Latest from Elder Dixon

Ian has transferred to Santiago. Today he told me a bit about the city. It's the largest in the mission but second largest in the country. He's been fortunate that every apt/house he's lived in has had running water and plumbing. I think I may have mentioned though that the people in DR don't take hot or even warm showers...it's all cold!! Ian tells them they don't know what they're missing with a nice hot shower. This pic is a reunion of Ian and his first companion...his trainer Elder Tams. He really liked Elder Tams and was glad he got to see him as Elder Tams is heading home after this final transfer. Ian is almost to his year mark...on the 21st it'll be officially one year! He's doing well and has had several baptisms and loves the work. He's reading Jesus the Christ and is encouraging me to read it too. Ian looks good doesn't he!! I'm quite proud of him!

Quickie Missionary update!!

Ian wrote yesterday and said that there were transfers and his companion left Dajabón after spending 7.5 months there. Ian's new companion is Dominican and Ian will be speaking only Spanish for the next 6 weeks or more. I guess unless he starts teaching the other Elder English! Seriously though...Ian is very excited!! His new companion was already sharing the apt. where two companionships share. So, he only had to move across the hall. I guess each companionship takes one half of Dajabón. All is well and Ian is super excited with the transfer and super happy to be spending more time in this city! We get to talk with him in 16 days!!!

Life in Dominican Republic

I finally figured out how to get another pic of Ian posted. I LOVE this photo because it's so candid with Ian carrying his bananas! Ian says his apt. has electricity and plumbing but the people in DR do not take hot showers...I don't even think they have hot water that runs through the plumbing! Anyway, he says it's not just cold...it's take your breath away for a few seconds! Despite the cold showers and really living without a lot of the modern conveniences that we enjoy, he LOVES it there!! He already wants to plan to return after his mission!! When you immerse yourself in good...good happens!!

Happy Times...

Life is good in Alaska! Ian is doing awesome on the mission and our weekly letters from him are so good! He loves it in Dominican Republic and is really happy! He recently relocated to another city...Dajabón...right on the border of Haiti. He loves the people, the food and doing what he's doing! So, as his mother, I couldn't be happier!

The rest of us Dixon's are doing great also! We survived a recent winter freezing rain storm. Just before Thanksgiving...the Monday before...the temps dropped and it started raining and once that rain hit the frozen ground, it turned to ice and pretty much made going out a bit treacherous. So, the girls and I hung out at home for a couple days waiting for it to get cold again! The four day weekend for Thanksgiving began early and we ended up with 7 days off...yep, the schools even closed!! That's a rarity!

We're all excited for Christmas and the tree is up and the shopping has begun! Eggnog is in the fridge and the Christmas music is playing nonstop! It really is a happy time!

I'll try to get more pics posted of Ian. AND, I need to get our camera out and get more of us here!! Merry Christmas everyone!!

Dajabón

Hi dad!!

The girls and I drove to Anchorage last weekend and we got to see my dad, see a long lost sister and her family and catch up on family history...it was so fun! Here's some pics of our visit. Can you tell I was excited??

My New Ride...Meet "Sweet"

I've been looking for a smaller car as it's not necessary to drive a big SUV anymore. I had things narrowed down between a 2010 or 2011 Subaru Outback and a 2009 Toyota Venza. I was really worried about the '09 Venza as it was a first year car on the market. So, I was leaning towards the Outback. THEN, I drove the 2010 Venza and fell in love with it! It's my favorite color (white) and is really sweet to ride. It's really close to the Outback in dimensions but is a lot more luxurious. I wasn't really going for the lux, but it was really difficult not to like it! It'll be an adjustment not having the rugged SUV security, but change is good...so, we'll see how it goes over the next few years. Besides, we're looking at getting a new "teen" mobile and a used Outback might be what we're in the market for. I totally forgot about having to have a trailer hitch for our bike rack and an Outback would come in handy for that and be a lot safer for the kids.

Happy 4th of July everyone!! I love the freedoms of our country!! We are so blessed and fortunate!!