19 days in quarantine

This is day 19 of being under quarantine. Luckily, we are still allowed to go out and take short walks. Some big news from this week. So, we got a new Sister, Sister Kotyk. She has been serving for 13 months now and was serving in Littleton, but her companion had to go home because of health reasons. Now all three of us are over Roxborough, Highlands Ranch, and Littleton. One area for each companion! I am recovering well from my sickness. I am able to stay awake almost all day and I have been feeling MUCH better. Earlier this week, because the sickness began to make it a little difficult to breath, we went to the walk in clinic. It was so weird. To try to prevent the spread of anymore sickness, our mission nurse told us that I should go in alone and that my companion, Sister Harvey, should wait in the car. Then, afterwards, I had to pick up some stomach stuff from the store, and I had to walk in alone. It was freaky. Then, to also try and prevent the spread, we were told we had to self isolate, meaning I began living in the bed room while Sister Harvey slept and lived in the living room. Luckily, I have a great companion so she made sure I didn't starve and got me food to eat.

Sister Kotyk joined us on Thursday. We are on the third story of the apartment complex, so it was interesting carrying up her suitcases and mattress. Sister Harvey and her carried the suitcases and I carried this twin size mattress up three flights of stairs by myself while sick. I made it without falling once!!! I had it laying on my back, which meant it hung over my tiny 5'2 hight and flipped over my head, making it hard to see. For the next few days, Sister Kotyk lived in the living room with Sister Harvey and took over making me food. They have been so kind to me. 

While going on walks outside, we need to maintain a six foot social distance from one another. We were quite the sight, haha. Most days I would do more art projects while hiding in my little room. I've done a LOT. I made a few mini books, like the Hear Him one that is on Facebook right now. It took us no less than 12 tries to take that video. We all kept laughing for one reason or another and would have to begin again. It was a lot of fun!

 Since Sister Kotyk is new to Highlands Ranch/Roxborough, and we are new to Littleton, we made this little introduction to send to people since for new we can't meet people in person.

I got a few packages and letters from Grandparents this week. I got treats from Bopa, art supplies from Boma, and a loving letter from my Grandma Sharon! All three were filled with such love and brightened my week! Bopa sent us treats that we have all been snacking on throughout the week, to my companion's delight. Boma sent some art supplies and a felting snow man that we all enjoyed. It was very therapeutic stabbing something hundreds of times. Haha. Grandma Sharon's letter was filled with stories of home, family, and well wishes. I love my family and feel so supported by each and everyone of them. My companion's also appreciate my grandparents, seeing as they always send me more then enough to share, haha. 

My mom and I have been laughing a lot. We always say that my life is one big adventure, because no matter how much I plan God has other things in mind. My plans never go the way I thought, but always end better than I ever hoped. Almost everyday when I was going to collage and to work, my mom could ask me what happened that day and there would always be a story to tell. I took the bus home but got on the wrong one and got lost on my second day of going to collage. The bus dropped me off in the middle of a town that was about thirty or forty five minutes drive away from my house. It turns out my grandma was eating lunch nearby at a diner and she was able to pick me up and drive me home. On my way to temple prep class, I was running way late and prayed I would make it there on time. While on my bike, I got hit by a car, survived, and I was able to get a ride to temple prep class and I made it there on time. I got to the MTC late and missed my introduction class and I couldn't find my companion for the first five hours that I was there. I was able to meet a lot of other missionaries and had multiple companions while there, first a group of Elders from my district, then two random Sister I met in the hall that I stayed with for the rest of the night, then my MTC companion. As my mom says, "Sister Dickson goes on her mission and the whole world goes crazy." Haha, my life is one big adventure indeed, meaning I am never bored and I learn a LOT. I can't wait to see how many ways I am changed and all of the things I will learn from these experiences!

Yesterday was amazing and filled with powerful. There was a worldwide fasting where everyone was fasting for the world. We fasted for the health of the world, the safety of the first responders, for peace to those who are being affected by the virus, and more. It was amazing to have an opportunity to do a fast and pray for that which I knew millions of others were as well. It helped me to feel connected with all the missionaries around the world, with my family and friends, with the leaders of our church, and with Heavenly Father. It was such a powerful experience that I was honored to be a part of.

Surprisingly enough this week went by pretty quickly. Maybe it was because I was sleeping so much, maybe it was because when I wasn't sleeping I was working hard, but whatever it was this has been a wonderful week. I feel everyday that God is proud of me and that I am doing something worthwhile. We have talked to so many people over the phone and have seen and heard of God's hand in the lives of those around us. Everyday has been full of love, work, and miracles. I am so excited and honored that God trusted me enough to send me on my mission at this time in this area. We didn't know all of this would happen, we didn't know about the virus or the snow or earth quick in Utah or any number of other ways the world is being affected, but God knew. God knew this was coming and He sent me to Colorado at this time for a reason. I do not know what I can do for the area, I do not know why He has kept me here, but I KNOW there is a reason and it blows me away that He trusts me enough to keep me here to take care of His children in this area. 

I am grateful everyday that I chose to serve a mission.

12 days in quarantine and counting

This is the second week of being under quarantine, but now we aren't the only ones. The entire mission is under quarantine. Good news, Sister Harvey has recovered well from her illness. Bad news, now I am sick. I have been sick the last few days, and while my body wants to rest all day, we have had several lessons over the phone. When I'm awake, I'm not always fully conscious, so Sister Harvey has been teaching most of the lessons while I kinda just sit there and drone out. When awake, I haven't been mentally aware enough to really do any tech work with texts or reporting, so I've been doodling to try to keep myself awake to give Sister Harvey a chance to be on the phone. It's been hard, but it wouldn't really be worth going on a mission if it wasn't hard. A lot of people are being sent home right now, but as far as I know I am staying. This is day 12 of not leaving the apartment. We have gone on a few walks around the apartment complex, and the rules were just added to where we are no longer aloud to talk to ANYONE in person, may it be while walking or when members bring us food. If they deliver anything to us, they have to leave it on the doorstep, leave, then text us. Another problem was that our data ran out last Monday, meaning we weren't able to have any video chats with anyone and we weren't able to participate in the Zoom calls that President Rees has been  having about the new updates on the situation. Luckily most of it is written down and sent to us.

Another new development was that on Thursday there was a big old snow storm that blew through. It was windy and snow fell all day and a lot of the night, and so there was a lot of snow outside which made it near impossible to go on walks. Luckily, I love the snow and it was very relaxing to watch it blow by. I really enjoyed it, in fact.

With all of these draw backs and restrictions, you'd think we'd have less opportunities to do missionary work, but God has opened more doors than we thought possible. Since so many people are stuck at home, we were able to have 32 lessons over phone calls over the last few days! Most weeks we would have about 13 lessons due to everyone's busy schedules, cancelations, etc, but now that everyone is forced to stay home, we were able to more then double our teaching amount and reach out to many amazing families that we love dearly. We have been spreading a message of peace and reassurance to a lot of people, talking about how God was able to prepare us for all of this chaos, and we've invited a lot of people to reach out to loved ones and friends with love and reassure them. 

Earlier this week, we had an amazing opportunity. For the past month or so we had been trying to set up a lesson with a family friend of Sister Harvey's. She recently moved into our mission boundaries and Sister Harvey's mom had talked to her about the gospel in the past, and she had been interested, but never really looked into it. She moved away, but felt a draw to come back to Colorado, and her family ended up moving close by. Because of this we were given the opportunity to reach out to her, and she said she would love us to begin teaching her more about our gospel. Yet, for the last month, we weren't able to ever meet up with her. For one reason or another, it never worked out and we were forced to continue to delay the lesson. With the snow storm and the Virus, her family was home and they had time to talk with us, even if it could only be done over the phone. The morning of the lesson, Sister Harvey had a revelation. With the adjusted rules, we are now aloud to call home twice a week. Sister Harvey hadn't called home yet for the second time, and she had the prompting to get her mom involved, the original person who introduced the gospel to the women. We talked to President Rees and got permission to do so. In the end, we were able to have a conference call with the family friend, Mrs. Harvey, and us. The lesson went really well and she now wants to know more. A few weeks ago, we never would have even imagined the possibility of having a lesson with Sister Harvey's mom, but because of the changes that are happening right now and because of the Virus and everyone being home, it all lined up and we were able to have a fantastic lesson. 

Many other missionaries around Colorado are also witnessing miracle after miracle. People now are home and have more time to talk to us, and their hearts are beginning to soften and their desire for the light of Christ in their life is becoming more evident in their life. As missionaries have more time now to ponder and pray and study, people are being brought to our minds and hearts and we are given guidance to people that we haven't spoken to in a while. We are going back and reaching out to many people, and because of it we are seeing a lot of success. God is truly leading this work. It is amazing how many doors the Lord has opened that we never imagined possible before. It is truly amazing being a missionary at this time. 

Here's a scripture we've been sharing with a lot of people recently. 2 Nephi 9:20-21

"20 O how great the holiness of our God! For he knoweth all things, and there is not anything save he knows it.

21 And he cometh into the world that he may save all men if they will hearken unto his voice; for behold, he suffereth the pains of all men, yea, the pains of every living creature, both men, women, and children, who belong to the family of Adam"

It's amazing. Through this experience, I have witnessed the truthfulness of these scriptures. God does know what is happening, and He has always known. He knew we were going to face this crisis, and years ago church leaders have encouraged us to have food storage. Another tool that the Lord provided was Come Follow Me, which helps members to have a home centered, church supported system in preparation for us not being aloud to congregate together on Sunday. He has even given us a living Prophet on the earth today who is a world renowned doctor, who gives us nearly daily updates and advice and reassurance! It is amazing. The more I look around, the more blessings, miracles, and opportunities I see around us. Now that people are forced to be home, people have more time to spend with their family. Now that we have had people quarantined and store shelves being found empty, maybe people will put stock in keeping a food storage to prepare for whatever disaster will come around next. With so many people panicking, we have more opportunities

to love and minister unto one another. It has truly been amazing to witness these miracles and the many more that I haven't even mentioned yet. I am so grateful to be serving the Lord at this historical time.

I am grateful everyday I chose to serve a mission.

Quarantine begins

This week has been interesting, to say the least. It began normal enough, but then on Wednesday I started feeling a little sick, then the next day I was feeling better, but Sister Harvey began feeling under the weather. We had been planning on going and helping out at a nursing home, and we didn't want to risk whatever we had infecting others so we decided to stay home. Sister Harvey rested most of the day. The next day there was a mission wide Zoom call where President Rees advised all the missionaries on the new Corona Virus. There is no more hand shaking or touching of any kind. We must stand 3-6 feet away from people when talking to them. If we are showing any symptoms of sickness, we must stay in the apartment. We were advised to go to the store and prepare a "Quarantine Box" just in case and we were given extra funds to put that all together. Church meetings world wide have been canceled till further notice, meaning no sacrament meetings. We were advised not to have dinners with anyone under the age of 15 or over the age of 60. We were told not to enter any home if they show any sign of sickness. We were given a couple other pointers as well. 

There have been so many tender mercies and blessings that have surrounded us for the last few days. On Thursday, the first day we were stuck inside, we received a huge shipment of toilet paper, ordered from my mom. Due to us being stuck in our apartment, we were unable to get the supplies needed for our "Quarantine Box", so one of our Ward Missionaries, Sister Langois, generously offered to get us those supplies. Then a member heard about our situation and brought us two large containers of soup, a loaf of homemade bread, and lasagna for the freezer just in case. Then, yesterday, our ward mission leader, Brother Gee, and Brother Jones, along with Sister Gee, came by and administered the sacrament to us. No one is aloud inside missionary apartments, so we had it down in our small garage. They brought a folding table, some camping chairs, two dixi cups, and a slice of bread. They placed a small hand towel on the ground and knelt down when blessing the sacrament. After, they gave Sister Harvey a priesthood blessing. Yesterday, Sister Peterson brought us homemade Burrito bowls and angel food cake. Every day we are getting phone calls and texts from the mission nurse and from members of the ward, checking on us and seeing how we are doing, offering to bring us food and encouraging us. We feel so loved and cared for.

This is day five of being in the apartment. Sister Harvey rests most of the day. Since neither of us are aloud to be on our phones or using technology while the other is not present in the room and awake, that meant I couldn't do much for most of the day. To keep my self busy, I have THOROUGHLY cleaned the entire apartment, painted, I have written in my Journal, studied the Book of Mormon, read Saints, prayed, pondered, wrote letters to the ladies at Solange since we weren't able to visit them, and kept myself as productive and busy as possible without using the internet, phone, and leaving the apartment. 

With so much panic and sensitivity over the virus, we are not allowed to leave the apartment until after all symptoms of sickness are gone, and we have to wait an extra day just in case. Yesterday, under the Mission Nurse's advice, we went to the Urgent Care clinic and Sister Harvey had a check up. They didn't see anything too concerning, and say it's the "Colorado Crud" that a lot of people have right now. Today, Sister Harvey says she feels %98 better, but she still has a stuffy nose, scratchy throat, and she looks and sounds sick, so we will be in the apartment at least a few more days. 

Strangely enough, I feel perfectly well. I don't feel sick, I am wide awake, and I appear perfectly healthy. Earlier this week, I was so confused why. I asked God why I was not sick while I living in a small space with someone who was very sick. I asked why He kept me healthy, and yet kept me inside. I asked if I was wasting His time by studying and doing projects, or if there was something else He needed me to do while I was here. I asked Him many things, and I got the feeling that I need to be patient. I was given a feeling of peace, and assurance that it was alright that I was not working hard right now and that I was not able to go out. It was alright that I was doing the things I was doing. He was proud of me for taking care of my companion and letting her rest, and being exactly obedient by not using my phone. This feeling of peace and assurance has stuck with me ever since. I no longer wonder whether I am doing the right thing right now. I do look for ways to be productive, I do not sleep all day since I am not sick and I don't just stare at the wall, but I am doing work with what I have and with what I can do right now. I know Heavenly Father is proud of me, and I know everyday He is preparing me for the marvelous work He has need of me to do. I know this because I have sincerely asked Him. I know this because I make a choice to do something, pray to Him and tell Him my choice, and continue on. If I then feel, after praying, that I need to do something else, I do something else. If I feel it is good for me to do these things, then I continue on. I do not always get a yes or no to my questions, but as I make a choice and continue on, after my action I get the confirmation of what I am doing. 

As it says in James 2:26

"26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also."

As I pray, I am showing my faith. After, I take action and begin to work, and that is when I receive my answers, may it be confirmation or redirection. I know God is proud of me.

Photos:

#1 Sister Harvey and I at the Urgent Care Clinic. Everyone who entered had to use hand sanitizer and face masks. 

 #2 Some of the food Sister Langlois brought us.

We didn't have an actual box to put the stuff in, so I got a little creative. The entire bottom shelf and some of the freezer is now filled with emergency supplies. 

 Haha, our pantry is so full of food, I don't think we will go hungry anytime soon.

 Sister Jones brought us soup and it was delicious! 

 My mom sent me a 30 day happiness box, which has different suggestions each day on how to be happy. Most of them I can't do, but I know this one must be right because every morning I am so happy to drink my Protein smoothy!

The food Sister Jones brought us

My mom sent us a case of toilet paper from Amazon.

3/9

This week has been interesting, to say the least. All the stores are sold out of toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and more. While there aren't many cases of the Corona Virus here, people are still on edge.

On Wednesday, as a zone, we got to go to the temple! It felt like I was walking into home and was so peaceful. I love the temple so much. Sadly we had a meeting right after, so we had to rush out and we weren't able to take any pictures. 

The members here are so awesome and treat us so well. The other day, a member gave us these delicious chocolate caramels. There were only a few pieces left in the bottom, but I was still dancing with excitement. For zone sports this week we played Glow in the Dark Volleyball. Sadly the ball wasn't very charged and kept turning off while the air but that made it that much more fun and exciting, since you didn't know who it was going towards. Surprisingly enough, I never got hit in the face!

This week, I've been learning a-lot about trusting God. Several things have been happening this week. For one, we've been trying so hard to find people to teach, invite people to church, and do all that we can to help these people. While we have been putting a lot of effort in, and have been following the promptings of the Holy Ghost to know what we can do, we haven't seen much physical success. Every week we have to report to our leaders and tell them how many new people we are teaching, how many people we are teaching attended church, and how many people we are teaching have chosen to be baptized. Since I've been here, it's mostly been zeros. A few weeks we will have someone say they are interested, but later on they say they aren't. Because of that, number wise, it seems as if we are failing. Yet, in effort and willingness and faith and growth, I feel we are succeeding. We are loving the people, following promptings we receive from the Holy Ghost, working hard, searching for those who have a desire to learn and grow, and I have felt my own conversion advance and I have learned so much. I do not know why God has sent me here, but I know there is a reason. He has told me many times now that He is proud of me, and that I am doing His will and following His plan. 

Another test I had to trust God has been the Corona Virus. While not many cases have appeared here in Colorado, there have been quite a few back at home. I worry about my family and my deeper desire is to be back home helping them in some way, but I know I can't do anything for them, even if I was there. I might not be able to do anything, but I know God is watching over them and is blessing them for my service. While I know I can't do much to help back at home right now, I know there is much I can do to help here. I don't know exactly how I need to help or who I need to be helping, but Heavenly Father sent me here for a reason and I trust Him. 

One thing you learn over and over again when on a mission is to trust God. This week has been one great exercise of trusting God, and I know that this trust and faith on Him won't only affect my life now, but for the rest of my life. 

I am grateful everyday that I chose to serve a mission. 

3/2- Be Bold

This week has been a little slow, but still good. A few noteworthy experiences:

On Sunday, I dropped my reflector on the ground without realizing it. I usually have it on my bag, but somehow it got knocked off. It was Ward Conference, so we had combined adult Sunday School. At the beginning the Relief Society president stood up and held it up and said, "Does anyone know who this belongs to? I can't tell what it is, maybe some kid's toy." I began to raise my hand when a few people from the crowd began trying to guess what it was. A lot of them seemed to think it was a "Vape pen." At that point I put my hand back down. I was bright red in the back trying to hold back my laughter, as was my companion. At the end of the meeting I went up to the Relief Society president and told her that it was mine, and that it was not a vape pen, but a bike reflector. Later that week, we were picking up the trash next to the road, and we kept pointing out trash and saying "Is that a vape pen?" We've had a lot of laughs because of it. Well, it's reassuring to know that Colorado is so clean that people don't know what a vape pen looks like. Haha. 

This week I learned a lot about the meaning of being BOLD. As a missionary, we are told we must be bold but not overbearing. It can be hard to be bold with people who, when they see us, they are already closing the door without a word. Bold isn't always in speech, but also in action. It's doing the right thing, no matter who is watching and what they may think. Missionaries aren't always the most popular, but that does not matter. What matters is that we are bold. We are bold as we serve. We are bold as we smile, even as others may laugh or mock us. We are bold as we walk into member's homes and invite them to improve their life. We are bold as we listen to the promptings of he Holy Ghost. As we are bold, we are able to inspire change. It's interesting. For a lot of people when they bare their testimony, they get emotional. I am reminded over and over again that as I bare my testimonies of the truths that I have come to know, I am filled with power and confidence and excitement. As I testify, I am reminded why these truths are important and I am reminded that I am declaring a glorious truth and that the Lord is on my side. I know this and it encourages me as I continue on with my mission, and I pray that as I return home that I will be more bold, more loving, and more patient then ever before. I know that my mission is changing me, and I know I am being changed for the better. One scripture that I really like and that encourages me is:

"3 Behold, I say unto you that it is my will that you should go forth and not tarry, neither be idle but labor with your might—

4 Lifting up your voices as with the sound of a trump, proclaiming the truth according to the revelations and commandments which I have given you."