"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
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