Elder Judd in California

God is good. Christmas was great.  It was kinda hard to get back into the swing of things after Christmas. We got a tad bit trunky and lazy but but Elder Whitchurch and I pressed our way through it. While in our mental limbo I had some revelation as to what kind of missionary I want to be. I took to heart this transfer's zone theme:  Helaman 3:35 Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God. In our ZTM we gave a training over what this scripture means and how we can apply it to our transfer. In preparation I did a lot of pondering. I thought about the sacrifices I need to make in order to become a consecrated missionary. Fear. I have a lot of fears. Most times these fear...

Merry Christmas!! This week was great! Elder Whitchurch was sick most of the week so we haven't been able to go out and find as much this week but we definitely have felt the Christmas spirit We had a couple interesting lessons with the our Brazilian family. They were confused why people dressed up for church and thought everyone was fake, then they started asking questions about the word of wisdom and they don't understand why God "picks and chooses a few bad things" when there are plenty of addicting substances, as always though we testified of the book of Mormon and how all questions can be answered if they read and pray about it. The next time we came over we finished the plan of salvation and they had a hard time understanding it. The father feels like religion is a personal thing and nothing from the outside like church can change him. We testified boldly of church and the importance of the sacrament, the Book of Mormon, and Joseph Smith and told him that if...

Another great week in the San Clemente zone! This is the best place ever! Unfortunately transfers are here and Elder Farrer is leaving, it's a bummer, he is a good guy. Elder Whitchurch and I are staying in the promised land. This week we saw even more many mighty miracles! We had 7 people at church this week! It was crazy! this has never happens! Here are a couple awesome things that happened this week... 1. We were able to teach the Brazilian family 3 times this week. It was so great. At our second lesson we really hit a breakthrough. At first they were more interested in us teaching their son about Jesus Christ but then when we started talking about the gift of the Holy Ghost it really hit Henry (the Father). He then told us about an experience he had, one night he had a dream and he saw a pure bright light that over came him it was so powerful, he related the feeling to the rush you get on a roller coaster. He told us that this is the feeling he has been searching for in a ...

Hello! I don't know what has gotten into me recently but I think this has been the happiest week of my mission! I am really feeling the Christmas spirit! Here are the reasons why this week was so amazing... 1. On Tuesday Elder Farrer was on exchanges so it was just Elder Whitchurch and I. We originally had an appointment to visit with the mission nurse in Live Oak, but it fell through so we stopped by members instead. We visited one family and the son answered the door and he invited us in. We met his super cool non-member girlfriend and we drank hot coco and got to know them. Then out of the blue the boyfriend said "So should we have the elders practice one of their lessons on you? Lesson 1 or 2?" it was awesome that he was so bold. We started teaching the restoration to her. It was one of the most powerful lessons on my mission. I felt like I was saying exactly what the spirit wanted me to teach. By the end she was crying and telling us how much she wants to know th...

Hello sweet friends of the Earth! I had a great week. I'm so happy to be serving in San Clemente California! a few cool things that happened this week, my memory is foggy so I don't remember what days they occurred... 1. we went out on splits with an awesome priest.he drove us in his 1987 Toyota VAN. I have been so impressed with the youth in these wards. They are all so cool! They all look like stereotypical surfer bros, but they all have great hearts. Most of the people we are teaching have come because of the youth are reaching out to their friends and inviting them to church. I wish all the youth were like these. 2. We had our last official week day dinner and it was great. The coolest part was the self playing piano that they owned. I don't think I have ever seen one in real life. We requested song after song after song until we eventually had to go home. Then, last night we went to a members house and they also had a self playing piano! What are the odds o...