With Hermana Obando in the rain

January 26, 2015

Hey fam! 

I´m doing well here in Juan Lacaze and I´m loving my "hija" (that´s what we all call our trainees here).  I don´t have much time, so I am just going to attach what I wrote to president this week because it basically sums up everything. 

I love you all and thank you for being the best fam ever.  You have no idea how grateful I am for all of you!!!:):):)

Hermana Dixon

So it´s been another great week! Hermana Obando and I have definitely faced some challenges and had some crazy experiences in our area, but we´ve also seen so many miracles. On Wednesday, Hermana Obando and I had a day full of rejection. I can honestly say that during my eight months or so in the mission, it was the most rejection-filled day I have ever experienced! Every person we said "hola" to diverted their eyes or walked into their houses. Lots of members we´ve been working with weren´t home or were busy. As we walked by houses in the nighttime, people closed their windows and doors in order to avoid us. At one point during the night, we were looking at our map outside of a house and the woman who lived in the house came outside just to tell us that she didn´t want us to talk to her. And last but not least, we went to visit a reference and let´s just say it was very evident that she did not want us to be there. But you know what? I felt at peace because I had an awesome companion by my side and we honestly did our best. The next morning before studies, I just prayed and prayed that I could find a scripture to help me and Hermana Obando understand why we have days like this past Wednesday during our missions. And guess what I found? Alma 26...the perfect chapter for missionaries who have faced rejection. 

In this chapter, Ammon begins by writing about the success and joy he and his brothers experienced throughout their missions. In verse 4, he talks about how thousands of the people they were teaching, the Lamanites, had been "brought into the fold of God." Seems like Ammon had it pretty easy, no? But as I continued reading, I realized that Ammon too had difficulties and tests of faith before he found success. In verse 28, Ammon says, "And now behold, we have come, and been forth amongst them (the Lamanites) and we have been patient in our sufferings, and we have suffered every privation; yea, we have traveled from house to house, relying upon the mercies of the world—not upon the mercies of the world alone but upon the mercies of God." 

He continues in verse 29, "And we have entered into their houses and taught them, and we have taught them in their streets; yea, and we have taught them upon their hills; and we have also entered into their temples and their synagogues and taught them; and we have been cast out, and mocked, and spit upon, and smote upon our cheeks; and we have been stoned, and taken and bound with strong cords, and cast into prison; and through the power and wisdom of God we have been delivered again." Okay so Hermana Obando and I didn´t even experience a hundredth part of Ammon´s trials, but after Wednesday, I really felt like I could relate to Ammon and his brothers. We too were cast out and mocked at! Sometimes missionary work is flat out hard, but God always delivers us.

And last but not least, I just loved verse 30! Ammon says, "And we have suffered all manner of afflictions, and all this, that perhaps we might be the means of saving some soul; and we supposed that our joy would be full if perhaps we could be the means of saving some." So yeah, I learned that as missionaries, we sometimes suffer "all manner of afflictions" in order to save SOME SOUL. 

This past Friday, two days after our crazy Wednesday, Alba, an investigator I´ve been working with for quite some time (I´ve taught her with Hermana Paredes, Hermana Ventura, AND Hermana Obando) had her interview for her baptism. She went into her interview feeling unsure if she was ready to take such a big step, but came out with feelings of peace and happiness that getting baptized was the right decision for her! She will be getting baptized this Saturday, January 31. We just love her! Sweet Alba is our SOME SOUL that we fought for during this week.

 I am so grateful for this time of my mission. Hermana Obando is incredible and SO STRONG. Little by little, we are seeing progress! And God always gives us what’s necessary to keep moving forward. 

"[B]est birthday ever!!!"

January 19, 2015

Hey fam!

What a crazy week it´s been...first things first, I want to tell you a bit about my new companion!  She is awesome!  So her name is Hermana Obando and she is from COLOMBIA!  She speaks Spanish like a pro, is twenty-three, is super cute, is a nurse, and is very organized (especially when it comes to finances and keeping our house in order), so I sure got lucky to have the opportunity to train her.  I thought I would be stressed out of my mind, but she makes things easy for me!  Woo hoo!  I just have a feeling that we are going to see lots of miracles here in Juan Lacaze together!

So I honestly had the best birthday ever!!!  I started my day waking up at 4:20.  Hermana Ventura decorated our house a bit and gave me the biggest birthday hug!  We then got ready quickly and Hermana Ventura finished up all of her packing (she went back to Peru this past Thursday).  We thought our bus left at 5:53, and at 5:50 or so, we started loading up Hermana Teresa´s car with all of Hermana Ventura´s stuff.  It took a long time and then Hermana Teresa couldn´t find her keys, so I started freaking out a bit because I was sure we had missed our bus and I was afraid I wouldn´t make it to Montevideo in time to pick up Hermana Obando!  But everything worked out!  It turns out our bus left at 6:15!  So anyway, we arrived in the bus station in Montevideo and then I immediately took a taxi to the temple/mission home.  Hermana Ventura had to stay behind so I took the taxi alone...oh my goodness it felt so weird not to have a companion, but it gave me the opportunity to reflect on my 19th year so whatevs!  I then arrived at the temple and mission home but I had no idea where all the missionaries and President Smith were...so I just walked around ALONE for a bit but then a couple of missionaries found me!  Yay!  I quickly ate breakfast in the mission cafeteria and then I ran over to the mission home.  President was having a capacitacion with all the trainers and I was totally the last one to arrive (I guess the people in Colonia are always the last to arrive because our bus schedule is weird).  But anyway, I finally got there and I loved reading some scriptures about training and focusing on our companions!  After the capacitacion, we all lined up, walked to the temple, and stood behind the people we were going to train!  We sang “Called to Serve” (but in Spanish) and then our companions turned around!  I started crying a bit (tears of joy) when I first saw Hermana Obando because I realized she was Latina and I didn´t have to teach her Spanish!  After I picked up Hermana Obando, we went to the temple together, took some pics (I´ll send them soon but my computer doesn´t have a place to send photos), ate sloppy joes for lunch, and went back to the bus station to wait!  Oh and Hermana Smith was just so kind...she gave me a little cake with a candle and the sweetest birthday package (chocolates, banana muffins, a note, a necklace, and a journal)!  I love that lady!  While Hermana Obando and I waited for our bus back to Juan Lacaze, we got to know each other a bit more and I got to see Hermana Paredes (because she´s serving in an area close to the bus station)!!!  She gave me the sweetest poster, necklace, and a box of faith (every time I need a bit of strength, I can open the box and there is a picture of Jesus Christ and a couple of her favorite scriptures).  I sure am one lucky gal when it comes to my companions.  And then, we arrived back in Juan Lacaze and unpacked!  So yeah, that was my birthday in Uruguay! 

I don´t have much time left, but I´ll just give you a quick update.  Familia Dotti is doing so great and Hermana Dotti accompanied us on a lesson with Alba this past week.  I am loving learning with Hermana Obando.  I gave my first sacrament talk in Uruguay yesterday and I talked about adversity and how a lot of times, our problems are winds to bring us to our promised lands (like the story of the Jaredites).  We´ve been seeing lots of rain which is great because it combats the heat.  I AM LOVING LIFE!

Love you all!

Hermana Dixon

Noche de Hogar

January 13, 2015

Hey fam!

So I have a million things running through my head right now!  Tomorrow, Hermana Ventura is going to head back to Peru.  I sure do love Hermana Ventura...I think the most important things I learned from her are to LISTEN and to do things for GOD, not to please people.  It´ll be hard to say good-bye tomorrow, but I am excited for the upcoming change because I AM GOING TO TRAIN!  

We had a meeting with our whole zone on Saturday and President came to tell us our changes.  When he said my name and that I´m going to train, my first thought was, "Is President crazy?" and then immediately afterwards I uttered the words, "OH NO!"  And everyone just started laughing.  So yeah I am so scared because I feel like I still have no idea what I´m doing, but I am also SO EXCITED!  I don´t know who my new missionary will be and I don´t know where she´s from, but I love her already.  And I have the opportunity to go to Montevideo tomorrow to pick her up, attend a temple session with her, and eat a delicious lunch with her!  So I think it´ll be a very special birthday and my new companion will always be a special birthday gift for me!

So I am just going to tell you about a few highlights from the week!

·         On Tuesday Hermana Ventura and I had a Noche de Hogar with the Dotti Family, Lebe (another sweet member in our branch), Alba (our investigator), and Augustina (Alba´s granddaughter).  It was SO FUN and do you want to hear something cool?  The Dotti Family invited Alba, not us!  Alba worked with Hermano Dotti for a long time, so they´re good friends.  The world is so small and God sure does put people in other peoples´ paths.  Anyway, we learned about prophets and Hermana Dotti made delicious pizza and cake for everyone.  She is honestly one of the most special people I´ve met on my mission.

·         On Wednesday, I got to spend the day in Nueva Helvecia again because we had divisions!  I worked with Hermana Salaberry (the eighteen-year-old who is serving a mini-mission) and it was so fun.  We had some very interesting contacts, but we ended up teaching the restoration to the nicest lady.  

·         Like I mentioned, Hermana Ventura is a great listener!  On Friday, we had a lesson with Andrea (a sweet member in our branch who lost her husband just a couple months ago) and Claudio (her fifteen-year-old son).  We didn´t end up teaching anything because Hermana Ventura asked about their conversion stories.  Oh my goodness I sure did learn that lots of times, it is just better to listen.  Andrea and Claudio told us all about their lives (Claudio first joined the church when he was ten or so and then Andrea joined a couple years later) and I felt the spirit so strong.  There are lots of awesome people here in Uruguay!

·         On Saturday, we had a meeting with the whole zone and we learned about all the plans the mission has for the upcoming year.  Lots of things are going to change (for example, the way we measure our work), but I am so excited for 2015!

·         Hermana Ventura and I have been starting to teach a really awesome couple, Wilmar and Ivonne.  We found Wilmar one day when we were walking outside looking for a house, and they´ve let us come to their house a couple of times!  During this week, we watched Gracias á Él and Él es la Dádiva with them, which they loved!  They´re heading off for a vacation the next two weeks, but when they get back, I am so excited to introduce my new companion to them!

·         I loved studying 2 Nephi 5 this week. In this part of the Book of Mormon, Nephi is teaching his people how to build buildings!  But we can use his advice to build whatever spiritual goal we may have!  I especially loved the following verses and I´ll include what I learned under each one.

LOVE YOU ALL and PLEASE PRAY FOR ME and my greenie!

Hermana Dixon

 15  And I did teach my people to build buildings, and to work in all manner of wood, and of  iron, and of copper, and of brass, and of steel, and of gold, and of silver, and of precious ores, which were in great abundance.

God will always give us materials in GREAT ABUNDANCE to reach our spiritual goals (the scriptures, the temple, words of general authorities, church meetings, etc.)

 16  And I, Nephi, did  build a temple; and I did construct it after the manner of the temple of Solomon save it were not built of so many  precious things; for they were not to be found upon the land, wherefore, it could not be built like unto Solomon’s temple . But the manner of the construction was like unto the temple of Solomon; and the workmanship thereof was exceedingly fine. 

Even if our efforts aren´t super fancy, God will be happy if we do the best with what we have.

 17  And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did cause my people to be industrious, and to labor with their hands . 

HARD WORK is important.

 27  And it came to pass that we lived after the manner of happiness . 
When we build our spiritual goals, do OUR best, and work hard, this is the way we will live.  Life is all about being HAPPY!

January 5, 2015

HOLA FAMILIA! 

It´s so crazy that another week has come and gone.  When I was starting out, the mission really felt slow, but time is starting to fly.  Anyway, from all the pictures I´m receiving, it seems like you have had an interesting/stressful week.  I´ll be praying for you guys that everything in the house gets fixed up real fast.

  

So this week was awesome!  On Tuesday, my sweet comp had a meeting in Montevideo, so I spent a bit of time in Nueva Helvecia (an area about thirty minutes away from Juan Lacaze).  OH MY GOODNESS Nueva Helvecia is beautiful!  There are a lot of trees and green areas and I just loved walking around and taking everything in.  I got to serve with Hermana Tate (a cute hermana in my district who is from California and went to BYU before the mission as well) and Hermana Salaberry (an eighteen-year-old from Montevideo who is serving a "mini-mission" for three weeks).  It was so fun learning more about these hermanas, especially because Hermana Salaberry is a convert of a few months.  Our day together was a typical mission day...we walked lots and knocked on lots of doors but people weren´t home.  But you know what?  To end the day, God gave us a miracle!  We ended the day talking to a sweet lady and she let us into her house and we taught her about prayer!

  

Hermana Ventura and I saw another miracle on Saturday!  Saturday was a really trying day.  I woke up not feeling too great and Hermana Ventura and I ended up walking LOTS and knocking LOTS of doors.  But we did our best to be patient with one another and patient with our circumstances and the Lord blessed us!  To end the night, we had a lesson with Familia Dotti, who haven’t been coming to church for the past couple of months.  Hermana Ventura led the way during the lesson and I followed. We listened a lot about their lives and then read DyC 101, a section about a master of a vineyard and his servant!  In one verse, 61, the master in charge of the vineyard describes the servant as faithful, and someone who will one day be worthy enough to govern the vineyard.  As you know, feeling the Spirit during my mission has been a bit of a struggle for me.  But after we read this verse, I felt the Spirit working within me.   I asked Familia Dotti which words were used to describe the servant.  They responded with "faithful, governer of the vineyard, etc."  Afterwards, I asked, "How would you feel if our Savior used those same words to describe you when you see him again?"  We all felt the Spirit very strongly in the room and I just felt so grateful that the Lord used me and my companion as instruments.  It was something really small, but also something really big for us! Yesterday, Hermana and Hermano Dotti came to church and Hermana Dotti shared her testimony about the Savior.  So yeah Hermana Ventura and I were just both so thrilled!  May we all live our lives in a way that the Lord can call us faithful one day!  Anyway, Hermana Ventura is finishing up her mission in about a week and it is so crazy to "kill" a companion.  We are enjoying our time together and we´ll be spending this P-Day in Colonia!  

I sure do love you lots, and keep being awesome!:):)

Hermana Dixon

Enjoying Uruguay with Hermana Ventura

December 29, 2014

So I can honestly say this week was one I will never forget!  You guys heard a little bit about my Christmas Eve and Christmas on GoogleChat, but now I’ll give you a couple more details!  

My Christmas here in Uruguay was so special!:)  During Christmas Eve day, Hermana Ventura and I visited lots of members in the morning.  We realized we didn’t have any fruit in the house, so before lunch, we headed to a fruit store.  I saw a couple who looked a little out of place (they both had light hair and were talking in English...haha I guess I know how people in Uruguay see me now), so I talked to them for a bit!  It turns out they’re from California, and they sailed to Uruguay for Christmas!  It was a tender mercy to meet some people from the states, and I gave them web addresses for “He is the Gift” and “Él es la Dádiva.”  After lunch, we visited some sweet members in the afternoon (so many people gave us food for Christmas Eve) and then headed back to the house of Hermana Teresa!  She invited some of her neighbors, the elders, her daughter, and her granddaughter to dinner, and we all ate tacos together.  It was so fun and I just loved hearing about traditions from all around the world!  After dinner, Hermana Ventura and I headed to our house, and then at midnight, everyone shot off fireworks!  We got to see the fireworks for a little bit, and it was just incredible.  As I fell asleep that night, I just couldn’t help but be SO HAPPY to be a missionary spending a Christmas with such special people in such a special country.  

Christmas morning, Hermana Ventura and I opened up gifts from Presidente y Hermana Smith and discovered our cute pajama pants.  THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS!!!  We then headed to the chapel so Hermana Ventura could call her mom, and I tried lots of things to recover my Skype username and password (as you guys know, it wasn’t much of a success on my end of things).  Afterwards, our branch president (President Ayala) invited us over to his house for a big Christmas lunch!  The Ayala family is so generous--we ate lamb!  Hermana Ventura and I then visited sweet Alba and her neighbor, Monika, for a bit!  Then, I talked to you!  Oh my goodness I just love you all so much and thanks for your tips!  To end our Christmas, we spent time with Hermana Graciela, a recent convert.  She doesn’t have any children, so she always treats us and the elders like her children!  She made us a bunch of little snacks and told lots of stories about her life...she is such a hoot!  But anyway, I had the best Christmas ever, and Hermana Ventura pointed out it is so cool to celebrate Christ’s birth during our missions because this is the only period in our lives where all of our time and efforts are dedicated to HIM!  

Before I head out, I would like to share a little bit about what I learned during my studies this morning!  I think one of my biggest problems as a person and as a missionary is comparing myself to others and having envy.  So I studied envy and found an awesome scripture, 2 Nephi 26:32!

32 And again, the Lord God hath commanded that men should not murder; that they should not lie; that they should not steal; that they should not take the name of the Lord their God in vain; that they should NOT ENVY; that they should not have malice; that they should not contend one with another; that they should not commit whoredoms; and that they should do none of these things; for whoso doeth them shall perish.

Yeah it’s a little strong, but now, I definitely do not want to envy!  And afterwards, I just absolutely loved verse 33!

33 For none of these iniquities come of the Lord; for he doeth that which is good among the children of men; and he doeth nothing, save it be plain unto the children of men; and HE INVITETH THEM ALL TO COME UNTO HIM and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female: and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile.

I know without a doubt the Lord always does good among us, and He invites EVERYONE (people in Seattle, people in Sweden, people in Peru, people in Michigan, people in Brazil, people in Uruguay, and people everywhere) to COME UNTO HIM.  He has so much goodness to offer, and even though we are so imperfect (lots of times I feel like the "heathen" mentioned in this verse), He is patient with us, sees us as equals, and will accompany us during every hard time so we can BECOME a little bit more perfect every day!  

I love you guys lots, and have a great new year!  Next time I email you, it’ll be 2015!  How crazy is that?!  

Love,

Hermana Dixon

The Villagrans

December 22, 2014

This week was so different but so fun!!!  Monday and Tuesday were normal, but on Wednesday morning, my whole zone headed to Montevideo (oh my goodness I just love Montevideo)!  Our zone had a capacitacion with Presidente y Hermana Smith Wednesday morning, a delicious lunch Wednesday afternoon, a capacitacion with the assistants and our zone leaders in the late afternoon, and interviews with Presidente in the night!  All the hermanas slept in the temple hostel and it was just so fun. 

Thursday we went to the temple!  We got to do all the ordinances for an ancestor...I did the endowment for Hillah (our ancestor), and helped out a hermana in my zone who had two names with all the other ordinances.  I hope one day you guys will be able to go to the Montevideo Temple because it is a very special place.  After the temple, we had another delicious lunch and spent some time at the mission home with Presidente y Hermana Smith.  We played a little Christmas game, ate Christmas chocolates, sang Christmas carols, and received gifts and stockings from them.  They are honestly the sweetest!  After our little Christmas celebration, we headed back to Colonia, and Hermana Ventura and I stayed overnight in Nueva Helvecia with Hermanas Tate and Lopez! 

Then, the next day we woke up and headed to Carmello to practice for the Charla Fogonera (aka Christmas choir)!  We got back to our area at five in the afternoon, did some quick visits, and then went to our Actividad de Rama!  We had a pesebre with all the kids in our branch (I got to participate as the angel), watched some fun Christmas videos, and ate yummy food!  All the little kids got gifts, so that was awesome to see as well:)  

On Saturday, we spent the morning in Juan Lacaze, but then headed to Carmello for a practice and the Charla Fogonera!  It went really well!  I had the opportunity to sing a “Silent Night” (“Noche de Luz”) duet with Hermana Tate from California!  It was a cool experience for sure. 

On Sunday, we went to church (Hermana Villagran, the friend of Uncle Tom, gave an AMAZING talk about Christ), had lunch with Hermana Teresa (we live right next to her house), and then headed to Nueva Helvecia for ANOTHER Charla Fogonera!  I loved the Charla Fogonera yesterday because some people from JUAN LACAZE came!  Alba came with her neighbor, Monica, and it was just so fun to see them in the audience!  I’m starting to fall in love with this little branch in Juan Lacaze...the people here are so strong and made so many sacrifices to go to the Charla Fogonera--Juan Lacaze is about forty-five minutes away from Nueva Helvecia!  I love singing Christmas hymns in Spanish!!  Next year, we can all sing together in my Spanish hymn book:):)  

And today was a super fun P-Day!  We got together as a zone, and Presidente gave us permission to watch Frozen and How to Train Your Dragon 2!  Anyway, sorry this letter was so scattered, but it was kind of a scattered week!  I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH, and I am so excited to Skype with you this Christmas at six my time:):)  If I have any problems, I’ll just call the home phone or someone’s cellphone.  HAVE A GREAT NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS!

Hermana Dixon:)

December 15, 2014

Hey fam!

I can’t believe another week has flown by!  It’s so fun to hear from all of you and it sounds like you’re doing great!

  

This week has been filled with lots of MUSIC!  We’re going to be having another Charla Fogonera here in Colonia for Navidad, so we’ve been having lots of practices.  Also, yesterday we had our children’s sacrament meeting presentation!  Our Primary is small (we had four children who participated), but it was so awesome to hear them singing Primary songs in Spanish!

  

I am really enjoying my time with Hermana Ventura...it’s fun having a companion for her last change because she is teaching me everything she’s learned throughout her mission.  I am lucky!

This week, we shared the “Él es la Dádiva” video a ton!  I love being a missionary in Uruguay because here, it’s not weird to talk to random people in the street!  So Hermana Ventura and I are able to talk to a lot of awesome people and show them “Él es la Dádiva” with their cell phones.  It’s something that is WAY outside of my comfort zone, but it’s worth it to show people this video because they always have huge smiles on their faces afterwards!

Our district leader asked us to focus our studies on the love of God this past Tuesday.  I loved studying 2 Nephi 4, and I’m going to share a quick verse (20), "My God hath been my support, he hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep."  Although lots of times we’re not exactly in the wilderness or sailing across deep waters, we definitely have times in life that are HARD.  I love this verse because through it, we can realize that when we’re struggling, we’ve got someone who will SUPPORT us and LEAD us through our afflictions.  Boy oh boy am I grateful for this support because there is no way I’m doing this whole mission thing on my own!

Alba is doing GREAT!  She came to church yesterday and saw the sweet children’s sacrament meeting presentation.  She prayed about December 27 and still doesn’t feel completely ready, but it’s all good!  She realizes baptism is a lifelong commitment, so she wants to be sure.  I am so grateful to have the opportunity to teach her!

We lost our cell phone about a month ago and a member lent us one but it only worked when it was plugged in.  So we could only use it at night.  But yesterday, another member lent us a cell phone and it WORKS!  We are so excited!

Well, that’s about it on my end!  I sure do love you lots, and I’m looking forward to talking to you guys for Christmas!  I don’t know details yet but I’ll keep you updated!

Hermana Dixon