Practice makes better, Jesus makes perfect.

March 21st

What do Olympic runners use to check their e-mail?

The sprinter-net. 

Hola family and friends, 

It was just another week in paradise. :) I don't have too much to report to y'all this week, because so much has happen I can't even think of one thing in specific. Sister Morgan and I are the Sister Training Leaders over the Saint Petersburg Zone. We had the chance to lead an exchange with some sisters we are over. I headed over to Palm Harbor and worked with Sister Minson for the day! We did lots and lots of finding:) and it was hot. Things are warmin' up here in good old St Pete. I am getting some killer sandal tan lines! ;) 

 We received a self referral from Mormon.org from a lady named Jennifer. She has been researching the church and decided that she wanted a B of M! She asked and we delivered :D We will be seeing her a lot this next week. I'm pretty pumped! 

  Sorry this email is short. I thought it was better than nothing! I just want you all to know that I know that my savior lives today. I feel him in my life everyday! This last week I have really focused on studying the atonement, and it has made a difference in my relationship with him. I know when we apply Christs atonement that we can truly feel relief and love. This is one of my favorite scriptures in the book of mormon. 

  3 Nephi 19:30 And when Jesus had spoken these words he came again unto his disciples; and behold they did pray steadfastly, without ceasing, unto him; and he did smile upon them again; and behold they were white, even as Jesus.

I know Christ is smiling down on us! If you feel your relationship weakening- study christs atonement. I promise you will feel him more in your life, and you will feel him smiling down on you! 

I love you all! HAPPY EASTER! 

FollowHim.mormon.org

Last year with Sister Sackley!

This year with Sister Sackley! We have learned so much! We can spell now;)

Check out our calves;)

Sister J

6 months left!

March 7th 2016:

What did the mama bird say when her babies hatched?

Flappy birthday. 

 A year ago today I was in the MTC! Can you believe I have been gone for a year? Every week goes by faster and faster! It blows my mind. 

 Ether 6 is the bomb. There is so much in it that can be applied today! We were reading with Haritha (a less active we are working with) and man the spirit was just pointing things out to me left and right! Verse 5 says;5 And it came to pass that the Lord God caused that there should be a furious wind blow upon the face of the waters, towards the promised land; and thus they were tossed upon the waves of the sea before the wind.  God sent winds to guide them to the promise land. Now look at verse 8; 8 And it came to pass that the wind did never cease to blow towards the promised land while they were upon the waters; and thus they were driven forth before the wind. God never stopped pushing them towards the promise land. Now backwards to verse 7; 7 And it came to pass that when they were buried in the deep there was no water that could hurt them, their vessels being tight like unto a dish, and also they were tight like unto the ark of Noah; therefore when they were encompassed about by many waters they did cry unto the Lord, and he did bring them forth again upon the top of the waters. Were they scared In the barrages? Um yes! Heck they were being swallowed up in the sea, they could have died. But they made the boat tight like a dish, so water couldn't get in!  The lord sends us trials(the wind) to guide us back to him. If we never had trying times we would never turn to him. Sometimes we let trials break us, if we are tight to our testimonies (like the barges) and hold on God will lead us to the promise land. But we have to hold on and in verse 11  shows just how long they held on;11 And thus they were driven forth, three hundred and forty and four days upon the water.For 344 days they were confined inside a tiny boat that had no opening. There were days where they probably  thought it would never end. Just like trials we face today, there are days where we feel we can't make it another second. But, if we are tight to our testimonies and let these trials take us where God wants us to be, we will receive blessings that we can't even imagine! Just like Jarod's people, they let the winds, storms, and waves guide them to the promise land, but they had to have a tight boat or water would get in and they would drown. And last they had to have patience in their travels, they had to wait 344 days before they could see land and even sunlight! We have to be patient with trials in this life, because we have eternal life with our families waiting for us. 

Sister Morgan and I have been doing a lot of seed planting. :) so pray that they will all grow! I hope you all have a grand ol week! 

Why not?

Chillin' in the Burg.

This is my friend Va'epopua Priimrose Uhatafe :)

Cheesy year mark pic.

Sister J

Gathering of the white hairs

February 29th 2016:

How do you find Spider-Man?
Search the web.

Do you believe in coincidences? I sure don't. Friday was a day full of tracting, and it was a tad bit chilly. We taught a couple of lessons, but not too much came out of them. Sister Morgan and I were really excited because that night we were going to watch the restoration at the church with the other missionaries in our ward, their investigator just completed the stop smoking program so they threw him a party. Our investigator Gabby was suppose to come, but she never showed up. So we left because it wasn't productive for us to be there, we both were kind of sad because we had been so excited and looked forward to it all week. Sister Morgan and I prayed to know where to go, and sis M felt prompted to walk down 4th St. So we headed to 4th street, keep in mind it's dark and cold. We prayed with a couple of people, but they walked away right when we ended the prayer. We were about to cross the street, but then we saw someone pushing a stroller. We went over to talk to her, and in my mind I'm thinking "oh she is totally the one!". Right when we end the prayer she tells us how she has wanted to go to a different church, and how crazy it is that we ran into her, because she was just thinking about that today. She asked a lot of questions, and I told her we could walk to the church and give her a tour. I was a little shocked when she actually said yes! We walked about ten blocks to the church, and while we walked we taught her the restoration! Talk about killing two birds with one stone;) When we do what the Lord asks us to, he blesses us. I'll be honest I did not want to go street contacting, because it was cold and dark, and the only people on the street at that time are drunk homeless people. But we went anyway, and the Lord put someone in our path!!

The Elders had a baptism this week, which just so happened to be on the same day a year ago that my sister Naomi was baptized. It reminded me of the sweet tender spirit that was felt at her baptism. The spirit is an awesome feeling! As I was sitting their pondering the gift of the Holy Ghost, and what the Holy Ghost has done for me, I could just feel my testimony strengthen and my conversion deepen. I KNOW this church is true. I know it with all my heart! I have the gift of the Holy Ghost, and as I have kept my promises I made at baptism, God has kept his. I challenge you all to ponder what the Holy Ghost has done for you in your life, and if you don't have the Holy Ghost. Email me, I can fix that. ;)

This week we went to the festival of praise at the Presbyterian  church, and Mack Wilberg (Mormon tabernacle choir director) conducted a choir made up of neighboring church's. It was really cool to go to a different church and see the inside, and gather together to celebrate the common belief of our Savior and Redeemer. It was a really neat experience :) Thanks to Sister Smith for providing my caption of the week, there were a lot of more experienced people at the festival of praise. The chapel was dotted with white heads :D it was great.

We went to Stephanie's play!

My pals!

The one and only Mack Willberg!

Why did the turtle cross the road?

Sister J

Does anyone even read this anymore? ;)

February 22nd 2016:

Sorry I don't have any time today. I just thought I would send a picture and a joke so you know that I am still alive and well! I also wanted to let you know that I am staying in the same area, and I am still with Sister Morgan!

Why did the poodle turn on the air conditioning?

So she wouldn't be a hot dog.

1.Awe... how precious;)

2. Is this not the biggest dog you have ever seen?

Have an awesome week!!

Sister J

Blondie

February 8th 2016:

What does a lion use to check its hair?

A Mir-roar 

I am noticing a pattern. When ever we meet people for the first time they think our last names are our first names, and that is because Sister Morgan sounds like a first name. So everyone thinks Judkins is my first name. It's pretty annoying. But they never remember my name anyways so I just get called Blondie. Me and sister Morgan are referred to as "Morgan and Blondie". It happens all the time! 

Stephanie had her interview this week for her baptism. The Elder that interviewed her walked out and said, "where can we get one of her." I told you she is awesome! He said she pretty much quoted word for word the answers in preach my gospel (preach my gospel is our missionary guide.) a member made the comment that she just lights up when she comes, and it is very true. She just has this light about her! The lord truly is preparing people, and they are all around us! People you would never expect. 

Stephanie was baptized on Saturday and then confirmed on my birthday at church! It was the best way to spend my birthday! There is nothing more powerful than watching someone make their first covenant with the Lord. 

Yes, my birthday was this week. I wasn't the most excited to turn 20, but thank you to Sister Morgan and a package from home it was a good birthday. And if you forgot it was my birthday I'm still accepting letters ;) 

This last week I have been studying about Joseph smith and how he was raised. His parents were both strong in their faith, and the children had Christ in their home but they were encouraged to seek out the truth for themselves. Joseph smith was confused about which church to join, so he went to the bible!!! And the scriptures is what led him to truth and what gave him the faith to receive an answer through prayer. What 14 year old boy goes to the scriptures for help? He did, and he did because of how is parents raised him. It makes me wonder if he wasn't raised like that would the restoration have happen through him? 

1. How I feel about being 20. Ew.
2. She is baptized!!! 

"St. Pete, load up we are going to the south side"

February 1st 2016:

Why did the cactus giggle? 

Because it was prick-list. 

Busy week and no time. I just want you to know that there is SO much that happens in a week on a mission, and it is almost impossible to pick one thing to talk about. So I apologize for the boring emails. But hey everybody just looks at the jokes and pictures anyways. ;) Stephanie is on schedule to be baptized on Saturday. Right after we taught her tithing, actually while we were teaching it, she was getting her money ready to pay tithing to the Bishop. Like who is she? She is so prepared.  I am so excited for her! I know I was sent here to find here. Just pray that everything goes as planned. 

Here is a little spiritual thought for you. :) Alma 53:5 And this city became an exceeding stronghold ever after; and in this city they did guard the prisoners of the Lamanites; yea, even within a wall which they had caused them to build with their own hands. Now Moroni was compelled to cause the Lamanites to labor, because it was easy to guard them while at their labor; and he desired all his forces when he should make an attack upon the Lamanites.

 These Lamanite prisoners had to build their own prison. We see this all the time in today's world. People build their own prisons, they become captive to something that seemed "fun" at first, but soon sucked them in and they have no idea how to get out of it. The commandments have been given to us to actually keep us free, sin and addictions keep us captive, and when we sin and disobey God we build our own prisons, and become prisoners to sin. But thanks goodness for the atonement so when we do mess up, and it's important to remember we will, we can turn to our savior and be forgiven of our sins. 

We all loaded up in Sister Wests mini van and headed off to the hood.  Where I experienced some real southern cookin, you are all missing out. Auntie Joan can make one mean dish of Mac n cheese and fried chicken. 

I hope y'all have a splendid week! If you find some spare time, you can put a pen to the paper and send it my way :)

  5714 Calais lane, St Petersburg FL 33714 

1. This was before I realized there was a hole in my rain boots.
   
2. And this is when I realized there was a hole in my rain boots. 
   
3. I just couldn't resist...
   
4. But then they offered to take a group picture :) so it all worked out. :D

Sister J

Are You Picking Up The Phone?

January 25th 2016:

What do you get when you cross a legendary water creature with a criminal? 

The Loch Ness "mobster". 

Well this last week was crazy, crazy and some more crazy. But that's a mission :) I pretty much came to the conclusion, that on a mission is really the only time you can even some what experience Christ like love. You grow such a deep love for those you meet and teach. You love them and you just want to throw them into the baptismal font! Thank goodness that Stephanie is pretty much throwing herself in. She is one inspiring 16 year old! Whenever we teach her something you can just tell it clicks in her head and she know it's true. She tells us that it just makes sense, and it does! The gospel truly makes sense. Her baptism is coming closer and closer and I can't even wait! It will be the best birthday present ever! 

Prayer is the worlds best phone company. It's free, it's wireless, and you always have service! Now who doesn't want that?! During my studies I was reading about prayer, and the thought came to my mind that prayer is like a phone, and whenever we call he answers. I thought a little deeper, do we call him or does he call us? He calls us!  In fact he is ALWAYS calling, and the battery never dies! But are we answering? We are His kids, and like any Father he wants to hear from us, in fact he is just waiting for us to talk to him. Here is a poem about prayer that really just sums it all up: 

 I know not by what methods rare, But this I know, God answers prayer. I know that He  has given His Word, Which tells me prayer is always heard, And will be answered, soon or late. And so I pray and calmly wait. I know not if the blessing sought Will come in just the way I thought; But leave my prayers with Him alone, Whose will is wiser than my own, Assured that He will grant my quest, Or send some answer far more blest.

On Wednesday we had the opportunity to gather as a whole mission to watch a worldwide missionary broadcast. All 75,000 missionaries got to watch it! We heard  from several leaders who are apart of the missionary department, including Elder Bednar and Elder Oaks. And let me just tell you it was AMAZING! I came prepared to the broadcast and got exactly what I was needing. I came with a question, and sure enough my question was answered! It made me think back to sacrament meeting before my mission, I'll be honest I thought it was pretty boring. And on my mission I have come to understand the importance of coming prepared to meetings, so I can get out of it what the Lord needs me to. I challenge you to come to sacrament meeting with a question, and I pinky promise it will be answered! :)

Shrimp, Shrimp, and more Shrimp!

A spanishfork friend!! 

Sister J