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
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
