Things haven't gotten a lot easier, but I'm decidedly happier.
Several significant difficulties emerged this past week: a dear elder
from our zone returned home, I experienced a small bit of persecution,
and some of our mission leaders are in need of greater love and support.
Things haven't gotten a lot easier...but I'm decidedly happier. How can
this be?
This week, I felt prompted to study
Matt. 14:27-33 (when the Apostle Peter walks on the water). Initially,
the disciples are afraid when they see Jesus walking on the water, but
He is quick to calm their fears. The scriptures say, "straightway Jesus
spake[...]Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid." The Lord is quick
to comfort us. Peter, with great faith at the time, asks the Lord to
"bid [him] come" to Him on the water. The Lord invites Him to come unto
Him, and Peter does not hesitate. He walks on the water.1 Ne.
3:7 " I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them." Peter is able to walk on the water because
it was the will of the Lord. Through our Savior, we can accomplish
literally anything according to His will. However, it is only through
faith on Him that we are enabled. When Peter's focus was the Savior he
was able to do something seemingly impossible: walk on the sea. However,
he looked away for a moment; his focus shifted from the Savior to the
wind and the waves (to his trials). In this moment he doubted. He still
had faith, but it was not his focus. It was recently shared in General
Conference that faith and doubt cannot coexist any more than light and
darkness are able to do so. His doubt/fear temporarily drove out his
faith, but in this moment he immediately reached out to the Savior, and
so, he was saved.
This scripture applies to
all of our lives. We are often called on to do and to pass through
trying things, difficult things, things that force us to stretch. This
can be painful, but we need never be alone. Because Jesus walked such a
long and lonely road, we don't have to. Doctrine and Covenants
122:8 reads, "The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou
greater than he?" Christ suffered through and so understands perfectly
everything we will ever be faced with. It won't be easy. It never has
been. Elder Holland said, "Salvation is not a cheap experience." As a
result, the price of salvation has never been cheap. We will be tested
and tried, but with the Savior as our focus and the foundation of our
faith...we need not worry. We need not fear. We can find joy in the
journey. All is well.
When various "winds and
waves" hit this week, I actively sought the Savior. I faltered in my
efforts, but when I reached out in my time of trial, I was truly saved.
Have faith in Him. Focus on Him; everything else will work out. Decide
to be happy. Today :)
(One of the best ways to
do this is to turn outward and help another with their problems.
Everyone has them whether they make it known or not.)
The new elders in the zone (came in last Wednesday)
Elder Gould, Elder Nelson, Elder Miller, myself, Elder Wilde, Elder Tan*, Elder Chino*, Elder Carroll*, Elder Gibson*,
Front row: Elder Chang, Elder Kwok, Elder Barlow, Elder Tennant*, Elder Johnson
*Fast-Tracked (3 week program)
We
ate lunch at the temple last week; it was a wonderful break from the
meals at MTC. The food was delicious, and the atmosphere was much
calmer.
I received a package from my sister,
Mallory, this past week. It couldn't have come at a better time. I so
much loved seeing her beautiful, unique handwriting and reading her
witty messages. The jar of peanut butter I hadn't wanted communicated so
much love to me; my sister was going to do what she thought was best
for me even if I didn't think it was what I wanted. I'm sure I and
likely others will be immensely grateful in the near future. The
pretzels are also amazing. There are soooo many sweets floating around
the MTC. We are offered anywhere between 10 and 20 different delectables
throughout the day, (whether it be donuts, cookies, cinnamon rolls,
etc.) but almost no one has anything salty or remotely "healthy." As a
result, the pretzels are all but gone, but they have brought smiles to
many. The package fortified me for a rough next few hours. Thank you!
There was fresh fruit in the residence last night. Therefore, miracles still happen in our day ;)
Last
week I mentioned a dessert my brother, Hyrum, would very much enjoy.
This week it is my sister's turn. I had Graham Canyon Cheesecake, and I
need not say more. I love you Mallory!
The
missionary who went home was not understood by many in the zone. I will
not reveal his identity out of respect. He deserves respect. He was
struggling through many weighty matters not even his companion knew of,
and ultimately, he did return home. Before he left we were able to give
him a blessing. It wasn't a long blessing; I didn't even give the
blessing (though I was blessed to be able to stand in), yet I felt the
greatest love for this young man. I didn't know him well at all, but I
knew and I felt that he was loved. I felt that love. Heavenly Father
loves him and is there for him as He is for all of us. I know Heavenly
Father loves us perfectly, infinitely, and unconditionally. We
determined to pray and fast for him and his family. He will be alright.
We will all be alright. Trust God.
I tried to
run/sprint a mile this week for exercise. And...yeah, I just about died.
I may be a bit out of shape, but the difference in elevation didn't
help matters ;P
We passed the halfway mark of
our time at the MTC this week. I can't decide if it's going super fast
or super slow. I think both, but I do plan on this second half being the
better of the two. I'm running out of time to prepare, and I don't wish
to waste a moment.
The language is really
coming along with God's help. I worked with my teacher one-on-one some
and he said my "Zhongwen" or Chinese is awesome. I know this is only possible
through God's help and the gift of tongues. With Him anything is
possible.
We got a third teacher this week. He
was our teacher's teacher when he was at the MTC. He seems really cool.
The Nashville Tribute Band came on Sunday
in celebration of Pioneer Day and we were able to sing as their back-up
singers. It was a good experience. There were also fireworks on Pioneer
Day...new to me, but cool. TRC was also a positive experience this
week.
Investigators:
Amin may finally be progressing.
Wayne
is wonderful. He's so very sincere and his desire to learn is
incredible. He's very receptive to the Spirit. We taught the Plan of
Salvation this week (later learned we were being observed through a
one-way mirror). I love God's plan for us. It's one of my favorite
truths brought to us by the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. The lesson
went very well and by the end both he and I had shed some tears. It was
such a happy moment to share a message that has brought me so much joy
and comfort.
I'm grateful for my calling. It
has afforded me many opportunities to forget myself and help others in
their times of need. This next week we will receive 27 new missionaries
into the zone. We are excited to get to know them and to help them. Our
goal as zone leaders is to "never let a problem to be solved be greater
than a person to be loved!" -President Monson. The Savior's way is one
by one. His gospel is about individuals. It's about you and me.
I had never thought of this before in this way, but it makes sense. Regarding the First Vision, "Ask God, He was there."
I
plan to get my hair cut later today. I'll send a picture next week if
not later today. We're also going to the temple before long.
I
was very glad to receive a dear elder from Sister Baird. Thank you for
your thoughts and friendship. It has helped me already, and I'm
confident it will continue to do so. Thanks!
There's much I didn't get to this week as a ton happened, but I trust I hit the most important points.
My testimony of the temple was strengthened greatly today. I'm very
grateful for this as it's something I've been working and wishing to
develop further.
I also beat the MTC standing
long jump record (10 feet and 1 inch), but I'll need to go back and do
it again. I wanted to see how close I was to beating it, so I tried
today. I did a warm up jump; I paused for a moment, and then I went back
to the jumping line. I didn't realize I had beat it, and they didn't
know how much I had beat it by. It's hard to post a record if you don't
know what it is. I tried a few more times, but I could only tie the
record. I'll get it this next week.
Thank you all for your continued love, support, and prayers!!!
Every
morning, when you wake up, ask God what He would have you do that day.
Then do it. Do this every day of your life, and you will be astounded by
the blessings and joy that come into your life.
All is well,
Elder Dickson
My parents were in California visiting my grandparents this past week and they got to see Jacob Hadden who was my mini-mission trainer a few years ago and also met a couple at the LA Temple Visitors Center who have a grandson that is going to the other mission in Taiwan: Elder and Sister Councill.
The Councill family
My dad, Hyrum, and Emilie, with Jacob Hadden
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