March 1, 2006
Dearest
Ones,
Just
a quick Email about
We
left
Saturday, Dad and Elder Miller went on a tour to the Cu Chin tunnels. This is an extensive tunnel complex where some of the Viet Cong lived for approximately 26 years. Sister Miller and I shopped during the morning and when the guys got back we did some sight seeing to a big cathedral and the Post Office where we mailed some letters.
Sunday was a big day. The baptisms and confirmations took a couple of hours and then we held Sacrament Meeting. It was great. There was a lot of picture taking and everyone was soooooo happy.
Monday, the four of us took an all day tour to the Mekong Delta. We bussed there (about 1-2 hours) and then boarded a boat and went to four islands. Each had something different for us to see and do. Some of the things we saw and did were: a boat ride which reminded us of the Jungle cruise at Disneyland, watching how they made coconut candy, seeing bees in their beehive, holding a python snake (I couldn't be outdone by Erika and Tonya), looking at the various handicrafts the people make, eating lunch, taking a canoe ride and being entertained by a musical group. We had a very enjoyable time. Wish all of you could have been there.
Tuesday
we packed before visiting the
It didn't take us long to get right back in the swing of things when we got back, but it was nice to get away and especially to witness the baptisms. We are both doing great. Sorry to hear about Ila Cottrell and also the flooding in Morgan. Is East Canyon Creek very high yet? We hear you are getting a new Stake Presidency, let us know who it is. Erika - We don't think we could use that toilet either.
Thanks
again for keeping in touch. We send our love as usual and are glad we are
having this terrific opportunity of being in
Love, Mom and Dad (Grandma and Grandpa)
March 3, 2006
Dear Family,
We have found out that at the Mission Presidents discretion, missionary couples can be released as much as thirty days early. In our case that means that if we request it, we probably could come home any time in May. What is going to be happening there in May (sports, family events, etc.)? Is there any reason for us to come home earlier than our specified release date of May 29? Is there a day of the week that is better for us to get there? We want to make a decision soon so that we can make flight arrangements and you will know exactly when we will get back. Help us to make a good decision.
Love, Mom and Dad
March 4, 2006
Mother's Day - May 14th
Landon's baseball at State (if they make it) May 18-20
Seminary graduation May 26 (I think)
Graduation June 2
I just noticed these as I was looking through my
calendar. I'm not sure where State Baseball is, last year it was at
St. George, and we would be there during these days if they go.................
also, I will be pretty tied up in work most of the month. I'm supposed to
be done with everything by the 22nd. Keep your fingers crossed.
Landon is done with school on the 25th - and it's just play time until graduation.
If you leave the 29th on YOUR date, what day will you get home on OUR date?
Anything you want to do is fine with us. We'll make it work !!! Hurray !!!
Love Gwen
March 4, 2006
Dear Family and Friends,
We had quite an eventful week and many special and spiritual
experiences. We can't believe how fast the time is going. We are
still keeping very busy, although this last week we did get a little time in
Love, Elder and Sister Dickson
100_3336 - Cu Chi Tunnels, one of the camouflaged tunnel
entrances
100_3368 - Veloy using glue brush and bowl at Post Office
100_3398 - Some of the members at the Branch in Vietnam
100_3406 - Burial tombs out in the fields
100_3452 - Veloy and the ENORMOUS snake (this was my good picture)
100_3495 - Traffic in HCMC at rush hour
100_3277 - The plane we flew on to Vietnam (about 45 minute flight)
100_3389 - This is the portable baptismal font that the baptisms took place in
100_3457 - Elder (Lin) and Sister (Sharon) Miller and Dad at lunch
100_3485 - A young man squeezing the juice out of shredded coconut to make
candy
100_3490 - Our tour boat
100_3499 - Part of the water puppet show (two dragons)
email Gwen sent, after reading journal,
We were going to go snowmobiling today, but pooped out (me) at the last minute. It snowed during the night and it's still overcast, and I just really don't want to go.............. I have so much to do here at home. Hope I can get it all done today. Take care, we love you and can't wait to have you home.
Love Gwen
reply from Mom in
Hi, this is almost like a chat room with us Emailing each
other back and forth during the day.
Sister Hayes has giardia and believes she got it from eating fresh fruit that wasn't washed and cloroxed. She went visiting teaching at a members home and they offered her some fruit
to eat. She forgot you don't get giardia just from drinking water that's
bad. Ryan and Theresa Bird are people who live in
Love, Mom
March 5, 2006
Gwen, Since there is plenty of money in our checking account you can go ahead and pay the state tax whenever it is convenient. Also could you live with it if we got home the 12th or 13th? Would it interfere with Camryn's party, or your work if we got there on the 12th.
Yahooo !!!!!.......................The 12th or 13th would be just great !!! No Problem !!
Guess what?? Our Bishop Fisher and his wife Julia have
been called as mission president and companion to the
I'll get you taxes sent off today, they I won't have to
worry about forgetting them on the 15th of April !!
Take care, love Gwen
March 6, 2006
Email to Bishop Fisher from Gwen
I didn’t get a chance to talk to you yesterday, probably couldn’t have talked through my tears anyway…………..
We
are so proud of you and Julia. We know you will be the best mission
president, just think of all those boys (and girls)
Who
you will be able to mentor, like you have Landon. Thank you sooo much,
for being there for him, and being such a great
Example
of the priesthood. I can never repay you for this, and I pray that Landon
can always live his life so you can be proud of
Him.
By the way, guess where Landon wants to go on his mission now?? J
Another subject - the choir concert is on the 21st for sure, (but I don’t know that it will affect that many families) and I think Lynelle called Julia and let her know that the 28th was taken by another ward.
Let us know what you decide. Gwen
Thanks for your kind words- it has been such a privilege to serve in our Ward- I think everyone is so great and kind-
and-
I love Landon- but I suspect he is going far away on his mission- he is
trustworthy- and I have always felt he will go the far reaches of the world on
his mission--
I
told him- we are still together for a few months as home teaching comps anyway!
How
about March 17th- next Friday? How does that look?
Thanks,
Bishop
Fisher
March 8, 2006
Just wanted you to know that I have been thinking about
Ambure today! It is her birthday! It is unbelievable that she would
have been 28 years old today, huh?!
Love Always, Erika
Dear Erika
You are so sweet.............. thank you !! I'm getting old, huh? Just think, only 2 months and 4 days till mom and dad are back.........................whoo hoo !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love Gwen
March 10, 2006
Dear Family,
The
international flights from here get into the
Love, Mom and Dad
March 12, 2006
Dear Mom and Dad
Well we've got a problem here..........You wanted the new state president's name? But not your bishop, because you already have his right?? Wrong !!!!
Stake President - John Porter (Aldon's son) currently Bishop of the 5th ward
1st couns. - Kevin
Clemens (currently Bishop of the 7th ward)
2nd couns. Mark Lee
Walker (not your bishop any longer !!!)
I'll let you know who your new Bishop is when I get the
news, don't know when exactly that will be.
This new presidency will have to choose 4 bishops soon, because our
Bishop is going on a mission too.
Stake Conference was great !!! Elder
On another note. Treyson has a problem that has us worried. He has a small (a little larger that a 50 cent piece) fluid filled bump on the top/back of his head. CJ noticed it a couple of weeks ago, and took him to the doctor, and they just thought it was a hematoma (bruise), but she couldn't think of when or where he would have gotten it. Over the next week it got a little bit bigger, and there is no color (like a bruise) that is associated with it. They then thought (the doctors) that it might be a leptomeningeal cyst. They took skull x-rays on Friday, and the doctor called and said they looked okay today (Sunday) - no skull fracture could be seen........... and he did not want to have him go to Primary Children's for an MRI YET........... because they would have to sedate him, and that isn't something they want to rush into. So they are supposed to watch this "bump" for a little while longer. Zac is pretty worried, and would like to have an MRI just for reassurance. I think they will wait until Wednesday or so, and then decide what to do. Here is a description of leptomeningeal cyst:
This is a rare complication of skull fracture that may develop when there is a linear fracture of the skull with separation of the edges of the fracture and laceration of the tough membranous covering of the brain called the dura mater. The arachnoid membranes (very thin, transparent and "spidery" appearing from the myriad tiny blood vessels) can be trapped between the edges of the fracture. When this happens, the natural pulsation of the brain caused by the throbbing of the arteries causes erosion of the bony skull. This complication can occur in adults, but it is most often seen following fracture of the skull in infants and young children. The condition is detected when the parents notice a cystic (soft and squishy, reminiscent of a water-filled balloon) mass on the head of their infant. Initially, the condition can be confused with a cephalohematoma, but the correct diagnosis will become apparent on a simple skull x-ray. Potentially, untreated leoptomeningeal cyst could lead to seizures, mental retardation and increased intracranial pressure, so surgical repair is imperative. Treatment involves surgical removal of the cyst, and repair of the tear in the dura.
Keep little Treyson in your prayers ( I know you will). I'm sure everything will be okay.
Love Gwen
March 13, 2006
Dear
Gwen and Family,
As
you know, we will be praying hard for our little Treyson. We have put his
name on the Prayer Roll in the
Thanks
for the conference report. It was wonderful that you enjoyed conference
so much and that you and Landon got to shake hands with an Apostle. We
are please with what both of you are doing. You are an example
to both of us.
As
far as the Stake Presidency, we had ruled your bishop out because of his
mission call and Mark had picked Bishop Porter as the logical choice, so we
weren't surprised about him. As for the counselors, we were surprised,
not because they are not good men but because they were both bishops. It
will be interesting to see who the four new bishops will be. Keep us up
to date on the latest rumors as to who they will be. Now we will need two
addresses. One for the Stake President and one for our new Bishop
whomever he may be.
We
are going to confirm the reservations for the 13th of May, so we will see you
in two months from today!!!!!!!!
Love,
Mom and Dad (Grandma and Grandpa)
March 13, 2006
Dear Family and Friends,
Here we are once again and still hanging in there.
Thanks to all of you who are keeping us posted on the things happening back
home. It's great to hear about Elder Curtis Tonks' mission in
Love, Elder and Sister Dickson
100_3518 - ASPECA Birthday Party - Chantha and Kimlang (directors and both in our English class.
100_3548 - ASPECA, one of the girls wanted to share her cake (and frosting)
with Veloy.
100_3556 - ASPECA, Channy trying to teach Veloy hand movements along with
dancing. Channy is in our English class.
100_3574 - Veloy and Phy Sophear (11 years old) at her Birthday Party.
100_3579 - Group of children at Sophear's party with sparklers.
March 16, 2006
We had a great time at the wrestling banquet last night. Everyone was so pleased with it and we got a lot of compliments. Leisa Wilson and myself worked pretty hard on it. I put together a wrestling slideshow, and made a few scrapbook pages, and had some other pictures printed out for the boys. I also put together a book with all of the articles that Rodney Rose had written for the year. It was a big hit. I also got some frames for the seniors that said "WRESTLER" in the matting, and they put pictures in them, taken over the past 4 years, and also with their parents and the coaches. Got ALOT of nice compliments on this. We had marinated turkey breasted roasted on the grills, by Bart Fearn, Bruce Robison, and Mark Larsen. We put together green salad and jello salad, and had rolls, and baked potatos, and cake for dessert. The coaches awarded letters, and said some nice things about the boys, and especially the Seniors. They will have to go a LONGGGGGGGGG way before they get the caliber of young men (Landon, Josh, Zac Bradshaw) that they have had in there this past year. All of the senior boys, and Brian Rose paid tribute to each on of the coaches. It was great. Alot of work, but great !!
Now
on to Baseball.................IF the weather would EVER turn springlike.
It has been very snowy, and we are getting more this week. Landon has had
two games postponed, rescheduled, and postponed again. He's supposed to
play in
Manda
and Camryn go to
March 19, 2006
Dear Family and Friends,
Time seems to be slipping by fast and there just isn't
enough hours in the day to accomplish all that we would like to do. We
are grateful to all of you for your support, love and
prayers. Because of Email it is hard to believe that we are
thousands of mile away, as we know almost immediately of things that are
happening back home. We are truly having experiences that we will
remember forever. Now we can see why the young missionaries returning from their missions say that their mission is the best mission
and that it was the best two years of their life. The Gospel teaches us
how to live and what we should be doing. May the Lord continue to bless
each one of you.
Love, Elder and Sister Dickson
100_3592 - Navy and Sameth at the Employment Office. They never use tables, just do work on the floor.
100_3604 - Yours truly - outside the Mission Home
100_3608 - English class - Chhay Srey Poe and Chea Srey Mom (they are always
happy and smiling)
100_3610 - Enrichment Meeting - (on the floor again). Sister missionaries
(left) Vo and (right) Robinson
100_3618 - Meat stand in the Russian Market
Talk given by Gwen Rich in
sacrament meeting – March 26, 2006
The Bishop has asked me to speak today, on the subject of “How the Young Women’s Organization has blessed the life of someone………….” I really couldn’t ask for a better topic to speak on, as I sometimes feel that the number one recipient of the blessings of Young Women’s has been me. It has now be approximately four years since I have been involved with the Morgan 6th Ward Young Women. I began with the Beehives, under the direction of Sister Lauri Robinson and Sister Tammy Bullock. A year later when Sister Sherrie Rich was made the Young Women’s President, I moved to the Mia Maids and had the chance to work closely with Sister Sandy Wilson, and then two years after that, I was called as Young Women’s President, and again moved to work closely with the Laurels. Some of these girls I’m sure, feel that I have “stalked” them throughout their years in Young Women’s, as we have moved up through the different age groups together. As I have watched each young woman grow and develop, I have seen their testimonies increase, and I have seen them take on responsibility and rise to the occasion. My own testimony has grown, as I have watched this “chosen generation”. It is a very humbling experience to be in their presence, and to feel of their love for me and for each other and for our Heavenly Father and the Savior. This has truly been a blessing in my life. A lot of coordination takes place each week, as the young women leaders prepare to serve the young women. In D & C 64:29 it states, “Wherefore, as ye are agents, you are on the Lord’s errand; and whatever ye do according to the will of the Lord is the Lord’s business.” Working together as sisters, and friends, on the Lord’s errand has truly blessed our lives as Young Women leaders. I love these sisters dearly, and know of their love for the young women they serve. I thank them for their dedication, and their testimonies that strengthen the Young Women of this ward. I feel like we are one big family. With 13 moms, and ___ daughters. We share our feelings with each other, our joys, our frustrations, our testimonies, and our love. On Sundays, we enjoy being together, learning of the love that our Heavenly Father has for each one of us. Tuesday evenings we get together for different activities, helping to build friendships, learning new skills, and giving service to others.
As I have thought back on the past four years, different experiences stand out in my mind, where we have felt the spirit touch our hearts. I would like to take a minute and recount some of these special moments and feelings that we have experienced.
This past
week, some of the YW leaders in our ward were able to attend the General Young
Women open house in
Another way
we can serve those who have passed on, it by doing Baptisms for the dead. This is always a favorite youth activity, and
these past couple of months, we have had quite a few opportunities take part in
this. One of the special moments we
remember is the time we combined baptisms with another very special day of one
of our young women who had graduated
from our group, and decided to get married !
We traveled down early one morning to the
Speaking of music – have you ever heard anything as beautiful as the youth in this ward, as they sing out their love and their testimony? Our Bishop has asked that we prepare and plan to sing a selection, every other month in Sacrament Meeting. What an inspiration this was. We feel that spirit so strongly, when after weeks of practice (sometimes not sounding just like we would like to), having it all come together, and watching your faces in the audience, as we sing our testimony to you. Many of our young women have commented that music touches them, in a way unlike any other. This is a special opportunity for them to express themselves. This past year we have worked together with the young men of this ward, on a couple of numbers, and we appreciate their willingness to share their talents with us. The one performance that stands out in my mind, was “Praise The Man”, which we performed this past November in our Evening of Excellence Program. The feelings that we had while singing this song were so testimony building. It was fun and it was powerful !! The youth and leaders caught the vision, and sang out a testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith. You could feel it as you heard us, and we could feel it as we sang it - the spirit bearing witness of this great man.
Our Evening of Excellence Program this past year, will personally be one of the highlights of my life. I know it will always be remembered by everyone who participated. When the youth and leaders think back in years to come, they will remember the feelings and the stories that were portrayed so beautifully this special night. The fact of this has already been borne out, as we participated in Part One of Youth Conference last month. We watched the new movie, Joseph Smith, Prophet of the Restoration, as different scenes came to life on the screen before us, the youth were heard to remark, Hey – I remember that ! Joseph playing with children, he really loved them, or that was the Day of God’s Power! – I remember that, I was in that scene, or when he was standing rebuking the guards – that was “Majesty in Chains”, I just wanted to jump right up their in the movie and stand right beside him…… And even last night in the Young Women General Broadcast, when President Faust related the story of Mary Elizabeth Rollins – I thought, that was Talesha, she’s the young girl who loved the Book of Mormon so much, that the prophet gave her her very own copy. Whenever we hear the words, “ I knew and I knew that GOD knew it” , or “And now after the many testimonies which have been given of Him, this is the testimony last of all, which WE give of him – that HE lives !” - these words, and the spirit that we feel are real and we KNOW it. This gospel has blessed our lives beyond measure. I bear testimony that Heavenly Father loves each one of us, He loves the Young Women of the Morgan 6th Ward, and I love the Young Women of this ward and feel so very blessed share in their lives, and to be involved in this work. I say these things, in the name of our beloved savior Jesus Christ, Amen.
Gwen,
We are glad you sent us a copy of your talk. We both enjoyed reading it and loved the spirit that it conveyed. You never cease to amaze your Dad and I on what an outstanding individual you are. How blessed the Young Women in your ward are to have such a devoted leader who loves them so much. I wish I could express myself like you and tell others of my feelings and love of the Gospel. Keep up the wonderful work that you are doing and the Lord will truly bless you for all of your efforts. You'll never know how much we love and appreciate you or just how proud (pleased) we are of you. How about writing my talk when I get home.
The
time is passing fast. See you soon.
Love
Mom
March 27, 2006
What’s been going on. Well I’m done with my talk in sacrament meeting, and I’m glad it’s over (it’s always nerve wracking) but I feel I did a good job, and everyone complimented me on it, and it just went together soooooooooo well. I got up at 2:30 a.m. because I couldn’t sleep and I was itching (more on this later) and so I got up and wrote for about 1 ½ hours, played a couple of games, and then went back to bed at 5:30, and didn’t wake up till almost 8 am !!
Roger is still going to work and still hating it, but he doesn’t bring it home with him and take it out on me…..he’s always been so good that way. I’ve been house cleaning OUT the past couple or three weeks. The DI came last Friday, and will come again in 2 weeks. I’ve gotten a bunch of stuff cleaned out, including down in the furnace room, and under the front porch. We took all of the stuff and put it in the breezeway, and Saturday was SUCH a beautiful day……… Well we woke up to 3 inches of snow on Sunday morning !?!?!? I have even given up my beloved couch that I have slept on for the past 10 years……….. (why? More on that later) . Anyway, Roger is hating it that I’m sleeping with him now, oh well, he had better get used to it. He says I jump and wiggle, and move and it rocks the bed and wakes him up. I tried so hard to hug the wall (the bed is pushed up way against the wall), but apparently I wasn’t that successful. I didn’t have a very good nights sleep, without my couch, and with the itching and all.
Why the itching you say?
Well………………. When Camryn came home from
Zac and CJ have been working, and Zac has all of the electrical done in the garage. Mark Schmid the city building inspector was WAY impressed by the job he had done. I wish you could see the time and exactness he took as he placed the wires. He is working on getting the ground ready out to the south of the garage for a patio.
Treyson is getting bigger, and can sit for a little bit, however you don’t want to leave him because he is quite unsteady. The bump on his head had gone down, thank goodness. Just one of the little miracles that Heavenly Father blesses us with.
Landon is enjoying baseball, however they have only played
two games because of the weather. He is
doing a great job as catcher (I guess you would after playing the position
exclusively for the past 10 years…..) We
had an exciting game at Lindquist field last Friday night. We played
Landon has a really easy schedule this trimester (his
last) He has Advanced Interior Design,
for which he gets 3 college credits, Seminary, Pre-Engineering (where they get
to build things and then blow them up), Weight Training, Government and Citizen
ship, and then his last hour of the day is a free hour, which he uses to come
home and get his stuff and head back to baseball. He has accumulated 40+ hours or college
credits, and if he works hard he’ll be able to get an Associated Degree before
he goes on his mission. He has applied
at
News around town??
Evelyn Giles retired from her job at the courthouse. No ward has got a
new bishop yet, I’m betting the weeks after General Conference we’ll see 3 new
bishops (5th, 8th, 7th wards) and possibly our
ward too. Out Bishop said they need
senior couples in
Well, I’m about all thought out………… can’t think of anything more to write. I guess we are down to about 6 ½ weeks now, huh?? Hallelujah !!! It will be good to have you back. We are going to haul your truck over to Barber Bros. In a couple of weeks and have them get it fixed for you. Also, we’ll get your furniture moved back in, garden tilled, and hopefully things in order (like you would like them) before you get home. I guess you know that we are ALL planning on coming down to the airport to see you!! We’ll probably fight to see whose car you ride home in, and since I’m the oldest……………….. I win – right??
Take care, we love you
Gwen
3/30/06
Dear Family and Friends,
This week finds us still very busy doing the Lord's
work. It is the same thing as before but we are having a lot of great
experiences with the individuals that we come in contact with. They
literally light up our life. The picture we have enclosed this time
is of the Employment Class we just completed. They are all
missionaries that are finishing their missions or who have finished their
missions (our teachers). They are all very special and will be a great
asset to the Church here in
We send our love and pray the Lord will bless you and your families.
Love, Elder and Sister Dickson.
Email from Erika
Did any of you go to the
Gwen, I want a copy of your Young
Women Sacrament Meeting talk. You are getting to be quite the little
public speaker.
Aaron is in Vernal and Manti this week.
Love Always,
Erika
I didn't go to the funeral........... I imagine it was pretty heartbreaking. I can't imagine how it would be to lose your whole family. When we went down to get Amanda in Phoenix in October 2004, and we were all coming back, in two different vehicles, on that scary road between Phoenix and Vegas (2 lane, dark, we were tired) - I was a nervous wreck, and all I could think was that if we wrecked, that I hoped we all would die, and it would be okay, because we all were there, Roger, Gwen, Amanda, Camryn, Zac CJ and Landon.......... of course, it would have been terrible for all of you left behind, but we would have been okay.
