This last week was definitely the best week of my mission. It was absolutely incredible.
It was so amazing with Rosi. We had some amazing lessons with her. I took Elder Justesen to teach her on Wednesday so he could do the baptismal interview afterward. It went super well. They both ended up crying because the Spirit was so strong. Afterwards, she brought up the fact that the adversary has been working on her and that she had been pretty sad. We talked about staying focused on the scriptures and holding to the Iron Rod. Throughout the week, we have been sending her hymns and general conference talks to listen to.
Before we went to teach her, Elder Justesen started talking with me. We ended up talking for 30 minutes. He had received a text message that morning asking if he wanted to go back to Brasil, and he was super divided. He loves Brasil, but he doesn't want to leave everything that is going on here. Thanks to some great advice I received from my parents on the same subject, I was able to help him find some comfort. We read the Called to Serve talk by Elder Bednar and talked about how the Lord will put him exactly where he needs to be. It was a really tender experience. Elder Justesen got really emotional at one point. When we got back, I was able to give him priesthood blessing.
On Friday, we had MLC again. It was super awesome. President talked to us all about Christlike leadership. It was a super amazing discussion. I really learned a lot and enjoyed it.
When we got back from MLC, we had another amazing lesson with Rosi. It was the last one before her baptism. We kind of just talked about everything. She just emphasized repeatedly how happy she is and how excited she was to get baptized.
So, we went to Rita, Liv, and Luiza's house after we taught Rosi. Elisangela has been telling us lately that they would get baptized really soon. We didn't have time to really share a gospel message after English with them because Rosi's lesson had gone long, but on the way out I asked them if they were coming to Rosi's baptism. Just before they shut the door, they said, "Of course! How could we get baptized if we have never seen a baptism?" Elder Beardall and I were pretty over the moon after that! It was so awesome to hear them say that after having taught them for 6 months. It is really funny too because the last time Elder Beardall taught them was 3 transfers ago when he was with me for the first time. His memories of them are of them not being interested at all. He was pretty shocked!!
We had to do a ton to plan out Rosi's baptism. We did all of the coordinating on building use, timing, speakers, program, who would be able to go into the room with the font (because of the limited capacity), technology and zoom set up, and a bunch of other things. We spent a while planning this week.
She was so ready to get baptized. She is exactly the type of person that I have always wanted to be able to find, teach, and baptize. Her baptism was so incredible. The Spirit was so incredibly strong there. We all went over to the Finn Hill building right after the group meeting. We were running around like crazy to get things set up for the baptism. We were able to get everything set up in time, and then we just jumped right in. I conducted the meeting. President and Sister Beardall were there, as was a member of the stake presidency, President Christensen. It was really exciting. It was historic because it was the first Portuguese baptism here.
The Spirit was so strong the entire time. I sang a special musical number, Elder Buhler gave a talk on baptism, Elder Beardall gave a talk on the Holy Ghost, and then Elder Schelin baptized her. It was incredible. Rosi was so happy. While she was changing, Elder Buhler and Elder Diago taught the Restoration very well. I then confirmed her. It was such a cool experience. I loved it.
The baptism was perfect for all of the investigators that were there. We had 6 investigators there, and then Rosi brought 3 other friends. They all loved it. Rita, Liv, and Luiza got on date at the baptism! I was talking to President Beardall about how close they were to baptism. The next thing I know, he was over there talking to them, and then he called me over. He said, "Hey, these three want to get baptized but they don't have a date yet. Can we do something about that?" It was awesome. We just went ahead and set a baptismal date with them for the 21 of February. It would have been next week, or on the 14, but one of them will be out of town.
Elisangela, our amazing member missionary, had dinner with Rosi and the friends Rosi brought. She texted us this morning telling us that two of the friends loved it and are planning on starting to come to church. She said that the 9 year old daughter of one of them wants to get baptized as well! Another of our friends that was there, Adei, also said that she wants to get baptized.
We had the best lesson with Rita, Liv, and Luiza last night. Their progress has just been skyrocketing for the last 3 weeks. We have been planning with Elisangela, who has been fellowshipping them a ton. We were working to resolve their last concerns, and Elisangela was visiting with them a ton the last few weeks. She took them to the temple the last few Sundays in a row. We had actually planned with Elisangela to put them on date last night anyway, but it was even better that it happened at the baptism. During our lesson, each of them took a turn bearing their unique testimony and conversion experience. It was amazing.
I am just so amazed by the way the Lord has prepared and guided all of this. Rosi, Rita, Liv, and Luiza were all people that we were able to find because President Beardall was inspired to put me in Federal Way with Elder Atkin. We found Rosi after a Brazilian texted the Federal Way Facebook page asking if we did free English classes. I said yes, and then I asked for referrals. Rosi was one of those referrals. We found Rita, Liv, and Luiza because Elder Atkin and I were in a trio with Elder Bremer for two weeks in Federal Way. He told me all about them and gave me their contact information because he was the one that originally found them at the start of his mission when he was in a Spanish area in Kirkland. The Lord is truly incredible.
It is so amazing to see the fruits of our hard work finally paying off. We have been so close for so long, and it is finally happening. Originally, when we went Portuguese speaking here, I thought that if we didn't baptize within the first transfer or two, that would mean we were doing something wrong. We had so many miracles happening, and we're finding so many people. The group got off to an incredible start. Everything was happening except for baptisms. For the last several transfers, I have been trying to figure out what we were doing wrong - if it was the English classes, our teaching, finding, or something else. I could not figure it out. After Rosi's baptism and seeing Rita, Liv, and Luiza be ready for baptism, I now realize that it was all on the Lord's timing. He was preparing them in the perfect way. They are all so converted now. Their focus is 100% on the temple. It is absolutely amazing. Rosi, Rita, Liv, and Luiza have all had gospel library on their phones for a while now, and know so much about the church. It is absolutely amazing. I guess that the last couple transfers have kind of just been a big faith challenge. I can definitely testify with all my heart that the Lord knows all His children and really has a plan for us.
I loved representing the Savior in Brasil, I love doing the same thing in Washington, 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 - Elder Beardall and I challenged our zone to read the entire Book of Mormon this transfer - in their originally assigned mission language
Photo 2 - Getting Rosi’s baptism ready - Rosi, Elder Schelin, Elder Dudley, Elder Justesen
Photo 3 - Elder Schelin, Rosi, and I
Photo 4-5 - The Portuguese Elders - Elder Ludgate, Elder Kelly, Elder Brammer, Elder Beardall, Elder Justesen, Elder Schelin, Elder Diago, Elder Dudley, Elder Buhler
Photo 6 - Elder Schelin, Elder Buhler, Rosi, and I (All of the missionaries that taught Rosi)
Photo 7 - Elisangela, Janaina, Elder Schelin, Rosi, and I
Photo 8 - Elder Schelin, Rosi, President and Sister Beardall, and I
