Irmao Nielson has taught us how to work hard. Irmao Rodriguez has
taught us how to work smart. And Irmao Belchior has taught us how to
work fun! The lack of worries and stress here has been the perfect
environment to dig inside oneself and stretch, grow, and learn. I have
learned more about the language of the spirit than I have about the
language of Portugues, which is already a ton. I have been able to carry
on a decent conversation with my teachers, they definitly don't teach
you how to do that well in the school's language department! Eu nao falo
portugues muito mas eu sei que com a ajudar do salvador atreve o
espirito santo posso falar portugues otimo.
They say that the MTC is like a prison, being trapped inside. Why
would you trap yourself with that type of attitude? The MTC is more
like the garden of Eden. A bright morning this past week, the sun was
beaming gently onto the faces, the birds were chirping, and a butterfly
was carelessly flying across our path. There are rarely times where I
find myself not smiling here. Happiness is a symptom of gratitude, you
can't avoid it no matter how hard you try. It is almost a chore not to
smile, there is so much to be grateful for: God has given all. I have
been so blessed with so many people in my life that have supported me
and wanted the best for me. Thank you.
I have three mottos here in the MTC:
1. Never make the same mistake twice.
2. Look back with no regrets.
3. Be yourself, but be your happiest self.
I
have been blessed to witness many sacred and miraculous things happen
here in our district. Some things too sacred and personal to those who
experienced them for me to share. I know of the power of the gift of
tongues: I prayed for Elder Conway one night (my near perfect
companion/future prophet) sincerely that he would receive help with the
language, this was while he was out of the room reading his scriptures,
and the next morning his portuguese went from not being able to even
pronounce a word to speaking in full sentences! It was so apparent and
obvious that I asked him about it during the day and he told me that he
didn't study scriptures he was praying with all his heart to receive
help with the language and he heard the spirit tell him (not even
whisper) "because of your faith I will bless you with the gift of
tongues". I am so grateful for his example to me of what being a true
missionary is like. He has such motivation, and was the number one
wrestler in the state of Arizona last year.
Not all everything here has been what you might imagine, however. So much immature and innapropriate talk and actions here.
I really have never been happier in my life. God has given me time, God
has given me energy, God has given me my family and friends, God has
given me agency. Therefore I have sacrificed absolutely nothing. I am so
grateful for all of your examples to me to help me give myself more
fully to Christ. I have stopped trying to be the best missionary I can
be and have started striving to live in the hand of the Lord so His work
can be brought forth. Enjoy your summer everyone, life is great! There
is so much more than I could ever have time to say!!
-Elder Judd
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