Familia!
I learned a very important lesson this week. Missionary work is nearly impossible without a voice. It's a good thing that I have a companion though! Who gets a cold in Arizona??
It was great to see Dad, Mom, Erik, Dawn, and the kids this last week. President Toone called Elder Oscarson and I in a special meeting on Saturday at 10. I kept hearing someone trying to get into the mission office, but I figured it was just some missionaries who forgot the mission office was closed on Saturday, and then all if a sudden, "Dad???" It definitely made my day. I'm so thankful for our family. I owe everything to you all. Thank you for all being such great examples to me and paving a path for me to follow.
This week has been incredible. We've had more teaching opportunities than we have ever had in this ward. It's such a blessing to be working in a ward where everyone is so missionary minded. During our proselyting time we honestly went from lesson to lesson to lesson. Our investigator Eric is doing super well. He was originally supposed to be baptized this last Saturday but talking with his parents they wanted him to focus on school and get his grades up before his baptism. We met with Eric and talked about the blessings that come from baptism last week and as we met this week he told us that he had a "revelation" the night before. He said he was sitting thinking about baptism and before he started to meet with us he was about 75% sure he was going to get baptized. As we started meeting and he started reading in the Book of Mormon he said that he has been about 95% sure on baptism for quite a while. As he sat there thinking the night before he was confused at what the extra 5% was and how he could overcome that when he realized that the extra 5% was just him, and that he just needed to make his mind up and do it.
Once Eric made his mind up, there was nothing stopping him. If Eric was to be baptized, he needed someone to baptize him, and so who did he think of? None other than President Monson. So, Eric Googled church headquarters and called them up. He said the first thing he told them was, "This is not a prank, I promise," and then proceeded to tell his story. He said that as soon as he finished his story the lady on the other line said, "Ya, I'll transfer you to his secretary." Eric said that he was in shock and had no idea what to say when President Monson's secretary answered.
Once again Eric explained his situation and that he had decided to be baptized. The secretary told him that because of President Monson's condition in the last couple of months that he probably wouldn't be able to make it. Who would've known that it was that easy??? Eric, what a crazy guy.
He told us his next option was Elder Holland. Since Elder Holland was supposed to come to the YSA conference a couple of weeks ago, Eric figured that he could guilt trip him into it haha. He said if that doesn't work out then he will just choose one of his friends here in Arizona. It truly has been a blessing being a part of Eric's journey. It never ceases to amaze me how earnest his desires are. He is truly an example of when we have an open heart and true intent, answers come.
I'm thankful for the examples of the people I have an opportunity to teach. They, in fact, are teaching me most of the time. I'm thankful for this gospel, and that there is no limit to how much we can learn. We truly can find the answers to each and every question that we have. I love you all! Thanks again for who you are!
Con Amor,
Elder Jurgensmeier
Monday, January 27, 2014
Monday, January 20, 2014
Week 74: The Simple Power of Truth
Familia!
Transfer weeks come, and they go, and this one was awesome! This transfer was actually a pretty smooth one. There weren't a whole lot of changes and we were able to get everything taken care of in a fairly short amount of time.
Transfer week is usually a pretty busy week for us. We start on Monday with taking care of all of the departing missionaries. Tuesday we run them to the airport and pick up the new missionaries and spend all day with them, and the Wednesday is the actual transfer meeting where everyone who is getting transferred comes to the mission home. So, its always a pretty crazy week to begin with, but its definitely one of my favorites. Elder Oscarson and I have a ton going on in our area right now and so we wanted to make sure that we were using every possible second to be teaching that we could. So, Tuesday we took all the new missionaries to the Visitors Center at the Mesa Temple to have some time there to think about their missions and to set some goals. So, while they were watching the Joseph Smith Prophet of the Restoration video, we had Gabe, our recent convert, and Michelle, who is going to get baptized next week, meet us at the temple so that we could teach. After our lesson we had an awesome idea to have Gabe and Michelle bear their testimony to the new missionaries. It was powerful to see as two people who are fairly new in the Gospel bore testimony of the simple truths they had learned and then challenge every missionary to give it their all during this precious time that we have to serve. I'm so thankful for the opportunity that I have to get to know such amazing people, and I'm thankful for the eternal impact that they have had on my life.
As well we have been working a lot with Jasmine. We met Jasmine about a two months ago as we were inviting people on campus to come to an activity that we were having later that night. Jasmine didn't have much time that night, but finally about a month ago we were able to have our first lesson with Jasmine. I can honestly say that I have never taught anyone quite like Jasmine. She grew up in an Atheist home, but then through different trials and opportunities in her life she grew a strong belief in Christ and is now one of the most devout Christians that I know. She is an honest seeker of truth, and it has been awesome to learn together with her. She is an endless fountain of questions haha which is good because I know that the Gospel has answers to all of life's questions. As we have been meeting with her it has been interesting to see the changes that have taken place. She has gone from wanting to prove everything wrong to really searching to find out if its true. She is about half way into the book of Alma now and has signed up for the 2nd half of the Book of Mormon class at the institute. I truly believe that the change has come through the Book of Mormon. As we have relied everything upon this book, it has given her the desire to read, and as she has read, she has felt her testimony of Christ grow.
This week Elder Oscarson and I were able to have some awesome lessons with her. We really just wanted to see where she was at and so we spent a lot of time asking questions. I think that Jasmine has been able to realize a lot of things this week. We talked a lot about baptism, and at first she was completely against it, but now it has been something that has been on her mind a lot. She has even asked Siri if she should get baptized...which obviously isn't how she is going to get her answer, but it has really been on her mind. I'm thankful for the power that comes from the Book of Mormon. I know that it is what it says it is, another testament of Christ. I'm thankful for the many blessings that have come in my life through it.
Eric has also been doing super well this week. This week we had a lesson that I will never forget. Eric's parents challenged him to meet with some Christian missionaries before his baptism, and so on Friday he met with them. They talked to him about a lot of different things, but Eric said the only thing that he wasn't sure about the Godhead, if they were truly all one being or three distinct and separate beings. At that point Elder Oscarson pulled out a picture of the first vision. He talked about how this experience was not only important because Joseph Smith was called to be a prophet to restore the church of Christ, but that through this experience we were able to learn more about the nature of God. I started to talk about how at that time, the common belief was that God the Father and Jesus Christ were both one being, but that Joseph Smith said that he saw two. As we continued to testify of this simple truth, the spirit came into the room with such intensity. For a moment it honestly seemed like everything stopped, and the Eric started to talk about the intensity of the spirit that he was feeling. I honestly can't think of a time when I have felt the spirit with such strength throughout my mission. Sure its something that I feel daily, but for that brief moment, the feelings were unexplainable. There is a power in knowing simple truths. To know that the Godhead are three distinct beings all united in purpose gives us a more in depth understanding of Father's plan for us.
Throughout this whole week it seems like time and time again these simple truths have just been confirmed to me. I know that we truly do have a Father in Heaven, that his Son Jesus the Christ is our Savior and Redeemer, and that the Holy Ghost is an essential and key role in our Father's plan for us to return to him. I love this Gospel. I'm thankful for the answers that it provides. I know that it is true. I hope you are each doing well!
Con Amor,
Elder Jurgensmeier
Transfer weeks come, and they go, and this one was awesome! This transfer was actually a pretty smooth one. There weren't a whole lot of changes and we were able to get everything taken care of in a fairly short amount of time.
Transfer week is usually a pretty busy week for us. We start on Monday with taking care of all of the departing missionaries. Tuesday we run them to the airport and pick up the new missionaries and spend all day with them, and the Wednesday is the actual transfer meeting where everyone who is getting transferred comes to the mission home. So, its always a pretty crazy week to begin with, but its definitely one of my favorites. Elder Oscarson and I have a ton going on in our area right now and so we wanted to make sure that we were using every possible second to be teaching that we could. So, Tuesday we took all the new missionaries to the Visitors Center at the Mesa Temple to have some time there to think about their missions and to set some goals. So, while they were watching the Joseph Smith Prophet of the Restoration video, we had Gabe, our recent convert, and Michelle, who is going to get baptized next week, meet us at the temple so that we could teach. After our lesson we had an awesome idea to have Gabe and Michelle bear their testimony to the new missionaries. It was powerful to see as two people who are fairly new in the Gospel bore testimony of the simple truths they had learned and then challenge every missionary to give it their all during this precious time that we have to serve. I'm so thankful for the opportunity that I have to get to know such amazing people, and I'm thankful for the eternal impact that they have had on my life.
As well we have been working a lot with Jasmine. We met Jasmine about a two months ago as we were inviting people on campus to come to an activity that we were having later that night. Jasmine didn't have much time that night, but finally about a month ago we were able to have our first lesson with Jasmine. I can honestly say that I have never taught anyone quite like Jasmine. She grew up in an Atheist home, but then through different trials and opportunities in her life she grew a strong belief in Christ and is now one of the most devout Christians that I know. She is an honest seeker of truth, and it has been awesome to learn together with her. She is an endless fountain of questions haha which is good because I know that the Gospel has answers to all of life's questions. As we have been meeting with her it has been interesting to see the changes that have taken place. She has gone from wanting to prove everything wrong to really searching to find out if its true. She is about half way into the book of Alma now and has signed up for the 2nd half of the Book of Mormon class at the institute. I truly believe that the change has come through the Book of Mormon. As we have relied everything upon this book, it has given her the desire to read, and as she has read, she has felt her testimony of Christ grow.
This week Elder Oscarson and I were able to have some awesome lessons with her. We really just wanted to see where she was at and so we spent a lot of time asking questions. I think that Jasmine has been able to realize a lot of things this week. We talked a lot about baptism, and at first she was completely against it, but now it has been something that has been on her mind a lot. She has even asked Siri if she should get baptized...which obviously isn't how she is going to get her answer, but it has really been on her mind. I'm thankful for the power that comes from the Book of Mormon. I know that it is what it says it is, another testament of Christ. I'm thankful for the many blessings that have come in my life through it.
Eric has also been doing super well this week. This week we had a lesson that I will never forget. Eric's parents challenged him to meet with some Christian missionaries before his baptism, and so on Friday he met with them. They talked to him about a lot of different things, but Eric said the only thing that he wasn't sure about the Godhead, if they were truly all one being or three distinct and separate beings. At that point Elder Oscarson pulled out a picture of the first vision. He talked about how this experience was not only important because Joseph Smith was called to be a prophet to restore the church of Christ, but that through this experience we were able to learn more about the nature of God. I started to talk about how at that time, the common belief was that God the Father and Jesus Christ were both one being, but that Joseph Smith said that he saw two. As we continued to testify of this simple truth, the spirit came into the room with such intensity. For a moment it honestly seemed like everything stopped, and the Eric started to talk about the intensity of the spirit that he was feeling. I honestly can't think of a time when I have felt the spirit with such strength throughout my mission. Sure its something that I feel daily, but for that brief moment, the feelings were unexplainable. There is a power in knowing simple truths. To know that the Godhead are three distinct beings all united in purpose gives us a more in depth understanding of Father's plan for us.
Throughout this whole week it seems like time and time again these simple truths have just been confirmed to me. I know that we truly do have a Father in Heaven, that his Son Jesus the Christ is our Savior and Redeemer, and that the Holy Ghost is an essential and key role in our Father's plan for us to return to him. I love this Gospel. I'm thankful for the answers that it provides. I know that it is true. I hope you are each doing well!
Con Amor,
Elder Jurgensmeier
Monday, January 13, 2014
Week 73: What a week!
Familia!
Who would've known that you could fit so much into a week...man, this week has been incredible.
Monday was a fairly normal day, but we did hear some awesome news. For quite some time we had known that Elder Holland was going to come and speak to our mission while he was down for the YSA conference at ASU, but Monday Elder Oscarson and I found out that we were going to be his personal escorts into the building...pretty cool I guess. So, we were stoked about that, but Monday proved to be a pretty normal day. And then, Tuesday came, and it still doesn't seem like Tuesday has ended. All day every day we have been running from District Meetings to working on the transfer board to zone conferences to lessons to more transfers to more lessons and finally somehow we ended up in Yuma last night and got back this afternoon. Man has time flown, but I have been thankful for every second of it.
With Elder Holland coming, I wanted to make sure that I was completely ready for him, ready to receive revelation for both myself and my area. I had been praying a lot and had written down several of my questions when Friday afternoon President Toone received a call and was told that Elder Holland had received a last minute change of assignment from the First Presidency. So, not going to lie I was a little disappointed but I learned a valuable lesson. The next day I was reading in 3rd Nephi when Christ was visiting the people in the Americas. After spending quite a while with them, He left and was to return the next day. Just as expected, the people left and told everyone about it. Special efforts were made by everyone to be there upon His return. Obviously all of us would do the same, seeking to see the Savior of the world. But as I was reading, the thought crossed my mind, why don't we do the same when we hear about church, why don't we have the same excitement when we read the scriptures or anything of that matter. Every single moment we have the opportunity to communicate with our Father in Heaven, why is that same excitement not there? As I thought about the meeting that we almost had with Elder Holland, I realized that I could find answers to the questions I had written in many more ways than hearing from an Apostle of the Lord. Saturday afternoon we had the scheduled meeting, but instead with Elder Wright of the 70. Between the things he said and the things that I have been studying lately, each and every one of those original questions I had written have been answered. I know that our Father in Heaven truly does listen to our prayers. I know that as we seek, we truly will find.
With the YSA conference being this weekend we tried to get all of our investigators to go. It was pretty much like a Mormon Oscars without the Oscar. Pretty much every well known member of the church was there. Alex Boye, Sheri Dew, Chad Lewis, Ann and Mitt Romney, you name it, they were probably there. Anyway, it was an awesome experience for our investigators. We challenged our investigators to take questions to this conference as well, and it was awesome to see as each one of them talked about how many prayers had been answered. With both of these experiences it just reaffirms the simple truth that if we ask, we will receive. I love having the opportunity to teach and bear testimony of truths that I have found in my life and then ask those whom I am teaching to pray and find out for themselves. I'm so thankful that this is a gift given to all of us. I know that Father truly does listen, and as we pay attention, He will always answer.
I love you all! Hope everything is going well!
Con Amor,
Elder Jurgensmeier
Who would've known that you could fit so much into a week...man, this week has been incredible.
Monday was a fairly normal day, but we did hear some awesome news. For quite some time we had known that Elder Holland was going to come and speak to our mission while he was down for the YSA conference at ASU, but Monday Elder Oscarson and I found out that we were going to be his personal escorts into the building...pretty cool I guess. So, we were stoked about that, but Monday proved to be a pretty normal day. And then, Tuesday came, and it still doesn't seem like Tuesday has ended. All day every day we have been running from District Meetings to working on the transfer board to zone conferences to lessons to more transfers to more lessons and finally somehow we ended up in Yuma last night and got back this afternoon. Man has time flown, but I have been thankful for every second of it.
With Elder Holland coming, I wanted to make sure that I was completely ready for him, ready to receive revelation for both myself and my area. I had been praying a lot and had written down several of my questions when Friday afternoon President Toone received a call and was told that Elder Holland had received a last minute change of assignment from the First Presidency. So, not going to lie I was a little disappointed but I learned a valuable lesson. The next day I was reading in 3rd Nephi when Christ was visiting the people in the Americas. After spending quite a while with them, He left and was to return the next day. Just as expected, the people left and told everyone about it. Special efforts were made by everyone to be there upon His return. Obviously all of us would do the same, seeking to see the Savior of the world. But as I was reading, the thought crossed my mind, why don't we do the same when we hear about church, why don't we have the same excitement when we read the scriptures or anything of that matter. Every single moment we have the opportunity to communicate with our Father in Heaven, why is that same excitement not there? As I thought about the meeting that we almost had with Elder Holland, I realized that I could find answers to the questions I had written in many more ways than hearing from an Apostle of the Lord. Saturday afternoon we had the scheduled meeting, but instead with Elder Wright of the 70. Between the things he said and the things that I have been studying lately, each and every one of those original questions I had written have been answered. I know that our Father in Heaven truly does listen to our prayers. I know that as we seek, we truly will find.
With the YSA conference being this weekend we tried to get all of our investigators to go. It was pretty much like a Mormon Oscars without the Oscar. Pretty much every well known member of the church was there. Alex Boye, Sheri Dew, Chad Lewis, Ann and Mitt Romney, you name it, they were probably there. Anyway, it was an awesome experience for our investigators. We challenged our investigators to take questions to this conference as well, and it was awesome to see as each one of them talked about how many prayers had been answered. With both of these experiences it just reaffirms the simple truth that if we ask, we will receive. I love having the opportunity to teach and bear testimony of truths that I have found in my life and then ask those whom I am teaching to pray and find out for themselves. I'm so thankful that this is a gift given to all of us. I know that Father truly does listen, and as we pay attention, He will always answer.
I love you all! Hope everything is going well!
Con Amor,
Elder Jurgensmeier
Monday, January 6, 2014
Week 72: 201444444444!!
Familia!
2014....crazy stuff. I find new years on the mission isn't as exciting as back home. Everyone just went to bed. Obviously I wasn't just going to settle for going to bed on New Years Eve, so I set an alarm at 11:59 and started screaming "Happy New Years!!!" .....Nobody remembered it in the morning. Maybe I dreamed it?
Either way 2014 has been amazing so far, definitely full of miracles. As usually happens when a new year comes, I have been thinking about last year and all of the great things that have happened. I truly can say that my life for the eternities has been changed from the year of 2013. I will forever be grateful for the opportunity that I have had to serve the people here in Arizona. My testimony of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ has become ingrained in who I am. I have learned that becoming converted to the Gospel of Jesus Christ is a constant process, and it comes only from applying His doctrines to our lives. I will forever be grateful for this last year, and I look forward to all of the opportunities that I have to serve Him in the year to come.
This week we finally got our videos out! I'm stoked for them. The "Meet your ASU Mormon Missionaries" was the first step in our plan, but we are planning to get a bunch of videos out with us around campus doing different things. Its going to be sweet. We're hoping that it gets the students a lot more involved with actively sharing the Gospel online. Especially working with the YSA it can have a huge impact.
This week as well I had a chance to go back to Casa Grande to baptize one of my investigators from about a year ago. I remember our lesson with Amber Powers was the very first lesson that I had when I got there. I don't think you can really describe Amber. She has fiery red dyed hair.....well I guess that describes her pretty well. haha. I was only able to spend 5 weeks in Casa Grande due to the shortened transfer, but being able to go back this last Saturday I was able to see a completely different person. Amber still had fiery red dyed hair, but who she was had completely transformed. As she grew closer to our Savior, a change occurred.
It is something that I have been able to see time and time again on my mission. As we allow Christ to enter into our lives and access His Atonement, we are transformed and become the person that our Father in Heaven knows we can be. It is something that He offers to each of us, and all we have to do is let the conversion take place.
Yesterday was our first fast and testimony meeting in the Town Lake ward, and so I wanted to bear my testimony. As I got up there I wasn't really too sure what I wanted to talk about, but then the topic of following the promptings of the Holy Ghost came to mind. I talked about experiences during my mission when I had followed promptings and to my view nothing really happened, but then other experiences that I had where I followed a prompting and miracles happened. I feel like sometimes we may never know the extent of things that happen as we follow promptings, but I know that as we do, great things happen.
After sacrament meeting our investigator Eric came up to me and said, "Hey man, what was that word you said in your testimony?" I wasn't too sure what he was talking about and so I said, "The Holy Ghost." "No no no," he said, "the other word." Eventually we figured out the word he was looking for was prompting. He said, "Ya man, I totally had one of those a week ago." Apparently Eric had a craving for a hamburger, and so obviously he wanted to go to his favorite hamburger joint. As he went and ordered his Hamburger, a family caught his eye. He just felt like he needed to talk to them, but he kept coming up with excuses. He continued to make excuses until eventually he left. About a mile down the road he thought about that family again and just knew that he had to go back and talk to them.
As he got to the restaurant the family was just about to get into their car. He ran up to them and said, "Look, I'm not sure why I need to talk to you, but I wanted to give you this." and handed him a Book of Mormon. The man got a huge smile on his face and in English Eric could barely understand he said thank you and gave Eric a hug. Eric told us that he had no idea that it was a "prompting" until we had talked about it but it made him realize that he was able to play a part in God's plan.
I find it interesting that our Heavenly Father relies on each and every one of us so much. To carry out His perfected plan, He works through us. I'm thankful for promptings from the Holy Ghost. I know that as we act upon them, no matter what result we see, a miracle has happened from our obedience. I'm thankful for all of you! You're all the best examples to me.
Con Amor,
Elder Jurgensmeier
2014....crazy stuff. I find new years on the mission isn't as exciting as back home. Everyone just went to bed. Obviously I wasn't just going to settle for going to bed on New Years Eve, so I set an alarm at 11:59 and started screaming "Happy New Years!!!" .....Nobody remembered it in the morning. Maybe I dreamed it?
Either way 2014 has been amazing so far, definitely full of miracles. As usually happens when a new year comes, I have been thinking about last year and all of the great things that have happened. I truly can say that my life for the eternities has been changed from the year of 2013. I will forever be grateful for the opportunity that I have had to serve the people here in Arizona. My testimony of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ has become ingrained in who I am. I have learned that becoming converted to the Gospel of Jesus Christ is a constant process, and it comes only from applying His doctrines to our lives. I will forever be grateful for this last year, and I look forward to all of the opportunities that I have to serve Him in the year to come.
This week we finally got our videos out! I'm stoked for them. The "Meet your ASU Mormon Missionaries" was the first step in our plan, but we are planning to get a bunch of videos out with us around campus doing different things. Its going to be sweet. We're hoping that it gets the students a lot more involved with actively sharing the Gospel online. Especially working with the YSA it can have a huge impact.
This week as well I had a chance to go back to Casa Grande to baptize one of my investigators from about a year ago. I remember our lesson with Amber Powers was the very first lesson that I had when I got there. I don't think you can really describe Amber. She has fiery red dyed hair.....well I guess that describes her pretty well. haha. I was only able to spend 5 weeks in Casa Grande due to the shortened transfer, but being able to go back this last Saturday I was able to see a completely different person. Amber still had fiery red dyed hair, but who she was had completely transformed. As she grew closer to our Savior, a change occurred.
It is something that I have been able to see time and time again on my mission. As we allow Christ to enter into our lives and access His Atonement, we are transformed and become the person that our Father in Heaven knows we can be. It is something that He offers to each of us, and all we have to do is let the conversion take place.
Yesterday was our first fast and testimony meeting in the Town Lake ward, and so I wanted to bear my testimony. As I got up there I wasn't really too sure what I wanted to talk about, but then the topic of following the promptings of the Holy Ghost came to mind. I talked about experiences during my mission when I had followed promptings and to my view nothing really happened, but then other experiences that I had where I followed a prompting and miracles happened. I feel like sometimes we may never know the extent of things that happen as we follow promptings, but I know that as we do, great things happen.
After sacrament meeting our investigator Eric came up to me and said, "Hey man, what was that word you said in your testimony?" I wasn't too sure what he was talking about and so I said, "The Holy Ghost." "No no no," he said, "the other word." Eventually we figured out the word he was looking for was prompting. He said, "Ya man, I totally had one of those a week ago." Apparently Eric had a craving for a hamburger, and so obviously he wanted to go to his favorite hamburger joint. As he went and ordered his Hamburger, a family caught his eye. He just felt like he needed to talk to them, but he kept coming up with excuses. He continued to make excuses until eventually he left. About a mile down the road he thought about that family again and just knew that he had to go back and talk to them.
As he got to the restaurant the family was just about to get into their car. He ran up to them and said, "Look, I'm not sure why I need to talk to you, but I wanted to give you this." and handed him a Book of Mormon. The man got a huge smile on his face and in English Eric could barely understand he said thank you and gave Eric a hug. Eric told us that he had no idea that it was a "prompting" until we had talked about it but it made him realize that he was able to play a part in God's plan.
I find it interesting that our Heavenly Father relies on each and every one of us so much. To carry out His perfected plan, He works through us. I'm thankful for promptings from the Holy Ghost. I know that as we act upon them, no matter what result we see, a miracle has happened from our obedience. I'm thankful for all of you! You're all the best examples to me.
Con Amor,
Elder Jurgensmeier
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