This was definitely the perfect way to end a transfer. We had an absolutely amazing week.
The highlight of the week was definitely the miracles that happened with Rosi. We have known for the longest time that she has a testimony of the gospel. We tried twice in the last two months to get her on date. Both times, she just said that the time wasn't quite right. She has been going through so much with her divorce.
Last week, we had some really good, but really tough lessons with Rosi. She completely committed to living the commandments, including the Word of Wisdom! She got rid of all of her coffee and tea. During one of the lessons, I felt really strongly that sehe was holding something back. I asked some questions to try and figure it out. She didn't want to share at first, but I kept asking. She finally opened up to us about some personal strugg
A week and a half ago, I felt really strongly that to get Rosi to baptism we needed to help her really understand the gift of the Holy Ghost better. This last week, President counseled us to focus on the Holy Ghost with her. So, we decided to plan out an awesome lesson on the Holy Ghost.
It went so well. The Spirit was so strong. We read the Gospel Principles manual section on the Gift of the Holy Ghost with her. We then talked about how the gift of the Holy Ghost has blessed us in our lives. The Spirit was so strong as we shared our experiences with her. We left her with two General Conference talks to read - His Spirit to be with you by President Eyering and How does the Holy Ghost help you? by Elder Stevenson. The next day, we got a text from her saying that the conference talks had made her cry. She said that she wanted to get baptized so bad that she would have liked to been baptized the day before. We had another lesson with her the next day, and she basically told her entire conversion story to us, starting with spiritual experiences she had back in Brasil up until this point. It was incredible. We planned out everything before her baptism right there. It was incredible.
It has taken a lot longer to get to her this point than I originally thought it would, but it has been an incredible journey. I can't believe that I first started messaging with Rosi about english classes back in July when I was in Federal Way.
I really think that this has the chance of starting a chain reaction of baptize with the other portuguese speakers that are getting close. This last Sunday, we had Mario Costa speak in our group meeting. He is a former Stake President. We had 7 friends in person between the portuguese companionships. He gave the most incredible talk I have ever heard on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Spirit was so strong. Some of our friends are now really excited to watch Rosi's baptism next week.
So, I started teaching them 4 transfers ago. We teach Rita english twice a week. At the beginning, it seemed like they were progressing like crazy. We taught them like all of the lessons in the first transfer, and they kept all of their commitments. The second transfer, we were super excited to take them to church when the portuguese group got up and running. Part way through that transfer though, they started getting kinda bashy in a nice way. They hit us with a million questions and all sorts of stuff they got off anti websites. It was pretty hard. We were gonna cut them, but we had to finish the english connect 2 course. We weren't really sure were to go with the gospel cause they had already heard all the lessons, so we just read the Book of Mormon. I also decided to do my best to resolve their concerns. I ended up putting together 70+ pages of google docs to answer their questions. I just used resources I had on missionary google drives.
So, skip forward to the time that we were about to finish english connect 2 and we were going to cut them, around the beginning of December. They just show up at church for the 2 time ever. They said they were missing not being able to go to church because their church was still closed. They came to the perfect meeting, focused on Christmas and the Savior's birth. Since then, they have not missed one Sunday. We found out that they read all the answers to their questions and it made sense to them. They told us that they just wanted to know how to answer other people's questions if they decide to join the church.
They have also developed some awesome friendships with the members. We have one Brazilian member, Elisangela, that has taken them to the temple the last 2 Sundays. She just talks with them super openly about joining the church. I think that they have a chance to get baptized soon. They told Elisangela that they want to get baptized this year!! When they were at the temple, they all bought temple bracelets. It was awesome!!
I think this transfer was really good for our zone. We had some missionaries that had been here for a long time. Some of them needed a change of scene. It's kind of heartbreaking to see them go after being together so long. It'll be especially hard to see Elder Schelin go. We have had some amazing experiences together. It has been cool to see him change. He is not the same missionary he was when he got here. He is mch more obedient and consecrated. He is going to make a huge difference in the Sammamish Valley East zone. It was definitely super hard for him to leave Portuguese work, though.
Our zone changed a ton with the transfer. Elder Schelin was transferred to an english area. It was super hard to see him and the others go. We have become super close after so many of us were her so long. My new companion (well not too new, I was with him 2 transfers ago) is Elder Beardall. I am so excited!!!
It'll be a little bit of a challenge for the portuguese work without Elder Schelin and Elder Ward. They and I are definitely the most capable speakers and teachers. It'll be a big hit to the portuguese work, but I trust the Lord.
I am so excited for this transfer. Great things are going to happen here!!
Love,
Elder Warren Matthew Dudley
Photos 1-3 last tracting with Elder Schelin
Photo 4 - Awesome cake from Rita, Liv, and Luiza for my birthday!!
Photo 5 - Elder Buhler and Elder Beardall snuck into our apartment and hid a bunch of candy in Elder Schelin’s luggage because he hates sugar. It was super funny because he didn’t find it until he packed his bags
Photo 6-7 - Rosi bought me breakfast for my birthday - apple pie and eggs and bacon and deliciousness!!!
Photo 8 - Another view of that awesome cake that Rita, Liv and Luiza made me
Photo 9 - cupcakes that my mom sent me
Photo 10 - back with Elder Beardall
Photo 11 - picking up the cupcakes from Richard and JoAnne
Photo 12 - Rita, Liv and Luiza giving me the cake
Photo 13 - the zone, left to right: Elder Griffin, Elder Diago, Elder Beardall, Elder Streadbeck, Elder Ludgate, Elder Jones, Elder Lai, Elder Whitney, Elder Buhler, Elder Koenig, Elder Schelin, Elder Charles, Elder Ward, Elder Dudley, Hermana Bringhurst, Hermana Zacarias, Hermana Christensen, Sister Lott, Sister Callahan
Photo 14 - Rita, Liv, and Luiza giving me an awesome Corinthians jersey
Photo 15 - Zone Conference
