Ay Caray

Howdy, 

Pues, yo terminé mi entrenimeinto esta semana. No sé como yo siento. I am excited to have a change, but also slightly terrified, as always, ha. But, I know all will be well. I learned a lot about charity this week. In Moroni 7 we learn that without Charity we are nothing. And we know that Charity is the pure love of Christ. So, without Christ, we are nothing. But, when we really focus on Him and try to follow His example in all that we do, we can do all things. I know it. I know that He loves us, that He understands us. I know that Christ loves me, and you, and every single person. He loves us purely and perfectly becuase He knows us purely and perfectly. He truly experienced every pain, every doubt. I know that Jesus Christ loves me. I know that He loves me so much, He came to the earth and suffered more than anyone can imagine. I know He did this willingly, so that I could live, so that I could be happy.I know that He feels the same way for each of us,  but the most beautiful thing is that I know that He would have done all of what He did for only one of us. In reality, we are nothing. But, because we are loved, because of Christ{s Charity for us, we can do all things. I know it. 

This week, I have seen Charity in action. I have studied it and practiced it and am still trying to develop it. It isn't an easy thing, to love as Christ loved, but I know that it can be the most rewarding thing. I have learned so much about charity from Hermana Cervantes. Yes, I have had moments of frustration with her, but ultimately, I love her. I can't believe she is leaving. As far as transfers go, I don't have much info. I don't know who my next comp will be and I dont know if I will get  my new comp tonight or tomorrow. But, I do know that I will not be training. THANK GOODNESS. I was so worried about that. But, Presidente Chávez me dijo que solo va a llegar dos hermanas, entonces no necesito preocuparme. However, the next cambio....it is very possible. 

This week was slow and fast at the same time, I don't know, time is weird. But, I learned so much. I am so grateful for the mission. Everything is worth it. 

I know that Jesus Christ lives. I know that He loves us. I know it, I know it, I know it. 

Con Mucho Amor, 

Hermana Dudley

You are 5% Love of God and 95% water.

Howdy Friends, 

Happy Father´s Day!

Happy Birthday to Karen Lopez!

Well, the title of this email is something that someone told me this week. Ha. See, my comp has an issue with her foot, so for the past month we have been visitng this doctor a few times a week. He is so great! Like, absolutely hilarious and has the biggest personality. And he loves us. He doesn´t want to hear our message yet, but I have faith that he will soon. He seriously loves us though and made me promise to come back and visit him even after Cervantes leaves. He calls me the ´mormón muñeca de Tejas´ because I am always carrying my bottle of water he told me that I am water, ha. He is great and is going to bring us hamburgers, ha. We meet the coolest people.

We also made contact with these three body guards. They are always in the street with their big guns, in front of this giant house that is right down the street from us. I heard once that the governor or someone lives there, but I am going to find out more. They see us almost everyday and the other day I was walking with crutches, just for fun, and they were all concerned and asked what happened and they thought it was hilarious that I was just pretending. So then we started talking to them and they were like, wow, yall are the first people to talk to us in about 10 years. Everyone is scared of them becuase they have guns, ha. But, they were interested in the message and we´re going to talk to them again. It is pretty cool, ha. 

Also, we got caught in a rain storm this week. We were soaked, but continued to work and it was so fun! 

And, Joel continues to progress. Right now, he is confused about the difference between ´desayno´ which means breakfast, and ´ayuno´ which means to fast. So, we´re working on that. But, it is so fun and a great reminder that we need to always focus on the needs of those we are teaching. 

I know that this Gospel is true. I know that God has a plan for each one of us and we can choose to follow Him and be happy. I am so grateful that I get to share this truth with the people of Chihuahua and I love it!

I love y'all!

Hermana Dudley

"Gracias por Mis Hermanas"

Howdy!

First of all,FELICIDADES A MI HERMANITO TRISTAN ANDREW DUDLEY! YOU GRADUATED HIGH SCHOOL! WELCOME TO REAL LIFE! I AM SO PROUD OF YOU AND I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!

Also, Happy Birthday to Jillian Skiftun!

Random notes: My companion hit 17 months today. Ay yi yi. Also, we have a new rule that we have to be inside from our comida until about 4 or 4:30 because the heat is so bad. Ay yi yi. And, we had a meeting with Presidente this week and he called me out in front of everyone and told me my spanish was really good....ha. Thanks Presidente, pero todavia no estoy de acuerdo.

Now, the best part of the week: JOEL WAS BAPTIZED!!!! WOW, y´all, no es posible explicar el gozo que yo sentí. Era como una mamá, ja. En serio, los sentimientos mas bonitos! Of course, there were issues before hand. The person that was supposed to fill the font did not, but miraculously it was filled in time. And really, our journey with Joel has been a bit of a roller coaster. Pero, vale la pena. His baptism so wonderful. Everyone that he wanted to be involved was there. And, Hermana Cervantes y yo cantamos! I have never sang in front of people, but it was so fun and we felt the Spirit so strongly! We wanted to do something special for Joel and since it was my first baptism, really. But Joel was so great! He is this tiny little man and the baptismal clothes absolutely swallowed him. But he was so happy. He brought his tie and after the baptism He shared his testimony with everyone. He also said the closing prayer, here is where my heart just about exploded, in his prayer he thanked Heavenly Father for his baptism and told Him how happy he was. He gave thanks for the ward and his friends, and then....he said ¨Y gracias por mis Hermanas aqui enfrente conmigo. AAAAAHHHHHH!!!!! It is just the most amazing thing to think back to our first lesson, to think of all the things we have talked about and see his progress and see how the Gospel of Jesus Christ has changed his life. I have truly come to love Joel and through my experience teaching Him I have come to understand so much more of my purpose and of the love that Christ has for each of us. It is the coolest dang thing. Oh, and Joel asked if he could stay after his baptism to clean the chapel. GOLDEN. On Sunday he was confirmed and again, I was so happy. I could not even close my eyes during the blessing becuase seeing him up on the stand just lit up my soul!

It is truly an amazing thing. ´...how great shall be your joy with Him....´ D&C 18:15.

AH! I cannot say that I completely love Mexico and everything that it is yet, but I love the fact that I have the opportunity to bring this kind of joy to others. I know this Gospel is the truth and I am so grateful for the opportunity to share it.


I love y'all!
Hermana Dudley

2 Months in Mexico!!

Well everyone, I have officially lived in Mexico for two months. And, a quick shout out to one very important Elder, ELDER LOPEZ HAS COMPLETED 10 MONTHS IN CHILE!!!! WOW!!!!!

So, crazy week. On Monday, I had to eat Mexican Chinese Food. Not good. Not good at all. I went on divisiones con Hermana Herrera! I loved it, I miss her a lot. I also learned that there are quite a few "rules" that are actually just rules of Hermana Cervantes. But, she leaves in only 22 days, so I decided it was better to just go along with whatever until she leaves, ha. Not so great news, hermana Cervantes has lice. She thinks she has had it for several days and for some reason didn't want to tell me. Fortunately, my head is clean. But, I am super paranoid now. We bought that treatment shampoo and I used it just in case. And then I combed her hair and found bugs....ah.....but hey, service opportunity, ha. And really, I am in Mexico, it was bound to happen. Also, Joel is progressing so well! His baptism is set for this Saturday! Hopefully everything works out.

I love every single one of y'all and I hope all is well. Here's to another 2 months in Mexico!
Hermana Dudley