Dear Family,
Hey ya how's it going!? So Christmas came early to me this year! I got 2 packages this morning from Dad! It was so great. No I didn't open any of my presents besides the one that said to open up ASAP. I loved to find my frog there. Tell dad thanks for sending him to me. I'm going to be sure to take some good pictures with him now. I have a small stuffed lion that I got from an investigator here so I take take pictures with both of them. I think dad will love them. I'm so happy with the Christmas CD as well from the NW Boys Choir. I was telling Elder Thorup about them the past couple weeks so it was great to get it. Elder Thorup loves singing.
I'm glad to here everyone is doing well. Things are going good hear. I'm working a lot harder and my focus is a lot better. Christmas season isn't bothering me anymore. Home sickness is going away. The only thing that bothers me now is trying to find people to teach which we're lacking on but things should be improving this week. Elder Thorup and I are worknig hard. Trying not to get caught up on all the recent converts that we have here but to also keep moving forward.
Well I don't have much time this week. I'm going to keep it short for you 3 so I can write dad a nice long letter. I haven't done so in a long time. So but about my week. Elder Thorup and I went down to Leeds on Tuesday and stayed till Wednesday. He had a leadership training meeting for all the district leaders, zone leaders and trainers, and President Lindley wanted to see me as well. So I got to work in Leeds during the day with some other missionaries who I used to be around when I was in Bradford, and that was great. It was nice to be in a real city again. So then at night I saw President, then went out with another mssionary to work till curfew. We did street contacting and it was a lot of fun. Street contacting in Leeds is so pretty and you meet so many different people. 4 of us missionaries got to stay in the mission home as well which was neat. Kind of odd though because President and his wife weren't there till way late. There was a sick missionary in the hospital. They have a really nice in Leeds which is a change from the small little room I got here in Billingham.
Oh it was neat because one of the missionaries that stayed at the mission home with me was Elder Hua. We were just kind of looking at each other all night like ''you look so familiar''. When we then found out that we went to BYUI at the same time, stayed in the smae complex, and took the same snowboarding class! It was really funny we were talking about it all night. I'm excited to hear from Myranada that the auditorium is going to be dedicated. That's neat. Oh by the way Myranda, so I have been exercising here a lot more and using those bands you gave me. Well I snapped one yesterday morning and it hurt. I was like ow stupid thing. Then I tried to use what was left because it was quite in half. But then 10 seconds later it broke again and snapped me. ow stupid thing! So I think I'll just have to resort to pushups and sit up for now.
Well this week was great. The ward is doing really well. Everyone is excited. We have a couple investigators who are looking really good. One who is going to quit smoking by the new year so she can get baptized that first week! We may have one this weekend as well but he needs a lot of prayers. The people that we have that are getting baptized are so great and the ward loves it. They are all really solid. Like they continue want to learn. It's something that they want to do and not just convienant or nice at the time. I thin that's what really has the ward excited.
Well I got to go but I love you all. Have a merry christmas and Myranda. Happy Birthday tomorrow. I didn't forget. how old are you again? 30? sounds about right.
Thanks family. I love you.
Elder Dudgeon
Monday, December 13, 2010
Monday, December 6, 2010
Dear Mom,
Hey, I love you mom. Things got a little better this week. I did end up working a lot of it out. My companion and I have been getting a long a lot better lately. He is such a goofy guy and since I get pretty serious sometimes it's difficult, but I'm just learning to laugh at it and relax a little bit about somethings. It was funny though because he was really up tight this week. We had the baptisms of this amazing family of 4, the Cuthbertsons. My companion really wanted to make sure everything was perfect for it because it's a family he's been working with the whole time. So he was up tight and maybe a little stressed, so instead of making things worse I stood back and let him do what needed to be done. Trying to help him lighten up a little bit. The baptism went great. All problems were resolved and the whole thing was amazing. We had 4 different members baptize so we have pictures of 8 people in white! It was great.
I think the best moment though was the Sunday after when they were confirmed. We had the exact same people who baptized them confirm them. These were all members in the ward that had helped fellowship and support them. So there were 6 of us in the circle and each blessing was a little bit different but very special. It took awhile to do all of them though. The best part was afterwards was testimony meeting. A lot of members got up and bore their testimonies about missionary work and how it's been such a blessing. The the father of the family, Gareth, got up and bore his testimony. It was a wonderful testimony. He said he felt the spirit tell him to get up then he felt 3 more nudges from the spirit (or his family). He told about their week before. How they went down to London to see his wife's sister and got stuck because of the weather (Ya the snow is all over England now), and that their car broke down. But they were able to get back Friday night before their baptism. He said they were struggling quite a bit and being worn down but felt the support of everyone and got over all the obstacles. It was a good testimony. I almost cried. I dared not to look at Elder Thorup because I knew he was going to be (I asked him later and he said he was). Later on in the gospel principles class, they were in there and the lesson was on baptism. Gareth talked about how he didn't feel any different when he was baptized but rather that he had given something to God, but when he received the holy ghost that day that he felt like he had received something. Well it was an interesting way he said it because as we read later on in the book it talked about how at baptism we promise things, or give things to God, and when it is complete through confirmation that we receive blessings. It was amazing. A really really good weekend.
Another day that was good this week was Thursday. The theme for the day could've been service! We went and saw a couple recent converts that morning and gave lessons about service. How and why we give service in the church and how it brings us blessings. Well afterwards we went to another members home for lunch and to borrow a shovel. We had found a couple new investigators the day before and offered to shovel their walk. So we went to go do that and while walking down their street there was a few people who asked if we would do theirs. Only jokingly of course but we said sure! We shoveled in front of the investigators house (this is on a street thats just terrace housing. So it's just a front door then sidewalk) and when we were down we went down and shoveled the other peoples as well. We did about 6 houses, and got to talk to the people who lived their. They gave us some hot chocolate (after we told them we don't drink tea or coffee haha). We invited them to our ward christmas activity and asked if we can come around again later and share a little bit about our church. Some of them weren't bothered but some agreed. It was great. Well you think it would stop there but we tried to keep that theme for the day. We had a tea appointment with some members that night and decided to share a message about service using the examples from the day. It was a good lesson. Well Sunday one of the sons who just got back from his mission gave a testimony how he was thinking about service ever since we gave that lesson. Then out of nowhere he got a flat tire while driving. It was hard to change the tire in the cold snow with no gloves or anything and not exactly sure what he was doing. Well at that same time the Bishop drove by, saw him, pulled over, and had the tools to help him change his tire. He was greatful that God showed him the importance of serving eachother. Oh it was a great sacrement meeting.
So it was a good week. Things have really started to get better. Elder Thorup and I are getting along really well. I had already started doing the things you said to due. That is humble myself. I started finding ways to serve my companion more. I made him breakfast when he was having to prepare for a district leader council. Made his bed because he was running late. He's been really tired lately because of district leader duties and follow ups so I try to do the things that I can. I talked to the member we live with last night, Bro Kelly. He's a nice guy. He loves his american football so I talked to him a little about that last night (he's a big raiders fan), then I used the opportunity to talk about some of the recent converts and less actives. Bro kelly is in the Elders quorum presidency so I figured we could work with him more since we live together. He gave us the Christmas decorations for the tree and house so we can decorate. He said it's tradition for the missionaries to do it every year. He says that they usually like to do it so ya. I think it will be fun. I am excited to decorate. A member bought us a small fake tree with lights and decorations so we used the day we didn't have a tea appointment to put it up and decorate it in our room. It's pretty. I never have had a fake tree before.
Sorry no more snow there. We have tons here and it's really cold. I got a new jacket by the way. I don't know if I told you. It was free!!! Found it in our pile of flogged clothers in our room. It's a really nice coat that covers my suit, and is completely waterproof. And best of all it fits me. I guess some missionary who finished his mission there was about my size because I found a suit and shirts and stuff that were all my size. Most were too gross to wear though. There was some winter clothers though like hats and scarves so that was good. They just needed a wash. So don't worry about coats or anything for me. As well we had a mission rule change. We can now where hats in the cold as long as they are nice and conventional. So I have been wearing my headband a lot. It works great. I haven't received Myranda's announcement yet. Post has slown down though because of weather. It shouldn't snow too much though the next week or so so we'll see if I get it this week.
Well I hope things are going well at home for you guys. I hope dad is doing well. I miss him. I haven't written a letter yet. I've started a couple of times but never finish them. Let him know though that I am thinking about him everyday. I just want to make sure I write him a good letter. How is he doing with everything going on?
Well I'm gonig to send Devin and Myranda some short emails now. You are getting all the stories so if they ask you can forward them to them. I wanted to send you a nice big one this time though. I miss you mom. I thought everyone was going to be upset with me after my last email, but no one was. I'm glad because I felt really bad afterwards. But I love you and hope things are going well.
Love your son,
Elder Dudgeon
Hey, I love you mom. Things got a little better this week. I did end up working a lot of it out. My companion and I have been getting a long a lot better lately. He is such a goofy guy and since I get pretty serious sometimes it's difficult, but I'm just learning to laugh at it and relax a little bit about somethings. It was funny though because he was really up tight this week. We had the baptisms of this amazing family of 4, the Cuthbertsons. My companion really wanted to make sure everything was perfect for it because it's a family he's been working with the whole time. So he was up tight and maybe a little stressed, so instead of making things worse I stood back and let him do what needed to be done. Trying to help him lighten up a little bit. The baptism went great. All problems were resolved and the whole thing was amazing. We had 4 different members baptize so we have pictures of 8 people in white! It was great.
I think the best moment though was the Sunday after when they were confirmed. We had the exact same people who baptized them confirm them. These were all members in the ward that had helped fellowship and support them. So there were 6 of us in the circle and each blessing was a little bit different but very special. It took awhile to do all of them though. The best part was afterwards was testimony meeting. A lot of members got up and bore their testimonies about missionary work and how it's been such a blessing. The the father of the family, Gareth, got up and bore his testimony. It was a wonderful testimony. He said he felt the spirit tell him to get up then he felt 3 more nudges from the spirit (or his family). He told about their week before. How they went down to London to see his wife's sister and got stuck because of the weather (Ya the snow is all over England now), and that their car broke down. But they were able to get back Friday night before their baptism. He said they were struggling quite a bit and being worn down but felt the support of everyone and got over all the obstacles. It was a good testimony. I almost cried. I dared not to look at Elder Thorup because I knew he was going to be (I asked him later and he said he was). Later on in the gospel principles class, they were in there and the lesson was on baptism. Gareth talked about how he didn't feel any different when he was baptized but rather that he had given something to God, but when he received the holy ghost that day that he felt like he had received something. Well it was an interesting way he said it because as we read later on in the book it talked about how at baptism we promise things, or give things to God, and when it is complete through confirmation that we receive blessings. It was amazing. A really really good weekend.
Another day that was good this week was Thursday. The theme for the day could've been service! We went and saw a couple recent converts that morning and gave lessons about service. How and why we give service in the church and how it brings us blessings. Well afterwards we went to another members home for lunch and to borrow a shovel. We had found a couple new investigators the day before and offered to shovel their walk. So we went to go do that and while walking down their street there was a few people who asked if we would do theirs. Only jokingly of course but we said sure! We shoveled in front of the investigators house (this is on a street thats just terrace housing. So it's just a front door then sidewalk) and when we were down we went down and shoveled the other peoples as well. We did about 6 houses, and got to talk to the people who lived their. They gave us some hot chocolate (after we told them we don't drink tea or coffee haha). We invited them to our ward christmas activity and asked if we can come around again later and share a little bit about our church. Some of them weren't bothered but some agreed. It was great. Well you think it would stop there but we tried to keep that theme for the day. We had a tea appointment with some members that night and decided to share a message about service using the examples from the day. It was a good lesson. Well Sunday one of the sons who just got back from his mission gave a testimony how he was thinking about service ever since we gave that lesson. Then out of nowhere he got a flat tire while driving. It was hard to change the tire in the cold snow with no gloves or anything and not exactly sure what he was doing. Well at that same time the Bishop drove by, saw him, pulled over, and had the tools to help him change his tire. He was greatful that God showed him the importance of serving eachother. Oh it was a great sacrement meeting.
So it was a good week. Things have really started to get better. Elder Thorup and I are getting along really well. I had already started doing the things you said to due. That is humble myself. I started finding ways to serve my companion more. I made him breakfast when he was having to prepare for a district leader council. Made his bed because he was running late. He's been really tired lately because of district leader duties and follow ups so I try to do the things that I can. I talked to the member we live with last night, Bro Kelly. He's a nice guy. He loves his american football so I talked to him a little about that last night (he's a big raiders fan), then I used the opportunity to talk about some of the recent converts and less actives. Bro kelly is in the Elders quorum presidency so I figured we could work with him more since we live together. He gave us the Christmas decorations for the tree and house so we can decorate. He said it's tradition for the missionaries to do it every year. He says that they usually like to do it so ya. I think it will be fun. I am excited to decorate. A member bought us a small fake tree with lights and decorations so we used the day we didn't have a tea appointment to put it up and decorate it in our room. It's pretty. I never have had a fake tree before.
Sorry no more snow there. We have tons here and it's really cold. I got a new jacket by the way. I don't know if I told you. It was free!!! Found it in our pile of flogged clothers in our room. It's a really nice coat that covers my suit, and is completely waterproof. And best of all it fits me. I guess some missionary who finished his mission there was about my size because I found a suit and shirts and stuff that were all my size. Most were too gross to wear though. There was some winter clothers though like hats and scarves so that was good. They just needed a wash. So don't worry about coats or anything for me. As well we had a mission rule change. We can now where hats in the cold as long as they are nice and conventional. So I have been wearing my headband a lot. It works great. I haven't received Myranda's announcement yet. Post has slown down though because of weather. It shouldn't snow too much though the next week or so so we'll see if I get it this week.
Well I hope things are going well at home for you guys. I hope dad is doing well. I miss him. I haven't written a letter yet. I've started a couple of times but never finish them. Let him know though that I am thinking about him everyday. I just want to make sure I write him a good letter. How is he doing with everything going on?
Well I'm gonig to send Devin and Myranda some short emails now. You are getting all the stories so if they ask you can forward them to them. I wanted to send you a nice big one this time though. I miss you mom. I thought everyone was going to be upset with me after my last email, but no one was. I'm glad because I felt really bad afterwards. But I love you and hope things are going well.
Love your son,
Elder Dudgeon
Monday, November 15, 2010
Dear Family,
How are things. It's weird getting emails from everyone each week. Each time it's different and each one of you is different in your writing as well. It's hard to read them each week sometimes. And even harder to respond. What do I say that I can say for all to hear? Well this one is simple and easy because it's a new area and a new companion.
I'm in Billingham which is a small area. We cover it and a town called Stockton-on-Tees or just Stockton. It's a neat place very different from Bradford and Leeds area. There is no big city anymore. It's nice though. We're right next to a chemical or nuclear plant which is neat to see the huge chimneys just in the background. I'm not too far from the coast though which can go to on P-Days. Which I wouldn't mind. I miss seeing the ocean. But, this is a great area with a great ward and great people. There was a baptism just this past weekend and there should be more this month as well. So it's nice to come into that. We should've had a baptism back in Bradford this last weekend but I won't find out till later this next week. I do miss Bradford a little bit but I feel like I'll love this area.
My companion is Elder Thorup. He is great. He's from Taylorsville, UT near Salt Lake City. He has been out more then a year. He's the district leader. We get a long really well. No problems yet. He's just an all around funa pleasant missionary to be around. He loves the work, but knows how to enjoy it and make it fun. We live with a member which is interesting. Not something I'm used to but it goes well. I also sleep on the top bunk of the beds. That's interesting. Been awhile since I've done that. Not much else to say. I feel like I already know a bit about the area and the district because my second and third companions both served here.
How are things going for Myranda's wedding? Good? I wish I could be there now. What are the plans for Thanksgiving? Where's it going to be this year? I was telling Elder Thorup about the Turkey Bowl. I'm sad we're going to miss that but we may get together with the zone to play some touch football or some proper football against the Sunderland zone. What about Christmas? What's everyone doing for Christmas since the Wedding is so close?
I sent a package home with some stuff in it. Some is mine and some is for all of you. I have some old planners, a hymnbook, a pillowcase, and some coins and pins and things like that that I didn't want to lug around anymore. The coins are all the coins except for the 2 pound. If you line up the backs of them they make a shield like the one on the pound coin. There is a pin from the Piece hall in Halifax for dad. The other one is the White rose for Yorkshire and that's mine. As well there is a big bag there for Myranda with the Union Jack flag. Some chocolate for everyone. Souvenir tea towels for mom and English flag from the world cup for dad. As well as cd's full of my pictures. Oh and some cufflinks for Devin They were just kind of funny was. I was going to give them to dad but I don't think he'll wear them that often. That's all that I could send at the moment. And it's quite expensive to send things as well So ya. I hope you will all enjoy them. And I hope they will get there soon. It will take awhile because I sent it with the cheapest option.
Well that's about it. Elder Thorup and I are going to just go hang out for the rest of the day then head back to the work tonight. I hope things are going well. I miss you all. I'm not sure what to send me for christmas. Some easy mac n cheese. Those back heat pads would be nice. A copy of Jesus the Christ. Just some money would be nice too so I can get some things here. But I love you all.
Elder Dudgeon
How are things. It's weird getting emails from everyone each week. Each time it's different and each one of you is different in your writing as well. It's hard to read them each week sometimes. And even harder to respond. What do I say that I can say for all to hear? Well this one is simple and easy because it's a new area and a new companion.
I'm in Billingham which is a small area. We cover it and a town called Stockton-on-Tees or just Stockton. It's a neat place very different from Bradford and Leeds area. There is no big city anymore. It's nice though. We're right next to a chemical or nuclear plant which is neat to see the huge chimneys just in the background. I'm not too far from the coast though which can go to on P-Days. Which I wouldn't mind. I miss seeing the ocean. But, this is a great area with a great ward and great people. There was a baptism just this past weekend and there should be more this month as well. So it's nice to come into that. We should've had a baptism back in Bradford this last weekend but I won't find out till later this next week. I do miss Bradford a little bit but I feel like I'll love this area.
My companion is Elder Thorup. He is great. He's from Taylorsville, UT near Salt Lake City. He has been out more then a year. He's the district leader. We get a long really well. No problems yet. He's just an all around funa pleasant missionary to be around. He loves the work, but knows how to enjoy it and make it fun. We live with a member which is interesting. Not something I'm used to but it goes well. I also sleep on the top bunk of the beds. That's interesting. Been awhile since I've done that. Not much else to say. I feel like I already know a bit about the area and the district because my second and third companions both served here.
How are things going for Myranda's wedding? Good? I wish I could be there now. What are the plans for Thanksgiving? Where's it going to be this year? I was telling Elder Thorup about the Turkey Bowl. I'm sad we're going to miss that but we may get together with the zone to play some touch football or some proper football against the Sunderland zone. What about Christmas? What's everyone doing for Christmas since the Wedding is so close?
I sent a package home with some stuff in it. Some is mine and some is for all of you. I have some old planners, a hymnbook, a pillowcase, and some coins and pins and things like that that I didn't want to lug around anymore. The coins are all the coins except for the 2 pound. If you line up the backs of them they make a shield like the one on the pound coin. There is a pin from the Piece hall in Halifax for dad. The other one is the White rose for Yorkshire and that's mine. As well there is a big bag there for Myranda with the Union Jack flag. Some chocolate for everyone. Souvenir tea towels for mom and English flag from the world cup for dad. As well as cd's full of my pictures. Oh and some cufflinks for Devin They were just kind of funny was. I was going to give them to dad but I don't think he'll wear them that often. That's all that I could send at the moment. And it's quite expensive to send things as well So ya. I hope you will all enjoy them. And I hope they will get there soon. It will take awhile because I sent it with the cheapest option.
Well that's about it. Elder Thorup and I are going to just go hang out for the rest of the day then head back to the work tonight. I hope things are going well. I miss you all. I'm not sure what to send me for christmas. Some easy mac n cheese. Those back heat pads would be nice. A copy of Jesus the Christ. Just some money would be nice too so I can get some things here. But I love you all.
Elder Dudgeon
Dear Family,
How goes it? Everything here is going good. The week went well. I'll talk about that later. Sounds like everyone is doing well. I got some good emails from everyone today. Thanks for that. It's good to get those some times. Not too much happening though besides the norm back at home?
Well we got our transfer calls last night, and surprisingly I'm getting moved to Billingham. Elder Oviatt is staying in Bradford to train a new missionary. That'll be 7 1/2 months in one area for him. That's tough. But I'm kinda happy because that means I probably won't move right before Christmas or stay in Bradford for 6 months. The next Transfer happens 3 days before Christmas. Imagine going to a new area and spending Christmas with people you haven't gotten a chance to meet! So ya it should be good. They live with a member there so that should be interesting. It's been a pain though having to pack everything up. Bradford has been a good area. Good people, ward, flat, transportation, food, etc... It's been nice.
So we did have a baptism this weekend that went really well. The ward was great and President and Sister Lindley came and spoke at the end. It was powerful. The confirmation the next day was really good as well. It made a rough week nice. We should be having another one this weekend but unfortunately I'm not going to be there.
So some crazy story time. On Saturday morning, Elder Oviatt had a meeting for district leaders in Leeds that he had to go to. So I went with another missionary and did street contacting in town. During the morning a man came up to us and said that we had not accepted Jesus Christ into our hearts because we read the Book of Mormon. It wasn't very nice. He just went off on the bible says this, the bible says that. And I said yes it also says this and it also says that. Anyways he was very rude and wouldn't listen to anything. He left but about 30 minutes later came back and gave me a bible. He told me to read it and said that it was perfect because it was the simplified New King James Version. So I got a free bible Saturday morning. Pretty neat. Pretty annoying though.
We had Bonfire night this last week. It wasn't anything too special. Weak compared to the 4th of July. All the fireworks died around 10. BUt it had been going all week. Kind of weird. We had tea with a member here who's from Latvia. He is an older gentleman but such a good member. He fought in WWII and gave me some interesting perspectives on it now. Things weren't as black and white. It was really neat though. I love learning the history.
We have been working hard and finding a few new investigators but nothing to progressing so far. We'll see how Billingham gets. Don't send any packages either by the way. Not yet till I give you my new address. The office doesn't want to be flooded for the holiday season so they have asked once we move to send the packages straight to where we live. So I will send that to you next week. I did get Devin's though with all the music. Thanks it's so great! I love having more music.
Well I miss everyone. I love you.
Cheerio Elder Dudgeon
How goes it? Everything here is going good. The week went well. I'll talk about that later. Sounds like everyone is doing well. I got some good emails from everyone today. Thanks for that. It's good to get those some times. Not too much happening though besides the norm back at home?
Well we got our transfer calls last night, and surprisingly I'm getting moved to Billingham. Elder Oviatt is staying in Bradford to train a new missionary. That'll be 7 1/2 months in one area for him. That's tough. But I'm kinda happy because that means I probably won't move right before Christmas or stay in Bradford for 6 months. The next Transfer happens 3 days before Christmas. Imagine going to a new area and spending Christmas with people you haven't gotten a chance to meet! So ya it should be good. They live with a member there so that should be interesting. It's been a pain though having to pack everything up. Bradford has been a good area. Good people, ward, flat, transportation, food, etc... It's been nice.
So we did have a baptism this weekend that went really well. The ward was great and President and Sister Lindley came and spoke at the end. It was powerful. The confirmation the next day was really good as well. It made a rough week nice. We should be having another one this weekend but unfortunately I'm not going to be there.
So some crazy story time. On Saturday morning, Elder Oviatt had a meeting for district leaders in Leeds that he had to go to. So I went with another missionary and did street contacting in town. During the morning a man came up to us and said that we had not accepted Jesus Christ into our hearts because we read the Book of Mormon. It wasn't very nice. He just went off on the bible says this, the bible says that. And I said yes it also says this and it also says that. Anyways he was very rude and wouldn't listen to anything. He left but about 30 minutes later came back and gave me a bible. He told me to read it and said that it was perfect because it was the simplified New King James Version. So I got a free bible Saturday morning. Pretty neat. Pretty annoying though.
We had Bonfire night this last week. It wasn't anything too special. Weak compared to the 4th of July. All the fireworks died around 10. BUt it had been going all week. Kind of weird. We had tea with a member here who's from Latvia. He is an older gentleman but such a good member. He fought in WWII and gave me some interesting perspectives on it now. Things weren't as black and white. It was really neat though. I love learning the history.
We have been working hard and finding a few new investigators but nothing to progressing so far. We'll see how Billingham gets. Don't send any packages either by the way. Not yet till I give you my new address. The office doesn't want to be flooded for the holiday season so they have asked once we move to send the packages straight to where we live. So I will send that to you next week. I did get Devin's though with all the music. Thanks it's so great! I love having more music.
Well I miss everyone. I love you.
Cheerio Elder Dudgeon
Monday, October 25, 2010
Dear peeps,
How goes it in the great northwest? Sounds like things have been going ok. Nothing too crazy. Stake changes and everything. That's neat. Is everyone getting excited for Halloween? You have to be extra excited for me because they don't celebrate it that much. They have bonfire night but thats on the 5th of November for different reasons. I wish I could be there. Myranda and Brad look like they carved a pretty neat pumpkin of President Monson. Devin sounds excited for the ward Harry Potter Halloween party. Haha I'll show you Harry Potter. No we do need to watch them all when I get back and I'll let you in on what they are really saying ;) Mom said that Delvin Tapusoas cousin is coming to the Leeds mission! Thats way neat. Mom you will have to tell me his name and let me know when he is coming. (I still need to train someone haha). I got dad's letter this week and started writing him back. I felt it was important too.
So things have been good here. The weather has gotten really really cold. Not freezing but I walk around with a scarf and gloves on. My jacket I got is too thin for the cold. It's fine for the rain. I'll just need to start wearing my thermals I guess. This week has been a little slow. We have been teaching 2 people though who are looking good for baptism. They're both really great. One we gave him a Book of Mormon on Wednesday and finished it by Saturday morning! Crazy. We are struggling to find people to teach but there is room for us to improve. This week I am hoping will be better.
The Bradford district should be having baptisms these next 3 weekends in a row! That's so good. We just need to find more to keep it going. The ward has been doing great on backing us up and helping fellowship. I hope I get to stay another transfer here. The area and the ward are great. We just need to do better.
I can't say much about this week because it wasn't too good. Not many amazing things happened besides what I've already told you about. Well everything we do is amazing and there are lots just not many that I can think of and say. Well I'm gunna cut this one short this week. I love you all though.
Cheerio
Elder Dudgeon
How goes it in the great northwest? Sounds like things have been going ok. Nothing too crazy. Stake changes and everything. That's neat. Is everyone getting excited for Halloween? You have to be extra excited for me because they don't celebrate it that much. They have bonfire night but thats on the 5th of November for different reasons. I wish I could be there. Myranda and Brad look like they carved a pretty neat pumpkin of President Monson. Devin sounds excited for the ward Harry Potter Halloween party. Haha I'll show you Harry Potter. No we do need to watch them all when I get back and I'll let you in on what they are really saying ;) Mom said that Delvin Tapusoas cousin is coming to the Leeds mission! Thats way neat. Mom you will have to tell me his name and let me know when he is coming. (I still need to train someone haha). I got dad's letter this week and started writing him back. I felt it was important too.
So things have been good here. The weather has gotten really really cold. Not freezing but I walk around with a scarf and gloves on. My jacket I got is too thin for the cold. It's fine for the rain. I'll just need to start wearing my thermals I guess. This week has been a little slow. We have been teaching 2 people though who are looking good for baptism. They're both really great. One we gave him a Book of Mormon on Wednesday and finished it by Saturday morning! Crazy. We are struggling to find people to teach but there is room for us to improve. This week I am hoping will be better.
The Bradford district should be having baptisms these next 3 weekends in a row! That's so good. We just need to find more to keep it going. The ward has been doing great on backing us up and helping fellowship. I hope I get to stay another transfer here. The area and the ward are great. We just need to do better.
I can't say much about this week because it wasn't too good. Not many amazing things happened besides what I've already told you about. Well everything we do is amazing and there are lots just not many that I can think of and say. Well I'm gunna cut this one short this week. I love you all though.
Cheerio
Elder Dudgeon
Monday, October 18, 2010
Hey Everyone!
It's good to finally hear from everyone. I'm glad things are going well with everyone. Sounds like everyone is busy with all sorts of stuff. I'm so jealous. I'm busy doing the usual. What's the usual you might ask? Oh it's missionary work! This week was ok. Different things happened, but it was not the best. So Lets start.
This week we had almost all the investigators we found last week, drop us. Sad day. That's not fun. We still have one we're working with who is doing great and coming to church. This week as well there was leadership training in Leeds. So My companion who became district leader, and Elder Caine (The mighty South African from my group) who is training, both had to go. So Elder Caine's greenie, Elder Porter from Toronto, and I had to work between both areas. So the whole city of Bradford! It was tough. We lost quite a bit of time travelling back and forth, and basically this week didn't go well because of that.
So we limped along after that. got one investigator to church. Then we met another person last night while finding. We walked with him to his house and then taught him. It was so good. He's my age and really nice. It was just a witness to me that God is working. I got really discouraged this week and was really down. Things just kept weighing on me and I let it effect my work. Well I got a letter this week from my friend Leah. We met back at BYUI. Well she wrote a lot about faith and working through hard times while explaining things that have been happening in her life. It was so great to get that letter this week because it was exactly what I needed to pick me up. I started looking at the things I was grateful for and the ways the lord had been blessing me this week. There was plenty I missed because I was down or discouraged. But I Started to notice those things more and it's really started helping last night. I got happy again and we saw blessings. Thanks Leah! This is why missionaries need post and people to write!
Elder Oviatt and I had some weird experiences this week. One of the times we were together we were walking to some investigators home. We had just got off the bus at the super market and started walking when this old lady stopped us and started talking about how they used to not have big supermarkets and stuff. How she used to work on a milk truck and crazy things. she was very upset on how England has changed. Completely random. Hmm. What else. There was that new investigator last night. We talked to him while walking to finding, asked if we could come by right then and share our message, he said sure, but it's more then a mile that way. So we walked and talked with him. That was really good. It went really well.
I think thats it for now. I'm glad Myranda is well getting ready for a wedding. I hope everyone is doing well and surviving that. I miss the Autumn season. It's one of my favorite times of the year. I wish I could be there to carve pumpkins and bake seeds and everything. People here celebrate it but not that much. They have what they call bon fire night, which a basically a night where you can have a bonfire. Whoo hoo. Very original. I think we'll carve pumpkins as a district on pday if we can find some.
Well Cheerio,
Love Elder Dudgeon
It's good to finally hear from everyone. I'm glad things are going well with everyone. Sounds like everyone is busy with all sorts of stuff. I'm so jealous. I'm busy doing the usual. What's the usual you might ask? Oh it's missionary work! This week was ok. Different things happened, but it was not the best. So Lets start.
This week we had almost all the investigators we found last week, drop us. Sad day. That's not fun. We still have one we're working with who is doing great and coming to church. This week as well there was leadership training in Leeds. So My companion who became district leader, and Elder Caine (The mighty South African from my group) who is training, both had to go. So Elder Caine's greenie, Elder Porter from Toronto, and I had to work between both areas. So the whole city of Bradford! It was tough. We lost quite a bit of time travelling back and forth, and basically this week didn't go well because of that.
So we limped along after that. got one investigator to church. Then we met another person last night while finding. We walked with him to his house and then taught him. It was so good. He's my age and really nice. It was just a witness to me that God is working. I got really discouraged this week and was really down. Things just kept weighing on me and I let it effect my work. Well I got a letter this week from my friend Leah. We met back at BYUI. Well she wrote a lot about faith and working through hard times while explaining things that have been happening in her life. It was so great to get that letter this week because it was exactly what I needed to pick me up. I started looking at the things I was grateful for and the ways the lord had been blessing me this week. There was plenty I missed because I was down or discouraged. But I Started to notice those things more and it's really started helping last night. I got happy again and we saw blessings. Thanks Leah! This is why missionaries need post and people to write!
Elder Oviatt and I had some weird experiences this week. One of the times we were together we were walking to some investigators home. We had just got off the bus at the super market and started walking when this old lady stopped us and started talking about how they used to not have big supermarkets and stuff. How she used to work on a milk truck and crazy things. she was very upset on how England has changed. Completely random. Hmm. What else. There was that new investigator last night. We talked to him while walking to finding, asked if we could come by right then and share our message, he said sure, but it's more then a mile that way. So we walked and talked with him. That was really good. It went really well.
I think thats it for now. I'm glad Myranda is well getting ready for a wedding. I hope everyone is doing well and surviving that. I miss the Autumn season. It's one of my favorite times of the year. I wish I could be there to carve pumpkins and bake seeds and everything. People here celebrate it but not that much. They have what they call bon fire night, which a basically a night where you can have a bonfire. Whoo hoo. Very original. I think we'll carve pumpkins as a district on pday if we can find some.
Well Cheerio,
Love Elder Dudgeon
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Hey Everyone,
How's everyone's day/week been? My has been good. I'm very tired though. I can barely keep my eyes open right now. It's Tuesday by the way. We have to email during our lunch time today because we weren't able to yesterday. For our P-Day we went with the whole zone to Malham. This area out in the country where you can do some hiking and stuff. It was fun to drive out there and see the countryside. It's the part you imagine when you think of England. We did do some hiking though. There were a couple water falls as well that were really pretty. I took plenty of pictures. I would send them right now but I don't have all of my stuff with me. It was great, really pretty. We climbed up the waterfalls which was amazing.
Sounds like things are going good at home. Glad to here that mom is back and that she had fun on her trip. Sorry it was wet but so was here. The past 6 days was rain, sun, rain, sun, rain, sun. One day it would rain all day and the next it would be sunny. Luckily it was sunny for our P-Day. It really pours here though. We were inside for most of it. But even the 5 to 10 minute walk inbetween appointments was enough to get soaked in. Oh well.
So I'm really tired today but it's ok. I'm always tired anyways. This last week has been good though. Went kind of slow. There was general conference this weekend which was great. My second out of 4 on the mission. It is a little different because we watch Saturday morning on saturday night. Then the Saturday afternoon, priesthood, sunday morning and afternoon sessions are all on Sunday. We don't get to watch the Sunday afternoon though because it is shown live here at 9pm. Too late for missionaries. But we got a couple people to watch a session. We had quite a few people confirmed to come but no one showed up or they canceled. Sad day.
Vikki, the recent convert, just got engaged. That's great. It's odd because I just here about Myranda then this one as well. Their dates are close as well. Maybe if I'm still here I can go. Well else is new... Not much really. Things have slowed down with Muna because she got a job and is very very busy all the time. But we'll keep doing our best with her. We've got a couple more people we're working with as well but not too much progress yet. We really need to pick up though. We can definitely do better in our efforts. Jason's sister is getting baptized this weekend. That's exciting. And his mum, Sue, is working on quiting smoking. It's so good.
Lets see time for some funny stories. One is the other day we were trying by a couple people in a village not to far from ours. We were walking back to the train station, and talking to people as we walked. I went to stop a person a few meters ahead of me by saying '' hey mate how you doing t-...'' then I had to correct my self, ''I mean ma'am how are you doing today?'' She looked like a man. But when I got close enough and said something I could tell she was a woman. I hate this I get woman that look like men and men that dress like women. People are weird on my mission.
Well nothing else really to report. I miss everyone though. I can't believe it's already October. Things are going quick. I say that and it hasn't even been a year. It's crazy. Anyways. Love you all.
Cheerio,
Elder Dudgeon
How's everyone's day/week been? My has been good. I'm very tired though. I can barely keep my eyes open right now. It's Tuesday by the way. We have to email during our lunch time today because we weren't able to yesterday. For our P-Day we went with the whole zone to Malham. This area out in the country where you can do some hiking and stuff. It was fun to drive out there and see the countryside. It's the part you imagine when you think of England. We did do some hiking though. There were a couple water falls as well that were really pretty. I took plenty of pictures. I would send them right now but I don't have all of my stuff with me. It was great, really pretty. We climbed up the waterfalls which was amazing.
Sounds like things are going good at home. Glad to here that mom is back and that she had fun on her trip. Sorry it was wet but so was here. The past 6 days was rain, sun, rain, sun, rain, sun. One day it would rain all day and the next it would be sunny. Luckily it was sunny for our P-Day. It really pours here though. We were inside for most of it. But even the 5 to 10 minute walk inbetween appointments was enough to get soaked in. Oh well.
So I'm really tired today but it's ok. I'm always tired anyways. This last week has been good though. Went kind of slow. There was general conference this weekend which was great. My second out of 4 on the mission. It is a little different because we watch Saturday morning on saturday night. Then the Saturday afternoon, priesthood, sunday morning and afternoon sessions are all on Sunday. We don't get to watch the Sunday afternoon though because it is shown live here at 9pm. Too late for missionaries. But we got a couple people to watch a session. We had quite a few people confirmed to come but no one showed up or they canceled. Sad day.
Vikki, the recent convert, just got engaged. That's great. It's odd because I just here about Myranda then this one as well. Their dates are close as well. Maybe if I'm still here I can go. Well else is new... Not much really. Things have slowed down with Muna because she got a job and is very very busy all the time. But we'll keep doing our best with her. We've got a couple more people we're working with as well but not too much progress yet. We really need to pick up though. We can definitely do better in our efforts. Jason's sister is getting baptized this weekend. That's exciting. And his mum, Sue, is working on quiting smoking. It's so good.
Lets see time for some funny stories. One is the other day we were trying by a couple people in a village not to far from ours. We were walking back to the train station, and talking to people as we walked. I went to stop a person a few meters ahead of me by saying '' hey mate how you doing t-...'' then I had to correct my self, ''I mean ma'am how are you doing today?'' She looked like a man. But when I got close enough and said something I could tell she was a woman. I hate this I get woman that look like men and men that dress like women. People are weird on my mission.
Well nothing else really to report. I miss everyone though. I can't believe it's already October. Things are going quick. I say that and it hasn't even been a year. It's crazy. Anyways. Love you all.
Cheerio,
Elder Dudgeon
Monday, September 6, 2010
Hello Everyone!
Hello from the wonderfully multicultural Bradistan! It has been an interesting slow week, but good none the less. We have been working hard with the people we are teaching. The bare few. And we were blessed to find a couple more yesterday. The biggest greatest thing though was a baptism on Saturday! The Bradford 2 elders had a couple people getting baptized. I was able to perform one of them as well. You know who it was? It was Jason's younger brother Paul! Ya! Woo! It was so great to see everyone again. Jason and his girlfriend, Bryony, were there. As well as the rest of Paul's family, his mom, sisters, and a couple friends. It was wonderful. Paul and his family live up in Bradford area. While we were teaching Jason back in Halifax, he told his family about the church and not too long after he found the missionaries who serve in Bradford. He ran up to them and told them to come over to his mom's house some time. So the missionaries have been working on teaching the family and look at the wonderful blessings. We're working with our people up here in Bradford 1 area and we should be having another baptism later this month as well.
Some big news now. The wards here in Bradford, 1 and 2, combined on Sunday to make 1 great super ward of amazingness! So ya now we are combined which will be great I feel. It will help everyone in the wards and give people a better chance to grow in the gospel. It will be interesting though because we will have 2 teams for the whole ward. We'll see what the mission decides to do. It would be good to keep both teams it's just figuring out about staying in our areas and working with members and stuff. We'll see, more to come. The ward is great. There's even a few members that I think some of you have talked to through facebook. It's great to hear that members can communicate all the way around the world (plus I get to hear how you're doing through out the week )
Well I'm glad to hear things are going well at home. Glad people are asking about me and all. Glad to hear that Myranda is doing great (stressful but great) and that I'm going to get my wish! (It's ok Myranda you shouldn't mind). It's so good here. Their calling for an Indian Summer. I'm not sure what that means but it's been pretty nice this last week. Not really really hot but it's been pretty good. I love it. Well I hope everyone is doing well. I wouldn't mind some post though from people. Thanks though everyone for the support.
Yours Wonderfully and Truly,
Elder Dudgeon
Hello from the wonderfully multicultural Bradistan! It has been an interesting slow week, but good none the less. We have been working hard with the people we are teaching. The bare few. And we were blessed to find a couple more yesterday. The biggest greatest thing though was a baptism on Saturday! The Bradford 2 elders had a couple people getting baptized. I was able to perform one of them as well. You know who it was? It was Jason's younger brother Paul! Ya! Woo! It was so great to see everyone again. Jason and his girlfriend, Bryony, were there. As well as the rest of Paul's family, his mom, sisters, and a couple friends. It was wonderful. Paul and his family live up in Bradford area. While we were teaching Jason back in Halifax, he told his family about the church and not too long after he found the missionaries who serve in Bradford. He ran up to them and told them to come over to his mom's house some time. So the missionaries have been working on teaching the family and look at the wonderful blessings. We're working with our people up here in Bradford 1 area and we should be having another baptism later this month as well.
Some big news now. The wards here in Bradford, 1 and 2, combined on Sunday to make 1 great super ward of amazingness! So ya now we are combined which will be great I feel. It will help everyone in the wards and give people a better chance to grow in the gospel. It will be interesting though because we will have 2 teams for the whole ward. We'll see what the mission decides to do. It would be good to keep both teams it's just figuring out about staying in our areas and working with members and stuff. We'll see, more to come. The ward is great. There's even a few members that I think some of you have talked to through facebook. It's great to hear that members can communicate all the way around the world (plus I get to hear how you're doing through out the week )
Well I'm glad to hear things are going well at home. Glad people are asking about me and all. Glad to hear that Myranda is doing great (stressful but great) and that I'm going to get my wish! (It's ok Myranda you shouldn't mind). It's so good here. Their calling for an Indian Summer. I'm not sure what that means but it's been pretty nice this last week. Not really really hot but it's been pretty good. I love it. Well I hope everyone is doing well. I wouldn't mind some post though from people. Thanks though everyone for the support.
Yours Wonderfully and Truly,
Elder Dudgeon
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Dear everyone and anyone,
Hello! How do, how do? Things have been good here. It's getting colder, though today and yesterday were quite nice. It's been freezing while knocking doors. Not too much fun, but we try our best to stay positive. It has been kind of a rough week. Not the best. We're still low on people to teach. There's a quote though that I've read recently, ''Nothing happens in missionary work until you find some one to teach.'' It's true. It feels odd to to go for a time without teaching a lesson. We have been putting forth good efforts but now it's time to do great. It's the only way. It's the doing every little thing we can to find people to teach. We did find a few people to teach this week and some potentials so that's great.
There was a protest in the city on Saturday. It had something to do with Muslims and an English Pride group. People trying to keep England the same. Really they're just a racist group. It happened a couple years ago I guess and there was a huge riot where whole BMW dealer or something got burned down with all the new cars in it. But this year police were out in force and I guess there wasn't too much that happened. But we sticked to the council of members and stayed out of the city for the day. Which was fine and easy because we don't even live in the city or needed to go down there.
Well that's it to report for now. Not much to say this week. It was bank holiday yesterday so we had to email today.
Love you all,
Elder Dudgeon
Hello! How do, how do? Things have been good here. It's getting colder, though today and yesterday were quite nice. It's been freezing while knocking doors. Not too much fun, but we try our best to stay positive. It has been kind of a rough week. Not the best. We're still low on people to teach. There's a quote though that I've read recently, ''Nothing happens in missionary work until you find some one to teach.'' It's true. It feels odd to to go for a time without teaching a lesson. We have been putting forth good efforts but now it's time to do great. It's the only way. It's the doing every little thing we can to find people to teach. We did find a few people to teach this week and some potentials so that's great.
There was a protest in the city on Saturday. It had something to do with Muslims and an English Pride group. People trying to keep England the same. Really they're just a racist group. It happened a couple years ago I guess and there was a huge riot where whole BMW dealer or something got burned down with all the new cars in it. But this year police were out in force and I guess there wasn't too much that happened. But we sticked to the council of members and stayed out of the city for the day. Which was fine and easy because we don't even live in the city or needed to go down there.
Well that's it to report for now. Not much to say this week. It was bank holiday yesterday so we had to email today.
Love you all,
Elder Dudgeon
Monday, August 23, 2010
Hey Family and Friends
So transfers was good. I'm finally out of Halifax. 6 months was a long time. It was good and I was sad to go but also excited and ready to go. Luckily I'm not going too far haha. It was great to go to the transfer meeting for once and see all the new missionaries come in and bear their testimonies. I haven't been on the other side of it and it was really fun. Plus I got to see a lot of the other missionaries from my group that I haven't seen in a long time. It was great. It got me very excited and motivated.
Bradford though. What can I say about Bradford. It's a proper city that's for sure. I'm in Bradford one that covers the north half of the city and outlying areas. It's pretty fun. There are a lot, alot, alot, of muslims here. Like everywhere we go. Maybe that's why it's got the nick name of Bradistan. Most people are pretty nice though. It's a good area that we're in and the ward is fantastic. It's not too big but their so nice. The biggest issue we have is finding people to teach. There's not many right now. We have a lot of finding to do. But once we do find those people the ward will be ready to spring into action to help teach and fellowship. It is difficult to find people though because of transportation is not the best. We travel by bus and train but it's them coming on time or when we need them is the problem. We can work with it though. We just need better planning.
The flat is very nice as well. I have my own bathroom, that's neat. It's pretty big. Out on a main street with a pub on the other side. So on weekends it can get a bit noisy I found out. Luckily I can sleep basically through anything once I'm asleep (it's getting asleep is the problem).
My new companion is Elder Oviatt and he is very short. Haha it's great though he is such a good missionary. He's very obedient and focused but caring as well. It's the kind of companion I've been hoping for. He's from Utah so I'm back with an american.
So what's new. I had tea with a sister Brook (a different one) the first night in Bradford. I told her where I was from and she new exactly where it was. It turns out the missionary that baptized her so many years ago lives in Marysville. His name is Dick (Richard) Lester. I don't know if you know him mom. I had the address and phone number (It was weird to see a 360 number and 98271 area code), but I forgot them at the flat. But look him up in the stake directory and give him a call and tell him who you are and that your son just is serving in Bradford and just had tea with a Leslie Brook. I'm told he'll be very happy!
Not much to report more then that. I spoke in church on Sunday but just a small testimony. I'm looking forward to boost this are up and get it baptizing soon.
I miss everyone and hope their doing alright. I'm working on letters still (sorry) but keep sending please! Cheers!
Love,
Elder Dudgeon
So transfers was good. I'm finally out of Halifax. 6 months was a long time. It was good and I was sad to go but also excited and ready to go. Luckily I'm not going too far haha. It was great to go to the transfer meeting for once and see all the new missionaries come in and bear their testimonies. I haven't been on the other side of it and it was really fun. Plus I got to see a lot of the other missionaries from my group that I haven't seen in a long time. It was great. It got me very excited and motivated.
Bradford though. What can I say about Bradford. It's a proper city that's for sure. I'm in Bradford one that covers the north half of the city and outlying areas. It's pretty fun. There are a lot, alot, alot, of muslims here. Like everywhere we go. Maybe that's why it's got the nick name of Bradistan. Most people are pretty nice though. It's a good area that we're in and the ward is fantastic. It's not too big but their so nice. The biggest issue we have is finding people to teach. There's not many right now. We have a lot of finding to do. But once we do find those people the ward will be ready to spring into action to help teach and fellowship. It is difficult to find people though because of transportation is not the best. We travel by bus and train but it's them coming on time or when we need them is the problem. We can work with it though. We just need better planning.
The flat is very nice as well. I have my own bathroom, that's neat. It's pretty big. Out on a main street with a pub on the other side. So on weekends it can get a bit noisy I found out. Luckily I can sleep basically through anything once I'm asleep (it's getting asleep is the problem).
My new companion is Elder Oviatt and he is very short. Haha it's great though he is such a good missionary. He's very obedient and focused but caring as well. It's the kind of companion I've been hoping for. He's from Utah so I'm back with an american.
So what's new. I had tea with a sister Brook (a different one) the first night in Bradford. I told her where I was from and she new exactly where it was. It turns out the missionary that baptized her so many years ago lives in Marysville. His name is Dick (Richard) Lester. I don't know if you know him mom. I had the address and phone number (It was weird to see a 360 number and 98271 area code), but I forgot them at the flat. But look him up in the stake directory and give him a call and tell him who you are and that your son just is serving in Bradford and just had tea with a Leslie Brook. I'm told he'll be very happy!
Not much to report more then that. I spoke in church on Sunday but just a small testimony. I'm looking forward to boost this are up and get it baptizing soon.
I miss everyone and hope their doing alright. I'm working on letters still (sorry) but keep sending please! Cheers!
Love,
Elder Dudgeon
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Dear Family,
Hello Family, So transfer calls came in and...... I am going to Bradford 1 with Elder Oviatt. If you want to know where Bradford is. It's just north of Halifax. The bus I take to go to our flat from town, goes up to Bradford past their flat. I'm so close. So I try to get out of Halifax and I get to take a little step. It's ok though. I'm glad to get out of Halifax. It's well needed and I'm looking forward to it. It's in the Leeds Zone now as well so new everything just not very far away.
This week went well though. SOme crazy things happened. First was when I was on exchange with one of our Zone Leaders in Halifax. We went to a chinese buffet for lunch. While we were there a man came up to us and asked if we were the missionaries for the Halifax ward, who the bishop was at the time and stuff. We find out he is an inactive member who was baptized when he was about 12 or so in 1989. So the story is this. He went on facebook one day and for some reason decided to look up the missionary who baptized him. Amazingly enough he found him and sent him a message. The next morning the missionary sent him a message back confirming he was the one who baptized him and sent him pictures of when the man was baptized. The former missionary also sent him more information to get him in touch with his companion who had confirmed the man as well as some other people. That morning was the day he saw at the restaurant. It was great. Elder Webb and I have gone to see him a couple times now. And he wants us to reteach him and his family. Also him and his girlfriend came to church on Sunday. It was great because he still knew some of the people who were still there from when he was baptized.
Also on Sunday... Jason, my recent convert, had to give a talk. Just something short bearing his testimony. Well he was really nervous. The bishop talkde to him before to interview about get the priesthood and getting advice on what to say. Well Jason got up and just gave the greatest testimony ever on how we came by and were able to answer the questions that he had. As well as he knows the Book of Mormon is because of a witness he gained through prayer. It was so good and worded very well. Later I asked him about it. I asked him if the Bishop had given him what to say or if he read it off a piece of paper because it sounded so scripted. That's me showing my lack of faith. He told me that he hadn't rehearsed anything and the only thing the bishop told him was to listen and follow the spirit. I can't believe it! It's so great. This is one of the great things about going up to Bradford because him and his family live up there for the time being so I can see them on Sunday at church! I love it.
So other things that happened. We had Zone conference last week which was really good. Our new president likes to tell a lot of stories but they're so good and have a lot of lessons within them. And the even better part is they have a lot of general authorites in them because he worked so closely to them. The main story he told was about President Hinckley when he was an apostle and was dedicating a land for the preaching of the gospel. It was really good.
So how's home going? I hear that it's been pretty hot. Here it's been pretty cold. And rainy. I didn't think England would be this cold but it is. Lousy weather. Football season is starting back up. Already. So the drunks are coming back out from the short break at the world cup. That's always fun. They call me Elder Dungeon Master. How's home going. Glad that Aunt Anna came over this last weekend and all that. I miss everyone from home. So how's it been with Brad? Is he still there? Hello Brad . Haha. I can't wait to get a letter from Dad. I'm still working on his and I got a couple pictures to send him as well that he'll love. It goes with the Walls of Jericho bit hahaha! I can't believe Fono got his mission call! That's so great! I miss him. Ben Wilcox emails me now and I write letters in response. He's preping for his mission. He reports the in October I think. It's way good. I'm waiting for letters though from people other then family and whitney and carrie. Oh well I love getting anything.
So I'm sending some pictures with this. Some of me and my trainer at a mission home fireside as well as some of me and a couple investigators. Theres a picture of me eating a baby jabenero pepper (I don't know how to spell it.) but ya. Super hot. It was fun to do though. Their both really good guys and we wanted to have some fun before I left. There's a video of me as well but I don't think i can send them over email. It's pretty funny. I'm sad to go but happy as well.
Well I got to go. I love you though. I know the gospel is true. Till next week.
Cheers,
£ld£r 'Dung£on Mast£r' Dudg£on
Hello Family, So transfer calls came in and...... I am going to Bradford 1 with Elder Oviatt. If you want to know where Bradford is. It's just north of Halifax. The bus I take to go to our flat from town, goes up to Bradford past their flat. I'm so close. So I try to get out of Halifax and I get to take a little step. It's ok though. I'm glad to get out of Halifax. It's well needed and I'm looking forward to it. It's in the Leeds Zone now as well so new everything just not very far away.
This week went well though. SOme crazy things happened. First was when I was on exchange with one of our Zone Leaders in Halifax. We went to a chinese buffet for lunch. While we were there a man came up to us and asked if we were the missionaries for the Halifax ward, who the bishop was at the time and stuff. We find out he is an inactive member who was baptized when he was about 12 or so in 1989. So the story is this. He went on facebook one day and for some reason decided to look up the missionary who baptized him. Amazingly enough he found him and sent him a message. The next morning the missionary sent him a message back confirming he was the one who baptized him and sent him pictures of when the man was baptized. The former missionary also sent him more information to get him in touch with his companion who had confirmed the man as well as some other people. That morning was the day he saw at the restaurant. It was great. Elder Webb and I have gone to see him a couple times now. And he wants us to reteach him and his family. Also him and his girlfriend came to church on Sunday. It was great because he still knew some of the people who were still there from when he was baptized.
Also on Sunday... Jason, my recent convert, had to give a talk. Just something short bearing his testimony. Well he was really nervous. The bishop talkde to him before to interview about get the priesthood and getting advice on what to say. Well Jason got up and just gave the greatest testimony ever on how we came by and were able to answer the questions that he had. As well as he knows the Book of Mormon is because of a witness he gained through prayer. It was so good and worded very well. Later I asked him about it. I asked him if the Bishop had given him what to say or if he read it off a piece of paper because it sounded so scripted. That's me showing my lack of faith. He told me that he hadn't rehearsed anything and the only thing the bishop told him was to listen and follow the spirit. I can't believe it! It's so great. This is one of the great things about going up to Bradford because him and his family live up there for the time being so I can see them on Sunday at church! I love it.
So other things that happened. We had Zone conference last week which was really good. Our new president likes to tell a lot of stories but they're so good and have a lot of lessons within them. And the even better part is they have a lot of general authorites in them because he worked so closely to them. The main story he told was about President Hinckley when he was an apostle and was dedicating a land for the preaching of the gospel. It was really good.
So how's home going? I hear that it's been pretty hot. Here it's been pretty cold. And rainy. I didn't think England would be this cold but it is. Lousy weather. Football season is starting back up. Already. So the drunks are coming back out from the short break at the world cup. That's always fun. They call me Elder Dungeon Master. How's home going. Glad that Aunt Anna came over this last weekend and all that. I miss everyone from home. So how's it been with Brad? Is he still there? Hello Brad . Haha. I can't wait to get a letter from Dad. I'm still working on his and I got a couple pictures to send him as well that he'll love. It goes with the Walls of Jericho bit hahaha! I can't believe Fono got his mission call! That's so great! I miss him. Ben Wilcox emails me now and I write letters in response. He's preping for his mission. He reports the in October I think. It's way good. I'm waiting for letters though from people other then family and whitney and carrie. Oh well I love getting anything.
So I'm sending some pictures with this. Some of me and my trainer at a mission home fireside as well as some of me and a couple investigators. Theres a picture of me eating a baby jabenero pepper (I don't know how to spell it.) but ya. Super hot. It was fun to do though. Their both really good guys and we wanted to have some fun before I left. There's a video of me as well but I don't think i can send them over email. It's pretty funny. I'm sad to go but happy as well.
Well I got to go. I love you though. I know the gospel is true. Till next week.
Cheers,
£ld£r 'Dung£on Mast£r' Dudg£on
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Happy 4th of July
Hello family!
I miss all you guys. Your emails this week are great to hear. I miss you all so much! This last week has been fantastic. My companion and I have been working really hard and guess what?! Jason got baptized on Saturday! It was a great service. We had quite a few members of the ward there as well as all the new bishopric. As well as Jason's family and his girlfriend and her family were able to come out and show their support. They really enjoyed it. Jason's girlfriend and mom have been looking into the church as well. It's great. The confirmation went well on Sunday as well. Most of Jason's family was able to make it. I was asked to do it and I was so nervous. I calmed down quite a bit before though but when I started saying the prayer thet spirit was just overwhelming. I started shaking. Yesterday we saw Jason and were talking about it and he asked me who was shaking the whole time! It was funny. I'll send pictures soon
We also got to meet our new mission President on saturday before the baptism. It was pretty neat to see other missionaries and get to meet President Lindley. He seems pretty neat and fun but not the same as President Stock. President Stock was amazing. President Lindley used to be in church security and was body guards to several prophets and apostles and has been on trips with them all around the world so it will be interesting to here some stories and what he knows. NOt much I can write about about because he would prefer that these stories about general authorities be circulated around the church through the internet.
My companion leaves soon. Wednesday is transfers and thats when he goes into the mission office and stays at the mission home then flies out the next day. My new companion will be Elder Webb. He's an english bloke. We'll see how things go with him. And yes I'm still in Halifax. It's ok. It's getting way better. And I enjoy the zone I'm in. And so by the way. My P-Day is today, Tuesday. Because of transfers so don't worry everyone if you sent an email late because of the week end. I got it.
The fourth of July went by with no big surprises. No fireworks or anything. Kind of boring. Except for the part where I almost died. (Sorry mom this is the part where you can't read since I'm sending this to all 3 of you.) So Devin, Myranda, ya I almost died. (Mom stop reading!) So we had a tea appointment with these elderly couple from the ward on Sunday. They were giving us a lift to our next appointment. We were almost there driving through a more industrious part of Halifax called Pellon. It's where there are a lot of Muslims and eastern europeans. Anyways we turn at a light when all of a sudden the sister driving us puts her head down. Then she started falling over towards her husband in the passenger seat. Basically she passed out at the wheel. I grabbed her and the wheel but by then it was too late and we jumped the curb and start going for a brick wall. Luckily her husband thought quick and pulled the hand brake and stopped us! He then shook her and she woke up like nothing had happened. The even greater blessing is there was a car behind us who saw it all and it ended up being a nurse who was on her way to work just around the corner. So ya that was pretty scary. The sister is fine though we heard and nothing to worry about.
(OK mom you can read again)
Other then that things have been good. Ever since England and the US lost things have been getting better. \it was ridiculous though because even at church thats all that was talked about. Lessons lost the spirit because of people jsut talking and joking about it. Prayers were said about the world cup and just ridiculous things. I'm glad it's over. Oh it was funny because the very next day that England lost all the flags and banners were gone. England is terrible with patriotism.
Well tomorrows my brithday. I'm pretty excited. I got one package so far. Some members in the ward gave me a gift though. It was a box of cereal call Kellogs Crunchy Nuts. Their like cornflakes but with a brown sugar, peanutty, honey glaze. I haven't seen them in the states and their are so good. They got a pretty good unique taste to them. I'll bring some home.
Well I love you guys. I miss everyone. Hope everyone had a good 4th! I miss all the food and fireworks. Talk to you all next week. Cheerio!
Love,
Elder Dudgeon
I miss all you guys. Your emails this week are great to hear. I miss you all so much! This last week has been fantastic. My companion and I have been working really hard and guess what?! Jason got baptized on Saturday! It was a great service. We had quite a few members of the ward there as well as all the new bishopric. As well as Jason's family and his girlfriend and her family were able to come out and show their support. They really enjoyed it. Jason's girlfriend and mom have been looking into the church as well. It's great. The confirmation went well on Sunday as well. Most of Jason's family was able to make it. I was asked to do it and I was so nervous. I calmed down quite a bit before though but when I started saying the prayer thet spirit was just overwhelming. I started shaking. Yesterday we saw Jason and were talking about it and he asked me who was shaking the whole time! It was funny. I'll send pictures soon
We also got to meet our new mission President on saturday before the baptism. It was pretty neat to see other missionaries and get to meet President Lindley. He seems pretty neat and fun but not the same as President Stock. President Stock was amazing. President Lindley used to be in church security and was body guards to several prophets and apostles and has been on trips with them all around the world so it will be interesting to here some stories and what he knows. NOt much I can write about about because he would prefer that these stories about general authorities be circulated around the church through the internet.
My companion leaves soon. Wednesday is transfers and thats when he goes into the mission office and stays at the mission home then flies out the next day. My new companion will be Elder Webb. He's an english bloke. We'll see how things go with him. And yes I'm still in Halifax. It's ok. It's getting way better. And I enjoy the zone I'm in. And so by the way. My P-Day is today, Tuesday. Because of transfers so don't worry everyone if you sent an email late because of the week end. I got it.
The fourth of July went by with no big surprises. No fireworks or anything. Kind of boring. Except for the part where I almost died. (Sorry mom this is the part where you can't read since I'm sending this to all 3 of you.) So Devin, Myranda, ya I almost died. (Mom stop reading!) So we had a tea appointment with these elderly couple from the ward on Sunday. They were giving us a lift to our next appointment. We were almost there driving through a more industrious part of Halifax called Pellon. It's where there are a lot of Muslims and eastern europeans. Anyways we turn at a light when all of a sudden the sister driving us puts her head down. Then she started falling over towards her husband in the passenger seat. Basically she passed out at the wheel. I grabbed her and the wheel but by then it was too late and we jumped the curb and start going for a brick wall. Luckily her husband thought quick and pulled the hand brake and stopped us! He then shook her and she woke up like nothing had happened. The even greater blessing is there was a car behind us who saw it all and it ended up being a nurse who was on her way to work just around the corner. So ya that was pretty scary. The sister is fine though we heard and nothing to worry about.
(OK mom you can read again)
Other then that things have been good. Ever since England and the US lost things have been getting better. \it was ridiculous though because even at church thats all that was talked about. Lessons lost the spirit because of people jsut talking and joking about it. Prayers were said about the world cup and just ridiculous things. I'm glad it's over. Oh it was funny because the very next day that England lost all the flags and banners were gone. England is terrible with patriotism.
Well tomorrows my brithday. I'm pretty excited. I got one package so far. Some members in the ward gave me a gift though. It was a box of cereal call Kellogs Crunchy Nuts. Their like cornflakes but with a brown sugar, peanutty, honey glaze. I haven't seen them in the states and their are so good. They got a pretty good unique taste to them. I'll bring some home.
Well I love you guys. I miss everyone. Hope everyone had a good 4th! I miss all the food and fireworks. Talk to you all next week. Cheerio!
Love,
Elder Dudgeon
Monday, June 28, 2010
Hey everyone!
This week has been so tough but the blessings are coming. My companion and I were blessed to get 10 investigators at church as well as to have one of the people we are teaching, Jasom, have his interview for baptism. He is getting baptized on the 3rd of July and confirmed the 4th of July! We are so excited and stressed as well. He has come a long way to get baptized including quitting smoking and moving out of his apartment where he lived with his girlfriend. Now thats dedication! He is so excited to be baptized and invited all his family to come.
Other then that we are working really hard to get more and more people to church and to schedule for baptism. I should be staying another transfer in Halifax because my companion is going home in less then 2 weeks. He's served his 2 years very well and I'm glad I got to serve the last 3 months with him.
Thanks for everyones prayers and letters! I'm looking forward to hear from everyone on my birthday. July 7th!
Cheers!
Elder Dudgeon
This week has been so tough but the blessings are coming. My companion and I were blessed to get 10 investigators at church as well as to have one of the people we are teaching, Jasom, have his interview for baptism. He is getting baptized on the 3rd of July and confirmed the 4th of July! We are so excited and stressed as well. He has come a long way to get baptized including quitting smoking and moving out of his apartment where he lived with his girlfriend. Now thats dedication! He is so excited to be baptized and invited all his family to come.
Other then that we are working really hard to get more and more people to church and to schedule for baptism. I should be staying another transfer in Halifax because my companion is going home in less then 2 weeks. He's served his 2 years very well and I'm glad I got to serve the last 3 months with him.
Thanks for everyones prayers and letters! I'm looking forward to hear from everyone on my birthday. July 7th!
Cheers!
Elder Dudgeon
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Hello how's things going? Things here are going well. I'm learning a lot from my companion Elder D. Hansen, and the good news is we got transfer calls last night and...... we're staying together in Halifax for his last transfer! I'm happy because that means I get to kill someone off (haha) and also because he's a great missionary and we work really well together. The only down side is that this means I'll stay in Halifax for another transfer after because I'll be the only one who knows the area. Thats 4 transfers, about 6 months in Halifax, 1/4 of my mission in my greeny area. Crazy.
The work here is moving slow and hard but it should be picking up. We're teaching a few couples right now that are having to over come chastity issues to get baptized but they really seem like they want to which is great. We're are working hard to find new people everyday and I'm really getting better at talking to everyone which is somehting I've struggled with.
It's been hot the past few days. In about the 24 to 28's. Thats celsius by the way. So we've been going without our jackets which has been nice. Today for P-Day of course its raining. Sad! The weather has been great though because more people are out and about and usually in a better mood. Unless there's football on. Haha! I'm nervous for when the world cup comes around and how well people will pay attention or care. For instance last night England played a friendly against Mexico before the world cup and we were knocking doors during it. More then half the people told us to get lost because they were watching the game. I do love futbol or football or soccer but beware of worshipping false idols haha.
I hope things are going well for everyone. I miss everyone back at home. Things are great here. It's hard but theres no other place and nothing I'd rather be doing then this. I know it's true and that the gospel is living. I see it everyday in my life here and in the lives of people who start woeking and seeking after it. It's hard to explain the power or feeling we get from prayer and from faith but that does not mean it's nothing or that it's deniable. It means we have to work harder to seek after it, strengthen it and understand it. I know the gospel of Jesus Christ is the living gospel, the only true gospel, and it's fullness is found in this church.
I love everyone,
Cheerio
Elder Dudgeon
The work here is moving slow and hard but it should be picking up. We're teaching a few couples right now that are having to over come chastity issues to get baptized but they really seem like they want to which is great. We're are working hard to find new people everyday and I'm really getting better at talking to everyone which is somehting I've struggled with.
It's been hot the past few days. In about the 24 to 28's. Thats celsius by the way. So we've been going without our jackets which has been nice. Today for P-Day of course its raining. Sad! The weather has been great though because more people are out and about and usually in a better mood. Unless there's football on. Haha! I'm nervous for when the world cup comes around and how well people will pay attention or care. For instance last night England played a friendly against Mexico before the world cup and we were knocking doors during it. More then half the people told us to get lost because they were watching the game. I do love futbol or football or soccer but beware of worshipping false idols haha.
I hope things are going well for everyone. I miss everyone back at home. Things are great here. It's hard but theres no other place and nothing I'd rather be doing then this. I know it's true and that the gospel is living. I see it everyday in my life here and in the lives of people who start woeking and seeking after it. It's hard to explain the power or feeling we get from prayer and from faith but that does not mean it's nothing or that it's deniable. It means we have to work harder to seek after it, strengthen it and understand it. I know the gospel of Jesus Christ is the living gospel, the only true gospel, and it's fullness is found in this church.
I love everyone,
Cheerio
Elder Dudgeon
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Hello from Hali!
Hey everyone! How's it going? So transfer call came in last night and....drumroll.... I'm staying in Halifax but I will have a new companion, Elder D. Hansen (there's like 4 elder hansens in the mission). I hear he is a great missionary so I am excited.
We've been working hard to get investigators to church on Sunday and finally we were blessed with not 1, not 2 but 5 investigators at church. That was more then a quarter of the zones for the week. It was good they all really liked it. There is a young couple who came. The guy doesn't really have a belief in God but we had a great lesson on prayer in the Elders Quorum and he really liked it. We showed them around the church afterwards and they said they wanted to come again next week! Hurray! We see them again tomorrow and hopefully they will start praying soon and be getting some answers to their prayers.
Last week was an extraordinary week. I went on a few exchanges because my companion is district leader. During one of the exchanges we decided to focus on a prayer a lot. We prayed all day wherever we went and we blessed to find people to talk to. We went to this one area to knock that we had prayed about. We didn't have the chance to because everyone we had talked to on the street was great and listened. When it got later after our tea appointment (dinner appointment), We had a little less then an hour. We weren't sure to do so my companion for the day Elder Laine, said lets pray again and pray so we can reach our goals that we had set for the day, So I said a prayer that we would know what to do so we could reach our goal, which was to find 2 more investigators so we would have 4 for the day. Well afterwards we both felt like to start walking to the flat (we were in Town Centre which is empty at night) and just talk to everyone we see. Before we even got around the corner we met a couple who we spoke to, Shared a lessona nd got a return appointment. We said a prayer right there with them and boom! Our 2 new investigators! It was great.
Another time was the next day. Me and my normal companion, Elder Eggleston were leaving the flat in the morning to go street contacting. I got the distinct impression to walk down to Town Centre instead of taking the bus which was only a minute away. So we walked down instead. As we did we found 1 new investigator and we ran into an old investigator who we had not been able to get a hold of for quite awhile. We were able to talk to her and see how she was doing, hopefully we will be able to see her again soon.
Things have been great in Halifax. We had 5 investigators at church this week. A young couple who are really nice and are going to come again next week. The guy doesn't have a belief in God yet but he feels there something there. He really enjoyed the more discussion type format that our Elders Quorum and Gospel Principles classes are.
As far as me, I'm doing fine. Really getting into the work and getting excited. Not gaining any weight yet. Still not able to go running but we have the bench in the flat still and so I work out every morning. Hopefully my new companion will go running with me. Oh and we are no longer in a 4 man flat. The other 2 elders moved out and went to other places so Halifax is down to 2 Missionaries again.
Thanks for everyones support and letters. If you sent any recently I won't get it for awhile due to the volcano in Iceland and planes not being able to fly. Darn. So boring here without post. But I love everyone! Cheers!
Elder Dudgeon
Hey everyone! How's it going? So transfer call came in last night and....drumroll.... I'm staying in Halifax but I will have a new companion, Elder D. Hansen (there's like 4 elder hansens in the mission). I hear he is a great missionary so I am excited.
We've been working hard to get investigators to church on Sunday and finally we were blessed with not 1, not 2 but 5 investigators at church. That was more then a quarter of the zones for the week. It was good they all really liked it. There is a young couple who came. The guy doesn't really have a belief in God but we had a great lesson on prayer in the Elders Quorum and he really liked it. We showed them around the church afterwards and they said they wanted to come again next week! Hurray! We see them again tomorrow and hopefully they will start praying soon and be getting some answers to their prayers.
Last week was an extraordinary week. I went on a few exchanges because my companion is district leader. During one of the exchanges we decided to focus on a prayer a lot. We prayed all day wherever we went and we blessed to find people to talk to. We went to this one area to knock that we had prayed about. We didn't have the chance to because everyone we had talked to on the street was great and listened. When it got later after our tea appointment (dinner appointment), We had a little less then an hour. We weren't sure to do so my companion for the day Elder Laine, said lets pray again and pray so we can reach our goals that we had set for the day, So I said a prayer that we would know what to do so we could reach our goal, which was to find 2 more investigators so we would have 4 for the day. Well afterwards we both felt like to start walking to the flat (we were in Town Centre which is empty at night) and just talk to everyone we see. Before we even got around the corner we met a couple who we spoke to, Shared a lessona nd got a return appointment. We said a prayer right there with them and boom! Our 2 new investigators! It was great.
Another time was the next day. Me and my normal companion, Elder Eggleston were leaving the flat in the morning to go street contacting. I got the distinct impression to walk down to Town Centre instead of taking the bus which was only a minute away. So we walked down instead. As we did we found 1 new investigator and we ran into an old investigator who we had not been able to get a hold of for quite awhile. We were able to talk to her and see how she was doing, hopefully we will be able to see her again soon.
Things have been great in Halifax. We had 5 investigators at church this week. A young couple who are really nice and are going to come again next week. The guy doesn't have a belief in God yet but he feels there something there. He really enjoyed the more discussion type format that our Elders Quorum and Gospel Principles classes are.
As far as me, I'm doing fine. Really getting into the work and getting excited. Not gaining any weight yet. Still not able to go running but we have the bench in the flat still and so I work out every morning. Hopefully my new companion will go running with me. Oh and we are no longer in a 4 man flat. The other 2 elders moved out and went to other places so Halifax is down to 2 Missionaries again.
Thanks for everyones support and letters. If you sent any recently I won't get it for awhile due to the volcano in Iceland and planes not being able to fly. Darn. So boring here without post. But I love everyone! Cheers!
Elder Dudgeon
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Happy Easter
Hey everyone!
Happy late Easter. How was everyones? Ours was good because of conference all weekend but just not the same with out a big family dinner. Wish I could have been there. But we've had an ok week. We didn't get to see the last Session on Sunday because of time difference. Also none of our Investigators came out so we were pretty bummed about that. But we're printing out talks today and bringing them by so that they can still read them.
We didn't get to email yesterday because it was a bank holiday. But they allowed us an hour this morning so sorry about that. Yesterday for P-Day we played some football. Like real football. We found an actual full sized pitch to play on and the rain held off. So with almost all the missionaries in the zone plus a few members we had a full game going. I played goalie for a third of the time and did well. Then the rest of the time I was just playing mid. It was so much fun, but now I'm really sore. It's all good though becuse I've been working out and stuff every morning like the white handbook says to and it makes me less sore. I recover a lot quicker.
On the spiritual side of things, we found a couple good solid investigators this last week that we will be seeing this week. One we met while walking up to our flat for lunch. We were street contacting in town and were finishing up. We had the choice to walk back up or to take the bus like we usually do. I felt like walking so we could keep talking to people. And thats when we ran into a guy named Mark who already has a Book of Mormon and said he had been feeling like reading and getting into it more.
The other one is a man we knocked into named Jock (yes Jock). He's an older man but very smart. He likes to learn things and study things. He grew up Catholic and is very confused about his feelings of God because of the things he and his family has experienced growing up. He had lots of questions for us. I prayed in my had to give him answers because at the time I only had a Book of Mormon that we give to people. So it's not marked. He asked like 3-4 big questions and each one a scripture just sort've popped out at me that was a perfect answer. We gave him that Book of Mormon and we commited him to read it. We should be seeing him tomorrow (Wednesday), and see how it's been going.
A third one is a man we've been teaching. We've seen him a few times. We taught him the restoration and the plan of salvation and he's liking it all. Says it makes sense to him. We even committed him to pray about things, about anything. He's started to pray a lot he says at work. He works at a machine shop and he says it has been very stressful for him because of quotas and deadlines they face from the buyers. But after he started praying they have been meeting their deadlines and the quality of the work has really impressed the buyers. In our last lesson he started bring up issues like gmabling, drinking, smoking, tea and coffee, and chastity. Things we never had talked about to him before. He says he is not ready or able to get married right now because he does have a partner (a partner here is a girlfriend who's basically their wife just not legally). He was asking if he could go to church even with that problem and we were so happy to tell him yes. So hopefully this Sunday we will get him out to church. We have another appointment with him this Friday.
This week should be a good week. Hopefully we have a baptism scheduled by the end of the transfer which is in 2 weeks. I'll probably be staying here in Halifax and be getting a new companion. We'll see though. I miss you all and thank you to everyone who has sent me letters. Keep sending, I love post! And Pictures too!
Cheers,
Elder Dudgeon
Happy late Easter. How was everyones? Ours was good because of conference all weekend but just not the same with out a big family dinner. Wish I could have been there. But we've had an ok week. We didn't get to see the last Session on Sunday because of time difference. Also none of our Investigators came out so we were pretty bummed about that. But we're printing out talks today and bringing them by so that they can still read them.
We didn't get to email yesterday because it was a bank holiday. But they allowed us an hour this morning so sorry about that. Yesterday for P-Day we played some football. Like real football. We found an actual full sized pitch to play on and the rain held off. So with almost all the missionaries in the zone plus a few members we had a full game going. I played goalie for a third of the time and did well. Then the rest of the time I was just playing mid. It was so much fun, but now I'm really sore. It's all good though becuse I've been working out and stuff every morning like the white handbook says to and it makes me less sore. I recover a lot quicker.
On the spiritual side of things, we found a couple good solid investigators this last week that we will be seeing this week. One we met while walking up to our flat for lunch. We were street contacting in town and were finishing up. We had the choice to walk back up or to take the bus like we usually do. I felt like walking so we could keep talking to people. And thats when we ran into a guy named Mark who already has a Book of Mormon and said he had been feeling like reading and getting into it more.
The other one is a man we knocked into named Jock (yes Jock). He's an older man but very smart. He likes to learn things and study things. He grew up Catholic and is very confused about his feelings of God because of the things he and his family has experienced growing up. He had lots of questions for us. I prayed in my had to give him answers because at the time I only had a Book of Mormon that we give to people. So it's not marked. He asked like 3-4 big questions and each one a scripture just sort've popped out at me that was a perfect answer. We gave him that Book of Mormon and we commited him to read it. We should be seeing him tomorrow (Wednesday), and see how it's been going.
A third one is a man we've been teaching. We've seen him a few times. We taught him the restoration and the plan of salvation and he's liking it all. Says it makes sense to him. We even committed him to pray about things, about anything. He's started to pray a lot he says at work. He works at a machine shop and he says it has been very stressful for him because of quotas and deadlines they face from the buyers. But after he started praying they have been meeting their deadlines and the quality of the work has really impressed the buyers. In our last lesson he started bring up issues like gmabling, drinking, smoking, tea and coffee, and chastity. Things we never had talked about to him before. He says he is not ready or able to get married right now because he does have a partner (a partner here is a girlfriend who's basically their wife just not legally). He was asking if he could go to church even with that problem and we were so happy to tell him yes. So hopefully this Sunday we will get him out to church. We have another appointment with him this Friday.
This week should be a good week. Hopefully we have a baptism scheduled by the end of the transfer which is in 2 weeks. I'll probably be staying here in Halifax and be getting a new companion. We'll see though. I miss you all and thank you to everyone who has sent me letters. Keep sending, I love post! And Pictures too!
Cheers,
Elder Dudgeon
Monday, March 22, 2010
Hello from HALI!
Good ol' rainy England! I've realized how lucky I've been to have sun for the beginning of the mission. The other day we went to town centre in the morning and did some street contacting. Thing is it was raining the whole time. I had my rain coat and an umbrella so when talking to people I'd stand in the rain and hold the umbrella over them and tell them about the gospel. We found a couple people that were interested and willing to listen but no return appointments. We only did it for a couple hours but by the time we came in for lunch we were soaked. But I didn't care I enjoyed doing the work. Thank you to all those who think or pray about the missionaries and continue to pray for miracles!
I had to speak in the ward on Sunday. Just introducing who I am and things like that. I gave a short talk on missionary work and why I'm excited to take up the call and then extended it out to everyone. I focused on the verses in the Book of Mormon in Alma 36:19-20, 24-25; then in Doctreine and Covenants 88:81. I bore my testimony at the end. It felt like a good talk and my companion and the other elders agreed.
We've been teaching a few people lately but no one solid enough for a baptismal date. So I keep studying and praying for those miracles. We have one person who we're teaching with his cousin. He's going through a rough time in his life, sort of a mid life crisis. But we've shared the restoration and plan of salvation with him and it's really making him think. He says it makes sense. The only problem he has is with praying. He just uncomfortable with it. Feels it's silly, but we're gunna keep teaching him and praying with him so hopefully soon he'll be find an answer.
Well I got to go now. Hope everyone is doing well. I sent out a lot of letters today so hopefully people will be getting them soon. I'll be sending home some pictures next week too. I forgot my camera today. Till then I pray for everyone's health and safety.
Sincerely,
£ld£r Dudg£on
Good ol' rainy England! I've realized how lucky I've been to have sun for the beginning of the mission. The other day we went to town centre in the morning and did some street contacting. Thing is it was raining the whole time. I had my rain coat and an umbrella so when talking to people I'd stand in the rain and hold the umbrella over them and tell them about the gospel. We found a couple people that were interested and willing to listen but no return appointments. We only did it for a couple hours but by the time we came in for lunch we were soaked. But I didn't care I enjoyed doing the work. Thank you to all those who think or pray about the missionaries and continue to pray for miracles!
I had to speak in the ward on Sunday. Just introducing who I am and things like that. I gave a short talk on missionary work and why I'm excited to take up the call and then extended it out to everyone. I focused on the verses in the Book of Mormon in Alma 36:19-20, 24-25; then in Doctreine and Covenants 88:81. I bore my testimony at the end. It felt like a good talk and my companion and the other elders agreed.
We've been teaching a few people lately but no one solid enough for a baptismal date. So I keep studying and praying for those miracles. We have one person who we're teaching with his cousin. He's going through a rough time in his life, sort of a mid life crisis. But we've shared the restoration and plan of salvation with him and it's really making him think. He says it makes sense. The only problem he has is with praying. He just uncomfortable with it. Feels it's silly, but we're gunna keep teaching him and praying with him so hopefully soon he'll be find an answer.
Well I got to go now. Hope everyone is doing well. I sent out a lot of letters today so hopefully people will be getting them soon. I'll be sending home some pictures next week too. I forgot my camera today. Till then I pray for everyone's health and safety.
Sincerely,
£ld£r Dudg£on
Monday, March 15, 2010
Hi from Hali
Dear family and friends,
Finally out of the MTC. I loved it but it was driving me crazy at the end. My companinon was really getting on my nerves but thats fine. So we had our big transfer meeting and my new companion, trainer, and mission dad is Elder Eggleston! We're in the Huddersfield Zone in a city called HALIFAX! So welcome to Hali (like cali but not). It's an amazing looking town. Beautifuly buildings and country side. It's some what south of Leeds. I'm not sure exactly. We're in a flat with 2 other missionaries, Elder Liane (pronunced Line-uh) from Finland and Elder Czirbon (pronounce Serbon) from Utah. They're all great guys and pretty good missionaries.
This first half week I have just been getting shown the ropes to proselyting and contacting people. We have serveral investigators already, a few who could be baptized within a month. The people here are pretty good. Most people stick to them selves though. Nobody knows their neighbors and says anything to anyone, and most people are just completely lazy. Due to the goverment having universal health care and goverment housing (which a lot of people live in) there's not much reason to work so a lot of people work maybe 15 hours a week, sit at home and watch tv, smoke, drink, party and clubbing and have sex. There are so many young teenaged single mothers it's ridiculous. There's not much incentive to work or do anything though. Everyone smokes from the age of 10 basically and drinking isn't far behind. So as you can probably tell there is a lot of work to be done.
We went to church yesterday and I got to meet the one ward for this city which has got to be the size of Everett. The one word I can describe it is pathetic. There is some good people there but the ward really needs to step up. I feel like it's gunna be one of my biggest priorities while I'm here to get the ward into shape. We have to get the ward into doing missionary work. We get no referals for anyone. They have quite a bit of success here, baptizing people and keeping them at church but thats just due to the missionaries finding people. The elders quorum lesson we had yesterday was basically teaching us missionaries how to be missionaries. Not very good. But I remain hopeful. The ward has good people, and the missionary work here could thrive if the members got more involved. The lord prepares people to receive the gospel. He prepares them with the members of the ward talking to their friends and neighbors. So I am asking for some advice for all who read this to write me. I know the old Marysville 6th ward has done well with missionary work. I know that they have set goals in the stake for everyone to bring a member. Finding opportunities to invite non members. Thats what I want for this ward.
I'm so excited to do this work. I can't believe that this week I'll have already been gone a month. The time is going to go really fast. Please write to me though. I haven't gotten much post from anyone and I would love to here from people.
Elder Blaine Dudgeon
Finally out of the MTC. I loved it but it was driving me crazy at the end. My companinon was really getting on my nerves but thats fine. So we had our big transfer meeting and my new companion, trainer, and mission dad is Elder Eggleston! We're in the Huddersfield Zone in a city called HALIFAX! So welcome to Hali (like cali but not). It's an amazing looking town. Beautifuly buildings and country side. It's some what south of Leeds. I'm not sure exactly. We're in a flat with 2 other missionaries, Elder Liane (pronunced Line-uh) from Finland and Elder Czirbon (pronounce Serbon) from Utah. They're all great guys and pretty good missionaries.
This first half week I have just been getting shown the ropes to proselyting and contacting people. We have serveral investigators already, a few who could be baptized within a month. The people here are pretty good. Most people stick to them selves though. Nobody knows their neighbors and says anything to anyone, and most people are just completely lazy. Due to the goverment having universal health care and goverment housing (which a lot of people live in) there's not much reason to work so a lot of people work maybe 15 hours a week, sit at home and watch tv, smoke, drink, party and clubbing and have sex. There are so many young teenaged single mothers it's ridiculous. There's not much incentive to work or do anything though. Everyone smokes from the age of 10 basically and drinking isn't far behind. So as you can probably tell there is a lot of work to be done.
We went to church yesterday and I got to meet the one ward for this city which has got to be the size of Everett. The one word I can describe it is pathetic. There is some good people there but the ward really needs to step up. I feel like it's gunna be one of my biggest priorities while I'm here to get the ward into shape. We have to get the ward into doing missionary work. We get no referals for anyone. They have quite a bit of success here, baptizing people and keeping them at church but thats just due to the missionaries finding people. The elders quorum lesson we had yesterday was basically teaching us missionaries how to be missionaries. Not very good. But I remain hopeful. The ward has good people, and the missionary work here could thrive if the members got more involved. The lord prepares people to receive the gospel. He prepares them with the members of the ward talking to their friends and neighbors. So I am asking for some advice for all who read this to write me. I know the old Marysville 6th ward has done well with missionary work. I know that they have set goals in the stake for everyone to bring a member. Finding opportunities to invite non members. Thats what I want for this ward.
I'm so excited to do this work. I can't believe that this week I'll have already been gone a month. The time is going to go really fast. Please write to me though. I haven't gotten much post from anyone and I would love to here from people.
Elder Blaine Dudgeon
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
week 3 transfer time
So they are letting us email tonight instead of tomorrow because we won't be able to due to transfers. I'll be heading out to the mission home tomorrow and being assigned to my trainer. I'm very excited to get out of the MTC. The time here has been great but for the past couple days I felt held back. I feel that it's time to grow more. Thanks for emailing me write back though. Glad to have gotten mail. JK.
This last week did go well though. Went tracting through Chorley for a few hours and and we actually found a girl who let us teach the first lesson to her and give her a BOok of Mormon. We asked her to attend church on sunday and meet the missionaries assigned to her area, but we don't know if she did. The chat sessions that we have been doing have been going really great. We helped a couple inactive people feel good and hopefully start going back to church.
I've mastered my testimony in german as well as some other phrases. On sunday I bore my testimony in German and Elder Wilde, the elder in my room who has been teaching me, bore his in english. It was a great testimony and felt good. I hope to keep in contact with him. Also sister Hecht, as german sister missionary who I've become friends with here, gave me her german hymn book. I almost cried when she gave it to me and I wish I could have hugged her. She marked her favorite songs for me. I hope you send me a german english dictionary for me whenever you send a package, as well as german book of mormon.
Please give sister randall my favorite scripture for the plack Alma 36:23-25. It's a good one I've come connected to here. And it's shorter then John chapter 15.
Well it'll be another week till I can here from you guys. Hope all is going well. Hope you got my adress fixed and stuff.
Till next week peace,
£ld£r Blain£ Dudg£on
This last week did go well though. Went tracting through Chorley for a few hours and and we actually found a girl who let us teach the first lesson to her and give her a BOok of Mormon. We asked her to attend church on sunday and meet the missionaries assigned to her area, but we don't know if she did. The chat sessions that we have been doing have been going really great. We helped a couple inactive people feel good and hopefully start going back to church.
I've mastered my testimony in german as well as some other phrases. On sunday I bore my testimony in German and Elder Wilde, the elder in my room who has been teaching me, bore his in english. It was a great testimony and felt good. I hope to keep in contact with him. Also sister Hecht, as german sister missionary who I've become friends with here, gave me her german hymn book. I almost cried when she gave it to me and I wish I could have hugged her. She marked her favorite songs for me. I hope you send me a german english dictionary for me whenever you send a package, as well as german book of mormon.
Please give sister randall my favorite scripture for the plack Alma 36:23-25. It's a good one I've come connected to here. And it's shorter then John chapter 15.
Well it'll be another week till I can here from you guys. Hope all is going well. Hope you got my adress fixed and stuff.
Till next week peace,
£ld£r Blain£ Dudg£on
Monday, March 8, 2010
week 2 Preston MTC
Hey family,
Things are going fine here. Just busy busy busy every day. Same old work but its still as great and amazing the first day. Food is fine, companion is alright. England is great it's just like home except older buildings and people drive on the other side of the road. Language here is fine. I said last time that I am already picking up the accent. I'm also taken it upon myself to learn german because we have 2 german Elders in our room. They can speak english pretty good but I find it fun to learn German. I've gotten my whole testiomny down, how to say it, write it and stuff. It's pretty cool. I might have you send me a german-engllish dictionary so I can work on it while over here. I might even try and learn it when I get home. But thats a ways away.
So we went into Manchester last week. It was good but I was nervous because last minute they switched my district around and gave us some of the german elders as companions. So I was left with an elder, Elder Franke, who didn't speak any english nor wanted to. I was left trying to carry him around while talking to people about the church. It did go well though. Was able to talk to a couple people, gave a pass along card here and there. But I was praying the whole time for a guy who could speak german and the next guy I talked to spoke a little bit, but Elder Franke didn't speak up at all. I was a little frustrated with him after that. I was hoping for a good experience though and thankfully right before we left to go back to the MTC, we were inside the train station when we saw a guy who kept staring at us. Well finally we approached eachother at the same time it was quite funny. His name was James and he had seen us missionaries all around Manchester that day and finally decided to ask what it was about the same time we approached him. He had heard of the church before. I was able to tell him a little bit and give him a Book of Mormon. He wasn't from Manchester unfortunately but we gave hima way to get in contact with the missionaries there so I hope he finds them. He was very nice and very genuine so I hope we helped and made a difference for him. I got less frustrated with Elder Franke after we got back to the MTC because The next morning he was gone. Sent home. I don't know why but it helped me see how important being unified with your companion is.
Couple other things we've been doing here is a chat system. People can get on a ask question over an IM system and we are there to answer. Elder Felton and I have had a few good contacts and are keeping email with some of them while they take the lessons from the missionaries in their area. It's great to see or at least about it helping people. Also a little frustrating because people get on there to mess around or just argue. We get to excersise 3 days a week including P-Day. They usually play volleyball or football and it gets really boring because people aren't very good at volleyball and theres just too many people for football. And nobody dares play me in basketball. I'm the tallest one here. And theres not very many of us.
Glad to here your trip is going fine and that you were still able to email me. Everyone has gotten letters here except for me so I was a little worried. If I hadn't gotten an email I would've thought something was wrong. Glad you were able to post things up on the blog. Hopefully I can here from you next week, its when I go out into the field. We'll see though.
HAve fun in Honduras,
Sincerely,
Elder Dudgeon
Things are going fine here. Just busy busy busy every day. Same old work but its still as great and amazing the first day. Food is fine, companion is alright. England is great it's just like home except older buildings and people drive on the other side of the road. Language here is fine. I said last time that I am already picking up the accent. I'm also taken it upon myself to learn german because we have 2 german Elders in our room. They can speak english pretty good but I find it fun to learn German. I've gotten my whole testiomny down, how to say it, write it and stuff. It's pretty cool. I might have you send me a german-engllish dictionary so I can work on it while over here. I might even try and learn it when I get home. But thats a ways away.
So we went into Manchester last week. It was good but I was nervous because last minute they switched my district around and gave us some of the german elders as companions. So I was left with an elder, Elder Franke, who didn't speak any english nor wanted to. I was left trying to carry him around while talking to people about the church. It did go well though. Was able to talk to a couple people, gave a pass along card here and there. But I was praying the whole time for a guy who could speak german and the next guy I talked to spoke a little bit, but Elder Franke didn't speak up at all. I was a little frustrated with him after that. I was hoping for a good experience though and thankfully right before we left to go back to the MTC, we were inside the train station when we saw a guy who kept staring at us. Well finally we approached eachother at the same time it was quite funny. His name was James and he had seen us missionaries all around Manchester that day and finally decided to ask what it was about the same time we approached him. He had heard of the church before. I was able to tell him a little bit and give him a Book of Mormon. He wasn't from Manchester unfortunately but we gave hima way to get in contact with the missionaries there so I hope he finds them. He was very nice and very genuine so I hope we helped and made a difference for him. I got less frustrated with Elder Franke after we got back to the MTC because The next morning he was gone. Sent home. I don't know why but it helped me see how important being unified with your companion is.
Couple other things we've been doing here is a chat system. People can get on a ask question over an IM system and we are there to answer. Elder Felton and I have had a few good contacts and are keeping email with some of them while they take the lessons from the missionaries in their area. It's great to see or at least about it helping people. Also a little frustrating because people get on there to mess around or just argue. We get to excersise 3 days a week including P-Day. They usually play volleyball or football and it gets really boring because people aren't very good at volleyball and theres just too many people for football. And nobody dares play me in basketball. I'm the tallest one here. And theres not very many of us.
Glad to here your trip is going fine and that you were still able to email me. Everyone has gotten letters here except for me so I was a little worried. If I hadn't gotten an email I would've thought something was wrong. Glad you were able to post things up on the blog. Hopefully I can here from you next week, its when I go out into the field. We'll see though.
HAve fun in Honduras,
Sincerely,
Elder Dudgeon
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Week 1 Preston England MTC
Hello Family,
How's things going at home? Thanks for all the letters you've sent. NOT. Day 6 here in the MTC. Things are going great. The trip over was fine once you guys left me at the airport. Thanks for not making it awkward, NOT. Right after security though I met a young member named Art from the church. He saw my badge and was asking me where I was going. It was nice to talk to him though. He got converted when he was 21 and went on a mission when he was 23. He told me what I was doing the right thing which made me feel great.
Landed in ATL and went straight to the next gate where I would be waiting to connect to Manchester. A couple other missionaries were there already. Elder Peery and Elder Alsop. Couple great guys. Elder Alsop is in my district here. But for the next few hours more and more missionaries would be coming over till there was about 15 of us or more waiting there for the plane. It was really cool. PLay ride over was really long, kinda sore and boring. Talked to the guy next to me though for quite awhile about sports, mainly football (and I mean soccer, from now on when I mention football I mean soocer. I will specify American Football). So we got here and got to meet our companies. England by the way does look exactly like the northwest. Just with less big sicites so close together and the cars are on the opposite side of the road.
The MTC here is pretty small. I didn't realize how small. Theres about 30 to 40 missionaries here and thats it. Including a district of Elders from Germany who speak only german. My companion I got on the first night is Elder Felton. He's a small chap from Lowestoft, England. He's got a good accent but I understand fine. He's really short. Maybe 5'6''. We're total opposites like that. He is very fun though and has a lot of energy. Other guys in my district are from either England the U.S. or South Africa. The guy from South Africa is really cool though. Really nice and proper. In our room though, Elder Felton and I have a german companionship that don't speak really any english. We can communicate a little bit so it's good but interesting.
So we had the weekend of getting to know what the MTC is all about this last weekend and this week. It's a lot of hard work. Mostly in classes or meetings. We wake up at 630, go to bed at 1030 and I just pass out. The food here is fine. Nothing to complain about. Had a few english dishes which were good. All the staff and presidency here are amazing though. They really bring the spirit and are dedicated to helping us learn how to teach. Which by the way starts tomorrow. We've been doing practice teaching all week and tomorrow we get to go into Manchester and do some street contacting. Sort of a baptism by fire if you will. We're are the only MTC to do that which is great. I am really excited to go out and teach though. It seems fun and exciting and it's the good work that needs to be done. Other things that we have done... We went to the temple today which was great. The MTC, stake center, distribution center, and other staffing buildings are all on the temple grounds. The grounds are amazing and beautiful and so is the Preston temple. Which is only a minute walk away. I also talked to the staff and presidency about Ryan Lemmon because he went through last summer and is in the London South and they remembered him and said that he is a wonderful missionary so pass that along to his parents.
Other things, I could use some letters I haven't gotten any mail from anyone.
I hope all is well. Things are going great here. Nothing to worry about. I actually don't care about TV or movies or sports anymore. They don't really cross my mind during the day at all. Hope the trip to Honduras goes well. We get to write every Wednesday jsut so you know if you want to be on during that time and email back and forth. let me know.
Love,
Your son lol,
Elder Blaine Dudgeon
How's things going at home? Thanks for all the letters you've sent. NOT. Day 6 here in the MTC. Things are going great. The trip over was fine once you guys left me at the airport. Thanks for not making it awkward, NOT. Right after security though I met a young member named Art from the church. He saw my badge and was asking me where I was going. It was nice to talk to him though. He got converted when he was 21 and went on a mission when he was 23. He told me what I was doing the right thing which made me feel great.
Landed in ATL and went straight to the next gate where I would be waiting to connect to Manchester. A couple other missionaries were there already. Elder Peery and Elder Alsop. Couple great guys. Elder Alsop is in my district here. But for the next few hours more and more missionaries would be coming over till there was about 15 of us or more waiting there for the plane. It was really cool. PLay ride over was really long, kinda sore and boring. Talked to the guy next to me though for quite awhile about sports, mainly football (and I mean soccer, from now on when I mention football I mean soocer. I will specify American Football). So we got here and got to meet our companies. England by the way does look exactly like the northwest. Just with less big sicites so close together and the cars are on the opposite side of the road.
The MTC here is pretty small. I didn't realize how small. Theres about 30 to 40 missionaries here and thats it. Including a district of Elders from Germany who speak only german. My companion I got on the first night is Elder Felton. He's a small chap from Lowestoft, England. He's got a good accent but I understand fine. He's really short. Maybe 5'6''. We're total opposites like that. He is very fun though and has a lot of energy. Other guys in my district are from either England the U.S. or South Africa. The guy from South Africa is really cool though. Really nice and proper. In our room though, Elder Felton and I have a german companionship that don't speak really any english. We can communicate a little bit so it's good but interesting.
So we had the weekend of getting to know what the MTC is all about this last weekend and this week. It's a lot of hard work. Mostly in classes or meetings. We wake up at 630, go to bed at 1030 and I just pass out. The food here is fine. Nothing to complain about. Had a few english dishes which were good. All the staff and presidency here are amazing though. They really bring the spirit and are dedicated to helping us learn how to teach. Which by the way starts tomorrow. We've been doing practice teaching all week and tomorrow we get to go into Manchester and do some street contacting. Sort of a baptism by fire if you will. We're are the only MTC to do that which is great. I am really excited to go out and teach though. It seems fun and exciting and it's the good work that needs to be done. Other things that we have done... We went to the temple today which was great. The MTC, stake center, distribution center, and other staffing buildings are all on the temple grounds. The grounds are amazing and beautiful and so is the Preston temple. Which is only a minute walk away. I also talked to the staff and presidency about Ryan Lemmon because he went through last summer and is in the London South and they remembered him and said that he is a wonderful missionary so pass that along to his parents.
Other things, I could use some letters I haven't gotten any mail from anyone.
I hope all is well. Things are going great here. Nothing to worry about. I actually don't care about TV or movies or sports anymore. They don't really cross my mind during the day at all. Hope the trip to Honduras goes well. We get to write every Wednesday jsut so you know if you want to be on during that time and email back and forth. let me know.
Love,
Your son lol,
Elder Blaine Dudgeon
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Farewell Talk
Do to so many people commenting on my talk I decided to upload it here before I left. I added some of the notes I had made and a couple other small pieces as well as corrections. Thank you all who were able to come and hear it Sunday. Thank you everyone for your continuing support
__________________________________________________________________________________
Good afternoon, brothers and sisters. It is wonderful privilege to be here today in front of family and close friends. Good to see most of the old ward stuck together. As was said, I am getting ready to leave this week to serve a mission in Leeds England. If you don’t know where that is, it’s almost smack dab in the middle of England. The area my mission covers basically goes from Leeds, out to the east coast and up to the border of Scotland. I’m reporting directly to the MTC over there. It’s been very exciting time as well as stressful and nerve racking. I am looking forward to closing this chapter of my life and starting a new one, as well as the new experiences i will have and having the opportunity to help people.
It took me awhile to figure out what I wanted to say today. The topic given to me to speak on was how a testimony of the restored gospel and its principles can better our lives. I thought this was great for me to speak on during a time when I have been questioning my own testimony and its strength. Well not knowing what to say I prayed and meditated and reflected on my life and have decided that the best way to express my feelings on testimonies is to tell you my own personal conversion story and the growth of my testimony of God and Jesus Christ, and this gospel. And as I do this I wish to invite you all think back to your lives. Think of you own conversion and personal testimonies of God and his son.
I can be honest in saying I didn’t always wanted to serve a mission. It wasn’t until a couple years ago that I seriously decided that I wanted to and needed to go on a mission. There was a change that was brought about, and that after looking back and reflecting I can see pieces of my life fitting together into curious patterns that make my conversion story and testimony. Since then I know that God had and has a plan for me as he does for all of us.
When writing this talk the first piece that I saw fit was when I was very small; I grew up in the church. I was taken to church week by my mother for my dad is not a member. He has his own beliefs which I respect, and I am thankful that he still believes in God and the savior for it made growing up in my house, though it didn’t seem at the time, easier and a blessing. We were fortunate to have God in our home while I was growing up. I remember my mom teaching me to pray when I was a small boy before bed and saying prayers before meals. As I think and look back, my family was always taken care of or looked after. Even through hard struggling times.
The second piece I could see was my baptism. I was baptized like most people who grow up in the church at the age of 8. It was done by my brother just before he left on his mission. I am extremely grateful that he could do it because of the bond that it has created between us. I don‘t remember all of my baptism very well. I don’t know who spoke or the songs or anything, but for two things that I can never forget. The first was when it was time to go into the font. I got very upset. I was nervous and unsure of what was going on. I think the only other baptism I had been to was my sister’s which I do not remember at all. I remember at that time wishing and hoping for someone to come help me. Well since we did not head out into the font someone came out to see what was wrong. That person was Bishop Thomas. , though he wasn’t bishop at that time. He was able to get my mother for me which I was extremely grateful for and relieved. . I do not remember anything that my mother said to me but afterwards, still nervous I was able to go with my brother and be baptized. The only other part I remember is the feeling I got when getting out. A warm burning sensation of the spirit though I did not recognize it at the time. I associate this feeling similar to the burning feeling I get when standing up for something that I know is true.
The third piece is when I got older, turned 12 and became a deacon I received the Aaronic priesthood. Once again a nervous feeling came to me when it was my time to pass the sacrament. It was the same feeling I felt when I was 8. But I got through it finally with some help. And I felt a new sensation. It was warm like before but less intense. It was a more calming feeling. They same feeling would come back each week as I had to pass the sacrament. It would calm my nerves and allow me to pass reverently. I think then was the first time I started to recognize the spirit. But unfortunately it didn’t last.
The fourth piece is the turn for the worse. Sadly after being a deacon, things went steadily down hill. The church started to disinterest me. I started blaming the church unjustly for personal issues that I had. With the start of things like early morning seminary, and me not being a morning person, budded heads with lots of peers and teachers. Just ask some of my young men advisors. I could have quite the attitude. I started questioning a lot of the church. How could Joseph had done all that happened? Why would God appear to him? How is the church today true? I stopped caring about the church in my anger and did not seek answers. I had forgotten the feelings of before. I had plugged my spiritual ears, closed me eyes and could no longer hear the Holy Ghost or see God in my life. It would be a back and forth struggle and choosing the right or the wrong with casualties in the form of friends and family.
The piece is when I was 17 and a true change happened. I was called into the bishop’s office one Sunday with some other boys. This was when the bishop was Bishop Kent. He wanted to talk to us about our behavior and attitudes in seminary for which we all distasted. He kept me back after the little meeting. I do not remember the exact reason why, I think it was to extend a calling or something. But at one point the stopped, and the only thing I remember him saying in a calm concerned voice was, “Blaine is there something wrong? You seem unhappy.” And I knew he was not the only person there that was asking that question. I was asking the same question to myself and the spirit was there asking me too. It was there with a new feeling. A feeling of deep concern and love like a parent has for a lost child. It was not angry. Unfortunately at the time I lied. I told him things were fine, and shortly left after that I left. But what he said and what I felt stuck with me. Well a couple weeks later after thinking about how I felt, my issues and problems, what I had been doing, the true reason for my despair and what I should be doing. I could see how dumb I was being kicking against the pricks. I just couldn’t take it. When we put the weight of sin from our lives on our backs, without the support of God and the gospel and repentance things become really heavy. As time passes we may even become numb to the weight. Life can get worse when we keep adding more and more weight into our lives. Well, after a couple of weeks I couldn’t take it anymore. I meant with the bishop again and this time told him the truth. I had an overwhelming rush of the spirit after during that meeting. So much that I broke down. The burden was lifted. Such a feeling of joy filled me and would not leave and I beckoned it to stay as long as it could.
Well after that was when things changed. I started listen again. I read the Book of Mormon all the way through including the Doctrine and Covenants. With each chapter, each page, it was something new. I made connections with the people of the Book of Mormon. As I thought and pondered about Joseph Smith I could feel a connection. A connection that I feel every young man should find. He was a young man just like all of us were, but he looked for answers sincerely and humbly. And if God could help me, I know that he would have helped him.
After that I continued to stay strong. I attended school at BYU-Idaho, which was a great place for me at the time. It was a safe environment to allow my spirit and understanding to grow. I did what was right, listened to the spirit and prepared to serve a mission. Every time I would face trials I would do so with God in my heart. And there have several times since that I have had the old nervous feeling but I face it with new perspective and with the spirit.
Brothers and Sisters, I want to tie these pieces together with an analogy of one of my favorite things to do, hiking. Sometimes we can go hiking through the woods on a trail. It’s very easy to be enticed to wonder off the trail. Good be to take a picture, get a better view, find a shortcut, chase a small woodland creature. Whatever it is we lose sight of our destination. There are so many dangers off the trail that we do not see and before we know it we become lost. But even if we get lost we have been provided the tools to find our way back. And for those who really need it, the people, search parties with their hands extended saying “it‘s ok, we‘re here to help“. We all know the tools. They are the spirit, scriptures, prayer, the restored gospel, and the living leaders, apostles and prophets we have today. It is using the tools given to us that strengthen our testimonies. And it is the strength of our testimonies that keep us on our paths.
When writing this talk and preparing to serve, I started to see all these pieces fit together through God’s plan. I can see that my testimony has been growing ever since the start. From the beginning God and the Savior were in my life, my home, and family. They were and are my foundation. Like the first Article of Faith says “We believe in God the Eternal father and in his son and in the Holy Ghost.” I had learned the basics of prayer and scripture study and knew them by heart. It provided a good home and environment to grow up in. My testimony increased more as I made my baptismal covenants and received the Holy Ghost. My awareness of the spirit grew. As I accepted the priesthood it increased my understanding of the spirit. I was tested with my tools in hand, but ignored them and became lost. But God did not give up. He blessed me with the people in my life that never gave up trying to help me straight. They helped my testimony grow from love and repentance. Brothers and sisters our testimonies should continue to grow over time. It is through our trials that we really begin to know what is true. It may not be a ‘know’ where we have facts or it can be explained, but is something that we continue to experience all the time that cannot be denied.
My conversion and gaining of a testimony has been a process spread over a long time as all should. Our testimonies should never stop and are never done. Now I hope that you have been thinking of your own conversion and testimony because you will understand that I cannot explain all of how a testimony can better our lives. The blessings are limitless. They can be as small as making a bad day better. To giving someone hope is this confusing crazy world we live in. To as big as taking someone from the pits of despair or the mist of darkness, even worse then I was, and put them standing here today ready and willing to serve with such eagerness and excitement. I invite you to take time to think of when God was there for you. Think of blessings you have received that maybe have gone unnoticed or forgotten. And be apart of the search parties and share it with someone. It is the best way to better your life.
I leave these words and a sincere long goodbye with my testimony, that I know this church is true, I know God lives and that he loves all. That he sent his son who willingly died for our sins that we might return to God some day. I know that Joseph Smith son the father and the son as boy in the grove. And that through him the true Gospel was restored to this Earth. I testify of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, that it was translated by Joseph Smith. I testify that the statement in the introduction of the Book of Mormon that says, “We invite all men to read the Book of Mormon, to ponder in their hearts the message it contains, and then ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ is the book is true. Those who pursue this course and ask in faith will gain a testimony of its truth and divinity by the power of the holy ghost.” is true and simple. I know that we are led today by living authorities, apostles and prophet today. I know that God is always there for us. And I say these things humbly in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Friday, February 12, 2010
One Week
It is the time now. Only a week left until I leave for England. It has been a hard but exciting time. It has taken a little longer to get going but well worth it. I have refreshed this blog. Gotten rid of old posts, changed pictures, and added new information. My wish is to change the feeling of this blog to being more respectable, humble, and deeper and not just the rants of a teenage boy. This is the best way for people to keep in touch with what I am doing. My time to write letters will be limited but will do my best to write those that write me. And if you are unfamiliar with LDS missions, I cannot bring my cellphone, I cannot call, nor facebook, or blog. So this will be my last post on here. After this, someone from my family will post updates that I send home in letters or emails for all to read.
So my final week is this... Finish packing, finish talk, have big dinner with the family, speak at church, open house, say last goodbyes, make sure all affairs are in order, be set apart, and finally go to airport and get on a plane.
There are so many thoughts going through my head as well as fears and stresses. But I am proud and happy to say that I feel ready. There are still a few bags left to pack but that is all physical things. I have felt an assurance deep inside me, telling me that I am ready. And it is thanks to my family, friends, and God for bringing me to this moment in my life. None of them ever gave up on me even when I might have given up on them. I bear testimony and witness of the truthfulness of God and his son Jesus Christ. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ is the true church and is the restored gospel. I know that the Book of Mormon is true, and that Joseph Smith Jr. was a prophet of God and translated the Book of Mormon. It has taken me many years to know these things are true and will take more to know the full capacity of all there is to understand. I look forward to serving people. I cannot wait to hear from all of you and to write back. Thank you for all your support.
Elder Blaine Chad Dudgeon
So my final week is this... Finish packing, finish talk, have big dinner with the family, speak at church, open house, say last goodbyes, make sure all affairs are in order, be set apart, and finally go to airport and get on a plane.
There are so many thoughts going through my head as well as fears and stresses. But I am proud and happy to say that I feel ready. There are still a few bags left to pack but that is all physical things. I have felt an assurance deep inside me, telling me that I am ready. And it is thanks to my family, friends, and God for bringing me to this moment in my life. None of them ever gave up on me even when I might have given up on them. I bear testimony and witness of the truthfulness of God and his son Jesus Christ. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ is the true church and is the restored gospel. I know that the Book of Mormon is true, and that Joseph Smith Jr. was a prophet of God and translated the Book of Mormon. It has taken me many years to know these things are true and will take more to know the full capacity of all there is to understand. I look forward to serving people. I cannot wait to hear from all of you and to write back. Thank you for all your support.
Elder Blaine Chad Dudgeon
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