Wassssupppp!

Elder Dickson along with Elder Hansen, his new companion.

 

Hey family!

Short letter today. Not too much has happened here yet. My new area is kind like Conyers; the people are friendly, but not that interested in missionaries lol. Just like Conyers, there is a large population of African-Americans down here, and it's so fun! It's a different culture, but I've really come to love it! The work is kind of slow here; we really only have 1 gator with a date; a guy named Author (that's right, Author. I love it) who has come to church several times, but is still working on quitting smoking. Everyone else is hard to get a hold of, or else they are hot and cold with us. It'll be tough, but I've been having a blast, and I know success will come; through my faith, diligence, and heed, I will be lead to the more fertile parts of the land!

Elder Hansen, my comp., is pretty cool; he also enjoys Star Wars and superheroes, and is big into paintballing! He's kind of quiet, but has really opened up the past few weeks; he just got done being trained when I got here, but he is already a far better missionary than me. We also share the appartment with Elder Everett (our fearless district leader) and Elder Boman (who shares my love for quoting and singing Disney!) who work in Jackson Outer, and have a car; they are both pretty fun, and are easy to work with.

Saturday is was over 100 degrees, with high humidity; I just about died. Didn't help that we were doing a huge service project that day lol. My neck and arms are all sunburned. The weather is SLIGHTLY cooler than it was; 90 something, but July is supposed to be even worse. Yikes! If Mom thinks the humidity is bad in Nebraska, she would die in Georgia! I hear Florida is even worse than here.

The gospel is true!

Love,

Elder Casey Guy Dickson

The new area (Jackson)

Jackson, Georgia is Casey's new area.

Hello, Dickson Clan!

Happy Father's Day to all you fathers, grandfathers, uncles, brothers, cousins, and pretty much every future or potential father everywhere! How's life in Not-Georgia? Things are pretty decent here; not too much is happening yet, but we got a cool old guy to come to church! He wants to get straight with God, and wants to quit smoking, so we are working with him. We taught him several times this week, and we are shooting for his baptism in July. Cross your fingers!

Also had lunch with a different cool old guy named Curtis; he isn't too interested, but he always wants us over for theological discussions, and discussions of other things, like sports and such. He gave us Apple cake on Father's day, which was awesome! There are a lot of very caring and friendly people in Georgia, even if they don't want to change... yet. We're working on it.

Had another good couple of lessons with a lady whose son had gotten baptized a while ago, and has since moved. She is interested, but won't commit to baptism till she knows it's true. Let's do it! Helping people recognize the truth is what the missionaries do, with a ton of help from the spirit, of course.

There are several less-actives we go see, just to make sure they are seen, and to try to help them get back to church. It always makes me happy when we see them at church.

We also had a couple of dinners this week with some pretty cool members named the Sherwoods and the Joneses; they are always willing to do anything for us, so we keep that in mind lol.

Still haven't met the Jackson's branch president yet; he is still in Scotland, where he served his mission. He was supposed to be back by now, but who knows?

We also had a lunch with this sweet old southern lady, who is the "Mayor" of the street she is on. Nothing happens that she doesn't know about, or approve of lol. She is funny, but also not too interested... yet.

That's about all that has happened this week. A lot of walking and "bounty hunting" (checking out formers and potentials); we did run into a guy who tried to tear down our faith (unsuccessfully, I might add); those kind of things would have shaken me months ago, but my testimony is firmly rooted in my Savior, and in the witness I recieved from the Holy Ghost that this church is true, and that the Book of Mormon is true. No offense to this guy, but I value God's opinion much higher than his. Church is true, the book is blue, and God is a Mormon!

Haven't done too much today; the missionaries here have what they call the kool aid challenge; the record is 12, so I think I got it in the bag lol. Also, i have been asked to speak in church next week; it has been awhile.

In response to your e-mail: Hey Shelby! So is marching band hard? I'm sorry I can't be there to see your parades, but I'll be there in spirit.

Good job on getting 1st place! Can't wait to get back and watch movies with y'all! Hope sports and summer and everything goes well! Love ya, Missy! 
Hey Mom; hope things go well as the move comences; sorry I can't be there to help. Hope the kids are making life easy for ya. Love you so much!
 Hey Devo, good to hear about the NBA Finals; I don't hear enough about it! I actually hope the Thunder take it; this might be there only shot. Take care, Devin!
See y'all in a year or so! Take luck! 

 

Love, Elder Casey Guy Dickson

A new challenge ...

It's what's for dinner ... just kidding!

Hola, Familia!
Greetings from the land of government housing and... I guess that's about it.
I spent most of the time Monday and Tuesday saying goodbye to all the members and converts and others whom I became incredible friends with. I got pictures, but had to use Elder Youd's camera (I had forgotten mine at the apartment), so I have to wait for him to e-mail them to me so I can e-mail them to you. It was sad, but it had to happen eventually. I'll never forget anyone in Kennesaw, though; my favorite area by far, in the best companionship (when I was with both Elder Bowers and Elder Youd). It's definitely a place I would return to visit someday.
Early Wednesday we drove to Lilburn (so Elder Youd could pick up his new greenie), then got a ride down to the Snellville building, where I got a ride down to Jackson with my new comp, Elder Hansen, from a small town I can't remember the name of, in Wyoming. He's a cool kid; he just got done being trained, and he's a far better missionary than I am; kind of quiet, but knows his stuff. He has been in Jackson his whole mission so far (poor kid...), so he knows it like the back of his hand.
Jackson is the most south of GANM (Georgia Atlanta North Mission), in the Conyers zone; it's like being back home lol. We actually drove past my greenie area on the way down; it was very interesting lol. Jackson on a whole is all farmland; the part we have is the little bit of city, which isn't much. We could walk from one end of our area to another in half an hour, and we usually do. There are only a couple people far enough to bike to save time, but everyone else is in walking distance; we've done nothing but walk the past few days lol. We share an apartment with Elder Boman and Elder Everett, (who cover Jackson Outer); both pretty funny guys. Elder Everett is the DL, and has a car, so we mooch off him a lot for rides and supplies lol. Most of the time though, we walk around looking for formers and potentials and less-actives and tract (just like Conyers lol) but there are a few people here who I'm excited for; two of them have baptismal dates, so we'll see where this goes.
When we got to the apartment, I unpacked, then we had companion study, since we missed it waking up early to transfers. Then we went to go see everyone in town, pretty much. We have met a lot of interesting people this week; some were crazy, some super religious and spiritual, and some with impressive vocabularies. Actually, we are received pretty warmly down here; the admire us for walking the streets, preaching Jesus, but it's "not for them." Don't worry, we'll get 'em!
Church here is in an office space (like the YSA branch in Kennesaw). They do it old school here; Priesthood at 930, Sunday school after that, then Sacrament at 11. First time I've had it like that before. The branch is small, but friendly. Good ole southerners lol.
Not too much has happened yet, so I'll inform y'all if there's any progress next time.
Looks like this are will be a little tougher than Kennesaw (okay, maybe a lot tougher) but this is what I have been praying for; more opportunities to show my diligence, develop patience, and increase my faith. Be careful what you wish for, because you usually get it lol! This wasn't really what I expected, but I'll go where he wants me to go, and I know that if I have the faith, diligence, and heed, I can be lead to the more fertile parts of the land. Church is true, book is blue, and God's a Mormon!
Love,
Elder Casey Guy Dickson
P.S. WRITE ME, please? Will send more pictures later. Writing lots of letters to send your way so I can get some mail lol! See ya!

He's being transferred!

I'm getting transferred, I'm so excited!

 

Hello, Dickson clan!

Guess what? I'm getting transferred again... to Jackson Inner on bike! Just in time for summer! Yay! (uggh) I'm going to be companions with Elder Hansen, who has only been out three months, so that makes me the senior companion... first time! I have to be responsible now... darn! Just kidding! Jackson is down in the Conyers Zone, so I'm going to be near my first area again! It's apparently a country kind of place, so it'll be a change from recent days. I'm kind of sad... I really like this place, and I wasn't really expecting to leave, but I'll go where He wants me to go. Elder Youd is training a greenie; don't know his name, but Elder Youd is picking him up Wednesday, and dropping me off. Got some time to say some last goodbyes. 

This week: 

Kent, our top investigator, is getting ready to be baptized next weekend; too bad I'll miss it lol. As long as it's done by someone with the correct authority, I'll be fine lol. Taught him 4 lessons combined into one; he wants to get baptized as soon as he can, so we're cranking through the lessons. Elder Youd will send me the picture, and I'll send it to y'all. 

Saw the Grueners a couple of times this week; still doing well, just wish she could give up some things so she can enjoy more of the blessings. 

Found out Wednesday Elder Youd was training, so we went up for a meeting in Lilburn on Thursday; it was nice, just long, and I did get to see Elder Bowers, which is a good thing! Poor kid is sunburned head to toe (he has fair skin, so biking in the heat has not been good for him) and is teaching the same people I taught when I was in Conyers, so it doesn't seem like much progress has happened there. After the meeting went to Atlanta's Best Wings (which I hadn't had a chance to go to yet, but is famous amongst missionaries). Wings is like my absolute favorite thing now; I can't go without them! 

Played Frisbee and baseball with the branch; I'm not really good at either, but it's pretty fun still. We got a few gators and less-actives and potential branch attendees to come, so it was definitely worth it! 

Had a pretty good Sunday; I got to see Keya again (she is my first baptism, and she's leaving for Hawaii in a few days), so that was good. Also had a couple surprise visitors at church, which is always fun lol! Taught some returning to activation members (a few who are preparing to go on missions), and also helped set up some of the pictures for the new branch building. 

That's about all that happened this week; it's been kind of slow otherwise. Elder Youd and his greenie are going to be doing a lot of tracting lol! 

So how is everyone? How's the summer? How's sports? I haven't heard from anyone in a while. 

Nothing else to say except I love y'all and miss y'all; I've almost been out a year, does it seem like that long? Won't be too long before I'm just boring Casey again! I got to make the best of what I got left. Church is true, book is blue, and God is a Mormon! 

Peace! 

Love, Elder Casey Guy Dickson

P.S. WRITE ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Memorial Day!

It's Super Elder!

 Hey, Dickson clan!

Happy Memorial day! Holidays don't mean much to missionaries; just days we can't really proselyte because everyone is too busy or gone or with family and usually don't want to be bothered. Anyway, we have a BBQ later today at the Carter's (the family I skyped from); they do a lot for us, and I'm grateful.

What I did this week: 

We've had a lot of opportunites to do service; my favorite! I have always liked helping others, and service is something I feel like I can do right; I can also see the fruits of my labor more immediately than other things. We helped the YSA branch move into their new building on Thursday; it's more spacious, but has less rooms. Still, it's nice. Smells like new building!

Sister Gruener was shooting at some more squirrels in her backyard (with her pellet gun, don't worry; she's a sureshot!) when we walked to her back deck to see her. Funny lady! She takes pest control into her own hands! She also had this tennis racket looking thing that zaps bugs; it was sweet! We gotta get one!

Taught our top investigator a few more times this week; he still wants to get baptized as soon as possible, but we have to teach the lessons, and we want to make sure he has a real testimony that it is true by the Holy Ghost. He comes to all the activites, and was at church this Sunday; he's kinda shy and quiet, but really smart, and enjoys the good young pwople at the branch. Represent!

One of Jerry's friends, who has been taking the lessons and coming to church, we found out lives in Cartersville (which is the other mission). We hooked her up with the missionaries with the authority to teach her, and she liked them, so all is well; she wasn't too happy at first about going somewhere else with someone else. She can't remember our names, so Elder Youd is E1, I'm E2, and the other guys were E3 and E4. (Elder-one Kenobi, E2-D2, E-3PO... can't think of a good one for E4 lol). She's funny; hope she gets along with the other elders.

We are still teaching Sister Brock's nephew; a few more complications have arose, so we may not be baptizing him as soon as we thought. We'll continue to teach him and help him prepare for when he can. 
I don't know what it is about this week, but we seemed to be running into more anti people and bashes; they don't phase me anymore, but it's kind of weird how it fluctuates. Being on a mission has helped me firmly root my testimony so nothing can shake it. Church is true, book is blue, and God is a Mormon!

The past couple of weeks have been kinda slow; we need to find more investigators, we keep baptizing the ones we have lol!

How are the Jensen's doing then? I get a letter from Collin every couple of months lol; his letters seem to take a while to get to me. I always send a reply; I hope he has been getting them.

So Jake's back, huh? Did he say what his plans are now? I remember him being super emotional; I guess people really do change on their missions lol.

Love, Elder Casey Guy Dickson

P.S. WRITE ME!!

You meet the most interesting people on a mission

Casey's Mick Jagger impression (I guess).

Hey y'all!

Thanks so much for the package; it's just what I needed! Shirts, money, and I loved the missionary action figures lol! I love the ties; green is my favorite color (who told you...) and the other ties are pretty rockin'! I sent some more mail out; keep an eye out Mom and Aunt Nina!

How's real life? It's pretty good out here in the land of slightly insane people! Since missionaries will talk to absolutely anyone and everyone, we meet some of the people others avoid. We get a lot of people giving us funny looks, or panicking and running away, or else yelling at us or hiding in their homes. I find it pretty funny, actually. 

There was this Indian woman one time, who was so totally off her rocker I was surprised that she was allowed to walk around by herself (hope that's not mean to say). She was talking about teleportation and spirit worlds (close, but no cigar) and traveling through different dimensions in her youth. Bless her heart (a southern expression lol). Another guy came out at us without his shirt (he needed one) and in a sombrero, asking for a liver donation. Then there was this other guy trying to explain to us how God created Himself as he was rolling through the universe, creating everything else behind Him. Oh, also, did you know Christ didn't really die; turns out he was just mostly dead (ha!). The angels who came to the tomb resuscitated him with the Spirit. Who knew? Oh, and the climax; the guy who tried to convince me he was Michael the Archangel... I have certainly met some interesting people out here lol. Then there have been some people try to condemn us or challenge our doctrine. We win, of course, but some of the time it puts me down... just the fact that people are so far gone that the Spirit just bounces off of them. While it makes me sad, it also reaffirms the fact that Satan wouldn't try so hard if this church wasn't true. I love the gospel; it has all the important answers, with the rest of them to be answered in time. I know the Book of Mormon is true, and I wish people actually read it before they challenged it. I love my Father, and my Savior.

Anyway, a busy but kind of uneventful week:

Had zone conference this week; it's always good to see some missionaries you haven't seen in a while, and it was nice to finally get my package lol! Also good to hear from our beloved President Wolfert and his wife.

We taught Sister Brock's nephew a few more times this week; we're almost done, but we might have to push back his date; he's an awesome kid, just gets in some trouble sometimes. We got some more 'gators for the branch; trying to fit them all in these next few weeks. They are busy with summer school or work, so it's tricky to get a hold of them.

Worked on the roof of a members house, fixing their tiles and cleaning there gutter; pretty fun.

Played some baseball and Frisbee this week; the branch is always having games and stuff like that; we bring investigators, and it's awesome!

Another 'gator who is Jerry's friend; we found out that we are going to have to give her up to Cartersville (she lives out of our boundaries). It's always frustrating, especially since our building is 20 minutes closer than the one she has to go to now; but we don't have the authority or permission to teach and baptize her; and authority is kind of important in this church.

And that's about it. 

What's going on with y'all, Shelby/Mom/Devin/Grandpa and Grannie Sheila/Aunt Nina/Aunt Darcell/Uncle Darren? 

I can't wait to party it up in Nebraskaaaaa with y'all! Hope all is well, and that Christ is a part of your day. Peace!

Love,

Elder Casey Guy Dickson

 

A surprise baptism for the Timpanogos Twins!

("Timpanogos Twins" refers Elder Dickson and Elder Youd, both Timpanogos grads and currently companions in the mission field-dd) 

Ollo!

Hey guys, it's your favorite missionary again! Happy Mother's Day, Mom; you're the best Mom ever! It was a blast talking to y'all last night; it wouldn't matter if we talked about the weather, it was just nice to see y'all. Dev and Missy look so much older; I told y'all that yous not s'ppose to grow no more!

Anyway, I pretty much told y'all everything that has happened recently; so let's review:

We got a surprise baptism this week! Jerry told us Thursday that he wanted to be baptized this weekend instead of next! It was a bit of a scramble to get everything put together, but it worked out beautifully. I gave a talk on baptism, and he was confirmed Sunday, so all is well. What was cool is that some his friends came to the baptism and to church; it looks like we may be teaching them soon! The work is never done, and I love it!

The Spanish elders had a baptism Tuesday (a family of three) and the Zone Leaders had a surprise baptism of their own; a guy serving in the Middle East flew over here to get baptized; it was pretty awesome! It was a good week for baptisms in our zone; there were 6 more on Saturday besides our own; go Marietta East!

It's been interesting learning how to teach in a duo again; there are still plenty of awkward pauses were we expect Elder Bowers to comment lol. I like Elder Youd, but things seem less fun and interesting without our quirky redhead. Oh well; he's biking his face off in the Conyers humidity; I can sympathize lol.

We finally got a hold of a kid who was told us over and over that he is interested, but was super busy with school, and it had been months since we taught him. We taught him Thursday afternoon; we taught the good ol' Plan of Salvation, and he loved everything about it! He is a super smart kid, and all his "theories" more or less match up with doctrine! He wants to get baptized as soon as possible; we just got to teach him the rest of the lessons first! He also came to Ultimate Frisbee, and went on the camp out the Branch was going on; sweet! I think he'll be a good Mormon lol!

We also taught Sister Brock's nephew a few times; he's a good kid, just has some trouble with his temper. We set a date for the first weekend in June, so keep your fingers crossed!

Saturday after the baptism, we had a companion exchange; I went with Elder Hernandez's greenie Elder Popp on bikes (since I don't have a license anymore... grrr) in our area. It wasn't too bad; felt like the good ol' days in Conyers, but with less hills and heat. Still pretty "Thor," though lol. Spent most of the day helping the Methodist church that has the food pantry we volunteer at gather donate food and putting it in their storage. They got a pretty cool set up, but our Bishop Storehouse takes the cake lol!

And that's about it.

Once again, it was way awesome to see you guys Sunday night; it'll keep me going for the next 7 months lol. I really don't get homesick; I'm way too busy lol! Happy Mother's Day again, Mom! I'll let you know when I get the package; most likely tomorrow, after Zone Conference. 

Hi Aunt Nina! I'm sending a letter later today; I promise you that the last letter I got from you, I returned; maybe they are holding those at the office as well. 

Keep being awesome, Devin and Shelby! You guys are growing up too fast; STOP IT! We'll have a crazy movie night when I get back, lol; you can even make your famous spaghetti, Devo! 

Hi, Grandpa and Grannie Sheila! Your mail is probably at the office also lol. 

HI, Aunt Darcell, Uncle Charles, and Rebecca! 

Hi, Idaho Dicksons! 

Thanks to all of you for the candy, money, and prayers over the past 10 months; they all go a long way! I'm also especially thankful for your examples and testimonies; all who read this letter have had some influence on my life and the decisions I make; I wouldn't be the man I am without all of you! Because of the way I was raised, I never doubted that I had and have a loving Heavenly Father! I never doubted my Savior, or the things I was taught. True, I didn't quite know what it meant to believe until I was out here, but the things I learned in my youth are the things that keep my faith firmly rooted. This church is so true; how could it not be? How could something so good and so Christ-centered possibly be false?

Sorry this letter is kind of short, but I talked to you guys yesterday about all of this lol!

Take care, y'all! See ya at Christmas (you'll probably be in Nebraskaaaa by then lol)!

Love,

Elder Casey Guy Dickson

P.S. The other missionary in white is our fearless District Leader, Elder Hernandez; Jerry had asked him to baptize him.