Ship Shape

Conference was on saturday and sunday from 1-3 and 5-7 for me, and then Priesthood meeting was on saturday from 9-11. Conference was great, and I noticed several themes: Faith, the atonement, and Enduring through it all. We watched General Conference here at the church, and we had to set everything up for that.
I think from the few notes you have, you skipped one of the best talks, (at least in my opinion), By Quenton L. Cook, where he talked about being, "ship-shape, and Bristol Fashioned". If you couple this with staying on the Old Ship Zion, we can know that no matter what happens to us, we need to be ready for it, and ready to let others help us. AS we remember all that is required of us, we can live up to those requirements, and stay with the church through it all, otherwise letting yourself get, "thrown overboard".
I am not getting transferred, Elder Belmonte is however getting transfered to PEI. My new companion will be Elder Bate who is 6'9" if I remember right, so I will now be the shortest Elder in the New Glasgow district. address is still:
102 Kaulback st. Apt.4
Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada
B2N 3M6

At least that's what it'll be for this transfer. I am doing great. We don't have any investigators right now, but I know that we will soon. Have a great week, I love you, and thank you for your support!
Elder Dooley

Carpe Diem

Afton, it's interesting that you chose that scripture, something that you should know is that Christ no only felt the pains of sin, but also the literal pains we feel as well. Remember that, and remember that you can ask for help in all that you go through. Why'd you have to get the tooth out anyways?

Cora, How did you like the temple trip, was it good? I'm feeling tired as well, but then again, as a missionary, i'm always tired, it's just how it goes! It's definitely worth it though.

Mom, Outline of P-Day today goes like this: laundry, Clean Apartment, Clean Car(inside and out), E-Mail at some point, and play basketball as well, unless we don't have time to. I haven't played volleyball since coming to Truro, but we usually do basketball with some guys from the community. On most P-Days, we do our grocery shopping, do our laundry, and whatever else needs to get done. We have a washer and dryer that we have to pay for to get our laundry done. We do a good amount of grocery shopping, but some members give us a few groceries, and we have a few dinner appointments every now and then. Contacts for Elder Belmonte and i have been decent, but not great. No one really wants to listen to us, but we still try. I'd say about half of the contacting we do is tracting, while the other half is just talking to people on the street, or just around town, and wherever we go. Exercise is going well, haven't lost weight though. It sounds like you are all going to have a very busy, fulfilling week. I'm looking forward to General conference. It'll be a good one, and a lot is probably going to happen.
The only thing that really happened for us this week was service we gave to a member. He's an interesting guy, who does a lot of Ham radio stuff. We put up a fifty foot tower for him. We were only supposed to be there for an hour, and we were originally told we'd just be digging a hole, but then it turned into a six hour ordeal of getting this tower up for his radio. I was on the roof a majority of the time, and got fiberglass in my arms from the shingles, but thankfully it wasn't too bad, and we all remained safe. the Other elders helped us with putting up the tower.
I like the 'cliche' you gave me, and I also have one that i've been thinking of, " Carpe Diem", also known as "Seize the Day". I thin that it's not only important to remember what we've been given but also the fact that we need to use it. We often are given  all these great talents, and we need to use them however we can to the best of our ability. Similar to the parable of the talents, we are given these gifts to go out and do something with them, or else, we fail those plans laid in store for us, and it would've been better that we had not received them in the first place. Use what you are given, to the best of your ability, and be careful with it, and blessings will be in store.
Thanks for your support and your love, I love you, have a great week, Elder Dooley

Eight Months Already

Cora, I hope you have a good experience at temple baptisms. It is an awesome experience to be able to do that. I forgot that you were able to go to the temple now. It will definitely be an amazing experience. I'll send some names for you to do that i've found recently, so that you have some more to do.

Kirkham, You never mentioned that you were doing your Eagle Scout Project, what is it that you decided to do? make sure to send pics of it. Pretty soon you'll be driving as well. That'll be interesting. It's probably time they send out a notice to warn everyone that you'll be on the road.:)

Afton, keep working hard at school, and thank you for the weekly scripture, it really helps for more scriptures I can use.

Mom, I wish I had a big weekly update, but unfortunately I don't... Not much has really been happening here. I sent a grouping of a few months of pictures, that I think you'll like. I also cleared out all of the old stuff after saving it so I can keep adding more. I have some more names that i'll send your way. I dug them up recently, and I won't be able to do them all.
The old testament is tough, i've been trying to read it, and it's slow going, especially because a lot of it has to do with just straight genealogy for multiple chapters on end.
I haven't really noticed until now how fast time really goes by. I've been out 8 months already. It still feels like yesterday that I landed here in Nova Scotia. When you think of it, time is only a human concept that we only use to organize really when we do stuff, and how long we do stuff for. Time shouldn't be a hindrance in anything that we do. As long as we're working hard, that's all that really matters, and as long as we're trying our hardest as well. That's all that I really have to say for this week.Love you, and have great week!!
Elder Dooley


 P.S.You mentioned a while back something about a care package. I need Li Hing Mui. By far that's the best thing in what you've sent because you can't get that here,(aside from the ties) also a bunch of Reese's if possible, it's just not the same here.

Canada Has Been Good

Canada has been good this week. A fair amount of rain, and fall clean-up is happening as well. But it's been a good week. This upcoming week, Elder Perkins will be touring our mission, and it'll be pretty cool to be able to meet him. He's an area of the Seventy over our mission.  It is exciting that General Conference is coming up. We actually get transfer letters that day, and Transfers happen later that week, so it'll be an exciting week when that comes up. I actually don't have a lot for this week either, So have a good one! Catch a Wave for me!
Love you, Elder Dooley

There is Always a Reason

Afton, Keep on practicing. Something I want you to look up John 2:1-11. This is where Jesus turns water to wine. I want you to think about the little details and closely analyze it. Make sure to use the footnotes, and other resources. A few hints:6 is incomplete(6 days in a week). Waterpots, which are used for washing( dirty water). Presented to the Governor( highest authority there) Also, a Firkin is about 4 gallons, each pot (6 pots) contains three or four firkins... THAT is a LOT of wine. WHy so much? Make sure to have everyone analyze this, using scriptures, online resources, institute, and whatever you can find. This isn't just a miracle, it's a real life miracle, and was included for a reason.

This week for me was decent. Not a whole lot happened, and we don't have any investigators, but we'll keep working at it.  Next time we go and visit Brother Jones, We'll see if he has any cool experiences that he can share. I'll let you know.

It can possibly start snowing in October, but it doesn't always. I think we'll have a hard long early winter this year. At least that's what we heard is supposed to happen. So maybe i'll want those boots that dad had:) the fall here is supposed to be an amazing time of year here. No trees are beginning to show color changes yet, but it'll happen soon. I just hope that we actually have a fall this year.

Something that we learned at Zone Conference this week is paying attention to the little details that are included in the scriptures. Sometimes you may wonder why so much was included, but the little details are often really important. Look at the example I gave to Afton. I pointed out some of the details, but there are still more to be found, but also, each scripture should be looked at differently, because there are often multiple things that can be learned from, and the message may be different for other people. There is always a reason stories are included in the scriptures, each person needs to find out for themselves why. That's all I really have for this week, so I hope you have a good week!
Love you!
Elder Dooley

Doug Jones: A Joyful Man

Not much has really been happening here. It's been a good week, nothing to complain about, but nothing really to tell you about either. The days are already beginning to get a bit colder. From what I've heard, we're supposed to get a harder winter than the last, Hopefully it's not as long though. I just hope we get a nice fall as well. From what I've heard, that's the best time to be out here. Yesterday we went out to Tatamagouche, which is about an hour away from here. We visited several members out there. One member is currently in the hospital out there. His name is Doug Jones, and he's 74. He's been in the hospital for most of the time I've been here, but he is such a great guy. He only has one leg now, although he may lose his other due to an infection in his heel. He's mostly blind, but that doesn't stop him from working with stone and making clocks, and belt buckles, as well as making bread. Yesterday while we were visiting he was actually joking about losing his "one good leg". He'll be in the hospital for another 3 months, but nonetheless, he is very faithful, and is willing to accept anything that the Lord sends his way. He's such a joyful man, with such extraordinary outlook and faith in his life. I hope that as I go through trials in life that I can be accepting as he is, and always try to brighten other's days on my darkest one's.
That's all I have for this week, and I look forward to hearing from you! Love you!
Elder Dooley

Leonida's Baptism

The baptism went great! Leonida was very excited, Elder Belmonte baptized her, and I confirmed her in sacrament yesterday. For this next transfer, both Elder Belmonte and I are staying here in Truro, and There's going to be another set of Elders coming in as well. Nothing else has really been happening this week. I have been thinking however more about the exact purpose of serving a mission. Some missionaries go through there 2 whole years without getting a single baptism, and maybe teaching very few lessons. If the whole purpose of serving a mission was just to go out and baptize everyone we could, then there wouldn't be non-baptizing missions. Baptisms are a side effect of missions, and if you baptize someone then you have brought someone to the fold  and have only begun their true conversion process. Missions are ultimately to convert the missionary. To build up their testimony, to teach them skills they will need throughout life, and to ultimately be willing to do the Lord's will. Mission success should not ever be measured in number of baptisms achieved, or number of lessons taught, rather, mission success should be based off of what someone learns overall, and how the mission changes their life. I hope that I will be able to show that my mission was successful and played a role in my conversion.

I'll check for any names that i've found that need baptisms done for Afton and Cora and send them your way. I love to here from you guys, and stay strong! Love you!

Elder Dooley

Service is Playing Games

AFton, Have fun with learning that song. I can't remember it, but i'm sure it's a good one!

Cora, guess what, we're having a baptism on your Birthday! Our investigator wanted to move her baptism to this Saturday just in case either me or my companion gets transferred. I'll see if I can find something cool, although i'm not sure how soon it'll get to you. It'll get there eventually.

Kirkham, Work can be tough, and when nothing is changing, I can definitely understand how tough it can be. Do what you want to do, and  stick to it! Before you sell the iPod, make sure that you have all the music on the computer. If not all of it is there, then I think Dad knows how to move it from iPod to computer, or just find the steps on YouTube. And you don't have to sell it if you don't want to. Work hard!

mom, It's been fairly muggy here, but i'm enjoying it because I can breathe in it! Transfer letters are next week, so i'll let you know then where i'll be going, or if i'm staying. Leonida is the investigator we had on date and she wanted to move her baptism to this Saturday! She wanted to move it just in case either my companion or I got transferred. The service we did this week was helping out the permanent care facility this week at Victoria Park, and pushing people around in wheelchairs, and playing games. We also loaded up a large trailer with wood and other debris from our investigators yard. She's prepping to try to sell her house, and wants to make sure it's ready to move into with little work. Other than that, not a lot has been happening here. Just good 'ol mission work. It's great to hear how you all are doing, and I love you all!

Filipino Investigator

I don't really feel like writing today, but i will anyways, so I might not make much sense. Everything here is going pretty well, the weather is constantly switching around from rain and sun, but it's nice. Most of the service we've been doing recently has been painting and yardwork. It's got to be done while the weather is nice. The colder weather is supposed to be coming back soon unfortunately, but I suppose nice weather doesn't last forever in some areas of the world. We've had very few lessons, and most of the lessons we've been having are with less actives. We had a less active at church yesterday who apparently hasn't been coming for years. It was great to see them come out for what they could, now we just need the Less actives we've been working on to come out. Leonida, our Filipino investigator is still working towards her baptismal date on September 5th which is right after transfers. She seems pretty solid, and has received her answer that this is the church for her. Hopefully she stays around. That's about all I have for this week. I love hearing from you, and wish you the best on this stromy week! Love you!
Elder Dooley

Hit a Deer

I watched the videos like you said, and the only advice I have for being a seminary teacher is to totally immerse the students in the doctrine. Especially if your covering the Pearl of Great Price or any of the deeper stuff. Don't get too deep though, just enough though to make them think. Also have fun with it, and do games every now and then, as well as stuff for passing off scriptures. Seminary is constantly growing more and more important. Overall, as long as it is a spiritual experience that can be looked upon throughout the day, it should be good. Just keep the students interested, try to stop them from sleeping, ( maybe take away chairs), just keep them interested.
Nothing much really happened this week, other than yesterday I hit a deer, ( oh deer), There was no damage done, and the deer ran away, presumably unharmed, without showing any signs of what had happened. My companion spotted it just before it ran into the road, so I was almost stopped when we hit it. It looked more like it lost it's balance when the car hit it because it stumbled a few steps, then slid, then it rolled around on someones lawn on it's own, Popped up, then ran of in the other direction. It was an interesting experience. Other than that, I think i'm going to try to make some jam today and i'll let you know how that goes. That's all for this week, Stay safe, and have fun,
Love, Elder Dooley

First Time on Bikes

(A note from Elder Dooley's mom: Usually I do not include the little notes Heath sends his brother and sisters because they are personal or trivial. I included them this time.)

Bad news mom, I can't see the videos because they're on youtube. You'll have to try dropbox again, and hopefully it'll work.

Afton, it's great to hear that you're surfing more. keep it up, and you'll do even better. On e of the things that we've been working on hear is keeping the commandments. Our investigatorI just learning the commandments such as the word of wisdom, and is pretty much immediately changing her ways so that she can be baptized.

Kirkham, It's your senior year, so don't be stressing out to much, just make sure to work at what you have, and never give up. also, what is stronk? if used in context is it used like this:" I is Mahkrik, I is STRONK!!"?

Well, it is unfortunate that I can't watch the videos you sent, but i'll just tell you how my week went. This past week we had zone training, and the zone focus for this next transfer is love, as well as loving everyone, and all that we do. We took our car in earlier this week which is a Chevy Trax, and found out that it has some driveshaft problems, and it has had them for a while. We were told that it's probably a good thing we haven't really been driving around a lot, or the drive shaft could've literally exploded and come through the floor. We only drove to Halifax and back the day before taking it in, so it's no big deal. only a few hours of driving. So we ended up riding our bikes for the first day the car was in the shop, and then we got a rental, which is a Buick Verano. Turns out there were also a few recalls on the Trax, so we have no idea when we'll get the car back. Good thing it's all covered under Warranty. Have I ever said I don't really like GM vehicles? They are always have problems it seems.  We've gone over to our investigator's house a few times this week, and have been helping with painting different parts of the house. She feeds us and we give her service and teach her a lesson. It's a pretty good deal. Nothing else has really happened this week, other than lots of rain.
 hope you all have a good week. Love you!

Elder Dooley

Video Letter

Service

For Canada day, all we did was service all day, and that's how most of this week went. Service has been good though, I think it's one of the ways that my companion and I are going to get into better shape. Thanks for the recipes. We have a crock-pot that my companion has been experimenting with. He just kind of throws stuff in and lets it sit for a while, and it usually turns out pretty good. I did not get my package unfortunately, but I know i'll get it probably around transfers which is around 10 days away. I'm looking forward to it though. and the mission office is actually recommending that we get stuff sent to the apartment now, so here's our address:
102 Kaulbackst. Apt. 4 Truro, NS B2N 3M6. 
I think I already found out that I have a new cousin. I don't remember how I found out though. That's pretty exciting though. Another cousin to meet!
Thank you for the recipes, they will be put to good use, and i'll keep you updated on how they turn out. Not a lot has been happening again. The only thing that we got key indicator wise this week was several Recent Convert and Less active visits. I'll keep trying all that I can to do my best though! Thank you for the support!

Love you, Elder Dooley

Video Letter

Weekly update via video!!! enjoy!!
https://www.dropbox.com/s/c3jleyaw83zp7d7/Dooley%20update.mp4?dl=0

No Snow in Summer

Afton, Keep up the good work, as you continue to work you will see more and more benefits come your way!

Kirkham, you should get those pictures on facebook. I can't see stuff on instagram, especially because I don't have one! You're actually at the same score I got from the one time I took the ACT. Keep on working hard, and have a fun summer, but not too fun of course!

Cora, despite what many people think, it does not snow in the summer in Canada, unless You go way up into the top of the most northern territories, but even then, I don't think it's always there. I am doing well, but we don't have any investigators. Keep on learning!

Mom, I was the one to use the money at walmart, the purchases were necessary items such as hair stuff, shoe smell powder because my shoes have been stinking, and some slacks because it turns out that i may have grown enough that my slacks are too short. My suit pants however still fit fine. good thing they were altered longer than we thought was necessary. I'll send those slacks home that don't fit well anymore for kirkham or something like that, unless someone here needs some. Is there anyway that I can check the balance on my card, it would be nice to know when I have money and how much I have, so that i'm not guessing when I go to buy stuff that is needed. I usually try to avoid unnecessary items most of the time. I don't think i currently have anything that I don't need though, or that i'm not using. It also helps that most missionaries leave stuff in apartments that can be used.
I never knew that you kept a journal until know. Over the past few days i've been slacking a bit but usually I am pretty good at writing in my journal. And then if I have an experience I also have a little note book that I keep records in, or dreams and stuff like that. You may feel temporary now, but imagine how I feel. I never know if i'll be somewhere for more than 6 weeks at the most! It's kind of helped me to realize that maybe the reason we moved so much is because the lord had something that needed to be done by us in each area we lived in, and maybe Hawaii was his way of giving blessings! And don't worry if you move again! I think i'll definitely be staying in Hawaii after my mission, for as long as i'm permitted.
I just realized the other day that it's pretty much been 6 months since i've started my mission. Time goes fast, but yet at the same time it goes at the perfect speed.
Thank you for all that you have given me! Continue being there not only for me but for those around you as well.
Love you,
Elder Dooley

Father's Day Message

Facebook Father's Day Video Message

Strive Towards Christ

Well, I don't have much to say this week other than I'm getting transfered. I'll be going to Truro, NS which is at the very tip of the Bay of Fundy. I'll really get to see the tide change now! I'll be working with Elder Belmonte, who is from the Phillipines, and had to learn english to serve here, so who knows, maybe i'll be among the few that can understand him! That's all that has really happened this week, other than lots of dinner appointments. I'll go from being fed all the time, to being fed only part of the time. I am looking forward to it though, epecially because of the way this ward kind of took me in when I got here. I didn't really have very missionary minded trainers, but the ward helped me out big time to adjust, and to still work hard. It feels like i'll be leaving my home ward again. I really hope that I'm able to come back to this area, not to be fed, but to be able to continue to serve the people.
A scripture that i've been sharing recently with those we meet is Helaman 5:12 which talks about having a foundation built upon Christ and being able to withstand all that satan throws at us. I know that without Christ, we would have no life after death, and we would not be able to experience eternal families. Build your foundation upon Christ, and you can accomplish all things.
I hope you all are having a great week, and continue to strive towards Christ!
Love, Elder Dooley