3rd Week-Letter to Brothers & Cousins

Dear Brother #2,                                   

I hope you are having a fun time.  I hope school is going well for you as well.  If you haven't finished finals yet I wish you the best of luck. Merry Christmas, too. I hope you have a fun winter break. Don't do anything too crazy though. Remember the true spirit of Christmas is the Spirit of Christ. Not candy canes, Santa, or snowmen. Christ is the center of Christmas.

In Spain they actually set up at Belén in their home; a model replica of the city of Bethlehem when the Savior was born.  This helps them remember the true meaning of Christmas. Have a great Christmas season!  (written 12/18/2013)

Belén (in Spain)- a model replica of the city of Bethlehem when the Savior was born

Brother #1,

First off, Merry Christmas. Mom and Dad have been telling me about your crazy busy life. I hope you're doing alright with all your things to do. I've heard you've had a couple concerts (church and school) and that you got to go to a concert [Sacramento Master Singers]. Keep up all the good work. 

If real investigators are like the actors we have in the CCM, it is fairly hard. You really have to know your stuff and how to say it is Spanish. We have all kinds of opportunities to practice teaching and learn how to teach in the CCM. It's cool that you got to practice at an activity, and hopefully they went a little easy on you.  

I would hardly say I'm running the place as one of the zone leaders. You only really do stuff on Sunday and it's really just winging it through. Time seems to be flying by though here. It's hard to remember what you do from day to day only that you did it. The CCM is a spiritual powerhouse. There are [very] few times when you don't feel the spirit. Have a great Christmas and if you haven't done finals yet good luck to you and brother #2 on them. 

Sincerely, Elder Dahl (written 12/18/2013)

Dear Cousins,

I read KMG and HD's letters a few days ago and here are the answers to their questions.

Yes, I am having tons of fun on my mission! My favorite part of my mission so far has been being able to the Mexico City temple, but there have been so many awesome devotionals, lessons and spiritual experiences.  

 Currently my mission president is Presidente Pratt (of the CCM). 

My heart is locked so I cannot tell you if there are any cute chiquitas. Statistics for Sister Missionaries are about 36% now.

Yes I miss you. My favorite scripture is probably Proverbs 3:5-6 but there are so many awesome scriptures like 2 Nefi 31, Juan 3:15-16, Santiago 1:5, DyC 84:85, DyC 13, DyC 4, Moroni 10:3-5, JSH 1:16-17

I don't know what the [Washington DC-North] Mission Home looks like yet but the CCM is a beautiful 96 acre property with palm trees, wild green parrots, little white butterflies, and tons of poinsettias planted around. All the buildings are nice and everything is well maintained.

My companion is going to the same mission as I am.  He is from Salem, Utah. My companion is very athletic and has a full ride [scholarship] to BYU or Utah State to play Tennis. He's nice and is really trying to learn the language.

Yes, I am getting sleep but it doesn't feel like enough with how busy we are.

The food is good here and people would probably die hearing what I have eaten here. Nothing crazy like chicken feet or anything.

I am friends with all the missionaries in my district.  We all get along quite well. [There are 7 Elders and 2 Hermanas. (Sisters)] I also made some friends who have left now like Elder C and Elder R. You teach a lot at the CCM at least once a day, sometimes more. They are all actors, instructors, or other missionaries though. (written 12/18/2013)

Glossary of Terms (by Stacie Dahl (Mom)):
Mexico City Temple - In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), a temple is a building dedicated to be a House of the Lord, and they are considered by Church members to be the most sacred structures on earth.
CCM – Centro de Capacitación Misional México which means Mexico Missionary Training Center (MTC)

Presidente Pratt – Mission President of the Mexico Missionary Training Center (Centro de Capacitación Misional México)
Scriptures – Braden starts using some Spanglish as the scripture references.  Click the link to read the reference in English. 
Proverbs - Proverbios
2 Nephi - 2 Nefi
John -  Juan
James - Santiago
D&C: Doctrine and Covenants - DyC: Doctrina y Convenios
Moroni - Moroni
JSH: Joseph Smith-History - JSH: José Smith-Historia

Companion - A missionary companionship consists of two (or occasionally, three) missionaries to protect each other spiritually and physically. Why do mssionaries travel in pairs - The Lord has commanded missionaries, in D&C 42:6, “Ye shall go forth in the power of my Spirit, preaching my gospel, two by two.”  2 Corinthians 13:1 “In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.”

Salem, UT is near Spanish Fork, UT which is south of Provo, UT