Dear family units of the great United States of America,

 

 How art thou? Things are good here. We have an investigator who's progressing towards baptism nicely. He's such a nice guy and is a pleasure to work with. His understanding is not the best but he is learning. We're planning on the end of this month for him. He came to church yesterday and to our mission home fireside which was great. Every first Sunday President Lindley puts on a fireside. It was yesterday though because of GenCon the week before. Usually you have to be reaching standards to go but this time he opened it all to everyone. So we got to go with our investigator. It was so good to see all the other missionaries and some old friends. I got to ask about some old areas. Like for instance in Halifax, a recent converts uncle has decided to get baptized. He is a great guy and someone I remember while I was there. I also got to see the old ward mission leader from Bradford. He is such an amazing guy as well. He has been the best WML I've had on my mission and is someone I learned a lot from. It was nice just being able to catch up and talk with everyone and to see other people improving and getting advice from some as well.

 

This week has been a lot of finding efforts. Had a couple meetings in York and I don't remember if I told you, but we are ways from York. Like we take a train into Leeds and then another to York. It takes about an hour and a half to two hours by train then plus walking to the chapel. It takes a lot of time. Have had a few good experiences this week though. Got to talk to a couple nice people on the trains. It's a great missionary opportunity because they almost always ask what we are doing in England. I don't how much comes from it but it's nice to give a pass along card out or a pamphlet. We have to go to York again tomorrow for interviews with President and a zone meeting. I'm looking forward to that.

 

This transfer is almost over which is quite strange. It's a five week transfer instead of six and there are going to be a lot of changes going on because some zone leaders, district leaders and one of the assistants are going home. It's exciting to see what happens. So next week I believe we are emailing on Tueday with transfer calls on Monday. I'm pretty sure I'll stay.

 

It's great to hear that everyone is doing well. And the sounders winning! I'm appreciating getting emails from everyone. Sounds like Devin and Sarah and K are having fun and have some changes. Myranda seems to be enjoying Idaho for the most part. And married life haha. It was neat because the world report they show at conference was showing the BYU-I centre. Neat to get some videos of that. Mom sounds like she is doing good and hoping to get the garden started. I would like to do some gardening actually. There are all these things that I miss doing that I never thought I would miss doing. This week will be good though because we get to do some service for a lady we knocked into. She's a llittle elderly and needs help. Her front garden was the only one not done on the street. So we are getting our investigator to come with us and help garden.

 

Well I hope everyone is doing alright. I miss you all. I have an assignment though. In D&C 4 it talks about ''the field is white, already to harvest.'' Can someone tell me what it means by being white? Like how good was a field when it is white. Just a curiosity thing. Thanks.

 

Well I miss you all. I'll talk to you next week though and Mothers day is coming up. I'm looking forward to calling.

Cheerio,

Elder Dudgeon

Dear Family,

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Love you all! CHeerio

 

Elder DUdgeon

Dear Family,

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Elder Blaine Dudgeon

7 Shakespeare Crescent

Castleford

Pontefract

WF10 3HE

UK

 

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

 

Hope all is well

Love,

Elder Dudgeon

 

Dear Family,

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

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

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

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

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

Elder Dudgeon

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

Hey Family,

 

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

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

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

Well I got to go. I love you all.

 

Cheerio,

Elder Dudgeon

 

Dear Family Units,



Oi! What you like? Aw way! Ha ha Just joking. Oh you are asking for a translation? I just said 'Hey whats your deal? Come on.' Crazy I know but that's the language for you. How is everyone doing? Well I mean now after you emailed me because I know how all of you are doing. Thanks everyone for emailing me. Everyone sounds like they are doing good and winding down. The craziness of the season and that other thing. Glad it all went well and thanks Myranda for the pictures. Shame on the rest of you. I want all the pictures you can send. Myranda looked really perdy in her dress and everything. Hey can I get one of those ties that Brad is wearing? I like it a lot.


So this was a little back to normal and things started to progress. We've been finding more people to teach and more people have been giving us referrals to teach as well. SO that's good. It's still kind of slow though. We see a lot of new members and less actives. We see about 10 in the whole week. Mostly new members. It's hard because we want/need to switch them over to the ward and home teachers but we're lacking in some of the coordination. It's all good though. Let me think of some experiences this week...


We saw some new investigators and one of them is a kid and he was trying to describe the feeling he got when he prayed. He said it was like passing gas without farting. Like the relief after indigestion. It was funny, but true I guess. That relief and comfort you get from the spirit. So that was funny. We met the nicest drug addict. A very nice polite guy. Like the druggee with a heart. He believes in Bob Marley and Rastafarianism but he doesn't smoke pot anymore so thats good. Just some of the crazy people you meet I guess. Don't worry we're careful. We found plenty of potential people this week as well. Hoping to see them next week. We also went on exchange a few time this week. Once with the Zone Leaders which was fun, then again friday with the Middlesbrough Elders. They are having a rough time working together so they needed a good exchange. I'm trying to help my companion figure out what we can do to help them. I've been telling my companion why I had some problems with companions, what I did that helped and what didn't. I learned a lot from my last 2 which I think is why Elder Ashby and I get along so well. The dad from the family we just baptized got the priesthood Sunday aswell as invited some of their friends to church. They are doing really good and are really nice. They keep progressing and are even teaching me things. I think that's about it for the week. There wasn't too much exciting things happening that I can remember right now or that I can really say.


I can tell another story I had the other week though right after Christmas. Well it starts before Christmas. At the Christmas P Day at the army base, Sister Lindley, our mission President's wife, read us a story called Christmas candles.



A man went into a shop to by some candles for his lantern to get him home for Christmas dinner. He's rude to the candle maker because he makes really nice candles, very pretty ones but they will always melt into puddles of wax. So the man just asks for some plain ones, the cheapest ones. The Candle maker warned him though that they maybe cheap, but would be the most costly. So the man walks home with his latern lit with these candles. Well the story goes he meets several people on the way home, beggars and homeless. Everytime he sees them with the candle light though it looks like someone from his family. So shocked to see his mother, brother and other family members begging or hurt in need of help he helps or gives everything he's got. But when he takes the candle light from their faces he sees who they really are. Well he passes by one beggar before he gets home. A little girl, knowing if he shined the light on her what would happen. SO he gets home for Christmas dinner. See's his family's faces and remembers the people he helped. Remembers the little girl and goes back out into the cold to get her and bring her in for a nice Christmas dinner.


It was a nice story and made a lot of sense to us missionaries. So since I heard that I was trying to think of every person I talked to as a member of our family and to fight just as hard for them. Well one day Elder Ashby and I were out knocking with not much luck and were walking back to an appointment when he stopped a woman. Well I didn't notice it until I stopped and talked to her too, but she looked just like mom. Like dead on. Same height, size, hair, voice, face, everything. It was really weird. Well we talked to her and she was really nice but a methodist and so didn't really care too much. She heard of us before. We fought hard with no success. Well with that she kept on walking home. It was hard to see mom walking off like that but I was greatful for the experience because I learned so much about loving people and helping people from it. It's one of my more tender experiences lately so I thought I should share it with you all.


Let's see what else. Elder Ashby and I are great. I hope we stay together for another transfer or 2. How are things at home? The member we live with loves American football and was upset to tell me that Seattle beat the Saints. He tries to down Seattle every now and then but not this time. So that was funny.


Not much else to report. I hope you all are well. I have not received dad's little package yet though. So I don't know what happened. He sent 2 normal ones nad 1 small one right? Might want to see if you can track it down.


AS WELL THIS IS BIG NEW SO LISTEN UP AND THEN SPREAD THE WORD. THE OFFICE HERE CAN NO LONGER FORWARD OUR MAIL TO US SO IT NEEDS TO BE SENT STRAIGHT TO ME WHEREVER I AM OR TO THE OFFICE. IF YOU SEND IT TO THE OFFICE I WILL NOT GET IT TILL WE HAVE A BIG MEETING OR INTERVIEWS. WHICH MEANS 2 TO 4 WEEKS AT THE MINIMUM. I WOULD LIKE MORE POST THEN JUST EVERY 2 TO 4 WEEKS SO LISTEN UP MY ADDRESS HERE IN BILLINGHAM IS

ELDER BLAINE DUDGEON
40 ESSEX CRESCENT
BILLINGHAM
TS23 4AW
UK


IF YOU SEND A LETTER OR A PACKAGE TO ME MAKE SURE YOU GIVE IT A GOOD 7 TO 9 WORKING DAYS TO GET HERE. THAT MEANS THEY DAY BEFORE TRANSFERS IS NO GOOD. TRANSFERS ARE ON FEBRUARY 2ND. I'LL LET YOU KNOW WHEN THE NEXT ONES ARE. THE ONLY ADVICE I CAN REALLY GIVE IS WHEN IN DOUBT SEND IT TO THE OFFICE ADDRESS. IF IT GETS TO THE FLAT ADDRESS AND I HAVE MOVED IT WILL TAKE EVEN LONGER TO GET TO ME. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY SO THEY KNOW AS WELL. OR MAKE SURE IT IS ON THE WARD BULLETIN OR WHATEVER. CHEERS.


well i got to go love you all.


Elder Dudgeon

Dear all the folks at home, (mainly Devin because he is the only one who emailed me this week )



How was everyone's new years! Ours was very uneventful as new years eve should be on a mission. Went to bed at 1030 and woke up at 630. That was it. Elder Ashby and I did get something to eat (my last kebab till my birthday, I don't wanna get fat). It was fun. We enjoyed the next day thoroughly though. A full working day with no busses and everyone hungover and staying inside. We walked 18 miles that day. The feeling in my head that night was, ♫I would walk 500 miles and I would walk 500 more♫ haha it was good.


That day was actually quite fun. We went to the bishops home for dinner (aka: lunch) and they were all tired from the night before. They are a great family. Well when we were done and had some good laughs we were going to leave with a spiritual thought. But before we did the kids were asking us questions. First one was about colors which Elder Ashby started laughing at me because I'm still having a hard time telling between certain colors. Well we told them one more question that we'll answer completely truthfully so the older are thinking when the youngest who's about 10 quietly asks ''have you ever kissed a girl?'' Hahaha it was hilarious. I went bright red and so did everyone else. I didn't answer instead we gave the spiritual thought. But thats my funny story of the week. Things you run into. It was a good meal appointment because our Bishop took us out around his areas and showed where some of his friends live that aren't members so we can try by. Then took us to another members house. He's a good bishop.


Things have been kind of slow this week but going well. We are trying to mix things up a little bit. Break away from what missionaries have done in this area for years. Trying out new areas and working more with the YSA. We went through our area book and found some former investigators that are really good. We have met some LA and PM families to seek referrals from which is great. As well as we saw some recent converts that haven't been seen in awhile. They have just amazing stories to tell. Some are from Africa and faced many hardships I couldn't even begin to comprehend nor cope with. It was a really humbly day when we went by them. This has got to be one of the most foreign missions. You meet so many different people from all over the world and all walks of life. Speaking english is sometimes a struggle haha.


Things are so good though. Elder Ashby and I get along so great. Maybe too well. We can lose focus or go off subject pretty easy, but we are getting better at it. I don't know if I've told much about him. He's from Pocatello, ID. He's country boy but didn't grow up on a farm as my zone leaders first told me haha. He basically did what I did. He likes and listens to mainly country music which is funny because I've never met any missionary yet who likes country music. You know me, I like anything so we get along with that just fine. Oh funny thing, the member we live with taped the BYU v UTEP bowl game and we watched it this last P-Day since we are allowed to watch recorded sports. There was college basketball on right before it as well and it was just weird to here American accents and stuff, but neat.


I started to write in my journal again. I'm terrible at it. But Elder Ashby showed me how he does his and it seems a lot easier then the wasy I do it so I'm trying it that way. It's going well I've made it everyday since the new year and thats my goal. To stick with my journal because this is my full year here. From beginning to end of the calendar year I'll be on my mission. Crazy. I'm so excited though. Well I hope everyone is well. I bought dad a birthday present but it'll be awhile till I send it. I got it now because England does January sales. Right after Christmas and new years sales drop to 50-70% off. So it was good. I was thinking as well. If anyone sends a package anytime soon, send taco seasoning. Haha like those big containers of it. The other American missionaries and I miss tacos haha. Just a suggestion. I haven't gotten dads other small package yet. It may come this week though because of the holidays and the bank holidays.


I love you all and I miss you. Hope everyone is doing well. SEND EMAILS NEXT TIME AND PICTURES OF THE WEDDING. even if its just a couple of email. SEND SOMETHING!!!


TTFN (TaTa For Now)

Elder Blaine C. Dungeon Master