Happy Thanksgiving!

Hello fam!

How was your Thanksgiving? Well we ate some turkey, played some football, found some more Investigators, ate some more turkey, and played some more football…what a week! 

We had two exchanges this week as well. I was able to go with Elder Seui, and Elder Morgan both again. It was so much fun. I look up to both of them so much. And they are both like my brothers on the mission. Elder Reeves and his companion were able to tract into 2 new Investigators! And it turns out that they are both formers. Both Devout Catholic so that is awesome. We have a return appointment with them this Saturday. 

And the Merrells are doing great:) We taught them again this week and they came to church and stayed for all 3 hours. They are reading/praying every day, and are finding askers to questions along the way. Man don't those last 2 sentences just make you smile?!  The church Is true!

Every single day I have been spending the majority of my time in Jacob 5. Just really breaking down Jacob's Allegory of the Olive tree. Many prophets and apostles have stated that this is the "Greatest Parable taught in all of Holy writ…and there is a promise given to all who heed a conscious study of it's teachings." To the "honest seekers of truth" the holy ghost can make manifest the truth of all things. And I bear you my testimony that this is true. Because I have experienced it. I have become an agent unto myself. My testimony has become written on the "fleshy tables" of my heart. Independent, and engrained. 

I love vs...70-72 in Jacob 5. Taking about the Lord and servant of the Vinyard. The Lord being God, and the servant being the prophets. In this case us...I bear my testimony that we all have been commanded to "Go to, and labor." For the "Last time…"

I know of him who is coming, coming to save one and all. So we must be ready when he gives the call. Jesus Christ is the Savior and redeemer of the world. And he is coming back for his own. So I ask you...Will your banner be clear?

I challenge you to make it easy for him. 

I love this Gospel.

Love, Elder Judd

 

 The Merrill Family!

 

A grateful heart is a humble heart

Dear Family and Friends, 

Just another solid week in the Greatest mission in the world! I am so grateful for the chance to especially express my gratitude this month. Although it's been a daily thing! I am grateful for my family.  They are an unfailing example of Faith, Charity, and Love. I am grateful for the blessing I have to serve a mission. The opportunity to represent our Savior for these 2 years. 

And to transition, I am grateful for elect families like the Merrells:)  We taught them once this past Tuesday and Friday.  We covered Obedience, Word of Wisdom, and prayer with Scripture Study. Man it was solid. They all saw the "Lord's Law of Health" thing coming, they said. Stan and Carrie both drink coffee but that's okay! They have been trying to quit for a long time. But as we taught the "Why" behind the "What" that was when the spirit was really able to testify to there hearts. And we talked about then how we can use prayer and Scripture Study to help:)

I am confident when I say that they will find the strength to obey this commandment. And I pray that they will then RECOGNIZE his hand as they do so.

In Mathew 15 the Lord feeds the 4000...verse 15 talks about how he first "gave thanks" THEN they were fed. 

Think of this imagery. The savior and Redeemer of the world called upon his father and "gave thanks". THEN the miracle was wrought. The Savior himself acknowledged the Father in ALL things. As we so the same we to can have the Faith to bring to pass miracles in our own lives.

As we live in Sincere Humility our Heart will be changed to a grateful one. And as we acknowledge God's hand in our every day lives. He is in the details. That means be grateful for the little things.

Learn Grattitude

Live Grattitude

Love, Elder Judd 

P.S. Turkey bowl this week;)

 

 

First week with a phone!

Well another great week in the California Ventura mission. Week 6 is in the books and next transfer has officially begun. 

Sadly, I will be saying goodbye to the one and only Elder Hales…but that kid has served a wonderful mission and has changed lives every where he has served. He will be missed dearly but all is well! My new companion is Elder Reeves from the Pennsylvania. We actually came out together and slept in the same room together the first night in the mission! 

Well we had another fabulous week to cap things off. The Merrel family came to church again and also stayed for the 3 hour block! The word is in love with them and that is exactly what we want:) Brother Merrel actually used to work with a few members in the ward so that is cool and will also help with fellowship. 

We were unable to meet with them this week though because brother Merrell had to go out of town last minute, but hopefully we will be able to teach them twice this week:)

 The highlight of the week is when I was able to go to the temple this past Saturday. Elder Morgan and I  we're able to attend the temple with the first recent convert we taught and baptized the second transfer of our missions together. Tita  Lawrence received her endowment. And we were able to witness it. In two weeks she will fly to Denmark there to be sealed to her husband for time and all of eternity who passed away a year before her baptism 13 months ago. It was one of the most spiritual experiences of my mission. And I will remember it forever. To describe what the Gospel of Jesus Christ has done to this woman's life is impossible. She is an example of Faith, Endurance, and light. I love her. 

I bear testimony that the temple is a place we can go to find refuge. And literally gain spirtialy power that will then enable us to conquer weaknesses, and become the people that God would have us become. 

God lives, and we can draw closer to him as we abide in his home.

Love, Elder Judd