Satan at Work

So to help answer the questions.. the family at the airport we haven't been back to seen because that family lives in on some private island by Barbados. There are two main families we are teaching right now.  -- One is the mom and the little girls that came to church in that picture. They are progressing well and there baptism date is hopefully for October 15. That is the family we found after we had fasted for families and found them late at night.. it was the last house before we came in. And really the house before that was a crazy pastor that fought with us. So we wanted to go in but we decided to check one more house. And that was them. Her name is Danielle and she has four kids. She used to be taught by Elder Merrell one of my old comps. So that is cool.

The second family that is super cool is. Wendy, and her daughter Kelly-ann and Princess (she is 9). And Kelly-ann is 21 And she has her own kid too that is about 1 year old. We found them by a members house. They came to church this last week and are super excited about baptism. But we felt they were not quite ready yet. So we moved there baptism back to October 8. They were the ones that was supposed to be baptized this week. But they are coming along good. 

This week went good. We had zone conference and president flew in. I was super pumped about it because me and my comp planned a great zone culture. The zone culture is that here in Grenada we STAY WET! it was great and we had planned well. When we were at the zone conference we both had 20 minutes to teach. Elder King went first and went for one hour. By the time he finished we were way over time. So I was kinda bummed I didn't even get to teach anything I had planned for for the last 6 weeks. 

But all in all President taught us some great stuff. I felt the spirit really strong at the meeting. We had it at the Radison Hotel so that was super cool. The next morning President interviewed all of us missionaries. He interviewed me last. And it was a very spiritual experience. He taught me some great things. And at the end he asked me to say the closing prayer. I went about on a normal prayer. And then I said bless my family... and then it hit me. Gosh guys why you do that to me?  I was balling like a baby. The spirit was so strong. I love you guys so much!

Well other than that this week I caught an Iguana at the church and have it as a pet in my apartment.

And we have been teaching some cool people. Also I went on trade off up in Gouyave That was a great day of experiencing the other part of the island. The people were really nice and we found some cool ones. 

So funny story.. 

We taught this one lady and she was not very nice to us. After getting inside and starting with a prayer she told us up front I don't think I can meet with you. We asked why and she said that in the scriptures it says she can't. We were like what... she then quoted the scripture "You cannot serve God and Mormon." I about died laughing but I held it in. I was like where did you hear that. She said her pastor teaches it from the bible. We then turned to Mathew 6:24 and read the real scripture "You cannot serve God and Mammon." It then clicked her pastor was lying to her. And she loved the lesson we taught. We are excited to see if she will turn out good. 

this is a picture of Brother cox a faithful member who always comes teaching with us.

And next is zone conference and our zone! 

40 Day Fast

Wow this week was super amazing!!!! I love being on the Lords errand. I am going to try to describe an experience I had this week that has changed my life. but to begin I have to give a little detail so bear with me..

Elder Zivic of the seventy gave us a challenge to do a 40 day fast. Meaning we fast for 24 hours and the Lord helps us design a list of things we need to give up and change to fully submit our will to Heavenly Fathers. I felt strongly impressed to do this. So Saturday and Sunday I fasted and created this list of things I want to give up to more fully purify myself to the work. It was weird there are some things on the list that are not bad at all but the Lord wants me to do it. 

Sunday after a great day of fasting we went to go see an investigator named Alisha. She is 25 years old, single and looking for truth. We taught her the basic Restoration and Plan of Salvation. She didn't understand the need to be baptized again,, (by proper authority) so as any missionary does we studied and found all the "proof" that she needed to be baptized again. 

We asked Elder and Sister Mills, the senior couple, to go with us to teach her because we needed that 3rd male. Elder Mills is a spiritual rock in the gospel and is very close to the spirit. So during the lesson we began helping her understand the importance of being baptized again. We used the stories of Nicodemus... and When Paul taught the disciples in Acts 19.. but none of these things we clicking with her. We had the proof,  but we realized we didn't have the Spirit. Elder Mills paused and looking at her with tears in his eyes he said, "I want to try something that I feel we should do at this time. Let's all kneel in prayer and each of us will go around and say a prayer and ask if Joseph Smith is a prophet and if the Book of Mormon is true." 

(I thought to myself perfect this will get her! the Lord is going to perform a miracle here!! ) 

As we started, I prayed first. Then Elder Mills.. then Elder King.. Then Alisha. During each prayer I thought, listened and tried to feel if the Holy Ghost was just going to overcome us and she was going to be converted. But besides the typical heat and sweating nothing happened. 

After the prayer she said she felt normal.. I felt like we had failed. I said a prayer in my heart "why did this happen" why not a miracle.." I was discouraged almost. 

After we closed the lesson we left. And headed back to the church. I asked Elder Mills to give me a blessing. 1. Because I hadn't had a blessing in a while and I missed the blessings dad gives around school time. 2. Because I needed a spiritual experience so my faith would grow not increase. 

Before the blessing we started to chat. Elder Mills wanted to get to know the reasons why I wanted a blessing. I told him first that I just hadn't had one in a while and felt I needed one. He asked a few more questions to really get to me and asked why I really wanted a blessing. I broke down in tears. It was the first time I cried in a long time. I was overcome with an overwhelming feeling of love from God. 

During the blessing he said things that I have been praying for, for many nights. And he blessed me with things I can't even write about, but it touched my heart to the center. The Spirit was so present I couldn't stop the tears. Man was it amazing. 

I have learned a few things.. after this experience. God he could have a miracle and change the heart of this investigator... But that would not allow her to search and have Faith for her self. And second that God will always answer my prayers and help me feel of His love. 

These next 40 days I have covenanted with the Lord to give up everything.. To fully submit my heart, my entire being to Him. I will go where He wants me to go. And I will say what he wants me to say. I have realized this work is not about me. This is Gods work. I am just learning to be on His errand. 

The church is true!  I love all of you 

Love Elder Dixon

LIAT (Late In All Terminals)

Well this week was crazy! We were supposed to fly out to the Bados on Monday! But LIAT delayed our flight 4 hours then it got canceled! I was so upset inside because I was so excited to see all my peeps! But the Lord works in mysterious ways. So after it being canceled we went back through security and went to go get our bags! people were freaking out and yelling at LIAT staff. I felt bad for them. In the mist of all this contention there was a cute family over in the corner. We went and shared with them how families can be together forever! It was wonderful! 

So we then saw this LIAT manager handing out vouchers for a hotel and free food! I was like freak man!! We gotta get one of those! I went and got one. It was a FREE night stay at the Radisson Beach resort! And free dinner and breakfast!! I was like buyahh thats what I am saying.. we left and went to the resort! We had a great rest of the p-day lifting weights, playing pool, and just liming out eating some delicious meals. After our stay there they wanted us to sign for the bill which was all put on LIAT.. it was about $500 for the room for one night. And our dinner was $185 and this is all American!! So thanks LIAT for screwing up the flights!!:) It was so fun! But we woke up early to be on stand by for a flight to get us out to the meeting on time. We reached the airport at 3 a.m. and then waited there forever. We unfortunately didn't get put on that flight. So we had to wait to the 12:50 one. By the time we got to Barbados we made it for the closing hymn and prayer. It was so sad. But there was nothing we could do. We missed all of the meeting we flew out for. 

It was cool meeting the General Authority though. His name is Elder Zivic and he is a great man. That night we had a cool devotional with him. Also the next day we had a zone conference with him. He taught us so much it was such a spiritual meeting. Then after I went and saw all the people I love! What a great day. Everyone was so happy and I loved seeing them all. Especially little E! He was calling me Uncle Jake! 

Well our flight home that night got delayed so we didn't fly home tell 1 a.m.! But we made it safe! I slept so long. That day was just amazing. 

Also we got that whole family to come to church! They loved it. They will all be baptized on Oct 24th!!! 

What a week. 

Well I am glad all is well. Remember these few things I learned from Elder Zivic "When you give your heart to helping people, your heart will be changed and molded into what God wants us to be." 

We shouldn't seek to conquer any world but the one from within" 

And there are two types of people! One that is reactive and one that is proactive. We should always strive to be Proactive! 

With much love,

Elder Dixon

Fasting Brings the Miracles

Note from the sister - Sorry about the delay in last weeks letter and that I didn't get it updated. Last week was super crazy for me and he didn't write a lot so I figured I'd just put it in one long post.  Below is the message from last week - (short and sweet) - and the letter after is this weeks. He is still so happy and loving it. He got to go back to Barbados this week and was so excited to go back and see everyone and were excited to hear about it. Thanks to all of you for the continued support. 

Nina and Brother Smith - recent converts 

8/29/16

I have never felt more at home then when I walked into Church on Sunday! it was full of all these young White families!! They have normal names too like Zach and David not like Jamalson or Tyron! It is great! I went from the smallest group to the biggest branch In the mission. There was like 110 people at church! It was the first Sunday I have not given a talk, taught the lesson or led the sacrament meeting! It was nice just to enjoy church for once.

Well Grenada is so sweet! The people are nice. The town is beautiful and the food is great! I live in an apartment villa on the beach it is sweet! and the church over looks this beautiful beach as well. Also this week I found out next Monday I will be flying to Barbados for MLC. And Elder Zivic the area presidency will be there! so that will be exciting! 

hmm i love the people already and we set a baptism date for Oct. 1 for a lady named Kelly Ann she is super awesome!

The zone is great! and I am learning how to lead with Christlike love and with a super humble heart!

The Church

"Looking like Dad"

9/5/16 - Fasting brings the Miracles - 

Wow this week was amazing well mostly just yesterday! We have been working super hard. And seeing much success. But something that we are lacking is finding a prepared family ready to hear the gospel. This week I fasted for that purpose of finding a family. And sure enough after breaking my fast and putting in a long days of work. The very last house we stopped by The spirit spoke to me and it was amazing. I have never felt so happy to talk to a person in my life. Her name is Daneil! She has 4 kids. I guess she used to be taught by Elder Merrell one of my previous comps. She is so amazing!!! She is completely ready for baptism same as her two oldest kids. I was overcome with joy as I talked to her. Wow the church is true. And fasting brings miracles!

Also this week I was having some troubles and that day also was just rough. Lessons were falling through, it was super hot and humid. And the Spirit entered my thoughts again. It said this. Elder Dixon, I am here. I know who you are. I sent you to those neighborhoods. The very ones where you experienced nothing but rejection. I prompted your changes in direction to even more difficult neighborhoods. I know where the elect are in your area. I know their names. I could send you to those addresses only and save you the time and sacrifice looking for them.. BUT ELDER DIXON WHAT GOOD WOULD THAT SERVE YOU? 

I am learning that the mission experience is to do what you are told, when you are told, to go where you are asked, and know that the blessing comes form enduring what I ask of you. This is not about me. IT is about opening my mouth at all times in all places. Doing his will without a thought to the end result or consequence.. This is what serving a mission is. 

Right now I feel like in this mission experience I have never been closer to the spirit. I have never been more happy during hard times and struggles. And I have never been more happy to serve people I don't even know. 

I am leaving to Barbados in 2 hours and I am honestly so freaking excited. I have the rest of today to go visit all my favorite people in Black Rock. I haven't been able to even sleep because I get to see these people I LOVE so much. I am also excited for Mission Leadership Council on Tuesday and then a Zone meeting with Elder Zivic of the 70 on Wednesday!

If i am this excited to see people in Barbados I cant imagine in 11 months when I come to see you all. boii I will not sleep for weeks!! 

Something I want to leave you with is a quote From Elder Bednar.. He says "Humble, Earnest and Persistent prayer enables us to recognize and align ourselves with the will of our heavenly father."

I have been focusing my study on Enos this week. And man is he one humble servant who knows the importance of really communicating with our father in heaven. I have been trying to focus on improving my prayers and I have found that the spirit is a lot more prevalent each and every day. 

Well i send you my prayers and love!! have the most blessed week

Love, Elder Dixon 

AND DONT FORGET TO SMILE!!

Joseph one of the Investigators- He will be baptized on October 15th

Kelly-Ann and her Mom - They will be baptized on October 1st