Monday, June 13, 2011

Email 6.13

Ello me Mother.
Top of the morning to you. Cherio! Ello Govenor. I am so british! :) I am doing absolutely wonderful. I never ever want to leave casper at all. I love it here. its such a party! :) I love all the missionaries. The casper zone has become like my baby. I never want to leave it. I dont trust anyone with it. :) But I am grateful for all the success that we have had in casper. The zone has been on fire. We have had two baptisms this past week. The lord has greatly blessed us so much. So much. Been awesome! The mission goal for a six month period January-June has been 150 baptisms. Never before have we had anywhere close at the beginning of june we had 120. We just need thirty more!!!!! This week we had nine and last week I think we had six. And our zone will have four this weekend. We are so excited!!! We are going to hit out goal! The lord is blessing us so much!!!! I am so grateful for all this work that we have to do!!
Cherie Brantley!!! She is totally going to get baptized on saturday!!! We are so pumped!!! She is so excited!! I cant wait!! We have been working with her the whole time I have been in casper! She has made some huge huge huge steps. She doesnt cross her self before and after prayer anymore. She gave me a box on thursday and told me how thankful she was more and showing her the light. She told me to open it up when I was alone. But I opened it up with horrocks and it was her cross that she wore around her neck. Her most valuable collectible. I was almost in tears. She is so ready to be baptized and the lord is blessing her so much. It is so wonderful. :) I love the gospel and I love the opporunity to serve the lord. YEAH!!
We went over and saw rosie again and she was so excited!!! She was like yeah yesterday I went visiting teaching for the first time and I now have a calling in the primary. Me and Horrocks did heel clicks when we got outside of their house. Because that is how it is to work. They get used to the ward and the ward just takes over and the fellowship and starts in on helping them in the gospel!!! :) So awesome! Yeah buddy!
Zone Leader Council was good but different. Me and Horrocks are now like the older zone leaders so it is way different. It used to be we were the ones teaching and learning from the older zone leaders now we are the older zone leaders and it is way weird. But I love helping all those missionaries feel the gospel and understand it and work hard to apply it!!
Tell that mom for him to get a sleeping bag like I did. Small and thin but still warm. He will regret having a huge one. You can always have more blankets and stuff. Have them get a smaller one it is so much more beneficial. :)
I am looking for some brown socks. if anyone can find some good brown socks. Send them my way if you would. That would be awesome! :)
I love this gospel. if someone started to bash with you, (DONT BASH!) It goes no where. We can prove anyone wrong but we cant help them be converted. I love this so much. I love to serve the lord and I love to share the gospel. I was just thinking. Many people say well its just too hard to do. How do missionaries do it? We just talk to people thats all we do. We dont do anything else. We just talk to people. Thats all it takes. OPEN YOUR MOUTH and let the lord fill your mouth with what to say.
I love you all so very much. You are awesome! Be strong Believe!!
I love you
Love,
Elder Michael Corey Rudd

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Email 6.6

Buenos Noches!!!

Busy Busy Busy.

We are in gillette again for Zone Leader Council we leave in a couple of hours to head to Rapid City for yet another great meeting. I cant tell you how well me and elder horrocks are getting along! I love Elder Horrocks. We are having such a blast. Our zone is yet again on top of the charts. Last week we topped yet another ton of records. The Casper Zone is on Fire! I am so grateful for our great work!!! :) I love it!!!

Sorry about the dead racoon! I thought it was funny. Thats wyoming for you. I could show you a whole lot of worse pictures! But, I wont! :) We found a dead mouse and a bunch of stuff but I wont send those pictures. the only reason I sent the racoon pic is because it was classic cartoon roadkill, you know? Feet up in the air, tongue hanging out. All that good stuff. We laughed til we were sick!! :)

Two weeks til transfers come down. It is still looking like elder foulger and me switch. I go to gillette and he goes to Casper. So we will see. But so far thats what it is looking like. I hope President throws a curve ball. But who knows? By the way I have an idea! Elder Foulger is from Mesa. He lives like right by MVT. I told him that I am going to have to cook something right before he goes home and then he can come over to the house and eat something of yours and be the judge of our iron chef cook off. Oh yeah. Your going down momma rudd. Elder Rudd is a crazy chef! :) But we will see. I told him to definitley come over to the house and see ya'll.

So great news. Cherie who we have been working with since I got to casper is being baptized on June 18th. Transfer call day. But Elder Pugmire is coming from Utah to baptize her and all. It is going to be way cool. Her hold up was joseph smith and a modern day prophet. We worked on it alot and finally I got the idea to show her on the lords errand. the movie of President Monsons life and she called us as soon as she got done with it which was 1130pm and woke us up. But it is a great thing to be woken up for. She told us she knows President Monson is a true prophet. We went over there at ten the next day and invited her to be baptized. So june 18th cherie is getting baptized. We are so excited!! She is way fun too. It will be a great day.

So Josh in the YSA branch who hasnt been to church since he was eight. We have been working with for a while. Thinks that the church is all brain wash and that god doesnt exist. But we have been working with him. Week by week he gets better. He has opened up and just doing awesome. He comes to church every week. Bought himself a white shirt and a tie and I tie the tie for him every week. He is doing awesome. He is 18 moved up from Durango, Colorado and was not keeping the word of wisdom so we invited him to and that night he went home tossed all his coffee and smashed all his bongs and his liquor. Way cool kid and he is getting back on track.

Chance Vance. So fast sunday on sunday. YSA branch we are sitting there and this random guy gets up and bears his testimony. He had just walked in to the church and he was baptized when he was eight in Rawlins, Wy about 2 hours away from casper. He is on probabtion but he gets up there and says "i dont know what the he** I am doing here" But I am here because the church is true, because the book of mormon is true. I forgot that a while back but I am here to figure that out again. So we are going to be meeting with him and teaching him. So great. So many people are coming out of the wood works! The lord is preparing and reparing so many to come to the church and recieve all of those blessings that the church has in store for us! I love it!!

Rosie is doing soooooooo good! We are so happy for her!! She just glows. She has such a solid testimony too. Sunday was great. We were in gospel principles and she was answering questions, pullin out scriptures, I leaned over to her and said "look at you, mrs. know-it-all" she is so awesome. She is on fire!!!!! I am so happy for her and her family and preparing themselves for all of the blessings that are in store!! :)

I got home for surgery on June 10th. I went back on sept 2. So Almost a year!! :)

I am sorry you didnt like the salad. Something had to of been different! I will ask sister layton today. But the salad I had was awesome!!!!!!

Hey just a couple wants not needs if anybody wants to get me anything everyone is always asking me.

-i really would enjoy being sent the mormon times and the church news.
-any ties. I know I know (i have a problem!)
-walmart gift cards
-subway gift cards

whatever. everyone has been asking me just thought I would throw some of those in there.

In glenrock wyoming. There is a two pound burger with a pound and a half of fries that I am taking on wednesday!!! :( Its going to be crazy!!! But I am doing it. I will take pictures! Crazy crazy crazy!

I just wanted to tell all of you how much I love you and appreciate all that you do for me. I love the gospel and I love the church! :) Be strong Believe!

I love you!!

Love,
Elder Michael Corey Rudd

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Pictures

Elder Rudd & Horrocks with Rosie at her baptism



The Walters & Us at Cassie's Baptism

Email 5.31

Hello!

What a great week. The casper zone is on fire! We just topped and destroyed some records. We taught so many lessons this week. It was awesome! We are very very excited to start this new month tomorrow and start on our new goals!! :) We are so excited. Good stuff going on. I am starting to get really sad when i am starting to realize in three weeks I will most likely not be in casper anymore. it is such a bummer. i love casper so much. It is a great place to serve and have so many wonderful relationships with people here. I love casper so much. I have learned so much here and the casper zone is like my baby I dont want any body else to have it. :) So what I am selfish its a good selfish. :)

Sunday- me and elder horrocks were asked to speak in sacrament. We spoke on the natural man. It was definitely an interesting topic to speak on. We were trying to find out how we could speak on it without rebuking the entire ward. It was an awesome sunday though. We had cheri brantley come to church. Cheri is an awesome lady she has a ton of health problems but she will be baptized. I am so grateful to her she has taught me so much about life and just everything in general. Usaully about once or twice a week we go over and walk with her around her trailer park and it has been very good. Our talks went very well and she really enjoyed them. :) Our ward mission leader brother hadsell blessed his baby and asked us to be in the circle to bless the new baby. :) So much good happening. I love it all.

Well on P-day yesterday we had a crazy day. At 9 am we had a breakfast with the burgess family in the ward, they are so cool. We had chocolate gravy. My second time having it. It is crazy!!! I love it though. Its made with like 4 sticks of butter, cocoa, creme thats it! Crazy stuff!!! But its so heavy. I could only eat two mini waffles of the stuff. But woah. i sent a pic home of it.

Next week we are heading to Rapid for Zone Leader Council again. It is really needed. It is such a spiritual re charge for all of us. Most Zl's call in zone leader retreat. But I am so excited to be with President and Sister Layton and to hear their council and advice.
I am now a homeade pizza officianto. :) I love cooking! :) I have set up dinner appointments where I am the one cooking. :) It has been alot of fun.

I have come to realize alot on my mission of how the gospel has strengthened me and my family. the foundation that all of us want in our lives only comes through the savior jesus christ and no one else. The gospel is true .. what else matters. brothers and sisters open your eyes and your ears and most of all your hearts. the truth stands before us all. We have this message, Embrace it. love it. Learn of it.

I did get the package. I loved it! I do need more stamps though if you could. :) Please. Tell ryan his long awaited letter is in the mail. Please tell people to write me. I am getting mail pretty good. but I always enjoy more. I love the gospel so much.

Its all true.

Love,
Elder Michael Corey Rudd

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Baptism

HELLO!

Well to start of HOLY BUCKETS WE HAD A BAPTISM!!! Rosie Rodriguez was baptized on saturday!! She had told us that the family in the 6th ward that she wanted to be here was gone and after we looked into it a little bit we found out that they were still in town and called her and said "rosie the olsens are in town we could do your baptism tomorrow if you still want to she was crying and telling me that their is alot of family issues going on right now. Then got a call later that day about 5 o'clock and she said "LETS DO IT TOMORROW" So at 730 at the stake center that night she was interviewed by our district leader Elder Woffinden and then at 7 O'clock pm the next day she was baptized by some guy named Elder Rudd and then on sunday was confirmed by Brother Olsen in the 6th Ward!! :)))))))) sO EXCITING. Probably the best weekend of my mission ever!!! Diana Orellana (4th ward spanish investigator) was baptized last sunday the 15th and was confirmed on sunday the 22nd. Because we have to do convert confirmations on sundays. But holy buckets!! She had me to the confirmation too. So on Saturday i got to baptize Rosie and on sunday I got to stand in the circle when rosie was confirmed and then I got to Confirm Diana! Holy Buckets!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I Love being a missionary!! It was such a good week!!! Pictures are being sent by the way!!

Well holy buckets elder valentine went home how weird is that. I have about as much time as he had when he was in mesa. I bet that was a way good visit. I really liked those two Elders. I would of loved to serve with Either one of them. Elder Horrocks reminds me alot of Elder Valentine actually. But those two Elders will have to come down and visit some more. I really enjoy it all. i love doing what we do. I could knock on doors all day long. :) Really I could. Not when I am not a missionary. There is bunch of guys here doing the security systems and they knock like 12 hours a day. NO WAY!

Last night was a blast. We had planned a Night with the Bunns. Investigator family that dad (jeremy) cant give up word of wisdom. And because of word of wisdom issues he has minor concerns like Prophets, Tattoos, Teleprompters in Conference. They whole family wants to be baptized but they are all waiting on Jeremy. Mariah (mom) has gotten rid of her piercings has gotten rid of all her teas and cleaned up so crazy awesome. Her girls are starting to dress more modestly. But we had a food night planned that I came in and cooked!! By the way I am known in the mission as two things "Papa Rudd" and "Elder that flipped car" But Papa Rudd because I cook so much. But for the bunns I bough some 56 cent pizza dough made that up and made pizza's and calzones for the bunns oh man so good!!! I was so proud of my food. They ask me who taught you? I said momma dont raise no fool. I love to cook so much. I am exactly like you mom. I love it. I love seeing others enjoy it. I tell ya momma. We will have to do a Iron Chef Cook- Off when I get home. I have honed my skills and am pretty proud of my skills. Your going down! :) I love you though! But it was a blast and while we were cooking got to talk about so much with them. I made some killer pizzas and they were dying over how well I knew how to cook. I told them I didnt get this big from cereal and mac and cheese. :)

Elder Horrocks is from Pocatello, Idaho. He is so awesome. He was in band in High School called the Ice Cold Crickets. :) Crazy huh! He is way awesome though I love Elder Horrocks. The zone is doing so well. I am going to be really bummed if I get transferred which probably is going to happen!! :( I love casper so much. But the bummer thing is!! ITS STILL SNOWING SOME DAYS!!! one day will be 75 degrees beautiful two days later. 30 degrees snowing! I am like come on!! Give me a Break!!!

When Bishop Linford announced that I would be confirming Diana on Sunday he said and "Bishop Rudd will be confirming Diana today" Everyone was just dying laughing and he did not catch on. So I have been recruiting counselors and Elders Quorm President for the Casper 1st 1/2 Ward. It was way funny. He still hasnt caught on.

The Linfords. Bishop's Son and Daughter in law that I told you about last week are getting a Divorce and she is taking the kids and moving to Colorado. :( So sad. She is a little mentally crazy and we feel so bad for the whole family.

Lavaughn Bushmaker- She should be getting baptized soon. She will not decide on a date. So we are meeting with her on thursday and going to try and resolve any concerns at all with her. Hopefully set a date. :)

I love the gospel so much. I cant imagine my life without it. I would not have all that the lord has given me for sure. I am a child of god and the lord has sent me here to Casper, Wyoming and to the South Dakota Rapid City Mission because he loves me and loves those who I am to touch and see. I love you all so much. never forget THE CHURCH IS TRUE.... WHAT ELSE MATTERS!!!

I love you

LOVE,
Elder Michael Corey Rudd

Monday, May 16, 2011

New Companion

Hey Hey Hey

Well I am so excited to have my new companion Elder Horrocks! I love the guy. Well this week has been nothing but busy busy busy. Havent had time to do much work this week yet because of the transfers and all the business that has been going on. But I sure am having a good time. I am so relaxed! I finally get to be myself now. I finally get to let my hair down again. Me and Elder Horrocks are getting along so well. its awesome. Tomorrow we have zone conference in casper for just the casper zone. Me and Elder Horrocks are giving a training and President and Sister Layton. It will be way good. We are excited. I love zone conference. It looks like most likely that I will be transferred to gillette at the end of this transfer. We will see though. I am not sure. But about 95% sure.

I am glad to hear that you are all getting some rest from thing 1 and thing 2. I miss those two so much. I want to squeeze them so bad. I love those cuties! I loved hearing from them and seeing their cute faces on sunday. I cant believe that riley is getting so big! She is such a big girl! :)

So crazy crazy crazy. Last night at our dinner appointment sis linford (bishop linfords daughter in law) fed us and she told us that she realized that the church was not for her and she took off her garments!!!!!!!! Me and Elder Horrocks were baffled. She believes the church is true still just wants to drink and wants to do whatever she wants.

Brothers and Sisters. Yes we have a lot of rules. But we have a lot of rules to keep us safe!!! We would not have these things if heavenly father did not love us and I promise you that he knows what is best for us! :) I love the gospel. i love it so much. It is a protection it is a comfort. I am so lucky to be a member of this church. i love all that the gospel is and I know it is true!!

The gospel is true what else matters!

It is going to be short one today. Dont have much to say other than what I mean the most I love you

I love you all

Love,
Elder Michael Corey Rudd