First five days in the mission field

I have been out here for five days now. I have the privilege to serve beside Sister Coburn, from Virginia Washington DC, and Sister Harvey, from Colorado Springs. The weather is warm and I am in one of the more populated areas. We wake up at six thirty, work out for half an hour, do personal study, and then plan out our day. We plan who we are going to visit and what were gonna do, and we make goals. After planning, we get cleaned up and eat breakfast, then head out. We visit with people, do tracting, heart attack doors, do service, like helping people wrap Christmas presents, and eat dinner at member's houses. They are all very friendly and the food is always delicious. We haven't had much success at finding people who want us to teach them, but they aren't usually outright rude. We usually get home around nine. We get to sleep around ten thirty, then the sequence starts all over again the next day. We keep ourselves too busy to feel homesick. 

In the picture, Sister Coburn is the blonde and Sister Harvey is the brunette. They are both amazing and I am so grateful to serve with them. Sister Coburn is going home in a month, this is her last transfer and she's been in this area for 9 months already, and Sister Harvey has been here six weeks longer than me.  In this mission, they try to keep people in an area for around six months so I'll have lots of time to get to know the people here.  

We are serving both the Highland Ranch ward and the Roxborough ward. They meet in two separate buildings, but luckily they are less then a minute walk between each other. There is one large parking lot and the two church buildings are on both sides. I don't know why it's built that way, but it makes it convenient for us! 

We were able to sing in the Roxborough Christmas program and were able to attend the farewell talk of a Sister heading out to her mission this week from the Highlands Ranch ward. After church we had a few meetings, then we ate dinner at a member family's house. Afterwards we were able to help wrap presents at a friendly non member's house, where we had cookies, cocoa, and many laughs. 

For the last twelve weeks, the Sisters haven't been able to find anyone interested in lessons, then a few days before I arrived they were able to find someone. On Sunday, the Sisters were inspired to to visit David, a man they had spoken to two months ago. He had seemed interested, but told them he was usually pretty busy, but they were welcome to drop by. For the next two months, they would stop by nearly every other day, and he was never home. They didn't want to bother him, but the impression that they should try again just wouldn't leave. 

I'll send you the rest of the story next week. 

Traveling to Denver

It feels as if I am closing yet another chapter of my life. Being at the MTC, one moment it would feel as if I had just arrived, then the next it would feel as if I had always lived at the MTC, as if home life was the unthinkable thing. I learned so much and I'm sad, closing another chapter of my life forever, yet my fingers tingle with excitement in expectation for the adventures that await me in Denver. At times I feel completely unprepared, yet I can't help feeling as if God had been preparing me LONG before I entered the MTC. 

There are eight Sisters and three Elders all heading to Colorado Denver South mission today. 

I made it safely to Denver! It was a crazy ride but I survived. In the past couple days I was getting sick, then on Sunday I had a terrible migraine on the left side, but the Sisters were able to hook me up with some pain meds and peppermint oil and that helped. This morning my stomach began to ache and my head slowly started to throb. When we got to the mission home, it went from a throb to another migraine, this time on the right side. With the altitude change making it difficult to breathe and the head, I was in so much pain I could not even cry. I was about to ask for a blessing when President Reece started the meeting and I decided to ask after. The meeting lasted an hour, the pain progressing throughout the meeting. At one point I had to leave and retreat to the kitchen, where a helpful Sister was able to get me Migraine medication.  After that I went back and sat quietly throughout the rest of the meeting, the pain not releasing any. Knowing me, you know I was too polite to interrupt. Finally at the end I was able to tell President Reece that I NEEDED a blessing. As he blessed me with health and a promise that my head would be healed, the pain released and I was finally able to cry. I went to the car that would drive us sisters to the hotel and continued to cry. I used the breathing exercises my mom had taught me to calm down and get my emotions under control. Now, sitting in my hotel room, the pain is completely gone. My stomach has calmed down, and I am amazed. It had felt as if a hot needle had been stabbing me over and over again over the eyebrow and it had lasted SO long. Now in the absence of that pain I am so filled with gratitude and relief. I know this gospel is true, I know God loves me SO much, and I know I am not alone. I experienced a miracle this day and i know that there are many more miracles that i will witness throughout my mission and after. I testify that this gospel is true and that God is able to do all things, and i know that He has me and is protecting me. This work we are doing is a mighty one that promises strength and joy to those that serve. I am so grateful to be here and for my decision to serve the Lord.

I will be serving in the Highlands Ranch Roxborough Area along side Sister Coburn and Sister Harvey, who I will meet tomorrow. 

MTC Week 4

12/11 Wednesday

Our teacher, Brother Steele, wrote a song while on his mission and played it for us. Yesterday he went and recorded it. He uploaded it to iTunes. The song is called "Savior, Redeemer".

I was having a hard time in class and felt frustrated and alone, and then I opened my email and found a message from my mom, saying "Hi, I love you!" That simple message meant so much to me and helped me make it through my struggles. I'm so grateful to my mother and her little emails and message throughout the week. Every email and letter I receive acts as a reminder that God is watching over everyone at home and that I am not alone. I am reminded that I am loved. I am so grateful to everyone who takes the time to write me. Every letter and message means the world to me and helps me through my doubts while I'm here. 

Elder Smith in my district is such an inspiration. A few days after arriving at the MTC he found out his girlfriend back home found a brain tumor. Today, the doctors found cancer in her lungs as well. Yet Elder Smith remains faithful and focused on his mission. He prays and fasts for her, and works hard to be a great missionary. He is a true example of a devoted and faithful missionary. 

12/12

Today I got Mint Brownie Chocolate Milk from BYU Creamery! It was so good.

After class, a few of us had fun trying to draw each other while using our left hand. In the end we had a few interesting pictures. 

Some of the Elders are leaving early next week so we passed around our notebooks and signed them. It's insane thinking that everyone we have studied and grown beside will soon be heading out to their missions as we all go our separate ways. We have all really grown and become the missionaries God needs us to be. 

My week:

I found my cousin Serrenity!! Turns out she works here, and while I was waiting in the cafeteria, we found each other. 

It was rainy and windy. I put my face to the sky, closed my eyes, and breathed in a lung full of strange smelling air. It smelled smokey and unnaturally sweet. I miss the smell of Washington weather.

The Sisters took a nap after lunch.

Since so many missionaries have church meetings at the same time, we often stuff as many people as possible into the four elevators. Today we were able to fit 21 people onto our elevator. 

We have a felt Christmas tree in our room, but it looked strange with no presents, so I took some sticky notes and wrote down gifts I'm grateful for.

For our Sunday devotional, we tuned into the First Presidency Christmas broadcast.

MTC week 3

12/4
Sister Bingham curled my hair today!

Sister Bingham's mom sent her a present advent calendar, one present every other day, and she sent presents for me too!

The Elders found some treasures in their air vents, passed down by the previous residents. They found a fake rat, squirt guns, a few decks of cards, notes of advice, and much more.

I got a new umbrella in the mail from my mommy!

New missionaries come in on Wednesdays, but none came last week due to it being Thanksgiving that week. Now, with the schedule being back to normal, we are no longer the new missionaries. Mruhahaha!

With new missionaries coming in, we also had many leaving. More left then came in. This means several of the teachers no longer had a district to teach, so we had three extra teachers come in and help teach our classes. 

While meeting with a member of the church, he gave us some advice about Colorado Denver. He suggested that we match their vibes. He says if we are in the mountain towns, act more laid back. He said "If you are speaking to a skater dude, act like a skater dude." He said those closer to the city are more serious, and surprisingly enough the best way to connect with them is through surveys.

12/5

I got a package today! It had shampoo, conditioner, and other little goodies from my awesome mother who seems to know exactly what I need and when I need it.

The Elders accidentally spilled soda on Elder Smith and I. It was wet and sticky, but nothing was getting me away from my dinner. After a quick wipe down of  the table, I sat right back down and finished my meal.

Sister Perry sketched everyone in our district. They were simple and quick, but you could easily tell who was who.

I woke up two of the Sisters last night because I was running in my bed while sleeping. To try and help me sleep better and prevent anymore nightmares, Sister Bingham sprayed some lavender water on my pillow.

I found my mom's favorite flavor of BYU Creamery ice cream!

These are the sisters I partnered with the first day I was here when I couldn't find my companions.

12/7 Saturday (P Day)

Ran into Elder Weller, who is from my stake and will be serving in NYC.

12/10
Turns out last night I kept kicking the ladder of the bunk bed while I was asleep. I found out this morning when Sister Bingham mentioned it. 

We had classes in the morning, then because we are here for four weeks our schedules are messed up, so we had nothing scheduled between 11:30-6:30 except for a half hour companionship and personal study. For the rest we napped, studied, and did activities with the district and caught up on stuff we hadn't had time to do before, such as clean.

We had a devotional by both President Ballard and President Oaks! The gasps as they walked in, carrying the spirit and a message from God that all the missionaries needed to hear. 

MTC week 2

Day 8-Wednesday 11/27

Today I got a package from my beloved and much missed young women from back home! I nearly ran up the four flights if stairs to get to my room and open it up. I laughed at the security tape they had used. Inside was a cute punny message, and under it was every missionary's, and every teenager's, favorite thing. Food. Snacks. And candy. And there were two cards from the young women, both addressed to Elder Deeds. I laughed for a while about that. I told my teacher about it and she was able to look up what classroom he was in. Turns our his classroom is the same as mine, just on the second story. I went up to his class to deliver the cards, but I missed him by a few minutes. His teacher was still there so I was able to give them to her for her to deliver. 

In class we learn many things, but one thing that stood out to me was "Preparation Proceeds Inspiration."

Today, one of our Elders went home. After he was gone, we found out he was worried about serving, thinking he didn't have enough faith in this gospel to teach it. Our entire district felt the loss, having had a week to grow close. 

Day 9- Thanksgiving 

Today we started out our day with a general authority devotional. Neil L. Anderson and many of his grandchildren came to talk to us. It was a real treat. One thing he said that stuck out to me was that "you can count the seeds in an apple but you can count the apples in a seed."

It started snowing again, harder this time. While in line for the devotional Elder Lake, Elder Dao and I had a mini snowball fight. 

Since it is a holiday, I was able to video chat with mom and with Isaac. Lillie squealed and waved and played with me over the video call. Then later in the evening I was able to call and catch everyone at Boma's house, where they were celebrating Thanksgiving. 

Because most of the staff went home to celebrate Thanksgiving at home for the evening, we had a Thanksgiving lunch. After lunch we had a service project, where we worked along side the organization Feeding Children Everywhere. We helped package meals for needy families. 

After lunch everyone packed a sack dinner, but my companion and i had been busy. When we got to class after the service project and the Elders saw we had nothing, they all took one thing out of their sacks and gave them to us so we wouldn't have to go hungry. Sometimes the Elders are a little immature and disruptive, but they truly are good people and I'm so grateful to be able to learn and grow along side of then during these four weeks.

After dinner, we all went and watched the movie The Other Side of Heaven, which I had never seen before. I sat next to Elder Vave, who is from New Zealand. It was so interesting during the movie because he would make comments like "on the islands that's how every child learns to swim, by being tossed off the boat and told to swim to shore" and "people really do open and read your mail." 

After this, we all moved to the gym, where we had our final devotional of the day. A guitarist and vocalist came and performed hymns for us. In between every song they would recount stories and lessons they had learned from their missions. It was very spiritual and peaceful. Maybe a bit too peaceful. Two not the Elders from our district would fall asleep, then whenever we would clap after a performance they would sit up, clap, then fall right back asleep. 

Day 10- Friday 11/29

Two of the Elders in our district have a high fever and stayed in bed.   Because of Thanksgiving, our kid our teachers are out of town visiting their families.  Throughout the day more and more elders got sick.  It's windy and there's SO much snow! I absolutely, positively love the snow. It is gorgeous and just keeps coming! Two if the sisters are from Utah, so they're used to snow, but sister Davis, who's from Texas, and I are very excited. So is sister Bingham, even though she sees this very year. Sister Perry... not so excited. 

Elder Deeds, the other missionary who left from my ward the same day as me, swung by my class and dropped off the cards. As I sat with my hair wet with freshly melted snow, I was warmed by the sweet words and thoughtfulness of the Young Women and Young Women leaders back at home. 

Today for exercise we played four square again. While I'm still not good at it, I was king five times! Mainly because the previous kings messed up on their own with no help from me, but still. 

On the way between classes some of the Elders started throwing snow balls at one another. None of then realized or even considered that the small quiet innocent looking sister was the one nailing them from behind. It turns out I have a pretty good aim when it comes to snow. Later after the gym, some of the Elders were sick and other just didn't go to the gym, meaning we were walking back with only three of them, we started another snow ball fight. I love throwing high ones, that way it lands on top of them and explodes into powder. It also means they have no clue who threw it. Snowballs were raining from above, hitting then, exploding, and leaving them confused, over and over again and they had no clue who done did it  But they soon saw me throwing them and nailing all the Elders over and over again. Later on the sisters were laughing and calling me very sneaky, because they would see me throw, hit them in the back or the head, then I would look away and act as if I hadn't seen anything. It was a ton of fun!

Day 11- Saturday 11/30
As a district, we woke up early and headed over to the temple to do initiatories. The snow had fallen thickly the night before and the fields were covered in a thick carpet of white. It was beautiful. When we got back, we had a few hours of free space. We did our laundry, took a nap, and sent out emails. It was a pretty quiet P day.

Day 12- Sunday 12/1

In the devotional we learned the difference between walking into a room with the attitude of "here I am" vs the attitude of "there you are."  Because today was fast Sunday, we skipped both our breakfast and our lunch. We broke our fast at 4:15. The girls and I took another nap, this time a longer one.   Our new district goal for the week is "Be respectful to others AND yourself on our journey to become humble Disciples of Christ" We also found more specific actions we could take to be able to reach that goal.

Day 13- Monday 12/2

I received 20 letters today! It made me so happy and grateful to everyone who took the time to write them.

Sister Bingham got Zipfiz in the mail yesterday. She put some in her very full water bottle and it started spitting everywhere. This was in the middle of class. Luckily being from a big family, I'm used to sticky messes and I was able to clean the mess.

When life is hard, trials are coming and coming, and the burden feels too heavy to bear, turn to Christ. Focus on Christ. When we serve others, we are able to feel His love. Look outside yourself. When focused on ourselves, we are miserable. Serve to forget yourself and know of the Lord's love for others.  We learned the difference between being on a mission vs being a missionary.

MTC days 4-7

Day four- 11/23
Our first P Day!

P Day lasts from when you wake up and ends at 6:30, when you arrive at class. Between then and class, you are free to go to the temple, do laundry, write emails, call home, take a nap, or do whatever else that needs done.

We woke up and went to the temple this morning. The night before Sister Perry helped me and the other sisters to find four family names to do baptisms for. I was finally able to call home and talk to my family!!!

I spent almost thirty minutes writing a long email home about my experience thus far, but when I pressed send an error sign popped up,  the page automatically reset itself,  and the email was deleted.  I tried all I could to recover it, but it didn't work.  I had to rewrite the whole thing,  send out again, and the same thing happened,  but this time I copied it before sending it.  I pulled up a new email,  pasted the old,  and sent it off. This time it made it.  

We were walking between classes and Sister Bingham mentioned her bag was heavy,  so I started carrying it. Elder Dao saw and cheered me on, saying "Elder Dickson, stepping up!" I looked at him and said "what?" He repeated himself "Elder Dickson, stepping up." He repeated himself five times thinking the look if confusion in my face meant I didn't hear. I finally said "do you mean Sister Dickson?" At that he went quiet.   I laughed for a while at that. Then later in class my teacher started calling me elder, then corrected herself. I reassured her and told her it wasn't the first time that day I was called Elder. Sister Bingham laughed and looked over at Elder Dao, who started saying sorry while another Elder next to me seemed to be trying to reassure me, but I just shrugged and said "honestly, i just find this entertaining." 

Day 5- 11/24

At Sacrament meeting, we sang the hymns all together in English, French, Ceb, and Romanian. It was truly beautiful and the spirit was so strong as we sang together in our different languages. 

Talks are given first in the language your learning, then in English. This way the speaker has a chance to practice their language and we can understand and enjoy the message they have to share as well. 

Sister Davis gave me some moleskin for my heels. I had plenty of shoes, but I chose to wear the shoes mom and I had bought from Value Village and they killed my feet the day before. They are now in the giveaway bin. 

I found out that, due to no one being assigned to arrive on Thanksgiving week, the group of missionaries I arrived with was extra large. I was told over six hundred missionaries arrived the same day as me. Right now in the MTC, there are about 1,682 missionaries preparing to go out in their missions.

I went to the choir today and it was do powerful and beautiful. We would practice the song, then the director would explain the background behind the song, the meaning behind the verses, what it meant for us to sing it, and a story or two about his mission. The room vibrated with strength and power as we sang. It was am amazing experience that I loved. I'm not very good at singing and didn't really know what I was doing, but Heavenly Father knew that. The sister next to me was very friendly and had been in choir for three years and was able to help me. Overall an amazing experience. Sadly my companion and the sisters in our district didn't enjoy it so that was my one experience with the choir... but I'm grateful I got to go at least once.

While there, I met two other sisters who are also going to be serving in the Colorado Denver South mission and are leaving on the same day as us. They know two Elders who are going too. 

My small bag has been a big blessing. I'm used to having big bags and I stuff as much stuff in them as possible, because I overthink everything. What if it rains, what if it's hot, maybe I should bring everything I own... having a smaller bag means I have less space, so it means it's harder to over pack. I have just enough room for my notebook, pens, pencils, scriptures, phone, and maybe a pair of gloves. And it turns out that's all I need. So, less is best. 

The picture is of the angel God sent to help me at choir and I.

Day 6- Monday 11/25

It started snowing!!! 

While walking back to my room with all the wonderful letters my family sent me, watching as snow drifted down, I couldn't stop smiling. My family also sent me a package with all kinds if kind messages written on the outside. Inside were different objects I had forgotten to pack, things my mom knew I would have forgotten to think of, like Bobby pins, and love. I was jumping up and down on my bed as I saw everything and felt their love. 

I'm one of the only people in my district to receive mail. They tease me about how much mail I get, but they look a little sad they didn't get any mail. I love every last letter I get, no matter the length or content, i just feel so loved and get so excited when I receive them!!!

Once a week, missionaries have an hour or two of service time. This is when we go out and help the cleaning crew clean up the place. This morning, we were assigned to check in and start helping at 6:30 in the morning. As we cleaned the bathroom, I remembered the song "If the Savior Stood Beside Me" and I felt such peace and joy. As I remembered this song, I felt no bitterness at having to wake up do early or having to clean a bathroom. I just felt grateful to be able to serve and I knew the Savior would do the same, serving all, no matter how menial the labor may be.

Yesterday we watched a video of a past devotional, and the spirit was so strong, slapping us all in the face to stop complaining, stop focusing in and looking outwards instead. Our district had often been disrupted and after almost every class all I would hear would hear complaints, and I would feel the sweet spirit leave. I hate confrontation so I didn't want to say anything, and I had prayed that God would somehow change their hearts and teach them, but I had no clue how He would do that. But He knew. After the devotional with the slap in the face, our district got together and with no help from me, they knew they needed to change and serve a district goal to be more reverent and invite the spirit into our lessons, instead or chasing it away by being disruptive and negative. It was truly an answer to my prayer.

The phone I had brought was not the right model, so I had to borrow one for the time being from the MTC, and my family and I were trying to figure out a way to find another phone and get it to me in time. Then Sister Bingham said I could have her old one. She had ordered the new Samsung phone and it hadn't arrived in time, so she had gotten a different one to use till she got her new one. She told me that once she got her new phone she would give me the old one. I hadn't asked, I hadn't even thought about something like that would happen, but God knew. In my experience, as long as I trust in His plan and in His timing, all things work out for the better. While preparing for my mission and even here, God knows what I need and He knows when I need it and He has and will provide for me. When I trust in Him and work hard on what I can and trust him with what I can't, He always blesses me and gets me what I need. I need not worry on what I cannot control, because I know He has a plan and He has our well being in mind. He loves us and He provides us with what we need. All we need to do is trust in Him.

Today we did our first lesson. It was a play lesson, where we taught someone who's already a member, but they act as if they aren't. It went better then the practice lesson we had done in class, but there was still PLENTY of room for improvement. 

Today was the day we had assigned exercise time. We went to the gym together, where there was a basketball court, some valley ball nets, a four square, a track upstairs with exercise machines on the side. It gets crowded, but is still fun. I ran a little under a mile, did some stretches with the sisters, then Sister Davis and I worked on the machines together. She was able to leg press 400 pounds, maxing out the machine. Even though I was pressing MUCH less, she still cheered me on. She then helped teach me how to do four square. I didn't do well at all, but it was still fun. 

Day 7- Tuesday 11/26

When talking to family, most people use headphones so that can be disruptive. I didn't bring any and didn't want to spend money buying new ones from the store, then Sister Davis got a new new set of earbuds and gave me the set she had bought from the store at the beginning of our MTC experience. I'm so grateful!

The person we were supposed to teach today canceled, do we filled the time we would have spent teaching with planning for tomorrow's lesson.

As a group during the devotional, we all sang the 2020 youth theme together. We were given the words on the screen as we sung, but none of us new the notes or the song. Yet we were all able to sing along in unison I felt I was surrounded with such power and the Holy Ghost.

As a district, we decided this weeks goal would be "Through diligence in focusing on Christ, we can be more effective in out obedience." In class, we often fall off topic and goof off, and we recognized it was a problem and we are trying to face it and fix it. With all these new rules, we aren't always obedient, often forgetting, and we have realized that not being obedient can chase away the spirit. God has truly opened our hearts and mind to our faults and defects and has inspired us to repent, to change for the better.

The tums I brought aren't only helping me, they are helping my companion as well. She's having a hard time with the food here. 

Sister Binghan's mother sent Crumble cookies. Sister Bingham shared with all the sisters in our room. We had a delicious late night snack.

And here are only a few of the pictures of us goofing off. 

MTC Day Three

The Elders at lunch were tossing an apple back and forth catching it with forks the sending it to the next person,  forks still in.  By the end there were five forks sticking out if that poor apple.  The sisters and I grabbed our drinks before disaster could strike. 

11 Elders and 4 sisters in our district. A companionship of three, who we call the "trio".

Yesterday, the was a speak to everyone activity and were practice speaking to each other.  It's an odd number so for the first round one of the Elders practiced with the teacher. For the second round,  Elder Lake and I were going to practice together,  but then we noticed the same elder from last time had to practice with the teacher again, so Elder Lake volunteered to switch. Today the teacher told us we would be practicing getting to know people and we would have to partner and practice with someone other then our companion and before he was even done explaining Elder Lake called across the room " I call sister Dickson! Since yesterday didn't work out." I was chosen first, before we were even supposed to choose. I feel very welcome and included in this group.

During class, our teacher, an RM, said "you will never know the struggles of biking in the wind with a skirt on and a map." One of the Elders nodded and said "I hope I don't."

Sister Perry stuffed almost an entire slice of cheesecake in her mouth after being dared to by the Elders. We all cheered.

Our district now eats together with every meal.

I was a little sad while working out thinking of Colleen, but then thinking of her motivated me.  I ran nearly a mile, did a little core work, and Sister Davis and I worked out on the machines fir leg and arms. Colleen motivated me to push my self.  When I felt sad and like stopping, I would think of her and push harder, run faster. It was good workout.