Letter From Dad

Dear Elder Dudley,

It was GREAT to talk with you two times this last week.  You look great!  We hope that you had a good week this week.  Your attitude and outlook on your current situation is admirable and I am confident that the Lord is blessing you and will continue to bless you for your faithfulness and goodness.

I know that it is difficult for you to talk about how things are going with Elder Cuadra when we talk on the phone.  I certainly appreciate that and I have every confidence in your ability to continue to work through this.  As I have thought about you the last couple of days, I have been impressed that one of the feelings that you might be experiencing from time to time during this transfer is a feeling of loneliness.  So, this week, may I be your companion?  I would love nothing more than to be your companion and to walk the streets of Sao Jose dos Campos with you and teach the wonderful people with you.  I am sure that I would be amazed at your teaching, humbled by your kindness, and grateful to be your dad.  But, you will grow so much more without me as you rely solely on the Lord to guide you through this experience.  Still, know that I will always try to be there for you - and maybe a little more this week as we are companions.  

So companion, let's plan this week.  I pray that as you consider my invitations below, that the Spirit will direct you to know how to work so that the Lord can bless you and the people that you can help come closer to Him.  I invite you to print this email.  Read only the invitations that apply to that particular day.  Don't "Heather" the assignments and read through each one for the following days.  Let the Spirit direct your daily choice to know how you can give all of yourself and all of your time to the Lord each day regardless of Elder Cuadra's decisions.

Monday, December 30

*  BE TAUGHT.  If your proselyting time does not begin on Monday at 6 PM as you would hope, then find a quiet place and ask the Lord to teach you something that will help you draw closer to him.  You have become a great student of the scriptures.  But, tonight begin your study by considering an inspired question that will help you draw closer to the Lord.  For example, your inspired question may be "How can I hear your voice more clearly?"  Or, "How can I hear your voice more often?"  Once you determine your inspired question, then study the scriptures and let the Lord teach you.

Each day, I will invite you to enjoy some extra personal study.  HOWEVER, please note that this extra personal study is just that - extra!  Do not change your current study routine.  In addition, IF you are actually able to teach outside your apartment all day and you do not have extra time, then we will end that day and thank Heavenly Father for the blessing of being able to work hard.  

**  BE MORE LOVING.  Be prayerful, and find something that you can do that will help you love Elder Cuadra more.  Perhaps you can find someway to serve him.

***  TEACH SOMEONE OF JESUS CHRIST.  If you are not able to get out of the apartment to teach someone, then find a member of the ward from the ward directory to call on the phone to teach of Jesus Christ and extend an invitation to that member that will help them come closer to Jesus Christ.  This week starts the new Come Follow Me study of the Book of Mormon.  Perhaps you can identify a single member, a widow or widower, or someone who does not have a family to study Come Follow Me with.  Ask that person to study with you this week.  They will study each day on their own, but you can call them each day the rest of the week and have them share with you something they learned that day.  Don't think of reasons why you cannot do this.  Hopefully you already know some members of the Ward who would benefit from this study.  But, if you do not, call the Elders' Quorum President, Relief Society President or other Ward leader and ask them for a few suggestions of individuals that you can help with Come Follow Me this week.

Tuesday, December 31

*  BE TAUGHT.  Continue with your personal study as you are currently are studying.  But, if you are not able to get out of your apartment to teach today as you would like, find another time during the day to dedicate yourself to learn from the Lord.  Start your study with personal prayer, but ask this question - "Lord, what would you like to teach me today?"  Then, begin your study.  Ponder more than read.  Listen more than you speak.  Then, express gratitude to the Lord for teaching you once you learn what He wants you learn that day.

 **  BE MORE LOVING.  Learn something about admirable about Elder Cuadra today that you did not know before.  Ask him questions about his family, his growing up experience, previous meaningful experiences on his mission - anything that will help you learn something about him that will help you respect him and love him more.  Listen carefully.  Listen as the Lord would listen.  

***  TEACH SOMEONE OF JESUS CHRIST.  Hopefully you are able to teach outside the apartment today, but if you are inside during proselyting hours, then, if you were successful in identifying a member of the Ward that you could study Come Follow Me with yesterday, call that person and follow up with them and see what they learned.  Then, expand your Come Follow Me study group by identifying another individual in the Ward and calling them on the phone and extending the same invitation for them to do Come Follow Me this week.  This is the first week of Come Follow Me with the Book of Mormon.  It is a great time to start.

 Wednesday, January 1

*  BE TAUGHT.  Again, continue with your personal study as you are currently studying.  But, if you are not able to get out of your apartment to teach today as you would like, find another time during the day to dedicate yourself to learn from the Lord.  Ask the Lord to teach you today more about faith.  What does it mean to have faith in Jesus Christ?  How can you increase your faith in Jesus Christ?  

**  BE MORE LOVING.  Perform an act of service for Elder Cuadra that you know would be meaningful to him.  Don't do something that you would like or that you think he should like.  Do something that you know he will appreciate, and then do it.  Don't worry about his reaction.  Don't expect recognition or thanks.  Just serve Him and then ask Heavenly Father to help you love Elder Cuadra a little more today.

***  TEACH SOMEONE OF JESUS CHRIST.  Hopefully you are able to teach outside the apartment today, but if you are inside during proselyting hours, then if you were successful in identifying two members of the Ward that you could study Come Follow me with the last few days, continue to follow up with those two individuals to see what they learned.  Be prepared so that if they did not study you can encourage them, and then share with them something that you have learned.  Once you have followed up with the two members that you have already invited to study Come Follow Me, expand your Come Follow Me study group by identifying another individual in the Ward and calling them on the phone and extending the same invitation for them to do Come Follow Me this week.  Keep at it until your group is at 3 by the end of the day today! 

Thursday, January 2

*  BE TAUGHT.  Again, continue with your personal study as you are currently studying.  But, if you are not able to get out of your apartment to teach today as you would like, find another time during the day to dedicate yourself to learn from the Lord.  Ask the Lord to teach you today about repentance.  What blessings come as we exercise our faith in Jesus Christ and repent?  As you study, ponder how repentance helps us literally come closer to the Lord. 

**  BE MORE LOVING.  The invitation regarding your companionship and your feelings towards Elder Cuadra today will require tremendous spiritual focus.  Ask Heavenly Father what Christ-like attributes Elder Cuadra has that He (Heavenly Father) appreciates.  Find a very quiet place to do this.  Take your time.  Listen carefully.  Do not think of this as sitting around in a circle in a Sunday School class and saying something nice about each member of the class.  This is a lot more than that.  Really listen to hear the Lord's voice.  Take notes on the impressions that you receive, but keep those private.

***  TEACH SOMEONE OF JESUS CHRIST.  Hopefully you are able to teach outside the apartment today, but if you are inside during proselyting hours, then if you were successful in identifying three members of the Ward that you could study Come Follow me with the last few days, continue to follow up with those three individuals to see what they learned.  Be prepared so that if they did not study you can encourage them, and then share with them something that you have learned.  Once you have followed up with the three members that you have already invited to study Come Follow Me, expand your Come Follow Me study group by identifying another individual in the Ward and calling them on the phone and extending the same invitation for them to do Come Follow Me this week.  Keep at it until your group is at 4 by the end of the day today! 

Friday, January 3

*  BE TAUGHT.  Again, continue with your personal study as you are currently studying.  But, if you are not able to get out of your apartment to teach today as you would like, find another time during the day to dedicate yourself to learn from the Lord.  After spending the last two days with extra study of faith in Jesus Christ and the blessings of repentance, begin today with a focused study on the ordinance and covenant of the Sacrament.  The last few years as we have made an effort to improvement quality of our Sabbath Day observance, my appreciation of the Sacrament has significantly increased and the impact on my Sabbath Day observance has been significant as I have understood better and focused more on the Sacrament.  So, start today to prepare yourself for the covenant that you will make in a couple of days when you receive the Sacrament.

**  BE MORE LOVING.   Perform an act of service for Elder Cuadra that you know would be meaningful to him.  Don't do something that you would like or that you think he should like.  Do something that you know he will appreciate, and then do it.  Don't worry about his reaction.  Don't expect or demand recognition or thanks.  Just serve Him and then ask Heavenly Father to help you love Elder Cuadra a little more today.

  ***  TEACH SOMEONE OF JESUS CHRIST.  Hopefully you are able to teach outside the apartment today, but if you are inside during proselyting hours, then if you were successful in identifying four members of the Ward that you could study Come Follow me with the last few days, continue to follow up with those four individuals to see what they learned.  Be prepared so that if they did not study you can encourage them, and then share with them something that you have learned.  Once you have followed up with the four members that you have already invited to study Come Follow Me, expand your Come Follow Me study group by identifying another individual in the Ward and calling them on the phone and extending the same invitation for them to do Come Follow Me this week.  Keep at it until your group is at 5 by the end of the day today!   

Saturday, January 4

*  BE TAUGHT.  Again, continue with your personal study as you are currently studying.  But, if you are not able to get out of your apartment to teach today as you would like, find another time during the day to dedicate yourself to learn from the Lord.  Continue your study of the ordinance and covenant of the Sacrament that you started yesterday.  Today, as you conclude your study, ask Heavenly Father if there is anything else that He would like to teach you about the Sacrament today.  Then listen.  

**  BE MORE LOVING.   Spend some time today thinking about what you have learned about Elder Cuadra this week.  A couple of days ago, you asked Heavenly Father to share with you some Christ-like attributes that He sees in Elder Cuadra that He appreciates.  Today, you consider Christ-like attributes that you have seen in Elder Cuadra that you appreciate.  Write Elder Cuadra a letter.  Share with him your observations of these Christ-like attributes.  Be sincere.  Be specific.  But, don't share the letter with him yet.  

  ***  TEACH SOMEONE OF JESUS CHRIST.  Hopefully you are able to teach outside the apartment today!  By now, you have helped 5 individuals come unto Christ by studying Come Follow Me this week a little better than they have in the past.  Call each of the 5 individuals that you have taught and learned from this week.  Ask what they learned today.  Celebrate their success with them!  Then, invite them come to Church tomorrow to have a great experience worshiping the Father and the Son as they receive the ordinance of the Sacrament.  

Sunday, January 5   

*  BE TAUGHT.  Again, continue with your personal study as you are currently studying.  But, if you are not able to get out of your apartment to teach today as you would like, find another time during the day to dedicate yourself to learn from the Lord.  For your extra study today, write an extra journal entry detailing some of your thoughts on the ordinance of the Sacrament based on your experience today.  If you did not feel or learn anything special in the moment of the actual ordinance, don't be discouraged.  More importantly, don't think that your opportunity to enjoy a rich experience with the ordinance of the Sacrament has expired.  Earlier today, you participated in the ordinance of the Sacrament.  But, we receive the ordinance of the Sacrament as we are faithful to the covenants that correspond with the ordinance of the Sacrament.  So, the blessings of the Sacrament can extend well beyond the moment the deacons return the Sacrament tray to the priests as we take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ, remember Him, keep His commandments, and are faithful to the other covenants that we make that correspond to the ordinance of the Sacrament.   

**  BE MORE LOVING.   At the appropriate time, share your letter that you wrote yesterday with Elder Cuadra.  You can either give it to him in person or leave the letter in a place that he can find it.  As you have done throughout the week, do not give this letter with any expectation of thanks or reciprocation.  Then, as you say your prayers tonight and counsel with the Lord, consider with Him if your feelings towards Elder Cuadra have changed for the better this week.  

***  TEACH SOMEONE OF JESUS CHRIST.  Hopefully you are able to teach outside the apartment today!  But, if you are not able to teach outside as much as you would like, hopefully you have had a good experience with Come Follow Me this last week.  Today, consider how you can improve on this creative way to teach others so that you can give of your entire self and time to the Lord, or consider other creative ways that you can teach others of Jesus Christ even if Elder Cuadra makes it difficult for you to work as hard as you would like to.  

This week, my letter began with my offer to you of my companionship.  But, I anticipate that tonight you release that you have had a much better companion.  You are not alone.  You never have been alone.  Your goodness and your faithfulness qualify you for the promised blessing in the Sacrament of having HIS SPIRIT with you ALWAYS.  He will continue to be with you.  We will continue to pray for you.  You can do this!

Dear Elder Dudley - I love you.  I respect you and your calling from the Lord.  I trust the Lord.  I trust President Miller.  I trust you.  You can fulfill this current assignment to serve in Sao Jose dos Campos with Elder Cuadra.  God bless you!

Love,

Dad

Vista Verde, Weeks 1 And 2

What´s up everybody! 

Sorry that I didn´t send an email last week; it has been kind of crazy since I got to this new area, I've got a lot to adjust to here. It is so different from Cruzeiro here. I am in an actual normal ward, not a branch.  We have lunch with members every day. I have already gained 5 kilos in the last two weeks. The members here are great. This is one of many wards in the city of São José dos Campos.  São José dos Campos is a huge city but is nicely spread out and doesn´t really feel like a super busy city. It is actually really nice. It almost feels like a Brasilified version of a US city in parts. There are actual trees, too!  I´m super excited to be here. I hope I stay here for at least four transfers.

I used to think it would be better to switch areas and comps a lot to freshen things up but leaving Cruzeiro was really hard. It is super cool here, but I miss Cruzeiro. Even though it is supposedly one of the hardest areas in our mission, I loved it there. I totally cried when I left. I was kind of surprised how much I had come to love that area. I also miss my old comp, Elder Hatch, a lot. He was a super great missionary and had a very similar outlook to me on what it means to be a missionary. We were able to work super hard and be super obedient together.

This transfer is going to be a lot harder with Elder Cuadra. He is from Ecuador and has a year and seven months in the mission. He is completely dead and just wants to go home. He doesn´t really want to work, and doesn´t care for the rules. He has perfected the art of wasting time in between appointments. Every time I try to knock doors, he finds some way to waste time. He sleeps in a lot, and blasts super loud electronic music in our house. He literally doesn´t have an umbrella anymore because he doesn´t believe in working in the rain. This transfer is passing way slower than the last two because it is a lot harder to work hard. I am always trying to get him to work, but it is hit and miss. I´m making it my goal this transfer to try to help him change his perspective around so that I don´t feel so much like it is a waste of time, but I still find myself going crazy sometimes. It is hard to help someone change if they just sleep. I´m just going to try to be the best example I can.

Aside from this, some pretty great things have happened in the last two weeks. Here they are: 

I played sports for the first time since the CTM. Cruzeiro didn´t really have anywhere to play sports, but here does! All of the Elders in our zone rode busses into the stake center in the center of the city last P Day, and we played basketball, football, and soccer. It was so fun, but my legs have been so sore ever since. It was the most exercise aside from walking and pushups that I have done in three months.

We had a ward Christmas party. It was super cool to see what the Brasilian culture is like. There was a ton of food, music and dancing. Also, everyone showed up three hours late.

We marked one of the people we are teaching for baptism. Her name is Aline. We are teaching her and her fourteen-year-old son. We would have marked her son too, but he is visiting his dad in another state for the next month. Aline came to church yesterday, and she loved it. She is a super good investigator. She really believes what we have taught and doesn´t have any problems. One interesting thing about teaching them is that the lessons are a mix of Spanish and Portuguese. They lived in Chile for a couple years, so they speak Spanish in addition to Portuguese. Actually, that is how they found the missionaries. She saw Elder Cuadra´s name one day on the bus and started talking in Spanish. Elder Cuadra and his old companion started teaching them. We also bring some Venezuelan refugees that are in our ward with us to teach them.

On Friday, we found the grandma of one of the members from my old branch in Cruzeiro, which is super cool! The chances of that are so slim! It was definitely not a coincidence. I called Elder Hatch that night to tell him so he could talk to the member, and I found out something super awesome. Kelly was going to be baptized the next day! Elder Hatch and I found and taught Kelly for half of last transfer. She is super awesome, and really nice. I am so happy that she was baptized! Even though I wasn´t there, hearing that made me super happy!

This last Wednesday was one of the best days of my mission. President and Sister Miller took our zone to the Campinas temple for our Christmas zone conference. It was incredible. The spirit was so strong there from the moment we stepped on the grounds. I had a really sweet experience. I really didn´t want to leave. Oh, I also received 23 envelopes that day, many of which had multiple cards. Thanks to all!

In my extra time, which I have a lot of now because of my comp, I started reading Jesus the Christ. It is the most incredible book! I am learning so much from it. The perfectly detailed analyzation of the Savior is absolutely incredible!

Scripture of the week: 2 Nefi 19: 6 

 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called, Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

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 - The view from the house in Vista Verde

#2 - Elder Cuadra and me

#3-5 - My Christmas Decorations

#6-9 The House in Vista Verde

#10-11 - P-Day in São José dos Campos

Week 2
Pictures:

#1 On the way to lunch!

#2-3 Great views while walking!

#4 The blue skies and me

#5 Elder Cuadra and me at the Campinas Temple

#6 Campinas Temple

#7 Presidente and Sister Miller and me at the Campinas Temple

#8 On the way to the temple with the São José dos Campos Zone

#9 São José dos Campos Zone at the Campinas Temple

#10 All of the letters I received

Cruzeiro Week 6 Of Transfer 2

Hey everyone! 

I had an awesome last week and great end to the transfer. We worked hard all week knocking doors every day. We gave out more than 17 Books of Mormon. We also scheduled a ton of appointments for next week, which is awesome. However, I found out yesterday at church that I am being transferred. 

I wasn´t really sure what to think when I found out that I was being transferred. Elder Hatch and I thought that this was a possibility because of during Elder Hatch´s interview with President last week, he asked Elder Hatch if we had read all of "Preach My Gospel” during my training. We hadn´t because we didn´t know that we were supposed to. President told him to make sure we did that this last week. We thought that probably meant I would be transferred because we would otherwise have more time to do that. Sure enough, it happened.

I am excited to be with my new comp and get to know my new area, but I have loved my time here in Cruzeiro. I have loved this area of Brasil. I have loved getting to teach the people here. It has been hard to get people to teach, but I have loved working hard and trying to be better every day. I have loved being comps with both of my trainers. I learned a lot from both of them. I am really glad to have started off in a difficult area like this one. The other missionaries have said this is probably the hardest area in our mission, but this is what is normal for me because it is my first area. 

I am sad to leave, but I´m going to keep trying to work harder and fulfill my missionary potential in my next area. I want to feel sad to leave but happy knowing I did my best each time I leave an area.

Alma 37: 33-37

33 Preach unto them repentance, and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ; teach them to humble themselves and to be meek and lowly in heart; teach them to withstand every temptation of the devil, with their faith on the Lord Jesus Christ.

34 Teach them to never be weary of good works, but to be meek and lowly in heart; for such shall find rest to their souls.

35 O, remember, my son, and learn wisdom in thy youth; yea, learn in thy youth to keep the commandments of God.

36 Yea, and cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever.

37 Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day.

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 - Elder Hatch and I with Jefferson (Jefferson was an elderly member of the branch that was bedridden due to two strokes. We visited him and served him multiple times a week)

#2 - Beautiful Sky with a rainbow over the river

#3-4 Last views out the window of the apartment

#5 - Elder Hatch and I up by Fernando’s house

#6 - Elder Hatch and I at the Churrasco with Lucas and Ires