"they were perfectly honest and upright in all things; and they were firm in the faith of Christ"

Hey Family,

Every Wednesday night we have a ward missionary work night, and this week I went to see Uilisone. Uilisone is one of my favorite people. In the past, he would occasionally answer, only to speak to us through the screen door. but his heart has softened, and we were able to come inside and share a message. We talked about prayer. we asked him if he believed God listened to his prayers.

I was surprised by how sincerely he responded. He spoke about how he's prayed for his family to be provided for, and how he's relied on prayer when his family has struggled--like when he has had children pass away, or when he cannot find work. He does believe God is mindful of him.

Lea and Jordan are doing awesome. They live in Redlands, so we usually help them to find a ride for church. But right before church on Sunday,  Lea called us and told us that they were going to bike to a Redlands ward. As soon as we finished talking with her, we contacted the Assistants to the President to contact the missionaries in that ward so those missionaries would be looking for Lea and Jordan. We also prayed that they would have a good experience and that the members in Redlands would warmly welcome them and notice them. 

After church, we got a surprise call from the missionaries in Redlands. Lea and Jordan had an awesome experience. Many members noticed Lea and Jordan and smiled and greeted them. one family even invited them for dinner that day. They also had a great discussion in Sunday school.

They will probably begin meeting with the Redlands missionaries this week. It is awesome because we have been praying for a way to get them in contact with the ward out there. they will benefit so much more from a ward that speaks their language. Last week after church, Lea told us she needed Rosetta Stone. They are funny.

During Sacrament meeting yesterday, a family that I love sang a children's hymn. It was a mother and her 3 grown sons and some little cousins. The father of this family passed away years ago. The words of the song are simple and true, and I could feel it clearly as they sang.

For the temple is a holy place
Where we are sealed together.
As a child of God, I've learned this truth:
A family is forever.

I love you, family!

Elder Judd

Me and Elder Thompson, a really funny missionary that was in my zone last transfer.

Pictures from the doctor trip in the Desert.

Did you know the original Cozy Cone is in my area? The Wigwam Motel. 

"then cometh the time that ... he that is happy shall be happy still; and he that is unhappy shall be unhappy still"

Talofa family,

On Friday, Elder Urry came to the Samoan wards with me for an exchange. I've always wanted to work with Elder Urry because people have mixed our names up several times and we've been told we look alike. He is a really solid teacher and a great missionary. It was an awesome day.

We taught Lea that night. I don't think I've written about Lea. But she is so solid. a family that I love invited her to meet with us. She had her son, Jordan, commit to be baptized in our first lesson with them. They are preparing to be baptized in September. But we taught them about Faith and Repentance. Lea understands doctrine so well. She always asks thoughtful questions and she has so much to desire to live right. 

On Thursday we had Zone conference and it was awesome as always. President Van Cott had invited us to invite recent converts to the conference to share their testimonies and conversion stories.

We invited James, who was baptized last September. We weren't sure if we should invite him at first, because he isn't that fond of speaking to large groups of people. But something told us we should invite him. He accepted the invitation. Then at the conference as he spoke, I felt an assurance that Heavenly Father wanted James there. 

Then on Sunday, James bore his testimony in sacrament meeting! He spoke about how he has felt the Spirit guide him recently. He said that when we first invited him to the conference, he wanted to tell us that he was busy or something and couldn't make it to the conference, but a little feeling pulled him to accept the invitation. He told the congregation that we do not need to fear, but rather trust the Lord. 

These words from President Monson pressed on my mind: 

Doubt yielded to faith. 

When we have the faith to do what is right, and to do good, and to do what God wants, He helps us.

On Saturday Siniva and her sister, Paris, were baptized. Her dad and several other brothers from the ward sang a Samoan hymn at the baptism, and the Spirit was strong.

Also, our pianist wasn't able to make it to the service. So I played. And I prayed. hard. Because I am really rusty. But it went well. Heavenly Father helped a lot.

I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and that Jesus Christ is alive today and leading the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. God is our Father and knows us by name. He loves us. 

I love you all! :)

Elder Judd

"And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit."

Hey family!

Today we drove out to a doctor appointment for Elder Holcomb in the desert. It was a long drive, but interesting because I've never been out past Yucaipa, which is the gateway to the desert. And we drove through Palm Springs, which is the place with hundreds of windmills. I forgot my camera, but I'll send pictures next week.

On Monday we taught Sai. He has been doing really well. He has started reading the Book of Mormon again, and has come to church a couple times too. He is visibly much happier compared to a few months ago. He is huge into music and he told us about a song that he used to know long ago called "Happy Inside". He's been thinking a lot about how happy he is. He wants to do things that will make him and his family happy inside, which are the things that Heavenly Father has asked.

On Tuesday we had district meeting. It was Elder Maynes last district meeting on his mission. He was an awesome missionary.

Also on Tuesday we felt to stop by a family in our ward. the dad is a king of an island back in Samoa and not a member of the church. We talked with him about his king name because we knew someone else with that name. And after a few minutes he invited us in! The family fed us briefly, and we were able to share a scripture from the Book of Mormon. It was awesome, especially because we have never been able to meet with this family before.

Heavenly Father answers prayers. Saturday night we taught Charles. He is atheist, but has been reading passages from the Book of Mormon that we give him. However, he has said he will not pray--he doesn't believe in prayer anymore.
All day leading up to his appointment, we prayed that God would soften his heart enough that he would be willing to pray. Then we met with him. We focused on him. We learned his mom had died of cancer 2 years ago, and it was the worst experience he's ever had. We listened, then testified of the resurrection. At the end of the lesson, we again invited him to pray. He said he would give prayer another try--that night! I was happy inside. I couldn't stop smiling all night.

Many miracles this week. The gospel is true! I know that Jesus is the Son of God! 

Love,

Elder Judd

"Marvel not that all mankind ... must be born again; yea, born of God, changed"

Hey Family!

There were so many miracles this week.

We saw Rodney again. Rodney is awesome! He earnestly searches and digs in the scriptures everyday. He tells us how he gets lost in scriptures. Right now he is searching to understand the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

This week we started teaching Rodney about God's commandments. He has so much faith. He talked about how he knows if God gives a commandment, and we choose to obey, we will be blessed. He talked about how in the Book of Mormon, Nephi would teach his brothers God's commandments plainly. Then his brothers would get angry and say that Nephi spoke "hard things" against him. Rodney loves the "plainness" of God. 

Then we taught about the Word of Wisdom, in which God commands not to drink coffee. Rodney had just bought a tub of Folgers. He laughed and shrugged and said that he would do it. He said:

There's God's will, and there's man's will. And I know if I make excuses and say that "this is okay" then I won't be in line with the truth.

Also, remember when Elder Holcomb and I went to a bible study a few months ago? Well, we finally got to see that family again--Peleti and Julian. They are brothers-in-law. We saw them twice this week. 

On the first visit, we taught about the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They asked good questions. I remember praying for strength to know what I could say to strengthen their faith in the Savior. We testified of the Savior and of the Book of Mormon. They said they would read a chapter we gave them and pray about it. 

Our second visit was amazing. They immediately confessed that they had not read the chapter we had given. The visit became an opportunity to understand their faith more. They shared how religion and faith had played a role in their lives. I wish I could put to words everything that was felt and said, but it is enough to say that there was so much love and kindness in the room. We shared Mosiah 3:19 and spoke of the change that can happen through the Savior.

I know that we have a Creator who loves us! He is our Father! He wants us to succeed!

Love,

Elder Judd

"I give unto you to be the salt of the earth"

My family!

A lot of great things happened this week. 

It was kind of interesting this week because one of our wards had their annual ward camp at some faraway lake. So, just about every person in that ward was gone. It was funny. Then when they were back on Saturday they had a party/dinner/dance at the church and everyone was really tan and tired.

But the Lord's work carried on.

We're still teaching Taumarie, and she's still doing great. When we invited her to be baptized, she told us she's been waiting for this for a long time.

On Wednesday night we went to go see John. We haven't been able to reach John for several months, but we felt to stop by when our original plans fell through. We caught his wife, Carol, who was baptized several years ago. She was taking care of her father, who is elderly and blind and has had several strokes. Her mother died suddenly from cancer years ago. We taught them of the Plan of Salvation. 

Carol and her father told us of struggles they are facing, and I knew in that moment that Heavenly Father loved them. We testified of the resurrection and the power that the Savior has to strengthen us.

I wish I could express how much I know that is true. And I wish I could write all the wonderful things that happen each week. Things are going so well. I really love my mission. 

Heavenly Father is mindful of you!

Love, 

Elder Judd

"Remember, to be carnally-minded is death, and to be spiritually-minded is life eternal."

Hello my family,

Transfers today! I'm staying in Samoa! And Elder Holcomb is staying too. All is well in these wards.

Lots happened this week, but not much time to write. 

We've been trying serve people more, so on Thursday we went near a busy street and picked up trash for few hours. It was awesome. I love service! And we met nice people while we were out. Several times people stopped to give us cold water that they bought for us.

We started teaching a young girl named Taumari. She is the cousin of an active family and just moved in with them. We taught about prophets and sang the song Follow the Prophet and the spirit was so strong, and Tau just has a sweet spirit. 

On the 4th of July we had dinner at Ola and Maria and Alex and Brandon's house with a few other awesome families in the ward. Ola is a great cook. And the whole family is doing really well. Someone in the ward who was good friend with Ola in Samoa 30 years ago told us that Ola said he's seen a difference in Alex and Brandon--they pray with the family now. The Gospel changes lives!

Love,

Elder Judd

"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.