Merry Christmas!

"Looks Like he dropped his whole load! "

"Merry Christmas, ya filthy animal...and a happy New Year!"...2 famous quotes from 1 one of my all time favorite people, and one of my all time favorite Christmas movies!

I hope you all have had a wonderful Christmas celebrating the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. This just may have been one of my favorite Christmas's so far although I am sick🤔...But that's okay😁...Thousand Oaks is awesome! It actually is a little cooler than I imagined but luckily Santa brought me an awesome sweater! Elder Kopaunik is my new comp and he is from Sandy, UT. He is great! We actually came out together so that makes 2 in a row, with Elder Reeves!

The work here is great we have 5 investigators but I actually only have met 1 of them but that 1 came to church! Sacrament meeting was great. We had so many wonderful talks given on the Savior and what he makes possible for all of us. The spirit was so strong!

This past Friday we had our Chistmas Zone conference which was AMAZING!  It was all centered on the Savior, OF COURSE. We also had about 7 musical numbers. I was able to perform a Joy to the world/Christmas song mash up with Elder Seui, Elder Iongi, and Elder Anitoni. And yes they are all Islanders! We're all like Brothers.  2 Samoans, 1 Tongan, and then 1 white boy...our name was the "3 for 1 deal"...Elder Anitoni was on the guitar and he was so good!

As I have gone throughout the month of December I have really focused my study on the life of the Savior. In doing so I have taken President Nelson's challenge upon myself. To study his name under the topical guide. I have been both reading and marking every single scripture under "Jesus Christ ". As I have embarked on this constant study of the Savior this scripture keeps on coming to my mind. It is on John 4: 34 "Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.”  The Savior's desire to do the will of the father in all things took priority over all else. Even when he was at the early age of 12 years old he was about his “ ather's business"...Forsaking his mother and Father to do the will of his Heavenly Father.

As the new year approaches let us all try a little harder to have our hearts centered on doing all "those things that please him". (John 8:29) And it is my testimony that our Savior pleased our Father perfectly. The Savior as not just called, but chosen!

I want to bear my testimony of the birth of Jesus Christ. That he was indeed born of a young virgin named Mary, who was also visited by an angel and told she was to bear a child. In the city of David, in a town called Bethlehem this child was born. I know that this transcendent event was a fulfillment of prophecy that had been testing the faith of many believers. I know that the he lived a life in which there was no flaw. 

He established a church, taught the higher law, performed miracles, Atoned for the Sins of all mankind, was crucified, and at last was resurrected the 3rd day.  And through all of this he "he suffered temptations but gave no heed unto them."

I know that as we come to know him our ability to become as he is will increase.

I close with my testimony thay "Be therefore Perfect" is no plea or Invitation. But a commandment. With that in mind in the words of Elder Holland, “Let us become so...Eventually." 

"A thrill of Hope, dreary world rejoices"

Love, Elderr Judd 

P.S. I have the best family in the world. Just in case you all didn't know:)

Can't wait to talk to you all today!

I'm getting transferred and I'm so sad.

Well, week 6 capped and transfer 13 is under way! I have been in Camarillo or 4 1/2 month and I will not make it 6.  My heart is broken, but I am doing my best.

I am so sad to leave all of these wonderful people. Especially the Merrells. My love for this family I cannot put into words. We were so blessed to set her with a date for the 13th of January. We were so excited when she decided to set that goal. PMG teaches us that "Goals reflect the desired of our hearts, and give us a vision of what we can accomplish." I am so excited to come back and witness the baptism of both Stan and Carrie. 

In my study of Kind Benjamins sermon specially in Mosiah 2 he teaches so much about service. And you can tell just how much he loves his people. A leader seeks to inspire and uplift, rather than seeking to impress and get gain. He had an obligation to teach his people. Realizing that his end is near and that the couldn’t bear for the blood of his people to come upon his head. And his motive was Love. 

This Christmas season I invite you all to "take it upon yourself" and do all you can to serve. And #Lighttheworld with the person whom we call master, Jesus Christ the Son of God. The Savior and Redeemer of all mankind. He does not expect us to do what we can't. Only what we can. By small and simple things we can make a big difference. 

I will be going to Thousand Oaks with Elder Kopanik. I have never served with him but we came out together! So it should be a blast. 

133 West Avenida De Los Arboles #212

Thousand Oaks, California 91360

Christmas is here people! Merry Christmas!

Love, Elder Judd

 

 

Baptism by water, baptism by fire, fire!

Hello Everyone!

Well if this isn't a week to remember in the GCVM, then I don't know what is. 

To start things off we had a fire in Ventura! And then about 5 more started…It was really hard on the people here.  Hundreds of thousands of acres were burned along with hundreds of homes destroyed. All residents in Ventura, Ojai, Santa Paula, Filmore and Carpinteria were all evacuated. The Oxnard building which is mission headquarters has been flooded with all kinds of donations. There have been about 45 missionaries that have been unable to work like they’re used to all of this week, and we have been able to host a couple of them. 

Members and non-members have really stepped up. It is such a testimony builder. I know that God will provide. And this all just happens to occur during the #LighttheWorld initiative. This will and already has, provided a wonderful opportunity for these people to turn outwards and think of others. I know that we all to at least some degree are compelled to be humble in preparation to receive what the Lord would have us receive. My love for these people, and the missionaries has grown so much in the past week. God works his works no matter what. And they are ALWAYS for our benefit. All that is left to us is to trust.

The week finished off so amazing, with the baptism of Keith Merrell! Once again, my joy is full!  His Baptism was the best service I have ever been a part of. There were 100+ people there and the Spirit was so strong, and so piercing. The whole Deacons and Teachers quorums were there to support. And many of them participated in the program. It truly was a wonderful experience that I will remember forever.

Brother and Sister Merrell are doing great. They both want it so bad! We are so proud of them both, and they have come so far. Hopefully the first week in January will be the week! I have truly come to love and feel for this family in ways that I have never loved, or felt for anyone before. 

In John 9, the the Savior heals a blind man. His disciples questioned whether it was him or his parents who had sinned. And the Savior's answer is so profound..."Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents; but that the works of God should be made manifest in him...I must work the works of him that sent me." God had a plan all along, to glorify his name, and his Son's...For us to experience his infinite Goodness in all things. In vs. 25 we now know that this man now has a testimony of Jesus Christ. Which came because of his trial. And he was unshaken, independent of all else.

Two chapters later, in John 11 Christ raises Lazarus from the dead. Why? Why did 4 days go by? "Why weren't you here earlier?" Martha and Marry questioning these things...Why? Again the Master Teaches us..."But for the glory of God, that the son of God might be glorified thereby." By working this miracle Christ showed the people that HE is the RESURECTION and the LIFE. And vs 42..."That they may believe that thou hast sent me." 

I bear my testimony that the Lord wants us to believe in him.  I know that God has a plan, and his plan his perfect. It's sad to see what the fire has done, but now is the time. Now is the time this Christmas season to be bold and fearless because we adore him.

The Church is still true and forever will it be.

Love, Elder Judd 

 

 Donations!

 The quorums supporting Keith!

 The Merrell Family