'Baptisms, a screwdriver, and new assignment!'

Hey hey hey from Lompoc!

The baptisms of Becca and Megan Jones this past Thursday and Saturday were soooo good!  They are so solid, and we cannot wait to see what  the future holds for both of these two.  Megan has a younger brother who is 12 that isn't baptized yet, so hopefully he will jump on board!

Travis Topete will be baptized by his father this Saturday so that is exciting. It's been really neat to see the change that can come over a whole family, just from one person making the decision to be baptized. We really think this family is back for good which is what we want. :)

Patrick and Nicole are so ready for their date on the 6th of May! It is seriously just a matter of time with them. They are also excited for their wedding on the 4th, which is also a blessing! They are so elect that they decided that they are going to handout Book of Mormon's to everyone as a party favor at the wedding! I mean, c'mon that is so cool! 

As we are so blessed with work here in Lompoc, we are also striving to teach when we find, and find when we teach. We gotta keep this Escalator moving up, up, up!  So we are doing just that.  

We have a family of 3 named George, Sandra, and Anthony. They are so amazing, and show so much potential. This family is one of those you look at and say: "They would all make really good members of the church." Although that is true with all:) They have committed to be baptized, and hope to set them all with a date in late May:) 

We also found a young woman who seems to be in her late 20's who has a couple of kids. She is so cool, and her name is Crisol. We have an appointment with her this Wednesday and plan to set her with a date! Along with Diana Fuentez, her daughters are now interested! One of them is 16, and the other is in her late 20's and has 3 kids with one more on the way! They all will be coming to Church this next week! Please pray for them all!

I have also been assigned to be a District Leader. I am so excited, and so ready for another round! Therefore transfers are here and my new comp is Elder Deason. No idea who he is, but he better be ready to Thrash the Nation, and Preach the Gospel! 

My Thought for you all this week is given here in Verse 30 of 2nd Nephi 28. "Hearken" People!  Because it is through this very principle, that we both learn what we need to from the Lord. And then we obtain the Faith to Act in whatever we receive. Be Patient in Progression. That is something I have learned so much about while here on my mission. But at the same time, never settle! We are commanded to progress, to become as he is. As it says here, "Lend an ear" and then go back for more!

30 For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have.

Love, Elder Judd

Megan's baptism

This is Patrick.  Two years ago he was working in his yard with this sword of a Screwdriver in his hand and then got hit by a car. And the screwdriver then stabbed him, and totally went all the way through and out the other side.

Becca's baptism

GC, a new car, and preppin' for a splash party!

Oh what week it has been indeed!

To start the week we had Zone Conference on Wednesday, and that was so good! We got issued a challenge by our President to read the BOM from start to finish by June 20! What a great commitment huh? He did the math and that is 6.6 pages a day starting last Wednesday.

(Feel free to join us!) But here's the even better part…we are to highlight every Attribute/Characteristic of Christ! How awesome is that? Do it. Find Joy in it.

And with it will come a more convincing and illuminating understanding and testimony of the Power, and Divinity of our Savior Jesus Christ. Along with our prophet this past Conference, I add my testimony to his that the book is true. It is of God. That is why any time we read it with a new Investigator or even a member sometimes. They cannot describe the power/feeling that the book provides when they study it's pages. Why? Because of the Power that comes from this book. 531 pages. Study it. Partake of it. Then most importantly, pray about it. And that is when you will get your answer. When you "ask in Faith, nothing wavering”. 

I hope you all loved General Conference as much as I did! Bet you didn't. I just love this quote by Elder Costa of the Seventy: "Nothing will bring us closer to the Lord Jesus Christ than a desire to Change." What a great quote, and restored truth. We all want to have Helaman 5:12 as the quote for our lives. But noone ever seems to find out the "how" to the scripture. (Ironically.) It's my testimony that when you choose to follow Christ, you choose to be changed. God is in the details, people. Where change in oneself is longed for, an open mind and a willing heart is required. That means Humility. The antidote for Pride.

Elder Jeffery R. Holland: "Come as you are, a loving Father says to each of us, but He adds, don't plan to stay as you are" I have said it before, and I will say it once again. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is meant to comfort the afflicted, but it is also meant to afflict the comfortable. 

I have learned to find Joy in Change. From our family of 7, now to a family of 10.  When your childhood heroes, who happened to be your older siblings, grow up, get married, and move away.  All in all, things just change. Never to be the same.

I testify that "The Family" in God's plan as we learned in General Conference several times, is essential to our happiness in this life. But more importantly, in the life to come. We must all begin with the end in mind with where we want our lives and families going.

Our recent convert Jordan is doing great, and we have 2 Baptisms this week with Megan and Becca. And then the following week we have Travis Topete, a 9 year old on the 15th! Oh what a great time to be a missionary, and an even better time to be a member of the only true and living Church of Jesus Christ. 

Isaiah 9:6

#PrinceofPeace

Love, Elder Judd

We got a new car!

 A missionary buddy sent this to me:

I had the best week!

What a spiritually overwhelming week indeed!

First, the best part:

The week goes to Jordan Jones! He was baptized by Elder Ballantyne on Friday, and I was so lucky and blessed to be able to confirm him on Sunday. The service was absolutely wonderful. Both of the talks were inspired, and so well done. Both of the speakers were converts who joined the church in their late teens just like Jordan! Truly the Lord does guide and direct his work. And the best part about it was that his whole family was able to be there. His parents are divorced, and his mom had such a wonderful experience. The spirit was so strong, and so many tears were shed. 

Leading up to his baptism, Jordan was nervous. Very nervous. I read him this scripture the night before the service:  

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

I then asked him to pay attention to how he feels as he comes out of the water. We promised him that all of these thoughts and feelings of inadequacy, and doubt would disappear completely. And that these nerves could actually be a good thing.  After the service was over he was very emotional. And him and I shared a sweet moment together. I put my hand on his shoulder and he looked right at me. Before I could get a word out he said: “They're gone.”  He was referring to those feelings. 

2 days later he was confirmed, and ordained to the office of a Priest in the Aaronic Priestood. Wow.

Little does this boy know that he is literally starting over. The Lord has nothing but big things in store for Jordan Jones. But doesn't He for all of us? I testify that He does. But I testify that those ‘big things' require an eternal dose of FAITH and HUMILITY. 

We have 4 Baptisms coming up plus the wedding of Patrick and Nicole!  Their official Wedding date is May 4th, and their baptismal date is the 6th:) 

Becca, and Megan are the 6th, and the 8th of April as well!:) 

General Conference is referred to by us missionaries as "Christmas." Certainly we focus on celebrating Christ and being filled with gifts of the spirit. 

Also, if you want to have an amazing enlightening study of the scriptures, go study Moroni 7 and Ether 12. Holy Cow. 

I hope you all have a great week!  Please send me letters, and like packages or something good, because we are out of money for the month.

Love Elder Judd

Still Lovin' Lompoc!

Another grand week here in sunny Lompoc. Lots of great things happening and faith being exercised as we do so!

Baptisms/Weddings coming up:

- Jordan Jones the 1st of April (Patrick’s younger brother)

- Becca Jones; the mother of Megan will be getting baptized on Thursday the 6th.  Her whole family is very anti and it is very sad. It will be a very-low key baptism. That is part of the reason why she can't share it with her daughters. 

- Diana Fuentez the 7th of April

- Patrick and Nicole's wedding the 7th as well!

- The baptism of Patrick and Nicole Powers on the 8th of April

- Megan Jones will be getting baptized the 8th as well!

-  Travis Topete a 9 year old will be getting baptized the 13th:)

So many miracles, and so many opportunities to love this scripture more and more!

34 And he hath said: Repent all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me, and be baptized in my name, and have faith in me, that ye may be saved.

35 And now, my beloved brethren, if this be the case that these things are true which I have spoken unto you, and God will show unto you, with power and great glory at the last day, that they are true, and if they are true has the day of miracles ceased?

36 Or have angels ceased to appear unto the children of men? Or has he withheld the power of the Holy Ghost from them? Or will he, so long as time shall last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one man upon the face thereof to be saved?

37 Behold I say unto you, Nay; for it is by faith that miracles are wrought; and it is by faith that angels appear and minister unto men; wherefore, if these things have ceased wo be unto the children of men, for it is because of unbelief, and all is vain.

38 For no man can be saved, according to the words of Christ, save they shall have faith in his name; wherefore, if these things have ceased, then has faith ceased also; and awful is the state of man, for they are as though there had been no redemption made.

You want a miracle? Show faith!

Love, Elder Judd

Baptisms comin'!

Hello World! 

To say it has been a really really really good week that was full of spiritual experiences, and miracles out the wazzoo would be a HUGE understatement...:)

Long story short...We have 5 baptisms lined up in the next 4 weeks! Jordan Jones who is 19 has his this Saturday the 18th, the following Saturday will be Diana who is an elderly Hispanic lady who is just so cute. That is the 25th. Then the following Saturday after that, is Travis Topete who is 9 years old. He comes form a less active family who are now coming back into activity. (not over yet...:))

Then the following Friday the 7th, Patrick and Nicole will be getting married and then baptized that Saturday, the 8th! Patrick is Jordan's older brother! (still not over yet...:))

And in the month of April we have a mother and a daughter who have committed to be baptized! And we are planning on setting them with a date this week!! SOOOOOOOO COOL!

I don' know what the "New trends" back at home are...(don't care) But being a missionary is just cool! Like real cool! Seriously, like we walk into a store or restaurant and everyone just stares. 

It's amazing. Like we are just cool! ( Even though we both know they weren't blatantly staring at us just because we are "cool") It's just fun:) And cool!

Momma, first of all I love love love love love love you!!! You are too good to me. Why are you? You're amazing. I was not expecting my package so soon and so perfect! I am so excited about the vitamins and can already notice a difference! THANK YOU!!!!

Hey by the way I live in a HUGE Air Force town and we are right next to the Vandonberg AFB. Guess I just can't get away from Grandpa...:) I see people all the time in their blue uniforms, and it makes me think of him often. I love it. There are a lot of people in my ward that are retired and currently serving! 

Here is a great quote by a hall of fame NBA coach: 

"In today's world, if you don't win the whole thing, whether it's football or basketball, or this and that, people have a tendency to paint you as a loser or act like you just robbed the cookie jar. Well that's baloney.

"It didn't happen for us, but is everything going to go your way in life? You think you're on the Earth and everything you want to happen to you is going to happen to you positively? The measure of who we are is how we react to something that doesn't go our way

"Because you were born to these parents or this area geographically, or this situation, you deserve more than somebody else? ... That's the most false notion one can imagine.

"But I think a lot of people forget that. They think that they're entitled to what they have... So we talk about those things all the time. You have no excuse not to work your best. You have no reason not to be thankful every day that you have the opportunity to come back from a defeat, because some people never even have the opportunity."

Ether 12:27…

 27 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.

What a great scripture to go with this quote. I testify that every time we fail, or ‘ lose’, all it is, is a chance to grow.

Love, Elder Judd 

Lovin' Lompoc

Hello People!

What a record breaker for a week!  Lompoc is absolutely amazing, and I love it so so so much!

My new Comp is Elder Ballantyne! He is from Utah and went to Viewmont HS. What a small world huh?! He is so hilarious and we have so much fun!  We are so busy because there is so much work to be done...as there should be!

The Lord really does work in mysterious ways, and it is just cool. I mean let's face it guys, he's just COOL.  Who I love so much, and am getting to know more than I ever have in my life. 

WE HAVE 5 INVESTIGATORS WITH A BAPTISIMAL DATE!  And 3-4 that are on the fence. Our vision is 9 for this transfer and it is so possible! We are always busy, and always happy because of it:) 

The ward is full of just a bunch of old people who are hilarious and I love them. The old guys are all my homies.

I am having so much fun here in California and the weather is beautiful! It is about 65-75 degrees here every day and sunshine.  :)  Mom told me about your blizzard.

 27 Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us, and said: Go amongst thy brethren, the Lamanites, and bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success.

 28 And now behold, we have come, and been forth amongst them; and we have been patient in our sufferings, and we have suffered every privation; yea, we have traveled from house to house, relying upon the mercies of the world—not upon the mercies of the world alone but upon the mercies of God.

 29 And we have entered into their houses and taught them, and we have taught them in their streets; yea, and we have taught them upon their hills; and we have also entered into their temples and their synagogues and taught them; and we have been cast out, and mocked, and spit upon, and smote upon our cheeks; and we have been stoned, and taken and bound with strong cords, and cast into prison; and through the power and wisdom of God we have been delivered again.

 30 And we have suffered all manner of afflictions, and all this, that perhaps we might be the means of saving some soul; and we supposed that our joy would be full if perhaps we could be the means of saving some.

 31 Now behold, we can look forth and see the fruits of our labors; and are they few? I say unto you, Nay, they are many; yea, and we can witness of their sincerity, because of their love towards their brethren and also towards us.

What a great few verses of Scripture that I have found so much comfort in them.  I hope you do too.

Love, Elder Judd

What else can I put on my altar of Sacrifice?

Hello From Elder Judd!

Week six of this transfer in the books and with it comes March!  It’s almost spring!  I heard it's pretty cold home, with lots of snow. I am so sorry but I cannot relate:) Sunny and 65 all week long. It has been extra green and beautiful from the rain last week. 

We were walking along the beach contacting, and some guy who did not look very happy came up and offered us his child, and walked off without his kid!  The little boy was about 3-5 years old, so it was really sad. As missionaries we can't take children, so we were kinda in a pickle here…we stayed with him until a random lady came up and got him. Hopefully it was his mother. The same day we also talked to a couple of Crip's so that's always fun! Sometimes they are rude but most the time they are really cool and nice! They know who we are, and told everyone else that we're “God's Chosen" so that's funny:) 

I am getting transferred to Lompoc! I am really really sad to leave my area. Like very sad. I am sad to leave all my kids but it's okay! They are all so great, and will be missed. What a great opportunity to start fresh. I am in the Mesa Oaks Family ward. My companion will be Elder Ballintyne and he came out with me so that should be fun! The nickname for my area is Lompton, because apparently (aside from Oxnard) it is like the hood of the mission! I am really excited!

I love being a missionary so much! I hope you all are finding true joy in spreading the Gospel... the Good news:)

 Also, I want to apologize for my competitive nature at home. I was prideful and I am improving.

What else can I put on my altar of Sacrifice?

Love, Elder Judd