Zone Conference and the 6 to 9!

What a great week! 

Zone conference was this week and let's just say President Nakken is an inspired man. He is really pushing us as a mission to "Own the hours from 6-9". The missionaries over the past years have been slowly easing into in this trap where they think it's just not good to proselyte when these later hours come. I call it "PPT"..."Prime Proselytin' Time”  It's when Satan tempts us that somehow that "it's too late" or "you don't want to bother their family time”, when in reality it’s just the opposite. People are home, families are together, and the gospel can help them. 

We had two of our Investigators at church with us yesteryday along with several LA's. It was a great sacrament meeting followed up by a wonderful Gospel Principles class. 

I have seen the difference in the people I have worked with over the course of my mission, of the spiritual power that comes when they consistently attend church,  compared to those who fail to keep this commitment. It acts as a wonderul gauge of who is ready and who is not ready to take that step. One of the Investigators who came was Nikki Heart.  She's 13. Her mom is a returning LA and is absolutely amazing. I love the Harts so much. They have developed a really strong bond with the Elders over the last couple of months. Troy is the Dad who little by little you can tell the spirit has just been working on. He is softer and softer every time we stop by. It is amazing to see the enabling and purifying power of the Savior leave it's mark on this family. Justin is Nikki's older brother who is about 16 who we are also teaching. He's not quite there with his commitment level but is almost! He is such a smart and bright kid who has so much potential. 

Last night at about 7:45pm we pulled into our parking stall to go in and study to finish off the night. (we were unable to do any studies all day to due how busy we were). I put the car in park, grabbed the mile log book from my companion and then without hesitation I just looked at him and said: " We need to Visit the Harts”.  He said to me: "I was thinking the same thing." Without thinking twice he got out, backed me out and off we went…excited, nervous, ready, not ready:), and curious as to why were going over there.  As we pulled up we said a prayer. We just happened to still have 3 talks we were planning on giving them later, in the car with us. I snagged those after we said a prayer and we were at their door. The whole family was home. We were there for about 45 minutes and we answered several of their deeper questions regarding the Plan of Salvation. The Spirit was there, and it was a wonderful experience. Everyone was just smiling, and I couldn't help but think that God was too. Later that night Sister Hart texted us and said: "Glad you came by. I was hoping you would...Coincidence?”  That gave me the chills. We gave them each their own copy of the talk and they all committed to read them by the next time we meet which will be this Wednesday. 

I bear testimony of the reality of Divine Intervention…that through his missionaries God brings to pass his eternal purposes. But it make his job awfully hard to do that if we don't own 6-9!  The Divine Companionship is real, and as we "facilitate" we are then able to “participate" in the work of Salvation. I know that this is true.

Love, Elder Judd

 

 

 

Will ye also go away?

Well another stellar week here in A-Town! Here are some of the quick Highlights:

- 2 Exchanges with the Paso 1 Elders. E. Ameny and Gallagher. So many miracles happen on exchanges which make them really fun to have.

 

- We found 1 New Investigator this week name Terry English. She is living with her cousin right now who is a member and is just great. Terry has been coming to church for the last 2 weeks now and loves it! On exchanges E. Governale and E. Gallagher actually had dinner with them and were able to teach a lesson. She had a lot of questions that were answered and she "loves the lady group" (Relief Society)

- We were able to teach Al and Joanne, Kersten and Sal, also were able to stop by Mike and his family! It was another eventful week that went too fast. Mike has set a goal to only now drink on the weekends! Yay, that is huge for him! He usually drinks a lot every day, and we had a really cool come to Jesus moment with him regarding his commitment. He knows he needs to step it up when it comes to the effort he is putting forth. 

- We did service for Troy Hart for 2 hours on Thursday. Man that was a miracle. He really is softening up, and some of questions are being answered. And he is also taking us golfing today so ummm...here we go:/

One of the many things I have learned here on the mission is simply how bad the Savior wants to be our friend. And in the midst of our mortal life he asks us all this question..."Will ye also go away?”  The Savior will always love and be there for us. But his peace I feel is conditional. On whether or not we follow. As I have been closely working with our Investigators I am feeling so strongly the need for them to be converted to Christ. As missionaries we are to act as guides. Helping ALL of Gods children to "Come unto Christ, and be perfected in him." That's why it is so important to be the very best vessel we can be to allow the Holy Ghost to work through us. And STILL there are missionaries who feel it's okay to be disobedient...Sad day.

There are some struggles in my district, but I am doing my best.

Fightin the Good Fight!

Love, Elder Judd

Even while you are in bondage...

Hello family and friends!

Had an eventful and emotional week this week as we watched our investigators cope with the stresses of life and  try to thwart whatever Satan throws at them. Through it all just praying 24.7, wishing that we could be with them always, and then having to wait patiently, and trust that they will conquer their old habits. Unfortunately, no one was able to make it to church this week. 

But we did find 2 New Investigators this week:) Isaac abd Michelle are their names. They have been living together for about 9 years but have only been married for 2. So yay:) We served them this past Friday, they fed us that night, and then we taught them:) They are so kind, humble, and ready. Please pray for them!

I just want to start off by testifying of the Redeeming and Enabling Power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, with a specific focus on the Enabling power. David O. Mckay said: "The purpose of the Gospel is to make bad men good, and good men better. And to change human Nature." That is what's possible as we access the enabling power of the Savior's Atonement in our lives...I bear my testomony that because of this enabling power that the Atonement is not just for sinners, but for saints as well. We learn in Mosiah 3:19 to "put off the Natural man"...To put off the natural man means to access the enabling power of the Master. And to draw from his Holy merits, mercy, and Grace. As we putt off the Natural man we will begin to turn away from evil, and towards that which is good. Putting off the Natural man is about making a turn. Turning "out" like the Character of christ. When the Natural man in all of us wants to turn "in". It is the enabling power that transforms us into "New creatures" as we learn from Paul. And is the Power in which our weaknesses are made strong. So long as we are humble as we learn in Ether 12:27. But as I met with, worshipped with, and prayed with our Investiagtors this week, my mind weighed heavily upon the merit of him who "Delivers" us from Bondage. From that "enemy who holds us captve"…every single one of our Investigators are struggling with some sort of temporary trial or hardship. Satan is working on everyone, and at times he succeeds. As missionaries we at times need to learn what it means to stand back and let them struggle. Learn, recieve, and act for themselves. Imagine how our Father feels...? The Book of Mormon illustrates this idea perfectly...

Mosiah 24: 13-16...

13 And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord came to them in their afflictions, saying: Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me; and I will covenant with my people and deliver them out of bondage.

14 And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.

15 And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord.

16 And it came to pass that so great was their faith and their patience that the voice of the Lord came unto them again, saying: Be of good comfort, for on the morrow I will deliver you out of bondage.

I pray that you will all read these verses again, and then act and access the power that comes from such FAITH. The Lord did not literally lift their burdens from off their back. It was not the burden that changed. Rather it was the Enabling power of the Savior in which they recieved because of their FAITH they excercised in HIM. That is why FAITH is a source of power. I bear testimony that FAITH is the first principle of the Gospel by divine desgin. If we are to become "New Creatures" then FAITH must not be contingent upon our outcomes. Let us al learn this one lesson.

God will never keep us in a trial longer than we are able...He loves us, and knows what is best. May we trust him thrugh the thick and thin. And excercie Faith on his Son. Faith that is not contingent upon outcomes. 

Love, Elder Judd

1. Connie, a LA who is my fav! 

2. Service 

3. Mike our Investigator (He had just finished his 24th beer before we took this picture)

4. Exchanges with Elder Riches

5. Georgia Bergman is leaving on her mission (member family in the ward)

 

 

'A-town'!

Fam and Friends,

What a blessing it to be on the Lord's errand! I am fitting right in here in Atascadero 2nd ward. I am almost at the very tip top of the mission. It's a small little town with a lot of farmers and cowboys. My New companion is Elder Governale who is from Oregon. He moved a lot growing up and also lived in 18 different homes and 6 states! Wow, I know.  He has been out for about 7 weeks now, so he's still really young. Young, raw, and ready to work. He has that "Greenie fire" which is so fun to watch and work with. I have done all I can to keep that as I go throughout my mission. I am excited to listen, and learn from all that he has to teach me.

The field is very, very white!

We currently have 4 Investiagtors with a date right now and more are coming! We had 7 as of a couple of weeks ago but one or two we have to push back due to commitment and Weddings:) But we most likely will have those dates back by this next week. So please, please pray. We are doing all we can to Facilitate Baptism here in A-TOWN. There is so much more to do and we love it:) We have so much potential and need the Lords help through it all if we want to reach it. The Lord is blessing us from moment to moment. We have 12 in our Pool.

We taught 4 of our Investigators this week and all of them were able to make it to church as well! 2 of them being Laurna and Carl. (Mother in her 70's, Son in his 40's)...Laurna is our main focus right now. Carl is a little Autistic and is still not sure how he feels about what we teach...BUUUUUT Laurna on the other hand is so solid. She has her date for the 24th of February. But we still have not yet taught the W.O.W but are confident that there will not be too big of a hold up. She knows the Book of Mormon is true, but is still just a little hesitant on Joseph Smith. Which doesn't really go together I know, which is why we taught her:) We had the thought as part of our lesson to show the 20 min Restoration video. Midway through she started to ball. It was just her and the Spirit which is exactly how we like it:) We then bore testimony of the truthfulness of the BOM and of Joseph Smith's role as the Prophet of the Restoration. It was a wonderful experience. She also has a lot of family problems going on behind the scenes which have the potential to hinder her progression so please, please pray!

We tracted into a WONDERFUL young couple who both had just gotten home from work. They both work together at the same Italian restaurant! We just walked up to them and Elder Judd cracked a  joke about this huge pile of rocks that were just plopped down right in front of their house:) And that made them laugh which lead to a great 15 minute conversation about their work and what we do as missionaries! We offered to do service for them and remove all the rocks for them. And then we said the best part about it is that it's FREE!:) So they accepted! They also said they will bring home some really good food from their restaurant. Two new investigators!

The Lord is good. I have learned a lot about myself this last week speicifically. I know that God loves us. He knows us by name. He understands our desires, and what we need next to become what he would have us be. Have your mind where your feet are. I am excited to work with the Lord hand and hand and help them find the waters of baptism.

Been in Mosiah all of this week...Gideon is the Man...He reminds me of my dad! But Gideon doesn't quite have as many muscles;)

And a shoutout to my new nephew, Henry Spencer Judd! The Lord truly is mindful of us. I miss him already and am excited for him to see his favorite uncle in a few months. Uncle Elder Judd!

Gotta keep fightin'!

Love, Elder Judd