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!!!!