What else can I put on my altar of Sacrifice?

Hello From Elder Judd!

Week six of this transfer in the books and with it comes March!  It’s almost spring!  I heard it's pretty cold home, with lots of snow. I am so sorry but I cannot relate:) Sunny and 65 all week long. It has been extra green and beautiful from the rain last week. 

We were walking along the beach contacting, and some guy who did not look very happy came up and offered us his child, and walked off without his kid!  The little boy was about 3-5 years old, so it was really sad. As missionaries we can't take children, so we were kinda in a pickle here…we stayed with him until a random lady came up and got him. Hopefully it was his mother. The same day we also talked to a couple of Crip's so that's always fun! Sometimes they are rude but most the time they are really cool and nice! They know who we are, and told everyone else that we're “God's Chosen" so that's funny:) 

I am getting transferred to Lompoc! I am really really sad to leave my area. Like very sad. I am sad to leave all my kids but it's okay! They are all so great, and will be missed. What a great opportunity to start fresh. I am in the Mesa Oaks Family ward. My companion will be Elder Ballintyne and he came out with me so that should be fun! The nickname for my area is Lompton, because apparently (aside from Oxnard) it is like the hood of the mission! I am really excited!

I love being a missionary so much! I hope you all are finding true joy in spreading the Gospel... the Good news:)

 Also, I want to apologize for my competitive nature at home. I was prideful and I am improving.

What else can I put on my altar of Sacrifice?

Love, Elder Judd  

Are you a follower, or just a fan?

Dear Friends and Family, 

Hello all you amazing people! Week 5 is in the books, although it felt like week 6 because of all the crazy #Miracles! (is hashtag still a thing?) 

It rained sooooooooooo much here! Like seriously it did! It was truly wonderful. I live in the beautiful place.

So remember Luis?  He is the pass-off from the sisters.  He came to church this past Sunday and that was his second time!  He is doing great and we plan to set him with a date this week when we meet with him!  Then Elder Lemus and Elder Gardiner were on exchanges and they tracked into a boy name Greg Olivos.  He is 22 and lives in Ventura.  He is so awesome!  They got his contact info and then we got ahold of him and set up a time to visit.  This past Friday we met with him for the first time. We taught him the Restoration, and challenged him with a baptismal date for March 18th and he accepted! He is literally a baby in the gospel.  He has no background whatsoever, and that is so good.  And rare.  He came to church yesterday as well, and is just looking for friends and a fresh start.  The word did a great job fellowshipping him.  He can’t wait for the activities during the week.

And then we were going thru our formers and saw the name Eric Pena, who dropped the missionaries 1 year ago.  We called him up and he was so happy that we were checking up on him.  We scheduled a time to meet him last Saturday and he kept the appointment!  We had what you’d call a ‘Come to Jesus lesson.’ The spirit was so strong and he got emotional.  Eric had a change of heart, and accepted to be baptized on March 18th as well!  Please keep them both in your prayers!

I have never been more happy in my life.  The joy that comes from losing yourself, and loving the Lord is impossible to describe.  I know that it is not until we make the ‘turn’ that is described in this power verse of scripture, 

19 For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.

 20 And moreover, I say unto you, that the time shall come when the knowledge of a Savior shall spread throughout every nation, kindred, tongue, and people.

21 And behold, when that time cometh, none shall be found blameless before God, except it be little children, only through repentance and faith on the name of the Lord God Omnipotent.

I am so happy and I love my companion momma:)  He is a very good boy, and we are working hard. 

With the new missionary guidelines, here is my daily schedule you asked about:

- Wake up at 6:30

- (6:30-8:30) Exercise, breakfast, ready for the day.

- 8:30-9 plan for the day

- 9:00-10:00 personal study:)

- 10:00-12/1:00  Big Work:) - contacting/Ventura Beach/Ventura College

- 1:00 - 5/6:00 -  Potentials, lessons, formers, YSA  hopefuls etc...

- Dinner/Area Book if we are home

- FHE/lessons/meetings

- in apartment by 9:00 if we are not teaching

- lights out 10:30 or earlier

I have so many Goals, and I am so excited! 

Are you a Follower? Or just a fan…?

Love, Elder Judd

A very kind member took them to lunch, and then sent us this picture.  We are so grateful for the thoughtful members who watch over the missionaries.

February 13, 2017

Hello Family, and Friends!  

What a great couple of weeks it has been here in the Great California Ventura Mission! Elder Judd is doing wonderful, and is so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so HAPPPPPPYYYYYY! So many miracles wrought by Faith! This ward is doing so great, I just love these kids! 

HEY: We have 2 new Investigators that both came form pass off lessons with another set of Sisters and Elders! It's crazy how the Lord works some times isn't it?? Well their names are Luis, and Zachary and they both came to church yesterday which was Another Miracle! They both need a little help with the W.O.W. but that's noting that the spirit, and some prayers of Faith can't fix. You start sendin' down those Prayers to the West Coast! 

This area is so beautiful and I thank Heavenly Father for it every day! There is no place like the West Coast from the South Side!:)

I pray you all are praying for opportunities every day to help another come unto Christ! However it may be it does not matter:)

In the words of one of God's Chosen Prophets: "Just Do it!" 

Live the Gospel People! And you will have a good time Livin'!

Love, Elder Judd

'The Veil is thin.'

Hi mom! 

Thanks for the picture of Ethan and his date. Ethan looks so good, and so grown up! He’s 16 already? He ALMOST makes those shoes look as good as I can:) 

This week was great, and full of miracles. More for myself than the area. We are teaching a guy right now who's name is Clay Allan. He has gone as far off the path as you can imagine. Addictions of every kind. Seriously. A couple of weeks ago his girlfriend miscarried, which was sad. But also a relief for him because he knows he is nowhere ready for that responsibility. We were supposed to meet with him this past Tuesday and Thursday. He cancelled both times. We felt prompted so we showed up at his house this past Saturday. I was on exchanges with Elder Seui Fola from SLC who I LOVE!! He's like my brother. Anyways, Clay opened up the door and we began from there. We taught them both for about 30 minutes. Long story short, it was AMAZING!! She plans on meeting with the sisters this week. And Clay from now on will be calling us when he wants to change. Mom, I was filled with the spirit. He was smoking all during our visit and couldn't control himself, and when I closed, something came over him. He dropped his cigarette and became completely still. As stiff as a board. My eyes were on his for the remainder of those two minutes. He was completely silent. He then cried. Closing prayer, and we were gone.

My comp is great, I am loving him for who he is. I am loving Ventura County and want to live here after I retire. We are at Ventura College almost every day. 

I am applying humility everyday, and much more. I want you to know that I am trying.

I’ve been thinking about Grandpa Judd.  I’m up every morning at 6:30am and out of the apartment to exercise. Exhausted from the previous day, but ready for another. Just like him...

I then think of him, Grandpa Judd, up before the crack of dawn, out to feed the calves in the field, and attend to the work that needs to be done. The work that lies ahead. Whether it's moving pipe, fence line, harvesting, whatever it was. He did it. He did it with exactness, every time, the first time. 

As I am running, right outside our apartment I look up. I see 2 trees. Those same 2 trees from the looks of it, that are in Glenwood. Identical.  Next to the barn, where every so often, 2 or 3 bald eagles sit still.  I remember Grandpa always being the first to point them out. And then being able to talk about them. Forever. :) 

I know and testify that the veil is thin, that Grandpa Judd perhaps may be with me more than he ever has been in my life. I call upon him for strength. And without fail, every single time, I hear him. "Elder, If you'r half the missionary we think you are, you'll be alright.”

Love, Elder Judd

Me and Elder Seui Fola

January 31, 2017

Hello All!

Week 2 of this transfer is in the books, and many tender mercies with it! Elder Gardiner and I are doing great, and I am loving him so much...:)

We still have 0 in our teaching pool but a lot of potentials that we have been trying, trying, and trying to contact! It is okay, because I know that the Lord will always provide. We are getting to know the members, and are building  trust!

As some of you may know already, some BIG changes were made for the missionary department all over the World. We have had a slight change in our morning schedule, and have even more time in the morning! And also quite a change for P-day! On P-day we will now be able to leave our apartment's by 8. Which makes everything so much easier! So we will be less stressed when we have to get everything done to prepare for for a week full of Miracles ahead!

The Lord has shown the increased Trust level that he has for his servants through this announcement. We truly are hastening his work. It truly is a lot more effective. (If you are smart with it.) I testify that we are led, and guided by a prophet of God who holds the keys in order to do what he is doing. I love him very much, and am so happy when I choose to Obey everything he says. 

I love you all, and hope you all are finding "True Joy" in your lives,  just like I am in mine!

Love, Elder Judd

p.s.  I can’t send pictures from these computers :(  

And Elder Morgan got sent home. :(