Hey everyone! This is actually Mallory posting. Just wanted to let all of you wonderful people know that have read and supported this blog about my mission that I have Continued blogging and would love for all of you to take a look! It's called "18 Months an Angel: The Sequel". Thanks, love you guys!

http://mldutm.blogspot.com

Finally Home!

 (Sorry it took so long to put up this last post!  Things got busy after she got home...)

At the airport in St. Louis

 The long flight back to the U.S.

Hey all! First off, sorry to all of the missionaries who are receiving this, as I sent it very late!

first and foremost, I will no longer be using this email, so any of you that want to send me messages or respond to this message will have to send to

mldutm@gmail.com.

This last week has been full of the most changes that I've experienced for about a year and a half now! You could say that this was the transfer of all transfers, and the most permanent in nature.

On Tuesday my companion and I were able to go to the temple:) Man was it a disaster trying to get there! As soon as our district meeting had ended we went out to the bus station, where we ended up waiting a good 2 hours. After that we got on the bus and headed off into the middle of nowhere! It was HOT, the traffic was thick, and as we got onto the freeway a truck beside us had a man standing in the bed of the truck decapitating chickens... no big deal! As we started passing horses and farms I knew that we must have somehow gotten on the wrong bus, as 2 hours had passed and the temple was still no where in sight! Just I was running out of faith, and time, as it was almost 5, the temple came gloriously into view. We ditched the bus and were soon in the temple. What a huge contrast to the bus ride and wait! Everything pure. White. Perfect silence. Full of peace.

After a wonderful experience my companion and I went out to wait for the bus. We started waiting at 7pm. 3 HOURS LATER, we were STILL waiting! And freezing our tails off, as the wind had picked up significantly. I had already called our mission president's wife to let her know that we might be getting home a little late. Now I was calling her to inform that we might not be coming home at all! Upon learning of our dire situation she told us to call a taxi, which we did. Thankfully, it got us home at 10:30, where we made some sandwiches because we hadn't eaten All day.

Throughout it all I learned a valuable lesson: No price is too high to go to the temple. Even with chicken slaughters and having to carry a bathroom weight scale to the temple itself, NO SACRIFICE is too great.

So go!

On Thursday we headed over to the mission house, where my companion was given to another and we had to say goodbye. It wasn't too rough, as I know I'll be seeing her again, but I'll miss one of my very good friends, that's for sure! I got to go out to eat with President and his family before having my final interview and being herded into a taxi. We started driving over to the airport. We were almost there when we could go no further, as a riot was keeping all of the driver's from entering the airport. I was NOT about to miss my flight for such a course of action, and prayed that the people's hearts would be softened so that we could get through and so that I would safely make my flight. As soon as I finished praying the people moved aside and we drove on through. POWER OF PRAYER.

Before even getting on the plane, I found myself in a gospel conversation as a Peruvian sat down by me and started to ask about the church. I was able to teach him lesson 1 and about the Book of Mormon and had strongly invited him to look up the missionaries where he lived before getting on the plane. Once on the plane I made friends with my seatmate and also talked about the gospel with her.

10 hours later we arrived in Georgia, and about 3 hours later I was with my family.

MY family. The joy upon seeing them is very hard to express. Those who have served missions and came home will understand what I can't convey.

Out to eat at Texas Roadhouse

And don't worry! The adventures of Hermana Dickson are NOT ending, they-re just taking on a new name.

Mallory Dickson, over and out;)

And don't forget,

mldutm@gmail.com

A year and a half later...

July 15th, 2014 I get off the airplane in the Utah airport. In 24 hours I will be in the MTC.

July 16th, 2014 As I enter the MTC a nametag is placed on my chest. I will wear that same name tag for the next year and a half.

August 26th, 2014 Leaving the MTC. Wondering where the time went. Wondering if I'll actually be able to speak the language I've been learning for the last 6 weeks.

August 27th, 2014 We touch down in Argentina at about 9 in the morning. It's windy and cold. I try my first Argentine food. I get a new companion. I start my first day in the mission field. 

August 28th, 2014 until December 14th, 2015 EVERYTHING changes. I change. People I meet change. The members. The less actives. The recent converts. The investigators. The cycle repeats. The power of the atonement, found from many days on my knees, heals old and new wounds, helps me press on. Powerful prayers. Powerful fasts. Many, Many trials. 11 companions. 4 areas. A convert here a convert there, a convert everywhere. The biggest convert? ME. 

 

 

In 4 days I will be with my family in an American airport where the whole world speaks English and finding a public bathroom isn't impossible. 

I don't even know what to write. FIRST and foremost: a HUGE thank you to all who have supported me in such a huge endeavor. To all my family members, whose prayers and words of encouragement have meant more to me than I can express. To all my friends who haven't forgotten me, even though I've been far! To everyone, those I know and those I do not, that have taken the time to read these crazy weekly posts! To my parents, who are the ones who really inspired me to get out here. To my brother Reed, who is going to be one heck of a missionary. To my brother Hyrum, who will have to get on his knees to give me a hug;). To my sister Emilie, who told me to enjoy my "first" mission and to not get sick on the plane;) And to Lucia, The Spaniard addition to the Dickson family;) 

And yes Emilie, to Charly the family dog too;)

 

 

A family in our area lives here

 

The sky today (Monday Dec 14th)

 

 

Thanks to all of you! 

More than even that, I can't begin to voice the gratitude I feel towards my Savior Jesus Christ. He saved me So many times. Was far too patient with me than He should have been. Who carried so many sorrows, wiped away many tears, and taught me that the mission is NOT a sacrifice. I did not give anything or do anything great in going on a mission. I was blessed that He trusted me enough to call me, even with all of my many imperfections and faults. The mission is a great PRIVILEGE. It is the greatest blessing I have ever received. 

The best part? The mission Never ends. Not really. Because Hermana Dickson wasn't just a phase. It was the beginning of a lifelong legacy. 

 

Para todos aca en Argentina, sepan no mas que les amo con Todo mi ser. No puedo expresar mi amor y gratitud hacia a cada uno de ustedes. Estoy dejando una familia muy grande a regresar a casa. SE que estamos en la verdad, y que nos vamos a ver pronto;)

Hermana Dickson, over and out;)

Week 13 in Palermo: Only 11 days left!

Doesn't that title blow everyone's mind? I remember when that would have said, 11 months to go, or 11 transfers to go, or 11 companions to go. But here we are! Closing in on the end of a WONDERFUL mission in the BEST mission worldwide. What a huge blessing to be able to serve in Argentina, to develop friendships that I will cherish forever, and to learn so much about my Savior. At the end of the week on Sunday we had the chance to go with Luis, our investigator, to see the Christmas Devotional again, this time in Caballito! How crazy to be in my old area! As we were watching the presentation I was touched by the spirit once more. One of the images shown on the screen was of Christ with a little kid. I couldn't help but think of the little kid as each one of us when compared to the Savior. We don't really have any idea what we're doing, but regardless He allows us the chance to try and fail, and try once more, so that we too can progress. It was quite the change of perspective.

 At the farewell

Much of my mission family (current & former companions)

 Many of my beloved Argentinians, some of my pictures were blurry so please email me if you took photos too!

More than anything this week I was touched by a story my zone leader shared. He had served in Congreso before, my old zone, and although I hadn't met him had heard about just how great of a missionary he'd been and how much success he'd had. While in the Zone meeting on Saturday he shared that even though he'd been very successful in the area, that he'd never been satisfied with what he had or with what he was accomplishing and always wanted more. Because of such he was never truly happy. He shared that he didn't really realize that he wasn't happy until he was leaving the area. Shortly upon leaving the area and entering the Boca as one of the new zone leaders he got chicken pox and was out for a good 2 or 3 weeks. He said that through it all he had learned an valuable lesson: "Tengo que disfrutar lo que ya tengo". aka "I have to enjoy what I already have." This really struck me, because with my ear surgery and recovery I haven't been able to do nearly as much as I'd like to. At times I get frustrated, and it really touched me when this elder shared his experience. 

Hard to say good-bye to all my beloved people!

I've learned during the last couple weeks of my mission that it really doesn't have anything to do with us or the great things We accomplish. We don't do anything in the mission. The most I've done is allow the spirit to work through me. Every baptism is His baptism. Every reactivated member is His. I've received far more than I've given when it comes to the last year and a half. The Lord has been extremely patient with me, and has given me every trial I needed to grow and to extend my potential as a missionary and as a daughter of God. To all those who sometimes feel a little frustrated with the lot or little they're accomplishing, keep in mind what I learned this week from my wise zone leader.

Gift from my dear "hija" from Peru: Hermana B

Gift from Emanuel

"I've GOT to enjoy what I've ALREADY got"

Hermana Dickson

Personal Revelation: Week 12 in Palermo

Hey guys! This week was so full of the spirit that I don't even know where to start! I don't have a ton of time, so this will be a pretty short update, but bear with me. I've only got 2 more Pdays after this so I have to make each one count!

Today we went to San Fernando for the transfers, even though my companion and I are staying together in Palermo, so that I could get some more people to sign my Argentine flag and drop off some stuff. We then went to have lunch with Fanny and Fanny from San Fernando! They're actually in Pacheco now. It was so wonderful to see them! We had a delicious lunch and we were then introduced to the Elder who had baptized Fanny:) We didn't get back into our area until 5, so we only have an hour to read everything and respond today!

That being said, this week on Wednesday a miracle occurred. My companion and I had an appointment with Karina, an old investigator that I had met with Hermana Muro. She had been very close to getting baptized, but then a couple things had come up and we'd lost contact. On Wednesday I actually wasn't feeling too well, as I still have headaches and a little ear pain from my surgery (it'll probably be like that until the little cut in my ear scars up. Hearing great though!) Anyhow, I didn't think we were going to end up making it to the appointment, but felt VERY strongly that we needed to go. We didn't have a member to accompany us, and I also felt that that would be very important. We called several, but no one was going to be available! I then felt like we needed to call Kathy Campos and ask her. We called several times and she didn't answer. I, however, wasn't willing to shrug away the feeling I had, so we called once more, and this time she answered and said that we could come over and teach Karina in her house:) Whoo!

We headed over, walking instead of taking the subway (blessing!). We got there just on time. I was so excited to see Karina again as I had really enjoyed getting to know her when we had met the first time.  When Karina showed up she said she had some announcements to make. Many things had changed in her life since we last met.  Not only that, but her mom, who is very Catholic, supported her decision to join the church. I was dumbfounded!! My comp looked at me and was thinking, "Wow, this lady is golden!"  However, before I could even open my mouth I heard her asking us when she could get baptized. We told her that Sunday, to which she enthusiastically agreed! We set the date and she accepted!! She had her interview with the district leader the next day. Everything was going good until Elder Kelly told us that Karina had mixed up her work schedule and had to work every Sunday, which will keep her from getting baptized right now.

HOWEVER; I know that the Lord was in this, that He is getting her ready, and that every trial my companion and I have had this last month has led up to a miracle like this. Karina is a Wonderful person, and I am so excited for the great things that will happen in her future!  We fasted for her this Sunday and both feel very strongly that God is preparing her for her baptism. Please keep her in your prayers! I also had my farewell in San Fernando and got to see SO many people that I just LOVE! Thanks to all of you! You're truly my family and I will Never forget you.

At the farewell in San Fernando ( Les amo Rosana y Mario: mi familia)

 

It was an amazing week, and also jammed with personal revelation, both for me and for my companion. I love her to death and am so glad to be staying with her until the end of my mission! 16 days or so left, VAMOS!!!

 

Hermana Dickson

Week 11 in Palermo: Successful Surgery

Hey guys! This last week consisted of getting ready for the surgery, going in and getting it done, and then going stir-crazy in the house!

I survived!

On Wednesday we had to pick up my own tube that they would be inserting the next day into my ear. Only in Argentina does the patient have to go all over the city to get all of her own tests and surgery items! Thankfully the doctor didn't ask me to pick up his tools and my anesthesia as well;) 

The tube

Early Thursday morning my companion and I headed out to face my destiny! .... in the rain! We got to the Zabala Clinic at about 8:40. Hermana Ayre met up with us at 10:30 and I was off at 11 to get changed and put on the operation table. It was pretty ironic, given that the surgery was only going to last 10 minutes. After getting dressed in the paper hospital garb, they put me in a wheelchair. I've honestly never been in a wheelchair, and less so without my glasses. The entire situation had a horror movie feel as the wheeled me into the operation room. All I could see were bright lights and blobs saying hi to me. I got up on the table and they got the IV ready. The doctor told me not to be nervous. I told him to hurry up and knock me out. 

I woke up three hours later. The best part? I could hear! WOOO! Hermana Ayre took us back and for the next couple days we took it easy. Every little sound was incredibly amplified! I hadn't realized before how LOUD my world was. 

Throughout the entire process my companion was there, helping me out and getting everything ready for the surgery. It's been quite the experience, and I've learned a lot. I've learned to be patient. I've learned to be thankful for the little things. 

Puerto Madero 

I've learned to trust in God's plan for me. 

I would never have planned on getting a surgery in a different country. But I've been kept very safe. I know that God loves me. That he cares about the little things. And he doesn't just care about the little things in MY life. He cares about the little things in Your life too. Trust him! 

I'm so thankful to be here in the mission, serving in Palermo with Hermana Cuevas. Thank you for all of the prayers and for all those who have been with me for this little surgery:)

Love you all!  

Hermana Dickson

A Week of Complicated Miracles: Week 10 in Palermo

Hey guys! This week has been a trying one. It consists of a LOT of doctor visits, lack of members to accompany us, pouring rain, and a little pain. It also consists of the companionship of the spirit, loving members, kind daughters, surprise temple trip, getting lost multiple times due to lying colectivos, and being led to someone ready to hear the gospel. In other words, It'll be quite the letter this week;)

Monday: "To God our DIRECTION is more important than our SPEED"

After a pretty chill Pday that consisted of writing, going to the doctor (Yes, during Pday! The inhumanity), and getting my hair cut we headed off into the wild wet yonder of Buenos Aires, Palermo area. We went to go get Daiana, as is the Monday custom, to go to our FHE with Kathy. We got there a little early, so we visited Carlitos first, reading with him from the scriptures before going to Kathy's. When we rang her doorbell her son answered, telling us that no one was home. That would have been quite a shame, as it had started raining. However, when we called her cellphone she said that she'd be right down. Once all together upstairs we finished 17 Miracles. As the movie ended Kathy started bearing her testimony, tears in her eyes as she shared her testimony that her deceased husband was in a better place and that she Would see him one day, that as a family they would be reunited. She is such an example to me of faith and patience. We ran home afterwards, as it had started pouring! However, although I got soaked, my scriptures didn't;) Blessing, I think so! 

Tuesday: "Will I let myself be led?"

On Tuesday, after our District Meeting we went to the doctor:) Oh yes, because I lived in the doctor's office this week. We went to talk with my doctor and show him the results for the day before and the the week before. He very quickly informed me that I would need to have a tube put back in once more. I was sort of ok with that, as I'd like to hear again, but at the same time it's surgery, which is always joyful, especially in a random country that is not your own without your parents or siblings or anyone in your family... After such glad tidings we went to lunch at 3 and had Peruvian food, woo! From there we went to see Dr. Susanna and tell her that I was going to have surgery to get the tube put back in my ear. We thought she would be chill about it, but she freaked out and said that this was completely unnecessary... Talk about contradictory! We didn't get back to our area until very late, and didn't end up having time to work. We did grab a tub of ice cream on the way back, as a treat for being in the doctor's all day. That night we went down to see my hijas and shared ice cream:)

Wednesday: "You are doing better than you think you are"

Early in the morning, after not eating breakfast, my comp and I were off to get a blood test done. It was really quick, and after getting back home and studying we went to send the results of my other ear tests to an American doctor that Hermana Ayre was consulting with. After lunch, which consisted of fancy tea cups, we visited a whole lot of nothing. We were able to work in our area, but didn't have a member to accompany us, and no one was home. At one point my feet hurt so much from walking for hours that we had to take a five minute break so I could rest them. Needless to say I was a little frustrated by all of the doctor's visits and the lack of visible success in our area. I felt like we were giving our all and weren't seeing any results. I was frustrated and a little down. We did get to visit Anderson before going to our correlation meeting with our mission leader and Elder Hunter. I was able to explain to the two of them my concerns regarding the area and that we were really struggling to find new investigators and get members to accompany us, as everyone is finishing up the school year or working. They told me not to get frustrated, that this was a hard area and that they knew that we were working hard and making changes in the ward, even if we weren't finding new people to teach. I did my best to believe them, but as we got home I still just felt out of it. I knew that the next day would consist of the doctor all day, and the member that was going to accompany us would need to be informed that we wouldn't need their help. The irony of this didn't help anything... In the end I sent a message to my district leader, Elder Kelly (Yep, the same from the MTC!) and asked him if he'd give me a blessing of comfort the next day. He agreed right away. 

Thursday: "Do I chose belief over doubt?"

After planning for the week and grabbing lunch with the Gonzales family Elder Kelly, his comp, and two other elders came to the church to give me the blessing. It was Exactly what I needed, and felt a lot more at peace and calm after the blessing was given. I thanked them and then we jumped on a bus to go to retiro. However, the bus ended up going in the opposite direction... and we had to jump ship and grab the subway to make it there. On the way we ran into 4 more elders from our zone, so I saw pretty much everyone that day;) Once in retiro we took the train to San Isidro, where I had an appointment with a private doctor that Dr. Susanna had recommended, as she wanted us to get a second opinion before doing any sort of operation. Everything was chill until we get off the train and are greeted by a DOWNPOUR. I hadn't even left the house with a jacket, as the day before we'd been dying off due to heat. However, Ayelen had lent me a little jacket. My comp and I hadn't even brought our umbrellas, and so we go swimming through the rain to the mission house. Neither of us could see anything, as rain water and contacts just don't mix, and I almost lost my sock. We couldn't help but laugh at the insanity of the situation as we got totally drenched. I had tied a plastic bag around my carrying bag, and I had my curly bangs falling in my face.

As we got close to the mission house we both said a silent prayer that President wouldn't be around to laugh at us. No such luck... He's the one that let us in! After taking pictures his wife came in and handed us towels... yep, we were that bad! It was their son that really cracked me up. He was eating a sandwich when we came in. We must have looked like poor little drowned hobos, because he stopped eating mid-bite and asked us if we wanted it. We kindly declined the half-eaten sandwich, to which he came back with little candies. Sweet kid;) After kind of drying ourselves off President made us take his umbrella. We then got in the car with Hermana Ayre who was going to drive us to the doctor. We were greeted by granola bars and blueberries! Woo! We drove there and talked to the doctor. He cussed in English to "help me understand the gravity of the situation". He then apologized, asking us if we were religious people, which obviously we are... He agreed wholeheartedly that I needed a tube. Thank you captain obvious! Good to get a second opinion however. Upon leaving he apologized once more for the bad word. Hermana Ayre told him not to worry, as she didn't know any cuss words in Spanish. We didn't have the heart to tell her that it had been in English... We got home really late once more, and swam to our apartment, where I made my comp a fancy dinner... hot dogs;) 

Friday: "Spiritual experiences must lead to action and faith"

3:30am the alarm that we had set doesn't go off

4:30 Hermana Sommers, who is magically awake, asks us what time we needed to leave

5:30 we run outside to catch the bus to go to.... THE TEMPLE! :D Woo! 

Upon leaving the temple, which was an incredible experience, we went to the doctor. Or tried to. He'd given us the wrong address! After waiting around for a good hour and getting snapped at by mean receptionists we ask if there is another Swiss medical nearby, as the one we are currently in obviously isn't what we want. We're sent to the correct office, get my doctor to sign the authorization for my ear surgery, and then are sent to the "initially incorrect" office to get them to send the form. Talk about a pain! We didn't get done until 3 and didn't get to eat until 4. I was so hungry that I was sure I'd eat whatever they'd given us.

 Are these little fish anchovies or sardines or something else?

My companion enjoying the little fish!

After lunch we went to pick up my blood test results. 

 We visited with a couple people before running to dinner with Hermana Saverry: pizza! Woo! 

Saturday: "The Savior can help the weak become strong because he has been where the weak have been"

We did NOT go to the doctor this day! However we did have lunch turn into a vianda at the last moment, which meant our morning plans to contact their neighbors and teach some retention lessons to Lautaro and Zuleika went down the drain... However, it was super yummy!

After eating we headed out the door. On the way to pick up the member that was going to accompany us she canceled due to health complications. However, her sister kindly accompanied us! We visited a couple people close to her house and then visited Sandon. 

Sunday: "Faith and doubt cannot exist in the same mind at the same time"

The culmination of the week! We took the subway to take the colectivo to get to stake conference:) At least, that's what we tried to do... it didn't work out as planned, as the colectivo we planned on taking didn't seem to exist! However, arrive we did, and on time at that! After the conference, which was quite good, my comp and I went out to catch the colectivo to go to lunch. On the way to the stop a woman stopped us and said, "Do you guys believe in hell?" At first I considered not stopping and answering the question, but decided to give it a shot. As we talked with her it became clear quickly that she was truly interested and wanted to find the truth. We did the best we could to answer her questions. Some of them were challenging, but I found all of the answers coming to mind at the moment I needed them. We left her with a pamphlet on the plan of salvation, that explains where we came from, why we're here, and where we go afterwards. We got down her name and number so the sisters of the Boca could visit her. She walked away, already reading the pamphlet! Talk about an unexpected miracle! 

Getting to lunch was another adventure, as the colectivo seemed determined to take us who knows where, but we made it anyway, on time once more! We ate with the Hunters, WOO! 

After lunch we were able to make a lot of visits.

It was quite the week, but despite all of the hardships we saw miracles.

God's in the work.

Hermana Dickson

My cousin, Hermana Temple is now serving in Chile with a sweet sister that was in my first ward here in the mission (Parque Patricios). Such a small world!