Derelict children... Jury Duty... What has the world come to. What happened to hanginf them up by their toenails for a few days in the lower dungeons until their behavior improves? Gosh I miss the old days...
*cough harry potter reference cough*
As much as it bugs you getting asked if you are now the bishops wife, its obnoxious when people ask me when I go home. Its with the best of intentions, but I kinda wanna give them a sign that says "12 days.
leave me alone" the days are also set like an old school calendar where the days are changed one by one. Its driving me bonkers, because I have to think about that date,and tell them, and unfortuantely I end up looking ticked when I do it. I dont want to think about going home because I dont know whats waiting for me aside from my family. Most guys can say, oh well Im gonna go to work, Im going to school, I am getting married, and I get to say... I honestly dont know.
Well yeah. Oh course stake temple day is this thursday. bummer, cuz those are intense days, thats how people do things when they have to travel to the temple long distance, its packed with people and all the sessions get full. If you can try and stay all day. I know you have to work, but its also to all the other people who read this.
This week was good, a lot better, and well I will see how this week goes. Its gonna be interesting next pday mad dash to the finish.
Love you mom
Elder Ludlow
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Saturday, October 22, 2011
TWO WEEKS!
Elder Ben Ludlow
Let the countdown begin...
:)
will be returning with honor
from the
Argentina Cordoba Mission
on Saturday November 5th!Let the countdown begin...
:)
October 17, 2011
Yeah you could say that. Its been a very busy week. Here in MissionLand we have been working really hard. Like come home and pass out we work so hard. We are working really hard, and not exactly seeing the results. Its kinda rough. but hey I am gonna keep on going until the end, even if its difficult when I am not seeing what I want to see. I just have to trust in the Lord, and work with Faith.
This week aside from being very busy, has been very interesting. Lots of trials, cool people we have met, and helped, but we still manage to keep going back to the same old people that I have known forever. I dont entirely know why, we havent had the inspiration to stop seeing these people, because they arent doing alot in the way of progressing towards baptism. I am re-realizing something that I already knew. That its of course our objective to baptize people, but its not the only things we do. We help peoples faith grow to the point that they
exercise their faith, and they repent of their sins, and they change and want to be baptized. We can try and sometimes have success dragging people in, by obligation, or other forms, but thats not what the Lord wants, in fact its completely contrary to His Plan for us. so we have to be here to persuade and help and support people in the process of repentance. I mean maybe its my excuse because I am not going to baptize before I am home, but its what I am seeing. I mean I knew this, but sometimes we forget by putting our own desires ahead of what the Lord wants for us.
In the mean time, its just work work work.
Keep on swimming
Love you
Elder Ben
This week aside from being very busy, has been very interesting. Lots of trials, cool people we have met, and helped, but we still manage to keep going back to the same old people that I have known forever. I dont entirely know why, we havent had the inspiration to stop seeing these people, because they arent doing alot in the way of progressing towards baptism. I am re-realizing something that I already knew. That its of course our objective to baptize people, but its not the only things we do. We help peoples faith grow to the point that they
exercise their faith, and they repent of their sins, and they change and want to be baptized. We can try and sometimes have success dragging people in, by obligation, or other forms, but thats not what the Lord wants, in fact its completely contrary to His Plan for us. so we have to be here to persuade and help and support people in the process of repentance. I mean maybe its my excuse because I am not going to baptize before I am home, but its what I am seeing. I mean I knew this, but sometimes we forget by putting our own desires ahead of what the Lord wants for us.
In the mean time, its just work work work.
Keep on swimming
Love you
Elder Ben
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
October 10, 2011
Remember Remember the 5th of November...
Hahaha its Guy Fawkes Day (UK) that Saturday.
So I got my flight plans.,.......................
But really this week was really good. We worked super hard. I think I will start out telling you a bit about Gabriel. Hes a really cool guy, hes maybe 27, is from Buenos Aires, and recently moved here to Rio
Cuarto about a month ago. well we found him last week and taught him about the Book of Mormon. He said that he needed to find out if its true because "if its true and I reject something that says"Jesus Christ" I dont want to get the bill on the other side that says "You rejected the word of God, Have a nice Day" So he is reading to know if its true. Hes very down to earth, and has had alot of serious issues with other organized religions, finding them to be a man made creation rather quickly. So hes a bit skeptical. I will keep you updated on him.
Umm we also are teaching Elisa and Ester. They are daughter and mother. Neither can read, but that hasnt stopped them from getting their other family members to read to them. When we got to that house, the whole family was in chaos. They were all fighting with Elisa, due to her mental scars from her ex, who beat her, and she would take it out on her son. =/ but anyway the family was really un united, and we were able to teach them prayer, and why its important. Ester also didnt really want much to do with the church, because she is catholic. Ok so Elisa, we lost track of her, but she wanted to be baptized. So we kept going by every once in awhile to see them, but no good. Elisa kept on praying. She prayed every night, then her mom started to pray
with her, and on her own, and her little sister would read her the Book of Mormon, and she got a restraining order on her ex, and she just became instantly peaceful, and calm. She got a job, that was far away, but found a job really close, like right across the street. one day we went by and she told us about her older sister, who is not nice to them. So when we left she offered the prayer and asked the Lord to soften her heart and help her family to be united. So the Lord did that. Elisa has incredible faith. Her family is united, they are making changes and its really cool to think, wow it all started with a simple prayer. Thats what prayer and faith can do for you. If you want it, and you do everything you can, and ask the Lord to give it to you, He will give it to you, I testify of that.
Well gotta be heading out
love you
Elder Ben Ludlow
Hahaha its Guy Fawkes Day (UK) that Saturday.
So I got my flight plans.,.......................
But really this week was really good. We worked super hard. I think I will start out telling you a bit about Gabriel. Hes a really cool guy, hes maybe 27, is from Buenos Aires, and recently moved here to Rio
Cuarto about a month ago. well we found him last week and taught him about the Book of Mormon. He said that he needed to find out if its true because "if its true and I reject something that says"Jesus Christ" I dont want to get the bill on the other side that says "You rejected the word of God, Have a nice Day" So he is reading to know if its true. Hes very down to earth, and has had alot of serious issues with other organized religions, finding them to be a man made creation rather quickly. So hes a bit skeptical. I will keep you updated on him.
Umm we also are teaching Elisa and Ester. They are daughter and mother. Neither can read, but that hasnt stopped them from getting their other family members to read to them. When we got to that house, the whole family was in chaos. They were all fighting with Elisa, due to her mental scars from her ex, who beat her, and she would take it out on her son. =/ but anyway the family was really un united, and we were able to teach them prayer, and why its important. Ester also didnt really want much to do with the church, because she is catholic. Ok so Elisa, we lost track of her, but she wanted to be baptized. So we kept going by every once in awhile to see them, but no good. Elisa kept on praying. She prayed every night, then her mom started to pray
with her, and on her own, and her little sister would read her the Book of Mormon, and she got a restraining order on her ex, and she just became instantly peaceful, and calm. She got a job, that was far away, but found a job really close, like right across the street. one day we went by and she told us about her older sister, who is not nice to them. So when we left she offered the prayer and asked the Lord to soften her heart and help her family to be united. So the Lord did that. Elisa has incredible faith. Her family is united, they are making changes and its really cool to think, wow it all started with a simple prayer. Thats what prayer and faith can do for you. If you want it, and you do everything you can, and ask the Lord to give it to you, He will give it to you, I testify of that.
Well gotta be heading out
love you
Elder Ben Ludlow
Thursday, October 6, 2011
October 3, 2011
For those that thought," wow thats a ton to do" Well it was alot of studying I did! This conference was quite good. I was very surprised by the variety of subjects covered. Highlights were:
Elder Carl b Cook
Elder Christofferson!!!!!!
I know that we have living prophets that walk this earth. I know that God is Our Heavenly Father, and He loves us so much that He sent His Son Jesus Christ to atone for our sins, and He also sent prophets to guide us to the path that Jesus marked for us, and give us His sustaining word to guide us and keep us on the path.
Moroni 7:48 was quoted I believe twice
Today I also got the package with the Birthday wishes. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! Tell all the Primary Kids how much I appreciated it. I feel pretty good here, I just want to keep working my best until this is done. This week, we had a lot of success, in achieving unity in our lessons, teaching with the Spirit, and following the Spirit in all that we do. I felt really good this week, the mission is great. Today we had a meeting with President Salas, and well I still have to go back for my interview.... but anyway, its been a crazy day, and I didnt bring my journal to count the experiences of the week. Its funny how you will go and be thinking about what you did in the week, but when it comes down to it, you cant remember what you were going to write. =(
Ok so I owe you one thats a little better next week, I love you all
Thanks again for the pictures and the birthday wishes =)
Love
Elder Ludlow
PS yeah the family will never sing that good, whos birthday comes up next? maybe I can help us stay on tune... not likely, after being in argentina I´ve if anything gotten worse at singing... hahaha gotta rely on the spirit for that one too.
Elder Carl b Cook
Elder Christofferson!!!!!!
Moroni 7:48 was quoted I believe twice
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, apray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true bfollowers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall cbe like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be dpurified even as he is pure. Amen.And so was 1 Timothy 4:12
Let no man adespise thy youth; but be thou an bexample of the believers, in word, in cconversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, indpurity.
Today I also got the package with the Birthday wishes. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! Tell all the Primary Kids how much I appreciated it. I feel pretty good here, I just want to keep working my best until this is done. This week, we had a lot of success, in achieving unity in our lessons, teaching with the Spirit, and following the Spirit in all that we do. I felt really good this week, the mission is great. Today we had a meeting with President Salas, and well I still have to go back for my interview.... but anyway, its been a crazy day, and I didnt bring my journal to count the experiences of the week. Its funny how you will go and be thinking about what you did in the week, but when it comes down to it, you cant remember what you were going to write. =(
Ok so I owe you one thats a little better next week, I love you all
Thanks again for the pictures and the birthday wishes =)
Love
Elder Ludlow
PS yeah the family will never sing that good, whos birthday comes up next? maybe I can help us stay on tune... not likely, after being in argentina I´ve if anything gotten worse at singing... hahaha gotta rely on the spirit for that one too.
Monday, October 3, 2011
General Conference -- October 2011
This has been a wonderfully uplifting conference.
Please listen to this talk by Elder Dallin H Oaks of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles entitled "Teachings of Jesus."
Christ is my Savior. He suffered for every one of us -- for our sins and our shortcomings, for our disappointments, heartaches, and physical ailments. By Him, we (the weak things of the world) are made strong. I know that if we live by His example, humble ourselves before the Lord, and rely on the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we can return to live with our Father in Heaven in eternal happiness and exaltation.
Please listen to this talk by Elder Dallin H Oaks of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles entitled "Teachings of Jesus."
Christ is my Savior. He suffered for every one of us -- for our sins and our shortcomings, for our disappointments, heartaches, and physical ailments. By Him, we (the weak things of the world) are made strong. I know that if we live by His example, humble ourselves before the Lord, and rely on the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we can return to live with our Father in Heaven in eternal happiness and exaltation.
Friday, September 30, 2011
September 26, 2011
So this week was really interesting. A little insight into what I was talking about last week-- I was reading an article from Elder Richard G Scott, from the conference of October of 2009. Its about receiving spiritual guidance. So I had that experience, and even quite similar to Elder Scott's experience, I didnt want to tell the details of what I received, but the manner is in the talk. I have been studying in that particular Ensign this week. The words of the Prophets are true. I recommend the following talks. Read them and highlight the things that stand out to you.
President Dieter F Uchtdorf -- The Love of God
Elder Robert D Hales -- Seeking to know God, Our Heavenly Father, and His Son, Jesus Christ
Elder Tad R Callister -- Joseph Smith: The Prophet of the Restoration
Elder Kent D Watson -- Being Temperate in All Things
Elder Neil L Andersen -- "Repent...That I may Heal you"
These talks somehow all had a similar theme to me, the guidance and revelation that can be recieved from the Holy Ghost, and what we will do and know upon receiving that guidance.
I also want to share a scripture from Doctrine and Covenants 98
1) Verily I say unto you my friends, fear not, let your hearts be comforted; yea, rejoice evermore, and in everything give thanks;
2) Waiting patiently on the Lord, for your prayers have entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth, and are recorded with this seal and testament—the Lord hath sworn and decreed that they shall be granted.
3) Therefore, he giveth this promise unto you, with an immutable covenant that they shall be fulfilled; and all things wherewith you have been afflicted shall work together for your good, and to my name’s glory, saith the Lord.
Ok so lets begin telling about my week. =)
(Sorry, Sarah, its a long one, hope it all fits on the blog)
So this week as mentioned before we were expecting a baptism. Well everything said it wasnt going to happen, there was oppoistion on all sides, and in the end..... it didnt happen. We worked extremely hard
for the baptism, but it didnt end up happening. My faith was in it. but well it was his decision. He is the son of a recent convert, and best of all he knows that the church is true. He just wants to be able to pick his date. We were pretty much devasted. But we have to pick up and move forward. I work in this because I know that God is My Heavenly Father, and that He restored this church, and I am working in this for Him. and as President Eyring said:
So this week as mentioned before we were expecting a baptism. Well everything said it wasnt going to happen, there was oppoistion on all sides, and in the end..... it didnt happen. We worked extremely hard
for the baptism, but it didnt end up happening. My faith was in it. but well it was his decision. He is the son of a recent convert, and best of all he knows that the church is true. He just wants to be able to pick his date. We were pretty much devasted. But we have to pick up and move forward. I work in this because I know that God is My Heavenly Father, and that He restored this church, and I am working in this for Him. and as President Eyring said:
"I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The dye has been cast! I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made; I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won't look back, let up, slow down, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure. I'm finished and done with low living, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tainted visions, worldly talking, cheap giving, and dwarfed goals. I no longer need pre-eminence, positions, promotions, plaudits or popularity. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk with patience, am uplifted by prayer, and labor with power. My face is set, my gait is fast, and my goal is Heaven. My road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions are few, my guide is reliable, my mission is clear! I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, divided or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity. I won't give up, shut up, or let up, until I have stayed up stored up, and paid up of the cause of Christ. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till I know, and work till He stops me. And when He returns for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me. My banner will be clear."
I have to keep going there is nothing left for me to do.
In other news, this week we had lunch with our stake president, and he was pulling up church youtube videos, and Elder schaap says, hey check out this one, and pulls up Reflections of Christ and another one from the same photographer Mark Mabry, The first one is from Christ's visit to the Americas, and the other one is the book you have mom. Its powerful, and I add my testimony that Jesus is the Christ, He is my Savior, and I am His representative. I act and testify in His Name. I know that He suffered for my sins, pains, sicknesses, and for my problems, my burdens, my worries. He has been there, and is there for me and everyone in this world.
In other news, this week we had lunch with our stake president, and he was pulling up church youtube videos, and Elder schaap says, hey check out this one, and pulls up Reflections of Christ and another one from the same photographer Mark Mabry, The first one is from Christ's visit to the Americas, and the other one is the book you have mom. Its powerful, and I add my testimony that Jesus is the Christ, He is my Savior, and I am His representative. I act and testify in His Name. I know that He suffered for my sins, pains, sicknesses, and for my problems, my burdens, my worries. He has been there, and is there for me and everyone in this world.
"Be of Good cheer, for I have overcome the world."
I love you all and want you to enjoy truly this general conference, follow the advice of President Uchtdorf and go with questions in your hearts and seek the guidance, listen carefully, TAKE NOTES!!! those
spiritual impressions are so precious that we cannot afford to not write them down, because they will stop coming if we do not write them down, in fact we will receive more guidance if we will sit, listen and
WRITE what we hear in our hearts and minds. I am so thankful that God has called prophets in these days to Guide US and restore all the truths that we need to return to His presence, especially the temples.
Because of my release date, I want to do something. I am technically not released until the 8th, and so I want to go for two days of temple work upon my return. Thats my real request. I wont stop working just
because I get home, even though there are many things to do, I want to first go and visit My Father's House. Monday and Tuesday the 7th and 8th: LA temple.
With Love
Elder Ludlow
Ps Still no letter or package, gonna talk to the office today. =)
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