Being Friendly is Nice

June 20th 2016:

Happy Fathers Day to all you fathers out there. But, a special Happy Father's Day to the best Dad ever! I don't know where I would be if it wasn't for you Dad. You are my best friend and I love you so much! Thanks for putting up with me for all these years. You know you have it pretty lucky when you would rather be with your Dad on the weekends at a wrestling tournament, than be with your friends on a Friday night. My Dad is fun, selfless, hard working, funny, caring, and charitable! I don't know how I have been so blessed with such a great Dad and Mom. I thank my Father in Heaven everyday for them! Okay, I'll stop with all this mushy gooshy stuff. I just wanted you all to know that my Dad is the best and I love him! 

This last week Sister Alder and I were about to get into the car, when this lady comes to a screeching stop on her bike, almost taking me out. I'll have to admit it was nice being on the other end this time. The first thing she said was "Hi", then she precedes to tell us that the Lord has been so good to her, so she goes around all day on her bike saying Hi to people (and yes every person that past us she waved to until they said hi back), and giving out cards that say:

BEING FRIENDLY IS FREE

Brothers and Sisters meant to be

the creator of the universe is working with me

Just say, Hi! 

She said she has handed out 47,000 cards! She has been wanting to write a book about her life, but hasn't been able to. One day she got on the computer and found a document called "Melissa's life", and apparently the whole things is about her life story, and she didn't write any of it. We gave her our our card with our number, and the next day she called us because she wanted to know what she should call her book. She wanted a good name, because one day it's going to be made into a movie... Haha some people in Florida kill me. 

Sister Alder and I got kicked out of our first apartment complex. :) That was a fun experience, it resulted in us crying on some random nice ladies porch. But hey! It's all part of the experience! We were tracting this apartment complex when this lady approached us and started to tell us to leave. We told her we were just saying prayers, and then it was like she unleashed the dogs or something. She was saying awful things, things that I can't repeat, she was getting in our face and at one point I even thought she was going to hit Sister Alder.  I have never been told such horrible things before. We stood our ground though, she continued to threaten to call the cops. The spirit was gone, so we knew we no longer could be there. We decided to leave, not because she told us to, but because the spirit was gone. She of course followed us out as she continued to tear us down. We were resilient though, and kept tracting in a different neighborhood, which is when we met a really nice lady named Karen. God gave us a tender mercy that's for sure! She was so nice, we both started to cry. We told her what had happen, and thanked her for her kindest. I'll be honest I don't have Christ like feelings towards that mean lady. I had a lot more I wanted to say to her, but I had to hold my self back, because I'm here representing Christ and he wouldn't have said the things I wanted to. And to think that I didn't even get a taste of the persecution that Christ faced. It was a humbling experience to think that Christ faced even worse than that, and yet he still loved them perfectly.  I love my Savior with all my heart. I have felt him very near me these last couple of weeks, and it has strengthened my testimony of the love he has for us. 

Well on a happy note, I hope y'all have a fantastic week!

I also want to wish a very Happy Birthday to my brother Sam! I love you Sam and I hope you have an amazing day! 

Our stake had a mini mission for all the laurels and priests. We helped the young women teach the restoration to families in the stake. It was awesome! I love working with the youth. 

President and Sister Cusick. They leave next week and I am really sad about it!

Yes I went to Ritas and it made me happy! It also made me miss all my Ritas friends.

This picture is for my Dad! Look at this huge smoker.

I realized that I forgot my joke of the week. I am awful! So here it is! 

How does a bullfighter enter a room?

Through the mata-door. haha

Have a good week!

Sister J

Mormon Bucks

May 30th 2016:

Why should you never invite an aardvark to your family reunion?

Because it will eat all your "aunts". 

Well that didn't last long. I was shipped off to a different area this last week. In missionary terms it's called emergency transfer. I am now companions with Sister Alder, she is from Mesa Arizona. She has been out about 3 months, and I have 3 months left. I remember being at that month mark, I feel like it was just yesterday. It is crazy how times flies. On Tuesday I received a call from President Cusick telling me they needed help in another area, because they received a lot of request cards from the Gladys Knight fireside (I talked about it in my previous email). On Wednesday I was told I was being put with Sister Alder, and on Thursday Sisters Shirley and Clement dropped me off. It wasn't a smooth drop off or course, there had to be some sort of complication, which happen to be a flat tire, it was an adventure and a great journal entry. Sister Alder and I loaded our car and headed to the Palm Harbor ward, area that neither of us have been to. Yay for white washing experience #2. ( if you don't remember my previous explanation of the missionary term white wash, it means when two missionaries go to a new area that neither missionary has  been too.) so with that being said my new address is; 7215 Columns Circle #308 Trinity Florida. I'm expecting heaps of mail now! :)

Let's just say people thing the weirdest things about Mormons. We tracted into this guy, and he asked if we have Mormon dollars or Mormon bucks. Haha so weird. We also had this lady tell us she was thinking about moving to Utah but didn't want to because of the Mormons. She had no idea we were Mormons, so we told her and she said  "Don't you have multiple wives?" We cleared that one up real fast! 

I wish I had more to report, but I don't. This week has been crazy and we have just been trying to figure our way around.  We are in the finding process because we opened an area, which pretty much means that we don't have anyone to teach :) We will change that though. So to be continued :) 

I know the Lord is trying to stretch me so I can become the person he desires me to be. I had a feeling these next couple of months would be a little challenging, and gosh was I right. Haha but hey! There is no comfort in a growth zone, and no growth in a comfort zone. :) 

Hope y'all have a fabulous week! 

1. Enjoy this awkward pic of me in my new area. Ps check out my foot tan lines. 
   
2. Sister Alder! 

Sister J

Gladys Knight

May 23rd 2016:

Hello Family and Friends, 

 What does Tinkerbell sit on?

Her fairy tail. 

Well transfers came and went and I got the boot once again. I am currently in Sarasota, and the exact location so y'all can write me letters is 3259 Huntington Place Dr. Sarasota, FL. I am in a trio companionship with Sister Shirley from Alaska, and Sister Clement from California. It was really hard saying bye to Sister Morgan, I love that women!  These last couple of weeks have been interesting to say the least. I'm sorry that I am awful at sending weekly emails, I am still alive don't worry. We had interviews with President Cusick and I got my return date, I leave the land of bugs and humidity on August 9th. It freaks me out how fast my mission has flown by. You know what they say, time flies when you are having fun. ;) it's been hard, but fun! 

I want you all to know that I know that this is The Gospel of Jesus Christ, restored through the prophet Jospeh Smith. I thought I knew my Savior before I came on my mission, and I didn't come to truly know him until I served him. I wouldn't have gotten this anywhere else. One thing I have been working on and studying is prayer. I have no idea where I would be without it! It truly is a direct connection with our Heavenly Father and it has taken me time to feel that way, and there are times I still feel like I'm praying to a wall. But the more sincere I am, the more I feel him listening. In Preach My Gospel it says "Effective prayer requires great effort." The more effort you put into it, the more you'll get out of it. Just like anything else you do! I know prayer works! When we faithfully do it, it will produce the miracles we need! 

We had the coolest missionary event EVER! First of all did you know Gladys Knight is a Mormon? She is, and she came to FLORIDA! She directs a Grammy award winning choir called the saints unified voices. They travel around and perform gospel music, they came to Tampa for a fireside. There was a catch though, in order to go you had to bring a non-member friend. Her and her choir performed, and she shared her testimony of our Savior Jesus Christ and her conversion story. Everyone was given a chance to fill out a card requesting missionaries to come deliver a Saints Unified Voices CD, a Book of Mormon, and a restoration video. At the fireside they had the day before they received around 350 requests for missionaries. You could not deny the spirit that was felt there, there were people in tears. Definitely a moment I won't forget. 

I hope y'all have a splendid week. DON'T FORGET TO WRITE ME A LETTER :) I mean....please write me a letter. :) and just in case you forgot my address already it's:

3259 Huntington Place Dr. Sarasota, FL.

1. A day in a life as a missionary 

2. Sister Shirley (Left) Sister Clement (Right) 

Sister J

Looking Beyond The Mark

May 2nd 2016:

What insect goes well with jelly? 

A peanut butterfly. 

Things are warming up here in Mulberry, we have done a lot of finding and haven't found much. But we haven't lost hope! They are out there, our job is to find them. 

  14 But behold, the Jews were a stiffnecked people; and they despised the words of plainness, and killed the prophets, and sought for things that they could not understand. Wherefore, because of their blindness, which blindness came by looking beyond the mark, they must needs fall; for God hath taken away his plainness from them, and delivered unto them many things which they cannot understand, because they desired it. And because they desired it God hath done it, that they may stumble.

  I was reading this scriptures this morning, and it really hit me. When we look too far, further than we are ready it can do more harm than good. The gospel is simple, it's meant to stay simple, and when we get lost is deep doctrine we will stumble, because that is the Lord softening our hearts and reminding us of the simplicity of the Gospel. You have a Father in Heaven that loves you! You have an older brother who died for you! Don't let it get more complicated than this. I know this gospel is simple and true. I know that no matter what wrongs we have done, they can be completely wiped clean because of our Saviors Atonement. 

I love you all and I hope you have a good week!:) 

1. Thank you to my amazing ward at home! I needed that package and it came at the perfect time! It really means a lot to me. Thanks again! 

Sister Judkins

G.R.I.T.S - Girls Raised In The South

April 25th 2016:

Hello family and friends! 

What insect goes well with jelly?

A peanut butterfly. 

I'm still alive! Mulberry is treating me well! Sister Morgan and I have been trying to get to know the members and our area. We got our relief society president to send us a southern word of the day, that way I can sound southern when I get home! This week I learned G.R.I.T.S. (My caption of the week)  My dream is to be southern- it's a work in progress. We have been doing lots and lots of finding :) We are on a hunt for the elect here in Mulberry. 

D&C 8:2-3

2 Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart.

3 Now, behold, this is the spirit of revelation; behold, this is the spirit by which Moses brought the children of Israel through the Red Sea on dry ground. I have been thinking a lot about this scripture lately, and how I've seen it happen in my life, and more specifically on my mission. I can think of times where random ideas have come to my mind, and then I feel peace with it. I have come to learn that personal revelation comes when our hearts and minds match, they feel the same! But we aren't going to receive revelation if we aren't willing to act on it, we have to do our part! Robert D Hales talked about this very same thing in this last conference he said; "The Holy Ghost provides personal revelation to help us make major life decisions about such things as education, missions, careers, marriage, children, where we will live with our families, and so on. In these matters, Heavenly Father expects us to use our agency, study the situation out in our minds according to gospel principles, and bring a decision to Him in prayer." God wants to direct our paths, he wants us to make him a part of decisions we have to  make, so go to him in prayer! He will direct you! 

Sunday night we went and taught the restoration to a family in the Ward, we talked about the priesthood, we asked them what miracles have they seen in their lives from it. As they listed several miracles, I couldn't but help think of some miracles I have seen in my life. I can't deny the priesthood and the power that it is. I am so grateful that I have a worthy dad and brothers who hold the priesthood authority of God. I know that the priesthood is Gods authority, and that it was through Joseph Smith that we have it on the earth in these latter days. 

I hope y'all have an awesome week! I know I will, because I'm a missionary and life is pretty awesome here in Florida.  

We went to an ROTC competition. It was so cool!

We made dolls for a relief society activity.

We found a banana plant!!

You know you want the gospel!

Sister J

The Third Highest Point in Florida

April 11th 2016

Hola Folks! 

It turns out that I did get the boot, and I got booted to the backwoods. :) it's awesome. I'm with my people. 

Why did the baseball player leave the stadium? 

His coach told him to run home. 

Well it has been one hectic week, we got a call Tuesday morning from our APs telling us that Sister Morgan and I will be getting transferred. We left Wednesday morning to Mulberry Florida to serve in the highlands Ward. Sister Morgan and I got to stay together, which means that neither of us know where we are or where we are going. :) In missionary terms it's called "white washing". Our Ward hasn't had Sisters in over a year, they were really excited to find out that the sisters were back! I miss good ol' St Pete, but I'm excited to explore Mulberry Florida! :) one side of my area is full of cows, fields, and hills (the third highest point in Florida is in my area which is a hill we walk on). The other side is the backwoods full of gator wrestlers and southern accents. :) it doesn't get better than this. 

And because I know you all are wanting to write me a letter my new address is,

5921 Tropher Trail Mulberry, Florida 33860. 

In other words PLEASE WRITE ME A LETTER! And for those that just sent a letter to my old address, I will hopefully get it in a couple of weeks.... I hope. And If I don't respond to your letter, that is because It never got forwarded to me. :( 

I'm with my people :)

This sign was outside a church.

Sister J

You can't out run a thunder storm :)

April 4th 2016:

Sister Morgan and I learned the hard way that you can't out run a thunderstorm, no matter how fast you can run. 

 What kind of fish fixes musical instruments?
A piano "tuna."
Man, do I have a miracle for you! After a lesson we had  Sister Morgan felt prompted to walk around the neighborhood, as we walked I had the thought to knock on this random door, I ignored it but it quickly came back! So I told Sister Morgan that we should knock on this door. This sweet young mom named Jessica opened the door. We showed her the Easter video and testified of eternal families, and that she has the chance to be with her family forever. She shared with us that she lost her husband a couple of years ago, and she hopes she can see him again. We told her she will see him again, and asked if we could come back to explain how that is possible. She gave us her address, apparently that wasn't even her house, it was her moms and she wasn't even suppose to be there when we showed up!! Gods hand WAS in it! If that wasn't a miracle I don't know what was. Anyways, we showed up for our lesson (which she remembered-they never remember) and got started right away. As soon as we started talking about how she was a daughter of God and he knows her inside and out, the spirit just enveloped the room! You could not deny the spirit at that moment, it was so powerful. And it was instant that we felt it! It was the strongest when we testified of families and how they were created to last after the grave. You could just see hope enter her heart. She has felt sad, lost, and confused for several years. She does not have the knowledge of where her husband is right now, she said she hopes he is okay. We are so blessed to have the knowledge that our loved ones that have passed away are being taken care of. I will be forever grateful for this chance that I have to tell people like Jessica that she will be with her husband again! We shared the rest of the lesson, and she just soaked it all up! We committed her to be baptized onMay 14th, she was so happy when we asked, and said she is going to take it off work right when she gets in!! 


Are you past feeling?
1 Nephi 17:45 Ye are swift to do iniquity but slow to remember the Lord your God. Ye have seen an angel, and he spake unto you; yea, ye have heard his voice from time to time; and he hath spoken unto you in a still small voice, but ye were past feeling, that ye could not feel his words; wherefore, he has spoken unto you like unto the voice of thunder, which did cause the earth to shake as if it were to divide asunder.
Are you to the point where you can't feel the spirit talking to you anymore? And you can't feel his words? If you have gotten to that point where you can't recognize God speaking to you, get on your knees and pray! You can NOT get through this life without the promptings of the spirit. The Sprit takes you down a path of peace and happiness, I can promise you if you repent and change the spirit will guide you and you will be able to recognize the spirit again. Don't let yourself get past feeling, be diligent in your daily scripture study and prayer. God loves you and he wants to guide you, but he can't if you aren't listening. So listen to the prophets and apostles! The lord speaks through them! I know that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of the Lord and his only purpose is to testify of our Savior, I can promise you if you listen to him that he will help you recognize the voice of the spirit again. Heed to his words and don't let this happen to you- 1 Nephi 19:9 And the world, because of their iniquity, shall judge him to be a thing of naught; wherefore they scourge him, and he suffereth it; and they smite him, and he suffereth it. Yea, they spit upon him, and he suffereth it, because of his loving kindness and his long-suffering towards the children of men.

We just got the transfer email and Sister Morgan and I are staying together in St Pete! Yay!

Everyone will hear my message!

Sister Morgan and I

It's Conference! Wahoo!!

This is how I feel about the heat coming. But on the bright side, I'm wearing pants :D (ps Sister Morgan is queen of taking pictures when I'm not paying attention, so here is a candid photo for you)

How are you following Christ?

Sister J