Tommy came home on August 28. We are proud of him and grateful for his two years of service to the people of Australia in Adelaide and Darwin. Thanks for sharing his journey with us.
August 13 & 20
August 13
Hey mom and dad, so this has been a little bit of a crazy week. We are here now with the assistants and are getting g ready for p-day. So cool thing is that I am actually typing this letter on my smart phone so pretty cool. This week has been a challenging week. We have been laying it all down on the line, pushing ourselves so hard yet with little results. They will come though.
So last week in Darwin. It feels weird with that reality sinking in. I love this place and I love the people. This will always have a special place in my heart. The people are so loving and kind. They really have taken care of me and treated me as their son.
The Darwin branch has taught me many things. I think the first thing that it truly taught me is that no matter who you are, you can serve. I have seen countless people who are maybe not the most qualified but continue to serve faithfully and bring miracles about.
The second thing that Darwin has taught me is that our Heavenly Father is mindful of all of us. It’s hot here and it has been a real struggle for me in the heat. I’m not accustomed to the heat. #canadaboy. But I have seen God work miracles as I have worked through that struggle.
It’s a humbling experience coming to the end. I look back on the last two years and I don’t regret a thing. This mission has changed me. The Lord has changed me. I think you will surprised to see the Tommy Dickson that will come off the plane. I have come to gain a love for the Lord and a knowledge that He is truly there.
Anywho crazy week!
Love,
Elder Dickson
Krista – Hooray my phone might die but we will email as long as we can. Dad and I were just at the beach…. a very strange sensation. What do you have planned special for the last week?
T-lots of meal appointments, members are scrambling to feed me before i go
K-That’s really kind…. it will be more than you have had your whole mission…. and for the last. Darwin PDay?
T-head to the city and take some photos
K-Awesome…. take photos of people too. Especially at your dinner appointments. You have had lots of success and it will be interesting to see how you have laid a foundation for the missionaries who follow. I can’t quite believe this. Do you know yet what will happen that eeek in Adelaide
T-no i dont
K-Are you going through all your stuff… are some things staying in Darwin? Phone about to die…. if I stop emailing know that is why
T-yeah im soorting it out
Brent- Hey it’s dad. I’m having a great time with mom. I am in beach nirvana. We snorkeled and saw a 3 foot long sea turtle. I touched its shell and then mom told me it is illegal. Oops
T-haha only illegal if yu get caught
B-I am addicted to ocean waves. Can listen to them all day. This trip is good for us. It has been a tough haul with Jake.
T-i ggotta go love ya heaps!
B-Finish strong. You are in our thoughts and prayers all the time.
August 20
Hey mom and dad, so I am writing this email to you while I am flying down from Darwin. Sad day. So it has been a great time in Darwin. I love those members. So I did hear mom that you have been talking to sister chick! They had elder Syme and I over for dinner last night as a final hoorah.
Something that sister chick said to me really stuck out. She looked at me and said “well done thou good and faithful servant. You have truly brought sunshine to this branch”. I have to say i almost broke down. It has been a hard go in Darwin. The heat has taken its toll on my body and I am exhausted but I can truly say I have laid it all on the alter of sacrifice.
Over this last week in Darwin we have had a lot of members inviting us over for dinner. A lot of wise counsel was given to me and don’t worry mom photos were taken. Darwin will always have a special place in my heart.
So as for some lessons that I have learned this week.
This week I was asked to speak in Sacrament meeting on any topic that I would like. I decided to base my talk on Helaman 5:12. I think it is a scripture that we all know but I’m not sure it is one we truly understand. At least I didn’t.
In the verse we see Helaman giving his final counsel to his sons. He teaches
“12 And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation”. Now what is a foundation? A foundation is a stone or solid object set into the ground. It is immovable and will last through any situation or storm if the foundation is strong. Now to tie it back to us. The foundation of Christ is immovable it will be there whether or not we build on it. Our quest is to mount ourselves to the foundation of Christ.
“12 And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation”. Now what is a foundation? A foundation is a stone or solid object set into the ground. It is immovable and will last through any situation or storm if the foundation is strong. Now to tie it back to us. The foundation of Christ is immovable it will be there whether or not we build on it. Our quest is to mount ourselves to the foundation of Christ.
Now the question how do we do that? We do this by coming to know the Saviour. It is our life quest to understand, come to know and love God. “3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” As we truly come to know and understand who the Saviour is we are slowly yet surely building upon His rock.
Now to the second part of the scripture. “That WHEN the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, WHEN all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.” Once again this scripture is instructive. Helaman teaches us here that it is when not if the hail and the storms come. That is something that I learned from cyclone Marcus. The city of Darwin has been through many cyclones and because the houses in Darwin were prepared for the winds that were sure to come and attached firmly to their foundations they did not fear.
“34 Therefore, fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail”.
I know that as we build upon the rock of our saviour that no matter the winds, no matter the hail or the mighty storms that will come our way we will not fear but move forward with faith. As we build on him increased peace and joy come into our life. Remember Christ descended below all things so that he can lift you above all things.
Love,
Elder Dickson
K-Oh… you made your old mother cry! That is a brilliant testimony and talk topic. I think Sister Chick got it just right, you did bring sunshine to the branch and you have had a very unique experience that not many missionaries get to be in one place for that long and build relationships. I cant wait to see the pictures!
B-Nicely done son! Can’t wait to hear more of these stories. Two of your longest letters these last two weeks. I think you will do fine in English class.
K-Awesome! I hope you write your feelings about your mission and about Darwin when you have some time this week. It will be a treasure for you later in life and for your future family. What is on the schedule for Adelaide?
T_so im back in evandale with elder huot and elder siaw!
B-So you flew earlier today?
T-yeah i left darwin at 7 am
B-Nice, so do you work with them the rest of the week? Is it a lot cooler in Adelaide?
K-Oh I think I love Elder Siaw ! Every picture I have ever seen of him he seems like such a kind and happy missionary. I’m sure Elder Huot is great too. Do you go to the temple this week?
T-yeah its 20 degrees colder and yeah ill be with them the rest of the week – yeah ill go this week – first time in a year
B-It averages 33C in Hawaii and is only 18C here today. I’m freezing. I’m thinking it may be a lot tougher for you. 🙂
T-so yeah darwin averages 33 as well and its 11 here
K-Do you even own a coat anymore? Getting you ready for Canada! Sister Chick sent me the picture of you with her family. I LOVE it. What a treasure. I know Darwin has been hard work but I can’t get over the relationships you built there and the good that you have done !
B-So do you spend your whole time with them or will there be some different stuff you do besides the Temple?
T-yeah i had one at the mission office that i am wearing now -so i will have a couple trainings this week but other than that normal proselyting
K-Do you also have those paintings from earlier in your mission stored at the office?
T-yes
B-Are you in an area in Adelaide or is it further out?
T-in adelaide
K- I saw Elder Ivory is going home on the 24th. Will you get to see him this week?
T-i will see them tonight and i dont think so, will find that all out this week though – oh by the way how do you wear cufflinks?
K-Ok… now I saw your email with the VERY Important information. I will read and let you know… Cuff links… use a special shirt… we will buy one when you get home. A gift?
T-the hasletts bought me a really fancy pen and cufflinks as a goodbye gift
K-Awesome… we will shop here and you will look AMAZING!
B-Fancy Schmancy
T-haha thanks mom
K-I just read your leavers letters…. I’m really glad you get to do those activities with Elder Ivory… that feels like full circle after sharing a room in the MTC. Is Elder Ward with you too?
T-yes
K-Oh I’m glad… when you said they were going home earlier I was worried that you would be doing those activities alone… once a worrying mom… always a worrying mom! We’re getting the banner ready! I can’t wait…. HOORAY!
T-haha dont go too overboard mom
K-OH… I am trying… but you have to know that there is NO way I am not having at least one poster at the airport… and yes I WILL be that geeky mom and Drew will mock me but I claim first hug!
T-haha sounds about right
K-I am not the only one… Elder Ivory’s mom was posting stuff too! And Elder Kuru… who comes home in about a month. Now for the not fun part… cleaning the house and getting ready for school!
B-When it comes to mission stuff overboard is Moms middle name.
T-haha krista overboard dickson
K-Alright, alright… I think I have been quite restrained…. at least I have done my best. Enjoy the FHE tonight. Do you have any sisters with your group?
T-yeah sister starling and sister harrison – i gotta go love ya heaps!
K-HEAPS>>>HEAPS…HEAPS!
August 6 – 22 days until Tommy is home but who is counting?
hey mom and dad,
so this has been a crazy week. not much happening with the work so i figured i would make this email more of a lesson i learned this week. so to give a little bit of backstory to this. our neighbour has a really big bird cage that sits outside on the back porch with a bunch of finches. as we were leaving the flat we saw a hawk attacking the cage. it brought to both my companion and my own mind the doctrine of safety in the gospel. Sometimes we see the commandments as a cage that holds us back from seeing the world. I imagine the finch could be thinking “what the heck i see this wonderful rainforest just outside the cage but i am trapped in here”. sometimes i think we all fall guilty of that. we see the commadments as things we must do and suffer through so that we can be happy later. As the hawk attacked the cage o get the birds for a snack al of the sudden the cage became a blessing. Still though some of the birds panicked when the hawk attacked the cage while others didn’t. the question came to mind, “how much do i trust the cage”. how firmly are we built on the rock so that “when the devil sends forth his winds” or hawks we cant be moved. i wager to think that the finches that panicked didnt trust the cage, or even worse knew that there was holes and weaknesses in it. we continue to fix and fortify the cage through the small and simple things. “Keep the commandments; keep the commandments! In this there is safety; in this there is peace. He will send blessings; He will send blessings. Words of a prophet: Keep the commandments. In this there is safety and peace.”
love
Elder Dickson
Krista- That is a great lesson. I like how you took something that you saw in your life and applied it.
Benny says hi! We were all looking at your room and everyone was teasing Benny because I got all this stuff ready for you and everyone says Benny is like the poor tenant living in the corner.
This is Isabelle
Benny no longer has a room. Your mom has been referring to it as Tommy’s room. All of his decorations have been removed and set on a minuscule bed in the corner. You have displaced him!
T-haha woo hoo
K-Back to mom now… I was assuming you wouldn’t think I was calling you an evil cockroach. . We are chilling in Waterton today…. not doing too much . It is quite enjoyable. What else do we need to do to prepare for you?
T-nothing i think
what do you want me to bring hme clothes wise?
K-Whatever you want. You’re going to need to go shopping anyway. Only bring stuff that you still want to keep. I assume you have some things that are pretty worn out. If you are not bringing your ties, take some pictures. It would be cool to give some of your favorites to special people and then take a picture with them. I’m sure that all of your white shirts are pretty wrecked and sweaty…😜 I trust you to decide. Do you think you have anything you need to ship?
Bronwyn asks…. ready to come home yet?
T-no i dont think i will need to ship anything, should have plenty of room
K-Any activities going on in the Darwin Branch before you go?
T-no thats all of them. had a pretty cool experience though. the first councilor in the branch pres. came up and told me that i am one of the best missionaries he has ever had
K-That is awesome! I’m sure you are going to miss that branch. You will have to make sure on your last Sunday that you visit with and thank the people you have grown close to. I would assume the 19th might be your last Sunday as you will probably be going down to Adelaide that week.
T-yeah i fly down to adelaide on the 20th
K-Wow I didn’t know you had the date. That is a long time to be in Adelaide? Will you just stay with a companionship there? Do you fly home with Elder Ivory?
T-no so elder ivory and ward went home early for school – so ill be on my own -not sure what i will be doing in adelaide
K-Oh that’s interesting. Does school start that much earlier in the States? Maybe I should have lied and said school started earlier here to get you home earlier😜. I suppose not the best plan. – Well I know that the Parkers had leaving missionaries do a temple session and a meal. Not sure if the new mission president will be the same???? So with Elder Ivory and Ward gone, are there others who leave at the same time as you?
T-elder kuru leaves 3 weeks after me
K-Well I guess you will get all of the attention!!!! Just as it should be. We are getting so excited for you! You will love the YSA scene and University
T-
yeah
K-Thanks for putting the pictures on the Google drive. Are they from the Clydes?
You have been an excellent missionary . You have worked so hard and influenced so many people. You should be very proud
Brent -I just got to Jakes house. He of course has pulled all his books etc into the main room. He seemed interested in me for a minute but now is more interested in TV. He is enjoying some quality antique roadshow on PBS
T-haha
K-I’m going to hand over to dad now I need to go… love you heaps
Mom
B-I see your team Canada rugby shirt is still around. Will that coming home with you? I wonder what Waterton issues are pulling Mom away. Falls theatre or Big Scoop. 🙂
T-yeah its coming
B-Drew got one for Grad. He will be representing somewhere in the world.
T-awesome!
B-Uncle Dave has a shaved ice machine he brought to Waterton. So we were enjoying various flavours of snow cones. I liked Pina Colada. It will probably be kind of weird being back in Adelaide after being away so long.
T-yeah i gotta go love ya heaps
B-Have an excellent week. Love you
July 22 & 29
July 22
hey mom and dad!
so it has been a crazy week. so first the mission switched mobie
networks and forgot to take into effect the katherine elders. so we
had to drive to katherine with their new sim card and find them. total
nightmare 😛 second we got smartphones this week. so they aren’t fully
operational yet but will be in about two weeks. as to answer some of
the questions. no i haven’t heard anything about going down to
adelaide yet. maybe ill hear about it towards the end of the transfer.
yes president will come up to darwin in about two weeks so i will get
to be in one more zone conference. so overall it has been an awesome
week. oh i forgot to mention we also moved flats as well. so great
week. lots of fun and i love the people.
Love
Elder Dickson
Brent – Moved flats. Are you in the penthouse now? That is a bit of a drive to switch SIM cards. I guess you will get a bit of time with the new smartphones. Why did you change flats?
Krista – New flat? Boy I thought you would just have a relaxing last few weeks
T-the flat we were in before only allowed for four missionaries on the
lease and we had 5
B-Dress up the greenie as a Koala and say he was your pet!
K-You had 5 for a while…. did they just discover that? What is your new flat like?
T-yeah they just looked at the lease. its brand new, straight up like a penthouse – oh as well the man you saw n mormon newsroom has been asked to be on
the “light the world” world wide video so we went and filmed it with a
member yesterday
K-No way… that is fun way to end your mission. Is it in the same area?
B-Definitely not as fine as the bedroom waiting for you. Mom has done good work. How long is the drive to Katherine? Who are you teaching this week?
K-Super cool… Elyssa?? Did he sing? Will the video be at Christmas?
T_yeah so the video will go worldwide for christmas, its him speaking some lines.
K-That’s great… who filmed it? Did you get to watch the whole thing? Oh and take some pictures of your new flat
T-brother pickford, our branch misson leader filmed it and sent it to
church head quarters. the will put it all together -ok will do
B-Will you be doing splits with other companionships this week?
T-possibly but haven’t planned them yet
K-That will be cool to know someone in that video. What is your password for your gmail account? I need to set up an ICloud account for you so yo7 will have a phone when yo7 come home… you get my old phone for the moment but it is still pretty good!
B-So super mom found magical headphones for Jake. They are made of hard foam and bend and twist without breaking. Where have these been the past few years. I can’t count how many he has broken. Of course now that I have said this I will jinx things and they may break. Three Jake sleeps until he goes to his new house.
T-like his oil rig laptop?
B-Good point. I am more optimistic about these. Didn’t cost as much either. (for the record Jake broke them a few days later)
K-Doyou have any special PDays planned for your last few weeks? Are you still teaching Elyssas cousins ?
T-moving, cleaning flats – yeah they are progressing slowly but surely
K-I am liking these new cleaning skills … maybe they will rub off on your brothers. So what would you say was one of the most important lessons you have learned on your mission?
T-divine identity, hands down.
B-
What do you mean? Tell us more.
K-Hmmm…. that is something that is very easy to forget about. Especially when you are struggling. I actually read the conference talk from last April about that this morning. The “Am I a Child of God?” Talk
T-I think that is something that we are taught ever since we were
children but don’t quite grasp (or at least i didn’t) i know that i am
a son of god. that is the greatest truth i have learned
B-Nice, we keep learning more about what that means our whole lives. It is a truth that Satan always attacks.
K-Ok another mom question….tell me about a companion that you really enjoyed or who taught you something important
T-i think elder ellingson taught me heas about patience. nt from him
being bad but being atient together
K-Do you have a companionship n that you think you would like to stay in touch with?
T-probably all of them
K-Awesome…Drew and I were just watching a zombie movie… his only request for the movie choice was NOT a musical… oh well… a mom can only push so hard.
B-Double header. Bribe him for a musical. No musical, no car? – So Benny was in Waterton for the week. He could have stayed longer but wanted to come home with Grandpa. Now he is under the Great Eye of Mordor (Mom) who will put him to work. Foolish boy.
T-haha thats awesome! i gotta go love ya heaps
July 29
Hey Mom and Dad,
so this has been yet another crazy week. thats good to hear that jake
is settling in to his new place. so we had mlc this week to discuss
the rules and it is exciting to see that president marquis has
definitely been called of god. yeah i am emailing taylor, he is just
slow at emailing back. so just a busy week full of meetings and
finding. Sylvester and Oletta are doing great! they are just working
on getting marriage papers sorted so they can be baptized. other than
that, nothing too out f the rdinary other than these awesome photos
brother pickford took while we were filming Elyssa!
Love
Elder Dickson
K-So what has President Marquis been discussing about mission rules? I can see the pictures on Google Drive… that is one handsome missionary!!!!
B-So what are some of the new rules? Or is it just reemphasizing rules you already have. So I’m sitting on the lawn outside Jakes house. He is doing good so I am staying out of the way. I will go in and help them with shower and bed routines. The neighbors must be wondering who the dude is sitting on a lawn chair all day.
T-haha im sure he is loving the lawn!
K-I am helping Drew do mission paperwork…. he is basically done and just needs to do the interviews.
T-When does he want to do the availability date?
B-I suggested Nov 3 but apparently he wants to come to Mexico with us at Christmas. 🙂
K-He says the first week we are back from Mexico… So January… he says papers in the beginning of October…. we are sitting together in the family room and he is desperate to see this new movie about Christopher Robin from Winnie the Pooh …l even though he is over 6’3” he is still my little boy
T-haha tell hime to be a man and forfeit mexico ;P
B-Who loves his Frosted Flakes!
T-nah just kidding
B-A trip to not be missed. Mom the trip planning machine will make it epic.
K-I drive dad crazy with my trip planning but I have a feeling that when it is -20 everyone will be happy to be in Mexico. I booked our flights this week so we are committed. By that time you will be craving some heat again!
T-yeah i will be missing it
B-She does not drive me crazy. Our trips are always awesome and they wouldn’t happen without her.
Speaking of which, on Aug 11 mom and I are heading to Hawaii for a week. Grandpa Steed very generously gave us air miles and his condo. This is our recover from Jake in hospital etc trip. We could use a break. She is making plans as we speak.
K-So I never heard what rules President Marquis is emphasizing
T-dang that’l be exciting!
K-So with Jake and Waterton and our trip I am going to try and spend this week cleaning and organizing for our missionary to come home!!!! Do the Marquis come this week or next?
B-Now that is a Steed mom in action. I have no idea what needs to be done to get ready for you Don’t you just come home, we pick you up, and you are home? I’m sure I will find out this week how wrong I am. 🙂
T-the come up on th 13th – thats what i thought too
K-So 2weeks to get those Darwin Missionaries in shape😀���� Isnt it already the best zone in the mission?
B-As men we obviously know nothing.
T-oh of course – yes dad
K-Ok you sarcastic men…. just be happy that you will have a bed to sleep in, a desk to study at and a phone to call your mom on!!!
T-haha – i gotta go! love you heaps
July 15
14 new pictures from June and July – The tie cutting is a tradition when every missionary goes home. Since President Parker left June 30 he cut every Elder’s tie who was staying behind.
hey mom and dad,
> how have things been going? its been a crazy week. so transfers came
> and i’m still here! exciting that i get to stay in nightcliff to the
> end! so nothig too crazy has happened regarding transfers still with
> elder syme. as for institute i want to be able to take the cornerstone
> class but the only offer those ones at the institute at U of C. Will i
> be able to travel to that one? the only thing that i’m concerned about
> is having time to work as well
> love
> Elder Dickson
Krista – Whatever you want. I thought there was a cornerstone one night but I could easily be wrong. I say register and then you can change if you need to for work. Any changes in your flat?
T-ok easy. elder nayusan is going to palmerston and elder lu is coming
to darwin city
Brent-Benny and I have been watching Lawrence of Arabia. 4 hr movie and we are 2.5 in. I wasn’t sure if he was ready for it but he reminded me that he had watched all three Godfather movies and didn’t fall asleep like you did.
T-haha thats good to hear
B-31,30,and 29 the high for the next three days. Probably still colder than Darwin.
K-How are your investigators doing?
T-high of 33 everyday this week
K-Oh Tommy …. I will start buying you thermal layers right now. And you will be living in the basement which is cool. Maybe dad and I should trade you our stuffy bedroom
T-its crazy our bedroom is normally 27 degrees and i use a blanket
K-You are a true Aussie now
B-You will look like the new exchange students from Africa wearing their heavy winter gear end of September and October. They have no idea what is coming. Teigan spoke in church today. Br. Chipman was the visiting high councillor and Teigan his companion. He did great. Teigan is now the stake assistant exec secretary and attends high council and stake presidency meetings.
T- haha
that’ll be me! great to hear teigan is doing well!
K-So Elder Lu and who is his companion that will be in your flat?
T-elder turcotte and elder wu
B-So what is one thing you would really like to see happen or accomplish in your last few weeks?
T-i want to baptize
K-I can tell we are close to the end because I used to know a lot of the missionaries names from the Parkers’ blog but now I just can’t keep track. Did you look at your schedule for school? Any concerns?
T-no i just dont understand the winter semester thing
K-Winter semester starts in January
B-Was looking for something a little more specific but that is a pretty good answer!
T-oh so when does the winter semester finish?
B-End of April
K-We’ll get you home, get over the jet lag and settled in school and then you can worry about looking for a job. What is up for the Darwin zone this transfer?
B-Hopefully lots of mangoes
T-haha hopefully lots of baptisms not sure yet though
K-Any interesting branch activities coming up ?
T-no we have a missionary family home evening every monday though
B-Okay, baptisms first, then mangoes for refreshments! I’m guessing that you have done all the sightseeing on PDays that you want since you are the Darwin man.
T-yeah i have seen everything
B-
So do you sound like an Aussie, a Canadian, or a real mix with your accent?
K-Who attends the missionary nary family home evening? Do you run it?
T-a lot of people say that i sond like a hybrid
B-What is a missionary nary family home evening? Sounds funky. Is that like narly?
T-we run it and food provided by the chanboon family. investigators and
recent converts come
B-Being serious now, that sounds great. Wonderful service from the Chanboon family.
K-That is really kind of the Chanboon family….how many people do you get each week?
T-we usually have about 15 people. the chanboons are awesome!
K-I haven’t heard you talk about them before. Who is in their family?
T-so there are 5 boys, he is the elders quorom pres. super dedicated family
B-Five boys. He beats me as super dad!
K-Gotta love those all boy families!
B-How old are his boys? Guessing not as good looking as mine! Mom’s genes!
T-his boys are 19, 18, 16, 14, 12 -i gotta go love you heaps!
B-Have an amazing week. Love you
K-Love you
July 8
hey mom and dad,
so first question what happened to the truck? i might have been told but don’t remember. some of the tings i appreciated the most were canadian things like all dressed chips! as for this week it ha been great! still the same amount of chaos but i don’t break just bend! 🙂 haha so it has been an awesome week. we have been teaching an aboriginal family and they are progressing really well just need to get married so we have that underway! as for the new mission president, he is very different from the parkers but awesome as well. very buisness style
Love
Elder Dickson
K-Interesting!…. business style? What does that mean in the missionary context? The truck is long gone…gave up the ghost. Dad has been driving Grandpa Dickson’s old van…AKA the “man van”
T-yeah so he runs everything like a buisness, more articulate.
K-Well that will shake some things up. With you at only 7 weeks or so I guess you will just get a taste of the new focus. Is the family you are teaching related to the mob that was baptized and being taught in Malak?
T-yes they are cousins
K-Had you seen the article I sent you? What did you learn at Zone Conference this week? I’m sure the new mission president was a bit nervous and feeling like there was a lot to learn and do.
T-yeah i helped them put it together! we didn’t have a zone conference just a meet and greet
K-That’s awesome. I will have to save it. Does your new mission president have a blog or Facebook page like the Parkers?
B-June 2017 Grandpa Dickson offered us their Ford Freestar van because they wanted something smaller. I think you drove Grandpa from Edmonton to uncle Shane’s in that van. In honour of the original man va we called it man van 2.0. A few days later I took the truck in for some repairs and it would cost way too much to keep it running. So we donated it to the kidney foundation. Feb of 2017 we bought a black minivan at an auction for $750. The Jakevan. I am afraid it is ready to die so I jumped on the opportunity to buy the new car. Will probably try to sell the Jake van. See if we can get something for it. Haven’t even talked with mom about it yet. All dressed chips …. excellent.
Jakes dinner at the hospital was chicken, mashed potatoes, and broccoli. Also ice cream. I suggested he start with the ice cream and he did. I had some Licorice. Something wrong with this picture. Benny was usher and did the count for the first time in church today. He took it very seriously. I watched from the stand. I was proud of him. God knows what he is doing with the Aaronic Priesthood. Boys learn and are given responsibility step by step.
T-haha sounds about right-yeah i remeber getting a talking to by coy for not getting the count right
K-Speaking of national foods like all dressed chips. What Australian foods are you going to miss the most?
T-do you have my schedule for uni yet? – do you have the times i want to look into enrolling in institute
B-Drew volunteered you to walk to work or take the bus since he feels he will need a car to get to work.
K-Yes I was just looking at it tonight. First term you only have 4 classes. English, Math, Human Kinetics ( like the science of gym with activity) and psychology.
You start classes at 8:30 and the Latest you go until is 2:15
You start classes at 8:30 and the Latest you go until is 2:15
The next term you have a full load – 5 classes. English, history, another Kinetics course and Astronomy and Biology.
Those courses should give you a basic first year base so you can go any direction you want
T-ok sweet so i want to be taking institue as well, im looking at the
website but not sure which to register for -of course drew did
website but not sure which to register for -of course drew did
B-Pretty sure they run a couple institute classes at the seminary building at night. That way you don’t have to go all the way to UofC
K-Can you access the institute schedule from there? If not I can find one for you so you can look. There are some chunks of time in the day too like MWF first term you have a break between classes. I will put your schedule into a chart and send it next week so you can see.
T-yeah i can access from here
K-What is the website?I will look here and tell you which courses work or once you get the chart it should help
K-Any of the night classes in Sundance will work. I will quickly look at the U of C classes
T-all good no rush
B-So then go take a class at uofc at night. Might be cool to meet different people. You can drive or take the train if necessary. We will make it work.
T-ok sweet i think that would be a great opprotunity to meet people at well
B-How about mom and I look at the schedule this week, give you our two cents next week, and then you choose what you want to take and where.
T-sweet
K-Ok I looked. It seems like the classes that would work for you first term would be:
1) Evening Classes at the Sundance building
2) Friday classes after 10:30 at the University
3) Evening classes at the University.
1) Evening Classes at the Sundance building
2) Friday classes after 10:30 at the University
3) Evening classes at the University.
B-Might be cool to have Drew come with you to a class. His plan is to regularly attend the YSA Ward with you when you come back. There was talk of him going today but I thinks his friends bailed. Might be kind of nervous going the first time. I really want him there with you rather than hanging in Sundance Ward teaching primary.
K-ok awesome thanks mom you’re the best!
B-Hello, who found you a cool man van 2.0 or PT cruiser. The coolest in used vehicles
T-haha yeah i’ll bring him along, get him super involved
K-No, ignore your dad…. you were most correct to praise your mom…nothing like buttering me up😀. Do you have any PDay plans?
T-haha clean the flat, and shop
B-Hopefully it doesn’t take the 3 hours Benny and I took to clean the basement yesterday.
T-i remember going to the ysa ward for the first time, i was like ” no
way, im out of here”
way, im out of here”
K-What are you going to do about shipping things like your paintings? Do we need to put some extra money in your account so you can start sending things home?
T-haha no we divide and conquer-nah i can fit them in my suitcase
K-Just wait till Benny gets to clean out that room for your stuff… he is going to be SO happy!
B-Bring a Koala home for Benny. It can stay in the basement.
K-Ok…has the new mission president announced a new focus or theme for the mission?
T-haha i don’t really have much stuff other than souvenirs and stuff i
have picked up and been given -no he hasn’t announced anything
have picked up and been given -no he hasn’t announced anything
K-Well with next week being the last transfers it should be exciting. Will you stay in Darwin and then just fly to Adelaide a couple of days before you go home ?-Oh… did you get your package?
T-yeah i will fly to adelaide with like 5 days left – gotta go love you heaps!
K-Wow…that is starting to feel real. Finish strong.
B-Have a great week. I’ll eat some all dressed chips for you and you eat some amazing mangoes for me.
July 2
hey mom and dad,
so this has been a full on week. we have been running around getting
everything together for the switch over of mission presidents. so as
well a crazy miracle happened this week. elder dudfield (area 70) was
in darwin on sunday. he came for a family vacation but had heard the
story about a family that had been baptized here. he is going to put
their story on lds.org! so you’ll see about darwin online! as for the
work this week we are teaching a new family. their names are
sylvester, oletta and sylvestina. they are cousins of a family
previously baptized. they are doing awesome! crazy week. stressful
week. right now is probably the most tired and worn out i have ever
been in my life but the lord is defintly blessing me with renewed
strength.
Love
Elder Dickson
Brent- Good to hear you are exhausted! You are supposed to be cause you are doing good stuff. Is Elder Dudfield a General Authority? I just arrived at the hospital and mom and I did the switch so she may not see these right away.
Drew has no work tomorrow because with Canada Day on a Sunday Monday becomes a stat holiday. He is going to see the fireworks tonight.
T-yes he is, we had an hour long interview with him, elyssa and irene.
he loved it.
B-Nice. So do you know the cousins of your investigators? When does your new president arrive? What are your plans for him. The new Calgary president is from New Zealand. I guess the sisters in our ward met them yesterday and the mission presidents wife went on Splits with them. That is a strong start! Cutting edge news boy. 7 minutes ago LeBron James announced he is signing a 4 year deal with the Lakers. We shall see who else goes there. Chris Paul signed an extension with the rockets and Paul George signed an extension with Thunder. I love LeBron but very glad he is in the west away from the Raptors.
T-yeah we know the cousins really well. so he is already in adelaide and
flies up to darwin tomorrow.
B-What will he be doing with you on Darwin?
T-dang lebron
B-Not sure what to do. Really like LeBron but have always hated the Lakers. First world problems
T-who else do you think will go to the lakers?
B-Kwahi Leonard wants to be traded from the spurs. They aren’t getting along. But I wouldn’t trade him in the same conference and have to play him a ton. He is a feee agent in a year and says he wants to go to the Lakers. There isn’t really any big names left.
T-so why would lebron go to the lakers? money?
B-The Cavs aren’t good enough and won’t get better. Some people think he is hoping to attract other players. Others think it is to be close to Hollywood. He is starting to get involved in movies and other such stuff
T-dang crazy #spacejamround2
B-Changes the balance of power a bit. The Raptors will have to deal with Philly and Boston. They need to get tougher. LeBron was in their head and they kept losing to him. So what is the plan when the mission president arrives. Mom is going to be in tough with no Sis. Parker blog to follow.
T-still not sure. gotta take it as it comes
when he gets here.
B-So today Bishop Steed and I had to do tithing on our own. No clerk to help us. But we were big boys and made no mistakes we know of. Taylor went down to Waterton this weekend for a last hurrah! He flies Thursday. Billy went to the temple this week. He was in Raymond today and leaves Thursday too. Bishop Steed said he looked and sounded great!
T-awesome!
B-So tell me something that you love about Darwin, something you will really miss.
T-i love the people, particuarly the members
B-The nice thing with social media is you will be able to keep up those contacts. So did you take a moment and sing O Canada yesterday?
K- Ok my mom nature is now taking over … take care of yourself my tired and stressed boy…. delegate some responsibility, eat well, excercise. You can do this! I hope when the mission president arrives it will be joyful, not stressful. Can you isolate what is causing the stress?
B-Maybe Tommy is a missionary with two months left and wearing down a bit :). Thank goodness for moms who worry more than dads.
T-i gotta go love you heaps!
B-Take a nap today and then get at er!
Love u proud of u
K-Love you heaps… take care of yourself!
June 24
hey mom and dad,
so i guess since ou went on a more spoiritual note i will do the same.
one scripture i have been pondering this week is the book of moses and king bejamins sermon. so as a little bit of a back story to this experience. this week a member family from adelaide was in darwn and i had worked wth them a lot. i had been over to their house for dinner.
the father is less active and from our chat ii found out that the mom is now as well. i shared with them this:
“4 And, behold, thou art my son; wherefore look, and I will show thee the workmanship of mine hands; but not all, for my works are without end, and also my words, for they never cease.”
now they looked at me a little weird thinking “what the heck has darwin done to elder dickson”. but i explained it as such. moses has had a pretty rough life. he has been subject to the decree of pharoh to kill the children. he was adopted by pharoah’s daughter. as well moses has grown up in the palaces of egypt (the most powerful and wealthy nation at the time). God shows moses here an all expansing vision similar to that of many prophets. after this account moses says
“Now, for this cause I know that man is nothing, which thing I never had supposed”
this brings up an interesting point. moses having seen all that the world has to offer is shown what god has created and see’s that man is nothing. the paradox as we all know is that we are nothing compared to god, his glory, his divinity, but we are everything to him. the advesary will do everything to challenge that. we know that is his purpose is to bring misery to us just like he has.
11 But now mine own eyes have beheld God; but not my natural, but my spiritual eyes, for my natural eyes could not have beheld; for I should have withered and died in his presence; but his glory was upon me; and I beheld his face, for I was transfigured before him.
12 And it came to pass that when Moses had said these words, behold, Satan came tempting him, saying: Moses, son of man, worship me.
i find it interesting that the very first thing that satan does to disuade or to destroy moses is challenges his divine identity. “moses, son of man, worship me”. Within our own lives we will have many times when satan comes knocking challenging our divine identity. that can come at many times, when we are distraught and feel that god has left us, it can also happen when we are doing fantastic and feel as though we don’t need god. the important part is to respond as moses.
13 And it came to pass that Moses looked upon Satan and said: Who art thou? For behold, I am a son of God, in the similitude of his Only Begotten; and where is thy glory, that I should worship thee?
Throughout my time as a missionary that is something that i have come to truly know and cherish. I am a child of god. he loves me and will help me today. He will help you today and everyday because he knows you and the struggles that you face. It is the most important thing for an investigator to know that he/she is a child of god. it is no coincedence that the first principles in both the plan of salvation and the restoration is “God is your loving heavenly father”. I know that to be true. i love what you said dad about the prophet joseph smith. my favorite scripture from that encounter happens in the next section though.
7 And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.
8 The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?
9 Therefore, hold on thy way, and the priesthood shall remain with thee; for their bounds are set, they cannot pass. Thy days are known, and thy years shall not be numbered less; therefore, fear not what man can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever.
I know that the Saviour lives. He walks with us everyday and when we can’t walk any farther he carries us. I know that as we turn to him our trials don’t nessecarily get easier but they become lessons for us. He loves us and wants us to succeed.
Love,
Elder Dickson
Krista -That is a very powerful testimony Tommy. I am so grateful that you have served a mission and are able to help yourself and others with the lessons from the scriptures. I think most people in the world today don’t see themselves as Children of God and that is a critical truth
Brent –
That is one of my favourite scriptures from the book of Moses. I remember my MTC president teaching it to us. The three big concepts:
- I Am God
- You are my son
- I have a work for you to do
It is a prototype of all our relationships with God. It stuck with me from when I was 19. It becomes more profound the more I think about it.
T-
kinda figured that is better than a weekly update
K-
Absolutely! It is great t see your maturity and growth…. don’t think though that you are getting away with not telling me a couple of details of your life😁
B-
So funny Benny party story. They said no presents but Candy would be welcome. His friends went to town. This was a better haul than Halloween. Jake benefited with some shared Skittles.
Sad rugby moment. Wallabies lost to Ireland in game 3 of their test series by 1 point. I’m sure Chambers will have something to say about that tomorrow. Stupid Chambers with his Irish heritage!:)
K-
Yep…definitely a mom fail on that one, I should have said a chocolate bar…. instead giant Costco bags of gummies….he’s going to have lots of cavities with his sketchy brushing habits
T-
haha thats hilarious!
B-
Benny was worried I would steal candy. I promised I would only take it right in front of his face.
President Miles and his wife spoke in Stake Conference today. They are released on Saturday. Bore powerful testimonies. Made me think of Parkers. It would be a powerful experience to be a mission president.
K-
Did the family respond to the lesson? Do they have family in Darwin?
T-
oh is he our mission president?-
they responded well and promised they would go to church when the get back to adelaide
B-
The Calgary mission president. Released Saturday. Heard the new one is from New Zealand. Don’t know the name.
The new mission president of Vietnam is Ross Chile’s and we hung out together at UofA before I went to Sweden. Kinda cool
T-
oh wow thats cool!
K-When do you meet your new mission president?
B- His mission was New Orleans Vietnam speaking. I remember him taking us for Vietnamese food and everyone in the restaurant having to meet the blond kid that spoke Vietnamese.
T-
so he gets to the mission on the 30th has a 4 hour interview with the parkers and then the parkers leave. president marquis gets to darwin on the 4th
K-
Wow that is a tight turnover…they will probably be a little Jet lagged. Hopefully you will get your Canada Day package and you can just celebrate a week late
T-
hopefully 😛
B-
I love that. 4 hour interview and then good luck for the next three years. You will have to show the new president the ropes in Darwin.
K-
One last bit of Canadian pride! You don’t have any Canadian missionaries left in Darwin so you will have to represent
T-
yeah so i get to take him around and show him darwin
K-
That will be a great opportunity for you. You are the king of Darwin!
B-
Hope he takes notes. Right now probably no one in the mission knows Darwin better than you.
T-
woohoo!-
so apparently president parker has already told him about me
K-
Don’t break any traffic rules! How long are they In Darwin?
B-
I assume he bragged appropriately about you. I am Dad biased!
T-
two days
haha, its just having been here for almost a year, i know my way around
K-
It’s a big position of trust to be a zone leader over 3000 km from your mission president. He believes in you.
Nope…way more than that
T-
thats a good thing 🙂
K-
Of course it is but you have had to work with a new to zone leader, greenie, new senior couple and new mission president…that takes skills
B-
Mad Skillz friend!
So I am multitasking. While emailing you At the hospital i have also been texting people to speak in church. Just nailed down a couple of youth. I am soooo popular in the ward.
T-
haha im sure people love to hear from you
i gotta go love you heaps
B-
Since April 2016 – everyone’s favourite.
Have an amazing week. Enjoy that new president
K-
Love you heaps…I think I am going to say that forever….thanks Australia!
June 17
hey mom and dad,
how are you? so nothing too crazy this week. we found a couple new investigators and are still moving the work forward. nothing too crazy. i’m super excited for taylor and billy! thats so good that he will be able to keep serving! i dont have his email from home. as well everybody is getting married before i get home haha
Love Elder Dickson
Krista –
So lots of talk at the dinner tonight about your flights and when you get home. I think people just think about missionaries when they are sending another one off. Is your greenie still doing well. Has he adjusted to the heat or has it cooled down a bit?
T-
yeah he is awesome! –
do you already have my flights?
K-
Yes, I though get you might have heard. We got an email on Tuesday. You fly out at 6 am on August 28th from Adelaide. First to Sydney… then LA then home. The layovers are not too bad a couple of hours or 3 hours or so. Because of the time change even with tons of time in the air you actually arrive in Calgary the same day at 5:00 pm. I think you r something like 19 hours on the plane plus layovers. you are going to be one tired boy!
T-
dang, i haven’t heard anything yet
K-
So I assume you will fly to Adelaide from Darwin sometime before the 28th. You will probably hear those details when your new mission president comes up to Darwin. Tell me about your new investigators
T-
so we are teaching two aborignal brothers from tiwi and one guy from liberia
K-
Where is Tiwi? Are all your investigators young? How are your other baptisms from Darwin doing. John and Peter and Jun?
T-
so tiwi is an island north of darwin, and yeah they are doing good
Brent-
Got your flights and it kind of freaked me out. Got a little excited. Taylor did awesome. 404 people in Sacrament meeting today
K-
I didn’t even know there were islands there. Are they mainly aboriginal? I loved some of the pictures you shared last week. Especially the one of you and Serina with her art. That will be very special
T-
holy, must have been his good looks
B-
Posted the picture of you with the joey and got lots of response.
T-
she said she wants to do one more for me
B-
We are now sharing Ron Swanson advice from Parks and Rec. a high level of dude conversation.
T-
haha always listen to ron
K-
That is very kind of her. She is really talented. Does she do it as a business?
T-
no she just does it for fun, since i am the longest serving missionary in nightcliff she sees me as her son so she wanted to paint for me
K-
It has been a cool thing that you have been able to develop relationships with the members in Darwin. One of the advantages of serving in a small branch. Have you seen the Farrer’s while they have been there?
Taylor – How are things going so far! I just had my talk and we are hanging out around my house. What is new with you?
From Taylor.
T-
man was your talk good? –
yeah i have seen them but only for a short time
K-
What is the plan for PDay this week?
Taylor-
Well my opening line was “my family has problems “
T-
haha sounds about right and probably clean our flat
K-
The other day Drew was going to have some friends over so he totally cleaned the house… it was because the girls were coming over too. He said he wouldn’t have cleaned for just the guys. I totally want the girls to come over all of the time. My house would look GREAT
T-
i otta go love you heaps
B-
Have a sweet week. Love you
K-
Love you heaps… we are so proud of you. Work hard and care for that greenie!
June 12 Pictures
June 11
hey mom and dad,
so it has been an emotional week. this week the parkers as you know were in darwin. we got our “final counsel” from them and it was amazing. as well we saw them off at the airport and i totally broke down. told myself not to cry but didn’t go so well :p. any ways things have been going really well here. nothing to crazy happened this week, except i got our new companion! his name is elder nelson (not related t the prophet) he is from texas and is a gun! super awesome! so other than that nothing too crazy. heaps of blessings and miracles as always but normal week.
Love
Elder Dickson
Krista-
What does it mean he is a gun? I’m getting emotional thinking about the Parkers too😢 Is Elder Nelson a brand new missionary?
Make sure you write down their counsel so you don’t forget. Did you get a picture with them?
Brent
Nothing wrong with feeling emotional about the Parkers. Working hard in a righteous cause brings you together.
T-
gun means he is sooo ready to work hard. we got a zone picture together
K-
Awesome… tell me a little more about him. You are back to two Americans…. building those North American bonds!
B-
Drew played well in the selects game. A UofC coach came up to him and asked if he would be interested in playing for the Dinos next year. Drew was thrilled.
T-
thats awesome for drew!
i didn’t even know they had a team
K-
He’s our second rugby star… not sure Benny is going to follow in both of your footsteps though. When I suggested bringing out Spike Ball for him and his friends for his birthday he said…. well mom these people are not exactly athletic, they are geeks like me! Not sure I classified Spike Ball as athletic.🙄
B-
I gotta go. I’m off to get a computer tablet for Jake. Surprise. He broke his. So glad you are doing great. Take care of that Texan. I’ll leave you to Mom.
K-How many missionaries do you have in the zone now? – What is up for this week? Any investigators?
T-
nah nothing too crazy this week. just finding, finding and finding
K-
Have you seen the Farrer’s yet? Jake is now expressing his displeasure that there is no Domino’s pizza at the hospital. Me too!!
T-
yeah we have just for a short time though
K-
Did you get your package?
T-
no not yet
K-
Oh well… you will have to pretend that Canada Day is not July 1st….. what were some of the pieces of advice the Parkers gave you?
T-
they talked about regular FHE, temple attendance, ongoing conversion, don’t delay marriage –
i gotta go love you!
K-
Love you heaps…. this is the best part of my day today!
Tommy Pictures June 5
June 3
hey mom and dad,
so crazy day in darwin! so midway through the week elder mcdonald and elder fiu got emergency transfered to adelaide and mildura to help with some problems down there. so as for transfers my new companion is elder syme! he is from mississippi and is a long distance runner. elder biesemeyer got transfered to malak. sister ili got transfered to adelaide along with elder hawkins. coming up is elder turctte from arizona (chinese speaking), elder wu and elder lu both from china. so it has been a crazy week! as well elder syme and i are training. so crazy. oh as well elder mcdonald is the new assistant. anywho thats exciting to hear about finding a place for jake, so will that be his permanent house?
Love
Elder Dickson
Krista-
Wow that is quite the week…. is Elder Syme there yet? That is crazy the Elder McDonlad is an assistant and that there were emergency transfers. Do you k ow why you are training g?
T-
yeah he came from malak, and no we dont
Brent –
Hey my boy, sounds like the zone got blown up. I can’t keep track of all those missionaries but your mom will know who they all are. The best plan is for Jake to live in that group home permanently but to spend time with us too. Not sure how it will all work just now. His aggressive behaviour has to be under control before spending time with us.
K-
Right, I forgot he was already there. So you get to train another new ZL ? So with Sister IIlli and Elder McDonald gone you really are the king of Darwin! Any pictures this week?
B-
So I am sitting in the hospital with Jake, watching Pres. Nelson’s devotional to youth, and emailing my missionary in Darwin. Never would have predicted all that a while ago.
K-
So with Elder Biesemeyer going to Malak does that mean Elder Miague is finishing his training…..? You are a grandpa!
T-
no so elder davison will finish his training
K-
So Elder Syme… could be your last companion….finish strong! Do the new missionaries come today?
T-probably will be and yeah we pick them up tonight
B-So a long distance runner from the south. Does this mean some training other than karate in the mornings now. A Canadian Aussie accent and a southern US Aussie accent. You will be quite the pair.
K-
So Elder Syme is a distance runner. What else is great about him?
T-
he doesn’t have a draw, he actually sounds pretty aussie.
B-
So you can both blend as natural citizens. But the shirt, tie, and black tags may raise some suspicion, even though lots of your missionaries are Aussies.
K-
So do you have another Mandarin Elder in Darwin already or will the Elder be in an English companionship?
T-
the will be in an english companionship but using their chinese to teach and find
K-
That is awesome! Where will he be based? So still trying to figure out a good missionary gift. Taylor’s farewell is in two weeks because of Stake Conference and the long weekend. It has come really fast
B-
So will you watch Pres. Nelson’s youth devotional some time soon? I enjoyed it. Simple and to the point. Two thumbs up from me 🙂
Just put Connor McCue on the Taylor Farewell program. Might as well throw a Steed cousin in there. Dani Carter gives her farewell too. This will be the third double farewell in the ward since April.
K-
Ok I guess I will just have to use my mom brain. So with all of the changes who does that put in your flat with you and Elder Syme?
T-
so it will be elder syme, elder nayusan, elder turcotte, elder wu, our trainee and myslef
K-
So who is the newby in the other trio. That will be crazy having 6 elders. Good thing the flat is so big. Anything else up for PDay other than airport pickups?
T-
so don’t know yet and nah just sleep
K-
Oh I know what I forgot to ask? Did you get your Canada Day package? I planned it for only one companion, so yo7 will have to share around
T-
no i aven’t gotten anything yet
B-
So turns out Jake loves tuna sandwiches and egg salad sandwiches. They always have some in the fridge here and he crushes them.
K-
Ok, hopefully it will come with the Parkers when they come for their last visit.
T-
did you send it to adelaide?
K-
Plus he got a slurpee from Sis Banfield and some Dr. Pepper from us. It stinks being in the hospital but he is eating all right.
T-
haha probably gaining heaps of weight
K-
Yep… but with the way the mail works I had to send it a long time ago so I wasn’t sure where you would be . Drew goes for his mission medical tomorrow….. time flies!
B-
When he gets better we will send you on some power hikes with him.
T-
when does he want to go on the mish?
B-
Right after our family Mexico trip. Around Jan 1 will be his available date
K-
I don’t think he really knows. I either think he is going to Texas or somewhere like Vietnam or the Philippines where his 6ft 3 self will not exactly blend in.
T-
awesome!
K-
I should have read closer… I thought yo7 said where
T-
probably philipines
B-
I was trying to convince him he should put November 3 as his date and then let God decide if he should go to Mexico on holiday or mission right away and make that sacrifice. I almost had him convinced and then said, are you kidding me! Come to Mexico and then hit the mission. 🙂
T-
hahaha
K-
I better start planning that Mexico trip…. you know my crazy planning self😁
T-
haha im sure evryday will be planned
B-
It will be cool to see where he goes. We have made some joking predictions but who knows what will happen.
K-
Well let’s just say… sitting all day at the beach is just a little hard for me but I’m sure Dad will help balance us out
B-
Some beach wave watching, some ancient ruins, and some market shopping all sounds pretty good to me.
T-
haha
B-
We need to stop. This could make you a bit trunky. Focus on the work and hopefully some mangoes. 🙂
K-
Benny’s birthday is coming up soon. He says he wants to be the Dickson brother who gets his drivers license the fastest. I can’t quite bring myself to imagine Benny behind the wheel…. just too scary
B-
Centennial parking lot here we come. Two boys down, one to go.
K-
Have you had any luck finding this week?
T-
holy benny
B-
Jake just made things exciting and ran for the far washroom. That kid is a rebel.
K-
Poor kid has been stuck in the same room for a while… I guess you have to have some interest in your life
T-
haha i guess so –
gotta go love ya heaps
K-
Love you heaps… hope you enjoy your new companionship and flat
May 28
hey mom and dad so i sent that letter of reccomendation that sister lea wrote for me. super awesome! any ways this has been a great week. had a fantastic interview with president where he told me that i will be here till i finish. as well we are looking into going out bush and teaching out there so it should be pretty interesting. nothing too crazy happened this week. just zone conference and elder pickett and i running a lot of errands for president.
Love,
Elder Dickson
Krista –
The letter is awesome. What a great recommendation for you. Are you ok with finishing off strong in Darwin? Where are you going out bush?
T-
oh i love darwin! no where else is better! we are going to a place called maningrida. as well we are going to be having an area 70 visiting that is in charge of pblic affairs and i am supposed to take him around
K-
Oh that will be cool to tour a 70 around. You will have to have your best public affairs face on. Do you have investigators in Maningrida? How far is it away? Is that the place where the whole mob is being taught?
T-
no soo we don’t have any investigators there but we hae a member family that wants to introduce us to people to baptize. it is 6 hours from darwin
K-
Wow… will you go in one day? Is it just your companionship ? Who are the me,bets?
Brent –
Hey Tommy. Took a quick selfie when th the Grampster. Lots of advisors are asking about you. I told them you were freezing in 22C
T-
not sure of the plan, probably a two day trip
K-
Darwin is full of adventures! Is that the last time you will see the Parkers? Are the Leas gone yet?
B-
I was telling some LDS advisors about you drawing the plan of Salvation in the dirt for the Aboriginal people. They were impressed.
T-
so the lea’s leave on thursday and the parkers last visit will be on 2 weeks –
haha the dirt drawings are a little bit unique
K-
Wow… big changes! I assume you will get some new missionaries next week too.
B-
This is Drew’s big leadership Farewell. I have had you or him involved for 5 years now!
T-
yeah should be getting heaps
K-
I guess you will get to see the Farrers then. They are coming back to Darwin to visit
T-
dang a little break for a while-
yeah i will!
K-
Jacob is now calling out every treat he could possibly have in the hopes that I will cave. There isn’t much to do here so he eats non stop…. he is going to gain 30 pounds! Me too probably with all of the ice cream I am eating.
B-
They are now introducing all the dignitaries at opening ceremonies. Love those speeches. I’m sure it brings back fond memories for you.
K-
Well here is a Grandpa Steed moment. After having the worst winter in a while…we have now had a May that is just like summer. This probably doesn’t bode well for the actual summer and you may just come home to crazy cold…. Darwin boy!
T-
haha i hope it is still warm in august
K-
Star preparing yourself….that would be a dream! What was the message at zone Conference this time? What did you teach about?
T-
so we talked about member work and potential follow up
K-
Awesome… hey don’t forget to get a memory stick and ask Sister Lea for pictures. Tell me a little about the Clydes . Have you had anything to do with them yet?
T-
i am getting the photos today. and elder clyde is a choir director and sister cyde is a stay at home mom
K-Choir director and mom…. people after my own heart ❤
B-
Choir director! Mom is in heaven. Sing Elder
T-
haha seriousy
K-
Did he work in a school or university?
T-
well he is a full time engineer but also a choir director
K-
Oh well, not everyone is perfect –
Well we are getting close to Taylor leaving. Chris and Cameron had their farewells today and the next two are Taylor and Dani…. super cool!
T-exciting!!!
K-
I have to start thinking of a good missionary gift for him and Dallin. Any suggestions?
T-
Ties
K-
Ok but looking for something a little more personal…. How many ties do you think you have now ?
B-
They just scrolled the past conferences on the screen. My favourites were Centennial 2009 and a little conference you may remember. A New Hope 2016
T-
not sure i think like 30.
whats the theme for this year?
K-
That is crazy…. you better get an office job for a while when you get home!
T-
hahai will probably give a lot away before coming home
K-
Take a picture of all of them before you do…. how goes the Elder MacDonald karate training ?
T-
pretty good im still out of shape but not overweight 🙂
K-
I can imagine with the Darwin heat and the bikes that is a ready made fitness program
T-
haha i weigh less than i did befor eth mission
B-
The theme is Agents of Change. Spies and superheroes
Sports update.
Stanley Cup final Las Vegas vs. Washington Capitals. Starts tomorrow
NBA
East final game 7 Celtics vs Cavs tonight
West final game 7 Houston vs. Golden State game 7 tomorrow
You looked really good in the FaceTime call…
K-
All of Canada was sad about the Winnipeg Jets getting knocked out. Something is just wrong about hockey in June. Although last weekend Newfoundland got hit with a HUGE snowstorm…guess I’m glad to be in Calgary after all
T-
who does las vegas have?
B-
Goalie Marc Andre Fleury from the penguins. He has been unreal. But they have been good all year, not just hot in the playoffs
T-
gotta go love ya
B-
Work heaps hard. Probably not how to use that word 🙂
April 29
Hey mom and dad,
so its been another crazy week. so first of all we had heaps of meetings. so didnt get to do much proselyting. the coolest one we had though was a skype call with salt lake to discuss smart phones. heaps cool. so with that the missionaries will be buying their phones but since i am amost done the mission will buy me a mission owned phone. as well the other exciting news is that we got elder biesemeyer as our new companion. soo he is from arizona and is realy cool. he is a gun and is ready to serve. he is really big into basketball so heaps of ball in the morning. Jun is doing really good, he is progressing really fast so he will for sure be baptized on the 12th of may. so supre exciting week! that sucks as well that you cant go and see president nelson speak, but at least you can watch a broadcast!
Love
Elder Dickson
Krista – Awesome about the phones. That is interesting that Salt Lakehad to talk to you. was it all of the Zone? Rules about usage?
Brent – Free Phone! A fathers prayers are answered :). Just kidding – I mean …
Baptism – so awesome kid! We are very excited for Jun
T- no so it was just the darwin zone leaders, city zone leaders and the assistants and president. it was all about the start up plan
K- Interesting…. so are they starting with only a few zones? What is the timeline?
T- yeah and malak just baptized 3 times on saturday – no they will do the whole mission but president asked specifically that we attend. it will start in june
B- Is there anything about smart phones they said that surprised you? Have you explained to your greenie that the Raptors are the best?
K- Very cool…. do you know anything about Mother’s Day yet? Also did you remember to ask about a reference letter from the Leas?
T- we will be sing facebook. as well each missionary will have a phone but only one SIM card per area. and yeah i told him don’t worry he knows the suns suck. and yes i have asked sister lea for the letter of reference and we haven’t sorted mothers day yet
B- Impressive. You answered four questions in one response. You got game!
K- Ok that is the answer to a million questions…. I’m sure your greenie is ok in the heat if he is from Arizona. It’s great that you have an investigator for him to work with. He loves basketball… what else is he good at?
T- he is really prepared for missionary work, heaps better teacher than i was
K- That’s great… we are starting to get Drew ready, what do you think helps with that?
B- So we’re all the meetings this week for all the missionaries in your zone or just ZLs? What kind of meetings?
T- going out with the missionaries before hand (but we have sisters), preach my gospel and better scripture study
so no the meetings are just for us
K- Good advice…. . What about living with companions? What were some of the best things you learned from some different elders?
T- like what kind of things?
K- Who do you think of as kind, a master teacher, organized, tidy…? I’m sure each has their strengths. I think it’s also great that you have got to train 4 missionaries .im sure they have all brought different gifts to the work
B- Besides Drew cleaning his room what are some things he can work on to get along with companions?
T- i think the biggest thing is to just be flexible. its mostly the little things that cause companionship riffs
K- What have you learned from the members of the branch?
T- i think the biggest thing that i have learned from the members is sacrifice. they will do anything for us
K- Your mom LOVES Darwin! Hooray! What a great place to serve. any great plans for your greenies first PDay?
B- So the Raptors get Cleveland next. The Cavs beat Indiana by 4 in game seven. LeBron has scored over 40 in 5 of the games but the rest of the team isn’t great. Never count him out. Makes me nervous for the Raptors.
T- no nothing big planned
K- The deacons all sang in church last week…. did I tell you? Our ward has a crazy number of deacons 18! They even sang in parts… let’s just say your little brother is not the most enthusiastic singer. Lots of new people in the ward too… you may hardly recognize it when you get home
B- Your mom is helping me do my calling. 4 youth and one adult are speaking in Mother’s Day sacrament meeting. Mom came up with all the topics for talks. I’m dead without her.
T- yeah i used to make fun of the missionaries who know nobody. now thats me
B- It will be a busy July. Dallin has his farewell on Sunday the 8th and Maddy’s wedding will be the following Saturday in the Provo city temple. Either mom or I will go down with Benny
K- Oh well, you will just spend a couple of weeks in the home ward and then be off to YSA anyways…. you will love it
T- my companions predict that the raptors beat the cavs and play the 76ers
haha yeah i have only spoke in ysa ward 😛
K- Are there any YSA wards in your mission? Would the city branch count as that?
T- no they only have 1 in australia. all ysa just have class in their wards. i guess the city is sorta ysa but they are more focussed on school than marrage
K- Drew is complaining about social studies….NOT his favourite but I guess you two are a little different because he loves math and science – Drew says…NO! He does not like social!!! I can’t quite believe he is graduating
B- Drew just needs to find his inner social studies love
T- haha funny, crazy that 3/4 are soon outof school
K- That does NOT make me old… I repeat that does not make me old! Pictures of Waterton are starting to be posted . It still looks beautiful but it will be interesting to see what the valleys are looking like. I’m sure Red Rock and Cameron will be bare
B- All the 12s are starting to talk grad. Grad grad grad. Sounds familiar?
T- haha grad, grad, grad
B- Sounds like Drew’s plans will be fun. I think he won’t be too disappointed his dreams will be crushed.
K- I am still not clear about all of the plans but he is pretty responsible and I think the girls are making all of the decisions
T- haha sounds about right, i gotta go love you heaps bye!
K- Love you
April 22
hey mom and dad,
so exciting news, the mission is getting smart phones! so eery companionship will be using a smart phone instead of the brick we have now. other than that the exciting news is that i am still in darwin! so i think i will probably stay for the rest of the mission. as well nobody else got transfered from the zone but malak elders, palmerston elders and us are training. so its been a good week. our investigator jun is progressing really well and he is on track to be baptized on the 12th of may. pretty normal week. oh as well the clydes are going to be the new darwin couple when the lea’s leave
Love,
Elder Dickson
Krista – I am surprised you are still in Darwin… are you excited for that? Do you know who you are training yet?
T- yeah i am super excited!!!! and no we will find outt on wednesday
K- That is great…I’m glad you are happy there. Who are the Clyde’s? I don’t think I know them? Where are they from? Dad is probably still on a plane on the way to Winnipeg so I’m not sure you will hear from him tonight
T- i have no clue who the clydes are just heard that they are coming to darwin
K- Ok then…. when do you get your phones? That must make communicating with members and investigators so much easier. It’s kind of funny they had a dinner for Jackson and Garrett after church today and we were having that exact conversation with Jesse and Layton about phones and missions. It’s great how the church can monitor them and how useful they are for the work
T- so we aren’t sure when the phones will come but it will be soon. did layton have one in his mission?
K- Yes he did and I think Garrett and Taylor will have them too. Garrett and Jackson did a great job of their talks today. They have both grown up so much. They leave on Tuesday. Has it started to cool off at all in Darwin? I can’t tell you how excited dad has been to shovel off the deck and seeing the snow melt. Now he is going to be in Winnipeg while it might be 20 on Tuesday ..
I know that sounds crazy cold to you but to us it sounds tropical
T- haha yeah so it has turned to dry season so all 30’s but little humidity
K- I am now fighting with Drew about getting off fortnight…. this new online game…. oh how I love electronics! And of course Jacob is adding his two cents to the discussion. So with the new trainees does that mean there will be 17 in your zone?
T- yeah everybody over here in aus is talking about fortnight yeah 17 missionaries
K- Ahhhhh not there too… I am definitely ANTI Fortnight!
T- haha yeah is it bad?
K- The game itself is not that bad … it’s the obsession that is driving me a little crazy! Lots of people were asking after you today … the general response is …l I can’t believe it has gone that fast. Owen is getting his papers ready and they should be in in the next little while
Brent – Hey Tommy! The Darwin man! Glad you are excited to stay. You would probably freeze if you went south. I just landed in Winnipeg and have to go meet Andy Thibodeau. Have an amazing week.
Dad
T- tell andy i say hi
K- Tell me a little about Jun…. Is he your Korean investigator? What does he do?
T- yeah jun is korean and he is your typical korean animated man :p he is really funny and is super sarcastic but is really keen to learn
K- How old is he? Does he have a family?
T- he is 22
K- You must enjoy teaching people that are your age. And it’s pretty awesome how diverse Darwin is. Sister Lea posted some pictures of some people from the branch and some friends and it was cool
T- yeah darwin is a big melting pot
K- What is your favourite discussion to teach and why?
T- i love teaching the plan of salvation because without fail they always say “this makes sense”
K- Do you have a special way to teach it?
T- yeah we do a lot of drawing
K- I hope you have better drawing skills than your mother or you would be in big trouble. What is new in the branch?
T- no i suck at drawing so usually the investigators laugh
T- ok i gotta go, love you heaps!!
K- Love you heaps
April 9 & 16
April 9
hey mom and dad!
so this has been an awesome week! lots of craziness with conference! really exciting to see all the changes and the talks. it seemed like there was an overall theme of small and simple things. super awesome. so as for the work this week has been pretty awesome as well. we were able to find 6 new investigators this week. all of them are on baptismal date! so it has been a good week. as well elder salcedo has been called as the new assistant. they are coming up tomorrow for zone conference! nothing too crazy though to report on. what classes am i signed up for in the first semester? and who is the second counsellor in the bishopbric?
LOVE
Elder Dickson
April 16
hey mom and dad how are you?
so this has been a pretty miraculous week! we have been blessed like crazy to have 3 new baptismal dates and they are all really solid! we also were able to see the parkers and the assistants come up. we had whats called boot camp so a 12 hour zone conference. it was mostly just reviewing all the past trainings! so it was heaps good. other than that it has been a pretty normal week. nothing too crazy, just the normal. so our investigators names are komal from kiribus, geff from china and june from south korea. so it has been a great week.
how is jake doing? and how is things at home?
Love
Elder Dickson
K-
You are certainly teaching people from all over the world… that is exciting! Where is Kiribus? Jake is a little better, still a process trying to find the right medication. Dad will send you something, he is on the way to a fireside. Remington’s say hi. Wyatt comes home in June and they are going to pick him up. Elliott is going to put her papers in too.
T-
kiribus is an island in the south pacific. oh thats really exciting for elliot and for wyatt!
K-
That’s cool. I don’t think I had ever heard of that before. I talked to Sister Sorenson again today. Billy’s first email sounded positive and he is excited to be doing missionary work. Taysia reported today and Jackson and Garrett are next week. Tell me the time you felt the Spirit the strongest this week.
T-
probably in my interview with president parker
B- Hey Tommy boy. I mean Elder Tommy Boy! I’m sitting in the Sundance Chapel with Patriarch Brown. I was getting him set up for a fireside he is giving to the youth in 15 minutes. He sure knows the youth of the Stake. A pretty unique calling.
T-
oh thats awesome is he giving a fireside on what a patriachal blessing is?
B-
What was it about the interview that made you feel the spirit so strong? I got set apart today by President Stevens. It was pretty powerful. He said some amazing things about your mom. As you know she is amazing!
K-
What are you proud of in the Darwin Zone?
T-
the zone is on fire its great that whenever i ask for more they do it!
K-
Tell me some great examples… what are the missionaries doing well? What programs are working?
T- so i’m always so impressed with what the missionaries will do to help their investigators. they are truly OCD (obedient, consecrated and dilligent
K-
What are you trying moving forward… your new marching orders so to speak?
T-
so we have a big focus on the book of mormon and sacrament attendance
B- Christlike love causes that Elder. It also takes a leader to inspire that. Nicely done
T-
thanks dad
K-
Are you working with investigator ‘s sacrament attendance or less active members?
T-
investigators
B-
I remember finding some great investigators while reaching out to less active members. One of the best things about being called back to the bishopric is working with youth. Soon Benny will be coming to the Teachers Quorum and I will be there with him.
While listening to the Patriarch’s talk I think I need to go read mine over again.
K-
That sounds like a great focus. It will allow them to feel the spirit and learn at the same time. I was listening to the talk by Elder Wakolo from Fiji from the Saturday afternoon session. He talks about the importance of ordinances but specifically talks about the experience of teaching about the sacrament…. what a great connection
T-
yeah we have been working a lot with PMF’s as ways to find new investigators
K-
Tell me something interesting or quirky about Darwin or your flat this week
B-
So I haven’t really whines about weather. Just felt the need to point out that it is April 15 and we have a 20-30 cm snowfall warning tomorrow so think of us while you are sweating!
T-
so something funny about darwin is that everyone sweats and everyone excepts it as a way of life. so everyone has big sweat stains
B-
Nice. I feel like I would fit right in!!!
T-
it is a whole different ball game than canada
K-
I guess that much heat and humidity will do that to you.! What is the funniest thing that happened this week in your flat? Do you still do a lot of the cooking?
T-
nothing much happened this week just crazy with 7 eldrs atying there
B-
So are you saying no wrestling matches or poor food choices happened with 7 elders together??
T-
no not really just heaps of brownies
K-
Do you only have one bathroom? What is in for PDay today? I mailed your “last😜” package yesterday. It will take a couple of months but it seemed pretty momentous
T-
no we have three bathrooms, and not really sure for p-day
K-
Funny moment… I can tell I have an Australian Missionary because when I start to type the letter h on my IPad it automatically brings up heaps as a word choice!
B-
Punch a Kangaroo!!! I feel like that would be Benny’s suggestion.
T-
haha im going to have heaps of lingo like that where people will look at me like “what?”
haha i’ll try
K-
I’ll be interested to hear you on Mother’s Day to see if you sound like an Aussie
B-
You will probably sound like a Australanadian 🙂
T-
yeah well heaps of people i meet on the street think im aussie
i gotta go love you heaps!
K-
Love you heaps
April 2
hey mom and dad!
so first of all its great to hear about dalllins mission call! he will do great! so it has been a pretty normal week. lots of finding and teaching. we had a little miracle this week we were struggling to find new investigators and out of the blue a potential called us and said “i need direction in my life”. so naturally we taught him the plan of salvation the next day. super awesome. its going to be exciting to watch general conference this weekend. i heard they got rid of the high priests group and elders qoroum. the other reason it will be exciting is that president parker has been called as an area 70. so this last weekend he was in salt lake! crazy! as for the cyclone clean up its pretty much back to normal so back to normal proselyting. elder arnaud as well goes home this week so he will be staying with us as of wednesday night. its been a great week
LOVE
Elder Dickson
Brent – The magic words, I need direction in my life. Music to your ears I bet. Dallin is very excited. We are fired up for him. The other big news since we wrote is Maddy is engaged. Her fiancé is named Hunter and he has grown up in the States but his mom is from Calgary. I knew her at UofA. They are getting married in August. Not sure where yet.
After a week of us away mom deserves a break.
T- right before i get back 😛
haha seriously
B- Yup, things change. Your brothers are bigger and Maddy married. Mom put the deposit down for St. Mary’s. we are going to talk to Layton and an academic advisor there to figure out best classes for you to take that will count for everything
T- ok sweet i can ask sister lea to write a letter of reference and see if president parker can do the same
B- Good idea. Your mom is a smart one, a keeper!
T- haha yeah it will be good everyone will be humble
B- Tell me a little more about your new investigators.
T- so the solid one we are teaching his name is gavin. he is indigenous and is really excited about the Plan of Salvation
B- Nice. So how did he contact you? Beats knocking on doors to find people!
T- we invted him to sports night and he just texted us back
B- So how did you find out about President Parker as an area authority? Will he be serving in Nevada?
T- he will be in nevada and elder lea told us
B- Very cool. One Elders Quorum makes sense. It will be a mix of Elders and High Priests. I think it will really benefit smaller units. I really enjoyed the solemn assembly. Can’t wait for you to see it.
T- yeah it will benefit us in darwin soo much
B- The other big change is no more home and visiting teaching. Instead you are assigned someone to minister to. It looks similar but home visits aren’t essential. Every quarter you report to your leaders how the family or families are doing. There are asking for a higher level of service.
T- yeah i heard about that, it sounds awesome
B- I’ve been home teaching McCues since with you. Stevens even longer.
T- so some changes soon
B- Tomorrow we are back to school. There is still a foot of snow on the field and cold all this week. No idea when rugby will get outside. Getting tired of the soccer centre.
T- dang hopefully it will go soon
B- Maybe play with snowshoes. Raptors are 2 games up on the Celtics for first in the east. One week left in the season and they play one more time.
So any new finding initiatives? Are you able to open and see all the pictures I’ve been sending?
T- yeah i have seen all the pictures and go raptors! i gotta go love you heaps
B- Have a most awesome week. Love you
For the record Krista is in Kallispell and was watching Black Panther when Tommy emailed – but she did text me that he emailed 🙂
Cyclone in Darwin – maybe a Crocnado???
hey mom and dad!
so as you would know this has been a absolutely crazy week. 1) all the arrivers came into darwin on thursday and i took the malak elders around and showed them their areas. it was pretty cool working with them. 2) CYCLONE MARCUS. so yeah you probably have already seen more photos than i have. sister lea was crazy taking photos. with permission from president we spent the whole day yesterday cleaning and seving the community and members. i split everyone into teams and we started to work. there is a lot of damage done all through out darwin. Marcus was predicted to hit darwin at a category 1 but upscaled to a 2. Most of the people said “eh its just a cat 2” but nobody was truly prepared. Heaps of damage. whole houses have been smashed by trees. pretty cool. so i am not sure how long we will be doing the clean up for because there is soooooo much to be done. we kept power through the whole thing (one of the only spots in darwin). it was really cool though.
so i think in regards to school, i think taking the course load at st.marys is the way to go.
LOVE
ELDER DICKSON
K- Awesome. Are you working again today for PDay? How does that even get organized?
T- we are doing a little bit of cleaning today but i am organizing all of that
K- So do you each work in your areas or do you go to members and their neighbours? What was the most interesting experience so far?
B- What a cool experience being able to do all that service. You are making a real difference. What is the craziest thing you saw from the cyclone?
T- so we go to members and their neighbours. and its just been a really uplifteing experinece – we have cleared heaps of trees, and it was really cool to see how a community rallies together to help each other out
K- How have you helped? What was inspiring?
B- I was worried it would be like Sharknado. Was it a crocnado? Were there crocs flying in the air?
T- CROCNADO! actually funny story some crocs were lifted out of the harbour
K- Do you have equipment to work with? How hot is it? – No WAY…. ok I need the details on that!
T- no so it was all done by hand saw and axe and machete. we took down all in all between 4 of us probably about 40 trees – thats all the details i know
B- Any story you are telling gets cooler when you are using machetes. Not sure you could bring one home in your suitcase.
K- Ok you KNOW I am going to be looking that up it is too good to be believed. Did you get your birthday stuff? Not much but something ? Easter pouch?
T- no i haven’t gotten anything. it probably will be delayed with the cyclone
K- Ok my mom heart still wishes you happy birthday and take some money out of your account for a cake and pizza
T- ok thanks mom
B- Mom is working on us going to Waterton for a bit before you start school. We will leave Drew behind so he can work. 🙂
T- so waht kind of classes would i be taking in my first year?
K- For sure an English course or two and then probably history . I will look at the calendar and give you some choices when we get a little closer
T- ok sweet thank you for taking care of all of this
B- Are you kidding. This is a mom dream come true registering you etc. It is like Grandpa Steed talking cyclones and weather awesomeness. Mom will be on the Mary’s website as soon as you sign off. That is why she is so great.
K- Of course…. now for the most important point… can’t find the crocodile story but you know I am going to keep looking! May be an urban legend… I would be SO sad! Heard some great things about you and the other missionaries and your hard work. You will be tired and sore but people will be grateful. Does the city come and take big trees away?
T- yeah they will come and clear the streets but people are responsible for their own yards
K- That is a lot of work and lots of opportunities for service. When do the Parkers come again? Are both the Malay elders new? Is that Elder Miague? I’m now Facebook friends with his dad🙂
T- they dont come until april. the malak elders are elder davison and elder syme
K- What is the weather like now? Does it get dry after a cyclone? Hot?
T- its beautful outside, like nothing hapened other than the debris
B- Well I’m looking outside and it is snowing again. I don’t want a cyclone but maybe just a bit warmer.
K- Crazy! Well enjoy the good weather for cleanup.I’m getting sentimental and remembering when yo7 were born. You were in no hurry to get here, you were a week late but once you decided you were by far my fastest birth and biggest kid by one ounce. But the thing I remember most is your huge chubby cheeks😁
T- haha yeah its warm here but just heaps of debris
B- Oh chubby cheeks. You are also the only BC born boy. So special
K- Also Jake LOVED you he used to find you on the floor and just hold your face and look at you
T- haha i got to go, love you heaps!
B- Have an amazing week 20 year old
K- Celebrate this week! Tel” the Leas… have fun… order cool drinks or a treat
Love you
Mom
March 12
Hey mom and dad how are you?
so time to give you an answer, im staying for another transfer. elder salcedo, anderson, hunter and siaw are leaving. sister lousi is leaving as well. sister harrison has moved to palmerston sisters and elder tyler has moved to katherine. PROVO!!!!!!!!!!!!! he is gonna love that mission. so as for the baptism it didn’t go through for mohamed becuase of some family opposition. he is still coming to sports night but we are working with him. it has been a crazy transfer for sure. my new companion is…….ELDER FIU he is now a ZL after his training (unheard of). he is a great missionary and will do great things. so on the other exciting news. elder miague is coming to darwin! he will be the palmerston district leader in palmerston. it has been a crazy week but really good.
Love,
Elder Dickson
Krista –
When we didn’t hear from you yesterday we thought you might be transferred but I guess that was just the holiday in Australia. I’m surprised you are staying… you really will be the king of Darwin. That is crazy about Elder Fiu… you said he was like Elder Punou… so I’m assuming you get along? Where is Elder Salcedo going?
B-
I can’t keep track of all those moves but your super focused and dedicated mom will. I’m glad you are staying in Darwin since you said that is what you want.
1st day of rugby today. 72 boys, 32 in grade 10. Gets popular when we win back to back provincials.
T-
dang thats heaps of guys! that means that the teams will only get better, how are they skill wise? and yeah we get along really well. i will be the king of darwin only if i stay the rest of my mission –
do you think the raptors could contend this year?
K-
That’s cool that Elder Miague is coming. Who else is coming to Darwin?
B-
Lots of good players. We should contend again. Charles Barkley picks the Raptors to win the east. I think he is right. Still not sure anyone can beat golden state in the playoffs –
T- elder davison and elder symes are coming to malak. sister shakespear and elder mcdonald are training. –
i have never met the elders before you ask about them-
who do you think will make the seniors?
K-
Very cool. Are you just doing airport runs then this P Day? Did your birthday package arrive yet?
B-
Drew will make it :). I don’t really know. There are a ton of kids to sort out. This is a first.
T-
will drew play 8 man again? we did airport runs at 4am yesterday and we pick the others up on thursday night –
no i haven’t gotten a package yet but im sure it is on the way
K-With the Katherine transfer do they now have a driver?
T-
yes elder tyler will be driving them-
elder arnaud goes home in 3 weeks so they are in a trio for now –
B-
Drew probably won’t be an 8 We have a gr 11 that will probably play that position. They will find a spot for him.
T-
but he will stay in the forwards? maybe a lock?
K-
Are you feeling positive about staying in Darwin ? You might get all the way through the rainy season! Are you still working with that new Chinese investigator?
B- I think probably a lock. Chambers will figure out best where to use him –
Maybe he should play 10. I hear that is where they put the soft players (that was Tommy”s position)
T-
i hear thats where they put the all stars, i think i will stay here till the end of my mission to be honest. and yeah the rainy season ends in april
K-
Interesting…
Would you be happy with that? Where did Elder Salcedo go?
T-
yes i would love to stay, elder salcedo went back to adelaide city
K-
Very cool… makes the sweater I am sending you kind of useless but maybe you are so used to the weather that you will be freezing at 25.
Benny and Drew are watching the Breakfast Club tonight…. a flash back to the fabulous 80s😜
B-
Don’t you forget about me!! Classic movie.
T-
haha classic and yeah i noticed the other day it go to 20 degrees in our bedroom from the aircon and i was freezing
K-
As I am still cursing all the snow I am just a little bit jealous! How much longer do the Leas have in Darwin?
B-
I think you are a dead man when you return to Canada. Or at least a frozen man.
T-
the leas leave in june
K-
I can’t believe you are almost 20 …. I hope you will make plans for your birthday . Can you ever do something like order pizza?
T-
yeah we can do that, ill figure something out.
K-
Our Apple TV brings up pictures when it is on sleep and I was looking at some pictures from your farewell, you have changed and I think you are going to be surprised how much Drew and Benny have changed too. Dad and I just look older!
T-
how have benny and drew changed?
K-
Drew is a giant…must be 6’3” with the hair and Benny doesn’t look like a kid anymore he is in full teenager mode and a total beanpole! Starting to develop a little bit of the teen attitude too…. I am in mourning for my sweet little boy
T-
all good i will still beat drew in a wrestle. and how is benny in teenager mode?
K-
Don’t get too cocky… Drew is a bit of a gym rat now…. he goes to the Y all the time to lift weights. Benny is just like both you and Drew…. room is a mess, wrappers everywhere… attitude to his mom… but still glimmers of sweet…. I’m holding on to them!
T- haha is he still big into the xbox?
K-
Drew is now a Simpsons junkie and Benny is into anime and stupid YouTube videos. Benny has a phone now and I basically have to pry it out of his hands…. sound familiar?
T-
haha what kind of phone does benny have?
K-
He has an IPhone….better than mine but not the latest. At first he would text me random stuff but now he is a little more video focused
B-
The kid is an Anime junkie. Definitely not my thing.
T-
yeah i never got into that either
K-
He and Dad are going to Comic Con…. he may want t9 be looking at that stuff while dad is into superhero stuff. We will see who wins!
T-
haha we will see. i gotta go, love you heaps talk next week!
K-
Bye love!
March 4
hey mom and dad,
so this has been another crazy week in the darwin zone! so the first crazy thing that happened is we held three sacrament meetings yesterday! so when investigatrs can’t come to church in the morning because of work president has myself and elder salcedo hold a 20 minute evening sacrament meeting. its pretty spotaneous. so we got a call from darwin city elders’ investigator asking if he could do it and we dropped everything and went and ran the meeting. that was crazy. as well this week mohamed dropped us. he has run into some pretty rough family issues and he needed to focus on that. but the exciting news is that we were able to put our investigator simon on date for the 31st of march. he is a 42 year old man from china. he has come over to get his masters in accounting and is planning to bring the rest of his family over soon. so crazy but great week. who is drew taking to grad?
how are the raptors doing?
Love Elder Dickson
Krista –
Drew says …. a girl…. so communicative…. actually Drew is taking Emma Giustini from Chaparral Ward… he is being a 17 year old putz about it all!!!!! That is too bad about Mohammed but exiting about Simon. How did you find him?
So when you hold that sacrament meeting do you just do it in their home? I didn’t know you went to both wards. That makes for a big Sunday
T-
we dont go to both wards we just held two different evenng sacraments on for the sisters investigator and one for the elders investigator. sounds like typical drew 😛 we met simon by just talking to him in the city. we have been teaching him for a week and he didnt accept baptism at first but he finally did
K-
That’s really cool. Have you heard about Teigan yet? He has to come home tomorrow for surgery. He has a cyst that has to be removed on his back. Apparently Brother Simpson had something like that before too. He will be released and then probably go straight to Puerto Rico once he is healed… about 5-8 weeks. It is good that Taylor is around.. they can be buddies!
Oh… had a thought as I was looking at Elder Fiu’s pictures which were awesome last week…. do you still have a camera?
T-
oh dang no i didnt hear about teigan. yes i still have a camera but im just not the best at taking photos
K-
Ok good, yes poor Teigan… his mission journey has not been without speed bumps . Hopefully Taylor will get his call this week. Aunt Christina is hoping for tomorrow on her birthday
T-
i could totally see him going to the islands
K-
I agree, that or the southern states. So any plans for PDay today? We are getting close to your birthday too… I sure hope your package gets there in time!
T-
haha yeah crazy to think that i will be 20 eh? yeah so we are having a district p-day and we are going to play board games at the chapel
K-
Awesome… so hopefully no poor losers. Which district are you with today? So with transfers next week do you think you are staying?
T-
so i think that i am definetly staying. president was joking with me gthis week on the phone that he needs me to permantly live in darwin and get a job here so i can be the darwin zone leader forever. we are going to be with the darwin city district
B-
Raptors are doing awesome. First place in the east and a legit contender to win the east. It will be pretty hard to beat Golden State. Though Houston is in first in the west and some think they can beat the Warriors. I don’t.
K-
Ok I guess we will see… you never know! Maybe you can be like Elder Atkinson and be the king of Darwin like he was the king of Katherine. I’m glad you love it so much. So still thinking about family history… pretty sure you are related to Elder Hymas….
B-
I am emailing you from Stake Priesthood meeting. Just sustained Cam Rice to be ordained an elder. President Craig is now introducing the new Deacons. Some things don’t change.
T-
wo do the rockets have on their team? –
haha so how am i related to elder hymas?
B-
Br Mandan is now teaching us how to sing better. Mom would be fired up. Me not so much. 🙂
K-
You will have to look on Family search but through Grandma Steeds line…. the Cooks… there is a big Hymas line that has a lot of Mormons that settled in Utah and Idaho…. if you are related it will be like 7th cousins or something… not like a long lost brother or anything! What was the funniest thing that happened to you this week?
B-
We are learning to conduct. Adam Sorenson will be upset giving away his secrets. –
Br. Manden just asked for a priest from each ward to come up to learn how to conduct. I just volunteered Drew so he is up front standing by Liam Baines. Tragic mom is missing this!
T-
haha brother manden is the man
haha, who is on the rockets?
K-
Oh. Drew will thank you for that!!!!
Who will be the crazy board game player in the district? What is the best game!
B-
Out of nine priests conducting Drew was tallest by 3 inches.
Rockets have Harden, Chris Paul, Aliza, can’t remember first name. And Tucker who was with the Raptors last year. They are great. Watched them win a close one over the Celtics last night.
T-
we play a lot of risk, it gets intense
B-
I’m sure instead of killing and conquering the world you are converting instead. LDS Risk
T-
nope i will destroy all
B-
Be sure to create alliances and then crush them when it serves you best.
K-
Risk is a recipe for disaster…. I think every Risk game in Waterton ended with someone mad… I guess you need the missionary spirit to survive!
B-
So is the rain still coming strong. This is the most snow I have ever seen since I moved to Calgary
K-
Ok… my advice is completely opposite to your dad… don’t make people feel bad by alliances….I guess I really am the girl!
T- so the rain has slowed down a bit
ok i love you i gotta go
B-
You are the best. Love you
K-
Love you heaps!!!
Feb 25
Hey mom and dad!
so this has been a crazy week. very bus doing a lot of finding! it has been a great experience being able to go finding in the darwin city. This week they had the chinese new year festival in the city so it was a great experience to talk to a lot of foreigners. So other news is that my visa will not allow me to extend. president has looked into it and i won’t be able to. But on the positive side, mohamed is progressing so well! he is the man annd is soo keen for baptism. I’m pumped to hear where taylor will be going! when did he put his availability date? Great week, Awesome mission, Perfect Church and Wonderful Saviour. (Bold added by Dad – what more do you want to hear from your missionary than those statements!!!)
Love you heaps
Elder Dickson
Krista – I love your last sentence…. I am so proud of your focus and hard work! That is too bad about extending but I have to admit my mom heart will be happy to see you a month earlier.
I’m happy about Mohammed… is he on date yet?
That is also really cool about finding in the city. Do you have any Mandarin speaking missionaries in Darwin?
T- yes so mohamed is on date for the 10th of march. elder siaw is mandarin speaking and most missionaries know a couple phrases
K- Is March 10th before transfers? Do you find most Chinese students English is good enough to teach, or do you need Mandarin support?
T- yes it is the day before. their english tends to be pretty good but it helps when we know gospel words in chinese
K- That’s interesting. I think Taylor put his availability as immediate but I am not sure. It seems like most of the calls right now are a few months out so it looks like it is likely that you may miss each other for 4 years… for the best reason … oh well!
Did we tell you… we have planned a family vacation for Christmas coming up in Mexico. It will be great and by that time you will probably be freezing in Canada so it will be a break.
Did you find any other interesting prospects this week in the city? Tell me about them
T- so no really interesting prospects in the city, just a lot of potentials
K- I’m leaving for a fireside …. Dad is taking over
B- Just got back from home teaching Stevens – he was at the Olympics in Korea. Calgary is thinking of putting in a bid.
T- will that be the winters?
B- I haven’t had a chance to read all the emails but I heard no go on the extension. I am sorry to hear that but selfishly a little glad to see you sooner.
Yes Winter Olympics. He says we already have the facilities at Olympic standard to host 11 of the events. The key is to make sure not too much debt. We shall see. I say yes as long as we don’t take on debt.
T- yeah so no go apparently my visa won’t allow it even though president wants to – is it pretty well supported throughout calgary?
B- That is too bad. But the most important thing is that you were willing to do it. It says a lot about how you feel about your mission. Blessings come from intent too. Too early to say about calgary support. People think it would be cool but don’t have enough info yet. Will be interesting.
T- yeah do you think it will go through?
so the family is going to mexico for christmas?
B- Yes Mexico is booked Wanna come? We will be there a week right after Christmas. Condo etc books. Now mom is watching for cheap flights. We want a vacation with all of us before Drew is gone. We will leave Jake for the week.
T- that sounds really cool! where in mexico?
B- Near Cancun I think. 20 min from the beach. Nice pools and access to other resorts. Close to two amazing Aztec ruins we can tour. Mom is the hero on this. She has done all the work to make it happen. She is a keeper. I think it will be so great to be there all together.
T- that sounds awesome, right back to the heat!
B- We will probably all think it is so hot and you will be laughing at us sad Canadians.
T- haha that sounds great, i gotta go love you heaps,
Feb 19
Tommy’s Mission President’s Website
The link above is from Tommy’s mission president. They were in Darwin for a zone conference. Keep scrolling down, there are 3 sets of pictures. Pretty sure Tommy is wearing the tie Aunt Denise sent him. I’m lucky enough to have one that matches! My favourite pic is of two massive crocs caught in Darwin. Yikes
hey mom and dad,
how are you? this has been a pretty awesome week! we were able to find a new baptismal date named mohamed! he is the man. he is in year 12 of high school and comes from a strong muslim background but wants to become christian. he is accepting the lessons really well. Darwin has been really good. really wet. i took a video of the rain but it doesn’t really do it justice. overall its been a great week. no i haven’t seen any crocs up here. i’m pretty sure you have to go out of darwin to really find them.
Love,
Elder Dickson
Brent – Mohammed sounds like a stud. Congratulations! I was impressed with the Parkers croc picture but assumed they weren’t roaming the streets.
T- i never saw it
Krista – It sounds like you are teaching lots of young men… that is great! Is he 18 yet? How does his family feel about it? Is your raincoat holding up? Or can anything hold up to the rain? I will be excited to see the video…. you will need to repent from your non-picture taking ways😁
K- The picture was just one that the Farmers had on Facebook. It is of 2 crocs that someone caught but they must each be about 15 ft!!! – That would be Farrers… stupid autocorrects
T- yeah so he is 18 and really keen. i will try to upload the videos
K- I’m just kidding, I know you are busy! We just love seeing you. I’m glad your investigator is so keen. How is it adjusting to a smaller branch? Does the Palmerston branch meet somewhere else now?
T- the branch is still about 120 members so its still pretty large. the palmerston branch meets at 1pm
K- That is a nice size! Tell me about this new initiative in your zone… blue hand?… something like that… Sister Parker mentioned it
B- So what is one cool thing you learned from Zone conference. Drew is reading Book of Mormon at dinner as fast as possible. Maybe he wants it done fast? I think it his voracious scripture appetite!
T- so #operationbluehand is something that elder hunter dreamed up. basically it is putting a larger emphasis on the book of mormon in finding. its really effective
B- Nice. My operation blue hand was wiping my hands on my new jeans and thinking that I had bad circulation.
T- haha i remember you telling me that
K- That’s a great idea. How does it work? Where is Elder Hunter from and how long has he been out?
T- elder hunter is fro new zealand and has been out about 6 months, the idea is that you act devastated that they haven’t heard about the book of mormon and then offer to give them a free copy as a gift
B- Sounds like he will be a great car salesmen one day.
K- That cracks me up! Smart idea. I can see how some of your more dramatic missionaries could be quite creative with that.
T- haha yeah elder fiu is really good at it
K- Well I guess you will never know who will read it… I am always amazed at how creative missionary work needs to be.
B- Watching a bit of the all star NBA game. The top two vote getters, Lebron and Stephanie Curry got to pick their teams. It was just announced who was on eAch team after they picked. A commentator said they should have picked live right before the game started like gym class that would have been cool.
T- so who is with lebron? and curry?
B- Can’t remember them all but Curry picked Derozan and Lowey. Derozan is a starter, voted in. The Raptors are #1 in the east right now. They look good.
T- who is leading the west?
B- Technically Curry is leading the west and Lebron the east. But once the all stars were voted in or chosen then the teams got all mixed up.
B- Drew, Benny, and I are going to Utah spring break. Gonna stay with Denise a few days and a few in St. George. Going to a Jazz Mavericks game in Salt Lake with Denise’s Family.
T- gotta go love you
B- Have a great week
Feb 12
hey mom and dad, so this has been an awesome week! we had the parkers and the assistants up this week so really good. this week we have been teaching a lot. we put a boy named mohammed on baptismal date. He is from samalia and is muslim but wants to change and be baptized. his mom is a little reluctant, actually a lot but he is 18 and really wants this. Elder Fiu is the man! he is just like elder punou. they are like the same person so its really cool that i am training my trainer. My prediction is the AUSTRALIA ADELAIDE MISSION! nah im just kidding. i thnk that he will go english speaking to the states? its been a great and busy week!
love you heaps
Elder Dickson
Krista –
That’s funny because I thought wouldn’t it be funny if he got called to Australia… I will text him and tell him to email. Ok you ave to be more specific than English speaking in the States… have to pick a state or a city. It always feels good when you are teaching a lot. Is Rikki ona baptism date too?
T-
southern states –
no rikki isn’t on date anymore. we hae lost contact with him but are trying to re-establish contact
Brent –
Snow fest continues. Snowed the middle of the night last night so we had to shovel. Then the ploughing came during church so we had to dig out again. It is our month to shovel at church so the young men are not too impressed. But Broadhurst’s now owe Benny $210 for shoveling this winter so he feels rich.
K-
Well hopefully you will reach him. What did you learn at your zone conference? Did President Parker give you any more information about extending?-
Keep trying…. more specific!
T-
yeah i am all good to extend
K-
Ok… well have you definitely decided? Is there a date that you have to make up your mind by or have you already? September 19?
B-
I was telling President Craig about you thinking about extending your mission. He said Why wouldn’t he!
It was ward conference today and they read your name first for missionaries serving from our ward. You are the longest out now.
Billy S and Chris D are also waiting on their calls.
Were you impressed by the snow piles taller than Ben? I feel like they are monumental since we shovelled all of that.
Mom is watching Winter Olympics figure skating with Drew. Probably not super popular in Australia.
T-
my companion freaked
K-
Ok…. Billy is great and we are very happy for him but I need to k ow your extending info….!!!
T-
i havent finalized it but i want to extend to september 19th
K-
Ok.. I will resist asking for a definite answer right now…. but you know it is killing my planning nature. Just let us know as soon as you decide for sure. Grandpa will want to know about the weather… give me a report and and pictures of rain would be much appreciated
T-
ok its been pretty dry recently
K-
Well that will make Grandpa happy and if you just had Zone conference I’m sure Sister Parker or Sister Lea will post pictures. Did you ever get those new pants?
T-
no they haven’t come yet
K-
Wow…. sometimes I am amazed at how long things take…I sure hope your birthday package gets there in time. Any interesting things you did with the Parkers or APs
T-
no nothing super cool just lots of great stuff
K-
I was talking to Garrett today and congratulating him on his call and he was saying how cool your mission was . I told him it was great but that he should not be jealous of the heat or of the biking. I think his mission will be a little like yours in that it will be so diverse. There is a big difference serving in Vancouver or serving up north or on the island. I think the change in the areas would be refreshing
K- How big is the Alice branch? Zone? Is there just one zone leader there?
T-
yeah just one zone leader there –
about 150 people
K-
Is that a change? Is that Elder Shortland? What is going on for PDay today? Grandpa liked the toad busting
B-
Just locked down a youth Speaker for Sacrament in two weeks. I am the voice of doom in the ward. I thought we had a high Councillor next week but was wrong. So I was scrambling but found speakers for next Sunday.
T-
yeah so that is elder shortland. nothing much on for p-day –
gott go love you heaps
B-
Have an outstanding week. So proud of you!
K-
Love ❤
Feb 5
hey mom and dad,
That so good to hear that dani got her call to mexico! that will be a great experience for her. haha so funny story with sister leas video i saw her pull out her phone and begin to record but i couldn’t stop her because we were in a meeting. this has been a crazy week, transfers brought us up some great missionaries. in katherine we got elder justin from tahiti and he is super funny, but it made for a little complication, neither of them can drive. so elder salcedo, elder fiu and I drove them down on tuesday and came back on wednesday. plus on top of all the meetings made for a crazy week. as well we got a new sister named sister harrison from NZ and a new elder named elder hymas from utah. its been an awesome week. rikki also got back from perth and we have begun working with him again.
Something i want to share that i heard in priesthod yesterday was.
“we are all continually converting to the church. none of us are truly 100% converted. so our cal is ‘once thou art converted strengthen thy brethren’. our call is to go and convert our brethren in the church. we do that through home teaching. home teaching is merely missionary work to those who are already baptized”
it was really cool to me so lets al be the best home teachers/ visiting teachers ever.
Love,
Elder Dickson
Krista-
The video is great.! Tell Sister Lea that I was slightly obsessed. Do the elders need to drive in Katherine? Will one of them have to drive? That is a great quote… I am called to improve!
T-
eagles are winning?
K-
Ok dad will be your Super Bowl update king. The ave no idea… now all the girls are actually in the room watching Justin Timberlake. I did the presentation for the young men today. I think it went well. Dad said he thinks the boys all liked it because they were quiet… I guess not a usual state of being😁. I showed them a bunch of pictures and talked about different aspects of your mission and then showed the video with you and Elder a Miague doing the Australia Adelaide Mission Culture actions… I love that video!
T-
haha thats pretty funny i kinda assumed they would be there for the half time show
B-
22-12 eagles winning at half
K-
So I was talking to Sister Low today she was saying that Noah has been in a pretty tough area since he got to California… it was way too affluent and they were just finding absolutely no one to teach. so finally the Mission President and the APs came to their area and spent the day and then decided to completely close the area. So they are waiting to find out where Noah is next. Layton’s are also anxiously awaiting this Monday’s email because Parks just arrived in Portugal and they want to know about his area and trainer
T-
Did you know that they are merging parks mission with the mission next door? suprise! and yeah noah emailed me about it
B-
They were hoping he would be with Joel Patterson but Joel’s mom told Layton’s it wasn’t happening. The two missions inPortugal are getting made into one.
K-
Yes we heard that. That will be cool to have more of the country to teach. I was curious about your new mission President and I think he is a BYU guy. If I have the right name. I think he is a broadcaster and was one of the producers of Studio C
B-
Oops, guess we emailed the same Portugal info
T-
yeah so that will be crazy –
yeah he was in charge of all byu broadcasting. just looked on lds.org –
all good
K-
Well the Studio C connection will give him some street cred with Benny! How is Rikki doing? Did he resolve his family emergency?
B-
I’m sure he is a good guy but I still can’t support Studio C – so bad
T-
yeah he did he is just getting back into the swing of things
K-
Who’s your district leader up in Darwin. Do you have two? Elder MacDonald?
B-
Justin Timberlake half time show pretty good. Plus had a lot of fun filled commentary from Drew throughout 🙂
T-
no so we only have 1 district leader and elder salcedo and i are the dl –
i gotta go love you heaps !
K-
Love you have a great week!
B-
Have a great week
Jan 29, 2018
hey mom and dad,
so the news that you have all been waiting for is that i haven’t been transferred. Its still elder salcedo and i together and elder fiu has joined our companionship and we are finishing his training. Elder atkinson and sister hsiao are leaving the darwin zone. we are getting elder justin from tahiti in katherine and sister shakespear and elder tyler are training. yes i have got my bank card and it has definitely cooled down a lot. the sad news this week is that rikki did not get baptized he had some concerns come up and a famiy emergency in perth but we are working with him still. Nothing too crazy this week other than the fact that we have had 40 inches of rain in darwin this last week. totally wet
Love
Elder Dickson
Krista – im sad about Rikki but glad to hear that you got your bank card. That sounds like a lot of change in Darwin. Are you happy to be staying?
T- i am really happy that i get to stay, it will be awesome
K-
I’m glad you are happy. Do you have to go pick up missionaries today at the airport? Where is Elder Fiu from? Tell me a little a bit about him
T-
elder fiu is from brisbane but he is samoan. he is a great leader and will be a leader very soon
K-
You have been in a trio three times. That is a little unusual. It seems like your zone leaders train quite a bit. Did you get your other package from Adelaide? It has the new pants in it
T-
zone leaders train a lot and no i haven’t got the package yet
K-
Ok…any other interesting transfers? Do you know anything about the new Elder and sister coming? Is Rikki now in Perth? Will you continue to work with him? We are having our home teachers now but I told them you take priority so I’ll keep emailing. They were amazed by the 40 in of rain. That is hard to even imagine. Are there some dry creek beds that become rivers?
T-
i don’t know anything about the new missionaries, i dont even know their names. rikki is just in perth for a little while and then we will work with him. yeah a lot of darwin flooded. tell the home teachers i say hi
K-
Absolutely! Is the flooding typical for the rainy season? Drew is almost done exams now. Just physics left. I think he will be happy to be done. So I think I get to talk to the priests quorum for a short bit next week about your mission. What would you like me to say? What is important in your mission? As a missionary?
T-
yeah its pretty typical. um just tell them it is the largest land mission in the world and covers 1.2 million square miles. (not sure in km’s)
K-
What about some of the culture of your mission? What do the Parkers emphasize? What advice would you give priests heading out on a mission?
T-
in our mission we are OCD missionaries Obedient Consecrated Diligent. I think the biggest piece of advice i woukd have would be to start book of mormon study now.
K-
That is awesome! This won’t surprise you but we are not all that sure we are presenting but I think so. Especially as we are starting to have lots of different missionaries going from our ward.
T-
how many are out now?
K-
You, Taysia, Carter, Teigan, Parks, and now calls for Garrett and Jackson
I think Taylor has been medically cleared now and he is getting papers together. He is still working at the movie theatres.
T-
thats great that taylor has been cleared
K-
Jackson is going to the MTC in the Dominican Republic which means all 4 of Joel and Allison’s kids have not gone to the Provo MTC.
T-
dang thats crazy
K-
Grandpa just arrived and is telling us about crocodiles. He was interested in your rainfall totals. Really the fact that you are in Darwin and in an interesting weather spot is HEAVEN for him
T- haha yeah kinda figured
K-
Any pictures this week?
T-
no ive been really busy
K-
No problem. I think you are suffering a little bit from not having Elder Ellingson. Didn’t he take lots of pictures? so do Elder MacDonald and Elder Siaw stay in your flat?
T-
yeah so they wil stay and yeah he took lots of photos
K-
So Drew made cookies this morning for his and dads home teaching families and after he was finished the kitchen looked like a bomb went off. It reminded me a little bit of you before your mission. I still remember when the Farrers had their flat inspections and you passed. Miracles really do happen. Let’s just say I am counting on it after I looked at your brothers rooms
T-
well i passed the last ne too!
K-
Do the Leas do flat inspections too? Do they still have the Croc prize?
T- no they dont have the prize but yes the senior couple inspects
K-
I am impressed that you pass! I would have never believed it 2 years ago! When do the Leas go home. are they about the same time as the Parkers?
T-
yeah they will go the same time
K-
That will be a big change for the mission! Do you know anything about the new mission president ? You will have him for 2- 3 months?
T-
i will have him for about 2 months
K-
Now we are talking Costco’s… grandpas next favourite topic. Debating the virtues of all the various Costco’s and their locations… oh this is the life! He still buys croissants and chocolate muffins for us on a regular basis. Costco in Darwin?
T-
no, sad….
as we are speaking it is raining cats and dogs in darwin
K- Oh well… you will have to wait to get home to have the joy of chocolate “ muffins”.
Ok…. take a picture sometime this week and send it to us so I can show grandpa… He will be thrilled!
Think you must be gone…. love you heaps!
Jan 22
hey mom and dad
so first of all yeah its weird being in a smaller branch but it still has about 100 people soo not too small. Things are going great here in darwin, we recently got a referal from a member and they are our new baptismal dates. they are really cool. So as for school i have been praying about it and i think i am supposed to go to byu I. also to answer more questions my card has arrived in adelaide and they are sending it up here so it hasn’t come yet, but will soon. I also have been talking to president about extending. he has asked me about it and is looking into how long my visa will allow me to stay. at this point it is looking like my release date will be september 19 if everything works out. is something that i really would like to do to help the mission and the work.
love
Elder Dickson
Krista-
Ok… If you feel that is the answer to prayer I will hold off on registering at St. Mary’s. It can sit there for a few months if you change your mind. or even if you wan to use it to upgrade your English You will need to work for some time before going if BYU-I is the goal. I can help you apply for the January semester. I think the cut off is not until summer. Let me know what you need done.
I am surprised the bank card went to Adelaide because I sent it to a post box in Darwin. Are you sure? It is just in a letter.
T-
i can ask the leas
Brent –
If you feel extending is the right thing to do then go for it! Be sure to do it because you feel it is the right thing to do. We will support you going to Idaho if it feels right but you will need to earn money before. We can help with tuition but not the rest.
Look at you, talking like a grown up! 😉
K-
Is the September 19th date, the release date if you extend? I guess it depends on visa?
T-
no thats right we just have to wait til it comes. september 19th would be the realease date if i extend and august 19th would be if i dont
B-
So tell us some stuff about your new investigators. Anything else interesting happening in Darwin? Were you able to watch the broadcast announcing the new First Presidency?
T-
so no i wasnt able to watch the broadcast because we were all proselyting but the exciting new is that rikkis is getting baptized on saturday
B-
That is great news. How long have you been teaching him? I thought you might have seen the announcement some time later in the week. We are on exams so I watched it live. It was just a half hour.
K-
Ok, pray and wait for visa information and then let us know as soon as you know, what your decision will be. If you are thinking of school in the fall or coming home in August we will need to just be aware of some deadlines.
Did I tell you Cody is getting married March 10th?… how exciting!
That is great for Rikki. Darwin branch is really growing! Make sure you send us a few pictures of the baptism day. they are definitely some of my favorites!
T-
who is cody marrying?
K-
Shoot…. thought you would ask that… can’t remember her first name but her last name is Comfort and she is from Calgary
B-
So Drew was set apart as 1st assistant in priests Quorum so now both he and Benny attend BYC meetings. The Dicksons are well represented.
T-
Dicksons represent!!!
K-
So what are the most interesting things you have learned about Elder Salcedo this transfer? Other new to Darwin missionaries?
B-
Drew also got his recommend from the bishop to get his P. Blessing. Exciting.
NFL update
Patriots beat Jaguars and Eagles beat Vikings
Super Bowl in 2 weeks Patriots vs. Eagles – go Eagles
T-
he is really orgaized –
ANYBODY BUT THE PATRIOTS! and yeah we have gotten a whole bunch of rain.
K-
That is a great skill to have. I think I am still working on that one! Any monsoons yet?
B-
I agree but it is hard to bet against them. Brady is 40 and looks as good as ever.
K-
So the Farrers were in Pincher Creek for Elder Dietze’s homecoming this week. I told her that we spent lots of time down there in Waterton. They are very sweet and want me to tell them when you come home and they may be able to visit. I think their hearts will always be in Darwin!
T-
that is really sweet of them, they are the best
B-
A great thing about a mission is the relationships you build.
K-
So I had a missionary mom ask me this week about the Parkers. When do they go home? Summer?
T-
they go home in june
That’s all for this week
Jan 15
hey mom and dad,
so this sunday was crazy…..
they split the branch!
so yeah now there is a palmerston branch and a darwin branch. brother silcock is the new pamerston branch presidency and they also called a new district presidency! so thhis has been a crazy week. we were able to have an awesome zone conference and time with the assistants. lotts of good work. Rikki is still doing great and progressing well. our new investigator is doing great. and no i havent received the card yet but it will come
Brent-
Exciting news. I bet there are some families whose lives will change a bit. Growth is a good sign. Tell me something you learned in zone conference.
T-
well hopefully soon our whole mission will be getting smart phones! and we talked a lot about the 2018 AAM vision
B-
AAM vision, what is that. What would change with smart phones for you?
Krista
Wow that is really exciting. Which branch are you assigned to? Are they splitting the missionaries between the branches?
Wow smart phones would be a huge change. Will that happen soon?
T-
that would mean that we would all have unlimited data as well so our area book could be digital, we could email investigators, use google maps and show videos
B-
That would make life easier. What is the AAM vision?
K-
Hmmm….that would be different for sure. Were the Parkers up in Darwin aga8n?
T-
we are assigned to the darwin branch and the palmerston elders (elder tyler and elder fiu) and the palmerston sisters (sister ili and sister lousi) –
yes they were up and we talk about the focus areas in the mission
1) baptize 277
2) become book of mormon missionaries
3) retain converts
K-
When you get your bank card, as well as your Christmas money Grandma Dickson sent $20for you to have for Valentine’s Day
T-
Nice. Kevin came to church today. We have a new sister missionary from Alaska. She says there are two stakes in the area she lives. So Canadian winter shouldn’t be too bad.
K-
Talked to Sister Simpson today. Teigan went to Tacoma Washington this week. That is his new assignment until he goes to Puerto Rico
T-
yeah he emailed me about it
so good that kevin came to church!
K-
I haven’t met the sister yet… dad has. How long is your zone conference? Did you have to do some teaching?
T-
zone conference goes from 10am to 6pm and yes we roleplay
B-
NFL update
Jaguars upset the Steelers. Will play Patriots next Week.
Minnesota beat Saint on a touchdown throw with 2 seconds left. They play the Eagles next week
T-
we have been focusing on overcoming issues with the word of wisdoms
B-
Have you been drinking too much diet Dr. Pepper or are you talking about investigators? 🙂
K-
That would be a difficult challenge. Jackson and Garrett have their papers in and should be receiving their calls this week. Byams are convinced Garrett will go to Canada. It will be interesting to see –
Ok dad is definitely making fun of me now…. let’s just say if President Uchtdorf can talk about a certain “ diet” drink in General Conference. I figure I am ok –
Tell me about what you are teaching Rikki. What is your favourite discussion or concept to teach?
T-
it probably wasn’t doctor pepper mom
K-
Ok…Diet Coke same thing…. ! Still not feeling any guilt !!!!
So with the branch switch, how many members are in each ward? Does the district presidency look over places like Katherine too?
T-
the district presidency looks over all of the northern territory –
about 100 in each
K-
Does that include Alice too ?
B-
So where are you at with Ricki? What are your next steps with him?
T-
he is hoping to be baptized on the 27th of january. something cool i woould encourage you to do dad is to carry preach my gospel to all meetings. it is something gary e stevenson asked all the bishopbric in adelaide to do
B-
Sounds like a great idea.
K-
Is that before transfers? That is great that he has a goal to work towards
T-
yeah we always invite to baptism in the first lesson and set a date
K-
So I will be interested to hear President Nelson’s announcement on Tuesday. Any predictions about the first presidency?
T-
elder eyring and one of the new three
B-
I think it will be Elder Utcdorft and someone else. We shall see.
K-
Ok I am predicting Elder Holland and Elder Bednar…. we will have to wait and see
T-
good predictions, guess we all have horizontal revelation though :p
K-
I watched a really cool video with President Nelson from 3 years ago reflecting on his 30 years in the quorum of the twelve. He picked his 10 highlights and it is fascinating to hear about the growth of t(e church in that time –
I suppose so but you know mom is always right!
B-
I’m good with whatever they decide. Nice to guess but not worry.
T-
i heard about the video but never got to see it
B-
Mom is the Facebook master. She probably knows about stuff happening in your mission before you do 🙂
K-
Did you do any special activities as a zone for the conference
T-
no just lots of trainings
K-
Well you deserve a low key PDay then. Any special plans?
Right now with going back to work tomorrow doing nothing sounds fabulous! How is it going in the flat? Tell me about Elder Salcedos family?
B-
One time you are going to shock us with epic PDay plans and four million pictures uploaded. It will be a mom dream come true.
T-
well an epic p-day usually costs money and to be fair territory wildlife park was pretty epic
K-
True, true…. you have certainly grown from the boy who wasn’t always the most careful with money….THANK YOU AAM!
B-
That did look pretty amazing. Maybe once you get your bank card treat you and your companion to a little fun.
K-
We love you and think you are great !
T-
love you too i gotta go!!
K-
Love you heaps!
It’s Finally Raining In Darwin – Jan 8
hey mom and dad,
this has been a pretty normal week. not much going on. we were able to teach a new investigator named clement! he is from uganda and is really keen to learn. another positive note this week is that rikki is progressing really well. he is giving up all his old habits and is committing to change. oh also this week we got a lot of rain so it really cooled down. elder salcedo is very similar to elder ivory. i keep getting americans because most of the zone leaders are american. but going great
love,
Elder Dickson
Brent –
Define cooling down!? It has been around zero here so we can’t complain. A new investigator. Awesome. You have a real touch with those Africans.
T-
cooling down to 30 degrees
Krista –
Well you certainly loved Elder Ivory so I hope it’s going well with Elder Salcedo. Did you repent and remember your camera this week?
T-
Ok, you still get my trophy as current favourite son. I have told the boys that whoever is on a mission gets the title. So when Drew goes out the mantle will be passed on. Tell me a little about your Ugandan investigator.
B-
Drew bore his testimony in church today. Proud of that kid.
T-
he has only been here about 6 months and loves soccer. lives alone and thats all we really know about him –
he is 30
K-
Interesting. How old is he? Has he been in Australia long? How did you find him?
T-
alsoo we helped a member move in that is a really cool story. he was a child soldier in liberia and escaped and reunited with him mom and fled to australia. they met the missionaries in perth and then moved here
K-
Where are all the animal pictures taken? Was that a PDay activity? Next time you think of it I want to see what the scripture covers look like. Take a picture for me.
B-
I guess that puts our problems into perspective eh.
T-
we went to teritory wildife park for boxing day
K-
Wow you are certainly meeting really interesting people with lots of challenges. It makes me feel pretty lucky to be in Canada. Did he happen to know Elder Torrie in Perth? There recently?
T-
no he didnt
B-
NFL update
NFC semifinals Atlanta @ Philadelphia, winner of Saints / panthers @ Vikings
AFC semifinals Titans @ Patriots, Jaguars @ Steelers. These games happen next weekend
K-
It seems like the Darwin Branch is really diverse. Are there a lot of members who are new converts? From how many parts of the world?
T-
about 25 new converts and the branch is super diverse
K-
How many different countries? Name some. From all over Australia? –
Just a little different from Sundance ward! But with Elder Johnson gone you are the only Canadian? Or is Elder Mattie still in Darwin’s?
B-
Oilers totally stink. Flames are decent but will have to do better to make the playoffs.
Team Canada Jrs. Beat Sweden for gold in the world finals Very close game.
Raptors are on a roll. Only lost 2 games at home all year. In second place in the east behind Boston. Cleveland is third but still the team to beat. DeRozan is incredible. Averaging 30per game. Scored 52 franchise record, against Milwaukee the other night.
T-
i am the only canadian left standing! –
thats awesome that the oilers stink! and go raptors
B- You stink! 🙂
T-
haha go flames
B-
Be nice or no more sports reports 😎
T-
haha im just kidding
K-
Well, proudly represent! Eat a donut, say sorry lots and be proud of universal healthcare! We are still hiring a new respite worker for Sundays so I wasn’t at church today. Tell me something you learned at church or in your study this week.
T-
how is the snow outside?
B-
Melting but still tons. Slush drifts everywhere
T-
well i love the analogy that our elders quorom president used for christ, he said: “in the california fires there were fire fighters going thrugh marvelling at the carnage of the flames. burned wildlife everywhere. horses, deer, rabbits burned alive. but as they were walking they heard a faint cheep cming from the trees. they climbed the tree to find a burnt to a crisp mother bird with her wings out-stretched and covering the nest where her baby birds were surviving the fire. she sacrificed her own life for her chicks. christ is like that mother bird who out-streches his wings and takes on the fire of sin and death”
K-
My car has a complete coating of dirty, salty muck but I have been postponing getting it washed because I know the minute it is washed it will be dirty again. There is still so much snow to melt that it is slushy by day but icy at night … kind of brutal actually . So the days in Darwin have cooled to 30… does that make the nights any better?
T-
SLUSH! –
no the nights are still hot just more humid
K-
That’s awesome. Stories and analogies work so well for teaching the gospel. People really relate and remember them
T-
yeah they are awesome
K-
So what are the plans for PDay and the rest of the week? –
Ok so dumb question…. I was watching the Christmas opening … very fun! Are you not allowed to wear the tie with the Mountie on it? Note to self for future reference…. I know every mission is different
B-
By the way, you are now the senior missionary in our ward. Taysia Kerrison will come back before you, but you are longest out. Garrett and Jackson are waiting on their calls. Any day now.
Mom will be giving a 15 minute presentation to all the young men fast Sunday in Feb. she is sharing what is up with Tommy in OZ.
T-
i will get permission to wear it, i got to go love you !
K-
Don’t worry about it… I just don’t want to be a rule breaker –
Love you heaps
B-
GET Permission! It is your Canadian right!😎
Have a great week
Jan 1 – Happy New Year
hey mom and dad,
so not that much to update on this week. it has been a pretty normal week. lots of findin and not so much teaching. yes i got the scripture covers. THANK YOU!! they look awesome. the australian basketbal movie is really cheesy but really good. its cool how much the aussies really dont change. If i had to describe elder salcedo in three words it would be “sarcastic, funny, Trump-loving american”. overall its been good. i think in regards to the license and health care, just keep them there i have the id that i need in australia
Love
Elder dickson
Krista – We had the breakfast at Grandpas today 85 people or so and now dad and Drew are at Joan’s . Ben is hanging at Alex’s …. any Christmas pictures today?
Brent – Hey kid, I am at Barry’s house for the New Year dinner. The older boys convinced Gord to drive the truck and pull the inner tube so he is off risking life and limb. It was -10 today and it feels tropical.
T- i forgot my camera at the flat so i will have to send some next week. dad tell everyone i say hi!
B- I will. It is pretty mellow right now. The old tired types are snoozing or visiting while the youngins are out tubing.
K- is all going well with Elder Salcedo? Is he new to being a zone leader?
T- yeah we get along great. yeah this is his first time being a zone leader so i get to show him the ropes
B- You two need to Make Darwin Great Again 2018
K- Also Aunt Demise said she sent something this week. Pictures from breakfast
T- she did?
B- You should see it in a month. We will have sweet matching ties.
K- Yep… hers should get there pretty quick because she sent airmail. Because the pants were heavier they went snail mail and to Adelaide so don’t expect them for about a month. Aunt Denise mailed to Darwin.. so are the scripture covers fuzzy? Grey or brown? I have never seen them so I am curious
T- they are brown and fuzzy
B- Kind of like Benny!
T- haha kind of
K- Awesome! How is your Nepalese family doing?
T- so the nepalese family dropped us turns out they like another church better
K- Oh well… on to someone else. Are you still contacting that Australian man you found before Christmas? Today is was only -13 and it felt almost tropical after a week of -30. Has it started to rain thee yet?
T- yeah we are still working with him but are also finding new. it rains everynow and again but not consistent
K- Now that you are done with Light the World are there any new initiatives in Darwin? Plans for PDay?
T- not really we ar just figuring ou where to go next with the mall
B- Any out of town trips planned in the next little bit?
K- Are you still allowed to have a booth there?
T- yes we are allowed just need to rent
and we will probably go to katherine next week
K- When you go to Katherine do you do splits or do you go for Sunday
T- we go on splirts for two days
K- Is Elder Atkinson still there. He has been in Katherine a while hasn’t he? He must really love Katherine?
T- he has been there for 10 months and yes he loves it
K- I have to go … his highness Jake s requesting a bath… Love you heaps. Load pictures next week,
T- love you too
B- 10 months in one area. Wow. How big is Katherine? – Drew just returned from tubing. Apparently he survived. Good mission prep eh?
T- haha i guess so and katherine has about 1500 people so really small – probably smaller than chlaresholm
B- Probably they don’t have amazing chicken. Rocky is working there one day a week. He does a lot of wills etc. He says it is worth the drive once a week.
T- haha thats funny
B- So what are some goals you have for your zone this transfer?
T- this week we set the yaerly goal for the zone which is 43 baptisms. if everything goes well we should have 8 as a zne this transfer
B- How many are there in a typical transfer. How much time will you spend on splits?
T- typically about 3 – we go on trade off 4 times for 24 hours
B- So we have been watching Bond movies with Grandma and Grandpa D. Benny and I. We only have 3 left. Quite the accomplishment. We started in Edmonton.
T- dang that is a lot of movies, good work
B- Or maybe we should spend more time reading books. 🙂 mom gave me an Abraham Lincoln book for Christmas so I have been nerding out with it.
T- yeah hahaha
i gotta go love ya dad!
B- Love you more than poutine or an apple fritter from Timmy’s. have a great week.
Dec 17 – One week until we facetime with Tommy!!
hey mom and dad so i am sure that you heard the absolutely exciting news about the car getting broken into last night. typical. anywho transfers have been crazy. elder johnson has been transferred to adeliade and elder mcdonalds new companion is elder siaw from malaysia. my new companion is……….elder salcedo from america. im not quite sure which state but thats where he is from. yes i am still in darwin. ok so for skype next week can we do it at 11am darwin time? which would be 6:30pm calgary time. it will probably be facetime. so other than that we have had a great week we have met an absolutely solid family from sri lanka the have left hinduism behind and want to be christian. super solid.
love,
elder dickson
Tommy got his wallet stolen yesterday – we figured out everything we need to replace and all is good. The best news is they didn’t take his bag or scriptures.
Brent – So what did you think about Phil Boyte being in Adelaide and meeting those missionaries that know you. Cool huh
T- yeah that is so cool he met elder Li (came to the mission together), elder maddock and elder huot
B- Tell me about your new family you are teaching. How many times have you met. Where did you find them. How many are there?
Krista – I’m here at the Nativity …. only email possible. Looking forward to seeing you
T- we actually haven’t taught them yet we just invited them to church and they came. the family loved it so much that they wanted to stay longer than 3 hours. and they are a family of 4, 3 over 8
B-
That is exciting. Coming to church is a big step.
What are your plans for Christmas eve and day, other than talking to your awesome family?
K- Benny is very enamored with the sheep and being a shepherd…. drew is having trouble hiding
T- for christmas day we have some activities planned zone wide that are still being nailed down
B-
Sounds fun. Mom will get the card to you asap.
Parks gave his farewell today. He did really well. The church was full to the back of the gym. Lots of non members there. He explained what a mission would be like and why he was going.
T- what is the mcmullen crew up to? – thats awesome he (Parks)will do a great job as a missionary – wish him good luck
B- McMullins are doing well. Brenton had a baby last summer, a boy. So Tim is an old Grandpa. Kristen is in her third year of some kind of veterinarian care at Uof A. Ryan is in Gr. 12. Not sure what his plan is next year. And I think Jared is in Gr 9. He was collecting bottles to build a home on Central America.
T- thats good to hear!
B- I am planning on seeing the Nativity on Tuesday. Taylor will watch Jake. Gotta see Drew as head angel with my own eyes. Have you done any specific things for light the world?
T- yeah we have had a lot of stuff for light the world. this week we ran a three day booth in the city with baloons and oass along cards a stand up tv and a lot more was a huge hit and will hopefully continue that this week
B-
Nice. I have been using the ideas for a #bekindatchristmas campaign on the Canadian Student Leadership social media. The Mormon Leadership kids have been noticing some striking similarities.
Do people talk to you much at the booths?
T- yeah its really cool because people are pretty interested
B- So here is a Mom question. How are the shoes. Do they fit? Did you get a Christmas card from Grandma Dickson that you make into a Nativity.
T- yeah they fit and yeah it is sitting on our kitchen counter right now – gotta go love yous!!
B- That will make Grandma and Mom happy. – We will chat / face time next week. Light the world Elder!!!
Dec 9 – scroll down for pictures
Hey mom and dad so firsts things first mom i repented and uploaded more pictures in the nightcliff folder and they are ones president parker took. So this has been a great week having zone conference and having the parkers and the assistants up in darwin. really great zone conference and really great time with the parkers. thats great to hear that grace got her call and where is parks going again? oh also about skype i havent been able to organize a family yet but will be hopefully this week. i think it would be easiest if we just did facetime like last year. as for light the world this week we are doing a zone service project picking up marine debris.
great week overall
Love,
Elder dickson
Krista – Marine debris… that sounds interesting. I’m glad the zone conference went well. What did you learn? Did you do a skit?
Brent – Parks is going to Portugal. Same mission as Joel Patterson. He leaves a week from Monday.
T- yes we did a skit and it was based off of key and peel’s substitute teacher skit. oh cool maybe they will be companions
B- A Aron!!! So how did you put a church spin on it?
K- Ok that is intriguing to me… did you pull out your drama skills? Tell me a little more.
T- yeah so we had a substitute distrike leader and a fake training about no-ah getting the 8 condements
B- I am guessing mom may not know the skit. We will bring her up to speed later.
T- yeah it was really funny, made some pretty good jokes. i can send you a video when the parkers get it to us
K- That sounds funny…what else did you learn at the conference? That breakfast with the Parkers looks amazing! – Oh ye of little faith …. of course I know the skit! I loved seeing the pop up booths. Were they successful?
T- the breakfast was actually at 3 in the afternoon but president really wanted pancakes – we learned alot about effective baptismal invites – yeah they were really good and we are having one downtown tomorrow
B- Sounds like a righteous man. So it has been super warm for December. Is it raining a ton?
K- And it looks like some fun Christmas stockings…. did you get your decorations?
T- no wet season hasn’t come yet which is really late this year. and yes i got the decorations 🙂
K- Hurray!!! Makes a mom’s heart happy to know you have at least a little desk tree. When you do the pop up booths how long are you allowed to have them up? Are there special rules?
T- yeah for the pop ups we cant leave the booth but we can invite people over. and they can be there all day we just have to rent the space
B- Sounds creative and a change of pace. What do the booths say to grab attention?
K- That’s awesome… must be a nice change and pretty effective. What is that picture with the stairs and the projector?
T- yeah they are big ad flashy. i added a picture in the googe drive – oh we ran a city activity about ight the world at the ymca so i was presenting – putting aslc experience to work
B- Tell me more. What was the Y presentation all about?
K- That’s cool…. looks like you had a few people there. I’m sure you are good at coming up with creative ideas. Boy from minute to win it to Canadian pancakes and pop up booths you are certainly doing missionary work in interesting ways
T- we had an activity to present light the world to the community and to have an activity to bring investigators to
K- How is it going with your investigators? Do you have anyone who has committed to babptiam right now or are they still in progress? I have lost track… remind me of names
B- Very cool – did you do the Chevy Van cheer? Maybe not appropriate. Though if you can make Key and Peele work I believe in you.
T- yes we found a man yesterday, his name is daniel and he recently quit smoking and drinking because he wanted to change his life around and then we knocked on the door so right now he is on date for january 13 – haha no
K- Good for him and good for you. How is Peter’s family doing?
B- That is very exciting. It seems like you always have someone to teach. That is the good stuff!
T- peters family aren’t really interested at this stage but he is doing awesome. he is going to efy in adelaide in january
B- EFY should be a real boost. It makes a difference to meet other people the same age who share beliefs.
T- yeah he is really excited
B- So do you have some new shoe sor are you using duct tape?
K- That’s great… did they get the funding in place for all the kids who wanted to go? I know I saw a thing about Katherine youth. Do they still need donations?
T- i have one pair of shoes that i am wearing
K- Ok well if you hear anything let us know… that will be great! Are transfers next week ? I guess the only certain thing is you will be getting a new companion
T- yes transfers are next week
B- Have you been spending any time at the University? Any cool animal stories for Benny?
T- no the malak elders do the uni
K- Darwin, Darwin!!!! Hear me chanting … wherever you go will be right and wonderful but I’m a little biased I think Darwin is GREAT!
T- yes benny we have seen a few monitors around. on the way to katherine we saw a few emu’s and dingoes
Benny – Benny. Hey that’s really cool what is a monitor again
T- like a min komodo
B- Benny has disappeared. Mom has him on basement cleaning duty. It is Gingerbread houses tomorrow. Lots of crazy before and then a great night.
K- Are dingoes as frequent as coyotes here? Where did the Katherine elders stay for zone conference? With you too? I have 2 handbells rehearsals today, one with beehives and one with deacons. It will be interesting to see the difference !
T- no not as frequent but still around – ok i gotta go love you heaps mom and dad
Dec 4
The Sr. Couple serving in Darwin with Tommy, the Leas, sent us these pictures of Tommy before a service project.
hey mom and dad,
This week has been great! we have been gong full speed ahead with light the world! this week was the beginning of the pop up booth in the ma in palmerston. (We found out that people like talking to sisters more than elders so they are running it now). as well like you mentioned we had “canadian pancakes” for a toy drive we were doing at the church. this next week we are going to try to get a stand in the city mall so EXCITING!!! today the assistants and the parkers fly up for our christmas zone conference. As for the zone we just had a baptism on saturday in katherine so things are picking up. we are definetly going to hit the zone goal of 40. the cool thing about the goal is that the original goal for the year was 23 but we hit that in july so they reset to 40 and now we are at 35. Elder and sister lea put up the ornament that you sent them and are really grateful for it
Love
Elder Dickson
Krista – That is cool about the malls… will you have sisters at the one downtown too? Did you get any community members for your pancakes?
Brent – Hey, hey I am at the Bishop’s house right now. We had a dinner for all of the Bishopric families. Singing some carols and the heading home for the First Presidency message. Mom came with Jake for a bit. He focused on desert.
T- yeah we had heaps of investigators come not so many off the street though. and we will see in the city, really depends on how it goes
K- That will be exciting to see the Parkers and assistants. Do the assistants stay in your flat ? How long are they in Darwin? Is you Conference tomorrow?Maybe they will bring your decorations?
T- yeah they stay in our flat. they will only be here for three days and yes the cnference wll be tomorrow
K- Do you know the assistants? Do you have responsibilities for tomorrow? What a great way to start December!
T- the assistants are elder miller and elder pickett. i have no clue if we will have resposibiities
K- Have you ever been in the same zone as Elder Miller or Pickett? I’m glad the Leas got the ornament. We sent one to the Parkers too. Jake and I are watching the Christmas devotional right now. I guess dad and the boys must be watching at Hansen’s. I’m actually amazed Jake is sitting here watching. Granted he has his earphones in but he is staying put… must be the pull of MoTab! Maybe he is hoping for his favourite hymn…Called to Serve
B- Maybe serve some Canadian Pancakes at Zone conference! We aren’t watching. Oops. Singing carols and planning to watch the recorded devotional. Bishop’s fault!!!
T- yes i was in marion with elder miller – haha blame it on bishop, tell him i say hi
B- I will, we are now heading home. Doing the long walk from his house to ours.
K- Awesome! How are your investigators doing? What was the best teaching moment this week?
T- they are doing great. it was cool t teach our investigator rikki this week. we taught him the book of mormon and before we even started teaching he said “i have a question, if god loves all his people than why is the bible only written f the people in the middle east” we were like “oh rikki do we have an answer for you”‘
K- Gotta love that moment when you get to testify of the Book of Mormon and Jesus Christ. Stake Conference today had a lot of missionary work talks. one of the best I thought was Drew’s friend Cole who spoke about a missionary experience he and Drew had this week in Mc Donald’s with a homeless man. They had a 2 hour discussion with him and gave him the missionaries phone number
T- thats awesome!!
B- YES, a golden question. I’m home now. Drew and Ben ditched me so I had to walk alone. So sad.
K- Dickson superstars! Now selection from the Messiah in the broadcast… Still think Jake is holding out for the good stuff…may have to pull out YouTube version of Called to Serve. When do you see the broadcast?
T- we wont see it until christmas eve
B- …and I am just finding out about it now. Drew shares so much. :). So I am getting big on the church speaking tour. Speaking at a seminary Morningside Dec 20. Don’t want this to become a habit.
T- love you but we gotta go to pick uo the assistant from the airport
B- You are awesome. Always so glad you are my son.
K- Love you heaps… have a great week!
Nov 26
hey mom and dad how are you?
this has been a pretty cool week. elder ellingson and i are leading the zone hard out into light the world. for example on the second of december it is jesus christ is the living water or something like that, so the mission has bought us 700 water bottles that we have relabled with the light the world logo and are going to be handing out on the saturday. as well we are putting up these huge banners in the new mall in darwin (first time a mall has let missionaries in, ever). as well we have soo many zone wide services planned so it will be an awesome light the world season. i havent gotten the decorations but i have received the big cloth. its possible that sister lea thinks that it is the christmas package so she could be holding on to it until christmas. This week as well i was able to go on trade off with the katherine elders! i love katherine, it is soooo unique. we are still working with peters family and a new investigator who is really solid and is on date for the 30th of december. he is aussie background and has had some really serious struggles in his life but he is doing awesome. when he called his mom to tell her he was meeting with the mormons she had only great things to say. awesome week.
Love,
Elder DIckson
Krista – Awesome…. maybe ask Sister Lea. It was full of decorations. ! I think it is awesome all the things you do for the zone… that is great!i think that is cool about Katherine too who are the elders there ?
Tell me something cool about what you’re teaching the investigators
T- elder arnaud and elder atkinson are there now – i think the coolest thing is to see the atonement of jesus christ work in their lives. the just so readily change in order to follow christ.
K- I love that…. that is a lesson I need in my life right now! I’ll be excited to hear about all of those initiatives. What is the investigators name that will be baptized?
T- his name is rikki – update on the game? – (I told Tommy the Grey Cup game was on)
K- I’m so happy for you and for him . What else is happening in the Darwin Branch right now? Does Elder Ellingson go home this transfer ? – I’ve told dad to email you…
Brent – Stamps 14 Argos 8. 2 min left in first half. It is snowing pretty bad. No team is kicking. They go for 2 on converts. – You are earlier than usual. You sound fired up and busy. That is awesome. I love the waterbottle idea! – The Argo touchdown we a 100 yard catch and run to the end zone. Doubt it would happen without snow.
K- Tell me about some of the other service your zone is planning
T- wait so the argos just scored a 100 yard touchdown, and yes he goes home this transfer
B- wait so the argos just scored a 100 yard touchdown, and yes he goes home this transfer – Tell us more about Katherine. What do you like about that place. I think Darwin is a good fit for you. Sounds that way.
T- katherine is 70% aboriginal and is a town of about 1500 people. it is just really cool because you teach people by sitting in the dirt and talking
B- That is cool. Sounds like more humble people. Hopefully not so many pitbulls too!? Jake is jamming out right now to ABBA. He knows what he likes!
T- lots of dogs just roaming around,
B- As long as they are friendly and don’t chase you. Maybe this could b E your chance to punch a kangaroo. Benny would be so impressed.
T- not very many kangaroos around but i did see a few dingoes
K- I have seen quite a few baptisms in Katherine. They must be really growing that branch. I also saw the Darwin Branch had a baptism this weekend and she is a friend of Peter?
B-
Awesome!! A dingo stole my baby! I bet they aren’t too impressed if you say that.
So no arrests by drunks this week? I thought that was a really funny story. We would always get cussed out by drunks in Sweden. It is where I learned my first Swedish and Finnish swear words.
T- the have tripled the branch in size in this year alone – yeah peter spoke at her baptism
B- See, Mom is all over Facebook. I loved the picture of your shoes. Sad but funny.
K- Wow that is awesome. How often do you go to Katherine?
T- haha no drunks this week and haha no babys snatched – yeah my shoes were pretty trashed, we go to katherine once a transfer
B- So Shania Twain is performing at halftime. It is truly a Canadian experience. The drummers cymbals have snow sitting in them.
K- Do the Leas go with you? When is the next transfer? I’m wondering if that package of decorations is with the Parkers? Do they come up soon?
T- haha thats crack up – no we go our self and next transfer starts december 17th
K- Well if Elder E goes home you may be staying put…. a few more weeks of Darwin heat!
T- i would love to stay in darwin the rest of my mission if i can
B- Makes your papa happy to hear you happy. That’s what happens serving others. Enjoy every minute.
T- its awesome
B-
PD plans today? Maybe an ocean view to make your dad a bit jealous?
K- I’m glad, that would be cool . Somehow I think that somewhere in your future President Parker will have a surprise for you 😋
T- oh dad we have an ocean view everyday
and what do you mean mom?
B- I think she means you probably have another move in you before the end and I bet you will love that place too.
K- You have been surprised by transfers before. You never know inspiration may send you somewhere else before your mission is over. If you stay in Darwin …. great ! But you never know… maybe eventually back to Adelaide????
T- i don’t want that to happen though, hopefully the suprise will be “Elder dickson you will staying in darwin for ages!”
B- Delayed start to second half. They had to snow plow the field. – Great attitude but I will pull a mom on you. Singing – i’ll go where you want me to go dear Lord. 🙂
K- You will be great anywhere! But I know you love Darwin!
T- haha ill go where god wants me to go but i hope its here 🙂
B- No rule against praying in your request.
T- haha i guess not
B- Uh oh, Argos just scored a touchdown. Calgary up 17-16. I will email you a final score even if you are gone. You can check later.
K- Good attitude…. we are proud of you! The Leas are awesome, we are so grateful for them and their help! Take a picture of those shoes from the top. I want to see if they really “ look ok from the top” like you claim!
T- ok love you lots but i gotta go,
bye
K- Love you too! Have a great day!
B- Have a great week. We love you!
Tommy will have to wait until next week to see who won the Grey Cup 🙂
Nov. 20
hey mom and dad,
so this has been a crazy week! so first of all this week in the city i got “arrested” hahaha. so we were contacting this man when another really drunk an comes up to us and says “i am a black angel pray for me brother” so naturally said a quick prayer and began to walk away. he then started yelling that we stole his money and that he was making a civilian arrest. everybody was just looking at him like he was crazy. so that was funny, nothing came about from it but a funny story none the less. So it hasn’t really started to rain yet but during the “build up” it rains all night and is hot and humid all day so thats a new experience. our investigators are doing great! we have been working a lot with a bunch of new investigators that it should be interesting to see how they progress. nothing super new.
Love,
Elder Dickson
Krista –
Wow, now I guess you are officially a criminal. Maybe Canada won’t let you back in when you are done your mission. Tell me a bit about your investigators.
T-
haha so that was a funny experience. we are teaching a lot of people from nepal and from sudan. peter has been a big help with the sudanese and sumit has been a big help with the nepali
K-
Is Sumit a member or are you teaching him? Do you have any English issues or are your investigators fluent?
Any words for Teigan as we see him tonight?
T-
he is a recent convert from nepal –
tell teigan my only peice of advice is to be exactly obedient even when others around him aren’t. thats what shows someones love for christ is their obdience to his commandments and in the mission his commandments are the mission rules
K-
Grandpa says you should be glad that the Stamps beat the Esks and that they just had another kid in their ward that got called to Australia… Joe W
T-
where in australia?
K-
Perth like John Torrie. How is that greenie from Langdon doing?
T-
he is from strathmore, and he is doing great but is taking some time getting used to the heat
K-
Oy… I am sure the heat is almost unbearable for you Alberta boys. I ordered one of the those fans I sent you to give to Teigan. If it gets here in time I will send it to him. I think it is pretty hot in Puerto Rico too. Are you back to wearing your Khakis? Would you Want more golf pants?
T-
im pretty much used to it, it was 23 in our flat one morning and i was freezing cold –
you know whats funny i was looking and darwin is almost the exact opposite side of the world as puerto rico. so we are in the same climate. and yeah i would love another pair or two of golf pants
K- Oh my goodness… you are in for a harsh reality check when you get back to Canada… We’ll invest in down coats and lots of sweaters.
T-
so i looked and my mission extends coordinate wise from upper arizona to puerto rica and guatamala
K-
Oh my goodness….!!!!!!! Well I am heading out to Teigan’s now. I will look into the golf pants. Can you wait for a month or so? have a great week. Love you! Do you need anything else? I may email from Teigans –
Cool…. I think Darwin is basically as hot as you could get… you are a polar Canadian hero!
Love mom
T-
yeah i can wait for a while just let teigan know i wish him luck and that he better email me!
Nov 13 Pictures
Nov 12
hey mom and dad,
this has been a great week! so first of all elder johnson is doing great, we instantly recognized each other when we picked him up at the airport! so thats cool. for mom he is from strathmore and the greatest thing is that he is a (for dad) FLAMES FAN!!!!!!!!!!!! jokes, its pretty cool having another elder from the calgary area because we can talk about things and people from back home. so about the baptism. they are a part member family, the mom is a member and the dad is out of the picture but now the kids are baptized. its sooo cool because the mom has made huge strides even from when i was here in june in coming back to church. #eternalfamilies. So peter is doing great as well. he is giving a talk at a baptism this saturday for the sisters because turns out that their investigator is one of his friends. he is really excited. Other than that it is definitly the build up season because it s hot and humid but never rains.
also up here in darwin we are getting really onboard with the light the world initiative again so it will be great!
Love Elder Dickson
Brent – Sounds like great things are happening for you warms my heart. Sorry about the Flames thing. Opposition in all things. President Yee just asked me to speak in the adult session of Stake Conference. 7 minutes on Family Councils. Could test some members faith :).
T- we actually had a similar talk in branch conference this week
Krista – That is so cool about Peter. it sounds like he is really progressing. How did you recognize Elder Johnson? Dances??? How are your investigators doing?
B- Then help a brother out!! What did they say?
T- they focused on how when elder ardern was here he said “participation invites revelation” then they talked about how much we need guidance in this ever changing world and how family councils are ways to gain love respect and most importantly revelation for the whole family
and yes peter is doing really great, yeah i recognized him from dances and turns out he was watching the provincial final verses foothills in lethbridge
K- That must seem really strange to connect halfway across the world.
B- Perfect. I am quoting you in my talk. Good that Elder Johnson got to see some amazing Coyote Rugby. So will you have him do something special for the first PDay?
T- nah i think they are doing something with an nvestigator
B-
CFL update. Saskatchewan beat Ottawa in the east semifinal and play Toronto in the East final. SK finished fourth in the West and crossed over.
E skies beat Winnipeg in Winnipeg and now play the Stamps in the West final. Go Esks!
K- That works for me. Have you started planning for the Light the World campaign? It would be cool to do those activities here too. I will have to look at LDS. org again Is this a ward or a mission focus?
T- go stamps!!!
B- Do you have any memories of family meetings we had that stand out to you? Looking for more talk material.
T- not particularly (ouch 🙂
T- both and we are going do be doin lots of things here
K- It sounds like The Darwin Branch is really growing and doing interesting things. Remind me again how big the branch is? Do they have any youth that you work with?
Benny – Benny. Hey Tom so on Thursday we won all our games in volleyball to end off the regular season and loving your bed trololololololloolloollool
Brent- And Benny is off to the basement. 🙂
T- the brach is about 200 people and we work with both of the preists and the ysa
K- So tell me an experience you have had this week that has been significant… a teaching moment, some inspiration, a cool thought from what you have been studying…
Tommy shared some C.S. Lewis quotes
B- So what will the rainy season be like? Hotter? More humid? How much rain are we talking here?
T- it is called monsoon season so a lot and it will cool down a little it will start in december
K- He has such an interesting way of looking at Christianity. I love his Screwtape Letters and Mere Christianity. When you get home I will make you watch one of my favorite movies ” Shadowlands” which is about his life and the death of his wife
B- So hopefully more time in a car rather than on the bike? Drew is off to Parker Byam’s playing Smash Brothers. A proper sabbath activity cause he is with family. 🙂
T- no even in the rain we bike
B- I can endorse that movie. A good one. We will also have to watch “In the good old summertime”. We are keeping it on the PLT just for you.
T- is it still on there?!
K- You also may not remember but we are still saving “In the Good Old Summertime” on the PVR until you are back… the brothers claim we can’t watch it without you but lets just say they MAY be trying to avoid the MOST AMAZING MOVIE!… ok mom geek out time.
B- Absolutely - we will have a watching party when you return and then a ceremonial deleting
K-
That cracks me up that dad sent that while at the same time i was typing about that AWESOME movie!
What are your plans for Pday today? Is this Elder E’s last transfer?
T- wow…… i thought you were kidding – yes it is – and we are doing some service for a member – hey mom and dad i love you email next week!!
B- You da bomb. We pray for you daily!
K-
Love you!
Mom
Tommy Was Part Of A Baptism – Pictures From Darwin Nov. 6
Nov 5
hey mom and dad!
so the big news is that i am staying in darwin longer this time! 🙂 so the big changes are that elder shortland and hammond are leaving along with sister ceaser and sister angoy. this week was amazing. peter as you know was able to be baptized this weekend. i will never forget the first thing peter said as he came out of the water is “i feel so clean”. he is a solid convert. we hadn’t really been able to go into depth about fast offerings yet his first sunday as a member he paid them. other than the preperation for that it has been a normal week. we were able to get a few new investigators that were referred to us by a recent convert named sumit. in regards to the degree i want to do special education so does the route have to go through a nromal degree in education and then to specialize?
Brent – You are now a Darwin Man! That is a great memory with Peter that you will never forget. All the hard work you put in every day makes that possible.
Krista – I am so thrilled about Peter. That is amazing that he is so dedicated already. What a wonderful spiritual high that must have been for all of you.!!! Are you still teaching his cousin and brother?
T- its really cool because he asked how he can serve a mission so president chick wants to start working with him so he can go and serve
K- Wow that is impressive. Good for him
B- Cool to think you play a part in a new missionary being sent out.
T- he is so prepared he is currently bring us all his cousins to teach
K- Will you be getting a new district leader, or is a missionary who was already in the zone taking over that responsibility?That means a new flatmate… do you know who it is?
T- you’ve got it mom and elder mcdonald will be the district leader and he will be training a new missionary
K- That will be fun to have a greenie in your apartment! Do you know where he is from?
B-
Sports report
Astros beat Dodgers in 7 – an epic series Drew is sad
CFL Saskatchewan crosses over to the east and plays in Ottawa. Winner plays Toronto.
West Edmonton plays in Winnipeg – winner gets Calgary.
Weird Eskimos season. Won first 7, lost next 6, won final five. Stamps looked like a lock but lost last three. We shall see.
Raptors look okay. Oilers are surprisingly horrible and Flames are 500
T- we won’t know who he is until wednesday night – who do the raptors have this year? – i also hear ben simmons is carving it up, is that true?
K- I hope he is from somewhere warm… coming to Darwin might be a little bit of a shock. I was talking to grandpa today and this will not surprise you at all, he told me a fun fact about Australia. I guess somewhere (maybe he was saying all of the Northern territory) there are more crocodiles than people???? Who knows.. just laughed that he remembered that. Have you seen a croc yet?
T- that is in katherine. and yeah but not in the wild – sorry a little town outside of katherine
B- Same people. Added CJ miles who is a great 3 point shooter. It will be tough for them to get past Cleveland.
Yes hopefully he stays healthy
K- What is on the map for PDay today? Do you have to help Elder Shortland? Where is he going? – I love the new pictures, especially the baptism pictures. It will be wonderful to be able to talk to you about them and hear the stories. you’re looking good!
T- elder shortland flew out at 7 this morning to alice springs. he is a new zone leader – i have lost heaps of weight up here with sweating so much 😛
K- My poor baby… drink lots! Do you still have those little spray fans I sent you?
B- Maybe I should try the missionary workout. Super hot, ride a bike in shirt and tie etc. I would like to lose heaps too
T- i used the enitrety of their lives – entirety
K- Oh dear… guess they were meant for Canadian heat, not Australian heat! I think that is cool that the font in Darwin is outside.. I guess you don’t have to worry so much about heating the water like we do in Canada
T- yeah everyone loves the cold water – i gotta go mom and dad love ya!
K- Love you lots… you are a ROCKSTAR
B- Be amazing. So proud of you. Jake just belched in your honor 🙂
Oct. 30 – tons of pictures and YouTube clips
hey mom and dad so the has been an awesome week. i got the christmas tree fabric im assuming you set me? we got to have a district p-day where we went up to ee point ad went looking for seshells. the cool thing is that we foud a whole unch of crabs and sea cucmbers. so naturally we played with them. so update on the weather here. so it doesn’t rain very much right now ecause we are in the “build up”. so instead it is just humid as all the time and really hot and cloudy. but i am managing fine. just hotter thn my body is used to. So the really exciting thing coming up this saturday is peter’s baptism this saturday. he is sooo keen. he asked us how he can apply to be missionary and is going to fly to adelaide for fsy (basically efy). so also i got my halloween pckage about a month ago so i already ate it…… it was really good thank you. where is carter going again? its exciting to see the missionary crew heading out!
Brent – BAPTISM!! So awesome. Carter is going to Tennessee Nashville. He gave his farewell today and reports on Wednesday. He did a great job. I am ocean jealous again. What a cool PDAY. If it is feeling too hot for you I am guessing I would be dying!
Tommy –
thats right, thats realy good to here he is doing well!
its like 35-39 every day with 70% or higher humidity
Krista –
I’m so happy to hear about Peter. That will be a great experience for him. Is any of his family interested? The fabric is supposed to hang on your wall like a decoration. You should also be getting some more decorations in the next month or so.
Holy Cow…. it must be a sweaty experience! Do you have AC in your apartment? How much have you been on bikes
B-
President Craig says hi. I am actually at Stake Priesthood right now. We split into quorums for instructions. I went with the Teachers. Then I saw your email and ducked out
Pres Craig just walked by and said I am doing something more important. They introduced about 18 new Deacons. Pres Craig wants you to know he remembers introducing you and it seems like yesterday.
T-
we are on bikes every day almost so really sweaty, i have lost 5 kgs. and yeah we re acually starting to teach his brother and cousin
K-
That is great about his family! How old are the brother and cousin? How are your shirt’s holding up? Do you need a fresh one or two?
B-
That is very cool. The connections you make when teaching one person can go on directions that surprise you.
The exciting news now, Daelene is hosting a cinnamon bun party right after Priesthood. It is good to marry a Steed.
T- Peter’s brother is 13 and his cousin is 23
Benny – It is Ben so MidSun junior boys volleyball is practically awesome. So yeah how are you
T-
realy good ben we found heaps of animals at the beach and have seen lizards as big as my arm
K-
That is awesome! It’s so exciting that Peter is already thinking of his future in the church. He is 18 right? How long has he been in Australia?
T_
he is 18 and is a refugee from south sudan and has been in australia for about a year and a bit
Ben –
Ben-what color we’re they oh and I’m being the great hambino/sandlot for Halloween –
Benny. That is really cool about Peter
T-
the crab was brown and the lizard is called a goana so basically the aussie iguana and it is yellow and brown. it’s a monitor lizard and we have one that hangs out around our house –
usualy in our front yard
Ben – Benny. Send a pic of it it would be really cool to see
K-
Yeah photos! I love them. I was showing Audrey M some of your photos of animals last night at the party. She really liked them!
Oh wow! I LOVE the photo of peter and his brother. What a great family to teach!
T-
we couldnt get a photo of te lizard because it was going to attack us but yeah just the same type as before
Ben – Benny. Aww that sucks that you can’t get pics but it’s okay. Drew’s Marty mcfly for Halloween
K-
Ok… that makes a little more sense! When are your next transfers? A couple of weeks??? How much longer does Elder Ellingson have before he goes home?
T-
i heard, what is jobs going as?
Ben – Benny. I think a baseball player again like always
T-
haha ok transfers are next week and i gott go love ya
Brent –
We love you. Benny misses his roommate. Happy Baptism on Saturday
K –
Love you lots… have a great week. Excited for your baptism!
Mom
Oct. 22
hey mom and dad,
so this has been a fantastic week! so i forgot to tell you that for a period of time we were kicked out of the city for proselyting but we are back! president worked some of his legal magic and we are able to be back in the city. peter is doing really well and is set for the 4th of november for baptism. also dad yes people are just giving us mangoes left right and center. soooo many mangoes. so funny story this week, we were knocking doors and in darwin everybody has a large gate and usually a big dog, so as we come to go in a gate to knock on a door we usually whistle to see if there is a dog. so this time elder ellingson was leading so he whistled and no response so e proceeded to the door. when we were about 20 feet from the gate a huge pitbull woke up from his nap and was not happy we were in his yard. we proceeded to yell “go, go, go” to elder hammond who lead us as we ran as fast as we could for the gate. just as the dog was about to chomp down on elder ellingsons leg the heaven sent owner comes running out to stop her dog. i am convinced that we were protected there. so that gave us a jump this week but it definetly brought some energy to door knocking!
Love
Elder Dickson
Brent –
Pit Bulls. Not making me a dog fan. What do you mean it was illegal to proselyte in Darwin? Glad to hear your investigators are doing so well. Baseball update. The Houston Astros are playing the Dodgers on the world series. The Dodgers beat the Cubs in 5. Astros beat the Yankees in 7. Astros won 2, then Yankees 3, then Astros 2. I like the Astros and are bandwgonning them so Drew and I are on opposite sides.
T-
so the city had specific rules where we weren’t allowed to talk to people. Go astros
B-
So how did your Pres get it overturned? Tell them What is your problem? I’m a raging Canadian.
Tonight I am heading to Noah Laycock’s open house. Any message for him?
T-
the second counsellor on the mission presidency is a supreme court judge. open house for what?
B-
Nice bringing a little heat from a judge. Open house for leaving on his mission to California. Mom an di both would have gone but she ditched me for LA 🙂 – Any Mountain biking today? Those pictures were awesome. You made me beach jealous!
T-
nah no biking today
B- Maybe some interpretive dancing on the beach? You could be the Canadian Moose.
T-
haha maybe the birth of a flower?
B- I gotta Head out to his open house and then pick Benny up from Steed’s. Anything else exciting we need to talk about?
T-
not really hope you enjoy the open house!
B-
Love you tons. Rock Darwin this week
Dad
T-
love ya bye
Oct. 15
hey mom and dad
so this has been a great week, we had the parkers come up from adelaide to do our zone conference so we hosted the assistants in our flat for 4 days. that made it so we had 8 missionaries staying in our flat! crazy hey? good to hear that the stamps are still beating the eskimos. thats crazy seeing waterton. so on the future note i have been really thinking about it and i was thinking of studying special education at the university of alberta.
Krista – That is very cool. I’m sure that having all of those missionaries was a blast!
Would you like me to look into applying in Edmonton? You could start out at Grant McEwan and then transfer if your marks are not good enough. Calgary? I will do some investigating.
Did you do anything special for conference with the Parkers?
Ok… I can look for information here too. i wasn’t sure what the process was with you on a mission. I didn’t want you to be distracted on your mission.
Do you do any different things with Zone Conference? Special meal? What did you learn from the Parkers and the assistants? Benny wants to know what other position you played other than setter?
Tommy –
yeah we have a special meal with the parkers and assistants for lunch. and for volleyball i played outside hitter and right side
K-
Any crazy 8 missionary stories from the flat? Did you have the Katherine elders with you too?
How long do they stay 2 days?
T-
no so elder hammond has joined us in trio for the rest of the transfer and there are three assistants. they stayed for 4 days and the coolest story is that elder rupe shouted us a giant feast at kfc
K-
Nice!… he is going home soon isn’t he?
How is life in a trio? Was Elder Hammond in Katherine before? 4 days is a long time. There must have been a bunch of interviews and other business. Do the assistants teach and tract with the Darwin missionaries?
T-
yes he goes home at the end on the transfer. yes so elder hammond was in katherine but is now with us. and yeah we go on splits with them. –
because the northern territory is a district president parker is basically the stake president for the nt as well as misson president,
K-
That’s great.It must be interesting to have different combinations of missionaries. How are your investigators? Any potentials?
Hmmm… I never knew that. That is a big responsibility. Very cool to see the branch in Darwin and the people there? Do they go to Katherine too?
Brent –
Just put Jake to bed. You would be an amazing special ed teacher. I think Edmonton would be a great decision.
Sounds like you have been zone conference busy.
T-
our investigators are doing awesome, our investigator peter is the man. he is from south sudan and is 18 years od and is keen to be baptized –
yeah so they travelled to katherine as well
K-
Wow, that is great. What is Peter’s story? How long has he been in Australia? Does he live with family?
T-
yeah so peter is living with his aunt and uncle in darwin so he can finish high school in an english speaking country. he is really really interested in god
K-
That is very interesting. I’m glad it is going so well with him. We will pray for him and you. How did you first find him?
T_
he came to sports night and was really loving it so we asked if we could come by some day
K-
That’s great. Is sports night at the Darwin chapel? Have you been running other activities?
T-yeah so sports night is still at the chapel – the p-day plans are to meet with elder and sister lea about school and then no plans past that
K-
How close do the Leas live to where you are? Are they in an area where there is a companionship?
T-
yeah so they just live near to the chapel in our area – i have to go love you
K-
Love you heaps! Have a great week. Know that we are always praying for you!
Tommy Pictures in Darwin – Oct. 10
Oct. 1 & 8 Letters
Oct. 1
hey mom and dad
so this has been a crazy week. it is hot as up here. yesterday we had our first day of wet season so it was pouring rain in 30 degrees and later that afternoon it was 80% humidity. so it has been a great week. i love darwin so much and am so glad to be back in this branch. we are really doing all of our work in the city with the immigrants, primarily the nepali people and the chinese. but the most exciting of it all is because it is wet season it is MANGO SEASON!!!! we had a member give us 100 mangoes so we had a lot to eat. yes mom i knew the lea’s before just barely though so its really cool to work with them.
love elder dickson
Brent – MANGOES!!!!
Are you in the Celestial Kingdom or is it just Zion on Earth?
Krista – What on earth do you do with 100 mangoes????? You should cut some up and freeze them for smoothies. Have you done any trainings yet?
T- we have been giving them to other missionaries and eating them with everything. yeah that is also the plan to freeze some the best is mangoes on ice cream
K – Well I’m sure dad is jealous! Mangoes are his favorite. Tell me a little about your investigators.
T- we had a really good week we found 6 new investigators, most of them are from nepal and china
K- That is really cool, tell me a little about them, are they all students? How is your flat? Is it just you and Elder Ellingson or do you have other Elders?
B- Big news, Benny made the Gr. 8 volleyball team
T- YAHOOO!!!!!!!!! – so we live in a 3 bedroom house. it is awesome. we share a flat with the darwin city elders so elder mcdonald and elder shortland. oh and elder mcdonald says a huge thank you for the pants – almost all of our investigators are foreign students or workers 
K- That is nice to have so much room. Do you use one room as a study? I’m glad about the pants… I hope they are ok and they fit. They were not exactly like yours but I had a hard time finding light pants at the end of the season. Is Elder Shortland the district leader? He was there when you were in Darwin last time right? Where are those Elders from and how long have they been out? Will you watch Conference next week in the branch? That would be a neat experience. Are any of your investigators ready for that experience?
T- yes elder shortland is the district leader, he came to darwin the same time as i went to malak. elder shortland has been out 3 months longer than me and elder mcdonald has been out 6 months – yeah we watch it next week, and we have heaps of investigators coming
B- Cool, you went on a mission to Australia but are teaching China and Nepal. World Missionary!
K – That is really cool. Conference was fabulous, you are going to really enjoy it! Are all of your flatmates from the US? Did you get to see John and some other friends in the Darwin Branch yesterday?
T- who would’ve thought that we would be teaching anybody but australians?
B- I went to Sweden to teach Africans.
T- no so elder ellingson is the only american in the flat elder shortland is from new zealand and elder mcdonald is from south africa
K- You are a truly international flat… any interesting things you have learned about their countries yet? Any great new cooked meals? I am excited for you to work in the city, that is great.
T- elder mcdonald qualified for the olympic in karate – nah nothing about the countries though
B- So are you driving all the time now? How far away is the furthest part of your zone.
K- Very cool. It sounds like you are happy to be back in Darwin again and that missionary work is going well there. What has been your favorite moment this week?
T- probably the miracle of finding so many new investigators
B- That is awesome. Do you have any specific stories of how you found them?
K- I’m so happy for you. Any trainings coming up?
T- yeah so we train every week so we will have one tomorrow
K- Oh my goodness I just saw the pictures of the mangoes… you weren’t kidding about the number! Those members must love you!
T- yeah i wasn’t kiddding
K- What is in the plans for your first P Day back in Darwin?
T- go shoping and get some chores for the zone done
B- Maybe eat some Mangoes?
K- You are starting to sound like an adult! That is about what I do on my day off too. Remind me again how big is Darwin? Do you have your driver’s license yet?
T- its about 200,000 people not including students
K- That is a big area to cover. Do both you and Elder Ellingson drive? Do you bike when you are in your area?
T- yeah we both drive and bike in the suburbs
K- SO… never off the bike. There is just a little irony in that. Did they give you the same bike you had before?
T- no i have a nicer one – i gotta go love ya
K- Love you heaps! Have a great week and enjoy Conference!
Oct. 8
hey mom and dad,
how are you? so this week has been an exciting one. we needed to drive to katherine to transfer a missionary so it was really busy. so mom the lea’s have told me that you have been in contact with them……..typical. haha no i’m just kidding. they are awesome aren’t they? so other than driving to katherine we have had a lot of big success in the darwin city. we have been working on getting a teaching center and getting heaps of activities run there. so dad i have been cashing in on my leadership experience in running activities and it has been paying off. we had 7 people just walk off the street and come join our activity and now they are potential investigators. do you have any ideas on inexpensive things we could do for outdoor activities? anywho to answer your question conference was awesome! there has been a lot of strife in darwin about the same sex marriage law which is being discussed in australia and darwin is very pro same sex so it was really good to hear dallin h oaks talk. the one tradition they do here is between showing the sunday sessions at the chapel they have a big potluck
love elder dickson
B- Sounds like life is good. The teaching Center sounds awesome. Glad the leadership skills are working. Give me a little more details. What kind of activities are you looking for?
K-
Hi Love,
Leas have lots of good things to say about you too. I had to contact them about a Christmas thing… can you believe it… I’ve already finished your Christmas stuff. What about traditional games for outdoors like egg and spoon and musical chairs, relays etc. Do you love your neighbour? Ultimate frisbee….how about a game of capture the flag? That’s interesting that Australia is having the same discussions that are happening here about marriage. I thought Elder Oaks did a great job of explaining our beliefs while respecting others.
Will the teaching centre be like the one in Adelaide?
T- basically anything that would be fun to do that would be approved for missionaries. for example last week we did minute to win it – sort of but smaller
K- Is it setup yet? Do you spend a lot of your time there?
B- I will work on it this week. Guess what, Drew is going to be the head angel in the Mativity. Mom and I are nervous 🙂
T- no its not set up yet we still need to secure a lease – Drew is?
B- He could be the most epic angel ever. Adam and Billy S are Roman soldiers. I’m betting at some point they end up in a sword fight with each other. 🙂
K- That is cool and it s great that you are having so many potential investigators. Who are you teaching right now?
Did you go to Katherine with the Leas or did you go as Zone leaders?
T- we went to katherine as zone leaders
K- Tell me about some of your investigators? Did you finish all your mangoes?
T- yes we finished all the mangoes and we have a few awesome investigators. one family is from india and is really keen to hear about the gospel. we met them through english class. another one of our investigators is from south sudan and we met him at sports night
K- That is so cool. What do you do for sports night? Do you also teach an English class?
B- Let’s talk more about Mangoes. I was bragging to a lot of people about your mango adventures.
K- I was just showing Brooke and Bronwyn your pictures from last week
T- we play basketball at the chapel and the sisters teach english class but for safety we have to be there – is everyone still there?
B-
Leadership idea.
Doughnuts hanging from a string, hands behind the back, eat the Doughnuts.
Panty hose on your head with a ball in the toe. You try to move a bigger ball or balloon to the finish line by swinging the ball in the nylon with your head. Huge pants race – two people in huge pair of pants, each in on elegant. Race to the line. – Grandparents wuss early and uncle Ryan left too.
K- Daves and Shane’s family are still here
T- ok im adding some pictures you can show
K- From Isabelle: First off not cool that you are eating all those mangos without me!
B-
Jake is now tying up mom. He is jumping up and down for joy and ice cream.
Jake has new headphones Mom got for free. Panda and teddy bears. So cool.
T- haha sweet and sorry isabelle all mine
K- Isabelle doesn’t think you are sorry at all. Taylor is working for a political campaign because Aunt Christina didn’t want him to just hang out in the house all day…. or maybe it’s all about Taylor’s passion for civic politics!
T- haha good on ya taylor maybe you can work from the bottom and in a few years be trumps vp
B- Taylor will make America even greater again.
T- YES!
K- Bronwyn s now painting her lips with whipping cream…. she is decorating her feelings…. a true artist
T- haha sounds like a good plan
K- Now Bronwyn is trying to kiss aunt Christina with her whip cream lips and her family has kicked her off the couch….love at home – Yep… the biking lots like it was very hot… is there ever a breeze? I like the tag pictures. Are the other pictures of investigators
T- no not yet and sometimes theres a breeze but its usually a warm one
B- Mom is showing Bronwyn how to use our sewing machine. Jake is interested too so he is doing the Jake dance. And now he has dragged her upstairs. Things don’t change much.
T- haha typical jake
B- There were snow flakes as I headed to church this morning. Any snow flakes in Darwin?
T- gotta go love you
K- Love you heaps….
B- Have an awesome week! Hopefully you baptize your Indian investigators and maybe get some Indian food too!
Oct 1 & 8 Youtube videos – Many Mangoes in Darwin
Sept. 24 – Tommy Heading back to Darwin!
hey mom and dad so president parker threw me another curve ball.
Im being transferred! so im going back to darwin with elder ellingson in an area called nightcliff. so i have no clue what i got sick from but something got me. the mission took care of us really well and we are fully healed now. some missionaries in the missionhave the scripture cases but i don’t know if they have them anymore. if possible i would like red and short. but i dont know if they exist anymore. so i fly to darwin at 6pm in adelaide so i have a little bit of time to get all my stuff packed. to be honest i’m still a little shocked so my email might be a little bit scatterred.
love
Elder Dickson
Krista –
Wow….that is exciting! Darwin again…. did he give you any indication of what the needs are there? That is really cool to get to see some of the saints you knew there. Do you know Elder Ellingson? – Are you excited about Elder Ellingson? You will get to be with a new senior couple too in the Leas. Are there still some missionaries who were there when you were there before?
Tommy – no i just found out last night that i am moving there. yeah i know elder ellingson he was my zone leader in firle – yeah we will get a long great, i love him! yeah there will still be a lot of missionaries from when i was there before – elder masten is coming in behind me. he actually is elder hartmans other trainee
Krista –
Masten?.. new Zone leader? Haven’t heard about him yet. How long has he been out? Where is he from?Is there anyone else going to Darwin with you?T- yeah he is new. he has been out 6 months and is a great missionary. he is from Louisiana. yeah so the list is sister ili, sister white, elder mcdonald, elder siaw and me
K –
That’s quite a few going to Darwin. Is Elder Ivory still there?
So you said you know nothing about the area. Was it in your district last time you were there? Are there still two districts?
Brent – Hey Tom very cool. You are a cross continental traveller. Are you still a zone leader?
T- no elder ivory is leaving as i am going up. it is in a different district as last time, all i know is that it is the zone leader area and that they sometimes work in the city center
B- Are you and your companion the only zone leaders for Darwin?
K- Hmmm…. that will be cool! City centre will give you some great opportunities. So Elder !Masten is a new Zone Leader. Any other new zone leaders or transfers of your previous companions? Did Elder Hartman and Elder Degn stay put?
T – yes me and my companion are the only zone leaders in darwin. – and seriously hopefully i don’t come down after one transfer haha – i am going up during wet season, so i should lose heaps of weight –
elder hartman and elder degn stayed put, elder green has been assigned to be a zone leader in alice springs – elder ivory is in golden grove, and elder angelo is in port pirie
K- Me too because now I am going to mail your Christmas packages to Darwin. Did you get the Halloween one already? ( Grandma also put $ 20 in your account for Halloween) . There is also another package somewhere on the way that has Christmas decorations but it is definitely going to Adelaide…. so you may get it after the holiday!
T- just mail them to the mission office and they can mail them to darwin. no i haven’t gotten the halloween one so i’ll get it in darwin. – wow it feels like yesterday i got a halloween package. – thank you mom for sending a package 🙂
K- Oh…serious humidity. Do you still have your good rain coat? I’m assuming the zone leaders will have a car so you will probably have to get a NT drivers license. Did you get that working with kids card last time you were there ?
B- Isabelle and I had heaps of fun (sounding Aussie) at the game today. It was Bautista’s last home game. Hi is a free agent and won’t be resigned. The crowd went crazy every time he was at bat. – Mom works hard on those packages. She is always asking my opinion of what to put in and I always have no idea. Your mom loves you heaps!!!
K- Well two packages on the way before Christmas then! The mission sent a letter with addresses for Christmas packages, so at least that. One will go straight to Darwin
T- no i didn’t so ill have to get that all this time – do the jays not want him anymore?
B- He is 37 and production dropping significantly. I agree with the decision not to resign him. The Jays are doing a good job of honoring him
K- Maybe you’ll get to see a croc this time! I’ll have to tell Grandpa Steed he will be interested
B- Don’t punch a croc, just Kangaroos!
T- yeah thats kinda what i thought with bautista, any big free agents this year?
B- We will see in the off season. The Jays will finish with a losing record. They lost 17 of their first 20 games, got hot in June, and then faded.
K- I think it will interesting to see your convert John and how he is doing. That is a neat opportunity. Is Darwin in the same time zone?
T- i’m sooooooooo excited to see john. and no they don’t do daylight savings
K- So was showing Ms Mann some of you photos on Google Drive at Matt Proctors farewell. A great missionary tool! She and I were both wondering about what the heck was that FLOMBY
T- haha so the story with the flomby is there is acrazy guy in mount gambier who makes them all day long and just leaves them in random places in mount gambier – hey so i have to go to transfers, love you heaps talk to ya next week
K- Love you heaps too… rock it in Darwin!
B- Miss you – being at CSLC brings back good memories of leadership stuff we did together.
Sept 20
Email came later this week and sadly no parent available to email back
hey mom and dad,
so this week has been fun. elder hartman and i got salmonella so we were in the flat for 5 days but we are all good now. so there isn’t really heaps to talk about this week. In the past week we had two training’s from the second counsellor in the pacific area presidency. it was really cool, learned lots of ways to be a better leader. also since there isn’t much to share i thought i would tell you about something i learned in my studies. so this week i was focusing on the story of lazarus. as we all know jesus raised him from the dead 4 days after he had died. the cool thing is that jewish culture believes the body and spirit stay together for 3 days so jesus christ was showing his fathers power through that. cool. so i think the only request i have for christmas is a kangaroo scripture case. you can order them online and i was wondering if i could get a compact quad one?
love
Elder Dickson
(the coolest)
Sept. 11
hey mom and dad,
so this has been another crazy week. we had three district meetings again and we went on trade off to mount gambier (5 hours south). the elders are doing great. other than that this week has been pretty normal. i got a cold so my emails aren’t exactly the best. there hasn’t been much else.
love elder dickson
Brent – Drew and I are watching Cowboys Giants. Our mutual disgust of the Cowboys unites us.
Krista – What happens when you are sick? Do you get to take some breaks or sleep a little bit more? I didn’t know that Mount Gambier was in your zone. Who are the elders there?
Tommy –
elder peihopa and elder smith (both from new zealand) and when you are sick you can call president and seek permission to stay in the flat but ill be fine
B-
PEIHOPA!! I know that name. Is he feeling famous now that he is on LDS.org
T-
yeah he framed the article
K –
Oh your mom is feeling sorry for you. Make sure you take care of yourself. Don’t be a Dickson man and take some Medicine or at least some juice and chicken soup.
B- Now it is my mission to get you into lds.org. Maybe if you punched a kangaroo….. – Be a Dickson MAN!!! We are magnificent!
T-
haha rest is for the weak 😛
K- Saw some great pictures of you in arrivers training. Are things still going well in your flat? – Oh your mom is going to get all protective! Pretty hard to do from across the world
T-
yeah things are going great! –
haha im ok 🙂
K – Ok, I believe you… won’t pull any crazy helicopter mom stuff. Did you see the pictures of Waterton? Kind of crazy. It’s a little strange because we just are sitting and waiting to see what the fire will do
T- I really hope it doesnt hit the townsite. what happens if it does?
B- Ian Tyson is coming to Centennial tomorrow. He is speaking to 3 Leadership classes and giving a keynote. A busy and fun day.
T-
oh tell him i say hi!
K-
Don’t know what happens. They will fight it if the fire gets to the town but the fire is so huge that I don’t know what they can do. it really depends on the wind and weather. if we could have rain it would make a difference. Is it getting warm there?
T- yeah about 20 degrees
K-
How are your shirts and pants holding out. Do you think any of them need to be replaced?
B- It is soooo dry Tom. The driest since 1945. Calgary is brutal too. There is a fire ban in the city. No fire pit. I can’t ever remember that happening before.
T-
they are holding really well –
K –
I’m glad… that will mean you are not getting pants for Christmas… always a good thing. Oh Elise is going to Australia for about 6 months. I am not sure yet where she is going. i haven’t had a chance to talk to her or her momyet
T-
oh cool why is she coming?
K-
Not sure… touring? I don’t know if she has a visa to work or not. I will get details and let you know. How are your investigators coming along?
T-
they are doing good we found a new investigator named george who is from china and he is on date for the first of october
B- You have the magic touch with those great people from China
K –
That is so exciting! People from China are certainly joining the church in great numbers in your mission. Is he a student?
T-
yeah he studies software engineering
K-
You and Elder Heindel were meeting to get onto a campus right? Did that ever happen?
B-
Dishes done … I’m back
Matt Proctor’s farewell is next week. I saw him today. He looks ready. Watch out Hong Kong.
T
president is still working on the campus –
i gotta go love ya
September 4
hey mom and dad so first of all i have repented and put photos onto my google drive!
this week has been crazy we have only had about 6 hours total in our area. we have had so many meetings and trainings that we didnt really get much time to proselyte. this has been a really good week though the mission is making really good progress and continuing to sky rocket. last week i got to go on trade off with elder miague and elder degn so it was cool to be with both of my sons and continuing to teacjh them a little bit. its really cool to see hpow much elder miague has grown since i was with him. so to answer your questions. when we go and do zone buisness we just put elder degn with the glenelg elders (elder miague and elder mikami). our african investigators are doing alright they aren’t progressing heaps well but are slowly working. im still doing really good its a weird feeling to think that i have already been out a year it seriously feels like 1 month. 
Krista – Well that’s great! That is the best way to feel! I am glad to hear about your repentance to add pictures for me….. they make your mom happy ! Dad and Drew just headed out to a seminary fireside so it may just be me this time. Are your meetings MLC ? Zone meetings? Are you still getting along with the elders in your flat? 5 must make it interesting
Tommy – so this week we had three district meetings, MLC, a zone p-day to tab book of mormons, and arrivers training. yeah we get along to great, there is a video i added to the drive of when elder hartman degn and i made it seem like the flat was broken into and we scared them.
K- Oh dear…. I’m not so sure I should celebrate that 😜but I’m glad you’re having some fun while you are working so hard. Do you have three districts in your zone? Is Elder Mikami one of the district leaders?i’m trying to imagine the elders so use one word to describe each of the elders in your flat.
T- we have three districts and are the only zone in the mission with three. Elder mikami: laugh elder degn: prankster elder hartman: tricky elder miague: goofball
K- Ok well then….. that seems to make an interesting mix ! Did you get to go t the Royal Adelaide show or was another zone manning the booth? It would be really cool to see that tabbed Book of Mormon. Did you get to keep one?
T- i kept two and am adding my own tabs as well. and no its the city zone that runs the show
Brent – I’m at the opening seminary fireside with Drew. There seems to be some excitement and some dread in the audience. Drew didn’t complain about coming so that is a good sign.
K- I will love to see that. It would be great to study like a missionary. You really are specialists because you spend so much time immersed in the scriptures and the work. How is the zone doing? It sounds like they are on fire!
T- they are doing great and there is a lot of room still to go but overall are smashing it
B – Cole P and Kim H are the seminary Council presidents for Centennial. Kim will be great but I told Drew I am worried about Cole because he has shady friends. (Drew and Cole are buddies)
K- Do you have senior missionaries who are associated with your zone? What has been the most inspiring thing you did or learned this Week?
Oh and by the way they switched Seminary times so Drew now gets to go at 7 instead of 6:30….totally spoiled!
T- what the heck lucky duck. you should see the seminary classes here. 15 kids from all ages in one class at 6:30
no we don’t have any senior missionaries associated with the zone but the withingtons are in charge of our housing. i have been studying jesus the christ and that whole book blows my mind
B- Kids these days slacking at 7AM. It moved later because Centennial now starts at 9:15. So far Drew has no spares so he will be early. He is taking all 3 sciences, leadership, and calculus this year. He may have to do homework this year. He isn’t playing football. Decided to focus on school, work and Rugby.
K- I loved that book while I was teaching Gospel Doctrine. I felt like sometimes I would have to read passages several times over before I really understood. When we were all in St George a couple of years ago I went to a lecture about how Talmage wrote the book in An office in the Salt Lake Temple. How do you decide what to study by yourself and as a companionship?
T- thats really good maybe his grade 12 marks will be better than mine 😛 and i dont know i just picked it up and started reading
K- I’m fascinated by the pancake picture…. what is that?! – Elder Maganda?….
B- Cole talked about how his brothers were an example to him for attending seminary. Drew and I decided you were an excellent example of early morning attendance but maybe not quite as good with release time 🙂
T- so the man we made them for is named r_________. he has a mental handicap but is determined to have the missionaries over so every wednesday he makes us crazy spicy food and every saturday we make him “flapjacks and french toast” – so we made a special one for his birthday.
B- Is he a member?
T- maganda means beuatiful in tagalog so we taped it to elder miagues badge as a joke
K- I’m impressed. That is kind but also some serious culinary skill!
T- yes he is was baptized 40 years ago the photo i have on the drive of me saluting is with him
B- Can’t think of a better thing for you to be doing as a missionary than spending some time with him.
K- I am looking at the pictures now. I think I see your flat and some zone pictures. What is the statue with a sword?
T- oh thats a statue of ned kelly (kinda like aussie john wayne)
K- Ok….Elder Maganda?
T- maganda means beautiful in tagalog so we taped it to elder miague’s badge as a joke
K- He is pretty darn beautiful! Heard it was Father’s Day yesterday in Australia? Do they do anything different than here?
B- I’m sure you had a moment of silence for me.
T- no they just do the same thing – haha fathers day was in june
B- Every day should be father’s day cause we are awesome.
T- haha maybe not
K- I think Dad would like every Sunday to be Father’s Day. We might have to invest a little more heavily in root beer. Layton got home this week. He is in Waterton for the weekend and then back to school. Do you have any idea of what you wan to do next year? Work? School? Do you know your release date?
T- i want to upgrade my english before i go into school. ill be relased on august 19th – hey mom i have to go love you heaps
K- Ok…. interesting… I didn’t know that. When we get a little further into the fall, I will look into some of that for you so you can make deadlines. Are you starting to see signs of Spring in Adelaide? The nights are definitely getting cooler here
T- jokes im not leaving yet – yeah we are seeing spring now
K- Layton made me think of it…. no rush and no need to think about it yet
T- i do have to go now love you heaps bye!
K- Like be you lots… have a great week!
August 27
hey mom and dad how are you?
so this week has been a crazy one. first thing that happened is that a missionary in the zone had a huge bike crash and she tore several muscles in her back and neck. elder hartman and i had to rush to the hospital and give her a blessing. also this week we are having a zone p-day which we are going to be marking 1000 book of mormons to be giving out at the adelaide show. this week we were also able to find a new investigator family from a very small country in africa. they are really solid. the new missionaries name is elder degn the senior couple must have spelt it wrong.
love elder dickson
Krista – Oh that poor missionary! Is she out of the hospital? That sounds like a great P Day 1000 Book of Mormons… how many is that per missionary? I am at home. We were at Isabelle’s birthday dinner but Jake got obsessed about popping balloons so I went home. Dad and the boys are still there
Brent – Awesome week. Is the Adelaide show like Stampede? How is the sister missionary doing now?
Tommy – the adelaide show is like a giant bmo center kind of thing. lots of stands. and yeah the missionary is doing ok she is out of hospital now and recovering.
K – That’s good! Tell me about the new investigators. How did you find them? How many in the family? What country?
B- Maybe if it is like comicon you could be super missionaries. Everyone is playing Mario kart. Joseph says he is best.
T- we door knocked into them and there are 4 in the family – haha maybe
B- Since Taylor is all gimped up maybe he should be an online gaming missionary. While he battles people he could bring up the book of Mormon etc
T- haha dont know if they have that one
K – Are your Nepalese investigators still interested? When is the Adelaide Show? Will you get to be in the booth for any of it?
B- I think he would be excellent! I go back to school in two days. Mom tomorrow. She is whining but I don’t feel sorry for her. She gets 2 weeks at Spring Break and three for Christmas.
T – they have dropped off the map so we are trying to get in contact with them with little luck
B- Use your Stampede skills and you will rock!
K – That’s too bad…l did you do anything for your hump day? Is that what they call it in your mission?
T- they just call it the year mark and no we were really busy
K- I guess being busy is the best way to be. How is your greenie doing? Do you have time for finding and teaching?
B- What!!! No hump. We would bump, hump, slump, and then do when we went home. Call your mission to repentance. Sounds like a good tradition. When does Australia’s school year rin@
T- we burn a shirt at the year mark but i havent done it yet.
K-Ok…. now you are sounding more like a 19 year old boy. ! Are you still the cook or do all of you take turns?aw you driving and waking that poor greenie up… maybe a little jet lag?
T-im still the cook and he isnt really jet lagged anymore and they are in school until christmas
That is all for this week
Elder Tommy Dickson 