Hello family and friends,
I love you all and miss you dearly and wow this Christmas was incredible!!! How grateful I am we had 2 baptisms and are looking for more through tracting at EVERYONES HOUSE!! Asking for referrals and praying and through my new 2011 game plan that I've already started on because you should never just wait for a date to start something great!!!! :) Ha just made that up right now!!!
1.....HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!! DEC 27th 2010
I'm sorry I didn’t' write yesterday, the library was closed and so we are writing today!!! YEEE HAHAHAH!!! Mom how incredible you are I wish I could run and jump on your FACE!!!!!! I love you!!! I'm sending you a special letter today in the mail!!! Very special!!! You will cry.. :) But I love you mom and you’re my shining light!!!
Well I wanted to share with you what I wrote to President today!
President,
Hao and Yao’s baptism was beautiful and they are passed to their ward elders and excited! It was sad to let them go, but I'm excited for their progression!
After my phone call home (which I wanted to let you know was way longer then 1 hour and I'm sorry) but there was something I learned that I’d never really understood before. And although calling home was hard the Lord had bigger things in store for me, and I'm beginning to feel them as I have put my new game plan in play!
So my game plan for the 2nd 1/2 of my mission is this:
1. 100% obedience in the morning schedule and nightly planning (which I've not truly done since my 1st transfer nightly planning, I didn't understand how important it was, until now)
2. Giving thanks to my Heavenly Father for all things all day. (Saying prayers to thank Him for every little tiny thing that goes right.
I'm on my 3rd day of doing these 2 things and I have seen the miracles, one being that my joy is fuller. I have a calendar that I put a gold star on and a paw print sticker and at the end of the month, I reward myself with something special. I know this sounds silly, but I wanted to share it with you because I've never been more excited about being 100% obedient with the things I can control then these past 3 days! And that is a miracle. I know this is what has been holding me back from giving my all and trusting God with my whole heart! I'm sorry I went over time, but I do want you to know that I won’t do it again, and that the Lord had the best Christmas gift to give to me through this Christmas away from family and all, I've been holding TIGHT to my trust in God and faith that if I'm 100% obedient and praise Him in all things then, I am allowing him to bless me, his children that are investigating the church and my struggling but happy family!
President, I felt impressed to send you these short clips of my family's Christmas this year. And express to you the deep admiration I have for you and your wife and each missionary that serves and puts their trust in God when we step away from home and fully carry our Saviors Yoke.
Merry Christmas President.
Love,
Sister Judkins
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Monday, December 20, 2010
Letter #38
Christmas..... It's my favorite time of the year!!!!
Mom..... :) I love your concerns for me!! Do you know that!? ;) I am doing better, getting a physical therapist for my neck and back went to doctor and got medicine for my skin (picking up today) my staff is almost gone, bed bugs are DEAD!!!! Merry Christmas to ME!!! Thank you! :) ha ha! Now I am just trying really hard not to get sicker than I already am. Got a soar throat, my comp is really sick, trying to take care of her. NO SWEETS....I'm working on that....mom you are right, it is better not to eat sweets when you want to get better. now if my comp would just listen to me... ha ha! all and all I'm staying warm (yes I bought a new coat (bright red)) I look like red riding hood! ha ha! But I'm staying warm with scarfs and coats and gloves. Thank you! And (I peaked in one present...I took a pair of your fuzzy socks with me to members and people so when I take my shoes off, I'm still warm ha ha!!! Picture it....bright green and blue fuzzy socks ha ha! So warm and yes I know what you’re all thinking..... :) ..."I would."...
Thank you to the ward and family that have sent me Christmas surprises!!! :) I love them...mom I really want to know what is in that little box.....have no idea! : P every time I receive a letter, card or something I scream and get so happy inside, thank you! I'm sending stuff out today! :D
This week has been intense, helping a family move, teaching Rachel and HAO and YAO are getting baptized CHRISTMAS!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHHAY AYAYAYAYAYAY!!!! They passed their interviews and are really excited to go to the temple and get the priesthood! This week we are having a Mission wide fast starting tonight at 6pm until tomorrow! This is the 1st time in many years that they've done this and I'm so excited to see the miracles that WILL follow! We are fasting for 3 things
1. families to teach
2. the desire to reach our goal next year to double our baptisms of 30 to 60 a month by March!!!
3. faith in our desires
This is incredible and once in a life time experience and we missionaries are excited to see the hand of God scoop up his children and help us teach those that are ready and waiting or searching!
Rachel we met with and she is so cute she was wearing the coat :) she was so thankful because she'd been so cold. and GUESS WHAT....she is pregnant! (The lord works in mysterious ways doesn’t' he) I was worried how we could get her to stop smoking and then she told us she was pregnant and can't smoke because it makes her sick!!! YES!!! (spiritual upper-cut) she also said her baby Loki act differently when we are around. "I've never seen him act like this with people that come over except when you sisters come....and I really love it"....that is so neat to me because that must mean we are doing our job right if little Loki (celestial baby) is acting super happy and jumpy and excited!!! cute chukka monkey!!!
Another tender mercy was Amy is planning on attending church Jan 2nd 2011! and is starting to notice the tender mercies of the Lord in her life ...slowly....but her heart is beginning to soften...slowly....but the Lord knows her. this is VERY exciting for her family!
We are praying for a family this week to find and teach!!! (the number that comes to mind has been 8) My comp and I both had that come to mind...THAT IS EXCITING!!!!!! how thankful I am to have my family growing together in the gospel!! I love the Book of Mormon and Bible and scriptures because they are words of God spoken through Prophets and Jesus Christ and I love praying to know that the spirit testifies of the truthfulness to me because I am a daughter of my Heavenly Father! the father of my spirit! how grateful I am for each of you. Sunday I began to cry when I thought of my home, I was sad and then a tender mercy that was sent from a father in Heaven told me to "be still Janna and listen" a special musical number was being performed and I could tell he was improving! It started with the 1st Noel, then it came upon a mid-night clear....then right when I heard this voice the tune came clear as caroling angels....."We'll bring the world his truth"....tears filled my eyes as I clutched my heart and closed my eyes. I remembered my most prize position my gold and silver and myrrh and frankincense....the one this that brings me Joy no matter what....my family.....a vision flooded my mind of my family singing my last Sunday together before I left "as sisters in Zion and my brothers coming in ringing the good news: "We'll bring the world his truth".....how special, that whole song was just for me! I think of the wise men giving their gifts and I connect my family....if I were a wise women what gift would I give....My most precious?....my family!!!.....What does it mean to give your family? I cannot express to you how it feels, but I can express to you that although it is the hardest thing I've done in my life, we give our best so Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father can give their best to us! What are we willing to give up this Christmas so that we can truly let More Christ in our lives!!! to LET him give us what we need to become what our Heavenly Father WANTS us to become! "The Lord would have me serve in the mission field"...that means he wants me here, and what a better gift I can give than give my Heavenly father what he wants from me. Keep my commandments....if ye love me, keep my commandments. in this there is safety and peace!!!
I love you all and each so dearly and with all my heart!!!
Love you from here to Heaven,
Sister Janna Judkins
p.s. Mom and family we will call around evening time 7pm....(if it changes I'll let you know!) :) I love you! almost time to talk with you ....can't wait!!!!
Mom..... :) I love your concerns for me!! Do you know that!? ;) I am doing better, getting a physical therapist for my neck and back went to doctor and got medicine for my skin (picking up today) my staff is almost gone, bed bugs are DEAD!!!! Merry Christmas to ME!!! Thank you! :) ha ha! Now I am just trying really hard not to get sicker than I already am. Got a soar throat, my comp is really sick, trying to take care of her. NO SWEETS....I'm working on that....mom you are right, it is better not to eat sweets when you want to get better. now if my comp would just listen to me... ha ha! all and all I'm staying warm (yes I bought a new coat (bright red)) I look like red riding hood! ha ha! But I'm staying warm with scarfs and coats and gloves. Thank you! And (I peaked in one present...I took a pair of your fuzzy socks with me to members and people so when I take my shoes off, I'm still warm ha ha!!! Picture it....bright green and blue fuzzy socks ha ha! So warm and yes I know what you’re all thinking..... :) ..."I would."...
Thank you to the ward and family that have sent me Christmas surprises!!! :) I love them...mom I really want to know what is in that little box.....have no idea! : P every time I receive a letter, card or something I scream and get so happy inside, thank you! I'm sending stuff out today! :D
This week has been intense, helping a family move, teaching Rachel and HAO and YAO are getting baptized CHRISTMAS!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHHAY AYAYAYAYAYAY!!!! They passed their interviews and are really excited to go to the temple and get the priesthood! This week we are having a Mission wide fast starting tonight at 6pm until tomorrow! This is the 1st time in many years that they've done this and I'm so excited to see the miracles that WILL follow! We are fasting for 3 things
1. families to teach
2. the desire to reach our goal next year to double our baptisms of 30 to 60 a month by March!!!
3. faith in our desires
This is incredible and once in a life time experience and we missionaries are excited to see the hand of God scoop up his children and help us teach those that are ready and waiting or searching!
Rachel we met with and she is so cute she was wearing the coat :) she was so thankful because she'd been so cold. and GUESS WHAT....she is pregnant! (The lord works in mysterious ways doesn’t' he) I was worried how we could get her to stop smoking and then she told us she was pregnant and can't smoke because it makes her sick!!! YES!!! (spiritual upper-cut) she also said her baby Loki act differently when we are around. "I've never seen him act like this with people that come over except when you sisters come....and I really love it"....that is so neat to me because that must mean we are doing our job right if little Loki (celestial baby) is acting super happy and jumpy and excited!!! cute chukka monkey!!!
Another tender mercy was Amy is planning on attending church Jan 2nd 2011! and is starting to notice the tender mercies of the Lord in her life ...slowly....but her heart is beginning to soften...slowly....but the Lord knows her. this is VERY exciting for her family!
We are praying for a family this week to find and teach!!! (the number that comes to mind has been 8) My comp and I both had that come to mind...THAT IS EXCITING!!!!!! how thankful I am to have my family growing together in the gospel!! I love the Book of Mormon and Bible and scriptures because they are words of God spoken through Prophets and Jesus Christ and I love praying to know that the spirit testifies of the truthfulness to me because I am a daughter of my Heavenly Father! the father of my spirit! how grateful I am for each of you. Sunday I began to cry when I thought of my home, I was sad and then a tender mercy that was sent from a father in Heaven told me to "be still Janna and listen" a special musical number was being performed and I could tell he was improving! It started with the 1st Noel, then it came upon a mid-night clear....then right when I heard this voice the tune came clear as caroling angels....."We'll bring the world his truth"....tears filled my eyes as I clutched my heart and closed my eyes. I remembered my most prize position my gold and silver and myrrh and frankincense....the one this that brings me Joy no matter what....my family.....a vision flooded my mind of my family singing my last Sunday together before I left "as sisters in Zion and my brothers coming in ringing the good news: "We'll bring the world his truth".....how special, that whole song was just for me! I think of the wise men giving their gifts and I connect my family....if I were a wise women what gift would I give....My most precious?....my family!!!.....What does it mean to give your family? I cannot express to you how it feels, but I can express to you that although it is the hardest thing I've done in my life, we give our best so Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father can give their best to us! What are we willing to give up this Christmas so that we can truly let More Christ in our lives!!! to LET him give us what we need to become what our Heavenly Father WANTS us to become! "The Lord would have me serve in the mission field"...that means he wants me here, and what a better gift I can give than give my Heavenly father what he wants from me. Keep my commandments....if ye love me, keep my commandments. in this there is safety and peace!!!
I love you all and each so dearly and with all my heart!!!
Love you from here to Heaven,
Sister Janna Judkins
p.s. Mom and family we will call around evening time 7pm....(if it changes I'll let you know!) :) I love you! almost time to talk with you ....can't wait!!!!
Monday, December 13, 2010
Letter #37
11 day’s!
Hao and Yao are doing awesome!!! Dec 25th is coming up fast we talked of chastity and wow with them this week and they are committing and doing awesome!
Joseph Choka from Ghana has a baptism date for Jan 15th!!! He works soooo much, but we met with him 2 days ago and he's always so happy to meet with us, he even put off work because he said, this is more important than money!!! Talking about meeting with us!! He's so excited about getting baptized and getting the priesthood too, we might start teaching his 14 year old son too!!! TOTALLY RAD!!! I love missionary work!
My back is killer, but I have another test on it soon, I'm getting electrode or something so we can fix the problem. I was so spoiled in Tomball with people that helped me....now it's tough.....but the work is worth it!!!
Biking is a killer....not really losing the weight that I want to, but that's probably because I got REALLY delicious fudge from mom!!! mmmmm mom!!! Thank you for that package family because I screamed all the way to our next apt. :) and mom don’t' worry I am not opening up anything because I can't...you said please of the letter....ugh....but I love looking at them under our Christmas tree!!! Yes we do have one, infact we combined our pennies and have lights up everywhere and ornaments too!!! :) They make me smile from here to ear and it makes me think of my favorite part of Christmas.
I love this season because it's the BEST!!! and finding is hard and so worth it.
Ok miracle of the week.... story time.....
Do you remember that 16 year old girl with the 7 month baby with dark makeup that can't stop smoking? Ok well we went in for an appointment with her and well the lord worked a miracle with me.....it started 2 1/2 weeks ago when I bought this beautiful black coat with fur around the hood and this special collar that felt like a sweater and nice warm pockets and ohhh....it was the most beautiful coat I could ever ask for ... I wore it every day as my companion and I would bike in the near freezing temperatures ... mmmm ... it was such a blessing......
.......Back to the lesson with Rachel....we were watching the restoration DVD and Rachel had mentioned that she had a coat "somewhere" ....but during the movie I heard a small whisper say: "Janna...give her your coat" ...no not my coat I thought....I don't have another one...and I don’t' have money to get one. plus she says she has one somewhere...."give her your coat" I heard again.... my heart was burning as I stood up before we left and asked "do you have a coat Rachel?”somewhere" she said "do you want mine I asked? I don't want to steel your coat from you....and at that moment the spirit didn't have to whisper again I knew what the Lord expected of me. "Here try it on" I said... she handed me her baby and I took off my coat.... "it looks good...it's warm"....it's yours....I said....the walk out the door and into the freezing temperatures made my heart heavy. Tears began to fill my eyes as I thought about what just happened...I felt sad...for people that don't have, for those that do, for those that have to give up something, and for those that receive something they didn’t' have...I knew that the Lord at that moment takes care of his children...and the way he does that is through his children! this knowledge...for me was a true Christmas gift! ....
I love my savior my family and my gift of life on this earth...."This is more important that money" Joseph Choka our investigator says....he's right....it is more important and God will provide for his children ALLWAYS!!! I testify that this is true and that the Book of Mormon is a gift that Jesus Christ is our savior and is real and will succor us when we stand in need of succor. I Know Heavenly Father love each of us. I know that because right now although I am utterly alone....I am NOT alone. and although I am not home we know where to find "home"....and we know what to do and what Heavenly Father expect us to do to get back home to be with him and our families forever! I bare you my solemn testimony and witness that I know this church is the only fullness of the truth and those who have it....hold tight, like never before. I love you, I love the gospel. and I love our savior Jesus Christ...in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Love you from here to "Home"
Sister Judkins
Hao and Yao are doing awesome!!! Dec 25th is coming up fast we talked of chastity and wow with them this week and they are committing and doing awesome!
Joseph Choka from Ghana has a baptism date for Jan 15th!!! He works soooo much, but we met with him 2 days ago and he's always so happy to meet with us, he even put off work because he said, this is more important than money!!! Talking about meeting with us!! He's so excited about getting baptized and getting the priesthood too, we might start teaching his 14 year old son too!!! TOTALLY RAD!!! I love missionary work!
My back is killer, but I have another test on it soon, I'm getting electrode or something so we can fix the problem. I was so spoiled in Tomball with people that helped me....now it's tough.....but the work is worth it!!!
Biking is a killer....not really losing the weight that I want to, but that's probably because I got REALLY delicious fudge from mom!!! mmmmm mom!!! Thank you for that package family because I screamed all the way to our next apt. :) and mom don’t' worry I am not opening up anything because I can't...you said please of the letter....ugh....but I love looking at them under our Christmas tree!!! Yes we do have one, infact we combined our pennies and have lights up everywhere and ornaments too!!! :) They make me smile from here to ear and it makes me think of my favorite part of Christmas.
I love this season because it's the BEST!!! and finding is hard and so worth it.
Ok miracle of the week.... story time.....
Do you remember that 16 year old girl with the 7 month baby with dark makeup that can't stop smoking? Ok well we went in for an appointment with her and well the lord worked a miracle with me.....it started 2 1/2 weeks ago when I bought this beautiful black coat with fur around the hood and this special collar that felt like a sweater and nice warm pockets and ohhh....it was the most beautiful coat I could ever ask for ... I wore it every day as my companion and I would bike in the near freezing temperatures ... mmmm ... it was such a blessing......
.......Back to the lesson with Rachel....we were watching the restoration DVD and Rachel had mentioned that she had a coat "somewhere" ....but during the movie I heard a small whisper say: "Janna...give her your coat" ...no not my coat I thought....I don't have another one...and I don’t' have money to get one. plus she says she has one somewhere...."give her your coat" I heard again.... my heart was burning as I stood up before we left and asked "do you have a coat Rachel?”somewhere" she said "do you want mine I asked? I don't want to steel your coat from you....and at that moment the spirit didn't have to whisper again I knew what the Lord expected of me. "Here try it on" I said... she handed me her baby and I took off my coat.... "it looks good...it's warm"....it's yours....I said....the walk out the door and into the freezing temperatures made my heart heavy. Tears began to fill my eyes as I thought about what just happened...I felt sad...for people that don't have, for those that do, for those that have to give up something, and for those that receive something they didn’t' have...I knew that the Lord at that moment takes care of his children...and the way he does that is through his children! this knowledge...for me was a true Christmas gift! ....
I love my savior my family and my gift of life on this earth...."This is more important that money" Joseph Choka our investigator says....he's right....it is more important and God will provide for his children ALLWAYS!!! I testify that this is true and that the Book of Mormon is a gift that Jesus Christ is our savior and is real and will succor us when we stand in need of succor. I Know Heavenly Father love each of us. I know that because right now although I am utterly alone....I am NOT alone. and although I am not home we know where to find "home"....and we know what to do and what Heavenly Father expect us to do to get back home to be with him and our families forever! I bare you my solemn testimony and witness that I know this church is the only fullness of the truth and those who have it....hold tight, like never before. I love you, I love the gospel. and I love our savior Jesus Christ...in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Love you from here to "Home"
Sister Judkins
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Letter #36
Hola Harmano's y harmana's,
Yahooo!!! CHRISTMAS!!!! Mom...oh no don't you dare send it to the office!! TO ME!!!! The last package you sent came and I loved it!! You found the green things!!! :) G-ma used to give to us...but I shut it too tight and now I can’t' open it...but I screamed for 1 hour because I was so excited about it!!! Thank you for that mom and the sun rider awesome and the tea tree oil. I will use for staff infection? Can I use it for that!?
Super excited for Christmas how about you!!!!!??????????
Ok so this week was incredible, we are finally working in our 3rd ward. It started off really hard though because we had to give up 5 investigators to the elders that took our 1st ward and now are praying and working hard to find in this new HUGE area! On bikes...super duper fun....I haven’t ridden out there yet....pray for me!!1 ha ha! We went tracting the other day and it was INCREDIBLE my companion and I were led to a street and the last door we knocked on we ran into a girl name Rachel. She had BLACK eye shadow on that looked like she took a black sharpie and colored on her eye lids. We walked to the door and the person at the door (looked mighty different also...definately could fit in with the Portland crowd) ha-ha! said "are you looking for Rachel?" .....Mum....then this bright eyed young women practically jumps to the front door and says "are ya'll Mormons? I love Mormons".....I was so confused I didn't know what to think. But This was Rachel....so her mom married a Mormon for a while before she met her ex-girl friend...yes I said girlfriend...Rachel says' "she's my mom, and /I still love her." We started to talk and ended up teaching the plan of happiness to her in her backyard as she smoked cigarettes. Poor thing told us she was 16 years old, and has a 7 month old baby boy and is married to a 21 year old. wow!!! Her house was full of honestly it seemed to me like a crazy house with lots of confusion and pretty sure many were shooting up with ....not good things. She was amazing though....her eyes and soul are lost, and during the lesson I asked, "what is one thing that makes you smile when you think about it?" She said without hesitation," my baby..." We explained then how that joy is something she can have all the time and enjoy when she follows Heavenly father's commandments, because it makes us free and happy. She wants us to come back Wednesday...so we're really excited because she'd be in our area and is married so we can teach her!! A real miracle led by the holy ghost.
Satan is working hard to frustrate this new area that we're working in, my companion doesn't ever really get excited or at least she hides it really well, anyone that knows me knows I love getting excited and happy, because it relieves bad feelings. Heavenly Father teaches, "be happy" when he puts Adam and eve in the garden. I love this. You have either two out looks in life....happy or not happy....everything that's good and leads you to believe in Christ comes from God, if not it's not of God. So any feelings other than happiness don't come from Heavenly Father. I think about this....when I'm angry or hurt or offended or whatever...how does that make me feel better....why don't we put away our pride and act as a child would: meek, submissive, loving no matter what, caring, smiling and not letting little things get in the way. I challenge each of us this Christmas to look at a situation we just can't or won’t let go of. a family member, a friend a co-worker, a member of the church, bishop, stake President, me and you.....what is your rope that binds you from being truly happy? .....And act as if you were Lydia or June and Grace or Jacan or Aiden, a little child....What would they do?....Don't they keep loving even when we sometimes hurt them? How is it so easy for them to love and forgive so quickly? Or say, "I'm sad because you...." and why can't we forgive so easily and not hold grudges or hold back, because "they deserve it"....The savior. I would imagine he would not only forgive us but I'm sure he would run to us kneel down to our level and gently grab our arms and wipe our tears and say "all is well....you are forgiven....now let it go....and go in peace...be happy."
Oh a joy this Christmas season. How blessed I am and we all are...for we have the restored gospel that brings Good tidings of great joy!!! You know Gospel means: "good news" and what is the great news we have? The plan of Happiness. so then the angels when they came to tell everyone, "we bring good tidings of great joy" they were really saying.... " We bring you the good news of the Gospel; the Plan of Happiness".....Hey we have that don’t' we....makes sense yes....? How wow and guess what that's all I do all year is I get to share that message with all that I come in contact with....I get to share the gospel of the plan our Heavenly Father has for his children....Who are lost....battered...scared...bruised....broken....lonely.....scared.....looking....and maybe some are on the verge of giving up.....like the old violin....but what happens at the end of that story?... The "touch of the master's hand"....
I have seen his hand in the work...why? Because this IS his work. We're merely tools and if we don’t' perform to our potential we are put through a fire until we are perfected in him. and I know that this is possible. we are not perfect, but the refining fires of God we can be through the atonement and us choosing to Endure to the end.
A special moment happened this past thanksgiving I don’t' think I shared. because I left on my mission. I bought a little necklace...a mustard seed. and when we went through all the trials I personally had to go through I would wear it and hold tight to it, hoping for it to give me extra faith when I was drained....I continued to wear it all through my mission until last week....I've talked of Amy who we actually found her baptism records and she IS a member....I felt prompted to give her something thanksgiving night (we went to dinner with, her parents who had no family w/ them, she was working 80-105 hours a week). I jumped out of the car and was so excited...what am I supposed to give her I thought....then it came...."oh no..." I thought. not that....she won’t think it's as special to me as it will be to her....but the whisper came again and I slowly opened my wooden box and pulled out my rusted, dirty battered little mustard seed....and wrote a note to explain....I sealed the letter and gently tucked my little goldfish-greenish mustard seed in a strategically taped letter. and wrote AMY on the front....I hurried and ran to give it to her parents to give to her and ran back in my apt. shocked at my empty hand....the next few days she called and thanked me....but then Sunday her mom came to me and said this;
"I don't think you know how much that little mustard seed meant to Amy. When she got it she opened it up and with tears in her eyes instantly put it around her neck...." Well we had a lesson with Amy on Thursday and guess what!!!?? Bishop came...and gave her a blessing and talked with her and Amy is meeting with him on Tuesday to start to lift her Heavy burden she has tried to carry on her own for this 10+ years. Keep her in your prayers. She is actually excited for it too. :) AMAZING!!! next step TEMPLE!!!
I love missionary work, even through bed bugs and hurt bodies and sweat and gaining weight, and slammed doors, how I love that little spark we see in those that are truly ready and humbled.....I love my savior, I love my Father in Heaven and I am so grateful to be a missionary and serve. Yes it's hard always....but wow!!!! 2 ways to look at life....HAPPY or not happy.... LIFE IS INCREDIBLE and we are numbered. God bless us every one!!!
Love you forever and always from here to Heaven,
Sister Judkins
Yahooo!!! CHRISTMAS!!!! Mom...oh no don't you dare send it to the office!! TO ME!!!! The last package you sent came and I loved it!! You found the green things!!! :) G-ma used to give to us...but I shut it too tight and now I can’t' open it...but I screamed for 1 hour because I was so excited about it!!! Thank you for that mom and the sun rider awesome and the tea tree oil. I will use for staff infection? Can I use it for that!?
Super excited for Christmas how about you!!!!!??????????
Ok so this week was incredible, we are finally working in our 3rd ward. It started off really hard though because we had to give up 5 investigators to the elders that took our 1st ward and now are praying and working hard to find in this new HUGE area! On bikes...super duper fun....I haven’t ridden out there yet....pray for me!!1 ha ha! We went tracting the other day and it was INCREDIBLE my companion and I were led to a street and the last door we knocked on we ran into a girl name Rachel. She had BLACK eye shadow on that looked like she took a black sharpie and colored on her eye lids. We walked to the door and the person at the door (looked mighty different also...definately could fit in with the Portland crowd) ha-ha! said "are you looking for Rachel?" .....Mum....then this bright eyed young women practically jumps to the front door and says "are ya'll Mormons? I love Mormons".....I was so confused I didn't know what to think. But This was Rachel....so her mom married a Mormon for a while before she met her ex-girl friend...yes I said girlfriend...Rachel says' "she's my mom, and /I still love her." We started to talk and ended up teaching the plan of happiness to her in her backyard as she smoked cigarettes. Poor thing told us she was 16 years old, and has a 7 month old baby boy and is married to a 21 year old. wow!!! Her house was full of honestly it seemed to me like a crazy house with lots of confusion and pretty sure many were shooting up with ....not good things. She was amazing though....her eyes and soul are lost, and during the lesson I asked, "what is one thing that makes you smile when you think about it?" She said without hesitation," my baby..." We explained then how that joy is something she can have all the time and enjoy when she follows Heavenly father's commandments, because it makes us free and happy. She wants us to come back Wednesday...so we're really excited because she'd be in our area and is married so we can teach her!! A real miracle led by the holy ghost.
Satan is working hard to frustrate this new area that we're working in, my companion doesn't ever really get excited or at least she hides it really well, anyone that knows me knows I love getting excited and happy, because it relieves bad feelings. Heavenly Father teaches, "be happy" when he puts Adam and eve in the garden. I love this. You have either two out looks in life....happy or not happy....everything that's good and leads you to believe in Christ comes from God, if not it's not of God. So any feelings other than happiness don't come from Heavenly Father. I think about this....when I'm angry or hurt or offended or whatever...how does that make me feel better....why don't we put away our pride and act as a child would: meek, submissive, loving no matter what, caring, smiling and not letting little things get in the way. I challenge each of us this Christmas to look at a situation we just can't or won’t let go of. a family member, a friend a co-worker, a member of the church, bishop, stake President, me and you.....what is your rope that binds you from being truly happy? .....And act as if you were Lydia or June and Grace or Jacan or Aiden, a little child....What would they do?....Don't they keep loving even when we sometimes hurt them? How is it so easy for them to love and forgive so quickly? Or say, "I'm sad because you...." and why can't we forgive so easily and not hold grudges or hold back, because "they deserve it"....The savior. I would imagine he would not only forgive us but I'm sure he would run to us kneel down to our level and gently grab our arms and wipe our tears and say "all is well....you are forgiven....now let it go....and go in peace...be happy."
Oh a joy this Christmas season. How blessed I am and we all are...for we have the restored gospel that brings Good tidings of great joy!!! You know Gospel means: "good news" and what is the great news we have? The plan of Happiness. so then the angels when they came to tell everyone, "we bring good tidings of great joy" they were really saying.... " We bring you the good news of the Gospel; the Plan of Happiness".....Hey we have that don’t' we....makes sense yes....? How wow and guess what that's all I do all year is I get to share that message with all that I come in contact with....I get to share the gospel of the plan our Heavenly Father has for his children....Who are lost....battered...scared...bruised....broken....lonely.....scared.....looking....and maybe some are on the verge of giving up.....like the old violin....but what happens at the end of that story?... The "touch of the master's hand"....
I have seen his hand in the work...why? Because this IS his work. We're merely tools and if we don’t' perform to our potential we are put through a fire until we are perfected in him. and I know that this is possible. we are not perfect, but the refining fires of God we can be through the atonement and us choosing to Endure to the end.
A special moment happened this past thanksgiving I don’t' think I shared. because I left on my mission. I bought a little necklace...a mustard seed. and when we went through all the trials I personally had to go through I would wear it and hold tight to it, hoping for it to give me extra faith when I was drained....I continued to wear it all through my mission until last week....I've talked of Amy who we actually found her baptism records and she IS a member....I felt prompted to give her something thanksgiving night (we went to dinner with, her parents who had no family w/ them, she was working 80-105 hours a week). I jumped out of the car and was so excited...what am I supposed to give her I thought....then it came...."oh no..." I thought. not that....she won’t think it's as special to me as it will be to her....but the whisper came again and I slowly opened my wooden box and pulled out my rusted, dirty battered little mustard seed....and wrote a note to explain....I sealed the letter and gently tucked my little goldfish-greenish mustard seed in a strategically taped letter. and wrote AMY on the front....I hurried and ran to give it to her parents to give to her and ran back in my apt. shocked at my empty hand....the next few days she called and thanked me....but then Sunday her mom came to me and said this;
"I don't think you know how much that little mustard seed meant to Amy. When she got it she opened it up and with tears in her eyes instantly put it around her neck...." Well we had a lesson with Amy on Thursday and guess what!!!?? Bishop came...and gave her a blessing and talked with her and Amy is meeting with him on Tuesday to start to lift her Heavy burden she has tried to carry on her own for this 10+ years. Keep her in your prayers. She is actually excited for it too. :) AMAZING!!! next step TEMPLE!!!
I love missionary work, even through bed bugs and hurt bodies and sweat and gaining weight, and slammed doors, how I love that little spark we see in those that are truly ready and humbled.....I love my savior, I love my Father in Heaven and I am so grateful to be a missionary and serve. Yes it's hard always....but wow!!!! 2 ways to look at life....HAPPY or not happy.... LIFE IS INCREDIBLE and we are numbered. God bless us every one!!!
Love you forever and always from here to Heaven,
Sister Judkins
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