Hey Family! Ok the craziest thing happened this week. At least I think so...

I was coming out of Priesthood meeting here in the central building and its really a madhouse at that time because you're fighting the crowd going to lunch and the crowd trying to get in/out of sacrament or priesthood or whatever and so its really shoulder to shoulder... this one elder was kind walking in a perpendicular way towards me and when we finally ran in to each other he says, "Elder Daybell!" and I look at him and I quickly do the scan in my head for this guy... nothing came up. But I guess he and I had the same book of Mormon teacher at the Y last year.... oh yea forgot to mention that his name is Elder DAYBELL AND HE'S GOING TO THE MENDOZA ARGENTINA MISSION??!?!?!?!?!? whaaaaaaat??? crazy. He said that his family stayed with us back in 1997 and so I guess we are related some super far-back way. But anyway that is like the craziest thing that has happened to me this week.

Anyway we have been having a really good time. The whole last week thing is like so silly because its like....the last week of your MTC time... some elders treat it like those missionaries that have a week left of their whole mission and just stop trying period. But they forget that this is really just the beginning of the mission... It is weird to say that i have less than 2 years left now because thats all you hear about as a pre-mish... "Oh its the best two years!"..."These two years are given to the Lord"...etc.

Anyway, I think that the whole "best two years" thing is really lacking hope... Like are the next 60+ years a letdown? I get that this will be a remarkable experience for me and certainly a catalyst of growth, spiritually, mentally, physically and emotionally, and I have the opportunity to literally work the same work and glory that is God's, but Dad, have you been disappointed ever since your mission? Don't get me wrong- I love the mission and there is nothin in the world more important than this for me right now, but when you get back aren't you only supposed to improve? Anyway that is just something that has been kinda getting on my nerves.... But I'm cool.

I'm glad the Spot is working because I look at it after I press the button and it doesn't say, "yea, I'm working, don't worry about it!" it just blinks green or red and its not like I can check the website haha... But its awesome. I just let my Dwight-like friend here believe that I'm like a gov't agent or something haha...

Anyway I am stoked to get to Argentina. My address will change though.... soo here is the mailing pouch address:

Elder William Henderson Daybell

Argentina Mendoza Mission

POB 30150

Salt Lake City UT 84130-0150

I don't really understand how the pouch works other than its the same thing as regular, enveloped letters, just without the envelope... entonces just trifold a single piece of paper and tape it closed, put the stamp on in where it would go on an envelope, address where it would go on an envelope and the return address, just as it would appear on the envelope.... Also dearelder works great and it IS free so...

The package address is different. And my mission pres said that the mail and packaging there is safe so... maybe just slap on some pictures of the Virgin Mary or something and nobody will touch it... Im serious that is what the teachers have told me...

Here is the Address:

Elder William Henderson Daybell

Argentina Mendoza Mission

Casilla de Correo 631

5500 Mendoza

Mendoza

Argentina

*Phone Number: 54 261-424-4165

*You need to include the phone number if you use a private carrier group like UPS, DHL, etc...

Okay well I love you all to bits and I hope you have a good time in Vegas. Thanks for you camera Hannah! I love your guts.

Umm... Oh yea.. I will call you on Monday! Sometime around 9-10 AM. And if that doesn't work, then I will call you in my 5 HOUR layover in ATL sometime later that night. Okay!

Love you

Elder Daybell

Hey Family! I am doing really well. I am kinda getting a stir crazy being here now but we leave in 2 weeks and so that will be exciting. We get our travel plans on Thursday so then I can see what day I actually leave...which should be the 16th of August actually.

Spanish is going really well but I feel like I'm at that point where I just need to be out in the field learning the real Spanish so I am excited to get there. Argentina is going to be AWESOME.

Yesterday was really cool. My teacher, Hno. Corbridge is the son of Elder Lawrence E. Corbridge who is a member of the first quorum of the 70 and so he came in and gave us a really great presentation of how to teach the MIT - most important thing. It was really cool and usually the only time you get to see a GA is during a fireside or if they happen to be in the main building for some reason and they obviously like don't announce that.... but anyway it was cool meeting him and hearing what he had to say and it was specifically to our district so we are really lucky. I guess he spoke in OCT. of 08 about "The Way" and so I will have to check that out.... Anyway I am really glad that yall are going to Vegas and get to spend some time together.

Tell Ty that you don't have any commitment to the military for the first two years you take ROTC. If he's going Army... i don't know about Air Force but....who wants to do that anyway riiiiiiiiight?

Speaking of Army, I have pretty much ruled out enlisting and all that junk just because I know how it is important to get an education and provide for family etc.... but I honestly haven't been thinking about it too much haha.... anyway.

I sent my camera back as well as my scriptures so I hope you have that.... also I forgot to send the charger soo....I don't know if you can do anything about that? Let me know in a dear elder today or tomorrow so i can get it in the mail?

Also I got my second HEP A shot and the hep b record was taken care off... they really have some hoops for me to jump through here and so that was kinda stupid but its cool. I am now Hepatitus resistant.... looks good on a resume right?

I am sorry that you are having the hot weather right now but it could be worse right? like... everything literally on fire? or you could be in Antarctica right? I cannot complain because the weather here is pretty good unless you have to wear a shirt and tie like everyday hahaha.

I have been able to go to the temple like 5 times here because it closed down for a while... most of july actually. I have not been a host yet but i will tomorrow!!!!! crazy. I am excited to give the new elders like encouragement and stuff because my host did a really good job and some hosts are like "you should get back in your car you will hate it here etc..." and so its like that is absolutely not what new elders need to hear... But anyways I do love being a missionary and its awesome to be able to feel the spirit teaching someone else the simple truths of the gospel.

I really love you all and I can't believe how lucky I am to have you all in my life. Love ya!

Elder Daybell... oh yea I got the GPS thing but I wont really use it until I leave because I will remember that I have been in the MTC haha.... have you seen it work yet? I tried it the first day i got it and it seems pretty cool. Can i have it on on the airplane? Love you Bye!!!

hey my fingers are a little shaky!

i just sprinted to the computer labs from the templle in seriously flood rain. like i was soaked out before i got past the fountains at the temple. so thats cool!!!! hahah it was so fun! the church is true!!!! but anyway i really love you all! right now i am literally soaked though. sopping wet leather shoes and all but i gotta write home to my people!!!!

okay that really made my day. like the rain was worse than anything i've ever been in in VA and its definitely the worst i've ever seen. it was SO COOL THOUGH!!!!

yea Isa left and that was cool. he is so stoked to get out there! he really is one of my brothers. I love that elder. And it was awesome to see Elder Brandenburg on wednesday, he's lookin huge and jacked as ever and he is really excited to be here so thats awesome too :) sorry my fingers are so stiff haha.... i really did sprint and i guess i'm just a little shaky so its hard to do this haha....

but i really love ya! i hope you all have fun in Vegas next month! and i'm glad your trip was good ma! i'm sending my camera back tomorrow because it needs to be replaced and i'm sure the warranty is still good so.....por favor take it back to best buy? cool. theres just some dust or something stuck IN the lense that won't come out haha. OK i am absolutely wonderful and i finished the BoM and that was awesome and i will tell you more in a package this week including my camera ok??? I am dripping too much on the computer haha....

okay love you bye!

Elder Daybell!

Hola Familia!!!!

Spanish is going great (can't you tell????).

Anyway, the MTC is really pretty much the same this week. Its going well and the Spirit is strong here. I really am learning the language at a pretty quick rate and so thats a blessing. My companion Elder Smith is having a hard time with it so lessons are a little awkward because I have to do most of the talking. Hey, remember Michael Sharp? I guess him and Elder Smith were like Besties and went to Dixie High together, which kind of blew my mind that he knew him, and was his best friend. its CRAZY small world I guess. Jeff and Mall, your baby looks just darling in my combat boots. I Love her already! I have heard from everyone else that your pretty excited about her too haha.

Anyway something cool happened. I swapped ties with Hermano Hernandez. Which honestly could have been one of the top 2 or 3 moments of my time here at the MTC. so far anyway.

I learned that something really exciting they do here is wait until your bags are packed and you are waiting by the travel office before they tell you if your visa came through or not haha.... One of my buddies who is going to Honduras had this happen to him. He was denied like as he was getting on the Van to get outta here haha so I guess we'll see how Argentina visas are different in a few weeks. I am SO STOKED to get to Argentina. I leave on August fifteenth and so I'm just about a month away. I am way excited. I'm only DL for another week so I will be able to focus better on the language study and on my personal goals of finishing the NT and the BoM. I'm pretty excited to finish the BoM because its just like really good and I feel the Spirit when I read it. Plus my reading of it has helped me in the lessons with our investigators so much its crazy. Like a scripture will come to mind that helps answer any questions. And I think Teancum should be recognized as the first super-soldier... like the first Ranger or something gosh he's way cool can't wait to meet him. Anyway..... Life is good here. I got a few letters from the 7 year old girls primary class and alll the other elders were jealous when I told them how many girls were writing me haha.

But anyway.... these weeks have gone by way fast. I can't believe how fast it's going. The gym is open again so I don't think i'll be playing anymore extreme bochi ball or croquet.......so thats always good. Thanks for all the letters and the love. The GPS thing sounds legit and I can't wait to be tracked! hahaha

Okay love ya all.

Elder Debull (how Hno. Hernandez says it)

Hey Family!

This last week was really good. This wednesday makes it a whole month since i've been here! only 23 more! I gotta get to work dangit....

Anyway, we have two teachers, and the AM teacher is this RM who really honestly has taught us like 5 times since we've been here. He is not like....invested enough I think? I don't know. but he goes on vacation like every week because he just got done with the summer or spring semester at BYU. But my other teacher, Hno. Hernandez is SICK. I love this guy. He's from the Yucatan peninsula and so we're learning mexican spanish which is totally more masculine than argentine. But none of them are as ....gay as spain spanish... even the teachers say this. so I don't feel bad. But anyway he wanted to talk with me because I am the DL for the next couple weeks and he pulled me outside one night and asked me "I know how are the elders in our district. but how are you elder daybull?" and we talked for about 20 minutes and he just gave some good advice. I would be so lucky to have someone like him as a companion. I'm fine by the way. I'm actually great. The language is coming along really fast now and I have officially learned more in these 4 weeks than in all of HS. but then again I don't really remember studying a whole lot for that... But anyways. I decided to do the Jeff thing and only speak spanish from now on. Its cool i'm already forgetting some common english words haha.... Speaking of Jeff, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!! Mallory, I love you! Thanks for blessing me with another niece! I cannot wait to meet her! Madilyn is a very pretty name. Send me pictures yea???

I got a letter from brother kendall today that was just really nice to hear from him. The gym is closed for like two weeks and so me and elders ashby and schroeder are playing extreme bochi ball (sp?) where after each round the losers do some crazy exercise. so really we're the winners right? anyway... I haven't really gained weight here, but its just hard to eat healthy. I eat like 9 bananas a day... we have a district record (which i hold) for eating a banana the fastest.... 11 seconds. whatev... NBD.

I'm the DL now which i think i already mentioned, but its really nice to get to serve in that assignment because i'm getting to know all the other elders really well and they are awesome. Im sending some more pictures this week. But I am just really thankful for the spirit here. its the balm of Gilead.

Its been really nice to see all my roommates here. i see Elder Kleinhenz everyday and thats awesome. Elder Hyatt and Harrison i see less often, but nevertheless, its always awesome to see them. I sure love all of you and I will be prayin for you.

Love Elder Daybell.

Hey Family!

I'm having such a great time here! The MTC has the Spirit here and it's so powerful. We are in this new pilot program that is supposed to help make Preach My Gospel more effective. Like learning how to teach people, not lessons. Which is the point of PMG, but the Elders have kinda resorted to teaching everyone the same way again. Anyway, this means I've been fully immersed in the language since day one. After only a couple of days, my companion and I have taught two lessons, and made one street contact. its very cool. the Spanish is coming very well and the doctrine is too. I can now pray and bear testimony and some other things in Espanol! The gift of tongues is totally required here, as well as the attendence of the Spirit. So far the hardest part about the MTC is trying to stay in sight and sound range of my companion. Its just hard to remember! but Elder Smith is WAY cool, and I love him. He is from ST. GEORGE UT and he has a great way of having the spirit with him all the time. We work really hard and we laugh about our funny spanish errors. he's great. The rest of my district is pretty cool too. I'll send pictures some other time. we only get 30 minutes for email and trust me, its FLYING by.

Just a quick note- if you want to send me letters, just do it through dearelder.com. its the fastest and the easiest for me. and its just like writing an email. Thanks for the letters i've gotten so far. I'm sure mom and dad are having a super good time with the grandkids in virginia!

Anyway, i'm totally loving this work. it is truly something you just need to throw yourself into and forget about yourself. Just go to work. I'm way excited to learn more spanish and to read more from the sacred works we are so blessed to have. I love and miss you all a ton, but the Spirit helps take all the Pain away. Another reason why its important to live worthy of it.

Yo se que al vivir el evangelio nos volvemos mas como Cristo, y agradecidos por nuestros bendiciones. A medida que compartimos el evangelio, somos bendicidos con mas amor por los hijos de Dios. Yo se que Jesucristo es neustro redentor. Se que esto es verdad porque ore y Dios contesto mi oracion.

I love you!

Estoy agradecido por sus oraciones y su amor.

Elder Daybell

Remember (What an ironic title....)

It has been several weeks since I updated this blog, so I will quickly touch on the things I've experienced lately.

After the semester ended, I was privileged enough to go on a week-long road trip with my Dad, and was able to participate in great soul-saving ordinances of six temples. I have lots of pictures and I might put them up if I remember. We'll see :)

We stopped first at the Winter Quarters Temple and visitor center. If you ever get the chance to go there, I highly recommend it. The temple there is beautiful but the grounds also have a powerful spirit about them. This is a place where the saints camped after fleeing from persecution along the Mississippi in Nauvoo. Many of them died, and they are buried there.

We then traveled to the Chicago and Detroit Temples. They are just as magnificent as any other temple. We did those two in the same day. After that, we went to Palmyra and due to time constraints didn't visit any of the sights, but we had both been to them before so it wasn't really a big deal. We then headed up north and hit Boston and then Manhattan in the same day. It was a pretty crazy schedule but temple work is worth it.

This was a great thing to do with my Dad because I obviously didn't get to see him much during the year except for at funerals and the two short breaks I had. What a great way to spend the time before my mission! Serving in the House of the Lord, where we make eternal covenants and promises, and where the family is sealed together forever--there really is no better family activity than temple work.

I love the temple and have been back to the D.C. temple where I received my endowment a few times. As a side-note, the phrase, "taking out my endowment" doesn't really make sense because the word endowment means gift. You're not losing anything, not getting a limb or organ removed or anything.... I don't know, it just doesn't make sense. Anyway....

Since then I have been doing a lot of yard work and spending time with family and catching up with some friends. Some of my buddies are already in the MTC. WEIRD.

I cannot wait.

My best friend Isa enters the MTC this Wednesday, and it's really just awesome to me. I would die for this guy, really. He is such a great man and you would be very privileged to know him, as I am. I cannot wait to see him in the MTC. What an example.

Since I got home from my temple trip with my Dad, a lot of other stuff has happened. There was Mother's day, which is always good because my Mom has been way good to me over the last 19 years. She's taught me a lot about life, and how to just be a good person. She only asked for some flowers to help beautify our pond in the backyard, which is pretty telling of her character I think. She never asks for things that only she would like or enjoy. In fact she never really asks for anything, other than her children call her often. If you don't, you get a voicemail from her saying "Please! we just want our son/daughter back! What did you do with him/her?!?!? etc..." She thinks she's funny :) But really she is a great woman and my Dad is lucky to have married such beautiful and caring wife, mother, and friend.

Speaking of there fortunate union, they celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary the Tuesday following Mother's day. And by they, I mean we, because we all went to dinner. Sorry for the intrusion haha. My kids will not be at my 35th :). It seemed like kind of a letdown because they went to Spain for their 30th, which was awesome and they had a great time. I guess they didn't go anywhere because like the great parents they are, they decided to stay and celebrate simply, due to all the help they will most likely be giving to all their kids in the coming year. With a kid going on a mission, a new granddaughter, a son moving to Atlanta, and my parents moving to Manhattan, I understand it. But really, I'm proud of them and so lucky that they are still together, as most of my friends parents are either divorced, or they hate each other and are sticking together "for the kids."

Then one night we got a call, late, from my cousin Dan. He and his extremely new bride, Kate, were doing summer sales in South Carolina and decided that they hated it after one day. Who can blame them though? Anyways, they told us that they quit and wanted to know if they could come stay with us for a couple weeks while they planned out their two-month-long trip to Europe. We said "sure!", and they were there the next day.

That was fun because I hadn't seen Dan or Kate in a very long time and it made for more exciting dinners and they helped out a lot with the yard work. The only thing I was worried about was if there would be enough room in our house for when Sophie was supposed to come up and visit, the next weekend.

Have you ever had a Queen or King as a friend? Chances are, you definitely do NOT have any royal friends (but I hear Prince Harry is still available, Ladies). Well as it got closer to Friday the 13th, (spooky, didn't realize that at the time) I started to feel like I was expecting a visit from the Queen, or Katy Perry or some other insanely famous person. That's because Sophie was finally coming! We had talked about visiting each other over the summer a few months ago, and finally those plans were coming to fruition. I was kind of nervous that she would totally hate the sleeping arrangements because my parents donated almost all the extra furniture in our house to a needy family. That meant she was going to get an air mattress which is not a big deal, but I was really hoping for a four-post bed. You see where this is going. I was worried about how she would like it up here, and if everything was decent enough. You do that when you really love somebody right? Well anyway she got here and really clicked with my parents, Dan, and Kate. We decided to play Scattergories and my dad is an infamous cheater, but Sophie caught on right away. She totally got him. I was really glad that everyone was comfortable and not awkward haha... We then had cake (which was supplied by the lovely, Linda Giler) and ice cream. And then everyone else went to bed and Sophie and I were able to just sit and talk for about an hour.

That was awesome. We hadn't seen each other in about a month. Talking on the phone almost everyday, Skype-ing, and texting was good because we stayed in touch well, but it just doesn't do it like face-to-face talking.

It was also a little weird. In a good way. It didn't feel real, like I was sure I was going to wake up the next morning and have it end up being a really good dream. It's somewhat hard to describe just because we had been in Provo for almost a half-year, and now all of a sudden, we were here together on my turf, with my family, riding in my truck, sitting on my couch watching my movies haha. It was so awesome! On Saturday, we went into D.C. and did a couple things. We visited USMC Memorial by Arlington and then my parents dropped Dan and Kate and Sophie and I off at the FDR memorial with all the waterfalls. We then walked around the Tidal Basin to the Jefferson Memorial, and finally met up with my parents again. From there we went to Ben's Chili Bowl, which is a Washington D.C. favorite, and ate lunch. I'm proud of her for (mostly) handling a chili-cheese half-smoke haha. Then we headed over to the Eastern Market, which was a lot smaller than it usually was because it was threatening to rain all day. But anyway we were allotted $10 to pick out a random ingredient for dinner that night. She bought some funky fingerling potatoes, I got some weird drinks with flavors like dandelion. Dan and Kate got a few more ingredients and my Dad and Mom got corn and Pork chops. It was actually a really good dinner haha... Anyway after that we went home and my Dad and I went to our Stake Priesthood meeting, where I had to give a talk (seriously? twice in one weekend???). After that, it started raining really hard, and so we went for a nice little walk in the rain. The next morning at church, I had to speak again, because technically it was my farewell, even though we don't really do that in our stake... but that's one of the reasons she came up and it went OK. A lot of heads turned when she walked in the chapel at my church, which made me smile. They don't get to see beauty like that ever :)

Later that day, we had lunch/dinner, went on a good long walk, barefooted, which was cool. Until I picked a trail with gravel to walk on haha... Sorry. We spent the rest of that weekend kind of just hanging out, and going into the District, where we saw the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington (my choice...), walked around taking "senior pictures" in front of the Capitol building, and ate lunch at a random sports grille thing. Unfortunately, it started raining a little bit and we were both kind of tired so we hit the Navy memorial and then rode the Metro home.

Unfortunately, her trip came to an end and she left at 11:00 AM on Tuesday morning, which was cool because she was going to leave on Monday, but I guess I just have this crazy, animal magnetism? I don't know. It also stunk because we've already had to say goodbye once, and then we didn't see each other for a month. The good news is I get to see her in just a little more than a week, because I am going down to North Carolina to meet her family and just spend some quality time with her before I head out on the mish. That good bye is going to be really hard because Sophie is the best.

I am really a lucky guy to have met her back in January and become good friends, and then more than that. She's kept me in line and I think is more excited for me to go on a mission than I am at times. But she really is great. She knows the gospel so well, and I'm sure she would make a great missionary which she has thought about doing. She's also extremely beautiful and no matter how much I reported that back to my parents, I just didn't do her justice. They wouldn't stop telling me how gorgeous she is. She is funny and way smart. I shared Book of Mormon with her, and American Heritage. We had a class everyday and almost everyday (assuming I didn't sleep in), we sat next to each other. That was a little distracting haha. I couldn't take my eyes off of her most of the time. I'm really glad to have gotten to know her and I am still trying to imagine what I must have done right to be so lucky as to know her. But she is a beautiful girl inside and out. She's a great example to me and I've told her before that I want to be just like her someday.I love her and even though the mission is going to be difficult we've talked and we have a plan and I think everything will work out exactly as it is meant to be. But I could write a whole blog about her, but I don't think I will because I quite enjoy all the memories and they are mine. No one else needs to hear about them :) I can't wait to go down and meet her family and friends and see all the people who's lives she has blessed. I will probably talk about her some more after I get back from NC. STAY TUNED!:)

This weekend, I spent a lot of time with my brother, R and his wife Hope at his house in Austin Texas and that was so cool. We haven't been able to hang out a lot and it was just really good to see him and Hope and his two dogs, two chickens, and one rabbit, before I go off to Argentina. He is such a great man. His job is to help homeless people get some sort of stability in their lives. He gave us a tour of the shelter that he works at and it was cool to see hundreds of the homeless people greet him with excitement. He barely got a complete sentence out in between all the "hey R!" and "I'm so glad to see you R!" etc... He does a lot of good in this world. I am so lucky to have such a great family who really does a lot of good for other people. I really don't deserve them. But I really love them and I know they love me too.


My time as a regular 19 year old is winding down and I now only have three weeks, two days, and roughly sixteen hours before I go into the MTC. Worries really start to buildup, but I have great friends and family who act as a significant support to me. This assignment would be WAY harder without them.

Anyways, today I was looking back at some old conference talks and found the talk from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland from the April 2010 General Conference, which talked about the actual Atonement taking place. Elder Holland is a powerhouse. The devil checks for Elder Holland under his bed every night I'm sure. But anyways, this talk is full of emotion and has a spiritual force that is impressive because Elder Holland is a special witness of Christ.

Here is the summation of what he was talking about.


I am so thankful for Jesus' sacrifice and I know he has felt every thing I have ever felt. Physically, spiritually, and emotionally. I know I am responsible for some of the blood that he shed, and I can never repay him for it. The only way we can earn the right to live in the presence of God for eternity with our families, is if we let Christ atone for us. He has already done that, we just need to take the initiative and use it in our lives as often as we can. I know I need it daily, even hourly and I don't always take full advantage of it. I know he died for me and he lives now. His arms are outstretched still and we can never do anything that would change that. He loves us, and did everything that a God can do to ensure we live with him for all eternity. We just need to take His name upon us, and allow his blood to cleanse and heal us. I love the Savior, and I testify in his name that he lives. Amen.