Dec 31-Yielding my heart towards God

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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 fears rule me. But in our ZTM we made a list of things we need to sacrifice in order to elevate ourselves. At the top of the list I put fear. I will no longer let fear rule me. Since Wednesday I have had nothing holding me back. I am still afraid, but I am able to rely on God. God has taken my fear way. 

I want to be a consecrated missionary. This renewed desire has pushed me to go outside of my comfort zone to find new seekers of truth. This week I read "The Fourth Missionary" for the first time. My past companions have all begged me to read, but I just found motivation to do it, and I read it at the perfect time. I am ready. I want to serve God with all my heart, might, mind, and strength. I have to put all my other personal affairs, which includes my future plans and thinking about my friends before the mission. All of it, everything on the metaphorical sacrificial alter for the rest of my mission. I have a lot of changes to make in my heart, but I am starting now to sacrifice everything for my Heavenly Father. I know that this way leads to the most happiness and success on the mission, but most importantly it will change my nature and make me a better man than I was before my mission. I know that Through Christ I can become a consecrated missionary and yield my heart towards God.

I love my time here. This week we were also able to teach our Brazilian Family. We brought a missionary in our zone from Brazil, Elder Martins. he taught him in Portuguese and it was awesome. Elder Whitchurch and I didn't understand 3/4 of it but we could feel the spirit. They loved it. Elder martins was able to answer a lot of Henry's questions and gave him a renewed interest. We love their family and watching them learn. 

I know that this transfer will be amazing. our whole mission has seen so much success. Last week we shattered 3 mission records. This transfer is the transfer we will accomplish our inspired mission vision of 1 baptism per companionship per transfer. Things are really looking up in the California Irvine Mission.

Stay sweet
love,
Elder Judd









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