Week 30: Cerritos (Last Week)

Well this was my last week here in Cerritos.

We witnessed so many miracles this week! The Lord led us to many new people ready to hear his gospel, including Xochitl who was going through many personal trials so she requested missionaries to pray for her and we were able to come and minister to her. We felt joy as Hermana Martinez, Maria, and Darlene came to church to partake of the sacrament. Friends and returning members who we are bringing Home. Then yesterday when we were at the LA Temple Visitor's Center with Brenda's family, we were talking to sweet 9-year-old Jeovani about what happens after we die and he said "I felt the Spirit. Jesus is telling me that I should get baptized. I want to get baptized on my birthday because even though it's my birthday, I want to give a present to Jesus." It was beautiful to see the Lord working miracles in each of these friends and it is said to see my time here come to an end.

It hurts my heart to leave this place I've come to call home. There are so many good memories here.

This is the place that I drove home to a small, dark apartment (which Hna. Midence said was close to Compton) that first night more than 20 hours after leaving the Mexico mtc with a brand new comp.

This is the place where I taught my first lesson-the Restoration to a sweet old lady I'm a trailer park.

This is the place where I learned how to be a consecrated missionary. That one night when all our lessons that week had fallen through and Hermana Midence and I made a list of everything we could be doing to better dedicate our time and ourselves to the Lord.

This is the place where I learned that God is a God of miracles as He led us to His children who were prepared to accept His Gospel and gave us opportunities every single day to love and serve.

This is the place where we found families and taught them about the opportunity they have to be together forever through Jesus Christ.

This is the place where I met Brenda and I witnessed the Savior change her life and her decide to follow His example and be baptized.

This is the place where Hermana Young and I cried together and grew together as the Lord gave us trials.

This is the place where I learned how important it is to love everyone around me enough to want them to be better.

I will never forget my time here in Cerritos. The Lord has been molding me into the disciple He needs me to be.

As much as I will miss Cerritos, I am excited for new opportunities to serve in Raymond (in the Spanish stake!) with Hermana Cordova, who is an amazing missionary!!! I know I will grow so much, and I will find more of my friends who I knew before who are waiting for the truth.

I will go where He wants me to go.

This week, I read Elder Cooks Apr. 2022 Conference talk "Conversion to the Will of God"

He said: "the Lord instructs, “That the fulness of my gospel might be proclaimed by the weak and the simple unto the ends of the world.” That includes full-time missionaries. That includes each of us. This should be a laser-like focus to everyone who has been blessed with a conversion to the will of God. The Savior graciously invites us to be His voice and His hands. The love of the Savior will be our guiding light."

I know as we accept the Lord's will for us, especially when it is hard, then we will know that He has greater plans for us than we can ever imagine. I am grateful for this unique opportunity I have right now to be His hands and I invite each of you to look for opportunities to be His hands.

I love each one of you and I am praying for you!

Love, Hermana Dudley

1. Squad with the license plate

2.Eucalyptus street...we took a picture the first time we went there together and had to take one the last time as well.

3.Irene and Atonia. Lots of tears saying goodbye!

4.Went to the temple with los elderes y la familia de Cristian y Fedra

5.Temple with Brenda and Enriques family

6.Hna. casco

7.The apartment complex on Artesia where half our friends live

8.LA Temple con los elderes

9.Kaylin, Kathryn, y Edgar

10. HNA. MARTINEZ!