Week 23 in San Fernando

 Had a great day in Once with Ausi and Hermana Green!

 It was great to see Ausi again!

Hey guys! First off, I love each of you and am praying for you:) This has been a really great week:) What really stuck out to me was how wonderful the members are and how crucial they are in missionary work! I had several experiences with members accompanying us, helping us out with lunch, or having family home evenings. Each and every one of them is family to me and I couldn't do this work or be here without them! I am so thankful to be here in San Fernando, to be working with a great companion, and to be part of this glorious work! It truly is the work of the Lord. His hand is in every step. In every fall. He'll be there to pick us up, if we allow Him too.

Before I run I'd like to leave each of you with a little bit of homework! Watch this video and tell me what you think!!

 

Love you all! 

 

Hermana Dickson

http://www.mormonchannel.org/watch/series/mormon-messages/lift-the-power-of-service

Enjoy!!

 

This is what it looks like when we email home.  Flashback to our trio:

 

 

Week 22 in San Fernando "The Lord carried me"

 

Hermana Ascencio, who accompanied us this week and made us a great dinner

 

 

 

Where to even begin? So much has happened in the last 7 days that I'm not sure where I could pick up or where I should plan on ending. More than anything, I feel impressed to write about just how personal our Savior Jesus Christ is. This week I went through a very trying experience. It brought me to the testing point at every level, and sincerely humbled me. I was brought so much closer to my Savior. As I was struggling to overcome this test I felt the real and powerful reality of a divine being. Someone who really IS watching over us. He loved me enough to come down to my level, pick me up, and carry me. I didn't have anything left to give, to offer. I'd being giving for so long that I honestly felt that I couldn't give anything else. And yet, in the midst of pain and sorrow, Jesus Christ took the time to comfort Me. 

 

Hermana Bekaouche was transferred

 

 

He knows us. Personally. Intimately. He is always literally at our sides. But if that's the case, why is it at times that He feels so far? So "uninterested" in what we are going through? I've gone through other hard moments in my life, but He has never felt as close. His distance from me never changed. But I have finally began to understand how to let Him in. To Trust Him. I admitted that I had nothing left to give, that I needed Help, and He was there, as Elder Holland would say, "like lightning in a summer storm". I can't express just how personal our Savior is, if we trust Him enough. 

 

We made cookies for a friend's birthday and and Jaynee's mission farewell

 

 

This week I learned that if I want to accomplish something, that I Can do it. That serving others makes us forget about ourselves. That Every person can and should make it to the temple, the holy sanctuaries of God available to us here on earth. That physical health is precious, but that spiritual health is essential. I learned to have the faith to ask for priesthood blessings, and to be patient with myself. To read and treasure the Book of Mormon. To leave it all in the hands of the Lord. 

 

 

pictures of our now expanded area

 

 

I am amazed by the faith of the members here in Argentina. They have a faith that destroys doubt and ridicules fear. They make me rethink my own faith, and want to be so much better, so much stronger. To trust so much more. Whether it be death, separation, feelings of loneliness or great illness, they put it All in the hands of the Lord. They don't fear the future. They trust in today. They trust in the Lord. This is the kind of faith that moves mountains. 

Just before it rained the sky turned orange.  the camera really doesn't show how orange :

 

Vianda from Mercedes 

 

We have also continued to teach Alberto. He suffers from a blood illness and goes through sick, painful periods from time to time. Having been through a lot of health problems this week, I felt it to be a tender mercy of the Lord to be able to work with him. Because, at some level, I get it. And I can be patient and loving, because I know what it feels like to want to do something and be temporarily restricted due to health issues. This Sunday we went to get him for church. He had sent us a message in the morning telling us that he wasn't doing well and that he wasn't going to make it. We tried to send him a message and call him, but to no avail. And so we went over to his house, where we knocked and knocked, even calling out his name, asking him to give us a moment. We waited for 10 minutes or so before running to church to be able to take the sacrament. Sitting in the sacrament meeting I couldn't help but think of the scripture in Revelation 3:20 

 20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Do we let him in?

Hermana Dickson

Week 21 in San Fernando, 13 months as a missionary

The Buenos Aires Temple

Excited to meet my new host sister Lucia (from Spain) when I get home!

Could this really have been a year ago!  Time flies on a mission!

 

Hey guys! I don't have a lot of time to write, so this will be short and sweet. First of all, we met Alberto, who is learning more about the church and has plans to be baptized the 30th of this month! It was truly a miracle to be able to find him (on a day it poured buckets), to be able to teach him, and to see just how ready he is to accept and embrace this gospel. He is truly an example of strength and I can see how his faith is leading him to action and to get to know his Savior better.

We've also been on a lot of splits this week to get to know our area better! It's been fun escaping San Fernando and getting to know Beccar and San Isidro. The members have been so supportive, helping and loving us! 

 

Today we were blessed to have a picnic with the Velazquez family.

That's all I've got time to write this week. Know that I love each of you and that you're in my prayers!

 

Hermana Dickson

An angel helps us get on the bus (and off of it), I pack up a house, my new companion, and directing traffic: saving lives;)

This week has consisted of a lot of little miracles and happenings:) Allow me to share them with you;)

 Being in a trio

with the hija

1. An angel helps us get on the bus (and off it):

On Wednesday we had our zone meeting. Before, as Tigre Zone all meetings were held in the church in San Fernando, 10 minutes away walking. However, as part of the Litoral Zone we were told to go to the chapel in Pacheco. I had never been, and felt completely lost as we headed out that morning, searching for bus 365. We asked a man in the street, who gave us directions. After walking about 5 blocks without finding the bus stop I asked a lady in the street if we were heading in the right direction. She said we needed to go back down the street five blocks, right where we had been before! Feeling even more lost, off we went, back where we had come from. On the way I asked yet another woman if we were going the right way. She told us that all of the directions we had received were incorrect and that we needed to take the train to Carupa and then take the bus from there. As we had nothing to lose, off we went, taking the train over. Once there one of my companions asked a man where the bus stop for 365 was. He told us we could take 721 or 720 to get to Pacheco and that it would be the same. Unconvinced, especially after so many incorrect directions, I walked a little bit further, only to find the bus stop we had been looking for, 365. Very happy and much less lost, we waited with a woman. I asked her if this bus would take us to Pacheco. She said yes and asked us where we would be going. I told her we were looking for the church and that it was on Salta street. She took the time to look it up on her phone and show us where we needed to get off the bus and what streets we needed to take to make it. When the bus showed up we all boarded, the woman sitting right behind me. As we got close the woman asked the driver if this was where we needed to get off. During the entire ride she had tracted where we were traveling on her phone to be able to help us get to the church. When it was time for us to get off she motioned for us and helped us get off the bus at the right time in the right place. Truly an angel sent from Father to guide us. 

2. I pack up the house:

On Friday we helped Estephany pack up with her mother. It felt great to serve them and do something with my hands. Packing up the belongings, pots and pans, clothes and toys, I was able to focus on someone else. Their problems. Their life. To forget about my own for a blessed hour or two. It was truly a blessing to be able to help them. 

3: My new companion

On Saturday I went on divisiones with Jaynee, one of the members of the ward, while my companions went to teach Silvia. I had planned to contact the referral we had. As it was located in San Isido, a new part of our now much larger area, we took the train. It felt so good to leave San Fernando, where I've been working for the last 5 months, and seeing something new. Together we contacted the referral. He actually wasn't around, but a kind woman opened the door and invited us to come back when she had more time on Tuesday. We'll have to see what happens! 

4: Directing Traffic: Saving Lives: 

Yesterday it poured rain like no other! At one point we were waiting for a member to meet up with us. We were waiting in the train station of San Fernando. The lever that goes down to block traffic when the train is coming was broken, so a lot of cars were waiting, unsure of what to do, as they couldn't tell if the train was coming. My companion suggested that I direct them. I was pretty sure she was joking, but decided to take her up on the offer. Standing where I could see if the trains were coming, I directed the traffic, waving them forward. A lot of them thanked me, waving or honking their horns. It was actually a lot of fun! When our member showed up I didn't want to leave my post, although knew I had to. I left reluctantly;)

Argentina has great pizza!

A creative and yummy breakfast

Love all of you, have a great week!

Hermana Dickson

My new companion: Elder Lines, The Trio, The "New Area", and the prayer

Hey guys! I'm pleased to announced that my health has finally improved! Therefore, as I'm not dying now, this letter should be a little bit more interesting:)

This week consisted of pouring rain, teaching a lesson with Elder Lines as my companion, seeing miracles on Sunday, getting split up and then added upon, as well as a powerful, much-needed prayer. 

 

Working in a trio :)

 

Our first day working together as a trio it poured rain. I was a little worried, as I was still in the process of joining the living and didn't want to relapse. However, the rain slowed down as we finished planning and got ready to head out into the "wild". I love the rain, as it brings a change of scenery. We were able to visit Fanny and serve her, as well as accompany Elder Lines to contact the referral he had for us. He had been saving the referral for over a year, as he'd just never had the time to bring the sisters over to meet and teach him. After all jumping into Elder Line's car we were off, through the pouring rain, to teach Antonio. I was a little nervous, as Elder Lines knows just about everything, but determined to give it my all, especially after being cooped up in the apartment with no one to teach for a week. Antonio asked us what the difference was between our beliefs and those he held. I began to teach the Restoration. With the help of Elder Lines we were able to teach the Restoration, explaining the importance of the priesthood and the Book of Mormon. It was a cool experience to see Elder Lines in action! There aren't many missionaries that can say they "went on splits" with Elder Lines for a lesson;) 

 

Celebrating the birthday of Hermana Bekaouche

 

 

After a long week of work and searching we headed to church with Leo, who is finally feeling better after spending a week or two in bed! Upon arriving we claimed seating, as we knew with two extra wards meeting with us the room was going to fill quickly for the special conference. Leo wanted to pass the sacrament but didn't have a white shirt and tie. As we were looking for just that greeted a sister who was seated, asking her how she was doing. I'd never seen her before, as she assists the Tigre branch. The usual response is "todo bien"! However, she said she wasn't doing too well. I asked her what was wrong and if I could help her in some way. She told me how she had an infection in her leg and was in a lot of pain. I asked her if she'd received a priesthood blessing. She told me she hadn't, to which I told her I was going to find someone to give her a blessing as soon as possible. She thanked me and off I went, looking for someone to help me. I went up to one of the counselors in the bishopric, who told me he could help with the blessing. I went back to get the sister and we gathered in the secretary's office. I was going to leave, but the sister asked if I'd stay during the blessing. That I did, with my companions beside me. After the blessing was given the sister said that the pain had left her body and that she felt a lot better. What a tender mercy of the Lord, that I was able to help her receive a blessing she needed. God had put me in the right place, at the right time, and had allowed me to help one of his precious daughters. The prompting to greet the sister was so small that I didn't recognize it as a prompting until today as I write this email. But the Lord knew that I would act, and trusted me to do so. What a blessing! 

After helping the sister with her blessing we returned to searching for a tie and shirt for Leo. No one had anything, so we ran to our mission leader's house, were given the keys to the baptismal clothing, and got him a shirt that he quickly threw on. One of the older members of the church gave him a tie as we ushered him to join the other deacons. Seeing Leo pass the sacrament filled me with such unexplainable joy. Here he was, acting as the Savior would as he passed the bread and water to men, women, and children that needed the blessings that come with this sacred part of sacrament meeting. I was so proud of him. 

 

Look what I still have on  hand that my mom sent with me to Argentina

Peanut Butter!  

 

 

In the conference it was announced that Virreyes ward was getting split into two, which meant that parts of Tigre and San Fernando would go into the new Virreyes Branch. There also aren't any Elders serving in San Fernando now, meaning that Hermana Green, Bekaouche, and I are in charge of the entire ward. Our area just got a whole lot bigger! 

When we headed to the pension after church I felt pretty overwhelmed with all of the changes and all that I needed to do and be. When we got to the pension I headed straight to the bedroom to pray. I won't go into details, as it was a special and private experience, but I can say that the atonement is real. That it is powerful. 

Thank you all for your support and love! 

Hermana Dickson