Hey everybody!
I would say that this was a crazy week, but this was probably the slowest week on my mission! My comp was sick all week! We had to stay home so he could sleep, and boy did he sleep! He pretty much only left his bed to use the bathroom. It´s all good; I tried to still make the best use of that time. Here is what I did while I was stuck in the house:
7. Tried to figure out a way to put potatoes in pancakes. (by the way, doesn´t work. They end up tasting like potato chips with liquefied mashed potatoes in the middle). I thought it was going to be like pancakes + hash browns, but it definitely wasn’t.
6. Learned some songs on Elder Zundel's Ukulele
5. Started reading “Saints"
4. Studied Preach My Gospel
3. Memorized a ton of Portuguese words. I started going through each section of the Portuguese-English dictionary I have and picking out words that would be useful or could at some point be interesting to know. I got through the letter A this week.
3. Started studying the Guide to the Scriptures that is in the back of the Portuguese Livro de Mormon
2. Started studying the New Testament
1. I also had the unique experience of finishing the Book of Mormon twice in one week. Last week, I finished reading O Livro de Mormon in Portuguese. I had started that study 6 weeks ago. At the same time, I was continuing my study that I started in English in the CTM. I don´t need to use the English anymore, but I wanted to finish what I started, so this week I did. The Book of Mormon really is so incredible. It is the foundation of my testimony that this is the restored Gospel. No matter what, if you know the Book of Mormon is true, pretty much no other question can hurt your faith.
Today, we also had a chance to have interviews with President Miller. It was so awesome to have a chance to talk to him. He talked to me for about 30 minutes. We talked about BYU (´cause he played football there), and a lot about how to better utilize the Book of Mormon. I used to think that I shouldn´t give out a Book of Mormon unless I think the people are going to read it, but President Miller helped me understand that even if the person we give it to doesn´t read it, someone else that they know might be touched by the Holy Ghost and read it. I´m going to start giving out a ton of Books of Mormon!
Another interesting thing that happened this week is that we found out the Lucas and Ires are involved in drug trafficking. This is extremely unfortunate because we have been teaching them for a couple weeks, and they believe the Book of Mormon is true. We are trying to work with them and teach them about repentance, but I think it is going to be pretty hard to get them to change.
One of the parts of the Book of Mormon I read this week was Ether. I love the story of the brother of Jared! He is a great example of faith. Through his example, we can learn how to receive personal revelation. In Ether 2:16-25 and 3:1-6 we learn to listen, obey the voice of the Lord, ask in faith, listen, be obedient, ask in faith, listen, ask in faith, look for answers, and present those answers to the Lord.
I love representing the Savior in Brasil, I love my companion, I love the Gospel and Atonement of Christ, I love my family, and I love my Redeemer. I am ready and excited to work harder, learn more, and love better this week!
Love,
Elder Warren Matthew Dudley
Pictures:
#1 I drew this into my study journal
#2-3 O Livro de Mórmon round two
#4 Pancakes (my regular variety that I made every morning, not the potato disaster)
#5 Almond cake
