I can honestly say I have never been so happy.

Hey Hey Hey!

Man, what a week indeed! I just want to start out by bearing my testimony that this is the Lord's work. And that maybe even more importantly, he moves his work forward…no matter what! I know that we must have by our side the Divine Companionship of the Holy Ghost to move his work forward. And that we can walk with "Power and "Authority as we do so. And walk with Confidence that God is guiding our every move.

This week we had the chance to present our ‘Zone Theme’ and it went so well!  Our zone is full of some pretty stellar missionaries.  ‘Preach Deliverance by His Pattern’. That is our theme.  Elder McLawhorn taught about deliverance and how it relates to our purpose.  And then I gave a talk on gospel patterns.  And then we introduced PMG as the pattern to preach deliverance.  We are really hitting PMG hard. Commitments and goals.  We will be having a sit down with each companionship in the zone in the next 2 weeks to see how it is all going.

We found 6 new investigators this week! And they are all families! None with children are old enough to be baptized yet.  Their names are Nhina and Vin, and they are long time member referrals. They are Buddhist.  Then Sarah and Peter Dustin, who we had dinner with!  We taught them the plan of salvation, and plan to set them with a date this Thursday.  They have 2 daughters who are little. They are so promising, and ready.  Then we found Fred and Becky.  They came from the area book.  Fred is solid, and we’re having a little harder of a time with Becky.  We had a very powerful experience last night with them.  They had a lot of questions that we were able to answer for them.  Fred’s mother passed away not too long ago and so that was awesome to share about where she is now, and what will happen to all of us when we die.  I thought about my grandpa’s.  The spirit was so strong, and we know they felt it.  Fred said the closing prayer and we were so happy.  He gave the most beautiful prayer.  It was great.

The hot topic this week was the Plan of Salvation. I love teaching it simply because it answers those three main questions of the soul. Of where we came from, why we're here, and where we're going.

I know that God loves us. We are all literally his children. That we knew him as our father before we came here. And then we received a body of flesh and bone. Just as his. And that we have been sent here to be tried, and to be tested. And then in those moments, look to God. And trust him. I know that death is part of this glorious plan. And needs to happen in order for us to experience a "fullness of joy." And that we will all be resurrected. That unconditional gift.  And I know that we will all stand before our maker to me judged according to our works and desires.

I love being a missionary. And can honestly say I have never been so happy.

Love, Elder Judd

I love what I am doing.

Friends and Fam,

Sorry for the short one! Had a great week! I LOVE my new Companion Elder McLawhorn. He's from NC and we came out together. He is a stud. We play basketball and lift every week :)  We are so powerful together, and we feed off each other. We were just talking about how we just feel "BIG" when were walking down the street. And we always know that is the Power of the Divine Companionship. The Lord is blessing us every day. Have had so many cool experiences, and opportunities to teach 10-15 minute Restoration messages. Even just in contacting.

I love what I am doing. I love it. And why? People ask me that all the time when I say I love it.  Why? Because I have a perfect knowledge that at this time in my life, I am doing what Heavenly Father wants me to do. Satisfaction, that comes through the Power of the Holy Ghost revelating to me that what I am doing is pleasing Unto God. And that I testify that "true "Joy" in this life comes from no other source.

Love, Elder Judd

New comp. New Area. New Assignment.

Week 7 went by fast!

Transfers are here and I am saying goodbye to SLO YSA! I am headed down to Camarillo to be a Zone Leader. My new Comp is Elder McLawhorn. He is from North Carolina. We came out together and have became really good friends.

I hope this is okay to put in my email. Just wanted to give a quick shout out to my oldest brother Spence, and my sister in law, Natalie! Elder Judd will be an Uncle! Taylor and Sarah you better step up to the plate. Because you're up next.  Who knows Sarah and Travis might jump the gun:)

 I love seeing the Hand of the Lord in my families lives as I serve. Tears of Joy fell when I heard the news. Baby Judd is coming soon. And Uncle Elder Judd (favorite uncle) will greet him last:)

I want to bear my testimony of the need we all have to recognize the hand of God in our lives on a day to day basis. As a missionary it is made a little easier. But I wanted to focus a little bit more when concerning our own progression. I received a letter from my Dad this week where he shared a scripture he had already shared with me in a letter previous. He said he "felt" that he should share this with me again. I know that "thought" to be inspired. And first I want to thank him for being worthy of the Divine Companionship of the Holy Ghost. It is personal so I won't tell to much. But I know in order for us to Progress we have to allow it. I know it sounds different. But some times the biggest road blocks we have in our lives are due to the creator of them. Our own selves. We "build up" when the Savior's Atonement is begging us to first access his power, that will then enable is to "take down" those Spiritual barriers. That once again Stunts our growth. Doctrine and Covenants 123...My whole mission I have not let myself "look back" to see where I have made it. Or to see that "change." I was so focused on setting my sights forward, that in reality I was disallowing myself to "see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed." I know that God both allows and desires for us to look back and see the progress we have made. Because it is in that moment that we must look to him. Knowing that it was all done by his hand. That everything we become, and everything we yet hope to become is because of him.

Love, Elder Judd

 Look ma, the cleanest apartment award!

 President and Sister Nakken

 Good-bye companion...

 

Hello new companion, new area, new assignment!

God never forsakes, or forgets. He just molds, and makes.

Hello All!

Had a fast one but a good one! Found a new Investigator named Evan! He is Hayden's roommate. He's that first miracle after dropping Ryan...(told you;)) Evan is the son of a Pastor at the Church of Christ. With both Hayden and Evan we had an awesome discussion about the Doctrine of Christ. Man it was awesome. When we baptize Hayden along with Evan... were then gonna baptize that whole Pastors Congregation! You watch it's coming...YSA's are the future of this church. With the help of the Lord, it's our job to help raise them to become who they are to become. And that is indeed what the Lord wants. Such a blessing. Transfer ends this week! I hit 13 months on the 13th...Shoot.

Been reading in the BOM everyday (per usual) and have found an increased ability to "Simplify" living the gospel. A lot of the brethren lately have been putting a big hit on this.

With that in mind I want to bear my testimony that when Conversion is assured, LIVING the gospel does not have to be Complex. It can be made "simple". And as we increase our study and application of the Scriptures, and do as Nephi said which is to "Liken them unto us..." I know that our ability to comprehend how God governs, motivates, and blesses will be dramatically "Simplified.” Which just means that living all these so called "rules" can bring us true Joy, and true Happiness in this life, and in the next.

God never forsakes, nor forgets. He just molds, and makes.

Love, Elder Judd

End of July already?

Hello All,

Had a fast one in SLO this week! We had a great 1st Zone Conference with President, and Sister Nakken. Man it was just amazing. I loved every second of it.

Had another great lesson with Hayden! Bummer/Miracle of the week is that we Dropped Ryan Duncan. He's the one who had the date for the 12th of August :( But it's all good. Due to Accountability, and Commitment issues we have to say good bye for right now. Sounds crazy I know but as missionaries it's an act of Faith when it comes to this stuff. It's hard, and you don't want to do it. But the Lord sees that and all you can do is hope then for his "Merits, Mercy, and Grace." Which is pretty reliable;)


We learn in 2 Timothy to "Endure hardness as a good Solider of Jesus Christ." Man I love that!
Doesn't hearing that just want you to be better?! Every morning from 6:30-10:00 we get ready for the day. We workout, Eat breakfast, get ready for the day, then Studies:) (my fav) Ever since the 1st day of my mission I call that "Gear up." That's the first thing we do every day. We "Gear up." Do you? The world is a scary and evil, and is only getting worse. "Soldiers of Jesus Christ" can't "Endure" if they don't "Gear up!"  I invite you all to do the same. The times is now! It's not good enough to be a Consecrated Neutral. Pick a Side.
God bless you all!

Love, Elder Judd

 I want to live here some day!

Exchanges with Elder Chesley