Dear Family,

 

Whoo let me tell you. What a week it's been here. It's been a rough one. We've had some good mircales though. We've found a few people to teach and one of them made it to the last hour of church. He accidently slept in because of daylight savings time here. Ya we just had that this last weekend. I think it's on different days then it is in the states. We had a zone meeting this last week which was really good. It took us forever to get to. From where we are we actually have to take a train into Leeds and then another into York. It was fun though I like to ride the trains, and I got to see 6 of the Leeds elders heading to their meeting as well. Got to talk some old people from my group and got to ask about Bradford so that was great. The day after wasn't so great.

 

My companion didn't bring any copies of the Book of Mormon with him or much proslelyting material at all. He was a bit confused when I was frustrated that we had to go back to the flat afterward. Not sure why he thought we could proselyte with out material or how effective it would be but ya. I had a book on me and some pamphlets and a hard copy that a mark and study from and we could've probably found a way around the situation with out wasing time but I just got to frustrated with his attitude. I think that's our biggest problem here. The work and the ward will really improve if we have the Spirit and more and more unity. We'll be able to find people, ward members will feel our excitement, etc... But he doesn't have much of a desire and I'm trying to improve and help him with that. I brought up to him how I felt we had a communication problem and why. He said no and that when I ask him a question and he answers me, but it's not the answer I'm looking for and then ask again he doesn't answer or say anything because he has already given me his answer. Well I ask him again after probing more because all he does is give me the answer he thinks I want. But the answer I want is the truth. It's difficult and frustrating. The oddest thing which I know and feel there is a problem is when I asked him about his desire and how it should show. He told me happiness and excitement are not expressed in how you act, the tone in your voice or the expression on your face like I do. Uhh? I'm pretty sure God created our faces to smile. If we're happy and we not we show it. You can clap your hands or stomp your feet but if we're happy and excited and have a strong desire to work, it'll show! So you see my problem.

 

I'm sorry for venting but I can't really seek much council from my leaders or other missionaries since they are so far away. I am in contact with President and he is aware of the situation. I 'm hoping to keep up my excitement though. I won't let that die. As well I will try to find opportunities to give service to him. Show some charity and love. I don't think he notices or understands that I'm wanting to do this for him. Not me to show I'm better or that he's a bad missionary but because he's got a lot of potential to a great missionary. And time is running short to achieve that.

 

So ya. Other then that things are great. I'm keeping high spirits and can't wait for some post. It's been awhile. This week is my first district meeting that I'm instructing so that'll be interesting. I hope all of you are doing well. It sounds like everyone is having their own bit's of adventure. I'lll tell you Pontefract is an adventure. There is some interesting history here and some great members that have offered to help show us around and do things on P-Days. It's a proper town not only because it's cool but it used to have a castle and has  a couple old churches from the same time period but evrything is built around those landmarks. And their also kind of on a hill. Was a defensive thing, But ya. It's great. I fill you in more next week about some of the people we are working with  so ya.

 

Love you all! CHeerio

 

Elder DUdgeon

Dear Family,

 Hey how goes it? Things are going well here. Ya the spelling of this place I had no clue. It's Pontefract though. It's been great so far though. This area definitely needs some help and I'm hoping we can give it. There are ways to improve in all places. The sisters who were here last were doing great. Things just kind of slowed down. So we are going to be working hard doing a lot of finding. Hoping to use general conference as a resource. ''Come listen to a prophets voice!'' It should be good. I don't know what it's been but I've been so happy since I've came to this new area. And my efforts and skills have increased as well. I don't know what is different. Maybe it's have to be more diligent and obedient and to set the example. The added responsibility. Who knows but it's good and it's helping me learn.

 

 Pontefract is a good area. It's got some old castle ruins and is a nice proper English town. We cover the town and another one called Castleford, plus the smaller outlying villages. It's in the York zone so I get to go to York for meetings and zone P-Day. York is a place I looked up before I left and one I always wanted to go. The ward is smaller but has a lot of potential to grow. There is a family here where the husband is from Ecuador and his wife is from Spain. He was really nice to talk to on Sunday. Was very shy I think because of his english skills, but he was nice. Has family in Columbia so I told him about mom serving there.

 

 In the district I'm over is 1 team of sisters..... That's it. HAHAHA! But it's so great. The sisters are Sister Harris (Idaho) and Sister Alidi (Botswana, came out with my group). They are such powerful sisters! They are already doing amazing work over in Harrogate. They used to be here. There was basically a swap of areas with the Harrogate Elders and Pontefract Sisters. Everyone stayed except for one elder whose place I filled. So it's not too hard white washing because the sisters follow up with me every night and we can ask them questions about people or the area. We also took over their flat. Wow, sisters flats are way nice then elders. And drum roll please. I have a queen size bed! HAHA. I have no idea why the sisters had queen size beds (I think a senior couple used to live there before). But it's nice and an added blessing.

 

My companion Elder Alsop is someone from my group and district in the MTC. He's from Oregon. He's not doing the best right now on his mission. Really struggling and we have a had an awkward past couple days. He's not the most skilled missionary or the boldest but he has a lot of potential. I hope things will work out. I'm doing my best to help him grow more and open up. We'll see how this week goes. I'm glad the sisters are doing well so I don't have to worry about having too much on my plate.

 

Well thats it for now. I'm so excited to be in my new area. There's so much work to do! my new address is...

 

Elder Blaine Dudgeon

7 Shakespeare Crescent

Castleford

Pontefract

WF10 3HE

UK

 

Start spreading the word. Please be cautious though. This is a 5 week transfer. Transfer moves are on the 20th of April. So don't send anything a week before unless its to the mission office in Leeds. And I think i'm doing alright as far as things I need mom.

 

Hope all is well

Love,

Elder Dudgeon

 

Dear Family,

 I hope all is well this week. Things were interesting this last week. We found a couple new people to teach. It was difficult through out all the week though. Just trying to find people. Solid people. Not like this experience I'll share with you.

 I was on exchange with Elder Caine (mighty south African from my group). We had appointment with a man. He was nice older guy. Long hair that was part gray. Was nice a friendly but a bit odd. As soon as we walked into to his little terrace house we saw good ol' Bob Marley smoking his weed on the wall and one of those things you use to smoke opium or whatever, up on a shelf. (ah great this is going to be a good one). Well we started talking to him and shared the Book of Mormon and the Restoration with him. He accepted it pretty well at first but... BUT... then he starts telling us about his thoughts/feelings. He truly believes he is the reincarnation of Jesus Christ. He's had some weird things happen to him while he was growing up. He seems to be a sign seeker. Looks for numbers and strange things. Apparently he saw some spaceships one day with some friends and when he told people they didn't believe him so he kind of summoned some space ships to come down and they did. Uh are you gathering this yet? He's used this kind of ''power'' to help some people over come problems by accident but when he starts to realize it the ''power'' stops. He's just had some weird things. His mother is named Mary and he's got a brother named Matthew and another named John so that has got to mean he's Jesus Christ. He does drugs still (apparent), smokes, drinks, swears, blah, blah, blah. Well we told him that he was not Jesus Christ. That Jesus Christ did not preach reincarnation nor would he not follow the commandments. The man got very upset that we did not believe him. He said Jesus would do those things today because he was tired of people and didn't want them to crucify him again. Well you get my point and we did all that we could to reason with him using scripture, logic and testimony but nothing. He was gutted that we told he wasn't Jesus. He didn't want the Book of Mormon, but kept it in the end.

 Strange. That's the kind of people in the Billingham/Stockton area! Crazy! But I have some other news so put your seat belts on. It goes with the subject of the email. You see last night was our transfer calls. And.... I got a call about a quarter past 9. He called me to be a district leader and that I would be serving in an area called Ponterfract. Crazy I know, but something didn't seem write (I was trying to think who used to be serving there because it sounded odd). Well I was shocked and stuttered out an acceptance and was very excited, but then President kept talking. The reason why Ponterfract sounded odd to me was because it was a sisters area. They are pulling the sisters out and putting Elders in. I am going to be white washing (brand new, fresh start) the area with my companion, Elder Alsop. He came out with me and is from the Portland, Oregon area. I'm so excited. So I am packing up all my stuff last night and today getting ready to move on Wednesday. I am so excited to be a district leader. Humble and grateful that I've been called to it. There is a strange mood this mission has about leaders. They think to be humble you have to complain and say oh it sucks to be leader, you have to do all this stuff, blah, blah, blah. Well not me. I am excited to serve and inspire other missionaries in my district. It's a greater call to serve and a greater opportunity to learn and grow and I am excited for that. And I'm not like Elder Ashby who tried to keep it a secret. Mom and dad should be getting a letter this next week anyway so there's no point.

 So that's the big news. I don't know my new address yet but next week I will get it to you. I have to get going though. There's people I need to say goodbye to today plus finish packing. (how did I get so much stuff?!)

 I hope everyone is doing well. I love you all.

Elder Dudgeon

Late P- Day
Date:	Mon, Mar 7, 2011 8:37 am

Hey Family,

 

So this week was alright. A bit stressful. We did have a good P-Day today though which is great so I got everyones email. It was a great P-day because we went out to REDCAR. It's right on the ocean! We played 5-A-Side football on the beach with the whole zone. It was so nice. A little cold but a lot of fun. The sisters came too and I got one of them to take lot of pictures with my camera so I'll have to send some of those home.

So I don't have much time to write this week, but just too let you know that nuch has happened this week. It's been kind of frustrating but Elder Ashby and I are staying positive. I think we had members come out with us more then 7 times this last week and we didn't get into a single appointment. We called people to remind them, sometimes just hours before, to get te door and they not be home or drop us. But we'll keep trying. Transfers arecoming up this month. On the 17th is move day, we get the calls on the 15th though. So mom tell dad to send the package to the office because I'll probable get to me for sure then. That's if he does it like tomorrow. Allow for 8 to 10 days to get here. If he wants to wait till I know if I'm moving or not that's alright. I'll let you know if am next week.

 Funny sto. My companion and I were going to our tea appointment in the even. We just got off the bus and get a wiff of barbecue. It was such a good smell. Somebody in the area had to be barbecueing. Well we walk down the street and the turn down another one. The whole time talking about barbecueing back at home and just our favorite things. Well we get to the house and they let us in. There was another family there from the ward and we asked about that and they were answered ''Oh we're barbecueing. So we invited more people!'' Elder Ashby and I just looked at eachother. ''What! That's you!? We could smell in two blocks over!'' It was a good meal and a good time. It was really funny because they had forgotten the home teachers were coming over. We see a member from the ward and then the husband from the recent convert family! He was on his first home teaching appointment. So that was neat to see.

Well I got to go. I love you all.

 

Cheerio,

Elder Dudgeon