Umm...Accident

Hey,

the orthopedic institute in sioux falls was still after me, i guess i still had two ten dollar co-pays. So i called them and paid it over the phone. Talked to sis layton about it and cleared it all up. So finally, i am 100% done with that place!!!!

Well this week has been crazy. Mom brace yourself, okay? On friday I was in a car accident. I was on an exchange in newcastle, wy with elder cooper. I was driving. We were driving out of town a little bit and we came upon this turn that was basically a 180. In wyoming they put this stuff called "Mag Water" on the ground/dirt to make the dirt not collect after a car drives on the dirt. But we turned the corner and hit a patch of loose gravel. No snow on the ground, no ice on the ground. This turn is the worst thing I have ever seen in my life. But we lost control because of the loose gravel and fishtailed out and the car actually flipped and we landed upside down in front of someones house. Me & Elder Cooper are perfectly fine. Nothing at all happened to us. We are healthy and strong. My knee is fine. Everything is good. No problems. But, it was the scariest thing ever. I was going under the speed limit. I had taken that dirt road corner atleast 3 times that exchange. But, this time. It wasnt our friend. We ended up on the hood of the car in an embankment next to someones house. There was gas leaking so me and elder cooper just wanted to get the heck out of there. Elder Cooper was laughing at me though... Because I just wanted to get out and was trying to help him out. But, i forgot I was upside down... When I took my seat belt off, I hit it hard. The best part of it all.... The officer in Weston County gave me a ticket!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so mad. He said I was driving too fast for conditions!!!!!! Basically I have a court date in Newcastle on Nov. 24th!! And I have permission from President Layton & our Vehicle Cordinator to fight the ticket. Its either that or pay 60 dollars. Which isnt much. But still!!! I dont deserve a ticket!!! Oh yeah, the best part about it all actually. It happens about FIFTY TIMES A YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AT THAT CORNER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BUT HAVE THEY DONE ANYTHING!!!!!! NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! UGH!!!!!!!!!!!! I AM SO MAD!!!! Elder Hammond is sick of me complaining to everyone about how mad I am. But oh well!! I am so mad!!!! It could have been prevented. The only sign that is there is a right turn sign. There wasnt a slow down turn sign. There wasnt a guard rail. There wasnt jack squat!!!! Ohh momma rudd. Wyoming is about too get a little bit of elder rudd..... :) But just to tell you again. I am 100% fine.So is elder cooper. We didnt even get our suits dirty!! :) But yeah, so you will hear from me mroe about this matter. If you have any questions. I am sure you could call sis layton. But, I plan to be a lawyer next wednesday!! Pictures will be sent so you can see. The people who we landed in front of took us home and all but we were laughing when we got home. "wow that was sure a weird way to go tracting!" :)

But yeah besides that. It has been a great week. The snow is coming down like crazy. We have got a ton of snow. Right now we are in gillette and I am looking outside right now as I type and seeing the white stuff just keep falling and falling and falling!! :) Love it. It probably gets down to about 15 degrees with the wind chill. It isnt too bad. I love it. I love waking up to a brand new patch of snow. It makes me want to jump out of our window into a huge blanket of snow. Whenever me and elder hammond our walking he always gets a snowball thrown at him. :) come on I am from arizona! I need to throw a snow ball! I love it! I love playing with snow. I mad a snowman!! It was a small one but it was awesome!!! It was wearing my cowboy hat!!! :) Cool, I know!

Amazing story. Yesterday at church we had a linger longer (pot luck) but we all had some awesome food and all. Then one of the members daughters came up to us and told us one of her friends wants to be baptized!!! :) Her and Kalli Dalton (member) were talking about temples and everything and she said, "I basically feel that I am mormon, what do I have to do to become a member" and I said "Hello! I am elder rudd!" So awesome! We are so excited. We have a ton of work in wright!!

If me and elder hammond ever get a full week together. We have had tri zones, leaderships exchanges and all this jazz. Me and him have not yet had a full entire week. But It should be soon! I love elder hammond. He is doing such a great job. He struggles sometimes. But I always give him a big hug and let him know how much I love him. He is such a great missionary. Transfer calls are this coming saturday. I really hope I dont get transferred. I love wright. I love my companion. I love the district. But we will see. We are thinking I will stay for atleast one more! Fingers crossed!

This next week me and elder hammond plan to break the record for lessons in wright. We are teaching about 10 investigators right now!!! Michelle Gatenbein, Misty Clark, The Camphouses- Part Member, The Updikes, Tommy Mills, Dani Litaba, Josie (Kalli's Friend) The porters- PM, Chad, The Sutherlands. Jim. and not to mention the frye's.

So it is going really great! Not to mention the twenty less actives we go see. So me and elder hammond have really been having alot of success! We are so close to see people at church. Everyone we teach accepts what we teach. But! Its hard to get them to church. Everyone in that investigator list accepts our doctrine. But we are working hard on them.

The less actives are on their way too. I cant feel like they do. If they have been offended or whatever. It doesnt matter. The church is true right? What else matters? Thats what I think. In the words on my father.

But the members are so awesome in wright. I just love it there. Such a small town I know. But so much going on. I was not lying when I said there is sooooo much work to be done. There is more work to be done here than sheridan or sioux falls. Weird, I know. But the lord is greatly blessing our efforts. Mine and Elder Hammonds new slogan in 100% obedience. We know we will be blessed for our efforts. :)

I am so grateful to be a missionary. I guess I hit my six month mark and you are supposed to burn a tie and all. But, I am good. No worries. I have almost been back three months. I love it. Time flies with the lord on your side!

I have been eating up the book of mormon. I have a new subtitle for the book of mormon. The Testament of Jesus Christ. Not another testament of jesus christ. The testament of Jesus Christ!! Elder Bruce R. McConkie stated, “Men can get nearer to the Lord, can have more of the spirit of conversion and conformity in their hearts, can have stronger testimonies, and can gain a better understanding of the doctrines of salvation through the Book of Mormon than they can through the Bible. … There will be more people saved in the kingdom of God—ten thousand times over—because of the Book of Mormon than there will be because of the Bible.” We have more help. The bible is amazing, read from it, learn from it! The book of mormon is the word of god, read, study, pray about it. Know for assurety it is written to bless us every single day! It is all true!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love the gospel!!!

I am feeling wonderful. Perfectly fine. Alot better than last week. I am so good. I love it all. Today me and elder oborn start our exchange in wright. Elder Hammond will stay in gillette with elder hardwick. So it will be fun me and oborn. I love the guy.

Mom, I am so excited to hear how your new job is going. I thank heavenly father every second I get for the blessings he has bestowed upon my family. I am so grateful for my family and all that I have. For my Mom and Dad for their wonderful choices in life that brought them together and sealed for time and all eternity. I was thinking the other day. I think we are the only people who believe in fairy tales. Only we believe in forever. I love that!!! Keep living the fairy tale!! My brother and many sisters for all they are for me. For our strong family and the strength they are to me. I was brought up in a family from day one that had a "sure foundation" as it states in Helamen 5:12, "a foundation, whereon men build, they CANNOT FALL" What a promise. The lord is our foundation. I know that my family has been built upon that foundation. Have we ever fell? No. Has there been things thrown at us a few curveballs. You better believe it! But we built on christ. And we will not fall. What a blessing it is in my lfie to hear the counsel of my family. Especially my parents. For all they do for me. I know my mom taught me to care sincerely for those around you and I can look someone in the eyes and tell them, I love you and want the best for you. Because I do. From my dad i learned how to serve. I know I never did it like him, I will never do it like him. I wish I could be a quarter of the man he is. But, I learned the principle behind why? why do we serve? It doesnt get us anything mosiah 2:17 states: "when you are in the service of your fellow beings you are only in the service of your god"

What a wonderful blessing to know. I would be nothing without my savior jesus christ. What a wonderful blessing it is to know of his love and his support of the work. I work hand in hand with my savior. He is my redeemer and my helper. I love this work and am so grateful to serve. Elder Wilkinson goes home on thursday and it will be very hard to see him go. Thats one of the hardest thing to cope with is to see some of your best friends go home after you have been such good friends. But the gospel is still true and i love it all!

Be still and know that god lives and he is all powerful. Whenever life gets hectic. Slow down and look around and re focus. We all have alot going on. But fit the important things in first. What matters most?

I really do appreciate the letters I know its hard to sit down and write a letter to a deprived missionary who is in the middle of a blizzard in wright, wy. Dont worry about it I am fine. But if you get a chance. i always really enjoy a letter. nothing is better to see a envelope with your name on it and you know there is something good inside. So if you get a chance it would be great. But if you dont I understand as well.

The church is true. Simple as that. The book of mormon is the word of god. Read it. Pray about it. We have a prophet on the earth, listen to his counsel. Jesus Christ leads our church, why be afraid of what to come. If we are following the commandments and following the counsel of our prophet ye shall not fear.

I love you all very much.
Love,
Elder Michael Corey Rudd
DL, Wirght, Wy District
Gillette, Wy Zone
Rapid City, South Dakota Mission
P.O. Box 701
Wright, Wy 82732

The Dang loose gravel

Upside down

Right side up again...
Me and Elder Cooper where we landed
Our car outside our apartment. Lots of snow.

Me and Elder Hammonds

Another Week Bites The Dust

Hello, Hello, Hello.

The storms are on their way to wyoming. This week the white stuff will fall and fall and fall and fall. They are expecting a blizzard here in gillette and wright. This P-day we decided to stay in our areas. So, I conducted a district meeting bridge call. Our mission has a bridge call service, so i had newcastle and gillette fourth get on and we had our hour long district meeting over the telephone. In this huge mission we have to do it. Some areas never have district meeting because they arent allowed to and they would have to drive about 250 miles for it one way. So, we are lucky we get to do it.

Well, as you know I had my exchange with the gillette fourth ward. me & elder wilkinson, from tuesday to saturday morning. It was alot of fun in gillette. But I brought something back that I did not want.......... Stomach Flu. Fun huh? No not really. So ever since I got back on saturday we have been stuck in the apartment with orders from Sister Layton. But the sad news is elder hammond got it to and he is really having a hard time. Whenever he is just sitting around he always thinks of home. He gets caught up real quick. But we get to talk alot and get things refocussed for him. I love him so much. I want the best for him. HE hates when I have to go on exchanges too. Then on wednesday I have to go to newcastle and do an exchange til saturday, so he is not very happy about that. I feel bad for him. I love him. I am just trying to make sure that he knows how much I love him and I am always there for him. He did a great job while I was gone but he doesnt like me leaving. He is not very excited if I get transferred. So, we will see how it goes. But he will do good. He is going through the normal missionary ups and downs. I think the biggest thing he needs to do is just give it up and stop fighting it. Until you give it up your in a constant battle with yourself and the lord. I wonder who will win that?

I am feeling a little bit better. But not much. I have thrown up quite a bit. I am not likin staying in. So much work to do. I cant wait around and get better when the lord needs me to be teaching the gospel. But sister layton has scouts in the area to make sure I am resting and not doing work. Bummer huh? We missed church yesterday but made it to night sacrament, so we could partake of the sacrament. But I was so out of it. I was so dizzy. But I am not doing real well.

Mom, I can not believe what I just read about that job. Thank heavens. Our dear kind gracious heavenly father has blessed our family so much. I thank him every night and every chance I get for the opportunity to be back on my mission. I am so happy for you mom. I know that must be such a relief. But, dont push yourself either. Make sure that you are doing okay. I love you, I am always worried about you. :) I love you by the way. Please, Please, Please, Please think of yourself and take care of yourself. I love you and I care about you and know you all too well. Be careful. But, I am very happyto hear about that. Yes! What a wonderful blessing that our wonderful father in heaven has given our family. Give thanks!

For my knee, my knee has had its ups and downs. President has been keeping a real close eye on me and making sure I am takin care of. Him and Sis Layton I think have a gps on me somewhere. I dont know where but they are always takin care of me. I have the best protection of all. My savior is watching out for me. He knows me and we are working side by side. So, how can I not be doing good when he is my constant companion!

There are so many of our brothers and sisters just waiting for us to talk to them. Everyone, remember EVERY day that "missionary work isnt just temporary ITS FOREVER" I know that we all have our struggles. Work, money, debt, sickness, ailment, family situation.... whatever it be. We need to recommit to help the lord in his work. I remember my first letter on my mission. I got was from Ryan he said remember you are a rudd and make the family name proud. When we are baptized we take christs name upon us and promise to keep his commandments. One day we will meet him and he will ask, "what have you done with my name?" He is our lord and savior and everything we have is because of him. Walk in his footsteps and love him.
Please pleaseplease never give up.

The exchange with gillette fourth was alot of fun! The zl's and fourth ward got kicked out of their trailer and moved into the spanish apartment. So we had six elders in one apartment with one bathroom . It was tiny. But alot of fun at the same time. I interviewed one of Gillette Fourth wards baptisms. Jean Spealmen. She had been investigating the church for a year and her daughter who is 18 was baptized and now jean is getting baptized. It was such a pleasure to interview her for baptism. Wow, what a zeal for the gospel. I was so happy to be apart of that. She got baptized on saturday night and 50 people showed up to her baptism. We werent able to be their. But I was so happy for her. Way way way awesome.

Tri-Zone conference & Leadership was in gillette monday and tuesday and was alot of fun. We met as trainers, dl's, zl's, ap's and president layton and sister layton. It was awesome to get that instruction from them. I love it. We have slept most of the day today. But we got laundry done. Yay. But I am way exhausted.

The work in wright is doing great. We love this message we have to share. We are wanting to share it with EVERYONE but cant when we are sick. Hopefully I feel better by wednesday to go to newcastle. So transfer calls are november 20th. We will see how they go. I hope I dont get mvoed. But I could. We will see. Elder Hammond will not be a very happy camper.

We will probably be at a families home for dinner on thanksgiving. I hope someone invites us over. Because alot of members dont want to have us over on holidays. It kinda makes me mad. I dont know we will see. But yeah...

But yeah, since I have been typing this email in the library I have thrown up. ( I made it to the bathroom) But I expect atleast one more day of staying in tomorrow. It is going to be a very slow week. But we will see. If you talk to elder hammonds mom anymore let her know how much I love her son and let her know I am taking care of him. He will do great.


Elder Christiansen, what a stud muffin. :) I love that elder. I am happy for him. I am excited and the work he is doing as an ap. What an ape. :) Tell him I love him. I think that our mission is more lovy dovy because we never ever see eachother. We might never see an elder our entire mission because they are twenty hours away in another state another time zone and all that jazz.

Could you get me betsy's address I would like to write her a letter. For my wonderful family. Whitney, you have a letter on the way. I mean it. It has been a little hectic sorry. Dad, on the way. Chelsey on the way. And for the two slackers cough... kirk.... cough cough..... mark...cough and for two missionaries to slack on a letter deprived elder. Not cool boys! You are both out of the band. Ya mark you were in the band but now you are out!! And for kirk, you cant even be my roadie. Your out of the band. Guess whos in the band, DAD! Oh yeah. We are jamming to some afterglow for sure!!! Dad is the best letter writer of em all. I love my dad. I am so glad I am named after him. I proudly shout my middle name.

Bishop Kleiner is so awesome. i cant believe that he is bishop and I am missing this. He and his bishopbric will work miracles! Wow! So awesome!

Martins Cove!!!!!!!!!! December 6th & 7th!!! I sure hope that I stay on the west side for this!!! I would love to go to the temple but I dont think I would ever leave. Thats the problem. :) But Martins Cove will be so much fun!!! Yes!! In less than a month now!!!

Dallas emailed me again and is going to start to write me. I have gotten a couple letters from rachel. My gosh I am so happy for her. She is doing so good in utah. Gosh I love the gospel. I wish I could flood the earth and baptize everyone. Imagine those weekly numbers :)

Now lets remember that letters are such a wonderful thing and when I dont get a letter I am sad. I received three letters and a package last week. One from dad, one from mom and one from the mission office. Then the package was from Kymber. But what is wrong with that picture. Its sad I have to count the mission office letter as a letter. Bummer huh? But, do a marvelous work and a wonder and write Elder Rudd.

Know my testimony. Know of my promise and blessing that each day. The lord will greatly bless your life as you continue to follow him. Notice how I say continue. We just dont stop. There is always need for us to become better. All he asks of us was put in the words of our beloved prophet president gordon b. hinkley "Be a little bit better today, than yesterday" Just a little bit better. Set goals to become better. Say, I will read for this long. I will make sure I pray morning and nights. The joy that you receive when you accomplish those goals is something that I can not express to you. You have to do it for yourself.

I love you all very much. Sorry for all the randomness. i am kinda a little bit loopy and very crazy. But know that I stand as a personal representative today for the lord to serve him and the people in the south dakota rapid city mission. I know I can do hard things. I know you can do hard things. Do hard things and serve the lord in all you do and say.

I love you all! So much.

Love,
Elder Michael Corey Rudd
District Leader, Wright, Wyoming District
Gillette, Wyoming Zone
South Dakota Rapid City Mission
Elder Michael Corey Rudd
P.O. Box 701
Wright, Wyoming 82732, you know you want to

Busy Week

Hey There,

My conferences dont start til one o' clock. So, I have time to email. Me and Elder Hammond drove up this morning from wright. We have too many in town so we decided to stay in wright and sleep on our own beds. :) Last night was kinda a bummer. We had to be in at five o' clock because of halloween. It was sad. We couldnt open our door to pass out candy either. We basically just hung out. Haha. Elder Hammond seems to be doing better. But is really tense and nervous all the time. I keep telling him to just relax and have fun. i think he is forgetting to have fun. But he is doing good. This week was hectic and this next week will be even more. Having tri-zone in rapid really slowed things down. But thats okay! It was still good. This next week having leadership meeting & another tri-zone will be kinda crazy. But it will be fun. The transfer ends on november 15th. It was a short transfer because of thanksgiving. The elders go home on november 18th because they cant fly them out on thanksgiving that would be crazy expensive. So they go home a week early. Oh well. But I hope me and elder hammond stay together one more transfer at least. That is usually how it happens. So it should be okay. But we will see. Wherever the lord needs us.

This past wednesday we had the ward halloween party. Of course, we cant dress up. But we totally wanted to be sister missionaries! But oh well. But the halloween costumes were so cute. We had to cowleys in the ward, there are like 4 sets of cowleys. But one set dressed their boy up as bam bam and one other as pebbles. It was way cute. The cowleys are lots of fun. But the halloween party was fun. They had a pie eating contest. it was pudding pie with whip cream. ME vs elder hammond vs sarah ott (15) vs dakota dalton (18) Oh I smoked them. They were licking it. I told everyone you had to slurp it. I had it down in five seconds. Haha. It was fun. But the ward is so great. So awesome.

Ericksons- They are a couple from rapid city who is investigating the church and has had alot of good questions. But the missionaries stopped going over because they had anti material. So dumb! Thats when you need to go over. But they have been really awesome. We have just got in with them to start teaching them. They are very nice people. Lots and lots of potential. He is from rapid and she is from belle fouche.

Stacey Frye- Stacey frye is a member she has four kids. Erik, 9 austin, 6 emily, 4 and aaron, 2. Way cute kids. She is a member erik hasnt been baptized and her husband is not a member either. But they want to learn and want to get back into the church. I am very excited to continue the teaching with them. Lots of potential there too.

Justin and Michelle gatenbein, just makes me very sad to talk about them. Michelle if she doesnt quit smoking she is on the way to lung cancer the doctor has told them that. if that is not enough to get me to quit smoking thats crazy. Bro. Tefteller in the ward was talking to me last night at night sacrament and said yeah all these people who say yeah im on this to stop smoking and this and that. You dont need that crap. You have to put your mind to it to actually quit. Its all mental. I one hundred percent agree with him too. You can quit at anytime. You have to just QUIT. But we are not giving up on justin and michelle.

Zack- Wow, zack. Zack is such an awesome guy. He has been divorced twice. The last one just left him like 6 months ago. He has a nine year old daughter Cierra. Such an awesome guy. He is a little rough around the edges. But he is good. He actually went to embry riddle in prescott. He loves AZ. I told him to move back. He has a tobaccy problem and smoking and drinking. So he is going to be hard one. But so much potential there. So close to coming to church too.

Bro. Fred Farnsworth and his wife- Members of the church. Health problems make them less active. But we go and see them every sunday. Fred pitched in the major leagues!!!! HE played for the phillies. He tells me these stories meeting bob feller, whitey ford. Ted williams, all these people. I feel like the kid from sandlot. :) Man, can you say kid in a candy store. :) I love it. But we are always there to help them and just listen and know the ward still cares.

But the work is going so great here. Elder Hammond is such a stud. Wow, I am amazed with him. He is a great teacher. I am excited to hear how he is doing. I am so proud of my boy. :) He is doing great. Having hard time getting peoples names and all that.

Wow, the signs of the times tithing settlement alone. :) That is pretty crazy. Sounds like fun. :)

Oh man! CHICKEN GNOCHI! hOW DARE YOU CHEAT ON ME! (tEAR...) Hey speaking of food, can you maybe send some homeade salsa, elder rudd loves his salsa :) Also, maybe can you know that I love you all :) (aww moment)

Hey awesome idea!!! I was reading a talk by president ezra taft benson for tri zone and he was talking about this awesome idea.

Okay so you get a book of mormon and a family picture and write your families testimony in it and send it to missionaries and they give them out. Guess what! I am a missionary!! Wait let me check (checking.....) yup! I am! So, in retrospect of the thesis and hypothesis that I had just set up over the graph which in line with the linear and obtuse parallellagram. In turn means we should do it. Will you get families in the ward, you whoever. Dad maybe this can be part of the ward missionary program. Also, do you have a family mission plan? If not I will send you one. Have one! Do it! But I love the book of mormon idea. I want to share my families testimony with the people i teach. Who knows who can benefit. Let me know.

So, you guys are going to have some awesome pictures. ME and elder hammond were picture crazy. i wish I could of shot a video of him chasing about twenty antelope. :) it was priceless. He wants to catch one and keep it as a pet. Me and him make up our own music. We jam all the time. Oh yeah. I am a little bit hyper today.

Yesterday when we went over to the farnsworths they asked us how we were and we said "to know what we know and not be happy!!" I am so happy. I took Nick's obituary and put it in my white bible. Me and Elder Hammond decided to get stickers and write his name on it and stick it on the back of our name tags. He didnt get to complete his mission for the lord in oregon. But he is going to finish it in Rapid City South Dakota. :) I wrote them a letter and sent it. My bro has a letter coming too. :) I love my brother.

After zone conference I stay in gillette and start my exchange with elder wilkinson in fourth ward. Then next week I start my exchange to newcastle and their 8 bedroom house. :) haha. That should be fun.

I just want to let everyone know. To smile, enjoy life and simply "Be still and KNOW that I am god" know that heavenly father lives. He loves us. He wants us to be happy. Its called the plan of happiness for heavens sakes. We all have trials. We all do. But dont dwell, excell. Overcome those hurdles and be strong. The church is so true. The plan is perfect. The gospel is the most amazing thing in the world. We have the priesthood on the earth. The authority to act in gods name. He needs us all. Stand up today and recommit to serve him.

I enjoy the letters every one. They are wonderful. Do a marvelous work and a wonder, by sending me some letters. They will be marvelous! I love you all. Happy be lated halloween!!

Love,
Elder Michael Corey Rudd
District Leader, Wright District
Gillette Zone
Rapid City South Dakota Mission!
Elder Michael Corey Rudd
P.O. Box 701
Wright, Wy 82732 you know you want to :)

Picture Time....

The Ghosts The Tisdale's sent us.

Self explanatory....WOW!!!

The Walking pic. Yes I am wearing my cowboy hat....I am a Cowboy!!!

Jason Jensen's food he made. Collard greens, black eyed peas, corn bread, smoked roast. Oh Man! Oh Man! Oh man!

Where is my Letter??!?!?!?!

Hey There!
I know I know WHERE IS MY LETTER!!! :) Well you probably figured out from the last email I was about 400 miles away from wright. On sunday afternoon me and elder hammond loaded up and drove to newcastle, wy about 100 miles away and picked up the Newcastle elders. Then, drove another 150 miles to Rapid City South Dakota. Man! It was a long drive! But as soon as we got to newcastle, wy you are in the beautiful black hills. So the entire trip, we drove through the black hills and passed crazy horse and bypassed Rushmore. And Dad finally I can tell you after the many questions. I went through Custer. Just for you. :) Love you dad. But on the way home from Rapid sunday night we passed right through Mount Rushmore its way cool. Yes, I have been before and all but I havent been passed it and when you go around one bend all you see staring at you is washingtons face it kinda scared me. Haha. But needless to say it was a long long long drive. Elder Hammond wasnt too found of it. I told him well my friend. You better get used to it.
Mom, you have no idea how much that broke my heart when I opened that package from whitney and saw your letter and saw Nicks picture. I played baseball with nick for about five years. I couldnt believe that. That is so sad. So tragic. Could you send me their address please. I would like to send a letter to them. My prayers and thoughts are with his family though.
Tri-Zone conference. You will get to see a huge picture of about 70 missionaries elders and sisters at tri- zone. We took a huge one with elder gibbons from the 70. It was awesome. i will send it when I get it.
But Tri-ZOne was amazing! My Gosh! Elder Gibbons was awesome. Alot of it was working with members. Basically, what he taught us. Dont ask the missionaries anymore HOW CAN WE HELP YOU. ask ELDERS, HELP US. It is not the missionaries responsibility in the ward. The members are to do the finding. The missionary work in the ward is upon the bishop and the members. So, lets ask ourselves. How many times have we asked the elders WHAT CAN WE DO TO HELP THE WORK GO ALONG? You need to kick it in gear and start asking the elders to help you become better missionaries. Coming from a general authoirty "MISSIONARY WORK IS NOT HARD" Missionaries to two things, invite and help people. Is that hard? The spirit is the teacher. As long as YOU are doing what YOU are supposed to then YOU can have the spirit with YOU and YOU can have the opporunity to be a missionary. From the words of our dear prophet "EVERY MEMBER A MISSIONARY" From the words of apostle david a. bednar "Missionary work isnt just temporary, its forever" Elder Gibbons asked an elder in tri zone, how long is your mission? He said 24 months. Then he said Oh, my whole life. Elder Gibbons said; "Forever Elder" I just ate it all up. So as members of the church what is our responsibility? What is our purpose? to invite and help! LETS GET GOING! There is urgency in this matter. We have to be ready to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. He needs all of his disciples. If you have been baptized you have taken the name of jesus christ upon you. In mosiah 18, we must stand as witnesses at all times in all things and in all places. Read mosiah 18, its amazing. But stand off. Put satan aside. Stand with the courage of the lord. Be worthy and willing to say I am trying to be like jesus.
Sorry I know. But it is awesome. Oh yeah! Dallas wrote me!!! Yay! It was awesome. I loved it. She wrote me a good letter too. I am so excited to hear from her. I miss her a whole lot. Elder Hammonds letter didnt send. He sent one but it didnt send. But he re sent it.
Michelle is kinda at a stand still right now. It broke my heart. But she is having trouble coming to church in such a small town because of what people will say if she does something wrong. Ugh! I am sick of the less active people saying well im sad because this person said this to me. This person did this. Ugh! THEY ARE NOT THE CHURCH!!!!!!!!!! Yes, they might be at church, but! THEY ARE NOT THE CHURCH. But we spend alot of time babying the less actives. which is good and I listen to their concerns but they have had these concerns for about twenty years or so. Its time to forgive and forget. "I will forgive whom I will forgive, but to you it is COMMANDED that you forgive ALL MEN." We cannot choose to be selective obedient. "If ye love me keep my commandments" I dont see "some" in there at all. Be strong and Keep the Commandments.
Havent been able to meet with tommy for a while. Because he is in montana as well. Bro Hansens father died too so it has been a little shaky on that matter.
So the news you all want to hear is there snow in wright wyoming? Lets just say we drove home in a snow storm, so yes the snow has fallen. At night its about 25 or less. It feels wonderful. Elder Hammond is so cold. But I love it. It was alot colder in sheridan when I was there. I just hope I dont get transfered next transfer to minot or fargo. I want to stay in wyoming for the winter its not too cold. I love it.
Oh mom it was amazing the prime rib was awesome. The week after we were eating with a less active named jason jensen he used to be a professional chef but hasnt made to much money at it so now he works at the mine. He smoked a pork roast for about 24 hours. Then made some corn bread, black eyed peas and some collard greens. Oh my gosh i love my collards. Haha. It was awesome. Elder Hammond isnt a big eater. He doesnt eat much. But I havent gained any weight back yet. Dropped about 8 pounds and kinda stayed.
Next monday is tri- leadership training. So, I will be at that for 5 hours. Then on tuesday we have our regular bi zone conference. But, they made it a tri zone so another huge meeting all day. Alot of things going on. After that I am going on an exchange with gillete 4th ward. Then In about two weeks I will go on an exchange with Newcastle and do some baptisimal interviews at both places. It will be fun. I got to see Elder Woods at tri- zone. I love that kid. So awesome. we decided to go to breakfast about 30 minutes before it was to start and it took a while and when we got our stuff at sonic and hurried back and we walked into the cultural hall and they were all ready for the picture. Like all eyes were on me. I was finishing a breakfast burro. I was like woah. Hahaha. It was a "had to be there" moment. But I got in the picture!!
I think with the potatoes mom. She cut them open and threw it all in and then folded it all back up and cooked it. They were awesome. You should try it.
Okay mom you will be proud of my new recipe. We were staying at the Assistants apartment in Rapid and the only gimme food was chicken and strawberries, honey. Yes it is what you are thinking. In idea of sis laytons cranberry chicken I made Strawberry Chicken and guess what! It was one of the best things I have ever eaten!!! So good. Used a magic bullet and ground up the strawberries and the honey and cooked the chicken a while and then glazed the strawberries on it. OH MY GOSH! It was awesome everyone had a piece. Dwarf young. Yes we do have a dwarf in our mission he is awesome. But, he tried it and went nuts he thought it was awesome. I love being a missionary, I hope all you know that.
Tonight is the play Doo Wop Wed Widing Hood, Its a 50's twist on red riding hood. Super cool. I am so excited like you have no idea!! Then tomorrow is the ward christmas party. We wanted to dress up as sister missionaries. But obviously not approved. So we might do something crazy like switch name tags. (Pause for either laughter or a pity laugh, I will take either)
Yes, So elder rich, our vehicle cordinator hi-jacked our car cause of hail damage. But he gave us the sisters car in rapid. Same exact car, same year just different color. They got into our car and it was brand spanking clean and sweet. They were like wow this smells like elder. We got into their car and were like woah, too much perfume. :) What a life.
Thats way cool to know that Elder Hammonds mom and you talk. So i got to watch what I say now about him they are reading, darn! Just kidding. I love him. He is a good guy. Struggling with some home sickness here and there but doing so awesome. I am very proud to call him my son. He is doing great.
Mom, their are only three things we take with us in the next life: our family relationships, and our knowledge. Do not feel bad about only spending time with your family. Thats what i love about our family, we can do that! Because we love eachother so much. Thats the way heavenly father planned it to work out. He gave me seven sisters to test me and make me crazy but I love every one of them so much. I will spend eternity ALL of us together one giant family. What a glorious blessing. I love you mi familia. You know who you are!
Oh well gosh darn the elders back home are looking like they are going to have to try tracting. haha. About time. :) I love it.
But there comes a time every week that this novel needs to come to a close so from Wright, WY Elder Rudd is out.
I love you all very much. More importantly your heavenly father loves you so very much. Love him, talk with him.
Remember the savior EVERYDAY not just "selective obedience" Remember his eternal sacrifice.
I love you all so much,
Elder Michael Corey Rudd
District Leader, Wright District
Gillete Zone
South Dakota Rapid City Mission
Elder Michael Corey Rudd
P.O. Box 701
Wright, Wy 82732
Keep an elder updated!! Dont make me pull out the parable of the dead letter writers. Emails are great. But letters are wonderful.

New Companion

Como Estas?

But how is my wonderful family and the wonderful friends? I am very happy to hear from all you. I love you all very much. Well before I get to anything else. News...

On friday night me and "my greenie" (cant tell you his name yet) were teaching Michelle Gatenbein and her less active husband justin we have been over teaching them and have alot of success in teaching them, So! She accepted the whole lesson and we invited her to baptism and guess what she said....? YES!!! so awesome. We are so excited!! So wonderful. She needs to come to church and quit smoking but we are on track with both of those right now, AWESOME HUH?!! Very exciting. The work is going so awesome.

Well in other news, I do have a new companion. He is fresh out of the provo missionary training center. His name is Elder Hammond, from Centerville, Utah. He is a stud. My gosh. He is doing awesome. He reminds me alot of myself. So, I pull up on wednesday to pick him up from the stake center and head to wright and guess what? He has a huge box that he is going to carry throughout the mission, sound like someone you know? (me and my rockband box just to let you know) He is so my son. Its so awesome, I love it!! :) He is an awesome kid. played football in high school. Pictures are on the way today. Its awesome. Me and him will have alot of success. Lots more to come with the saga of rudd and hammond. He is an awesome guy though. We have been working very hard. In my letter from president guess what?! We had a record for lessons in wright last week!! :) The work will continue!!! We are hoping for 25 lessons this week! We want to work our tails off and we will! :)

We went and visited Mike and Lynn Hansen last wednesday and Mike has MS and is very limited in mobility and we had a great talk with them and they invited us over and told us about their daughters boyfriend Tommy Mills, his family has been in wright since it was established. Big farm boy. He grew up pentecostal and is awesome. But if him and their daughter laura get married which looks like it, laura told him no way no how will I go to another church, so he said their is no way I will split my family up anyway so he wants to learn. Saturday night we were invited over for dinner and to teach tommy. First off dinner. OH MY GOSH! It was challenging the southern meal! Crazy huh! Well, bro hansen fixed Prime Rib! Oh my gosh. I died and went to heaven the piece was as big as my plate, and it was a big plate. I really didnt say much at dinner. Sis Hansen made baked potatoes with onions, sour cream and garlic all baked inside, oh my goly! He says he will make it again for us! YAY! Awesome! But back to the lesson! :) Tommy had so many questions! It was fantastic and we invited him to read and pray which he plans to do! So it will be wonderful. Tommy is a great guy and cant wait to work hard with him. He is so right on track with everything we teach he believes the same things. Its awesome. I love it!

On saturday morning we got to go to a wedding!!! Nick and Thea Gusman are awesome. Nick made some stupid choices and they had to get divorced. But! He has let the atonement of Jesus Christ work in his life and is a new man. So awesome. So proud of him and their family. They have worked through so many struggles and have showed the true love they have for eachother, LET THE ATONEMENT WORK IN YOUR LIFE! But they were married at 10 at the ward building me and elder hammond went and it was beautiful, I was crying everyone was crying. Man! I hate weddings. I got to use some of my catering and wedding skills and help with the reception, momma you'd be proud :) I wore my apron too! :) It was awesome! But it was a beautiful wedding. Her mom is the episcopal preacher in town and vowed she would never set foot in an lds chapel. But! She has about ten times :) Very open to the gospel and loves to chat with us. :)

That is so wonderful to hear about dallas's family and I love it! Great idea. Wes, is a great guy and I am sure he would love to talk about things. I am excited to see how he reacts to alot that he will be taught! Thats funny he asked "who sent you now" I love it! :) Great idea! I hope I get a letter from her, I miss her. She has been a great friend. I have much faith in the elders there they are wonderful, tell elder valentine much love from Wyoming.

Mom there is no possible way the elders can get sick of you. Come on!!! How come everything happens when I'm gone. You decide to do something about the play house. I have been alive for almost 20 years now! Come on! I am a liscened carpenter here in wyoming now. I have done it all. I have branded, built an addition, poured cement, painted, moved and done it all.

So gene and nancy hanson, they are the drama teachers here in wright they have been doing drama for 13 years and out of those 13 years they have won state 10 times. They are amazing. On saturday we got to help set up one of their plays on Oct 25th "Doo Wop Wed Widing Hood" All Doo Wop songs but its Red Riding Hood. So cool! They have done over 100 plays now. And last year they did "Savior of The World" for a youth conference for the stake and the whole youth participated and they are the only group EVER to take it on the road. They performed it in Sheridan one night, next night in gillete and the third night in Newcastle. So amazing! They made the Church News and everything. It was very impressive. They drove around every mutual night for 7 months to practice with each unit. So amazing! Quite impressive. But setting up the play they perform them in the town hall in wright and they have atleast 100 students show up for drama every year, the most in the state!! Amazing they are quite talented. But I got to set up ALL the audio for the play Gene put me in charge of that. :) I was a kid in a candy store. I loved it!! But unfortuantely we wont be able to see the play...........

The play is on october 25th and 26th. On october 24th we drive to newcastle, pick up those elders and then drive to Rapid City, South Dakota. For Tri-Zone Conference. Elder Jay Gibbons of the quorm of the seventy will be there and we will be taught and instructed by him and President Layon & Sis layton. It will be awesome. We are excited. So I will be driving quite a while. :( But it will be lots of fun. Then in November we have zone conference in Gillette then in December we have another tri-zone in Casper (Martins Cove) If I am still in Wright! Which I hope to be. This transfer is a short one and ends November 18th. But I will be in my third transfer in Wright then. So we will see. But it will be great.

Mom, I love you very much. Thank you for the efforts and things that you have taught me throughout my life and I know because of your faith and love to me, I have learned so much. Just like the stripling warriors it was because of the faith of their mothers they were kept safe. Mom, you are fantastic, I love you so much. Thank you!

Dad, What an example you are to me and for the way yuo serve in the church I have learned how to be a worthy and honorable priesthood holder from you. I am thankful for your guidance and counsel to me always. You have a letter in the making.

Whit- letter in the working.

Mom, keep sending elder kleiners letters i love them.

Things are getting very very cold here. Last night in Gillete in got to 15 degrees there was frost all over are cars. it was awesome. Elder Hammond is not looking forward to the cold. I CANT WAIT! I LOVE THE SNOW! BRING IT ON!!!

Awesome to hear about shannnon, my brother wrote me and I wrote back and I am glad to hear from them and hear that all is well. What an awesome thing. The lord is blessing them tremendously. What a beautiful thing.

This week we taught alot about miracles and shared some that christ performed and some that happen in this modern day, there are miracles all around us. Open our eyes and see what the gospel has in store for us. Believe in miracles. A key part of faith is hope. We have to have hope to have faith. The gospel of jesus christ has blessed my life so much. I am so excited ti share that message with those around me and everyone I see. The gospel blesses families. SO MUCH! I dont know where our familiy would be without the church because of what is taught and what we know. We know Wright(Get it wright not right) from wrong and our core principles all our geared towards the family. I love my family!!

Stay strong and "Be still and know that I am god", "if you are prepared ye shall not fear", "Peace Be unto you" Know in all things that heavenly father knows you and loves you and knows what is in store for you. Pray and study and learn from him.

I love you all very very much. So thankful for the gospel in my life and the opportunity to be a missionary. I love you all!!!!!!

Love,
Elder Michael Corey Rudd
South Dakota Rapid City Mission

P.O. Box 701
Wright, Wy 82732 I cant never have enough letters :) Please!!!!

Picture time...

Me & Elder Hammond

My many many many ties. I can never have enough!

We wanted to ride the drillig rig but it wasn't moving so yes the pumping unit picture.

My Greenie Elder Hammond



Left to Right Elder Crawford trained by Elder Beatty (my brother and new AP) then me and Elder Hammond (Posterity Picture)

Cowboy Elder Rudd

A Green Transfer

Hey Mi Familia,

Well on saturday I received a call from president layton. Hence the transfer calls. Elder Hastings is going to Huron, SD about 150 miles from Sioux Falls. In the sioux falls zone. But I am allowed to stay in Wright. My companion will be coming straight from the Provo Missionary Training Center. He should be in Rapid about now. I get to have a greenie. We have some fun things planned for him. He has to wear a green "Elder Rudd's Greenie" Medalion. I will send pictures. I dont know who he is yet. I think I will get called tonight. He finds out tonight that I am his trainer and all. Also, I have been called as District Leader over my district. It will be fun to work in leadership and help those in my district progress in the work of the lord. I am over the Newcastle Elders, Gillette Fourth Elders and Wright. So that will be fun. I am excited to take another step in missionary work. I am excited. President was very awesome. He said that the area is doing good and that we have completely turned it around. The area hasnt ever had twenty lessons ever. And for the last two weeks we have had 20 lessons or more. This week we had 23 lessons it was great! I am so excited to get my greenie. He will be mine on wednesday. But, our car took a bad turn. We were driving home from gillette last p-day and the under carriage ripped all the way from the middle of the grill to the top of the left wheel well. I was pretty mad. What happened was about three months ago we had a hit and run in the apartment parking lot and the member in gillette who owned the shop basically zip tied it up and called it good. So, needless to say wasnt fixed. So i called Elder Rich. Our vehicle cordinator and lets just say he was not very happy at all. So, the guy has to pay out of pocket for the damages. Not fun. But hopefully it will be done by wednesday. There is so much work to be done. I will spend the time in Gillette with ZL Oborn. It will be fun. the same oborn who was in pipestone when i was in Sioux Falls.

Oh YA! I bought my first Cowboy Hat! I have pictures I will send them next week sorry. I forgot my camera. its awesome though! So much fun. I wear it alot of places. We were doing laundry the other day at a members house and I wore my hat. I have been in wyoming for the most of my mission I just cant get a cowboy hat come on now!

So Chris Mott, referral from gillette spanish he is pretty golden so we have been meeting with him. Me and Elder Bowers had a lesson with him thought it went real well. But, he thought we didnt care about him. he didnt like elder bowers and thought that we didnt care about him. It broke my heart. If he were to know how much I do love him. I have so much love for everyone I teach. It made me cry. I kid you not. It was so sad. But we have got it back on track. It will be okay. I talked to him. We are meeting with him on thursday. :)

Michelle Gantenbein- Awesome part member family. Justin the dad and the two boys and one girl are members. Justin and michelle smoke and are working to stop that. Me and Elder Hastings were teaching them the first lesson and she loved it basically gobbled it all up. I looked into her eyes and started to bear my testimony from the bottom of my heart and I saw her eyes start to water and I was done for, I was in tears, justin was in tears, elder hastings was in tears. It was awesome. The restoration is such a sweet thing. I know that joseph smith was a prophet and he sealed his testimony in blood. What a wonderful thing to share. So share it!!!

I heard about the tornados in flagstaff that is crazy! I hope that all is well with all of you. You are all in my prayers and the lord will protect you all. I promise. What a wonderful knowledge we have. You have no need fear. Love the lord. Stay strong and know that he can do all things. I am happy for rex and emily they will make a great couple. I am sad I wont be able to see them together for a while.

The snow is on its way for good. We had a crazy rain storm for about 3 days in wright. I love it there. Yes, its small but the people, my gosh they are awesome. So wonderful. I love the members in wyoming. They are so humble. It is so different. I love it. I know mom you prob dont like that I feel more at home in wyoming that in mesa but its true. I am excited to share the lords gospel and teach those around me. I cant wait to get back to work in Wright. Many many to see, much to do. Proclaim the gospel.

Stand strong! Love all. I dont know if I asked about the hoodie just a pull over hoody of some sort would be awesome. I will look for one too.But I know alot of people ask what can I get him? Walmart Gift cards would be awesome. and, a hoodie. I love you all so much. Until, next week i love you all so much. P.S. I dont know my greenies name jsut to let you know.

Love,
Elder Michael Corey Rudd

Great Conference

Hey there,
I am going to answer some of your questions first. Well first off conference. As many of you I am sure thought and wondered. Yes, me and elder hastings were the only ones there for the first saturday sessions. Then Priesthood we had 5 people including us. Our bishop wasnt even there. Then sunday morning we had just us to. We went over to a less actives house for sunday afternoon though. So, that was good. But yes, our ward is in for a rebuking. We have missionaries in gillette who said that they saw are elders quorm president and alot of members up there. Not cool!!! DONT THEY UNDERSTAND??!! We get to hear from our beloved prophet!!!. How can we learn when we dont listen and watch. For those of you who dont think that conference is important. You are dead wrong. One of these days you will miss something very important. Watch conference!!!!! But it was AMAZING. I will get into that later in my "soapbox" But I took 19 pages of notes. I love it. Elder Hastings fell asleep. Dang Kid. He was rebuked.

Well this week was amazing. We had exchanged. The DL came to wright to be with me and hastings went to newcastle to be there. With the DL and me. We got down to work!! This area has NEVER had more than 15 lessons a week. But guess what!!! We had 19!! We had an amazing week. Basically they were sent to see what was wrong with the area before I got here and they found out that the area was plagued with quiet missionaries But, not anymore! All with hear my voice and my testimony of this divine work. I have been called to serve. I will serve dangit!! :)

Well This week I did very good on mail. Elder Bowers (DL) was very jealous. I got my missionary pillowcase from the ward. And the package from whitney and kirk. Love the shirt by the way. Awesome.

Rachel got in touch with me. Guess what!!! She has a calling in her ward at BYU. SHe got her patriatichal blessing. She has her temple recommend to go and do baptisims. My gosh I am so proud of her. She is doing amazing. She is awesome. Man! Her family is coming around. What an amzing story. So far the highlight of my mission has been rachel. Im being sent a picture we took in sioux falls. Me, her and dalton. So I will send it for sure!! So happy!

Well, transfers are this saturday. From what I hear from my DL we think that Hastings could be transferred but maybe not.

Okay wow awesome story this week. Glynis Williams. Less Active. About late 40's Been convicted of dealing and using Meth, Coke, Speed, Marijuana, Prescripitons and Heroine. So, Needless to say a crazy life. She has spent alot of time in jail. She is actually from Globe, AZ. So alot of trouble. Not one missionary has been able to crack her. But the spirit was with me 100% so we were talking about her troubled past. Her concern was how could there be a modern day prophet. I brought up the prophet joseph and she looked at me and asked me "why was joseph smith killed?" without thinking i said: "why was jesus christ killed" She sat there and looked at me and said: you are the only missionary who has ever answered that the way I think. We had an awesome discussion. And cleared up alot of her concerns about the gospel. But for every one even if I didnt know the answer, the spirit did and told me what to say. Many times I have been led what to say but this is the time I have felt it most prevelant. I am so gratetful to be led to know what to say.

Basically alot of this week me and elder bowers spent rebuking less actives. One in particular was Timothy Gerritt. Dang guy has said well, members have hurt me in the past. I basically told him, "what do members have to do with going to church?" He said well they are there. I said well they arent the church. The church is the church the members are accountable for themselves not to the church. He is coming to church next week. He better or elder rudd will be on his tail. I have been sick and tired of members using the mine as there excuse. it is no excuse. They need to be at church. Yes if they work that day come to night sacrament. But there is no excuse to not come to atleast one. It is making me quite mad. Me and the bishop have really been on the same page with this. I have asked to speak in the ward and will be coming up soon. The ward needs to be helped. If they do not they will be humbled again. Another tornado will come through or maybe worse. If they do not hearken to the counsel of the prophets.

Speaking of the counsel of the prophets. Soapbox time

"Slow down!!!!" Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication."
"there is more to life then increasing speed"

My counsel to you at this time is to slow down. Pay attention to your surroundings. Life is to precious to work and not pay attention to the small things. Have an attitude of grattitude. Be thankful for all things!!! Heavenly father has given us all things. Give thanks.

Listen to the words of the prophets!!! When you get a chance read the talks!!! Please! It is additional scripture!! Read and apply.

I love it! Well I am glad you guys and ryan had a good time. When I get some time. I will send letters to all those who email. Chelsey has one on the way. The perry family from sheridan are coming down to visit me in wright. Im am so excited for that!!

Mom you do have wonderful kids. They are awesome.

I love you all!!
Keep it up!!

Love,
Elder Michael Corey Rudd