Talofa sweet friends of the earth,
There have been many tender mercies of the Lord this week. On Monday we had dinner and family home evening with the Moleli family. I love Samoan families because their family home evenings are so great. Sometimes we'll sing opening hymns in Samoan, and most families will recite scriptures together. It's crazy to see kids have passages of scriptures memorized that I don't even know from memory! So impressive. And the families always give us time to share a message we've prepared. At the Moleli's we shared a lesson about the Book of Mormon. We've been teaching a lot about the Book of Mormon lately, actually. I love the book of Mormon! We taught about how the way to build our faoundation of faith on Jesus Christ is to do the little things: keep his commandments, go to church, say your prayers, and read the scriptures,especially the Book of Mormon, as a family and by yourself.
After the lesson we split into 2 teams and played Family Fued. it was really fun. :) It made me think of my own family and reminded me why I love the gospel... becuase families can be together forever! God is literally the father of our spirits and he wants us to return to live with him someday. he also wants us to live happy lives with our families on earth, which we can do by following the teachings of the Savior. :)
On Friday I went on an exchange with Elder Seright. I was on bike for the 3rd time on my mission! We had a really great lesson with a lady named Sister Doyle, who is struggling with various medical condtions. we shared the mormon message, "A Book of Mormon story" (mormonchannel.org/video/
This happened with Randall and Dana, whom I taught in my last area. I had the privilege on Saturday to go back to Redlands to view their marriage, then baptism. It was such a good experience. At the end of the baptismal service, Randall bore his tesitmony that he knew that he had found his true home. The Book of Mormon has really changed his life. When we started to teach him he told us of how they went to a cousin's birthday party and felt tempted to drink the alcohol there. But he knew that it was wrong. So they hurried home and read from the Book of Mormon. He said he just felt good whenever he read it, and he felt like all temptations started to get weaker, while he grew stronger. The power of the Book of Mormon is real! Ah, I wish everyone would read it. Everyday. It changes lives because the Savior changes lives, and the words in the Book of Mormon are his words in purity.
“I feel certain that if, in our homes, parents will read from the Book of Mormon prayerfully and regularly, both by themselves and with their children, the spirit of that great book will come to permeate our homes and all who dwell therein. The spirit of reverence will increase; mutual respect and consideration for each other will grow. The spirit of contention will depart. Parents will counsel their children in greater love and wisdom. Children will be more responsive and submissive to the counsel of their parents. Righteousness will increase. Faith, hope, and charity—the pure love of Christ—will abound in our homes and lives, bringing in their wake peace, joy, and happiness.”
—Marion G. Romney
Love,
Elder Judd
Here's pictures of the day it rained this week.
second time to rain on my mission.
Elders Langi and Seright.
view from my apartment.
