5th Transfer: Week 2 ~ A Strange Week

So this week has been a little weird. It was a little bit stressful for me because I am running this area. It has been going pretty good and the area is finally progressing but the storms, and little random things that happen during the day, end up changing all of our plans. On Thursday morning, we woke up and I saw a little rain cloud, which was fine, but then throughout the day I watched this little rain cloud getting bigger and then a couple hours later it covered the whole island. Sister Dill and I went to the church to send in some vehicle reports to the office elders and as we were in the church (for like 5 seconds) rain started pouring. Thunder and lightning was everywhere and then this crazy wind came out of nowhere (here in the Bahamas we have zero wind, which is why its so hot here). It was crazy! I ran to the door to look outside and before I knew it, it was flooding the whole church parking lot! Nassau is already below sea level and the church parking lot was under the main road so water was just flowing into the parking Lot. Sister Dill and I were trapped at the church. We had no idea how to get out of there so we had to wait it out. The storm stopped and as we opened the church door to get out the water was up passed my ankles. Some parts were even a little deeper. We got to the car. Then as we were driving towards the gate (we have to get out and open it) the water was almost to our knees. It was like an ocean! It was so scary, because we have this little car driving into the flood. We thought the water was going to come in. It was just a blessing that our car didn't stop working. It was insane. In the Caribbean when bad storms come everything goes CRAZY. There was a ton of traffic, POLICE were everywhere with machine guns. I remember there was a group of cops stopping every car. When they came up to our car they saw my name tag and they said "You doing work for the Lord?" I said YES . They laughed and said "Your free to go if your doing work for the LORD" HAHA Everyone in the Caribbean just loves our Savior. Its wonderful. It's just having them believe in our words and to act on the things we teach and to follow Christ's example.

As the week went on I called a lot of people in our area book. We now have 4 great investigators and 2 potential investigators. So I am very excited. We also have a ton of recent converts that we have been working with and they are now coming back to church. This very old member of the church (who was baptized in 2004 or something like that) has started coming back to church which has been awesome to see! I love doing the work and seeing progress here in the area. I know that the Lord is softening their hearts.

Well, I've learned that sometimes the Lord allows things to happen in our lives so that we can learn and grow. Satan was also a part of this plan. So Satan is helping us out, he just doesn't realize that yet. The Lord has more power than Satan does. We also have our agency and can be stronger than Satan. We have a body, he doesn't! We can choose whether to think certain things and to act in a certain way. We have a CHOICE. So always remember that. We always need to focus on the spiritual things and think of our Savior and Redeemer every day as we strive to become more like him. The Lord will guide us and help us through the Spirit. We just need to choose to let him help us :)

I miss Jamaica so much. I hope I go back there after Nassau! I wanted to serve my whole mission in Jamaica but the Lord needed me here in Nassau for some reason. Its okay though I have accepted it. Only Elders were allowed to serve here on this island. It has recently been open to sisters so only 2 other companionships have been here.

For 2 weeks straight now the Song "If You Could Hie to Kolob" has been stuck in my head. I now sing it around the house. The sisters laugh at me because I say "If I Could Hie to Kolob" and Sister Oman always says "SELFISH" HAHAHA!! It's pretty funny. Our house needs a little laughter once in a while. It gets so serious at times cause we all get stressed out. Especially because it is just us 4 on this island. But I like my version because it keeps me motivated. What am I going to do to reach my goal? How am I going to act to stay on the straight and narrow path? Our zone leader called us last night and told us we are highly favored of the Lord and that he sees our numbers progressing. Which made me feel good. We are being led and guided for sure here on these islands. The work is hastening here in the Caribbean. There were missionaries here before missionaries went to Africa and look at how many members and temples there are there. So.. we definitely have to focus on what the Lord wants and needs us to do here to help these people and for the work here to hasten.

Developing the character of Christ ~ we all strive to become more like our Savior, Jesus Christ and we do that by showing it through our actions. He always says in the scriptures that if we love Him we need to keep the commandments and follow Him. It's all through our actions and the desire in our heart to do what is right. Everything that we do is for HIM. I just love my Savior. I always have since I was little. I remember when I was little I would always brag to my friends that he was my brother and then I realized that he was a "Big Brother" to everyone else. hahaha! but I do I just love this gospel. It is TRUE without a doubt and it brings me such great happiness! So we all need to walk in righteousness so we can all sit in our chairs together as a family after this life!

Alot of things have happened in Ochi that I forgot to mention to you. Elder Hardy is the Branch President their now which has been AWESOME! The people that me and Sister Bailey taught for months are now baptized. Eli's kids are now baptized as well. Eli was the one that walked up to us while we were teaching one of his friends and we ended up teaching him! He got baptized. It's awesome! So it's wonderful to hear what is going on in Ochi :)

Here are some pictures:

Walked in the flood to get to our car! It was kind of fun though.

It took 4 days for my shoes to finally dry :) Thank goodness for another pair!

Cars were all over the place on the streets

A huge snail on the outside of our apt.

Had Family Home Evening with Sister Etienne and her sons

Teaching the members Member Missionary Work
with Preach My Gospel

I am so excited for 2 birthdays this week! CHANDLER AND LAUREN!! WOOHOO! I bet they are so excited (especially Lauren), I heard that she says she has a headache from being 4, she is ready to turn 5.

Well mom, I have to go soon. The sisters will be coming to use the computers but I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH! and I enjoyed our conversation Mom. I miss you all very very very very much. Tell Lauren that I said HAPPY BIRTHDAY. Tell Chandler that I sent him an e-mail. Tell the whole family that I love them and hope you guys have a safe and fun week! and I love you my mother!! BYE MOM!! :)

LOVE YOU
-SIS JUDD
******************************************************************************
Good Morning Dad!!

I love the story about Nephi breaking his bow. It always amazed me because if it were me, you all know, that I would have been murmuring as well.They were in a hot desert, they were hungry, they had been traveling for soo long and then all of a sudden the only thing that they had to catch food with was the bow that was broken. But Nephi amazes me! He didn't murmur he just went to his dad, who was the prophet, and asked where he should go to obtain food. And with patience he caught them food. Nephi was awesome. The Lord throughout the scriptures says to be "patient in thine afflictions." Thats hard for me to do but while I've been on my mission I've learned that if something comes my way I stop, think, and get on my knees and pray to my Father in Heaven and ask him what I should do. With faith I know that the Spirit will direct me in what to do. Now, of course some days I do murmur but it's something that all of us as the natural man and women do. But our job is to recognize it and change itso we can keep progressing to be more like our Savior, Jesus Christ.  But Dad, you're awesome and thanks for taking the time to write me every Monday. I know with your little stabs at the keyboard it's a lot of work HAHA. I know the effort you put into the e-mails, and I appreciate it, I love hearing from my DAD!!

Well love you, and I hope you have a great day!!

YOUR DAUGHTER,
SISTER JUDD