Happy Memorial Day to everyone!

Asleep on the job ...

Hey, guys!

Happy Memorial Day to you too! Ours has been just okay so far; we helped a member move this morning (even though we technically aren't supposed to, just cause if we were on P-day, that takes away proselyting time from the rest of the week...), but Elder Moore's cousins from Tennessee got permission to take us to lunch in a bit, so that'll be fun! Then we have a ward barbecue at Bro Rasmussen's house (where everyone but the elders and old people will be swimming lol)...

I miss having family barbecue's every other Sunday, as well as making cookie dough or brownies with Mom and Shelby, then watching Sunday Night Football after FHE lol... good times. 

It is pretty hot and humid, biking has been terrible lol but every drop of sweat counts! 

Anyway, my week: 

Tuesday we had our district meeting, then we biked a lot to try to see some people as usual, then we had dinner with the Spanish elders with a member of their branch, the Sanchez family! An elder I knew in the mission a year ago or so married one of their daughters, so it was weird to see him not as a missionary lol...

Wednesday we had a sweet lesson with a guy named Kenny, who loved reading out of the Book of Mormon! We were hoping to see him at church, but we'll catch him today probably! 

Then we watched Finding Faith in Christ with Ruby Kay, a sweet old lady who can't read and can barely see or stand. She liked the video and enjoys us coming by, I'm just not sure if she is progressing towards baptism...

We had dinner with the other elders at Zaxby's (which is the best fast food place in town!); I've worked up to the extra hot wings, trying to get to the highest before I go home, only one more to go! 

Lastly, we taught Rachel with Sister Wallace about the Plan of Salvation, and I'm not sure if she totally got the spirit world, so we might have to review that again; she is super nice though, and loves to learn! We just need to get her to church!

Thursday we tried to see some people I taught when I was here last time, and ended up talking (or rather listening to some guy talk lol) for an hour or so to a guy who calls himself "King James"... it was intense lol! Nice, though...

Friday we weekly planned, then taught a recent move-in's son about the Stripling warriors; I wish I was better at teaching children, I never feel like I get through or make it exciting enough for them...

After that we helped a lady move in; she was pretty grateful, so maybe she'll call us...I love doing service! It's a lot easier than talking or teaching someone in a way, and it's a terrific way to lead by example; I've seen so many people's hearts open because we helped them with something. A quote I love, and don't know who said it, is "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care." 

We had a good dinner at the Godwin's, then played volleyball with the Spanish branch at the church; super fun! I am not very good (as y'all know lol) but it is a ton of fun to relax a bit and play! 

Saturday we had a sweet lesson with Tony, a super nice guy who is so impressed with us going on missions that he spent the whole appointment telling us about it lol... we'll get a lesson in next time...

Saturday was a party day! We stopped by Spanish's party for some one's graduation; Elder Moore popped his bike tire lol, so while we were waiting for the zone leaders we ate some good Hispanic food! Then our dinner appointment was a birthday party for Brother Mulling's ( a non-member I had taught last time) so we had some good Jamaican food! What a day! I was so full! 

This past P-day we helped the Christensen's move (we don't normally work on P-day, but they asked...); Elder Moore's Aunt and Uncle and cousins from Tennessee stopped by and took us to Chili's; glorious! Then we went to the Lofts, some cool complex with a sweet reservoir; after a brief stop at Baskin Robins we went to the ward Memorial day barbecue, and watched everyone else swim while we waited for people we invited to show up lol...

Today we had district meeting again, which was pretty spiritual; it makes me want to be better about my prayers, and to pray for charity...

That's about it. I got permission to e-mail today because the libraries were closed yesterday...

That's about it. 

Thanks for being the best family ever! 

Love, 

Elder Casey Guy Dickson

Another glorious week in the mission field ...

Elder Mayo, Elder Moore, Elder Gentry, and Elder Dickson. I don't know what they are pointing at.

Hey, Everybody!

Good to see ya'll on Skype; these past two years have felt more like two months, and at the same time, a lifetime lol. It doesn't make sense; I feel like no time has past, yet life is moving so rapidly... soon I'll be back and working, Devin will be on a mission, and Shelby will be a senior; how the heck did that happen?! Even amidst all this change, I know we will reunite, and it will be glorious...

I hope my birth certificate gets here soon, because I want to make sure there is enough time to get an I.D... or else y'all will have to drive over and get me lol...

So, my week:

Monday I called y'all, and it was great! I feel bad for using so much of the bishop's time, but he was cool with it; he knows what it's like to have kids away from home...

Tuesday we didn't have a district meeting, because we had a zone conference on Friday, so we actually got to spend a Tuesday working! We saw Henry and Ashley; their progress is very slow, but they always show promise... We also ate at the Mulling's, a Jamaican part-member family (we used to teach the non-member father when I was here last time, Keith, but he doesn't progress, so we haven't since I have been back...); she made super delicious Jamaican food like ox-tail and jerk chicken, and it was stupendous! Then we went over to teach Charles some of the new member lessons; turns out Charles got a job in Kentucky, so he will be gone for 3-4 weeks out of the month, then be off for a week, in which he would come back here with his family. It's sad to see him go, but we trust him to use the gift he received a week ago to make the correct decision for his family...

Wednesday we helped the Christensen's move some boxes to their storage unit, then we saw Ruby Kay with Sister Williams, and taught the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She takes it all well, she just doesn't understand or hear very well, and we can't always understand her... Afterwards Sister Williams took us to her house for a glass of water before we left; while we were there she tripped and sprained her ankle. She has bad knees, so we think one gave out and her ankle twisted. We got her inside and got her medicine and waited until the member she called arrived. Kinda exciting... She is doing OK, though, so that's good. After going to the Nolden's for dinner (which is always a good time) we saw Charles again at the church; we took his kids to all the activities, then watch Finding Faith in Christ with him while we waited. His kids had fun, so maybe we can get them next lol!

Thursday we did yard work at the Knox family's house; it was pretty intense, with a riding lawn mower and everything! My allergies have been so terrible the past week; I sneeze without ceasing and my eyes get swollen and I get a big headache; the mowing didn't help any lol! It didn't do this last year, so I'm not sure why I get it so bad now, weeks after the pollen stopped blowing everywhere... Despite that, we biked until I needed a break, and took a short nap at the apartment, then we got a ride to the Pyne's for dinner. Finally, we went with the Spanish elders to a church seminar thing we were invited to; it was pretty interesting lol. Their focus was on Revelation (a chapter hard for members to understand lol), and it wasn't TOO incorrect. They people there were super nice and seemed desperate for people to come attend...

Friday was our awesome Zone Conference with Elder Ellis of the Seventy; he was so cool! He was very nice and pretty funny, and also a spiritual giant! I learned so much about recognizing the spirit, and what to do when we have it. We talked about enduring to the end, which was cool, because that was what we were going to teach Charles Nana that evening! We taught Brother Nana a lot of what Elder Ellis shared with us to great effect. It was a long day, but a good one; he inspired me to what to end my mission with a bang, so the things I remember about my mission is that I worked hard and felt the spirit... God asked for two years, not 22 months. His wife said something funny, "If you are not having fun, repent!" Amen, Sister Ellis! I plan on doing both; working hard, and make memories! Good ones lol...

Later that night, on the way back from Charles, my companion Elder Moore almost got attacked by a raccoon! That's what he told me, anyway; I was in front of him, so I didn't see it. I heard a shriek, so I stopped and turned around; Elder Moore told me that a raccoon started chasing him on his bike, then disappeared into the woods; pretty sure he is scarred for life lol!

Saturday we spent the whole day doing service for the Christensen's again, then right after them our gator Ruby; we roped Spanish into helping us lol... after dinner, we went to that Revelation seminar again, which was good; they are starting to learn our names now!

Sunday we had Charles and his kids at church, but they had to leave after second hour so Charles could catch the bus to head to Kentucky; we'll miss him...

We weekly planned Sunday because Friday was Zone Conference, then had dinner and taught Rachel, a gator we haven't seen in a while; we taught half the plan of salvation, hitting heavy on the atonement (the subject I love the most to talk about, but one I feel too inadequate to teach...). She liked it, but still doesn't see why she needs to get baptized again, so we'll work on that.

That's about it. We are trying to teach Brother Nana's kids, and try harder to talk to more people on the street. I know this is the work of the Lord, and even though He can do His own work, as he said, he gives us opportunities to rise to the occasion and grow into the men and women He needs us to become. I love my Savior and what He did for us all. In His name, Jesus Christ, amen.

Love you guys so much! Take luck!

Love,

Elder Casey Guy Dickson

Happy Mother's Day!

Casey talking to Dad on Skype for Mother's Day.

Charles Nana, Elder I and Elder Dickson at the baptism.

Charles Nana and Elder Dickson in all white.

Elder Dickson wearing the shirt his brother and sister got him for his birthday.

Hey, y'all! Happy Mother's day two days ago!

Thanks for the glorious phone call yesterday! It was so good to see everyone, even though I'll be seeing all of you soon lol...

I told all the best stuff on Skype, but I thought I'd let everyone else know that we had a baptism! Yay! Charles Nana from Cameroon, Africa passed his interview on Thursday, got baptized on Saturday, and got confirmed Sunday! It was pretty cool; I got to baptize him, and Elder Kallon came back from Covington Ward to give Charles the Holy Ghost. Not too many people were at the baptism (we had more missionaries than members...) but it was still a sweet experience; it was my first time getting wet on my mish, so I was pretty excited! Charles is a man of great faith and few words; he was ready to get baptized the day he found us. He was so happy when we first got out of the water and were changing in the bathroom; he was smiling a mile a minute, and it was infectious. I'm so happy for him, and so grateful for a loving Father in Heaven that orchestrated everything so we could meet him when he was most prepared and we were most worthy and when the timing and spirit was most right. I'm grateful for Christ's atoning sacrifice so Charles could repent and baptized for remission of sins; me as well. I love the truths of this church, and how they are so simple and so true.

Anyway, this week: 

Monday morning, as well as every evening this week, we saw Charles to prep him for the big day, and finished up the lessons; we were fortunate enough to get some members to come with us... Later that night, we went out with the ward mission leader to see some people...

Tuesday was my birthday! Yay me! Thanks for the money and candy and cards and such; I bought myself a tie with it lol it's my birthday gift to me! I'm so happy... (10 points for the one who gets that reference...). We had a stellar Zone Training, and everyone sang Happy Birthday to me! I'm famous! Then we went to Mellow Mushroom, one of my favorite pizza places! Next, I went on exchange with Elder Adams (I stayed in Conyers); we taught Ruby Kay, Tasha's grandmother, then had dinner with Henry and Ashley, our investigators. There are times when they seem ready, and others when we aren't so sure of their intentions... they missed church this past Sunday, no one knows why... that night we went to watch a baptism in Covington, an 88-year-old man who can't hear anything and can barely stand; what a boss! Just goes to show you, that you're never too old to change... Charles came and watched the baptism with us, but missed the actual baptism part... again lol...

Wednesday we exchanged back, and biked a lot before heading to Burlington Coat Factory to help Charles pick out a suit; it's pretty nice, I gotta say lol... it's strange how back home, I had no idea what looked good, especially as far as suits and ties; in the mission field, ties are the only thing we can change up, and it's like a currency for us lol. It's how we get our kicks; I've a part of some pretty mission famous tie trades lol...

That night as well we had dinner with the Christensen's, a very funny older couple, and saw Charles with Sister Nolden, and taught baptism, and reviewed the baptismal interview questions with him...

Thursday us and the Spanish elders, Elder Gentry and Elder Mayo, got in a bash with some born-again christian guy telling us we aren't saved by works (which is true) and all we have to do is confess we accept Jesus as our Savior and we'll be saved (which isn't completely true; see Matt. 7:21-27.) He knew his scriptures (though he did not understand them...) and was very good as telling us what we believe, even if it wasn't true, and then proceeded to tell us how we were wrong, not letting us talk and ignoring our questions, and interrupting us when we testify. No point in wasting our time if he doesn't want to listen; there are a lot of people to teach and not a lot of time to teach them in. 

On the other hand, the lesson we had with Charles and the Bishop just before his interview was great! It's so interesting to come straight from a bash, where the person didn't want to listen or needed proof, to a lesson where the person hangs on to every word and takes everything on faith. Makes you appreciate those who have been prepared by the Lord to listen and learn. After Charles passed the interview, we went with the Spanish elders to Chick-fil-a to celebrate! 

Friday we weekly planned all day; Elder Moore was sick, so we didn't bike much... Some members in Covington invited us to dinner to celebrate Elder Moore's birthday (his was May 5th); it was fantastic! We had steak and potatoes and snicker doodles and mint ice cream; glorious! Then we saw Charles again with Bro. Z, who is the family history guy, so Charles can get his names prepared to go do baptisms for the dead! 

Saturday we had service at the church; they are building a pavilion (finally) and we helped put up the fence posts around the field. I worked the auger (a big hole-drilling tool; it was intense!) with my companion, as well as digging with a regular shovel; we got pretty dirty lol. Then we went straight from that to help Sister Hanes move with the Spanish elders; we were pretty tired at the end of it all lol! lastly, we had Charles baptism that night; not as many as I would have liked were there, but it was still nice; I've never seen a happier man than Charles on that day! After it was all said and done, we went home and baked a DiGiorno pizza in celebration! It was a pretty good day! 

Sunday Charles got confirmed and participated in Elder's Quorum, which was cool to see. After church we went to Sister Nolden's for dinner, as well as my comp Elder Moore getting the chance to Skype his family. It was pretty good; his family lives in Collin's stake! He gets back on Thursday, I heard; how crazy! Say hi to him for me! 

Monday we went to a Catholic Monastery, which was kinda cool; it's certainly different than all the other churches you see around here. They actually have monks living there! And a lot of them have taken a vow of silence! I don't have any pictures because my camera was acting up again, so I'll borrow some from the other elders and send them next week. Finally we went to the Bishop's house and I got to Skype mi familia, which was glorious! Thanks for being the best family anyone could ask for; I love you all and will see y'all soon! Take Luck! 

 

Love, 

Elder Casey Guy Dickson

Lots of birthdays this month in the mission

Last district meeting for Elder Kallon.

Hey, howdy, hey!

Things are looking up in the land of birthdays and shrimp tacos! Thanks for the package, everything was great! I loved the shirt especially; in fact, I'm wearing it right now lol! I'll send a picture!

So when is a good time to skype? My companion has to do it after 2pm, and it will probably take place at our dinner appointment (which is probably between 6-7 for us, 4-5 for y'all...), but we can make arrangements...

So my zone leader (Elder Diehl)'s birthday was the 4th, my new comp Elder Moore's was on the 5th, mine is on the 7th, and Elder Chugg (whom y'all saw last time I skyped: the redhead) and Elder Edmunds his comp are also on the 7th! Holy cow, it's a birthday palooza! Sister Nolden got everyone some delicious birthday brownies, so life is good! 

So we have been seeing Charles frequently; he is still good to go on baptism, we are still working on smoking, but he says he'll be good by his baptismal date (next week), and I believe him. He is a cool old guy who has tremendous faith; he doesn't need or want any explanation or proof; he says he already knows it's all true, he just wants to learn how he can use it to come closer to God. He is probably the most prepared person I have met! It's too bad he may be moving at the end of the month back to North Dakota, we got to get him baptized and get him the priesthood before that happens...

Tuesday we had our last district meeting of the transfer (picture is below), and went to a pretty cool burrito place that was expensive lol, then we went to go say goodbye to people for Elder Kallon, and then went to finish his packing. It was one of the smoothest transfers I have ever had; we just waited at the apartment for Covington Outer to drive over Wednesday morning and do the swap. When we were done, Elder Moore and I went out to Moe's, a popular burrito place with an awesome soda machine! We then went to see all of our gators so Elder Moore could get to know them all. Then we had dinner with a very nice lady who can't cook...

Thursday we went to go see some Young Single Adults, and ended up meeting some crazy people who live in a shack behind someone's house... it was kinda crazy...

Friday we weekly planned, then went to Zaxby's with Spanish; I'm not sure what I will do when I leave Georgia, because I'm addicted to Zaxby's lol! Then my companion got a long screw in his tire, so we had to call the zone leaders for help! We got the tube replaced, and got back to work! 

Saturday we got rained out, so we didn't get much done...

Sunday we had some gators come to church, and one of them bore their testimony! It was pretty sweet. Sundays are my favorite days, because we get to be the ones taught for once lol

That's about it. Thanks for being an awesome family, I'll see ya when I skype ya! take luck! 

Love, 

Elder Casey Guy Dickson