Ben, the newest Elder Dixon

Last weekend we were able to go to Ben's Missionary Farewell. We loved being there with Lisa & James and their wonderful family. Ben is Elder Dixon III, (actually the 4th if you count James too, he served in Bolivia)... Ty served in Tijuana, Mexico and Brad served in Boston. Ben will be serving in the California Arcadia Mission, speaking Mandarin Chinese. He will stay at the MTC for three months to prepare to speak the Chinese language and be a missionary. It's pretty amazing that these wonderful young people give up 2 years (Elders) and 18 months (Sisters)...go wherever they are sent, all over the world, pay for it themselves, only call home twice a year (Mother's Day and Christmas) and give up school, dating etc. to go and serve the Lord on missions. They are up at 6:30am, studying and preparing, work hard all day, and are in bed by 10pm. I love missionaries. I am so grateful for their dedication, sacrifice, love of the gospel, selflessness, and example. We miss Ally so much it hurts sometimes...
but we are filled with gratitude that she is serving as a missionary.
Here is something Allyson wrote in a email home a few weeks ago...

"We were asked to do sharing time in Primary yesterday. We talked about why we chose to come serve missions and what we did to prepare to go. It was a surreal and sweet experience to sing "I Hope They Call Me on a Mission" and "Armies of Helaman" with these precious Primary children. I've told you about this eye watering thing my eyes have recently developed. Well, we got to the part of the song where it says, "We will be the Lord's missionaries to bring the world His truth" and my eyes watered big time. I am so grateful to be serving a mission. I love my Heavenly Father, and I love His perfect plan. I am so grateful for the central part of that plan- our Savior, Jesus Christ. I am so grateful for His sacrifice that makes all the little sacrifices we make (that seem really big sometimes) worthwhile. I know my Redeemer lives. I am grateful to be declaring the glorious truth of His gospel."

Ally and her companions at Carly's baptism last Saturday...

Ethan, being the youngest Dixon boy, sure had a hard time saying goodbye to his "favorite" big brother, Ben.

He has already sent two brothers on missions and he knows how long two years is!

We love you Ben... You are going to be an awesome missionary.