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

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

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

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

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

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

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