Familia!
So apparently Tempe isn't the desert that I thought it was. For the past four days it has been raining pretty much 24/7. I definitely like the rain, so it has been a good change. It is still warming up though, not sure if I am totally ready for the summer, but either way its coming.
This week was a pretty exciting week. Every so often the mission has a spanish training, and this time it was in YUMA! I have always heard a lot about Yuma from all of the spanish elders, so I was pretty excited to go down there. So, we left on Thursday morning and we drove on the straightest road I have ever seen for about three hours. It was a blast... When we finally got to Yuma, things starting picking up though. We all got together and had a training about how to best work with the Spanish people and how to better us as missionaries. Then we had the branch president from Yuma come and talk to us about how he has seen success in the Spanish culture. It was pretty good and something that I definitely needed to hear. After that, we split up with some members and went out and visited all of the Less Active families in the area. I have never seen so many Hispanics in my life.... No matter what door you knocked on or who you talked to, they spoke Spanish. It was awesome. I definitely hope that I serve there some day soon, I know that it will really help my Spanish. As for now though I love Tempe. I have an amazing area and I know that I was sent here at this exact time for a reason.
The past three Sundays have been some of the best days on my mission. So far on my mission, it has been pretty hard to get the Spanish members in this area to do missionary work with their friends. However, past two Sundays we have had several members bring their friends to church. It has been awesome to see and has really opened up our teaching pool. Especially with Hispanics, one of the hardest things to get them to do is to come to church, so I have been very thankful to have the members helping out. Then, this Sunday 15 minutes after church started we got a call from a random lady who was in the Walmart parking lot and wanted a ride to church....and I thought that our pass-a-long cards with our phone number did no good... so we grabbed a member and went to pick her up. I have never really seen someone as prepared as her. When she got to church, sacrament meeting was pretty much over, so our first class with her was Gospel Principles. We were talking about pre-mortal life and she kept talking about experiences that she had in her life that had lead her to believe exactly what the Gospel teaches. It is always amazing to see how I am not here to prepare, but find those who are prepared like this lady. We have a lesson with her tonight, and I am pretty excited to start teaching her.
Something that I have learned a lot about this week is the potential that we all have as sons and daughters of God. I was reading President Monson's talk about see others as they can become and it had a pretty big impact on me. As sons and daughters of God, we truly do have the divine right to become so much more than we think we can be. In his talk, President Monson shares a story about a missionary. In the story, the missionary had a ton of success. When asked why he was able to relate to people so well and help them while on his mission he said it was because he saw them as who they could be, not who they were. As I thought about the people that I have been teaching, I was able to see how this truly can fit. I have never talked to so many people with addictions or with problems greater than I have ever faced and greater than I hope to ever face, but even they are sons and daughters of God and can become so much more. No matter where we are at in our life, no matter who we are, because of our heritage and the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we can become the person that God wants us to be. When Jesus Christ taught, he gave a commandment which was to be perfect, even as our father in heaven is perfect. We know that we will never receive a commandment that we can't accomplish, and I believe that this is the key, to see ourselves as who we can become. To see ourselves living in the Kingdom of God and then living up to that goal. Of course we will fall, of course we will make mistakes, but that is what this life is about, learning. I know that as we take little steps in this life, someday we will be able to fulfill that commandment that Christ gave.
This week we should have Lindsey's baptism. I'm pretty excited for it. We had to move her back a week because she had a cheer competition that she didn't plan for, and so we are planning for her baptism this Saturday. It is always awesome to teach someone who is so prepared.
I hope all is well at home and I love you all.
Con Amor,
Elder Jurgensmeier
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Week 22: Winter is over
Familia!
So, winter was long and hard to endure, but I think it is over. haha. We have had a week full of 75 degree days, so its been pretty nice. Everyone just keeps telling me how horrible the summer is, so I guess we will so how long I'm loving the weather.
So this week has been pretty insane, well I guess just pretty much one of the days. Fridays are our days to do weekly planning, and so all of our zone goes to the church and we sit there for three hours and plan out the upcoming week. Ya, sometimes it gets fairly long. So, to lighten the mood a little bit I got my plastic water bottle and twisted it so a bunch of pressure was built up by the cap and then I twisted the cap off. It made a pretty loud noise and made everyone jump a bit, but then the crazy part of the day started right after that. So Elder Niederhauser, my new companion, walks over and grabs the bottle cap and just throws it in his mouth (Ya, like a dog playing fetch or something, I have no idea what he is doing, he must have just thought he wanted to chew on it or something haha). So he comes back and is just sitting there and then someone says something that makes him laugh. Right when he starts laughing he sucks the bottle cap down the back of his throat and swallows it....so, at the time I think its pretty funny and I am just laughing, but in reality he is in a ton of pain. He runs to the bathroom and tries to get it out, but can't...so, long story short, I hurry and drive him to the emergency room. When we get to the emergency room he fills out all of the paper work and then we are just sitting there waiting for them to call him back. A lady comes back and starts going around to the patients asking them what their situation is and everything. I think she was just trying to see who needed care the most urgent. So, first she goes to this little kid next to me and asks him what is wrong. He said he has just had some trouble breathing all day and so she said alright, we will be with you in a bit. Then she calls Elder Niederhausers name and he stands up and like yells, "That's me!" she asks what is going on and I'm just sitting there watching him and he says, "I have pain in my chest...my heart hurts... I'M HAVING A HEART ATTACK!" haha apparently he was in so much pain he really thought he was having a heart attack. So, like any other nurse in that situation would do she ran him right to the back haha. I guess its a good way to get immediate service.... So, five hours and a surgery later, Elder Niderhauser is bottle cap free. It was a pretty eventful day I would say.
Other than that, things have been pretty good in our area. We picked up another English ward last week along with a few new investigators. A few of which are Eugene, Jamie, and Barbara. Most of them have been investigating the church since 1996, so just a few years... The first couple times we taught them we could just tell that there was something different about them. They seemed so ready to join the church, to be baptized, but there was just one problem. Smoking. So, we taught them a plan that the church has to quit smoking and gave them all blessings. Well, it is a week later since we started the program and they have gone from smoking several packs a day to just smoking 3 or 4 cigarettes each this entire week. It has been an amazing experience to see and has really strengthened my testimony about the atonement. The first few days, they were 100% cigarette free, but then they ended up slipping up and falling a little bit. The day after they relapsed, Elder Niederhauser and I went to their house. They were all pretty upset with themselves and didn't understand why they were doing so good, but fell. Barbara kept saying that she knew she had enough faith to quit and she was just confused as to why they all fell again. It was something that really bothered me for a couple days. They had such a strong desire to quit, and they had faith that they could, but they ended up making the mistake again. Yesterday at church I was thinking about Christ's life. I thought of the story of Peter walking on water. When Peter saw Christ on the water he said, "Christ, if it is you, let me come out and join you. Let me walk on the water with you." Peter knew that if it was Christ he would be able to walk on water. He had the faith necessary to begin with, and then he acted. We then read that Peter did, in fact, walk on the water. He took the first few solid steps and then he began to doubt a bit and fell. However, the instant he started to fall, Christ reached his hand out to grab him. However, Peter had to grab his hand as well, it was a two way deal. In our life, just like Eugene, Jamie, and Barbara, we all have our trials. We all have obstacles that we need to overcome. Sometimes as we are overcoming these trials, we fall. Sometimes as we are improving ourselves, we slip up. However something that we all need to know is Christ's hand is already stretched out. The Atonement has already been completed. His hand is outstretched waiting for all of us to grab it and he will lift us up onto solid ground. Yesterday, I shared this with these three investigators. It was really neat to see the hope come back into their eyes. I know that we truly can overcome all through the Atonement of Christ, it is just our job to grab hold.
I love you all, I hope all is well at home. I'm loving the time I have to serve out here. It is truly a blessing to be out on a mission.
Con Amor,
Elder Jurgensmeier
So, winter was long and hard to endure, but I think it is over. haha. We have had a week full of 75 degree days, so its been pretty nice. Everyone just keeps telling me how horrible the summer is, so I guess we will so how long I'm loving the weather.
So this week has been pretty insane, well I guess just pretty much one of the days. Fridays are our days to do weekly planning, and so all of our zone goes to the church and we sit there for three hours and plan out the upcoming week. Ya, sometimes it gets fairly long. So, to lighten the mood a little bit I got my plastic water bottle and twisted it so a bunch of pressure was built up by the cap and then I twisted the cap off. It made a pretty loud noise and made everyone jump a bit, but then the crazy part of the day started right after that. So Elder Niederhauser, my new companion, walks over and grabs the bottle cap and just throws it in his mouth (Ya, like a dog playing fetch or something, I have no idea what he is doing, he must have just thought he wanted to chew on it or something haha). So he comes back and is just sitting there and then someone says something that makes him laugh. Right when he starts laughing he sucks the bottle cap down the back of his throat and swallows it....so, at the time I think its pretty funny and I am just laughing, but in reality he is in a ton of pain. He runs to the bathroom and tries to get it out, but can't...so, long story short, I hurry and drive him to the emergency room. When we get to the emergency room he fills out all of the paper work and then we are just sitting there waiting for them to call him back. A lady comes back and starts going around to the patients asking them what their situation is and everything. I think she was just trying to see who needed care the most urgent. So, first she goes to this little kid next to me and asks him what is wrong. He said he has just had some trouble breathing all day and so she said alright, we will be with you in a bit. Then she calls Elder Niederhausers name and he stands up and like yells, "That's me!" she asks what is going on and I'm just sitting there watching him and he says, "I have pain in my chest...my heart hurts... I'M HAVING A HEART ATTACK!" haha apparently he was in so much pain he really thought he was having a heart attack. So, like any other nurse in that situation would do she ran him right to the back haha. I guess its a good way to get immediate service.... So, five hours and a surgery later, Elder Niderhauser is bottle cap free. It was a pretty eventful day I would say.
Other than that, things have been pretty good in our area. We picked up another English ward last week along with a few new investigators. A few of which are Eugene, Jamie, and Barbara. Most of them have been investigating the church since 1996, so just a few years... The first couple times we taught them we could just tell that there was something different about them. They seemed so ready to join the church, to be baptized, but there was just one problem. Smoking. So, we taught them a plan that the church has to quit smoking and gave them all blessings. Well, it is a week later since we started the program and they have gone from smoking several packs a day to just smoking 3 or 4 cigarettes each this entire week. It has been an amazing experience to see and has really strengthened my testimony about the atonement. The first few days, they were 100% cigarette free, but then they ended up slipping up and falling a little bit. The day after they relapsed, Elder Niederhauser and I went to their house. They were all pretty upset with themselves and didn't understand why they were doing so good, but fell. Barbara kept saying that she knew she had enough faith to quit and she was just confused as to why they all fell again. It was something that really bothered me for a couple days. They had such a strong desire to quit, and they had faith that they could, but they ended up making the mistake again. Yesterday at church I was thinking about Christ's life. I thought of the story of Peter walking on water. When Peter saw Christ on the water he said, "Christ, if it is you, let me come out and join you. Let me walk on the water with you." Peter knew that if it was Christ he would be able to walk on water. He had the faith necessary to begin with, and then he acted. We then read that Peter did, in fact, walk on the water. He took the first few solid steps and then he began to doubt a bit and fell. However, the instant he started to fall, Christ reached his hand out to grab him. However, Peter had to grab his hand as well, it was a two way deal. In our life, just like Eugene, Jamie, and Barbara, we all have our trials. We all have obstacles that we need to overcome. Sometimes as we are overcoming these trials, we fall. Sometimes as we are improving ourselves, we slip up. However something that we all need to know is Christ's hand is already stretched out. The Atonement has already been completed. His hand is outstretched waiting for all of us to grab it and he will lift us up onto solid ground. Yesterday, I shared this with these three investigators. It was really neat to see the hope come back into their eyes. I know that we truly can overcome all through the Atonement of Christ, it is just our job to grab hold.
I love you all, I hope all is well at home. I'm loving the time I have to serve out here. It is truly a blessing to be out on a mission.
Con Amor,
Elder Jurgensmeier
Week 21: NIEDERHAUSER!!
Familia!
-20??? Man, that is crazy! I saw ice yesterday for the first time here in Arizona and thought that it was cold here, shows what I know...haha.
So, Transfers were this last week. I was pretty nervous going into them because it would be my first companion change in the field and so I didn't really know what to expect. President Howes likes to keep everything a secret until the day of, so no one really knows except for the APs. So, since I live with the APs they always try to tell me what is going on, but they tell me so many different things that I never have an idea what is truth and what is a joke. The last thing they told me going into transfers was the it was going to be a long 6 weeks for me so I was pretty sure that it was a companion that I would struggle with, but I set my mind that I would make the best of it. So, when they got to the Tempe Area President Howes said, "In Tempe Area number 21 Niederhauser and Jurgensmeier." the whole place just when silent. I have served around Elder Niederhauser for the past three months. He is one of the other missionaries in our Spanish ward and so I have gotten to know him pretty well. If we would've gone to the same school, we would have definitely been close friends and we have for sure gotten very close on the mission. We told pretty much everyone that we were going to be companions someday and so when President Howes announced it nobody could believe it. You could say that I am pretty stoked for the rest of this transfer.
Along with the companion exchange we have had a lot of crazy experiences this past week. We picked up a new English ward, the Alemeda ward, and so now we have to figure out how to spend our time working equally in two English wards and a Spanish. It was a little difficult trying to figure everything out at first, but now I think that we've got it. This week has honestly been one of the most successful weeks of my mission. It was full of tender mercies from the Lord. To start off, Lindsey (The ASU Cheerleader) is doing awesome. It is amazing to see the change that happens to people when they implement the gospel into their lives. It is something that I have seen a ton on my mission and I know that I will continue to see. Then to go along with her, we have a new family that we found and started to teach. They have been taught nearly everything by missionaries before. They know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and another testament of Jesus Christ and they know that all of the things they have learned before are true. They have a strong desire to be baptized, they just have one problem, they smoke. Elder Niederhauser and I were able to get a stop smoking packet from the church and we went over that with them yesterday. They commit ed that they would start it, and so tonight we are going to buy all of the supplies (food, mouthwash, ect.) and take it over to their house and they are going to give us all of their cigarettes and smoking materials. I know that it may be a struggle in their lives right now, but I know that if they do their part, God will provide the means for them to stop. I think sometimes we don't realize the true power in The Atonement of Jesus Christ. Through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, there is literally nothing that we can not overcome. It is something that I grow more thankful for daily. Then yesterday at church was full of even more blessings. We had some members bring four other people that are really interested in learning the gospel. They all loved church and have a strong desire to continue coming.
Before this week started, Elder Niederhauser and I sat down to talk about what our goals were for this area. We talked about how we were going to do all that we could to help this area progress and find those that have been prepared. We made up our minds to go the extra effort to do our part. Its crazy to see how when we truly do our part in life, when we are obedient to the commandments, the Lord blesses us immediately. Whether these blessings be minor things or whether they be something that greatly impacts our lives, they will come. I have grown a strong testimony of really doing the little things, because they are what make the big things happen. When we do the little things in this life, it is promised that we will have the big things in the life to come. We will be able to live with God, Jesus Christ, and our families forever. I am so thankful for this mission and the things that I am learning daily. It is amazing to be a tool in the hands of God to help others and each day, through the good and the bad, I am thankful for it.
Take Care, I love you all.
Con Amor,
Elder Jurgensmeier
-20??? Man, that is crazy! I saw ice yesterday for the first time here in Arizona and thought that it was cold here, shows what I know...haha.
So, Transfers were this last week. I was pretty nervous going into them because it would be my first companion change in the field and so I didn't really know what to expect. President Howes likes to keep everything a secret until the day of, so no one really knows except for the APs. So, since I live with the APs they always try to tell me what is going on, but they tell me so many different things that I never have an idea what is truth and what is a joke. The last thing they told me going into transfers was the it was going to be a long 6 weeks for me so I was pretty sure that it was a companion that I would struggle with, but I set my mind that I would make the best of it. So, when they got to the Tempe Area President Howes said, "In Tempe Area number 21 Niederhauser and Jurgensmeier." the whole place just when silent. I have served around Elder Niederhauser for the past three months. He is one of the other missionaries in our Spanish ward and so I have gotten to know him pretty well. If we would've gone to the same school, we would have definitely been close friends and we have for sure gotten very close on the mission. We told pretty much everyone that we were going to be companions someday and so when President Howes announced it nobody could believe it. You could say that I am pretty stoked for the rest of this transfer.
Along with the companion exchange we have had a lot of crazy experiences this past week. We picked up a new English ward, the Alemeda ward, and so now we have to figure out how to spend our time working equally in two English wards and a Spanish. It was a little difficult trying to figure everything out at first, but now I think that we've got it. This week has honestly been one of the most successful weeks of my mission. It was full of tender mercies from the Lord. To start off, Lindsey (The ASU Cheerleader) is doing awesome. It is amazing to see the change that happens to people when they implement the gospel into their lives. It is something that I have seen a ton on my mission and I know that I will continue to see. Then to go along with her, we have a new family that we found and started to teach. They have been taught nearly everything by missionaries before. They know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and another testament of Jesus Christ and they know that all of the things they have learned before are true. They have a strong desire to be baptized, they just have one problem, they smoke. Elder Niederhauser and I were able to get a stop smoking packet from the church and we went over that with them yesterday. They commit ed that they would start it, and so tonight we are going to buy all of the supplies (food, mouthwash, ect.) and take it over to their house and they are going to give us all of their cigarettes and smoking materials. I know that it may be a struggle in their lives right now, but I know that if they do their part, God will provide the means for them to stop. I think sometimes we don't realize the true power in The Atonement of Jesus Christ. Through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, there is literally nothing that we can not overcome. It is something that I grow more thankful for daily. Then yesterday at church was full of even more blessings. We had some members bring four other people that are really interested in learning the gospel. They all loved church and have a strong desire to continue coming.
Before this week started, Elder Niederhauser and I sat down to talk about what our goals were for this area. We talked about how we were going to do all that we could to help this area progress and find those that have been prepared. We made up our minds to go the extra effort to do our part. Its crazy to see how when we truly do our part in life, when we are obedient to the commandments, the Lord blesses us immediately. Whether these blessings be minor things or whether they be something that greatly impacts our lives, they will come. I have grown a strong testimony of really doing the little things, because they are what make the big things happen. When we do the little things in this life, it is promised that we will have the big things in the life to come. We will be able to live with God, Jesus Christ, and our families forever. I am so thankful for this mission and the things that I am learning daily. It is amazing to be a tool in the hands of God to help others and each day, through the good and the bad, I am thankful for it.
Take Care, I love you all.
Con Amor,
Elder Jurgensmeier
Monday, January 7, 2013
Week 20: Tempe por un translado mas
Familia!
So the calls came in and I'm in Tempe again! I'm pretty stoked. I have come to love this area, and I feel like a lot is going on. It has been awesome to see as we have come in this area with nothing going on to where it is now. It has been cool to see the trust building with our investigators as well. I have been able to see a family go from saying, "We are Catholic, we don't want to change," to the mother now making sure that her kids are reading from the Book of Mormon nearly every day. It is awesome to see the Lord work through us to affect the lives of people and I am just thankful that I can be here for at least one transfer more.
This week Elder Callaway's (one of the AP's) companion went home and so one of the days he was companion less he went on exchanges with me. The life of an AP is a little crazy haha. We spent all day driving around the mission doing errands, definitely a different type of missionary work... Most days for them are different and they are actually able to teach and work in their area, but the day I went with him was just full of driving. On the plus side however, I was able to see nearly all of the mission. We went to all but like three of the zones in the Tempe Mission and a little bit in the Mesa mission. So now I kind of have an idea of everywhere I could serve. It all looks about the same, dry and hot haha but I'm sure I will love wherever I go.
The past couple weeks have been pretty awesome. Pretty much the whole time I have been here we have been teaching individuals. Teaching individual people is good, don't get me wrong, but Elder Hernandez and I really wanted to find some families to teach. I know how much the Gospel of Jesus Christ has helped our family grow closer together and I really have wanted to share it with some families here in Tempe. So, we have been praying a lot to find some families and the past couple weeks we found four families who have a lot of desire to learn more. It is just awesome to see how our prayers are answered. God truly does want to know about our lives, and as we pray and ask for things, they really will be given. It is something that I have seen throughout my whole life, but especially here on the mission. As we do our part to live righteous lives, God will do his part to bless us with the things that we need.
Also this week we picked up a new investigator who was already on date for baptism. Ya, crazy stuff. Her name is Lindsey and she is an ASU cheerleader....ya, pretty cool...haha. Anyway, she was learning from the Elders in the singles ward, but they found out that she was married so they transferred her to us. It is just another testimony builder to me of how we are really doing the Lord's work. She randomly came to church one day in the singles ward on ASU campus and said that she wanted to be baptized. She had truly been prepared by the Lord to receive so much more that the Gospel has to offer. She has gone through some things in her life that have prepared her for this moment. It is just really humbling to see how I am here just as a tool in the Lords hands. I go where he wants me to go and do as he wants me to do. As I promise to do this, he will place the prepared in my path. This truly is the Lord's work and it is awesome to be a part of it.
Even with all of these things, the highlight of the week was being able to eat with Erik and Dawn. I think the last time I saw them was a year and a half ago when we went to Florida. Liam is HUGE haha. I was surprised at how much he has grown. I guess I have only seen pictures of him, but he has really grown. And then Elizabeth is still cute as ever. I don't know if I have ever had the chance to spend time with them just me and their family and it was awesome. Erik said that our Cruise to Jamaica is already planned for August 2014 so that is good to hear....haha. Its a good idea though????? Anyway, it was super good to see them and spend time with them. Hopefully we can do it some other time before my mission is over.
I love you all, take care. The Gospel is true and when we center our lives on it we have more happiness than through any other means.
Con Amor,
Elder Jurgensmeier
So the calls came in and I'm in Tempe again! I'm pretty stoked. I have come to love this area, and I feel like a lot is going on. It has been awesome to see as we have come in this area with nothing going on to where it is now. It has been cool to see the trust building with our investigators as well. I have been able to see a family go from saying, "We are Catholic, we don't want to change," to the mother now making sure that her kids are reading from the Book of Mormon nearly every day. It is awesome to see the Lord work through us to affect the lives of people and I am just thankful that I can be here for at least one transfer more.
This week Elder Callaway's (one of the AP's) companion went home and so one of the days he was companion less he went on exchanges with me. The life of an AP is a little crazy haha. We spent all day driving around the mission doing errands, definitely a different type of missionary work... Most days for them are different and they are actually able to teach and work in their area, but the day I went with him was just full of driving. On the plus side however, I was able to see nearly all of the mission. We went to all but like three of the zones in the Tempe Mission and a little bit in the Mesa mission. So now I kind of have an idea of everywhere I could serve. It all looks about the same, dry and hot haha but I'm sure I will love wherever I go.
The past couple weeks have been pretty awesome. Pretty much the whole time I have been here we have been teaching individuals. Teaching individual people is good, don't get me wrong, but Elder Hernandez and I really wanted to find some families to teach. I know how much the Gospel of Jesus Christ has helped our family grow closer together and I really have wanted to share it with some families here in Tempe. So, we have been praying a lot to find some families and the past couple weeks we found four families who have a lot of desire to learn more. It is just awesome to see how our prayers are answered. God truly does want to know about our lives, and as we pray and ask for things, they really will be given. It is something that I have seen throughout my whole life, but especially here on the mission. As we do our part to live righteous lives, God will do his part to bless us with the things that we need.
Also this week we picked up a new investigator who was already on date for baptism. Ya, crazy stuff. Her name is Lindsey and she is an ASU cheerleader....ya, pretty cool...haha. Anyway, she was learning from the Elders in the singles ward, but they found out that she was married so they transferred her to us. It is just another testimony builder to me of how we are really doing the Lord's work. She randomly came to church one day in the singles ward on ASU campus and said that she wanted to be baptized. She had truly been prepared by the Lord to receive so much more that the Gospel has to offer. She has gone through some things in her life that have prepared her for this moment. It is just really humbling to see how I am here just as a tool in the Lords hands. I go where he wants me to go and do as he wants me to do. As I promise to do this, he will place the prepared in my path. This truly is the Lord's work and it is awesome to be a part of it.
Even with all of these things, the highlight of the week was being able to eat with Erik and Dawn. I think the last time I saw them was a year and a half ago when we went to Florida. Liam is HUGE haha. I was surprised at how much he has grown. I guess I have only seen pictures of him, but he has really grown. And then Elizabeth is still cute as ever. I don't know if I have ever had the chance to spend time with them just me and their family and it was awesome. Erik said that our Cruise to Jamaica is already planned for August 2014 so that is good to hear....haha. Its a good idea though????? Anyway, it was super good to see them and spend time with them. Hopefully we can do it some other time before my mission is over.
I love you all, take care. The Gospel is true and when we center our lives on it we have more happiness than through any other means.
Con Amor,
Elder Jurgensmeier
Friday, January 4, 2013
Pictures from MTC and first area
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| Friends from home in the MTC |
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| getting creative with limited room in the bathroom. Good thing he's tall! |
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| Old roommates |
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| more friends from home |
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| they switched clothes... |
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| in Arizona! |
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| First companion Elder Hernandez |
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| Halloween |
Monday, December 31, 2012
Week 19: Happy New Year's Eve
Familia!
It was so good to see you all on Christmas. Google+ was definitely a good idea. It was awesome to see all of the nieces and nephews and then all of our family. It just made me realize how truly blessed we are to have the family that we have. I am so glad that we have the gospel in our lives to know that we will be together for eternity, and nothing can separate us.
This week was extremely slow. We didn't proselyte Monday or Tuesday because of Christmas, and then the rest of the week was full of lessons that fell through. It is just frustrating sometimes. The last four days we had almost 15 lessons fall through. It is tough because I have come to love the Gospel so much and know how much it will help these people's lives. They tell us how hard their life is and we have the key to make it better, but then they don't take advantage of it. It's difficult, but we just keep pushing through finding the elect. I know that everyone I talk to, I talk to for a reason, and who knows if what I say will affect them today or 10 years from now. All I can do is my part and then hopefully they will listen.
Even though this week was tough with lessons that fell through, we had a pretty awesome experience. About two weeks ago we talked to this lady, Rosa, out in the street. She told us that she was a member of the church but hadn't gone to church for over two years. She asked us if we would stop by some day to bring her a Book of Mormon because she lost hers. So, about a week ago was the first time that we met with her. The first lesson we had with her was very powerful. We talked about our Savior and the things that he has done for us. Elder Hernandez and I both bore our testimonies about how he lived his entire life for us. Everything that Christ ever did was out of service for everyone who will ever come to the earth. After we talked about all of these things she started crying. She told us that she knew she needed to go back to church, she was just embarrassed and scared. She was embarrassed because she hadn't been in over two years and she thought that if she went back people would judge her, and then she was scared because she only worked on Saturdays and Sundays and knew if she lost the job she would lose her house. We talked about how really, it doesn't matter what others thing of us, it is what God thinks of us. After we did that, we committed her to talk to her boss about getting work off.
So, last Sunday Rosa talked to her boss. Her boss told her she either worked Sunday or she lost her job, so Rosa told him bye. The faith of people...It is just incredible sometimes. She is trying to support her family and help her daughter through college. She knew without this income she would lose everything, but yet she put her life in the hands of God and said do with me as you will. Yesterday was the first time that she came to Church. The whole time she was there she was so excited. She said she knew that she was supposed to come back yesterday and that everything that had been talked about was exactly what she needed. She was no longer scared for the future because she knew what was important. She knew that she was doing what was right, and by doing so, God would take care of her. Rosa has some of the most faith that I have ever seen and has truly opened my eyes to a lot of different things. Life is short, and it really doesn't matter what we have. All that matters is that every day we are coming closer to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. As this becomes a priority in our lives, and eventually, becomes our life, we will be taken care of. God knows our needs. He knows what I, his son, need to make it through this life. I know that as I do my part in this life and change my attitude from "I want this" to "Thy will be done" not only will I become happier, but things will become easier.
It is weeks like these that I think mean the most in your mission. Sometimes baptisms come easy and we have a lot of success, but I know we learn the most through our trials. This whole week I have been thinking to myself, "Why did that lesson fall through," and "Why is nothing working out." However, I know that although those were good desires of mine to have lessons, they were personal desires. As I submit my will to God I know that it will still be tough when weeks with little success come, but I know that I will be doing what God wants me to be doing, and that is all that really matters. Trials will arise in life, but as long as we have the attitude that God's will be done instead of ours, things truly become easier.
I love this work. The Gospel truly does bring joy that can be experienced no other way. I love you all and hope everything is going well.
Con Amor,
Elder Jurgensmeier
It was so good to see you all on Christmas. Google+ was definitely a good idea. It was awesome to see all of the nieces and nephews and then all of our family. It just made me realize how truly blessed we are to have the family that we have. I am so glad that we have the gospel in our lives to know that we will be together for eternity, and nothing can separate us.
This week was extremely slow. We didn't proselyte Monday or Tuesday because of Christmas, and then the rest of the week was full of lessons that fell through. It is just frustrating sometimes. The last four days we had almost 15 lessons fall through. It is tough because I have come to love the Gospel so much and know how much it will help these people's lives. They tell us how hard their life is and we have the key to make it better, but then they don't take advantage of it. It's difficult, but we just keep pushing through finding the elect. I know that everyone I talk to, I talk to for a reason, and who knows if what I say will affect them today or 10 years from now. All I can do is my part and then hopefully they will listen.
Even though this week was tough with lessons that fell through, we had a pretty awesome experience. About two weeks ago we talked to this lady, Rosa, out in the street. She told us that she was a member of the church but hadn't gone to church for over two years. She asked us if we would stop by some day to bring her a Book of Mormon because she lost hers. So, about a week ago was the first time that we met with her. The first lesson we had with her was very powerful. We talked about our Savior and the things that he has done for us. Elder Hernandez and I both bore our testimonies about how he lived his entire life for us. Everything that Christ ever did was out of service for everyone who will ever come to the earth. After we talked about all of these things she started crying. She told us that she knew she needed to go back to church, she was just embarrassed and scared. She was embarrassed because she hadn't been in over two years and she thought that if she went back people would judge her, and then she was scared because she only worked on Saturdays and Sundays and knew if she lost the job she would lose her house. We talked about how really, it doesn't matter what others thing of us, it is what God thinks of us. After we did that, we committed her to talk to her boss about getting work off.
So, last Sunday Rosa talked to her boss. Her boss told her she either worked Sunday or she lost her job, so Rosa told him bye. The faith of people...It is just incredible sometimes. She is trying to support her family and help her daughter through college. She knew without this income she would lose everything, but yet she put her life in the hands of God and said do with me as you will. Yesterday was the first time that she came to Church. The whole time she was there she was so excited. She said she knew that she was supposed to come back yesterday and that everything that had been talked about was exactly what she needed. She was no longer scared for the future because she knew what was important. She knew that she was doing what was right, and by doing so, God would take care of her. Rosa has some of the most faith that I have ever seen and has truly opened my eyes to a lot of different things. Life is short, and it really doesn't matter what we have. All that matters is that every day we are coming closer to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. As this becomes a priority in our lives, and eventually, becomes our life, we will be taken care of. God knows our needs. He knows what I, his son, need to make it through this life. I know that as I do my part in this life and change my attitude from "I want this" to "Thy will be done" not only will I become happier, but things will become easier.
It is weeks like these that I think mean the most in your mission. Sometimes baptisms come easy and we have a lot of success, but I know we learn the most through our trials. This whole week I have been thinking to myself, "Why did that lesson fall through," and "Why is nothing working out." However, I know that although those were good desires of mine to have lessons, they were personal desires. As I submit my will to God I know that it will still be tough when weeks with little success come, but I know that I will be doing what God wants me to be doing, and that is all that really matters. Trials will arise in life, but as long as we have the attitude that God's will be done instead of ours, things truly become easier.
I love this work. The Gospel truly does bring joy that can be experienced no other way. I love you all and hope everything is going well.
Con Amor,
Elder Jurgensmeier
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Week 18: Merry Christmas
Familia!
Christmas in Tempe is WEIRD. I keep seeing all these houses covered in Christmas lights and its 70 degrees outside. Just doesn't feel right, but hey I can't complain.
This week was a pretty good week. We had Evelia's baptism and it was a super awesome experience. We have a lot of support from the spanish ward, and they instantly accepted her into the ward. There was a lot of support at the baptism and it was just an all around awesome experience. It was kind of just a miracle baptism that just fell into our laps. She is already so converted to the gosple and is planning on leaving on a mission within a year. It is truly humbling to see how this is the Lord's work, and he is going before us finding people and preparing them.
We have also had a few lessons with an in-active member of the church. Her name is Rosa and we just ran into her while we were walking on the street. She said she has really wanting to go back to church, but she is embarrassed because she hasn't been for two years. We were able to have some really powerful lessons with her. She is really nervous because she only works on Saturday and Sunday and knows that if she loses this job she will lose her house. We testified that the Lord will not give us a commandment that he will not prepare a way to accomplish it, and yesterday she talked to her boss. I'm not sure how it went, but I should know fairly soon. I have truly been able to see how the Lord really does make a way for us to accomplish all of the commandments, especially on this mission. I have never seen his helping hand so much in my life as I have these last few months. I know that he truly will bless us as we strive to do our part to come closer unto him.
Anyway, I better get going. We are going to go play basketball with some youth from our ward. I'm stoked to talk to you all tomorrow! take care and love you all.
Con Amor,
Elder Jurgensmeier
Christmas in Tempe is WEIRD. I keep seeing all these houses covered in Christmas lights and its 70 degrees outside. Just doesn't feel right, but hey I can't complain.
This week was a pretty good week. We had Evelia's baptism and it was a super awesome experience. We have a lot of support from the spanish ward, and they instantly accepted her into the ward. There was a lot of support at the baptism and it was just an all around awesome experience. It was kind of just a miracle baptism that just fell into our laps. She is already so converted to the gosple and is planning on leaving on a mission within a year. It is truly humbling to see how this is the Lord's work, and he is going before us finding people and preparing them.
We have also had a few lessons with an in-active member of the church. Her name is Rosa and we just ran into her while we were walking on the street. She said she has really wanting to go back to church, but she is embarrassed because she hasn't been for two years. We were able to have some really powerful lessons with her. She is really nervous because she only works on Saturday and Sunday and knows that if she loses this job she will lose her house. We testified that the Lord will not give us a commandment that he will not prepare a way to accomplish it, and yesterday she talked to her boss. I'm not sure how it went, but I should know fairly soon. I have truly been able to see how the Lord really does make a way for us to accomplish all of the commandments, especially on this mission. I have never seen his helping hand so much in my life as I have these last few months. I know that he truly will bless us as we strive to do our part to come closer unto him.
Anyway, I better get going. We are going to go play basketball with some youth from our ward. I'm stoked to talk to you all tomorrow! take care and love you all.
Con Amor,
Elder Jurgensmeier
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