Up and down turn it around

This week was a roller coaster of beautiful and miraculous things mixed in with a few crazy and ridiculous things as well.

Sad story, Sister Bee has been pretty sick this week with a cold. Thank goodness for cold medicine, but we still got so much work done this week! She is a trooper!

We got a TIWI in our car. A TIWI is basically the voice of Satan that yells us when we are speeding, driving aggressively, how many miles we drive, and if we aren't wearing seat belts. It's a good tool though because it will avoid wrecks and keep us safe! Even though it's scary.

On Tuesday we packed a lunch and had a picnic at the park. Before we ate we drew the Plan of Salvation in sidewalk chalk. We explained it to a family and they loved it! Though they were set in their religion we gave them a Book of Mormon and our information, so hopefully they will feel the spirit and want to learn more eventually!

We were blessed with being able to teach 8 people this week. Now, that's very high for this area. I know that God blessed us because of our endurance of all the no's and for all the hard work we put in.

One man told us we could teach him after we burned more women on stakes. He was trying to make a point or something, I don't know it didn't really make sense. #wrongreligion bro. Sister Bee and I couldn't help but laugh. I mean if you're going to try and insult us at least come up with something good.

We went and did service at a members house Saturday morning. I'm sad to say I didn't take pictures because everyone was too busy helping. We pulled out these huge weeds around her pond. It took three hours and oh my gosh I am so sore! I did get to touch a frog though and she fed us very yummy food after. I really enjoy going there. Their house has a very homey feel to it and I have been there so much I feel like I am a part of their family. Thank goodness for good people.

We also did service at the first parish Congregational church. They were having a spaghetti dinner so we went and helped served deserts. Man I love those people, they were so kind. They asked so many questions about our religion and they gave us some spaghetti after! Which was such a blessing because we were running low on food. One lady told us we were great representations of our church. It almost brought me to tears because of how kind that was. I am really striving to represent Christ in a way that He would be proud so I am grateful for that tender mercy.

We went tracting one night and knocked on the wrong door... He opened the door and looked right at our name tags and said "ah, the church of latter day snakes." I remember thinking in my head, oh man this is gonna be one long lecture. He told us he knew more about our church then we did. He said we were brainwashed and that we were a cult and told us that us and our families needed to get out before it was too late. Whatever that means. We just stood there and stared at him as he tried to pick a fight with us. We said, "well ok you have a good day then." He jumped in front of us so we couldn't leave and continued to try and get us to argue with him. We just stood there and didn't say anything. Eventually he said "well is that it?" We nodded and said have a good day again and walked over to the next house. Now don't get me wrong.. I was not afraid of this man one bit, I could have killed him just by sitting on him and he was so uneducated about our religion it took everything I had not to laugh in his face. But I did gain something very valuable from that experience, while he was going on about science and how evil we were, I could feel the spirit testifying so strongly in my heart that we are doing the right thing. This church is good and true. I could feel God's love for me as He protected us physically and spiritually. But what God did also was fill my heart with love and compassion for this man, trust me I will never go back to that house, but I found myself praying for him. Begging God to help him find truth and happiness in his life.

Now I am not bragging. I am no where near perfect and I give no credit for that. I tell you this because I want all of you to know that God can make us into the people we want to be when we let Him. He made me more compassionate and caring, especially to those who aren't kind back to me. He has worked with me and has helped me grow and change so much. I am so blessed for that and I could not be more grateful.

What's something you need to work on? Is it kindness? Tolerance? Patience? Love? Acceptance? Greed? Well I want to challenge you all to find out what that is and give it to God. Ask Him for help and let Him help you change and grow. Remember, with God all things are possible.

God loves you all lovely doveys,
And so do I 😘
Have a fabulous week!

Love,
Sister Dickson

Selfie!

Lunch at the Park

Leaves are barely starting to change

Old lady am I!

Hey hey hey!

This week not really too much happened. We had zone conference on Wednesday and it was so good. It was all about the Book of Mormon. President Stoker gave us quotes and proof that the Book of Mormon is true. It was a 5 hour long conference and oh my gosh I loved every second of it. The conference was at the stake center in Exeter, New Hampshire. The Georgetown ward was the one who fed us and man they went all out with tacos and salad and fruit and ice cream. They had everything decorated all fancy and nice. The members here are so wonderful to us missionaries. 

Sad news is that I got sick during the last hour of the conference. Thank goodness all I had to do was sit and listen so it wasn't too bad but when I got back to the apartment I was so sick. So all day Thursday we stayed in because I could barely even stand. We did everything we could to still be productive even though I felt like a got hit by a truck. We made a potential list of people to check up on with some old progress records back in 2006 and made a daily goal chart. Friday we went out because I was feeling a little better but it was hard to go out and work because of how weak I was. I got a blessing that night from our ward mission leader and on Sunday I felt like me again. 

Priesthood blessings are wonderful! 

So time for some funny and kind of depressing stories. We went to a members sons birthday party last Saturday during our lunch break and an old lady asked me if I was Sister Bee's mom. I am still pretty traumatized by that situation. Mom.. Send me some anti wrinkle cream ASAP. 

I got ATTACKED by mosquitoes and I have 20 (not even exaggerating 20 freaking HUGE bites) bug bites. All your folks in Utah don't even know what bugs really are until you come here. I even got bite underneath my eyeball. Mosquitoes are everywhere. And I mean everywhere. Let's just say I went and got me some heavy duty bug spray. 

So there is this four year old boy in our ward who is just a hoot. And he loves the sister missionaries! Every time he sees us he screams "yes! It's the sisters!" And he will run to us and give us the biggest hug. He is so cute. Well one day he comes up to me and in all seriousness looks me dead in the eye and says with the most blank expression and flat voice tone, "peeing is for the woods, but pooping is for inside." Then he just walked away. And that ladies and gentlemen is my spiritual thought for you all today. Never could have said it better myself. 

Well! Have a fabulous week wear bug spray, don't forget your anti aging cream, and don't poop in the woods! 

God is real

This gospel is so true and so wonderful.

We can find tender mercies of the Lord every single day,

All you have to do is open your eyes and see them.

God loves ya 

And so do i😀

Love, 

Sister Dickson

Awko taco

So as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints there are a few things I have had to embrace and accept. But I think the biggest one I have really struggled with is the awkwardness. 

One of the first things I was taught in the MTC was that missionary work is awkward and it's time for us to start embracing that awkward and then accepting it and loving it. I didn't really fully understand that until I came out into the field. But now I do. Man oh man is being a missionary awkward. 

And the people here don't do anything to help make it less awkward. 

STORY TIME! 

So a little bit ago we were out in Dover checking up on some potentials. Sister Bee and her last companion were the ones who tracted into these people and I was on exchanges with Sister Tyler, so we had no idea who these people were and what they looked like. So we went up to this house and knocked on the door and oh.. my.. gosh.. Becky, the most BEAUTIFUL man opened the door. He was about my age and had blonde hair the the most beautiful huge blue eyes I have ever seen. 

When I was set apart as a missionary I was not aware that this calling also included complete social retardation and the ultimate awkwardness. Because when I saw Mr. Hunky hunk yummy eyes that were like the deep blue sea of perfection, I froze. Well Sister Tyler apparently felt the same way as I did cuz ain't nothin was comin out of her mouth either so I began fumbling over my words. "Hi we are missionaries from the Mormon church.. Uh... Uh... We like talked to you awhile ago.. And err uh like about church and you know.. And we don't know if you remember.. It might have been awhile ago.. But yeah um.. Are you still interested?"

His face was an expression of confusion mixed with amusement as he smiled and chuckled, "Nah, we are all set thanks though." And he shut the door. We walked away and all that was said was Sister Tyler's sarcastic remark, "Smooth." 

In case you might be confused, I was not smooth. No smoothness there at all. 

So yeah, after being humiliated there I have finally embraced the awkward that I now call life and I am trying so hard to love it.. So hard. 

No new investigators yet but don't fret we are working our little tails off still. 

Just keep on praying 😀👊🏻

SPRITUAL THOUGHT🎉

Loving people is hard. Especially when they are mean and slam a door in your face. But it is what we are commanded to do. "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another." John 13:34 God has challenged us to love others as God has loved us. Now that's a whole lot of love. So there is my challenge to you! Love love love. Even if they aren't Christian, even if they aren't nice, even if they hate you or mock you or try to destroy you. Love them. 

That is what God wants us to do. Love❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ 

Things are going very well here though. I am happy and healthy and safe. The weather is getting cooler and the leaves are beginning to change! I am PUMPED for fall. Woot woot!

Please have a wonderful week my chick a dees.

Remember that God loves you!

And I do too:)

Love, sister Dickson 

Bashing

So this week... It happened.. The moment every missionary dreads.. The
nightmare that every missionary and future missionary wakes up to in a
cold sweat. Yeah.. You guessed it, I am talking about bible bashers.
*Que the scary music with violins*

But first to keep you all in suspense lets talk about some fun things
that happened this week. On Saturday we went to a members fifth
Birthday party! We went on our lunch break and oh my gosh they are
rich. They had a blow up fun house that was a bouncy house then turned
into a water slide and a huge pool with tons of food and fun! It was
pretty fun! The members here are so awesome and kind! I am so happy
they invited us.

We got a new investigator this week! Woot woot! He is awesome and so
kind. He really wants to be involved in church so he is pretty much
golden.. We are so blessed here.

So let's get on with the bible bashers now shall we... So Sister Bee
and I were out tracting (shocker I know) when we knocked on this house
and the nicest lady answered. She was so kind and invited us to sit
down in her backyard to talk. After a second her father walks out and
sits down too. We continue to share a little bit about the gospel and
they start asking us question.. Hard questions that made no sense.
They used big English words that we didn't understand and Then they
started quoting (incorrectly translated) bible verses at us left and
right. Saying how the Book of Mormon is apostate and everyone is going
to heaven just because and that we don't have agency and that we don't
chose if God loves us...and wait for it... They believed that God does
not love everyone. That he hates certain people and has damned them to
hell before they were even born.
So imagine me in all innocence sitting there completely confused out
of mind and dumbfounded. All we could do was bare our testimonies. So
that's what I did, my sweet and simple but very solid testimony on our
loving Heavenly Father and His true church. Sister Bee also did the
same. I thought that it would soften their hearts a bit to at least
show us a little bit of respect but after that he took my testimony
and grabbed it in his hands and crumpled it, stomped on it, tore it
apart and spat on it. He said to us "you can't be so stupid as to just
go off your feelings. I once had a religion too and I am glad to point
out all out all the contradictions in yours so you won't waist your
time anymore." We left that house because there was nothing else we
could do. We walked away while those two people stood there, feeling
like the winners, and walked right to their neighbors house and
knocked on that door right in front of them. They didn't win.
That night I went home and found the answers to every single question
and "contradiction" they had "pointed out to us". And because of that
experience my testimony grew even stronger then it was before.
In their pathetic attempt to destroy everything I held dear and
precious to my heart, I didn't let that win. I went and found the
answers and became stronger. So thank you to them! Because of them I
know once more that this is the true church. That Joseph Smith is a
true prophet that restored Christ's church. That the Book of Mormon is
the word of God, and is true. And because of them I know more and more
that if I have any questions or doubts, I can always find the answer
though the scriptures and prophets.
So righteousness wins again ladies and gentlemen.. Woo hoo go us!

Do you have any doubts or question? Is so, please search the
scriptures and prophets for answers, I promise you that you will find
them.

Stay golden pony boy and remember that God loves you, and he loves all
his children.

And I love you all too!
Love, Sister Dickson

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