By day they assist the Samoa Apia mission president, O. Vincent Haleck Jr., as well as teach religion classes for young adults. But in their spare time, they like to keep a record of the new friends they are making and the adventures they are having as missionaries.
Their responsibilities and many other experiences give them plenty of things to talk about with their families back home, using a Webcam and their laptop computer. They also keep a running pictorial and narrative record of their mission on their blog, http://gimmesamoadanandjean.blogspot.com/
One of their recent blog posts was about the visit to American Samoa of President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, and his wife Sister Harriett Uchtdorf.
The Dabells wrote of that event:
Pres. Uchtdorf visited with the people of American Samoa on Saturday, November 7, 2009. Many saints arrived five hours early, filling the MalaeimiStake Center with over 2,000 people. Today, in Institute we asked our young For Dan and Jean Dabell, their family and friends back in the United States are only a mouse click away. For the last six months they have been using Internet technology to keep in touch and share their experiences as missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
adults to write their feeling about President Uchtdorf:
“On Saturday all the Islanders were so happy that President Uchtdorf, a member of the First Presidency came. I felt so excited because I got to see him face to face. I felt the spirit just by looking at him, and listening to his teachings. He praised us and what he said about our people and our island just made me feel proud of who I am.” Frances
“WOW!! I was honored to actually see the second counselor to the prophet. It was packed with people and was just hot, but his presence sent a profound feeling to all those who were attending the fireside. I liked his message about having hope in these dark times, and to help reach out to those spiritually. It was such a lucky experience for me. He also said that we should be instruments in the Lord's hands. Sister Uchtdorf was such a happy lady. I like her ‘liquid sunshine’ talk. It really made my weekend.” Genesis
To read more comments by young American Samoan Latter-day Saints, click here.
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