Aug 6-Excellent adventures in SoCal

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Another fantastic week in the Newport Beach 1st ward!

This week we had a lot of administrative things to do, but we also were able to squeeze in a few times to pound the pavement. I have learned to appreciate the sometimes (always) boring administrative business, so that I can enjoy the times we can really grind and work hard to find new people to teach. 2 Nephi 2:23 having no joy, for they knew no misery

We had our interviews with President Clark. I treasure the opportunities to talk and gain wisdom from him. He has a great love for everyone and I can always feel that every time I talk with him.

Wednesday we had one of the most fulfilling tracting sessions in a long time. We knocked doors in a humble area in the part of Costa Mesa that is in our ward, most of our people being taught live in Costa Mesa. We found a lady who had just moved in, doing laundry in her garage. She was a devout catholic who shared experiences of when she served a 10 day mission in SF. She has had respect for what we do ever since. We discussed the pure love of Christ and how it has changed our lives. We also briefly talked about the Book of Mormon and she mentioned that one of her patients gave her a copy, and that she just found it while unpacking a few days ago, she realized that it was not a coincidence. We closed with a prayer and a return appointment.
at the next door we heard a woman yell "I'm okay, I'm Christian!" but we kept talking to her. eventually she came and talked to us. She turned out to be a very sweet woman. She has had a very difficult past and really has been confused and aimless her whole life. We asked her if she knew where she came form or what her purpose on the Earth was, she had no idea. We then bore our testimonies of the plan of salvation and the book of Mormon, She could feel the spirit and felt that we were angels sent to her home. We have plans to teach her the full plan of happiness soon.
On our way back to the car we stopped and talked to a father and daughter. The daughter said that she watches some Mormon family on YouTube and that they have talked about missions before. She was very curious to know and learn more about our faith. We bore our testimonies of the Book of Mormon and gave her a copy. At the end of the night we were thrilled because we felt that God directly placed those people in our path.

The scripture that I have been pondering this week is Helaman 5:12,the Judd family scripture. I was able to share this verse many times this week and have truly come to feel of its power.
And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.

If I truly want to grow and have my nature changed as a missionary, I have to put all my trust in the Savior and build my foundation on him. I have felt so many times already on my mission that if you put the trust in the Lord, all things are possible. I am beyond grateful to serve the people in California and to share the love that Jesus Christ has for all.

Love,
Elder Judd

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