BLOG FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER #26

BLOG FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER #26

This month has flown by and I have not put out the blog.  I am so sorry.  We have a very good month and worth noting a few of the choice experiences that we have had.

 OCTOBER 3^RD AND 4^TH : SATURDAY WAS A GREAT DAY WE WERE ABLE TO GO TO THE WARD BUILDING AND WATCH GENERAL CONFERENCE.  NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE THERE, MAINLY THE MISSIONARIES AND A COUPLE OF INVESTIGATORS.  WE ARE USE TO WATCHING IT IN THE COMFORT OF OUR HOME, SO IT WAS A CHANGE FOR US.WE ONLY HAVE DATA STREAMING SO IT COSTS TO MUCH TO WATCH 10 HOURS OF TV AT HOME.  WE HAD LISA LUNDBURG OVER FOR LUNCH BETWEEN SESSIONS.  SHE HAS TO TRAVEL A WAYS TO COME TO THIS BUILDING AND WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GET BACK IN TIME FOR THE NEXT SESSION, SO SHE CAME HERE. . SHE IS A NICE YOUNG GAL WHO WILL BE GETTING MARRIED ON DECEMBER 13 IN THE OGDEN TEMPLE TO BRENT PEREZ.

SUNDAY WE AGAIN WENT TO THE WARD BUILDING AND WAS GLAD THAT WE COULD HAVE A HUGH SCREEN TO WATCH IT.  I REALLY LIKED THE TALK ABOUT THE PRESIDENT MONSON, THE PRESIDENCY, AND THE QUORUM OF THE 12. I THINK WE ALWAYS NEED TO BE REMINDED ABOUT THE IMPORTANT JOBS THEY ARE ALL DOING.  ELDER JUDD LIKED PRESIDENT UCHTDORF’S PRIESTHOOD TALK ABOUT THE DANDELIONS IN OUR OWN LIFE AND NOT BE OBSESSED WITH OTHER PEOPLE’S DANDELIONS.  THEN WE WERE INVITED OVER FOR A NICE SUPPER WITH BISHOP AND SISTER HARRIS AND KASSY STRUK.  IT WAS FUN TO LEARN ABOUT THEIR LIFE'S HERE IN FLORIDA.

I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SIT IN ON A LESSON WITH SISTERS HOWARD AND BENSEN WITH A MAN BY THE NAME OF ESHAN. THEY HAD TO START FROM THE BEGINNING AND TEACH ABOUT WHO GOD WAS AND IS. I WAS IMPRESSED THAT THESE YOUNG SISTERS COULD DELIVER SUCH A POWERFUL MESSAGE TO SOMEONE THAT DID NOT KNOW OF GOD. I AM GRATEFUL THAT I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF SITTING IN AND LEARNING TOO. EHSAN HAS BEEN A LITTLE ELUSIVE ABOUT LEARNING THE CHURCH, BUT COMES OCCASIONALLY.  i THINK THAT IT IS HARD TO TEACH OF GOD WHEN THAT HAS NOT BEEN A PART OF THEIR LIFE TO START WITH. 

ELDER JUDD’S WORDS: October 12^th   Sister Judd and I spoke today in Sacrament meeting. She did a great job as she spoke about the blessing of meeting for three hours on Sundays. She talked about the fact that we spend three hours in church in a week of 168 hours, That is a small amount of time compared to the 10 or so hours we spend eating every week. Then she tied that into the need we all have to build a solid foundation on Christ and the blessing that is in our challenging lives.  She stressed the importance of Institute in that building effort and testified how important that combined effort is in order to fulfill the purpose of our being on the earth at this time. Her talk was perfect for leading into my thoughts… I spoke on the talents and gifts that this generation has brought to the last days and the responsibilities that they have in building the Kingdom and preparing for the coming of the Lord. I used the experience we had in the Sinai at night with the BYU students as we walked into the dark desert from the lighted compound and saw the expanse of the heavens in all its brilliance. I talked about the Savior’s words: “Take heed that the light within thee be not darkness.” I encouraged them to take advantage of Institute which is established just for them to increase the true light in their lives.

OCTOBER 18^TH :  This past Saturday we washed the car-it was desperately in need of a cleaning. It was a beautiful afternoon and we needed a break from the past couple of weeks, so we drove to Clearwater Beach to see the sunset over the Gulf of Mexico. We stopped at a local Chick-fil-a so we could have dinner on the beach (romantic to0). The traffic was so bad I guess that other beach goers also had the same idea and it took us a lot longer, but we did make it about 10 minutes before the sun dipped into the gulf. The colors of the sky were outstanding as we sat in our beach chairs eating and talking.  It was good we needed a break from the tight schedule we had been keeping.

Sunset in Sand key Beach

OCTOBER 19^TH :One of the choice YSA woman was in need of finding an apartment and was unable to do so. It was getting down to the end of the wire with no luck, she only had one or two days left in the place she was renting. She could not find anything within her budget or close to her work or church.  It was a pretty intense time for her. One Sunday she decided to go into a classroom and open her heart for help and comfort. She also sought out the priesthood for a blessing. With all that the answer came within hours. Another young woman at church was searching for a roommate to help her with the expenses of an apartment- not knowing the other young woman’s problems or concerns, she made her own concerns know to the Relief Society President. Within moments, Heavenly Father took care of that problem. He knew the concerns of the both women.

owl cookies

In-service Breakfast-rolls and oatmeal

Candy corn cookies

In all three weeks I have fixed 3 different meals-about 45-55 students each and 1 in-service breakfast about 25-30 Seminary teachers. A lot of people to fead but they are really grateful that I had made them something to eat. Week 1 tacos (slow cooker) with pumpkin and chocolate rolls, week 2 mac n cheese (so much better than Kraft—slow cooker) with cookies, week 3 shepard’s pie, and In-service meeting oatmeal (slow cooker) with cinnamon rolls and grapes. It has been a busy month in the kitchen. You can see that I am a converted to the slow cooker and I found that they have slow cooker liners (hardly any clean up it is so fast and clean).  I also did the attendance rolls during this time. I am getting a little more comfortable with the computer.

ELDER JUDD’S WORDS: Sunday, I spent the morning preparing my presentation.  It is coming together well and it looks like I will have time to sharpen it up before I present it. I know that the Spirit is leading me thru this and it feels good. I just want to be an instrument of the Lord to do His work and build the Kingdom

This past month Elder Judd has not only taught his two major classes—the Life and Teachings of the Savior and the Old Testament, but on two different  weeks he taught Bro Patrick’s class on the Doctrine and Covenant. He then was asked to do a major presentation on Jerusalem Then and Now on Saturday October 25th. He has been on his knees a lot to ask for guidance.  As I have watched him in his time of preparation, I know that Heavenly Father has guided him in the direction he heeded to go. He is a great inspiration to me. 

October 25th:  Finally this day arrived. I can see a peace come over Elder Judd before the presentation even begans. As we talked about it we know that no matter how many comes to this event  there will be someone who needs to  hear his words that he has prepare. It is a truly inspired presentation.  Before the presentations the YSA had a dinner which was really good(No, I did not even work in the kitchen at all!  It was great to sit  and  just be a part of it)  Elder Judd gave the presentation on Jerusalem Then and Now which  was fantastic.  Then Brandon Judd( nephew)  talked next.He talked about Living your covenants even in your worldly jobs( he works doing magazine write ups and instructing wake boarding-now how fun would that be).  It was great--a lot of the students loved  his talk. Then the bishop finished up the evening with challenging  everyone to  read scriptures an pray every day.  It was a great event oh I forgot the dance after all of  this. The students danced from 9-12 pm.  It was fun to see them in nice dress attire dancing with every one in the gym. GREAT EVENT !! Oh important news flash **Elder Judd danced with me first time in years  It was great!**  These YSA are inspiring! 

Rusty Judd Brandon Judd 8 month old boy

Etiene Vawters baptized by Elder Judd

Elder Judd also baptize Etiene Vawters today He is a great young man very sharp and a great testimony.

IT HAS BEEN A VERY BUSY MONTH AND I WILL TRY TO BE BETTER ABOUT GETTING OUT THE BLOG NEXT MONTH‼!

THIS MONTH IS ALMOST OVER!! #25

September 28, 2014 #25   THIS MONTH IS ALMOST OVER

  WOW‼ This month is almost over and where did it go?  We are  almost in to our 6^th month but who is  counting.. We have made some good friends here had some fantastic experiences with the YSA  people, we have been able to  love these young adults which has been pretty neat.

  Just a few highlights for this week:              

Elder Judd worked at the Bull Market with the Elders and Sisters Wednesday. The Sisters came up with a great idea of showing pictures of the famous people, that are members of the church, that these young students would know.  It was quite successful  too , well the tootsie roll helped bring them to the table too.  This day is a feast day for the missionary work to  go forth.  From this 4 hour exposure the elders and sisters have a lot of referrals to work on throughout the week, It is exciting for them and for us to see missionary work in action.

During this time I worked on the dinner for Thursday making Feathery Fudge Cake and a new recipe of chocolate chip cookies.  Yeah both turned out  great‼ 

Thursday I had a dentist appointment clear across town and it was early---too early but I made it and now I am the proud owner of a new crown.  This dentist reminds me of my childhood dentist –Dr. Jesse Jensen- who was wonderful, kind and good.   I made it back only to start making 4 batches of taco casserole.  Elder Judd became the tester he added so much taco seasoning to it I knew I would not be able to eat it but he loved every bite full.  I did not even try it because it smelled so spicy.  And yet the students ate it all.   They said it was a success.

Saturday we went to the Orlando Temple with about 35 YSA. This was the largest group in a long time.  It was such a good experience.  We were able to take 1 recently baptized young man.  He was quite excited to see the inside of the temple. One of the questions he asked us was will I see Jesus. We explained to him that His spirit would be felt and he would recognize it. He brought 1 name to be baptized but did not have all the information to complete the slip so Sister French (bishop’s counselor’s wife) is going to help him start getting the correct info to get him going.  He is excited‼

Sunday Elder Judd baptized Andrew Allen today. It is a  great day for both of them.  Andrew has such a sweet and very sincere testimony.