"For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:"
2 Timothy 4:6-7
My heart is so full right now, words literally cannot describe. I can't wait to see you all soon!
Con Amor,
Elder Jurgensmeier
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
And so it begins...
Monday, August 4, 2014
Week 102: The City that Changed my Life
Familia!
Once again an incredible week in CG. I don't really know where to start, so I'll start with Monday!
For some reason, Mondays always seem to be some of the most successful days for us in our area. This last Monday especially proved to be an incredible day. I think one of the coolest things for me to see this transfer is the growth that Elder Butler and Elder Collins have made. Coming into this transfer I wanted them to be my biggest focus and just helping them get the start to their mission that they deserve. They have seriously grown above and beyond what I expected. Monday night we met a man named Johnny. Johnny had talked with missionaries briefly in the street before but had never taken time to really sit down and talk with them. As we started talking with Johnny he relayed an experience that he had about 9 months previous. He said that he was living a terrible life doing things that he knew he wasn't supposed to do, but he figured that was who he was and there was no chance of changing. Johnny told us for quite some time he was miserable and this didn't change until he was invited to a church camp. He told us that 9 months ago at that church camp was the first time that he had ever felt the love that Christ had for him and a crucial turning point for the rest of his life. Johnny continued to tell us about miracles that had taken place in his life as he had put Christ first and the dramatic changes he had been able to make through Christ's Atonement. I decided that in this lesson I was going to take more of a back seat and let my companions take the lead in talking to Johnny. Without hesitation they began to testify of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the power that it holds in our life. They taught clearly the example that Christ laid before us, what the priesthood was and why it was important, and then committed Johnny to be baptized at the end of this month. I was pretty proud, not going to lie! Seriously though, it has been a huge blessing serving with these two my last transfer, they're incredible.
Friday I had an opportunity to go on exchanges back to Coolidge. Man, do I love that place! I truly think that Coolidge was the turning point for my mission. I've never really shared this, but the first week that I was in Coolidge was probably the hardest week of my mission. I don't really know why, but the whole week I was really struggling. I remember several nights that week looking at the clock and it only being 7 pm and thoughts would instantly come to my mind, "Holy Cow, I still have 2 hours to be out here tonight!" I didn't want to have that attitude and it really bothered me that I did, but I didn't know what to do to change it. The people in Coolidge caused that change. I began to love the people in Coolidge with a love that I had never experienced before. I barely knew them, yet I could see the incredible people that they were just from brief conversations. I think that is truly the point in my mission when I came to know what Christ-Like Love truly is. That Love completely transformed the remainder of my mission. Friday as I went back to Coolidge we were able to visit several people I had come to love and memories flooded back to my mind of the joy that I experienced in that little town. We stopped by Dan Anderson, and investigator that told me Friday he knows without a doubt in his mind he will be baptized someday. We were able to pass by Michael Padron and his family and see how the Gospel has completely changed their lives. I was able to see Emilio, a young man that has been an anchor for his family this last year, and then we were able to pass by a few of the many members I came to love. I will be forever grateful for the 4 1/2 months that I spent in the city of Coolidge. Who knew such a small town could play such a huge role in my life.
I have truly grown to love the people here in Casa Grande as well. This week especially I feel like we were able to create some very close bonds with several of the people that we are teaching. For some reason they all felt comfortable this week to come out with some of their deepest concerns. Its an honor to be trusted so much by these people. I'm going to do absolutely everything that I can this last week I have to be there for them.
I love you all and I can't wait to see you!
Con Amor,
Elder Jurgensmeier
Once again an incredible week in CG. I don't really know where to start, so I'll start with Monday!
For some reason, Mondays always seem to be some of the most successful days for us in our area. This last Monday especially proved to be an incredible day. I think one of the coolest things for me to see this transfer is the growth that Elder Butler and Elder Collins have made. Coming into this transfer I wanted them to be my biggest focus and just helping them get the start to their mission that they deserve. They have seriously grown above and beyond what I expected. Monday night we met a man named Johnny. Johnny had talked with missionaries briefly in the street before but had never taken time to really sit down and talk with them. As we started talking with Johnny he relayed an experience that he had about 9 months previous. He said that he was living a terrible life doing things that he knew he wasn't supposed to do, but he figured that was who he was and there was no chance of changing. Johnny told us for quite some time he was miserable and this didn't change until he was invited to a church camp. He told us that 9 months ago at that church camp was the first time that he had ever felt the love that Christ had for him and a crucial turning point for the rest of his life. Johnny continued to tell us about miracles that had taken place in his life as he had put Christ first and the dramatic changes he had been able to make through Christ's Atonement. I decided that in this lesson I was going to take more of a back seat and let my companions take the lead in talking to Johnny. Without hesitation they began to testify of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the power that it holds in our life. They taught clearly the example that Christ laid before us, what the priesthood was and why it was important, and then committed Johnny to be baptized at the end of this month. I was pretty proud, not going to lie! Seriously though, it has been a huge blessing serving with these two my last transfer, they're incredible.
Friday I had an opportunity to go on exchanges back to Coolidge. Man, do I love that place! I truly think that Coolidge was the turning point for my mission. I've never really shared this, but the first week that I was in Coolidge was probably the hardest week of my mission. I don't really know why, but the whole week I was really struggling. I remember several nights that week looking at the clock and it only being 7 pm and thoughts would instantly come to my mind, "Holy Cow, I still have 2 hours to be out here tonight!" I didn't want to have that attitude and it really bothered me that I did, but I didn't know what to do to change it. The people in Coolidge caused that change. I began to love the people in Coolidge with a love that I had never experienced before. I barely knew them, yet I could see the incredible people that they were just from brief conversations. I think that is truly the point in my mission when I came to know what Christ-Like Love truly is. That Love completely transformed the remainder of my mission. Friday as I went back to Coolidge we were able to visit several people I had come to love and memories flooded back to my mind of the joy that I experienced in that little town. We stopped by Dan Anderson, and investigator that told me Friday he knows without a doubt in his mind he will be baptized someday. We were able to pass by Michael Padron and his family and see how the Gospel has completely changed their lives. I was able to see Emilio, a young man that has been an anchor for his family this last year, and then we were able to pass by a few of the many members I came to love. I will be forever grateful for the 4 1/2 months that I spent in the city of Coolidge. Who knew such a small town could play such a huge role in my life.
I have truly grown to love the people here in Casa Grande as well. This week especially I feel like we were able to create some very close bonds with several of the people that we are teaching. For some reason they all felt comfortable this week to come out with some of their deepest concerns. Its an honor to be trusted so much by these people. I'm going to do absolutely everything that I can this last week I have to be there for them.
I love you all and I can't wait to see you!
Con Amor,
Elder Jurgensmeier
Monday, July 28, 2014
Week 101: Baptisms, Service, and Insect Exhibits (and stepping on a scorpion!)
Familia!
Time is literally just running together. I
honestly can't distinguish what happened this week between what happened
three weeks ago. It all seems like it was just yesterday that I got to
this area. What I do know though is I just got done with a nice round of
golf! Man, I thought I was bad before my mission.... lets just say I
need a lot more practice before the Jurgensmeier Open rolls around. I'll
be up for it though, don't you worry!
This week was an incredible week. We were able to
get quite a bit of work done. We've started teaching English classes on
Thursday nights and this last week we had a pretty good turn out. The
program teaches the basics phrases and things they need to know to get
by in the United States. It has been a lot of fun being able to work
with them remembering the struggles and challenges I faced as I first
started to speak Spanish. I can't imagine what our teachers thought the
first day we got into the MTC.... sometimes it doesn't matter how many
times they try to say it, the words just don't come out correctly. I was
just in their shoes though, so I know that it'll all work out with time
for them. It has been an awesome way to get to know several more people
in the community and a great tool for our members to invite their
friends to come to the church.
Our house has somewhat turned into an insect
exhibit. Elder Collins is loving the Arizona creatures. Earlier in the
week we noticed some big cob webs in our back yard. Next thing I know
Elder Collins has two black widows in a jar on our kitchen table. Then
the next morning we added another little creature to our collection.
Before my mission, Brad told me that I needed to take shower sandals so
that I didn't get athletes foot from all the other elders. Little did I
know they would almost be the death of me! The other morning I was just
about ready to get into the shower when I noticed that there was a
little piece of leather coming off of my flip flops. After wearing them
for two years, it was expected that they were going to start falling
apart. So, without thinking I slipped them on and hopped into the
shower. After turning the water on and showering for about 30 seconds, I
felt something moving underneath my foot. I kicked my flip flop off as
fast as I could just in time to find out I had been standing on a
scorpion for the last two minutes! The elders all ran to the bathroom
wondering what was going on, apparently I had been yelling pretty loud
haha. I've added one more step to my morning routine lately, check your
flip flops! Who knew scorpions could be mistaken for a piece of leather.
Needless to say when I told them all what was in the shower Elder
Collins ran in and scooped up the scorpion and put it in a jar. We
currently have two scorpions, two lizards, and two black widows in our
home. Elder Collins is in heaven... haha.
This week we had Waylon's baptism and it was a
pretty special event. Waylon has lived with a member family for the last
several months and in coming to church has gained a strong testimony of
the restored gospel. It all started a couple months ago with the
passing away of his mother and his desire to know more about our
Heavenly Father's plan. Waylon is currently with the foster child
program and the Carr family has been huge for him. The Carrs currently
have 10 kids of their own and two foster children and it has been a
great environment for Waylon to grow up in. As Waylon has searched the
restored gospel it has been amazing to see his testimony grow. Saturday
at Waylon's baptism his Dad and sister were able to get permission to
come take part in this special event. The Gospel of Jesus Christ truly
brings hope even in some of the most difficult situations. Waylon has
felt of this hope and as he continues to walk the path his Father in
Heaven has set for him, he knows that peace and joy will continue to be a
part of his life.
I think the Spanish Branch is trying to get
everything out of me that they can before my mission comes to a close.
Yesterday within two minutes I was asked to teach Sunday School,
Priesthood, and give a talk in Sacrament meeting within the next two
Sundays. I would honestly do anything for this Branch though. President
Sellars is an amazing man and it has been a privileged to work with him.
He has a vision to make this branch a ward within the next year and he
wants Sister Jacobson (she is also finishing her mission) and I to
motivate the branch to preach the gospel before he starts a new program
he's been working on for a while. It'll be sad to leave this area
behind, but while I'm here I know that there is much that can be done.
I love you all!
Con Amor,
Elder Jurgensmeier
Monday, July 21, 2014
Week 100: The Simple Whisperings
Familia!
Well, it seems like the storms have all passed, its back to the good ol' AZ heat. 110 and clear skies, gotta love it!
This week was an awesome week. Things just keep getting better and better as we get to know the area and the people better. Elder Collins and Elder Butler have settled down into missionary life and now are really starting to come out of their shells. Elder Butler is full of ridiculous quotes and Elder Collins is an avid hunter and is always talking about how many doves there are here. He has tried to catch a nesting one in our back yard all week long so he can cook it up. Needless to say, he has failed, but I believe in him. haha. I'm sure he'll figure something out soon! So ya, there is pretty much never a dull moment in my life with these two around. As they have gotten more comfortable with missionary life I have tried to get them to take the lead in both finding and teaching opportunities. It has been great to see their confidence increase as they relax and just open their mouth to share the Gospel. We've focused a lot on the promise our Father in Heaven gives to us that as we open our mouth to share the Gospel, it will be filled. It has definitely taken place with these two and I know its just going to continue getting better from here.
Last night was the very last Mission President's Devotional that I will go to as a full time missionary. It was a bitter sweet experience. All of us as missionaries bring the people we are teaching and the recent converts from our area to hear two recent converts speak and then hear from President Toone. It was great to see several people that I've grown to love over the last couple years. Gabe, one of my friends I was able to teach and help get baptized, spoke last night and it was great to hear of his journey once again. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the biggest blessing that I have in my life and it was great to hear as Gabe testified to everyone there of the truthfulness of the Restoration. I'm glad Arizona is so close, there are so many people here that have grown to be some of my greatest friends and Gabe is definitely one of them.
We've found a lot of incredible people this week. One of them was last Monday night. We planned to visit a family that we had been trying to get a hold of for quite some time. As we went and knocked on the door, nobody answered. We had never really spent much time in the part of town that we were in, so we figured that we would walk around a bit to see if there was anyone outside. We walked a few blocks and decided that we would head into an apartment complex that we saw. As we neared the complex, I told Elder Butler that we were going to follow his lead, if there was a door he wanted to knock on, we'd knock it, if he saw someone, we'd talk to them. He started walking down the sidewalk when he pointed to a partially opened door and said, "This one." Just as he finished speaking, a dog poked his head out of the partially opened door and started to bark at us. The owner came to the door, grabbed the dog, and then noticed us. We started a small conversation asking him how his day was and what he had been up to. We then started to talk about Christ and his beliefs. As we started talking to him, he began to tell us of an experience he had the day before. He said for quite some time he had believed in Christ, but then as life continued that belief began to whither and eventually disappeared. He told us that for about 10 years he was off on his own, exploring different things, looking for peace and happiness but no matter where he turned, he couldn't find it. He told us he always felt someone guiding him in his life and helping him make decisions, but he never knew who it was.
Recently, this man, Eric, had just gone through a difficult divorce. He said that as all he loved began to crumble in his life, he was lead once again to Christ. He said just the day previous he had a super powerful experience where he felt an overwhelming feeling of the love that Christ had for him. Eric said that he knew that God had a special plan and purpose for him, he just didn't know what it was or where to begin. We began to teach him about the Plan of Salvation, and that God did indeed have a special plan for each and every one of us. We testified of the reality of Christ's Atonement and the power that it brought into our lives. It was incredible to see in just the few short moments we were able to spend with Eric, the amount of hope and joy that came into his life. From the first appointment canceling to deciding to walk down the street to his dog barking at us, everything had to line up perfectly for us to run into Eric that day.
This experience was just the beginning of the miracle. We set up another lesson with Eric a few days later and we planned to meet him at the church. As we pulled up to the church, Eric had brought his friend, Hector, with him. We gave them a church tour and then sat down in the chapel to share a message with them. We began to ask them some questions to get to know them a little better and then felt prompted to teach about the Doctrine of Christ and the power that comes through Faith, Repentance, and Baptism. As we talked about these powerful truths, tears began to fill Hector's eyes. He told us that when he was 17 he was baptized as a member of this church and because of a few circumstances that arose in his life he fell away. He told us that he felt God calling him back and knew that this was exactly where he needed to be. It was a powerful experience for us all as we heard Hector's simple heart felt testimony.
I know without a doubt in my mind that great and marvelous things are truly brought to pass through small and simple tasks. God knows us all personally, His greatest desire is for us to return and live with Him again, and He will always guide our lives back to His unconditional love. I'm so grateful to be serving a mission to be able to help my brothers and sisters, like Eric and Hector, to understand the divine plan that our Father truly has for them. I'm grateful for the promptings of the spirit that show us exactly where we need to be and exactly what we need to do.
I love you all!
Con Amor,
Elder Jurgensmeier
Well, it seems like the storms have all passed, its back to the good ol' AZ heat. 110 and clear skies, gotta love it!
This week was an awesome week. Things just keep getting better and better as we get to know the area and the people better. Elder Collins and Elder Butler have settled down into missionary life and now are really starting to come out of their shells. Elder Butler is full of ridiculous quotes and Elder Collins is an avid hunter and is always talking about how many doves there are here. He has tried to catch a nesting one in our back yard all week long so he can cook it up. Needless to say, he has failed, but I believe in him. haha. I'm sure he'll figure something out soon! So ya, there is pretty much never a dull moment in my life with these two around. As they have gotten more comfortable with missionary life I have tried to get them to take the lead in both finding and teaching opportunities. It has been great to see their confidence increase as they relax and just open their mouth to share the Gospel. We've focused a lot on the promise our Father in Heaven gives to us that as we open our mouth to share the Gospel, it will be filled. It has definitely taken place with these two and I know its just going to continue getting better from here.
Last night was the very last Mission President's Devotional that I will go to as a full time missionary. It was a bitter sweet experience. All of us as missionaries bring the people we are teaching and the recent converts from our area to hear two recent converts speak and then hear from President Toone. It was great to see several people that I've grown to love over the last couple years. Gabe, one of my friends I was able to teach and help get baptized, spoke last night and it was great to hear of his journey once again. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the biggest blessing that I have in my life and it was great to hear as Gabe testified to everyone there of the truthfulness of the Restoration. I'm glad Arizona is so close, there are so many people here that have grown to be some of my greatest friends and Gabe is definitely one of them.
We've found a lot of incredible people this week. One of them was last Monday night. We planned to visit a family that we had been trying to get a hold of for quite some time. As we went and knocked on the door, nobody answered. We had never really spent much time in the part of town that we were in, so we figured that we would walk around a bit to see if there was anyone outside. We walked a few blocks and decided that we would head into an apartment complex that we saw. As we neared the complex, I told Elder Butler that we were going to follow his lead, if there was a door he wanted to knock on, we'd knock it, if he saw someone, we'd talk to them. He started walking down the sidewalk when he pointed to a partially opened door and said, "This one." Just as he finished speaking, a dog poked his head out of the partially opened door and started to bark at us. The owner came to the door, grabbed the dog, and then noticed us. We started a small conversation asking him how his day was and what he had been up to. We then started to talk about Christ and his beliefs. As we started talking to him, he began to tell us of an experience he had the day before. He said for quite some time he had believed in Christ, but then as life continued that belief began to whither and eventually disappeared. He told us that for about 10 years he was off on his own, exploring different things, looking for peace and happiness but no matter where he turned, he couldn't find it. He told us he always felt someone guiding him in his life and helping him make decisions, but he never knew who it was.
Recently, this man, Eric, had just gone through a difficult divorce. He said that as all he loved began to crumble in his life, he was lead once again to Christ. He said just the day previous he had a super powerful experience where he felt an overwhelming feeling of the love that Christ had for him. Eric said that he knew that God had a special plan and purpose for him, he just didn't know what it was or where to begin. We began to teach him about the Plan of Salvation, and that God did indeed have a special plan for each and every one of us. We testified of the reality of Christ's Atonement and the power that it brought into our lives. It was incredible to see in just the few short moments we were able to spend with Eric, the amount of hope and joy that came into his life. From the first appointment canceling to deciding to walk down the street to his dog barking at us, everything had to line up perfectly for us to run into Eric that day.
This experience was just the beginning of the miracle. We set up another lesson with Eric a few days later and we planned to meet him at the church. As we pulled up to the church, Eric had brought his friend, Hector, with him. We gave them a church tour and then sat down in the chapel to share a message with them. We began to ask them some questions to get to know them a little better and then felt prompted to teach about the Doctrine of Christ and the power that comes through Faith, Repentance, and Baptism. As we talked about these powerful truths, tears began to fill Hector's eyes. He told us that when he was 17 he was baptized as a member of this church and because of a few circumstances that arose in his life he fell away. He told us that he felt God calling him back and knew that this was exactly where he needed to be. It was a powerful experience for us all as we heard Hector's simple heart felt testimony.
I know without a doubt in my mind that great and marvelous things are truly brought to pass through small and simple tasks. God knows us all personally, His greatest desire is for us to return and live with Him again, and He will always guide our lives back to His unconditional love. I'm so grateful to be serving a mission to be able to help my brothers and sisters, like Eric and Hector, to understand the divine plan that our Father truly has for them. I'm grateful for the promptings of the spirit that show us exactly where we need to be and exactly what we need to do.
I love you all!
Con Amor,
Elder Jurgensmeier
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
Week 99: I am a Man.
Familia!
I am a man. 21 years old, can you believe it?!? My birthday was incredible. I'm seriously going to miss everyone here. Tuesday was both my birthday and district meetings. The assistants usually travel around on Tuesday and go to different district meetings each week, so Elder Kloepfer and Elder Forson came down to my district meeting. President Toone was going to skype in, but ended up being super busy and wasn't able to. My district is seriously awesome. Our district consists of three missionaries going home this transfer, and then we are all training new missionaries. Elder Murphey was my companion about a year ago and has grown to be one of my best friends out here in the field. He remembered that it was my birthday and so he brought a pinata and made tres leches cake. After district meeting we all went out and celebrated for about 5 minutes. Its about as big as you can go in the field haha. It was a blast though. Then we all went out and had some lunch together. I think one of the things that I will cherish most from my mission are the relationships that I've created with these people. The missionaries, the members, the non members, every single one of them have played a huge part in my life. They definitely made Tuesday a special day.
Tuesday continued to be an interesting day even after our mini celebration. As we were coming out of a lesson Tuesday night we could see off in the distance another huge storm developing. We could see a dust storm a little ways off but didn't think it was going to hit as soon as it did. We were on the North side of Casa Grande and it was one of the coolest things to see as the entire city was just engulfed by this dust storm. It was seriously the biggest one that I have ever seen. It was dusk as it was approaching and we were driving back into town when it hit us. Usually you're able to drive through them super slow but then all of a sudden it was completely black outside and we could barely see the hood of our car. We hurried and pulled of the side of the road and waited there for the next five minutes as we were completely surrounded by sand. Literally, one of the coolest things I've seen. As the dust settled off in the distance we saw a motorcyclist putting along....you could say we weathered the storm a little better than he did....haha
This week was a really productive week for us as we finally have grown familiar with our area and all the people that have been being taught. Last year around this time I was able to interview a kid named Connor for baptism. There were some things that came up right before his baptism and he ended up not getting baptized. Well, as I came into the area and as we were going through the area book we found a Connor that was scheduled to be baptized on the 12th of July. We gave them a call, set up a lesson, and sure enough its the same exact Connor. It was awesome to see as God had worked with him throughout the last year of his life and the different experiences that he had throughout that year. It was a powerful moment for both him and his family as he was finally able to realize those desires that he had so long ago. I'm thankful that I was able to be a part of it both years.
We have been teaching a couple little kids in our branch that haven't been baptized yet. One of which is Waylan, and this week we were able to have some pretty special experiences with him. One lesson in particular we were talking about the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and how he could know for himself if it truly happened. As we talked about the importance of the spirit and how the spirit will reveal all truth to us, we asked him if he had ever felt the spirit before in his life. He began to give an account of a few experiences that he had over the last several years. As he spoke about these experiences he stopped talking for a moment, and in a sincere quiet voice he said, "I can feel it now." and then stopped talking. It has been incredible to me to see what Christ meant as he said that we need to become as little children. With the pure and tender love that they have, they are literally so close to our Father in Heaven. They trust Him with all that they are and seek only to follow Him. Waylan is getting baptized the 25th of this month and I'm so excited for him to continue to walk the path that our Father in Heaven has for him.
Con Amor,
Elder Jurgensmeier
I am a man. 21 years old, can you believe it?!? My birthday was incredible. I'm seriously going to miss everyone here. Tuesday was both my birthday and district meetings. The assistants usually travel around on Tuesday and go to different district meetings each week, so Elder Kloepfer and Elder Forson came down to my district meeting. President Toone was going to skype in, but ended up being super busy and wasn't able to. My district is seriously awesome. Our district consists of three missionaries going home this transfer, and then we are all training new missionaries. Elder Murphey was my companion about a year ago and has grown to be one of my best friends out here in the field. He remembered that it was my birthday and so he brought a pinata and made tres leches cake. After district meeting we all went out and celebrated for about 5 minutes. Its about as big as you can go in the field haha. It was a blast though. Then we all went out and had some lunch together. I think one of the things that I will cherish most from my mission are the relationships that I've created with these people. The missionaries, the members, the non members, every single one of them have played a huge part in my life. They definitely made Tuesday a special day.
Tuesday continued to be an interesting day even after our mini celebration. As we were coming out of a lesson Tuesday night we could see off in the distance another huge storm developing. We could see a dust storm a little ways off but didn't think it was going to hit as soon as it did. We were on the North side of Casa Grande and it was one of the coolest things to see as the entire city was just engulfed by this dust storm. It was seriously the biggest one that I have ever seen. It was dusk as it was approaching and we were driving back into town when it hit us. Usually you're able to drive through them super slow but then all of a sudden it was completely black outside and we could barely see the hood of our car. We hurried and pulled of the side of the road and waited there for the next five minutes as we were completely surrounded by sand. Literally, one of the coolest things I've seen. As the dust settled off in the distance we saw a motorcyclist putting along....you could say we weathered the storm a little better than he did....haha
This week was a really productive week for us as we finally have grown familiar with our area and all the people that have been being taught. Last year around this time I was able to interview a kid named Connor for baptism. There were some things that came up right before his baptism and he ended up not getting baptized. Well, as I came into the area and as we were going through the area book we found a Connor that was scheduled to be baptized on the 12th of July. We gave them a call, set up a lesson, and sure enough its the same exact Connor. It was awesome to see as God had worked with him throughout the last year of his life and the different experiences that he had throughout that year. It was a powerful moment for both him and his family as he was finally able to realize those desires that he had so long ago. I'm thankful that I was able to be a part of it both years.
We have been teaching a couple little kids in our branch that haven't been baptized yet. One of which is Waylan, and this week we were able to have some pretty special experiences with him. One lesson in particular we were talking about the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and how he could know for himself if it truly happened. As we talked about the importance of the spirit and how the spirit will reveal all truth to us, we asked him if he had ever felt the spirit before in his life. He began to give an account of a few experiences that he had over the last several years. As he spoke about these experiences he stopped talking for a moment, and in a sincere quiet voice he said, "I can feel it now." and then stopped talking. It has been incredible to me to see what Christ meant as he said that we need to become as little children. With the pure and tender love that they have, they are literally so close to our Father in Heaven. They trust Him with all that they are and seek only to follow Him. Waylan is getting baptized the 25th of this month and I'm so excited for him to continue to walk the path that our Father in Heaven has for him.
Con Amor,
Elder Jurgensmeier
Monday, July 7, 2014
Week 98: Tender Mercies
Familia!
Living life in the big CG! Only one day in and we've had a haboob, a lighting storm, and two rain storms. I've missed it down here!
This week was full of bitter sweet moments. Changes in this life are always difficult, but I truly know that miracles come from them. Monday we were able to spend time with the departing missionaries for their last day in the field. This was definitely the hardest group for me to see go. Several of the missionaries who went home were my companions and all had grown to be some of my greatest friends here in the field. It was nice to be able to sit together Monday night and just recollect on all of the experiences we had as we were serving together. From crazy lessons to flash floods to 120 degree days to powerful spiritual experiences, I think we had nearly experienced it all together. I'm thankful that God placed me here to meet such incredible people.
Tuesday morning we took the departing missionaries to the airport and an hour or so turned back around and picked up the new missionaries. When we are doing transfers we have all the trainers assigned, but not until Tuesday evening after spending all day with the new missionaries do we assign the trainee to their specific trainer. Before the missionaries came on Tuesday, President let me pick who I thought my companions would be... turns out I was right when I chose them. My new companions are Elder Butler and Elder Collins. They're both studs and I'm excited to be able to finish my mission with them. Elder Butler grew up near DC in Purcellville, Virginia. Some of his best friends were from El Salvador, so his Spanish is pretty good already. He has no fear haha its awesome. He'll walk up to anyone and just say whatever is on his mind. Most of the time what is on his mind relates to the conversation, but when its not he seems to bring it back one way or another haha. Elder Collins is from Salt Lake. He started a mission about a year ago in Guadalajara Mexico, but ended up getting super sick and had to go home. He was only down there for about a month and then home for about a year getting better. His testimony of the Gospel is incredible. We were talking and he said that for some time he thought that he wasn't going to go back out, but then as he thought of his life he couldn't see it going any other way than finishing his mission. Its going to be awesome to serve with these two and to learn from them both.
Its been pretty crazy coming into this area all on our own, but it has helped a lot that I served here before. It was awesome to go to church yesterday and to see three of the families that I taught are super active and doing great. Yesterday one of them talked to our branch president, Presidente Sellars about going through the temple to be sealed. I cannot wait for that for them. Presidente Sellars is an incredible guy. His vision is to turn this branch into a ward within a year and a half. When I was serving here before, Preisdente Sellars was first councilor in the branch presidency, and we grew pretty close. He said that he was hoping I would come back here to finish my mission. He said he was going to work me to death haha so I told him bring it on.
Yesterday during Fast and Testimony meeting Andres, a guy I was able to baptize, got up to bare his testimony. He talked to everyone about how it had been a little over a year since he had been baptized and just started to relay all of the miracles he had seen in his life up to that point. He then turned and looked at me and started to thank me for bringing him to the Restored Gospel. It was a tender moment as I was able to sit there and reflect upon the many miracles that I was able to see with this man and his wife. We will never truly know in this life what our efforts will do to help bring others unto Christ. Even the smallest act of love can change someone's eternities. I'm grateful that I have a chance to love these people yet again. I know that I have been sent here again for a reason and I cannot wait to experience the miracles that happen on a daily basis.
Con Amor,
Elder Jurgensmeier
Living life in the big CG! Only one day in and we've had a haboob, a lighting storm, and two rain storms. I've missed it down here!
This week was full of bitter sweet moments. Changes in this life are always difficult, but I truly know that miracles come from them. Monday we were able to spend time with the departing missionaries for their last day in the field. This was definitely the hardest group for me to see go. Several of the missionaries who went home were my companions and all had grown to be some of my greatest friends here in the field. It was nice to be able to sit together Monday night and just recollect on all of the experiences we had as we were serving together. From crazy lessons to flash floods to 120 degree days to powerful spiritual experiences, I think we had nearly experienced it all together. I'm thankful that God placed me here to meet such incredible people.
Tuesday morning we took the departing missionaries to the airport and an hour or so turned back around and picked up the new missionaries. When we are doing transfers we have all the trainers assigned, but not until Tuesday evening after spending all day with the new missionaries do we assign the trainee to their specific trainer. Before the missionaries came on Tuesday, President let me pick who I thought my companions would be... turns out I was right when I chose them. My new companions are Elder Butler and Elder Collins. They're both studs and I'm excited to be able to finish my mission with them. Elder Butler grew up near DC in Purcellville, Virginia. Some of his best friends were from El Salvador, so his Spanish is pretty good already. He has no fear haha its awesome. He'll walk up to anyone and just say whatever is on his mind. Most of the time what is on his mind relates to the conversation, but when its not he seems to bring it back one way or another haha. Elder Collins is from Salt Lake. He started a mission about a year ago in Guadalajara Mexico, but ended up getting super sick and had to go home. He was only down there for about a month and then home for about a year getting better. His testimony of the Gospel is incredible. We were talking and he said that for some time he thought that he wasn't going to go back out, but then as he thought of his life he couldn't see it going any other way than finishing his mission. Its going to be awesome to serve with these two and to learn from them both.
Its been pretty crazy coming into this area all on our own, but it has helped a lot that I served here before. It was awesome to go to church yesterday and to see three of the families that I taught are super active and doing great. Yesterday one of them talked to our branch president, Presidente Sellars about going through the temple to be sealed. I cannot wait for that for them. Presidente Sellars is an incredible guy. His vision is to turn this branch into a ward within a year and a half. When I was serving here before, Preisdente Sellars was first councilor in the branch presidency, and we grew pretty close. He said that he was hoping I would come back here to finish my mission. He said he was going to work me to death haha so I told him bring it on.
Yesterday during Fast and Testimony meeting Andres, a guy I was able to baptize, got up to bare his testimony. He talked to everyone about how it had been a little over a year since he had been baptized and just started to relay all of the miracles he had seen in his life up to that point. He then turned and looked at me and started to thank me for bringing him to the Restored Gospel. It was a tender moment as I was able to sit there and reflect upon the many miracles that I was able to see with this man and his wife. We will never truly know in this life what our efforts will do to help bring others unto Christ. Even the smallest act of love can change someone's eternities. I'm grateful that I have a chance to love these people yet again. I know that I have been sent here again for a reason and I cannot wait to experience the miracles that happen on a daily basis.
Con Amor,
Elder Jurgensmeier
Monday, June 30, 2014
Week 97: What a Work!
Familia!
Well, it looks like my time here is up. The last 9 months of my mission have been some of the most rewarding months of my life. We have transfers this week and President Toone is sending me back out into the field, I'm STOKED! I've loved being an assistant for President. It has truly opened my eyes and deepened my understanding and conversion, but man I cannot wait to get out and just focus on my proselyting area. It'll be a blast, I'll tell you what.
I'm going back to Casa Grande! With not one, but two brand new missionaries! I'll also be serving as a District Leader. Between serving as a District Leader and training two new missionaries I'm not going to have much time to think haha but I can't think of any better way to finish my mission. Several of the people I was able to teach during the short time I was in Casa Grande are now preparing to enter the temple. It was such a blessing to be a part of their journey as they prepared for baptism and now it'll be a huge blessing as I can take part in helping them prepare to make further covenants in the temple. These people have changed my life and I know there is much more that I can learn from them.
With transfer preparation this last week plus a few other meetings we had, we weren't able to get into our area all too much, but it has been incredible to see the miracles that have happened throughout our mission. June 23, 2013 was the Work of Salvation broadcast where they talked about all of the changes going to happen. As they have several times they put more of a focus on members and missionaries becoming united in the work of our Savior. They also mentioned the different technological advances that were going to take place. They talked about a few more items, but all of it fit together under the overall theme of the hastening of the work. I remember my thoughts and feelings as I sat hearing President Monson testify of the work that was going to be taking place. Nearly two years since the lowering of the age for missionaries and a year after the world wide broadcast, I am a witness of the many miracles that have happened. Before our mission split last July we covered 34 stakes. When our mission split in July we were nearly split in a third now only covering 13 stakes. When I became an assistant in October, we sat down with President to see how we were doing as a mission. We knew that we were reaching far lower than our potential and knew that with our Heavenly Father's help, there was much more that we could do. We set some specific goals and plans to allow us to stretch and grow. When our mission had 34 stakes there were about 100 baptisms per month and about 500 lessons with a member present per week. In the year 2014 as this month came to a close we ended with 95 baptisms and over 700 lessons with a member present this week in nearly a third of the units that we had a year ago. I remember as we sat down with President discussing the potential that we had been given as a mission. I understood the vision, I understood the plans, but I could've never imagined all the miracles that we have witnessed. This is the Lord's work, of this I know and testify. As we became more united as a mission and sought to reach to the unknown, lives were affected, conversion is taking place, and more and more souls are coming unto Christ. This work has changed my life. I know as President Monson stated that the work of our Savior is hastening. Now more than ever there are people searching for Him. I'm thankful that for 6 more weeks I have an opportunity to be a full time representative of Him, to continue to help my brothers and sisters learn of his unconditional love and mercy that is extended to us all.
Con Amor,
Elder Jurgensmeier
Well, it looks like my time here is up. The last 9 months of my mission have been some of the most rewarding months of my life. We have transfers this week and President Toone is sending me back out into the field, I'm STOKED! I've loved being an assistant for President. It has truly opened my eyes and deepened my understanding and conversion, but man I cannot wait to get out and just focus on my proselyting area. It'll be a blast, I'll tell you what.
I'm going back to Casa Grande! With not one, but two brand new missionaries! I'll also be serving as a District Leader. Between serving as a District Leader and training two new missionaries I'm not going to have much time to think haha but I can't think of any better way to finish my mission. Several of the people I was able to teach during the short time I was in Casa Grande are now preparing to enter the temple. It was such a blessing to be a part of their journey as they prepared for baptism and now it'll be a huge blessing as I can take part in helping them prepare to make further covenants in the temple. These people have changed my life and I know there is much more that I can learn from them.
With transfer preparation this last week plus a few other meetings we had, we weren't able to get into our area all too much, but it has been incredible to see the miracles that have happened throughout our mission. June 23, 2013 was the Work of Salvation broadcast where they talked about all of the changes going to happen. As they have several times they put more of a focus on members and missionaries becoming united in the work of our Savior. They also mentioned the different technological advances that were going to take place. They talked about a few more items, but all of it fit together under the overall theme of the hastening of the work. I remember my thoughts and feelings as I sat hearing President Monson testify of the work that was going to be taking place. Nearly two years since the lowering of the age for missionaries and a year after the world wide broadcast, I am a witness of the many miracles that have happened. Before our mission split last July we covered 34 stakes. When our mission split in July we were nearly split in a third now only covering 13 stakes. When I became an assistant in October, we sat down with President to see how we were doing as a mission. We knew that we were reaching far lower than our potential and knew that with our Heavenly Father's help, there was much more that we could do. We set some specific goals and plans to allow us to stretch and grow. When our mission had 34 stakes there were about 100 baptisms per month and about 500 lessons with a member present per week. In the year 2014 as this month came to a close we ended with 95 baptisms and over 700 lessons with a member present this week in nearly a third of the units that we had a year ago. I remember as we sat down with President discussing the potential that we had been given as a mission. I understood the vision, I understood the plans, but I could've never imagined all the miracles that we have witnessed. This is the Lord's work, of this I know and testify. As we became more united as a mission and sought to reach to the unknown, lives were affected, conversion is taking place, and more and more souls are coming unto Christ. This work has changed my life. I know as President Monson stated that the work of our Savior is hastening. Now more than ever there are people searching for Him. I'm thankful that for 6 more weeks I have an opportunity to be a full time representative of Him, to continue to help my brothers and sisters learn of his unconditional love and mercy that is extended to us all.
Con Amor,
Elder Jurgensmeier
Monday, June 23, 2014
Week 96: Prayer
Familia!
Sleeping on the floor, getting a flat tire, driving a trailer, finishing up zone conferences, rapping in a studio, teaching lessons, Skyping Elder Kloepfer's ward in Rupert, that about sums up my week! I would say that it was a pretty good one!
This week we finished up zone conferences which was bitter sweet for me. This round of zone conferences is the last ones that I'll be a part of since next transfer we wont have them. I think training at zone conferences has been one of my favorite things to do as an assistant. I gave my training 18 times this last zone conference cycle and pretty much all 18 turned out differently. The first couple times giving a training are spent seeing what works, what doesn't, and what gets them the most involved. After about 3 times through it, its pretty much memorized and you can just allow the spirit to direct. Its cool to see even as you do the training how the spirit is teaching you new things as well. I'm thankful for the guidance of the spirit in my life. Although His promptings are usually subtle, they are powerful.
We seriously meet some of the most awesome people here in our area. I told you all last week about David and Paul, the football players that come to our ward. This week we were able to have our first lesson with them. David told us in passing on Sunday that he had a little studio they were getting started. Thursday he asked if we could meet at his studio.....its not very little. Its a two story studio, essentially has a 70 inch iPad they do all their mixing on and its just an all around sweet set up. We taught our lesson on couches with speakers inside of them. We met David's friend Charles who was the other owner in the studio. Charles got involved in the music industry right after finishing up playing football for ASU. He was able to get with some well known producers and actually signed with a couple of them. As he was getting into the industry though, he just saw how terrible things were. He told us that even some of the songs you think are so innocent and good have some of the most terrible meanings behind them. He decided after getting mixed up in all of those things that he needed to step out and get a fresh start on it all. He became a leader in their Christian music group at the church that he goes to and then started to pursue his dream of opening up a studio with David. It opens in two weeks and we're going to go over and finish up some of the painting with them. Its awesome to meet people like this that want to make a change in the world. I know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is what allows change to go from temporary to permanent. They are both seeking for more guidance and answers and I know as we continue meeting with them that those answers will be found through diligent study and prayer.
I have such a strong testimony of prayer. I know that we truly have a Father in Heaven that is there eagerly waiting for us to communicate with Him. Our mission has been focusing on prayer a lot more lately and it has been amazing to see the miracles happen not only in the lives of those we teach but in each missionaries life as well. Prayer has come to mean a lot to me as I have sought answers and to understand God's timing more fully. A few weeks ago Jasmine asked us if there was one individual in our lives that we wished could come to know Christ better, who that was and then told us she would pray for them. We then asked her and she told us about her sister. We've been praying for Jasmine's sister ever since and yesterday Jasmine told us that her sister went to church with one of her friends that is a member. I've seen prayer work miracles. There truly is no limit to the power that a prayer of faith can bring. I know that as we seek for understanding, guidance, or help in our lives, through prayer each of those things can happen. I'm thankful that any moment we want, we have a Father in Heaven we can communicate with. Those moments of communication are some of the moments that I cherish most.
I love you all. Thanks for all you're doing. Enjoy your time that you have together the next couple days!
Con Amor,
Elder Jurgensmeier
Monday, June 16, 2014
Week 95: The Week of Weeks
Familia!
And they're off! Zone Conferences have officially started and all of the time I didn't have is still gone. It is crazy how much can be done in one day, but I'm thankful to have so much to do.
This week we started Zone Conferences in Casa Grande, Maricopa, Yuma, and Mesa. Its always such a blessing to be able to go back to old areas and hear of the people that you have been able to help come to know the truthfulness of the Restored Gospel. While we were in Casa Grande, the sisters told me about one in particular, Andreas, who was baptized a little over a year ago. The sisters had several investigators at church for fast and testimony meeting and Andreas got up and bore powerful testimony directly do them. He told them that over a year ago he was in their same shoes and an Elder Grandote (Thats what they call me, essentially it means giant haha) came and started teaching him and talking about all of these new and different things. He told them at first he wasn't sure about it all, but then he decided that he would put it to the test and truly come to know. The sisters told me that he bore testimony of the miracles and changes he had seen in his life since that point and promised each of them the same blessings he had seen as he turned his life over to Christ. I'm thankful to be able to be a part of some of the most incredible people's lives.
On our way to Yuma from Casa Grande as we were driving President asked, "Do you want to go to Hyder?" Hyder is home to about 5 families and 15 packs of coyotes. In the past Hyder had a lot more going on and the church thought it was going to grow a lot larger and so they actually built a chapel out there. So, with President Toone's day old Tahoe we headed out to the middle of the desert. You literally drive on a dirt rode in the middle of no where and when you come to a fork in the rode there are always signs that say "LDS CHURCH" and point in the direction to take. So after about 15 minutes of dirt roads we finally arrived. Two weeks ago they had a baptism out there and performed it in a horse trough. Arizona truly has it all.
Yuma proved to be just as interesting as the ride down there. Several months ago the Stake President felt very inspired to reach out to the Native American Reserves. He knew that in the past there were members out there, but that was about all he knew. As he felt prompted to reach out to the Native People, he called President Toone to see what they could do. Neither was really sure as what to do, whether to send a companionship out to the reserve or to just work through the members, but shortly their prayer was answered. Later that week President Toone received a call from Salt Lake informing him that a couple had recently submitted their papers requesting to work with Natives and wondered if our mission could use them. Well, long story short the couple came to our mission and so many miracles have occurred since then. Today there are over 20 members out on the reserve and miracles are continuing to happen. For our lunch at the zone conferences, about 15 Indians from the reserve cooked us a native meal and performed song and dance for us. It was incredible.The Gospel is for all kindred, tongue, and people. They know their Savior Jesus Christ and it was incredible to see as they intertwined their testimonies with their culture. After we finished up Zone Conference we went to Mexico.... Ya, MEXICO! Well my hand did anyway. We drove down to the boarder and I stuck my hand through. As close as I will get to going while being on my mission I guess. We then went to California to see the sand dunes and finished it off drinking a cactus milk shake with President Toone. A successful trip I would say!
Thursday we finished up Zone Conferences for the week and I was exhausted. When we all got home that night we got ready for bed and we were out. I woke up in the middle of the night to hear Elder Kloepfer screaming, "OUCH! FREAK! OUCH!" over and over again. I asked him if he was ok and he didn't respond. I asked him again and he said, "The Bugs! They're coming down!" My response was, "Man, that must be an awful dream." Right away he said, "Its not a dream! Its real!" and went back to bed. The next morning he didn't remember a single thing, but oh was he right! They're back.... We have bed bugs again..... These critters, they just can't stay away from us! We sprayed everything down again, so hopefully we've taken care of them.
It was tough being out of our area for so long this week, but there were still miracles that happened. In the couple days we had to work in our area we received 4 referrals which are all very interested learning more. Two in particular are Paul and David. They are brothers from California, they're also Brothas from California. Paul is playing football for ASU he is 6'9" and huge and then David is about 6'5" and was going to enter the NFL draft this last year. The Raiders, Cardinals, and 49ers were looking to pick him up in the later rounds of the draft, but right before the draft he received a pretty big shoulder injury. So, David is coming off that injury and is looking to enter next years draft. Paul is headed to Florida for a few days this week, but we are meeting with David tomorrow and then both are going to come play basketball with us Saturday morning with our ward. Its awesome to see the desire that they both have to come unto Christ. We were talking with David and he said that football used to be his everything until he received that injury and realized that there is more to life than just this game. He knows that God is guiding him in his life and hopes to be able to find why God gave him another year to train here in AZ. I know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ answer all of life's questions and I'm excited to begin to meet with these two.
Every month we have what is called the Mission President's Devotional. At the devotional, two recent converts speak and share their story and then President Toone takes some time to speak to everyone there. Yesterday we had one and it was one of the most powerful ones I'd been to. I feel like the overall message was the ability that we have to change for the better through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I have seen it time and time again in my life. Often times in this life we fall short, we can be inadequate for what is ahead, but with Christ all things are possible. I know as we turn our lives to Him, He will mold and shape our lives. Through Him, we will become who we were meant to be. It was powerful to hear the testimony of these two recent members of the church and see how Christ has molded and shaped their lives.
I hope everyone has incredible weeks!
Con Amor,
Elder Jurgensmeier
And they're off! Zone Conferences have officially started and all of the time I didn't have is still gone. It is crazy how much can be done in one day, but I'm thankful to have so much to do.
This week we started Zone Conferences in Casa Grande, Maricopa, Yuma, and Mesa. Its always such a blessing to be able to go back to old areas and hear of the people that you have been able to help come to know the truthfulness of the Restored Gospel. While we were in Casa Grande, the sisters told me about one in particular, Andreas, who was baptized a little over a year ago. The sisters had several investigators at church for fast and testimony meeting and Andreas got up and bore powerful testimony directly do them. He told them that over a year ago he was in their same shoes and an Elder Grandote (Thats what they call me, essentially it means giant haha) came and started teaching him and talking about all of these new and different things. He told them at first he wasn't sure about it all, but then he decided that he would put it to the test and truly come to know. The sisters told me that he bore testimony of the miracles and changes he had seen in his life since that point and promised each of them the same blessings he had seen as he turned his life over to Christ. I'm thankful to be able to be a part of some of the most incredible people's lives.
On our way to Yuma from Casa Grande as we were driving President asked, "Do you want to go to Hyder?" Hyder is home to about 5 families and 15 packs of coyotes. In the past Hyder had a lot more going on and the church thought it was going to grow a lot larger and so they actually built a chapel out there. So, with President Toone's day old Tahoe we headed out to the middle of the desert. You literally drive on a dirt rode in the middle of no where and when you come to a fork in the rode there are always signs that say "LDS CHURCH" and point in the direction to take. So after about 15 minutes of dirt roads we finally arrived. Two weeks ago they had a baptism out there and performed it in a horse trough. Arizona truly has it all.
Yuma proved to be just as interesting as the ride down there. Several months ago the Stake President felt very inspired to reach out to the Native American Reserves. He knew that in the past there were members out there, but that was about all he knew. As he felt prompted to reach out to the Native People, he called President Toone to see what they could do. Neither was really sure as what to do, whether to send a companionship out to the reserve or to just work through the members, but shortly their prayer was answered. Later that week President Toone received a call from Salt Lake informing him that a couple had recently submitted their papers requesting to work with Natives and wondered if our mission could use them. Well, long story short the couple came to our mission and so many miracles have occurred since then. Today there are over 20 members out on the reserve and miracles are continuing to happen. For our lunch at the zone conferences, about 15 Indians from the reserve cooked us a native meal and performed song and dance for us. It was incredible.The Gospel is for all kindred, tongue, and people. They know their Savior Jesus Christ and it was incredible to see as they intertwined their testimonies with their culture. After we finished up Zone Conference we went to Mexico.... Ya, MEXICO! Well my hand did anyway. We drove down to the boarder and I stuck my hand through. As close as I will get to going while being on my mission I guess. We then went to California to see the sand dunes and finished it off drinking a cactus milk shake with President Toone. A successful trip I would say!
Thursday we finished up Zone Conferences for the week and I was exhausted. When we all got home that night we got ready for bed and we were out. I woke up in the middle of the night to hear Elder Kloepfer screaming, "OUCH! FREAK! OUCH!" over and over again. I asked him if he was ok and he didn't respond. I asked him again and he said, "The Bugs! They're coming down!" My response was, "Man, that must be an awful dream." Right away he said, "Its not a dream! Its real!" and went back to bed. The next morning he didn't remember a single thing, but oh was he right! They're back.... We have bed bugs again..... These critters, they just can't stay away from us! We sprayed everything down again, so hopefully we've taken care of them.
It was tough being out of our area for so long this week, but there were still miracles that happened. In the couple days we had to work in our area we received 4 referrals which are all very interested learning more. Two in particular are Paul and David. They are brothers from California, they're also Brothas from California. Paul is playing football for ASU he is 6'9" and huge and then David is about 6'5" and was going to enter the NFL draft this last year. The Raiders, Cardinals, and 49ers were looking to pick him up in the later rounds of the draft, but right before the draft he received a pretty big shoulder injury. So, David is coming off that injury and is looking to enter next years draft. Paul is headed to Florida for a few days this week, but we are meeting with David tomorrow and then both are going to come play basketball with us Saturday morning with our ward. Its awesome to see the desire that they both have to come unto Christ. We were talking with David and he said that football used to be his everything until he received that injury and realized that there is more to life than just this game. He knows that God is guiding him in his life and hopes to be able to find why God gave him another year to train here in AZ. I know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ answer all of life's questions and I'm excited to begin to meet with these two.
Every month we have what is called the Mission President's Devotional. At the devotional, two recent converts speak and share their story and then President Toone takes some time to speak to everyone there. Yesterday we had one and it was one of the most powerful ones I'd been to. I feel like the overall message was the ability that we have to change for the better through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I have seen it time and time again in my life. Often times in this life we fall short, we can be inadequate for what is ahead, but with Christ all things are possible. I know as we turn our lives to Him, He will mold and shape our lives. Through Him, we will become who we were meant to be. It was powerful to hear the testimony of these two recent members of the church and see how Christ has molded and shaped their lives.
I hope everyone has incredible weeks!
Con Amor,
Elder Jurgensmeier
Monday, June 9, 2014
Week 94: June. What a Great Month
Familia!
Man, June has been a good month to me. Last June I had a baby named after me, this June I'm in a rap song. Who knows what next June holds.... Our friend Julius who we have been teaching and was just baptized this last week is a musician and man is he good. He has a new hit single about is journey this last month or so. I can see it, straight to iTunes top 100, and my name is in it. Pretty sweet!
This last week has been a very humbling week. It's been made so clear lately how blessed I am to know and meet all of these people that have come into my life during my time here on ASU. I know that the people that come into our lives are people that not only can we help, but they are sent to help us along our journey. I truly believe that each and every relationship we make in this life, no matter how big or small, has more significance than we give it. At college I met a girl named Laura. I never got to know her super well, but I knew that she was an awesome person. In my letter last week I talked about how her picture popped up on Facebook and she moved to New York. Since last Sunday, Jasmine and Laura have hung out several times and have become super good friends. I feel like there are many elements to becoming converted to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Although much of conversion is a personal process, I've come to learn that a huge part is also support and sustainment from those around us. I know without a doubt in my mind that throughout this process Jasmine has personally become more converted to Christ, but I know that this relationship will be huge for her to continue forward. I'm so thankful how perfect God's plan is. I had no clue at the time, but Laura and I becoming friends has directly affected different aspects of my mission. I also know that this new friendship is going to be something to help deepen Laura's conversion to Christ as it has mine. I cherish the relationships that I have made throughout my life and I know that each and every one of them play a more important role than I understand.
As I talked about earlier, this week was the baptism of both Julius and Will. Christian, their roommate, was baptized two weeks ago and has been a huge example to them. It has been awesome to sees as their entire apartment has been baptized within two weeks. They are going to be such a huge support for each other. One of my favorite things to see while teaching people is the transformation that they make as they turn their life more fully to Christ. However good or bad their life may be, their life is always transformed one way or another. Julius and Will, both already with a sound understanding of the gospel, have made some incredible changes. There is a fire and a light that has grown within them that has caused them to anchor their lives more fully to the Gospel. Yesterday I had the opportunity to confirm Julius and to give Will the Aaronic Priesthood. After sacrament meeting Julius walked up to me and said, "I felt it." Not understanding what he was talking about I started to ask him some questions. He told me about when he had first come to know Christ and the feelings and thoughts that he had. The moment he had come to know Christ was truly his Savior was one of the most influential moments in his life. He then told me that those same exact feelings that he had that day he felt during his confirmation. The Gift of the Holy Ghost truly is one of the greatest blessings that we can receive in our life. To have a member of the Godhead as a constant companion to guide us, to cleanse us, and to help us in our process of becoming is not only an amazing gift, but absolutely essential for our lives. I'm so grateful that I was able to be a part of the journey with both Julius and Will and I look forward to continuing to learn and grow with them.
I love you all. Thank you for your prayers and love!
Con Amor,
Elder Jurgensmeier
Man, June has been a good month to me. Last June I had a baby named after me, this June I'm in a rap song. Who knows what next June holds.... Our friend Julius who we have been teaching and was just baptized this last week is a musician and man is he good. He has a new hit single about is journey this last month or so. I can see it, straight to iTunes top 100, and my name is in it. Pretty sweet!
This last week has been a very humbling week. It's been made so clear lately how blessed I am to know and meet all of these people that have come into my life during my time here on ASU. I know that the people that come into our lives are people that not only can we help, but they are sent to help us along our journey. I truly believe that each and every relationship we make in this life, no matter how big or small, has more significance than we give it. At college I met a girl named Laura. I never got to know her super well, but I knew that she was an awesome person. In my letter last week I talked about how her picture popped up on Facebook and she moved to New York. Since last Sunday, Jasmine and Laura have hung out several times and have become super good friends. I feel like there are many elements to becoming converted to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Although much of conversion is a personal process, I've come to learn that a huge part is also support and sustainment from those around us. I know without a doubt in my mind that throughout this process Jasmine has personally become more converted to Christ, but I know that this relationship will be huge for her to continue forward. I'm so thankful how perfect God's plan is. I had no clue at the time, but Laura and I becoming friends has directly affected different aspects of my mission. I also know that this new friendship is going to be something to help deepen Laura's conversion to Christ as it has mine. I cherish the relationships that I have made throughout my life and I know that each and every one of them play a more important role than I understand.
As I talked about earlier, this week was the baptism of both Julius and Will. Christian, their roommate, was baptized two weeks ago and has been a huge example to them. It has been awesome to sees as their entire apartment has been baptized within two weeks. They are going to be such a huge support for each other. One of my favorite things to see while teaching people is the transformation that they make as they turn their life more fully to Christ. However good or bad their life may be, their life is always transformed one way or another. Julius and Will, both already with a sound understanding of the gospel, have made some incredible changes. There is a fire and a light that has grown within them that has caused them to anchor their lives more fully to the Gospel. Yesterday I had the opportunity to confirm Julius and to give Will the Aaronic Priesthood. After sacrament meeting Julius walked up to me and said, "I felt it." Not understanding what he was talking about I started to ask him some questions. He told me about when he had first come to know Christ and the feelings and thoughts that he had. The moment he had come to know Christ was truly his Savior was one of the most influential moments in his life. He then told me that those same exact feelings that he had that day he felt during his confirmation. The Gift of the Holy Ghost truly is one of the greatest blessings that we can receive in our life. To have a member of the Godhead as a constant companion to guide us, to cleanse us, and to help us in our process of becoming is not only an amazing gift, but absolutely essential for our lives. I'm so grateful that I was able to be a part of the journey with both Julius and Will and I look forward to continuing to learn and grow with them.
I love you all. Thank you for your prayers and love!
Con Amor,
Elder Jurgensmeier
Monday, June 2, 2014
Week 93: Dr J
Familia!
Its a good thing I want to be a doctor, I had to put those doctor skills to use this week! Thursday we had our Mission Leadership Council meeting. Its the meeting that we have at the end of each month to talk about our mission and the vision that we have for the following month. In counseling with President Toone he had a desire to get a Family Mission Plan out as a tool for us to use to work with members. So for the majority of the week during the free time we had we spent working on this new tool to implement throughout the mission. Well, Wednesday night at about 9 we finally finished up what President needed us to do and were able to focus on our portion of the meeting. We had about an hour and a half to train the next day and so we started compiling all our different ideas on the topic that we had been given. We thought of this awesome visual aid we were going to do, as we walked through it we realized it wasn't as awesome was we thought.... It involved a little ceramic angel that I found in our office and long story short the angel fell on Elder Forson's eye and split his eyebrow open. So with blood rushing down his face, Doctor J kicked in and stitched that bad boy right up. Well, not really, but I did put butterfly band aids on it. Its healing up real nice, I was proud of my work.
Other than that little incident, our week has been awesome! Definitely full of miracles. We've been teaching Julius and Will the past couple weeks along with Christian who was just baptized this last week. Julius and Will have always been fairly hesitant on making the decision to be baptized, but this week a lot of answers came. I think their answers really started with Christians baptism. There is such a powerful spirit felt during Ordinances of the Gospel. In witnessing an ordinance taking place, I think we are really able to more fully understand the connection we have with our Heavenly Father. I think that its a time and place where we can truly see a glimpse of His divine plan. I know that at Christian's baptism both Julius and Will were very moved. It was awesome to see after how everything just fell into place. The next day both had a very positive experience at church and then Julius had some pretty powerful answers to his prayers come later that night. Monday as we met with Julius, he related these experiences that he had and told us that he was ready to be baptized. We met with Will the following day and he still wasn't too sure about it all. We committed Will to take some time that night to have a heart to heart with God and to ask specifically about baptism. The next day as we met with Will he had received the answers that he needed. Friday they will both be getting baptized. Its going to be such a blessing for them all to draw upon the strength of each other as their gospel journeys continue after their baptisms. Within two weeks of each other, their entire apartment will be baptized.
Once again this week we had another Facebook miracle! I logged unto Facebook the other day to see a picture of one of my friends from college. She had a picture with her mom in central park and she posted something along the lines of, "Man, I love my new home!" After messaging for a while we found out that she was going to be in Jasmine's YSA ward. So yesterday her and Jasmine hung out for most of the day. I think its so incredible how God's plan is weaved together. I've come to see, especially being out here on my mission, how amazing God's timing is. There have been so many instances where we are placed in the perfect place at the perfect time to come across a specific individual that was seeking to strengthen their faith. Jasmine's entire journey has been this way. Piece after piece has just fallen into place and I know that it will continue to do so. Yesterday as we had a lesson with Jasmine over skype she asked us, "If there was anyone in the world that you wanted to read the Book of Mormon, like really read it because we all know what happens when you do that, who would it be?" and then after we told her and she asked about them she said, "I'll pray for them." It has been so amazing to see her faith grow over the past several months. I'm thankful for all that she has taught me.
I read an interesting quote the other day by President Harold B. Lee. He said, "When we understand more than we know with our minds, when we understand with our hearts, then we know the spirit of The Lord is working upon us." I think that is something that I've really come to learn throughout my mission. So many times we seek to understand conceptually the things of God, we seek to know each and every detail in His plan. However to understand that it is His plan and to trust in what we do understand will always be enough. I'm thankful for all that I've come to understand. My eyes have been opened to a deeper and a more sure understanding throughout these last several months. I know as we continue to trust in God and our Savior, that understanding will continue to grow.
I love you all! You're the best!
Con Amor,
Elder Jurgensmeier
Its a good thing I want to be a doctor, I had to put those doctor skills to use this week! Thursday we had our Mission Leadership Council meeting. Its the meeting that we have at the end of each month to talk about our mission and the vision that we have for the following month. In counseling with President Toone he had a desire to get a Family Mission Plan out as a tool for us to use to work with members. So for the majority of the week during the free time we had we spent working on this new tool to implement throughout the mission. Well, Wednesday night at about 9 we finally finished up what President needed us to do and were able to focus on our portion of the meeting. We had about an hour and a half to train the next day and so we started compiling all our different ideas on the topic that we had been given. We thought of this awesome visual aid we were going to do, as we walked through it we realized it wasn't as awesome was we thought.... It involved a little ceramic angel that I found in our office and long story short the angel fell on Elder Forson's eye and split his eyebrow open. So with blood rushing down his face, Doctor J kicked in and stitched that bad boy right up. Well, not really, but I did put butterfly band aids on it. Its healing up real nice, I was proud of my work.
Other than that little incident, our week has been awesome! Definitely full of miracles. We've been teaching Julius and Will the past couple weeks along with Christian who was just baptized this last week. Julius and Will have always been fairly hesitant on making the decision to be baptized, but this week a lot of answers came. I think their answers really started with Christians baptism. There is such a powerful spirit felt during Ordinances of the Gospel. In witnessing an ordinance taking place, I think we are really able to more fully understand the connection we have with our Heavenly Father. I think that its a time and place where we can truly see a glimpse of His divine plan. I know that at Christian's baptism both Julius and Will were very moved. It was awesome to see after how everything just fell into place. The next day both had a very positive experience at church and then Julius had some pretty powerful answers to his prayers come later that night. Monday as we met with Julius, he related these experiences that he had and told us that he was ready to be baptized. We met with Will the following day and he still wasn't too sure about it all. We committed Will to take some time that night to have a heart to heart with God and to ask specifically about baptism. The next day as we met with Will he had received the answers that he needed. Friday they will both be getting baptized. Its going to be such a blessing for them all to draw upon the strength of each other as their gospel journeys continue after their baptisms. Within two weeks of each other, their entire apartment will be baptized.
Once again this week we had another Facebook miracle! I logged unto Facebook the other day to see a picture of one of my friends from college. She had a picture with her mom in central park and she posted something along the lines of, "Man, I love my new home!" After messaging for a while we found out that she was going to be in Jasmine's YSA ward. So yesterday her and Jasmine hung out for most of the day. I think its so incredible how God's plan is weaved together. I've come to see, especially being out here on my mission, how amazing God's timing is. There have been so many instances where we are placed in the perfect place at the perfect time to come across a specific individual that was seeking to strengthen their faith. Jasmine's entire journey has been this way. Piece after piece has just fallen into place and I know that it will continue to do so. Yesterday as we had a lesson with Jasmine over skype she asked us, "If there was anyone in the world that you wanted to read the Book of Mormon, like really read it because we all know what happens when you do that, who would it be?" and then after we told her and she asked about them she said, "I'll pray for them." It has been so amazing to see her faith grow over the past several months. I'm thankful for all that she has taught me.
I read an interesting quote the other day by President Harold B. Lee. He said, "When we understand more than we know with our minds, when we understand with our hearts, then we know the spirit of The Lord is working upon us." I think that is something that I've really come to learn throughout my mission. So many times we seek to understand conceptually the things of God, we seek to know each and every detail in His plan. However to understand that it is His plan and to trust in what we do understand will always be enough. I'm thankful for all that I've come to understand. My eyes have been opened to a deeper and a more sure understanding throughout these last several months. I know as we continue to trust in God and our Savior, that understanding will continue to grow.
I love you all! You're the best!
Con Amor,
Elder Jurgensmeier
Monday, May 26, 2014
Week 92: Memorial Day
Familia!
Well that was the fastest week of my life. Monday, departing missionaries. Tuesday, arriving new missionaries. Wednesday, transfers. Thursday, a second to breathe. Friday, new missionary meeting. Saturday, baptism. Sunday, Church.
It was good to be able to spend a couple of days with Elder Oscarson before he was transferred to Yuma on Wednesday. I spent 24/7 with him for the last 7 1/2 months, its weird to have him gone. I updated our voice mail last night and had to redo it like 5 times because I kept saying "Hello, you've reached Elder Jurgensmeier, Elder Oscarson........." and then realize what I've done. He will sure be missed, that guy taught me a lot and I'm thankful for the time I was able to serve with him. Its great to be serving with both Elder Kloepfer and Elder Forson. We've already made some key strides with Elder Forson here. Listen to this, Saturday Morning basketball with the Elders. Its going to be epic. He played for Snow College and a lot of members in our ward play as well. They just got done with their church ball season and there were tons of non-members that were on the teams. To continue to develop relationships with all the non-members we're going to start playing every Saturday morning. Pretty good idea if I do say so myself. Basketball and missionary work, gotta love it!
For the last several months we've started a training program in our mission that is really beginning to take full affect. This transfer President Toone has implemented a new focus in our mission. Each missionary companionship has been assigned another companionship in the mission. Throughout this transfer, we are to pray and fast for the success of the other companionship. Its been incredible to see all of the miracles that have come from just barely getting this started. The very day after transfers this guy came to the mission office. He was searching for help and guidance in his life. I talked to him for a bit, got his address, and guess what?! He lived in the area of the elders that we had been assigned to pray and fast for. Its incredible the miracles that can come as we become one in purpose.
A few days ago we were in an apartment complex and there was this guy skating around. We walked over to him and started talking to him. His name was Josh. He wasn't super interested and just kind of blew us off. We continued to the apartment we were planning on going to and on the way we saw this lady. She only spoke Spanish and she seemed very interested and so we got her information and sent it to the Spanish Sisters over that area. Well, yesterday we got a call from the sisters. They went to contact the Spanish referral, knocked on the door and a guy came to the door with crutches. They asked if the lady was there and he told them that she didn't live there. They started to talk to this guy and found out his name was Josh, yep the same Josh that brushed us off a few days earlier. He asked if they knew us and asked if they could send us back to visit him. Apparently as we left and he continued to skate he wrecked pretty bad and messed up his ankle. He told them that he took it as a sign we were sent from God and he needed to meet with us. I'm not totally sure that's why he wrecked...but hey, I'll take it! Anything to be able to teach about Christ right? haha
Isn't technology amazing? This week we were able to have two lessons with Jasmine over Skype. She's doing incredible. She sent us a message the other day and said, "Guys!! Isn't it amazing that someday I will actually be able to go inside the temple instead of just looking at it!?" New York has been a huge blessing for her. I think it has really solidified the things that she has come to learn. It'll be such an incredible day when she is able to be baptized.
This week we had the baptism of Christian. That kid is a stud. We've been meeting with Christian for about two months now and it has been awesome to see the changes that he's made. Christian has 3 friends that he lives with and because of him and his example all 3 of them are interested in the church. One of the coolest things to see with people who are recently baptized is the fire within them to share the gospel. They are so grateful for the restored gospel and how it has helped them come closer to Christ and they are so eager to share it with those who are important to them. I'm grateful for the chance that I have to share this gospel with them. Each and every one of them has helped me come to understand the Gospel at a much deeper and personal level.
I love you all!
Con Amor,
Elder Jurgensmeier
Well that was the fastest week of my life. Monday, departing missionaries. Tuesday, arriving new missionaries. Wednesday, transfers. Thursday, a second to breathe. Friday, new missionary meeting. Saturday, baptism. Sunday, Church.
It was good to be able to spend a couple of days with Elder Oscarson before he was transferred to Yuma on Wednesday. I spent 24/7 with him for the last 7 1/2 months, its weird to have him gone. I updated our voice mail last night and had to redo it like 5 times because I kept saying "Hello, you've reached Elder Jurgensmeier, Elder Oscarson........." and then realize what I've done. He will sure be missed, that guy taught me a lot and I'm thankful for the time I was able to serve with him. Its great to be serving with both Elder Kloepfer and Elder Forson. We've already made some key strides with Elder Forson here. Listen to this, Saturday Morning basketball with the Elders. Its going to be epic. He played for Snow College and a lot of members in our ward play as well. They just got done with their church ball season and there were tons of non-members that were on the teams. To continue to develop relationships with all the non-members we're going to start playing every Saturday morning. Pretty good idea if I do say so myself. Basketball and missionary work, gotta love it!
For the last several months we've started a training program in our mission that is really beginning to take full affect. This transfer President Toone has implemented a new focus in our mission. Each missionary companionship has been assigned another companionship in the mission. Throughout this transfer, we are to pray and fast for the success of the other companionship. Its been incredible to see all of the miracles that have come from just barely getting this started. The very day after transfers this guy came to the mission office. He was searching for help and guidance in his life. I talked to him for a bit, got his address, and guess what?! He lived in the area of the elders that we had been assigned to pray and fast for. Its incredible the miracles that can come as we become one in purpose.
A few days ago we were in an apartment complex and there was this guy skating around. We walked over to him and started talking to him. His name was Josh. He wasn't super interested and just kind of blew us off. We continued to the apartment we were planning on going to and on the way we saw this lady. She only spoke Spanish and she seemed very interested and so we got her information and sent it to the Spanish Sisters over that area. Well, yesterday we got a call from the sisters. They went to contact the Spanish referral, knocked on the door and a guy came to the door with crutches. They asked if the lady was there and he told them that she didn't live there. They started to talk to this guy and found out his name was Josh, yep the same Josh that brushed us off a few days earlier. He asked if they knew us and asked if they could send us back to visit him. Apparently as we left and he continued to skate he wrecked pretty bad and messed up his ankle. He told them that he took it as a sign we were sent from God and he needed to meet with us. I'm not totally sure that's why he wrecked...but hey, I'll take it! Anything to be able to teach about Christ right? haha
Isn't technology amazing? This week we were able to have two lessons with Jasmine over Skype. She's doing incredible. She sent us a message the other day and said, "Guys!! Isn't it amazing that someday I will actually be able to go inside the temple instead of just looking at it!?" New York has been a huge blessing for her. I think it has really solidified the things that she has come to learn. It'll be such an incredible day when she is able to be baptized.
This week we had the baptism of Christian. That kid is a stud. We've been meeting with Christian for about two months now and it has been awesome to see the changes that he's made. Christian has 3 friends that he lives with and because of him and his example all 3 of them are interested in the church. One of the coolest things to see with people who are recently baptized is the fire within them to share the gospel. They are so grateful for the restored gospel and how it has helped them come closer to Christ and they are so eager to share it with those who are important to them. I'm grateful for the chance that I have to share this gospel with them. Each and every one of them has helped me come to understand the Gospel at a much deeper and personal level.
I love you all!
Con Amor,
Elder Jurgensmeier
Monday, May 19, 2014
Week 91: Transfers!
Familia!
Where to even start? This week has seriously been one of the craziest weeks of my life. Every single second it felt like there were 100 things to get done, but they got done! So all is well.
We're pretty spoiled, I'm not going to lie. President and Sister Toone definitely take care of us. We've been joking around with President Toone about going to the Phoenix Zoo and the Snow Flake temple for the past 5 months....it actually happened this week! President knew that Elder Oscarson or I would probably be getting transferred this week and so he wanted to make sure we got it done. So, Phoenix zoo being just 10 miles away, that was an easy one to take care of, but the Snow Flake Temple is about 3 hours away....we weren't sure we would ever make it. Luckily Elder Kloepfer came along. Before the mission split, Elder Kloepfer served up in the Snow Flake area. He had been there a little bit over a year ago and one of his recent converts had decided to go through the temple this last Friday. How convenient, right?? So, early Friday morning we all loaded up in the Toone's vehicle and headed up to the mountains. Man, AZ is beautiful. I would've never thought before my mission that I would come to love this place as I have. Going through the temple allowed me to reflect a lot on my mission and to think of those I have had an opportunity to teach. Just a few days before going to the temple we had an opportunity to be back in Casa Grande. There I heard word that a few of the people I taught are as well preparing to enter the temple. I'm so thankful to be out here serving a mission. The covenants that I have made mean everything to me and I cannot wait for the people I have come to love to be able to make these same promises.
This week was Jasmine's last week here. It was a bitter sweet week, but I'm excited for all that lies ahead for her. We met several times this week to talk about some other questions that she has, but it has been incredible to see the strides that her testimony has made. Yesterday she went to church for the first time in New York. Her singles ward meets in the temple and so we were excited for her to be in that environment. She asked us to give her a call after church and because of meetings we weren't able to call her until about an hour and a half after her ward got out. She told us to hang on for a second because she was just finishing up a conversation with some people from the ward...an hour and a half after church had gotten out! She told us that the entire meeting was just for her. All of the sacrament talks were directed straight to her, Sunday School and Relief Society were exactly what she needed, and best of all she said that no one knew she wasn't a member. She said that she loved the fact that they just accepted her as their own. I'm sure that eventually they will come to know that she hasn't yet been baptized, but she said she was really grateful to not be known as "the investigator." I'm so thankful to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I'm thankful that no matter where we go, not matter where we are at in life, we have a family who is one in purpose and there to support and sustain one another. I'm grateful that Jasmine had an opportunity to experience that first hand.
So, even with a fairly busy week in our area, it was also Transfer Prep week. This transfer process was crazy. So many different changes, so many different options, but in the end it all fell together. President Toone went back and forth with Elder Oscarson and I trying to figure out what needed to happen. For a while I was staying, for a while I was in Chandler, for a while I was no where, it was crazy! Eventually President Toone put Elder Kloepfer and I back together and brought in another missionary to serve with us, Elder Forson. I have lived with Elder Forson for the past 10 months. He was originally called to serve in the Phoenix mission, but on July when the boarders changed he was switched over to the Tempe Mission. When I went over to serve in Phoenix we were both in the same house, when I got moved her to Tempe he came along with me, and no we are companions! I'm so excited to serve with him. He is honestly one of my best friends out here. He played basketball for snow college and we get along great. I'm excited to be serving with him this transfer. It has been such a huge blessing in my life serving where I have been for the last 7 1/2 months. The ward that I have been serving in, spending so much time with President and Sister Toone, getting to know and train the mission, are all things that I will forever cherish. I know that there are things that I need to learn serving here again this transfer and I look forward to all the miracles that will come.
I love you all. Thanks for everything that you do!
Con Amor,
Elder Jurgensmeier
Monday, May 12, 2014
Week 90: Maryvale, What a Place
Familia!
Long time no see! Man it was so good to talk to a few of you last night.
I forgot to tell you one of the funniest things that happened this past week! So at about 7 on May 5th President Toone got a call from some missionaries serving in the Phoenix Zone. The missionaries started out the conversation, "President, we don't feel very well....." President asked, "Well whats going on Elders." Then he heard the other companion shout in a very slurred voice, "President! I can't even feel my legs!" So, apparently this companionship had gone to an investigators house to teach them about the Word of Wisdom. Meanwhile, they were having a Cinco de Mayo party and some of the family members brought over some Gatorade for them to drink. The Gatorade tasted a little bit off, but it was still good so they just kept on drinking. And that's probably about all that these two missionaries remember from that night. Their Gatorade had been spiked and when they called President they were both completely wasted. Luckily they were just sitting in the car and so President drove over to Phoenix to go pick them up. He said when he got there he was holding back laughing the entire time. They were both completely reclined back in their seats in a daze just staring at the sealing. He said when they saw him the got the biggest smiles and started to get out of the car. He asked them if they could walk in a straight line and they said, "Of course President!" and stumbled all over the place. Well, eventually they got them back home and they both just passed out in bed. President said that he got a call from one of them at about midnight, not even realizing he had spent a few hours previously with President, and he said, "President, I might have something to tell you. I may have broke the word of wisdom." President told the elder to just get back to bed. The elders that lived with these two missionaries said that the elder got in bed and then instantly shot up again and said, "Oh shoot! I forgot to write in my journal." He walked over to his journal and wrote, "May 5, 2014 I'M DRUNK!" and then got back in bed....Oh Phoenix, there is never a dull moment in Maryvale.
As for our week though, it was awesome! We actually had quite a bit of time to spend in our area which was nice. We were able to meet with quite a few our investigators meanwhile finding a lot more to teach. We are starting to teach a couple players on the MCC football team and they are awesome. Its honestly just like hanging out with our basketball team. It has been such a blessing to be serving in the YSA ward. We get to meet some amazing people.
Jasmine is doing a whole lot better this week than she was last week. I was on exchanges on Friday and so I had her share her entire story with the elder I was with. She spent about 45 minutes talking about her experience and testifying of the truths that she had come to know in these last 6 or 7 months. It was great to see her finally back. We talked to her about this whole experience she had been through the last week or so, and she saw that it had strengthened her faith in the answers that she had received. The only problem now is timing. She is leaving to New York this Friday to work up in Manhattan for the summer. She told us she's going to be baptized, she just doesn't know when. She wants all her friends and family to be there so she is going to wait until she gets back, but who knows when. It'll be nice to continue teaching her through facebook and skype, and I know that it is all in God's hands and he will take care of everything. I know that his timing is the best timing, and as we trust in that all else will take care of itself.
I hope you all had an awesome Mothers day!
Con Amor,
Elder Jurgensmeier
Long time no see! Man it was so good to talk to a few of you last night.
I forgot to tell you one of the funniest things that happened this past week! So at about 7 on May 5th President Toone got a call from some missionaries serving in the Phoenix Zone. The missionaries started out the conversation, "President, we don't feel very well....." President asked, "Well whats going on Elders." Then he heard the other companion shout in a very slurred voice, "President! I can't even feel my legs!" So, apparently this companionship had gone to an investigators house to teach them about the Word of Wisdom. Meanwhile, they were having a Cinco de Mayo party and some of the family members brought over some Gatorade for them to drink. The Gatorade tasted a little bit off, but it was still good so they just kept on drinking. And that's probably about all that these two missionaries remember from that night. Their Gatorade had been spiked and when they called President they were both completely wasted. Luckily they were just sitting in the car and so President drove over to Phoenix to go pick them up. He said when he got there he was holding back laughing the entire time. They were both completely reclined back in their seats in a daze just staring at the sealing. He said when they saw him the got the biggest smiles and started to get out of the car. He asked them if they could walk in a straight line and they said, "Of course President!" and stumbled all over the place. Well, eventually they got them back home and they both just passed out in bed. President said that he got a call from one of them at about midnight, not even realizing he had spent a few hours previously with President, and he said, "President, I might have something to tell you. I may have broke the word of wisdom." President told the elder to just get back to bed. The elders that lived with these two missionaries said that the elder got in bed and then instantly shot up again and said, "Oh shoot! I forgot to write in my journal." He walked over to his journal and wrote, "May 5, 2014 I'M DRUNK!" and then got back in bed....Oh Phoenix, there is never a dull moment in Maryvale.
As for our week though, it was awesome! We actually had quite a bit of time to spend in our area which was nice. We were able to meet with quite a few our investigators meanwhile finding a lot more to teach. We are starting to teach a couple players on the MCC football team and they are awesome. Its honestly just like hanging out with our basketball team. It has been such a blessing to be serving in the YSA ward. We get to meet some amazing people.
Jasmine is doing a whole lot better this week than she was last week. I was on exchanges on Friday and so I had her share her entire story with the elder I was with. She spent about 45 minutes talking about her experience and testifying of the truths that she had come to know in these last 6 or 7 months. It was great to see her finally back. We talked to her about this whole experience she had been through the last week or so, and she saw that it had strengthened her faith in the answers that she had received. The only problem now is timing. She is leaving to New York this Friday to work up in Manhattan for the summer. She told us she's going to be baptized, she just doesn't know when. She wants all her friends and family to be there so she is going to wait until she gets back, but who knows when. It'll be nice to continue teaching her through facebook and skype, and I know that it is all in God's hands and he will take care of everything. I know that his timing is the best timing, and as we trust in that all else will take care of itself.
I hope you all had an awesome Mothers day!
Con Amor,
Elder Jurgensmeier
Monday, May 5, 2014
Week 89: What a Rollercoaster!
Familia!!
What a rollercoaster this mission has been! Never is there a dull moment and rarely is there a moment to sit down, catch my breath, and think. This is exactly how this week turned out. From ups to downs to all over the place, this week was definitely an adventure.
To start the week, I bought a suit! I know what you're thinking mom, don't worry, it was the deal of the century! Thursday was Elder Kloepfer's birthday, so on Monday his mom had sent him some cash to go get whatever he needed. Since we have TONS of needs as a missionary, we went to the only place we could think of, the suit store. Get this, 50% off all suits. But wait, it gets better! Elder Kloepfer drew another 50% off card out of a stack of 100 cards. It was the only 50% card in the entire stack. So, long story short, I got a new suit and its reeaalll nice. $60, I call it a steal.
And then after that, the week turned insane. Every Monday night we have FHE as a ward. This week was especially awesome because all of our recent converts were able to make it. Its seriously such a joy to see them all. One of my favorite things to see is when the entire group blessing the sacrament have recently been baptized or seeing them fulfill their church callings. Nothing gets better than seeing people you have come to know and love become so involved in the church. I read a quote earlier today from President Hinckley that talked about missionary work and it said, "Every time you bring a convert into this church you bless a life. Not one life, if he or she remains faithful, but many lives. For that which you do become the work of generations yet to come." Each of these people have directly affected my life, and its a special thought to think that for generations, their posterity will be directly affected from the decisions they've made to join the church and its a humbling experience to be a part of it.
Tuesday Jasmine had her baptismal interview and passed it with flying colors. After that though, things started to be a little bit more difficult for her. Jasmine told all of her friends that she was getting baptized and extended an invitation to all of them that if they wanted to talk to her personally about it she would love to sit down with them sometime to discuss the why's. Little did she know that nearly all of them would want to sit down with her. As a result of these meetings things have been super difficult for her. She doesn't understand all they why's or all the ins and outs of the gospel. All she knows is what God has told her to do. Meeting with friend after friend hearing the people that she loves tell her that they don't understand why she would leave her other church really started to weigh down on her. Wednesday we ran into Jasmine at the institute and we sat down with her to talk. It was hard to see as all of these doubts flooded her mind and allowed fear to creep in. After we talked for quite sometime we split ways and she gave us a call and said something along the lines of, "Don't worry, I'm still getting baptized. I will get through all of these things one way or another." Well, Thursday morning as we woke up we had a message from Marc, our assistant ward mission leader, saying that Jasmine had put a halt to baptismal preparations and he wondered if we had any further info. Due to scheduling difficulties, we weren't able to meet with Jasmine until a little bit later in the day. As we met that night, it was hard to see as Jasmine started to build walls in front of her that God had already broken down. We talked again for quite some time, focusing on all the answers that she had received, and then once again split ways. She told us that she would let us know by morning whether or not the baptism was on.
As I laid in bed that night, all I could think about was these last 7 months of my mission. Nearly from the time I got here until that day we had been teaching Jasmine. Finally I was able to get to sleep, but as I woke up a little bit later in the night I read a message from Jasmine saying that she had chose not to be baptized at this time. There I sat for the rest of the night wondering why, praying, and taking some time to think. Jasmine leaves in two weeks to an internship in New York. The entire time we have been meeting with Jasmine, everything has lined up perfectly, but that night I was left to just wonder why and what the future held. I thought back to my experience with Michael Padron in Coolidge. Michael's entire family was supposed to be baptized, but the day it came they completely disappeared. I could've never understood that day in Coolidge all the why's, but as I was able to see Michael baptized about two months later and then later able to baptize His children, it all made sense. I know without a doubt in my mind that God's timing is perfect timing. It doesn't matter what type of situation or where we are at in our lives, we can have complete and total confidence that He will provide all that is necessary, when it is necessary. I know He has for me, I know He did in Coolidge for Michael, and I know the same will hold true for Jasmine. No matter how hard situations like these may be, I'm thankful for experience in my life that remind me of this powerful truth. Jasmine knows truths, she has a testimony of the Restored Gospel, and I know that these are truths that Jasmine will always know. I have no doubt in my mind that one day I will be able to see Jasmine enter into the waters of baptism. I do not know when, but He knows and I trust in Him. I cannot wait for that day. It is a day that I look forward to with all that I am.
I love you all and hope all is well with you! Happy Mothers Day!
Con Amor!
Elder Jurgensmeier
What a rollercoaster this mission has been! Never is there a dull moment and rarely is there a moment to sit down, catch my breath, and think. This is exactly how this week turned out. From ups to downs to all over the place, this week was definitely an adventure.
To start the week, I bought a suit! I know what you're thinking mom, don't worry, it was the deal of the century! Thursday was Elder Kloepfer's birthday, so on Monday his mom had sent him some cash to go get whatever he needed. Since we have TONS of needs as a missionary, we went to the only place we could think of, the suit store. Get this, 50% off all suits. But wait, it gets better! Elder Kloepfer drew another 50% off card out of a stack of 100 cards. It was the only 50% card in the entire stack. So, long story short, I got a new suit and its reeaalll nice. $60, I call it a steal.
And then after that, the week turned insane. Every Monday night we have FHE as a ward. This week was especially awesome because all of our recent converts were able to make it. Its seriously such a joy to see them all. One of my favorite things to see is when the entire group blessing the sacrament have recently been baptized or seeing them fulfill their church callings. Nothing gets better than seeing people you have come to know and love become so involved in the church. I read a quote earlier today from President Hinckley that talked about missionary work and it said, "Every time you bring a convert into this church you bless a life. Not one life, if he or she remains faithful, but many lives. For that which you do become the work of generations yet to come." Each of these people have directly affected my life, and its a special thought to think that for generations, their posterity will be directly affected from the decisions they've made to join the church and its a humbling experience to be a part of it.
Tuesday Jasmine had her baptismal interview and passed it with flying colors. After that though, things started to be a little bit more difficult for her. Jasmine told all of her friends that she was getting baptized and extended an invitation to all of them that if they wanted to talk to her personally about it she would love to sit down with them sometime to discuss the why's. Little did she know that nearly all of them would want to sit down with her. As a result of these meetings things have been super difficult for her. She doesn't understand all they why's or all the ins and outs of the gospel. All she knows is what God has told her to do. Meeting with friend after friend hearing the people that she loves tell her that they don't understand why she would leave her other church really started to weigh down on her. Wednesday we ran into Jasmine at the institute and we sat down with her to talk. It was hard to see as all of these doubts flooded her mind and allowed fear to creep in. After we talked for quite sometime we split ways and she gave us a call and said something along the lines of, "Don't worry, I'm still getting baptized. I will get through all of these things one way or another." Well, Thursday morning as we woke up we had a message from Marc, our assistant ward mission leader, saying that Jasmine had put a halt to baptismal preparations and he wondered if we had any further info. Due to scheduling difficulties, we weren't able to meet with Jasmine until a little bit later in the day. As we met that night, it was hard to see as Jasmine started to build walls in front of her that God had already broken down. We talked again for quite some time, focusing on all the answers that she had received, and then once again split ways. She told us that she would let us know by morning whether or not the baptism was on.
As I laid in bed that night, all I could think about was these last 7 months of my mission. Nearly from the time I got here until that day we had been teaching Jasmine. Finally I was able to get to sleep, but as I woke up a little bit later in the night I read a message from Jasmine saying that she had chose not to be baptized at this time. There I sat for the rest of the night wondering why, praying, and taking some time to think. Jasmine leaves in two weeks to an internship in New York. The entire time we have been meeting with Jasmine, everything has lined up perfectly, but that night I was left to just wonder why and what the future held. I thought back to my experience with Michael Padron in Coolidge. Michael's entire family was supposed to be baptized, but the day it came they completely disappeared. I could've never understood that day in Coolidge all the why's, but as I was able to see Michael baptized about two months later and then later able to baptize His children, it all made sense. I know without a doubt in my mind that God's timing is perfect timing. It doesn't matter what type of situation or where we are at in our lives, we can have complete and total confidence that He will provide all that is necessary, when it is necessary. I know He has for me, I know He did in Coolidge for Michael, and I know the same will hold true for Jasmine. No matter how hard situations like these may be, I'm thankful for experience in my life that remind me of this powerful truth. Jasmine knows truths, she has a testimony of the Restored Gospel, and I know that these are truths that Jasmine will always know. I have no doubt in my mind that one day I will be able to see Jasmine enter into the waters of baptism. I do not know when, but He knows and I trust in Him. I cannot wait for that day. It is a day that I look forward to with all that I am.
I love you all and hope all is well with you! Happy Mothers Day!
Con Amor!
Elder Jurgensmeier
Monday, April 28, 2014
Week 88: AZ, What a Joy!
Familia!
Who would've ever thought that they were real??? "Sleep tight" they say, "Don't let the bed bugs bight." How in the world are you supposed to sleep tight when you know there are bed bugs all over the place? Did you even know they were real? I sure didn't! With Elder Kloepfer being in a trio we had to add another bed to our apartment. The housing coordinators went to a home they recently shut down in Phoenix and grabbed a bed from there and brought it over. The funny thing about it is that Elder Oscarson and Elder Forson, another missionary that we live with, fought over who would take the new bed. I won't lie, it was a pretty nice bed, but definitely not worth it. Elder Oscarson won the debate, but in the long run, Elder Forson definitely won. Elder Kloepfer escaped with 0 bites, the rest of us got 1, and then Elder Oscarson looked like he had chicken pox. Someone has to provide a meal for those little guys though, right? So, this week was fairly eventful. Lots of teaching, throwing away some beds, spraying our apartment, and meetings. Life is good.
This week we went on exchanges back to Phoenix, man I love that place. The people you meet there...they're incredible. Some of the craziest stories from my mission come from Phoenix. The thing that I love about it though is that pretty much everyone there speaks Spanish. I've definitely missed serving in a Spanish ward and so it was nice to get back into it a little bit. I was so stoked to finally get a home cooked Mexican meal and then we had Sandwiches.... at least they put Jalapenos on them haha. It was a little bit of a different exchange and I just tagged along with two elders. One of them had PTSD and about an hour into the exchange he had an episode. Luckily the companion had been there for a previous one and knew how to take care of it all. We had to wait there while he came out of it himself. We went back to the apartment and the elder who had the attack went to sleep for a bit while the other elder and I talked for about two hours. We then went to dinner and the other elder still wasn't feeling too well so I went back to the apartment with him while his companion went out to do visits with a member. The elder I was with didn't want to go back to bed because he knew he wouldn't be able to sleep throughout the night if he did, so I had the chance to just sit and talk for about 3 hours with this elder. The first elder I talked to had been out for about 23 months, the second didn't have too much time in the field. It was a day that I won't forget. I sat there in the first conversation picking the elders brain who had been out for 23 months, trying to learn all I could from him before he went home. Then in the evening it was a complete role reversal as this younger missionary asked me questions about my mission. It was nice to reflect on the miracles that I had seen, the lessons that I have learned, and the change that I've gone through. My entire perspective of life has been change by these last 20 months and I know that there is still much to learn in the months to come.
Yesterday Jasmine asked me if I would baptize her. I'm so excited for Friday. Its a day that has been in the works for a very, very long time. As I've thought about this entire process that we've gone through with her, I've been able to reflect a lot about the answers I've received as we've met with her. I counted and we have had about 70 lessons with Jasmine in the last 6 months. In preach my gospel, there are 4 lessons that missionaries usually teach before baptism.... and we've had 70. It was amazing as we would cluelessly spend time before lessons wondering what we could possible talk about with her and then as we kneel in prayer instantly we knew what to do. I remember, time and time again as we prayed for her I would just have an overwhelming feeling come over me and know that it was all in His hands and that He would take care of it all. He definitely has, and I know that He will continue to take care of her. I know that our Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ will always be there for us. They are not a light at the end of the tunnel, rather they are the light that guide us through. It has been clear to see this simple truth through Jasmine's journey, and I know its a truth that applies to us all.
I love you all!
Con Amor,
Elder Jurgensmeier
Who would've ever thought that they were real??? "Sleep tight" they say, "Don't let the bed bugs bight." How in the world are you supposed to sleep tight when you know there are bed bugs all over the place? Did you even know they were real? I sure didn't! With Elder Kloepfer being in a trio we had to add another bed to our apartment. The housing coordinators went to a home they recently shut down in Phoenix and grabbed a bed from there and brought it over. The funny thing about it is that Elder Oscarson and Elder Forson, another missionary that we live with, fought over who would take the new bed. I won't lie, it was a pretty nice bed, but definitely not worth it. Elder Oscarson won the debate, but in the long run, Elder Forson definitely won. Elder Kloepfer escaped with 0 bites, the rest of us got 1, and then Elder Oscarson looked like he had chicken pox. Someone has to provide a meal for those little guys though, right? So, this week was fairly eventful. Lots of teaching, throwing away some beds, spraying our apartment, and meetings. Life is good.
This week we went on exchanges back to Phoenix, man I love that place. The people you meet there...they're incredible. Some of the craziest stories from my mission come from Phoenix. The thing that I love about it though is that pretty much everyone there speaks Spanish. I've definitely missed serving in a Spanish ward and so it was nice to get back into it a little bit. I was so stoked to finally get a home cooked Mexican meal and then we had Sandwiches.... at least they put Jalapenos on them haha. It was a little bit of a different exchange and I just tagged along with two elders. One of them had PTSD and about an hour into the exchange he had an episode. Luckily the companion had been there for a previous one and knew how to take care of it all. We had to wait there while he came out of it himself. We went back to the apartment and the elder who had the attack went to sleep for a bit while the other elder and I talked for about two hours. We then went to dinner and the other elder still wasn't feeling too well so I went back to the apartment with him while his companion went out to do visits with a member. The elder I was with didn't want to go back to bed because he knew he wouldn't be able to sleep throughout the night if he did, so I had the chance to just sit and talk for about 3 hours with this elder. The first elder I talked to had been out for about 23 months, the second didn't have too much time in the field. It was a day that I won't forget. I sat there in the first conversation picking the elders brain who had been out for 23 months, trying to learn all I could from him before he went home. Then in the evening it was a complete role reversal as this younger missionary asked me questions about my mission. It was nice to reflect on the miracles that I had seen, the lessons that I have learned, and the change that I've gone through. My entire perspective of life has been change by these last 20 months and I know that there is still much to learn in the months to come.
Yesterday Jasmine asked me if I would baptize her. I'm so excited for Friday. Its a day that has been in the works for a very, very long time. As I've thought about this entire process that we've gone through with her, I've been able to reflect a lot about the answers I've received as we've met with her. I counted and we have had about 70 lessons with Jasmine in the last 6 months. In preach my gospel, there are 4 lessons that missionaries usually teach before baptism.... and we've had 70. It was amazing as we would cluelessly spend time before lessons wondering what we could possible talk about with her and then as we kneel in prayer instantly we knew what to do. I remember, time and time again as we prayed for her I would just have an overwhelming feeling come over me and know that it was all in His hands and that He would take care of it all. He definitely has, and I know that He will continue to take care of her. I know that our Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ will always be there for us. They are not a light at the end of the tunnel, rather they are the light that guide us through. It has been clear to see this simple truth through Jasmine's journey, and I know its a truth that applies to us all.
I love you all!
Con Amor,
Elder Jurgensmeier
Monday, April 21, 2014
Week 87: The Miracle of People
Familia!
Man, what an awesome time of the year. Easter is incredible. The past several months have been awesome for our mission. We went from the Christmas lights at the Mesa Temple, to the open house of the Gilbert Temple, to the Easter Pageant. Life is good as an Arizona Tempe Missionary.
We were able to go to the Easter Pageant three times this last week. We went once with Jasmine and her roommates, once with our investigator Christian who will be baptized on the 3rd, and then another time with a couple of our member's friends that we are going to start teaching. The entire thing was so powerful. Its incredible to not only hear but see all of the things leading up to the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I'm so thankful for the life that He lived. Because of Him we are able to be who we were created to be. Because of Him we don't have to be weighed down by the difficulties and struggles that we find in this life. The most powerful part was the ending scene as Christ in His resurrected, perfected form rose high above the stage. I think so many times in this life we lose track of why we are truly here and get caught up in the mundane things of the world. It was a blessing for me to recognize what truly was important to me this Easter Season. I look forward to the day when He comes. I know as we apply His sacrifice to our lives we will all be ready for that glorious coming.
This week has been an awesome week for Jasmine. She has really struggled a lot lately at knowing what she needed to do and this week was able to take a step back and really gather herself. We met Wednesday after going to the Easter Pageant with her and had a really good conversation with her. I asked Jasmine what she wanted God to tell her, what answers she was seeking for. She listed a couple of different things and then I asked her, "Ok, now what does God NEED to tell you?" She sat there for a few minutes thinking about it and I felt a prompting to go over the baptismal interview questions with her without her knowing. So, I started, "Jasmine, do you believe that God is your Heavenly Father?" and continued down the line. She bore testimony of what it meant for her to be a daughter of God. She bore testimony of Jesus Christ as her Savior and Redeemer, as her friend, and she bore testimony of the Restored Gospel. We talked about the commandments, and how they are God's guidelines to help us become. She testified that she lives the commandments out of a love for her Father. As we finished going through the questions, we were able to bear solemn testimony of what she had just told us. We told Jasmine that what she needed, she had already received. She told us that she had really avoided asking about Baptism with an earnest desire to receive an answer and that it was something that she would do. The next day was huge for Jasmine. She was able to spend a lot of time journaling and praying about what her next step was. We met later that night an had a lesson that I will never forget. She told us that after several hours of praying and journaling she felt like she needed to call her parents. They were at work, and so she called her dad first and said while crying, "Dad, I think I'm going to be a mormon." He responded, "Well why are you crying?" haha. She expressed to him her fears that she had, that she didn't want it to tear apart her family, and he said, "Jasmine, I want the best for you. If this is what is going to bring out your best and help you find the best, its what you deserve." She later got ahold of her mom and told her mom the same exact thing. When Jasmine became a Christian, her family was not very happy about the decision that she made and it caused a lot of tension in her home. Her mom told her, "Jasmine, I'm thankful that we are getting a second chance to do things right this time as a family." Then she preceded to tell us, "so, I guess that I'm ready to get baptized." She said she had a lot of concerns and a lot of unanswered questions, but she knew that it was what God was asking her to do. I have been forever changed from the opportunity to know Jasmine. Her faith is incredible, and has changed the way that I look at a lot of things. Her number one desire is to do her Father's will, and she will always put her own thoughts and desires to the side to do what she knows needs done. She is going to make a huge impact in this church, and is going to help so many others come to know Christ in a more meaningful and personal way as she has done for me.
One of my favorite things that I have been able to on my mission is to develop everlasting friendships with people. Whether that is people from Coolidge, Tempe, Phoenix, or Casa Grande, I will forever be changed by the people I have met. It is a miracle to me that from a mere 2 minute conversation on the street, you can become so close to people. Thats how it all started outside of the ASU institute with Jasmine. Everyone that we meet in this life was placed there for a specific reason and purpose. We become more fully who we are meant to be as we learn and grow from them. I know I am more fully who I am meant to be because of Jasmine.
I love you all, thank you for everything you're doing.
Con Amor,
Elder Jurgensmeier
Man, what an awesome time of the year. Easter is incredible. The past several months have been awesome for our mission. We went from the Christmas lights at the Mesa Temple, to the open house of the Gilbert Temple, to the Easter Pageant. Life is good as an Arizona Tempe Missionary.
We were able to go to the Easter Pageant three times this last week. We went once with Jasmine and her roommates, once with our investigator Christian who will be baptized on the 3rd, and then another time with a couple of our member's friends that we are going to start teaching. The entire thing was so powerful. Its incredible to not only hear but see all of the things leading up to the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I'm so thankful for the life that He lived. Because of Him we are able to be who we were created to be. Because of Him we don't have to be weighed down by the difficulties and struggles that we find in this life. The most powerful part was the ending scene as Christ in His resurrected, perfected form rose high above the stage. I think so many times in this life we lose track of why we are truly here and get caught up in the mundane things of the world. It was a blessing for me to recognize what truly was important to me this Easter Season. I look forward to the day when He comes. I know as we apply His sacrifice to our lives we will all be ready for that glorious coming.
This week has been an awesome week for Jasmine. She has really struggled a lot lately at knowing what she needed to do and this week was able to take a step back and really gather herself. We met Wednesday after going to the Easter Pageant with her and had a really good conversation with her. I asked Jasmine what she wanted God to tell her, what answers she was seeking for. She listed a couple of different things and then I asked her, "Ok, now what does God NEED to tell you?" She sat there for a few minutes thinking about it and I felt a prompting to go over the baptismal interview questions with her without her knowing. So, I started, "Jasmine, do you believe that God is your Heavenly Father?" and continued down the line. She bore testimony of what it meant for her to be a daughter of God. She bore testimony of Jesus Christ as her Savior and Redeemer, as her friend, and she bore testimony of the Restored Gospel. We talked about the commandments, and how they are God's guidelines to help us become. She testified that she lives the commandments out of a love for her Father. As we finished going through the questions, we were able to bear solemn testimony of what she had just told us. We told Jasmine that what she needed, she had already received. She told us that she had really avoided asking about Baptism with an earnest desire to receive an answer and that it was something that she would do. The next day was huge for Jasmine. She was able to spend a lot of time journaling and praying about what her next step was. We met later that night an had a lesson that I will never forget. She told us that after several hours of praying and journaling she felt like she needed to call her parents. They were at work, and so she called her dad first and said while crying, "Dad, I think I'm going to be a mormon." He responded, "Well why are you crying?" haha. She expressed to him her fears that she had, that she didn't want it to tear apart her family, and he said, "Jasmine, I want the best for you. If this is what is going to bring out your best and help you find the best, its what you deserve." She later got ahold of her mom and told her mom the same exact thing. When Jasmine became a Christian, her family was not very happy about the decision that she made and it caused a lot of tension in her home. Her mom told her, "Jasmine, I'm thankful that we are getting a second chance to do things right this time as a family." Then she preceded to tell us, "so, I guess that I'm ready to get baptized." She said she had a lot of concerns and a lot of unanswered questions, but she knew that it was what God was asking her to do. I have been forever changed from the opportunity to know Jasmine. Her faith is incredible, and has changed the way that I look at a lot of things. Her number one desire is to do her Father's will, and she will always put her own thoughts and desires to the side to do what she knows needs done. She is going to make a huge impact in this church, and is going to help so many others come to know Christ in a more meaningful and personal way as she has done for me.
One of my favorite things that I have been able to on my mission is to develop everlasting friendships with people. Whether that is people from Coolidge, Tempe, Phoenix, or Casa Grande, I will forever be changed by the people I have met. It is a miracle to me that from a mere 2 minute conversation on the street, you can become so close to people. Thats how it all started outside of the ASU institute with Jasmine. Everyone that we meet in this life was placed there for a specific reason and purpose. We become more fully who we are meant to be as we learn and grow from them. I know I am more fully who I am meant to be because of Jasmine.
I love you all, thank you for everything you're doing.
Con Amor,
Elder Jurgensmeier
Monday, April 14, 2014
Week 86: The Book of Mormon, What a Book!
Familia!
The late nights, the early mornings, man I love transfer week! This transfer was one of the biggest that we have ever had. To start the process of transfers President Toone said, "Alright, now we are going to try to keep this one small." Its funny how it always works out like that. So, after one of the biggest transfers that we have ever had, President and Sister Toone let us know that they had a Mission Presidents Conference in Texas they were headed to so they were turning the mission over to us three. So for four days Elder Kloepfer, Elder Oscarson, and I ran the mission. Lets just say I was real happy to see President and Sister Toone last night. Those two are incredible. They wanted to meet with us at 7:30 last night to catch up with the mission and talk about some of the things that they had learned while they were away, so over a dinner and brownies we spent about two hours last night just talking to them. They are huge examples in my life and I think one of the biggest blessings that we have as assistants is to be able to spend so much time with them.
Once the craziness of transfers had all wrapped up, we finally had some time to work in our area which was awesome! We haven't really had any down time the past couple weeks where we could just go out and find more people to teach. With the time that we have had in our area we have just been going to teaching appointment to teaching appointment, but it was nice to be able to settle down for a second and get some things figured out. We were able to find two awesome new investigators which have a ton of desire to learn more about the Gospel. Christian is a Christian, pretty cool, and Brandon hasn't had a ton of religious background. They both really connected with the idea of having a modern day prophet. How thankful I am to be guided by a Prophet of God. I know that at any time Christ's church in its fullness has been upon this earth, it has been guided and directed by a prophet.
This week as we met again with Jasmine several times we were able to have a ton of progress. Conference was so crucial for her, and so we were excited to follow up with her and see what answers she received. As we met with her on Wednesday, we had a recent convert from another ward come and bear powerful testimony of what the Restoration means to him. Jasmine told us that she might believe that President Monson was a prophet, but she just had these other concerns that were holding her back. The way that Jasmine gets answers is pretty incredible. She sits down and prays and writes in her journal and what she writes is exactly what her answer needs to be. She hadn't really had an opportunity to journal yet, and so we invited her to take some time to do so. When Jasmine is really seeking for answers, she likes to go to the temple, so Friday before we met again she spent all afternoon there. As we met Friday you could tell that there was something a little different about Jasmine. She told us as she went to the temple and prayed the thought came to her mind that she should write herself a letter from God, so she sat down and started to write. It was awesome to see as she read us the letter she wrote and walked us through what her thoughts were as she was writing. Part of the letter said something along the lines of, "Jasmine, I need you to put all your concerns in a bag and just put them aside." She said after she wrote that it took about 20 minutes until she really felt like she had done so, and then she continued to write. The next portion started, "Jasmine, why would I not work in the same way that I have always worked? Why would I not call a prophet to guide and direct my people? Why would the authority not be important? Why wouldn't I call President Monson to be a Prophet?" She said as she wrote these questions the spirit just came in so strong and confirmed to her that President Monson truly was a modern day prophet.
It has been amazing to see the process that Jasmine has gone through the past 5 months. The Book of Mormon is known as the Key Stone of our religion and it is pretty easy to see why in the journey Jasmine has been on. As another witness of Christ, The Book of Mormon strengthened the faith that she already had in Christ. As her faith was strengthened she was able to come to know that the Book of Mormon truly was scripture. As she came to understand this key element, she later was lead to know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and that we are lead and guided today by President Monson as well acting under the direction of Christ as our Prophet on the earth today. All of these miracles were made possible through the Book of Mormon. I'm so thankful for this book of scripture. There truly is no concern, no doubt, no problem that cannot be overcome by this book. Hand in hand with the Bible we can come to understand our Savior in a deeper, more personal level than through any other means. I'm thankful for the life that He lived, and the records that we have to learn of it.
You're all the best!
Con Amor,
Elder Jurgensmeier
The late nights, the early mornings, man I love transfer week! This transfer was one of the biggest that we have ever had. To start the process of transfers President Toone said, "Alright, now we are going to try to keep this one small." Its funny how it always works out like that. So, after one of the biggest transfers that we have ever had, President and Sister Toone let us know that they had a Mission Presidents Conference in Texas they were headed to so they were turning the mission over to us three. So for four days Elder Kloepfer, Elder Oscarson, and I ran the mission. Lets just say I was real happy to see President and Sister Toone last night. Those two are incredible. They wanted to meet with us at 7:30 last night to catch up with the mission and talk about some of the things that they had learned while they were away, so over a dinner and brownies we spent about two hours last night just talking to them. They are huge examples in my life and I think one of the biggest blessings that we have as assistants is to be able to spend so much time with them.
Once the craziness of transfers had all wrapped up, we finally had some time to work in our area which was awesome! We haven't really had any down time the past couple weeks where we could just go out and find more people to teach. With the time that we have had in our area we have just been going to teaching appointment to teaching appointment, but it was nice to be able to settle down for a second and get some things figured out. We were able to find two awesome new investigators which have a ton of desire to learn more about the Gospel. Christian is a Christian, pretty cool, and Brandon hasn't had a ton of religious background. They both really connected with the idea of having a modern day prophet. How thankful I am to be guided by a Prophet of God. I know that at any time Christ's church in its fullness has been upon this earth, it has been guided and directed by a prophet.
This week as we met again with Jasmine several times we were able to have a ton of progress. Conference was so crucial for her, and so we were excited to follow up with her and see what answers she received. As we met with her on Wednesday, we had a recent convert from another ward come and bear powerful testimony of what the Restoration means to him. Jasmine told us that she might believe that President Monson was a prophet, but she just had these other concerns that were holding her back. The way that Jasmine gets answers is pretty incredible. She sits down and prays and writes in her journal and what she writes is exactly what her answer needs to be. She hadn't really had an opportunity to journal yet, and so we invited her to take some time to do so. When Jasmine is really seeking for answers, she likes to go to the temple, so Friday before we met again she spent all afternoon there. As we met Friday you could tell that there was something a little different about Jasmine. She told us as she went to the temple and prayed the thought came to her mind that she should write herself a letter from God, so she sat down and started to write. It was awesome to see as she read us the letter she wrote and walked us through what her thoughts were as she was writing. Part of the letter said something along the lines of, "Jasmine, I need you to put all your concerns in a bag and just put them aside." She said after she wrote that it took about 20 minutes until she really felt like she had done so, and then she continued to write. The next portion started, "Jasmine, why would I not work in the same way that I have always worked? Why would I not call a prophet to guide and direct my people? Why would the authority not be important? Why wouldn't I call President Monson to be a Prophet?" She said as she wrote these questions the spirit just came in so strong and confirmed to her that President Monson truly was a modern day prophet.
It has been amazing to see the process that Jasmine has gone through the past 5 months. The Book of Mormon is known as the Key Stone of our religion and it is pretty easy to see why in the journey Jasmine has been on. As another witness of Christ, The Book of Mormon strengthened the faith that she already had in Christ. As her faith was strengthened she was able to come to know that the Book of Mormon truly was scripture. As she came to understand this key element, she later was lead to know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and that we are lead and guided today by President Monson as well acting under the direction of Christ as our Prophet on the earth today. All of these miracles were made possible through the Book of Mormon. I'm so thankful for this book of scripture. There truly is no concern, no doubt, no problem that cannot be overcome by this book. Hand in hand with the Bible we can come to understand our Savior in a deeper, more personal level than through any other means. I'm thankful for the life that He lived, and the records that we have to learn of it.
You're all the best!
Con Amor,
Elder Jurgensmeier
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