Week 9 in Xizhi

Today was our temple day. It was a strengthening and renewing experience to be back in the House of the Lord. I was given direction for the future and comforted in my present circumstances. All is indeed well.

Ward trip

Beitou Hot Springs

Derek's Curry

I would like to share a bit from a talk delivered by the East Taipei Stake President. It was centered around Isaiah 10:15.

"Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith? or shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? as if the rod should shake itself against them that lift it up, or as if the staff should lift up itself, as if it were no wood."

I would like to highlight three points he brought out.

1. We must not be prideful.
God has created us and given us all we have and are. As we recognize Him as the source of our everything, we will be blessed in abundance and find peace in Christ.

2. We need to be a good axe.
If we are to be of any use, we need to maintain our sharpness. This can be done through praying often with real intent; studying the word of God found in the Bible, Book of Mormon, and all other scripture including that provided by living prophets; and by keeping the Sabbath Day holy.

3. One axe is insufficient.
One axe is not going to fell a forest...at least not anytime soon. We are all needed in the work of the Lord. Regardless of your current situation--challenges, weaknesses, fears, or anything else--you have a part to play in the work of the Lord.

Time is short. I'll write more Monday. Have the best day ever! And remember to keep your axe sharp and swinging!


All is well,
Elder Dickson

Week 8 in Xizhi

P-Day in Yilan宜蘭

We sat down to meet with one of our investigators this week, and as we were teaching he interjected that he was 62 years old with something of a reminiscent expression on his face. A voice from the back room exclaimed, "You don't even know what you're saying! You're 81!" He thought on that for a moment. "Yes, yes, you're right. I'm over 100 years old..." He's such a lovable man. I love teaching him. It's amazing to see the Spirit bring understanding to him despite his age as we teach him simply using the scriptures as our guide. He's strong in the testimony of Jesus, and I'm amazed by his humble desire to learn of Him.

My companion: Elder Steffan

P-day fun at the Bishop's house

Rice Wrap

My English class students have fallen in love with several games we play that are just simplified versions of board games I've played back home modified to meet the needs of the class: Spyfall, But Wait, There's More, and a handful of others requiring some degree of speaking and listening ability. This past week we played a mini-game requiring students to describe a determined environment to their partner without outright telling them what the chosen environment was. It was fun as they used their creativity to get their ideas across: the colors of the Rainforest, the intense heat of the desert, and the emptiness of the Tundra. Near the end of the class, I asked a young recent convert to describe an environment not listed on the board to see if the students might guess it. I thought she must surely have misunderstood as she described in her beginning English a place so wonderful it could only be a place found in her dreams. Yet, she went on to describe her feelings in such a manner and with such expression so as to dispel all doubts of this being an imagined location, for no one could describe a place in such detail and emotion without having been there and experienced it first-hand. The members present guessed it to be the Celestial Kingdom. The other students figured it could only be Heaven as they understood it.

She was describing church. I was humbled and moved. I've since pondered on my own experience at church, and though I love attending each week and understand the great importance of it, I realized I still have a long way to go. We can all put a little more effort into our Sabbath-Day worship. We can prepare ourselves to have a better experience at church as we have things laid out the night before, make the sacrament a meaningful time of self-reflection focused on the Savior, and search out opportunities to be of service to others. I know as we do these things, we, like this young recent convert, will know what is meant when it is said "the Sabbath is a delight."

Technology has changed many aspects of the ways we go about doing missionary work. It hasn't changed our message. It hasn't changed our purpose to invite other to come unto Christ, but it has made things more convenient and opened doors to opportunities previously not possible.

We started using Facebook Messenger this past week. I am now able to share the gospel with the world and am not limited to sharing with only the wonderful people I've come to love so much here in Taiwan. If you would like to learn more about Jesus Christ, the Book of Mormon, or even just about how to find greater happiness in daily living, please add my new Facebook: Reed Dickson (profile picture of myself standing in front of the temple in Taiwan). 

I would love to share with you!

Don't count the days. Make the days count!

All is well,

Elder Dickson

Week 7 in Xizhi

A great friend

The Taipei Temple

Brother Liu's Baptism

It was wonderful to see an old friend back in Taoyuan enter into the waters of baptism this past week. He's a strong one.

Transfers came and nothing changed for us. Elder Steffen and I have been blessed with another 6 weeks together here in Xizhi. Though transfers did make me a grandpa as Elder Raley is now training a son. 

Saturday English Scavenger Hunt: G is for Glasses

With Elder Omer (a legend and a good friend)

Ikea's finest

We've recently been blessed with many opportunities to teach the commandments as our investigators have progressed to that point. It's interesting to see varied reactions in response to our teaching. In short, commandments are directions given to us from our loving Father in Heaven; they're directions from a loving parent. Just as parents counsel their young not to touch a hot stove or to look both ways before crossing the street, God gives us counsel for our benefit and safety. Ultimately, the choice is still our own as to whether or not we will touch the stove. However, the consequences that follow are definite.

I was impressed with the faith and obedience of a family we're teaching. We started teaching them just after I moved here to 汐止 roughly 6 weeks ago, but he had previously met missionaries at Temple Square way back in the summer months. As we were sharing some of the simple commandments, he indicated he had a question. He asked about the Word of Wisdom (God's Law for our Health). We had yet to share it with them. In short, we are warned against the consumption of alcohol, tobacco, coffee, tea, illegal drugs, and any other substance harmful to our bodies and also encouraged to eat lots of veggies, fruits, and things. He asked which teas were and were not okay for consumption as tea is a staple of Taiwan and comes in many varieties. The answer is that as long as the tea isn't made from actual tea leaves, it's generally okay.  This leaves a lot of options open here in Taiwan (my personal favorite is the Wintermelon Tea with a couple scoops of ice cream to top it off). However, this faithful family had forgone consumption of all tea products including those okay to drink from the time the father ran into missionaries back in the summer. Without questioning, he obeyed the commandments according to his level of understanding. I'm shocked he never asked sooner, and I'm amazed by their willingness to trust God.

It's amazing really. God is our Father. He loves us perfectly. He loves us unconditionally. His greatest desire is that which is best for us. Now consider His characteristic of being all-knowing. Hmm...seems like trusting Him might be in our best interest.

I'm grateful for commandments. I personally love to view them as opportunities to be blessed. As I've lived in accordance with His commandments, I have been blessed time and time again. I invite you to try it yourself. Some simple commandments are to simply pray often and study the scriptures. I know as you strive to keep God's commandments you will have His blessing.

I love you all! Have the best week! No really...the very best of your life.

The opportunity to teach via skype :)

All is well,
Elder Dickson

A beautiful building here

Wet places make messes!

Week 6 in Xizhi: The week President Monson passed away

A rare sunny day here in Xizhi

Mini-America

基隆

Ancient Taiwanese Cure for my illness

At Chili's in Taiwan

Language study

Good food and Elder Steffan

large bug

We were sad to hear of the passing of President Monson this past week. I remember attending General Conference a couple of years back. My seat was positioned so as to allow me to see the doorway through which the Prophet would enter. Granted my seat was roughly 2 football stadiums away. Regardless, the moment I saw his foot come through the doorway, I felt it was him. Upon entering the room my eyes confirmed what the Spirit had already told me. He was the Lord's Prophet on the earth with the authority to speak and act in the name of God. I'm grateful for prophets and the role they play in helping us come unto Christ. You can check out Mormon.org to learn more about prophets and of their importance in our lives.

Pictures from Christmas

It was a pleasant surprise to see an old friend at the Recent Convert Fireside this weekend. Terry came and brought his wife as well.

With Terry and his wife

I recalled that at his baptism he spoke briefly about his decision to be baptized. He shared how each of the missionaries and members who taught him said at one point or another that the decision to be baptized was the best of their lives. He then added his own witness by saying his decision to be baptized was the greatest of his life. We've currently got a friend who's told us he's excited about his upcoming baptism. It's something for us to think about. What does it mean to us to be a follower of Christ? Do we see our decision to follow Him as the greatest decision we've ever made?

Transfers is this next week. As always we don't know what to expect, but I trust the Lord and His will. 

Laser Tag with the 中壢 District was fun today. It was especially good to see Elder Chang and Elder Alexander. 

Post laser tag pictures

Thank you for everything!



All is well,
Elder Reed Dickson