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

 

 

Happy Memorial Day!

Happy Memorial Day week-end.  I miss both grandpa’s, but I know they are with me. 

We have 2 in our teaching. 1 Golden and Elect soul named Jen. We have 2 appoitments set up with her this week both with members! 

The Sherwoods are good. Jordan is a sweet boy who will be a great Elder. I am excited for him! 

Is there anything I can do for you?

Love, Elder Judd 

p.s.  The second picture is of Brooke White (from American Idol)  and her awesome family.  They are in our ward and we love them!

 

 

Best Ward Ever!

"Familiares y amigos, me regocijo contigo en el evangelio o la doctrina de Cristo." -Elder Wakolo 

YESSIR !! The church is true, the Book of Mormon is true, and God still loves YOU! 

The week flew by!

We had a pretty solid week, and are continuing to brainstorm different ways to hasten his work by using technology! We've come up with a solid social media challenge, and are looking to implement it this week.

Anyway, we had an awesome MLC and it was well driven by the spirit! One thing I loved is when Elder Taunvasa was talking about a team, and how they don't just work together but they learn to TRUST each other. It's important to have that trust, by doing so there is unity which creates an environment for the spirit to be in! 

We had an amazing lesson with the Gutierrez family, that was well attended by the Jensens :) Talked a little bit about the Plan of Salvation, and God's love for us!

Not too much time, but this was about it! 

LOVE YOU GUYS! HAVE AN AWESOME WEEK! 

Love, Elder Judd 

P.S. We just saw Jamie Foxx driving a sweet ride haha.

 Ali Pitts and new hubby came to our ward!

 Practicing to sing in sacrament meeting

 Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area for our P-day hike!

There's No Place Like Home!

Dear Mom, Fam, and Friends,

Well, as my subject line states I am back home! I am here in the West Lake Village family ward where I served my 2nd transfer. Wow time really does fly. So many changes, and even some new faces. Well, apparently some of the members were even excited to hear I was coming back haha.  Go figure. I love all of these people so much. 

I am with Elder Iongi! My Tongan brother from Portland Oregon. We came out together and he was in the classroom next to mine in the MTC, and we hit it off from the get go. It's crazy how the Lord works! #Dothework

Well just to show you how Westkale operates, I'll give you a quick example…it’s a very affluent area.  In our ward there are:

- CEO's of multiple companies 

- Owners of Restaurants

- Doctors

- Surgeons 

- Writers

- Authors

- Directors

- Presidents of Corporations  

- Entrepreneurs of every kind

- Lawyers 

- Attorneys 

- Singer Song writers

- Miss California (haha) 

- Professional Athletes 

- and MORE! 

And the best part is that these people are some the most humble folks I have ever met. And they give, give, give! And love, love, love. They are such good examples in every way and I am excited to work with them even more. What a blessing indeed.

So as we were “surprise" visiting the gated homes. (where an active family in the ward lives). We stopped by and saw they weren't home after we had gone through the gate.  We got a call from Sister Gates telling us that they were not home, but that a realtor was showing their home to an "NBA Player”.  As soon as she said that our jaws dropped. We waited outside the home for a while, talking to his driver.  Anyways, we took a selfie with him after he told us he was driving with Anthony Davis (NBA Center for the Pelicans!)  We showed no reaction but inside we were dying!  Just as we turned to leave, the castle doors open and AD walks out, along with his friends and fam. Who all get in the car. We were 10 feet from him! But we were told by his driver that if we were to take a pic with him he could lose his job, because he told us who it was. Man it was quite the night!  

We have MLC this week so it should be fun! Always excited to see what Pres. Nakken has up his sleeve. 

We currently have 6 in our teaching pool which includes a family of 4! 

As we continue to press forward we will harvest fruit according to our faith. They invited me to speak in Sacrament meeting my first Sunday in the ward. Haha it was so much fun. I spoke about the Doctrine of Christ and it's role in coming unto Christ. I invite you all to peek at Alma 5 to learn more. So much gold in there! 

Love, Elder Judd

From the bottom to the top to the top to the bottom!

Well, as my subject line states, transfers are here! 

Two transfers ago I came from nearly the bottom of the mission in Thousand Oaks, to almost the very top of Atascadero.  But I guess now the Lord wants me back down low. We got our transfer calls this past week and I will be going back to where I spent the second transfer of my mission! (light years ago) 

I will be serving in the WLV (Westlake Village) family ward:) I was there first with Elder Morgan but now I will be with another one of my best buddies, Elder Longi. He's Tongan and is from Oregon. #Imlikefamiilytoallthepolys.

We will have the chance to serve as ZL's together so this should be a blessing. I am so excited to get started here again and to see my first 2 converts ever who are living there still:)

As I will most likely finish off my mission here, I am so excited to see what the Lord has in store. 12 more weeks to give 'till I drop and teach until all men know. 

This past Sunday, the final speaker for sacrament meeting didn't show up, so the two departing elders,  Elder Jarman and myself were able to share two brief testimonies. This ward will be missed. There are a lot of good people here in A-town, who have impacted me more than they will ever know. Oh, how grateful we are for the power and influence of good examples in our lives!

Love, Elder Judd 

Comin at ya live, from the 805

Dear Fam and Friends,

So you know those times when you just wish things could just kind of slow down..? Yeah well it's one of those times!  Finding joy in the journey every single day. It's the little things in life we must treasure, because in the end, the little things will not be so little.

That being said we had a wonderful week. From Zone Conference, to the TEMPLE, to Facebook! The most important of the 3: the Temple. It was such a blessing to find peace in the house of the Lord. It was a wonderful experience that I will cherish forever. I was able to go to the Fresno Temple for the first time so that was a blessing! I know and testify that the temple is where God dwells on earth. It is a place of refuge, comfort, and belonging. As we consistently make a conscious effort to attend the temple regularly, as we learn in D&C 38, we can be endowed with "Power from on high."

Zone Conference was amazing! We were able to be trained by President Nakken. That man can inspire anybody. What a blesing to have such trusted, inspiring, and loving leaders instruct and edify missionaries. 

As I sure some of you already know, we have Facebook!  What a blessing it is to have this amazing TOOL to invite others to come unto Christ. We will be using Faceook for online Proselyting Purposes ONLY. I am able to friend anyone who I know, but am not able to view anyone's posts except members and Investigators in the current area. But please accept my friend request (if you know me) so we can get our messages as wide spread as possible! You can also like and comment on my posts:) But just know that I am NOT able to respond to any comments or likes. And as for facebook messenger we are only allowed to use it with members and Investiagotrs as well. So the one common thread for contact will still be my personal email. You can follow me @Benji Judd.

This past Sunday a young woman gave a talk on virtue. This was her defintion of virtue, which I love: "Virture is a pattern of thought and behavior based on moral standards." She did a wonderful job. Viture is clean, innocent, and pure. Not just that but real, vibrant and alive! Not fake, lustful, or insecure. I know that we must be virtuous at all times in our action, dress, words, and especially our thoughts. We learn in D&C 121:

45 "Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven.

46 The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever."

What greater promise is there than that our "Confidnece shall wax strong in the presence of God”? Light = Confidence that stems from Virtue. While Pride = Insecurity that stems from a loss of our true identity.  Growing up I have known many people, girls and boys, who struggled knowing who they are. Let's all try to be little bit more virtuous every day! 

Confidence is quiet, Insecurities are loud.

Love, Elder Judd

Zone Conference

 

Stake Primary Missionary Activity

 

Fresno Temple Trip