82 days of quarantine, the miracle of the Sacrament

 This week has been really nice so far. I am beginning to love this area. We can see the monument from our house and the red cliffs as well. The roses in our yard are beginning to bloom. We were able to go on a hike to Devil's Kitchen, which has a beautiful view. 

Sister Makasini and I are both new to this area, and with Sister Beal leaving this Friday we were trying to think of some ways we could introduce ourselves to the ward when we don't go to church and never really talk to them face to face. We felt inspired to reach out to the youth, and one way we are going to try to do that is by making little friendship bracelets to send to them. No, I have never made a friendship bracelet before. Yes, I failed a few hundred times, but now I think I'm doing better. One of the things about missionary work that I am grateful for is that I get to learn so many new skills. I'm improving my cooking skills, learning how to do hair, sew masks, make friendship bracelets, I'm learning how to really study in depth, I'm working on my art skills, and so much more. I am so excited to see at the end of this marvelous experience how much I've been able to learn and how much I've grown. 

 

For the first time in ten weeks, I was able to take of the Sacrament. In preparation for having the sacrament with the district, I made a loaf of homemade bread, the same kind my mom makes for sacrament in our home ward. It was my first time making bread without a bread maker. It might have turned out looking a little strange, but it was so meaningful to me that the first time I am able to take the sacrament in so long and the bread was made by hand using my mom's recipe. It tasted like home.

After not being able to take the sacrament, it was such a sweet and memorable experience. We met as a district in the church, sang hymns, prayed, and the spirit was so strong we became speechless and some of us were even moved to tears. 

For the past few weeks I have been studying a lot about the sacrament and the teachings of Christ. I would read over the sacrament prayer and try to understand each phrase more fully then I had in the past. Because of this preparation, the sacrament is so much more meaningful to me now. I pray I will never forget this experience, so that I can always cherish

this amazing blessing God has given us.  

A change of scenery

On Wednesday we got word that 18 reassigned missionaries would be flying in, and that I would be transferred. I was called to serve in the Monument, Grand Junction Area. On Friday Sister Kotyk and I drove down to the airport and waited with several other missionaries for a text telling us to come pick up our new missionaries. The airport is outside our mission, so it was a little mind-blowing to leave the boundaries and drive so far from home. While we waited, it was amazing to be so near to many other missionaries. We maintained social distancing, but we were able to talk to one another. It was crazy. After half an hour, we got the car telling us to pick up Sister Kotyk's new companion, Sister Brewer. It was a very quick event, we drove there, they loaded her bags, she climbed in the car, and we drove away. It took less than a minute. Friday night I was able to get to know Sister Brewer, an amazing reassigned missionary. 

Early the next morning, we drove to the church, we said our goodbyes, and I climbed into the van with five reassigned Elders and the Assistants to the President. There were about two or three more cars of Elders going over the mountain as well. I was the only Sister for the four hour drive. It felt so strange, but at the same time I felt like I was just talking to my brothers. The Elders had all gone to foreign missions and had so many interesting and strange stories to tell about their old missions. Even though the drive was long, it went by quickly listening to their unique experiences. 

We arrived at the church in Grand Junction, and I met my new companions, Sister Beal and Sister Makasini. We drove the next few hours to pick up Sister Makasini's bag from her old apartment and driving to the Monument apartment. My favorite part of this apartment is that we have a back yard. It's not big, it's a pretty small area with a lot of weeds, but there is grass, trees, and birds. My new favorite pass time is sitting outside. I study out there and sometimes eat lunch out there too while pulling a few weeds. 

I am really enjoying the Grand Junction area. It's not a city, I am close to the mountains that I have been staring at for the past few months, and there are trees and grass. It's hotter and more dry here, but there are trees and grass!!! The wards here are huge too. In the Monument ward, there are about 600 active members, 100 active youth, and I've heard that when church meets every Sunday the seats go all the way back to the back of the gym. I am hopeful that I will still be here when church opens. 

Another great thing about this area is Sonic. There are quite a few Sonics around here owned by members of the church who like missionaries, so if we ever go we get free food. Yes, I get free Sonics!

I am so excited to be able to serve in the Monument area and get to know these wonderful people. 

I am grateful everyday that I chose to serve a mission at this time.

A Sister in the Roxborough ward heard Sister Harvey and I were being transferred and she brought us a large pizza, root beer floats, Oreos, and each of us individualized care packages with lotion, knick-knacks, and more. It made our day.

There is a huge horse statue outside the airport that I thought I wouldn't see again until I went home. Haha, God had other plans.

Sister Brewer, Sister Kotyk and I Saturday morning right before I went over the mountain.

Sister Beal, Makasini, and I in the Sonic's drive through.

While waiting near the airport, we all got out of our car and took a social distancing group picture.

Six months a missionary

This Wednesday will be my 6 month anniversary of being a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints!!! It will also be day 70 of my quarantine! These two sentences kind of blow my mind. I feel like I left home last Tuesday, and that I left the MTC on Friday, and I've been out here only a few days, not a FEW MONTHS. I can't believe I've been quarantined for 70 days already. It seems so unreal. I haven't been to a members home for dinner over two months. I haven't taken the sacrament in 9 weeks. I haven't been to church in 10 weeks. It's crazy, yet I'm still filled with so much excitement to be on a mission and so much gratitude every day that I'm still able to serve a mission as so many others have been sent home.

It sounds like we are supposed to be getting a LOT of new missionaries soon who are being reassigned here after being sent home and quarantined for two weeks. The numbers are always changing, but so far we should be getting around 250 missionaries reassigned here. Things are about to get fun! We only have so many areas in the mission, so I don't know where we are going to be putting them all. The likely hood of me staying with my current companions in this apartment for much longer is very low. It sounds like we will be having transfers every two weeks for the foreseeable future to accommodate for all the new missionaries. 

I am doing very well. Everyday I am witnessing miracles and tender mercies, not only in the mission work but in my own life as well. My companions are angels. Earlier this week I had a painful canker sore in my mouth that made it painful to talk, eat, or smile too wide. My companions were very patient while trying to understand my hand signals. Now that  I'm feeling better, I've been talking so much and they have been patient with my ramblings. They leave little encouraging notes around the apartment to lift my spirits. They share their food with me, will make my bed when I forget, and compliment me and lift me up if I ever feel down. I couldn't ask for better companions, and I am honored to be able to to call them my friends. Everyday members are checking on us, asking how we're doing, asking if there is anything they can bring us. They bring us meals, treats, and supplies we are running low on. They truly inspire me and I hope when I return that I will be able to pay it forward. Every time we get a thunderstorm, I get so excited. It feels like a gift from God every time one blows through. We never run low on food and always seem to have enough of everything. Every letter I receive fills me with so much gratitude, love, and peace. There are so many blessings I recognize every single day that help me to not only be willing to do the work, but helps me to enjoy the work, even if it is different then missionary work in the past. 

I am grateful every day that I chose to serve a mission at such a time as this.

While a member was dropping off a pizza for us, she took a picture. This is the view everyone sees when they come to drop stuff off.

Avocados here are so cheap! It is such a blessing. I love avocados, but I was always to cheap to buy them when I was home, but now with it so cheap I've been treating myself a lot. One major blessing God sent my way, I get to buy lots of avocados!

I was using the apron I brought to cook, then I glance over to Sister Harvey, who was doing the dishes, and she had a garbage bag on. I  asked what she was doing, and she said she didn't have an apron and didn't want to get wet. I felt so bad, but she smiled the entire time and was quite proud of herself for her quick thinking. I had to admit, it was creative. 

I made more food kits! One delicious meal that came out of it was BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwich with sweet and savory cucumbers and potato wedges.

Wow, this quarantine is making me go bold! Either that or the infected cyst I got a few weeks ago. It was really painful, but it healed up pretty nicely. One blessing of being quarantined means I don't have to go out and talk to people with a bold spot the size of a nickel on my head. I usually cover it with hair, and when mom heard about that she said I now have a comb over...

While on our walks, even with masks, we are still able to stop and smell the flowers. 

There are so many bunnies just hoping around the apartment complex, and they aren't really scared of people all that much. They won't let you pet them (I tried) but they will let you get close enough to take a good picture.

The rules loosened up a little this week and we were given permission to go to a drive through! We went to Arby's and Taco Bell this week. It was so fun to get out of the apartment and go on a mini adventure, even if we did have to stay in the car. We drove up to Roxborough park and looked at the beautiful view while snacking on Taco Bell.

Over 60 days in quarantine

Yesterday was significant for a few reasons. One, it was Mother's Day and I was able to call home and talk to my wonderful mom. Two, it was day 60 of my quarantine. Yes, it has been 60 days now of staying inside, wearing face masks, and not talking to anyone face to face other then my companions. Yes, it has been 60 days of self-reflection, finding creative ways to serve and spread the light of Christ, and being led by The Spirit every single day to know how I can best serve that day. Yes, I have loved every second of it. I have felt myself grow so much, in cooking skills, in stretching my creative muscles, and in growing closer to my Savior. This has truly been a remarkable time.

Something exciting that happened this week happened to the entire mission. As a Mission we set a goal to find 43 people this week who were interested in learning more about the gospel. Yesterday, it was counted and this week alone we found 75 people! Even during the quarantine, the work is still continuing on and going strong. I am often reminded that this is not my work, this isn't even missionary work, this is the Lord's work. Because He is leading it, we have and will continue to see miracles, no matter the trials to come.

Now, since it was Mother's Day I think it's about time I brag about my mom again. My mom means so much to me. She is so creative, hard working, and brilliant. She finds so many creative ways to serve, may it be by inviting +100 people over to our house every first Monday of the month to give families an opportunity to enjoy free food and activities. She welcomes in a stranger with love, compassion, and free food, much as my Grandma Sharon does. She plans vacations every year for her family, full of adventures, sights, games, and physical challenges (such as a mile swim across the lake). She is one of the hardest workers I have ever met, which I know she gets from my Boma who has been a nurse for the last 40 years and is currently caring for Covid-19 patients. My mom has been the activity program director for Cub Scout Day Camp for 20 years now, serving countless youth over the years. Every other week, my mom will wake up early in the morning, meet a co-op truck at the end of the driveway, haul the produce up our driveway, and organize and distribute the produce into many baskets. She then sits outside in the cold morning and helps those who are picking up baskets of produce. She doesn't get paid at all for any of these amazing service projects, simply doing them to serve. She does countless more, but I'll save those stories for another time. My mom seems to be the definition of brilliant. She taught three of her children, me included, homeschool for elementary, middle school, and high school. She volunteers at Everett Community Collage to help immigrants practice English, and she uses her teaching skills to help them. She is not only knowledgable on the works of the world, but she has such a great spiritual knowledge about the scriptures and gospel topics. It has truly been an honor to be raised by someone so strong, determined, selfless, kind, and loving. Even while so far away from her, I can feel her impact on me helping me to work harder, strive to grow in knowledge, and give all that I can to serve others. She is truly a remarkable women, and I am forever grateful I get to call her mom.

I have continued to experiment with hair at night. Sometimes it ends well. Other times it looks like this picture. I call it "I don't know what happened, but let's just go with it". Sister Kotyk is my very patient model. 

One of our thank you eggs got caught in the tree under our balcony and we had to try to get it out after the people left. I was finally able to get it out after a few minutes and swinging around our broom.

We drove down to Roxborough today. It was the first time we've bent there since the quarantine.

A picture we took from the top of Roxborough park.

Rushed: 5/3/20

Sorry, this one will be short since I'm running out of P Day quickly. I am doing well. I have made fifty masks now. On the fiftieth mask while finishing it the needle on my sewing machine broke, so I will have to ask the members and see if they have one I could use. 

I made the Tacos and they were one of the best meals I have made so far! It was like a party in my mouth with every bite! I was sent more meal kits this week, but sadly the meat was thawed and turning green, so I had to toss it. Today I bought some ground beef so I was able to make a few of the meals.

 

The bucket is a success. Our friends who drop stuff off for us love it and think it's very creative. The egg parachutes are also working well. 

This week I've been working a lot on making Facebook videos. We have been experimenting, brainstorming, and trying so many ideas. We have a few videos we were able to post, and a ton of funny bloopers that we get to keep forever. 

I have been working to try to learn how to do hair. If you did not know, before my mission I was a bit of a tomb boy, so I never bothered to learn how to do anything more then a simple braid or a pony tail. I have now learned how to do a french braid and my companions are trying to teach me a few more things. I tried doing a cross over braid thing earlier and ended up making my companion looking like an owl, haha. Luckily they are both very patient with my short comings and I'm hoping to improve over time. While in quarantine, I am mastering my cooking skills, my crafts, sewing, and now hair. 

Another exciting thing that happened this week was my Bishop back at home asked me to record a video of my testimony, so during testimony meeting this week I was able to surprise my family by having my face pop up part way through. 

The weather has been getting hotter and hotter, but to my utter delight I discovered my Companion Sister Kotyk is a crazy as me when one evening she suggested we run in the sprinklers. It was so fun and I was completely soaked and over joyed!

This week has been so fun and I feel my testimony being strengthened everyday.

I am grateful every day that I chose to serve my mission at this time.

4/28- We got to leave the apartment for a service project!

So Transfer calls were last Tuesday and I'm staying here with my two wonderful companions! I have had opportunities to get a lot more creative this week. I have made many Facebook videos to enlighten and uplift, and it has been super fun planning those out. At first it was just plain awkward but now it's, well, still awkward but fun. 

I have also been staying busy with crafting. A member let us borrow her sewing machine and a Sister donated some cloth to us, so I have been making face masks to donate. So far I have made twelve, and this week I hope to make more! It only took about five completely failed masks to get it figured out, but now I only make a mistake every three masks, so that's improvement. The place we are donating them to requested we leave a little pocket opening at the top for them to put filters into the mask, so I left little encouraging notes in there for the nurses. 

Also, since our building is confusing and our apartment is on the third floor, people have trouble finding us when they come to drop stuff off. Now, to try and make it easier for them, we have them call us when they get here and then open our garage for them. They leave the stuff in there, we close it, then go and get it after they leave. Another thing we are starting to do to thank them, since we don't go to church and can't give them thank cards, is drop them. I used old easter eggs, string, and tissues to make little parachutes. We put little thank you notes in them and drop them down, and it seems to have worked pretty well so far! 

Another thing we are starting to do, if people are bringing smaller stuff like craft supplies or snacks, we lower a little basket down to them to put the stuff in, that way we don't have to keep going back and forth between the garage and go back up the three flights of stairs with what they brought. The things you do to not have to climb multiple flights of stairs several times a day is amazing.

My mom sent another box of meal kits, and they have turned out pretty well. I learned how to make Balsamic-Glazed Pork Chops with Roasted Zucchini & Garlic Thyme Potatoes and French Onion Chicken with Roasted Carrots & Mashed Potatoes, and yes, I did share with my companions. Tomorrow I am excited to try the last meal kit of the week, Thai Steak Tacos with Pickled Cucumber & Garlic Sriracha Mayo! By the end of this quarantine, I predict  I will be a much better chef and be able to join my brothers and mother in making delicious meals.

On Saturday, we had the wonderful opportunity to volunteer with a food drive held at one of our church buildings. We wore masks and gloves and maintained a six foot distance from one another, and it was our job to wipe down every food container that was donated with bleach and organize them to make it easier to separate for the multiple trucks that would be coming to deliver the food. It was so nice being able to go out and serve so many with this food drive, and we hope opportunities like this will arrive in the future.

So yeah, my week has been full of fun and opportunities to create, think outside the box, and serve, three of my favorite things! It has been a really good week. God is leading this work and I am honored to be a part of it.

I am grateful everyday that I chose to serve a mission at this time.

4/20- Feeling a bit like Noah!

Today we hit 40 days of quarantine. We have been here for as long as Noah was stuck on his ark, except we don't have any animals... We do have plants, just no animals. Today is also my 5 month mark of being on my mission. Earlier this week, Sister Harvey hit her 6 month. To celebrate, I made her pizza for lunch and, per her request, made German Pancakes.

This week, we were able to invite a friend to be baptized, and they excepted! We are so excited for them. 

Mom sent us some meal kits and I learned how to make Honey Mustard Glazed Salmon with Apple Hash, Goat Cheese-Crusted Chicken, and (one of my personal favorites) Caprese Steak Strip Mini Flatbreads. It really brightened my day and given me things to look forward to everyday. I love learning new skills, and it turns out I love learning new recipes as well. I was also able to find a recipe for deviled eggs. This is the first time I've ever attempted to to make deviled eggs in my life and I think they turned out pretty well.

One major perk of not being stuck in an ark for 40 days is we have a lot better food, haha.

I am reminded over and over again that we are truly pioneers in this mission. When else have missionaries world wide been quarantined this long with so many being sent home? When else have missionaries used Facebook so often to do missionary work? When else has a mission had a Sister Dickson in it such as I? In the wise words of my mother, "Sister Dickson went on her mission and the entire world flipped upside down."

I am grateful everyday that I chose to serve my mission