Sarah's February 23rd Email

Dear Family,

Here is Sarah's latest email. We are sending her package for her HUMP DAY. We will be sending it on Monday. If anyone would like to include something in the package we will be sending it off Monday, February 28th. Can you believe that her mission is almost half over?

Mom

No new address!! I'm staying! phew! This will be the first transfer of my mission where nothing has changed, not moving wards or getting a new companion. weird. I'm lucky that the companion I'm staying the longest with is Sister Stevens, because she's awesome.

Not a whole lot new here. I've been sick lately, but not too bad.

Congrats to Emmy for getting nominated for prom royalty! You are so cute! If you don't have a date, you could always ask Adam to paint on a mustache so that no one recognizes him. Then everyone will think you are supercool for dating a stashman. Awesome.

I'm glad you are all safe! It's sounds like the attempted drive to Ogden could have gone bad really fast. I'm so glad everyone is okay! GOD PROTECTS MISSIONARYS FAMILIES!!!!

So update about the basketball: Someone broke their finger and we aren't allowed to play anymore. . God does answer prayers!! Just kidding! The one time we did play was a lot of fun but, except for the person who broke their finger.

Nothing really new here. I had one of those moments where I realized that when I get back, you are all going to be so different!!! I wish I could just freeze lock you all in time so that you'll all be the same.

I love the Book of Mormon. I was talking with another sister about how awesome it is, and I remembered that we have a promise that one day we will have even more scripture, records of people in another place and their testimonies of Christ. I wondered for a while why we didn't already have it, what with second coming approaching and all, but I now know why, we don't use what we have enough. There is so much jam packed in the BOM and it makes sense that God will only give us more scripture when we are ready for it. I think that's why the first presidency is constantly urging us and challenging us to read the BOM. There is so much in there that can help us in our day to day lives, and we have to utilize that

It's a lot easier for me, cuz...well, I use it every day.

I think we should all read the Book of Mormon together! It can be one of them cull family bonding thin's. we can read a chapter everyday and write down the things we learn from it! Yay! just thinking about it makes my little missionary heart beat faster! I'm gonna start tonight and when I e-mail you on Monday, I will report. I hope you all do it with me, but like...you don't have to report or anything, but it'd be cool to compare notes.

Luvs!

Sister Dixon

Sarah's February 14th Email

Dear Family,

I am so so sorry I missed Emily's Gypsy performance! Did someone record it? Please tell me someone got it on camera!!!! If not, Emily will just have to perform for me when I get back.

I hope everything is going well for the wedding! May 25th sounds like it's not that far away. What temple are they going to? What are the colors? Is there going to be dancing? Will you send me a piece of cake? where is the reception going to be? will you send me an invite, just so I can look at it?

So on Saturday, there was this big YSA conference for all of the New England area at our church building. But of course, we didnt know about it, so we went right ahead and set up a time to see an invesitgator at the church. Naturally, the investigator didn't come so we spent the good part of an hour listening to some lady give dating advice and flirting tips. (Did you know, guys are more likely to be interested in you if you listen to what they have to say?) Anyway, that was awkward. Especially because everyone who walked by gave a little smile and said "You sisters taking notes for when you get home?"

Heh heh. like we haven't heard that before.

It has been a fairly good week though. we had Zone conference and rode in a car for four hours. But it was worth it. I love Zone conferences.

This week we got texting!!!! YAY!!!! It is really the best thing. It's so hard to understand Chinese people normally and that combined with my natural phone awkwardness makes for not a good combo. However, all I have to do is shoot them a text confirming when we meet, and SHAZAAM!! missionary magic. oh yeah.

This week we picked up another investigator. Who is deaf, and black, and tall, and named Jonathan. But it's not the same deaf black tall Jonathan. This one is different. He is really funny. when he signs, he uses his whole body, and he's constantly teasing. He loves coming to church though, and we are going to play basketball with him today.

Okay, so our zone leaders feel as though our zone isn't close enough, so the zone activity is basketball.

ELDERS!!!

Why can't it be something we all like? I really can't complain though, because all the elders on my team are tall and good at basketball. And all I have to do is run around and make a show. They can do all the work. And I have the added bonus that they aren't allowed to touch me, so If I do get the ball, all I have to do is hold it in the fetal position until one of my teammates comes by and I can pass it. I got stratagy.

But still, I'd rather spend p-day on other things.

Not much else this week. transfers are coming up, so P-day is on Wednesday next week. Who knows what is going to happen? I know that President Evans is inspired though because everything always seems to work out perfectly. It never ceases to amaze me how much of a hand God has in this mission. This really is a great and marvelous work and it's getting greater and marvelouser every day! I'm really happy to be out here. It's funny that they call it serving the Lord, because I always feel like he serves me more.

I love you all! I miss you!

Sister Dixon

Sarah's February 7th email

Bonjour!

We have been pummeled by snow this week!!! Two days we've been snowed in. Saturday we were supposed to have a big storm, but it rained instead and now everything is ice! I've slipped down the stairs twice more. I think it's just my curse. I also learned the meaning of "trudge". seriously though, it's actually been really great here.

We also have another investigator, Lee. She's also Chinese and has no idea of God or anything. She's super cute and really wants to know what religion is all about. She says in China, only men are allowed in the chapels, and women are always left wondering what is going on. She's awesome.

Jonathan, our deaf investigator, told us that God told him this was the true church. It was the best! He got really excited, he told us he felt tingly all over and that his heart kept pounding! It really was amazing. Later this week we met three more deaf people who want to hear about the church as well. It's a little heartbreaking, though. We only have one interpreter and she isn't a member, and won't be here forever, so we can't baptize anyone until we get a solid community for them. apparently it would take six interpreters and a solid family ward. We could possibly get three, but it would take huge sacrifice on their part, and we're stuck in a singles ward. For now, things are barely working out, and I trust in the future some solution will present itself. There are so many deaf people here. It could be so fantastic.

My sign is improving, though. I can generally understand what people are saying, even though I can't "speak" well.

I'm sorry to hear about Grandpa, I'll continue to pray for him.

Happy Birthday Tom! The big 30!!!! You are so old!!!!!

I hope everything goes well for you all this week! I love you so much!

Church is true, the book is blue!

Sister Dixon

Tom's Birthday Cake

Yesterday was Tom's birthday and Kristy brought his cake to our house so that we can sing the LONG version of 'Happy Birthday'. She made the most awesome cake, a calculator cake. As most of you may know, when Katie and Mary were babies we saved and got a calculator cake for Dad. We made a calculator cake for him. I have to admit that this one is way cooler. Kristy made marshmallow fondant for the icing which gave the cake a smooth look.

Can you believe that Tom has reached the big 30? We are all grateful Tom is part of our family. Thanks for sharing the cake Kristy.

OK, Mom has serious computer issues and can't get help cause Adam just left for school. So just turn your head to the left when you look at the cake.

If I were a Rich Man

For the next recital Steven wants to play an arrangement of "If I Were a Rich Man"

I've looked at free sheet music online, but haven't found an arrangement that is quite right.

Anyone have it?

january 2011

I know I shouldn't brag but my kids are so cute I can't seem to help it. Poor Xander had a black eye and a swollen eye.