"he himself also knelt upon the earth; and behold he prayed unto the Father"

Hey Family,

This has been a great week. On the days leading up to Christmas we went to many families and presented a "Live Christmas Card" in which we caroled and read the nativity story from Luke 2 and sang some more. It was great fun. And some friends later told us that the father of one family we went to "cried like a baby" after we left. 

On Tuesday we went to Redlands to serve in the temple. The last time I went to the temple was in February, so I was really happy for the opportunity. And while I was there, there were some missionaries from the Riverside mission just getting to the temple. One of them was Elder Haslem, whom I knew in the MTC. It was really cool to see him, after being split to different missions.

On Christmas eve we taught a man who struggles with schizophrenia and bipolarity and hyperactivity and other mental and physical challenges. Last week we gave him a priesthood blessing to strengthen him. When we saw him this week, he said:

I used to hear voices telling me to 'do this' or 'do that'. It's strange, but I haven't heard any voices since you guys gave me that blessing.

The priesthood power and authority is true! It's been restored!

On Christmas we had brunch with a great family in the ward. They fed us waffles and fancy scrambled eggs and bacon. Before we left we shared the Nativity Bible video. 

On Saturday we went to Highland for a mission conference. It was refreshing. I love reverently gathering as missionaries for a conference because I always come away edified and inspired with direction specific for my needs. And it was nice to see missionaries I love that I haven't seen in a long time.

I love you all! The gospel is true! It's going to be a GREAT year!

Elder Judd

"Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift."

Merry Christmas, family!

It's been a good week. And we're going to the temple tomorrow so our preparation day is shorter today, so this will be a shorter letter.

We're teaching a man named John, whose wife is a member. he is awesome. He has been meeting with missionaries on and off for about 2 years. he understands everything well, and he believes it. But he has several things he still wants to do before making such a sacred covenant with God in baptism. And as we taught about prayer this week he told us that he doesn't think he's ever felt the Holy Ghost before and he doesn't feel like someone is listening to his prayers. But I know that his prayers are heard and answered!

We also helped organize care packages for the homeless at a church of another faith this week. It was fun!

We taught Ti and her boyfriend Neil this week for the first time. They are so great. Neil loved having us over and told us that he felt really good with us there. We're excited to teach them more.

The branch had a christmas party on friday and Neil and Ti came! Lots of food. 

Christmas is this week! We will be caroling and offering to share the Christmas story in Luke to everyone! Every should watch He is the Gift! watch and watch again and share and share again!

The branch President had asked me to read the christmas story from the bible in Samoan for the christmas program yesterday. I was nervous because there were lots of big samoan words. But I practiced and prayed and really felt heavenly father help me to do my best.

I love you all!

Elder Judd

"For a small moment have I forsaken thee, but with great mercies will I gather thee."

Hello family and friends,

 

This week has been incredible. For those who don't know, Christmas was last week. We made about 400 chocolate chip cookies. Probably more than I've made in my entire life before my mission. We spent most of both the 24th and 25th baking, and writing notes, then delivering them to people. Best Christmas ever. Nothing better than losing yourself in service.

 

We have been finding so many Samoans lately. The Lord is hastening His work. I wish I could express everything that happened this week, but here's just a taste of a few miracles:

 

We met another Joe! We went to a house with Deelorean that we thought a Samoan lived at, then met Joe next door. The family we were looking for had moved, but we spoke with Joe for a bit. Joe was Samoan! Coincidence? I think not. Found out he had kids in Texas. Where? MCKINNEY. My heart and soul died in half a second. Coincidence? I think not. He said we could come back to share a message about the Savior.

 

We also visited Uilisone with a brother from the ward who knew him. Because of this great member friend, HE OPENED THE DOOR. I saw his face for the first time in my life. I shook his hand. We hand a solid discussion. He had a great beard. The brother with us offered to fix his car for free. Uilisone opened up, literally and figuratively. This was a huge step for him. But I know that it was by small and simple ways that the Lord was able to open his heart.

 

We met a guy named Malaki 2 weeks ago, and we visited him again on Friday. He's older, and apparently he was baptized in the 70s in New Zealand. He sang a few Samoan songs to us as he played guitar. We read Mosiah 5 with him. He has a solid testimony, but we're trying the help in become more converted to the Lord. Basically, we're trying to help him put that tesimony to action. He's coming along slowly but surely.

 

Yesterday, Monday, we had a mission conference again. It was just a short notice thing that we found out about last week. Elder Kent F. Richards of the second quorum of the 70 came and trained us about teaching simply. I feel refreshed. I am so, so excited to be a better, more effective servant and minister of the Lord.

 

Simple stuff this week: God loves us. We are His children. When we obey Him, we prosper. :)

 

I love you all,

 

Elder Judd

 

"and His name shall be called, Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of

Manuia le Kerisimasi! :)

 

I am so pumped for this week. Christmas time is the best because so many people are focused on looking outside themselves and helping others. In other words: Love. Love is what brings us together today. And that's what the Savior's message is all about. He promised:

 

"Come unto me with full purpose of heart, and I will receive you."

 

We will be "encircled about eternally in the arms of His love."

 

I felt that this week with Sai. We stopped by Tuesday night and read a chapter of the Book of Momon with him. Sai is doing SO well. He's cruising along in the Book of Mormon and just radiates with a new light. He was in Alma 22. We read about how the powerhouse missionary Aaron taught King Lamoni's father. Sai practically taught us. He noticed that when King Lamoni's father felt the Spirit, he said:

 

"What shall I do that I may have this eternal life of which thou hast spoken? Yea, what shall I do that I may be born of God, having this wicked spirit rooted out of my breast, and receive his Spirit, that I may be filled with joy, that I may not be cast off at the last day? Behold, said he, I will give up all that I possess, yea, I will forsake my kingdom, that I may receive this great joy."

 

Sai explained that in his experience, as soon as somebody feels the Spirit of God, it's immediately delicious to them.  The Spirit is just like that.  And if we really want to be happy and have the Holy Ghost as our constant companion, we have to be willing to give our whole soul to the Lord. That's what he's asked.

 

Friday was awesome. We brought Deelorean out with us most of the day. He's awesome. He's been on a mini mission in San Jose for the last few months and is just waiting for his mission call. So many miracles with this guy.

 

We went to a family that we found in our Area Book that missionaries had met years before. A young guy named Jerome answered. I felt like I'd met him before. His facial hair made him look 25. He was 17. He let us in and we sat down with him and some of his cousins. We found out their father passed away a month ago. We shared "A Book of Mormon Story" with him and testified that he could live with his family forever. Death is not the end. He said he'd read the Book of Mormon. The Spirit was so strong in their home. I felt so much compassion for Jerome. I wanted to help him. I can't imagine the pain he must feel now, but I do know that the Jesus Christ knows his complete soul. Jerome is going out of town until January, so I hope he reads the Book of Mormon because it'll allow the Savior to heal him. Anyone who reads the Book of Mormon will come to know the Savior in a very real way. 

That night we had a ward Christmas party. We had been inviting EVERYONE. Uilisone promised to be there, but he wasn't. But, his sister was. Which was awesome because she's less active too. And Simi was there, who we just met this week. And Ioga and Nerissa were there. And Moli and Sabrinna and Omar were there. And it was just great. the Relief Society gave us each a tie, and the youth performed dances, and it was just fun.

 

This week should be full of miracles. We plan to make tons of cookies and deliver them to every Samoan in the world. And our world is the Inland Empire of California. It should be fun. :)

 

Heavenly Father loves you unconditionally! He hears your prayers and answers them! The Savior lives! This is His work! I know it's true! :)

 

Love,

Elder Judd