March 1st Friendships through this work, Obedience & Diligence is not easy

Hello Family! It's been a really great week. Highlight from this week was Shein (the aswang) coming to visit me from Cadiz!! Shein is a great friend that I have met here and she is one of the many examples that has strengthened my testimony that missionary work is not ONLY about the people that don't know about the gospel.. it's also about the members!! When we had Mission Tour a couple months ago I remember President Ardern telling about his experience as a young member in New Zealand and how a particular Elder took interest in him and encouraged him and helped him to stay strong and active in the church. He is just as thankful to this Elder as to the Elders that taught and baptized his family. He encouraged us as missionaries to find youth to encourage to serve missions, return to activity and reach out to members. Well when I met Shein she was less active because of her job but didn't hesitate to make the sacrifices to come back to church.. she just needed a push! Up until she decided to quit her job so that she could continue to come to church every Sunday. She would work with us often but I was transferred pretty quick after that. She has been close to the sister missionaries that have taken our places and is a huge help to them. She is preparing to serve a mission and I couldn't be happier for her! I'm so grateful that I met her and for our friendship! There really is so much joy in helping others come closer to Jesus Christ. That is the main goal in being disciples of Jesus Christ. It's not the main responsibility of the missionaries.. but the members! This has created such a great friendship and I know that there are so many people waiting for us to reach out to them.

One of the challenges from this week was our investigator Sister Marilyn and her daughter QT postponing their baptism. They've been interviewed and were all set but of course the adversary swept in and found a way to put lots of doubts and temptations in their way. From the beginning, it's been a bumpy road with Marilyn but I've seen the blessings of being patient with investigators and not giving up on them. I've learned so much and have grown to love her and her family so much. I don't know if I'll still be in this area when she's finally baptized but that's okay with me. I guess you never know.. I could be in this area until I come home! haha
So the mission has been undergoing MANY challenges since President Lopez and Sister Lopez have left us. The missionaries (most) have pretty much thrown out the window all the guidelines and rules that President Lopez has set for this mission because he is no longer here. It's been challenging for me and my companion to hold our ground and do our best just to continue. It's pretty heartbreaking to hear about the many things that are going on around the mission. I know that President Ferrin is great- I look forward to our training with him this week. When President Lopez was here the disobedient missionaries stuck out like sore thumbs and it wasn't favorable to follow the things that they were doing. Now.. it's the opposite. If you are trying to be obedient you stick out like a sore thumb and missionaries wrinkle their noses at you. These next 3 months will be a challenge for me but all I can do is focus on what the Lord expects of me personally and our companionship. I so blessed with a understanding and hardworking companion! She seriously is the beeeeest!! :)
This week I found another scripture in my studies that spoke directly to me: Moroni 9:6 "And now, my beloved son [daughter], notwithstanding [your] hardness, let us labor diligently; for is we should cease to labor, we should be brought under condemnation; for we have a labor to preform whilst in this [place], that we may conquer the enemy of all righteousness, and rest our souls in the kingdom of God."
No matter how difficult our path is to eternal life, I know that He is by our side and He will not cease to labor.. neither should we. I know that with the time that I have left here.. there is a work for me to do! Someday we will all rest our souls in His kingdom with Him if we are diligent in the things that He has asks of us.
I love this work! I miss you all! My heart is full today. I KNOW that Heavenly Father answers prayers. He protects my family and blesses them incredibly. And He really has a plan for us. We can help Him bring to pass His plan for each of us and seek His will through prayer. I love you all and continue to pray for you!

Until next week!
Sister Judd