NOVIEMBRE

Monday, November 3, 2014

Hola a todos!

It is officially November! Whoop! It was still really hot yesterday. But, it is cloudy today so I am taking the risk of not carrying my umbrella. I am hoping in the next few weeks we will see some cold fronts. 

So, this was a crazy fast and busy week. We almost didn't get to actually work at all in our area. We had to go to Chihuahua twice, we had  a ridiculous amount of meetings and capacitations, and on Saturday one of the other hermanas was sick, so we got to go and help them out. But that actually wound up being an awesome day. Hermana Geddes and I worked, she is American as well, so it was an interesting day. This gangster man with playboy bunny tattoos talked to us in English and we were a little scared. But we invited him to church and he actually came! That was super cool. And even cooler was a lesson that we had with Fransico Antonio. He is super interested, he has some family that are members. We taught him the Law of Chastity and we talked about how we need to respect our bodies. Part of that is the church's guidance on tattoos and piercings. He has gauges and an eyebrow piercing. But the Spirit was so strong and he got so excited he took all of his piercings out right then and there and threw them in the trash! He is just 100% ready to accept the Gospel and to change whatever He needs to change. It was so cool!

We also went to see Fransica, and I have missed her so much. She had the biggest smile when I walked through her door. And I would never guess that such a tiny old lady could hug so tightly, ha. This was my favorite visit of the entire day. It was a great lesson, and we could just feel the Spirit. She prayed and thanked Heavenly Father for His church and her testimony is so real. It just amazed me so much because I remember so clearly the first lesson we had with her. I am so grateful for the Mission and the opportunity that I have had to not just meet such incredible people, but to help them and to see the changes the Gospel can make in their lives. 

Oh, also, we capacited in our Zone Conference the other day and it was great because we brought everyone cereal. I like to do little but memorable things. And this was even cooler because it was idea that Aaron gave me. Ha. But it was a huge hit! I will send pictures in a bit. 

I love y'all!!

Hermana Dudley

These are two drawings from a missionary that just went home last week. He has this incredible talent!!!! He is from Peru. 

Hermana Johnson, Hermana Brown, Elder Sanchez and Elder Peralta! These are from Tuesday, we went to Chihuahua for a doctors appointment and cambios were also happening. 

When we brought Cereal to Zone Conference! That was a big hit. We talked about how important it is to learn how to manage our money here, because we shouldn't eat just cereal. Then we brought out the cereal. Ha.

This is Carlos Flores Torres. He got baptized on Friday. He is hilarious. And the Reyes Fernandez Family. They are awesome!

Yo Sigo en Delicias!

Monday, October 27, 2014

Howdy!

First of all, I want to wish a very happy birthday to my big brother. Saturday is the big day and I hope and pray it will be a great day for you Michael! I love you!

Ok, so biggest news: cambios came....and went and didn't touch me. Ha. I am still in Delicias!!! I am so happy. Granted, Presidente sometimes has random cambios 2 or 3 weeks after cambios, but for now, I am happy. I was actually really feeling like I was going to have cambios last night. And I was really sad about it. I mean, I have almost 7 months here already and I have truly come to love these people. I LOVE Barrio Juarez. But last night I just had these butterflies in my stomach. I was praying all day that the Lord would just help me to happily accept His will and remember my purpose. I know that I can and will be a missionary in whatever ward and area I am in. I told myself to remember that I love The Lord more than I love Barrio Juarez. But I was still nervous. The call came while I was in the shower and when I went to talk to my comp she just had this sad face. And she told me that I had cambios. And they let me think that for like 20 minutes. Lili, the member that is working with us for these weeks who is absolutely hilarious, gave me this big hug and told me how much the ward loved me and yadda yadda yadda. I was about to start packing and when they told me it was just a joke and that I got to stay. Ha, NOT FUNNY. 

On of the reasons I love the ward is the work that is here. This weekend we had 9 baptisms. We were in the chapel all day long, ha. But it was so cool! Two families, a man whose family has been in the church for like 40 years, and two little girls were baptized. That was one of the most memorable days that I have every had. And it was so fun before hand because we were scrambling to find enough baptismal clothing, ha. 

I have come to appreciate the Gospel so much here in the Mission. I think more than anything, I have learned to apply it to myself and see how I can help others apply it. In this, I have learned to love so much. That in and of itself is worth 18 months. 

I love y'all!

Hermana Dudley

P.S. Pictures to follow.  

La Familia Contreras tiene una quesería. They make delicious cheese. And Day of the Dead decorations are starting to pop up

La Familia Enriques Ramos en una noche de hogar. This is Cleotidle. She got baptized a few months back with the Elders. I love her. She is a little bit crazy....but so fun.

And this is Lili, she is working with us this week. And my comp in the hospital

Also, we helped paint the other day in the street, ha.  We had a cake fight with the Duran family, they are so great. Literally like little kids. 

JAJAJAJA!!!!

I Hit 8 Months Yesterday...Oh No.

Monday, October 20, 2014

Hola a todos!

Disculpenme por tardar en escribirles. We had a bit of a miscommunication this morning...ha. But no worries, all is well. It is just that our Zone Leaders don't listen very well. So, we traveled to Chihuahua this morning for a meeting that was just for elders. HA! But it was really funny when we walked in and saw the faces of all the elders. 

Okay, so earlier this week we had a meeting with President and they showed us this amazing video. It is called "Butterfly Circus" y'all have to look it up. It really was used to teach us about our potential, our gifts, but more than anything how we need to be self sufficient. 

I have pondered a lot this week because I hit 8 months. That is the strangest thing, by the way. Someone told me, "Hey, you are almost half way done" and I was like, NO! Really, being in the mission has taught me so much. I love it. I have learned to leave my comfort zone and that was not something I ever did before, ha. I have seen what the Gospel can do and I cant imagine who I would be without these experiences. 

Actually, the other day I had an awesome experience. We got home from Chihuahua at about 7:30 and we enter the house at 8:30. We were really tired and honestly it would have been so easy to just end the day. But that day Presidente taught us about repentance and it really made me think about my time here and my purpose. And I could not stay in the house. We left and got to work. Honestly, we didn't see miracles. We didn't accomplish a whole ton. But I felt a joy that was so sweet and so pure. I know that in that small act, I fulfilled my purpose and I made my Heavenly Father proud. And that is a joy that I want to feel every day of my life. 

I love the mission. I love the Gospel. These days are limited. Actually, we did the math the other day. We have 13,920 hours to be missionaries. In all of eternity, we only have those few hours. And I don't want to lose or waste a single one. 

I love y'all!

Hermana Dudley

P.S. Hermano Duran is so great. This week he gave us his famous hamburgers and called us just to tell us that he loves us, ha. Oh, and Ramona and her family are going to get baptized this week. They aren't my investigators, but I have a special connection with Ramona. I love her, ha. Oh, also, I have a great fear that I will have transfers this next week.

Ward Love

Monday, October 13, 2014

Hola a todos,

This week was great, flew by again. We went on intercambios y wow....I love the chance to help the other hermanas, but I always learn so much from them! I learned a ton this week. First, that I can always rise up and be the difference, even here in the mission. Second, that we should always be calm and really think before we react. Especially as leaders. and Third, NEVER EVER JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER. One of the hermanas here is so great. I went with her and I had never really talked to her, but I had this preconcieved notion of who she was. But BOY OH BOY was I wrong. I was humbled, I learned a great lesson, and I found a great friend.

I also helped make tamales this week. That was fun. And, we were caught in a mini tornado in the park, it was so cool.

The most beautiful thing from this week happened yesterday, So we all know that I have been in the same ward for my entire mission. And I love it. And I have gotten to know the members and truly come to love them. So yesterday, one of the members brought me a gift. Just because, just a "Hey, This is perfect for Hermana Dudley" gift. It is this super pretty blouse that I am currently wearing. And I thought, wow, how cool, how awesome this ward. And then, in the third hour, another member tapped me on the shoulder and she had bought this little Mexican bag and gave it to me and said she thought it would be a perfect reminder of Mexico for me. I was so touched. This ward supports us so much and helps us so much. I love the members here and I am so grateful for all they have taught me.

I love the mission, I love all that I am learning, and I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Con Amor,
Hermana Dudley

The day we all had pancakes.So, we had to wash our dishes in the bathroom because we don't have a kitchen sink and it was really cold outside and there were cockroaches. That is Hermana Laguna. Also, our bathroom always has this weird smell, we cant get rid of it, ha. 

This is our food calendar. It was totally full the first week it got passed around. And, the Familia Enriquez Ramos signed up to feed us twice. They are getting callings this week!!! This family is so great! Also, ti was Hermana Geddes's birthday so we had cake. And my hand is in the picture.

Post Conference Thoughts

Monday, October 6, 2014

Howdy a todos,

First and foremost, if y'all missed conference, look it up online because wow. I know that those men are inspired. They are chosen servants of Jesus Christ and communicate with us on behalf of our Heavenly Father. It is not something that I think, I want, or I believe. It is something that I know.

One of my favorite quotes from Conference was from Dear Thomas S. Monson. He told us that Decisions Determine Destiny. Think about that. Our decision to follow Christ brought us to the earth in the first place and gave us the opportunity to use our decisions here to help us to achieve a destiny that only He truly understands. Our decisions here on this earth will help us determine our destiny to fulfill the divine potential that is ours. Remember that every decisions counts!

Now, I want to share an experience from this week that really impacted me. We had a conversation with a man that was completely closed off to the Spirit. When he found out that we were Mormons he shared all the knowledge that he had of the church. It was considerable, he knew the history, the foundation, The Book of Mormon and every thing. But, He doesn't believe in anything that doesn't have scientific back up, years of research, and is generally accepted. Of course the only thing we could do was testify and he went so far as to tell us that we don't know anything, we can only believe....

But I want everyone to know that I KNOW that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the true and restored church of Jesus Christ. I KNOW that Joseph Smith was and is a prophet of God, called to bring us the fullness of the Gospel. I know that the Book of Mormon is true. I KNOW IT. I have never seen the golden plates. I have never seen Jesus Christ. I have not heard of any scientific research that verifies what is in the Book of Mormon. But I have seen the Blessings that come from following its teachings. I have seen the happiness in my life and that of my family. I have felt the power of the Holy Ghost as I partake of the Sacrament and as I share my testimony of the Restoration and of Joseph Smith. And more than anything, I have received a personal revelation, a direct answer from my Heavenly Father, when I asked in sincere prayer if these things were true. I know that here is the truth. And that manifestation of the Spirit is worth more than all the books, studies, scientists, and ´proofs´ that this world has to offer.

As a missionary, member, and friend, I invite all of y'all to do the same. Don't close yourself of from the greatest source of truth and light that there is. Ask and you shall receive.

Con Amor,
Hermana Dudley

General Conference is Coming!

Monday, September 29, 2014

HEY!

Everyone look on the Facebook pages of the mission because they put up photos of our activity today. For this reason I am writing late. We had a blast today! I don't have a lot of time, I just want everyone to consider this scripture.

Mosiah 2:15...

I can answer a clear conscience before God this day.

How many of us can truly say this? This week I have studied Mosiah a lot, in preparation for General Conference, and when I read this scripture it really hit me. I invite all of y'all to ponder this question. And if you find yourself lacking, I promise that you can find the answers you need this weekend in the sessions of General Conference. Hey Sara, maybe you can put a link in the blog with the times and channels and info and all that jazz. 

I know that God loves us. I know that He has called a Prophet in our day and age to guide us and I know that Thomas S. Monson in that prophet and He speaks to us on behalf of our Heavenly Father. 

I love y'all!

Hermana Dudley

P.S. Also, The Enriques Ramos family is paying their tithing and signed up to feed us this month. I LOVE THEM. 

Helado Santi.... and when we went to the doctor for my comp.

Our activity. All of the Hermanas..... and the truck of Hermana Duran, and the sign that they used in the primary program.