To Know Thee

Well Hello Family and Friends,

Just another wonderful week doing the thing I love most! Because that is the case I have just been overwhelmed with gratitude to my Heavenly Father for the opportunity I have to put on the tag every day and go to work. I have done all that lies in my power to cherish my time here in Ventura. I am so set on working harder and harder (which is good) as I round 3rd base and head for home. My President gave me some simple counsel and just reminded me, “Don't forget gratitude." A lot of the time as a missionary you get so caught up in doing your best, working hard, being obedient, etc…that you forget how you got there. And that is when you must remember Grattitude. If done sincerely, that then causes deeper humility, and helps us rely upon the Lord  even more for the blessing. 

We had the wonderful chance to find some solid potentials this week! One of them came late Friday night. We were visiting some members in a local complex and just were walking past a smoking station where there was a bench. I was moving pretty swiftly and I almost missed her...Out of the corner of my eye I saw one middle aged woman sitting by herself. I kinda just walked straight for her and sat down right next to her! Shook her hand, and said "Hi I'm Elder Judd what's your name?" And then my companion did an awesome job at introducing who we were and what we do. As soon as she did that she kind of turned to the side to hide her cigarette that she was smoking, I then asked about her tatoo on her ankle and she then bashfuly twisted her legs up to hide it and said that "this was one of those 18 year old decisions". (She regreted it) She then went on to tell us that she had talked to us before and that she was interested. We left her a BOM with a focus on the introduction, got her phone number, and set up a return appointment! It was a great contact thanks to my companion. It's Little things like that keep us going. 

Going off if that, in closing I would just like to share something I learned as I have been studying this week. (I LOVE THE HOLY WRIT) As I have been feasting upon the missionary chapters in early to mid Alma I have been learning a lot more about King Lamoni and his father. I just wanted to highlight one verse in Alma 22...

Up to this point we know that Lamoni's father was a king who has a bitter enmity towards the Nephites. Aaron who is one of the sons of mosiah, had to come to the Lamanite Nation to bring them the gospel. He went to the Kings home and subsequently engaged him in a gospel discussion about the purpose of life. Once the king became receptive to his message, Aaron taught him about Christ, The Plan of Salvation, and the possibility of eternal life. This message hit him so hard that he eventually asked Aaron: "What shall I do that I may have this eternal life of which thou Hast spoken". Aaron in a summary instructs the king to pray in Faith, and repent. The king did so and in verse 18 we learn what was said...

18 O God, Aaron hath told me that there is a God; and if there is a God, and if thou art God, wilt thou make thyself known unto me, and I will give away all my sins to know thee, and that I may be raised from the dead, and be saved at the last day. And now when the king had said these words, he was struck as if he were dead. 

I have experienced this for myself, therefore I bear my testimony that it is impossible to really know Christ, and not surrender our sins. I know that because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ we are able to surpass these ideas and beliefs about who he is, and use our faith which is in Christ to turn it into an actual relationship. As one person more and more becomes like him, that is when one can say "I know him." As we do this our understanding is enlightened, our Joy is illuminated, and desire to do evil is no more. 

I know that this is the church of the Jesus Christ. This is his work, we as missionaries need him A LOT more than he needs us. This is true. 

Love, Elder Judd

 

 

Just Loving Life!

Hello Mom, Family,  and Friends

Westlake living is a blessing. As I am sure you are aware from previous emails that where I am at right now is a very wealthy place. A lot of people set in their ways, content with where they are, comfortable with there bumper sticker Jesus. Through it all the Lord has given us a pearl amongst the swine...Jennifer Penrose, a single middle-age woman with 3 children of her own. I have received an even greater knowledge by knowing Jen and teaching her, that Heavenly Father knows his children. He loves, and is in the details of our lives.

 

Jen is commited to Baptism and she is aiming towards August or September. His sheep know the voice of the Shepherd. As I Listen to, Learn from, and Love the people I teach; the more I come to realize why I am doing what I am doing. And this is simply because of the fact that we have a loving Heavenly Father who loves ALL of his children. And he wants ALL of his children to return and live with him again. Through the teachings of the holy Scriptures, past and present Prophets and apostles, modern revelation we have learned that all of this is possible because of his Divine son Jesus Christ. The Savior and Reedeemer of the World. 

In 2 Nephi 31: 21 we learn...

21 And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God. And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end. Amen.

As I have even emphasizing my study of the Doctrine of Christ this transfer these first 2 weeks I have studied Faith & Repentance. We learn in Alma of the correlation between these 2 crucial principles...

15 And thus he shall bring salvation to all those who shall believe on his name; this being the intent of this last sacrifice, to bring about the bowels of mercy, which overpowereth justice, and bringeth about means unto men that they may have faith unto repentance.

16 And thus mercy can satisfy the demands of justice, and encircles them in the arms of safety, while he that exercises no faith unto repentance is exposed to the whole law of the demands of justice; therefore only unto him that has faith unto repentance is brought about the great and eternal plan of redemption.

So when our Faith + Love is Centered in Christ, we are then motivated to repent. Meaning we trust his divine sonship as the only begotten of the father. We then desire his holy "merits, mercy, and grace." When the  Repentsnce process then begins to unfold, this becomes the  Power that yield his Power to forgive. 

We as missionaries some times get so set on making sure our Investigators are praying to know the truth, living the Word of Wisdom, coming to church etc...But some times we forget to asked them one of the first most basic fundamental questions we pose as we teach:

"Have you excersized Faith in Jesus Christ and Repented of your sins?" 

I know that as we exercise Faith, and repent that we will receive an even greater abundance of his spirit in our lives. As we teach those who are elect. We then get to witness the Conversion process unfold. The Light of Christ fills their souls, and their heart and mind become invigorated. 

Jesus Christ lives. I know it! 

Love, Elder Judd

 

 

What?! Last transfer??!!

Well here we go...This transfer had ended and my last had officially begun. 

Sadly, Elder Iongi is getting transferred all the way up to SLO. 

I am getting a new comp named Elder Ujhely! He was actually the DL here in Agoura 2nd ward. He is stud, and I am excited to learn from him. Jen is progressing well and we are excited to see what happens! I am so excited to finish my mission here in the WLV ward! 

I am as happy as ever:) I know this work is true. And am working harder and harder. 

"The price of discipline is always less than the pain of regret." 

Love, Elder Judd