Week 101: Baptisms, Service, and Insect Exhibits (and stepping on a scorpion!)

Familia!

Time is literally just running together. I honestly can't distinguish what happened this week between what happened three weeks ago. It all seems like it was just yesterday that I got to this area. What I do know though is I just got done with a nice round of golf! Man, I thought I was bad before my mission.... lets just say I need a lot more practice before the Jurgensmeier Open rolls around. I'll be up for it though, don't you worry!

This week was an incredible week. We were able to get quite a bit of work done. We've started teaching English classes on Thursday nights and this last week we had a pretty good turn out. The program teaches the basics phrases and things they need to know to get by in the United States. It has been a lot of fun being able to work with them remembering the struggles and challenges I faced as I first started to speak Spanish. I can't imagine what our teachers thought the first day we got into the MTC.... sometimes it doesn't matter how many times they try to say it, the words just don't come out correctly. I was just in their shoes though, so I know that it'll all work out with time for them. It has been an awesome way to get to know several more people in the community and a great tool for our members to invite their friends to come to the church.

Our house has somewhat turned into an insect exhibit. Elder Collins is loving the Arizona creatures. Earlier in the week we noticed some big cob webs in our back yard. Next thing I know Elder Collins has two black widows in a jar on our kitchen table. Then the next morning we added another little creature to our collection. Before my mission, Brad told me that I needed to take shower sandals so that I didn't get athletes foot from all the other elders. Little did I know they would almost be the death of me! The other morning I was just about ready to get into the shower when I noticed that there was a little piece of leather coming off of my flip flops. After wearing them for two years, it was expected that they were going to start falling apart. So, without thinking I slipped them on and hopped into the shower. After turning the water on and showering for about 30 seconds, I felt something moving underneath my foot. I kicked my flip flop off as fast as I could just in time to find out I had been standing on a scorpion for the last two minutes! The elders all ran to the bathroom wondering what was going on, apparently I had been yelling pretty loud haha. I've added one more step to my morning routine lately, check your flip flops! Who knew scorpions could be mistaken for a piece of leather. Needless to say when I told them all what was in the shower Elder Collins ran in and scooped up the scorpion and put it in a jar. We currently have two scorpions, two lizards, and two black widows in our home. Elder Collins is in heaven... haha.

This week we had Waylon's baptism and it was a pretty special event. Waylon has lived with a member family for the last several months and in coming to church has gained a strong testimony of the restored gospel. It all started a couple months ago with the passing away of his mother and his desire to know more about our Heavenly Father's plan. Waylon is currently with the foster child program and the Carr family has been huge for him. The Carrs currently have 10 kids of their own and two foster children and it has been a great environment for Waylon to grow up in. As Waylon has searched the restored gospel it has been amazing to see his testimony grow. Saturday at Waylon's baptism his Dad and sister were able to get permission to come take part in this special event. The Gospel of Jesus Christ truly brings hope even in some of the most difficult situations. Waylon has felt of this hope and as he continues to walk the path his Father in Heaven has set for him, he knows that peace and joy will continue to be a part of his life.

I think the Spanish Branch is trying to get everything out of me that they can before my mission comes to a close. Yesterday within two minutes I was asked to teach Sunday School, Priesthood, and give a talk in Sacrament meeting within the next two Sundays. I would honestly do anything for this Branch though. President Sellars is an amazing man and it has been a privileged to work with him. He has a vision to make this branch a ward within the next year and he wants Sister Jacobson (she is also finishing her mission) and I to motivate the branch to preach the gospel before he starts a new program he's been working on for a while. It'll be sad to leave this area behind, but while I'm here I know that there is much that can be done.

I love you all!

Con Amor,

Elder Jurgensmeier

Week 100: The Simple Whisperings

Familia!

Well, it seems like the storms have all passed, its back to the good ol' AZ heat. 110 and clear skies, gotta love it!
 
This week was an awesome week. Things just keep getting better and better as we get to know the area and the people better. Elder Collins and Elder Butler have settled down into missionary life and now are really starting to come out of their shells. Elder Butler is full of ridiculous quotes and Elder Collins is an avid hunter and is always talking about how many doves there are here. He has tried to catch a nesting one in our back yard all week long so he can cook it up. Needless to say, he has failed, but I believe in him. haha. I'm sure he'll figure something out soon! So ya, there is pretty much never a dull moment in my life with these two around. As they have gotten more comfortable with missionary life I have tried to get them to take the lead in both finding and teaching opportunities. It has been great to see their confidence increase as they relax and just open their mouth to share the Gospel. We've focused a lot on the promise our Father in Heaven gives to us that as we open our mouth to share the Gospel, it will be filled. It has definitely taken place with these two and I know its just going to continue getting better from here.

Last night was the very last Mission President's Devotional that I will go to as a full time missionary. It was a bitter sweet experience. All of us as missionaries bring the people we are teaching and the recent converts from our area to hear two recent converts speak and then hear from President Toone. It was great to see several people that I've grown to love over the last couple years. Gabe, one of my friends I was able to teach and help get baptized, spoke last night and it was great to hear of his journey once again. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the biggest blessing that I have in my life and it was great to hear as Gabe testified to everyone there of the truthfulness of the Restoration. I'm glad Arizona is so close, there are so many people here that have grown to be some of my greatest friends and Gabe is definitely one of them.

We've found a lot of incredible people this week. One of them was last Monday night. We planned to visit a family that we had been trying to get a hold of for quite some time. As we went and knocked on the door, nobody answered. We had never really spent much time in the part of town that we were in, so we figured that we would walk around a bit to see if there was anyone outside. We walked a few blocks and decided that we would head into an apartment complex that we saw. As we neared the complex, I told Elder Butler that we were going to follow his lead, if there was a door he wanted to knock on, we'd knock it, if he saw someone, we'd talk to them. He started walking down the sidewalk when he pointed to a partially opened door and said, "This one." Just as he finished speaking, a dog poked his head out of the partially opened door and started to bark at us. The owner came to the door, grabbed the dog, and then noticed us. We started a small conversation asking him how his day was and what he had been up to. We then started to talk about Christ and his beliefs. As we started talking to him, he began to tell us of an experience he had the day before. He said for quite some time he had believed in Christ, but then as life continued that belief began to whither and eventually disappeared. He told us that for about 10 years he was off on his own, exploring different things, looking for peace and happiness but no matter where he turned, he couldn't find it. He told us he always felt someone guiding him in his life and helping him make decisions, but he never knew who it was.

 Recently, this man, Eric, had just gone through a difficult divorce. He said that as all he loved began to crumble in his life, he was lead once again to Christ. He said just the day previous he had a super powerful experience where he felt an overwhelming feeling of the love that Christ had for him. Eric said that he knew that God had a special plan and purpose for him, he just didn't know what it was or where to begin. We began to teach him about the Plan of Salvation, and that God did indeed have a special plan for each and every one of us. We testified of the reality of Christ's Atonement and the power that it brought into our lives. It was incredible to see in just the few short moments we were able to spend with Eric, the amount of hope and joy that came into his life. From the first appointment canceling to deciding to walk down the street to his dog barking at us, everything had to line up perfectly for us to run into Eric that day. 

This experience was just the beginning of the miracle. We set up another lesson with Eric a few days later and we planned to meet him at the church. As we pulled up to the church, Eric had brought his friend, Hector, with him. We gave them a church tour and then sat down in the chapel to share a message with them. We began to ask them some questions to get to know them a little better and then felt prompted to teach about the Doctrine of Christ and the power that comes through Faith, Repentance, and Baptism. As we talked about these powerful truths, tears began to fill Hector's eyes. He told us that when he was 17 he was baptized as a member of this church and because of a few circumstances that arose in his life he fell away. He told us that he felt God calling him back and knew that this was exactly where he needed to be. It was a powerful experience for us all as we heard Hector's simple heart felt testimony. 

I know without a doubt in my mind that great and marvelous things are truly brought to pass through small and simple tasks. God knows us all personally, His greatest desire is for us to return and live with Him again, and He will always guide our lives back to His unconditional love. I'm so grateful to be serving a mission to be able to help my brothers and sisters, like Eric and Hector, to understand the divine plan that our Father truly has for them. I'm grateful for the promptings of the spirit that show us exactly where we need to be and exactly what we need to do.

I love you all!
Con Amor,
Elder Jurgensmeier

Week 99: I am a Man.

Familia!

I am a man. 21 years old, can you believe it?!? My birthday was incredible. I'm seriously going to miss everyone here. Tuesday was both my birthday and district meetings. The assistants usually travel around on Tuesday and go to different district meetings each week, so Elder Kloepfer and Elder Forson came down to my district meeting. President Toone was going to skype in, but ended up being super busy and wasn't able to. My district is seriously awesome. Our district consists of three missionaries going home this transfer, and then we are all training new missionaries. Elder Murphey was my companion about a year ago and has grown to be one of my best friends out here in the field. He remembered that it was my birthday and so he brought a pinata and made tres leches cake. After district meeting we all went out and celebrated for about 5 minutes. Its about as big as you can go in the field haha. It was a blast though. Then we all went out and had some lunch together. I think one of the things that I will cherish most from my mission are the relationships that I've created with these people. The missionaries, the members, the non members, every single one of them have played a huge part in my life. They definitely made Tuesday a special day.

Tuesday continued to be an interesting day even after our mini celebration. As we were coming out of a lesson Tuesday night we could see off in the distance another huge storm developing. We could see a dust storm a little ways off but didn't think it was going to hit as soon as it did. We were on the North side of Casa Grande and it was one of the coolest things to see as the entire city was just engulfed by this dust storm. It was seriously the biggest one that I have ever seen. It was dusk as it was approaching and we were driving back into town when it hit us. Usually you're able to drive through them super slow but then all of a sudden it was completely black outside and we could barely see the hood of our car. We hurried and pulled of the side of the road and waited there for the next five minutes as we were completely surrounded by sand. Literally, one of the coolest things I've seen. As the dust settled off in the distance we saw a motorcyclist putting along....you could say we weathered the storm a little better than he did....haha

This week was a really productive week for us as we finally have grown familiar with our area and all the people that have been being taught. Last year around this time I was able to interview a kid named Connor for baptism. There were some things that came up right before his baptism and he ended up not getting baptized. Well, as I came into the area and as we were going through the area book we found a Connor that was scheduled to be baptized on the 12th of July. We gave them a call, set up a lesson, and sure enough its the same exact Connor. It was awesome to see as God had worked with him throughout the last year of his life and the different experiences that he had throughout that year. It was a powerful moment for both him and his family as he was finally able to realize those desires that he had so long ago. I'm thankful that I was able to be a part of it both years.

We have been teaching a couple little kids in our branch that haven't been baptized yet. One of which is Waylan, and this week we were able to have some pretty special experiences with him. One lesson in particular we were talking about the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and how he could know for himself if it truly happened. As we talked about the importance of the spirit and how the spirit will reveal all truth to us, we asked him if he had ever felt the spirit before in his life. He began to give an account of a few experiences that he had over the last several years. As he spoke about these experiences he stopped talking for a moment, and in a sincere quiet voice he said, "I can feel it now." and then stopped talking. It has been incredible to me to see what Christ meant as he said that we need to become as little children. With the pure and tender love that they have, they are literally so close to our Father in Heaven. They trust Him with all that they are and seek only to follow Him. Waylan is getting baptized the 25th of this month and I'm so excited for him to continue to walk the path that our Father in Heaven has for him.


Con Amor,
Elder Jurgensmeier

Week 98: Tender Mercies

Familia!

Living life in the big CG! Only one day in and we've had a haboob, a lighting storm, and two rain storms. I've missed it down here!

This week was full of bitter sweet moments. Changes in this life are always difficult, but I truly know that miracles come from them. Monday we were able to spend time with the departing missionaries for their last day in the field. This was definitely the hardest group for me to see go. Several of the missionaries who went home were my companions and all had grown to be some of my greatest friends here in the field. It was nice to be able to sit together Monday night and just recollect on all of the experiences we had as we were serving together. From crazy lessons to flash floods to 120 degree days to powerful spiritual experiences, I think we had nearly experienced it all together. I'm thankful that God placed me here to meet such incredible people.

Tuesday morning we took the departing missionaries to the airport and an hour or so turned back around and picked up the new missionaries. When we are doing transfers we have all the trainers assigned, but not until Tuesday evening after spending all day with the new missionaries do we assign the trainee to their specific trainer. Before the missionaries came on Tuesday, President let me pick who I thought my companions would be... turns out I was right when I chose them. My new companions are Elder Butler and Elder Collins. They're both studs and I'm excited to be able to finish my mission with them. Elder Butler grew up near DC in Purcellville, Virginia. Some of his best friends were from El Salvador, so his Spanish is pretty good already. He has no fear haha its awesome. He'll walk up to anyone and just say whatever is on his mind. Most of the time what is on his mind relates to the conversation, but when its not he seems to bring it back one way or another haha. Elder Collins is from Salt Lake. He started a mission about a year ago in Guadalajara Mexico, but ended up getting super sick and had to go home. He was only down there for about a month and then home for about a year getting better. His testimony of the Gospel is incredible. We were talking and he said that for some time he thought that he wasn't going to go back out, but then as he thought of his life he couldn't see it going any other way than finishing his mission. Its going to be awesome to serve with these two and to learn from them both.

Its been pretty crazy coming into this area all on our own, but it has helped a lot that I served here before. It was awesome to go to church yesterday and to see three of the families that I taught are super active and doing great. Yesterday one of them talked to our branch president, Presidente Sellars about going through the temple to be sealed. I cannot wait for that for them. Presidente Sellars is an incredible guy. His vision is to turn this branch into a ward within a year and a half. When I was serving here before, Preisdente Sellars was first councilor in the branch presidency, and we grew pretty close. He said that he was hoping I would come back here to finish my mission. He said he was going to work me to death haha so I told him bring it on.

Yesterday during Fast and Testimony meeting Andres, a guy I was able to baptize, got up to bare his testimony. He talked to everyone about how it had been a little over a year since he had been baptized and just started to relay all of the miracles he had seen in his life up to that point. He then turned and looked at me and started to thank me for bringing him to the Restored Gospel. It was a tender moment as I was able to sit there and reflect upon the many miracles that I was able to see with this man and his wife. We will never truly know in this life what our efforts will do to help bring others unto Christ. Even the smallest act of love can change someone's eternities. I'm grateful that I have a chance to love these people yet again. I know that I have been sent here again for a reason and I cannot wait to experience the miracles that happen on a daily basis.


Con Amor,
Elder Jurgensmeier

Week 97: What a Work!

Familia!

Well, it looks like my time here is up. The last 9 months of my mission have been some of the most rewarding months of my life. We have transfers this week and President Toone is sending me back out into the field, I'm STOKED! I've loved being an assistant for President. It has truly opened my eyes and deepened my understanding and conversion, but man I cannot wait to get out and just focus on my proselyting area. It'll be a blast, I'll tell you what.

I'm going back to Casa Grande! With not one, but two brand new missionaries! I'll also be serving as a District Leader. Between serving as a District Leader and training two new missionaries I'm not going to have much time to think haha but I can't think of any better way to finish my mission. Several of the people I was able to teach during the short time I was in Casa Grande are now preparing to enter the temple. It was such a blessing to be a part of their journey as they prepared for baptism and now it'll be a huge blessing as I can take part in helping them prepare to make further covenants in the temple. These people have changed my life and I know there is much more that I can learn from them.

With transfer preparation this last week plus a few other meetings we had, we weren't able to get into our area all too much, but it has been incredible to see the miracles that have happened throughout our mission. June 23, 2013 was the Work of Salvation broadcast where they talked about all of the changes going to happen. As they have several times they put more of a focus on members and missionaries becoming united in the work of our Savior. They also mentioned the different technological advances that were going to take place. They talked about a few more items, but all of it fit together under the overall theme of the hastening of the work. I remember my thoughts and feelings as I sat hearing President Monson testify of the work that was going to be taking place. Nearly two years since the lowering of the age for missionaries and a year after the world wide broadcast, I am a witness of the many miracles that have happened. Before our mission split last July we covered 34 stakes. When our mission split in July we were nearly split in a third now only covering 13 stakes. When I became an assistant in October, we sat down with President to see how we were doing as a mission. We knew that we were reaching far lower than our potential and knew that with our Heavenly Father's help, there was much more that we could do. We set some specific goals and plans to allow us to stretch and grow. When our mission had 34 stakes there were about 100 baptisms per month and about 500 lessons with a member present per week. In the year 2014 as this month came to a close we ended with 95 baptisms and over 700 lessons with a member present this week in nearly a third of the units that we had a year ago. I remember as we sat down with President discussing the potential that we had been given as a mission. I understood the vision, I understood the plans, but I could've never imagined all the miracles that we have witnessed. This is the Lord's work, of this I know and testify. As we became more united as a mission and sought to reach to the unknown, lives were affected, conversion is taking place, and more and more souls are coming unto Christ. This work has changed my life. I know as President Monson stated that the work of our Savior is hastening. Now more than ever there are people searching for Him. I'm thankful that for 6 more weeks I have an opportunity to be a full time representative of Him, to continue to help my brothers and sisters learn of his unconditional love and mercy that is extended to us all.

Con Amor,
Elder Jurgensmeier

Week 96: Prayer

Familia!

Sleeping on the floor, getting a flat tire, driving a trailer, finishing up zone conferences, rapping in a studio, teaching lessons, Skyping Elder Kloepfer's ward in Rupert, that about sums up my week! I would say that it was a pretty good one!

This week we finished up zone conferences which was bitter sweet for me. This round of zone conferences is the last ones that I'll be a part of since next transfer we wont have them. I think training at zone conferences has been one of my favorite things to do as an assistant. I gave my training 18 times this last zone conference cycle and pretty much all 18 turned out differently. The first couple times giving a training are spent seeing what works, what doesn't, and what gets them the most involved. After about 3 times through it, its pretty much memorized and you can just allow the spirit to direct. Its cool to see even as you do the training how the spirit is teaching you new things as well. I'm thankful for the guidance of the spirit in my life. Although His promptings are usually subtle, they are powerful.

We seriously meet some of the most awesome people here in our area. I told you all last week about David and Paul, the football players that come to our ward. This week we were able to have our first lesson with them. David told us in passing on Sunday that he had a little studio they were getting started. Thursday he asked if we could meet at his studio.....its not very little. Its a two story studio, essentially has a 70 inch iPad they do all their mixing on and its just an all around sweet set up. We taught our lesson on couches with speakers inside of them. We met David's friend Charles who was the other owner in the studio. Charles got involved in the music industry right after finishing up playing football for ASU. He was able to get with some well known producers and actually signed with a couple of them. As he was getting into the industry though, he just saw how terrible things were. He told us that even some of the songs you think are so innocent and good have some of the most terrible meanings behind them. He decided after getting mixed up in all of those things that he needed to step out and get a fresh start on it all. He became a leader in their Christian music group at the church that he goes to and then started to pursue his dream of opening up a studio with David. It opens in two weeks and we're going to go over and finish up some of the painting with them. Its awesome to meet people like this that want to make a change in the world. I know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is what allows change to go from temporary to permanent. They are both seeking for more guidance and answers and I know as we continue meeting with them that those answers will be found through diligent study and prayer.

I have such a strong testimony of prayer. I know that we truly have a Father in Heaven that is there eagerly waiting for us to communicate with Him. Our mission has been focusing on prayer a lot more lately and it has been amazing to see the miracles happen not only in the lives of those we teach but in each missionaries life as well. Prayer has come to mean a lot to me as I have sought answers and to understand God's timing more fully. A few weeks ago Jasmine asked us if there was one individual in our lives that we wished could come to know Christ better, who that was and then told us she would pray for them. We then asked her and she told us about her sister. We've been praying for Jasmine's sister ever since and yesterday Jasmine told us that her sister went to church with one of her friends that is a member. I've seen prayer work miracles. There truly is no limit to the power that a prayer of faith can bring. I know that as we seek for understanding, guidance, or help in our lives, through prayer each of those things can happen. I'm thankful that any moment we want, we have a Father in Heaven we can communicate with. Those moments of communication are some of the moments that I cherish most.

I love you all. Thanks for all you're doing. Enjoy your time that you have together the next couple days!

Con Amor,
Elder Jurgensmeier

Week 95: The Week of Weeks

Familia!

And they're off! Zone Conferences have officially started and all of the time I didn't have is still gone. It is crazy how much can be done in one day, but I'm thankful to have so much to do.

This week we started Zone Conferences in Casa Grande, Maricopa, Yuma, and Mesa. Its always such a blessing to be able to go back to old areas and hear of the people that you have been able to help come to know the truthfulness of the Restored Gospel. While we were in Casa Grande, the sisters told me about one in particular, Andreas, who was baptized a little over a year ago. The sisters had several investigators at church for fast and testimony meeting and Andreas got up and bore powerful testimony directly do them. He told them that over a year ago he was in their same shoes and an Elder Grandote (Thats what they call me, essentially it means giant haha) came and started teaching him and talking about all of these new and different things. He told them at first he wasn't sure about it all, but then he decided that he would put it to the test and truly come to know. The sisters told me that he bore testimony of the miracles and changes he had seen in his life since that point and promised each of them the same blessings he had seen as he turned his life over to Christ. I'm thankful to be able to be a part of some of the most incredible people's lives.

On our way to Yuma from Casa Grande as we were driving President asked, "Do you want to go to Hyder?" Hyder is home to about 5 families and 15 packs of coyotes. In the past Hyder had a lot more going on and the church thought it was going to grow a lot larger and so they actually built a chapel out there. So, with President Toone's day old Tahoe we headed out to the middle of the desert. You literally drive on a dirt rode in the middle of no where and when you come to a fork in the rode there are always signs that say "LDS CHURCH" and point in the direction to take. So after about 15 minutes of dirt roads we finally arrived. Two weeks ago they had a baptism out there and performed it in a horse trough. Arizona truly has it all.

Yuma proved to be just as interesting as the ride down there. Several months ago the Stake President felt very inspired to reach out to the Native American Reserves. He knew that in the past there were members out there, but that was about all he knew. As he felt prompted to reach out to the Native People, he called President Toone to see what they could do. Neither was really sure as what to do, whether to send a companionship out to the reserve or to just work through the members, but shortly their prayer was answered. Later that week President Toone received a call from Salt Lake informing him that a couple had recently submitted their papers requesting to work with Natives and wondered if our mission could use them. Well, long story short the couple came to our mission and so many miracles have occurred since then. Today there are over 20 members out on the reserve and miracles are continuing to happen. For our lunch at the zone conferences, about 15 Indians from the reserve cooked us a native meal and performed song and dance for us. It was incredible.The Gospel is for all kindred, tongue, and people. They know their Savior Jesus Christ and it was incredible to see as they intertwined their testimonies with their culture. After we finished up Zone Conference we went to Mexico.... Ya, MEXICO! Well my hand did anyway. We drove down to the boarder and I stuck my hand through. As close as I will get to going while being on my mission I guess. We then went to California to see the sand dunes and finished it off drinking a cactus milk shake with President Toone. A successful trip I would say!

Thursday we finished up Zone Conferences for the week and I was exhausted. When we all got home that night we got ready for bed and we were out. I woke up in the middle of the night to hear Elder Kloepfer screaming, "OUCH! FREAK! OUCH!" over and over again. I asked him if he was ok and he didn't respond. I asked him again and he said, "The Bugs! They're coming down!" My response was, "Man, that must be an awful dream." Right away he said, "Its not a dream! Its real!" and went back to bed. The next morning he didn't remember a single thing, but oh was he right! They're back.... We have bed bugs again..... These critters, they just can't stay away from us! We sprayed everything down again, so hopefully we've taken care of them.

It was tough being out of our area for so long this week, but there were still miracles that happened. In the couple days we had to work in our area we received 4 referrals which are all very interested learning more. Two in particular are Paul and David. They are brothers from California, they're also Brothas from California. Paul is playing football for ASU he is 6'9" and huge and then David is about 6'5" and was going to enter the NFL draft this last year. The Raiders, Cardinals, and 49ers were looking to pick him up in the later rounds of the draft, but right before the draft he received a pretty big shoulder injury. So, David is coming off that injury and is looking to enter next years draft. Paul is headed to Florida for a few days this week, but we are meeting with David tomorrow and then both are going to come play basketball with us Saturday morning with our ward. Its awesome to see the desire that they both have to come unto Christ. We were talking with David and he said that football used to be his everything until he received that injury and realized that there is more to life than just this game. He knows that God is guiding him in his life and hopes to be able to find why God gave him another year to train here in AZ. I know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ answer all of life's questions and I'm excited to begin to meet with these two.

Every month we have what is called the Mission President's Devotional. At the devotional, two recent converts speak and share their story and then President Toone takes some time to speak to everyone there. Yesterday we had one and it was one of the most powerful ones I'd been to. I feel like the overall message was the ability that we have to change for the better through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I have seen it time and time again in my life. Often times in this life we fall short, we can be inadequate for what is ahead, but with Christ all things are possible. I know as we turn our lives to Him, He will mold and shape our lives. Through Him, we will become who we were meant to be. It was powerful to hear the testimony of these two recent members of the church and see how Christ has molded and shaped their lives.

I hope everyone has incredible weeks!

Con Amor,
Elder Jurgensmeier