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| Thanks Allyson and Jere VanPatten for the quick snapshot. As they say... Well I'm living here in Allentown And it's hard to keep a good man down Good luck Elder Dean! |
Tuesday, July 28, 2015
Monday, July 27, 2015
A change in companionship
July 27, 2015
Hello family and friends, it's me Elder Dean. I am sending you my weekly report.
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| Elder Fernandez and Elder Dean |
Nothing too dramatic has happened this week. One of our investigators Xaymara Fajardo will be baptized on
August Ninth and hopefully Cinquetta Moore the week afterwards. It's good to have success. I am also so glad that I was born to great parents who have raised me to be a missionary. I know that Heavenly Father has put trust in me to be a missionary because I know that I was born into this gospel so that I could share it with others.
Thank you for all the letters and emails I have received (shout out to you Grandma) they have really lifted my spirit. It's hard to be a missionary, but it is fun to see that I have already been away from home for three months. Time is just flying by. I love you guys. If you have any questions for me I would love to answer them (whether they be for Trevor or Elder Dean). I can also read Emails any time, so write me anytime like I said I love seeing what is happening back home. Keep doing your best
-Elder Dean
trevor.dean@myldsmail.net
My mailing address is 510 North 8th Street, Allentown, PA 18102
Transfers are coming...
July 20th, 2015
Dear Mom,
I hope you are doing well and I hope Colin is doing well after his fifty miler hike. I expect he has some good stories from camping. How are you doing? I haven't heard much from the family in the past week. I am doing well-ish. Transfers are coming up and my companion is leaving, so I will be getting a new companion soon. I don't know who it is yet. I'm a little nervous taking over my first area. I will still be in Allentown. What was dad's first experience of taking over an area?
I have a few things to ask of you mother first could you email me some pictures of each family member second could you send me your bread recipe and third could you send me some nose hair trimmers (they're getting a little wild). I hope your feeling better from your Kux love you.
-Elder Dean
(P.S. I'll write about my week in a minute)
(P.S.S. Minute is slang here for any measure of time)
Love you Mom!
The Bread Recipe
6 C flour
1 1/2 tsp salt
3 Cups lukewarm water
1 1/2 tsp yeast
Mix 6 cups flour and salt together. In another bowl add to 1 Cup of the water and 1&1/2 tsp yeast and set aside. Mix the rest of the water into the flour salt combo. When well-mixed, add the yeast water. Mix well, cover and let sit. (Note: None of these ingredients needs to be exact. If the dough is too playdough'ish add more water. If the dough is too watery...you'll add more flour after its raises. Depending on the quality and age of your yeast you're dough should raise enough to cook within 4-10 hours. I generally do it over night, it seems to work best.)
When you're ready to bake. Set the oven temperature to 400 degrees and heat up the pan and lid. Scrap the dough onto a floured surface. Depending on how wet your dough will determine whether you need a full cup of flour or a half cup of flour to knead into your mixture. Scrap the dough onto a flour surface and shape into a ball or oval. (Just needs to fit your oven proof pan.) I pour a little olive oil into the bottom of the pan, but you could use Pam spray as well. Put the lid on the pan and bake for 30 minuites. Then remove the lid and bake uncovered for 15 more minutes to brown the top of the bread.
Love you,
Mom
July 4th, 2015
Thanks for the heads-up I love you and I have a lot of cool news and stories for you when you get back. I am getting a mini missionary, so we will see how that goes. Also things continue to go well for for me in Allentown we have some ne
w investigators and have five baptisms on the forecast.
I hope you are having fun and I expect to here some fun stories of dear nuzzling and Ashton antics when you get home. Also it's all about your mind that if you want things to be good things will be good. That's what I learned here in Allentown. If you plan be
happy, you will be happy. If you want to be stressed about a camp out, you'll be stressed about a camp out. Keep doing your best. -Elder Dean
(Trevor wrote later "The mini missionary wasn't able to come. He had something come up. To put it in missionary terms we had a miscarriage.)
June 29th, 2015
Things are going well not much has changed we are about half way through a the transfer so I will probably have a new companion in 3 weeks or so my trainer will probably leave but he could also stay nothing is to solid in missionary work. I'll write something about that for the blog later. Not much has happened this week. The days are starting to blur together. I love you I will write a news letter next week.
But to answer some of your questions,
-Elder Dean
Dear Mom,
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| Humidity in Allentown. |
I have a few things to ask of you mother first could you email me some pictures of each family member second could you send me your bread recipe and third could you send me some nose hair trimmers (they're getting a little wild). I hope your feeling better from your Kux love you.
-Elder Dean
(P.S. I'll write about my week in a minute)
(P.S.S. Minute is slang here for any measure of time)
Love you Mom!
The Bread Recipe
6 C flour
1 1/2 tsp salt
3 Cups lukewarm water
1 1/2 tsp yeast
Mix 6 cups flour and salt together. In another bowl add to 1 Cup of the water and 1&1/2 tsp yeast and set aside. Mix the rest of the water into the flour salt combo. When well-mixed, add the yeast water. Mix well, cover and let sit. (Note: None of these ingredients needs to be exact. If the dough is too playdough'ish add more water. If the dough is too watery...you'll add more flour after its raises. Depending on the quality and age of your yeast you're dough should raise enough to cook within 4-10 hours. I generally do it over night, it seems to work best.)
When you're ready to bake. Set the oven temperature to 400 degrees and heat up the pan and lid. Scrap the dough onto a floured surface. Depending on how wet your dough will determine whether you need a full cup of flour or a half cup of flour to knead into your mixture. Scrap the dough onto a flour surface and shape into a ball or oval. (Just needs to fit your oven proof pan.) I pour a little olive oil into the bottom of the pan, but you could use Pam spray as well. Put the lid on the pan and bake for 30 minuites. Then remove the lid and bake uncovered for 15 more minutes to brown the top of the bread.
Love you,
Mom
July 4th, 2015
Thanks for the heads-up I love you and I have a lot of cool news and stories for you when you get back. I am getting a mini missionary, so we will see how that goes. Also things continue to go well for for me in Allentown we have some ne
w investigators and have five baptisms on the forecast. I hope you are having fun and I expect to here some fun stories of dear nuzzling and Ashton antics when you get home. Also it's all about your mind that if you want things to be good things will be good. That's what I learned here in Allentown. If you plan be
happy, you will be happy. If you want to be stressed about a camp out, you'll be stressed about a camp out. Keep doing your best. -Elder Dean
(Trevor wrote later "The mini missionary wasn't able to come. He had something come up. To put it in missionary terms we had a miscarriage.)
June 29th, 2015
Things are going well not much has changed we are about half way through a the transfer so I will probably have a new companion in 3 weeks or so my trainer will probably leave but he could also stay nothing is to solid in missionary work. I'll write something about that for the blog later. Not much has happened this week. The days are starting to blur together. I love you I will write a news letter next week.
But to answer some of your questions,
- I get out of the car to make sure he doesn't scratch the car on the curb. We drive a Ford Fusion.
- I have started to keep a dream journal. My asleep mind is weird.
- Can you get dad to tell me some of his mission stories (maybe he can share them with everyone at a family home evening as well?)
- Peace save the whales!
-Elder Dean
Tuesday, June 23, 2015
A Series of Small Sucessive Emails/Hello
June 23, 2015
From: Angie Dean
To: Trevor Dean
(Excerpt from a previous email to Trevor from Me for context)...I mean you've only been gone two months now, but it seems like forever for me. Although Trev I can honestly say, I have never felt like I needed to drive to Philly and sit on the corner with a big bat in order to protect you. So that's good. I hope you would tell me if things weren't going well, then I could pray for you and put your name into the temple. Pam and Marianne cried for weeks and weeks, but when I think of you, I am always hopeful. It could be my adventurous spirit talking, but I would encourage you to enjoy the successes and enjoy the disappointments if possible. Both experiences will teach you a lot about others, and yourself. Just don't let the dissapointments keep your down, because you really have no idea what seeds have been planted. Therefore thrust in your sickle, and trust in God, he won't disappoint.
From: Trevor Dean
To: Angie Dean
Sent: Tuesday, June 23, 2015 9:13 AM
Subject: Hello
Sorry our P-Day was moved this week but I can address your last letter. Yes, I have had a lot of good (and some bad)experiences, but I am always happy. I know that you raised me right to always look for the good and to keep my values.
From: Trevor Dean
To: Angie Dean
Sent: Tuesday, June 23, 2015 2:32 PM
Subject: Hello
Hey it's Elder Dean with the weekly news. I have had a great week, our car has been in the shop so we have done a lot of tracting and street contacting on our way to appointments. We have seen so many miracles. We have gotten some new investigators. We have a great family we started teaching. We also have a part-member family who wants to start taking the lessons. There is also a woman who moved from Philadelphia who couldn't be baptized because she was living with her boyfriend, but sheis ready to be baptized we set a day for her in three weeks.
I know Heavenly Father has prepared this area for the work and I am glad that I can be the tool that hastens his work. I know that the times we struggle the most are the times we learn the most about ourselves and who we are. So when hard times hit don't bend under pressure, be the weld that holds.
-Elder Dean
From Trevor Dean
To: Angie Dean
Sent: Tuesday, June 23, 2015 3:42 PM
Subject: Last Ray of Sunshine
I will be on a regular schedule next week so I'll write you on Monday. I love you.
-Elder Dean
From: Angie Dean
To: Trevor Dean
Sent: Sunday, Jun 21 at 7:44 AM
Subject: Hello
(Excerpt from a previous email to Trevor from Me for context)...I mean you've only been gone two months now, but it seems like forever for me. Although Trev I can honestly say, I have never felt like I needed to drive to Philly and sit on the corner with a big bat in order to protect you. So that's good. I hope you would tell me if things weren't going well, then I could pray for you and put your name into the temple. Pam and Marianne cried for weeks and weeks, but when I think of you, I am always hopeful. It could be my adventurous spirit talking, but I would encourage you to enjoy the successes and enjoy the disappointments if possible. Both experiences will teach you a lot about others, and yourself. Just don't let the dissapointments keep your down, because you really have no idea what seeds have been planted. Therefore thrust in your sickle, and trust in God, he won't disappoint.
From: Trevor Dean
To: Angie Dean
Sent: Tuesday, June 23, 2015 9:13 AM
Subject: Hello
Sorry our P-Day was moved this week but I can address your last letter. Yes, I have had a lot of good (and some bad)experiences, but I am always happy. I know that you raised me right to always look for the good and to keep my values.
From: Trevor Dean
To: Angie Dean
Sent: Tuesday, June 23, 2015 2:32 PM
Subject: Hello
Hey it's Elder Dean with the weekly news. I have had a great week, our car has been in the shop so we have done a lot of tracting and street contacting on our way to appointments. We have seen so many miracles. We have gotten some new investigators. We have a great family we started teaching. We also have a part-member family who wants to start taking the lessons. There is also a woman who moved from Philadelphia who couldn't be baptized because she was living with her boyfriend, but sheis ready to be baptized we set a day for her in three weeks.
I know Heavenly Father has prepared this area for the work and I am glad that I can be the tool that hastens his work. I know that the times we struggle the most are the times we learn the most about ourselves and who we are. So when hard times hit don't bend under pressure, be the weld that holds.
-Elder Dean
From Trevor Dean
To: Angie Dean
Sent: Tuesday, June 23, 2015 3:42 PM
Subject: Last Ray of Sunshine
I will be on a regular schedule next week so I'll write you on Monday. I love you.
-Elder Dean
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| I wanted to send one last picture then I will be done. Love you guys. Put this picture on the front door or something! Love you!!! |
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| Explanation of the picture: I got a bloody nose while tracting |
June 15th, 2015
I have had a great week in the Philadelphia Pennsylvania Mission. This week the Mendoza family and Benjamin Bonaparte were both baptized. It has also been a crazy week for Elder Litton and I. We have been really blessed. The first few weeks this area was dead, but through working with the members we have seen 7 baptisms and 1 child of record baptism in this area.
I know that Heavenly Father has helped us with such great members to fellowship our investigators, to get them to church, and invite them into their homes. Members really are the greatest tools a missionary has so remember to share the gospel as much as possiblebecause you can really change lives.
-Elder Dean
I know that Heavenly Father has helped us with such great members to fellowship our investigators, to get them to church, and invite them into their homes. Members really are the greatest tools a missionary has so remember to share the gospel as much as possiblebecause you can really change lives.
-Elder Dean
Monday, June 8, 2015
Ehhh
June 8th, 2015
This week has been okay. We have been doing lots of exchanges because transfers are coming up (both my companion and I are staying) so I had to take over the area with other missionaries for the last few days...it's been rough. All of our investigators are progressing and we should have five baptisms this week. I will try to send pictures for you.
One day while we were waiting for the car to be washed, I saw a group of Asians walking. I turned to my companion for the day, Elder Bair, and stated how this was unusual, when all of a sudden two break off and walk right towards us and state how they are members from Mongolia who have been looking for a ward building. We told them where to go and gave them our number to call for any help. I have seen a lot of miracles this week like that, except most of them were Spanish members who have lost their connection to the Church when they moved to America. Thank goodness the elders who were with me spoke Spanish, so my job was to smile and look pretty for most of those conversations.
I know that the more people we talk to and share the gospel with the more success we can see. In D&C section 4, the Lord promises us that the field is white already to harvest and as we thrust in our sickles with our might the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not but bringeth salvation to his soul. What this says is that people are ready to hear the gospel and that as we share the gospel, people will accept its message...but it is proportional to how much work we put in. If we tell a friend about our church every once in a while, we might see success. And if we invite a few people to a ward activity, we will see that much success. And if we share the gospel with everyone we see, we will see that much success. There is a lot of work to do and we are all called to the work. I am glad to be serving as a missionary and to be able to change people's lives with the message that we share. Do your best wherever you are and be the best that you can be.
-Elder Dean
This week has been okay. We have been doing lots of exchanges because transfers are coming up (both my companion and I are staying) so I had to take over the area with other missionaries for the last few days...it's been rough. All of our investigators are progressing and we should have five baptisms this week. I will try to send pictures for you.
One day while we were waiting for the car to be washed, I saw a group of Asians walking. I turned to my companion for the day, Elder Bair, and stated how this was unusual, when all of a sudden two break off and walk right towards us and state how they are members from Mongolia who have been looking for a ward building. We told them where to go and gave them our number to call for any help. I have seen a lot of miracles this week like that, except most of them were Spanish members who have lost their connection to the Church when they moved to America. Thank goodness the elders who were with me spoke Spanish, so my job was to smile and look pretty for most of those conversations.
I know that the more people we talk to and share the gospel with the more success we can see. In D&C section 4, the Lord promises us that the field is white already to harvest and as we thrust in our sickles with our might the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not but bringeth salvation to his soul. What this says is that people are ready to hear the gospel and that as we share the gospel, people will accept its message...but it is proportional to how much work we put in. If we tell a friend about our church every once in a while, we might see success. And if we invite a few people to a ward activity, we will see that much success. And if we share the gospel with everyone we see, we will see that much success. There is a lot of work to do and we are all called to the work. I am glad to be serving as a missionary and to be able to change people's lives with the message that we share. Do your best wherever you are and be the best that you can be.
-Elder Dean
Monday, June 1, 2015
The Daily New at 5:00
June 1st, 2015
Thank you Mom and Family for all the presents.
I got the box
with Happy Birthday written all over it and I also got the Granny B box. I kept opening boxes and there were
more boxes in them.
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| I also was able to have a baptism yesterday with the Adhikari kids. That was another great birthday present. The boy’s name is Sanjay. In the middle is Shreya, and the eight year old is Nikita. |
Our other investigators are also
progressing well. The Mendoza family and Benjamin are both progressing. We are about to start the "fun"
lessons (word of wisdom and law of chastity).
I can only pray that they have enough faith to pull
them through. I know that this is the
true church and that what I'm doing here has made a difference for this family
and that as we follow the gospel we can see improvements in our everyday lives because I've
seen it in mine. I know that Heavenly
Father has helped me get this far. I
know the church is true and that Joseph Smith was called to be a prophet and he restored Christ's true church to the earth.
In additional news, we should be getting Facebook in a week or two.
Love you lots.
Elder Dean
P.S. I need to take more pictures. It's just hard to slow down the rush to take them. I will try to repent and take more. Just let us work through the rush first. I am going on errands, but if you have questions I'll be sure to answer them today.
P.P.S. Tell Ryan Happy Birthday and buy him a magic intro deck from me. I will train him when I get back or Colin can.
P.P.S. Tell Ryan Happy Birthday and buy him a magic intro deck from me. I will train him when I get back or Colin can.
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