"and He shall heal them, and they shall have peace with Him"

Talofa family!

It's been a solid week. 

On Tuesday we went to see Sasa'e. She is Bishop Wendt's sister-in-law and she's Catholic and she was meeting with missionaries a while back. It was awesome. She was really open with us and told us how she wants to learn, but she doesn't feel like people listen to her or understand. She explained how she's changed a lot over time. It was just a great visit, and she said she was glad we came. And we'll be meeting with her again this week.

We visited Sam again this week. We've seen him a lot lately. Sam is struggling with the load of being a father, a husband, an employee, and just in life. We've been trying to help him read the Book of Mormon, and this week he asked us text him to remind him. So we started to text him a scripture reference everyday. It's reminded me how much I love the Book of Mormon. Ezra Taft Benson said:

There is a power in the book which will begin to flow into your lives the moment you begin a serious study of the book. You will find greater power to resist temptation. You will find the power to avoid deception.You will find the power to stay on the strait and narrow path.

On Saturday we helped out with a Mormon Helping Hands service project. We helped mulch along a sidewalk. It was awesome. And I felt so good afterward. And it was awesome to serve alongside all these people in the wards that I love. I love service! 

Then we went to a baptism of some children in the Rialto 2nd ward. while waiting for the program to begin, I talked with a boy who sat next to me. His name is Maru and he is 8 years old. I asked him about his own baptism, his family, and what he like to do, etc. When I asked what his favorite scripture story was, I expected him to talk about a story of Nephi or Moroni or Noah or something like that. But he said:

The one when Jesus died for us on the cross and paid for our sins and then was resurrected.

I was surprised by how sober and sincere he was. Maru understands what matters most. I was even more surprised when he began to ask me questions. He asked: 

When did you begin thinking about serving a mission? 

Not really knowing the answer to that question, I told him:

I think when I was about your age. 

He said:

I began thinking about a mission when I was six.

The boy had a testimony. hearts are touched by the Spirit. The spirit strengthens faith.

Alofa atu,

Elder Judd

"cry unto him for mercy, for he is mighty to save"

Hey Family!

No time to write.

This week has been awesome. I love Elder Holcomb. He's super nice and he was a state champion football player.

On Monday night we taught Landy. She was somebody Elder Tingey taught in Colton that stopped meeting with the missionaries. But she was Samoan so we visited her. At the end of the short visit we prayed. We prayed specifically for her and her family and their specific needs. After we finished she was like:

Whoa. ... I just feel light.

She had felt the Holy Ghost. It was amazing. We taught her about the holy ghost and the Spirit became stronger and stronger as we taught and listened. She said she had never felt the way she did before in her life. It was better than anything she has ever known.

The power of the Holy Ghost is real. It teaches us truth. It fills us with light.

Happy Easter! Jesus lives! :)

Alofa atu,

Elder Judd

"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.

"we did put all our seeds into the earth ... wherefore, we were blessed in abundance"

Talofa i lo'u aiga,

 

It's been a great week. We had lots of miracles, like always.

 

On Wednesday we went to visit a guy named Joe but he wasn't home. We were walking back to our car and the door of a home we parked near caught my attention. I looked to Elder Tingey and he was looking at the same door. We both felt that we needed to knock this red door, so we started towards it.

 

Neither of us knew what to do or say because we've never tracted, but we prayed in our hearts that we would say what these people needed to hear. A woman answered the door. We told her who we were. She told us that she was busy taking care of her mother and she didn't have any time. So we asked if we could sing her a song. She agreed, and we sang the first verse of "I am a Child of God". The Holy Ghost was there.

 

When we finished, she thanked us and we left. We didn't know why we needed to go to that door, and we will probably never see the woman again. But I know that God knows every person perfectly because we are His children. He is always working good in us.

 

Wednesday night we were working in Loma Linda. We were trying to find an apartment that a guy named Tristan lives in. Our friend, Junior T. told us about him and his family and gave us directions. It's really fun when we get referrals from Samoans because in Samoa they don't have street names or addresses. So in the islands they give directions like:

 

Turn right when you see the 3 coconut trees.

 

Make a left at the big rock.

 

If you pass another rock by another coconut tree you've gone too far.

 

We usually get directions like that when we ask for an address, but Americanized. I love it.

 

So, we were looking for Tristan and it was dark because it was night and all we had was a few Samoan directions and a street number for a apartment complex and no street name and Loma Linda is the land of many apartments so we didn't know where to go. But we prayed that we could find Tristan. And we felt guided to go a certain way towards a certain complex. And then we found an apartment with a bunch of shoes outside (one of the many sure signs of a Samoan home). And we knocked.

 

A super nice guy answered the door. But he wasn't Samoan. But he said some big polynesian guys lived in the apartment downstairs. So we knocked at that door and found Tristan and he said we could come back this Wednesday. But the moral of the story is that God hears and answers our prayers. Even when it's something small that we care about, because He cares about what we care about. God is in the details of our lives.

 

Jesus Christ is alive today! God loves you! God speaks to us thru prophets and his prophets are speaking this weekend!

Here is a short video about General Conference. 

https://www.lds.org/prophets-and-apostles/unto-all-the-world/general-conference-has-something-for-you-b?lang=eng

 

Come and listen! :)

 

Alofa atu,

 

Elder Judd

"Have ye received His image in your countenances?"

Talofa!

My family! I love you so much. I love the Lord. I love being a missionary.

So, on Friday  the Rialto 2nd ward had their monthly fast for missionary work. And they ended the fast with a dinner at the church. And it was really cool because I could understand a lot of the Samoan prayer when we broke our fast.

But, that's not the best part. On Sunday we had a brand new family come to church! Ronny and Karinne and their 2 sons. Their neighbors invited them to church. And they want to be baptized. so we're going to teach them starting this week! :)

Then, on Sunday night, we went to visit some families that our ward tracted into. (Oh yeah, the Rialto 2nd ward is so proactive in member-missionary work that they go tracting. They are awesome.) The first was a family that was recently baptized. The mother wasn't home, but we spoke with the daughter, Elsie at the door. Then a girl named Jordan parked and came inside while we were talking. Then Elsie's brother-in-law, Phillip walked by. We talked with everyone with people walking by the door and in and out and it was just funny. But then they invited us in. They weren't interested much at all at first, but we shared scriptures, testified, shared spiritual experiences, and it was awesome. the spirit was so strong. and they all committed to reading 3 Nephi chapter 11. We've been trying to visit them for a while, so it was awesome to finally meet them.

God hears our prayers and he answers them. Fasting with prayer brings greater understanding.  

On Saturday night we were visiting members of the Rialto 2nd ward to get to know them and to invite them to pray for a list of the people we teach. We went to the Taufete'e home. We'd never met them, so when Bro, Taufete'e answered the door and looked surprised I had no idea if he spoke English. So I was struggling the entire visit to speak completely in Samoan. It was awesome. But then just after we prayed at the end, his wife came home and he was like:

Oh, this is my wife.

In English.

Real funny. But also was a testimony to me the Heavenly Father can strengthen us to do all things. Our job is to do our best, and leave unto the Lord the rest.

Alfoa atu,

Elder Judd

Pictures: 
Editor's Note: Not sure I matched captions with the right pictures, but that's okay!

Me and Elder Pauga

Me and Deelorean, who helped us out a lot and just left for his mission in Jacksonville, Florida.

Me and Elder McCall, who just finished his mission with Elder Pauga

Me and Elder Tingey and a lady and her daughter

"plant the word in your hearts, that ye may try the experiment of its goodness"

Hey Family,

On Friday we brought Bro. Julander out to work with us. We visited Junior, a guy we met a couple weeks ago. He is very friendly and said we could come by any time. He promised us that he would come to church on March 30th. He said he had requested work off that day, but didn't know why because he doesn't usually ask for Sundays off, but then he figured this might be why. Junior is awesome. He said he's also invited a bunch of friends to come too.

On Saturday we had a special conference with the Rancho Cucamonga mission. We met Elder Neil L. Andersen and Elder Anthony Perkins. They carried the Savior's love in everything they did and said. Elder Andersen testified powerfully and clearly that he is a witness that Jesus Christ lives. 

Also at the conference, as I was walking around the chapel back to my seat, someone called out to me. It was Elder Shaeson Bringhurst! I talked to him briefly, afterwards. I had no idea he was reassigned to CA. Really great to see him. 

Yesterday, we had a another miracle. Quick backstory. We recently received new mileage allocations which is pushing Elder Tingey and I to work much harder to find rides with members and stuff. We will even start biking soon.

So, we were planning to visit Matthew yesterday because we found out he's going back to New Zealand today. But he lives about 30 minutes away. So we prayed and talked to a bunch of people at church and called everyone we could think to give us a ride. But no luck. After a long time, when we almost gave up on seeing him, we thought to call a guy named Court. We've never asked him for help before, and we don't know him super well. Court said he was free and asked who we'd be visiting. We told him. He was like:

Oh, that's my little cousin! He's actually at my house right now.

Court lives in Rialto, which is where we were. We didn't know Court knew Matthew. We didn't know Matthew was in Rialto. But, God did. 

We had a great lesson about Enduring to the End. Matthew is going to find missionaries in New Zealand and find a seminary class over there.

The Holy Ghost is REAL. :)

Alofa,

Elder Judd