Hey everybodys, we had another awesome week here. We made another big push for church on Sunday. The only thing stopping the group from turning into a branch is consistent attendance. In our first meeting we had 56 people, which is more than all the other language branches in the mission, and pretty much enough for a ward. This week, we had 51 people, proving that things were not an anomaly! We just need to keep this up for the next couple of weeks and pretty soon we will have a branch!
On Thursday, we had a meeting with President Sowby and the Bishop of the Totem Lake Ward to discuss plans for the branch moving forward and the possibilities for a group leader. It was a really good meeting. President Sowby is super excited and is willing to give us full support moving forward. He made the comment to us about how important it is that we baptize someone in the next couple weeks. If we are able to baptize someone, it will make all of the members super excited and help them commit to the branch more fully. It will prove that there is something incredible going on here. Please pray for us that we may be led by the Spirit and that the people that we are teaching feel the truth of the things that we teach.
Eric and Vanessa Santos spoke for our Sacrament meeting. They were absolutely amazing. They are about 30, and have two young girls. They are both Brazilian, but met at BYU. Eric works for Google. Their talks were absolutely incredible. The Spirit was so strong.They spoke a lot about missionary work and God’s plan. It was perfect for everyone that was there.
There were 7 people that were being taught by missionaries in attendance. Elder Beardall and I had Rita, Liv, Luisa, and Sonia at church. It was great. Sonia is someone new that we found this week. We posted another English Connect Seattle video, and she texted us asking about the classes. I responded, and she texted back saying that not only is she wanting to learn English, but she is currently looking for a church! It was awesome! I texted her the address of the church and invited her, and she came!
After church, we had an awesome dinner with the Aguilars. There are some Mexican members that go to the Totem Lake ward. They are friends with Eric and Vanessa Santos, so Eric and Vanessa brought their family. It was so much fun. They are absolutely hilarious. The food was so good!! Home-made tortillas, barbacoa, guacamole, salsa, beans, passionfruit mousse, and day of the dead bread. It was amazing.
We also had zone conference this last week. It was great. It was all about finding new people to teach and increasing our faith. I really love President and Sister Beardall. They are just the best.
Scripture of the week: Luke 4:18
18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
I loved representing the Savior in Brasil, I love representing Him in Seattle, 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
Photo 1-2 - Zone Conference
