. The answer is that another Elder and his trainee will move in and work here. I trust that they'll do well.

 "Isn't it sad to leave Brayton?" Well, yes it is, random questioner. I'm very sad to leave this wonderful area, but the Lord has something else in store for me. Something that involves an 8-tone-language to learn. It will also be difficult, as my skill with languages is... lacking. However, It will all work out in the end. As one of my favorite scripture ever states: "Sanctify [yourself], for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you" (Joshua 3:5). As I have faith and work hard, it will work out. I will learn an impossible language, I won't get sick from Hmong food, I will Do Awesome.

 So, we had a great Pday the other day. We went out to the wilds around anchorage and saw awesomeness. Don't believe me? Check out the Grizzly bear photo.

OOh, OOH! Dia! I'm sending you a package that will reach you in the next couple days! Take out the stuff that's for you, then please drop the rest off in Kamas when you can! Check out the picture in the Bottom of the package! It's been fun up here. The sun is almost normal, which will remain for about another couple days before the sun stops coming up. I CAN'T wait for winter. I'll probably be in Hmong for a couple transfers, though.

 Any other questions, Random Questioner? "Nope, I'm Good."

 That's good. If you have any other questions for me, make sure to write it on a post-it note, stick it on some food, and send it to me.

 Or email me (I miss car-talk, if you didn't notice).

From the Asian North,  Elder Darcey

Zone C, Packages and Sharing the Warmth

All!

It's so good to again talk to all of Koh again.

Here in Hmong, it's been a rough week. Most of our investigators and less actives cancelled our lessons and shot down our appts, we mostly scrambled around and tried to not look like complete failures. :) But really, it was an awesome week. I need to tell you about our AMAZING Zone Conference, Stake Conference, and to answer a question I heard someone ask. so, ready GO!

(1)  Ib: I got a package FILLED with food. You have no idea how much that helps. Thanks so much for the food, and the notes.

(2)  Ob: I got a surprise package from the ATKINSONS! Thank you so much for the thoughts, letters and candy.

(3)  Peb: Our Zone conference this week was amazing. We went up to the reindeer farm in Palmer and did service, hiked around in our own Zion's Camp, and learned amazing things. The thing that stuck out to me was about keeping the armor of God on, especially the sword of the Spirit. Imagine going into a place where they said "no swords allowed in here; you'll have to drop it off, but you can pick it up on the way out". Then, when you came back out, your sword was missing. I wouldn't like that. Yet, that's exactly what we do when we go somewhere where the Spirit can't stay with us. We drop off the spirit, only to come back and find that it's missing. We need to only do things and go places where we're allowed to keep our swords handy. It wouldn't be good to get ambushed without our weapon or armor on.

(4)  Plaub: I wanted to answer a question about recognizing whether the Spirit is giving you promptings, or whether it's just you're own thoughts. I'll answer from Elder Bednar. "Don't worry about it. If it leads you to do good, it's from God, no matter who the messenger is".

(5) Tsib: Our Stake Conference was awesome. There were really two topics. First was being happy. We need to be joyful. We have the greatest thing on Earth. We need to enjoy it. We have the knowledge of the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the "Marvelous Work and a Wonder" spoken of by Isaiah. Second, We have the duty, responsibility, and calling to share this happiness with others. We have to let our Light shine. We can't hide it; IT NEEDS to be on a candlestick. We have the complete and full truth; we need to give it to others, so they can be happy as well.

That's about all. I love you all, and pray for you always. I'm doing great, and hope you are too.

Love from the North,

Elder Dawbzaj

Member faith is awesome, How I Love Natives. and other Topics

Family,

 I'm feeling better, so you can stop panicking.

 And no, mom, it wasn't the entire package of apples, for I did verily drink much water. It was totally Gluten. And by the way, any time you want to send more of those up, that would be great. ;)

 We had an awesome week here in Anchorage We worked hard, stayed obedient, and were blessed with 2 lessons this whole week, which is double our last three weeks (our area is... a bit slow. We're really trying hard to change that). I know that as we stay obedient and keep working, we'll be blessed even more. It will be awesome.

 Speaking of blessings, we had an awesome lesson with an old, one-handed, native member. He related the entire gospel and foundation of the church to a fly fishing pole. it was pretty cool. And then he said a prayer, which hit me like a spiritual ton of bricks. I'll quote just a bit of it; it was powerful. In context, he's asking the Lord to bless us: "Please bless these men, these warriors of the rainbow. The rainbow is Christ, who promised to come again and bring peace. These men are his warriors, come to bring that peace"

 On a slightly related note, My favorite picture of all time is "Peace is Coming", by McNaughton. Check it out. You'll see why I like it. 

 This week was pretty cool, all in all. At a dinner recently, I made the error of letting the three-year-old choose what page of the Book of Mormon I should share a spiritual thought out of. He chose Alma 21:6.

Alma 21: 6, Thou also sayest, except we repent we shall perish. How knowest thou the thought and intent of our hearts? How knowest thou that we have cause to repent? How knowest thou that we are not a righteous people? Behold, we have built sanctuaries, We do believe that God will save all men.

 But then I realized that this is the response we get from a lot of people as we're out here on our missions, and in life. People tell us, no thanks, what I have is good enough. We don't have to prove them wrong; we just need to show them that what we have is even better. We simply need to show, by our actions, lives and deeds, that our Fruit is good, and that it's at least worth looking into.

 Out of time, with companions breathing down my neck.

 Love From the North,

 Elder Darcey:)

Satan Tries to Kill with Enchiladas!

To swat a millfly, use a shovel (Star Wars reference, anyone? Yes? No? OK, never mind).

 To swat an Elder Darcey, use MORE Gluten. It's funny, how Brock tells me to watch what I eat, And Dia (formerly Sister Darcey) Eats a whole Non-GF Pie, at the same time as I'm Doing the same at a Mexican restaurant up here in Alaska, two days in a row. (don't ask)

 This Sunday was great, and by great, I mean horrible. I woke up feeling good, shifted a little, and had a gluten knife shoved into my gut and twisted. All day long. It wasn't the funnest day I've had out here. But enough of that. I'm OK now, and probably won't die anytime soon from that.

 Other than Death's Near-Elder-Darcey-Experience, This week has been pretty awesome. We're probably turning our only investigator over to the YSA Elders, though, which is kind of a bummer.

 On the Other hand, She'll be around people her own age, and she'll be able to go to more activities and stuff, which will help her more in the end. So, We'll just go get more investigators!

Somehow... Parents, my finance issue last week has been resolved. Thanks so much for making it work out quickly and effectively. I also got the dehydrated apples you sent along with it! Thank you sooo much! You have no idea how much I loved those things. Yes, they're gone now. I ate them all. But thanks. I loved them.

I don't really have a lot more to say. I really am sorry for the short emails- it realy has just been business as usual, doing the same things,

While working hard to not get in a rut (hard up here, ruts are all over the roads...).

 Love to you all from the North, Elder Darcey

A Righteous Leader at the Helm?

All,

 It's good to write from a working computer. I have only a few things to remark upon, but Hopefully they are good things. First, I'm doing great. No problems with being GF, no real issues with any personal things, except that one thing I have already emailed my parents about, which they hopefully respond about soon... maybe... please...

 We had a pretty hard week here in our area, though it wasn't much harder than most missionary life, so don't worry. the most interesting day was when we were out frying to contact former investigators, and one asked if we were drunk for calling. He told us that he was a day sleeper (it was 5:00 PM), that his entire family woke up too (are they all day sleepers? Did we contact a family of vampires?

 One's name was Felix... if you get that reference, kudos), they were all mad (as if we insulted them, their dog, and all their ancestors back to Adam...) and that we should never drop by, or we would be really, really sorry. it was fun. However, there is a opposite to everything!

 At 8:30 that night, we get a call from our investigator who is open right now! it was awesome! We had a great lesson with her, and really enjoyed the time, and in the end had a great day, because of course, all's well that ends well. So that was a great day.

 Here's a cool thought about rightous leadership. it's in 3 nephi 3: "Now behold, this Lachoneus, the governor, was a just man, and could not be frightened by the demands and the threatenings of robbers; therefore he did not hearken to the epistle of Giddianhi, the governor of the robbers, but he did cause that his people should cry unto the Lord for strength against the time that the robbers should come down against them."

Now check out the footnote for robber; it goes to 1 Kings, where King Ahab (wicked) is presented with the same threats, and he capitulates completly.

On the other hand, look at Lachoneus. He doesn't fear a man; he only fears God.

It really makes a difference who's in charge; if they're rightous or wicked. That's really true on the mission, and in life, If we're put in charge, we need to show rightous leadership; otherwise we end up as Ahab. That's all really.

Parents please write back soon about that issue.

 Elder Darcey

All,

 I am sorry if any of my thoughts seem scrambled; I blame the computer. It took almost a full hour to read my emails, because the thing wouldn't scroll down. It was Odd, to say the least.

 Here in the Brayton ward, things are going awesome. Between interviews with President (I love that man), and getting gluten the next day, (all who are GF, Red Robin's Restaurant is not as GF as they say they are...) and my companion getting all his stuff stolen out of the car (over 1000$ worth; GPS, sunglasses, camera, backpack, scriptures... ouch.), we still had time to have a lesson with our new investigator, B! She's half chinese and extremely interested in the Church. We found her working at the gas station, and she's awesome.

 I think I'm going to need to buy a GPS up here. I'm having directional difficulties again.  And yes, it needs to be up here, because these are the only one's that come with Alaska maps already loaded.

 I gave a talk at church about trials and how to overcome them. I though it was pretty good, especially since I just opened the scriptures at random that morning and chose something to talk about. I opened up to Mosiah, where it talks about how the lord gives trials to make us stronger. I used the trials in my life as examples; being GF, baptized at 15, and so on. I used them to show that not only can we overcome, but we also get stronger through it. In the end, it was a great talk.

 Got to go now, but I love you all. It's been raining a lot up here; Maybe utah should just move to Alaska. 

Love from the North, Elder Darcey

First Email from New Area--ANCHORAGE

All,

 

Up here in Anchorage is CRAZY! There's too many people and there's nobody I know, and people aren't definitely in our area, and too many people!

But really, I love it up here. Everything is cheaper, and the people are just as loving, and food is WAY easier to get at, and my new companion is Awesome. His name is Elder Patrius: he's a convert of 2 years, he's from Las Vegas, He has tattoos up both forearms, he's been out here for almost 4 months and he's AWESOME. He definitely has a testimony, and though he doesn't know a whole bunch, he's learning fast. it's just cool.

Hey, It's kinda weird to think it, but I'm only a convert of about four years. Huh.

Anyway, the area I've moved into is... slow. Really, it has a bunch of reasons for being that way. It's the smallest area in Anchorage, being only 1 mile square, about. The people here are rich (and kind of proud of it...), Content where they are, and have heard the missionaries a dozen times. The area's been tracted over and over, and nothings happened for a while. Well, we're going to change that. It's going to be awesome.

Getting GF is pretty easy up here. I got a package from the CLEGGS!!! THANKS SO MUCH! I especially thought the already popped popcorn was a good idea, and it wasn't too bad tasting, either.

16 GB USB drive for only 12 dollar! A 8 GB down south was 80! Anchorage rocks!

Also, Sister Peel! Thank you so much for your encouraging letters and cards! I love them so much and think they are awesome.

Anchorage is really different up here in July (July is its own season up here, along with June, Breakup and winter...) without snow. The sun's out most of the time (seriously. Most of the time. Like, from 2 AM to 11PM, with 12 and 1 in the morning being dusk/dawn) and the city is just large. But I love it. I managed to get my suitcases under 50 lbs! (49 for one, and 49.5 for the other) Moving was rough, but it's good now.

I love you all. I still pray for rain, and for all of you. Your prayers and letters are appreciated and loved up here.

Love from the Even-farther-north-than-previously-North,

Elder Darcey

Pictures are the NORTHERN LIGHTS Which I barely saw, but were amazing!!!!