Tasty Twist--a post-baptism tradition!

August 12, 2013

Dear family,

You are near and dear to my heart.  We had another awesome week here at MSU!  Ah, I can't wait for fall to start.  Everyone says it's nutso with all the people here--especially on game days!  It's going to be crazy with so many people to talk to but I am really excited.  We spent time calling people this past week who were gone for the summer but tons of them are coming back and are still interested in learning more about the gospel message.  I am SO STOKED!

Here were some highlights from last week:

-I got to use Portuguese this week on multiple occasions!  It was really exciting.  On Monday after P-day we went door knocking at some apartments.  We met a guy named Carlos who is from Mexico and only knows a bit of English.  We shared what we could in English, but he was pretty confused.  So I tried talking in Spanuguese and it kinda worked!  He was interested in the message and we will hopefully meet with him soon.  Also, I met some Brazilians on the bus this week.  So exciting!!!!!  Sister Probert was talking with them at the front of the bus and yelled back to where I was, "Sister Dixon, they are from Brazil!"  I basically ran to the front of the bus to talk to them and then when I got there all Portuguese I had learned was gone.  I was able to remember a little bit but holy cow was I nervous!  They were from Sao Paulo too which was cool! They spoke English, too.  They were so nice and helped me so much!  Both of these experiences were awesome, but humbling as well.  Just keep me in your prayers that I can learn Portuguese when I get to Brazil because it will be pretty rough :)

-Our investigator Dennis is progressing well.  He stopped drinking tea which is awesome and we are so excited for him!  He didn't come to church yesterday though which was a bummer because we need to postpone his baptism now.  And he will be out of town this week but we have faith he will continue to progress well when he gets back.  He is actually going to Kentucky so I hope he runs into Elise!

-We have been doing tons of service lately which I just love because people have been moving in and moving out quite a bit.  We helped our friend Krystal pack up and move this week.  Holy cow she had SO much stuff!  We all got back to our apartment and were so grateful all of our possessions can fit in 2 suitcases.  And Nick and Chris, she had like 3 times the amount of stuff I did whenever I moved.  It was crazy, but we were happy to be able to help!

-There was another baptism this Saturday for the elders’ investigator named Yi Ming.  We were asked to sing at his baptism too and holy cow, it was so funny.  We decided to do a mash-up of “Teach Me to Walk in the Light” and “Be Still, My Soul.”  We practiced so many different versions of it--so many I forgot which one we were actually doing.  We got up there to sing and we were supposed to start singing the words to “Teach Me to Walk” but to the tune of “Be Still, My Soul.”  I completely forgot and while my companions were both singing what we planned, I started singing to the tune of “Teach Me to Walk.”  It sounded sooo bad.  And then I realized what I was doing and stopped and then laughed to myself and everyone just felt really awkward.  Luckily I was able to figure it out and get the end of the song right.  I felt pretty stupid, but it was a great baptism despite that.  Our streak of singing at baptisms might be coming to an end soon though after that performance (http://youtu.be/nP8mgCxNqU4).  Stay tuned.

-We ate at a member's house for dinner last night.  He went to Brazil on his mission and cooked Brazilian food and it was soooo delicious!  It's fun to see how I can be in Michigan but still have Brazilian influences. Tender mercies!

-Also, how cool is Abish?!  I love reading about her in the Book of Mormon.  She has such a passion for sharing the gospel and has such amazing faith!  I have read her story multiple times this week and each time I am just amazed by her.  She has taught me many things and I am grateful we can liken the scriptures to our lives.  Mom and dad, how would you feel about having a granddaughter named Abish? I just admire her a lot, so don't be surprised when it happens.

Anyways, we had a great week.  It went so fast, which I am really sad about.  I can't believe we only have 2 weeks left of this transfer!  I am nervous to see what will happen.  We have an exciting week planned.  Sister Christiansen and I are going on exchanges to Holt tonight with Sister Smith and then we have zone training on Friday.  It should be amazing!

Sorry if there are tons of typos, the keyboard is way sticky.  Love you all!!  Have a great week,

Sister Dixon