Week 78: La Rosa

Hola amigos!

It's been such a good week and I never want to leave!!!!

Miracles

-We got in contact with Lucas! He had literally run over his phone with his car (he showed it to us) and changed work schedules but he is still interested. He says every time he tries to come closer to Christ, a bunch of bad things happen in his life. He asked for a priesthood blessing, so the Peregrines came with us and Hermano Peregrine gave him a sweet blessing. 

-Ericka recognized the spirit during our lesson as we talked about the Plan of Salvation. She accepted the invitation to be baptized on August 27!

-We had a lesson with Noel. Hermano Chacon and Victoria Stewart came with us and he opened up a little more about his concerns. Please pray that he can develop renewed faith in Jesus Christ!

-We were able to help Hermana Delia Acosta, Hermana Julia Herrera, and Araceli Barajas start on their family history 

-We found out Heydi is coming back this Tuesday (for real this time haha).

-Ericka, Noel, and Edgar all came to church. The last time Ericka came to church, she was 6 years old and all the Old ladies remembered her and were so excited. Sister Clarke said this was the best day of her whole life seeing Ericka back at church. 

-When I walked out of relief society on the way to sacrament meeting, I heard someone call my name. It was my trainer, Hermana Midence and my friend Julie!

-After sacrament meeting, Hermana Midence, Julie, and Ericka all stayed to be part of our lesson with Edgar. We were able to read from Joseph Smith History to resolve some of his confusion about Joseph Smith. 

I am a witness of a living God. He is a God of miracles. 

At the beginning of this transfer, our only solid friend was Lucas.

It was a test of faith, to have worked to here for so long and not see the fruits. 

But this transfer, we have given every ounce of faith we had, and God has worked miracles. 

He has led us to those who are prepared. He put them in our paths. And through the atonement of Christ, they are being changed. 

One of the biggest miracles of all was the change I've seen in myself through Chrust. 

A few transfers ago, I was feeling discouraged and sad. I talked to President Platt, and he promised me that in the last days of my mission, I would see some of the greatest miracles--miracles of peace, understanding, comfort, growth, joy. 

And I have seen these miracles. 

He's carried me. 

And I wouldn't trade any of those hard experiences on the mission for anything because they've helped me to become more like Christ as I've relied on Him. 

I love the words of Alma in Alma 26. 

Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us, and said: Go amongst thy brethren, the Lamanites, and bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success. And now behold, we have come, and been forth amongst them; and we have been patient in our sufferings, and we have suffered every privation; yea, we have traveled from house to house, relying upon the mercies of the world—not upon the mercies of the world alone but upon the mercies of God...And we have suffered all manner of afflictions, and all this, that perhaps we might be the means of saving some soul; and we supposed that our joy would be full if perhaps we could be the means of saving some...Now have we not reason to rejoice? Yea, I say unto you, there never were men that had so great reason to rejoice as we, since the world began; yea, and my joy is carried away, even unto boasting in my God; for he has all power, all wisdom, and all understanding; he comprehendeth all things, and he is a merciful Being, even unto salvation, to those who will repent and believe on his name."

He is a God of miracles. I love Him. And I love representing Him.

Love you all!

Hermana Dudley

PS. I'm speaking in church this Sunday at 12 pm. I would love to see you all there! Reach out to Samantha if you have any questions because I can't respond to anyone til Saturday lol. 

412 Scarborough Dr, Chesapeake, VA 23322

1. HB with the zone (longest surboard in the world I think)

2. Me in front of this apartment complex in Santa Ana we've gone to literally twice a week since I got here

3. Araceli!

4. Hermana delia acosta

5. Brothers taco Truck

6. Wards

7. Ericka, me, Hna Echeverria, Julie, Hna Midence

8. Soccer Saturday

9. Hna herrera

10. Lesson with Edgar and the Hermanas