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