Mar 18-Genuine Servant

I am staying in San Clemente! I love it here and like I said when I first got here, I could serve the rest of my mission in these wards. It's the promised land.

We had the opportunity to hear from more general authorities this week! This makes 5 in a transfer! We heard from Elder Tad R. Callister and Elder Owen. It was amazing. Elder Callister has given some of my favorite talks like The Blueprint of Christ's Church and Becoming a Consecrated Missionary. He and his wife talked about the importance of the Plan of Salvation and how to plan for lessons. My favorite quote from him was "Do not lose faith in the things you do know because of the things you don't" Elder Owen talked about "Being a Happy Camper" and that we should be grateful for the things we have. I love when he said "Don't ever let this, the gospel, become so common that you don't appreciate it.". Both of them gave incredible talks to us. I am so grateful that we have been spiritually fed by so many General Authorities.

Over a billion painted lady butterflies migrated through our mission this week. It was absolutely crazy! Because of the unusual amount of rain we got this year the butterflies came our way. It was super cool. I have never seen anything like it.I can't even describe to you what it looked like, just a never ending stream of butterflies flying north. It reminded me of Gods plan for us. We are all trying to make it to the same place but our journey is all different. The butterflies have obstacles on the way, trees, buildings, people, and cars. We also have obstacles that we face but if we can successfully maneuver them, we can enjoy peace and rest at our destination.

as I start this new transfer I have been thinking about the type of missionary I am and want to be. I have asked myself countless times if I am the servant God wants me to be. I often think of Ammon and the servant he was that he was. Ammon was willing to give his while life in servitude to the Lamanites without thinking twice.

Alma 17

22 And the king inquired of Ammon if it were his desire to dwell in the land among the Lamanites, or among his people.
23 And Ammon said unto him: Yea, I desire to dwell among this people for a time; yea, and perhaps until the day I die.

I have wondered if Ammon just said that to please and charm the king into letting him go and eventually so he could preach to the people. This week I have realized that Ammon was genuine when he said that. He was truly willing to serve the people with all his heart, he even rejected marrying the kings daughter. he defends the flocks ferociously and then when the flock scatters were taken care of he immediately goes to tend to the horses. That is a genuine servant. 

Alma 18
9 And they said unto him: Behold, he is feeding thy horses. Now the king had commanded his servants, previous to the time of the watering of their flocks, that they should prepare his horses and chariots, and conduct him forth to the land of Nephi; for there had been a great feast appointed at the land of Nephi, by the father of Lamoni, who was king over all the land.
10 Now when king Lamoni heard that Ammon was preparing his horses and his chariots he was more astonished, because of the faithfulness of Ammon, saying: Surely there has not been any servant among all my servants that has been so faithful as this man; for even he doth remember all my commandments to execute them.

I want to be a genuine servant like Ammon. I want to stand faithfully and serve with my heart, might, mind, and strength. I don't want to serve others to gain their favor, but our of love of for them and God. That is my goal for this transfer, to become a genuine servant.

Be excellent to each other

Love, 

Elder Judd