Thanks to everyone who has been writing me. I don't have most of your addresses so even if you will just send me a letter telling me your address I would be glad to write you. Just give me some time. I'm trying my best to write everybody back as quick as possible. It was funny when I got Brooklyn's letter it said how it went to the MTC then to the Mission home then to my address. So she must of sent it forever ago and is wondering why I haven't wrote her back. I just got that letter on Friday. Kyle I didn't see anybody from your family on Sunday. I'm in Chandler and cover the Galveston 1st 2nd and 3rd ward. I went to all 3 and didn't see them. Maybe they will still be here this week and I will get to see them. But I would also be ok with them taking us out to lunch. =)
As far as this week goes it was way busy! We had 6 lessons set up in 1 day. I taught for real the 1st 2nd and 3rd lessons for my first time. The first week it was more of a question and answer session with a few principles thrown in. Still need to do some more studying so I know how to connect the principles together fluently. I know the information but just never had to connect it together and teach it before. I also need to work on not speeding through the lesson and that its ok to repeat what they need to know in several different ways to make sure they get what I'm trying to teach them. As far as listening to the spirit and teaching to their needs I think I'm doing pretty good but can still improve. We have had to push back some of our people on date (4 gators) because we felt that they were not ready by the date we set. My goal is to make sure that they are perfectly ready for baptism and that we aren't pushing them to get baptized but to have for themselves a realization that they do need to get baptized. As far as less active members go we have a lot of them to say the least but everyone we have contacted has been fairly nice to us, talked to us and even offered to feed us dinner. 2 of the husbands are cops and have to work on Sundays or else they would come to church. When they don't their wives tend to stop going completely or just don't go as much. Which if I go into law enforcement I don't want to have happen. They normally work 4days a week 10 hour shifts. I would want to work days from 6-4. Then not on Sundays. Then from my observations it looked like they were able to earn enough money for their needs.
I'm doing good physically and emotionally. Got a little bit of some stomach problems but not anything big enough to not keep on my regular schedule. I'm blessed by that because everyone around me is getting sick including the members and investigators that we are trying to teach or get to church. I have been learning so much from the investigators. They ask so many questions and it helps me get thinking a ton. Its amazing how their brain works compared to mine. I have grown up with it so I don't question so much stuff. But I have learned that its always good to be asking questions then studying to find those answers in our personal study. I love personal study but it is a little hard for me to stay awake sometimes during it but I have been trying my best.
Sorry if I repeat things in these emails.I think about the things I want to write in my journal through out the day then I write all my experiences and what I'm thinking in my journal, then in letter to people and my mission president then in these emails. Then it doesn't help that everything is kind of... how can I say this. Its happening fast and smashed into a small time frame. That still didn't come out how I wanted it too but I'm sure that you can get what I'm trying to say. Well I know that Katherine can. Teaching is way good for me to practice getting out what I want to say and I'm doing better. I have learned to not think what I'm going to say but to just open my mouth and it will come. It works almost all the time.
I think about home everyday. Not in the way that it distracts me from my work but the small things that remind me of memories at home. They trigger memories from home. When you ride bikes you have quit a bit of time to think, plus its awesome because I'm getting a good workout too! Let me see how would Brook say this... I'm going to get a nice biker butt from riding everywhere. Hopefully (crosses fingers). I probably left out tons of stuff I wanted to say and will realize later what I forgot. Anyways Love you all and can't wait to see you again! For the Bro's though I can't wait tell you all get back off your missions. I have been praying for you every night and you have been in 4 different temple prayer roles. It seriously is the best thing that has happened to me. I can see the changes in peoples lives including my own. I have been growing so much in these last couple of weeks. There is nothing you can do better with your life then essentially saving peoples souls. We give up a small portion of our lives to be away from our family's, so other people can be with their family's for eternity.
Then when we all get back we can all take an awesome road trip to 6 flags. We could even come down to Arizona and I could show you around. Plus they are having tons of awesome gun shows right now in Phoenix where you can legally buy full auto guns. All the Bro's packing hardware and just hitting the road and going where ever. Man can't wait. Just plan for a nice big road trip the summer of 2013. You may ask yourself what if I'm married then? Well at least I am. =) But if you are, I would say bring her along because if one of my Bro's married her then she would definitely be cool enough to come with us. We are going to DO THIS!!! No excuses this time. I gave you a 2 1/2 year heads up.
~Elder Dickson
No comments:
Post a Comment