Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Merry Christmas!!

Hey everyone!

I hope y'all had an amazing Christmas and that you were able to enjoy spending time with family and loved ones!

I had a great week! Most of the week it rained which is awesome for here because they need the rain very bad! Then after all of that cleared up, it got really cold and we were able to see snow on the mountains and frost everywhere on Christmas day! It was really cool!

So on Christmas we went to the Riches for Breakfast and we were able spend some time with their family and watch the last video for the #LighttheWorld initiative. It was so cool to see all of the things that people did over the past month! I encourage y'all to continue to light the world this upcoming year and to truly make this World a better place. All it take are little steps from many of us!

Then later on Christmas, I was able to go to church and sing in the choir and then go to the Fox's house to Skype back home and to eat dinner. I was so happy to be able to Skype my family and spend some time with them.

I also learned about a movie called " Ephraim's Rescue" that I love and would recommend to anyone! It is such a powerful movie and it made me realize that the things that I am going through is very little compared to what others who have come before us have had to go through! That move has given me added strength to move past my trials and to continue to rely on the Lord for help and guidance.

Here are some awesome quotes that I love!

It is possible to have a testimony of the gospel without living it. Being truly converted means we are acting.
--Bonnie L. Oscarson

When we feel the Savior's Atonement working in our lives, we will be filled with joy.
--Russell M. Nelson

When was the last time I chose to be happy rather than demanding to be right?
--Linda K. Burton

If in the end you have not chosen Jesus Christ it will not matter what you have chosen.
--Neal A. Maxwell

I know that the as we work hard we will achieve what we have set out to do. I am grateful for the opportunity that I have to serve the Lord full time. I know that if I ever need guidance, my first source it my Heavenly Father and that as I rely on Him, then I will be guided down the right path ALWAYS. I have learned that Heavenly Father often times answers prayers through the scriptures and I have gained a testimony of the Book of Mormon through that!

Thank y'all for all of your love and support!

I love and miss y'all!

Love,
Elder Rudd

Temecula Nativity

Me & Elder Urey

Christmas Day!

Christmas Day!

Christmas Album! One of my favorite gifts!

Gator Tie from Bro. Traconis. 

He knows me so well.

Monday, December 19, 2016

What a Week!!

Hey Everyone!

So transfer weeks are always crazy and then to add on top of that, I found out I was moving the night before transfers! It was pretty crazy but we did it and we are now getting back to normal missionary life.

This week, we had some pretty great success. We were able to find a new investigator and get in to see some investigators that we haven't been able to see in a while.

So funny story with how we found our new investigator. So we were heading back from meeting with one of our investigators name Reuban and as we were going down the street, there were these kids playing basketball, that stopped us and pointed out how tall Elder Castleton is, which just about everyone we meet does (He is 6'6"). So we ended up stopping and one of the kids challenged him to a basketball game and so he did. So while he was playing basketball, I was talking to some of the other kids and one of them said that they knew a lot of Mormons and if they were to ever convert to a religion, being Mormon was pretty high on the list. So I talked with them a little bit and was able to give them a Book of Mormon and a Restoration pamphlet. We also were able to set up a time top meet with them next week, which I am super excited about.

Also, we were able to meet with Reuban and answer some of his questions. He didn't really know where the Book of Mormon came from and why it was so important so we were able to answer that and help him to realize the importance of it and how it is the key stone of our religion.

I am so grateful for this Christmas season and for the opportunity that I have to celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. I know that as we center our focus this season and throughout the rest of the year on our Savior, Jesus Christ, we will find that life will become a little bit easier. I can promise you that because I have seen as I have done so on my mission, life has become easier and more fulfilling. I know that the Book of Mormon is true. There is no doubt in my mind that it is not the word of God. I am grateful for the opportunity I have to serve the Lord in this part of His vineyard.

I hope y'all have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

I love and miss y'all!

Love,
Elder Rudd

Frost everywhere, turns out it gets pretty cold here!

Monday, December 12, 2016

I Can't Believe Another Transfer Has Gone By Already!

Hey Everyone!

This week was fantastic! So the majority of my week was taken up either setting up, ushering, or going to the "O, Child Divine" play with our investigators. I wish everyone of y'all could have been there for it, as it was such an incredible event and we were able to have so many of our investigators, former investigators, and many potential investigators come to it! The Spirit was so strong there and I was able to feel of the Savior's love and Spirit as I watched the show. All of our investigators loved it and many were even crying during the performance. They should be making a video of it so as soon as it comes out, I will email it to you.

Also this week, we were able to meet with many of our investigators and help them to feel of the Savior's love and help them to progress towards baptism.

So if you don't know already, I am staying here and am going to be getting a new companion, Elder Castleton. I already know him from my last District so that is kind of cool.

I know that the Savior lives and that He came to this earth so that we can return to live with our Heavenly Father and I am so grateful for that! I know that if we choose to make the Savior the center of  this Christmas season, we will find so much more joy in this season. I know that as we are obedient and strive to do our best, we WILL so miracles and blessings come from it. I know the Book of Mormon is true, that is where my conversion started and I am grateful for that. I know that this is where I am supposed to be at this time in my life. I would not rather be anywhere else because serving the Lord is the best thing that we can ever do in this life.

I hope y'all continue to "make room for the Savior" in your life this Christmas season and on through the rest of your life. I hope y'all have a great week!

I love and miss y'all!!

Love,
Elder Rudd

This transfer's District

Elder Rudd, Elder Parkinson, Elder Patton, Elder Blackham,

Elder Wilde, Elder Holfeltz

One of our member's homes

Christmas lights

"O, Child Divine"

Monday, December 5, 2016

Light the World To the Test Is Awesome!

Hey Everyone!

This past week was amazing! There were so many opportunities to serve others with the new #lighttheworld program. I am still so excited about that! My companion and I were able to help put up Christmas lights for families that don't usually do it due to their illnesses or age or they just needed a helping hand. It was so much fun to be able to help them out and spend time with them sharing one of my favorite Christmas traditions.

Also this week, we were able to spend some time with one of my favorite District Leaders Elder Wilde since his companion had to go home for surgery on his ACL. That was fun and we had a fun time trying to fix his bike!

This week we were also able to meet with the Talents which was awesome and we shared the Light the World Christmas video and were able to talk to one of the missionaries that they love that taught them 10 years ago!! He gave us some tips on how to help them and he even gave us a referral!

I know that the Savior died for each and every one of us. I am so grateful for the Atonement in my life and the blessing that it is. I would not be the person I am today without the healing power of the Atonement. I know that we have a loving Heavenly Father who cares about each and everyone of His children, He knows us each by name. I know that as we turn to Him and turn to His teachings through the Book of Mormon and Bible that we will receive answers to our questions and struggles. I am so thankful for Christ gospel and the opportunity that I have to share it with the those whom I serve.

Thank y'all for all of your love and support!

I love and miss y'all and hope y'all have a wonderful week and remember the true meaning of this Christmas season.

Love,
Elder Rudd

I made funnel cakes

The finished product (funnel cakes)

 It's snowing on the mountains

I think it read the temperature a bit wrong since I had a sweatshirt on

A member in our ward is pretty good at this bottle flipping thing.

A member in our ward is pretty good at this bottle flipping thing.

My Christmas lights...I did the best I could with what I had.

Christmas lights on the apartment balcony

Monday, November 28, 2016

It's Time to Light the World!

Hey Everyone!

So I am super excited for the Light the World initiative that is going on right now! If you have not been able to view the video, then watch it now, it is amazing!

https://www.mormon.org/christmas/light-the-world?play=hero

I am super excited it about it and am so happy that the church has put this out so that we can remember the real meaning of Christmas. There is so much about Christmas has been commercialized over the years and this is a perfect and simple way for us to bring back the true meaning of Christmas!

Thanksgiving was great! We were able to play in the Turkey bowl which was fun but I must say that sliding around on a turf field will cut you up. I was able to enjoy Thanksgiving with three different families and see what their traditions are. We had things from sushi to shrimp to the traditional turkey and many other great dishes. It was wonderful to feel of the love that each person has for us and for their Savior.

Also this week we were able to teach a couple of our investigators and share with them the Light the World video, they loved it and one of them said that if we all did this, this world would be a much better place! I totally agree and I love how others are able to recognize that.

I know that this is Christ's church re-established on the Earth today. I know that through the Savior all things are possible. I am so thankful for Him and His Atonement for each and every one of us. I would not be the person I am today if I did not have His gospel in my life. I know that this Light the World initiative is truly inspired and is a way for us to remember the true meaning of Christmas and to really make the world a better place.

Thank y'all for all of your love and support!

I love and miss y'all!

Love,
Elder Rudd

Riding on the golf cart from the Rockafellor's to the Traconis'

Dinner at the Traconis'

Dinner at the Traconis'

We helped decorate at the Peterson's

Helping a family decorate as it is pouring rain outside

Christmas Village

Delicious hot chocolate

Sis. Traconis puts quotes on spoons, how cool is that?!

Monday, November 21, 2016

What a Wonderful Week!

Hey Everyone!

So this week was amazing! I was able to meet with an Apostle of the Lord, Elder Dallin H. Oaks! That was such a neat experience. A couple things that I learned was that apostles can be really funny when they are not at General Conference. I also learned that one of the biggest mistakes that teachers make is that they assume too much. Meaning they assume that the people they are teaching already understand the basics. He suggested that even if someone said that they have been taught something, that we need to go back and reteach the basics and make sure that they understand it before we move on. If we don't, then they are going to be lost with the stuff that we are teaching. I also better understand the Sacrament and how important it is for each and every one of us and how repentance is directly related to it.

Also this week, I was able to go on exchanges with Elder Wilde, who is an awesome Elder by the way! He has so much enthusiasm and it is great! He is so much fun to work with!

Elder Holfeltz and I are also singing in the Ward choir since they were pretty low in numbers so I guess I will be singing on Christmas during sacrament.

I know that this is Christ's gospel. I know that there is a prophet on the Earth today and I am so grateful for the knowledge and the guidance that we are given through latter-day prophets. I know that the Book of Mormon is truly Another Testement of Jesus Christ. I know that as we work hard and are obedient, we will be blessed.

Thank y'all for all of your love and support!

I love and miss y'all!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Love,
Elder Rudd

This kid in our ward makes Christmas cards for a charity.

Elder Rudd & Elder Castillo

My family line: From left to right in order of oldest. 

Elder Wight, Elder Miles, Elder Rudd, Elder Urey, Elder Adams, Elder Gibson! 

Now that is a long missionary family tree!!

Money Pit is a really cool restaurant we ate at in Escondido.

Christmas Tree!

Monday, November 14, 2016

Another Great Week!

Hey everyone!

This week was great! We saw many miracles. I have such a testimony that the Lord leads us to the right places at the exact times that we are needed. I know that because, this week, we felt like we should stop by this one member's home and so we did and we were able to share a message with them that they needed at that moment in their life. Also, we were able to stop by an investigator and be there at the right time to be able to answer some of their questions.

Also this week, we finished the set lessons with the Davis' and are now going to meet with them and help them to progress towards baptism.

This week, we have the opportunity to hear from on of the Apostles, Elder Dallin H. Oaks and to receive council from him. I really looking forward to that, it will be such a neat experience!

I am so grateful to be here and to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I know that the Spirit can work in each of our lives and can help us to feel of Christ's Atonement! I know that as we study the words of the prophets, we will be able to find answers to our questions and the trials that we are having in our life! I know that the Book of Mormon is true, how could it not? It is such an amazing feeling when you read and truly ask if it is true or not and then receive the answer that it is!

I am so grateful for all of your love and support!

I love and miss y'all!

Love,
Elder Rudd

Our investigator's Dog

Biking up a super tall hill and we found an awesome view.

That is pretty much my whole area.