September 24-We are all enlisted til the conflict is over

Its been a great week here RSM, filled with many awesome miracles!

Tuesday - We went street contacting in a sports park near our apartment, and there was not as many people out as there usually is. We tried contacting a few people but they were running and we couldn't chase them down. Just as we were about to go home I saw a man to the side of us sleeping on a bench. I had such a strong prompting to talk to him but I ignored it at first because he was sleeping and I was scared to wake him up. When I said that I was scared, Elder Edwards stepped up and just went and woke him up, I am grateful for companions to back me up. He ended up being a super nice and humble guy. He and his girlfriend, who we didn't see at first wanted to hear a lesson from us. We shared the plan of salvation with them right there. They were so kind and said that they felt that they really needed that message. As we got to know them better, we found out that the guys grandmother is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and he knew about the Book of Mormon, he even pulled out his favorite verse in 2 Nephi, it was awesome. We have plans on visiting them again but its difficult to teach people when they don't have the basic necessities of life, like a guy in our ward says "it's hard to feel the spirit on an empty stomach". We are also trying to also get  them involved with some self reliance classes.

Wednesday - I did something very stupid. at a quick stop at our apartment before dinner Elder Edwards and I were just tossing the keys around waiting for Elder Loveland and I tossed them up to elder Edwards from the bottom of the stairs. It was the worst throw of all time and I completely missed, In slow motion they hit the roof and slid into the gutter. After panicking for 10 min we tried to see where they landed and they were completely out of reach. We had no idea what to do, without them we couldn't drive anywhere or leave our apartment. Out of desperation we prayed for guidance, and just a few minutes after our prayer, it was answered. A man who regularly walks his dog outside of our apartment comes and asks us if we needed any help, we did. Without any hesitation he grabbed his latter and climbed the roof and retrieved them for us. His name was Angel, and indeed he was. After everything we asked if we wanted to take the lessons from us and he told us yes enthusiastically. I know The Lord answers our prayers in a perfect way.

The rest of the week was great as well, We had interviews with President Clark and another Exchange with the Zone Leaders. We also had the opportunity to all speak in the Live Oak ward sacrament. My love for the wards I am serving in has grown a lot recently. Live Oak has recently become very excited about missionary work. I have come to learn that most missionary work comes from the members. Our plan to #reviveliveoak changed from longer finding hours to working so much more with the members. We have been told that some changes might happen in our companionship and area, so we have no idea what to expect this upcoming transfer but I am grateful for what I have learned these last 5 weeks.

I have definitely learned the power of the Holy Ghost this week as it has spoken to me many times this week. I know that the spirit is the most powerful tool as a missionary, everyday I try to learn how to use it better. One of my favorite scriptures that I talked about in my talk on Sunday is Doctrine and Covenants 84:85

 Neither take ye thought beforehand what ye shall say; but treasure up in your minds continually the words of life, and it shall be given you in the very hour that portion that shall be meted unto every man.

I am grateful that the lord loves us so much that he gave us the Gift of the spirit. I know that it truly is a gift and that missionary work would be impossible without it.

Be excellent to each other.

Love,

 Elder Judd