Week 79: Home (Part 2)

Hola familia y amigos!

Here's part 2 to the last week of my mission:)

On Friday, July 28, we woke up early and headed to the mission office. It felt surreal to travel down the 22 one last time. We listened to some of my favorite songs on my mission, including the song "Se hará señor tu voluntad," which I would always listen to with Hermana Midence.

When we got there, I gave Hermana Echeverria one last hug and piled into President and Sister Galotera's car. We got to John Wayne Airport all too soon and had one last chance to say goodbye to the Galoteras before heading through security. Oddly enough, one of the elders from my mission was also headed to the Norfolk airport, so we said goodbye to the other missionaries in our group and headed to our terminal.

As the plane left Anaheim, I started sobbing. It was kind of embarrassing lol but I don't think I've ever been so sad in my entire life. The lady next to me was so kind. She turned off her music and asked me if I was ok. We ended up talking for most of the flight about my mission, our beliefs, and our interests. She was really sweet. I got her facebook but accidentally lost it when I switched phones (oops). Hopefully she is able to get in contact with the church another way. On the second flight, I sat next to someone named Jason who has had a little bit of a rough life. We talked about the Plan of Salvation. He seemed curious but not completely interested. I asked if he would want to meet with missionaries and he said he'd think about it so I gave him a Pass Along Card with my email on it.

After a long day of flying, I got to hug my family. It was special to see them again.

We got home late from the airport. I wanted to teach my family the Restoration one last time as a set-apart missionary. I cried the whole way through it. Overall, I was just filled with so much love and gratitude for and from God.

The next day, President Smith came and released me as a missionary (that means I no longer have the authority to preach the gospel as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ). It was bittersweet. I was so scared to get released, scared I would lose this special part of me. And although I don't have that sacred mantel anymore, it was comforting to realize I was still the same person, with the same experiences. I have still experienced a change of heart through the atonement of Jesus Christ. And I still have the companionship of the Holy Ghost.

Right after I was released, my family and I went to the newly dedicated Richmond, Virginia temple. I felt at home there. And I experienced some incredible miracles. First of all, I ran into my mission companion, Hermana Cordova, which was totally unplanned. Then, right before we did baptisms, I met Teresa, a recent convert who was there alone to be baptized for her deceased parents. I was able to go into missionary mode again and help her feel comfortable and loved. It taught me that the Lord will still give me opportunities to serve His children as a disciple of Jesus Christ.

The next day, I went to church in my home congregation, the Mount Pleasant Ward. I loved being there with my family and seeing my friends from church. I felt so blessed to see teachers, friends from high school, and my tennis coach there as well. I had the opportunity to speak in church about what I learned about repentance as a full time missionary. It was a sweet experience.

I am filled with gratitude that the Lord gave me the opportunity to serve him as a full time missionary. Through this experience, he has tutored me. Here are some of the lessons He taught me that I will always treasure:

-The Lord taught me the importance of covenant keeping. When I have intentionally lived my temple covenants, especially the covenants of obedience, sacrifice, and consecration, I have felt His power in my life. I know that covenants yoke us to the Savior so He can carry us and mold us into the disciples of Jesus Christ we have the potential to become.

-I have become a witness of a living God. He still speaks! He still answers prayers! He still calls prophets! He still works miracles! I have seen God's miracles-miracles of change through the atonement of Christ, miracles of loving and feeling love, miracles of forgiveness, miracles of understanding, and miracles of healing, both physically and spiritually.

-I have come to know, through my experience and the witness of the Holy Ghost, that this is the only true and living church. While all churches have parts of truth, this is the only church with God's priesthood power and authority. I know this because of the Book of Mormon. I've read it and I've prayed about it and received an answer. The Book of Mormon is true. Studying the Book of Mormon has helped me to grow closer to my Savior. I feel peace when I read it. I have seen the fulfillment of prophetic promises in my life. As I have read the Book of Mormon, I have been protected against temptation, received Heaven's Help in my life, and received promptings from the Spirit.

As much as I miss the mission, I am excited to keep learning and growing and giving everything I have to Him. I will be a disciple of Jesus Christ forever.

My very favorite quote is from Elder Holland. He said:

"'If ye love me, keep my commandments,' Jesus said. So we have neighbors to bless, children to protect, the poor to lift up, and the truth to defend. We have wrongs to make right, truths to share, and good to do. In short, we have a life of devoted discipleship to give in demonstrating our love of the Lord. We can’t quit and we can’t go back. After an encounter with the living Son of the living God, nothing is ever again to be as it was before. The Crucifixion, Atonement, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ mark the beginning of a Christian life, not the end of it."

I am excited to spend the rest of my life showing Him how much I love Him.

Love yall!

Hermana Dudley

1. With my family at the airport

2. Grandma and Chichi

3. Rob, Miranda, and Capri

4. Getting released

5. Richmond temple

6. Hermana Cordova at temple

7. Ally and Baylor

8. Still took my hermana tag with me to church

9. with my family after church