Monday, August 13, 2012

Just another day in the mission field ...

Hola, Familia!
How are things in Nebraskaaaaa?! Things here are pretty much the same here in good ole Butts County (I'm not kidding, the county is called Butts...?)!
On Tuesday, we got to meet a family the Elders before us were teaching for awhile, but then they were out of the state for months; they came to church to hear Elder Indriamiarina's talk, which was awesome! The husband is hysterical, and his wife (who actually used to be a member...) is really sweet; the branch was awesome at fellowshipping them, and I think a lot of good will come from this.
Still seeing Author; he has become an eternagator (an eternal investigator); not that he does not want to get baptized, but we have to wait for some legal issues outside his control before we can do so; we'll probably have to wait till November or so.
One of our gators, who is a deacon at his brother's baptist church, has told us he enjoys learning from other religions, but not in conversion to it; I kind of figured that from how the lessons have been going, but it's still a bummer to hear it. He loves the Book of Mormon, but doesn't quite understand the concept that if the Book of Mormon is true, our church is the only true church, because that is what it teaches (1 Nephi 14 for example); not too many people do, it seems. We either run into people who hate the Book of Mormon (most of whom haven't read it) because it's not the Bible, or they love it, but can't grasp the concept of One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism: One Church and One Authority. That's why it's our job to present and explain the message of the Restoration, share testimony of it's truthfulness, invite them to find out for themselves, and, hopefully, let the spirit that is there testify to their hearts if they allow it. I have never been more frustrated with other peoples' agency than on my mission lol. But never have I been more happy than when someone we teach "gets it", and uses their ability to choose, to choose eternal life through the Great Mediator (2 Nephi 2: 27).
Anyway, I digress.
We did pretty good on dinners with members this week; that also gave us great opportunity for some team-ups, which is key; we can't really help our Lord accomplish great things in His Vineyard unless we have the members' help. We went out with our branch president a few times to see some less-actives and the elderly; making sure everyone is covered.
That is probably the biggest thing the church, at least in the south, is focusing on; the rescue of those who have strayed from the fold. Like President Hinckley said, "There is no point in doing missionary work if we cannot hold on to the fruits of that labor (or something like that; I struggle with quotes)." There are so many people who have been baptized who need help to come back to their Savior; it is missionary work, and a work that everyone, in particular the members of that ward or branch where the names of those lost sheep our on the records. We need to all work together to save souls for the Father.
Digressing again. We had a zone meeting for the first time this past Tuesday; once a month, we are to gather as a zone for a training. Before, we just had District meetings and zone conferences, so that means us bike Elders have to find rides to Conyers once a month lol. Oh, and Elder Youd, my companion in Kennesaw and the one who went to my high school, is now my zone leader! What a co-wink-e-dink. Looks like we are in for some fun and laughs, as well as some awesome missionary work about to go down in Conyers Zone!
That is actually probably all I have to report. I'm sending mum and dad's birthday package today, so look for it by the end of the week, probably lol; I hate snailmail. Hope you all are well, take luck, love you all!
Love,
Elder Casey Guy Dickson

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Casey Guy Dickson

Casey Guy Dickson
Called to serve in the Georgia Atlanta North Mission (July 2011 to July 2013)