Week one in Xizhi (an area of New Taipei City)

My dear friends in Taoyuan!

Thank you so much for the birthday wishes, the package, and the great food!

Trust in God includes having faith in His will and timing.

The work is going great in 桃園Taoyuan. We had a powerful, spirit-filled lesson on Wednesday there with an awesome investigator. He's 50 and retired, and yet he loves playing ultimate Frisbee with us crazy missionaries at 6AM. We shared the Plan of Salvation: God's plan for us which answers the questions "Where did we come from?", "What is the purpose of life?", and "Where are we going?" At the end of the lesson he had two questions. "What do I need to do now as a result of understanding these things?" and "What if I can't do it?" In both cases, we need only look to the Savior for He is the perfect example, and because He walked such a long and lonely road, we don't have to. At the same time, we had investigators explaining to us the meaning of the condescension of God in the scriptures after reading through it only once. The Lord is hastening His work in Taoyuan.

Good-bye to Taoyuan:

Plot twist. I no longer live in Taoyuan. On Thursday morning I boarded a train bound for Xizhi汐止, an older city on the outskirts of Taipei. It's been comical to me just how much it rains here. I have yet to see the sun and it's pretty chilly, but there's much to be excited about. My new companion, Elder Steffen, is absolutely incredible! In many ways he reminds me of Hyrum. He's brilliant (speaks Spanish, Chinese, Russian, English, and who knows what else), ingenuitive, and he has an appreciation for peanut butter. He just finished training, and so I'm "breaking" him.

It's been a blessing to see the Lord's hand at work in Xizhi over the past few days. I'll share one example (though there be many). I received a message from a member in Taoyuan on my first morning in my new area. She said she had a friend in Xizhi who would be willing to meet with missionaries and asked if she might come up and be our member present for a lesson with him later that day. Of course we can do that! He's a man if a man ever was. He made it all the way to the Temple grounds for stake conference yesterday despite being confined to an automated chair. We're excited to keep working with him and to help him come to know his Savior, Jesus Christ. I know I'm supposed to be in Xizhi at this time. President told me he had no intention of moving me, but he felt impressed that Elder Steffen and I needed to be companions at this time. I'm grateful for it.

I've learned a lot lately about just how important it is to be kind. Everyone is fighting their own battles, so please, please, please be kind to everyone you meet. When you feel you're fighting a losing battle, fight for another, and you'll find the strength to press on in your own personal struggles.

All is well! Thank you for the love and support!

Elder Dickson

For more on the Plan of Salvation see this video Our Eternal Life

Week 18 in Taoyuan: Celebrating my birthday :)

Celebrating my 20th Birthday

My 20th birthday cake! :)

Thank you for all of the birthday wishes! Two decades...it's crazy how fast the time passes. We saw a huge miracle last week. It all began with a man taking out the trash a couple of weeks ago. In short, we were on our way to visit a member and stopped to talk with a man and his daughter who came out with the sole intent of taking out the trash. We shared a little with them, but they didn't want to learn more. So, we gave them a flyer for our free English class and off we went. 

The dad attended the class that week and loved it. He was especially glad to take home his own copy of the Book of Mormon and start reading it. This past week we had the opportunity to sit down with him and share more about the Savior and His Restored Gospel. He was thrilled to see us and had already read the introduction and first 10 chapters of the book. He kept talking about a warm feeling in his heart, and his one question was that he wanted to know what he might do to keep that feeling. The Word of God has a way of bringing peace to our minds and joy to our hearts. We're excited to continue sharing with this wonderful man. 

Thanksgiving Feasting in Taiwan

Average day on the streets of Taiwan

I've been struggling with some physical difficulties for some time now that are finally starting to clear up. Things got worse before they got better, but they really are getting better. We all face trials in life. Some are small, others seemingly insurmountable. Some are shared with everyone and their dog, while others are fought out in the quiet chambers of your own soul. In the end, it is a battle between faith and fear, and with the Savior on our side we need not fear. 

"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7

"Behold, I speak with boldness, having authority from God; and I fear not what man can do; for perfect love casteth out all fear." Moroni 8:16

With old friends/mission companions

Elder on a train

Thank you again for all you do and quite simply for being you. 

Choose happiness :D!

All is well,

Elder Reed Dickson

Week 17 in Taoyaun

Happy!

 Team building exercise in English class

Before leaving the apartment on Saturday, we prayed to find a family to teach. Before the night was through, we were blessed with not one, but two new families to teach. The first came by means of stopping and talking with an older man.  Before long, he had two children at his side and had invited us to head to the drink shop next door for a hot chocolate. And so it was, as the lesson drew to a close the kids were begging their father to give permission for them to pray, read the scriptures, and come to church. "Can we daddy? Please! Please Please! Oh can't we please..." It was a blessing and a joy to meet them and have the opportunity to be teaching them the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.

 The second family lives way out by the international airport. By the time we got out there, it was already nearing 9PM. After the front door yielded no results, we made our way to the back door as we had been directed to the back once before. We found evidence of only the grandparents and a toddler present, and the grandparents hadn't been too happy to see us the last time we had stopped in. What to do? Well, we prayed of course. Immediately following the prayer, we felt impressed to give it a go. Not five minutes later there we were sitting in a cozy living room with the father of the family. He's interested in our message, and it's what he wants for his young family. Miracles all around...

Celebrating Elder Hong's Birthday

Good Food!

It's hard to believe I finished being trained over a year ago and at this time last year was already in Miaoli苗栗. At the time, I hadn't an inkling of the many adventures and learning opportunities that lay in store. The next 6 months were some of the best of my life, and I hope and believe I'll be able to say the same about these next 6 months as well. My wish is that you'll be able to say the same.

Thank you for all your prayers and support! Have the best week!

All is well,

Elder Dickson

Week 16 in Taoyuan

 At the Taipei Temple

 

View of the city

 

Monkey

 

 

Mosiah 4:27 "And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize; therefore, all things must be done in order." It is a puzzle indeed. I've been learning how to be urgent and diligent without being in a state of emergency. I've come to several conclusions, but, in short, not even the Savior Himself sprinted from multitude to multitude. We need only do our best and place our trust in Him and recognize Him as our strength. 

Ward Activity

We were glad to discover at least in part the concerns of one of our most progressing investigators. I call it the Santa Claus Syndrome: he believes it and wants it to be true, but if he later found it to all be false it would crush him. He doesn't want to make himself vulnerable. He's scared. Solution. We need to help him continue building his faith. 

The miracle formula works! It involves setting a goal prayerfully and accompanying prayer with hard work until that goal is realized. We were running out of time in the night, and we still needed one more set up to hit the goal we had set. In a last ditch effort we each shouted out to a passerby. In essence we said "can we share with you about Jesus Christ?" The one responded "sure." After inquiring further as to why he might be willing, he just said "what? Is that a strange thing to want?" Long story short he set up to meet with us.

Finally, we got our smart phones. I've been amazed with the church's software in relation to missionary work and technology. It's revolutionizing our work though I still don't fully understand all of it. 

 

With Kim Chen

 

With Elder Sproul

 

serious

 

My companion: Elder Jorgensen with Kim Chen

 

 

All is well!

Have the best week!

Elder Dickson 

Week 15 in Taoyuan

An exhausting week...really just tiring like nothing else. Between, ultimate frisbee, push-up competitions, and traveling everywhere on foot for a time, I've slept really well.

With President and Sister Chen

with Kenneth in Taipei

I was grateful for the opportunity afforded to us during zone conference this past week to consider our mission vision. As I reflected on what I had set out to do, what I had done already, and that which I still hoped to accomplish during my time here in Taiwan, I was overcome with a feeling of peace. It was like someone was hugging me. I know the Lord is pleased with and has accepted my humble service done in His name. Have I been perfect or even near to it? No, not in the slightest, but boy am I trying and that's okay. That's all we can do.

With Elder Weinberger on exchanges

Traveling in Taiwan

I was also reminded of some of the goals I set way back in training, and I recommitted myself to those. Has it been easy? No, but I heard a thought on this the other day I appreciated a great deal: "Is 'such-and such' (the mission/life/etc.) going to be hard? Of course it is! Heavenly Father loves you!" It's sometimes hard to see all of the reasons or to understand why things can't be easier, but I'm confident God has His plan for us and in the grand scheme of things those "setbacks" are oftentimes nothing more than the stepping stones to a bright future.

Enjoy!

Here's a great video:

The Will of God

All is well,

Elder Dickson

Week 14 in Taoyuan

With my adopted brother :)

I'm so grateful. We were meeting with a father of two young children this past week. Near the close of the lesson, I bore testimony of what a blessing it is to have the gospel of Jesus Christ in the home: what that meant to me growing up, what that had to do with who I am today, and just how central it will be to the happiness and success of my future family in this world of shifting values. I didn't realize just how good I had it until I expressed my thoughts and feelings to him, but it's true. A home founded on the teachings of the Savior of the world need not fear the world. John 16:33 says it well: "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." Please, for your families and futures, Hold to the One who is sure, steadfast, and oh so forgiving. If necessary come back. It's necessary for all of us. None of us are perfect and all are learning, but do come back. He's there and He's here to stay.

On exchange with Elder Moss

With my new companion: Elder Paden Jorgensen

While on exchanges with Elder Moss, we ran into a younger man on the street. He was very happy to talk and had remarkable English. We soon found that he was a member of the church. He was baptized 10 years ago and for a time went to all his church meetings, had many friends in the church, and he even attended early morning seminary all through high school. However, when his friends all left on missions and his family uprooted and moved down here to Taipei, he was lost. Despite being overjoyed to see us, he expressed that he just didn't know how to come back. He really wanted it, but HOW? 

We soon met with him, and oh what a joyful meeting it was. He knows what he had and he knows what he wants again. He's starting the Book of Mormon anew, and on a dark city night my new friend and brother spoke with God again for the first time in 5 years. It was a blessing and a miracle to be present. The moment he started speaking, I felt a wave of peace, love, and pure joy as though the Savior was embracing me Himself. I felt of God's love for His son who was lost and was now found, and He was so indescribably ecstatic to have Him back again. Repentance is the road back to our Father in Heaven. We are all prodigal sons in our own right, please choose to come home. He will take you in, and He will embrace you in the arms of His love. He loves you now as He did then, and that, will never change.

With old friends from the Beitou days!

There was a serene moment this past week I hope to have captured deep in the storage of my mind. Sunday morning, we went to pick up our investigator I have adopted as my brother for all intents and purposes. He's 16, and he's had a lot of trials in his life, but he's recently found a place in the flock of the Good Shepherd. We biked a little ways out to Nankang and met him on a bridge overlooking the river running through the area. (see the first photo of this post). Off we went. We wove our way through the overhanging tree branches along the banks of the singing stream, the sun piercing the tree cover with grand brilliance, a faint breeze carrying a soft "naturey" scent on the air. I just remember looking back and seeing his smile; he just couldn't hold back that smile had he tried. He was happy, truly happy, and I was happy just to be there to see it, to share in that moment, that little patch of heaven. Who knows? Maybe one day it'll be him wearing the badge. I wouldn't put it past the Lord. For now though, I'm just glad he's happy. 

English meeting over dinner

Frisbee in Zhubei for P-day this past Monday

Things work out in the end. They really do. I've spent too much of my life stressing over things of little or no great importance. I've come to realize that the worst possible outcome is never all that bad. It can never be so bad that the infinite and everlasting Atonement of the Savior can't make it right. Now, is it possible it won't be comfortable or that it may take time to heal or see the blessing you've been waiting for appear? Yes, it is. In fact, you can likely bet on it. Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." 

I've been amazed lately as others have come to me in great excitement over a seemingly pressing issue with no hope and no back door and just, just...my response has been, "It's okay. Everything is going to be okay." with a smile on my face. And without fail, everything has and will be okay. Trust God. Granted, if we follow His plan and do things His way, things will be much more than okay. They will be ordained of Him and they will be glorious. Whatever the case, it will be okay. I spoke in church this past week. The focus of my talk was on a scripture recently shared with me by a friend. Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Even deliver a talk in Chinese) ;)

I'll attach a video (a favorite of mine) for your viewing pleasure. See Good Things to Come. 

Have the best week! Thank you for your love and support and prayers. I feel them, and I thank you for them.

 At the ward Halloween Party:

Mummified!

A donut eating contest like no other

A tiger I released into the jungle at the Halloween party

All is well!

Love,

Elder Dickson.