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
