Transfers

Also, Elder Armstrong is getting transferred this week so please don't send him any mail until he posts his new address!

March 17 - Email Home

Well, yesterday was stake conference! It was a region wide stake conference meaning that all of the stakes within our mission boundaries were part of a broadcast from SLC. We had two Seventies, a member of the Primary Presidency (I believe), and Elder L. Tom Perry. They talked about the hastening of the work, and about how to improve one's self in relation to the gospel, so that they could spread the gospel better.

Yesterday was pretty eventful! We had our first baptism! She got baptized last night and we are so excited! I'll be sending out a picture later! She will be confirmed this Sunday during sacrament meeting. Our plan is to teach her English so that she can get a job and actually enjoy Sacrament meeting, Relief Society and Gospel Principles.

The work went slowly this week, but we still tried our best. The rest of our investigators have been pretty busy, so we have been teaching the members the lesson. We have also been working with some of the Less Active members in our ward! It has been good!

I'm glad everything is well at home! I mean, its the normal crazy busyness but thats good!

Way to go Daws! Finish that Eagle fast! Don't take an entire year to pull it off like me! haha

I know this Church is true. I know the Savior loves me. He has always been there for me, I just needed to turn to him. Once I did, I got the best help I could ever receive, because He knows who I am!

I love you all! Thank you for the support!

-Elder Armstrong

Love those Pictures from Members!!

The best part of technology and having a missionary is how us moms, family and friends can receive info or in this case pictures.  Oh how I love the women who take time to send a picture or three to me.  It's some of the best days when I get to open an email or text with a photo that has been taken within the last few hours.  We love our Elder Armstrong!

March 10 - Email Home

Sounds like the Armstrong home has been busy, but not too crazy!

I'm glad everyone is doing well. I hope that Cass gets feeling better!

My companion is doing great! His family is working things out, so we
aren't really worried anymore!

Phew, its been a crazy weekend! Thursday is the day we finally wrapped
up the iPad training (thank you!). Even though its over, we still get
about 10+ calls a day from missionaries throughout the mission having
one problem or another. Its great though! It keeps my techy skills
intact!

Friday was great! We were able to meet with a new family investigating the church

at one of our members homes! It was a crazy awesome lesson! We started off
talking about the Book of Mormon, but that changed to a lesson on
Eternal Familes, and being sealed in the temple, after we learned that
her father recently passed away. They seemed so interested in being 

sealed as a family! She and her kids committed to come to church on Sunday. 

He couldn't come because of work... but thats okay! We will get him to come next week!

Saturday was pretty cool! We were walking to a Less Actives home (70
minutes round trip) and we street contacted into two guys! One was
from Portugal, and he had arrived in the Falls Church area less than a
week ago! So we taught him about the Book of Mormon. When we gave him
one, he seemed confused, because we weren't asking for money! It was
great! The other guy serves in the national guard. He wanted to know what 

makes our church different from all of the others. We taught him a little 

about the Restoration, and then we got a return appointment for Tuesday!

Sunday was grand! We had our Turkish investigator who came to
sacrament meeting. She's still on date for this Sunday (we are pretty
excited)! And we had the the sister I talked about before and her two kids! 

Sacrament meeting was perfect for them; it was all about faith in Jesus Christ.

Then we had a musical number performed by a string ensemble "Army of Helaman".
Wow, the Spirit was there! We felt really good about it afterwards.

As for all those wondering about the sleep issue, we are still working
on it! We are trying different avenues that we haven't explored yet.
I'm grateful for all of the prayers and the support I have been given!

As I've been out, and particularly, as I've experienced this trial,
I've come to better understand the Atonement. I've come to know how to
use it better, and how to apply it in my life. I am so grateful for
the Savior, and for the gift of the Atonement that He gave me. Every
single time I use it, my appreciation and love for Him grows. I am
grateful for a loving Heavenly Father. I am grateful for the Plan of
Happiness that has been put together for our benefit. I know this
Church is true. I know that trials are here for us to grow and for us
to experience the bad, so that we may know the good. 2 Nephi 2 is a
great chapter. Read it some time!

I love you all! Thank you for being there for me!

-Elder Armstrong

March 6 - Email Home

I'll start off by explaining what has been happening to me for the last 6 months. I've been having sleep problems. As my mission has progressed, the problem has as well. Now I am to the point where I'm getting, at most, three hours of sleep. I've have been diligently working with the Mission Doctor, trying different remedies, medicines, and techniques. The problem isn't necessarily falling asleep, its staying asleep.

As this problem has progressed, it has begun to interfere with my missionary work. I get distracted and lose focus easily. I find myself falling asleep in meetings and lessons. I can't teach as well as I used to. My companion has been so patient, and I am so grateful for that.

I am also grateful for the prayers and the fasts that have been given for my benefit. Thank you so much for that support! It really means a lot to me.

Anyway, on with my email!

I'm glad the family is doing A-OK! That is good.

This last week has been somewhat crazy. I've had iPad trainings throughout the whole mission, teaching these D.C. South missionaries how to use their iPads to fulfill their purpose. It has been hard for me, but it has been great to see the work of The Lord advance in such an amazing way!

Our Turkish investigator is still advancing towards baptism on the 16th! We are so excited for her and she is as well!

Even though I'm going through this trial, I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to serve out here. I love The Lord so much. He is so merciful, and so kind. I am grateful for His sacrifice for us. I love the Atonement, and the opportunity I have to use it each and every day.

I love you all!
-Elder Armstrong

Feb 26th - Email Home

Well, it's been a crazy week! Full of sleepless nights and iPad training! Wooo! Haha.

So Thursday night was a bummer night, but it ended on a positive note. We had two appointments drop us. One of them was an Egyptian man who we met when we ate at Chipotle. He informed us about an hour and a half before which was nice. The other appointment we had set up was with our family that we are teaching who are from Togo. We had a french speaking member with us, and we were so stoked. Alas, it was not meant to be. We knocked on the door... and there was no answer. We had another appointment with E though! He struggled to believe in three things. 1) Joseph Smith wasn't a Prophet, 2) Heavenly Father doesn't have a physical body, and 3) Jesus Christ isn't the Son of God. We were excited! Those three things are so easy to have resolved, as long as you are open to the answers. The way E can and will find out for himself, is through the Book of Mormon. We can't until he finds out the truthfulness of the Gospel!

Friday, we had an appointment with our Turkish grandmother who doesn't speak any English. We found out that she wants to move her baptism to the 15th and be confirmed on the 16th. The 16th is her anniversary. We told her that it would be fine until we found out later that Stake Conference would be happening those two days. We moved her baptism to the 16th, and her confirmation til the 23rd! She is so amazing. We taught her the Gospel of Jesus Christ, or at least we tried to. She actually knows the Gospel better than we do, so we were taught by her... Haha! What a lady! I am pumped for her to come closer to Jesus Christ through baptism! She is so ready!

On Monday, we got our iPad training for us Mobile Device Specialists. That being said, we only got half a preparation day, so thats why we haven't emailed til now. The iPads are great, but really locked down-Which is fine. Now that I have one, I thought I'd enjoy it a lot, but I'm kinda at that "I dont hate it, but I dont like it much either" stage. They will be  a great tool in Missionary work though!

(personal note from mom: These photos contradict his "I don't hate it but I don't like it much either" comment....I personally think he looks pretty excited!)

Yesterday, we had a trial district training. We are the first mission to not have SLC send out someone to train missionaries on how to use the iPads. So we were being observed by someone from SLC, but he was just there to find out how well this new system of training worked. That took up our day yesterday.

Questions/Answers

-What is a Sunday like for you?  Do you attend Ward Council or other meetings each week?

Sunday is a great day. We have Ward Council 2nd and 4th weeks. PEC is on the 3rd week, and we attend both Ward Council and PEC at 9:00 AM. We usually just stay at the church because its about 2 miles uphill. Church begins at1:00 PM and goes til 4:00 PM. We will usually eat dinner at 5:00 PM and then we are off to do normal proselyting/missionary stuff.

-How is your scheduled baptism?  It's coming up fast.  How do they get baptized if you have to know Turkish to talk to them?  Aren't they ones with a interpreter?  Or are one of you Elders going to learn the baptism prayer in Turkish?  How would you do the confirmation?

We don't speak Turkish, but we have a member who is going to Turkey as a part of his job in the state department. Sebahat has asked him to baptize her. He willingly accepted, and we are trying to figure out how we will do the rest of the baptism, whether it be English or Turkish.

-What cultures are in your ward?  Is this the area where there are a lot of people who work for different embassies so you have a lot of diversity in your area?

So we have the housing for the State Department people. They have a job that is akin to serving a mission. They get called to go to a specific place (i.e. Turkey, Japan, China, Mexico) and they work the American Government jobs (like approving passports, letting people into the country) and so they have to learn languages. Lots of diversity in our area, everything from Hispanics, to Chinese, to Indian. We have it all here in Falls Church.

-How are things going with all the people you are teaching?

I believe everything is going well overall. Our days are pretty jam-packed!

-How are your shoes holding up?

Haha, they are great! I would recommend Hush Puppies to most missionaries. I say most, because I haven't really tried to wear them out, but I use them everyday!

-How many miles have you ridden on your bike so far?

Right now, I've ridden about 400 miles on my bike. We tend to walk everywhere here, or get rides if possible, because it gives us more opportunity to meet people and talk to everyone!

-Whats the area like, hills or flat ground?  Easy riding?

A little of both. Its like flat long hills. You are always either going up or down, but never flat. So the riding either requires a bit of endurance, or you'll end up just coasting everywhere.

-What is a Tech Specialist?

We go around to the different Zones and train them how to setup and use their iPads to fulfill their purpose as a missionary. We will be taking quite a bit of time next week to set everything up with each zone especially Tuesday-Thursday. We are also there to help fix any problems, or answer any technological questions they may have. 

-How will you fit visiting all the elders in with your proselyting?

We should be back before 5PM each day, so we should be able to continue to proselyte, just not in the middle of the day.

-Do you get a car now?

-Do you remember how to drive-haha!

Sadly... we don't! Haha good question though. We get picked up by the Office Elders and taken to our different appointments with the training. And yes, I still remember how to drive!

I know this church is true. You feel it every single day out here. It is amazing. Jesus is the Christ. He is the Son of God. He loves us! I wish I could just show everyone how to feel of His love. The Book of Mormon has the fullness of the Everlasting Gospel. Please, read it and then read it again, and again, and again!

Thank you for the Support and the love!

-Elder Armstrong

February 18, 2014 - Email Home- 5 Month Mark!

Man, this week has been a hectic one! We've had some really cool experiences! Right now, I'm on exchanges with Elder Capt-(from our stake)! He's my Zone Leader, and so we have the opportunity to go on exchanges! He is so awesome!

I am so glad that everything is going pretty well at home! Man, all of my siblings are growing up!

This week, we put S on date for Baptism on March 1st! We are so excited! (She is our turkish investigator)!

I gave a talk on Sunday! One of the speakers called the Bishopric on Friday and was sick, so the Bishopric called me and Elder H (He's an Elder Serving in our ward). We talked with a Sister Missionary who just came home! We were able to talk about the Atonement and Missionary Work. There was a family who attended Sacrament Meeting because Elder H was speaking! It was great for them to hear!

Thursday we had a major snowstorm and were able to do a ton of service! (Yes I stayed warm) We had some great contact with a ton of people! With 10" of Snow, in a culture that isn't used to it, people became more accepting to hear the gospel, or at least to know more about who we are! We have a new family to teach because of it!

We also have a family who is now investigating the Gospel who are sincere seekers of truth. They are the R family, and its an interfaith home where the husband, He is muslim and the wife is Catholic. They are a really great family though, and they really want to read the Book of Mormon!

During the snow storm we walked everywhere! It was great, but we didn't get to travel very far!

Friday we had Zone Conference! So from 8:00AM-5:00PM we were in meetings and what not. We got catered by Cafe Rio! After the Zone Conference, we went out and blitzed! What that means is we went out for the single purpose of getting as many copies of the Book of Mormon to people! (The whole zone did this). Our companionship got out 4 of them! Which was great on Valentine's Day night! We were excited!

-did you make it to the temple yesterday?  Sounds like lots of missionaries were there so I wondered.We are only allowed to go once every 6 months to the temple, so we weren't able to go on yesterday, even though it was open. Lots of missionaries went though!

-Ohhh....are you exercising?  besides the bikes which I understand is exercise, but more than that?
I do excercise every morning, or at least I try to. Its gotten harder and harder each morning, as I'm struggling for lack of sleep, but I still try my best to at least do some yoga with the other Elders.

-what is different about your area/ward in the new place.
-How's the new comp?I am absolutely loving Elder W! He is such a great guy, and we get along really well! This area has a lot more people home, and a lot more people out and about! Belmont Ridge was extremely quiet compared to this area!

-Did you get our package? 

I did get your package! Thank you so much! I absolutely loved all of it, especially Aleia's drawing!

-Will you try to make trips to the cool places you are by on your pdays?  Holy cow!  you are so close.  Go explore!!!!We want to try, but our p-days are pretty filled! We have a lot to do and so little time, but we are actually planning on getting a whitehouse tour and a D.C. tour soon!

-You think you'll be able to check out the farmers market on Saturdays?Its possible! I'd have to ask President though, because it doesn't neccessarily fulfill our purpose of inviting others to come unto Christ, but it might be a good opportunity to meet plenty of people!

-Are you teaching more in this new area?  It seems as though you are out with invesitgators more.Yes! We have so many new and potential investigators! It is great! They call this Zone, "Miracle McLean" for a reason!

-What is your typical day there like?Excercise, Breakfast, Study, Teach, travel, lunch, teach, travel, dinner, teach, travel, teach, travel, apartment, bed. Haha!

I know this Church is true. I know that I'm out here for a reason! Christ knows us personally! Please, read Alma 7:11-14. It is a great section of scripture! I love you all!

-Elder Dexton J. Armstrong

A Special Email From a Member

I thought I would add this in b/c it helps you see what Elder Armstrong is doing when teaching. This is an email that was sent to me from a wonderful sister back in Falls Church, VA.  The Church is true and worth the sacrifice to do what we know we should be doing!  
Love- 
Nicole


Feb 16, 2014
Hi Sister Armstrong and Family,

Tonight, Elder Armstrong and his companion joined me and my boyfriend (who is not a member) for dinner.  I took a picture of them (see attached) so you know that he is being taken care of!  I also sent home leftovers with them so they have a meal on a night when they may not have a dinner appointment.  Your son shared a beautiful message about the Savior's love for each of us, and how He is able to understand and relate to us in our trials and obstacles.  He and his companion used the scripture Alma 7:11-12.  There was a strong spirit as they shared this message and they invited my boyfriend to take the discussions...my boyfriend is open to it but still processing.  He may not take the discussions now, but a seed was definitely planted tonight.  It was fun to chat with them during dinner as well.  He is a happy guy.  :) Enjoy the picture!

February 10 - Email Home - 1st Transfer!

So this was a crazy week! Everything from transfers, to movies, to new families!

So the beginning of this week was pretty sad. Because President Riggs had informed me that I was leaving, I was able to talk to pretty much everyone I wanted to say goodbye to. The hardest were Sister A (she's the one that had helped us teach S in her home. She pretty much became my Grandma and closest friend in Belmont Ridge) and the S family.

I am now transferred to the Falls Church Ward! To send packages or write snail mail, my new address is:
132 Chanel Terrace, Apt 104,

Falls Church, VA 22046

The area is different than what I'm used to! Its like a mix of downtown SLC and Provo. Lots of little shops everywhere with the occasional high-rise building! My companion is Elder W and he is from Seattle, Washington. We get along pretty well!

So at transfers, President Riggs got permission to watch "The Sarratov Approach". Oh my gosh. That movie was amazing. I strongly encourage everyone to see it, both members and non-members! The whole mission attended and watched it.

I am still a Technology Specialist! There are now four of us and Elder W and I, are two of them. Elder G (my last comp) and Elder L (he came out with me) are the other two! We are all excited to be the Tech Specialists.

My first night here, we met a family from Togo! They have two kids. They are so ready for the Gospel of Jesus Christ! There is a slight language barrier, but we were able to teach them the Restoration and leave two BoMs for them!

On Friday, we taught a lady named S. She's turkish, and she doesn't speak a lick of english! So we have to get a translator to help us out. Thankfully, the Lord has blessed us with a ward that has many foreign service people, so we get a lot of different language speakers in our ward! She is amazing! She's so sweet and she is totally ready to fully except the Gospel, save one thing. She struggles with the authority part. She's been already baptized in a different religion, so we are trying to by-pass the language barrier and help her understand that part of the Gospel.

Sunday was crazy! We had ward council at 9AM and Church at 1PM. We made the decision to stay at church and just study there. Church was different, but the doctrine was the same. That's what I love about our church. No matter where you go, the Spirit will be there, and you don't get different doctrine then you would anywhere else! After Church, the Spanish Elders were having a baptism at 6:30 so we helped set up. By the time we left it was 8:00 PM. We spent 11 hours at the church!

This week has been really different, but the Spirit has been here! I'm really grateful for the Holy Ghost and its companionship. I am so glad that Heavenly Father has given that to us. It truly is the greatest gift. I am so grateful that we can have it constently if we are living worthy!

I am also very grateful for the Savior and his Atonement. It is amazing.

I love you all!
-Elder Armstrong

Feb 3rd 2014 - Email Home

This week has been an interesting week. Its had a lot of unexpected twists!

First, I'm being transferred this week, so please don't send me any mail, or it'll be awhile before I get it. By next Monday, everyone should be clear to send me mail to a new address that I'll send out.

Second, we have two new investigators that will be in this area! Their names are R, and K. The Sisters in the Singles Ward tracted into R. He's a 14 year old kid that is dating a Less-Active youth in our ward. I don't know his story, but Elder G and his new comp will be teaching him this Saturday!

As for K, she is the girl that is a senior in high school. We had a family fun night with her and the F family last Monday. She told the F family that she wants to start the discussions! We are so excited! We will be teaching her tonight (Monday)!

S has now officially dropped us. Sadly, since she has a new job, she is feeling content with her life and has told us that she doesn't want the gospel. Sister Anderson is still pretty set on continuing to fellowship her, so hopefully that all works out. 

We did go on exchanges this week. Elder J (our district leader) came here, and Elder G went over there. It was definitely a change, as Elder J and Elder G both have different personalities!

We had a Family Fun Night with the A family. We watched Groundhog Day on Saturday! I was the only one who had seen it out of the four missionaries, so it was a must. They have clear-play so it was clean don't worry. 

I am glad that Tayla did well in state! 4th is pretty darn good! Way to go PG! :)

I will definitely keep Dad in my prayers. I hope he gets better soon! 

No, we did not get to see the Super Bowl. Several Members sent us the score once it was over though haha! We were betting to see which member texted us first. I won, of course! Haha.

I am so grateful for the temple! Way to go family on the fasting! :) That's awesome!

The iPod is great! I'm loving it, because you can actually hear out of both headphones. Thanks Cass!

Clothing is great! Glasses are great! My watch is still functioning surprisingly! I'm okay on slacks, a member fixed one of the two ripped ones, so I have three that I can wear plus my 4 suit pants.

Everything is well! I'm so excited for my sweetheart to get out of the MTC and get to Mexico! :) She is going to do so well! It'll be different, but it'll be good!

Thank you everyone for all that you do! I'm grateful for the prayers and the letters that have been sent my way. If you haven't got a response from a previous letter I'm sorry! When you get busy its hard to keep track of who you've written and who you haven't, so if you get a moment in the next week, write me another and I promise I'll be more diligent in writing you back!

I know this Church is true. Jesus Christ is the Savior and Redeemer. He suffered through so much just so that we all could have the opportunity to return to our Heavenly Father. Please, take advantage of that opportunity. Use the Atonement whenever and however you can. It is so amazing!

I love you all!

-Elder Dexton Armstrong