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
Monday, April 28, 2014
Week 88: AZ, What a Joy!
Familia!
Who would've ever thought that they were real??? "Sleep tight" they say, "Don't let the bed bugs bight." How in the world are you supposed to sleep tight when you know there are bed bugs all over the place? Did you even know they were real? I sure didn't! With Elder Kloepfer being in a trio we had to add another bed to our apartment. The housing coordinators went to a home they recently shut down in Phoenix and grabbed a bed from there and brought it over. The funny thing about it is that Elder Oscarson and Elder Forson, another missionary that we live with, fought over who would take the new bed. I won't lie, it was a pretty nice bed, but definitely not worth it. Elder Oscarson won the debate, but in the long run, Elder Forson definitely won. Elder Kloepfer escaped with 0 bites, the rest of us got 1, and then Elder Oscarson looked like he had chicken pox. Someone has to provide a meal for those little guys though, right? So, this week was fairly eventful. Lots of teaching, throwing away some beds, spraying our apartment, and meetings. Life is good.
This week we went on exchanges back to Phoenix, man I love that place. The people you meet there...they're incredible. Some of the craziest stories from my mission come from Phoenix. The thing that I love about it though is that pretty much everyone there speaks Spanish. I've definitely missed serving in a Spanish ward and so it was nice to get back into it a little bit. I was so stoked to finally get a home cooked Mexican meal and then we had Sandwiches.... at least they put Jalapenos on them haha. It was a little bit of a different exchange and I just tagged along with two elders. One of them had PTSD and about an hour into the exchange he had an episode. Luckily the companion had been there for a previous one and knew how to take care of it all. We had to wait there while he came out of it himself. We went back to the apartment and the elder who had the attack went to sleep for a bit while the other elder and I talked for about two hours. We then went to dinner and the other elder still wasn't feeling too well so I went back to the apartment with him while his companion went out to do visits with a member. The elder I was with didn't want to go back to bed because he knew he wouldn't be able to sleep throughout the night if he did, so I had the chance to just sit and talk for about 3 hours with this elder. The first elder I talked to had been out for about 23 months, the second didn't have too much time in the field. It was a day that I won't forget. I sat there in the first conversation picking the elders brain who had been out for 23 months, trying to learn all I could from him before he went home. Then in the evening it was a complete role reversal as this younger missionary asked me questions about my mission. It was nice to reflect on the miracles that I had seen, the lessons that I have learned, and the change that I've gone through. My entire perspective of life has been change by these last 20 months and I know that there is still much to learn in the months to come.
Yesterday Jasmine asked me if I would baptize her. I'm so excited for Friday. Its a day that has been in the works for a very, very long time. As I've thought about this entire process that we've gone through with her, I've been able to reflect a lot about the answers I've received as we've met with her. I counted and we have had about 70 lessons with Jasmine in the last 6 months. In preach my gospel, there are 4 lessons that missionaries usually teach before baptism.... and we've had 70. It was amazing as we would cluelessly spend time before lessons wondering what we could possible talk about with her and then as we kneel in prayer instantly we knew what to do. I remember, time and time again as we prayed for her I would just have an overwhelming feeling come over me and know that it was all in His hands and that He would take care of it all. He definitely has, and I know that He will continue to take care of her. I know that our Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ will always be there for us. They are not a light at the end of the tunnel, rather they are the light that guide us through. It has been clear to see this simple truth through Jasmine's journey, and I know its a truth that applies to us all.
I love you all!
Con Amor,
Elder Jurgensmeier
Who would've ever thought that they were real??? "Sleep tight" they say, "Don't let the bed bugs bight." How in the world are you supposed to sleep tight when you know there are bed bugs all over the place? Did you even know they were real? I sure didn't! With Elder Kloepfer being in a trio we had to add another bed to our apartment. The housing coordinators went to a home they recently shut down in Phoenix and grabbed a bed from there and brought it over. The funny thing about it is that Elder Oscarson and Elder Forson, another missionary that we live with, fought over who would take the new bed. I won't lie, it was a pretty nice bed, but definitely not worth it. Elder Oscarson won the debate, but in the long run, Elder Forson definitely won. Elder Kloepfer escaped with 0 bites, the rest of us got 1, and then Elder Oscarson looked like he had chicken pox. Someone has to provide a meal for those little guys though, right? So, this week was fairly eventful. Lots of teaching, throwing away some beds, spraying our apartment, and meetings. Life is good.
This week we went on exchanges back to Phoenix, man I love that place. The people you meet there...they're incredible. Some of the craziest stories from my mission come from Phoenix. The thing that I love about it though is that pretty much everyone there speaks Spanish. I've definitely missed serving in a Spanish ward and so it was nice to get back into it a little bit. I was so stoked to finally get a home cooked Mexican meal and then we had Sandwiches.... at least they put Jalapenos on them haha. It was a little bit of a different exchange and I just tagged along with two elders. One of them had PTSD and about an hour into the exchange he had an episode. Luckily the companion had been there for a previous one and knew how to take care of it all. We had to wait there while he came out of it himself. We went back to the apartment and the elder who had the attack went to sleep for a bit while the other elder and I talked for about two hours. We then went to dinner and the other elder still wasn't feeling too well so I went back to the apartment with him while his companion went out to do visits with a member. The elder I was with didn't want to go back to bed because he knew he wouldn't be able to sleep throughout the night if he did, so I had the chance to just sit and talk for about 3 hours with this elder. The first elder I talked to had been out for about 23 months, the second didn't have too much time in the field. It was a day that I won't forget. I sat there in the first conversation picking the elders brain who had been out for 23 months, trying to learn all I could from him before he went home. Then in the evening it was a complete role reversal as this younger missionary asked me questions about my mission. It was nice to reflect on the miracles that I had seen, the lessons that I have learned, and the change that I've gone through. My entire perspective of life has been change by these last 20 months and I know that there is still much to learn in the months to come.
Yesterday Jasmine asked me if I would baptize her. I'm so excited for Friday. Its a day that has been in the works for a very, very long time. As I've thought about this entire process that we've gone through with her, I've been able to reflect a lot about the answers I've received as we've met with her. I counted and we have had about 70 lessons with Jasmine in the last 6 months. In preach my gospel, there are 4 lessons that missionaries usually teach before baptism.... and we've had 70. It was amazing as we would cluelessly spend time before lessons wondering what we could possible talk about with her and then as we kneel in prayer instantly we knew what to do. I remember, time and time again as we prayed for her I would just have an overwhelming feeling come over me and know that it was all in His hands and that He would take care of it all. He definitely has, and I know that He will continue to take care of her. I know that our Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ will always be there for us. They are not a light at the end of the tunnel, rather they are the light that guide us through. It has been clear to see this simple truth through Jasmine's journey, and I know its a truth that applies to us all.
I love you all!
Con Amor,
Elder Jurgensmeier
Monday, April 21, 2014
Week 87: The Miracle of People
Familia!
Man, what an awesome time of the year. Easter is incredible. The past several months have been awesome for our mission. We went from the Christmas lights at the Mesa Temple, to the open house of the Gilbert Temple, to the Easter Pageant. Life is good as an Arizona Tempe Missionary.
We were able to go to the Easter Pageant three times this last week. We went once with Jasmine and her roommates, once with our investigator Christian who will be baptized on the 3rd, and then another time with a couple of our member's friends that we are going to start teaching. The entire thing was so powerful. Its incredible to not only hear but see all of the things leading up to the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I'm so thankful for the life that He lived. Because of Him we are able to be who we were created to be. Because of Him we don't have to be weighed down by the difficulties and struggles that we find in this life. The most powerful part was the ending scene as Christ in His resurrected, perfected form rose high above the stage. I think so many times in this life we lose track of why we are truly here and get caught up in the mundane things of the world. It was a blessing for me to recognize what truly was important to me this Easter Season. I look forward to the day when He comes. I know as we apply His sacrifice to our lives we will all be ready for that glorious coming.
This week has been an awesome week for Jasmine. She has really struggled a lot lately at knowing what she needed to do and this week was able to take a step back and really gather herself. We met Wednesday after going to the Easter Pageant with her and had a really good conversation with her. I asked Jasmine what she wanted God to tell her, what answers she was seeking for. She listed a couple of different things and then I asked her, "Ok, now what does God NEED to tell you?" She sat there for a few minutes thinking about it and I felt a prompting to go over the baptismal interview questions with her without her knowing. So, I started, "Jasmine, do you believe that God is your Heavenly Father?" and continued down the line. She bore testimony of what it meant for her to be a daughter of God. She bore testimony of Jesus Christ as her Savior and Redeemer, as her friend, and she bore testimony of the Restored Gospel. We talked about the commandments, and how they are God's guidelines to help us become. She testified that she lives the commandments out of a love for her Father. As we finished going through the questions, we were able to bear solemn testimony of what she had just told us. We told Jasmine that what she needed, she had already received. She told us that she had really avoided asking about Baptism with an earnest desire to receive an answer and that it was something that she would do. The next day was huge for Jasmine. She was able to spend a lot of time journaling and praying about what her next step was. We met later that night an had a lesson that I will never forget. She told us that after several hours of praying and journaling she felt like she needed to call her parents. They were at work, and so she called her dad first and said while crying, "Dad, I think I'm going to be a mormon." He responded, "Well why are you crying?" haha. She expressed to him her fears that she had, that she didn't want it to tear apart her family, and he said, "Jasmine, I want the best for you. If this is what is going to bring out your best and help you find the best, its what you deserve." She later got ahold of her mom and told her mom the same exact thing. When Jasmine became a Christian, her family was not very happy about the decision that she made and it caused a lot of tension in her home. Her mom told her, "Jasmine, I'm thankful that we are getting a second chance to do things right this time as a family." Then she preceded to tell us, "so, I guess that I'm ready to get baptized." She said she had a lot of concerns and a lot of unanswered questions, but she knew that it was what God was asking her to do. I have been forever changed from the opportunity to know Jasmine. Her faith is incredible, and has changed the way that I look at a lot of things. Her number one desire is to do her Father's will, and she will always put her own thoughts and desires to the side to do what she knows needs done. She is going to make a huge impact in this church, and is going to help so many others come to know Christ in a more meaningful and personal way as she has done for me.
One of my favorite things that I have been able to on my mission is to develop everlasting friendships with people. Whether that is people from Coolidge, Tempe, Phoenix, or Casa Grande, I will forever be changed by the people I have met. It is a miracle to me that from a mere 2 minute conversation on the street, you can become so close to people. Thats how it all started outside of the ASU institute with Jasmine. Everyone that we meet in this life was placed there for a specific reason and purpose. We become more fully who we are meant to be as we learn and grow from them. I know I am more fully who I am meant to be because of Jasmine.
I love you all, thank you for everything you're doing.
Con Amor,
Elder Jurgensmeier
Man, what an awesome time of the year. Easter is incredible. The past several months have been awesome for our mission. We went from the Christmas lights at the Mesa Temple, to the open house of the Gilbert Temple, to the Easter Pageant. Life is good as an Arizona Tempe Missionary.
We were able to go to the Easter Pageant three times this last week. We went once with Jasmine and her roommates, once with our investigator Christian who will be baptized on the 3rd, and then another time with a couple of our member's friends that we are going to start teaching. The entire thing was so powerful. Its incredible to not only hear but see all of the things leading up to the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I'm so thankful for the life that He lived. Because of Him we are able to be who we were created to be. Because of Him we don't have to be weighed down by the difficulties and struggles that we find in this life. The most powerful part was the ending scene as Christ in His resurrected, perfected form rose high above the stage. I think so many times in this life we lose track of why we are truly here and get caught up in the mundane things of the world. It was a blessing for me to recognize what truly was important to me this Easter Season. I look forward to the day when He comes. I know as we apply His sacrifice to our lives we will all be ready for that glorious coming.
This week has been an awesome week for Jasmine. She has really struggled a lot lately at knowing what she needed to do and this week was able to take a step back and really gather herself. We met Wednesday after going to the Easter Pageant with her and had a really good conversation with her. I asked Jasmine what she wanted God to tell her, what answers she was seeking for. She listed a couple of different things and then I asked her, "Ok, now what does God NEED to tell you?" She sat there for a few minutes thinking about it and I felt a prompting to go over the baptismal interview questions with her without her knowing. So, I started, "Jasmine, do you believe that God is your Heavenly Father?" and continued down the line. She bore testimony of what it meant for her to be a daughter of God. She bore testimony of Jesus Christ as her Savior and Redeemer, as her friend, and she bore testimony of the Restored Gospel. We talked about the commandments, and how they are God's guidelines to help us become. She testified that she lives the commandments out of a love for her Father. As we finished going through the questions, we were able to bear solemn testimony of what she had just told us. We told Jasmine that what she needed, she had already received. She told us that she had really avoided asking about Baptism with an earnest desire to receive an answer and that it was something that she would do. The next day was huge for Jasmine. She was able to spend a lot of time journaling and praying about what her next step was. We met later that night an had a lesson that I will never forget. She told us that after several hours of praying and journaling she felt like she needed to call her parents. They were at work, and so she called her dad first and said while crying, "Dad, I think I'm going to be a mormon." He responded, "Well why are you crying?" haha. She expressed to him her fears that she had, that she didn't want it to tear apart her family, and he said, "Jasmine, I want the best for you. If this is what is going to bring out your best and help you find the best, its what you deserve." She later got ahold of her mom and told her mom the same exact thing. When Jasmine became a Christian, her family was not very happy about the decision that she made and it caused a lot of tension in her home. Her mom told her, "Jasmine, I'm thankful that we are getting a second chance to do things right this time as a family." Then she preceded to tell us, "so, I guess that I'm ready to get baptized." She said she had a lot of concerns and a lot of unanswered questions, but she knew that it was what God was asking her to do. I have been forever changed from the opportunity to know Jasmine. Her faith is incredible, and has changed the way that I look at a lot of things. Her number one desire is to do her Father's will, and she will always put her own thoughts and desires to the side to do what she knows needs done. She is going to make a huge impact in this church, and is going to help so many others come to know Christ in a more meaningful and personal way as she has done for me.
One of my favorite things that I have been able to on my mission is to develop everlasting friendships with people. Whether that is people from Coolidge, Tempe, Phoenix, or Casa Grande, I will forever be changed by the people I have met. It is a miracle to me that from a mere 2 minute conversation on the street, you can become so close to people. Thats how it all started outside of the ASU institute with Jasmine. Everyone that we meet in this life was placed there for a specific reason and purpose. We become more fully who we are meant to be as we learn and grow from them. I know I am more fully who I am meant to be because of Jasmine.
I love you all, thank you for everything you're doing.
Con Amor,
Elder Jurgensmeier
Monday, April 14, 2014
Week 86: The Book of Mormon, What a Book!
Familia!
The late nights, the early mornings, man I love transfer week! This transfer was one of the biggest that we have ever had. To start the process of transfers President Toone said, "Alright, now we are going to try to keep this one small." Its funny how it always works out like that. So, after one of the biggest transfers that we have ever had, President and Sister Toone let us know that they had a Mission Presidents Conference in Texas they were headed to so they were turning the mission over to us three. So for four days Elder Kloepfer, Elder Oscarson, and I ran the mission. Lets just say I was real happy to see President and Sister Toone last night. Those two are incredible. They wanted to meet with us at 7:30 last night to catch up with the mission and talk about some of the things that they had learned while they were away, so over a dinner and brownies we spent about two hours last night just talking to them. They are huge examples in my life and I think one of the biggest blessings that we have as assistants is to be able to spend so much time with them.
Once the craziness of transfers had all wrapped up, we finally had some time to work in our area which was awesome! We haven't really had any down time the past couple weeks where we could just go out and find more people to teach. With the time that we have had in our area we have just been going to teaching appointment to teaching appointment, but it was nice to be able to settle down for a second and get some things figured out. We were able to find two awesome new investigators which have a ton of desire to learn more about the Gospel. Christian is a Christian, pretty cool, and Brandon hasn't had a ton of religious background. They both really connected with the idea of having a modern day prophet. How thankful I am to be guided by a Prophet of God. I know that at any time Christ's church in its fullness has been upon this earth, it has been guided and directed by a prophet.
This week as we met again with Jasmine several times we were able to have a ton of progress. Conference was so crucial for her, and so we were excited to follow up with her and see what answers she received. As we met with her on Wednesday, we had a recent convert from another ward come and bear powerful testimony of what the Restoration means to him. Jasmine told us that she might believe that President Monson was a prophet, but she just had these other concerns that were holding her back. The way that Jasmine gets answers is pretty incredible. She sits down and prays and writes in her journal and what she writes is exactly what her answer needs to be. She hadn't really had an opportunity to journal yet, and so we invited her to take some time to do so. When Jasmine is really seeking for answers, she likes to go to the temple, so Friday before we met again she spent all afternoon there. As we met Friday you could tell that there was something a little different about Jasmine. She told us as she went to the temple and prayed the thought came to her mind that she should write herself a letter from God, so she sat down and started to write. It was awesome to see as she read us the letter she wrote and walked us through what her thoughts were as she was writing. Part of the letter said something along the lines of, "Jasmine, I need you to put all your concerns in a bag and just put them aside." She said after she wrote that it took about 20 minutes until she really felt like she had done so, and then she continued to write. The next portion started, "Jasmine, why would I not work in the same way that I have always worked? Why would I not call a prophet to guide and direct my people? Why would the authority not be important? Why wouldn't I call President Monson to be a Prophet?" She said as she wrote these questions the spirit just came in so strong and confirmed to her that President Monson truly was a modern day prophet.
It has been amazing to see the process that Jasmine has gone through the past 5 months. The Book of Mormon is known as the Key Stone of our religion and it is pretty easy to see why in the journey Jasmine has been on. As another witness of Christ, The Book of Mormon strengthened the faith that she already had in Christ. As her faith was strengthened she was able to come to know that the Book of Mormon truly was scripture. As she came to understand this key element, she later was lead to know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and that we are lead and guided today by President Monson as well acting under the direction of Christ as our Prophet on the earth today. All of these miracles were made possible through the Book of Mormon. I'm so thankful for this book of scripture. There truly is no concern, no doubt, no problem that cannot be overcome by this book. Hand in hand with the Bible we can come to understand our Savior in a deeper, more personal level than through any other means. I'm thankful for the life that He lived, and the records that we have to learn of it.
You're all the best!
Con Amor,
Elder Jurgensmeier
The late nights, the early mornings, man I love transfer week! This transfer was one of the biggest that we have ever had. To start the process of transfers President Toone said, "Alright, now we are going to try to keep this one small." Its funny how it always works out like that. So, after one of the biggest transfers that we have ever had, President and Sister Toone let us know that they had a Mission Presidents Conference in Texas they were headed to so they were turning the mission over to us three. So for four days Elder Kloepfer, Elder Oscarson, and I ran the mission. Lets just say I was real happy to see President and Sister Toone last night. Those two are incredible. They wanted to meet with us at 7:30 last night to catch up with the mission and talk about some of the things that they had learned while they were away, so over a dinner and brownies we spent about two hours last night just talking to them. They are huge examples in my life and I think one of the biggest blessings that we have as assistants is to be able to spend so much time with them.
Once the craziness of transfers had all wrapped up, we finally had some time to work in our area which was awesome! We haven't really had any down time the past couple weeks where we could just go out and find more people to teach. With the time that we have had in our area we have just been going to teaching appointment to teaching appointment, but it was nice to be able to settle down for a second and get some things figured out. We were able to find two awesome new investigators which have a ton of desire to learn more about the Gospel. Christian is a Christian, pretty cool, and Brandon hasn't had a ton of religious background. They both really connected with the idea of having a modern day prophet. How thankful I am to be guided by a Prophet of God. I know that at any time Christ's church in its fullness has been upon this earth, it has been guided and directed by a prophet.
This week as we met again with Jasmine several times we were able to have a ton of progress. Conference was so crucial for her, and so we were excited to follow up with her and see what answers she received. As we met with her on Wednesday, we had a recent convert from another ward come and bear powerful testimony of what the Restoration means to him. Jasmine told us that she might believe that President Monson was a prophet, but she just had these other concerns that were holding her back. The way that Jasmine gets answers is pretty incredible. She sits down and prays and writes in her journal and what she writes is exactly what her answer needs to be. She hadn't really had an opportunity to journal yet, and so we invited her to take some time to do so. When Jasmine is really seeking for answers, she likes to go to the temple, so Friday before we met again she spent all afternoon there. As we met Friday you could tell that there was something a little different about Jasmine. She told us as she went to the temple and prayed the thought came to her mind that she should write herself a letter from God, so she sat down and started to write. It was awesome to see as she read us the letter she wrote and walked us through what her thoughts were as she was writing. Part of the letter said something along the lines of, "Jasmine, I need you to put all your concerns in a bag and just put them aside." She said after she wrote that it took about 20 minutes until she really felt like she had done so, and then she continued to write. The next portion started, "Jasmine, why would I not work in the same way that I have always worked? Why would I not call a prophet to guide and direct my people? Why would the authority not be important? Why wouldn't I call President Monson to be a Prophet?" She said as she wrote these questions the spirit just came in so strong and confirmed to her that President Monson truly was a modern day prophet.
It has been amazing to see the process that Jasmine has gone through the past 5 months. The Book of Mormon is known as the Key Stone of our religion and it is pretty easy to see why in the journey Jasmine has been on. As another witness of Christ, The Book of Mormon strengthened the faith that she already had in Christ. As her faith was strengthened she was able to come to know that the Book of Mormon truly was scripture. As she came to understand this key element, she later was lead to know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and that we are lead and guided today by President Monson as well acting under the direction of Christ as our Prophet on the earth today. All of these miracles were made possible through the Book of Mormon. I'm so thankful for this book of scripture. There truly is no concern, no doubt, no problem that cannot be overcome by this book. Hand in hand with the Bible we can come to understand our Savior in a deeper, more personal level than through any other means. I'm thankful for the life that He lived, and the records that we have to learn of it.
You're all the best!
Con Amor,
Elder Jurgensmeier
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)