Week 3 - Brownsville, TX

Hey Everyone, once again thank you for the birthday stuff.

So it has been a pretty hard week. Most of our plans went down the drain. We weren't able to find new people, our investigators are being dumb about things, just everything has been hard. Other than that it has been a pretty great week. We had district meeting, zone conference, and stake conference. Zone Conference was pretty great. President and Sister Trayner are leaving this Friday and so we get a new mission president. I am really excited but also sad that they are leaving. They were really great. I love them a lot.

So on Sunday I had Spanish Stake Conference at 9 to 11, then I had English from 1 to 3, then my companion had a meeting since he is district leader, and then we had the Missionary Conference after that. I know that it was a super awesome thing. But I saw it in Spanish at the Southmost Chapel...I am able to know what a conversation was about, but I cant really follow along with it for the whole thing. I can pick lots of words out that I know but I am still trying to figure out how to understand it. I know it will take lots of time and effort. I couldnt watch it in English because at the Price chapel (where we had English stake conference) on Saturday night someone broke in and stole computers, tvs. We werent able to go there.

Well, nothing really sticks out this week. I left my camera again so I couldnt send pictures again. We did the tie dig again I got some sick ties!!! I love all of you soooooo much. I know life isnt as good there without me. No just kidding. Hasta Luego!

-Elder Dawson

Week 2 - Brownsville, TX

So I thought that I would just send out a mass email. That is so much easier for me. I will try to remember everything since the MTC. So first, thanks everyone for the packages and letters while in the MTC. I know I had like 50+ letters and packages combined. Also thank you so much for the birthday stuff! I really loved it!

So MTC was super awesome! So spiritual and super fast learning. I have come to find out that I know pretty much absolutely no Spanish at all. Compared to pre-MTC I know a lot, but here in Texas.....que? It is hard to understand people. They talk really fast and all the words are slurred together.  My companions name is Elder Torres and he was born in Mexico but moved to Utah when he was 8. He has been out just over a year. We live in an apartment with two other elders. Elder Jones from Florida, and Elder Rupp from Lehi, Utah. I guess we both went to Eaglecrest elementary together but didnt know each other. This is his last transfer and he leaves in July. This mission has about 190 or so missionaries. This mission baptizes like crazy. The baptism goal for the mission this year is 1200. Our district of 8 elders has a goal of 20 baptisms this month. Right now we are at 11. Next month is 21 and we have over 35 BD's (baptismal dates) for the 7th and 14th of July. We know many will fall through but we do our best to bring them the restored gospel.

It is super hot and humid here. I have a car so it helps a good bit. Sunday I go to Spanish church at 9 then English church at 1. The members are pretty cool. We get treated pretty good. Elder Torres and I have I think 3 or 4 meal appointments this week.

So all the elders out here are tie crazy! Every Monday we go tie digging. We go to things called bodegas which are like giant warehouses that are full of old clothes - clothes that stores have gotten rid of.  We search for ties there. Most people know that we come and keep ties in a certain place for us. We go through them and find really good ties - ties that would cost $50+ for all of you. But we have been getting them for free. Last week I got about 7 more ties and today I got about 6 more. I will have to go through all my ties when I leave.

So I have to go. I dont remember much else that has gone on. So I love all of you!

Elder Dawson

Week 1 - Brownsville, TX

I will have to be fast. I got the notice for the package but I left the slip at home so we arent able to get it today, we have to work something out another time. [Editor's note: Alec's birthday was yesterday, June 9, and we sent a package to him directly to his apartment instead of the mission home in hopes he would get it in time, but oh well].

I think of the primary kids I taught sometimes. It was a lot of fun. And no I dont need any more stamps because I guess once I go to Argentina I will have to get stamps there. Um, thats awesome that you went to the temple, I am so excited for Allison. So happy for Drew [getting baptized]. That would have been awesome to be there. I cant wait to hear about Stevens mission call. He will be going South America. In Argentina specifically. Hopefully Salta too!!

Um, my comp is Elder Torres. Born in Mexico and moved to Pleasant Grove, Utah, when he was 8. Spanish is so dang hard here. People talk way super fast and words are slurred together. I have a really hard time understanding. I know I have a lot of work to do. This mission baptizes like crazy. Just our district is going to baptize over 20 this month. We already have I think 8 or 9. The mission goal is 1200. I guess they have been super close to that before. I have to go. Sorry it was short. I love you!

Elder Dawson

The picture that everyone has to take!
Elder Dawson and Elder Torres

Arrived in Texas!

This is Alec's new mailing address:

Elder Alec Dawson

Texas McAllen Mission

200 W La Vista Ave

McAllen TX  78501

email will not change:  alec.dawson@myldsmail.net

Alec arrived in McAllen, Texas, yesterday, June 3. I was able to talk to him a couple of minutes today (because apparently he didn't have any time to call from the airport), and he said it was hot!  The Mission President and his wife (Bro. and Sis. Trayner) sent an email to us today indicating he looked good and appeared anxious to go to work.

President and Sister Trayner

His companion is Elder Torres (from Utah) and his first assignment will be serving in the Brownsville area. His P-Day is on Monday.

Early morning June 3, leaving MTC for Salt Lake City airport.

Week 6 - MTC - Reassigned to Texas!

Alec was able to call us this afternoon about 3:45 pm to let us know that while he is waiting for his Visa for Argentina, he has been reassigned to go to the Texas McAllen Mission.  He leaves on Monday, June 3, at about 8 am, and he should be able to call again from the airport and talk a little longer.  It was good to hear his voice. We maybe only talked for for a couple of minutes.  He was on his way to the temple. 

[Editor's Note:  Our nephew, Benjamin Hadlock, will leave to go to Arkansas on Tuesday? Our nephew, Logan Close was called to Brazil Florianopolis Mission and leaves for Brazil on August 14. Our niece, Allison Scarlett received her mission call last Saturday.  She is going to the Argentina Buenos Aires North Mission. She leaves for Provo MTC on September 25. Our nephew, Steven George, will be getting his mission call within a couple of weeks. Currently, there is Jessica George serving in Salt Lake, and Ben will be in Arkansas, there will be the three in South America, and we'll see about Steven! So exciting!]

Just checking out the features on my camera. It can detect a smile
 and take the picture or I can wink and it starts a timer.

            Just my favorite picture in the MTC. I dont know what it is called. The light makes it look different.

                                                             My reassignment papers.

                                                            Reassignment Travel Plans.

Elder Oaks invited a group of Muslim leaders from L.A. to come visit the MTC. They chose our classroom to come visit. They were just seeing what we do and all. We represented all 67,000 missionaries. So crazy but so awesome! President Nally is in the center. He is the MTC President. 

           Doing the Elder Jackson Face. He is in the very Back. The Hermana in the middle doing the other
              face is Hermana Gray. One of our teachers. She is doing the Elder White Face...far left Elder.

                                             The Cream Soda Tree. It smells like Cream Soda



Below is the email we received from Alec on the same day:

I wonder what the weather is going to be like in Texas since I will probably be there for most of the summer. I guess once I get my visa then they will just send me straight to Argentina.

I can't believe that Sean is driving now. That's even scarier than Andrew. He is so small.

I emailed Elder Cook, he told me that he was going to Asheboro. I think that is his last transfer and then he goes home. [Editor’s Note:  Elder Cook is one of the missionaries Alec spent time with serving two mini missions here in Gastonia].

  

I am so stoked for Allison. I was hoping that we all would be called to South America but I didnt think Allison would. I am so excited for her! Both of us will be getting home almost the same time!! So then did Stevens papers just go in? Or still waiting for a little? I am really excited to find out where he will go! I hope it is in Argentina also. If anything South America. It seems so weird that everyone will all be gone. Things will probably be way different back home.

So yes I got to Host again on Wednesday. I hosted three people. Elder Hamblin, he was going to Mexico. Elder Cooke going to Washington D.C. North. Elder Sum, going to Washington D.C. North also. Cooke and Sum were neighbors in Salt Lake. In about a month Elder Cooke's dad is going to be his mission President there. I thought that was pretty interesting.

So I have started packing things back up again. I didnt take everything out. But I am getting stuff back in. I have my big jacket to put in there also. I can only have two checked bags and only one carry on. So I am having to pack the backpack also. I am trying my best to get as close to 50 lbs. as possible because I have a feeling I will be overweight. I pay for all the fees but once I get to Texas the Mission President reimburse (no clue how to spell it) us. Only for the check-in fees and stuff I think. Im pretty sure if I am over weight then it is on me.  If I need to get rid of anything I will send it to Uncle Dale and Aunt Cheryl. Also I was thinking that I will probably invest in some of those vacuumed clothes bags that could help a little. So yeah, I will get to call you again in the airport when I leave. I love you!

-Elder Dawson