Good-bye President Felix, and getting transferred!

Hey Gang!

Crazy week this week. Not too much stuff happening right now with our investigators just a lot of change! Patrick and Nicole both came to church this week again and both shared their testimony! It was so cool. It was in Sunday school and the Stake President was teaching because it was Ward Conference. But anyways, he posed a question and there were a lot of hands that went up. And Nicole raised her hand! But a couple minutes had gone by and the Stake President didn't call on her, and we needed her to comment! Such a good opportunity for growth. My comp and I were sitting in the very back row so I made eye contact with the Stake President as he was teaching and pointed to Nicole. He understood the signal and called on her. Then Nicole bore powerful testimony of the power than can come into one's life as they simply read the BOM. She talked a lot about where she used to be, and the progress she and her family has made. The spirit was so strong, and I too received a personal witness that the BOM is the word of God. What a wonderful experience to witness that.

Had a lot of cool experiences this week to go with it. We had our last Zone Conference this week so that was a cool moment. We focused a lot on the Book of Mormon, and Jesus Christ. The Felix's will be missed so much. I have had the chance and great blessing to get to know President Felix pretty well so that makes it even harder to say good-bye. But I will see them both soon when I get home!

Spent a lot of time this weekend saying good-bye to members here because I will be getting TRANSFERRED! What?!?! Yep I'm hittin' up the YSA's for the 4th time! Haha so excited! I will also be hitting my year mark this transfer which is absolutely insane! And so when July 13th comes it will be 1 year from when I started. And the coolest part about it is that I will be going back to SLO where I first learned it's not about me anymore! I am so excited, and it is without fail a tender mercy. I am so excited to get to work with these young people again. And cannot wait to see what the Lord has in store for Elder Judd in San Luis Obispo!

Came across this one in my Studies this week...Study. Apply. Repeat.

I love you,
Elder Judd

 Good-bye President and Sister Felix

Happy Father's Day, Dad!

What Up Fam and Friends?!

Real quick just want to give a shout-out to the old man. Man I love you! Thanks for all you do Dad. I thank my Heavenly Father every day for giving me an example like you. I hope you had a wonderful Father’s Day.

Not gonna lie, this week was rough. Haven't had a week like this in a long time. Elder Judd had a little break down this past week due to the death of member in our ward. Brother Bob Heath will be missed. 89 years old, and he had a stroke. It was completely a surprise. He moved like he was 50 and weeded his garden like my momma. We were very blessed to have served him every Friday for the last couple of months. I was one of that last people he ever talked to. He's my "2nd Grandpa." An ordinary man, who like my Grandpa, learned what it meant to be faithful, and endure. Which led to extraordinary results. He was one of my best friends. And will forever will have a special place in my heart. 

Along with that this week, we had a lot of closed doors, and with that closed hearts. Which is something you do not like to see as a missionary. The love I have for these people here in Lompoc is so great. You see how they are living, even why they are living that way. Then you Invite, and they decline. And then you just think about how much better they could have it. Good, Better, Best. That is what this life is about. It's all just a big game of Good, Better, Best. And in this game, and by His rules…you cannot receive the Better without first giving up the Good. How does this apply to you? That is how Faith works. And then Ultimately God sees our willing desire to change. We then can be on our way to receiving the  "Best." Which we know, just like from Good to Better, to receive the Best requires a little bit more. There is no such thing as something for nothing with the Lord. Aren't we so grateful for that???

Zone Conference is this week so that should be good! The theme is "I believe in Christ." With an emphasis on the BOM. I am about to finish it again so what a great blessing that will be. Man I love that Book. I testify of it's Truthfulness. 

One of my favorites helps when times like these come...

2 Corinthians 4

17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. 

 (1. Smiling cause it's healthy too

 (2. Good looking group 

 (3.  Dabbin' (hope that's still cool)

 (4. Grub out!

 (5. Better looking group

'So many cool miracles...'

Fam and Friends, 

Another great one here in the best BEST MISSION EVER! So many cool miracles wrought from the hand of the Lord so that sure helps a ton! Well it's kinda impossible to do this work with out Him so that is how it should be...Also had the chance to do some more service this week which was a blast. It's my testimony that when you serve people, you find people. How does that relate to you? We're trying to find people to Baptize. What are you trying to find? Counsel, blessings, Answers to Prayers...etc? Cause and Effect. Get out and serve someone, and exercise your faith and heart. Then find something. Which can be anything you desire in faith. (If it be the Will of the Lord of course)

Had a wonderful Sabbath yesterday! We had a really good Sacrament meeting, and an RM spoke so that was really cool to see. Anyways later that night we had a really cool lesson that turned into a New Investigator! His name is Jose and he is 18. He's a referral from a member so that means Baptisms:) The member coached him in Track in HS so that was cool.  We had a really cool lesson with him and really spent time getting to know him, and also taught a little bit of the Restoration lesson. The spirit was so strong. We really hit hard, and told him to pay attention to your "feelings." "Because that is why you will want to join this church. Because of how you feel." At the end of the lesson as we were testifying he talked about how he could "feel it". What a tender mercy that was. We plan to set him with a date this Wednesday when we meet with him. So at 5:30 (UT time) be praying for Jose, and pray for us that we will be guided and directed. 

From this Experience with Jose it makes me think of this Scripture in the Doctrine and Covenants.  We know that all "true Knowledge" in this life is obtained "by the Comforter, through the prayer of faith." Never Underestimate the Power of Prayer, and then the Result of that Prayer that is kindled by Faith. Which for us Missionaries is the Lord's Pattern for Obtaining the Companionship of the Holy Ghost. 

  9 And let them journey from thence preaching the word by the way, saying none other things than that which the prophets and apostles have written, and that which is taught them by the Comforter through the prayer of faith.

Love, Elder Judd

Another good one in the GCVM!

Hello Family and Friends, 

Had a pretty good one this Week…got to go on a couple of exchanges so that was a blast. Spent a lot of time in Solvang so that is always a blast! Got to play some ball with some more old guys this past Wednesday so that's always fun! Just feel really bad for 'em ya know;) 

Marcy is doing well, but she is still very ill! Her date is for July 8th so pray that she will make that, and get better! We nick named her "Grandma" because she reminds us both of ours! I love her so much, and am really going to miss her. Found a couple new potentials as well so that is exciting. 

My thought for you all this week is in Psalms 103:11

11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.

We learn here that Heaven is far away. A long ways from where any of us are. But we also learn here that The Savior's Mercy bridges the Gap between us and Eternal life. But first we must "Fear him." Recognize that He is. To be this means Humility. Which has been Elder Judd's achilles heel for a very long time. I bear testimony, and solemn witness of the Power that can come into one’s life through the infinite Grace and Mercy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. But that it is heavily dependent on both our desire, and Capacity to "Fear him."  And I believe this "Fear" is a very personal thing. It is not enough to be good. You need to be great. And how you make that Leap comes from Humility. Not from elevating your position by comparing your personal Spiritual Stamina with others. But from "Fearing"...

I love you all!

Love, Elder Judd

One new investigator!

Had a great week this week! Had the great blessing to meet with a lot of LA's this week which was really good because we haven't ever really done a lot of that at all in this area. Met some more drunk people this week so that's something that will always put a smile on your face.  President, and Sister Felix just have a couple more weeks so their time is winding down!

We found 1 New Investigator and she is sooooooooo SOLID!  Let me just say 2 things:

First, our God is a God of Miracles. Second, He really does work in mysterious ways. Marcy Collins has been trying to investigate this church. But she has been married to a long time LA named Mike Collins. Who really is a nice guy, but just never got around to softening his heart. And he was not gonna let her investigate the church "without his consent." To make a long story short, they were both every ill, and 1 week ago Mike Collins passed away. We were then able to meet with Marcy, and set her with a baptismal date for June 24th!  Marcy is 55 years old,  but looks likes she's 70 because of how sick she is. She is really struggling with Mike being gone, but has the faith to move mountains, so that is what is keeping her going. She is so excited. We are in contact with her daily, and meet with her twice a week. It's just a matter of can she stay healthy?  I love her so much, and she is so ready. So pray for her, and for her health especially. Mike is in a better place now, and is most likely cheering her on. She is so excited to be sealed to him, and that is her aim.

Aren't we so grateful for hard times in our lives that can make us stronger?  It makes me think of this scripture in 2 Corinthians 12. We learn in Ether 12:27 this same underlying principle. The Power of the Word!

9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Love, Elder Judd

Baptisms! Transfers. Happiness

Family and Friends, 

Sorry but it's gonna have to be a quick one...

Had a great Week!!! The Baptism of Patrick and Nicole was AMAZING, and the Spirit was SO strong! It was a day that was hand picked by the Lord. May 20th was their day, and all that is good belongs to them. They are so happy, and now have all motives focused on the Temple! With the new Temple attendance update for missionaries we can go with them their first time to go and do Baptisms! How cool is that?!? They are so so so excited, and that day will hopefully be here with in a couple of weeks!

Transfers are here and I am staying in Lompoc with Elder Deason! It's gonna be a 5 week transfer because this is the Felix's last transfer:( So that is sad, and it will be every hard to see them go. So I'm guessing this one will go quick! Looks like we're just gonna have to continue to find the elect people here in Lompoc to call to Repentance:)

Had some really good studies this week in Sections 40&41 of the Doctrine and Covenants.

The Gospel is right because it is true...Learn the Gospel. Live the Gospel. Love the Gospel.

Love, Elder Judd

Their wonderful family baptism!

My awesome district!

 Community Service Day

A kind family who fed us!

Happy Mother's Day!

Dear family,

It was sooooooo wonderful to hear your voices yesterday.  I love you so much.

It has been an amazing week…a lot of time spent with Patrick and Nicole getting them ready for their Baptism! They are so excited, and so ready. Satan really is trying so hard on them, so PLEASE PLEASE keep them both in your prayers. 

Heard some more gunshots 1 or 2 streets over so that was neat. (normal here in Lompoc...there was a shooting a couple weeks ago about 1 street over so are kinda used to it;)

Had the chance to go on some more exchanges this past week so that is always fun. I was in Santa Barbara for a night so that's always fun.  (place is evil) but the weather was nice!  

We had a really cool Zone Activity, where we all went on a hike with President and Sister Felix. We had to do things blindfolded, and then tied together so that was pretty fun. I got to see some of my past comps so that made it even better!

I hope you all are happy, and have found joy and meaning in the covenants you have made. As I have been reading the Book of Mormon, I really have been thinking about the power of covenants. In the Book of Mosiah, there are two stories of a people being delivered by the hand of the Lord out of bondage. There were a lot of similarities, but also many key differences as well. The people of Limhi, and the people of Alma the Elder were both in bondage to the Lamanites. But because Alma and his people had made covenants and kept them, the Lord was more fully able to show forth his had in helping them escape. Go and read those stories. You graduating seniors - although your report cards might not show it...I encourage you all to get an "A" in "Covenant Keeping." And then watch, listen, and take heed to the blessings that God will place in your path as you keep your promises!

Love, Elder Judd

 Picking it back up...

An awesome snack on the run.

 Hiking activity with President Felix

 Exchanges

 Exchanges with Elder Pickett - I played BB against him at Timpanogas HS

Happy Mother's Day Mama!