August 27th-Great 2 weeks

Wow. I have had the best 2 weeks of my mission so far!

Last Tuesday was my birthday, and it was a weird day for sure. A member took us to a fancy dinner and we drove in his new Tesla there. It was a great day, but its hard to celebrate your birthday when you are trying to serve and focus on helping others. Later in the week, I had another birthday dinner at the Clark family's house, probably the most genuine family I've ever met. They always show so much love to the missionaries who serve in that ward, I am really going to miss them.

We started teaching a Columbian family that we helped move in and happened to live across the hall from us, talk about God putting people in our path. This family is spectacular. We taught them the restoration, the mom and dad only speak broken English, but were able to understand the majority of the lesson. The mom even read the introduction in Spanish and was blown away. We invited them to an activity right after the lesson and came! The whole family played sports with us and the young boys we play with every Monday night and they loved it! Afterwards we took them on a mini church tour and introduced the chapel to them. One of the boys said "I feel tranquility". We invited them to church and they stayed all 3 hours!!! We couldn't believe it, ALL of the Spanish speakers in the ward came and fellowshipped them and some translated for them the rest of the day. We couldn't believe the progress they made in 1 week. They are super solid and have a great desire to learn more>

Saturday 8/18 we had The baptism for J&A. it was so great. They were so ready. I was able to witness it and I saw they weight of their sins wash off them as they arose from the water smiling. They also received a beautiful comfirmation the next day. I feel lucky to have witnessed the gospel completely change both of their lives. 

Monday I transferred to the Rancho Santa Margarita zone. RSM is great, but IDK if I am used to the change yet. I never expected to love a ward and the people in it so much. I'm very sad to leave Newport 1st ward, But I am grateful to be here in the Aliso Creek and Live Oak wards. I have also loved the companionship im in. Training Elder Loveland is great. I have started to work so much harder so I can be a good example to him. Even though I am still unbelievable scared to knock doors, I try to show him the excitement that comes with it especially the rejection, to have confidence at each door hoping and knowing that there is someone who needs our message. We went to live oak to do some tracting in the canyon and knocked on a bunch of crazy mountain peoples doors. Live Oak is kind of a dead, in more ways than one, but we are trying to revive it, #reviveliveoak . The work is hard, but it is worth it. I know that I will grow a lot in this area without the coyness of Newport and the support  of my trainers, I will be tested. But as they say "There is no growth in the comfort zone and no comfort in the growth zone." Relying on the love of Heavenly Father is the ONLY way.

of course this scripture has come to my mind a lot this week,

Ether 12:27 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.

 

I testify that I know Heavenly Father can and will make our weaknesses strong through faith.

live long and prosper

Love,

Elder Judd