Closing Time

 I have kinda been putting off sending this email. It has been bitter sweet recently as my time as a missionary, that I have loved immensely, is coming to an end.

Everything my life has been focused on has been getting to the point of servng a full time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I have always had the goal in mind and to think that it is over is insane. 

As missionaries for the Church, we set out to find new people to teach about Jesus Christ and how His church has been restored on the Earth today and specifically how it can bless their lives 24/7 for 2 years straight. I knew that the message we spread has blessed my life and that I wanted to share it with others, but I never expected to be able to see so many people including myself be changed by the teachings of Jesus Christ and through his Atonement or sacrifice in the ways that I saw it take place first hand. I knew I would meet amazing people and grow myself, but the true Joy I have seen these things bring to people in their lives has built my testimony of the Divinity of this work and its importance. 

I often have wondered and questioned myself as to "why?" Why am I serving a mission and doing all I can to share this with others no matter how extreme the weather may be? Or why we push through the constant rejection? Why we as missionaries do all we can to sacrifice our passions and desires in life to do something that from an outside and worldly perspective we get "nothing" (monetary) out of? I have pondered on this when the moments of difficulty hit and my answer is obvious but sincere, and it is because of Jesus Christ and the true difference He can make for people. Nothing is more amazing than helping someone find direction in such a lost and confusing world. 

Because of the ways God has used me as an instrument in His hands, I know he is in the details of our lives and that He truly is there. Being able to help people realize that and take maybe even only one step closer to their Savior makes any difficulty or struggle worth it. It by far outweighs any of the difficulty into hardly anything at all.

I love the time I have had here in the Dakotas to learn and grow and help others do the same along the way. It has been an amazing and sacred experience and I'm excited to look back on these 2 years in eternity knowing that I gave it my all.

If you are looking for true and constant joy and hope in your life please talk with me! I fly in February 2nd into Salt Lake City and can't wait to see you all again soon.

The people here in the Dakotas will always have a peice of my heart 

Elder Dalton

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P.S. from proud momma-  He will speak in Rupert Idaho on Feb 12th at 12:30pm MT  If you want a zoom link sent to you please email me at scwam6@gmail.com.  He will speak in the Upland 3rd ward on Sunday March 19th at 9am PT  I don't know if they do zoom.  So happy to get to hug on this amazing kid I am privileged to call mine. Thank you for all of our support and love for him these past 2 years and more.