I have officially made it through my first transfer! Hermana Cervantes and I are still together. We do really well together most of the time. Every now and then there are some cultural differences, but it all works out.
This week was fun. We helped an investigator make tortillas de harina, SO GOOD. We had some lessons with some viejitos, old people, and those are always hilarious because they can't hear anything. So we have to literally yell. I prayed, and yelled, AMEN. Pero ella no escucho. So I yelled again, AMEN HERMANA! But again, no. It always feels a bit blasphemous, but it is hilarious.
Another time, we found this guy who we had contacted before in the street and we started talking. He actually knows a lot about the church. It was a good conversation, and he accepted a return appointment. But, he doesn't live in our area so we told him that the Elders would come by to teach him. But he didn't want the elders, he kept saying, "No, ustedes!" Haha, it was really funny. That type of thing happens a lot here.
And, I got to call home. Whoop. Ha. 7 more months and I will be calling again. This week has had a lot of ups and downs, but when it all comes down to it, I know that this Gospel is true, and with that knowledge, everything else is worth it. El Evangelio vale la pena.
Con Mucho Amor,
Hermana Dudley
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
Happy Cinco De Mayo..
Howdy!
FYI, Cinco de Mayo is not a real holiday. When I asked my comps about it they had no idea what I was talking about. I have no idea why everyone in the US thinks it is a big deal here, but it is not, ha.
Some funny little things: a lot of people here think that the church is a church for Gringos, ha.
My comps call me a muneca. The n is supposed to have the little mark over it but I havent really figured out the mexican keyboards. Anyways, it means doll, ha. And, that activity we had where we got 140 references? Out of 140, only 6 are in our area. What the heck! Ha. But they are good references.
Two very important things happened to me this week. First, I started to understand Spanish! I dont know how or why, but one day things just started to make sense! Not 100%, but I can actually understand a lot now. It started when we were on Splits, and this other Americana was with us. She has been here for about three months, but her companion is Americana, entonces ellas hablan mucho ingles. Throughout the entire day I had to translate things for her, and I ACTUALLY COULD! It was the coolest thing! Being able to understand and communicate changes everything!!!!
The other important thing that happened is the realization of what my job really is. I am here to teach and testify and serve, yes. But, my job is not to help people. My job is to facilitate others´abilities to help themselves. In all aspects. An investigator has to fulfill committments and have a testimony of their own. They have to learn to be self sufficient in the Gospel and other areas of life. That is a really important concept!
Oh yeah, and cambios have arrived. I am staying put, thank goodness, but Hermana Herrera is leaving. So, finally, I will experience the mission in a regular duo, ha. I am interested to see how is goes becuase Hermana Cervantes and I are a bit different and both of us are new to the area. And on top of that, Hermana Cervantes goes home in June. So after she leaves, I dont know what will happen to me, ha. I am interested to see how it all goes down, but I am not worried. I know that it is all according to the Lord´s plan and I know He will help us deal with all the things we have to learn.
Happy Mother´s Day this week! And Happy Birthday to my Dear Daddy!
Con Mucho Amor,
Hermana Dudley
FYI, Cinco de Mayo is not a real holiday. When I asked my comps about it they had no idea what I was talking about. I have no idea why everyone in the US thinks it is a big deal here, but it is not, ha.
Some funny little things: a lot of people here think that the church is a church for Gringos, ha.
My comps call me a muneca. The n is supposed to have the little mark over it but I havent really figured out the mexican keyboards. Anyways, it means doll, ha. And, that activity we had where we got 140 references? Out of 140, only 6 are in our area. What the heck! Ha. But they are good references.
Two very important things happened to me this week. First, I started to understand Spanish! I dont know how or why, but one day things just started to make sense! Not 100%, but I can actually understand a lot now. It started when we were on Splits, and this other Americana was with us. She has been here for about three months, but her companion is Americana, entonces ellas hablan mucho ingles. Throughout the entire day I had to translate things for her, and I ACTUALLY COULD! It was the coolest thing! Being able to understand and communicate changes everything!!!!
The other important thing that happened is the realization of what my job really is. I am here to teach and testify and serve, yes. But, my job is not to help people. My job is to facilitate others´abilities to help themselves. In all aspects. An investigator has to fulfill committments and have a testimony of their own. They have to learn to be self sufficient in the Gospel and other areas of life. That is a really important concept!
Oh yeah, and cambios have arrived. I am staying put, thank goodness, but Hermana Herrera is leaving. So, finally, I will experience the mission in a regular duo, ha. I am interested to see how is goes becuase Hermana Cervantes and I are a bit different and both of us are new to the area. And on top of that, Hermana Cervantes goes home in June. So after she leaves, I dont know what will happen to me, ha. I am interested to see how it all goes down, but I am not worried. I know that it is all according to the Lord´s plan and I know He will help us deal with all the things we have to learn.
Happy Mother´s Day this week! And Happy Birthday to my Dear Daddy!
Con Mucho Amor,
Hermana Dudley
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Another Week Down!
Y'all, it is almost one month. Can I get a WHOOP!
So, this week was good and pretty fast. Last Monday I went to the dentist. Seeing a Mexican dentist freaked me out, but all turned out well and my tooth is as good as new.
I also went to Chihuahua to finalize all my visa stuff, so I am official now.
Our house was fumigated because we had roaches and we had roaches because my comps are messy. But, all is well. We have one of the nicest houses. And, I found out yesterday that we are the only trio in the whole mission.
We have this investigator named Marisol who is absolutely wonderful! She and her Mom work at a little Tecate shop right next to our house. They sell alcohol, ha. But one day we were walking by and they stopped us to ask who we were. So we left a pamphlet over the Restoration and she stopped us a couple days later because she read it and wanted to learn more! We have taught her a few times now and she accepted a baptismal date of the 31 of May. She is so prepared, it is such a testament to me that The Lord prepares, and the Spirit teaches. I am really just here to open doors. But it is so fun! Her mom is a Jehovahs Witness, but she is really open and supportive of Marisol. They work every day from 10 to 10, so we see them every time we walk past nuestra casa. And there are always three or four little girls with them. Marisol has two daughters that are 4 and 2 and two hermanitas that are 12 and 4, ha. They love us, completely. The girls always walk us home at night and the Mother really watches out for us. It is so fun to make friends with the neighbors, and then teach them. Relationships like these are really what it is all about right? I love it.
Another Highlight: we had an activity in the octava, which is a street where they have like a huge market every Saturday. We set up a table with brochures and Books of Mormon and we talked to everyone. We wound up with around 140 references! It was so much fun! I have some great pictures, but I forgot my cable en la casa. Now, we just have to follow up.
I have truly learned that every in the service of the Lord is different and we can learn something new with every person we meet. This was a great week and I am so excited to see what the next few days bring!
I love this Gospel! I love my Savior Jesus Christ! I spent a lot of study time this week on the Atonement. The better we understand the Atonement, the better we understand everything! Alma 7:11 to 13 is my favorite scripture from this week. It explains everything the Atonement covers and why. I LOVE IT. Sara, maybe you could put it on the blog, ha. Entonces, I know that Christ not only suffered for my sins, but for every feeling, every sickness, every pain. I know He did this because He loves me and He needed to go through these things to better understand me and how to to help me. It is a truly beautiful thing!
I love y'all!
Con Mucho Amor,
Hermana Dudley
So, this week was good and pretty fast. Last Monday I went to the dentist. Seeing a Mexican dentist freaked me out, but all turned out well and my tooth is as good as new.
I also went to Chihuahua to finalize all my visa stuff, so I am official now.
Our house was fumigated because we had roaches and we had roaches because my comps are messy. But, all is well. We have one of the nicest houses. And, I found out yesterday that we are the only trio in the whole mission.
We have this investigator named Marisol who is absolutely wonderful! She and her Mom work at a little Tecate shop right next to our house. They sell alcohol, ha. But one day we were walking by and they stopped us to ask who we were. So we left a pamphlet over the Restoration and she stopped us a couple days later because she read it and wanted to learn more! We have taught her a few times now and she accepted a baptismal date of the 31 of May. She is so prepared, it is such a testament to me that The Lord prepares, and the Spirit teaches. I am really just here to open doors. But it is so fun! Her mom is a Jehovahs Witness, but she is really open and supportive of Marisol. They work every day from 10 to 10, so we see them every time we walk past nuestra casa. And there are always three or four little girls with them. Marisol has two daughters that are 4 and 2 and two hermanitas that are 12 and 4, ha. They love us, completely. The girls always walk us home at night and the Mother really watches out for us. It is so fun to make friends with the neighbors, and then teach them. Relationships like these are really what it is all about right? I love it.
Another Highlight: we had an activity in the octava, which is a street where they have like a huge market every Saturday. We set up a table with brochures and Books of Mormon and we talked to everyone. We wound up with around 140 references! It was so much fun! I have some great pictures, but I forgot my cable en la casa. Now, we just have to follow up.
I have truly learned that every in the service of the Lord is different and we can learn something new with every person we meet. This was a great week and I am so excited to see what the next few days bring!
I love this Gospel! I love my Savior Jesus Christ! I spent a lot of study time this week on the Atonement. The better we understand the Atonement, the better we understand everything! Alma 7:11 to 13 is my favorite scripture from this week. It explains everything the Atonement covers and why. I LOVE IT. Sara, maybe you could put it on the blog, ha. Entonces, I know that Christ not only suffered for my sins, but for every feeling, every sickness, every pain. I know He did this because He loves me and He needed to go through these things to better understand me and how to to help me. It is a truly beautiful thing!
I love y'all!
Con Mucho Amor,
Hermana Dudley
Thursday, April 24, 2014
Week 3 in Mexico!
Howdy.
Three weeks in Mexico. They eat hot sauce on literally everything. Including pizza and potato chips. They have no concept of time management and everything is dirty.
I have really been challenged this week in the way of patience. Patience with my two companions, patience with the members, and especially patience with myself. We found this awesome family who is really receptive and sweet. We went into their little tienda for some water and it was like their Spirits just called out to ours, ha. Literally, I am so excited for them. But I cannot fully communicate that to them yet and it is driving me crazy! But I keep telling myself it is okay not to be fluent after three weeks. Give it a few more. PATIENCE PATIENCE PATIENCE. Argh.
And really, this week has flown by. I feel like it was just yesterday that I was writing letters. And, we have electricity this week! Ay, I love electricity! Ha, it is so nice to not have to shower by flashlight, ha! And we, actually got home on time once this week. That is a big accomplishment.
I love all of you and hope with all my heart that things are well.
Con mucho amor,
Hermana Dudley
Three weeks in Mexico. They eat hot sauce on literally everything. Including pizza and potato chips. They have no concept of time management and everything is dirty.
I have really been challenged this week in the way of patience. Patience with my two companions, patience with the members, and especially patience with myself. We found this awesome family who is really receptive and sweet. We went into their little tienda for some water and it was like their Spirits just called out to ours, ha. Literally, I am so excited for them. But I cannot fully communicate that to them yet and it is driving me crazy! But I keep telling myself it is okay not to be fluent after three weeks. Give it a few more. PATIENCE PATIENCE PATIENCE. Argh.
And really, this week has flown by. I feel like it was just yesterday that I was writing letters. And, we have electricity this week! Ay, I love electricity! Ha, it is so nice to not have to shower by flashlight, ha! And we, actually got home on time once this week. That is a big accomplishment.
I love all of you and hope with all my heart that things are well.
Con mucho amor,
Hermana Dudley
Sunday, April 20, 2014
I Have Survived 2 Weeks!
Howdy a todos,
Ok, so, this week went by so much faster than the first week! I still do not speak Spanish, but I can tell that I am getting better. This whole patience thing sucks. I tried to explain to my companions that I just wanted a little pill that I could take that would magically make me speak Spanish. Get a message to Willy Wonka for me, tell him to get on it ASAP. Ha. No, but really, I know I am learning and I know I just need to give it time.
Ok, so, this week went by so much faster than the first week! I still do not speak Spanish, but I can tell that I am getting better. This whole patience thing sucks. I tried to explain to my companions that I just wanted a little pill that I could take that would magically make me speak Spanish. Get a message to Willy Wonka for me, tell him to get on it ASAP. Ha. No, but really, I know I am learning and I know I just need to give it time.
Speaking of my companions, I still love them. Absolutely and completely. They take care of me. Like, I seriously have two mothers down here. They grab my hand when we cross the street, becuase drivers here are insane. And, there are a ton of volkswagon bugs and jettas here. I see one literally every 20 seconds. And I mean literally. I have experimented.
Highlights of the week:
We are again without Electricity. But, we do have hot water. I do not mind showering with a flash light, ha. And studying by candle light is interesting. We even made hot cakes by candle light.
On Saturday, I got my first reference! All by my lonesome. I gave a man an invitation to an open house thing we had at the Chapel, got his address, and permission to come by for a lesson. I understood about 60% of the conversation, but I felt like I could fly afterwards!
Saturday evening we had a Baptism! I now know that everything that possibly can go wrong before a baptism, will. For example, the water to the church mysteriously shut off. So we filled the font with buckets. In all honestly, the ward is extremely unorganized, but everything worked out, and even though Gloria had to be dunked 6 times, it finally came to pass. All the problems and stresses did not matter. When she came out of the font she seriously glowed! She calls us her {hermanitas}. I am so glad that I have been able to play a small part in her journey. I have not know her long, but I love her so much! She is the sweetest, most sincere spirit I know.
On Sunday she was confirmed! And we wound up having testimony meeting and I got up there and bore my testimony in Spanish! The other missionaries were really surprised, ha, but I was so grateful for the opportunity. I dont even know what I said, but it must have been fairly understandable, becuase several members came up to welcome me afterwards. And, this is the coolest thing ever, I met Ellie's Sister, JUDY! I have a picture with her! It made me so happy to think that I have a small connection to home! We are going to eat with her sometime and she said she will show me pictures!
Oh, and also, mexicans cannot sing. Whatsoever, ha. The hymns are very interesting, here, ha.
Oh, and FYI, we only get our mail like once a month.
I love y'all all so much and I am so happy to write to y'all and tell of all that I am learning. I know patience is needed and that all the strife and struggles in life make the good times so much better!
Con Mucho Amor,
Hermana Dudley
Highlights of the week:
We are again without Electricity. But, we do have hot water. I do not mind showering with a flash light, ha. And studying by candle light is interesting. We even made hot cakes by candle light.
On Saturday, I got my first reference! All by my lonesome. I gave a man an invitation to an open house thing we had at the Chapel, got his address, and permission to come by for a lesson. I understood about 60% of the conversation, but I felt like I could fly afterwards!
Saturday evening we had a Baptism! I now know that everything that possibly can go wrong before a baptism, will. For example, the water to the church mysteriously shut off. So we filled the font with buckets. In all honestly, the ward is extremely unorganized, but everything worked out, and even though Gloria had to be dunked 6 times, it finally came to pass. All the problems and stresses did not matter. When she came out of the font she seriously glowed! She calls us her {hermanitas}. I am so glad that I have been able to play a small part in her journey. I have not know her long, but I love her so much! She is the sweetest, most sincere spirit I know.
On Sunday she was confirmed! And we wound up having testimony meeting and I got up there and bore my testimony in Spanish! The other missionaries were really surprised, ha, but I was so grateful for the opportunity. I dont even know what I said, but it must have been fairly understandable, becuase several members came up to welcome me afterwards. And, this is the coolest thing ever, I met Ellie's Sister, JUDY! I have a picture with her! It made me so happy to think that I have a small connection to home! We are going to eat with her sometime and she said she will show me pictures!
Oh, and also, mexicans cannot sing. Whatsoever, ha. The hymns are very interesting, here, ha.
Oh, and FYI, we only get our mail like once a month.
I love y'all all so much and I am so happy to write to y'all and tell of all that I am learning. I know patience is needed and that all the strife and struggles in life make the good times so much better!
Con Mucho Amor,
Hermana Dudley
Monday, April 7, 2014
Chihuahua Week 1!
Buenos Tardes,
This is something I have learned here, they don't say hola they say buenos tardes or buenos dias or whatever. And when they answer the phone they say bueno!
First off, my last devotional at the MTC, David archuleta came and sang to us. So great. And I want everyone to look up the talk Recognizing the Spirit by David Bednar. Secondly, this is the address to send packages and letters to. It is a friend of our mission president that lives on the border and he drives our mail down every couple of weeks. It is much cheaper and more reliable. therefore, I expect lots of packages, haha.
Julio Velazquez
Hermana Koby Dudley
PO Box1486
Presidio, TX
USA 79845
Also, there is a Chihuahua Mexico Mission Facebook page, you should all go find it.
Ok, lets get down to business:
My first week in Mexico...everything is different, and some things are the same. For instance, we don't have hot water. I took cold showers until I realized I could heat water up in the microwave and carry it in a bucket to the shower. The water faucets turn the opposite direction. When you meet someone, you give them a kiss of the cheek. That really took me by surprise the first day. But, the have a walmart, a dominoes, burger king, wendys, subway, lowes, home depot, sam's club, ha.
I'm in an area called Delicias. It's about an hour south of Chihuahua. I like it, it's much smaller and therefore cleaner than Chihuahua. There are a lot of dogs, and yes, chihuahuas. I never had a fear of dogs before the mission, but I am slightly petrified. I was almost attacked yesterday, Also, I've almost been hit by a car multiple times because they don't have cross walks and lights, you just look and run. And stop signs aren't really rules, just guidelines. And the stigma of putting lots of people in one car is true. We had 9 people in a 4 seater taxi and 10 people in one of those little tiny 3 seater trucks.
I have two companions, Hermana Cervantes and Hermana Hererra. Cervantes goes home in June and Hererra in Octubre. Neither of them speak English.
We have an investigator that doesn't leave her house because she is terrified of being murdered and she lives with a man who doesn't have legs. Mexico is an interesting place.
Spanish wise, I know I'm learning, I definitely know more Spanish today than I did last week. I understand general ideas of things, but specifics are over my head. Becuase of this, everything is like a giant game of follow the leader. But, I do understand the lessons, and I am always able to share my testimony. I have also been giving the Spiritual thought/scripture at all of our meals. Even the first day I was here. Hermana Cervantes asked me if I would, and I didn't think I would have a choice, so I did, and now it's a pretty regular thing. So even though I can't really speak the language, I at least feel like I am contributing to the companionship and the work. but I'll be so happy when I can truly communicate.
Everyday is a roller coaster. But I know it is right.
¡Les amo!
Hermana Dudley
P.S. Also, I didn't gain 10 pounds in the MTC. That was an accident. I only gained 5 and I am pretty sure I have lost it by now.
This is something I have learned here, they don't say hola they say buenos tardes or buenos dias or whatever. And when they answer the phone they say bueno!
First off, my last devotional at the MTC, David archuleta came and sang to us. So great. And I want everyone to look up the talk Recognizing the Spirit by David Bednar. Secondly, this is the address to send packages and letters to. It is a friend of our mission president that lives on the border and he drives our mail down every couple of weeks. It is much cheaper and more reliable. therefore, I expect lots of packages, haha.
Julio Velazquez
Hermana Koby Dudley
PO Box1486
Presidio, TX
USA 79845
Also, there is a Chihuahua Mexico Mission Facebook page, you should all go find it.
Ok, lets get down to business:
My first week in Mexico...everything is different, and some things are the same. For instance, we don't have hot water. I took cold showers until I realized I could heat water up in the microwave and carry it in a bucket to the shower. The water faucets turn the opposite direction. When you meet someone, you give them a kiss of the cheek. That really took me by surprise the first day. But, the have a walmart, a dominoes, burger king, wendys, subway, lowes, home depot, sam's club, ha.
I'm in an area called Delicias. It's about an hour south of Chihuahua. I like it, it's much smaller and therefore cleaner than Chihuahua. There are a lot of dogs, and yes, chihuahuas. I never had a fear of dogs before the mission, but I am slightly petrified. I was almost attacked yesterday, Also, I've almost been hit by a car multiple times because they don't have cross walks and lights, you just look and run. And stop signs aren't really rules, just guidelines. And the stigma of putting lots of people in one car is true. We had 9 people in a 4 seater taxi and 10 people in one of those little tiny 3 seater trucks.
I have two companions, Hermana Cervantes and Hermana Hererra. Cervantes goes home in June and Hererra in Octubre. Neither of them speak English.
We have an investigator that doesn't leave her house because she is terrified of being murdered and she lives with a man who doesn't have legs. Mexico is an interesting place.
Spanish wise, I know I'm learning, I definitely know more Spanish today than I did last week. I understand general ideas of things, but specifics are over my head. Becuase of this, everything is like a giant game of follow the leader. But, I do understand the lessons, and I am always able to share my testimony. I have also been giving the Spiritual thought/scripture at all of our meals. Even the first day I was here. Hermana Cervantes asked me if I would, and I didn't think I would have a choice, so I did, and now it's a pretty regular thing. So even though I can't really speak the language, I at least feel like I am contributing to the companionship and the work. but I'll be so happy when I can truly communicate.
Everyday is a roller coaster. But I know it is right.
¡Les amo!
Hermana Dudley
P.S. Also, I didn't gain 10 pounds in the MTC. That was an accident. I only gained 5 and I am pretty sure I have lost it by now.
Estoy in Chihuahua!
Hola mi familia!
Es oficial, estoy
en Chihuahua, y estoy escribiendo esta carta en la oficina de mi mision
presidente. when we got off the plane they took us to eat at Sirloin
Stockade. There is a walmart, wendys, chilis, lowes, home depot and
muchas cosas de los estados unidos.
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