September 6, 2011
Thank you dad! I printed this out, and will read it again...
Family and friends,
I feel the Lord knows what's in store for me.... My heart is so full and my eyes sting because this morning at a leadership training meeting, President Pingree had Elder Hill and I bear out testimonies as the "departing missionaries" I walked up to the front of these missionaries and felt very humbled...not seeking to impress anyone or say something that is going to be remembered forever as I so often felt like that moment would be...but rather I just felt well..."silent...like a lamb.." not much to say with words, only with tears can I truly express how I feel about serving here in Houston.
I started out by saying "there is a motto the Coast Guard has: 'We do this, so that others may live'....my first thought was as missionaries...but my mouth opened and I expressed of Jesus Christ. He suffered beyond what we can imagine so that we could live...when the storm was so rough that no one else dares travel in it, our savior took the blows. Because he loves us. I testified of our saviors love, of the love I have for him and how humbled and chastened I have been on my mission, more than ever in my life... but I have also NEVER felt a more sincere desire to LOVE then here as I have served.
I want to bear my testimony to you! I know this work is eternal, it's true. I know our brother and savior love me and you, and that he did what he did for us! So that we might live! I know in my heart that missionary work is part of the eternal plan of Heavenly Father to be a type of savior for our brothers and sisters waiting to be saved. In our meeting, I felt so much warmth from the Holy Ghost that my heart could barely contain it. I knew the things being taught were true. I know that these 19 year old boys have been set apart and called of God and am fulfilling their Priesthood responsibility of serving a mission and feeding the sheep! "Tens of Thousands" President Pingree says and today shirts were passed out to each missionary and we signed our standard of truth flag testifying to our mission, god and ourselves that we will strive to honor and respect our call as missionaries as well as all the missionaries that have come before and will come after!
Elder Holland came and spoke to us 2 weeks ago and said "missionary work is the life blood of this church, it has started that way, it is today and it will finish that way..." his eyes begin to fill with tears as he grips the pulpit and continues..." and YOU DO NOT HAVE TO RIGHT to degrade those who have served before you as missionaries". Wow! My heart was pounding, to hear such words. I never thought about it like that.
I feel so deeply moved to have the support of those I love and I know love me because I have had support out here serving the Lord. I then looked into the eyes of the elders many with watered faces and I said "many of you know my younger brother has chosen not to serve... seeing you here, gives me hope. I honor and respect you for serving. I watch and love each of you.
The Book of Mormon is true; it is the word of God. It stands as a witness to the world that Jesus is the Christ that he lived, died and was resurrected again on the 3rd day and we do claim that through a living prophet Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father has again called and restored that priesthood authority on the earth. Because it was lost, thousands of years ago because of sin. Today is the day we MUST share what we know to be true. Find this conviction within yourselves. The Gospel of Jesus Christ heals all hurt and breaks down all barriers. God lives and his love for us are shown through his words. The Holy bible, the book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, pearl of great price and his living prophets today! Thomas S. Monson is a prophet for the world today. I know this to be true through sincere prayer.
We do this so that others may live....as members of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-days saints. This is our duty and if our motive is love, nothing can prevail against us!
The work is amazing. Natalie Powell is getting baptized Sept 16th!
Amanda is doing great got baptized last week and Susan got baptized the week before. They are doing wonderful! The church is true. Families are forever through God’s eternal plan!
I love you
Form here to home
Sister Judkins
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Letter #73
August 29, 2011
Question......
I am finishing strong don't worry, got tons of stuff I need to accomplish and plans to strengthen the ward and missionary foundation before I leave....everyone is saying I should come back and get a job down in Texas here with all my contacts I have! Thinking about it.
Side note:
last night I went to Amanda’s house (she got baptized sat) so funny...we forgot to tell her to bring underclothes (extra) and we went running around and ended up tying a big trash bag around her chest to bind her down while she got baptized!! It was hilarious! :) She is awesome!!! All she wants to do is share the gospel! :)
Love Sis. Judkins
Question......
I am finishing strong don't worry, got tons of stuff I need to accomplish and plans to strengthen the ward and missionary foundation before I leave....everyone is saying I should come back and get a job down in Texas here with all my contacts I have! Thinking about it.
Side note:
last night I went to Amanda’s house (she got baptized sat) so funny...we forgot to tell her to bring underclothes (extra) and we went running around and ended up tying a big trash bag around her chest to bind her down while she got baptized!! It was hilarious! :) She is awesome!!! All she wants to do is share the gospel! :)
Love Sis. Judkins
Letter # 72
August 22, 2011
WHAT A WEEK!!!!....
Ok...Susan's Baptism was INCREDIBLE!! There was a party for the Spanish branch @ the same time...but the spirit was so strong. She is doing GREAT! The lord is really blessing her physically with her cancer and health. She is telling her friends and family knows that smoking in her home is not appropriate any more! :) She is great! Received the Holy Ghost and when we raised our hands to welcome her, she was so funny, she started to wave to everyone! She is so good. ha ha ha! so cute
it was so cool too because after the baptism we went to eat the Mexican food at the party ;) (you know if there’s a party that's where I'll be) and we had the opportunity to meet Liz (leaving in 2 weeks on her mission to California), Katy (22-thinking about going...but lots of things r holding her back) and Hanna (an 18 yr old girl you would never guess would want to serve...but if you look close, you can see what's inside) ! I was able to bear testimony to them of what my 18 months has been like for me and why it truly is the best thing in the entire world! they all kept coming to me and asking questions and their eyes really wanted to know. to me I feel so happy, this work is not done when I take off the badge (which isn't happening, I'm going to wear one under my shirt ha ha!) but really it goes deeper. this job is literally sharing the truth...the plan to happiness! if you’re not happy...read the scriptures. if you are still unhappy serve your family look around you, feel God's love. don't let Satan put thoughts of anger, hatred, and depression in your hearts, we are children of God. we have a body and have a purpose in being on earth. we have eternal parents and because they love us with all their hearts they give us commandments to follow and by keeping these commandments we get to show them how much we love them and want to be with them again! wow! Mom and dad, we should treat you with so much love and respect, you are such great examples to me of reading the scriptures and saying family prayer and FHE and going to church no matter what! thank you for your strength in holding on to the iron rod and teaching us kids how to do the same! WE ARE STRONGER THAN WE THINK! how grateful I am to not only KNOW this but FEEL it inside!
Amanda is getting baptized This Saturday and has been receiving opposition also with her new boy friend and that's been a struggle. But God has his plan for her. and she was in the same predicament defending her religion tooth and nail 2 years ago...she said she just needed her heart to be softened! she is ready. came to church and passed her interview and right after Bishop Carruth had her come in for an interview with him in the office. she was nervous to see her b-friend's family yesterday because they had a LONG talk the night before...so we offered to say a prayer with her. she is INCREDIBLE!
getting our new converts their new member lessons has been a HUGE challenge...this week sister Taylor and I incorporated a stratagem! we are assigning all 4 (soon to be 5) new members to another member (including ward missionaries) and committing them to take PMG and within the next 2 months set up apts with the new members and teach the lessons. they are in charge of setting apts up and getting a partner to come with them. we are going to each member’s home and inviting them personally and letting them know what a HUGE influence they will be for this new member! we talked to bishop and the ward mission leader and they all like it. we pray that it works, because the rate this ward is going, we are going to need a class just for our investigators (friends) :) we are also getting HT involved with lessons!
Marisa and Jacob are doing well...slow process....Jacob going to school, and getting new member lessons and attending young men’s are all going to help him be more respectful and appreciative at home. reading scriptures and coming to church and praying we are focusing on with them!
RHIANN!!!! is new! member referral! sister Houston organized a time we could have lunch with her and Rhiann came to church Sunday! she really loved it! I asked if we could meet together for us to teach her more. and she said we would talk and stay in contact with sis Houston!!! I LOVE WORKING WITH SUCH INCREDIBLE MEMBERS!!! The power of conversion starts within the hearts of those we love. let us love our friends and just like you President follows the promptings of the spirit to follow through and share the most precious gift we have! and when they feel our love and sincere desire for their happiness...they will open their hearts and like Amanda receive the convincing power of the Holey ghost as it whispers within saying "this is home....your search is now done, now you must follow"....WOW!!! I love this gospel with all my heart! I can hardly believe I get to do this for the REST OF MY LIFE!!!!
I love you and your family, thank you president for encouraging us.
-Sister Judkins
WHAT A WEEK!!!!....
Ok...Susan's Baptism was INCREDIBLE!! There was a party for the Spanish branch @ the same time...but the spirit was so strong. She is doing GREAT! The lord is really blessing her physically with her cancer and health. She is telling her friends and family knows that smoking in her home is not appropriate any more! :) She is great! Received the Holy Ghost and when we raised our hands to welcome her, she was so funny, she started to wave to everyone! She is so good. ha ha ha! so cute
it was so cool too because after the baptism we went to eat the Mexican food at the party ;) (you know if there’s a party that's where I'll be) and we had the opportunity to meet Liz (leaving in 2 weeks on her mission to California), Katy (22-thinking about going...but lots of things r holding her back) and Hanna (an 18 yr old girl you would never guess would want to serve...but if you look close, you can see what's inside) ! I was able to bear testimony to them of what my 18 months has been like for me and why it truly is the best thing in the entire world! they all kept coming to me and asking questions and their eyes really wanted to know. to me I feel so happy, this work is not done when I take off the badge (which isn't happening, I'm going to wear one under my shirt ha ha!) but really it goes deeper. this job is literally sharing the truth...the plan to happiness! if you’re not happy...read the scriptures. if you are still unhappy serve your family look around you, feel God's love. don't let Satan put thoughts of anger, hatred, and depression in your hearts, we are children of God. we have a body and have a purpose in being on earth. we have eternal parents and because they love us with all their hearts they give us commandments to follow and by keeping these commandments we get to show them how much we love them and want to be with them again! wow! Mom and dad, we should treat you with so much love and respect, you are such great examples to me of reading the scriptures and saying family prayer and FHE and going to church no matter what! thank you for your strength in holding on to the iron rod and teaching us kids how to do the same! WE ARE STRONGER THAN WE THINK! how grateful I am to not only KNOW this but FEEL it inside!
Amanda is getting baptized This Saturday and has been receiving opposition also with her new boy friend and that's been a struggle. But God has his plan for her. and she was in the same predicament defending her religion tooth and nail 2 years ago...she said she just needed her heart to be softened! she is ready. came to church and passed her interview and right after Bishop Carruth had her come in for an interview with him in the office. she was nervous to see her b-friend's family yesterday because they had a LONG talk the night before...so we offered to say a prayer with her. she is INCREDIBLE!
getting our new converts their new member lessons has been a HUGE challenge...this week sister Taylor and I incorporated a stratagem! we are assigning all 4 (soon to be 5) new members to another member (including ward missionaries) and committing them to take PMG and within the next 2 months set up apts with the new members and teach the lessons. they are in charge of setting apts up and getting a partner to come with them. we are going to each member’s home and inviting them personally and letting them know what a HUGE influence they will be for this new member! we talked to bishop and the ward mission leader and they all like it. we pray that it works, because the rate this ward is going, we are going to need a class just for our investigators (friends) :) we are also getting HT involved with lessons!
Marisa and Jacob are doing well...slow process....Jacob going to school, and getting new member lessons and attending young men’s are all going to help him be more respectful and appreciative at home. reading scriptures and coming to church and praying we are focusing on with them!
RHIANN!!!! is new! member referral! sister Houston organized a time we could have lunch with her and Rhiann came to church Sunday! she really loved it! I asked if we could meet together for us to teach her more. and she said we would talk and stay in contact with sis Houston!!! I LOVE WORKING WITH SUCH INCREDIBLE MEMBERS!!! The power of conversion starts within the hearts of those we love. let us love our friends and just like you President follows the promptings of the spirit to follow through and share the most precious gift we have! and when they feel our love and sincere desire for their happiness...they will open their hearts and like Amanda receive the convincing power of the Holey ghost as it whispers within saying "this is home....your search is now done, now you must follow"....WOW!!! I love this gospel with all my heart! I can hardly believe I get to do this for the REST OF MY LIFE!!!!
I love you and your family, thank you president for encouraging us.
-Sister Judkins
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Letter # 71
Friends and family,
Hello....WOW!
Being missionary ROCKS! The best thing EVER!
Keep Marisa in your prayers!!! She is an investigator (Jacob her son was baptized last sat!)
Dirk is a new investigator and he's AWESOME! Member referral! And we taught him last night and are coming back again! He said "I just don't see why we would need a prophet"....then he would say "yah, you just can't find the truth because of all the different interpretations of the bible!" I and my companion felt the spirit very strong and feel that he is ready...going to have to change many things but we are supposed to be teaching him, that's for sure!
Susan has a baptism date for this sat! She is sick...missed her lesson sat, but we are going to try to see what we can to encourage and support her. She is doing great with not smoking and drinking tea and coffee...she said "oh I will just give my coffee to my neighbor" :) ha ha! Awesome!!!!
Bailey and Braiden have a baptism date for Aug 27th BUT....their dad keeps saying he'll come to church and he hasn't showed up once!! The boys have been at their mom's house and we can understand that. They are so ready...but BRENT the dad is just making excuses!!!! How can we help him...he drinks and smokes and that is holding him back BIG TIME!! We want him to be worthy to baptize his boys....but he doesn't keep commitments....then how do we do that!!!???
The work is HARD WORK!!! I LOVE IT!! I'm so happy to be serving and I know that God is not going to let me live a leisure last transfer, I can feel a whirl wind coming on and I know that miracles WILL occur!!!! I'm SO READY!!! BRING IT ON!!!!
This week has been full of emotion and God has his plan but I sure wish he'd let me in on it sometimes!!! I love you family! PRAY FOR ME and my companion sister TAYLOR and our INVESTIGATORS and those were working with and our incredible ward that they will find more ready to hear this incredible message of the restored gospel! PLEASE PRAY THAT WE WILL DO/ Feel / and know what the Lord would have me accomplish these next 6 weeks!!!!!
I LOVE YOU WITH ALL MY HEART!!! I love this work with everything in me and I know this church the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been restored to the earth and it is true!!!! The Book of Mormon is truth that is a testament of the messiah and I pray that as we pray and study to know and then ask God and seek to partake form his hand when we have questions in life and concerns!!! HOLD TO GOD and follow his SON Jesus Christ!! He is the light and life of the world and it's through him that we MAY (if we choose) find everlasting HAPPINESS!!! I love you!
-Love you from here (home) to home!
-Sister Judkins
P.S. mom been taking greens, feel I need to get checked out at doc....calling today....it's all good. Got shoes they are Awesome and they don’t' hurt my feet and THANK YOU!! Praying for you always!!! MY FAMILY!
Wow!!! No spell check!! HAHA!!! I love yah'll tooo!!! Have so much fun for me!! Julie babe! Be careful! No more fainting that is scary!! Take care of my swim suit K! We got to work out tons when I get home and train for triathlon!
-Sister Judkins
Hello....WOW!
Being missionary ROCKS! The best thing EVER!
Keep Marisa in your prayers!!! She is an investigator (Jacob her son was baptized last sat!)
Dirk is a new investigator and he's AWESOME! Member referral! And we taught him last night and are coming back again! He said "I just don't see why we would need a prophet"....then he would say "yah, you just can't find the truth because of all the different interpretations of the bible!" I and my companion felt the spirit very strong and feel that he is ready...going to have to change many things but we are supposed to be teaching him, that's for sure!
Susan has a baptism date for this sat! She is sick...missed her lesson sat, but we are going to try to see what we can to encourage and support her. She is doing great with not smoking and drinking tea and coffee...she said "oh I will just give my coffee to my neighbor" :) ha ha! Awesome!!!!
Bailey and Braiden have a baptism date for Aug 27th BUT....their dad keeps saying he'll come to church and he hasn't showed up once!! The boys have been at their mom's house and we can understand that. They are so ready...but BRENT the dad is just making excuses!!!! How can we help him...he drinks and smokes and that is holding him back BIG TIME!! We want him to be worthy to baptize his boys....but he doesn't keep commitments....then how do we do that!!!???
The work is HARD WORK!!! I LOVE IT!! I'm so happy to be serving and I know that God is not going to let me live a leisure last transfer, I can feel a whirl wind coming on and I know that miracles WILL occur!!!! I'm SO READY!!! BRING IT ON!!!!
This week has been full of emotion and God has his plan but I sure wish he'd let me in on it sometimes!!! I love you family! PRAY FOR ME and my companion sister TAYLOR and our INVESTIGATORS and those were working with and our incredible ward that they will find more ready to hear this incredible message of the restored gospel! PLEASE PRAY THAT WE WILL DO/ Feel / and know what the Lord would have me accomplish these next 6 weeks!!!!!
I LOVE YOU WITH ALL MY HEART!!! I love this work with everything in me and I know this church the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been restored to the earth and it is true!!!! The Book of Mormon is truth that is a testament of the messiah and I pray that as we pray and study to know and then ask God and seek to partake form his hand when we have questions in life and concerns!!! HOLD TO GOD and follow his SON Jesus Christ!! He is the light and life of the world and it's through him that we MAY (if we choose) find everlasting HAPPINESS!!! I love you!
-Love you from here (home) to home!
-Sister Judkins
P.S. mom been taking greens, feel I need to get checked out at doc....calling today....it's all good. Got shoes they are Awesome and they don’t' hurt my feet and THANK YOU!! Praying for you always!!! MY FAMILY!
Wow!!! No spell check!! HAHA!!! I love yah'll tooo!!! Have so much fun for me!! Julie babe! Be careful! No more fainting that is scary!! Take care of my swim suit K! We got to work out tons when I get home and train for triathlon!
-Sister Judkins
Monday, August 1, 2011
Letter #70
August 1, 2011
Friends and family,
Jacob was baptized Sat....AWESOME....the lord will be working hard on the incredible family! But they are super strong and faithful! We have another baptism Aug 13th-Susan quit smoking, and drinking tea (remember when I promised thought the sprit to quit smoking NOW and things will start happening for her!? well she did!!!) YAH! GO SPIRIT!!!! The work is on fire the WARD is on FIRE! We have A LOT OF WORK TO DO!!!!! LOVING THIS!!!! <3
Thank you mom! You are so awesome!!! It makes me SOOOOO home sick when you mention BOATING!!! AHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!! I want to boat so badly!!!!
Will it be too cold to boat in September when I get home? Can we plan some boating trips the week I get home!!! PLEASE!!!! :) I'll pack lunch and we'll clean the house!!! It will be sooo much fun!!! We’ll make it the JUDKINS PARTAY all the way!!!
I love remembering how much fun we have boating and I had relived it all the time while I see all the lakes here in Montgomery! It's incredible. I just love the water and the smell of the engine and the aching muscles afterward! It’s amazing! Really incredible! I miss that....if there is one thing I'm so sad about it's that I can't go soak in the sun here and go boating!!!! SADDEST THING EVER FOR ME!!! :( ....alas....I can't think about it, because I have the best job in the world!!! I get to teach and serve and love and help my family out here!!!
It's the best feeling, when you get to find family all around the world...you just have to get out of our everyday routine and talk to everyone, who knows, you might just find friendships that will last for a life time, and they are strong because they are founded on service and the savior Jesus Christ 1st....then the rest follows!!! I love how many of my new friends I will always be in contacts with, how I love them and appreciate all they go through and all they do to stay strong in their journey with learning about the church, making the commitment and then being baptized and following Jesus Christ even though they are being persecuted and made fun of and teased....we should be aware of the way we treat those around us....little jokes still hurt....sincere love is what Christ taught and we must follow and show just how dedicated we are to follow him by living his example!!!
I love the Lord, I love TEXAS....I love my mission I DON"T WANT TO LEAVE....I WILL come back!....what an experience to follow what God wants us to do and "preach my gospel" two by two proclaiming the gospel like unto angels of God".....WOW!!! this work is true no un hallowed hand can stop this work from PROGRESSING.....my heart these past weeks have been so swollen with love and appreciation that I cannot express in words and so it's interesting that I am moven to tears when I think of who I have become and the humility that I am still learning to except to really follow Jesus Christ and have faith in his plan for me his sister! This church is true! the Book of Mormon is a true testimony that has the fullness of the gospel once written in our holy bible but was lost, distorted and debated, we are all children of God, he loves us and cares about our happiness....we should reach out to others in love and sincere desire to serve and help strengthen that together we may build up the kingdom of God and give all the opportunity to receive the fullness of JOY we as children of god are promised to receive through our dedicated service to finding and follow the prophet as he follows the chief corner stone which is Jesus the Christ! "I do nothing save what I see the father do"...."come unto me...learn of me and ye shall find rest unto your soul"....."For God so loved the world..."
I love you so much, I cannot express all my love, I pray for you...I see the blessings God has blessed each of us in my family and those I've been able to be apart of teaching. The church builds us to become like our Heavenly Father. I know it is true! I bear you my witness as a representative of Jesus Christ! In his sacred name....Amen.
Love you from here (home) to Home
-Sister Judkins
Friends and family,
Jacob was baptized Sat....AWESOME....the lord will be working hard on the incredible family! But they are super strong and faithful! We have another baptism Aug 13th-Susan quit smoking, and drinking tea (remember when I promised thought the sprit to quit smoking NOW and things will start happening for her!? well she did!!!) YAH! GO SPIRIT!!!! The work is on fire the WARD is on FIRE! We have A LOT OF WORK TO DO!!!!! LOVING THIS!!!! <3
Thank you mom! You are so awesome!!! It makes me SOOOOO home sick when you mention BOATING!!! AHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!! I want to boat so badly!!!!
Will it be too cold to boat in September when I get home? Can we plan some boating trips the week I get home!!! PLEASE!!!! :) I'll pack lunch and we'll clean the house!!! It will be sooo much fun!!! We’ll make it the JUDKINS PARTAY all the way!!!
I love remembering how much fun we have boating and I had relived it all the time while I see all the lakes here in Montgomery! It's incredible. I just love the water and the smell of the engine and the aching muscles afterward! It’s amazing! Really incredible! I miss that....if there is one thing I'm so sad about it's that I can't go soak in the sun here and go boating!!!! SADDEST THING EVER FOR ME!!! :( ....alas....I can't think about it, because I have the best job in the world!!! I get to teach and serve and love and help my family out here!!!
It's the best feeling, when you get to find family all around the world...you just have to get out of our everyday routine and talk to everyone, who knows, you might just find friendships that will last for a life time, and they are strong because they are founded on service and the savior Jesus Christ 1st....then the rest follows!!! I love how many of my new friends I will always be in contacts with, how I love them and appreciate all they go through and all they do to stay strong in their journey with learning about the church, making the commitment and then being baptized and following Jesus Christ even though they are being persecuted and made fun of and teased....we should be aware of the way we treat those around us....little jokes still hurt....sincere love is what Christ taught and we must follow and show just how dedicated we are to follow him by living his example!!!
I love the Lord, I love TEXAS....I love my mission I DON"T WANT TO LEAVE....I WILL come back!....what an experience to follow what God wants us to do and "preach my gospel" two by two proclaiming the gospel like unto angels of God".....WOW!!! this work is true no un hallowed hand can stop this work from PROGRESSING.....my heart these past weeks have been so swollen with love and appreciation that I cannot express in words and so it's interesting that I am moven to tears when I think of who I have become and the humility that I am still learning to except to really follow Jesus Christ and have faith in his plan for me his sister! This church is true! the Book of Mormon is a true testimony that has the fullness of the gospel once written in our holy bible but was lost, distorted and debated, we are all children of God, he loves us and cares about our happiness....we should reach out to others in love and sincere desire to serve and help strengthen that together we may build up the kingdom of God and give all the opportunity to receive the fullness of JOY we as children of god are promised to receive through our dedicated service to finding and follow the prophet as he follows the chief corner stone which is Jesus the Christ! "I do nothing save what I see the father do"...."come unto me...learn of me and ye shall find rest unto your soul"....."For God so loved the world..."
I love you so much, I cannot express all my love, I pray for you...I see the blessings God has blessed each of us in my family and those I've been able to be apart of teaching. The church builds us to become like our Heavenly Father. I know it is true! I bear you my witness as a representative of Jesus Christ! In his sacred name....Amen.
Love you from here (home) to Home
-Sister Judkins
Monday, July 18, 2011
Letter #68
Ok this week has been good. Thank you for your comments. I was very grateful to have come to zone council...it was a powerful moving meeting and went really well! Thanks for telling us about our tire too...we are all fixed and ready to go!! Plus we found a woman at the TBN that is from a Part member family and we switched numbers and were going to call this week to set up an apt to teach her!!! :D
Jacob is super excited for his baptism....and Bubba (Marisa’s husband/b-friend) said he wouldn't mind taking the discussions....but Marisa seams very leery of letting him... I think she is scared that if he wants to be baptized and it starts looking good. That maybe it was all be "too good" she gets very impatient with Jacob and we need to know how we can better invite the spirit so that their family sees more peace.... basics READ PRAY church!!! She hasn't come in 3 weeks. Because of hospital and getting better....we need to really help them read and pray every day and then get them to church!!! What do you think we cold do more?
Bailey and Braid.... :( didn’t come to church...but the lesson went really well and we teach them again Tuesday plan of salvation football style!!!! :)
We had 8 investigators at church Sunday! And lots of less actives for the past 5 weeks we have had to open up the back part every. Week!!! SOOO COOL!!!!
TONS OF WORK HERE....I feel like we are again starting over....which is great because that means we are doing it right....more people, progressing, relax and relate and pray pray!!! Thank you!
Still am working on serving and loving my companion... I am going to try this week to step back more and let her take charge a little more.... this will help her feel loved I think... I hope....and I'm praying to love her more. I know Satan works hard when something BIG is around the corner...but we can work harder!!! Ok....I can do this!! Thank you president!!
-love you and your wonderful family and all your love you share with us!!! It helps us be stronger!!
-Love, Sister Judkins
Jacob is super excited for his baptism....and Bubba (Marisa’s husband/b-friend) said he wouldn't mind taking the discussions....but Marisa seams very leery of letting him... I think she is scared that if he wants to be baptized and it starts looking good. That maybe it was all be "too good" she gets very impatient with Jacob and we need to know how we can better invite the spirit so that their family sees more peace.... basics READ PRAY church!!! She hasn't come in 3 weeks. Because of hospital and getting better....we need to really help them read and pray every day and then get them to church!!! What do you think we cold do more?
Bailey and Braid.... :( didn’t come to church...but the lesson went really well and we teach them again Tuesday plan of salvation football style!!!! :)
We had 8 investigators at church Sunday! And lots of less actives for the past 5 weeks we have had to open up the back part every. Week!!! SOOO COOL!!!!
TONS OF WORK HERE....I feel like we are again starting over....which is great because that means we are doing it right....more people, progressing, relax and relate and pray pray!!! Thank you!
Still am working on serving and loving my companion... I am going to try this week to step back more and let her take charge a little more.... this will help her feel loved I think... I hope....and I'm praying to love her more. I know Satan works hard when something BIG is around the corner...but we can work harder!!! Ok....I can do this!! Thank you president!!
-love you and your wonderful family and all your love you share with us!!! It helps us be stronger!!
-Love, Sister Judkins
Monday, July 11, 2011
Letter #67
July 11th 2011
I did mama!!! :) thanks for the reminder!!!
Mom, I need some input on how I can loose this weight.
1. Water
2. Acidophilus
3. Exercise
4. (Trying to make your homemade bread) helps regulate me BIG TTIME... lost 5 pounds eating it!
5. Whole wheat things.
6. Limit sweets!!!
What else could I take, do or eat to help?
And 2nd thing. it's been very difficult for me to love my comp lately, she points out all the things that I do that are wrong and when it comes to her, she's a perfect peach!!! UGH!!!! I need to just be the senior companion and be a leader and make sure we follow the schedule. We are practice teaching every. day now...I love this, she sounds robotic when she teaches....but I think that it's because she needs practice, and man we are going to be sooo good if we just practice (me too, I need to get way better for these next many months) today we taught the plan of salvation and I felt prompted to add the word of wisdom together....AMAZING!!! practice taught the plan of salvation and then I integrated the word of wisdom into it, and how addictions (because we have many inv that smoke) will keep us out of the celestial kingdom and sin is an addiction (so none of us are without addiction, we all need to rid ourselves of these addictions that bind us and keep us from living with God, Jesus Christ and our families forever) and that there is opposition in all things 2 Nephi 2 and the opposite to sin is repentance!!! I've never taught it like that. I LOVED IT. INSPIRATION!!!!!
I love you mom, I love the gospel, I need to be more patient and more humble and if I can let things go with my comp then when it comes to my future family and ya'll too, then I can do anything. especially with Jill, I want to have a strong relationship, and if I let every little thing get to me then she wont feel my love...but I need to fight the opposition that wants us to NOT get along and I need to bite my tongue, because Jill is my sister and always has been a good example...we both are pretty heard headed and stubborn, but if we feel each others love, humility will out way our pride!!! Just let things go, and give them to God. This is what I've learned this week. Well I haven’t learned it yet: P but I'm sure God is going to keep teaching it to me!! But anyways. I love you mom! I love the family and I love my mission!!! I NEVER WANT TO LEAVE!!!!
Yes I got the package!!! With the bread!!! Sorry I didn't say anything...it was so good. ..It’s all gone now...I ate it up!!!! It worked wonders for me!!!! Especially the bread!!! Thank you thank you thank you!!!! Now let’s see if I can make it myself!!!?? Somehow!!! Can you send me the recipe? Love you, Sister Judkins
I did mama!!! :) thanks for the reminder!!!
Mom, I need some input on how I can loose this weight.
1. Water
2. Acidophilus
3. Exercise
4. (Trying to make your homemade bread) helps regulate me BIG TTIME... lost 5 pounds eating it!
5. Whole wheat things.
6. Limit sweets!!!
What else could I take, do or eat to help?
And 2nd thing. it's been very difficult for me to love my comp lately, she points out all the things that I do that are wrong and when it comes to her, she's a perfect peach!!! UGH!!!! I need to just be the senior companion and be a leader and make sure we follow the schedule. We are practice teaching every. day now...I love this, she sounds robotic when she teaches....but I think that it's because she needs practice, and man we are going to be sooo good if we just practice (me too, I need to get way better for these next many months) today we taught the plan of salvation and I felt prompted to add the word of wisdom together....AMAZING!!! practice taught the plan of salvation and then I integrated the word of wisdom into it, and how addictions (because we have many inv that smoke) will keep us out of the celestial kingdom and sin is an addiction (so none of us are without addiction, we all need to rid ourselves of these addictions that bind us and keep us from living with God, Jesus Christ and our families forever) and that there is opposition in all things 2 Nephi 2 and the opposite to sin is repentance!!! I've never taught it like that. I LOVED IT. INSPIRATION!!!!!
I love you mom, I love the gospel, I need to be more patient and more humble and if I can let things go with my comp then when it comes to my future family and ya'll too, then I can do anything. especially with Jill, I want to have a strong relationship, and if I let every little thing get to me then she wont feel my love...but I need to fight the opposition that wants us to NOT get along and I need to bite my tongue, because Jill is my sister and always has been a good example...we both are pretty heard headed and stubborn, but if we feel each others love, humility will out way our pride!!! Just let things go, and give them to God. This is what I've learned this week. Well I haven’t learned it yet: P but I'm sure God is going to keep teaching it to me!! But anyways. I love you mom! I love the family and I love my mission!!! I NEVER WANT TO LEAVE!!!!
Yes I got the package!!! With the bread!!! Sorry I didn't say anything...it was so good. ..It’s all gone now...I ate it up!!!! It worked wonders for me!!!! Especially the bread!!! Thank you thank you thank you!!!! Now let’s see if I can make it myself!!!?? Somehow!!! Can you send me the recipe? Love you, Sister Judkins
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Letter #66
July 5th 2011
I'll start with what I wrote the new president!!!
President,
This work is incredible, I love it! There truly is nothing better than serving Heavenly Father and being a part of his team.
Well, this week has been CRAZY!
Marisa has a baptism date for July 30th----she's nervous about because she and Bubba (her b-friend for 6 years/husband) need to get officially married...it makes her nervous. But she knows it's all true!!! She is INCREDIBLE! Here’s the scary part! She was in ICU on life support this week because she has really bad asthma!!! :( so we were at the hospital with her, and met her family (who she was incredibly nervous about telling she was taking the lessons let alone getting baptized!!! and we met momma E and dad and her sister who is lesbian, IT WAS REALLY PERFECT!!! and we finally met Bubba her boyfriend/husband. it was such a draining week with everything that we needed to accomplish! somehow, we still managed to have everything taken care of.
Jacob is Marisa's son: he is 13 and he is SO excited about getting baptized on July 30th also!!! He and their family have been coming to church, and he wants to give a book of Mormon to his g-ma E. we made sure he was stocked with 2 books of Mormons and pass along cards! He’s so excited to be able to pass the sacrament!!!
Susan: she has come to church 2 times now and we have had 1 lesson with her so far, and she has committed to being baptized July 30th as well! She has WOW issues and that is something that we are very aware and made her aware that to be baptized she needs to quit. She wants to, and she feels the spirit strong!!
Trace is 8years old and his sister Harlie is the only member in the family. Single mom, 33, Harlie, 15, Trace: 8 and Lexi 6....they LOVE it when we read the Book of Mormon together and wants to come to church and Trace said last week "I want to be baptized"...so they haven’t been to this ward ever. Harlie lived with g-ma who raised her Mormon, but the mom (misty) she has had a very hard life, and we are connecting them with people in the ward, so that this will be a family baptism!!! Lots of changes of drinking and smoking etc need to change, but I KNOW this is a very special and elect family! So we are focusing on the whole family and not just Harlie (LA) and not just Trace (PI) they haven’t allowed missionaries in for about 2 1/2 years. So now is the time!!
I was informed that you would like to talk with me about something I'm not sure all, but I look forward to talking with you.
Welcome to Texas President, and tell your sweet family and wife hello for us sisters in Montgomery!! It will be so fun to have your family here with us in the HTM. I'm middle of 9 kids....so I personally look forward to seeing your beautiful family tomorrow!
Sincerely
-Sister Judkins
Yes....and so the new president has been in 3 days and already knows who I am and wants to talk with me.... well....the lord works in mysterious ways....."The lord Loveth those who he chastens"... man I'm LOVED!!!
I am so grateful for my mission can I really say it enough! I love serving my family here on earth & in Texas Montgomery!!!! And I am going through ups and downs and working hard to continually better myself! It was so hard for me to see Marisa in ICU on life support this week! It about broke my heart. I just cried (not sure why but I did) she is my sister and I was so worried about her. but she received a blessing and the cool part is the only part of that day she remembers are the two boys come in and put oil on her head and that's all!!!! COOL!!! Because she went to the hospital we were able to meet all her family like I tolled president Pingree! Which is totally AWESOME!!! Because she was so nervous! But she said "maybe this was supposed to happen so that all my family could know what is going on....the cats out of the bag now!!”Ha ha! Marisa is a spit fire, and Jacob, Mallory and Bubba are just the cutest family EVER!!! I can't wait for them to get married and then 1 year from when their all baptized to be sealed in the temple!!! It will be incredible!!!
My companion and I are doing great, just figuring out how to do our very best and live life to the fullest and enjoy the journey!!!
I hope your 4th of July was BOMB!!! I painted my finger nails bright orange, but that's about all the fireworks we got here!! Burn ban!! We have been in the 150 year drought! It’s been bad, lakes are drying up and the crops our dying! And fires are on rampage!!!! Fires are starting EVERYWHERE!!!! Even down the street from our apt. but nevertheless....all is well!!! Just pray for all those whose houses are gone!
Keep my companion sister Taylor in your prayers and me, and those we teach and our Montgomery ward....please. There are powerful blessings and miracles getting ready to happen, and we need to be strong and removable!!! I love each of you with all my heart! I love my family and the examples you have been to me. How thankful I am to know that I am loved at home and afar and that through all time nothing can break the truth that families can be together forever and that's how it's meant to be!! Mom and dad thank you for all you do, and to my brothers and sisters!! Thank you! I love you, I love you, and I love you!!!
I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY! I wish I was on my 1st transfer and not heading up to my last! Ugh....Love you from here to home! -Sister Judkins
I'll start with what I wrote the new president!!!
President,
This work is incredible, I love it! There truly is nothing better than serving Heavenly Father and being a part of his team.
Well, this week has been CRAZY!
Marisa has a baptism date for July 30th----she's nervous about because she and Bubba (her b-friend for 6 years/husband) need to get officially married...it makes her nervous. But she knows it's all true!!! She is INCREDIBLE! Here’s the scary part! She was in ICU on life support this week because she has really bad asthma!!! :( so we were at the hospital with her, and met her family (who she was incredibly nervous about telling she was taking the lessons let alone getting baptized!!! and we met momma E and dad and her sister who is lesbian, IT WAS REALLY PERFECT!!! and we finally met Bubba her boyfriend/husband. it was such a draining week with everything that we needed to accomplish! somehow, we still managed to have everything taken care of.
Jacob is Marisa's son: he is 13 and he is SO excited about getting baptized on July 30th also!!! He and their family have been coming to church, and he wants to give a book of Mormon to his g-ma E. we made sure he was stocked with 2 books of Mormons and pass along cards! He’s so excited to be able to pass the sacrament!!!
Susan: she has come to church 2 times now and we have had 1 lesson with her so far, and she has committed to being baptized July 30th as well! She has WOW issues and that is something that we are very aware and made her aware that to be baptized she needs to quit. She wants to, and she feels the spirit strong!!
Trace is 8years old and his sister Harlie is the only member in the family. Single mom, 33, Harlie, 15, Trace: 8 and Lexi 6....they LOVE it when we read the Book of Mormon together and wants to come to church and Trace said last week "I want to be baptized"...so they haven’t been to this ward ever. Harlie lived with g-ma who raised her Mormon, but the mom (misty) she has had a very hard life, and we are connecting them with people in the ward, so that this will be a family baptism!!! Lots of changes of drinking and smoking etc need to change, but I KNOW this is a very special and elect family! So we are focusing on the whole family and not just Harlie (LA) and not just Trace (PI) they haven’t allowed missionaries in for about 2 1/2 years. So now is the time!!
I was informed that you would like to talk with me about something I'm not sure all, but I look forward to talking with you.
Welcome to Texas President, and tell your sweet family and wife hello for us sisters in Montgomery!! It will be so fun to have your family here with us in the HTM. I'm middle of 9 kids....so I personally look forward to seeing your beautiful family tomorrow!
Sincerely
-Sister Judkins
Yes....and so the new president has been in 3 days and already knows who I am and wants to talk with me.... well....the lord works in mysterious ways....."The lord Loveth those who he chastens"... man I'm LOVED!!!
I am so grateful for my mission can I really say it enough! I love serving my family here on earth & in Texas Montgomery!!!! And I am going through ups and downs and working hard to continually better myself! It was so hard for me to see Marisa in ICU on life support this week! It about broke my heart. I just cried (not sure why but I did) she is my sister and I was so worried about her. but she received a blessing and the cool part is the only part of that day she remembers are the two boys come in and put oil on her head and that's all!!!! COOL!!! Because she went to the hospital we were able to meet all her family like I tolled president Pingree! Which is totally AWESOME!!! Because she was so nervous! But she said "maybe this was supposed to happen so that all my family could know what is going on....the cats out of the bag now!!”Ha ha! Marisa is a spit fire, and Jacob, Mallory and Bubba are just the cutest family EVER!!! I can't wait for them to get married and then 1 year from when their all baptized to be sealed in the temple!!! It will be incredible!!!
My companion and I are doing great, just figuring out how to do our very best and live life to the fullest and enjoy the journey!!!
I hope your 4th of July was BOMB!!! I painted my finger nails bright orange, but that's about all the fireworks we got here!! Burn ban!! We have been in the 150 year drought! It’s been bad, lakes are drying up and the crops our dying! And fires are on rampage!!!! Fires are starting EVERYWHERE!!!! Even down the street from our apt. but nevertheless....all is well!!! Just pray for all those whose houses are gone!
Keep my companion sister Taylor in your prayers and me, and those we teach and our Montgomery ward....please. There are powerful blessings and miracles getting ready to happen, and we need to be strong and removable!!! I love each of you with all my heart! I love my family and the examples you have been to me. How thankful I am to know that I am loved at home and afar and that through all time nothing can break the truth that families can be together forever and that's how it's meant to be!! Mom and dad thank you for all you do, and to my brothers and sisters!! Thank you! I love you, I love you, and I love you!!!
I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY! I wish I was on my 1st transfer and not heading up to my last! Ugh....Love you from here to home! -Sister Judkins
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Letter #65
Wow! Mom thank you for that letter.
The lord is my shepherd...I guess it's been a tough week. I heard that sister Hansen called and confirmed me coming home September...and well, that has been a very hard choice for me to make, and when I think of leaving my heart breaks.... I know that the lord is my shepherd; I just want to accomplish all that I was sent here to do, and I want to be happy! I love home in Oregon...but what's weird is this.....home is where the heart is...my heart has been in Texas for so long, that I know just like when I said goodbye to you in the airport before I left, I feel oh so much more heartbreak saying goodbye to my mission, the people the work. It’s so hard for me right now to think about it, but I've been having such a hard time truly trusting that September is the right time...and that's just how I've been feeling. I don't want to let it go...
Curtis Petty 15 years old got baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and it was beautiful!
Our ward is growing HUGE... 176 people at church when we average my 1st week and before I came not even 115!!! The Lord's work is the best work, it will always have success!!! Oh Lord gives unto us success!!! How blessed I feel to call myself a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The only church that holds the fullness of the gospel and the truth. With a living prophet that leads and guides us and worthy men all around the world that hold worthily the Priesthood power or the authority to act in God's name. IT'S TRUE!!
We have 2 new investigators: Susan and Davis. They both want to be baptized!!
7 investigators attended church this SUNDAY!!!! WOWOWOWOWOWWO!!! HUGE!!!
Marisa and Jac have a baptism date for July 30th! And are being taught 2 times a week now. But Satan is working SO hard on them and their family!
We have a goal of 9 baptisms for this transfer!!! The lord's work is a work of miracles and I KNOW that there are people ready NOW!! And that God needs his most valiant servants to be READY!!! I hope and pray to be ready everyday. To follow every prompting that I receive from heavenly Father without delay. And I WILL! And because I have, the spirit does guide us more directly and with so much confidence in us as children of God. This is our cause for life. To serve our Heavenly Father till the end and Show just how much we love him. We show our love by obedience and keeping his commandments. My parents have been incredible examples of this as well as my siblings. And now so many that have affected my life forever here in Texas! God is great, I love him, I respect and will keep his commandments!
I love each of you
From here to HOME: where the heart is! :) -Sister Judkins
The lord is my shepherd...I guess it's been a tough week. I heard that sister Hansen called and confirmed me coming home September...and well, that has been a very hard choice for me to make, and when I think of leaving my heart breaks.... I know that the lord is my shepherd; I just want to accomplish all that I was sent here to do, and I want to be happy! I love home in Oregon...but what's weird is this.....home is where the heart is...my heart has been in Texas for so long, that I know just like when I said goodbye to you in the airport before I left, I feel oh so much more heartbreak saying goodbye to my mission, the people the work. It’s so hard for me right now to think about it, but I've been having such a hard time truly trusting that September is the right time...and that's just how I've been feeling. I don't want to let it go...
Curtis Petty 15 years old got baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and it was beautiful!
Our ward is growing HUGE... 176 people at church when we average my 1st week and before I came not even 115!!! The Lord's work is the best work, it will always have success!!! Oh Lord gives unto us success!!! How blessed I feel to call myself a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The only church that holds the fullness of the gospel and the truth. With a living prophet that leads and guides us and worthy men all around the world that hold worthily the Priesthood power or the authority to act in God's name. IT'S TRUE!!
We have 2 new investigators: Susan and Davis. They both want to be baptized!!
7 investigators attended church this SUNDAY!!!! WOWOWOWOWOWWO!!! HUGE!!!
Marisa and Jac have a baptism date for July 30th! And are being taught 2 times a week now. But Satan is working SO hard on them and their family!
We have a goal of 9 baptisms for this transfer!!! The lord's work is a work of miracles and I KNOW that there are people ready NOW!! And that God needs his most valiant servants to be READY!!! I hope and pray to be ready everyday. To follow every prompting that I receive from heavenly Father without delay. And I WILL! And because I have, the spirit does guide us more directly and with so much confidence in us as children of God. This is our cause for life. To serve our Heavenly Father till the end and Show just how much we love him. We show our love by obedience and keeping his commandments. My parents have been incredible examples of this as well as my siblings. And now so many that have affected my life forever here in Texas! God is great, I love him, I respect and will keep his commandments!
I love each of you
From here to HOME: where the heart is! :) -Sister Judkins
Friday, June 24, 2011
Letter #64
Hello friends and family!
Wow! I have been sick all week! It’s been the longest week of my life. But thank goodness I'm NOT BEING TRANSFERRED!!! I'm staying in Montgomery for the 7 week transfer!!!! So this transfer we are getting a new mission president and we are going to Miss President Hansen and Sister Hansen, but the work will go on! They have been great leaders in the mission!
Well this week, other than getting in trouble and being sick and feeling really weighed down feeling like something is going to happen!!! MIRACLES HAVE ALSO HAPPENED!!!
1. Curtis is getting baptized this Wednesday!!!! The 22nd!!! YEAHOO!!! So exciting he's doing great and we are so excited for him, he's so ready! He wants to serve a mission too!
2. Marisa and Jac are doing great! But they didn't come to church yesterday :( so sad! but Marisa called the other day and took care of us this past week with me being sick and all, and she said that she'd been praying how to bring up the fact that Bubba (her boyfriend/husband but not married) need to be married to live together for her to be baptized!!! And the day we went to the temple her 4 year old daughter Malorie said "dad, will you say prayers with us in the night time and the morning?" and he said yes. And he asked "well when you are going to get baptized?" she said, "I can't..." "why" he said "because we need to be married for me to be baptized"... he said "ok, well lets take care of the stuff these next 2 months and then we'll get married".... she was so excited to tell us, because before she just didn't know how it was going to get brought up, and well, through the mouth of babes!!! What a miracle!!! YEAHAHAH!!! Keep her in your prayers.
3. Harlie and trace and lexis and misty... Harlie is less active and 14 years old, we've tried to get in with her for a while, and her mom has not had good experiences with the last sisters, but the lord has blessed that it worked this time. We are meeting with her once a week and teaching the lessons!!! We want to teach trace (8) not a member and then hopefully get them all to church! They want to come, but this week a friend was killed in an accident, maybe it will soften mist’s heart to hear the plan of salvation! Misty is Harlie's mom! She’s single with 3 kids, she works hard and would really love the church, I know it, and she’s lived a tough life you can tell! But progress in being made
We are having tons of changes in the ward with all the callings which is CRAZY!!!! YW...and I hear many others. So this month will be interesting! But the lord is always in it. This ward in incredible and the lord has miracles that are ready to happen here!!!
Sister Taylor and I have been having a blast! Even though I've been sick, we still find time to laugh at each other and talk and find joy in the journey NOW!!! I love my companion and we have a lot of work to do here in Montgomery, that's for sure! so I know someone doesn't want me to get better and doesn't want us to get along, but I know that the Lord's work is stronger than any other!!! And prayer is the most powerful form of miracle that there is!
-Love you all from here to heaven
-Sister Judkins
Wow! I have been sick all week! It’s been the longest week of my life. But thank goodness I'm NOT BEING TRANSFERRED!!! I'm staying in Montgomery for the 7 week transfer!!!! So this transfer we are getting a new mission president and we are going to Miss President Hansen and Sister Hansen, but the work will go on! They have been great leaders in the mission!
Well this week, other than getting in trouble and being sick and feeling really weighed down feeling like something is going to happen!!! MIRACLES HAVE ALSO HAPPENED!!!
1. Curtis is getting baptized this Wednesday!!!! The 22nd!!! YEAHOO!!! So exciting he's doing great and we are so excited for him, he's so ready! He wants to serve a mission too!
2. Marisa and Jac are doing great! But they didn't come to church yesterday :( so sad! but Marisa called the other day and took care of us this past week with me being sick and all, and she said that she'd been praying how to bring up the fact that Bubba (her boyfriend/husband but not married) need to be married to live together for her to be baptized!!! And the day we went to the temple her 4 year old daughter Malorie said "dad, will you say prayers with us in the night time and the morning?" and he said yes. And he asked "well when you are going to get baptized?" she said, "I can't..." "why" he said "because we need to be married for me to be baptized"... he said "ok, well lets take care of the stuff these next 2 months and then we'll get married".... she was so excited to tell us, because before she just didn't know how it was going to get brought up, and well, through the mouth of babes!!! What a miracle!!! YEAHAHAH!!! Keep her in your prayers.
3. Harlie and trace and lexis and misty... Harlie is less active and 14 years old, we've tried to get in with her for a while, and her mom has not had good experiences with the last sisters, but the lord has blessed that it worked this time. We are meeting with her once a week and teaching the lessons!!! We want to teach trace (8) not a member and then hopefully get them all to church! They want to come, but this week a friend was killed in an accident, maybe it will soften mist’s heart to hear the plan of salvation! Misty is Harlie's mom! She’s single with 3 kids, she works hard and would really love the church, I know it, and she’s lived a tough life you can tell! But progress in being made
We are having tons of changes in the ward with all the callings which is CRAZY!!!! YW...and I hear many others. So this month will be interesting! But the lord is always in it. This ward in incredible and the lord has miracles that are ready to happen here!!!
Sister Taylor and I have been having a blast! Even though I've been sick, we still find time to laugh at each other and talk and find joy in the journey NOW!!! I love my companion and we have a lot of work to do here in Montgomery, that's for sure! so I know someone doesn't want me to get better and doesn't want us to get along, but I know that the Lord's work is stronger than any other!!! And prayer is the most powerful form of miracle that there is!
-Love you all from here to heaven
-Sister Judkins
Letter #63
Wow! This week....wow....I'm sick, but wow the Lord works in grand ways. Last night at 10 pm I received a message from a lady in our ward who’s mother passed away asking for a soloist to sing "how great thou art" at her funeral TODAY! I have been trying not to be sick, but I was horribly congested and yuck....but it all worked out and we were able to be with this family this morning and my voice just worked. I could do it, even though physically I was not well. This was a part member family and the husband and the whole congregation was in tears as the spirit bore testimony of the truthfulness of the plan of salvation! How great full I am for that sweet experience.
Marisa is doing incredible!!! Her son Jac is now taking lessons too, and he wants to get baptized in 3 weeks and she said last night she knows the Book of Mormon is true!!! :) She read the Book of Mormon with her step kids and nephew and her 17 year old nephew wants to come to church and her 20 year old step daughter too! WOWO!!!! WONDERFUL!!!
Curtis is getting baptized June 22nd for the youth activity and is excited and bringing lots of friends and family to the baptism!!! SO EXCITED!
Our ward is HUGE yesterday for the 1st time since I've been here they opened up the cultural hall!!!! YERASHAHAH!!! It was wonderful the Fergusson have been coming now and we have a set apt with them every Monday for them to learn and study the book of Mormon and soon they will be sealed together in the temple!!!!
We are working on more Potential inv. the Lord's time table and not ours.
I've been heavy laden this week, and I am praying to be the best missionary I can be. We are working every day on our minutes and we are still UINDER! The text messages are helping a lot! To keep minutes down and to be connected with our inv. and less actives and members. VERY helpful!
President, I am worried about transfers, there I said it. I pray my heart is soft and tender and open to what is going to happen. my heart is full of love her these areas I've served in, God has a great and marvelous work here in Montgomery and I'm so grateful to be apart of this learning process and as we are humble, meek and submissive, God will provide all that he promises!! I know that this is true; I know the gospel is true, because when I teach and testify, my heart burns and I feel peace. I will NEVER fall away! I will assure you this president, I will NEVER give up the testimony that I have burning in my chest and how great the lord truly is to me for sending such a patient and loving Mission President and sister Hansen to help me on my journey of becoming who I am mint to be, thank you for all you have done!! YOU ARE SUCCESSFUL MISSIONARIES!! And I say that from the bottom of my heart!
I love you both
Thank you for your examples!
-Love, Sister Judkins
That was my last letter to our mission pres. I am kind of in a rush, but I love you all, my heart has been full! I'm sick, but doing better. I love the Lord and all her does for me and the tender mercies and loved ones that are in my life and the new ones that I've come to love out here in Texas!!! I am so humbled to feel my saviors love in my brothers and sisters. Thank you for all you do to support me and show your love, I appreciate the letters that I do receive how incredible they make me feel to know of the love I have and support.
The work in crazy awesome!!! I'm FREAKING out for transfers. I have no idea what's going to happen, my heart is preparing to break again! But I know that trust in my heavenly father is the only way! I love it! I love you all so much!!! If you are receiving this know that I truly feel you are my family and I love you each SO much!! :)
-Love you,
From here to heaven,
Sister Judkins
Marisa is doing incredible!!! Her son Jac is now taking lessons too, and he wants to get baptized in 3 weeks and she said last night she knows the Book of Mormon is true!!! :) She read the Book of Mormon with her step kids and nephew and her 17 year old nephew wants to come to church and her 20 year old step daughter too! WOWO!!!! WONDERFUL!!!
Curtis is getting baptized June 22nd for the youth activity and is excited and bringing lots of friends and family to the baptism!!! SO EXCITED!
Our ward is HUGE yesterday for the 1st time since I've been here they opened up the cultural hall!!!! YERASHAHAH!!! It was wonderful the Fergusson have been coming now and we have a set apt with them every Monday for them to learn and study the book of Mormon and soon they will be sealed together in the temple!!!!
We are working on more Potential inv. the Lord's time table and not ours.
I've been heavy laden this week, and I am praying to be the best missionary I can be. We are working every day on our minutes and we are still UINDER! The text messages are helping a lot! To keep minutes down and to be connected with our inv. and less actives and members. VERY helpful!
President, I am worried about transfers, there I said it. I pray my heart is soft and tender and open to what is going to happen. my heart is full of love her these areas I've served in, God has a great and marvelous work here in Montgomery and I'm so grateful to be apart of this learning process and as we are humble, meek and submissive, God will provide all that he promises!! I know that this is true; I know the gospel is true, because when I teach and testify, my heart burns and I feel peace. I will NEVER fall away! I will assure you this president, I will NEVER give up the testimony that I have burning in my chest and how great the lord truly is to me for sending such a patient and loving Mission President and sister Hansen to help me on my journey of becoming who I am mint to be, thank you for all you have done!! YOU ARE SUCCESSFUL MISSIONARIES!! And I say that from the bottom of my heart!
I love you both
Thank you for your examples!
-Love, Sister Judkins
That was my last letter to our mission pres. I am kind of in a rush, but I love you all, my heart has been full! I'm sick, but doing better. I love the Lord and all her does for me and the tender mercies and loved ones that are in my life and the new ones that I've come to love out here in Texas!!! I am so humbled to feel my saviors love in my brothers and sisters. Thank you for all you do to support me and show your love, I appreciate the letters that I do receive how incredible they make me feel to know of the love I have and support.
The work in crazy awesome!!! I'm FREAKING out for transfers. I have no idea what's going to happen, my heart is preparing to break again! But I know that trust in my heavenly father is the only way! I love it! I love you all so much!!! If you are receiving this know that I truly feel you are my family and I love you each SO much!! :)
-Love you,
From here to heaven,
Sister Judkins
Monday, June 6, 2011
Letter #62
Dear family and friends,
This week is great! 34 lessons. 5 member presents. Were hoping to get it up, but this week was incredible!
1. Marisa came to church, loved it, and brought her 13 year old son Jac. Who wants to take discussions also? She is seeing the difference in her family for the 1st time they all sat down and ate dinner together! She is exited for the temple and to read preach my gospel!
2. Curtis came to church and is reading the book of Mormon and he brought 2 of his friends to his lesson which we’ll also be attending his baptism on June 22nd. We gave them each a book of Mormon and committed them to read and pray about it, and answered their questions on the trinity. It was AMAZING!!! I really feel the one friend if not both and families would be possibly interested if not now, then in the future.
The work is awesome.....tons of things going on just needing to constantly organize, Sister Taylor feels overwhelmed at times, but we are working well together and I can see as we are continually striving to be obedient the miracles are starting to be incredible, there is a TON of work here and we are just getting started!!!
I love it!!!
We are running ever. Morning it's great! We have been working working working and love it! It’s incredible! I love being a missionary.
Tasha I want an announcement :)
Ok, well sorry it's not very long. I miss you all and I'm doing great loving my mission and my companion Sis Taylor is awesome and the work is incredible!!!
-Love you Sister Judkins
Don’t forget to CTR and SMILE!!!
This week is great! 34 lessons. 5 member presents. Were hoping to get it up, but this week was incredible!
1. Marisa came to church, loved it, and brought her 13 year old son Jac. Who wants to take discussions also? She is seeing the difference in her family for the 1st time they all sat down and ate dinner together! She is exited for the temple and to read preach my gospel!
2. Curtis came to church and is reading the book of Mormon and he brought 2 of his friends to his lesson which we’ll also be attending his baptism on June 22nd. We gave them each a book of Mormon and committed them to read and pray about it, and answered their questions on the trinity. It was AMAZING!!! I really feel the one friend if not both and families would be possibly interested if not now, then in the future.
The work is awesome.....tons of things going on just needing to constantly organize, Sister Taylor feels overwhelmed at times, but we are working well together and I can see as we are continually striving to be obedient the miracles are starting to be incredible, there is a TON of work here and we are just getting started!!!
I love it!!!
We are running ever. Morning it's great! We have been working working working and love it! It’s incredible! I love being a missionary.
Tasha I want an announcement :)
Ok, well sorry it's not very long. I miss you all and I'm doing great loving my mission and my companion Sis Taylor is awesome and the work is incredible!!!
-Love you Sister Judkins
Don’t forget to CTR and SMILE!!!
Friday, June 3, 2011
Letter #61
Dear Family and Friends,
Ok this week has been full of fun and figuring out stuff. My companion Sister Taylor and I are great! We work hard together and play hard; we might play a little too hard. we are working on channeling our energy for good :) This week we taught and have new investigators and people we're teaching and some let us go. Ignored us! But we are here to find those that are ready, not to force the ones that do not want it.
This p-day was so fun, we went fishing at the KOA and the guy next to us caught a big turtle! :) He was fishing with hotdogs. And I was fishing with glo-worms, needless to say thawing out my hot dogs as we speak: I'm gunna catch me a big one! Speaking of fishing we have been doing some mighty fishing of men this week!
We found some potential and are working with getting to teach them and: GUESS WHO FINALLY GOT THE HOLY GHOST!!!!????
1. Holland received the Holy Ghost Sunday! And the whole family came, but then the girls went home after sac. But the dad and son stayed. The girls were sick. YEAH!!! It was really cool! The talks were so good!
4. Curtis is getting baptized this month some time soon. Maybe next week. He’s great!
2. Marisa is going to come to church this Sunday! And her lessons are going well, she is praying to know its true, but she feels like she is not getting an answer to her prayers. I know as she comes to church she will.
3. Skylar's mom tolled us to back off...she feels pressured, hasn't been to church since I've been here, feels guilty for not going and so wants to take a break from us teaching. that happened this morning and I just started to cry, my heart sunk, my eyes watered up and I felt I guess kind of like a failure.... it's so hard to work and pray for someone to want something that she says she wants, but isn't willing to do anything for it, and we can't do it for them. :( So my morning has been tough, I have been tolled that I take things too personally, but we are all family and it hurts my heart when those we love so much choice to stop. Especially when kids are raised not knowing any different.
The Montgomery ward is incredible missionaries. They work hard and are praying for their friends and family to be ready to receive the lessons! We pray for them every day to find people that are ready. As well as all of you and all the missionaries too! And I do know that God works his mighty miracles through his children, after the trail of our faith.
I feel a heavy lately, my heart is very full, I tend to get more emotional and I feel my heart is more full and tender. I love missionary work, sometimes I don't feel like I am really making much of a difference, lately I have felt this way. I have to push it away because I know Satan knows how much work there is to do here, and if he could distract me with feelings of worthlessness then he will. But I can't let him do that. This work is too important. This work is my family!
There will always be trials, but Heavenly Father chastens those whom he loves. I do believe that. At least I have felt his love during a trial, when I sit and am humble enough to hear his still small voice. Ether 12
There were many tender mercies of the lord this week too. We must see and give thanks for our blessings, so that we will recognize more when they come!
This transfer in 3 weeks we get a new mission president and sister Pingree they are bringing 6 kids and they will be filling president and sister Hansen’s' spot. I don't know what to expect, I just pray that I will be humble enough to stay strong and see the blessings and appreciate them. The church is true. I know that!
I love you all from here to heaven
-Sister Judkins
Ok this week has been full of fun and figuring out stuff. My companion Sister Taylor and I are great! We work hard together and play hard; we might play a little too hard. we are working on channeling our energy for good :) This week we taught and have new investigators and people we're teaching and some let us go. Ignored us! But we are here to find those that are ready, not to force the ones that do not want it.
This p-day was so fun, we went fishing at the KOA and the guy next to us caught a big turtle! :) He was fishing with hotdogs. And I was fishing with glo-worms, needless to say thawing out my hot dogs as we speak: I'm gunna catch me a big one! Speaking of fishing we have been doing some mighty fishing of men this week!
We found some potential and are working with getting to teach them and: GUESS WHO FINALLY GOT THE HOLY GHOST!!!!????
1. Holland received the Holy Ghost Sunday! And the whole family came, but then the girls went home after sac. But the dad and son stayed. The girls were sick. YEAH!!! It was really cool! The talks were so good!
4. Curtis is getting baptized this month some time soon. Maybe next week. He’s great!
2. Marisa is going to come to church this Sunday! And her lessons are going well, she is praying to know its true, but she feels like she is not getting an answer to her prayers. I know as she comes to church she will.
3. Skylar's mom tolled us to back off...she feels pressured, hasn't been to church since I've been here, feels guilty for not going and so wants to take a break from us teaching. that happened this morning and I just started to cry, my heart sunk, my eyes watered up and I felt I guess kind of like a failure.... it's so hard to work and pray for someone to want something that she says she wants, but isn't willing to do anything for it, and we can't do it for them. :( So my morning has been tough, I have been tolled that I take things too personally, but we are all family and it hurts my heart when those we love so much choice to stop. Especially when kids are raised not knowing any different.
The Montgomery ward is incredible missionaries. They work hard and are praying for their friends and family to be ready to receive the lessons! We pray for them every day to find people that are ready. As well as all of you and all the missionaries too! And I do know that God works his mighty miracles through his children, after the trail of our faith.
I feel a heavy lately, my heart is very full, I tend to get more emotional and I feel my heart is more full and tender. I love missionary work, sometimes I don't feel like I am really making much of a difference, lately I have felt this way. I have to push it away because I know Satan knows how much work there is to do here, and if he could distract me with feelings of worthlessness then he will. But I can't let him do that. This work is too important. This work is my family!
There will always be trials, but Heavenly Father chastens those whom he loves. I do believe that. At least I have felt his love during a trial, when I sit and am humble enough to hear his still small voice. Ether 12
There were many tender mercies of the lord this week too. We must see and give thanks for our blessings, so that we will recognize more when they come!
This transfer in 3 weeks we get a new mission president and sister Pingree they are bringing 6 kids and they will be filling president and sister Hansen’s' spot. I don't know what to expect, I just pray that I will be humble enough to stay strong and see the blessings and appreciate them. The church is true. I know that!
I love you all from here to heaven
-Sister Judkins
Monday, May 23, 2011
Letter #60
This transfer is going WAY TOO FAST! It’s really crazy, the work is going strong:
1. Curtis, we are praying for him and his aunt to be baptized on June 18th.
2. Marisa, We are teaching her 2 times this week and going to give her a date for June 18th or 25th. (She needs to get married)
3. Lana, has now come to church 2 times in a row a stayed all 3 hours. She loves it, we had a great lesson together in class and she knows a lot of people in the ward. She really loves it, she is going out of town for 9 days in 2 weeks and she doesn’t want to start lessons until after that. That makes me nervous because anything can happen, but we went over and gave her a restoration DVD and pamphlet and she just ate them up, showed me Sunday, it was all marked up, she is really studying. we felt that if she still wants to wait on lessons (officially, because we still get over to her and talk about 3 times or 4 a week, short briefly, we need to feed it to her and have her commit to reading the book of Mormon while she is on her cruse! So when she comes home, we can continue strong. Do you think that would be good? She needs to stop smoking!
Curtis, Lana and Skylar came to church Sunday! Skylar is a 17 year old boy, and struggling, but likes to be around Erin (a member) his old girlfriend. We went and talked to him last night and shared with him the restoration, enough for him to know what our call is and how if he'd like to learn more, we would teach him with Erin's family. He said his mom would say no. I asked him to read the pamphlet and pray about it, ask God if it's true. Because if it is, it's worth fighting for and not giving up. He said he would. I think he'll take the lessons. they just got evicted from their apt. so we asked him to call us for service, we will help, and I said, (he's been to church 4+times) know that these people in the ward are your family, we want to help serve you any way we can. Will you call us. He said yes. So pray for them.
Ok something that's been heavy on me....I don't know if I told you, but I'm planning on taking the early transfer in SEPT. But lately I have been thinking and praying about staying until November. I have felt right about leaving in September since the beginning of my mission, but now I'm questioning,.. It’s weird, I'm trying to ask Heavenly Father where I would be happiest because I know so far even when something is hard as long as I am obedient and steadfast in following Heavenly Father and the promptings of the Holy Ghost, God wants us to be happiest and he keeps his promises. So, I have been praying to see where he wants me to be. But so far, no answer! .....
Sister Taylor and I are getting along good. She works hard and I have come to see how much I've grown, because I let things go a lot more than I used to, there are more ways to get the same job done. The spirit works in many ways. Sister Taylor is learning to look at people in the eye and slow down when she teaches, and I am learning to share teaching responsibilities. She’s been the 1st companion since my trainer that wants to teach and testify and will just as much as me. So that has been a good challenge to find the balance between us with the spirit to teach. I feel happy when I am humbly learning....sometimes it takes a while to be humble, but I am grateful for my chastening because they help me with humility and charity.
I felt extremely blessed to see Brother Brazil (a recent convert) go through the temple Saturday and then to see him be sealed to his parents! WHAT A MIRACLE! I couldn't help it, I bawled like a baby! I can't explain how I feel when families are sealed together forever! I wish ya'll could have been there. I feel such a drive to always stay worthy to take my family to the temple and be willing to live our lives to be receptive of this secret special gift. I feel like King Lamoni's dad who said "I will give away my entire kingdom to know this truth.....I will give away all my sins just to know you" he's talking of God.
How often we take for granted the most sacred things in our lives:
1. Our family: being together forever through temple sealings.
2. Our Father in Heaven: his plan for ALL his children (that's everyone), and all he asks us to do is "keep my all my commandments"
3. Our Savior Jesus Christ: Who suffered and died for us so we might overcome Spiritual and physical death. As long as we become as a child, meek submissive and full of patience!! (That’s a hard one) but if we don't become as a child, we cannot enter into the kingdom of Heaven!
I know this church is true, I know that without it, I am nothing. Alma 5....I know we have a living prophet on the earth today and he is called of God to keep the word and gospel pure and true! I know this because when I pray...when I'm humble enough to actually be ready to hear the whisperings from the Holy Ghost, I feel warm, like my heart is too big for me, and I feel the love of my father and of my savior. This makes me happy! Why aren't we as members the happiest people on the planet. If I only knew what my mission was going to be for me and the people I have met that have changed my life forever and the lessons I couldn’t have learned anywhere else in the world, I would have crawled on my hands and knees to the MTC! It’s TRUE! I bear my testimony that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has the fullness of truth. And is in fact the only true church on the face of the earth, because Christ is the head of it. And by reading the book of Mormon one will become closer to my Heavenly Father. I bear this testimony in the name of our savior Jesus Christ Amen!
-Sister Judkins
IRON MAN we saw and jumped out of the car because we were stuck in traffic anyways, we were going to go do service hence the regular work out clothes; we started screaming and hoot'n and passing out cards and teaching lessons!!! SOOO GREAT!!! They were really intense!!! One of the ladies talked to my companion and said "well, you have a wild one don't you?"....I have no idea what she's talking about. ;) I'm very calm and quiet! Ok...I'm not. It was funny! She was asking lots of questions and I think she's talk with her Mormon friends she works with. We both agreed, we liked her! :)
Then brother Brazil and I when he went through the temple and got sealed to his parents
Rabevra Ofczarzak and me at the temple! Love her! In our favor the wind and humidity was not in our favor!
Sister Taylor ( my companion! ) and me at the IRON MAN competition! SO AWESOME!!! The cars were stuck for hours, then we left our lights on and all the cars were honking and I had to run really fast to get the car out of the way! Ha ha!!! LOVE IT!
Love you all!
-Sister Judkins
1. Curtis, we are praying for him and his aunt to be baptized on June 18th.
2. Marisa, We are teaching her 2 times this week and going to give her a date for June 18th or 25th. (She needs to get married)
3. Lana, has now come to church 2 times in a row a stayed all 3 hours. She loves it, we had a great lesson together in class and she knows a lot of people in the ward. She really loves it, she is going out of town for 9 days in 2 weeks and she doesn’t want to start lessons until after that. That makes me nervous because anything can happen, but we went over and gave her a restoration DVD and pamphlet and she just ate them up, showed me Sunday, it was all marked up, she is really studying. we felt that if she still wants to wait on lessons (officially, because we still get over to her and talk about 3 times or 4 a week, short briefly, we need to feed it to her and have her commit to reading the book of Mormon while she is on her cruse! So when she comes home, we can continue strong. Do you think that would be good? She needs to stop smoking!
Curtis, Lana and Skylar came to church Sunday! Skylar is a 17 year old boy, and struggling, but likes to be around Erin (a member) his old girlfriend. We went and talked to him last night and shared with him the restoration, enough for him to know what our call is and how if he'd like to learn more, we would teach him with Erin's family. He said his mom would say no. I asked him to read the pamphlet and pray about it, ask God if it's true. Because if it is, it's worth fighting for and not giving up. He said he would. I think he'll take the lessons. they just got evicted from their apt. so we asked him to call us for service, we will help, and I said, (he's been to church 4+times) know that these people in the ward are your family, we want to help serve you any way we can. Will you call us. He said yes. So pray for them.
Ok something that's been heavy on me....I don't know if I told you, but I'm planning on taking the early transfer in SEPT. But lately I have been thinking and praying about staying until November. I have felt right about leaving in September since the beginning of my mission, but now I'm questioning,.. It’s weird, I'm trying to ask Heavenly Father where I would be happiest because I know so far even when something is hard as long as I am obedient and steadfast in following Heavenly Father and the promptings of the Holy Ghost, God wants us to be happiest and he keeps his promises. So, I have been praying to see where he wants me to be. But so far, no answer! .....
Sister Taylor and I are getting along good. She works hard and I have come to see how much I've grown, because I let things go a lot more than I used to, there are more ways to get the same job done. The spirit works in many ways. Sister Taylor is learning to look at people in the eye and slow down when she teaches, and I am learning to share teaching responsibilities. She’s been the 1st companion since my trainer that wants to teach and testify and will just as much as me. So that has been a good challenge to find the balance between us with the spirit to teach. I feel happy when I am humbly learning....sometimes it takes a while to be humble, but I am grateful for my chastening because they help me with humility and charity.
I felt extremely blessed to see Brother Brazil (a recent convert) go through the temple Saturday and then to see him be sealed to his parents! WHAT A MIRACLE! I couldn't help it, I bawled like a baby! I can't explain how I feel when families are sealed together forever! I wish ya'll could have been there. I feel such a drive to always stay worthy to take my family to the temple and be willing to live our lives to be receptive of this secret special gift. I feel like King Lamoni's dad who said "I will give away my entire kingdom to know this truth.....I will give away all my sins just to know you" he's talking of God.
How often we take for granted the most sacred things in our lives:
1. Our family: being together forever through temple sealings.
2. Our Father in Heaven: his plan for ALL his children (that's everyone), and all he asks us to do is "keep my all my commandments"
3. Our Savior Jesus Christ: Who suffered and died for us so we might overcome Spiritual and physical death. As long as we become as a child, meek submissive and full of patience!! (That’s a hard one) but if we don't become as a child, we cannot enter into the kingdom of Heaven!
I know this church is true, I know that without it, I am nothing. Alma 5....I know we have a living prophet on the earth today and he is called of God to keep the word and gospel pure and true! I know this because when I pray...when I'm humble enough to actually be ready to hear the whisperings from the Holy Ghost, I feel warm, like my heart is too big for me, and I feel the love of my father and of my savior. This makes me happy! Why aren't we as members the happiest people on the planet. If I only knew what my mission was going to be for me and the people I have met that have changed my life forever and the lessons I couldn’t have learned anywhere else in the world, I would have crawled on my hands and knees to the MTC! It’s TRUE! I bear my testimony that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has the fullness of truth. And is in fact the only true church on the face of the earth, because Christ is the head of it. And by reading the book of Mormon one will become closer to my Heavenly Father. I bear this testimony in the name of our savior Jesus Christ Amen!
-Sister Judkins
IRON MAN we saw and jumped out of the car because we were stuck in traffic anyways, we were going to go do service hence the regular work out clothes; we started screaming and hoot'n and passing out cards and teaching lessons!!! SOOO GREAT!!! They were really intense!!! One of the ladies talked to my companion and said "well, you have a wild one don't you?"....I have no idea what she's talking about. ;) I'm very calm and quiet! Ok...I'm not. It was funny! She was asking lots of questions and I think she's talk with her Mormon friends she works with. We both agreed, we liked her! :)
Then brother Brazil and I when he went through the temple and got sealed to his parents
Rabevra Ofczarzak and me at the temple! Love her! In our favor the wind and humidity was not in our favor!
Sister Taylor ( my companion! ) and me at the IRON MAN competition! SO AWESOME!!! The cars were stuck for hours, then we left our lights on and all the cars were honking and I had to run really fast to get the car out of the way! Ha ha!!! LOVE IT!
Love you all!
-Sister Judkins
Monday, May 16, 2011
Letter #59
WOW!!!!! TRANSFER CALLSLSLSLSLSL@!!!!!!! :DDDDD
SWEET!!! I'm super excited, I'm probably going to be surprised, but I'm so excited. I am getting a new companion her name is Sister Taylor!!!!! Sister Layton is going to College Station!! She is going to LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!! I'm super jealous for her, but alas, it is what it is!!! I'm still in Montgomery and Sister Taylor has been here once before, in fact she was here 9 months ago, she was "born" here, she started her mission here. She is excited to be here, and I am excited because we have a lot of work to do, and I can hear in her, that she is ready and I hope I'm ready.
I got SOOO SICK a few days ago! I have no idea really what was going on, I think just stress and being hard headed and not eating....hmmm yea! Ok so here's what happened. We went to the temple and the 2 nights before I probably slept a total of 6 hours. And the night before I felt like I was gunna barf, so I didn't eat anything because I also felt incredibly blotted and fat! Oh it was horrible, I'm sure you love that imagery. so I get to the temple, and do everything I can not to yuck during the session, I get up to go through and at that very moment I felt a deep sick (I can't really explain how it felt) I all of a sudden got cold sweats and felt like my body was being squeezed from the inside out, I could hardly walk, I finished and once he grabbed my hand to go through I collapsed on him. My vision went blurry and I felt like was a cold clammy Jell-O mold, that couldn't keep its shape. He asked " are you week?” ...I could hardly talk...he quickly sat me down, once I interred the celestial room all this overwhelming pain and this feeling of not having any control stopped....
....I looked pale, like a ghost a women said, I thought I looked green...it was really a little miracle for me though, how much Satan doesn't want us to be doing the right things and following our savior Jesus Christ. Especially going to the temple and doing work for those who cannot do it for themselves. What an incredible blessing it was for me to feel the, I guess calm after the storm physically. It was weird, but absolutely wonderful....
This week has been tough, but good, because I've had to rest (president's wife's orders) and try harder to actually take care of myself and start eating and stop worrying. Transfer calls have relieved a lot of stress for me. I have learned a LOT! How to be truly patient, loving, and long SUFFERING!! My poor companions. Don’t get the wrong I idea I know my companions have learned the same being companions with me...but trials are a blessing. Because God gives us trials so we can grow, I'm great full that I have more to learn and much more room to grow! what a bleak life if I thought to myself "oh I don't need this", or "I am too busy to do that calling" I've met great examples in my life of following the savior and fighting (maybe sometimes kicking and screaming) through trails, but their examples of plowing through trials keeps me going, helps me know "if they can do it, so can I"....plus I guess I am a bit competitive. ;)
Holland still didn’t' get the Holy Ghost....we're working on that!
Curtis was at a ball game this Sunday and didn't come to church.... :(
NEW ONE CAME THOUGH!!--- Lana ;she is incredible!!!
Ok, short story: I felt impressed to see her all day one day, but I ignored it, then on our way home, a car stopped in front of me, and I asked? What street does Lana live on? And lo and behold it was the street right in front of my face where the car stopped. UGH! I said, fine God, you win. (Why am I so hard headed all the time? can you answer me that one) anyway. Lana I called 6 weeks, ago, she came to church, but left because she thought she was late, she'd been ignoring us since) so I'm thinking, "ok, work your magic"...I walked up to the door and before I could get to it, she opened and she was not happy looking....but long story short, I ran up and gave her a hug (cause that's just what I do) and she came out and talked, started bawling after 45 minutes of teaching the plan of salvation and listening to how her brother was killed in a car accident and I asked "Lana, God sent us here today to you, he loves you, are you ready to hear the message that families can be together forever and take the missionary lessons?" she was stumbled for words and them said plainly..."yes".... MIRACLES!!! She came to church on Sunday too!!
WOW I love this work!!!
I love you all with all my heart, and I know the church of Jesus Christ is in working order restored on the earth once more and for the final time! I love it, we know it!! LET’S SHARE IT!!!
-Love you all from here to home!
-Sister Judkins
SWEET!!! I'm super excited, I'm probably going to be surprised, but I'm so excited. I am getting a new companion her name is Sister Taylor!!!!! Sister Layton is going to College Station!! She is going to LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!! I'm super jealous for her, but alas, it is what it is!!! I'm still in Montgomery and Sister Taylor has been here once before, in fact she was here 9 months ago, she was "born" here, she started her mission here. She is excited to be here, and I am excited because we have a lot of work to do, and I can hear in her, that she is ready and I hope I'm ready.
I got SOOO SICK a few days ago! I have no idea really what was going on, I think just stress and being hard headed and not eating....hmmm yea! Ok so here's what happened. We went to the temple and the 2 nights before I probably slept a total of 6 hours. And the night before I felt like I was gunna barf, so I didn't eat anything because I also felt incredibly blotted and fat! Oh it was horrible, I'm sure you love that imagery. so I get to the temple, and do everything I can not to yuck during the session, I get up to go through and at that very moment I felt a deep sick (I can't really explain how it felt) I all of a sudden got cold sweats and felt like my body was being squeezed from the inside out, I could hardly walk, I finished and once he grabbed my hand to go through I collapsed on him. My vision went blurry and I felt like was a cold clammy Jell-O mold, that couldn't keep its shape. He asked " are you week?” ...I could hardly talk...he quickly sat me down, once I interred the celestial room all this overwhelming pain and this feeling of not having any control stopped....
....I looked pale, like a ghost a women said, I thought I looked green...it was really a little miracle for me though, how much Satan doesn't want us to be doing the right things and following our savior Jesus Christ. Especially going to the temple and doing work for those who cannot do it for themselves. What an incredible blessing it was for me to feel the, I guess calm after the storm physically. It was weird, but absolutely wonderful....
This week has been tough, but good, because I've had to rest (president's wife's orders) and try harder to actually take care of myself and start eating and stop worrying. Transfer calls have relieved a lot of stress for me. I have learned a LOT! How to be truly patient, loving, and long SUFFERING!! My poor companions. Don’t get the wrong I idea I know my companions have learned the same being companions with me...but trials are a blessing. Because God gives us trials so we can grow, I'm great full that I have more to learn and much more room to grow! what a bleak life if I thought to myself "oh I don't need this", or "I am too busy to do that calling" I've met great examples in my life of following the savior and fighting (maybe sometimes kicking and screaming) through trails, but their examples of plowing through trials keeps me going, helps me know "if they can do it, so can I"....plus I guess I am a bit competitive. ;)
Holland still didn’t' get the Holy Ghost....we're working on that!
Curtis was at a ball game this Sunday and didn't come to church.... :(
NEW ONE CAME THOUGH!!--- Lana ;she is incredible!!!
Ok, short story: I felt impressed to see her all day one day, but I ignored it, then on our way home, a car stopped in front of me, and I asked? What street does Lana live on? And lo and behold it was the street right in front of my face where the car stopped. UGH! I said, fine God, you win. (Why am I so hard headed all the time? can you answer me that one) anyway. Lana I called 6 weeks, ago, she came to church, but left because she thought she was late, she'd been ignoring us since) so I'm thinking, "ok, work your magic"...I walked up to the door and before I could get to it, she opened and she was not happy looking....but long story short, I ran up and gave her a hug (cause that's just what I do) and she came out and talked, started bawling after 45 minutes of teaching the plan of salvation and listening to how her brother was killed in a car accident and I asked "Lana, God sent us here today to you, he loves you, are you ready to hear the message that families can be together forever and take the missionary lessons?" she was stumbled for words and them said plainly..."yes".... MIRACLES!!! She came to church on Sunday too!!
WOW I love this work!!!
I love you all with all my heart, and I know the church of Jesus Christ is in working order restored on the earth once more and for the final time! I love it, we know it!! LET’S SHARE IT!!!
-Love you all from here to home!
-Sister Judkins
Letter #58
Happy Mothers day May 8th 2011
Well this week has been CRAZY!!!! A week of chastening and rebuking... (Darn it, I swear I didn't ask for it) .but overall, it ended in an incredible experience with Holland's Baptism on Saturday the 7th. What an incredible feeling of love and a wonderful blessing of a forever family soon to be. Her dad was actually able to baptize her. It was a blessing. It was a very emotional day for the family and yes....I cried as well. The spirit was so strong. Her dad was asked by Bishop to say a few words after the baptism. And it went a little like this:
“As you can see that was a very emotional thing for me and my family. I appreciate all of your support and I know you all really love us. And if there’s anything I can do for you, give me a call, and I will be there. my son Cain (who is deaf, but has an implant) came up to me after and I had him promise me something "cane, you promise me that you'll baptize all of your kids...promise me".....I couldn't baptize my oldest kids Lexxi and Cain, and I can't tell you how bad that makes me feel knowing how I feel now after baptizing Holland." (The whole family in the front row and my at the piano and their dad speaking are now all crying...all the kids just staring at their father, in I don't know how long has born his testimony.) "I know this church is true, and I have to thank sister Judkins personally....because with out her we wouldn't be here today, (pretty much thanking me for being a pain in the butt ;) ... yes I start blubbering again... the spirit was so strong. there is still a lot of work to do, but ultimately they can do it, all they need is Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and a testimony that yea, craps going to happen, but you HOLD ON TO THAT WHICH IS GOOD.....read the scriptures every. Day, say prayers morning and night, attend church and partake of the sacrament!
Yesterday SUNDAY....I was this close ( ) to not being able to partake of the sacrament, because we got in a car wreck (not bad, all is fine) my comp side swiped another driver (which by the way I took a picture of with just for fun :) but I finally felt something a very dear friend Erica explained to me, she said. "I felt like I needed the sacrament so bad, I needed that cleansing for the rest of the week" I could feel how important it was to her. Yesterday we missed the sacrament, and I felt so devastated, my heart sank, I needed that cleanses so bad, with all my heart I needed to feel that peace of the atonement in my life, after such a trying week. My companion was sad because she said we missed Holland getting the Holy Ghost, when we got there, it ended up that something happened and she wasn't getting it until next Sunday! So we didn't miss it. we were lucky to just barely make it after Gospel principles to the sacrament right after ours, and step in late for RS....my heart was filled with peace when the bread and water was passed to me, and I was able to LET GO all of the stuff that happened through out the week, and hold on to the good.
I know that the sacrament is so important to us. Father in Heaven loves us; he knows we need extra help each week. we get to have that extra help as we attend our meetings and sincerely partake of the sacrament to renew our covenants made with God at Baptism!!! WOW! huge lesson for me!
Gary is getting baptized May 10th, I'm so excited because Gary has been like a brother to me, and it's exciting to watch him and the families he's been around grow and strengthen, another testimony that Miracles DO occur still. I'm supposed to speak at it, I hope that I can express what the spirit speak, and what it is that I feel.
It's been weird, my heart is so full, and I feel so blessed...really....I am....but this has been progressive, because if you would have asked me 48 hours ago I wouldn't have said I feel so "blessed" the Lord Loveth those that he chastens, well I sure feel chastened that's for sure.... you know it's funny because today I was thinking "wait, I thought all of my refining was done." I didn't feel that another would be a comm'n round the corner!!! I guess that means I haven't received the tittle of "perfect angel" yet...soon, I'm working on it. but for know when chastening comes, I guess I have to realize that Heavenly Father is (as hard as it is to watch me struggle and hurt) refining me, shaping me, I can almost here him say "I'm not done with you yet Sister Judkins"...it at those moments when I have a choice, "Do I really trust Him?"
I bear my testimony that I know that the only way to true happiness is to trust in God with all our heart, might mind and strength.....that's 100% of me.... I have never realized that before, what a blessing to feel the saviors love when we need it most. we feel that hand on our chest saying just as mom did to my brother Joe laying on that field 2 days ago, struggling for breath..."Joe....it's OK...I'm here".....I'm so thankful for my mother and her trials she has fought through, I love you mom with all my heart, I love knowing that you are a women I want to strive to become for like. thank you for being so patient with me and lifting me up and helping me believe that nothing can hold me back in doing what I am set out to do! you have been an inspiration to me as I remember what you taught me I use it here on my mission all the time. I love you mom!
I am so grateful for all the women and mothers that have taken me in as one of their own (practically) ;) and showed me such love and concern as I have been on my mission and away from home. I love you with all my heart and express my sincerest gratitude and heartfelt appreciation when I say happy mothers day and thank you. and we will stay in contact. yes...I will send wedding announcements...;)
I love you all
from here to Heaven
-the One and Only----Sister Judkins :D (thank goodness there's only one) yeah yeah I know ya'll were think'n that! ;)
Well this week has been CRAZY!!!! A week of chastening and rebuking... (Darn it, I swear I didn't ask for it) .but overall, it ended in an incredible experience with Holland's Baptism on Saturday the 7th. What an incredible feeling of love and a wonderful blessing of a forever family soon to be. Her dad was actually able to baptize her. It was a blessing. It was a very emotional day for the family and yes....I cried as well. The spirit was so strong. Her dad was asked by Bishop to say a few words after the baptism. And it went a little like this:
“As you can see that was a very emotional thing for me and my family. I appreciate all of your support and I know you all really love us. And if there’s anything I can do for you, give me a call, and I will be there. my son Cain (who is deaf, but has an implant) came up to me after and I had him promise me something "cane, you promise me that you'll baptize all of your kids...promise me".....I couldn't baptize my oldest kids Lexxi and Cain, and I can't tell you how bad that makes me feel knowing how I feel now after baptizing Holland." (The whole family in the front row and my at the piano and their dad speaking are now all crying...all the kids just staring at their father, in I don't know how long has born his testimony.) "I know this church is true, and I have to thank sister Judkins personally....because with out her we wouldn't be here today, (pretty much thanking me for being a pain in the butt ;) ... yes I start blubbering again... the spirit was so strong. there is still a lot of work to do, but ultimately they can do it, all they need is Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and a testimony that yea, craps going to happen, but you HOLD ON TO THAT WHICH IS GOOD.....read the scriptures every. Day, say prayers morning and night, attend church and partake of the sacrament!
Yesterday SUNDAY....I was this close ( ) to not being able to partake of the sacrament, because we got in a car wreck (not bad, all is fine) my comp side swiped another driver (which by the way I took a picture of with just for fun :) but I finally felt something a very dear friend Erica explained to me, she said. "I felt like I needed the sacrament so bad, I needed that cleansing for the rest of the week" I could feel how important it was to her. Yesterday we missed the sacrament, and I felt so devastated, my heart sank, I needed that cleanses so bad, with all my heart I needed to feel that peace of the atonement in my life, after such a trying week. My companion was sad because she said we missed Holland getting the Holy Ghost, when we got there, it ended up that something happened and she wasn't getting it until next Sunday! So we didn't miss it. we were lucky to just barely make it after Gospel principles to the sacrament right after ours, and step in late for RS....my heart was filled with peace when the bread and water was passed to me, and I was able to LET GO all of the stuff that happened through out the week, and hold on to the good.
I know that the sacrament is so important to us. Father in Heaven loves us; he knows we need extra help each week. we get to have that extra help as we attend our meetings and sincerely partake of the sacrament to renew our covenants made with God at Baptism!!! WOW! huge lesson for me!
Gary is getting baptized May 10th, I'm so excited because Gary has been like a brother to me, and it's exciting to watch him and the families he's been around grow and strengthen, another testimony that Miracles DO occur still. I'm supposed to speak at it, I hope that I can express what the spirit speak, and what it is that I feel.
It's been weird, my heart is so full, and I feel so blessed...really....I am....but this has been progressive, because if you would have asked me 48 hours ago I wouldn't have said I feel so "blessed" the Lord Loveth those that he chastens, well I sure feel chastened that's for sure.... you know it's funny because today I was thinking "wait, I thought all of my refining was done." I didn't feel that another would be a comm'n round the corner!!! I guess that means I haven't received the tittle of "perfect angel" yet...soon, I'm working on it. but for know when chastening comes, I guess I have to realize that Heavenly Father is (as hard as it is to watch me struggle and hurt) refining me, shaping me, I can almost here him say "I'm not done with you yet Sister Judkins"...it at those moments when I have a choice, "Do I really trust Him?"
I bear my testimony that I know that the only way to true happiness is to trust in God with all our heart, might mind and strength.....that's 100% of me.... I have never realized that before, what a blessing to feel the saviors love when we need it most. we feel that hand on our chest saying just as mom did to my brother Joe laying on that field 2 days ago, struggling for breath..."Joe....it's OK...I'm here".....I'm so thankful for my mother and her trials she has fought through, I love you mom with all my heart, I love knowing that you are a women I want to strive to become for like. thank you for being so patient with me and lifting me up and helping me believe that nothing can hold me back in doing what I am set out to do! you have been an inspiration to me as I remember what you taught me I use it here on my mission all the time. I love you mom!
I am so grateful for all the women and mothers that have taken me in as one of their own (practically) ;) and showed me such love and concern as I have been on my mission and away from home. I love you with all my heart and express my sincerest gratitude and heartfelt appreciation when I say happy mothers day and thank you. and we will stay in contact. yes...I will send wedding announcements...;)
I love you all
from here to Heaven
-the One and Only----Sister Judkins :D (thank goodness there's only one) yeah yeah I know ya'll were think'n that! ;)
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Letter #57
Hey Family!!!!! -official and adopted :)
This week has been ugh....well... interesting and challenging....testimony building....are those all good words...OK?
Pretty much all of our golden appointments fell through this week with our golden investigators. :( But this is what I think is happening. I told (those of you that know me well, know that I always tell god my plans and thinking patterns. He is my father, right, he knew what he was getting into when he sent me here :) I tell him my plan and then he tells me how he likes it.) So heavenly Father and I chatted and I told him my whole thinking pattern... this is what I came up with:
We worked hard to set up how we thought everything would work good, and then Heavenly Father said, "Oh, nice, good work now let me come and help you a little." So I truly feel and have faith that God is working in his time table now....when life throws you junk than you can find the treasure you wouldn't have found before, because you were looking for something else. So I'm excited and praying A LOT!!! PRAYING A LOT! Did I mention that! :)
Holland and her mom (who hadn't been to church regularly for 20 years) and dad came to church Sunday! He left before priesthood started and I went out to their car and said, "hey, didn't see you in priesthood man"....he laughed and said, "Really you didn't see me in the back...behind the curtains...." I stared at him with my "don't mess with me man" face. He laughed and said "yeah, yeah" I know.... but Holland went all 3 hours and sat by her mom at the beginning of RS and her mom squeezed her hand, because she was happy to be there. Holland is all set for 11Am baptism this Saturday! It’s going to be great! Cain her brother got work changed so he won’t have to work till 4pm on Sundays. So he'll be at church too. And then Lexi her older sister, we need to work on her now. Slowly but surely with LOTS of LOVE!!! We are going to start FHE in their home after Holland's baptism to help their family with their goal of being sealed in the temple!!! :D MOST AMAZING THINGS IN THE WORLD!!!
Curtis’s aunt wants him to wait. So he won’t be baptized on the 7th. But it will happen, he's crushed about it, but Aunt said she wants to make sure he is going to stick with it and wants to see more love from him towards her. So our lesson yesterday was good. he didn't come to church because of baseball, and he said "feel really bad, like I've done something wrong," I said "well that's how your supposed to feel, because Heavenly Father wants you at church to strengthen and renew your promises you will make when you’re baptized." It was really a great lesson!
We are catching up and re-contacting new people each day, and part member families. I'm just praying that I can be of good use to Heavenly Father here, it’s incredible, and that's why we need to give our A game and ask god for help.
A really neat thing I learned this week is this: "We are what we want"....it's hard to explain, but for me, we shouldn't have to be told how amazing we are or what we can and cannot do to be great by anyone....we should figure out what it is that we truly want.....I want a happy life, family, schooling, I want to be a fitness instructor, I want to be a POWERFUL missionary and a force for good were ever I go...etc...Well if I wake up in the morning and tell myself. "I'm a looser....I'm not special...so and so's Patriarchal blessing says these great things about her or him mine doesn't say that and so I'm a nobody...."
Well..... then that's just about all you'll ever be.....I had a hard week, and Satan likes to get us on our hard days I've experience (darn him) he likes us to tear ourselves down so our future looks bleak and grim, when in reality we have the AGENCY to CHOOSE! We might not be able to choose how we feel, but we will be able to choose how we ACT and what we DO when we feel certain ways. I hope this makes sense. I'm excited because this is a new concept that recently helped me realize that "I am what I say I am"....and what I want, I'll eventually become in eternity".... thanks Katie for that letter.
Thank you for writing me and sending me talks that uplifts and helps me think and refine who I am out here in Texas! I love it here. I wouldn't trade this journey I'm on for anything in the WHOLE WORLD!!! NO WAY!!! NO HOW....it's incredible how God works to send me to others and to send others to me.... missionary work is the BEST work in the ENTIRE UNIVERSE!!! I've never been more rebuked and happy in my whole life!!
I love you all from here to Heaven
Sister Judkins
This week has been ugh....well... interesting and challenging....testimony building....are those all good words...OK?
Pretty much all of our golden appointments fell through this week with our golden investigators. :( But this is what I think is happening. I told (those of you that know me well, know that I always tell god my plans and thinking patterns. He is my father, right, he knew what he was getting into when he sent me here :) I tell him my plan and then he tells me how he likes it.) So heavenly Father and I chatted and I told him my whole thinking pattern... this is what I came up with:
We worked hard to set up how we thought everything would work good, and then Heavenly Father said, "Oh, nice, good work now let me come and help you a little." So I truly feel and have faith that God is working in his time table now....when life throws you junk than you can find the treasure you wouldn't have found before, because you were looking for something else. So I'm excited and praying A LOT!!! PRAYING A LOT! Did I mention that! :)
Holland and her mom (who hadn't been to church regularly for 20 years) and dad came to church Sunday! He left before priesthood started and I went out to their car and said, "hey, didn't see you in priesthood man"....he laughed and said, "Really you didn't see me in the back...behind the curtains...." I stared at him with my "don't mess with me man" face. He laughed and said "yeah, yeah" I know.... but Holland went all 3 hours and sat by her mom at the beginning of RS and her mom squeezed her hand, because she was happy to be there. Holland is all set for 11Am baptism this Saturday! It’s going to be great! Cain her brother got work changed so he won’t have to work till 4pm on Sundays. So he'll be at church too. And then Lexi her older sister, we need to work on her now. Slowly but surely with LOTS of LOVE!!! We are going to start FHE in their home after Holland's baptism to help their family with their goal of being sealed in the temple!!! :D MOST AMAZING THINGS IN THE WORLD!!!
Curtis’s aunt wants him to wait. So he won’t be baptized on the 7th. But it will happen, he's crushed about it, but Aunt said she wants to make sure he is going to stick with it and wants to see more love from him towards her. So our lesson yesterday was good. he didn't come to church because of baseball, and he said "feel really bad, like I've done something wrong," I said "well that's how your supposed to feel, because Heavenly Father wants you at church to strengthen and renew your promises you will make when you’re baptized." It was really a great lesson!
We are catching up and re-contacting new people each day, and part member families. I'm just praying that I can be of good use to Heavenly Father here, it’s incredible, and that's why we need to give our A game and ask god for help.
A really neat thing I learned this week is this: "We are what we want"....it's hard to explain, but for me, we shouldn't have to be told how amazing we are or what we can and cannot do to be great by anyone....we should figure out what it is that we truly want.....I want a happy life, family, schooling, I want to be a fitness instructor, I want to be a POWERFUL missionary and a force for good were ever I go...etc...Well if I wake up in the morning and tell myself. "I'm a looser....I'm not special...so and so's Patriarchal blessing says these great things about her or him mine doesn't say that and so I'm a nobody...."
Well..... then that's just about all you'll ever be.....I had a hard week, and Satan likes to get us on our hard days I've experience (darn him) he likes us to tear ourselves down so our future looks bleak and grim, when in reality we have the AGENCY to CHOOSE! We might not be able to choose how we feel, but we will be able to choose how we ACT and what we DO when we feel certain ways. I hope this makes sense. I'm excited because this is a new concept that recently helped me realize that "I am what I say I am"....and what I want, I'll eventually become in eternity".... thanks Katie for that letter.
Thank you for writing me and sending me talks that uplifts and helps me think and refine who I am out here in Texas! I love it here. I wouldn't trade this journey I'm on for anything in the WHOLE WORLD!!! NO WAY!!! NO HOW....it's incredible how God works to send me to others and to send others to me.... missionary work is the BEST work in the ENTIRE UNIVERSE!!! I've never been more rebuked and happy in my whole life!!
I love you all from here to Heaven
Sister Judkins
Monday, April 25, 2011
Letter #56
FAMILY AND FRIENDS.... I LOVE YOU!!!...happy Easter!
2 BAPTISMS on MAY 7th!!!
1. Holland Ferguson-14
2. Curtis petty-15
We are working on
1. Skyler-12
2. Terri 47
3. Marissa -33
4. Carrie -47
And others. We met a new family less active and part member that moved it. Jewel (husband) and Casey (wife is not a member) they have 2 young boys and we were told by the elders about them and went and visited them, they are really cool, they both agreed to taking the missionary discussions to learn more about the church. Then after prayer I took the boys out back and blew bubbles with them, because they were so good during the prayer.
The area is ON FIRE...the ward members are AWESOME! They keep giving referrals and wanting to do everything they can to help the work go forth! It’s really incredible how awesome it is!!!!
We made a wall to organize all the people we have to teach and the people we need to report back to the ward about. Each investigator and less active and PM has a paper and tack that gets tacked to the wall under "progressing" or "baptism date" etc....
LIFE IS GOOD AS A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH....FIGHTING FOR TRUTH!!!!
Thank you mom for my Easter package....I loved it!!! You are awesome!!! I love the bread!!!! Maybe again!?? :) Sometime? Maybe!??? And the cookies are delicious; I haven't had time to make them yet!!!! But I am drilling right now, because I want some...and that letter mom!/...thank you....I keep it in my journal because I need to always read it!
My companion has been doing better. Yesterday she said "I actually felt like today I would be ok if I didn't get (Emergency) transferred"....that is great!!! Each day I am continually trying hard learning sincere love and patience! I know that God knows what he is doing!? I love my mission, can I say that enough!!! Every second of it! I wish every one really knew just HOW INCREDIBLE a mission is and how I know that I am so far ahead of where I would be if I wouldn't have come on a mission!
I know that my future family and my future are so much brighter because I served a mission and learned all these and more things God wants me to learn and chisel out of me. I still can't spell, but oh man I can't tell you what I have learned and am still learning.
Yesterday in our ward missionary correlation the 1st counselor said "oh you didn't hear, we extended your mission 1 year!" ha ha! But it was at that moment that I felt, wow!?....I don't want to go! Thank GOODNESS I"M HERE FOR A LONG TIME!
WE BELIEVE!
I love getting letters. I am going to try really hard to get letters back to you these next few weeks, it's been really crazy....but your letters really are SO encouraging and lift my spirits! I appreciate them so much! Thank you so much! I love you all so much!
The gospel is true! "Oh be wise, what more can I say".... Jacob 7
I love you all from here to Heaven...
Mom please tell the Whitaker family how much I love them, and I wish I could be there and be there to hold and help and just be there with them. Risa is truly an incredible daughter of God. She will be missed for this short time, but she will not be forgotten! We will be fighting for truth here, and she will fight for those that don't know the truth!!! I love you!
With all my heart -Sister Judkins
2 BAPTISMS on MAY 7th!!!
1. Holland Ferguson-14
2. Curtis petty-15
We are working on
1. Skyler-12
2. Terri 47
3. Marissa -33
4. Carrie -47
And others. We met a new family less active and part member that moved it. Jewel (husband) and Casey (wife is not a member) they have 2 young boys and we were told by the elders about them and went and visited them, they are really cool, they both agreed to taking the missionary discussions to learn more about the church. Then after prayer I took the boys out back and blew bubbles with them, because they were so good during the prayer.
The area is ON FIRE...the ward members are AWESOME! They keep giving referrals and wanting to do everything they can to help the work go forth! It’s really incredible how awesome it is!!!!
We made a wall to organize all the people we have to teach and the people we need to report back to the ward about. Each investigator and less active and PM has a paper and tack that gets tacked to the wall under "progressing" or "baptism date" etc....
LIFE IS GOOD AS A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH....FIGHTING FOR TRUTH!!!!
Thank you mom for my Easter package....I loved it!!! You are awesome!!! I love the bread!!!! Maybe again!?? :) Sometime? Maybe!??? And the cookies are delicious; I haven't had time to make them yet!!!! But I am drilling right now, because I want some...and that letter mom!/...thank you....I keep it in my journal because I need to always read it!
My companion has been doing better. Yesterday she said "I actually felt like today I would be ok if I didn't get (Emergency) transferred"....that is great!!! Each day I am continually trying hard learning sincere love and patience! I know that God knows what he is doing!? I love my mission, can I say that enough!!! Every second of it! I wish every one really knew just HOW INCREDIBLE a mission is and how I know that I am so far ahead of where I would be if I wouldn't have come on a mission!
I know that my future family and my future are so much brighter because I served a mission and learned all these and more things God wants me to learn and chisel out of me. I still can't spell, but oh man I can't tell you what I have learned and am still learning.
Yesterday in our ward missionary correlation the 1st counselor said "oh you didn't hear, we extended your mission 1 year!" ha ha! But it was at that moment that I felt, wow!?....I don't want to go! Thank GOODNESS I"M HERE FOR A LONG TIME!
WE BELIEVE!
I love getting letters. I am going to try really hard to get letters back to you these next few weeks, it's been really crazy....but your letters really are SO encouraging and lift my spirits! I appreciate them so much! Thank you so much! I love you all so much!
The gospel is true! "Oh be wise, what more can I say".... Jacob 7
I love you all from here to Heaven...
Mom please tell the Whitaker family how much I love them, and I wish I could be there and be there to hold and help and just be there with them. Risa is truly an incredible daughter of God. She will be missed for this short time, but she will not be forgotten! We will be fighting for truth here, and she will fight for those that don't know the truth!!! I love you!
With all my heart -Sister Judkins
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Letter #55
Dear Family and Friends,
Wow! Thank you so much Joe, mom and dad, and Katie. Daddy you gots fake teeth like me now!! :D we match...sorry I'm not there to glue yours back together like you glued mine back together so I could keep boogie-boarding!!! Which by the way there is a HUGE lake HERE!!!?? And oh man it makes me SOSOSOSOSOSOSO HOMESICK for the BOAT!!!! If I had a wish I wish we could go boating or to the beach the day I get back home!!! With my family!!! Thank you for your encouragement ya'll! I miss you...but not enough to come home now....in fact I don't really want to go home.... it's truly going to break my heart to leave! I've grown so attached the people and who I've become and the power of God as a missionary that I get to see every day! It’s truly a miracle and a blessing.
MONTGOMERY IS ON FIRE!!!!
1. Holland Ferguson is getting baptized May 7th, 2011 she cried during the 1st vision and said, "I'm just so sad that we stopped going to church. We are meeting with her 2 times a week with members. She and her dad came to church this Sunday!
We had 4 investigators attend church this past Sunday!!! :D CRAZY AWESOME!!!
1. Holland Ferguson -14- part member family BATISM MAY 7th!
2. Curtis -15- Member referral- Eaton’s- who we taught last night and he said he's be baptized when he prays to know it's true. We tolled him when he gets his answer to think about May 7th, because Holland is getting baptized too.
3. Carrie - 47- old time inv. smokes Wow issues, etc. but she came and is making progress slowly. Working on a B-date with her.
4. Justice-12- Is a member referral from the Houston’s- he came to church and we talked with him Sunday and invited him to take the missionary lessons. His mom is a member inactive. He wants to learn more, we are letting the members do A LOT of the missionary work.
OUR MEMBERS ARE INCREDIBLE and they have such FIRE!!!!
5. Marissa- 33- Member Referral from Jones Family. Last night, she truly wants to know, golden!!!! LOVED IT. Asked her to be baptized when she knows it's true, she said yes! SO GREAT....she has a 12 year old boy that we encouraged her if she would like him to be taught with her the lessons. She said she's pray about it!!! 2 kids, 3 step kids.
6. Terry Matter-48- she is a Member Referral from the Jones family. We taught her she loved it, but didn't attend church this Sunday. We teach her this wed. With another member to strengthen her fellowship and we are going to challenge her to be baptized on May 7th as well.
7. Andrea, Skylar, are Potentials we have been working with, part member and Andrea we talked to about taking the lessons and she said yes. "I would never have done this, my family would think this is crazy"....I asked her "then why are willing to take lessons from us?" ...she said "I don't know, I just feel good about it. I want to know." her g-ma is a recently re-activated member after 40 years of not going out of respect for her husband. Andrea is married with 1 boy. She is 23.
OUR GOAL: BAPTISMS: MAY 7th -WATERS OF MORMON IN MONTGOMERY!!!!
1. Holland-14
2. Curtis-15
3. Skylar-12
4. Terry-47
5. Marissa-33
Then have a big BBQ and the whole ward show up to support and love their new members. It’s INCREDIBLE!!!!
I love love love love being a missionary. My companion and I are ASESOME WORKING HARD....yes its tough and stuff happens. But nothing will stop the work from progressing!!! NOTHING.....I love being obedient and working hard and I love how incredible the lord works through his children and how this Montgomery ward is seeing just what it can be like when member missionary work are working in unison and harmonies POWER for God’s WORK!!!!
I love you my family, thank you for all you do for me, keep sending letters for the final performance!!! "Stand still and see the hand and power of GOD!"
Love you from here to heaven
I do feel your prayers for me, thank you! I hope you feel mine for you my dear family and friends!
-Sister Judkins
Wow! Thank you so much Joe, mom and dad, and Katie. Daddy you gots fake teeth like me now!! :D we match...sorry I'm not there to glue yours back together like you glued mine back together so I could keep boogie-boarding!!! Which by the way there is a HUGE lake HERE!!!?? And oh man it makes me SOSOSOSOSOSOSO HOMESICK for the BOAT!!!! If I had a wish I wish we could go boating or to the beach the day I get back home!!! With my family!!! Thank you for your encouragement ya'll! I miss you...but not enough to come home now....in fact I don't really want to go home.... it's truly going to break my heart to leave! I've grown so attached the people and who I've become and the power of God as a missionary that I get to see every day! It’s truly a miracle and a blessing.
MONTGOMERY IS ON FIRE!!!!
1. Holland Ferguson is getting baptized May 7th, 2011 she cried during the 1st vision and said, "I'm just so sad that we stopped going to church. We are meeting with her 2 times a week with members. She and her dad came to church this Sunday!
We had 4 investigators attend church this past Sunday!!! :D CRAZY AWESOME!!!
1. Holland Ferguson -14- part member family BATISM MAY 7th!
2. Curtis -15- Member referral- Eaton’s- who we taught last night and he said he's be baptized when he prays to know it's true. We tolled him when he gets his answer to think about May 7th, because Holland is getting baptized too.
3. Carrie - 47- old time inv. smokes Wow issues, etc. but she came and is making progress slowly. Working on a B-date with her.
4. Justice-12- Is a member referral from the Houston’s- he came to church and we talked with him Sunday and invited him to take the missionary lessons. His mom is a member inactive. He wants to learn more, we are letting the members do A LOT of the missionary work.
OUR MEMBERS ARE INCREDIBLE and they have such FIRE!!!!
5. Marissa- 33- Member Referral from Jones Family. Last night, she truly wants to know, golden!!!! LOVED IT. Asked her to be baptized when she knows it's true, she said yes! SO GREAT....she has a 12 year old boy that we encouraged her if she would like him to be taught with her the lessons. She said she's pray about it!!! 2 kids, 3 step kids.
6. Terry Matter-48- she is a Member Referral from the Jones family. We taught her she loved it, but didn't attend church this Sunday. We teach her this wed. With another member to strengthen her fellowship and we are going to challenge her to be baptized on May 7th as well.
7. Andrea, Skylar, are Potentials we have been working with, part member and Andrea we talked to about taking the lessons and she said yes. "I would never have done this, my family would think this is crazy"....I asked her "then why are willing to take lessons from us?" ...she said "I don't know, I just feel good about it. I want to know." her g-ma is a recently re-activated member after 40 years of not going out of respect for her husband. Andrea is married with 1 boy. She is 23.
OUR GOAL: BAPTISMS: MAY 7th -WATERS OF MORMON IN MONTGOMERY!!!!
1. Holland-14
2. Curtis-15
3. Skylar-12
4. Terry-47
5. Marissa-33
Then have a big BBQ and the whole ward show up to support and love their new members. It’s INCREDIBLE!!!!
I love love love love being a missionary. My companion and I are ASESOME WORKING HARD....yes its tough and stuff happens. But nothing will stop the work from progressing!!! NOTHING.....I love being obedient and working hard and I love how incredible the lord works through his children and how this Montgomery ward is seeing just what it can be like when member missionary work are working in unison and harmonies POWER for God’s WORK!!!!
I love you my family, thank you for all you do for me, keep sending letters for the final performance!!! "Stand still and see the hand and power of GOD!"
Love you from here to heaven
I do feel your prayers for me, thank you! I hope you feel mine for you my dear family and friends!
-Sister Judkins
Monday, April 11, 2011
Letter # 54
Oh BOY!!!!
I'm in MONTGOMERY NOW!!!! WOW!!! For real, it's SUPER hard to leave my areas I've been in. I am so grateful to have served in CS 3rd ward. They are incredible and I know that Heavenly Father works in HIS ways and HIS time, not ours. That’s for sure.
My new companion is Sister Layton, she has been our 9 months and started the transfer going through a very difficult time, I've had to be VERY loving, caring and patient with her and truly learn how to listen to the spirit and keep working at a pace wear she and I can work hard together, it seams I move quite fast. Esp. now that I'm in a new ward it's crazy...the ward is like it was starving for missionary work, and yesterday I felt as if they were ready to feast upon the missionaries and do whatever they can to be involved and help with the progression of the work.....they gave 7 member referrals, which is more than I've gotten my whole mission in one week.
there is so much work and SO MANY LESS ACTIVES....we are working with many, and praying that inspiration is received for them to have to opportunities to have callings, so they feel that they are not only wanted, but needed. And then their testimonies will grow. I have NEVER been so focused and determined in the work as I am now. I am so grateful for College Station because that's where I learned and was humbled (multiple times over +) and truly saw the vision of who I am and where I want to go as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints. INCREDIBLE! I love this work with all my being. And aint nothing going to hold me back!!!
Distractions have been coming more and more and I've realized that Satan knows that I've seen the vision, and he doesn't want me to follow through to build Heavenly Father's Kingdom. I know this church is true, for those of you that are praying to know it's true, and have received the answer, don't let Satan distract you from the feelings of peace, love, long suffering....these are fruits of the spirit, Galations 5:22 and His job is to testify of truth. For those who are fighting against others who have prayed and know it's true, hit your knees, plead with your father...."Father, have you restored the fullness of the truth through the young boy Joseph? And is Thomas S. Monson a true prophet, called of God to receive revelation not just for the Mormons, but for the entire world?"
James 1:5 "If any of you lack Wisdom....let him ask of God....but let him ask in faith, nothing wavering and it shall be given him".
Moroni 10:3-5 "and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, having faith in Christ with real intent, he will manifest it unto you, by the power of the holy ghost, and by the power of the holy ghost, ye may know the truth of all things"....
I testify with all the power I hold as a daughter of God and a set apart servant of the Lord that the same church Christ organized during his ministry was lost after his death, debated and changed by men, but through a seed of faith and a heart felt prayer the fullness of the gospel was restored to the earth. we have a living prophet, he and every worthy man baptized in the church are eligible to hold the same priesthood John the Baptist held (which was restored by John himself as a resurrected being) which gives us the authority to baptize, and we also have the higher priesthood ; Melchizedek (which was restored by the laying on of hands as was the aronic form John the Baptist as resurrected beings) which Jesus Christ gave his apostles but which both priesthoods were taken off the earth because of the wickedness.
It was this "the authority and power" (which is the priesthood; the power to act in God's name) that the true church of Jesus Christ HAS TO HAVE to perform all the saving ordinances and to organize His church. I know this church is true. I encourage "all that are weak and heavy laden to come unto Christ and learn of me, for my yoke is easy and my burden is light....and ye shall find rest unto your souls." Luke 11:28-31
I love the savior; it is by him we shall have eternal life and exaltation with him and our Father and mother in Heaven and my Family forever! And that is the true message.... God has a plan for families to be together forever...why does Satan work so hard to destroy people’s lives when they find it? Because he knows it's TRUE....and the only way to find fullness of joy in this life and exaltation and fullness of joy with our families in the life after. And he will NEVER HAVE IT....and he wants us to be miserable like unto himself, let us not forget who the "father of all lies is".
-I love my savior, I love each of you, and all of my siblings, I love my father in heaven, I love all ya'll that work at OFW and know that I am praying for each of you in, and that your prayers and heart aches will be answered as you pray every day and read the words of the prophets every day and go to church!!! I love you my friends. I hope you know how much your Heavenly Father loves you...it's overwhelming the love he has for us.
Love you
From here to Heaven
Sister Judkins
I'm in MONTGOMERY NOW!!!! WOW!!! For real, it's SUPER hard to leave my areas I've been in. I am so grateful to have served in CS 3rd ward. They are incredible and I know that Heavenly Father works in HIS ways and HIS time, not ours. That’s for sure.
My new companion is Sister Layton, she has been our 9 months and started the transfer going through a very difficult time, I've had to be VERY loving, caring and patient with her and truly learn how to listen to the spirit and keep working at a pace wear she and I can work hard together, it seams I move quite fast. Esp. now that I'm in a new ward it's crazy...the ward is like it was starving for missionary work, and yesterday I felt as if they were ready to feast upon the missionaries and do whatever they can to be involved and help with the progression of the work.....they gave 7 member referrals, which is more than I've gotten my whole mission in one week.
there is so much work and SO MANY LESS ACTIVES....we are working with many, and praying that inspiration is received for them to have to opportunities to have callings, so they feel that they are not only wanted, but needed. And then their testimonies will grow. I have NEVER been so focused and determined in the work as I am now. I am so grateful for College Station because that's where I learned and was humbled (multiple times over +) and truly saw the vision of who I am and where I want to go as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints. INCREDIBLE! I love this work with all my being. And aint nothing going to hold me back!!!
Distractions have been coming more and more and I've realized that Satan knows that I've seen the vision, and he doesn't want me to follow through to build Heavenly Father's Kingdom. I know this church is true, for those of you that are praying to know it's true, and have received the answer, don't let Satan distract you from the feelings of peace, love, long suffering....these are fruits of the spirit, Galations 5:22 and His job is to testify of truth. For those who are fighting against others who have prayed and know it's true, hit your knees, plead with your father...."Father, have you restored the fullness of the truth through the young boy Joseph? And is Thomas S. Monson a true prophet, called of God to receive revelation not just for the Mormons, but for the entire world?"
James 1:5 "If any of you lack Wisdom....let him ask of God....but let him ask in faith, nothing wavering and it shall be given him".
Moroni 10:3-5 "and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, having faith in Christ with real intent, he will manifest it unto you, by the power of the holy ghost, and by the power of the holy ghost, ye may know the truth of all things"....
I testify with all the power I hold as a daughter of God and a set apart servant of the Lord that the same church Christ organized during his ministry was lost after his death, debated and changed by men, but through a seed of faith and a heart felt prayer the fullness of the gospel was restored to the earth. we have a living prophet, he and every worthy man baptized in the church are eligible to hold the same priesthood John the Baptist held (which was restored by John himself as a resurrected being) which gives us the authority to baptize, and we also have the higher priesthood ; Melchizedek (which was restored by the laying on of hands as was the aronic form John the Baptist as resurrected beings) which Jesus Christ gave his apostles but which both priesthoods were taken off the earth because of the wickedness.
It was this "the authority and power" (which is the priesthood; the power to act in God's name) that the true church of Jesus Christ HAS TO HAVE to perform all the saving ordinances and to organize His church. I know this church is true. I encourage "all that are weak and heavy laden to come unto Christ and learn of me, for my yoke is easy and my burden is light....and ye shall find rest unto your souls." Luke 11:28-31
I love the savior; it is by him we shall have eternal life and exaltation with him and our Father and mother in Heaven and my Family forever! And that is the true message.... God has a plan for families to be together forever...why does Satan work so hard to destroy people’s lives when they find it? Because he knows it's TRUE....and the only way to find fullness of joy in this life and exaltation and fullness of joy with our families in the life after. And he will NEVER HAVE IT....and he wants us to be miserable like unto himself, let us not forget who the "father of all lies is".
-I love my savior, I love each of you, and all of my siblings, I love my father in heaven, I love all ya'll that work at OFW and know that I am praying for each of you in, and that your prayers and heart aches will be answered as you pray every day and read the words of the prophets every day and go to church!!! I love you my friends. I hope you know how much your Heavenly Father loves you...it's overwhelming the love he has for us.
Love you
From here to Heaven
Sister Judkins
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Letter #53
President Hansen,
Wow....I prayed to Heavenly Father to help me except his will, I feel like I'm cutting my arm off (as Elder Oaks said). When I found out I was being transferred to Montgomery, my heart remembered the feelings I felt when I was tolled to leave Tomball and come to College Station. My heart truly is swollen. It feels different though, because it was the members I was sad to leave in Tomball, but here in College Station...it's the WORK...our investigators...Less actives...the foundation and FIRE we've worked so hard to build together with the new 3rd ward...it does hurt....But, It's God's Plan,....not mine....he doesn’t need me here anymore.
1. Gary accepted baptism. We set the date tonight. He’s been reading, praying & ATTENDING CHURCH and GEN. Conference!
2. Byron also accepted baptism. And we...well sis Fonua will have a church tour w/ him Wednesday and set the date. (He’s praying for a date).
(I truly feel a brother ship with these our investigators...I feel such an anxiety and love for them to continue to feel God's love)
And so many families that are potential investigators. I KNOW sister Fonua and sister Pincock WILL SEE success! It pains me only because I will not be here to see...But I guess that's how Christ must feel, he worked so hard to build the world to hear the message he brought, they beat him, cast him out, scourged him, and crucified him and he must have been sad...but at the same time, he must have felt peace in his Heavenly Father's Merciful plan...which is not for us to be sad....but happy....
I know that if I'm supposed to be in Montgomery, My Heavenly Father will show me true happiness, because here I found how to be truly happy in the missionary work and being obedient so God will work his mighty miracles through me.
"I will put my trust in thee forever..."
-Thank you President Hansen, for all you do, for staying worthy and in tune to Heavenly Father and thank you for all the work and sacrifice you and your beautiful wife do for your missionaries. I do love and appreciate you and Sister Hansen.
I feel there is a lot of work I’m going to need to learn and do...not sure what exactly is ahead, but I'll be there. Strong and obedient.
-Love, Sister Judkins
------------------------------------------------------------ (thought I'd share my letter to pres. too!)
FRIENDS AND FAMILY!!!!
Rise..... :( ....wow....oh how my heart aches. I'm so sad to hear that, I wish I could be there and serve them with whatever I had. My heart reaches out to them...I will always keep them in my prayers. how grateful we are to know that families are FOREVER....I have a family here on earth, they ARE so good to me....I want to spend my life with them through all eternity....when Jan died, I remembered how hurt we all were and crying, not so much angry, but just sad. Because we love him so much. Kind of like when we leave Heaven maybe...
...."I'll miss you, don't forget Father's plan, I’ll find you....don't let go..." I can imagine ourselves saying this to each other before we leave, and tears filling our eyes with such love and unselfish compassion that we just wanted to be together, but we understood that we learned all we could in that stage and had to separate from our Father and our Former life in Heaven, and come to earth....and suffer....repent...then remember the love God always shows to us in our hearts and minds. Through the Holy Ghost, "you may know the truth of all things." ....so he whispers during our humblest times of our trials "don't doubt, don't fear, he hath descended below all things..."
"Art thou greater than he"
I know God lives, he loves us. Mom, dad, family. friends....hold fast to truth....if you know that God has called yet again in this final Generation a living prophet and that through Joseph Smith an ancient record was translated by the power of God and we have and know it has the book of Mormon, a 2nd testimony of the 1st and a sure witness that the Heavens are opened again and that God STILL SPEAKS to his SERVANTS the PROPHETS!!
I love you, I pray for you....I thank you for staying strong. If you know this DO IT...if you don't know it, then ASK GOD WITH A SINCERE HEART!!!
-Love you, Sister Judkins
From here to Heaven
Wow....I prayed to Heavenly Father to help me except his will, I feel like I'm cutting my arm off (as Elder Oaks said). When I found out I was being transferred to Montgomery, my heart remembered the feelings I felt when I was tolled to leave Tomball and come to College Station. My heart truly is swollen. It feels different though, because it was the members I was sad to leave in Tomball, but here in College Station...it's the WORK...our investigators...Less actives...the foundation and FIRE we've worked so hard to build together with the new 3rd ward...it does hurt....But, It's God's Plan,....not mine....he doesn’t need me here anymore.
1. Gary accepted baptism. We set the date tonight. He’s been reading, praying & ATTENDING CHURCH and GEN. Conference!
2. Byron also accepted baptism. And we...well sis Fonua will have a church tour w/ him Wednesday and set the date. (He’s praying for a date).
(I truly feel a brother ship with these our investigators...I feel such an anxiety and love for them to continue to feel God's love)
And so many families that are potential investigators. I KNOW sister Fonua and sister Pincock WILL SEE success! It pains me only because I will not be here to see...But I guess that's how Christ must feel, he worked so hard to build the world to hear the message he brought, they beat him, cast him out, scourged him, and crucified him and he must have been sad...but at the same time, he must have felt peace in his Heavenly Father's Merciful plan...which is not for us to be sad....but happy....
I know that if I'm supposed to be in Montgomery, My Heavenly Father will show me true happiness, because here I found how to be truly happy in the missionary work and being obedient so God will work his mighty miracles through me.
"I will put my trust in thee forever..."
-Thank you President Hansen, for all you do, for staying worthy and in tune to Heavenly Father and thank you for all the work and sacrifice you and your beautiful wife do for your missionaries. I do love and appreciate you and Sister Hansen.
I feel there is a lot of work I’m going to need to learn and do...not sure what exactly is ahead, but I'll be there. Strong and obedient.
-Love, Sister Judkins
------------------------------------------------------------ (thought I'd share my letter to pres. too!)
FRIENDS AND FAMILY!!!!
Rise..... :( ....wow....oh how my heart aches. I'm so sad to hear that, I wish I could be there and serve them with whatever I had. My heart reaches out to them...I will always keep them in my prayers. how grateful we are to know that families are FOREVER....I have a family here on earth, they ARE so good to me....I want to spend my life with them through all eternity....when Jan died, I remembered how hurt we all were and crying, not so much angry, but just sad. Because we love him so much. Kind of like when we leave Heaven maybe...
...."I'll miss you, don't forget Father's plan, I’ll find you....don't let go..." I can imagine ourselves saying this to each other before we leave, and tears filling our eyes with such love and unselfish compassion that we just wanted to be together, but we understood that we learned all we could in that stage and had to separate from our Father and our Former life in Heaven, and come to earth....and suffer....repent...then remember the love God always shows to us in our hearts and minds. Through the Holy Ghost, "you may know the truth of all things." ....so he whispers during our humblest times of our trials "don't doubt, don't fear, he hath descended below all things..."
"Art thou greater than he"
I know God lives, he loves us. Mom, dad, family. friends....hold fast to truth....if you know that God has called yet again in this final Generation a living prophet and that through Joseph Smith an ancient record was translated by the power of God and we have and know it has the book of Mormon, a 2nd testimony of the 1st and a sure witness that the Heavens are opened again and that God STILL SPEAKS to his SERVANTS the PROPHETS!!
I love you, I pray for you....I thank you for staying strong. If you know this DO IT...if you don't know it, then ASK GOD WITH A SINCERE HEART!!!
-Love you, Sister Judkins
From here to Heaven
Monday, March 28, 2011
Letter #52
Friends and Family,
MOM, DAD, KATIE, kids..... YOU ARE SO SNEAKY! Y! Y!!Y!Y!Y!YY!
I HAD THE BEST BIRTHDAY EVER! THANK YOU FOR THE FLOWERS AND PACKAGE OF GREAT SCRIPTURES THAT LIFT ME UP EVERY TIME I LOOK AT THEM.
I read and got the package and SUPER GOOD cake at Rabevera's house (Sister Little's daughter) we've become really close with this incredible family!!! They are so involved with missionary work. sister little brought out the package and I was like "WHAT!??" and then my mom's writing was on it, and I was like "you sneaky mom"....yes mom she loved the soap...I'm loving it too and all my good perfect things you spend so much time putting all this together all the Scriptures and quotes. Thank you, I loved all of it. I love that you spent so much time and you worked so hard on it for me. Thank you!
You will be happy to know that I followed the directions!!! ha ha! Everyone got a BIG laugh out of that mom, that you had written directions for me, Rabevera said "wow, your mom knows you".... yup....she does. Thanks mom, dad, Katie. I love the flowers they are so beautiful, I took lots of pictures, but I forgot to bring my cord, I'll send them tonight. I just cried, because none of you have any money to be doing any of this, and this 22nd birthday I will NEVER forget this birthday. The day when everyone sacrificed to make my day special! Thank you. I am truly SPOILED!!!! Ya’ll are so incredible and kind. thank you for the letters, Tasha, g-ma and mom and dad for the videos and packages, the roses of the rainbow, the crown and uplifting words and cake it really did make me feel a lack of words because I've never been so spoiled on my birthday!!! The lord must be pleased with me to send so many of his best to be in my life!!! Thank you. My birthday was the BEST!!! You sneaky things!!! I really had no idea you would send it to sister little and have it in front of everyone at Rabevera's at FHE (with our investigators etc.), had no idea!! It was cool because I got to share this experience with those I have taught, and they saw 1st hand a missionary that had a birthday without family, but how god provides for his servants.
GARY SAID SATURDAY THAT HE WOULD BE BAPTIZED!!!!!!! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!! He is AWESOME!!! Came to church 2 Sundays now and he is so incredible!! He said when he read the Book of Mormon and after taking missionary lessons and praying he prayed and asked "is this church true" and said he felt warm and peace, and he knows. He will need to change things in his life, but in a world where peace is hard to feel, he knows that the church is true and God's plan of happiness is not a mystery anymore. His father that passed away last year can be with him forever after this life he will be his dad. He doesn’t understand all, but he knows enough to know it's true.
Mom your letter was perfect for our last lesson. The foundation to live before you can truly live the gospel of Jesus Christ, you have to follow 3 things as a foundation
1. Read Scriptures EVERY DAY
2. Say prayers EVERY DAY
3. Attend church EVERY WEEK.....I have learned a new importance of church attendance, that's when you know an investigator is progressing, when they are attending church. And on the other hand when someone is becoming less active and losing that foundation it starts with forgetting to do these 3 things.
the sacrament is so important, God knew that we would need reassurance and a new start as often as we could, and so he provided a way where Jesus Christ could suffer for us physically so we could remember his broken body and know that our own body will be resurrected at the resurrection, but then we take the water and this is in remembrance of his blood. What does that mean?
"He was bruised for our iniquities, "
And when he was at the place, he "fell on his face crying, Abba...father if it be thy will let this cup pass from me, but not my will thine be done"....
"...Surely he has born our grieves and carried our sorrows"
The blood is to remember and take his name upon me and remember my covenants that I've made when I was baptized. To bare others grieve and sorrows. Are we not promising to repent of our sins and become clean again through the savior, so that we can take that step and in a very small way become a savior for those around us. Become like Christ?..."I am the light and life of the world"..."ye are a light,...{the salt of the earth} put it on a candle stick and not under a bushel"...."come unto me all ye that labor...and I shall give you rest"..."reach out to the hands that hang down"..."become as a child submissive meek and mild"..."father I thank thee that thou hast heard me and purified those whom I have chosen".
"for God so loved the world that that he gave his only begotten son, that who so believes in him, shall not parish, but have everlasting life" -john 3:16
Going to church is the hardest thing for investigators to commit to. And same with those who have been offended and those members who are fallen away, going back to church is the hardest for them, because they feel others will judge them... "How oft have I gathered you....how oft would I gather you...how oft will I gather you....as a hen gathered her chicks.....
....and ye would not....
"O all ye that are spared because ye were more righteous than they, will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you?" .......verily....if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life. Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will com, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me...behold, I am Jesus Christ the Son of God." -3 Nephi 9:13-15 -
Wow....my heat is so full when I think of this "if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life..." here is our savior, he just was beaten, scourged with a leather whip with bones braided in, having just suffered all the pains of every damned soul that would ever live. yours and mine included which caused him to bleed from every pore, they nailed huge nails into his hands, wrists and feet, and stabbed him in the side blood drying down his face from the crown of thorns the mocking soldiers had crafted as they laughed and gambled at their savior......and then the words are spoken...."Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do"....
"I will be my brother’s keeper, I will show a healers heart to the wounded and the weary I will show a gentle heart. I will be my brother’s keeper, Lord, I will follow thee"....
I know this church is Jesus Christ's church which he organized almost 2000 years ago, and the priesthood has been restored to the earth through the power of God and his great merciful plan of happiness. Through resurrection beings we have the priesthood that gives us the authority to pass and bless the sacrament and baptize and perform temple work to fulfill God's merciful and perfect unstoppable plan. We have a living prophet of the world. His name is President Thomas S. Monson. He has been called by God and because we are literal spirit children of God, and we lived with him before he loves us enough to all way sends prophets and apostles to teach his children because he cannot be here physically. But the end of the plan of happiness is this "to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man"....to live with God our Heavenly Father and with our families together united with those that have died also. God has a way for mothers to be with their daughters and families to be together forever. This is what we as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints know to be true!!! how many of our dearest loved ones and friends are ready to hear the message that all is not lost, but those who have never heard will hear and "if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the holy ghost, and by the power of the holy ghost ye may know the truth of ALL THINGS". -Book of Mormon (Moroni 10-4-5) "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God....but let him ask in faith, nothing wavering" -James 1:5
To those of you who receive the truth hold fast to it, ask God. I would ask those who want to know truth.... read the Book of Mormon, and then ask God.....is the Book of Mormon true? You will receive an answer as you ask with a sincere heart and real intent having faith that God will answer you! My heart burns as I share this, I wish with all my heart that I could read with you and join you in your fervent prayer to know. I love you with all my heart.
-Love you my dear family, brothers and sisters.
From here to home ( Heaven) -Sister Judkins
MOM, DAD, KATIE, kids..... YOU ARE SO SNEAKY! Y! Y!!Y!Y!Y!YY!
I HAD THE BEST BIRTHDAY EVER! THANK YOU FOR THE FLOWERS AND PACKAGE OF GREAT SCRIPTURES THAT LIFT ME UP EVERY TIME I LOOK AT THEM.
I read and got the package and SUPER GOOD cake at Rabevera's house (Sister Little's daughter) we've become really close with this incredible family!!! They are so involved with missionary work. sister little brought out the package and I was like "WHAT!??" and then my mom's writing was on it, and I was like "you sneaky mom"....yes mom she loved the soap...I'm loving it too and all my good perfect things you spend so much time putting all this together all the Scriptures and quotes. Thank you, I loved all of it. I love that you spent so much time and you worked so hard on it for me. Thank you!
You will be happy to know that I followed the directions!!! ha ha! Everyone got a BIG laugh out of that mom, that you had written directions for me, Rabevera said "wow, your mom knows you".... yup....she does. Thanks mom, dad, Katie. I love the flowers they are so beautiful, I took lots of pictures, but I forgot to bring my cord, I'll send them tonight. I just cried, because none of you have any money to be doing any of this, and this 22nd birthday I will NEVER forget this birthday. The day when everyone sacrificed to make my day special! Thank you. I am truly SPOILED!!!! Ya’ll are so incredible and kind. thank you for the letters, Tasha, g-ma and mom and dad for the videos and packages, the roses of the rainbow, the crown and uplifting words and cake it really did make me feel a lack of words because I've never been so spoiled on my birthday!!! The lord must be pleased with me to send so many of his best to be in my life!!! Thank you. My birthday was the BEST!!! You sneaky things!!! I really had no idea you would send it to sister little and have it in front of everyone at Rabevera's at FHE (with our investigators etc.), had no idea!! It was cool because I got to share this experience with those I have taught, and they saw 1st hand a missionary that had a birthday without family, but how god provides for his servants.
GARY SAID SATURDAY THAT HE WOULD BE BAPTIZED!!!!!!! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!! He is AWESOME!!! Came to church 2 Sundays now and he is so incredible!! He said when he read the Book of Mormon and after taking missionary lessons and praying he prayed and asked "is this church true" and said he felt warm and peace, and he knows. He will need to change things in his life, but in a world where peace is hard to feel, he knows that the church is true and God's plan of happiness is not a mystery anymore. His father that passed away last year can be with him forever after this life he will be his dad. He doesn’t understand all, but he knows enough to know it's true.
Mom your letter was perfect for our last lesson. The foundation to live before you can truly live the gospel of Jesus Christ, you have to follow 3 things as a foundation
1. Read Scriptures EVERY DAY
2. Say prayers EVERY DAY
3. Attend church EVERY WEEK.....I have learned a new importance of church attendance, that's when you know an investigator is progressing, when they are attending church. And on the other hand when someone is becoming less active and losing that foundation it starts with forgetting to do these 3 things.
the sacrament is so important, God knew that we would need reassurance and a new start as often as we could, and so he provided a way where Jesus Christ could suffer for us physically so we could remember his broken body and know that our own body will be resurrected at the resurrection, but then we take the water and this is in remembrance of his blood. What does that mean?
"He was bruised for our iniquities, "
And when he was at the place, he "fell on his face crying, Abba...father if it be thy will let this cup pass from me, but not my will thine be done"....
"...Surely he has born our grieves and carried our sorrows"
The blood is to remember and take his name upon me and remember my covenants that I've made when I was baptized. To bare others grieve and sorrows. Are we not promising to repent of our sins and become clean again through the savior, so that we can take that step and in a very small way become a savior for those around us. Become like Christ?..."I am the light and life of the world"..."ye are a light,...{the salt of the earth} put it on a candle stick and not under a bushel"...."come unto me all ye that labor...and I shall give you rest"..."reach out to the hands that hang down"..."become as a child submissive meek and mild"..."father I thank thee that thou hast heard me and purified those whom I have chosen".
"for God so loved the world that that he gave his only begotten son, that who so believes in him, shall not parish, but have everlasting life" -john 3:16
Going to church is the hardest thing for investigators to commit to. And same with those who have been offended and those members who are fallen away, going back to church is the hardest for them, because they feel others will judge them... "How oft have I gathered you....how oft would I gather you...how oft will I gather you....as a hen gathered her chicks.....
....and ye would not....
"O all ye that are spared because ye were more righteous than they, will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you?" .......verily....if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life. Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will com, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me...behold, I am Jesus Christ the Son of God." -3 Nephi 9:13-15 -
Wow....my heat is so full when I think of this "if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life..." here is our savior, he just was beaten, scourged with a leather whip with bones braided in, having just suffered all the pains of every damned soul that would ever live. yours and mine included which caused him to bleed from every pore, they nailed huge nails into his hands, wrists and feet, and stabbed him in the side blood drying down his face from the crown of thorns the mocking soldiers had crafted as they laughed and gambled at their savior......and then the words are spoken...."Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do"....
"I will be my brother’s keeper, I will show a healers heart to the wounded and the weary I will show a gentle heart. I will be my brother’s keeper, Lord, I will follow thee"....
I know this church is Jesus Christ's church which he organized almost 2000 years ago, and the priesthood has been restored to the earth through the power of God and his great merciful plan of happiness. Through resurrection beings we have the priesthood that gives us the authority to pass and bless the sacrament and baptize and perform temple work to fulfill God's merciful and perfect unstoppable plan. We have a living prophet of the world. His name is President Thomas S. Monson. He has been called by God and because we are literal spirit children of God, and we lived with him before he loves us enough to all way sends prophets and apostles to teach his children because he cannot be here physically. But the end of the plan of happiness is this "to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man"....to live with God our Heavenly Father and with our families together united with those that have died also. God has a way for mothers to be with their daughters and families to be together forever. This is what we as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints know to be true!!! how many of our dearest loved ones and friends are ready to hear the message that all is not lost, but those who have never heard will hear and "if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the holy ghost, and by the power of the holy ghost ye may know the truth of ALL THINGS". -Book of Mormon (Moroni 10-4-5) "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God....but let him ask in faith, nothing wavering" -James 1:5
To those of you who receive the truth hold fast to it, ask God. I would ask those who want to know truth.... read the Book of Mormon, and then ask God.....is the Book of Mormon true? You will receive an answer as you ask with a sincere heart and real intent having faith that God will answer you! My heart burns as I share this, I wish with all my heart that I could read with you and join you in your fervent prayer to know. I love you with all my heart.
-Love you my dear family, brothers and sisters.
From here to home ( Heaven) -Sister Judkins
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Letter #51
Hello....
So I had something HUGE to tell about a lady we tracked into and she called and sounded like a golden investigator...BUT ...the Hermana's and my companara LIED to me! it was all a trick...this morning we came to the chapel to "practice a song for zone conference" and all the elders in our zone and district had decorated the conference room with balloons and streamers and silly string and all of that great stuff and sang happy birthday, I had no make-up on or anything....it was great...then they tolled me the investigator at 2pm for her lesson (Megan Smith) was a fake!!! UGH....that stunk....but they all felt really bad...so all is well, they woke up at 4am to get this all prepared for my birthday!!! THEY"RE THE BEST!!!
Mom....I need your help. You are going to be my buddy in recording my goals for when I get home, so I will remember the inspired things I want to do ok!!! You my buddy...I miss you!!!
1. Work at the gym, so I can get a free membership and get my family in cheap.
2. Become a workout instructor
3. WORK OUT LOTS...get in REALLY GREAT SHAPE (stay active)
4. Help mom with garden, canning and preparation
5. Every week make time for FHE and 1 other day in the week for me and one sibling. (Date night)
6. Temple EVERY WEEK with one sibling (older and younger) /mom/dad/friends. (Baptisms or endowments, session)
7. Continue my personal study and companion study with siblings and scripture study with family
8. No TV Face book "MY TIME IS VALUABLE" doesn’t waist it.
9. Date night with a sibling each week!!!! BONDING TIME ;)
10. Work with "Robin's Scents & Soaps”: D and Saturdays at OFW with dad!
11. Sing in POMC with mom
12. STRENGTHEN MY RELATIONSHIP WITH MY FAMILY = my #1 goal....
13. Oh yeah, and go shopping with mom and buy a new wardrobe. (We share when I get skinny) I have so many ideas for your cute little tinny skinniness mama! You gunna be look'n super stylish! : D so save your money till I get home, so we can go get you so great outfits. Ok mom!!! Ask dad to help you save your money. YOU DESERVE THIS MOM!!! This is my BIRFDAY WISH ...k?! K! :D
I'm ALMOST 22!! Tonight at 10pm...YEAH!
Well this week has been great! Really there are miracles happening all the time. Other than our "fake" investigator! Ha! Still so sad though! We have run into and been inspired with lots of ways to further the work on the earth.
On Sunday my companion and I were asked to speak. She spoke on following the prophet and the youth speaker talked on how God answers prayers. And I felt inspired to talk on how God answers our prayers through living prophets today! What a blessing. It was very heart felt and we had GARY come to church (even though he was really sick) I bore my testimony on how 3 weeks before I left on my mission dad went in for a "procedure" for his back, and then I receive a text message from mom stating that "pray for dad, he just suffered from a massive heart attack"...I ran home and was bawling, it was hard for me to drive home, I began my talk with the simple words of a children’s' song "Heavenly Father, are you really there?" at this point I shared"
"While I was driving home I thought this to myself "Heavenly Father, are you really there? And will you answer this young child's prayer?" I was so heavy with a weight. because managing one of my dad's stores, our relationship had become very close through working together and I was feeling so confused and upset...I stayed in my truck longer when I got home and then I received a phone call from my best friend Katie, who read a scripture to me, that I have now hanging on my mission plaque...Matt 11:28-31
28¶aCome unto me, all ye that blabour and are heavy laden, and I will give you crest.
29Take my ayoke upon you, and blearn of me; for I am cmeek and dlowly in eheart: and ye shall find frest unto your souls.
30For my yoke is aeasy, and my burden is light.
I felt hot tears flowing down my cheeks as my dear Heaven sent sister read me this passage of scripture. I needed to know that in times of need I could pray and come unto Christ.
"Heavenly Father, are you really there" I then testified that I know he answers prayers and related the 2nd verse.
'Pray, he is there....speak, he is listening....he loves the children, the children of heaven..."
I learned something from this scripture, as a always do each time I read it. Christ is teaching us a sincere gift. "Become as a little child, submissive, meek, and mild" in this scripture he explains how he himself is truly the perfect example because he himself is explaining that he is meek and lowly in heart. Is he not telling us that he has become as a little child. And if we take his yoke upon us, we will find rest.
I had them look around the room at the beginning and said "I want you to take a second and look around the room at the children in here, how blessed we are to have them in our presence.”Children, the kingdom of Heaven" tears began to flow in the congregation and I felt such a warm feeling of love. As I spoke slowly and as I would if I were truly praying. "Heavenly Father, are you really there?" I know he is really there, for me and my father, for those who are struggling now, for our brothers and sisters all around the world, in Japan. And he does answer prayers. In fact from the very beginning he has called and ordained prophets.
This is true evidence of God's love for his children. We have a living prophet that leads and guides us today, and I hope that you each know that he's not just "our" prophet....President Thomas S. Monson has been called to be a prophet for the world. To receive revelation for the world. and in such a time of need as this from the devastation in Japan and warring in Egypt there is no better time that we need to let our friends and family know that they have a prophet. I know he lives and he is evidence that God loves us so much that not only does he ask us to have faith, but he doesn't expect us to walk alone. We have a living prophet. I know this church is true. I love it. And in 2 weeks he will speak to us, let us prepare ourselves now and share with everyone, is my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
It was powerful to me to speak on such a subject.
I love you all. Thank you for all you do, prepare yourself for General Conference, invite your friends, LETS NOT KEEP THIS SECRET ...It’s THERE PROPHET TOO!
Love you from here to Heaven,
Sister Judkins
(Birthday girl)
P.S. Thank you for all the letters, e-mail’s love notes, $, and prayers. You are wonderful!!!
So I had something HUGE to tell about a lady we tracked into and she called and sounded like a golden investigator...BUT ...the Hermana's and my companara LIED to me! it was all a trick...this morning we came to the chapel to "practice a song for zone conference" and all the elders in our zone and district had decorated the conference room with balloons and streamers and silly string and all of that great stuff and sang happy birthday, I had no make-up on or anything....it was great...then they tolled me the investigator at 2pm for her lesson (Megan Smith) was a fake!!! UGH....that stunk....but they all felt really bad...so all is well, they woke up at 4am to get this all prepared for my birthday!!! THEY"RE THE BEST!!!
Mom....I need your help. You are going to be my buddy in recording my goals for when I get home, so I will remember the inspired things I want to do ok!!! You my buddy...I miss you!!!
1. Work at the gym, so I can get a free membership and get my family in cheap.
2. Become a workout instructor
3. WORK OUT LOTS...get in REALLY GREAT SHAPE (stay active)
4. Help mom with garden, canning and preparation
5. Every week make time for FHE and 1 other day in the week for me and one sibling. (Date night)
6. Temple EVERY WEEK with one sibling (older and younger) /mom/dad/friends. (Baptisms or endowments, session)
7. Continue my personal study and companion study with siblings and scripture study with family
8. No TV Face book "MY TIME IS VALUABLE" doesn’t waist it.
9. Date night with a sibling each week!!!! BONDING TIME ;)
10. Work with "Robin's Scents & Soaps”: D and Saturdays at OFW with dad!
11. Sing in POMC with mom
12. STRENGTHEN MY RELATIONSHIP WITH MY FAMILY = my #1 goal....
13. Oh yeah, and go shopping with mom and buy a new wardrobe. (We share when I get skinny) I have so many ideas for your cute little tinny skinniness mama! You gunna be look'n super stylish! : D so save your money till I get home, so we can go get you so great outfits. Ok mom!!! Ask dad to help you save your money. YOU DESERVE THIS MOM!!! This is my BIRFDAY WISH ...k?! K! :D
I'm ALMOST 22!! Tonight at 10pm...YEAH!
Well this week has been great! Really there are miracles happening all the time. Other than our "fake" investigator! Ha! Still so sad though! We have run into and been inspired with lots of ways to further the work on the earth.
On Sunday my companion and I were asked to speak. She spoke on following the prophet and the youth speaker talked on how God answers prayers. And I felt inspired to talk on how God answers our prayers through living prophets today! What a blessing. It was very heart felt and we had GARY come to church (even though he was really sick) I bore my testimony on how 3 weeks before I left on my mission dad went in for a "procedure" for his back, and then I receive a text message from mom stating that "pray for dad, he just suffered from a massive heart attack"...I ran home and was bawling, it was hard for me to drive home, I began my talk with the simple words of a children’s' song "Heavenly Father, are you really there?" at this point I shared"
"While I was driving home I thought this to myself "Heavenly Father, are you really there? And will you answer this young child's prayer?" I was so heavy with a weight. because managing one of my dad's stores, our relationship had become very close through working together and I was feeling so confused and upset...I stayed in my truck longer when I got home and then I received a phone call from my best friend Katie, who read a scripture to me, that I have now hanging on my mission plaque...Matt 11:28-31
28¶aCome unto me, all ye that blabour and are heavy laden, and I will give you crest.
29Take my ayoke upon you, and blearn of me; for I am cmeek and dlowly in eheart: and ye shall find frest unto your souls.
30For my yoke is aeasy, and my burden is light.
I felt hot tears flowing down my cheeks as my dear Heaven sent sister read me this passage of scripture. I needed to know that in times of need I could pray and come unto Christ.
"Heavenly Father, are you really there" I then testified that I know he answers prayers and related the 2nd verse.
'Pray, he is there....speak, he is listening....he loves the children, the children of heaven..."
I learned something from this scripture, as a always do each time I read it. Christ is teaching us a sincere gift. "Become as a little child, submissive, meek, and mild" in this scripture he explains how he himself is truly the perfect example because he himself is explaining that he is meek and lowly in heart. Is he not telling us that he has become as a little child. And if we take his yoke upon us, we will find rest.
I had them look around the room at the beginning and said "I want you to take a second and look around the room at the children in here, how blessed we are to have them in our presence.”Children, the kingdom of Heaven" tears began to flow in the congregation and I felt such a warm feeling of love. As I spoke slowly and as I would if I were truly praying. "Heavenly Father, are you really there?" I know he is really there, for me and my father, for those who are struggling now, for our brothers and sisters all around the world, in Japan. And he does answer prayers. In fact from the very beginning he has called and ordained prophets.
This is true evidence of God's love for his children. We have a living prophet that leads and guides us today, and I hope that you each know that he's not just "our" prophet....President Thomas S. Monson has been called to be a prophet for the world. To receive revelation for the world. and in such a time of need as this from the devastation in Japan and warring in Egypt there is no better time that we need to let our friends and family know that they have a prophet. I know he lives and he is evidence that God loves us so much that not only does he ask us to have faith, but he doesn't expect us to walk alone. We have a living prophet. I know this church is true. I love it. And in 2 weeks he will speak to us, let us prepare ourselves now and share with everyone, is my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
It was powerful to me to speak on such a subject.
I love you all. Thank you for all you do, prepare yourself for General Conference, invite your friends, LETS NOT KEEP THIS SECRET ...It’s THERE PROPHET TOO!
Love you from here to Heaven,
Sister Judkins
(Birthday girl)
P.S. Thank you for all the letters, e-mail’s love notes, $, and prayers. You are wonderful!!!
Monday, March 14, 2011
Letter #50
This week one of fewer actives that was very bitter towards the church from bad experiences, said she will come to church next week and 2 weeks after that go to the temple to be baptized for her mother. HUGE!!! So cool.
We found another FAMILY the LAVALAIS family. They’re so great. Very sweet. Tracted into them after dinner at a members that said "they are really nice" so member referral. Latasha (17 yrs old) said their family was looking for a church. We contacted again Sunday with a member after church and then the Duerdens (the members that live on that same street, which the Lavalais know) drove up and we talked.
Tony (the investigator, dad) said "ya know, I've always wondered the difference between Baptists and Latter-day Saints. So I'll ask you, what's the difference?"
I was thinking "where do I start"...then the spirit spoke through me, as we testified of God being are literal father, "we lived with him before we came to earth, and we were spirit children of him. He has a plan for his children and part of that plan is having prophets. God called prophets from the beginning of time, and we believe he loves us so much that he would never leave us alone. We believe in a living prophet today!" his brow furrowed and he said ok. the spirit was strong and we asked to say prayer with him, this is when the members came up, he repeated his question and said "the sisters answered my question really good, self explanatory" ( not sure why he used that word, but the gospel does 'make since' doesn’t it?) we had prayer and he said "yeah, ya'll are members of the same church the sisters said, yeah, we're going to meet with them sometime this week" Tony said. We were practically leaping to our next apt. family of 6 2-17yr olds 9yr old and 5 yr old. The Lord knows his children.
I love this work!
I love you family!
Love Sister Judkins
We found another FAMILY the LAVALAIS family. They’re so great. Very sweet. Tracted into them after dinner at a members that said "they are really nice" so member referral. Latasha (17 yrs old) said their family was looking for a church. We contacted again Sunday with a member after church and then the Duerdens (the members that live on that same street, which the Lavalais know) drove up and we talked.
Tony (the investigator, dad) said "ya know, I've always wondered the difference between Baptists and Latter-day Saints. So I'll ask you, what's the difference?"
I was thinking "where do I start"...then the spirit spoke through me, as we testified of God being are literal father, "we lived with him before we came to earth, and we were spirit children of him. He has a plan for his children and part of that plan is having prophets. God called prophets from the beginning of time, and we believe he loves us so much that he would never leave us alone. We believe in a living prophet today!" his brow furrowed and he said ok. the spirit was strong and we asked to say prayer with him, this is when the members came up, he repeated his question and said "the sisters answered my question really good, self explanatory" ( not sure why he used that word, but the gospel does 'make since' doesn’t it?) we had prayer and he said "yeah, ya'll are members of the same church the sisters said, yeah, we're going to meet with them sometime this week" Tony said. We were practically leaping to our next apt. family of 6 2-17yr olds 9yr old and 5 yr old. The Lord knows his children.
I love this work!
I love you family!
Love Sister Judkins
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