Transfer 7 Semaine 2 12/17/13

Dear family and friends, 

Forgive the day of delay! Yesterday I didnt take my P-day because we had our giant Christmas conference!:) Since the mission is so big now, we had to split the conference up into four different groups in order to cater to all 250 missionaries! and my group was up first.:) It was such an incredible learning experience, and being all together truly unified the spirit and vision of the mission. I am so especially grateful for my mission president and his wife. They are incredible. I have no clue how they do all they do. They are and forever will be some of the greatest examples and friends I will ever have. Please keep them in your prayers of gratitude and blessing. 

This first week in Versailles has wizzed by! Although I am the new one in town, I love it already and am so grateful for those whom with I serve. Since I have arrived, Soeur Stahly and I have met with several inactive members: Nadege, la famille Staikovsky, Joyce, and Laurie. Each of them are so sweet, and I am so filled with the love Heavenly Father has for them. Laurie, in particular, was a special miracle. Just before I came to Versailles, she had contacted the sisters to ask for a copy of the Liahona, and when we visited her to deliver it, we were happy to hear of all of the the experiences she has had that have pushed her to turn, once more, to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Laurie was baptised 20 years ago when she was 19 years old and just soared as a new convert. A year after her baptism, she went through the temple to make additional covenants and helped many others around her to accept the Gospel into their lives. When she got married, however, her husbands pessimism really took a toll, and since about the age of 25, she has been completely inactive. She met with the missionaries for years, on and off, but always pushed them away because of the guilt she felt. A couple weeks ago, though, at her grandmother's funeral, she felt the Spirit confirm to her the importance of performing temple work for deceased members of our families. She felt as though her granndma has desires for this work to be done. So, as a result, she contacted the missionaries, began again to read in the Book of Mormon, and is taking other necessary steps that she needs in order to enter the temple of the Lord. What a blessing she will be to those in her family who are anxiously waiting, and what an incredible blessing Laurie is to each of us! Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers, especially this week, as we will meet with her again at the end of the week. 

Since my arrival, I have also been able to meet with serveral investigators: Marguerite, Marylline, and Luce. Each of these women are outstanding, and are coming closer in their decisions to be baptized. Please pray for them so they may be able to feel the Spirit tell them the importance it is to make this covenant with God. 

Thank you all so much for your prayers and support. I feel so much of your love.:) 

Remember that you can make a difference, wherever you are. Find someone to help and always, always remember to smile.:) 

I love you with all of my heart.:) 

Soeur Laura Lee Judd 

Transfer 7 Semaine 1 12/9/13

Dear family and friends,

Another transfer is over, and I can hardly believe it!!! Goodness! Time flies when you are having fun.:) Sadly, we all know that at the end of each transfer comes changes....and although I am sad to have recieved the news that I will be leaving Blois, I am so happy to announce that my next area will be VERSAILLES!!!!!!!!!! Yes, you read it right.:) I am moving to Versailles.:) My new companion's name is Soeur Stahley, and I am so grateful to be able to serve with her.:) She and I were in the same district when I was in Angers, and, before they had Sister Trainer Leaders (back in the dark ages...:) haha) I acually was so lucky to be able to go on my first exchange with Soeur Stahley in Cholet. She is a really incredible missionary, and I am so grateful to be able to spend this next transfer with her.:)

This week (I am so happy to tell you this) we were finally able to organize lessons with the Velija family and the assistants serving in the Adriatic South Mission! I have been praying for months and months for the Velijas to have a way to hear the Gospel in their own language, and I am so grateful to have been able to see that become a reality. Although I wasnt able to understand even the least bit of Albanian, the Spirit in the room was so strong, and the Velijas, already, are progressing so quickly. Now that they will be able to have each lesson from here on out in Albanian, we are not too involved in the teaching process anymore, but it is still quite a treat to be cheering at the sidelines and watching the Lord do His work.:) I know that the Lord answeres prayers. Please continue to keep the family Velija in your prayers. Although I may not be able to keep you very updated about their detailed progression because I will no longer be in Blois, I will let you know all that I find out about them in the future.:)

Ending a transfer and finishing time in an area sure causes a lot of reflection...and today I have been thinking so much about what I have learned and how I have grown since I have come to Blois. I am so happy to be able to say that the greatest lesson I have learned, and will continue to learn, is how to use the Atonement and to lean on the Savior for help and support. I know that He lives! There is no possible way I could ever perform the work He has laid out for us without His help. He is with us every step of the way. I know it.

Remember that you can make a difference, wherever you are. Find someone to help and always, always remember to smile.:)

I love you with all of my heart.:)

Soeur Laura Lee Judd

Transfer 6 Semaine 6 12/3/13

Dear family and friends, 

It's alrady week six! I can hardly believe it. Early on in your mission, you're always told that every transfer goes faster and faster, but I never realized how fast that could actually be!!!!!!:) 

On Sunday, Maggy was confirmed a memeber of the church and given the gift of the Holy Ghost. Even in the one week since her baptism, her testimony has grown so much, and I know that with the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost that she now has, her spirit and knowledge will grow even more. Please continue to keep her in your prayers.

This week we have done all sorts of organizing through the Assistants with missionaries in the Adriatic North mission because THE VELIJA FAMILY IS FINALLY GOING TO HEAR THE MISSIONARY LESSONS IN THEIR OWN LANGUAGE!!!!! I am so excited.:) Hopefully this week we will be able to get that first contact with all of them through skype. I also hope that, in that lesson, we will be able to set a baptisimal date for the entire family.:) Please keep them in your prayers as well.

Remember that you can make a difference, wherever you are. Find someone to help. And always always remember to smile.:) 

I love you with all of my heart, Soeur Laura Lee Judd

Transfer 6 Semaine 5 11/25/13

Dear family and friends, 

I am so happy to say that Maggy's baptism was a success.:) She made it safely in and out of the water, and i am so grateful.:)

This week we will be doing a lot of finding, and please please pray for us so that we can be led to more people, more families who are ready to recieve the Gospel in their lives. 

Remember that you can make a difference, wherever you are. Find someone to help and always, always remember to smile.:) 

I love you with all of my heart.:) 

Soeur Laura Lee Judd 

p.s. I will try to send pictures next week!!!!

Transfer 6 Semaine 2 11/4/13

Dear family and friends,

I am so grateful to have two companionships serving her in Blois!!! The work is pushing forward so fast here. Both companionships work very very well together, and we push each other positively. Although it is a little squishy in our apartment sometimes, I love rubbing shoulders with the sisters serving here.:)

My companion's name is Soeur Doyle, and she is from Herriman, Utah. She was actually trained by my second companion, Soeur Anderson, in Angers, so I had met her a couple times before. When I got the news that she was going to be my companion, I couldnt help but smile.:) She is dedicated, hard working, and very inspired. She is exactly what Blois needs right now, and I am so grateful to serve by her side.

The two other sisters serving here are really great too! Soeur Paxton is just starting her last transfer of her mission, and I am learning so much from her. She'll be outta town before we know it! The other sister is actually a visa waiter waiting to go to the Temple Square Mission. She is beautiful!!! and FRENCH! I love speaking with her.:) I am getting such good practice!

Our serious investigators are all progressing. Yesterday the famille Velija came to church and starting singing the hymns for the first time.:) Yesterday we went to their house and watched The Testaments with a member, and it was so uplifting for us all. Selvete, the oldest daughter, is progressing the most. She needs to be reading more, but her desires are so pure and strong. We hope to have a date fixed with her this week. As for the rest of the family, they are learning how to recognise the Spirit. With the language barrier, it is really hard, but we are making headway!!!

We recently starting teaching an old investigator named Nadiha Zarka. Soeur Mangum and I "accidently" knocked on her door a couple weeks ago, and since then she is progressing really fast to baptism. She doesnt have a date yet, but we hope to have one by the end of the week. Saturday night we had a wonderful family home evening with Nadiha at our stake president's house, and yesterday she came to church. We will see her again tomorrow.

Maggy Kerlo is progressing really well, and she attended church for the second time yesterday. She LOVES singing the hymns and is really sensitive to the Spirit. She struggles severely with her health and is hard to schedule with, but she is progressing well. Reading and understanding the Book of Mormon is the hardest thing for her right now. I know that when that testimony comes, Maggy will be baptised. Keep Maggy, especially, in your prayers.

Maria Poletto is progressing really well but, sadly, can only progress so much because she and Chris are not married. She is regularly reading the Book of Mormon, praying, coming to church every week, and she so desires the blessings of the Gospel in her life and in the lives of her children, Axel and Exaucée, but without being married, she cannot make that step. Chris will absolutly not budge on marriage, but we are praying. Maria, in fact, is thinking about moving to Bretagne to live with her mom and sister...and if that were to be the case, she could be baptised. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers.

Mirian and Jennyfer have been progressing well since their baptism. Mirian loves visiting teaching! and is setting good goals like praying as a family every night. Jennyfer is anxiously sharing her testimony of God with everyone around her and loves teaching lessons with us. She has recently been spending a lot of time with Selvete and Suada Velija, and her support is really strengthening them. The toughest things for both Mirian and Jennyfer, though, is regularly reading out of the Book of Mormon. Truly, like us all, they need to be reading everyday so that they can see their testimonies continue to grow brighter and brighter. Please keep them in your prayers.

I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to serve as a missionary at this time, in this place, at this time. I know this is where the Lord needs me. Take the time to find out where the Lord needs you.

Remember that you can make a difference, wherever you are. Find someone to help, and always always remember to smile.:)

I love you with all of my heart, Soeur Laura Lee Judd

Letter to President Poznanski 10/21/13

haha i probably dont have the best grammer or spelling in the world haha but here is a little miracle from the week that i shared with my mission president. hope you like it.:) 

Je souhaite qu'il y aurais des indicateurs clés pour tous les portes et tous les personnes avec qui vous parlez parce que ces moments sont souvent les moments que nous voyons les plus grandes miracles. Après un repas que nous avons eu, Soeur Mangum et moi attendions à un arret de bus à coté de chez nous. J'était nerveuses un petit peu de parler avec la jeune dame à coté de nous, mais j'ai commencé un conversation avec elle en disant, "J'aime bien vos chaussures!" Après juste quelque phrases, nous étions en train de parler au sujet de l'Evangile. Quand le bus est arrivé, nous sommes monté tous ensemble continuant de parler. Nous avons montré nos cartes de bus au conducteur, et, toute suite, il a commencer de parler avec moi au sujet de Salt Lake City. J'ai resté avec lui d'expliquer ce que nous faisons en tant comme missionnaires, et pendant trente minutes dans le bus, nous avons parlé au sujet de l'Evangile rétablie. Avant de descendre, je lui ai donné un jaune carte avec notre numéro. Quand nous venions de descendre le bus, Soeur Mangum m'a dit qu'elle a parlé avec la meme dame avec les chaussures toute au long du temps dans le bus. Elle lui a expliqué ce que c'est Le Livre de Mormon, et quand Soeur Mangum lui a offert un copy, la dame était vraiment touché. Elle lui a demandé d'écrire quelque chose de dans, donc, Soeur Mangum a écrit son temoignage. C'était vraiment un miracle, et je crois que c'était le plus miraculeuse expérience que Soeur Mangum a eu pendant sa mission. Quelque heures après ces expériences, l'homme avec qui je parlais nous a envoyé un SMS demandant pour un rendez-vous. Nous allons le voir demain soir. C'était vraiment miraculeuse. Et tous ça a commencé en disant, "J'aime bien vos chaussures."

Soeur Judd

(Basically, she is doing amazing and miracles are happening all over the place   -Alicia)

Transfer 5 Semaine 5 10/14/13

Dear family and friends,

I have to start by apologising for not getting a word off last week! After I finished writing President Poznanski, the stake presidency here has a conference skype with Salt Lake City, and I had to let them use the computer. So sorry about that. You'll get to hear about lots of good things this week, though!

Since their baptisms, Amandine and Jennyfer have been progressing well. Amandine lives in the countryside where no busses go, so it is tough to ever see her during the week unless they come into town, but we have seen her on Sundays, and she is just a little ball of sunshine.:) Jennyfer just recently started going to seminary and loves is already. Reading the scriptures daily has been something kind of hard for her, but the seminary challenges of reading and memorizing scriptures is really pushing her well to do that. The other day Soeur Mangum and I went to Mirian and Jennyfer's house and made African pastries (sorry i can only say it not spell it haha) and a fish dish. It was sooooooooo good!!! there. Jennyfer also read all the way though the For the Strength of Youth pamphlet, started applying the counsel inside, and shared it with a friend!:) She teaches with us regularly, and her prayers are more sweet and tender every time. It is truly such a blessing to know her.

We are meeting with a few other investigators quite regularly. I may have mentioned some of them before...so I'll do a little update on a few.

Selvete and Suada Velija and their family are progressing well right now. They are a young family who moved to France from Kosovo in February, not knowing any French at all! Since then, though, they have progressed a lot, and, after meeting the missionaries, starting coming to church in about April. Although they are not practicing, their Muslim background has been making it fairly hard for them to be taught, but they are so humble and have a desire to know that what we have to share is true. Each time we are there we read 10 verses out of the Book of Mormon in French, and after each verse, Selvete or Suada reads it outloud again in Albanian. It is slow, but it is incredible how much they are able to understand. Although it is tough to read themselves, each of them prays to know of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon and whatever subject we discuss in the name of Jesus Christ. Although their belief in Christ is not that strong, they are the best example of faith and expressing a desire to know the truthfulness of these things. They have accepted the invitation to be baptised when they do know that the Book of Mormon is true, so PLEASE keep them in your prayers so that they will set a date with us and progress towards that covenant of baptism.

Horchidet is a referral we recieved from a recently activated member, and although we are having to teach a little bit slower than normal, she is progressing along just great. She LOVES church and sings all the hymns (even though she is pretty off key haha). Mirian is reaching out to her really well too.

Maggy is an older French woman we have been teaching for about 12 weeks. We met her though an inactive member. She has never accepted the invitation to come to church, but she understands baptism and has accepted the invitation, but not yet a date. She is reading the Book of Mormon and likes the stories inside, but she is nervous to because she isnt very confident in her reading skills. She prays in the manner that we do when we are not there, but has never prayed since when we have been with her. She keeps her word, though, and I am confident that she will accept a date soon, but the big thing really is getting her to church. She really struggles with her health...she is in and out of the hospital A LOT! So I think that that holds her back from leaving her house, but I know that that will be the deciding factor. Please keep her in your prayers so that she will come to church!!!!!!

 

This past week I got the opportunity to go to Paris for an exchange with Soeur Roney, and it was so incredible! Soeur Roney is finishing her mission soon, so I was so lucky to be able to do one of her last exchanges with her. She is such an incredible missionary, and I am so grateful to have learned so much from her. The biggest lesson I learned while I was with her is following the Spirit. Contacting in Paris, as I am sure you can imagine, can be kind of overwhelming.:) haha. There are millions of people to choose from! So truly, like in all missionary work, following the Spirit is key in choosing who to talk to and what to say.

Sorry I just ran out of time! But I love you so much!

Remember that you can make a difference, wherever you are. Find someone to help, and always, always remember to smile.:)

I love you with all of my heart.:)

Soeur Laura Lee Judd