"cast about your eyes and begin to believe in the Son of God"

Talofa lava lo'u aiga!

On Monday we started teaching Alex and Brandon, the teenage sons of Ola and Maria. The whole family has been coming to church for several weeks. They are awesome. They have us for dinner every other Friday, and will have us over again for the 4th of July. 

Alex and Brandon are solid. After teaching them about prophets and the Savior and how Joseph Smith's prayer was answered, Alex said that he felt he and his family were like Joseph Smith. They have been going to many churches for many years. Now he wants to know which is the true church. He said:

I feel good knowing that I can pray to know for myself and get an answer.

Alex is older and makes sure they read the Book of Mormon together everyday. They are awesome! I wish I could explain all the awesome things they've said and done, but it's enough to say that their faith in the Savior is sincere.

Henrietta was baptized on Saturday! She was nervous but excited all week. Her family sang a musical number, and it was a great program. 

I was talking with a member this week and he told me about his own conversion story. He said that his baptism wasn't the point that he felt a change of heart. He had met with missionaries for several years and he remembered a night when he met with new Elders who were just placed in the ward. They asked him why he hadn't been baptized throughout the long time he had met with the missionaries. He had never been asked that question. he realized it was because he had never prayed to know that it's true. He was invited to pray right then. the invitation propelled truth into his heart, the Spirit worked in him, and before even beginning the prayer, he looked up and said he wanted to be baptized. he's one of my favorite people.

It amazes me to see how the Lord prepares people to receive His gospel. He knows us by name! He knows our heart!

We were referred to a woman named Koleka a few weeks ago. When we met her, she didn't have time to meet, but we were able to give her a Samoan copy of Book of Mormon at her doorstep and invite her to read. We met with her this week and learned she is only here for a few months. She has frequent treatments at the hospital and is lonely because she has little company and speaks little English.

To our surprise, she started reading the Book of Mormon! She told us that normally, back home, she probably wouldn't make the effort to read it. But with her current situation, she reads during her treatments and also during the day with all the time she has. She enjoys our company, especially in being able to speak in her own language. And she likes what she reads. 

I do not believe she is where she is by chance. Heavenly Father is in the details of our lives.

The Spirit taught me that this is true as two faithful sisters from one of our wards sang a duet in our Stake Conference this weekend. The Savior said:

My sheep hear my voice,

And I know them,

And they follow me.

Alofa atu,

Elder Judd

Pictures:

The Julander family.

Henrietta at her baptism.

"teach them to withstand every temptation of the devil, with their faith on the Lord Jesus Christ"

Hey family!

Transfers are this week. I'm staying! :) By the end of this transfer, it will be 10 months in Samoa. I love these people!

Sadly, the Spirit of the Lord has called Elder Tingey to serve in Yucaipa. I'm going to miss him a lot. He is an incredible missionary.

But, Elder Holcomb is my new companion and he's from Houston! and he was in the MTC with Elder Aguilar and Elder Tingey. He's super nice and humble and I'm excited to serve with him.

So this week was full of miracles, as always. 

First off, on Friday we went to teach Henrietta. We had arranged for a member to help us, but he couldn't make it. So once again, we went searching down the street to look for a male to be present at the visit. After trying several homes, Elder Tingey thought to try the home of a semi-active family that we don't know very well. So we did. A younger man answered the door and we asked for his help. While were we explaining everything he look confused. Long story short, his name is Pigi. And he helped us visit Henrietta. And he has not been baptized. And we are now teaching him.

We taught Moli and Sabrinna on Tuesday. It was a super short visit because we had to rush to a meeting afterwards, but the spirit made it powerful. We asked them about their thoughts about General Conference and Sabrinna talked about Elder Bednar's talk about the load that we carry. they explained some sad, complicated struggles that their family is going through. I didn't know what to say--I tried to think of something that would lift them, but it seemed like their struggles were more than I could understand.

But then Elder Tingey shared a scripture from the Book of Mormon:

And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.
He testified of the Savior. We testified of His Atonement. We testified of His power and love.

Because of Him, we can live again. And though I may not understand the difficulties another has faced, I am not here to testify of me. The Redeemer of Mankind understands all things and has suffered all things and He perfectly understands. He has said:

In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Alofa atu,

Elder Judd

"yea, the Son of God cometh in his glory, in his might, majesty, power, and dominion"

Hey Family!

Great week!

On Tuesday we stopped by to see Henrietta. We found her in-laws and another family at home with kids all over the place. We shared "Reclaimed". The kids were all over the place, but I prayed and asked that the people there would feel the Holy Ghost touch their heart. When it finished, we asked what they thought. Henrietta's sister-in-law said that it made her realize how grateful she is for her covenants. Then their friend, Sister L, shared her thoughts. She said she's had a hard time forgiving herself and feels like she "digs up garbage" too much. She was grateful that we came because her family wasn't planning on coming over to Henrietta's home, but came anyways. And the message was what she needed. She said that she knew Heavenly Father knew her. We testified that He does know her and love her. The Spirit testified with us that the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ can clean us.

I love General Conference!

On Wednesday we met with Sa'olotoga, whom 2 weeks ago we invited to read Alma 17. He grew up in the church but never knew for himself. He looked much happier than the last time we saw him. Turned out he had read all the way to Mormon 2, over 290 pages in the Samoan Book of Mormon. It has changed his life. He even asked us to sign his copy of the Book of Mormon, telling us he would never forget us. But really, it wasn't us--the words of Christ.

I loved President Uchtdorf's talk about living with a grateful heart. I also loved President Monson's words about expressing love. Preach My Gospel teaches that spiritual power is manifest when we express love of the Lord, our family, and others.

Conference as a whole made me want to be a better person an love others more. We tried hard to help our friends make it to the stake center to watch with us, but many didn't come. But, Moli told us she would make it to the Sunday afternoon session, the last session. And she came! I was praying so hard that the Spirit would touch her heart. And as we watched, it seemed as though every message was directed towards Moli. Each talk addressed things that we feel have been questions of her soul. It was awesome.

I love the Prophets. And I love Jesus Christ. I know He lives!

Alofa,

Elder Judd

Also, this happened:

On wednesday we met with Sa'olotoga, whom 2 weeks ago we invited to read Alma 17. He grew up in the church but never knew for himself. He looked much happier than the last time we saw him. Turned out he had read all the way to Mormon 2, over 290 pages in the Samoan Book of Mormon. It has changed his life. He even asked us to sign his copy of the Book of Mormon, telling us he would never forget us. But really, it wasn't us--the words of Christ.