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
Monday, May 26, 2014
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
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