Tuesday, June 30, 2015
Elder Adam's June 29th email
Dear Family,
We've
got some more transfers coming up today, and I'm pretty convinced that
I'm going to get transferred. I've been here in Pucallpa for about 6
months, which is pretty long for a missionary to be in an area. However,
there have been rare occasions missionaries that have stayed in an area
for 9 months before they move, so we'll see what kind of stuff happens.
Last
Wednesday, the entire city of Pucallpa (and every other city in the
jungle, I hear) celebrated a huge holiday called San Juan, which is
supposed to celebrate the life of John the Baptist. The people here
celebrated it with a popular dish called "Juanes", which is rice,
chicken, and olives rolled up and tied up into a little bag made of tree
leaves. We got a few ourselves and they tasted pretty good! Most people
aren't a fan of the olives, especially the white people (gringos). The
olives are so infamous with the gringos, that they've earned the
nickname "Matagringos", which more or less means "Gringo's Death". I
thought they tasted really good, though. Maybe I'm just crazy or
something.
Our area, which is party-central for
the people in Pucallpa, was SUPER crowded for the holiday! It was more
crowded than Disneyland! We had no trouble talking to people that day.
The city closed the biggest street so people can lay out their
posessions to sell. I didn't look much, but I did see some pretty cool
things people were selling, like Amazonian paintings. They celebrate
that every year down here, so I'll get to see it again next time!
That's
pretty much all that happened down here. This week, we got a good
amount of people to come to church. There's one elderly couple we're
teaching that are super excited to be baptized in the church, named Juan
and Lila. We got to get them married before we can baptize them,
though. We're currently working on that.
How has everyone been up there? Looks like my family is turning famous! I hope you all have a fun, busy week!
Love,
Elder Dixon
P.S.
This picture I'm sending is a picture of me, Elder Haymond, Elder
Manrique, and Elder Figueroa with our Juanes that we were given that
day.
Tuesday, June 23, 2015
Elder Adam's June 22nd Email
Dear Family!
First of all, Happy Father's Day, Dad! Thank you so much for everything you have taught me throughout my life! And Happy Father's Day to Robert, Scott, Tom, Peter, and Jim as well! Father's Day was celebrated down here in Peru too. Lots of advertising beforehand for cars and cologne, and during the day, a huge city-wide party with trucks and beer. Not quite my idea of the best Father's Day. The church down here, however, celebrated Father's Day for our Heavenly Father by dedicating a new temple!
Yesterday, I had the honor of participating in the dedication for the new Trujillo, Peru temple, which marks the second temple Peru has (a third being built in a place called Arequipa). The temple in Lima was built back in the 60's, and now temples are getting built everywhere! The Lord's work is truly expanding! I wonder when they're going to build one in Iquitos. There are four stakes in Iquitos, and seven within the mission boundaries. I wonder how many stakes there has to be for a new temple...
As for the mission itself, things are same ol', same ol'. We're teaching some twins named Karen and Katy, who've agreed to be baptized in the middle of July. We're pretty excited for them!
Coming up this week, we've got another holiday on Wednesday called San Juan, which is supposed to be a day-long party celebrating the life of John the Baptist. From what I heard, this party is going to be HUGE. Everyone keeps talking about how they're preparing for San Juan. It's like Christmas (er, New Years) in the summer. Everyone from Pucallpa (and remember the Pucallpa's a big city) is coming down to the area I'm serving to celebrate. Let's see how that goes. :P
The summer down here is rough. I guess I should've expected it to be, though. :P It's super hot and super humid and I always go home super burnt-out. However, earlier this week, we had a rain storm that changed everything. Now, the heat has simmered down, and the nighttimes are freezing. The weather reminds me of Utah, how it can't make up it's mind. :P
How is everyone up there? Are the kiddos enjoying their first few weeks of summer? How's Katie doing? What kind of stuff did you do for Father's Day up there?
I love you all and I'll keep praying for you all!
Elder Dixon
Sunday, June 21, 2015
Emily's Karaoke Night
Emily's birthday is on Monday! She wants a karaoke night and we are excited to get our singing diva and divo ( male version of diva?) on! 7:00 @ the Thompson home. Everyone is invited. Bring a treat if you'd like.
Monday, June 15, 2015
Elder Adam's June 15th Email
Dear Family!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR MOM! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!!!!
Happy birthday, Mom! I
hope you've had a fantastic birthday! I had a pretty good one down here as
well! The lady who makes lunch for me made me a very tasty cake, and her son
and the other elders took some eggs and smashed them against my head! That's
tradition down here in Peru (but don't worry. I won't do it to you guys when I
get back...or will I? Muahahahaha!)
I had egg guts all
over my clothes, so after lunch, I had to take a stop at the house to
change clothes. We went and taught some people and when we got back, who
would've guessed, the other elders ambushed me with more eggs
and some flour as well! It was like getting tarred and feathered for your
birthday, only with less pain. :P
We found an
investigator a while back that I forgot to tell you about. Her name is Karen,
but what makes her noteworthy to put in the email is that she teaches us instead
of us teaching her. We do our best to explain the gospel, but all she really
needs are the pamphlets. When she reads them, she remembers and
understands everything. Perfectly. She even understood the
difference between Aaronic and Melchezidek Priesthoods before we even touched
on the subject! I'm pretty sure that she's gonna get baptized!
We found another lady
this week as well who told us she had an older sister who was baptized in the
church and died of a heart attack as a faithful member, which really set an
example for the person we teach. Every time we visit her, she tells us of some
of the great things her sister did that other people usually wouldn't do. She
really wants to follow the example of her older sibling, which got me thinking
about my siblings.
I have no idea where
I'd be without my fantastic brothers and sisters! Each and every one of you
mean so much to me and the examples you've set have helped me so much! I'm so
grateful to have an amazing family!
I'm going to send
another email with pictures of the egg incident, and also of some
BANANA-APPLES! They're like the apple-pears I loved so very much when I was
home, but instead of being an apple-pear mix, they're a banana-apple mix.
People down here have told me that there are also Papaya-Maracuyas,
Banana-Papayas, and Orange-Aguajes. (But I'm not too excited to try the
Orange-Aguajes. Aguajes...yuck) :P
I love you all!
Elder Adam Dixon
Dixon Family Reunion Update
Dear family,
I hope you are planning to be at the “Bowery” at the North Aquatic Center in Ogden from 11-3 on Saturday, July 11.
The web site has the address and all details:
We can get a $1 discount per person for having rented the Bowery, so as you arrive, tell people to come in and reference “Dixon Reunion” at the front desk. To get that discount, we have to pay with one transaction, so they will keep a tally and we’ll pay in one transaction after everyone has arrived (we can work out who owes what after everyone arrives). Paul can use his plastic and then collect from people later.
The Bowery can seat 60 people—we may have more than that, so please bring folding chairs or canopies if you have them—we can spread out a bit into the sun! The Dixons rule!
As mentioned in the earlier e-mail, we’ll bring all the stuff for cold sandwiches, drinks, plates, cups, etc. Please bring a salad or dessert to share. There are lockers and changing rooms. Children under 3 have to wear a swim diaper (even if they are potty trained—boo!) It says they check and make you buy one of theirs if you don’t bring one.
Please forward to your families!
Can’t wait!
Barbara
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
4th of July and Boekweg Family Reunion
We received this email this morning. Uncle John needs to know who will be doing the river rafting thing with them. Although it sounds like fun Dad and I won't be doing the river rafting, but will be going down on the 3rd for the picnic. We will be in West Point on the 4th and will will be celebrating the 4th and Lilli's birthday in the usual way here in West Point! But it sounds like he needs to know if any of you will be going to do it with them, so drop him an email if you could.
4th of July
We are planning on doing the 4th of July here and would love any/all of you how would like to join us to come. We are also planning on doing the 2nd annual ice cream making contest with prizes and trophy! So you can use your creative powers and show us what you can do!!
I'm pretty excited about it!
We love you all so much!
Mom and Dad
Letter from Uncle John
This is the email address to reply so that he knows how many people will be coming,
John D. Boekweg, CPA, MBA, Partner
Dear Family;
Just another update on
the River Trip. I need to cancel some of the boats because it looks
like I’ve way over reserved and I need to do this as soon as possible
(by the 15th). Here is a list of
who has confirmed:
Alan and Grace Rex Family (7)
Joey and Kayann Quist Family (2)
John and Becky Boekweg Family (6)
Nick and AnneMraie Rousseau Family (2)
Austin and Nicole Galvez Family (1)
David and Sherri Boekweg Family (5)
Elyse Todd (1)
Melissa Todd (1)
Kjarsti Todd (1)
Mom and Dad (2)
So 28 people so far. I
hope I have everyone’s emails. Please let everyone know. I would hate
to leave anyone out who was hoping to come. I need to know by Monday.
Thanks.
John D. Boekweg, CPA, MBA, Partner
HEB Certified Public Accountants
Tel Office (801) 328-5000
Tel Office (435) 789-5560
Mobile (801) 599-9838
Fax (435) 789-9155
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
Worlds Best Choir
Some of you have expressed interest on hearing my choir in the competition so here it is.
European Grand Prix
it is about 30 minutes, Enjoy :D
European Grand Prix
it is about 30 minutes, Enjoy :D
Monday, June 8, 2015
Adam's June 8th email
Dear Family,
I'm getting ready to send a package to Adam. Anyone who would like to are invited to send it with ours!
Love you all tons all tons and tons,
Mom
Dear Family!
I'm getting ready to send a package to Adam. Anyone who would like to are invited to send it with ours!
Love you all tons all tons and tons,
Mom
Dear Family!
How is everyone doing over there? Things down here are great! We got a ton of people to come to church last Sunday, and they all loved it! It was a pretty good week for us. I am rather surprised as to how we managed to get many people to come, since we spent more time in a place we've never really been before.
The Pucallpa Stake has decided to open up a new branch in a little, er, big town called Tushmo. There are some member families that live there that have to travel all the way (nearly 2, 3 miles) to Yarinacocha just to go to church. Travelling that far can be kind of expensive, which is the reason the stake is building a branch.
And guess which missionaries live closest to Tushmo? That's right, us!!!! So we've been going all the way to Tushmo lately to teach some new people. We visited the lot that the Church bought and the branch building is going to be a bit, um, cute, I suppose.
Our area in Yarinacocha was big, like I've told you when I got here, but now, with Tushmo, our area has more than tripled in size. We've got a lot of work to do!
Thank you all for your birthday wishes! I've seen a few birthdays down here and the traditions are pretty much the same, but there's one more that they have, which consists of someone cracking an egg on your head and letting it ooze down your skull. Our pensionist's son already called dibs on doing it, so I'll have to send you some pictures!
Over $100K for Katie's fundraiser and more to come with the Rally! Holy cow! Prayers have certainly been answered! It's amazing how kind people can be in a not-so-kind world.
I love you all and pray for you every day!
Love,
Elder Dixon
DIXON FAMILY REUNION
Dear Family,
A extended Dixon Family reunion has been planned for July 11th. Aunt Barbara and Uncle Paul have reserved a water park in North Ogden.
It sounds like fun! We hope if you can you will come join us!
Below is the information Aunt Barbara sent.
Can't wait! Can't wait! Can't wait!
Mom and Dad
Hi everyone,
As requested, here is info about the reunion this summer:
The North Aquatic Center in North Ogden (245 E. 2550 N. North Ogden, UT 84414) from 11-3 on Saturday, July 11.
The web site has directions:
Barbara
Monday, June 1, 2015
Elder Adam's June 1st email
Dear Family,
I had a pretty interesting week this week! I met a member of the 70! His name is W. Christopher Waddell, and he's one of the tallest guys I've met in my life! He's also a pretty hilarious guy too. We had an all-day meeting where he, the president, and the president's wife spoke to us. It was very inspiring. Elder Waddell spoke on many things, but one of the coolest things he spoke on is why everything happens for a perfect reason.
We may not fully understand why some things happen to us, for example how we get sent to an area or have a companion that we don't like very much, he explained, but everything that does happen within a mission will help you more than you know in your future life.
It was a pretty awesome meeting.
Down here, where we teach, we decided to do a random act of service for someone. I thought it was nice, but I didn't think it would get us very far. Nope, I was wrong. The guy we served was extremely happy. We invited him to church and he came with his wife only because we helped him cut his lawn. Goes to show that little acts of service have huge rewards!!!
I'm a little short on time and won't be able to write much. We had some computer problems today. How is everyone doing over there? Is Katie doing well? It's awesome to hear that Lilli's part of the best choir in the world!
You guys got a new dog? Send me a picture! I wanna see it!!! :P
I love you guys more than you will ever know!
Elder Dixon
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