Monday, January 25, 2016

Another Week in the Life of a Missionary


Hey Everyone!

This week was pretty good. There were quite a lot of things that happened. First off we went over to this less active members house looking for his brother Toa who is a potential investigator but he wasn't there. Instead his brother gave us a Thrasher Shark that he had just caught the day before and told us exactly how to cook it. So wee took it and since it was like 10 lbs of meat that we knew we would not be able to eat by ourselves, we took it to the BBQ the next day. We prepared it and cooked it exactly how he said and it turned out to be so delicious! I was very impressed and so was everyone there. We also got to pet some llama's at dinner last night which was really cool. Thankfully they didn't spit on me.

The only sad thing that happened this week was that our investigator, Angel, dropped us because he has been talking with this pastor friend of his. When he told me that, I was heart broken, because I know he has felt the Spirit before, but I know that he will one day come to know of the truthfulness of the things we teach.

We did, however, get to teach the Restoration to these three guys on the street and one of them committed to baptism. That was such a great experience learning that the Lord really does put people in our paths, so that we can teach then about the Restored truth.

We also were able to teach a man named Sean, who is in the military, and he is such a a great guy with such a desire to know the truthfulness of the things we teach.

I am so grateful for the opportunity that I have to serve here and those that I am able to meet and help them come to know how they can live a truly happy life. I know that God will only give us as much as we can handle, even if it seems like we can't handle it sometimes. If we pray to him and ask for help, He will answer our prayers and give us the strength that we need.

I hope you all have a great week!!

Thank you for all of your love and support!

Love,

Elder Rudd

Thrasher Shark... it's what's for dinner. 

This definitely wasn't his Momma's recipe.

The Elders visiting the llamas.

The Emperor's New Groove.

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Hey Everyone,

There were quite a few things that went on this weekend! First off Angel sadly did not get baptized because of something that came up but he is still taking the lessons with us and progressing towards baptism an January 29th. 

I also got a new companion this week who's name is Elder Urey. He is from Seattle, Washington and he is pretty cool. We are getting along pretty well.

We also are teaching a couple of new investigators now named Xavier and Acey who are both on date and are progressing towards baptism. 

This week we also got chased by a dog which was pretty fun. And picked up a chicken!

I know that this Church is true and I know that as we live by the standards of the gospel, we truly will be blessed.

Love,

Elder Rudd

 

 

The district at FHE

More of the District

(Serving in Vista YSA Ward & Vista 10th Ward)

Elder Urey & Elder Rudd

I'll never look at chicken the same way!

This sidewalk makes no sense?!?

 

Monday, January 11, 2016

Hey Everyone,

This week was AMAZING!! First off we had some crazy flash flooding at the beginning of the week! Like the sidewalks were completely under water and we were driving through over a foot of water at some points. Being boys it was very fun!

 

So another crazy thing that happened was when we went to a potential investigators house and their dog started chasing us. Then it bit at our feet, I am glad I was wearing my waterproof shoes because I stuck my foot out and it just bit my shoe. Haha.

 

We also got transfer calls on Saturday and I am going to be staying in the Vista YSA training a new missionary as well as being a DL (District Leader). Elder Miles is going to Murrieta.

 

So now the most exciting news of all!! We met with this man named Angel this week and had a couple of lessons with him. At the end of the first lesson we asked him to specifically pray to know if the Book of Mormon was true and if Joseph Smith was a prophet and in his prayer he said that he knew that Joseph Smith was a prophet and that the Book of Mormon was true. Then we committed him to baptism first for the 22nd of January and then as we were leaving we realized that he had been to church 3 times already and in order to get baptized in our mission, you have to go to church at least twice. So we prayed about it and felt like we should ask him if he wanted to move his date to the 11th and he said yes! So today at 6 PM Angel is going to be baptized! I am so excited that I was able to have the opportunity to help Angel enter into the Kingdom of God.

 

I know that as we pray and ask our Heavenly Father for things with a sincere heart he will bless us. I am so grateful for the opportunity that I have to serve here and all of the people that I am able to meet. I know that as we truly ask to know if the Book of Mormon is true, we will receive the answer that it is!!

 

I hope you all have a great week!!

 

Love,

Elder Rudd

 

 

 

That river was dry before this week

 Flash Flooding in the Area

 Flash Flooding in the Area

  Flash Flooding in the Area

 Flash Flooding in the Area 

Cool Aquarium at Bishopric Councilor's House

I'm guessing Elder Rudd was missing the show "Tanked"

 

 Glow in the Dark Volleyball

Monday, January 4, 2016

Miracles are So Real

Hey Everyone,

This week was an amazing week.

 

New Years was pretty fun and we had some great things happened this week. The miracle that happened this week on Saturday was when we were able to contact quite a few people. It all started in the morning when we were able to get our SOE (Standard of Excellence) by 12. That like never happens. So Elder Miles and I look at each other and then say we are going to beat the Fallbrook 1st Ward sisters who recently got 65 contacts in one day. Then by 3 we have about 80 contacts and then we look at each other and say, we are going to get over 100 contacts today and so we say a prayer and ask that we will be guided by the Spirit and we truly were. We were able to get 101 contacts in one day and 3 of the people that we contacted we were able to set up lessons with. 

Then at the end of the day when we were biking back I got in a crash which was actually pretty fun since I am okay and so is my bike and watch. There were so many people honking and waving which was pretty fun.

 

We also were able to go up to Camp Pendleton to teach some of the recruits there. That was one of my best experiences because of the fact that they are so humble and ready to hear the gospel. I had one lesson with one of the recruits and everything made sense to him and he said he would get baptized in a couple of weeks. 

 

I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the same Church that Christ established when he was here on the Earth. I also know that as we heed to the promptings of the Spirit, the Lord will work miracles in our lives.

 

I love y'all so much and am appreciative of all of you love and support.

 

Have a great week!!

 

Love,

Elder Rudd 

 

 

Cool Wall Art

 

 

 

 

New Years Eve Tradition

Sparkling Grape Juice

Heading to Camp Pendleton to Teach the Recruits