Glory glory hallelujah

Glory glory glory hallelujah! Why am I singing you may ask? Because we got the car back! Y to the E to the S I am so happy! 

So tomorrow is my two month mark... Weird huh? Time has gone by very quickly. It's pretty neat. I try and look back at the time I've had and how much I love being a missionary instead of thinking that I have 16 more months to go... Because that's torture. Hahah 

This week I have seen some pretty miraculous miracles! 

But first lets talk about some useless and funny things! We had a homeless lady come and talk to us about how she is trying to find a way to never die. I would go into more details but my brain kind of shut off so I really can't recall anything else other then that. 

We were driving to Dover on Saturday and passed a fair that was going on. So we went and pulled over and went street contacting for a few minutes. It was an Indonesia festival and they had tons of fried food and free activities for everyone to do. I guess Indonesia pays people to come to America and advertise Indonesia. It was pretty interesting and we passed out Mormon.org cards. One girl kept asking sister Bee questions so that was great! 

We met a lot of normal people this week, which was odd so I don't really have any weird stories. It's so weird because one week I feel like I am in America with normal and nice people.. Then the next it's like a completely different world and people. 

Miracles for days.

Last Monday we had only one member meal, which we were kind of worried about because we are poor. We thought we would be living off ham sandwiches for days. But everyday we had a member text us and ask if we wanted to come have dinner that night. We were fed every single day. It was awesome! This ward really is so great. I have grown to love all of them so much. 

We have a baptism date! Woooooohooooo! Our sweet golden investigator Debbie has a date for September 26!!! Holy cow holy cow I am so pumped! We also met some really great potentials and have return appointments with all of them! So pray all goes well with those wonderful people. 

So this week in district meeting we talked on how the Book of Mormon is the keystone to our religion. Man oh man I have loved getting to read the Book of Mormon everyday! Before I never really understood what the heck was going on. But God has blessed me with this amazing power to actually be able to understand what I am reading! This Book is AMAZING. I want to challenge all of you to go read Alma 7 this week. This chapter talks about the savior and his atonement. Go and circle all the things the Savior has suffered for us and learn on how you can apply the atonement to your life. It's all in there and if you going looking for an answer to a question or need help or comfort, go to Alma 7. I promise you that you will find what you need if you dig into it like a velvety chocolate cake of fudgey wonderful delicious heaven.

Remember to eat it all up and enjoy every minute.

This next week is gonna rock for all of us! Woohoo!

Remember that God is real. 

Miracles happen everyday

We are never alone

God loves you

And so do I 

Love, sister Dickson 

Walked and walked and walked

I think I have walked more this week then I did when I went on trek... And oh man are my legs feeling it!

So a few weeks ago our car got backed into. No worries, the car was parked and no one was in it and the lady that hit us came and found us and was very honest. Thank goodness. So we took our car in on Tuesday to get it fixed and then tracted our way home. It took us four hours and we found out later that day that that day was the hottest and most humid day of Maine so far. Let's just say when we got back to our apartment we were drenched. We went up stairs to our only air conditioned room and sat there in front of the air conditioning for like 15 minutes. We walked everyday. Now let me tell you something about Maine/New Hampshire roads. There aren't any roads, there are pot holes. I like to joke when we get on a decent road and say, hey! Who put this road in the pot hole? And another fun fact is that the roads are like a roller coaster. There are huge hills that go up and down and up and down. Who ever designed these roads was not very good at his job and should seriously reconsider his career. So anyway, my point is that we walked every where in pot holes and up and down hills in the burning hot sun and in the pouring rain. Thank goodness for kind ward members. As we were walking a ward member stopped and gave us water bottles. He couldn't drive us cuz it's against the rules for a man to drive us alone. But it was so sweet of him to do that for us. 

We were supposed to get our car back on Friday, but of course they found "more interior damage" and said it won't be done until the middle of the week. If it's longer then that I think I might cry. Our area is big. It covers two different states! In Maine we cover Berwick and South Berwick and in New Hampshire we cover Somersworth, Rollinsford, Dover. But. We also have people in the elders area that we have to visit too so we also cover Rochester, Barrington, and Farmington. Let's just say there is a lot we need to do but we couldn't do it because we didn't have a car. 

This week has been very hard and soooo frustrating. Sister Bee and I have been working our little butts off everyday and seeing very little progress. We did get a new investigator though. She is such a sweetheart so we will see where that goes! 

It's so cool being a missionary and being able to see the love that God has for them. I love it! We were very blessed with member meals this week. We had a meal covered everyday thank goodness for these wonderful people. They are so willing to help! I love them so much. 

So transfers are tomorrow. Holy holy cow, isn't it crazy that I've already been out here for 6 weeks? It has flown by! But Sister Bee and I are safe for another transfer! We are hoping that we will stay together for 3 transfers. But we will see! It was funny because on Saturday is when they call and tell you if you're being transferred or not. Are whole district was texting each other that night making sure everyone was safe. Only one sister and one elder are leaving and we are getting two new missionaries! Im not going to be the baby anymore!! Glory glory hallelujah.

So funny story we were walking (shocker) down the street and a lady saw us and yelled to us God bless you in the name of Jesus Christ amen. Then we saw her again and she did the same thing. Haha we talked to her for a minute. She doesn't believe anyone needs religion so we didn't get to teach her but we can count on her yelling at us each time we see her! Haha 

We were tracting on Thursday (double shocker) and we knocked on this extremely nice guys house. He asked us how the people here were and we were like they are pretty great, and he was like nah.. They are pretty weird. Haha I couldn't help myself I laughed soooo hard! It's so true. The people here are weird. I can't quite put my finger on why everyone is so weird, it could be the fact that we are pretty sure weed is legal here. Or the obsession with cats and really nasty pizza. I don't know, but don't get me wrong, nothing is wrong with their weirdness, it's hilarious and I love every single one of them. 

So not too much happened this week, just a ton of walking. So Sister Bee and I definitely had to talk a lot to help keep or spirits high and cheerful, even though we were slowing dying inside. We laughed a lot this week. I don't think I have ever laughed so hard in my whole life before this week. Thanks goodness for that. So I found a scripture on laughing. It's Genius 21:6 "And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me." So if you so sadly have a hard week just remember that God wants us to laugh and be cheerful. He wants us to have joy and to enjoy the ride. 

A laugh and a smile can fix anything. The ultimate bandage. 

Remember that you are a child of God.

He loves you! 

And so do I

Laugh on

Sister Dickson 

Our neighbors left 500 beer boxes in front of our door as a joke I think.

Miracles are a comin our way!

Soooo....
I freaking love being a missionary.
It's so cool.
It's hard, and most of the time I want to scream into my pillow for
the whole day, but there is no where I would rather be than here.

So funny stories... Hmmm.. Where do I start. So one day Sister Bee and
I were walking down a street when all of the sudden we hear a voice
from behind us say "are you the Mormons?" We turned around so fast I
gave myself whip lash. Turns out this man has been taking discussions
with missionaries in the part of Dover that's not in my area. "I love
the Mormons! I am the Mormon daddy" he said in his Dominican
republican accent. Then he ran into his truck and gave us popcorn.
Haha it was the strangest but most wonderful thing ever! Here is the
corn we got from him!

So some really cool things happened this week. On Saturday we got to go to the North Berwick Festival where we had a both all about family history. All the missionaries got to dress up as pioneers! There was a parade and fun treats and the elders went around and gave kids rides in the handcart and we got to walk around and talk to everyone we saw about family history. It was so fun. Most people here are way big into family history so our booth was a huge hit! I hope it helped to plant some seeds in there hearts!

We have had some serious miracles happen this week. I got the privilege to help a sweet sweet sister to start the stop smoking program. Holy moly is that program so inspired, our God is so cool. I have met some people where they have shared some pretty personal things with me. It's so cool being able to see these wonderful people overcome these challenges and grow closer to God. 

OH MY HECK it's just so cool I can't even explain it.

So in my personal studies I have been studying a lot on faith. What does faith mean to you? A question that has crossed my mind many times in my life is, Is this church even true? while I was studying on faith I came across this scripture in Alma 32:31 which says, "And now, behold, are ye sure that this is a good seed? I say unto you, Yea; for every seed bringeth forth unto its own likeness." So how do I know that this church is true? How do I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and that Joseph Smith really is a true prophet? How do I know that I'm not just out here wasting my time? I know because I have put that scripture to the test. I know that the gospel is good and true because it has made me a better person. I know it's true because I see miracles from God EVERY SINGLE DAY. This church is a true church because it has brought hope, peace, charity, patience, kindness, and love into my life.

This is a good seed, that will bring forth marvelous fruit. I know it will because I am eating it all up right now.

To all of you who that are reading this that have doubts about the church, or are angry, or are fearful, or that just aren't active anymore.. I ask you, why? I beg you, PLEASE try this fruit. Grab it and eat it all up, because it is good, and delicious, and it will make you stronger and better.

I love you all

And God loves you and He knows you. He wants to help you and to bless you.

Just let him!



Love, Sister Dickson

Don't forget anyone at the table

Hello folks!

How is everybody?

I am just fabulous! I just got back from a hike sister bee and I went on. We went with a sweet girl named Hayli! It was pretty neat but now I am sweaty and tired. Haha. Thank goodness for Mountain Dew. Not that I drink it a lot.. Just sometimes!

This week was.. Another very interesting and challenging week. Probably one of the hardest weeks I have had in my life. But it was also so wonderful!

Fun fact about New Englanders is that they talk. Like a lot. All the time. Non stop. ALL THE TIME. I have no idea how they have so much to say. But they do. We could literally be standing on a doorstep for an hour just talking. Well.. We wouldn't be talking.. They would be. About everything and anything... Except the gospel. It get kind of frustrating sometimes but I don't mind listening. Maybe that talk was what they needed that day. I hope I can learn to be more talkative. Haha it's hard to keep up with these people!

I broke the blinds in the bathroom. Don't ask me how cuz I have no idea. Haha all I did was pull on the string to close it and they just came crashing down. It cut my finger open. Haha but no worries it was only a little cut! My luck as always. 

We had a wonderful baptism on Saturday! The spirit was so strong and you could tell sweet Pam was so happy. It was wonderful. We got to go early and fill up the font. Which was cool. I never had done anything like that and neither has sister bee. We couldn't figure out how to close the drain. They told us that all you need to do was step on it and it would close. They lied. It didn't close. Haha. So we had to call our ward mission leader to come do it for us. You best believe that he got it to close on the first try, cuz ya know, that's how it works. 

On Saturday we went and had lunch with our sweet friend Eileen! She runs a charity we help with called the Clothes Closet at a Methodist church. She invited us to her camp ground that she works at and oh my heck, it's gorgeous. We sat and had lunch then she took so on a tour. That place is so fun, mom and dad when we go visit we have to camp there! Then after that we sat under the trees and read the Book of Mormon together. It was so peaceful!

We finally have real new investigators!!! Woo hoo! I thought the day would never come but we do! It's so awesome being able to teach people now instead of just knocking on doors where naked people answer. I will definitely keep you all updated on the deats!

A lot of.. Drama has happened this week. I am not too sure if drama is the right word but just roll with the flow. I never could have imagined the mental exhaustion that comes with being a missionary. People open up to you about so many personal things. Like there is some deep deep doo doo we have to listen to. As a little 19 year old girl from Utah I have absolutely no idea what to do for these people except to hope and pray that they will accept the gospel. I know that the gospel will help us if we just let it. But it's hard to mentally cope with all the sadness. It just makes me so grateful for the wonderful life I was able to live. 

We had a really great sacrament meeting in Sunday. The topic was family history and temples. In her talk a lady from my ward told a story that when she was a young mom with five kids, she remembers eating dinner around the table with all of them. She looked around and felt as if someone was missing. Soon later they had their sixth child and she said her family felt full. She related it to family history and said that in the spirit world she doesn't want to be sitting at the table and have people missing. Family history work is so important. I don't have a whole lot of opportunities to do it because my job is to work on the living, but that is where you friends come in! How would you feel if people were missing from your table because of your laziness? We'll knock it off and get to work! If it weren't for you ancestors you wouldn't be here. So help 'em out a little and get their work done!

And there is my challenge for y'all! Go and have fun!

God is so good.

He is so fair and you can count on Him.

He loves you so much

And so do I!

Love,

Sister Dickson

Ice Cream and Lakes

Beaver Dam Campground

Fun Hikes

Crazy District P-Day

District Meeting Lunch 

The green... And the blue

What is up my home dawgs..

Haha I really think I am a lot funnier than I really am.

Ha just kidding I am hilarious!!

Anyways, this week has been... Interesting. A lot of weird things have happened and a lot of hard things have happened and a lot of really marvelous things have happened. 

Let's start with the funny and weird things shall we?! First of all.. I will never understand why there is so much lack of clothing. Lots of people like to answer the door with either no pants or no shirt. We have only had one person come to the door completely naked. He was like 7.. But oh my gosh.. So much nakedness! Don't get me wrong I am not complaining about this. It's actually pretty hilarious! I get it, cuz it has been hot lately. Nothing like Utah hot. The high here is in the 80s. So the temperature isn't bad at all. It's the humidity. I am literally wet. All the time. And it's not sweat. Which is the weirdest feeling ever. So yeah, I get the nakedness. 

Anyways funny story number two! So our zone leader bakes the best brownies. Last week he made brownies for zone meeting and oh. My. Gosh. They were soooo good. So when we had district meeting this week I was so happy when I saw that he made brownies again. Expect this time they looked.. Different. They were really dark. They were like black. I was like what the heck why are they black?!?! He told me it was like a really dark chocolate coco he used and I was like oh ok so I ate one. They were really good. Then later that afternoon he texted us and told us to let him now when we see the blue and green. We were like uhh... What do you mean?  So later that night I went pee and when I stood up... I freaked. My pee was BRIGHT green. It was like I'd just been to emerald city and back. So long story short, he put this weird dye in the brownies that turns your pee green or blue. Can any of you think of ways to get this punk back? Haha we need something good! Funny thing number 3 is that everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, is obsessed with cats here. Now, I'm not saying that's a bad thing.. But it's pretty funny. Everyone has a cat or 2 or 8 and those things are treated like they are God's gift to this earth. And they know it too. Cat sweaters, posters, pictures, toys, statues, cat anything you can imagine. 

Some exciting news is that the elders are having a baptism on Saturday for the sweetest lady ever. I am so excited for it. These elders work so hard and this sweet daughter of God is so ready to be baptized and here it finally is! I'll send pictures of that day next Monday! It's gonna be great! 

So let's get down to the deep stuff. This week was hard. Sister Bee and I would go out and work our little tails off, but the work was going no where. Everyone was too busy, or all set, or were catholic. And we felt like we were never going to be able to find anyone to teach. 

We had the new missionary training meeting on Thursday and President Stoker talked a lot about having faith in the Lord. He said that you've got to go out and do your part and expect great things to happen. He also talked on exact obedience and how that will help us have more faith and trust in God. So that's what we did. We got the thought out of our minds that this land is impossible to teach and we told ourselves that we are going to change that and baptize the whole dang nation! We brought that brand new missionary fire back in our hearts and we went out and did. 

Can you guess what happened? We got 5 return appointments and we taught two lessons and then (drum roll please) we were able to set up TWO baptism dates for August 15.

All we had to do is have faith. Because this is God's work. And he knows exactly what he is doing. 

This really reminded me of how powerful a positive attitude is and a whole lot of faith. 

What is something that you're struggling with right now? Do you have it in your mind? 

Now think really hard about that terrible awful hard thing that just isn't fair. Think really really hard. 

Now give it to God. Just give it to him. 

Change your attitude and change the things you can control and then leave the rest up to him. Because he knows exactly what he is doing. And you can trust him. He will NOT fail you. 

God is so good

And so real.

And he loves you.

And so do I (:

Love, 

Sister Dickson

Freakin Dr. Pepper Licorice 

When things get rough, worms and ice cream

Worms and Ice Cream

Everybody hates us

Nobody likes us

Let's go eat some worms.

Fat ones

Skinny ones

Little itty bitty ones

I like the ones that squirm. 

WOO!

Well hello my little worms. 

That's the song Sister Bee and I sing when we are out tracting for 40 days and 40 nights and no one lets us talk. Funny story though, we were singing that when a lady who was walking behind us gave us a funny look. We didn't know she was there. And she didn't want to talk about Jesus either. It was pretty funny though. Hahaahaha

So this week has been...interesting. Very interesting but good. So after going to the temple on Tuesday, which was fantastic, I got sick. Like way sick. I had the 24 hour flu. So all day Wednesday I was literally dying. But let me just tell you Sister Bee is sooo amazing. I literally was so sick I couldn't get out of bed, so she made me toast, ran a bath for me, made me some noodles for dinner (I love noodles), got me medicine, made sure I always had water, and told me funny stories to cheer me up. She was fantastic. I couldn't have asked for a greater companion. I really think that because of her I was able to get up Thursday morning and get back to work! I am sure the priesthood blessing helped too! Haha I've only been out here for two weeks and I've only gotten sick 3 times. I think I've been sick enough now I don't have to worry about it for the rest of my mission! (Hopefully). 

This week has been really challenging. We got 8 return appointments from tracting and everytime we went to check up on them they weren't home. And all of the other potential investigators and less actives we tired to check up on weren't home either. But we will keep trying. And hopefully we will be able to catch them at a good time. We have a few really promising potentials so pray for them please! 

We have a count on how many people open their doors without pants on cuz, ya know, that's like totally a normal thing to do. We also get ice cream after hard days. And good days. And whenever we see people with no pants on. Let's just say we get ice cream a lot. Also, the people here think that 80 degree weather is like as hot as inside a volcano so they ALWAYS have the air turned down to 30 degrees. I'm always so cold and they look at me like I'm crazy. They don't understand that I just came from 104 degree weather. They have no idea what true heat is. Hahaha but I love the weather here! The high is like 80 and the humidity hasn't been bad at all so I am in heaven!!! But winter is gonna be a toughy.. I can already tell. 

So for a spiritual thought I have this wonderful poem Sister Bee shared with me about forgiveness, it goes:

Forgiveness

To forgive, is not to forget

To forgive is to really remember

That nobody is perfect

That each of us stumbles

When we want so much to stay upright

That each of us say things,

We wish we never said,

That we can all remember 

That love is more important than being right

To forgive is really to remember 

That we are so much more

Than our mistakes

That we are often more kind and caring

Than we think we are

That accepting others flaws

Can help us accept our own

To forgive is to remember that the odds are pretty good

That we might need to be forgiven ourselves

That life gives us more than we can handle gracefully

To forgive, is to remember

That we have room in our hearts to begin again

And again

And again

-Sydni Masoncup 

So my challenge for all of you is too forgive. It's easier said than done, but it's worth it. If God can forgive us all the time for all the stupid things we do, than we can forgive too.

God is real

He knows us

He will help us

The gospel is true

God loves you

And so do I 

Love, Sister Dickson

Maranda's Awesome Zone 

A Walk in the Woods 

I scream, you scream, we all scream for Ice Cream! 

When Things Get Rough 

So Friday was a particularly hard day. All our appointments canceled
and no one would answer their doors or they would say the infamous I'm
all set. I was really discourage until sister bee had a prompting that
we needed to stop at this certain street and go tracting. I said ok
and we went. We knocked on quite a few doors and no one said yes. We
were more discouraged and about ready to turn around when a car pulled
up to a driveway. A man got out so we went over and asked if he had a
moment and he was like yeah i do.
After he said yes I was shocked. We talked for a while and we gave him
a Book of Mormon and he said he'll read it.
Now we don't know of anything will come of it, because from what he
was telling us he was strongly involved in his religion but he lifted
our spirits. God put us on that path to find him because God knew that
we needed that extra "umph" to get through the day. That experienced
helped me realize that God knows what he is doing and we just need to
trust in him. This picture was taken right after that experience. A
rainbow. I beautiful rainbow that said to me, God know you. And he
loves you. Keep your spirit high and never doubt. There is a purpose
to every door you knock on.

We aren't in Kansas anymore Toto

Well hello hello hello my pretties!
Sorry I am emailing on a Tuesday because we switched our p day to....
(Pause for effect) I'm going to the Boston temple!!! Woohoo I am so
pumped. My lovely companion and I are sitting out front of the
Portsmouth chapel just waiting for a sweet member to come and pick us
up!
So let's get down to the nasty. If you have a light stomach or get
grossed out easily I would skip this paragraph and go to the next. But
I am gonna talk about the plane ride here. Let's just say I got sick.
Way sick. And threw up everywhere. Thank goodness I made it to the
bathroom but that's all I made it too. So we had a layover in Detroit
ya know, and I had literally just puked all over myself but when I got
off that plane that's when I realized we aren't in good old Utah
anymore. I was saying hi to everyone and waving because that's just
what you do in Utah. They don't do that in Detroit. Everyone was
staring at me like a had four heads and only one person said hi back.
And to top off the glorious day my phone card wasn't working so i
couldn't call my family and I only had enough change to talk for two
minutes. So Imagine me, in all my cuteness, sitting in a airport with
literally the meanest people ever covered in puke and crying because
of the phone company and their hatred towards me.
That's when the miracle came. The lady I sat by (who I had recognized
from the flight we were on before) just started hugging me. For like
10 minutes and just sat there and let me cry. I was so confused. Like
who in the heck was this lady and why was she being nice to me?? I was
convinced that nobody outside of Utah was nice. But I was wrong. Way
wrong. She asked me what was wrong and I told her my little sob story
and she was like oh here is my phone. I lost it. She is truly so
christ-like. So after I got to talk to my mom and dad we sat there and
talked for awhile and she told me she was a member of our church and
that she lives in somersworth New Hampshire. Then she said I know at
least one of you will be in my ward and I said oh man I hope it's me!!
Then we ended our conversation and got on the plane where i puked for
about another hour and a half straight.
I have never loved land so much until the moment I got off that plane.
Now let's talk about New Hampshire holy cow it is beautiful. Just big
bright amazing huge trees ever!!! And cute old charming towns and
houses that are centered around history. Its amazing. And my cute
loving mission president and his darling wife did everything they
could to help me get over my sickness. Unfortunately I didn't get to
eat any of the great food sister stoker and prepared because I was so
sick, but I got a blessing and then they told me to go lay down. The
kindness of all the missionaries was over whelming.
So the next day we had our transfer meeting and to my joy and
excitement I got called to serve in the somersworth NH ward with my
amazing companion sister Bee! The Lord truly watches over us and cares
about us because I am serving in the greatest area ever! The people
here are kind. Even if they aren't interested in hearing our message
they are still so kind and caring. We had one lady answer her door and
said no she doesn't want to listen to us but offered us water. And
another lady said please don't come back but gave us some homemade
jam. Haha. People here say the phrase "I'm all set" so I here that
like 800 hundred times a day. But I've only had one guy be mean and
that's it so I will take it!
So sister Bee and are like the same person. I love her dearly she is
amazing. She's from Tremont! It's great here. We have a few potentials
but no investigators at the moment. Pretty much everyone here is
catholic. But we have a few and hopefully we can help them feel that
love and peace this gospel brings us.
This week has been the hardest yet most amazing week of my life.
I am soooo blessed. The ward members and so kind a Christ like. They
would literally drop anything to help us.
The food here sucks. The fast food restaurants are terrible and taste
completely different than the ones in Utah. Haha but the members can
cook so good! So I am blessed there.
I love you all dearly and thank you for your letters and your
encouragement. You are all wonderful.
Remember,
God is real
He watches over us
He loves you
And so do I!
Love love love,
Sister Dickson

Here are some videos from Sister Dickson about her new adventure in New Hampshire!

House Tour Part 1

House Tour Part 2

House Tour Part 3

House Tour Part 4

Sundaes Part 1 

Sundaes Part 2

Cookies Part 1

Cookies Part 2

Dinner 

Finished Dinner