Hola Harmano's y harmana's,
Yahooo!!! CHRISTMAS!!!! Mom...oh no don't you dare send it to the office!! TO ME!!!! The last package you sent came and I loved it!! You found the green things!!! :) G-ma used to give to us...but I shut it too tight and now I can’t' open it...but I screamed for 1 hour because I was so excited about it!!! Thank you for that mom and the sun rider awesome and the tea tree oil. I will use for staff infection? Can I use it for that!?
Super excited for Christmas how about you!!!!!??????????
Ok so this week was incredible, we are finally working in our 3rd ward. It started off really hard though because we had to give up 5 investigators to the elders that took our 1st ward and now are praying and working hard to find in this new HUGE area! On bikes...super duper fun....I haven’t ridden out there yet....pray for me!!1 ha ha! We went tracting the other day and it was INCREDIBLE my companion and I were led to a street and the last door we knocked on we ran into a girl name Rachel. She had BLACK eye shadow on that looked like she took a black sharpie and colored on her eye lids. We walked to the door and the person at the door (looked mighty different also...definately could fit in with the Portland crowd) ha-ha! said "are you looking for Rachel?" .....Mum....then this bright eyed young women practically jumps to the front door and says "are ya'll Mormons? I love Mormons".....I was so confused I didn't know what to think. But This was Rachel....so her mom married a Mormon for a while before she met her ex-girl friend...yes I said girlfriend...Rachel says' "she's my mom, and /I still love her." We started to talk and ended up teaching the plan of happiness to her in her backyard as she smoked cigarettes. Poor thing told us she was 16 years old, and has a 7 month old baby boy and is married to a 21 year old. wow!!! Her house was full of honestly it seemed to me like a crazy house with lots of confusion and pretty sure many were shooting up with ....not good things. She was amazing though....her eyes and soul are lost, and during the lesson I asked, "what is one thing that makes you smile when you think about it?" She said without hesitation," my baby..." We explained then how that joy is something she can have all the time and enjoy when she follows Heavenly father's commandments, because it makes us free and happy. She wants us to come back Wednesday...so we're really excited because she'd be in our area and is married so we can teach her!! A real miracle led by the holy ghost.
Satan is working hard to frustrate this new area that we're working in, my companion doesn't ever really get excited or at least she hides it really well, anyone that knows me knows I love getting excited and happy, because it relieves bad feelings. Heavenly Father teaches, "be happy" when he puts Adam and eve in the garden. I love this. You have either two out looks in life....happy or not happy....everything that's good and leads you to believe in Christ comes from God, if not it's not of God. So any feelings other than happiness don't come from Heavenly Father. I think about this....when I'm angry or hurt or offended or whatever...how does that make me feel better....why don't we put away our pride and act as a child would: meek, submissive, loving no matter what, caring, smiling and not letting little things get in the way. I challenge each of us this Christmas to look at a situation we just can't or won’t let go of. a family member, a friend a co-worker, a member of the church, bishop, stake President, me and you.....what is your rope that binds you from being truly happy? .....And act as if you were Lydia or June and Grace or Jacan or Aiden, a little child....What would they do?....Don't they keep loving even when we sometimes hurt them? How is it so easy for them to love and forgive so quickly? Or say, "I'm sad because you...." and why can't we forgive so easily and not hold grudges or hold back, because "they deserve it"....The savior. I would imagine he would not only forgive us but I'm sure he would run to us kneel down to our level and gently grab our arms and wipe our tears and say "all is well....you are forgiven....now let it go....and go in peace...be happy."
Oh a joy this Christmas season. How blessed I am and we all are...for we have the restored gospel that brings Good tidings of great joy!!! You know Gospel means: "good news" and what is the great news we have? The plan of Happiness. so then the angels when they came to tell everyone, "we bring good tidings of great joy" they were really saying.... " We bring you the good news of the Gospel; the Plan of Happiness".....Hey we have that don’t' we....makes sense yes....? How wow and guess what that's all I do all year is I get to share that message with all that I come in contact with....I get to share the gospel of the plan our Heavenly Father has for his children....Who are lost....battered...scared...bruised....broken....lonely.....scared.....looking....and maybe some are on the verge of giving up.....like the old violin....but what happens at the end of that story?... The "touch of the master's hand"....
I have seen his hand in the work...why? Because this IS his work. We're merely tools and if we don’t' perform to our potential we are put through a fire until we are perfected in him. and I know that this is possible. we are not perfect, but the refining fires of God we can be through the atonement and us choosing to Endure to the end.
A special moment happened this past thanksgiving I don’t' think I shared. because I left on my mission. I bought a little necklace...a mustard seed. and when we went through all the trials I personally had to go through I would wear it and hold tight to it, hoping for it to give me extra faith when I was drained....I continued to wear it all through my mission until last week....I've talked of Amy who we actually found her baptism records and she IS a member....I felt prompted to give her something thanksgiving night (we went to dinner with, her parents who had no family w/ them, she was working 80-105 hours a week). I jumped out of the car and was so excited...what am I supposed to give her I thought....then it came...."oh no..." I thought. not that....she won’t think it's as special to me as it will be to her....but the whisper came again and I slowly opened my wooden box and pulled out my rusted, dirty battered little mustard seed....and wrote a note to explain....I sealed the letter and gently tucked my little goldfish-greenish mustard seed in a strategically taped letter. and wrote AMY on the front....I hurried and ran to give it to her parents to give to her and ran back in my apt. shocked at my empty hand....the next few days she called and thanked me....but then Sunday her mom came to me and said this;
"I don't think you know how much that little mustard seed meant to Amy. When she got it she opened it up and with tears in her eyes instantly put it around her neck...." Well we had a lesson with Amy on Thursday and guess what!!!?? Bishop came...and gave her a blessing and talked with her and Amy is meeting with him on Tuesday to start to lift her Heavy burden she has tried to carry on her own for this 10+ years. Keep her in your prayers. She is actually excited for it too. :) AMAZING!!! next step TEMPLE!!!
I love missionary work, even through bed bugs and hurt bodies and sweat and gaining weight, and slammed doors, how I love that little spark we see in those that are truly ready and humbled.....I love my savior, I love my Father in Heaven and I am so grateful to be a missionary and serve. Yes it's hard always....but wow!!!! 2 ways to look at life....HAPPY or not happy.... LIFE IS INCREDIBLE and we are numbered. God bless us every one!!!
Love you forever and always from here to Heaven,
Sister Judkins
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
Letter #35
November 29, 2010
2701 Longmire Dr
Pepper Tree Apt. #204
College Station, TX
77845
Dear Family and Friends,
I love Christmas TIME!!!!! Did I tell you that!? How I love the music and the wonderful people that are all more joyful that put Christmas lights up and play great songs and sing....I find myself singing on my bike as I'm running out of breath ...but I just can't help it I LOVE this season!!! The time our savior was born....even though it was really April 6th....(thank you seminary) loll!....I love thinking of Jesus Christ and his mother and father that loved him so dearly just like our Heavenly Parents love each of us so dearly that they would do anything for us. What a thought. Do you know our Heavenly Parents would do anything for us if they could? Too bad it's all contingent on our obedience.... :)
OK....Jackie is now an official member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. :) She was baptized Saturday and saw many miracles her father and mother came along with other non-lds friends and her father was red eyed and bawling the whole time. He told her "I don't want to talk about it right now" I sure he was feeling something he never felt before. HOW INCREDIBLE!!! She loves having the Holy Ghost with her always now.
Hao and Yao have accepted a baptism date for GET this DEC 25th CHRISTMAS!!!!! (We are having a white Christmas in Texas :) I'm so excited for them, it's also their anniversary!! They are so excited too!! We had our last lesson on restoration and prophets now and their importance. And the authority. Jessica speaks Chinese and came with us!!! WOW!!! They are so SOLID....
GREAT NEWS....Joseph Choka remember from 6 weeks ago, well we finally have been getting back in with him and he is incredible?....He's been seeing visions of our faces (me and my companion) and said "I know God has a message for me, and I know that you two are the one that are going to tell me"....WOW!!! We went over with a member to give him a blessing and the lesson went incredible about how to feel the spirit. "I feel a great energy within me when I think of the book of Mormon and Joseph Smith and all that you have said to me....I love when you come....I'm so excited".....HE IS AWESOME!!!! And guess what!! He’s accepted a baptism date for Jan 15th. It’s going to be a good ride, but he knows the lord is guiding him.
The ward splitting has been hard, we now have the biggest area (and are still on bikes) ha!!! Oh man it takes 45 minutes one way not even to get 1/3 into our area. It’s huge. I'm asking President to let us be 1/2 bike 1/2 car. Not sure how that will go, but I'm hoping....
WE STILL HAVE BED BUGS>......AHAHAHHAAHHAHAAH!!!.....I got bit all on my legs and mom I need sun-rider!!! PLESASEEEE!!!! It’s killing me....I can't find my other bottle; I used it all the time it was almost gone. Could you please send some more. I HATE BUGSSS.....when I'm sleeping at night I think of all these little red nasty tiny nastiest sucking my blood and ehehhehe!!! ; I pray every night for the bed bugs to DIE!!! didn't get bit last night....at least I don't think I did, maybe I did and don't know it yet.
Loving our Christmas lights in my room. I wish I had candles to burn mmmm...well the work is incredible.....it's going to be a HUGE challenge with this new area so lots of prayers and support from home will be like magical strength to me ;) lol. my companion and I have been having struggles...she hates talking and I love it... you would think that would be perfect, but all those of you who serve mission can feel my pain I'm sure. .... My voice has almost gone out 3 times. I told her she gets to teach and I'll stay quiet this week!! ha!!! No but really any advice...? It's really putting a strain on our relationship and our will to keep going.... and wow do we have a lot to keep going for and do!!!
Well I love you all and miss you....please sent more letters it's hard out here!!! I love you so much and all that you do for me!!! it's almost the best month of the whole year let’s make it count!!! Pray for missionary experiences!!!
love you,
from here to Heaven (home)
Sister Judkins
2701 Longmire Dr
Pepper Tree Apt. #204
College Station, TX
77845
Dear Family and Friends,
I love Christmas TIME!!!!! Did I tell you that!? How I love the music and the wonderful people that are all more joyful that put Christmas lights up and play great songs and sing....I find myself singing on my bike as I'm running out of breath ...but I just can't help it I LOVE this season!!! The time our savior was born....even though it was really April 6th....(thank you seminary) loll!....I love thinking of Jesus Christ and his mother and father that loved him so dearly just like our Heavenly Parents love each of us so dearly that they would do anything for us. What a thought. Do you know our Heavenly Parents would do anything for us if they could? Too bad it's all contingent on our obedience.... :)
OK....Jackie is now an official member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. :) She was baptized Saturday and saw many miracles her father and mother came along with other non-lds friends and her father was red eyed and bawling the whole time. He told her "I don't want to talk about it right now" I sure he was feeling something he never felt before. HOW INCREDIBLE!!! She loves having the Holy Ghost with her always now.
Hao and Yao have accepted a baptism date for GET this DEC 25th CHRISTMAS!!!!! (We are having a white Christmas in Texas :) I'm so excited for them, it's also their anniversary!! They are so excited too!! We had our last lesson on restoration and prophets now and their importance. And the authority. Jessica speaks Chinese and came with us!!! WOW!!! They are so SOLID....
GREAT NEWS....Joseph Choka remember from 6 weeks ago, well we finally have been getting back in with him and he is incredible?....He's been seeing visions of our faces (me and my companion) and said "I know God has a message for me, and I know that you two are the one that are going to tell me"....WOW!!! We went over with a member to give him a blessing and the lesson went incredible about how to feel the spirit. "I feel a great energy within me when I think of the book of Mormon and Joseph Smith and all that you have said to me....I love when you come....I'm so excited".....HE IS AWESOME!!!! And guess what!! He’s accepted a baptism date for Jan 15th. It’s going to be a good ride, but he knows the lord is guiding him.
The ward splitting has been hard, we now have the biggest area (and are still on bikes) ha!!! Oh man it takes 45 minutes one way not even to get 1/3 into our area. It’s huge. I'm asking President to let us be 1/2 bike 1/2 car. Not sure how that will go, but I'm hoping....
WE STILL HAVE BED BUGS>......AHAHAHHAAHHAHAAH!!!.....I got bit all on my legs and mom I need sun-rider!!! PLESASEEEE!!!! It’s killing me....I can't find my other bottle; I used it all the time it was almost gone. Could you please send some more. I HATE BUGSSS.....when I'm sleeping at night I think of all these little red nasty tiny nastiest sucking my blood and ehehhehe!!! ; I pray every night for the bed bugs to DIE!!! didn't get bit last night....at least I don't think I did, maybe I did and don't know it yet.
Loving our Christmas lights in my room. I wish I had candles to burn mmmm...well the work is incredible.....it's going to be a HUGE challenge with this new area so lots of prayers and support from home will be like magical strength to me ;) lol. my companion and I have been having struggles...she hates talking and I love it... you would think that would be perfect, but all those of you who serve mission can feel my pain I'm sure. .... My voice has almost gone out 3 times. I told her she gets to teach and I'll stay quiet this week!! ha!!! No but really any advice...? It's really putting a strain on our relationship and our will to keep going.... and wow do we have a lot to keep going for and do!!!
Well I love you all and miss you....please sent more letters it's hard out here!!! I love you so much and all that you do for me!!! it's almost the best month of the whole year let’s make it count!!! Pray for missionary experiences!!!
love you,
from here to Heaven (home)
Sister Judkins
Monday, November 22, 2010
Letter #34
Family and dear friends,
Thank you for your support and love and letters and e-mails and concern. My heart is full when I think of the love my heavenly father has for me to send such incredible people in my life. Thank you!
I've learned that on my mission over and over. That a broken heart is real, and when your heart is broken...let it break and cleave to the Lord to help you heal. But I was told to come home from my mission with a broken heart...."let it break!" One night I was told as I let the tears roll down on behalf of lost investigators that knew the truth but would not change, and hurt children of God painfully trying to repent and come back to feel the overwhelming love of the savior in their lives and beginning to believe that they deserve that love. With each tear, I felt the pains and sorrows and excitements and anxiousness of those of our Heavenly Father’s children that I have the privilege of serving and in every way that I can, to show them the light that truly brings us warmth and comfort and invite the holy ghost, so they through the holy ghost can be taught and truly converted.
This week has been the hardest of my mission, my heart has broken over and over again....I'm learning to "let it break"...the savior's heart breaks every day for us that feel hurt or lost or overwhelmed. He knows how to heal the broken hearted. Infact he asks us to have a broken heart and contrite spirit. Never in my life have I truly known what that meant until now. Now I have just a little taste of what a broken heart truly feels like.
1st I will start with Hakyu Lee. He didn't pass his 1st interview for his baptism. The baptism was planned and people were upset trying to make it work. Then I find out he has to be interviewed by President Hansen who is 1 1/2 hours away and Hakyu is leaving for Korea in less then 24 hours. You can imagine my stress. I called and scheduled and talked to President and 1st miracle he was coming up for stake conference and would be there that night. Hakyu had an important meeting till 9pm....I called president and he said if he's there right at 9, he'll interview him. Somehow Hakyu got there, you see he walks because he doesn't have a car, and he got there and when he arrived I saw his heart and his want for this baptism to go through, and all though he cannot express his feeling in English very well, my heart was for an instant connected with his. I could feel his broken heart knowing that his baptism was canceled that morning and he was so close to losing the chance. When he walked out of the interview as I waited with Sister Hansen anxiously waiting, I saw the broken heart....President turned to me who is now extremely worried. handed me the baptism record and said "looks like you have a baptism to plan tomorrow".....My heart leaped, my hand clasped his and ran to Hakyu, his heart still broken to think how close he was to not being able to get baptized. I shook his hand and asked "how do you feel" pointing to my heart...."his face solemn, his hand went to his heart and he nodded his head...."good"...in his broken English, he said.
I frantically started running everywhere to get all my signatures....2nd miracle everyone that I needed signatures from was there at the church where the interview took place. Bishop, President, and Hakyu Lee. I made phone calls and asked Brother Sharp to get up at 8am in the morning and fill the font. His baptism needs to be at 9 am....(It was 9:48 pm when that was said) ok I said "10 hours till the dunking" I can do that....3rd miracle....IT HAPPENED....and was the most beautiful baptism I've seen yet. We had stake conference at 10 so the baptism was quick and to the point. songs, music, bishop said some words, baptism (in Korean, so incredible to hear and feel the same spirit.) waited with music, Bro Johnson (our ward mission leader said some words) gift of the holy ghost in Korean. and then final song and prayer and it were done…. INCREDIBLE. President Hansen and Sister Hansen also came to the baptism and mentioned it in stake conference...it was wonderful and all the stress and broken heartedness I had felt all week were washed away when Hakyu was lifted out of the water and tears filled his eyes....I said "this is why my heart was broken, this is why we do this God given work".....
It's incredible how the lord makes us who we are because he needs us and our individual talents to further his kingdom, and as we progress working for him he wants to spoil us! He wants to give us all that he has, just like any dad whose child is obedient. If we love God we keep his commandments. If we Love.....wow! .....how much I've learned and continue to learn through Heavenly Father and his children. the gospel is true, I can't say it enough. It heals hearts, it mends wounds, it STRENGHTENS HOMES AND FAMILIES! it makes us HAPPY!
I know my savior lives, and his heart breaks for us each time ours does, he cries with each mother and father that kneel at their bed hands clasped tight praying for their lost lambs. I can imagine our Heavenly parents do that every night for us (their lost lambs at times) are we all not beggars? I know I am far from perfect, far from the best I can be, but I KNOW that through the Power of God and his son's atoning sacrifice that we as children of God can someday be perfect to live as families in heaven with our heavenly parents and families. the spirit whispers truths to us everyday of our potential....but how many of us are too busy to listen? .... My prayer is that when the spirit speaks we listen and follow and even if it breaks our hearts....yes....let it break....that is a promise I intend on keeping my dear family and friends that when I walk on that plane and am coming back home to .... let it break....Oh how I love each of you with all my heart and our savior, for I know he is with me because I can feel him. I know these things are true, and I say them with all of me in Jesus' name, Amen.
love you from here to Heaven
- Sister Judkins
P.S.
1. Jackie is getting baptized Nov 27 Saturday in Austin, she's excited and doing well. She is incredible and will do much good.
2. Hao and yao are amazing we met with them Saturday with an incredible member: Jessica Beahling who served her mission in China and speaks and connects with them very well! they also came to church the 4th time and said they decided that they BOTH want to get baptized together, Dec 25th! CHRISTMAS DAY!!! Jessica said "well some people might not be able to come" they said that's ok, we know we want to do that because our wedding anniversary is Dec 25th and we feel that is right and are excited for it." I'm ecstatic for them and to see them learn and grow more as we continue teaching!
3. Amy Wolfgang we met with and we didn't have a member with us....she needs one with out a doubt, I feel strongly with her, there is something very special and I know that the adversary is going to work incredibly hard on her!!! and me! I have felt it this week!
I know that miracles are right around the corner, it's only hard when you don't have a map to tell you exactly where and what to do! But I KNOW MIRACLES and OPPOSITION and then more MIRALCES are coming. I can feel it with every inch of me....I don't know what's going to happen, but God does and that's good enough for me. I'll do what HE asks!!! I trust him with all of my broken heart, for my heart truly has been broken over and over...what a blessing.
-Sister Judkins
Thank you for your support and love and letters and e-mails and concern. My heart is full when I think of the love my heavenly father has for me to send such incredible people in my life. Thank you!
I've learned that on my mission over and over. That a broken heart is real, and when your heart is broken...let it break and cleave to the Lord to help you heal. But I was told to come home from my mission with a broken heart...."let it break!" One night I was told as I let the tears roll down on behalf of lost investigators that knew the truth but would not change, and hurt children of God painfully trying to repent and come back to feel the overwhelming love of the savior in their lives and beginning to believe that they deserve that love. With each tear, I felt the pains and sorrows and excitements and anxiousness of those of our Heavenly Father’s children that I have the privilege of serving and in every way that I can, to show them the light that truly brings us warmth and comfort and invite the holy ghost, so they through the holy ghost can be taught and truly converted.
This week has been the hardest of my mission, my heart has broken over and over again....I'm learning to "let it break"...the savior's heart breaks every day for us that feel hurt or lost or overwhelmed. He knows how to heal the broken hearted. Infact he asks us to have a broken heart and contrite spirit. Never in my life have I truly known what that meant until now. Now I have just a little taste of what a broken heart truly feels like.
1st I will start with Hakyu Lee. He didn't pass his 1st interview for his baptism. The baptism was planned and people were upset trying to make it work. Then I find out he has to be interviewed by President Hansen who is 1 1/2 hours away and Hakyu is leaving for Korea in less then 24 hours. You can imagine my stress. I called and scheduled and talked to President and 1st miracle he was coming up for stake conference and would be there that night. Hakyu had an important meeting till 9pm....I called president and he said if he's there right at 9, he'll interview him. Somehow Hakyu got there, you see he walks because he doesn't have a car, and he got there and when he arrived I saw his heart and his want for this baptism to go through, and all though he cannot express his feeling in English very well, my heart was for an instant connected with his. I could feel his broken heart knowing that his baptism was canceled that morning and he was so close to losing the chance. When he walked out of the interview as I waited with Sister Hansen anxiously waiting, I saw the broken heart....President turned to me who is now extremely worried. handed me the baptism record and said "looks like you have a baptism to plan tomorrow".....My heart leaped, my hand clasped his and ran to Hakyu, his heart still broken to think how close he was to not being able to get baptized. I shook his hand and asked "how do you feel" pointing to my heart...."his face solemn, his hand went to his heart and he nodded his head...."good"...in his broken English, he said.
I frantically started running everywhere to get all my signatures....2nd miracle everyone that I needed signatures from was there at the church where the interview took place. Bishop, President, and Hakyu Lee. I made phone calls and asked Brother Sharp to get up at 8am in the morning and fill the font. His baptism needs to be at 9 am....(It was 9:48 pm when that was said) ok I said "10 hours till the dunking" I can do that....3rd miracle....IT HAPPENED....and was the most beautiful baptism I've seen yet. We had stake conference at 10 so the baptism was quick and to the point. songs, music, bishop said some words, baptism (in Korean, so incredible to hear and feel the same spirit.) waited with music, Bro Johnson (our ward mission leader said some words) gift of the holy ghost in Korean. and then final song and prayer and it were done…. INCREDIBLE. President Hansen and Sister Hansen also came to the baptism and mentioned it in stake conference...it was wonderful and all the stress and broken heartedness I had felt all week were washed away when Hakyu was lifted out of the water and tears filled his eyes....I said "this is why my heart was broken, this is why we do this God given work".....
It's incredible how the lord makes us who we are because he needs us and our individual talents to further his kingdom, and as we progress working for him he wants to spoil us! He wants to give us all that he has, just like any dad whose child is obedient. If we love God we keep his commandments. If we Love.....wow! .....how much I've learned and continue to learn through Heavenly Father and his children. the gospel is true, I can't say it enough. It heals hearts, it mends wounds, it STRENGHTENS HOMES AND FAMILIES! it makes us HAPPY!
I know my savior lives, and his heart breaks for us each time ours does, he cries with each mother and father that kneel at their bed hands clasped tight praying for their lost lambs. I can imagine our Heavenly parents do that every night for us (their lost lambs at times) are we all not beggars? I know I am far from perfect, far from the best I can be, but I KNOW that through the Power of God and his son's atoning sacrifice that we as children of God can someday be perfect to live as families in heaven with our heavenly parents and families. the spirit whispers truths to us everyday of our potential....but how many of us are too busy to listen? .... My prayer is that when the spirit speaks we listen and follow and even if it breaks our hearts....yes....let it break....that is a promise I intend on keeping my dear family and friends that when I walk on that plane and am coming back home to .... let it break....Oh how I love each of you with all my heart and our savior, for I know he is with me because I can feel him. I know these things are true, and I say them with all of me in Jesus' name, Amen.
love you from here to Heaven
- Sister Judkins
P.S.
1. Jackie is getting baptized Nov 27 Saturday in Austin, she's excited and doing well. She is incredible and will do much good.
2. Hao and yao are amazing we met with them Saturday with an incredible member: Jessica Beahling who served her mission in China and speaks and connects with them very well! they also came to church the 4th time and said they decided that they BOTH want to get baptized together, Dec 25th! CHRISTMAS DAY!!! Jessica said "well some people might not be able to come" they said that's ok, we know we want to do that because our wedding anniversary is Dec 25th and we feel that is right and are excited for it." I'm ecstatic for them and to see them learn and grow more as we continue teaching!
3. Amy Wolfgang we met with and we didn't have a member with us....she needs one with out a doubt, I feel strongly with her, there is something very special and I know that the adversary is going to work incredibly hard on her!!! and me! I have felt it this week!
I know that miracles are right around the corner, it's only hard when you don't have a map to tell you exactly where and what to do! But I KNOW MIRACLES and OPPOSITION and then more MIRALCES are coming. I can feel it with every inch of me....I don't know what's going to happen, but God does and that's good enough for me. I'll do what HE asks!!! I trust him with all of my broken heart, for my heart truly has been broken over and over...what a blessing.
-Sister Judkins
Monday, November 15, 2010
Letter # 33
2710 Longmire Dr Apt #204
College Station, TX
77845
Hello..........
WOW!!!.............
THE WARD SPLIT Sunday!!!
This was so hard for the ward of 500 members to split and have the faith to follow the priesthood leadership of furthering the kingdom of God on the earth, there were many tears and friends holding each other as they sobbed. The fellowship that I've felt in this ward has been tremendous! And I felt like a little piece of me was being taken too, it's incredible how much love you can have for people in such a short amount of time. And how the lord takes each of those moments and teaches us with those special people. I love the lord, isn't he amazing...yes he is and he's also our father so doesn't that make us amazing also!? YES! It does. We will do whatever the lord wants. The split was hard, but the spirit strengthens those who need it. I KNOW miracles will happen in the coming up months.
1. Hau Kayo Lee baptism Nov 20th....
2. Jackie baptism Nov 27th. She called today and said that her grandparents are taking the lessons also!!! WOW!!!! Amazing!! Her parents said that they are going to support her and come to her baptism!! YA! Great joy! She is doing well,
3. Hao and Yao want to get baptized at Christmas! We took a member with us that spoke Chinese, and taught the plan and that went over AWESOME!!! They are together now with the decision to be baptized! This is HUGE!!!
4. AMY!!!.....WOW! This is an incredible daughter of God. And the love Heavenly father has for her I can feel so strongly each time I'm with her. She was ex-communicated 10 years ago, she felt great anger and judgment from members of the church for years and every time she saw missionaries she would bolt out the door! She picked us up for dinner on Friday and "I just felt comfortable with you" she said. And explained that she wants to be with her family and come back to church! WOW! She is so special. We had our 1st lesson the next night and have the 2nd tonight! She said she wants to take the lessons 1st and then pray to take the steps she needs to take!!! When I 1st saw her I was overcome with a power from heaven as to how special this lost lamb is to our Heavenly father.
5. Bill is Amy's sister-in-laws ex-husband (did you get that) well he just tolled Amy’s sister in-law that he wants to have the happiness he sees in their family and he tolled them he wanted to take the discussions also! WOW! Haven’t met with him yet!! Hoping to follow up tonight!
Things are really happening....the split in the ward was tough, but God knows the way to be happy! True Happiness eternal happiness!
Sister Cramer and I are good, we are working hard to organize and prioritize and follow up and only be led by the spirit, and follow its whispers. We know we are protected when we follow the spirit! this week we took Jackie with us to contact 2 referrals we had gotten from a member and as we were driving out, the spirit whispered to me "no, it's the wrong time....leave" we were parked in front of the house and it was dark (out in the boonies) I said we need to pray and ask if we should be at this house 1st. we prayed and I felt sister Cramer was to get the answer.( she has a hard time recognizing what the spirit tells her and when it's the spirit or just her. its something she has grown so much since I've known her). "I think we're supposed to go the other house"....Jackie said "me too, I felt like the moment I turned on this street." WOW! Then we went to the other house and felt we were not supposed to go to them either. We called that a recognizing the spirit 101 test for Jackie (being an almost new member) and for us too. It was cool. Because the next week we were invited to Leadership Council with President and the other leaders of the mission, and were taught to "drop everything" when you get a referral, treat it like gold. So the next week we followed the spirit and tried those contacts again and with each house (after multiple tries) we actually caught both families outside when we dropped by. And one of the families is interested. WOW! God's children are so important and he loves them!
I feel peace, I know the work we do is God's and as long as our feet keep moving miracles will happen! Mountains will move, lost lambs will hear their saviors’ voice and know that they DO belong with him. Oh how I know this is true! It's the trials that build us to heights we can't see!
I have seen on my mission that the Lord doesn't think that I'm perfect!???....WHAT....really? ....why not....you may ask because I know you are all just shocked...sister Judkins isn't perfect NOOO! How will you sleep tonight!ha very funny! No but really on my mission I have faced major trial and trial of things that I need to be purged and hammered out in. and wow!! Do I feel the bruises of being hammered out physically and spiritually!
after receiving the exciting news about Amy we were riding out bikes home and I was talking on the phone and riding my bike in the dark all at the same time ......pause for affect.....I proceeded to tell this to my trainer who I was one the phone with saying, and I quote: "hey guess what, I'm riding my bike and talking on the phone at the same ---HAHAHAHHAHAH".....well I hit a curb hard and flipped over my bike, threw the phone with my trainer talking on it the bike flipped over me, I smashed my helmet (on my head) into the concrete and I did the tango with the bike landing on my side the bike smashing on my already bruised body! :( OUCH....I reached for the phone and hung it up quickly and with out any other impulse started laughing hysterically!!! I creaked all the way home with my tweaked bike, sister Cramer said "hey you must be lucky, you sound like a cricket!" ha ha!! We laughed and I hurt!!!
I am now bruised everywhere! I will send pictures!!! It’s not THAT bad!!...but it has been fun to watch my bruises go from red, to purple to green to yellow to UGHGH....gross....Hilarious I know!!!
Mom, I haven’t gotten the package yet!!??? I hope I gave you the right address!
2710 Longmire Dr Apt #204
College Station, TX
77845
Ok, will fun week! I love you all and miss you so much! I can't wait for Christmas when I get to be serving and how wonderfully humbled I will imagine it will be!! WHAT A BLESSING!!! I LOVE YOU!!!
p.s. guess what....I get to talk to you in less then 40 days!!! :) love you!
-Sister Judkins
The work goes on in Collage Station 1st and the new 3rd ward!!!
College Station, TX
77845
Hello..........
WOW!!!.............
THE WARD SPLIT Sunday!!!
This was so hard for the ward of 500 members to split and have the faith to follow the priesthood leadership of furthering the kingdom of God on the earth, there were many tears and friends holding each other as they sobbed. The fellowship that I've felt in this ward has been tremendous! And I felt like a little piece of me was being taken too, it's incredible how much love you can have for people in such a short amount of time. And how the lord takes each of those moments and teaches us with those special people. I love the lord, isn't he amazing...yes he is and he's also our father so doesn't that make us amazing also!? YES! It does. We will do whatever the lord wants. The split was hard, but the spirit strengthens those who need it. I KNOW miracles will happen in the coming up months.
1. Hau Kayo Lee baptism Nov 20th....
2. Jackie baptism Nov 27th. She called today and said that her grandparents are taking the lessons also!!! WOW!!!! Amazing!! Her parents said that they are going to support her and come to her baptism!! YA! Great joy! She is doing well,
3. Hao and Yao want to get baptized at Christmas! We took a member with us that spoke Chinese, and taught the plan and that went over AWESOME!!! They are together now with the decision to be baptized! This is HUGE!!!
4. AMY!!!.....WOW! This is an incredible daughter of God. And the love Heavenly father has for her I can feel so strongly each time I'm with her. She was ex-communicated 10 years ago, she felt great anger and judgment from members of the church for years and every time she saw missionaries she would bolt out the door! She picked us up for dinner on Friday and "I just felt comfortable with you" she said. And explained that she wants to be with her family and come back to church! WOW! She is so special. We had our 1st lesson the next night and have the 2nd tonight! She said she wants to take the lessons 1st and then pray to take the steps she needs to take!!! When I 1st saw her I was overcome with a power from heaven as to how special this lost lamb is to our Heavenly father.
5. Bill is Amy's sister-in-laws ex-husband (did you get that) well he just tolled Amy’s sister in-law that he wants to have the happiness he sees in their family and he tolled them he wanted to take the discussions also! WOW! Haven’t met with him yet!! Hoping to follow up tonight!
Things are really happening....the split in the ward was tough, but God knows the way to be happy! True Happiness eternal happiness!
Sister Cramer and I are good, we are working hard to organize and prioritize and follow up and only be led by the spirit, and follow its whispers. We know we are protected when we follow the spirit! this week we took Jackie with us to contact 2 referrals we had gotten from a member and as we were driving out, the spirit whispered to me "no, it's the wrong time....leave" we were parked in front of the house and it was dark (out in the boonies) I said we need to pray and ask if we should be at this house 1st. we prayed and I felt sister Cramer was to get the answer.( she has a hard time recognizing what the spirit tells her and when it's the spirit or just her. its something she has grown so much since I've known her). "I think we're supposed to go the other house"....Jackie said "me too, I felt like the moment I turned on this street." WOW! Then we went to the other house and felt we were not supposed to go to them either. We called that a recognizing the spirit 101 test for Jackie (being an almost new member) and for us too. It was cool. Because the next week we were invited to Leadership Council with President and the other leaders of the mission, and were taught to "drop everything" when you get a referral, treat it like gold. So the next week we followed the spirit and tried those contacts again and with each house (after multiple tries) we actually caught both families outside when we dropped by. And one of the families is interested. WOW! God's children are so important and he loves them!
I feel peace, I know the work we do is God's and as long as our feet keep moving miracles will happen! Mountains will move, lost lambs will hear their saviors’ voice and know that they DO belong with him. Oh how I know this is true! It's the trials that build us to heights we can't see!
I have seen on my mission that the Lord doesn't think that I'm perfect!???....WHAT....really? ....why not....you may ask because I know you are all just shocked...sister Judkins isn't perfect NOOO! How will you sleep tonight!ha very funny! No but really on my mission I have faced major trial and trial of things that I need to be purged and hammered out in. and wow!! Do I feel the bruises of being hammered out physically and spiritually!
after receiving the exciting news about Amy we were riding out bikes home and I was talking on the phone and riding my bike in the dark all at the same time ......pause for affect.....I proceeded to tell this to my trainer who I was one the phone with saying, and I quote: "hey guess what, I'm riding my bike and talking on the phone at the same ---HAHAHAHHAHAH".....well I hit a curb hard and flipped over my bike, threw the phone with my trainer talking on it the bike flipped over me, I smashed my helmet (on my head) into the concrete and I did the tango with the bike landing on my side the bike smashing on my already bruised body! :( OUCH....I reached for the phone and hung it up quickly and with out any other impulse started laughing hysterically!!! I creaked all the way home with my tweaked bike, sister Cramer said "hey you must be lucky, you sound like a cricket!" ha ha!! We laughed and I hurt!!!
I am now bruised everywhere! I will send pictures!!! It’s not THAT bad!!...but it has been fun to watch my bruises go from red, to purple to green to yellow to UGHGH....gross....Hilarious I know!!!
Mom, I haven’t gotten the package yet!!??? I hope I gave you the right address!
2710 Longmire Dr Apt #204
College Station, TX
77845
Ok, will fun week! I love you all and miss you so much! I can't wait for Christmas when I get to be serving and how wonderfully humbled I will imagine it will be!! WHAT A BLESSING!!! I LOVE YOU!!!
p.s. guess what....I get to talk to you in less then 40 days!!! :) love you!
-Sister Judkins
The work goes on in Collage Station 1st and the new 3rd ward!!!
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Letter #32
FAMILY and Dearest friends,
WHAT A WEEK!!!!
Worked through the issue of frustration and the Hermana's and us are good now. In fact the apt is full of fun, laughs and fire blazing candy sticks and wrappers!!! Ha ha!! LOVE IT!
OK.... MY TICKET IS DONEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
1st Miracle!!! .... So my Thursday morning started at 3:30 AM got ready and left with an AMAZING couple the CLUFFS!!! They have 14 kids and 45 grand children!! I know INCREDIBLE Family!!! Love them. They were willing to take me to Tomball and drop me off at the Nix home by 6AM! Remember it's a 1 1/2 hour drive from here to there. got there and then we went to the Jail house...oh wait court house so I could visit with the District Attorney and he could then help me get this ticket off my record. So sis Nix came with me (thank goodness) and GUESS WHAT!? We find out the DA isn't EVEN THERE on Thursdays EVER and whoever tolled me that was wrong. I about sat on the floor and bawled!! ....luckily sis Nix was there to ever so sweetly inform her of my situation while I stood there looking pathetic. well the lady calls her supervisor over (betty) and we tell betty my situation that I have and I traveled and it's hard to get down here and I looked at her and said "mam, I just need to get this done with so that I can get back to the work that I do" she was so awesome, she said "hold on a minute" and came back and tolled us "there is a prosecuting attorney here and she might be able to see you, she's in the middle of a case, but I could check?" yes please!!! We said.
"She said she'd see you" WOW! Incredible. "This never happens," sis Nix said....which is so true, anyone that's ever gotten a traffic violation knows that people are almost never understanding and caring enough because they have to be so tough in this job. So anyways. We waited 20 minutes and then this beautiful (POWERFUL LOOKING) woman comes out....and called my name. She started to explain my options and we interrupted her and she very sternly said "hold on let me do my job." OOPS.....kept our mouths shut...when she was done I explained that I’d taken the safety course for this ticket, because the cop tolled me to, he took 1 1/2 months to turn the ticket in and here is my certificate for the drivers safety course. She said "oh, him....give me about 20 minutes and I'll see what I can do..." Oh boy my heart was pounding and my legs were like Jell-O....I remember dad last time I had to go to court in Oregon with a bunch of drug attics and criminals and you said ...."Do you want to EVER come back here?" and I shook my ghost white face and cried "noooooo"....well it wasn't that bad dad. But what you said kept running through my head!!~! Ha ha!!! Well she came back 15 minutes later while I tried not to make eye contact with anyone. Ha ha!! She called my name and said "YOUR FREE TO GO!!" sis Nix and I were both like ...."What?" what does that mean? Well she said "the cop took forever to turn the ticket in; you already took the course, if the case went to court it would have gotten dismissed, so I'm dismissing it now, your free to go!!!" SWEETTT!!! I about jumped and burst through the glass door before she could change her mind. I was so excited, sis nix was too cause she's been my 2nd hand man with getting rid of the ticket!! (THANK you SIS Nix I couldn't have done it with out you...literally I probably would have just stared at them blankly while my brain had a seazier.) I didn't have to pay anything more she was a miracle!!! I am going to send her a card and thank her, and if a book of Mormon is with it....then that's ok too! :_)
It was a blast to be back in Tomball, hard to go back to college station, but this week have been full of miracles to help me through it! PLUS----- 2 MORE BAPTISM DATES Halo and Yao from china! Story is later.
Jackie has had lots of opposition; her dad gave her a huge packet on anti-Mormon literature. But we talked with her and explained some things. She is good and still wants to get baptized. Her dad and mom after saying they weren't coming to her baptism said that they were going to cancel work and come! WOW!
Ha Kyu had a concern that he didn't think he could live the commandments after his baptism. He was reading 1 Nephi 31 and was worried. After we talked he said this: " Before we talked did not have confidence in keeping the commandments, but now after we talked, I have confidence"....WOW! He is doing great! Both Jackie and Ha Kyu came to church all 3 hours!
2 new baptism dates this week! Hao and Yao. Married for 1 year, Yao is the wife she wants to get baptized November 27th and he is a little tougher! But we took them to a baptism and they felt warm and she looked so happy and enthralled in what was going on! So I started to talk them about baptism and changed it by saying "when you get baptized..." then asked "do you want to get baptized?" how bout November 27th? He doesn’t think he'll be ready but she wants it. And she turned to him and said..." I want to get baptized...I want him to be with me....please!" she was so cute and it was incredible to see her testimony grow like that. Now we need to really work on them and teach the lessons. They only been taught the restoration, but have come to church 3 times. They leave after the 1st hour though the 2nd and 3rd time. So that's when he comes. We need to build their testimonies stronger together! They are from china! Here for school.
College station is good, tons of work, I LOVE IT!
Mom and dad!! I love you! Family and friends old and new I love you too! Sometimes life gets busy and frustrated like we are trapped and bound and get everything done that we need to accomplish and we feel like we haven't accomplished anything ever! Anyone ever feel like that? Ha ha! well I was thinking about that and how Nephi was bound in the ship and Laman and Lemuel wouldn't loose him until they saw that through the very power of God that they were about to be destroyed then they loosed him.
Sometimes we are Nephi strapped and bound and our ankles and wrists are sore and swollen, and yet we are bound by our own self’s. it's a battle within each of us....what is it that binds us down, why are we frustrated, sad, lonely, depressed, angry hurt what is our shackle, if you will? What binds us from being HAPPY!? Here we are in a storm the liahona isn't working all our loved ones are trying to help us, but we don't listen we wont let anything heal our heart or "loose us" why? I have learned pride goes 2 ways. thinking that your better than others, and then also beating yourself up until your so tightly tied up, that you forget who you are and the love Heavenly Father has for you as his daughter or son. I never realized that there is a difference in being humble and meek and being so low that we forget that the ATONEMENT is to make us at one with Christ so that like Nephi we can break the bans and pray for the winds to cease and the storm to cease and witness the miracle of the "Great Calm".
My heart burns when I think of Peter walking on water to get to Jesus but it's when he gets scared and looks down that he starts sinking. Jesus called to him”come" he knew Peter could do it, he encouraged him, if we keep our eyes fixed on Christ and take his yoke upon us, we will NOT SINK! if we put God 1st and get to the temple and pray with your family and study the words of God that we are so lucky to have we will strengthen our faith which then leads to the ACTION!....an incredible leader in my life said something to me one time...."did you know that bumble bees are too fat to fly? They are scientifically; their wings are too small for their huge bodies....but no ones tolled them....so they keep flying" ....what a gift...we are children of God! Literal Spirit children of God and he loves us, not because he has to, but because he just does. Our past sometimes feels heavy, but our future is magical and wonderful because we are daughters and sons of a king! It’s the times we forget that when we most need to remember it!
I love each of you so much and with all my heart! the gospel is true, Jesus Christ is our savior and brother and God is our father, he sent us here to have faith on his son Jesus Christ to repent of our sins and be baptized and receive the gift of the holy ghost and endure to the end. To know that one truth that I am a daughter of God. Not merely a creation of God, but a daughter is something I know is true. And we as members of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints are the ONLY faith that knows this truth. let are hearts be broken and humble to hear the promptings of the holy spirit let our families know of our deep conviction to our savior and to spreading his gospel that we are children of God! Is my humble prayer!
I love you, I love you, I love you.....with all my heart, might mind and strength!
Love you from here to Heaven,
Sister Judkins
WHAT A WEEK!!!!
Worked through the issue of frustration and the Hermana's and us are good now. In fact the apt is full of fun, laughs and fire blazing candy sticks and wrappers!!! Ha ha!! LOVE IT!
OK.... MY TICKET IS DONEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
1st Miracle!!! .... So my Thursday morning started at 3:30 AM got ready and left with an AMAZING couple the CLUFFS!!! They have 14 kids and 45 grand children!! I know INCREDIBLE Family!!! Love them. They were willing to take me to Tomball and drop me off at the Nix home by 6AM! Remember it's a 1 1/2 hour drive from here to there. got there and then we went to the Jail house...oh wait court house so I could visit with the District Attorney and he could then help me get this ticket off my record. So sis Nix came with me (thank goodness) and GUESS WHAT!? We find out the DA isn't EVEN THERE on Thursdays EVER and whoever tolled me that was wrong. I about sat on the floor and bawled!! ....luckily sis Nix was there to ever so sweetly inform her of my situation while I stood there looking pathetic. well the lady calls her supervisor over (betty) and we tell betty my situation that I have and I traveled and it's hard to get down here and I looked at her and said "mam, I just need to get this done with so that I can get back to the work that I do" she was so awesome, she said "hold on a minute" and came back and tolled us "there is a prosecuting attorney here and she might be able to see you, she's in the middle of a case, but I could check?" yes please!!! We said.
"She said she'd see you" WOW! Incredible. "This never happens," sis Nix said....which is so true, anyone that's ever gotten a traffic violation knows that people are almost never understanding and caring enough because they have to be so tough in this job. So anyways. We waited 20 minutes and then this beautiful (POWERFUL LOOKING) woman comes out....and called my name. She started to explain my options and we interrupted her and she very sternly said "hold on let me do my job." OOPS.....kept our mouths shut...when she was done I explained that I’d taken the safety course for this ticket, because the cop tolled me to, he took 1 1/2 months to turn the ticket in and here is my certificate for the drivers safety course. She said "oh, him....give me about 20 minutes and I'll see what I can do..." Oh boy my heart was pounding and my legs were like Jell-O....I remember dad last time I had to go to court in Oregon with a bunch of drug attics and criminals and you said ...."Do you want to EVER come back here?" and I shook my ghost white face and cried "noooooo"....well it wasn't that bad dad. But what you said kept running through my head!!~! Ha ha!!! Well she came back 15 minutes later while I tried not to make eye contact with anyone. Ha ha!! She called my name and said "YOUR FREE TO GO!!" sis Nix and I were both like ...."What?" what does that mean? Well she said "the cop took forever to turn the ticket in; you already took the course, if the case went to court it would have gotten dismissed, so I'm dismissing it now, your free to go!!!" SWEETTT!!! I about jumped and burst through the glass door before she could change her mind. I was so excited, sis nix was too cause she's been my 2nd hand man with getting rid of the ticket!! (THANK you SIS Nix I couldn't have done it with out you...literally I probably would have just stared at them blankly while my brain had a seazier.) I didn't have to pay anything more she was a miracle!!! I am going to send her a card and thank her, and if a book of Mormon is with it....then that's ok too! :_)
It was a blast to be back in Tomball, hard to go back to college station, but this week have been full of miracles to help me through it! PLUS----- 2 MORE BAPTISM DATES Halo and Yao from china! Story is later.
Jackie has had lots of opposition; her dad gave her a huge packet on anti-Mormon literature. But we talked with her and explained some things. She is good and still wants to get baptized. Her dad and mom after saying they weren't coming to her baptism said that they were going to cancel work and come! WOW!
Ha Kyu had a concern that he didn't think he could live the commandments after his baptism. He was reading 1 Nephi 31 and was worried. After we talked he said this: " Before we talked did not have confidence in keeping the commandments, but now after we talked, I have confidence"....WOW! He is doing great! Both Jackie and Ha Kyu came to church all 3 hours!
2 new baptism dates this week! Hao and Yao. Married for 1 year, Yao is the wife she wants to get baptized November 27th and he is a little tougher! But we took them to a baptism and they felt warm and she looked so happy and enthralled in what was going on! So I started to talk them about baptism and changed it by saying "when you get baptized..." then asked "do you want to get baptized?" how bout November 27th? He doesn’t think he'll be ready but she wants it. And she turned to him and said..." I want to get baptized...I want him to be with me....please!" she was so cute and it was incredible to see her testimony grow like that. Now we need to really work on them and teach the lessons. They only been taught the restoration, but have come to church 3 times. They leave after the 1st hour though the 2nd and 3rd time. So that's when he comes. We need to build their testimonies stronger together! They are from china! Here for school.
College station is good, tons of work, I LOVE IT!
Mom and dad!! I love you! Family and friends old and new I love you too! Sometimes life gets busy and frustrated like we are trapped and bound and get everything done that we need to accomplish and we feel like we haven't accomplished anything ever! Anyone ever feel like that? Ha ha! well I was thinking about that and how Nephi was bound in the ship and Laman and Lemuel wouldn't loose him until they saw that through the very power of God that they were about to be destroyed then they loosed him.
Sometimes we are Nephi strapped and bound and our ankles and wrists are sore and swollen, and yet we are bound by our own self’s. it's a battle within each of us....what is it that binds us down, why are we frustrated, sad, lonely, depressed, angry hurt what is our shackle, if you will? What binds us from being HAPPY!? Here we are in a storm the liahona isn't working all our loved ones are trying to help us, but we don't listen we wont let anything heal our heart or "loose us" why? I have learned pride goes 2 ways. thinking that your better than others, and then also beating yourself up until your so tightly tied up, that you forget who you are and the love Heavenly Father has for you as his daughter or son. I never realized that there is a difference in being humble and meek and being so low that we forget that the ATONEMENT is to make us at one with Christ so that like Nephi we can break the bans and pray for the winds to cease and the storm to cease and witness the miracle of the "Great Calm".
My heart burns when I think of Peter walking on water to get to Jesus but it's when he gets scared and looks down that he starts sinking. Jesus called to him”come" he knew Peter could do it, he encouraged him, if we keep our eyes fixed on Christ and take his yoke upon us, we will NOT SINK! if we put God 1st and get to the temple and pray with your family and study the words of God that we are so lucky to have we will strengthen our faith which then leads to the ACTION!....an incredible leader in my life said something to me one time...."did you know that bumble bees are too fat to fly? They are scientifically; their wings are too small for their huge bodies....but no ones tolled them....so they keep flying" ....what a gift...we are children of God! Literal Spirit children of God and he loves us, not because he has to, but because he just does. Our past sometimes feels heavy, but our future is magical and wonderful because we are daughters and sons of a king! It’s the times we forget that when we most need to remember it!
I love each of you so much and with all my heart! the gospel is true, Jesus Christ is our savior and brother and God is our father, he sent us here to have faith on his son Jesus Christ to repent of our sins and be baptized and receive the gift of the holy ghost and endure to the end. To know that one truth that I am a daughter of God. Not merely a creation of God, but a daughter is something I know is true. And we as members of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints are the ONLY faith that knows this truth. let are hearts be broken and humble to hear the promptings of the holy spirit let our families know of our deep conviction to our savior and to spreading his gospel that we are children of God! Is my humble prayer!
I love you, I love you, I love you.....with all my heart, might mind and strength!
Love you from here to Heaven,
Sister Judkins
Monday, November 1, 2010
Letter #31
November 1, 2010
2701 Longmire Dr.
Pepper Tree Apt #204
College Station, TX
77845
Hello,
Its weird today I don't have much to say.
Jackie is getting baptized Nov 27th
Ha Kyu Lee is getting baptized Nov 20th
We have many people we are working with now and our days seam to race by and are full of teaching and learning and making mistakes and learning again! The Lord knows the time for each of his children.
I live with sis Cramer she is great, we get along well and laugh a lot. This week if I'm being honest has been extremely stressful and very hard crammed full of miracles and heart ache. This week I take care of my ticket and it should be finalized. I’m going to Tomball and going to talk to the DA and handle it once and for all, that will be VERY NICE to be done with....Biking is great and killing me! But I enjoy having the exercise because it makes me feel a lot happier and better. And we get to talk to so many people as we bike.
We met this atheist the other night and he was so nice, but it was crazy because he is so confused, he doesn't believe in any organized religion! Well, he needs to look in and pray and as Alma says "experiment" take just a little bit of faith or if you don't even have that, take the desire that you have to have faith and ask God, experiment upon the word and watch it grow, but to have something grow you have to nourish it, you can't just look at it and say grow! It doesn't work like that!
Sister Cramer's b-day was this week and she got TONS of mail! And we polkaed at a member’s house; well I played the piano while they jumped around everywhere...wow what a stress reliever that was! Then we climbed in the window because we forgot the key to get back into our apt and I was laughing so hard I almost ....well....that's enough.....lets just say it was a very funny day! Jackie came by and stood outside our window because it was passed curfew to give Sis Cramer her gifts. Ha! So funny we drank sparkling cider and laughed until we fell asleep! Sometimes a good laugh is all you need.
Ha Kyu is from Korea and he is amazing, he's getting baptized and them leaving back home 3 days latter, we teach all the Asian people here and wow! They are so incredible, it's hard and you have to really pray because they don't know about God and all that I've grown up with is different to them. So it's an incredible experience to teach them, well to be the instrument in which the Holy Spirit teaches them. But with Ha Kyu he is going to college and super busy but he's come to church all 3 hours for 2 weeks in a row!!! Talk about faith in every foot step. And our last lesson was great, I felt the testimony that he has and that he's growing. Now we just need him to read every day from the book of Mormon and pray. He is excited to teach his family back in Korea and he prays in Korean and wow! The spirit is strong; he said "I can't pray really good yet..." I said "Ha Kyu, I didn't even understand what you said, but you remember that feeling you told us you felt when you prayed about the book of Mormon? Warm peace fire? That’s what I felt just them as you were praying!” his eyes stared at mine for a second and I knew he was ready!
Missionary work in the best it’s sacrificing all so others that know all. Isn’t that what the savior did? Sacrificed all even his life so that we his brothers and sisters could have all....IF we wanted and followed God's commandments. If ye love me keep my commandments. Wow, the spirit of God....how inconceivable it is to me. How precious family relationships are and how sacred the temple work and blessings are to me. I am so grateful I get to be apart of this sacred calling of inviting others to come unto Christ by receiving the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and his atonement, repentance, baptism by immersion for the remission of sins and the laying on of hands for the gift of the holy ghost by one who has the authority given to him through the one and only Jesus Christ. Act 2 - prophets and apostles. Why we need it.
We tracted into a couple from "the church of Christ" and he asked me to read this and I asked him to read the book of Mormon. This day was inspired all around. After going to him (when we were trying to go to another Investigator who wasn't there) we left and were happy. Now just 16 minutes earlier we had knocked at Handheld’s door ( an investigator that I've not met yet but the sisters before me have, so and so we taught her everything, but she would not answer her door.) as we were walking home, I veered off at her apt AGAIN. (Remember we just knocked about 15 minutes earlier with no answer) well I said we need to knock on Hadley’s door again. So we did.....and guess what...? ....The door opened right as we were about to walk away again! We were able to get in with her and the spirit bore testimony of Alma 32 as I opened my mouth the spirit spoke truth. I said "to know something is true you have to have the desire to want to know, to gain that desire you pray and read and always ask god if this is true. And he will tell you." It jumped from faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things, but to hope for things which you cannot see which are true.... you must have a desire to know the things are true, to have hope you much desire and when you have hope you gain faith through prayer.
SO COOL!
Mom and dad I love you! Mom I do need more vitamins all my oils, I'm good on multi and Vitamins. C. I need all my oils. I can't think of anything else right now. I miss you all and I'm so sad to hear that Lisa Coffey is moving!!! :( My mouth dropped when I read that! And your other VT....oh so sad! But the Lord knows how we will be happy. Have faith right!? Give her a huge hug for me and tell her thank you for everything and love her.
Thank you for all you do for me, I miss you all and I love working hard, pray for missionary work pray for your friends and refer them to the missionaries!!!! Always! Don’t be afraid!!!
Love you all from here to heaven!
-Sister Judkins
P.S. my mail box has been pretty empty lately...maybe I’m learning humility.... :(
P.S.S. Thanks mom and best friend and Joe for writing me this week though, I can't tell you how much I needed your words of encouragement and love.
2701 Longmire Dr.
Pepper Tree Apt #204
College Station, TX
77845
Hello,
Its weird today I don't have much to say.
Jackie is getting baptized Nov 27th
Ha Kyu Lee is getting baptized Nov 20th
We have many people we are working with now and our days seam to race by and are full of teaching and learning and making mistakes and learning again! The Lord knows the time for each of his children.
I live with sis Cramer she is great, we get along well and laugh a lot. This week if I'm being honest has been extremely stressful and very hard crammed full of miracles and heart ache. This week I take care of my ticket and it should be finalized. I’m going to Tomball and going to talk to the DA and handle it once and for all, that will be VERY NICE to be done with....Biking is great and killing me! But I enjoy having the exercise because it makes me feel a lot happier and better. And we get to talk to so many people as we bike.
We met this atheist the other night and he was so nice, but it was crazy because he is so confused, he doesn't believe in any organized religion! Well, he needs to look in and pray and as Alma says "experiment" take just a little bit of faith or if you don't even have that, take the desire that you have to have faith and ask God, experiment upon the word and watch it grow, but to have something grow you have to nourish it, you can't just look at it and say grow! It doesn't work like that!
Sister Cramer's b-day was this week and she got TONS of mail! And we polkaed at a member’s house; well I played the piano while they jumped around everywhere...wow what a stress reliever that was! Then we climbed in the window because we forgot the key to get back into our apt and I was laughing so hard I almost ....well....that's enough.....lets just say it was a very funny day! Jackie came by and stood outside our window because it was passed curfew to give Sis Cramer her gifts. Ha! So funny we drank sparkling cider and laughed until we fell asleep! Sometimes a good laugh is all you need.
Ha Kyu is from Korea and he is amazing, he's getting baptized and them leaving back home 3 days latter, we teach all the Asian people here and wow! They are so incredible, it's hard and you have to really pray because they don't know about God and all that I've grown up with is different to them. So it's an incredible experience to teach them, well to be the instrument in which the Holy Spirit teaches them. But with Ha Kyu he is going to college and super busy but he's come to church all 3 hours for 2 weeks in a row!!! Talk about faith in every foot step. And our last lesson was great, I felt the testimony that he has and that he's growing. Now we just need him to read every day from the book of Mormon and pray. He is excited to teach his family back in Korea and he prays in Korean and wow! The spirit is strong; he said "I can't pray really good yet..." I said "Ha Kyu, I didn't even understand what you said, but you remember that feeling you told us you felt when you prayed about the book of Mormon? Warm peace fire? That’s what I felt just them as you were praying!” his eyes stared at mine for a second and I knew he was ready!
Missionary work in the best it’s sacrificing all so others that know all. Isn’t that what the savior did? Sacrificed all even his life so that we his brothers and sisters could have all....IF we wanted and followed God's commandments. If ye love me keep my commandments. Wow, the spirit of God....how inconceivable it is to me. How precious family relationships are and how sacred the temple work and blessings are to me. I am so grateful I get to be apart of this sacred calling of inviting others to come unto Christ by receiving the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and his atonement, repentance, baptism by immersion for the remission of sins and the laying on of hands for the gift of the holy ghost by one who has the authority given to him through the one and only Jesus Christ. Act 2 - prophets and apostles. Why we need it.
We tracted into a couple from "the church of Christ" and he asked me to read this and I asked him to read the book of Mormon. This day was inspired all around. After going to him (when we were trying to go to another Investigator who wasn't there) we left and were happy. Now just 16 minutes earlier we had knocked at Handheld’s door ( an investigator that I've not met yet but the sisters before me have, so and so we taught her everything, but she would not answer her door.) as we were walking home, I veered off at her apt AGAIN. (Remember we just knocked about 15 minutes earlier with no answer) well I said we need to knock on Hadley’s door again. So we did.....and guess what...? ....The door opened right as we were about to walk away again! We were able to get in with her and the spirit bore testimony of Alma 32 as I opened my mouth the spirit spoke truth. I said "to know something is true you have to have the desire to want to know, to gain that desire you pray and read and always ask god if this is true. And he will tell you." It jumped from faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things, but to hope for things which you cannot see which are true.... you must have a desire to know the things are true, to have hope you much desire and when you have hope you gain faith through prayer.
SO COOL!
Mom and dad I love you! Mom I do need more vitamins all my oils, I'm good on multi and Vitamins. C. I need all my oils. I can't think of anything else right now. I miss you all and I'm so sad to hear that Lisa Coffey is moving!!! :( My mouth dropped when I read that! And your other VT....oh so sad! But the Lord knows how we will be happy. Have faith right!? Give her a huge hug for me and tell her thank you for everything and love her.
Thank you for all you do for me, I miss you all and I love working hard, pray for missionary work pray for your friends and refer them to the missionaries!!!! Always! Don’t be afraid!!!
Love you all from here to heaven!
-Sister Judkins
P.S. my mail box has been pretty empty lately...maybe I’m learning humility.... :(
P.S.S. Thanks mom and best friend and Joe for writing me this week though, I can't tell you how much I needed your words of encouragement and love.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Letter #30
October 25, 2010
Family and Friends,
I am in College Station 1st ward the address is:
2701 Longmire Dr.
Pepper Tree Apt #204
College Station, TX
77845
Oh wow this week has been full of incredible miracles and miraculous blessings! I am now in College Station and I do love how much work there is to do here! More than I have ever seen on my mission! We have 15+ Investigators 4 progressing and 2 with a baptism date! This all happened this week! My heart is so full with the ultimate desire to serve with all my heart and give all of me to these people, to find how I can bring a little bit of home to them and share with them who they are: Children of God. What an incredible gift we have to know we are children of God, he is our fathers....some don’t know that....how heart breaking it is to not know. But how uplifting it is to share and let someone choose for themselves to serve and follow Jesus Christ and be baptized to follow their savior and receive the Holy Ghost by a worthy man that holds the actual Power to act in God's name!? ISNT" THAT INCREDIBLE! ....and yet why is it that those of us who've known it our whole lives and have been taught by goodly parent’s tent to forget or take it for granted? The spirit is to be our constant guide to lead us to truth to guide what we do. He will tell you all of that I have said and I will always be with you! Why wouldn't I want that with me every single day of my life? I know I am not strong enough or happy enough to try and go through out the trials of life with out this gift. And to share that with those around me and those I love like my family and friends is a precious gift I treasure.
Jackie is 21 and goes to school here. 6 of her guy friends just came home from missions and she has always been around the church, she came 2 weeks ago to ask for the missionaries to teach her, she wanted sisters and so then I got to meet her my 1st day in college Station. And WOW! I felt inspired to tell her to forget about the baptism date that was set for her Nov 27th and to pray about the book of Mormon and Joseph Smith Specifically. And she did and the next meeting (2 days latter) she tells us how her anxieties left when I tolled her to forget about the date for now and just pray. She said she wants to get baptized as soon as possible. We met with her 5 times last weeks and took her to a baptism and she went to church and saw him receive the gift of the Holy Ghost and wow! She was so happy. After the baptism she and I and Sister Cramer sat and talked and I cried with Jackie as she expressed her concern for how she has not tolled her parents that she was taking the lessons let alone wanted to get baptized. she wanted to push her baptism so she could tell her parents in person they live in Austin (2 hours away) after crying with her and holding her I asked: "Jackie, I don't think you should wait to tell your parents, because this weight on you is more than you have to bear, give it to the Lord, have faith in your parents and your father in heaven to help you!" she said "I want to tell them tonight. she was so scared and nervous because she wants her parents to love what she is doing and wants them to know the truth and not think she is crazy....she called her parents Saturday night and called us right after and I talked with her on the phone and asked how she felt, she said it was everything she though it would be, but she feels so much better! :) Her worries of loosing her friends and family were scary to her, but when she came to church on Sunday her prayers and ours were answered as she felt like she belonged with her new friends in the ward. She is incredible and will be baptized in Austin with her family there and her lds ward she grew up with going sometimes. we can't go because it's out of our mission, but wow, she just needs this gift, her life is about to be filled with the Holy ghost. I love her with all my heart.
We are designated the Asian teaching sisters.....ha ha....ya right!!! Can’t speak anything! But there are so many Asians we are teaching. 1. Yao and Hao (Yao came to church on Sunday all 3 hours as well as Ha Kyu and Rosario and her family and Shirley (who we are teaching tonight, she is so cool, she said straight up "I'm not getting baptized though"...that's ok it's not us that converts it's the Spirit of God like a fire that burns. 2. Ha Kyu Lee he's getting baptized Nov 20th and going back to china the 23rd. 3. Yidi (we just got last night she is an exchanged student and the member came up to me after and whispered in my ear "you were the 1st missionary brave enough to ask her to take the lessons") AMAZING!!!! Can you feel how much excitement is in me!!??? A LOT! ....so much potential so much work!
I love the work, I am trying so hard to memorize the 500 members we have in the ever changing family college ward and I think I'm doing pretty well so far. We BIKE EVERYWHERE, but the members also help and drive us which is great because we get LOTS of members to come with us to lessons! This is a blessing for sure! How grateful I am for this ward and the referrals that they give and the trust and push they have on the missionaries to teach their friends. WOW! I loved church we talked about how patience is essential to becoming like our Heavenly father and how yes it's so hard, but it's all worth it.
I love the gospel I love my family!! John congratulations, but I'm really sad that you didn't write me yet. Please take some time out and write me and if Jen could write me too, maybe I will tell you what your sister thinks about her. I know you love me and will write me and have Jen write me too. John I appreciate you, know that you are loved beyond measure by me and mom and dad and the family. But especially me! So please don't leave me hanging me want to know how it all happened.
Mom and dad thank you for your letters I can't tell you how much I needed them and how my heart was filled with love. I love and appreciate you with all my heart!
Katie....what can I say....ever faithful ever true, Best friend. Thank you I love you!
I love you all from here to Heaven,
Sister Judkins
Family and Friends,
I am in College Station 1st ward the address is:
2701 Longmire Dr.
Pepper Tree Apt #204
College Station, TX
77845
Oh wow this week has been full of incredible miracles and miraculous blessings! I am now in College Station and I do love how much work there is to do here! More than I have ever seen on my mission! We have 15+ Investigators 4 progressing and 2 with a baptism date! This all happened this week! My heart is so full with the ultimate desire to serve with all my heart and give all of me to these people, to find how I can bring a little bit of home to them and share with them who they are: Children of God. What an incredible gift we have to know we are children of God, he is our fathers....some don’t know that....how heart breaking it is to not know. But how uplifting it is to share and let someone choose for themselves to serve and follow Jesus Christ and be baptized to follow their savior and receive the Holy Ghost by a worthy man that holds the actual Power to act in God's name!? ISNT" THAT INCREDIBLE! ....and yet why is it that those of us who've known it our whole lives and have been taught by goodly parent’s tent to forget or take it for granted? The spirit is to be our constant guide to lead us to truth to guide what we do. He will tell you all of that I have said and I will always be with you! Why wouldn't I want that with me every single day of my life? I know I am not strong enough or happy enough to try and go through out the trials of life with out this gift. And to share that with those around me and those I love like my family and friends is a precious gift I treasure.
Jackie is 21 and goes to school here. 6 of her guy friends just came home from missions and she has always been around the church, she came 2 weeks ago to ask for the missionaries to teach her, she wanted sisters and so then I got to meet her my 1st day in college Station. And WOW! I felt inspired to tell her to forget about the baptism date that was set for her Nov 27th and to pray about the book of Mormon and Joseph Smith Specifically. And she did and the next meeting (2 days latter) she tells us how her anxieties left when I tolled her to forget about the date for now and just pray. She said she wants to get baptized as soon as possible. We met with her 5 times last weeks and took her to a baptism and she went to church and saw him receive the gift of the Holy Ghost and wow! She was so happy. After the baptism she and I and Sister Cramer sat and talked and I cried with Jackie as she expressed her concern for how she has not tolled her parents that she was taking the lessons let alone wanted to get baptized. she wanted to push her baptism so she could tell her parents in person they live in Austin (2 hours away) after crying with her and holding her I asked: "Jackie, I don't think you should wait to tell your parents, because this weight on you is more than you have to bear, give it to the Lord, have faith in your parents and your father in heaven to help you!" she said "I want to tell them tonight. she was so scared and nervous because she wants her parents to love what she is doing and wants them to know the truth and not think she is crazy....she called her parents Saturday night and called us right after and I talked with her on the phone and asked how she felt, she said it was everything she though it would be, but she feels so much better! :) Her worries of loosing her friends and family were scary to her, but when she came to church on Sunday her prayers and ours were answered as she felt like she belonged with her new friends in the ward. She is incredible and will be baptized in Austin with her family there and her lds ward she grew up with going sometimes. we can't go because it's out of our mission, but wow, she just needs this gift, her life is about to be filled with the Holy ghost. I love her with all my heart.
We are designated the Asian teaching sisters.....ha ha....ya right!!! Can’t speak anything! But there are so many Asians we are teaching. 1. Yao and Hao (Yao came to church on Sunday all 3 hours as well as Ha Kyu and Rosario and her family and Shirley (who we are teaching tonight, she is so cool, she said straight up "I'm not getting baptized though"...that's ok it's not us that converts it's the Spirit of God like a fire that burns. 2. Ha Kyu Lee he's getting baptized Nov 20th and going back to china the 23rd. 3. Yidi (we just got last night she is an exchanged student and the member came up to me after and whispered in my ear "you were the 1st missionary brave enough to ask her to take the lessons") AMAZING!!!! Can you feel how much excitement is in me!!??? A LOT! ....so much potential so much work!
I love the work, I am trying so hard to memorize the 500 members we have in the ever changing family college ward and I think I'm doing pretty well so far. We BIKE EVERYWHERE, but the members also help and drive us which is great because we get LOTS of members to come with us to lessons! This is a blessing for sure! How grateful I am for this ward and the referrals that they give and the trust and push they have on the missionaries to teach their friends. WOW! I loved church we talked about how patience is essential to becoming like our Heavenly father and how yes it's so hard, but it's all worth it.
I love the gospel I love my family!! John congratulations, but I'm really sad that you didn't write me yet. Please take some time out and write me and if Jen could write me too, maybe I will tell you what your sister thinks about her. I know you love me and will write me and have Jen write me too. John I appreciate you, know that you are loved beyond measure by me and mom and dad and the family. But especially me! So please don't leave me hanging me want to know how it all happened.
Mom and dad thank you for your letters I can't tell you how much I needed them and how my heart was filled with love. I love and appreciate you with all my heart!
Katie....what can I say....ever faithful ever true, Best friend. Thank you I love you!
I love you all from here to Heaven,
Sister Judkins
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