Email: August 30, 2010

hey everyone,

here is a little story of an incident, that took place yesterday! I needed to give an account to President Jones... so I will just copy that..
It is a strong testimony builder, of the fact, that heavenly Father watches over us!...
though he can not influence others agency, he helps us, not get ourselves in more dangerous situations! I am glad he controlled my emotions!!!!!

Sunday, August 29th 2010 Milwaukee, WIsconsin

Elder Privett and I (Elder Robert Dautel) were on a short exchange, so I could show him something in the area and then headed to some Less Actives/Recent Converts, to meet up with our companions there. Then, as we were walking from the Bus stop to the mentioned home, we walked past 3 younger black guys (guess is about 25 years old, at the intersection of N 25th street and W Concordia Avenue in Milwaukee).

As we always do, we said 'how is it going', while walking by (usually happily received and answered by the addressed people). Then one of the guys looked at me and asked "what did you say, fool?" and I repeated again "how is it going man?"... then, out of nowhere and completely unexpected the man punches me with full charge on the right side of my face, right on the jaw....

Still standing, Elder Privett and I simply walked away, without another word or action. Had I gone down, or reacted right then and there, more would have most likely happened. I am grateful, for the ability given, to just walk away. The guys followed us for a few steps and then stopped, as we continued walking directly to our appointment.

After that appointment, as we walked back, toward the bus, two police officers approached us and said, they had been called about the incident. We told them, that no one was hurt and that we would be ok... After that, we continued on with our day, heading toward our apartment, for Dinner.

I can not even tell you how glad I am to be alive right now!... Easily things could have escalated, not knowing what those kids were on, and what drove them to do this...

I am completely fine, so no worries....but still crazy...

THough we will avoid that specific area now for a while, I am still excited to be here and to help the people in the area. They need it and if it is not us helping... who will!?

I am grateful for the chance I have to be here!!!! It IS a marvelous work and a wonder!!!!!! And we are all privileged to be part of it!

Thank you all, for all your prayers!... I feel them more now than ever!

Love you very much,
Elder Dautel

Email: July 26, 2010

today is finally a day, where I have a liiiittle more time, than usual... so I will try to send you an email with a better update than usual! :)

It was a wonderful week!!!

Yesterday I had the chance to go to German fest here in milwaukee!
it was not as authentic as it could have been, but it was still aweeeeeesome! I loved it!
the smell of Beer & Brats, mixed with roasted almonds... wonderful :)
and then all the dirndls and lederhosen everywhere :D:D:
it was pretty fun!
the church ran a family history booth there and the missionaries where there to help out!
We got a looooot of invites in and taught 6 lessons in 5 hours! it was way sweet!
I will include some pictures about it all... OH YEAH... and the fireworks were AMAZING!... SO SWEET!

then... we are going to be moving out of our current apartment!... I can't even tell you how excited I am about that!
from the middle of the ghetto to a much nicer area, with members of our branch, as out managers!! so nice!
the moving is going to be this week, ending on saturday! like I said, I am WAY excited!

then... we had a HUGE storm this week! It was intense! Some streets were flooded.... mud slides etc....
it was quite intense!
We had an appointment with a member, for dinner and arrived 10 minutes early!
2 minutes after that... it just started crashing DOWN like crazy.... BLESSING! :)

uhm.....other than that... nothing TOOOO much happened!

I enjoy working with my Greenie, Elder Day... and we work hard!
It is going quite well!

well... I can't think of anything else to write....
so, I hope things are going well for everyone and you are all enjoying, what you have left of your summer :)

I love you all very much and miss you

love,
Elder Dautel

The Flooding:

The most Funny sign I have ever seen!!! No "cruising"...:)

Me getting hurt, by hitting my head on a metal lamp in our hallway:)

A Ghetto Cruiser, as they are called here :0

The Summer Fest:

Email: July 19, 2010

alright... here a little mail about life here in Milwaukee :)

almost 2 weeks of training are over and it sure is interesting... BUT...sweet! Elder Day is a cool guy and likes to work hard... SO... we get along very well!
AND he likes to cook!...SO..... i get a little break from just Top Ramen and Mac & Cheese :)

Something SWEET!....

Last week monday (after emailing), they were filming parts of Transformers 3, here in Milwaukee!
Elder Love...from Logan, Utah. My District Leader here and a very, very good friend.

Me.... tan and muscular!!! I have lost 15 pounds, since I am here in the city, walking everywhere and have been working out a loooot....so.... SAAAAWEEEEEEEET! :)

other than that... not much to say.. things are well and the weather is HOT and HUMID!... like 200% humidity :)

well,
hope things are well and everyone is doing ok

love you all very much,
ELder Dautel

Email June 08, 2010

Hey everyone,

an eventfull week and a half it has been!....We have a new mission president.... President Jones, from Monroe, Utah!

I like him a lot! He is not a President Barrett, who will always have a very, very special place in my heart and memory, for all the things he has shown and taught me.... but President Jones is a good man that really is trying hard, to lead us well! We try our best, to support him and help him out in any way possible!

My new companion, Elder Day, from West-Jordan, Utay, is a really cool guy! Green :) but soooo ready to work. We already enjoy our time together and get along wonderfully! He is very open for new things and has the best intentions... it will be a good transfer!!!!! other than that... not thaaaaat much to tell...

I am sending a few pictures though....so... here, some explanations...

Here, downtown milwaukee, there is a loooooot of black people :) (Pretty much all we teach!) they like bling.... so...there is one store, where they sell really cheap but nice looking watches :)... only a few bucks apiece so, I couldn't resist :):):)

Elder Zobell ( my last companion)...after a streetball game in the middle of a street, that some black kids challenged us to! We got a looot of invites from it! ( I didn't look much better, except that my shirt was still tucked in, but just as dirty:) )

yeah...like I said!...i couldn't resist! We actually get invites, just because of those watches!! :)

me and elder tolman on exchanges at a dinner appointment at the beach! sure was fun!

me and brother Rauch: Brother Rauch is a member in the branch. His wife was putting their daughter to bed, when we had to leave..... they moved a day later....

patriotic: just liked it! :)

posterity: alright... who trained who!:....

in order: Elder Villanueva, Elder Cluff, Elder Sharrah, Elder Cottle, me..., Elder Pfleger, Elder Redd, Elder Day, Elder Stevenson, Elder Moore

Elder Villanueva

Elder Cluff Elder Sharrah

Elder Cottle Elder Redd Elder Moore

(1stborn) (2ndborn) :)

Elder Dautel Elder Pfleger

Elder Day Elder Stevenson

so....yeah... lot's of family here :):):)

well....hope you like the pictures... Hope things are well at home...and I am looking forward to the package for my birthday! :):):) Just make sure you don't soak it in perfume again... I still get comments on that :):):)

love you all very much

take care,

Elder Dautel

Email: May 24, 2010

I am leaving Prairie du Chien, this thursday!...where I am going, I do not know yet... but will find out tomorrow and let you know in a letter! I am excited to get to a new place and have new experiences... but am sure sad to leave Prairie!!!!

A lot of people, I got a close relationship with, member and non-member... and it is hard to leave!
But I know it is the work of the lord and he stands at the top of it.... I am not worried!

Other than that, things are going well! I am sure enjoying it....
it really is a marvelous work and a wonder and I am glad to be a part of it!!!

Email: May 3, 2010

hey everyone,

today just quick update for everyone:)

things here are going well!... A busy week it has been, as this one is also!...
last week I went to a pentacostal church, for the first time in my life..... it sure was..... interesting... :)
they have a band and play christian songs for worship and stuff.... like I said...INTERESTING :)
Billy Reames is the youth pastor there and invited us to come, as we talked about our different beliefs....
aw well... it sure was an experiance... a testimony strengthening one... :)

other than that... not to much to tell...except that we are keeping busy :)

Spring sure is hitting hard and the landscape is just GEORGEOUS!!!!!
I love being here! The members are awwweeesome and keep inviting their friends to have dinner, with us....the weather has been awesome... our car is sweet :) (170 horsepowers eat that jared :) :D:D:D just kidding) and the work is progressing..
it sure doesn't get better than that :):)

aww well...life is good and I sure love being here!!!

Email: April 2010

hey everyone,

how are things? here, they are marvelous!!!!!! I've got another transfer down here, in Prairie du Chien!!! Elder Warner and I are staying together and are doing our best to help the area progress!!!!
We are seeing success and enjoy sharing the gospel of our Savior with those we meet.

As we had General Conference last week, I sure learned a lot. Also, I realized more and more, how blessed we really are. These men and women, that we are allowed to listen to, are an inspiration to all of us. Isn't that marvelous, to know that Heavenly Father and our Savior love us so much, that they always watch out for us and guide us, through those they call? I definitely think so.

I really know, that this is the gospel of Jesus Christ, in its fulness. We are members of his true church. Knowing that, is a comfort and blessing beyond measure!

Thank you all, for the work you do, to share that knowledge and for the support I receive from all of you. I can literally feel the prayers you say.
I hope, that all things are well, wherever you may be.
I love and miss all of you and sure wish you all the best!... Take care...

Email: March 15, 2010

This last week has been a marvelous one. First, we had a few days of daily work until Thursday, when we had Zone conference.

It was a wonderful experience. I learned a lot about the importance of Repentance and how we can help our Investigators realize, what a gift it really is. At the same time, I myself realized, what a gift it really is. It is a marvelous one, for sure! It is an invitation to us, to become better. It is the chance for us, to clean out and heal our wounds of the soul. I am so grateful, for that gift.
Then, on Saturday, we also had the chance, to go meet Elder Christofferson, of the Quorum of the twelve. He is a marvelous man and gave us some very good advice, personally and also for the work. What wonderful men we have, to lead and guide us here in our lives. We are blessed immensely.

Elder Warner, my new companion from California, and I get along very well. Like usually there is some differences, but what would life be without some variety! :) He is a good teacher easy-going. It's going to be a good transfer, for sure!!!

I love my mission! It is such a blessing, to be here. I love this gospel and the happiness it brings me and my family.

That is why I am here. Thank you, to all that support me and help me. Take care, until next time! :)

Email: March 8, 2010

alright, a new Transfer!!!
My last companion Elder Jeppesen has gone on :), to Milwaukee and my new companion has come. Elder Warner is his name. He is from San Diego, California and a true Surfer boy! :)
Nice guy though, for sure and I am excited for the next 6 weeks. It will be great.

The work is going great. we are teaching several young families and others.
it is marvelous to see the testimony grow in others and also at the same time in yourself. it is a learning experiance for sure, to be on amission. Hard at some times...but ALWAYS worth it. Just like everything else, that the lord asks us to do. Sometimes it gets hard, but we can always know, that he is there, watching over us and preparing a way, for us to achieve what he asks of us.
This gospel really is a gift to everyone! we need to share it. I am grateful for the chance I have, to do so full time!

Thanks, to everyone, for the support i get!!! I really love my mission love being here in Wisconsin!

hope, everyone is doing good and staying happy! We sure have enough reason to be happy...so...LET's do it :):)

well...take care everyone!
love, Elder Dautel

Eagle Show

From a Bald Eagle event here in town. It was way sweet.

Pictures: February 15, 2010

Here are some pictures of my new companion, Elder Jeppson, and our apartment.

Pictures: February 1, 2010

Elder Thiel

I was on an exchange with him for 2 days, because of transfers. He is awesome and I would be happy to work with him longer. He is from Canada and serving in Green Bay right now.

Iowa Sign

That's right!! Part of my area right now goes into Iowa. I have already served in 3 states!!! Pretty cool, huh!

Me at the Mississippi

Not much to explain. THAT RIVER IS HUGE!!!! That behind me is only about a third of how big it really is!!!

Overview of Green Bay


The Amish

Yep! There are amish in my area here and they actually put up signs for them and their carriages. It was so funny when I saw one the first time. I am going to try to take a picture with one of them :)

Turkey Time

Well...one of the members in the area has turkeys.

UP District

Yeah that is us...Marquette, Houghton and Iron Mountain Elders...except Elder Cottle, who was already on his way to Milwaukee to pick up his new greenie.

Email: January 25, 2010

Alright, my second Area: PRAIRIE DU CHIEN, WI
It is interesting, to see how the Lord works with us. I started out in an area, that has a looot of success and now I have been sent here, where there is basically nothing going on. I see, that I have been called here, to serve with my new companion Elder Jeppesen, to get this place up and running. Work has slacked a lot the last months and things are quite unorganized. But Elder Jeppesen and I have been working hard already, to change that.
There sure is a lot of potential here, especially if we can work with the members. There are several young families in the branch, which are all ready to share the gospel with their friends and happy to help us with our work.

It's how it always is. If we show heavenly father that we trust him and do our best at all times, then we can be absolutely sure, that he will bless us and give the effort reason.

I love being here. It is a challenge. But a challenge with blessings, that I am ready to take. To many times it happens, that we stand in front of a wall and loose focus of the blessings that we know, are waiting right behind.
This will work. I know it.

Thanks to everyone, that has been writing and supporting me over here.
I miss you all and hope, that you are all doing well.
Take good care,
Elder Robert Dautel

Email: January 18, 2010

TRANSFER WEEK! My training time is over and I am going to be transferred! Where to, i do not know yet, I will hear tomorrow, but I am already excited. Sad, because I really love this area here, with all the people. And also, because of Elder Cottle and having to leave him. He is going to train again, which is good, since his wonderful working attitude truly is an example to everyone.

But, he has taught me so very much, it is unbelievable. I am going to miss that.
I am grateful, for the blessings I have received through this companionship and the time here. Including the trials, which almost always in life, turn out, to be a blessing in disguise!!!! It is hard, to be with the same person 24 - 7. Especially if you didn't get to choose the person :).... BUT, if you work things out and have the same righteous desires and goals, it can work.

Elder Cottle and I have learned, to feed off of each others strengths and to simply work. Work together in our cause, to invite others to come unto our Savior Jesus Christ. THEN it all just started to work out and we truly ARE having the time of our lives.

It is simply amazing to see how Heavenly Father always knows best and knows, what we need! The time here has taught me so very much. Things that were hard for me in the beginning, like getting up and excercise on time, knocking doors and other small things... are now my favorite thing to do, for I see how it helps us to focus and be more effective. I love knocking doors now and it is way fun. :D

AWWWWW well... a mission is simply the coolest thing ever and I love it! I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world right now. I am grateful for the chance to serve my Savior and my brothers and sisters here.
"Today is the day, for us to perform our labors."
I am glad to perform them now.

Take good care everyone,
Love, Elder Robert Dautel

Pictures: January 18, 2010

Elder Burnside

Not much to say about...he is really cool and a very good missionary already, even though he has only been out one transfer.

Elder Wessely

Elder Burnside's companion, from Germany, Bielefeld. He is really nice and a good missionary.

Gallon Challenge

Ooooh my...me, Elder Cottle and the young men (plus the leaders) had to drink 1 gallon (3.78 Liters) if milk within ONE hour and keep it down for an hour. Supposedly it is impossible to do, because the milk expands...and none made it...EXCEPT ME! Ha...none beats me! :D But that night sure was horrible...:) NEVER AGAIN :D

Me, Trista and Dan Sarasin

They are a less-active couple, that really want to go back to church. Struggling but still trying. They are awesome and I am going to miss them, when I leave.

Me and Aden Sarasin

Dan and Trista's youngest son. He loves me sooooo much...I don't know why. He is shy to everyone else and hides from them...but from the first day on, he wouldn't stay away from me. :D I love that kid.

Me, Jeremiah and Jenna Sarasin

Dan and Trista's older kids. They are so sweet. Crazy :D...but sweet. Love them...and will miss them, when I leave. A lot!