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Often when I either went into the field or a new area, someone would always say, "Sorry, you are being thrown into the deep-end!"
I think this is, kinda, the first time that I have ever felt really, "thrown into the deep-end" as a missionary.
It feels like going into the field, but skipping the MTC. Which since I've techinically have gone through it before, it makes sense, but I think its a unique feeling to be, sort of, cerplopped.

Alas, here we are, back in Cyprus, teaching, serving, and making videos, almost as if I didn't leave. Everyone that was here was not were at the same time as me, minus Elder Hiltunen, but yet the work is always moving forward as it should. That affirms to me the Lord is overseeing all things regardless what happens.
Many of the key things that make Cyprus Cyprus I honestly talked about in depth in prior emails.  I could go through a lot of the things we go through like before, but I think it would be a little less boring to talk about the differences. If you wanna know,  I guess read the other emails!

One key difference; it is so stink-en hot here now. I think it was kinda a blessing that I was not in Cyprus this summer because I'm pretty sure I would have died or filled a swimming pool with the water I've drank this week alone. For those of you that remember, I don't drink water very much. A whole glass a day would be an achievement on occasion. However, it is so hot I have to carry a waterbottle continueously.

This last Saturday, we went to Cans for Kids, which felt fun to return there once again, and a volunteer put it well. "Hey, don't pour water here! It's a valuable resource!" she said as we all continued to laugh. It really be like Mad Max here sometimes.

Honestly though, I really enjoy doing the service there. Other than our own church, it is one of the most diverse and positive communities I have had the honor to be involved with since my introduction to Cyprus. The purpose is good and humble, and the people come from all different places or backgrounds. Honestly, I think it is one of the most accepting places anyone can come to (other than the church, of course, again). Places like this tell me that every corner of the world can contain the light of Jesus Christ, The Savior.

One of the greatest blessing since being introduced to the mission once again is how much change there has been. Truly, it is also something difficult to adjust to, but it's also an opportunity to grow. For example, serving with Elder Karatassos and Carr, they each have their own styles of teaching, and I've come to learn new ways of helping to become friends with people who need it. Without becoming overbearing. So much more about it was just being yourself, I've learned. Honest laugher and joy is something beautiful.

Some of the people we have been teaching in the North are amazing because I keep getting confused by them. About every half second I'm turning to one of my companions asking, "Are you sure they are not a member?" and them affirming me, "Yes."

The attribution to this is, what I believe to be, joy in learning of the Gospel. As we have been teaching people, I've learned there are two things involved-- your willingness to act and be prepared to teach-- and two-- their agency and willingness to feel joy in studying the gospel. There are two people in particular that I recall in my mind that everytime we meet with them, I believe they are truly interested in the Gospel-- not just interested-- but experiencing JOY! The key is, possibly-- all of this is technically theory in a way, experiencing the joy of having the missionaries over or going to church is amazing. However, when you have deep, true desire to understand the doctine and, for example, the Book of Mormon in your PERSONAL time, it changes you forever. I've come to see that when the Gospel is not limited to Sunday, Come Follow Me, and meeting with the missionaries, the joy of the gospel can take heed of your heart. I would incourage you to ponder on this. Not to make this a lesson or anything, but I have been thinking about it a lot recently.

As some of you know, to create my emails, I write bullet points to help me recall the contents of the week. As things occur, I write them in a draft email I start at the beginning of the week, and refer to it as I write elaborated explanations of those bullet points for my email. Currently, as I read back on them, I'm beginning to see something that I think I was struggling with last week. Adjusting. I still am, honestly. It's onlly really been a week. However, after this P-day, I am experiencing hope for this upcoming week. I won't write what a lot of those points since their contents are mostly specific struggles I had with adjusting last week. What I will say to that is,
"This too, shall pass."
And this week I may struggle with more things. The same things. Different things. But then again.
"This too, shall pass."
It may be like trying to start riding a bike in too high a gear, but alas,
"This too, shall pass."

I was hoping to write a longer email this week, but I think that's okay. My thought process on why I have struggled to express as much as I used to is A: Adjusting and B: God might not need me to express so much right now. I believe God even helps in the smallest of ways like that, because maybe then, that's what I needed. But I do still continue to write these weekly, so I will continue to do so.

Also random thing, I'm trying to learn a little Turkish because they don't speak Greek in the North of Cyprus. Any tips would be fire.

We had a really fun P-day, so that might be why I struggled to find the time, even after 9pm to write my email. That'll probably be part of the attached images.

I love you all, and I hope again that you don't die in the heat! I'm already beginning to change color.
Or maybe it's dirt.
I guess we'll see after the shower.

από τον, Elder Dylan Hansen