Week 62: The Sustaining Power

Familia!

Life is kind of back to normal...its nice :) Last week was probably one of the fastest weeks of my life, but I was able to learn a ton from it.

Number one thing that I learned is that when the Lord calls, He sustains. With TONS of things to get done last week and almost no time to do them, we were able to accomplish all of them. Several times I wondered with no sleep and a million things to do why I felt so great, but I know it was because Christ was with me the entire time sustaining me in my weaknesses. However, Wednesday night was probably the deepest I have ever slept haha. I was completely exhausted. 

After Wednesday things had calmed down quite a bit and we were able to get back to actual missionary work. With both Elder Oscarson and I being new to the area, we had no idea what to do. We are both Spanish missionaries who have only served in a family wards, so going into English YSA work was a 180 degree change. Since we teach at the institute building on campus for nearly every lesson, the only contact information we had for our investigators were their cell phone numbers. So, we started to call everyone we could find and got a couple lessons set up. One of the investigators we had is named Justin. Justin has lived in Mesa for the majority of his life surrounded by members. He has always known "the mormons" as being great people, but he was never interested in what we believed until a couple months ago. As he started meeting with the missionaries he started gaining in interest at finally decided to ask our Father in Heaven if the Book of Mormon was in fact His word. Well, as promised he received an answer and had a desire to be baptized. Well, the missionaries before us put Justin on date for baptism for the 26th of October. So, being new to the area we tried to get a hold of Justin as soon as we could, and with each day that went by without contact we started to get more worried. Finally the 25th, one day before his baptism, we were able to sit down and have a lesson with Justin. Justin is one of the most prepared people that I have ever met. His desire is true, and he is willing to let the Lord transform his life completely. It was amazing to see at his baptism as he bore his testimony about how he knew that this was just the beginning. He talked about how he was so excited to be able to enter into the temple some day to start an eternal family. 

I think one of the biggest blessings that is going to come from serving in the YSA is going to be able to work with people at such an important time in their life. In these years, such important decisions are being made, decisions that will determine the rest of their lives. It is going to be such a huge blessing serving at ASU where there are so many people searching for the Restored Gospel, but yet there is a pretty good percentage of people who are members being examples. I'm thankful for the opportunity to serve here, and I'm excited to see even more people become strongly converted to the Gospel of Jesus Christ as Justin has. 

Hope all is well. You're all the best!

Con Amor,

Elder Jurgensmeier 

Week 61: The Blessings of the Holy Ghost

Familia!

Man, what a life. The mission is the best. Life can't get much better when literally every single second you are helping others come unto Christ. 

This last week has been a super humbling week for me. Full of reminders of how our Father truly is in complete charge of everything and His timing and His ways are ALWAYS perfect. Sunday was a very humbling day as I was able to witness the baptism of Lupe Madrid. About a month and a half ago, Elder Cassiano and I were talking to a Family in their yard when I caught a glimpse of Lupe out of the corner of my eye. When I saw her the words came to my mind, "Talk to her." Twice I brushed off the impression to talk to her. As we walked to our car I saw a glimpse of Lupe once again several blocks away turning the corner. Once again, but with even more force I heard the words, "Talk to her." I am so very grateful for the guidance of the Spirit of God that we are all entitled to hear. I know that as we heed to those promptings, miracles happen, lives change, and we grow closer to Father. Just 6 weeks ago, Lupe had never heard of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. Now, she has entered in through the gates of baptism to start her journey to exaltation. 

Lupe's baptism was one to remember for many reasons. First off her journey was a definite miracle, but secondly, it was the most times I have ever seen someone baptized....Elder Murphey struggled on that one haha. Lupe's toe kept popping up...ten times to be exact. haha. But I'm thankful that baptism is something so important that it has to be done the exact way that Christ taught and was baptized. Each baptism is such a spiritual experience and I am so thankful to be a part of so many others lives.

A couple hours before the baptism, I received a call as well. President Toone called to ask if I would come and serve with him in the office. So, after the baptism I had thirty minutes to pack and then head up to Tempe. The last 3 days have been some of the fastest days of my life. One of my favorite things we have done since I have been here is working through the transfers. As we reviewed each and every missionary, where they should go, and callings that they should receive, it is amazing the promptings and confirmation that come from the Holy Ghost. We have also been able to spend some time with the missionaries who headed home from their missions yesterday and then also those who just came in today. I don't think I have ever been this busy in my life, however, I'm thankful for opportunities that I have to be pushed to limits I have never gone. I know that the more that comes our way the more we stretch and grow. I know that this is for sure something that is going to help me stretch, that may be a little rough some days, but I know that it is something that is going to help me become more converted to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

I love you all and hope everything is going great!

Con Amor,

Elder Jurgensmeier

Week 60: The Gospel: A Safeguard to Life

Familia!

What a week... This was the first week in about 3 months that we didn't have anything crazy going on and were just able to focus on missionary work. It was amazing to see the miracles that happened. As we were able to focus on our area we were able to have 32 lessons and see a lot of progression in our investigators.

But, just as that week ended, reality struck again. This morning we have had missionaries losing their keys, missionaries locking themselves out of cars, missionary's cars getting windows shattered and things stolen out of the car, and now we have to help missionaries move apartments....life is great as a missionary!

Once again we have been working really closely with members and this week we have had some awesome experiences. About a week ago, Elder Murphey and I received a referral from another companionship in our zone. One night as we were doing a couple of visits with a young man from our ward we decided to contact the referral. We drove up to their home, knocked on the door, and they said they didn’t have too much time. We asked if we could share a short message with their family and they invited us in. We shared a short scripture and testified that as Christ was the center of our homes, peace and happiness could be found in all areas of life. Since they didn’t have too much time we set up an appointment for two days later.

The next day we had a meeting with the Bishop. As we talked about our investigators, we brought up this new family, the Rodriguez Family, that we had started teaching. We asked the Bishop who he thought would be a great family to fellowship the Rodriguez family and he assigned us a family who hadn’t been too active in the past couple of months. Not knowing what the outcome would be, we contacted the family and let them know when our lesson would be. Thursday night we met to have our first real lesson with the Rodriguez family. The Rodriguez family and the member family hit it off right away. We taught the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the member family testified the entire time how the Restored Gospel has completely changed their family. As the end of the lesson neared, we extended a baptismal invitation. Each member of the family said yes with hesitation in their voice.

As they finished saying yes, the Hermana from our ward asked if she could share something. She looked the mother of the family in the eyes and said, “I heard a story once of a Father who was teaching his child. As he was teaching his child he saw that his son wasn’t making some of the greatest decisions. As the father approached his son, he said, ‘Son, be careful where you are stepping,’ and the son instantly replied, ‘Father, I’m walking in your footprints.’” The Hermana from church, testified how important it is to be an example to your children, to lead and guide them in righteousness.

As she finished, The Hermano from the church started to share his conversion story. He said that for months the missionaries had asked him to be baptized and for months he had said, “I’m not ready, I will do it next month.” He talked about how one day the missionaries asked him to pray to know if he would be ready to be baptized that weekend. As he retired to his room that night, he started his prayer and asked the exact question the missionaries had suggested. As he sat there contemplating the words came to his mind, “You don’t know what lies ahead. You don’t know how long you will be here. Don’t put off the blessings.” The next day he told the missionaries that he was ready to be baptized and said it was one of the best decisions he had ever made. He continued to testify and exhort them to not put their baptisms off, to partake of the blessings that their Heavenly Father had for them that instant.

As they finished testifying of these experiences, we extended a baptismal date for two weeks away and they all accepted. It was awesome to see as they had those members there testifying of personal experiences, they were able to feel of the spirit and make the decision to follow Jesus Christ. Yesterday as we got ready for church we told them we would swing by and they could follow us to church. We got there a couple of minutes early and they were already dressed and waiting in their car ready to go. They had felt of the spirit as the members testified how the Gospel had changed their lives and they were eager to apply it to their own lives. It is amazing the things that can happen as we have the courage to open our mouths and testify about the blessings of the gospel.

As well, this week I received news that an investigator I had taught in a past area had passed away. It was tough to hear because I had gone through a lot with this investigator. When we started to teach him he couldn't overcome his addiction to alcohol. It was tough to see as he tried to stop time and time again with no success. As he truly delved into the Gospel of Jesus Christ, for a couple months he told us that he was able to quit drinking with ease. Sure, the temptation was still there, but as he surrounded himself with the Gospel that desire fell away. After quiting drinking for several months, his daily scripture study and constant prayer were put on a back burner. Slowly and surely he fell back into the trap that he had worked so hard to climb out of. Just this week as him and his friends were drinking he was killed in an accident.

Time and time again I have seen how important the little things in life are. Prayer must be constant, scripture study must be daily, and church attendance must be weekly. As these three things become a priority in our lives, it creates a safeguard for the temptations that are guaranteed to come. It was sad to see such a great man go, but I know without a doubt in my mind that in the spirit world where he now resides, he has accepted the Gospel of Jesus Christ into his life.

I am so very grateful for this Gospel and the comfort and knowledge that it brings. I know it is true, without a doubt in my mind. Hope all is well. Love you all!

Con Amor,
Elder Jurgensmeier

Week 59: The Power of Prayer

Familia!

What a week! Isn't conference amazing? It truly is amazing to have a living Prophet and Apostles on the earth. So many times I talk to people on the street with the outlook that there is no way any good can come from a world like the one we live in. Conference is just a testimony builder to me how much good there is in the world. Sure, the views of the world are moving farther and farther away from the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but those who are living His Gospel are becoming more and more. So many great and powerful talks were given. I definitely know that as we abide by these teaching, that's when true happiness and joy come.

I loved President Uchtdorf's comment, "Doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith." How true it is. So many times Satan fills our mind full of meaningless doubts to fight against faith we have earned from a life time of work. As we recognize these doubts as what they are, things will become so much easy as we stay firm to the faith we have developed throughout our lives. President Eyring also mentioned something that I am going to work on for the rest of my life. He said something along the lines of, "I may not be able to change their situation right now, but they CAN know the Lord loves them." There is power in that perspective. No matter what situation someone may be in, no matter how rough things may be, their lives will improve as they truly recognize and understand that the Savior of the world loves them on a personal level. I know as I help others recognize this, not only will my love for them increase, but I will be able to feel of the Saviors love on a more powerful level in my life.

This week Elder Murphey and I have really been focusing on the power of prayer. Elder Holland said something that I really like. He said, "God is eagerly waiting for the chance to answer your prayers and fulfill your dreams, just as He always has. But He can't if you don't pray, and He can't if you don't dream. In short, He can't if you don't believe." In the Bible dictionary it talks about how prayer is a means of work by which we obtain blessings. Our Father in Heaven has so many blessings in store for us, and it is amazing that by doing something as simple as a short, heartfelt prayer, blessings can be merited. So many times I feel like we try to take matters into our own hands. We believe that we know enough and can do it by "our own power." However, it is by humility that we will be guided to successes in life.

This week as Elder Murphey and I looked back on how our area was doing, we were happy, things were moving well, but we knew that we weren't doing enough. We decided prayer needed to take a more vital role in our day. As we have sought out constant direction from God, it has been amazing to see the miracles that have come. Not only have the investigators we have been teaching progress even faster, but we have been lead and guided to the prepared. Last night for example we sat in our car looking at our plans for the night. Both of us felt like we needed to say a prayer to make sure we were going exactly where we needed to be going. As we said a prayer, our plans were confirmed and we headed out to do our visits. As we were finishing up the night, one of the most distinct impressions came to my mind. I remembered that we had talked to this man a couple of weeks earlier. The conversation was short, he was in a hurry, but he said that we could stop by again later on. As this experience came to mind, Elder Murphey and I decided it would be good to make that last visit before we headed in for the night. As we pulled up to that same house we were at a few weeks prior, a couple people were standing outside talking. As we walked up to them one of them said, "Hey Elders, my brother was an Elder. He just got married to a Mormon a little while back." We talked to him for a little while about his brothers mission in Chile, and a little bit about the church. His brother is the only member in the family, and he had several questions about the church. A couple more members of the family came out and asked us if we would be willing to come back tonight for a short visit.

I know that prompting that I receive was a direct relation to the prayer that we said earlier. As we let God know that we would be willing to heed any prompting we received, he gladly lead and guided us to exactly where we needed to be. I know that our Father has so much in store for each and every one of us, and as we prayerfully seek for answers/guidance, as said in the scriptures, everything will be for our good.

I love you all and hope everything is going well! Take Care!
Con Amor,
Elder Jurgensmeier

Week 58: Relying on Heaven

Familia!

 

Finally, summer is over! From what I've heard this weeks highs are 92.  Finally, some cool weather... :)

 

This week Elder Murphey and I were able to go back to Coolidge for three more baptisms. It always makes my week to be able to go back there. I decided Coolidge will always be my second favorite area right behind the area that I am currently serving in. haha. Its amazing to see what happens in an area when all of the members start looking for opportunities to invite others to come unto Christ. God definitely sends his prepared children to people who are looking to share the Gospel. Phoenix is definitely one of those areas and its awesome to be able to serve here at this time.

This week we had a Mission Leadership Training and we talked a lot about the mission and the things that were going on. Definitely there is proof that God is hastening his work, but along the lines of that you can definitely see that Satan has hastened his work as well. I don't think I have ever seen anyone throughout my mission who has made the decision to be baptized and then everything has been smooth sailing for them. Every single time someone makes that decision it seems like trials come out of no where. Our investigator Rosa is definitely a perfect example of this. We invited Rosa to go to a baptismal service on Saturday morning, but because we had to head down to Coolidge we weren't going to be able to make it to that one. Rosa told us that it was no big deal, she wanted to go and so we didn't need to be there. We made sure that there were members there to greet her and everything was taken care of, so it was all smooth sailing. After the baptism she told us that she wasn't just going to "commit" to be baptized, she was going to do it without a doubt. She is becoming converted to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and it is amazing to see the changes taking place in her life. Well, Sunday morning as we were waiting for Rosa to come to church she sent us a text and said, "Sorry Elders, I wont be able to make it today." We asked her if everything was going ok and we still aren't sure what she mean, but direct translation Spanish to English she said, "My son was attacked by a tire, but he is ok." haha. We are stopping by to see her tonight, so we will definitely find out exactly what happened, but its crazy that people are even facing challenges where tires attack them.... haha. Its always amazing to see as people overcome these challenges and enter into the waters of baptism how blessed they are. I definitely know that Rosa will reach this point

As well this week in the Mission Leadership Meeting that we had we talked a lot about always making sure that we were relying on our Savior for help. Elder Bednar gives a talk where he says something along the lines of, "Isn't it amazing to see how God always calls us when we have no idea what to do, and then as we start thinking we have the hang of it we are released and we receive another calling that we have no idea how to do." As I thought about that I truly believe that it can relate to all times of our lives. Our goal throughout this life is not to just "stay safe" but it is to become something great. It is not to just to do enough to get by, but it is to become something amazing. I know as we 100% rely on heaven and never become self dependent, Christ will be there with us every single step of the way. As we all have those times throughout our lives where we feel lost, where we feel like we have no idea what to do, we can 100% rely on Christ knowing that we are there for a reason and he will help us through. As we rely on Christ always, we will become exactly who we need to be.

 

Hope all is well! Love you all!

Con Amor,

Elder Jurgensmeier

Week 57: Hazlo

Familia!

Another baby girl...so crazy. I still can't believe Karee was pregnant, now she has a baby... crazy stuff, but exciting. Baby Green is going to be a great addition to our Family :)

This week has been a pretty crazy week, definitely fun, but crazy. Every year the ward we are in does a talent show. Its always the biggest event of the year where tons of members from all over Phoenix come and a bunch of non-members as well. Missionaries have always participated in it doing a skit or little dance or something lame like that, so I decided this year we needed to go big. For a long time I wasn't sure what we were going to do, but then one day it came to me. Magic. So with all my magic skills I've gained over the years....none.... We set to work. It actually turned out pretty good I would say. Our first trick we tied a rope around our Ward Mission Leader's neck and then pulled the rope all the way through his neck, then we did a couple other things. We turned a Book of Mormon into a rabbit. Made a Sister Missionary turn into one of the Elders, and then we made the Elder completely disappear and reappear underneath the stage. Just your average magic performance... Haha I was surprised how it actually turned out. Not bad for our first magic show haha.

Things have been going super good in our zone. We have been trying to lift the Vision of our zone helping them realize how much potential we have. In the past, the highest baptism this zone has had is 13 in one month. For the Month of October we set the goal of 20, and already this week we have 21 on date for October and the month hasn't even started. It is amazing what we can do as we raise our visions. I think a lot of times our performance is lowered because we don't have faith first off in God and his miracles, but secondly we don't have sufficient faith in ourselves. With God we truly can do all things.


One of my favorite things we do on our mission is talking to people in the street. I feel like the best stories always come from these opportunities. This week we went to an apartment complex that we had never really spent much time in and started contacting people walking around. As time was running out and we needed to get heading to one of our appointments we saw one more lady walking down the sidewalk. We walked over towards her and started talking to her. We introduced ourselves to her and testified a little bit about the Restored Gospel. We set up an appointment for the next day and then headed on our way. The next day we had a super good lesson with her family and were able to put all of them on date for baptism for the 12th of October. We set up a church tour with their family last Thursday so that when they came to church this Sunday they would feel a little more comfortable. When we had the church tour with Rosa and her family we started talking about the Holy Ghost and how he is a guide for us in our lives. We told her many times our answers come through our feelings, but as well sometimes it can come through a still small voice. As we sat there talking about the Holy Ghost, Rosa told us that the moment we started walking towards her she saw us out of the corner of her eye. She said as we approached her even before we started talking she heard a voice in her head say "Hazlo" which means "Do it." She knew that whatever we told her would be exactly what she needed at that point in her life. I am so thankful for experiences like these. I truly do know that there are people like Rosa everywhere around us searching for more peace, guidance, and happiness in this life. I am so thankful for the Holy Ghost, for the prompting that we received to talk to her and then the witness she received even before we talked to her. I know this is Gods work. It is testified to me daily. I am so thankful for the opportunity I have to be out here serving.

I love you all! Hope everything is going perfect. Congrats on the baby Karee!

Con Amor,