Monday, July 15, 2013

                                   Favorite photo from the airport on leaving day April 16th 2013



15 July 2013, out for 3 months :)

Well well well, here we are again on Pday. I'm actually pretty surprised at how quickly in roles around. This week was pretty standard, nothing super crazy happened (like me suddenly being able to speak Spanish, or my companion suddenly being patient with me.. (ha) not funny actually. Its a real problem.) ANNYYWAYY.
It rained A TON this week and has been so so hot. As usual. I'll try to get some rainy pictures, but the problem is it always rains in the late afternoon or evening when we're out teaching, so 1, I never have my camera, and two its usually getting dark. But lemme just tell ya. The main road (Calle Principal) turns into a literal river. This is not me just being over dramatic. Its a real thing. We do our best to not get our feet and shoes completely soaked while we're out teaching, but then when we have to cross the main road to get back to our house, all hope is lost and we trudge through the muddy river that once was, and will again be the main road.
We've switched our focus a ton after a meeting we all had with the President to working more diligently in finding and teaching families, and not just people, because families are what will keep the church growing. We've been teaching a woman named Claudia who is really good friends with some members in the branch. ( Estefany's grandparents... pictured from an email past) She came to church this week, but her husband had to work so he said he'd come next week. BUT, the cool part is that she kept telling us (when we first met her) how her "husband" (because no one is married here) always leaves the room when the missionaries would visit in the past. We finally found a time when he would be there and miracle... HE DIDNT RUN!!!! He stayed and listened and even asked us a ton of questions. He shared how grateful he is for the atonement in his life and how he can hardly believe that Christ would do that for us. This is what we have been praying for as a companionship you guys! This is why I'm here, on a mission, right now, in Talanga Honduras. Miracles happen. I have a lot of faith and hope with this little family. Plus they have THE CUTEST daughter named Milagros (which means miracle in Spanish) and Claudia is pregnant. I just love them you guys. God is good. The Church is true.
Please pray for the health and well being of my people here in Honduras. Its the rainy winter (like they can even call this winter because its sooooo hot) season and when people are sick here (with a headache or sore throat) they cant do anything. Pray for them, for their strength and that they can accept this message.
I love all of you so much and am so grateful for all of you. I pray for you all individually and for your families. Know that I can feel your prayers and they give me strength to continue on in the hard moments.
Hermana Ludlow

Monday, July 8, 2013

half way done with training!



Hey Everyone!
(Sorry I forgot to send my last weekly email to all my missionary buddies. Ya'll can understand that email time goes so fast and who even knows anything in that short hour. Am I right?) Ok anyway.
THIS WEEK:
-I'm halfway done in my training. What? Crazy. Time is a weird weird thing on the mission. It goes by SO FAST, but then when you look back to the day before yesterday you're like "was that a year ago though?" August 21 is when we have transfers, (this week for those in my district who aren't being trained) and I know like that probably sounds like far away to you guys, but what with all the planning and looking ahead we do, its going to come so fast. The scariest part is that with all the new missionaries coming in so fast, I might be a trainer right after this, so that would be crazy. But, if its the Lords will, I'll do it. The good news with that would be living with Hermana Judd (who I think I've mentioned before... from my district in the MTC/ best friend/ twin.... picture included... accidental matching outfits...) for another three months after... If we both stayed in this area, and both trained. WHO KNOWS ANYTHING???
-Alright alright, what else? We went to a meeting for the newbies in Tegucigalpa this week which was awesome. I love being back with all the Hermanas from the MTC and everyone was doing sooooo much better than the meeting before. We can all do this. Seriously. The meeting was about all the things I feel like my companion and I struggle with (GOD ANSWERS PRAYERS EVERYONE). She only has three months under her belt and so obedience is a little bit of an issue with her. Now I know what everyone means when they said that the hardest thing is having a companion who is disobedient. We're working on it though, and our communication is getting better everyday.
-Which brings me to my next point, you guys. Yesterday was great. Fast Sundays are awesome. I never really appreciated fasting until the mission, but wow. Fasting brings miracles. I have been praying so hard to feel the spirit and feel peace when we teach. To be guided in what to do and say, because honestly, the Spanish is more than overwhelming some days. But yesterday we were in a lesson with one of our new potential families (WE FOUND and are teaching 4 THIS WEEK) and I just knew what to say. I knew what scriptures to use, and where to find them in my SPANISH Book of Mormon. I knew how to explain them and I could feel it. I don't know why its important that I'm here at this time, in Talanga Honduras, and why its important that I have to learn Spanish. BUT IT IS. God has this all planned out, and I'm really starting to feel it.
-Finished Mosiah in my study today (the President wants us to finish the book of Mormon in this first 12 weeks) and its my favorite chapter. You guys. The Book of Mormon seriously is the best thing. In the nights (when/if we have time) I crave reading it. Its such an awesome feeling. The Book of Mormon is true you guys. Don't believe me? I dare you to read it then.
Love you all.
-GOT THE PHOTO ALBUM THIS WEEK!!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH MOM. LOVE YOU.
-Tanner: FINALLY got your announcement. My Zone Leader forgot it at his house for over 3 weeks. Those darn Zone Leaders (cough cough NIELS)
-BAYLEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHAT!!?!? YOU ARE MY WIFE!!! ARGENTINA. I am literally dead and I literally screamed in this ghetto internet cafe in Talanga Honduras. WOW:WOWOWOWOWOWOW.
-Thank you all for your prayers and love. I can feel it from here.
-Missionary friends, Mosiah 27:36 and 37. Read that today and thought of every single one of you.
-Chris. Don't be sick and come visit me k? Love you buddy.
Hermana Ludlow
 
The Book of Mosiah

Chapter 27

 
 36 And thus they were instruments in the hands of God in bringing many to the knowledge of the truth, yea, to the knowledge of their Redeemer.
 37 And how blessed are they! For they did apublish bpeace; they did publish good tidings of good; and they did declare unto the people that the Lord reigneth.

Monday, July 1, 2013

Bekah is WELL!


Rebekah Ludlow

 
 
I just want to start by apologizing to everyone (especially my family) for the stress I caused last week. I can honestly say that the churches best kept secret is how hard a mission is. (ha) For those of you who maybe didn't hear, I had it in my mind that I needed to come home last week. I was really sick and I'm in an tiny pueblo area two hours out of the city. Lets just say it was a really hard week for me, emotionally, spiritually and physically. Satan knows what he's doing, and he's good at it. I was in my bed for almost the entire week. I don't even want to remember it, so I wont go into too much detail, but it was rough.

Next, I would like to clarify that I am back to health (as much as I can be here. Haha. SO MANY BUG BITES) And I want to thank all of you for your prayers and thoughts in my behalf. They saved my life. Thank you to my family for always standing behind me in every decision and for loving me. I have the best family, so everyone be jealous. Thank you to my ward members for your prayers and thoughts. I could feel them all the way from here. I am doing so much better because of all of you and of course the Lord. I don't have a ton of email time, but I just wanted you all to know I'm doing a lot better and feeling a lot better. 

We go to Tegucigalpa this week for a newbie evaluation and I'll get to talk with the President. So that's good. All is well. This is still hard, everyday, but its the right thing. 

Quickly, this week after I was revived from the dead basically, we did a companion exchange with the Hermanas who are over us. (Its that new  calling for the sisters, but I don't remember what its called in English) I went to the city to an area called Loarque with Hermana Vasquez for 2 days. YOU GUYS. She changed my mission, and my life for the better. She is amazing. We got sooooo much done, and had so much fun doing it! That was easily the best day of my mission so far. It gave me hope for the future that once I get this language down, I'll be on fire. She speaks English, so that was awesome. Wow. I wish I had more time to explain, but that was THE BEST DAY OF MY MISSION. (photo of her and I included)

Baptism of Norma. YOU GUYS! My first baptism where I was there for the whole conversion. SO AMAZING. The spirit was so strong. That was a day I will never forget. (picture included. Sorry the elder that took the photo is a loser and didn't get the whole sign for the church in, but you get the idea. 

Thank you all again. I love you all more than you can imagine. This gospel is true. God loves and blesses us everyday.

Got letters from Soren and Leah/Quinn. Thank you so much! QUINN, I love the drawing of Sand Dune arch!!! Thank you for the scripture as well. 

Mom. I love you so much. Thank you for everything. I have word that the photo book package is in the office, just waiting for it to get here to Talanga. 
Dad. Thank you for everything. I love you. 
Siblings. Thank you for your prayers. I still need them, so keep em coming. Love you all. 
Friends on missions (and everyone) Read Mosiah 15. And also 16 verse 15. So great. Read it today in my personal study. LOVE ALL OF YOU AND PRAY FOR YOU ALWAYS:
Chris. I love you buddy. You're the best. Thank you for being my bestie and standing behind me in all of this. I pray for you and love you. Tell your family hi for me. Love all of you. 
Kent. TEMPLE! WOW! I'm so glad you had such an amazing experience. I love you and I know you'll be an awesome missionary. Also loved the pictures!!! Ah. So great.  

LOVE YOU ALL. 
Hermana Ludlow

The Book of Mosiah

Chapter 15

How Christ is both the Father and the Son—He will make intercession and bear the transgressions of His people—They and all the holy prophets are His seed—He brings to pass the Resurrection—Little children have eternal life. About 148 B.C.
 And now Abinadi said unto them: I would that ye should understand that aGod himself shall bcome down among the children of men, and shall credeem his people.
 And because he adwelleth in bflesh he shall be called the cSon of God, and having subjected the flesh to the dwill of the eFather, being the Father and the Son—
 The Father, abecause he was bconceived by the power of God; and the Son, because of the flesh; thus becoming the Father and Son—
 And they are aone God, yea, the very bEternal cFather of heaven and of earth.
 And thus the flesh becoming subject to the Spirit, or the Son to the Father, being one God, asuffereth temptation, and yieldeth not to the temptation, but suffereth himself to be mocked, and bscourged, and cast out, and disowned by his cpeople.
 And after all this, after working many mighty miracles among the children of men, he shall be led, yea, even aas Isaiah said, as a sheep before the shearer is dumb, so he bopened not his mouth.
 Yea, even so he shall be led, acrucified, and slain, the bflesh becoming subject even unto death, the cwill of the Son being swallowed up in the will of the Father.
 And thus God breaketh the abands of death, having gained the bvictory over death; giving the Son power to make cintercession for the children of men—
 Having ascended into heaven, having the bowels of mercy; being filled with compassion towards the children of men; standing betwixt them and justice; having broken the bands of death, taken upon ahimself their iniquity and their transgressions, having redeemed them, and bsatisfied the demands of justice.
 10 And now I say unto you, who shall declare his ageneration? Behold, I say unto you, that when his soul has been made an offering for bsin he shall see his cseed. And now what say ye? And who shall be his seed?
 11 Behold I say unto you, that whosoever has heard the words of the aprophets, yea, all the holy prophets who have prophesied concerning the coming of the Lord—I say unto you, that all those who have hearkened unto their words, and believed that the Lord would redeem his people, and have looked forward to that day for a remission of their sins, I say unto you, that these are his seed, or they are the heirs of the bkingdom of God.
 12 For these are they whose sins ahe has borne; these are they for whom he has died, to redeem them from their transgressions. And now, are they not his seed?
 13 Yea, and are not the aprophets, every one that has opened his mouth to prophesy, that has not fallen into transgression, I mean all the holy prophets ever since the world began? I say unto you that they are his seed.
 14 And these are athey who have published peace, who have brought good btidings of good, who have cpublished salvation; and said unto Zion: Thy God reigneth!
 15 And O how beautiful upon the mountains were their feet!
 16 And again, how beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of those that are still publishing peace!
 17 And again, how beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of those who shall hereafter publish peace, yea, from this time henceforth and forever!
 18 And behold, I say unto you, this is not all. For O how beautiful upon the mountains are the afeet of him that bringeth good tidings, that is the founder of bpeace, yea, even the Lord, who has redeemed his people; yea, him who has granted salvation unto his people;
 19 For were it not for the redemption which he hath made for his people, which was prepared from the afoundation of the world, I say unto you, were it not for this, all mankind must have bperished.
 20 But behold, the bands of death shall be broken, and the Son reigneth, and hath power over the dead; therefore, he bringeth to pass the resurrection of the dead.
 21 And there cometh a resurrection, even a afirst resurrection; yea, even a resurrection of those that have been, and who are, and who shall be, even until the resurrection of Christ—for so shall he be called.
 22 And now, the resurrection of all the prophets, and all those that have believed in their words, or all those that have kept the commandments of God, shall come forth in the first resurrection; therefore, they are the first resurrection.
 23 They are raised to adwell with God who has redeemed them; thus they have eternal life through Christ, who has bbroken the bands of death.
 24 And these are those who have part in the first resurrection; and these are they that have died before Christ came, in their ignorance, not having asalvation declared unto them. And thus the Lord bringeth about the restoration of these; and they have a part in the first resurrection, or have eternal life, being redeemed by the Lord.
 25 And little achildren also have eternal life.
 26 But behold, and afear, and tremble before God, for ye ought to tremble; for the Lord redeemeth none such that brebel against him and cdie in their sins; yea, even all those that have perished in their sins ever since the world began, that have wilfully rebelled against God, that have known the commandments of God, and would not keep them; dthese are they that have eno part in the first fresurrection.
 27 Therefore ought ye not to tremble? For salvation cometh to none such; for the Lord hath redeemed none such; yea, neither can the Lord redeem such; for he cannot deny himself; for he cannot deny ajustice when it has its claim.
 28 And now I say unto you that the time shall come that the asalvation of the Lord shall be declared to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people.
 29 Yea, Lord, athy bwatchmen shall lift up their voice; with the voice together shall they sing; for they shall see eye to eye, when the Lord shall bring again Zion.
 30 Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem; for the Lord hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem.
 31 The Lord hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the asalvation of our God.

The Book of Mosiah

Chapter 16



15 Teach them that redemption cometh through Christ the Lord, who is the very aEternal Father. Amen.

Monday, June 17, 2013

We had a baptism this week again!

We had a baptism this week again! Way awesome! With each baptism, I know the person a little bit more. Its such an awesome feeling to be part of this change in peoples lives. Her name is Estefany, and she's 8 and super great. She lives with her grandparents and who are members and the family is super awesome. I gave the spiritual thought, which was obviously way scary, but every time I do stuff like that I feel a little bit more confident. Un paso a la ves (One step at a time). Its such an awesome feeling when these people come up out of the water and search for your face to give you the hugest smile. LIFE CHANGING.
We have two awesome investigators right now. Norma and Isaias. Both come to church and want to be baptized! It is so awesome to see the Lords hand in preparing these people for us!
I love you all so much. I pray for you and think of you all every day. I don't have a ton of email time, so even though it takes longer, letters are great too.
Leah (sister) I love you. How are you feeling?
Family, WOW LOVE YOU ALL AND PRAY FOR YOU. Thank you for everything.
Bay, WHEN are you getting your call? I'm dying
Friends on missions, I love and pray for all of you everyday!
Kent, Love you. You are theeee best!
Soren and Anna, write me brats! HA. Love you
Chris, You know I love you. I'll write you a letter today of course.
Tan, How's everything? Have you gone through the temple yet?
Springville friends, WRITE ME
Moab friends, I love you all!!!
Everyone... I LOVE YOU.
2 Nephi 22 (verse 3) Therefore, with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. (aka the pilla where we get all our water.) Photos to come...
D&C 31 was written for me. WOW.

Monday, June 10, 2013

Second Week!

Sorry my email didn't send last week. I'm still trying to figure this whole computer in Spanish thing out.

This week has been nuts. 

WE HAD A BAPTISM ON SATURDAY!!! It was so cool. The little boy in the pictures name is Luiz. He's 10 years old and is just about the best thing ever. His mom is less active, so his excitement has made her start coming back to church more. Plus, his little brother (also in the picture) who turns 8 THIS MONTH wants so get baptized too! So awesome! It was awesome and made me think about how excited I am to be there for a baptism where I was there from day 1. I can´t wait. 

I also cant wait to understand Spanish. What the heck?! I'm just here in Honduras where everyone speaks a different language than I do, but they all understand each other just fine! GAH! Its so frustrating. I feel like its the biggest thing holding me back. KENT! and LYDIA! You are so lucky! I'm so jealous that you guys get to just jump into things. SO AWESOME! I'll get it eventually and this'll all start to be worth it. I just try to stay positive and not get discouraged. 

I sent a letter in the mail because we hardly have time to write that talks more about where I am, (Mom, feel free to add anything from that to the blog when you get it.) but my area is called Talanga. Its all dirt roads and small houses varying from real floors to dirt. Its a lot what I expected. SO HOT HERE. Like you have no idea. The people are ready and humble though. I love them and want so badly to be able to communicate that with them! 

I'll hand write a letter again today for lack of time, but I love all of you more than you can imagine! My address will be the same from here on out so send away!!! The church is true! Love youuuu and miss you all a ton ton ton ton!!!

Mom, Thanks for sending that song of Jacob! Cried like a baby! Try to send it on a CD maybe so I can listen to it? 

Jacob awesome I'm dead!

Bay WHen do you get your call!!

Chris Love you so much buddy! 

Everyone write me letters!!!!


 
Hey Everyone! I'm here and alive! Sorry I didn't get the chance to email last week. I was at the presidents house, which was awesome. You guys, I had the most amazing experience. When we pulled around the corner onto his street, I knew which house was his. I felt an overwhelming feeling of warmth and peace, and like I had been there before. You guys. That was amazing. It was a confirmation to me that this is where I'm supposed to be. Because honestly, some days those feelings are hard to come by.
We have been teaching people since Wednesday which has been awesome, but scary and hard because I don't speak a ton of Spanish. It'll come though. We have a baptism scheduled for this week so hopefully it all works out.