January 17-Cruising on the Pacific Coast Highway

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Family and friends! I love you all!

This week we had a mission conference and it was awesome! Many of the trainings and talks were direct answers to my prayers. At the beginning of the conference, sister Clark handed us a small piece of paper and told us not to look at it. Then they went on to announce that the California Irvine mission is being dissolved before our the decrease of missionaries. When they announced it, my heart was broken. I love this mission. It is small and wonderful. Ask if our missionaries are obedient and hard working and great things have happened! Since the dinner cancellation or mission numbers have doubled some have tripled, why would they change this mission!? I was confused and sad, then we flipped the paper over and it said "Fear not, Only Believe". They were the same words the president Hinckley's dad told him before his mission. I have had many fears recently not only about the mission change, I felt converted that everything will work out and Heavenly father is always with me. I'm still confused about the mission change and struggling to accept it. But it is what God wants so I will follow. I trust that I will understand it all soon. We find out the changes to our mission tomorrow. I've herd its a great change, I hope so.

Other than that I've been sick this week so we haven't been able to go out in our area much, but we have gone on power hours with the other areas. They are awesome, on Tuesday I had the best finding session of my life. I went with my old companion Elder Edwards, I love him. We had a great time. We went to a tailor park that they were afraid to go to, but I knew it was a good mine. In 1 hour we passed out six books of Mormon! Six! They only had six in their car otherwise we would have passed out more. Elder Edwards said I was on a crusade to pass out as many as possible. On our last two books we decided to pray. When we finished I immediately turned around and walked strait to a random house. They answered and said "Yes, we are members of your congregation". BINGO!!! It is a boyfriend and girlfriend. The women is a member and the man is not but has been coming to church for a year in the Mission Lake ward (in the RSM zone). They just moved in and were looking for the church. The man has enjoyed coming to church and wanted to continue to go. He had never taken the lessons and wants to now! We have them both a book of Mormon! Good led us strait to them! People are prepared everywhere! It was really nice to help them find people to tech in their area.

Oh how I love our Brazilian family! We had an amazing lesson with them with our ward leader. It was simple, we just read out favorite scriptures with them. The spirit was strong. They came to church again! Something has really clicked with them recently. The stayed after church and talked with members for the whole hour! Our ward mission leader really hit it off with their family, and they are having a Brazilian BBQ with them and a few other members this Saturday. Their son is going to mutual this week too! They are really starting to understand that church isn't a once a week meeting, but it is a family, loving and caring for each other. Our ward loves them and cares about them, and they can feel it. We are taking it slowly and helping them grasp it all, but I think you can expect a Baptismal date soon!

Overall it has been a good week. On our way back from Newport last night we took the PCH (Pacififc Coast Highway) it runs through our mission and along the ocean. But at night it is dark and you can't see or enjoy the view. I remember thinking about my mission, and feeling peace. I had the thought run across my mind that happiness is a choice, I can choose to enjoy my mission despite my location or companion, I currently love both, but i know that for the rest of my mission I can and will be happy despite my surroundings. I love the California Irvine Mission, I love the people, the missionaries, and especially President and Sister Clark, this is my home. The other day I woke up with this scripture in my head...

John 14:27
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

I don't know why or how it got in my head but I know it was given by God telling me that everything will be ok. I know this change will stretch me but it will be for the good, but came here to change my nature and through this I will. I think of Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane crying out to God, but returning to say "nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done." God has a plan and I must submit my will to him. 

I love this gospel, I love this mission, I love Californians, and I love you all!!

Stay Chill
Love,
Elder Judd





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