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

 

 

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