Week 19 in MiaoLi

 The district before transfers this past week

Elders Dickson, Raley, Robbins, Johnson

Sisters Eyre and Chang

 

This week brought with it some surprises, many challenges, and many miracles. Elder Johnson and Sister Chang left us. It was like saying goodbye to family. Elder Johnson will be greatly missed. I've lived and worked with him now for near to 5 months. I always looked up to him from the day I first met him. He's a real man and an outstanding missionary. He always seeks to do that which he knows to be right. Despite missing him, I'm excited for him. He's now serving as a zone leader in Hualian: he's living in my old apartment, is a member of my old ward, will eat the the places I used to love to eat, and he's evening teaching some of the investigators I found during training including good old Jeffrey Su who is nearing baptism. He'll love it there. The Lord knows what He's doing.

 

I was also surprised to learn upon the arrival of the new missionaries that I was the new district leader. It's crazy; I'm now training and serving as district leader in a district with only two missionaries who have been out longer than I (and only by 1 transfer and 2 transfers). Two of the missionaries are currently in training (including my companion and Sister Eyre's new companion, Sister Eyring, who happens to be the granddaughter of President Eyring). Elder Robbins new companion is from Taiwan and super cool: Elder Ren.

P-day was good. We had ZhenZhu wars on the river rocks. ZhenZhu are little sticky balls that are made of brown sugar and are yummy and sticky. "We bought cups full of them and then ran around and shot each other with them. Super sticky and a little gross but it was fun!"-- Elder Lawrence

P-day on the river rocks: ZhenZhu Wars

We were "fanged" (pronounced "fawned") a lot this week: this means that people set up an appointment to meet with us, we prepare a lesson and make several calls to confirm with them before the meeting (sometimes even 1/2 hour before the lesson), they tell us they'll be there, we show up, wait...they never come. My understanding is that it is a polite way of expressing disinterest, but it certainly feels like it would be easier if they simply told us they weren't interested (granted this frequently occurs as well). However, all is well :) 

 

Taiwanese plant

 

 

Caterpillar

After counseling together with Elder Raley, we decided to change our approach in all contacts. My Chinese has gotten to the point where I can oftentimes push people into setting up a time with us, but that isn't the way it's meant to be done. We're switching off of an approach that involves a lot of intellectual arguments and persuasion to a very simple testimony and a simple invitation. We're seeing success as we rely more heavily on the Spirit. We are able to contact more people as our contacts are shorter, and we will likely be fanged less as those less than interested likely won't accept our invitation to meet with us. We're excited to see success from this increased reliance on the Spirit as opposed to our own abilities. 

We played a game in English class that was essentially "But wait! There's more!" They loved it. 

I couldn't contain my joy upon seeing Michael this week. His countenance was changed (Elder Raley asked him if he had gotten a hair cut). The Light of Christ was visible in his eyes. He was so happy and grateful all through the lesson. The change the gospel has wrought in his life is miraculous. I still remember, our member present in his first lesson told us we wouldn't be meeting with him again...that he wasn't interested in the least and entirely traditional and couldn't change...impossible. Nothing is impossible for the Lord.

We biked to the new campus of the National United University this week. Talk about a ride...we came up to a hill that looked as though it would never end with a grade that hurt to see. I said a prayer to myself and went. I watched my front tire the entire time and never looked up as we pounded our way up the slope. I finally did look up only to realize we had reached the top of the ascent and that it would all be downhill from there. I think there are several lessons to learn from this. Sometimes we feel overwhelmed by the trials we face in life. We look at the grade and length of the climb we face and shrink in fear. There is great power in confronting such trials with prayer and sustained effort a day (or a pedal) at a time. Focus on what needs to be done in the present and you will surprise yourself when you look back and see how far you have come. Through prayer, we can be assured of our ability to succeed and maintain the right perspective. Nothing is impossible for the Lord.

 

 I didn't see this guy as I was reaching for the doorbell

 

 Elder Robbin's origami dragon

 Dinner to go...

 which turned my bike basket into a take-out box :0

 

We also met a woman this week who had seriously considered suicide and murder as escapes from the struggles of her daily life. She felt that all her dreams had fallen through, and she had no hope for the future. It's sad to think that anyone could possibly feel this way. The truth is we don't have to. Life is hard. It is meant to be this way. Our message to her and to all is that there is a loving Savior who knows and understands us perfectly...personally. He loves you, and He is anxious to come to your aid. Let Him in. Nothing is impossible for the Lord.

I hit my 9 month mark this week. I can't believe how quickly the time is passing. I'm grateful for every moment, and I am especially grateful for the opportunity to serve in Miaoli a little longer; it's the best! 

We saw countless miracles this week that I could recount to you for hours, but there simply isn't the time. The good thing is that you can and do see similar miracles in your own lives on a daily basis. I invite you to make a conscious effort to recognize these miracles and thank the Lord for the many blessings He showers upon us.

It's the best time of the year! General Conference! General conference happens every 6 months and we get to hear the words of our living prophet, the 12 apostles, and other leaders of the church. See general conference or General Conference . Women's conference was this past Saturday and those talks can be heard at the above links already.  The live broadcast of the others will be from 11am-1pm and 3-5pm on Saturday and Sunday Central time.  The priesthood session will be from 7-8:30pm Saturday night, central time.

I love you all!

All is well,

Elder Dickson

Week 18 in MiaoLi

It was an exciting week. Actually, even today has already been exciting. Elder Raley tried to pull money out at an ATM using his personal card, and....it ate it and didn't want to give it back....after a lot of trouble-shooting and working with customer services, we learned that the machine took and destroyed his card due to his entering of the incorrect PIN#. They told us he would need to get a new one from his bank in America. I feel bad for him, but all will work out. 

 

"Family Reunion" 

 

 

P-day at the Beach last week

 

There are lots of crabs here!

 

 

Last P-day was wonderful. We went to the beach with a lot of other missionaries and members. It had an almost dream-like quality about it: old and new friends, inspiring and calming music, delicious food, beautiful weather, and some beach football and futbol. It was a blast. I was pleased to meet a member from Taipei. The more I got to know him, the more I liked and respected him: he's 27 years old, served a mission in Canada, went to school at BYU-Hawaii, married in the temple and has a young child. The Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ is working in his life. This is what it's all about. I couldn't stop smiling as his life story was unfolded to me. This is God's plan for us--His children. It's perfect...we aren't, but through Him we attain to greater peace and happiness, oftentimes, than we believed to be possible.

I feel like we were in the right places at the right times for much of this week. We met some incredible new people. We even met a young college student named Dickson. Yes, that is his first name in English. He just about did a flip when he saw my badge. We're set up to meet with him this next week.

 

Out working (Thanks to Hsu Chia Pei for the pictures!)

 

 

Ping Pong Tournament from a few weeks ago

Elder Raley saved me this week. I don't have time for a lot of details, but, in short, it was Elder Raley v. Coke. He came out on top.

The people we talk to always rave on and on about how amazing my Chinese is, but I had an experience this week to keep me humble ;) I was trying to order an ice cream cone at a McDonald's. I tried to ask for the small cone that was 18 NTD, but instead of saying the 18 kuai cone...I asked for an 18 year old ice cream cone...the look she gave me was priceless and in my shock at her response all ability to speak even a lick of Chinese vanished. I was left stuttering over nothing not knowing what to say. It was an awkward minute or two, but we got things figured out. Humility is key. 

Elder Randy D. Funk of the 70 came to visit our mission this week. We met with him at Zone Conference on Wednesday. It was a great blessing. I was able to see many beloved friends from the mission (every companion I've had to date was present not to mention other mission friends and previous mission leaders). I was able to get a front row seat and was blessed to be quite involved in the activities of the day. I received valuable revelation for our area and am excited to see things unfold here going forward.

It rained a lot this week...we may have forgotten our coats and other rain gear at times...we had a lot of fun. Despite being less-effective on our part, it does get across the importance of our message when people see us out like that.

We met a very prepared individual this last week. He's named Roger and has perfect English. He was very engaged as we shared the Message of the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We invited him to read from the Book of Mormon and pray daily that he might know the truth for himself. His response--"Sounds feasible." He also accepted a baptismal date. It was a blessing to meet one so prepared and willing.

Michael is doing so very well. He's prepared and worthy to be baptized. He's going out of the country for a little bit here, but he is excited for his baptismal service that will be held on the 8th of April.

We were stood up and rejected a lot more than normal this past week.  Alma 26:27 "Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us, and said: Go amongst thy brethren, the Lamanites, and bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success." It's a funny trend in our lives here on earth, and I've noticed it even more on my mission. When everything seems to be going wrong...expect to see miracles. I'm excited for the week ahead. Transfers is this week, but I think Elder Raley and I are fairly safe as he is still in training. 

 Alma 5:26 "And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?" Mosiah 4:9,10,12 "Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend.

10 And again, believe that ye must repent of your sins and forsake them, and humble yourselves before God; and ask in sincerity of heart that he would forgive you; and now, if you believe all these things see that ye do them.

12 And behold, I say unto you that if ye do this ye shall always rejoice, and be filled with the love of God, and always retain a remission of your sins; and ye shall grow in the knowledge of the glory of him that created you, or in the knowledge of that which is just and true."

Repentance is the path to lasting happiness. It is a gift from God, and it is meant to be used on a regular basis. As I repent daily, I am greatly blessed in all things. If you want to be happier in your daily life, I invite you to repent. 

 

 

I love you all!!!

All is well,

Elder Dickson

Week 17 in MiaoLi

I'll start with the quote of the week from Elder Raley: "Elder Dickson, you're the beauty to my beast." 

Needless to say, it was another good week filled with failings, miracles, and valuable lessons 

learned. 

 

Lunch with George who serves on the High Council

 

 

 

 This past week we celebrated Elder Raley and Elder Johnson's birthdays.  They were born on the same day, a year apart.

 The loving people here made them lots of cake!

 

P-day was really quite rejuvenating and at the same time effective in terms of the work. We spent the majority of the day with a family that is investigating the church: Jian Jiating. They're the most incredible people. The husband is Taiwanese, the wife is Filipino, and they have two wonderful daughters. Both are doctors and have been through a lot of trials over the course of their lives, but they've met these trials with courage and been strengthened in the process. They treated us as family as they treated us to a lunch for Elder Raley and Elder Johnson's birthdays. That night we met with a fairly new investigator who we contacted over dinner at one of our favorite restaurants. My companion asked a really inspired question that provoked just about the most profound answer I've heard from an investigator. He asked what it would mean to him if there really was a God in Heaven that knew and loved him and Whose greatest desire was his success and happiness. After thinking about it for a solid 2-3 minutes, he responded, "Well...I think we would come to be close friends..." I'm grateful for the knowledge that yes, God truly does know us and love us both individually and unconditionally. He is indeed our best friend. 

 

It was special this week to be able to attend Brother Wen's traditional funeral services. Afterwards, we met with his son who is going through rough times. We've tried to meet with him in the past, but it never happened. I was shocked when he came up to us, sat by me, and said nothing. He was ready to listen. I'm excited to see the gospel heal this man. We testified of simple truths and were able to comfort him. While we are not able to understand how he feels, the Savior understands perfectly and has the power to comfort us whatever our situation may be.

I went on exchanges with Elder Johnson this week. He's such an incredible missionary and man; his unwavering desire to do what is right is a defining aspect of his character. I was privileged to go with him to visit an investigator of theirs who had been not been moving forward. It's difficult. This incredible man is in his 70s and has been Daoist all his life. As of recent times, he has come to know the good news of the gospel. It's blessed him and brought him peace, but he doesn't want to leave what he has known all his life. I think he's almost scared that it's true and is searching for some fault in us or what we have shared with the hope that he can go forward and not have to make such a difficult decision. As a result, he disagreed with us throughout the lesson. However, the Spirit was present in abundance, and we were led to testify of one simple truth: "God is your loving Father in Heaven. He loves you. We love you too. That is why we are here today." With every principle we taught, we brought it back to this eternal truth. I have never felt the Spirit in such abundance. We were led in all we said and the Spirit bore powerful witness of the simple doctrines we taught. By the end of the lesson,  he said he could not deny the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. Elder Johnson couldn't stop smiling through the remainder of the evening. He said it was like something out of the scriptures to teach with such power and authority and that he had never seen or heard of such an experience in modern times. It was life-changing for all present. It was especially interesting after the lesson and back out on the busy streets of Taiwan. As we biked by, all stopped what they were doing, smiled, and watched us go by. This is not normal behavior...the companionship of the Spirit is the greatest gift we can have. Seek it.

Snail

Last P-day up at Lianhe Daxue 

 

Elder Robbins the track star

 

 

We've been meeting with a less-active member lately. He's a man of righteous desires, but he's never really understood the scriptures, enjoyed the Spirit of church, or had a personal experience with prayer...up until recently. I cannot stress the importance of sincere prayer, the regular renewal of baptismal covenants through the partaking of the sacrament, and scripture study enough. These are the greatest indicators of whether or not those we teach will or will not progress. These are the greatest indicators of whether or not they will come to know the Savior. These are the greatest indicators of whether or not we will be happy. Please do not compromise daily prayer and scripture study for anything. You will be blessed as you make these things a priority in your daily lives.

When we put God first, all other things fall into their proper place or drop out of our 

 lives. Our love of the Lord will govern the claims for our affection, the demands on our time, the interests we pursue, and the order of our priorities.

 -President Ezra Taft Benson

 

All is well,

 

Elder Dickson

We saw so many other miracles this week that left me in awe. Don't worry; I'm keeping a good journal.

With Elder Joly before he left MiaoLi

 At transfers this past time, I got to say good bye to my "grandfather" Elder Boyce and see my "dad" Elder Hawkes

"family photo"

 

Week 16 in MiaoLi

 I developed a new talent this past week and the children love it:

Balloon creations

Time is a funny thing...there's never enough of it. I feel like I wrote a weekly update only yesterday. I also had several other experience this week that led me to ponder quite a bit about time and the importance of how we spend it. Brother Wen, my good friend and brother, passed away late Saturday night. I love the man and am grateful to have gotten to know him. I'm glad he is no longer in pain, and I am confident that he will accept the message of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ in the Spirit World. I'm grateful for the Plan of Salvation that brings peace in times like these. I know I will see him again, and it will be a joyous day.

Learned about farming in Taiwan last P-day

 In addition, there was a baby blessing on Sunday, and we visited the most incredible family this week. The husband is confined to a wheelchair and Taiwanese. His wife is Filipino and neither of them really speak the language of the other very well, but I have never known a happier couple. This comes from a firm belief in the Great Plan of Happiness. In the end, all will be right. Revelations 21:4 "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away."

I wear gloves every day (thank you Chipman family) but I'm still having a little trouble with my hands...but it's all good.

 

 Please read or watch this discourse given by a living prophet today: "The Perfect Path to Happiness

We have been led by the Spirit to see and take part in many miracles this week. It truly felt like every second was used in the way the Lord intended us to use it and much good was accomplished. There is great power in trusting in the Lord and then going and doing what you know to be right. Who knows? You may even find yourself working in a field on an island on the other side of the world. Whatever the case, God has a plan for you. Trust Him.

We hosted a very successful ward activity this week that resulted in finding several new investigators to teach. It was a ping pong tournament (all those times in the basement with dad really paid off, but Brother Yang took the title in the final match). :D 

 

Chidaobao (all you can eat buffet)  on P-day  

I've also been blessed lately with a change in the way I view myself on the street. I remember, in training, I oftentimes felt we were an unwelcome interruption to peoples' days as we ran into them on the street. This was due in large part to the often less than ecstatic response on the part of those we met. However, I have more recently seen us as more of a ray of sunshine blessing the lives of everyone we meet. It actually hurts to pass by an individual on the side of the street without at least sharing a little bit of the message we bring with them. 

Michael told us this week that he "knows the seed is good."  See Alma 32

I love you all! Have the best week! 

All is well,

Elder Dickson