I've Been a Missionary for Over a Month Now!!!!!!

Howdy Friends!

So, last week, right after I emailed y'all, I actually experienced my first hard time here at the MTC. It was actually really stupid, I wanted to print off some pictures and I didn't get to and that somehow morphed into our lesson being terrible. But it's okay, it was a good experience to learn from.

Actually, it was really tame compared to some of my district members. I'm pretty much the only one that hasn't had a real break down. Ha. Maybe there's something wrong with me? But, this week has been a little rough for our district. But we've truly learned so much. One of our teachers, Hermano Beatty, asked us this question: " Dónde está su fuego?" That kind of shaped our whole week, we're all trying really hard to teach with FUEGO.

One night we really felt the fuego of the spirit, though. Hermana Bartholomew sprained her ankle really badly and had to have crutches for a couple of days. She was having a really hard time with it. I actually took responsibility. See, I had prayed for opportunities to serve my companions and then all of a sudden, BAM, opportunity. Ha. But anyways, she asked Elder Temple to give her a blessing. It was his first, but the Spirit was so strong. It was incredible. I am so grateful for this restored gospel and for the priesthood! Plus, it was a good bonding experience for the district. We're so close, it's awesome! Last week, there was a break in across from our apartments, so our Branch President told our Elders, "Elders, you take care of your Hermanas." They replied, "Always," and now they walk us home at night so we don't get attacked. We're all just great friends. I love our Branch President, too. He was the Mission President of the Chile Concepcion South Mission, Aaron's Mission, right before the current president. It's cool because he shares a lot of great advice and stories. In our council meeting this week he said "We think y'all are a Celestial Branch, so when we hear good things it's just icing on the cake."

Sometimes, the branch is not Celestial, ha. The other night the new district decided to run up and down the stairs like elephants. It was so dumb. But turned out to be a good opportunity for us to use our callings as Sister Training Leaders. We had a meeting with the Zone Leaders. All of it is cleared up now, but we definitely learned a lot.

Oh, so next week I'm going to send a picture of Chief Justice. Today he told us that he's going to bring us In and Out Burger tomorrow. I've never had it, but everyone says it's really good. And we'll definitely be the envy of the whole cafeteria when he brings us non-MTC food, ha. It's just kind of funny. I just started talking to him one day and now we're best buddies and look at the connections! I got to meet President Nally, the President of the MTC, too. Chief Justice thinks it's funny to tell people I'm from Oklahoma, so Nally was like, hey, you like you're from Oklahoma. I told him he was sadly misinformed, ha. But he's so nice! President Nally even complimented our whole branch! Talking to people is such a fun thing, you learn so much!

Oh, one of our investigators, Nayelli, is the coolest person! We're not technically meeting her anymore, because they changed our schedule, but she still wants to meet with us! And she's going to bring us cheesecake! It's been such a great experience getting to know her! I think it's such a great preview to what it will be like in Mexico. Actually getting to know and love people is the whole point of a mission and I can't wait to love them! I already do!

Quotes from this week:

"Para Claro" significa "for sure."

"We go forth enlisted in Helaman's Army" from this song we sing. I love it! I love it! I love it!

"You're not just from Texas, you are Texas." Hermana Brown told me this last night and I just about died!

I love the MTC and all I'm learning. The mission is seriously the best decision I have ever made. I'm growing so much closer to Christ and coming to understand Him more and more. He is truly the center of everything. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to serve Him and hasten His work. Here's some wonderful food for thought: "As instruments in the Master's hands, we must practice the great song of conversion." Hermano Beatty told us this week. It's important to remember that we must convert ourselves before we can successfully convert others. We're all instruments, but it's up to us to learn how the Master plays and better tune ourselves.

Con Mucho Amor Para Siempre,

Hermana Dudley

P.S. Oh, I found out that we will not be knocking doors in Mexico. Hermano Roberts went to Mexico and said they were not allowed to do so.

Pictures!

This is the apartment we never actually get to be in. I sleep on the top bunk. There have been a few bruises because of this.

I got my hair cut today! Just a trim. And burger supreme is where we eat on p-days! I get the BBQ burger, add jalapeños. Hermana Brown carried Hermana Bartholomew the Cripple. I volunteered, but they wouldn't let me ever try to carry her.

Results of the cripple.

We got a little artsy in our photo taking.

This is our investigator Nayelli! Ella es tan legítimo! And our Saint Patrick's Day Celebration! Hermana Bart's Mom sent us stuff!

District Selfie on Sunday walk! Hermana Bartholomew is on her little cart, ha. And a picture of me and a picture of the Nallys. I know them in person, but for some reason I never have my camera when it matters. ha.

Pday Picnic! Cupcakes! You can send packages of cupcakes and these were so good! I had a red velvet one, yum! Hermana Brown's friend made her a vegan cake. It sounds gross, but was actually delicious!