Dudley, Emma

Highlights -Brenda and Enrique got married! It was a small, simple ceremony at the church with their immediate family and the missionaries. I am so happy to see them take this first step to creating an eternal family. Brenda told me she's going to start temple prep classes soon and she and Enrique will be sealed in the temple this summer! -Did exchanges with Sister Kynaston. We had some really good conversations so that we can both be more obedient and consecrated! I love seeing growth in the sisters! Funny moments  -We were having a lesson with Maria Aldrete. She is the sweetest and always gives us water bottles and a snack when we come. This time she gave us bags of popcorn. We went upstairs because one of my comps had to use the restroom. I was eating my popcorn and started walking down the stairs after she had finished. On the second step from the bottom, Maria tells "cuidado" as my feet slip and my popcorn goes flying through the air.  -We were at a member dinner wit...

Hola familia y amigos! It has been another great week full of learning in Huntington Beach. ☆We had Zone Conference! A giant meeting with 100 missionaries where we learn from our mission leaders. It always leaves me so inspired and excited. This time I got to go to two zone conferences because Sister Tuinei and I performed a song called "Gethsemane" about Jesus Christ's sacrifice for us.  ☆We had our first phone lesson with Omar, a self-referral who recently moved here from Mexico. Omar has lots of regrets in life and feels so much weight from the choices he's made. We've started to teach him about repentance through the atonement of Jesus Christ. I am excited to see the transformation in Him. ☆When I was on exchanges with Sister Wheeler, we had a lesson with Edgar. As we planned for the lesson, we felt inspired to invite him to be baptized. Hermana Margarita Perkins from the congregation came with us. We taught him about baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Gh...

Hi everyone:)) On Tuesday morning, we woke up at 4 am and drove to the mission office. I gave last goodbyes to Hermana Amezquita and the other departing missionaries and they were off! It was bittersweet. I am very grateful for the opportunity I had to be companions with her. A few hours later, I met up with my new companions, Hermana Echeverria and Hermana Storm, at the mission office. It's been a hectic week getting them settled and getting adjusted to the trio routine again but it's been really fun and I'm excited to see the growth we experience this transfer!! Milagros: -We were walking to visit a mom and daughter we had met a few months ago (Laura and Aylin). On the way, we stopped to talk to Juan who was sitting in his garage. We taught him for about 15 minutes about the Book of Mormon, prayer, and the Holy Ghost. At the end he said we could come back and teach him more. We asked him where he lives and turns out he is the dad of that family we were going to visit! -Ar...

I feel so much JOY!!! I love being a missionary. I am so grateful for the relationships I develop with the missionaries and friends I serve around.  Friends update: -Edgar is doing really well. Still reading the Book of Mormon and increasing his faith and understanding. Sad news...he moved this weekend. He doesn't know where it is yet. It is all kind of last minute. But please keep him in your prayers that he can continue to progress. -We taught Maria the principle of acting and not being acted upon. She still has a lot of excuses for not coming to church but is making baby steps! This coming week, she is planning on going to the English church service so she can at least take the sacrament.  -We found two new friends! Carmen and Rogelio live right next to the church. They just lost their daughter. Please pray for them that they can find peace through the atonement or Jesus Christ.  Exciting news: -On Tuesday, we went to the LA Temple with Brenda and with all the Hermanas...