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.