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Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Monday, July 12, 2010
Tyson's Letter: July 12, 2010
Mi familia!
In case you didnt see it in the Liahona, that is the name of my new president... luckily he just goes by Presidente Salinas. He is the bomb. As I said last week, we had interviews with him on Tuesday. He seems way different that Pres. Cardenas. Maybe because I never really had a interview with Pres. Cardenas because I couldnt speak too well. My interview with Pres. Salinas was totally different. He was so impressed with my spanish and said that he wants me to train someone so I can share my gift with them. He didnt say when I will train or anything, but I am so excited. That is my dream!! I have been so blessed with help on my spanish. I still have things to learn and improve, but I am totally comfortable talking to whoever. He is also way younger than Pres. Cardenas. Along with him came his sweet wife, 3 sons, and his daughter. It was weird having a whole family at the little conference. He is so fun, enthusiastic, and happy. Pres. Cardenas was super sweet, but he was more quiet, so this new pres is a little more my style!! The interview with him and his wife was super sweet!! As I told the girls, Sis Salinas told me that you are all individuals and should get individual letters... even the girls. So, I will still write you and dad my weekly email with tid bits for you all and then little words of my wisdom for the girls. In response, ya I got Marks email a month or so ago and it was way sweet! he told me not to write back so that is why i didnt mae any mention of it, but I saved it and love reading it. he is the man. I always try to picture him walking the streets or doing whatever I am doing. I would love to serve in one of his areas someday. I dont know what happened, but Pres. Salinas didnt bring any packages to the interviews, but the APs told me that I have a bunch of stuff waiting at the office, but who knows when I will get it. I heard the zone conference schedule will change, but I dont now what will happen. And no, i still need to put my pics on a CD. This week I promise! It is just because there is NO time!
So I had quite an adventure yesterday! We found and taught a sweet family this week, so yesterday we went to pick them up and take them to church with us. At 8:30 the mom and all 5 of her kids were all dressed nice and ready to go (that never happens!) unfortunately, the father had to work, but just this once. We called a taxi and got them all loaded up, and then called another for us and followed them. However, as we started going, out came their pit bull chasing after us in the taxis. We thought he would give up, so we kept going. he chased us on the main road all the way to the church, but then got confused and followed another taxi onto the freeway. We dropped off the family, but they were all nervous, so we got back in the taxi and chased after that freaking perro forever. Eventually we got him back to the church and the family all situated, but then we didnt know what to do with the dog. We ended up finding a long electrical extension chord and tying him up to the soccer goal. Then he was barking like crazy all through sacrament meeting. Sacrament meeting was way sweet because one of our recent converts, Samuel, gave his first talk! He was freaking nervous and we had helped him all week, but he NAILED IT!! Then some gringo came to me because I was the only other one that spoke english and asked me if he could baptize his daughter in the ocean while he and his family were here on vacation. He had all the paper work and had worked everything out with his homeward bishop, but it was such a pain. I had to translate in a little interview with the branch president, and we ended up settling on letting them baptize his daughter, but in the baptismal font in the church so it was more reverent and focused on the ordinance and not the location. however, then we had to clean the font because the water always leaves a gross residue. Then the water came out smelling like a dead animal, but in the end everything worked out. They really were a sweet family.
So yesterday was an adventure, and now we are heading off to Playa for today and tomorrow! I love you all and will try to type faster next week!
Elder Jergensen
In case you didnt see it in the Liahona, that is the name of my new president... luckily he just goes by Presidente Salinas. He is the bomb. As I said last week, we had interviews with him on Tuesday. He seems way different that Pres. Cardenas. Maybe because I never really had a interview with Pres. Cardenas because I couldnt speak too well. My interview with Pres. Salinas was totally different. He was so impressed with my spanish and said that he wants me to train someone so I can share my gift with them. He didnt say when I will train or anything, but I am so excited. That is my dream!! I have been so blessed with help on my spanish. I still have things to learn and improve, but I am totally comfortable talking to whoever. He is also way younger than Pres. Cardenas. Along with him came his sweet wife, 3 sons, and his daughter. It was weird having a whole family at the little conference. He is so fun, enthusiastic, and happy. Pres. Cardenas was super sweet, but he was more quiet, so this new pres is a little more my style!! The interview with him and his wife was super sweet!! As I told the girls, Sis Salinas told me that you are all individuals and should get individual letters... even the girls. So, I will still write you and dad my weekly email with tid bits for you all and then little words of my wisdom for the girls. In response, ya I got Marks email a month or so ago and it was way sweet! he told me not to write back so that is why i didnt mae any mention of it, but I saved it and love reading it. he is the man. I always try to picture him walking the streets or doing whatever I am doing. I would love to serve in one of his areas someday. I dont know what happened, but Pres. Salinas didnt bring any packages to the interviews, but the APs told me that I have a bunch of stuff waiting at the office, but who knows when I will get it. I heard the zone conference schedule will change, but I dont now what will happen. And no, i still need to put my pics on a CD. This week I promise! It is just because there is NO time!
So I had quite an adventure yesterday! We found and taught a sweet family this week, so yesterday we went to pick them up and take them to church with us. At 8:30 the mom and all 5 of her kids were all dressed nice and ready to go (that never happens!) unfortunately, the father had to work, but just this once. We called a taxi and got them all loaded up, and then called another for us and followed them. However, as we started going, out came their pit bull chasing after us in the taxis. We thought he would give up, so we kept going. he chased us on the main road all the way to the church, but then got confused and followed another taxi onto the freeway. We dropped off the family, but they were all nervous, so we got back in the taxi and chased after that freaking perro forever. Eventually we got him back to the church and the family all situated, but then we didnt know what to do with the dog. We ended up finding a long electrical extension chord and tying him up to the soccer goal. Then he was barking like crazy all through sacrament meeting. Sacrament meeting was way sweet because one of our recent converts, Samuel, gave his first talk! He was freaking nervous and we had helped him all week, but he NAILED IT!! Then some gringo came to me because I was the only other one that spoke english and asked me if he could baptize his daughter in the ocean while he and his family were here on vacation. He had all the paper work and had worked everything out with his homeward bishop, but it was such a pain. I had to translate in a little interview with the branch president, and we ended up settling on letting them baptize his daughter, but in the baptismal font in the church so it was more reverent and focused on the ordinance and not the location. however, then we had to clean the font because the water always leaves a gross residue. Then the water came out smelling like a dead animal, but in the end everything worked out. They really were a sweet family.
So yesterday was an adventure, and now we are heading off to Playa for today and tomorrow! I love you all and will try to type faster next week!
Elder Jergensen
Zac's Letter: July 10, 2010
Dearest Family
This past week has been a blur. We have had 4 zone conferences in the past 4 days. It all seems to blend together now. After every zone conference President Jergensen interviews all the missionaries for only 5 minutes just to get to know them. That 5 minutes adds up though when you have up to 40 missionaries to interview. By the time the interviews were done we had to drive to the next area, collapse in the hotel bed at about 11-12 every night and then wake up to repeat the process the next day. Poor President and Sister Jergensen, bless their hearts, are pretty tuckered out at this point. The scary thing is that we have to do this all over again next week only with just interviews.
To answer mom's question, I have met their son, Jason Jergensen. I have no idea how we are related but he's a cool kid. He actually came around with us to the zone conferences and spoke a little at each one. He just got back from his mission in Leeds, England like 6 weeks ago so we are about in the same boat. The cool thing is that he is going to BYU this fall too and living at Liberty Square as well. Sis. Jergensen knows someone who works there so she is going to see if I can get switched into the room with Jason and some of his California buddies. I don't know how that works but if we could work that out I would love that.
Going over to the Illinois side of the mission I realize there are some sweet Elders over there as well. I'm really excited for when we can mix the missions up a little more. The only dumb thing was that in each Illinois zone conference I felt like I was in enemy territory. They make it seem like we have taken them over and we are a threat. I really don't get it. Most of the Elders warmed up to us by the end but some are just stubborn. To me it really doesn't matter what the mission is called. We aren't here to compete, we are here to baptize. I could go off on that for a good while but I'll stay positive and just say that I love Elder Morris and it's a good thing I have him by my side.
Naturally our proselyting area has been getting neglected because we are never in Des Moines but we did teach this family right before we left on our road trip. I'm pretty sure I mentioned them before but me and Elder Blanchard found them right before he left. Alfred Seo is a member but inactive and his wife is Felicia. The 3 of us had a lesson with them and they commited to come to church this week and read from the Book of Mormon. Felicia said she is willing to be baptized but wants to learn more first.
They look like they are straight from the jungles of Africa so it's a little hard to understand them but I was very impressed with Felicia's knowledge of the scriptures. She knows way more then Alfred and he's the member! The only problem is that she likes to talk a lot and tell us long stories about white and black boys stabbing each other. Haha! She went off for a while on that. Bless her heart.
We are going back to teach them tonight so we'll get them to church tomorrow and then get a date set up with Felicia. They also have their daughter and grandson living there so if they are around we'll get them in on this as well. I would love to have one more baptism here at the finish line, especially a blacktism!
That's about all here, but I can't believe the babies broke the xbox! How am I suppose to be an RM bum now?! Babies! Haha, that is probably for the best. Now I will have to teach the Babies the "missionary ways". Tell those freakin's to buckle up for some intense missionary work in a couple weeks.
I love you all!!!
Love
Elder Jergensen
Tyson's Letter: July 5, 2010
hola mi familia!
Fetch I dont have much to say this week and dont have much time because we are running super late. Zacs letter and advice helped me a ton. Whenever we have a down day, Elder Valdivias method to overcome is crack down on more rules even though we arent in any way close to breaking even the slightest... enough with that. Of course I will still be obedient, but we are doing what Zac said and worrying too much about ourselves and not the work.
Greasy lexi peaced out on the family? Ha powell sounds fun... but why arent the rest of you going too? Ya from her letters she sounds like she is freaking rocking the business world and that dad better watch out or she might be putting the food on the family! :)
Congrats dean bean! You are finally personally progressing! A little behind schedule but that is how Zac was with his eagle so no worries! ha jk that really is so freaking awesome that you got that.
No worries mom I remembered my fast sunday tie as always! We dont actually fast on fast sundays, but I still wear it in honor of you all! And I still havent met the new president but we have interviews tomorrow and I have to write him write now, so that is why my email is so short.
Things are going pretty well here. We had a ton of new investigators in church yesterday and then played futbol this morning with some members and four investigators. It was sweet but rained so hard. We have started playing futbol pretty consistently every monday, but sometimes we have to start super early.. like once at 4 in the morning... but today we started at 5:45 so not too bad. It is a blast, but I am terrible. I have learned to find joy in the simple things. Ha like there is nothing better than a good day of working and teaching followed by a freezing shower when we get back to the apartment at night and then I just lay myself in my hammock and read until 10:30. I never thought I would love reading as much as I do now.
Shoot well I better send a quick one to my new president. I love you all. Sorry about this boring email, I will repent next week!
Elder Jergensen
PS good work! If it doesnt work out... D y C 29:7. it is like picking fruit from a tree, everyone will be ready but in their own time. I love you!
Fetch I dont have much to say this week and dont have much time because we are running super late. Zacs letter and advice helped me a ton. Whenever we have a down day, Elder Valdivias method to overcome is crack down on more rules even though we arent in any way close to breaking even the slightest... enough with that. Of course I will still be obedient, but we are doing what Zac said and worrying too much about ourselves and not the work.
Greasy lexi peaced out on the family? Ha powell sounds fun... but why arent the rest of you going too? Ya from her letters she sounds like she is freaking rocking the business world and that dad better watch out or she might be putting the food on the family! :)
Congrats dean bean! You are finally personally progressing! A little behind schedule but that is how Zac was with his eagle so no worries! ha jk that really is so freaking awesome that you got that.
No worries mom I remembered my fast sunday tie as always! We dont actually fast on fast sundays, but I still wear it in honor of you all! And I still havent met the new president but we have interviews tomorrow and I have to write him write now, so that is why my email is so short.
Things are going pretty well here. We had a ton of new investigators in church yesterday and then played futbol this morning with some members and four investigators. It was sweet but rained so hard. We have started playing futbol pretty consistently every monday, but sometimes we have to start super early.. like once at 4 in the morning... but today we started at 5:45 so not too bad. It is a blast, but I am terrible. I have learned to find joy in the simple things. Ha like there is nothing better than a good day of working and teaching followed by a freezing shower when we get back to the apartment at night and then I just lay myself in my hammock and read until 10:30. I never thought I would love reading as much as I do now.
Shoot well I better send a quick one to my new president. I love you all. Sorry about this boring email, I will repent next week!
Elder Jergensen
PS good work! If it doesnt work out... D y C 29:7. it is like picking fruit from a tree, everyone will be ready but in their own time. I love you!
Zac's Letter: July 3, 2010
Dearest Family
Hello to all and a special greeting to my two "smokin' hott sisters". Haha! Elder Morris' family wrote him about how they met you guys and how his brother thought my greasy sisters were gorgeous. Poor Dad must have his hands full keeping those girls in line. That must have been so much fun up in Rigby with everyone. Elder Morris and Elder Blanchard have been two of my favorite companions. It will be a hoot to see that kid again. Did anyone else from the IDMM make an apperance at the homecoming?
So the mission field here is great. It was so sad to see the Talbot's go but the Jergensen's are the bomb! I was worried with President Talbot leaving. He is so amazing and has helped the mission so much. But I have full faith and confidence that President and Sister Jergensen will only help things continue to improve. My favorite part about the whole deal is that fact that I now pretty much have Dad as my mission president. No joke. President Jergensen is so similar to Dad that it isn't even funny. He has the same manurisms and the same witty sense of humor. I'm loving it! All the missionaries are loving the Jergensen's. I think what won the Elders over was yesterday when President let us take our suit coats off for zone conference because it was hot. That has never happened before. He is also the best because he is pretty chill and keeps it real. He wants us to work hard and be obedient but he isn't obsessed over the little things.
My new comp, Elder Forsyth, is all worried about defining every little rule in the white hand book because our missions had some different interpretations of the rules. But President calms him down and says that we just stick with the white hand book. I love it! It seems like the Illinois mission obsessed over obedience and the little rules. Obedience is absolutely important but the moment you become preocupied with that is the moment you stop being a missionary. If you are so paranoid about breaking a rule and spend all that time focusing on yourself you loose sight of your real purpose which has nothing to do with you.
Speaking of which, I really do like Elder Forsyth. He is a good kid and everything but he doesn't quite measure up to when we had Elder Blanchard here with me and Elder Morris. That was the greatest week ever! We picked the little tike up Monday in Nauvoo and even got to do a temple session there. It was wierd meeting in Nauvoo. Elder Forsyth's comp went to the St. Louis mission so he got picked up by those AP's at the same time. So we had 6 AP's meet in Nauvoo for the switch. That certainly was a lot of self righteousness in such a small area.
Now that we have Elder Forsyth I realize how many differences there are between missions. There are so many mission terms that are different from mission to mission that it's almost hard to communicate. They have different rules, different ways to keep track of numbers, transfers are different, etc. I'm not even sure if the church is true in Illinois at this point! Haha, jk. So you take that confusion and add that to the fact that President Jergensen doesn't really know anything about the mission and it adds up for a grand time. We have had some meetings with us and President and it's like we are all speaking different languages. No worries though, we'll all survive and hopefully the mission can benefit from all these different ideas coming in.
I was so stressed at first though. I felt a huge responcibility for the missionaries since I'm the senior AP but then I also felt a huge responcibility for the Jergensen's since we are family. So I felt like if anything went wrong on either end that it was my fault. But after Zone Conference in Ames yesterday I have no worries. President and Sister Jergensen did amazing! And surprisingly enough I was very impressed with our missionaries. President wanted all of the missionaries to be in their seats and silent 15 minutes before Zone conference started. That has never happened since I've been out here but by some miracle it happened yesterday. We had to make some threatening phone calls but it got the job done.
The Zone Conference training was phenominal! President has so many good ideas that I feel will really improve the mission. I guess the church is even changing a lot of things with the missionary work. There are a lot of changes that will happen in the mission in the next month but P. Jergensen swore me to secrecy so unfortunetely I can't share them with you all :). So overall Iowa is grand! I love you all!
Love
Elder Jergensen
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Zac's Letter: June 26, 2010
Hey Family!
Haha sorry about the shortness of my letters Alexis and everyone. I'm just so busy being a concecrated missionary and saving souls that I haven't had time for worldly things. The baby missionaries are sure keeping us busy lately too. All the missionaries are so nervous in the service for this big transition and call us all the time to throw up baseballs. When I get back home I don't even want to see a cell phone for a good month or so.
This past week we had Zone Leader council and then we crammed in 3 exchanges with another one today. Zone Leader council was good and there was a lot of participation which always makes presenting the training much easier. President Talbot's training was awesome too! It was his last one ever so he talked about how far we have come as a mission and as individuals. Then he talked about always being willing to do whatever the Lord has in mind for us. We need to always have a "I'll go where you want me to go" attitude. We all talked about how surprised we were to get called to Iowa and how our expectations were much different. President said we shouldn't have expectations, we should just always be willing to do what the Lord has in store for us.
Even President Talbot talked about how shocked he was to get called to Iowa. I love how down to earth he is. I'm going to miss him and Sister Talbot a ton! I can't wait for you all to go to their homecoming and meet them. They would love to have you all there! That is crazy that you will all get to see good old Chris Blanchard tomorrow. He is such a good kid. He was definitely one of my favorite comps. Tell him I think he's a goober for me!
After ZLC we headed up to Sioux City to do exchanges with those Elders for the last time before they succeed from the mission. We mostly contacted the whole exchange with them and ended up talking to a lot of nuts. We did have a sweet lesson with one of their recent converts though and taught her about the temple and got her all set up to go this coming week. It was so cool to see how excited she was to go to the temple.
From Sioux City we went to Oskaloosa and went with them. I got to teach a lesson to a friend of one of their recent converts who we commited to baptism. It was a sweet lesson where we reviewed the first lesson and then just focused on baptism. He said he wants to be baptized but we didn't set a date quite yet because he chews and lives with his girlfriend.
Our Oskaloosa exchange was puncy because we had to get back to Des Moines to spend the night home. So we drove from Sioux City to Oskaloosa to Des Moines in one day. If you look at a map that is quite a distance but all these road trips are a good time with Elder Morris.
Yesterday we went up to Ankeny to go on exchanges there with probably my favorite Zone Leader companionship. Ankeny always gets hooked up with the sweetest Elders. We did a lot of tracting but found some legit children of God. That exchange was super short too because a member up there had a going away barbecue for the Talbot's that we got invited to. There were about 30 people at this barbecue to say goodbye to the Talbot's and Elder Morris and I were the only ones under 60. But they had some amazing Iowa chops and old people are always a hoot to talk to.
Today we are headed up to Cedar Rapids to go on exchanges and see a baptism. Then tomorrow I have my last interview ever with President Talbot and Monday we pick up our third wheel. We get to meet the little goober in Nauvoo so we will have a sweet Nauvoo trip where we can hopefully enjoy some of the shows and what not.
So that was about my week. I can't believe Trevor got engaged! He is getting married so soon! You need to send me the announcement or something! I was starting to worry about the poor tike but good for him for pulling through. Welp, I'm off to CR now. Love you all
Love
Elder Jergensen
Monday, June 21, 2010
Tyson's Letter: June 21, 2010
Mi familia!
No me diga hemos tenido una semana de puras bendiciones de Dios! Voy a contarles todo pero primeramente voy a contestar sus greasy emails. (You wouldn't believe the week of pure blessings from God. I will tell you everything, but first I will answer your greasy emails)
Sun Goddess? Oh my goodness I got such a good laugh from that! Here we have a member of the stake presidency going against everything he has ever told me about skin cancer and other random safety facts. I sure hope that was sunscreen spf 80 you were spraying on so generously. Oh dear... You're the best dad!
Lex Luther that is rocking that you got a job. It is sure a good thing that dad at least helped you out with the whole last name thing. Ha jk of course you got a job on your own. You are the freaking bomb. You are going to get loaded... maybe you could send that 1% my way ;)
Mom, don't worry about me. This is the revelation that our President has received and I can't afford to lose the blessings of it after I have seen so many. 1 Nephi 3:7. No te preocupes y tiene fe. (Do not worry have faith) I actually haven't even used that filtration bottle or the one from the MTC, so don't worry about sending more. The water here is more contaminated with chemicals than dirt or things like that, so I don't really trust the filter. Besides, we buy a huge garafon of agua every week and the people always give us water or something to drink so I am fine. But ya the crystal lights will be way sweet! ha and ya the number system is a good idea!
Good grief I cant believe my buds are leaving and I can't believe how long I have already been out! Time is flying! I got a letter from the Frank Train this last week, but it is such a pain to write letters (at least I think, I haven't actually tried yet) so will you just give my buddies my email. Just so we can send short little things back and forth because that is what I am doing with my mtc buds.
Ya pops that is the mind of a missionary!! Sin pena! (without embarrassment) In PMG it says that it is our responsibility to give everyone an opportunity to hear the gospel, but it is their choice to accept or reject it. I also read in True to the Faith in the kingdoms of glory that the people that reject the gospel in this life, even if they accept it in the spirit world, cant enter in the celestial kingdom! I know that God will still be the judge, but now it breaks my heart when people bail on our appointments or dont keep their commitments. But the most important is that you all are giving these people 2nd and 3rd chances to accept the gospel.
So yesterday we had our last interview with President Cardenas because he is also leaving Julio 1. I am not sure what will happen with these transfers but from things he said it doesn't sound like I will experience change. I have heard of people staying in their areas for really, really long times, so I am grateful that I am here in Tulum. I have heard of elders that complain or are disobedient so they get stuck in little pueblos for like 10 months, so I always make sure to tell him how much I love Tulum and my mission... which is the truth, but I just make sure he knows it so that doesn't happen to me. But he and his wife went on and on about how quickly I have learned spanish. They told me that lots of elders can barely understand or speak after like 8 months in the field. Hna Cardenas told me that I must have more faith than the other elders... I don't know about that, but I know that I have been blessed and received so much help. I still need to work on my vocabulary but I feel comfortable talking to anyone.
Ok so this week has been so incredible. It started last week when we left the capilla. (chapel) We walked out and directly across the street from the church was sitting a guy by his broken moped, so we went and talked to him. His name is Carlos Antonio, but it wasn't anything too different than a normal contact, but he seemed interested so we invited him to come in the church for a little tour. In the tour, we should him a picture of the first vision that is in the church and related him the story and set up another appointment.
On Tuesday, we went and taught him, but also his wife, Marysela, and his two daughters, Paulina (10) and Emily (4). It was one of the most spiritual lessons we have ever had. We focused ourselves a lot this week in changing our lessons to better invite the spirit. Now we always start with a hymn and we have made our lessons the most simple and short that we can still cover everything, but it is incredible how much more powerful you can feel the spirit when you talk less and let him talk more. The room of their little palapa had the most peaceful, joyful, loving feeling ever! The next day we returned for another visit, but his wife and Paulina werent their, so we taught him and Emily. Again, the spirit was so strong and at the end we invited him to be baptized, but he didn't accept. It caught us way off guard. He explained that he wants to find a religion for his family because they are catholic by name but don't actually associate with them, but he wants to be totally sure since it affects his whole family. He then told us that he used to live in Chetumal and play soccer at the church (because all the churches here have the soccer courts) with members, but they never invited him to attend their meetings, but one time he found a stack of books of Mormon and stole one! ha He said he used to read it everyday and liked it but didn't really know what it was, but lost it when he moved here.
We were bummed that he declined the invitation, but left him a new book of Mormon and a part to read. Two days later, we went back for another appointment. This time his whole family was their. We taught a mix of lesson 2 and 3 about the importance of baptism in order to live together forever and invited them again. Again they turned it down, but he asked us to come back and keep teaching him. Usually, we drop people if they don't accept and especially if they don't accept twice, but we went back. This time it was just Carlos and Paulina. Carlos told us exactly what was going on. He told us that he wants to be baptized, but his wife is worried because all of her family is catholic. He told her that she is free to chose for herself, but that she should let their daughters decide for themselves. Then he had us teach Paulina about Jose Smith. We taught her and then just really tried to get to know them. Basically, he has prayed and knows without doubt that this is true, but really wants his family to progress with him (and so do we). He told us that in his work someone started giving him crap about the mormons not believing in Dios and worshiping Jose Smith, but he told them exactly how it is. That we worship God and Jesus Christ, but that Jose Smith was a prophet of God by which Christ has restored his true church! He is the man!
Then on Sunday, Carlos and his daughters came to church with us. Paulina said she prayed and knows it is true too! We have another appointment with them tomorrow and we are going to teach them about fasting and fast together for their mom that she will pray and receive a testimony so they can all progress together! They are the best!
Then we had a really cool experience on Saturday. We were a little discouraged with a bunch of appointments that fell, so decided to stop and pray. Elder Valdivia prayed that we would find someone that would accept the gospel, come to church with us that Sunday, and be baptized in 3 weeks. Within the next 5 doors we knocked, we found a guy named Antonio. He let us right in and we taught lesson one. He was like hungry for everything we had to say. He was so in to the lesson and by the end asked us if we had services and if he could attend! We told him that the Lord had sent us specifically to him and that we would pick him up for church the next morning at 8:30 and he said he wouldn't go anywhere until then. The next morning we passed by and he was ready and waiting. He attended all of church along with Carlos, and I fully expect that he will be baptized in 3 weeks. I testify that the Lord hears and answers our prayers.
I have experienced these and many other blessings from the Lord this week. I know this is His work and His glory. We are so blessed to have the gospel in our lives and we need to share it with the world. Every person he puts in our path for a reason. Share the gospel with everyone because you love them.
I love you all! Keep dad out of the sun!
Elder Jergensen
No me diga hemos tenido una semana de puras bendiciones de Dios! Voy a contarles todo pero primeramente voy a contestar sus greasy emails. (You wouldn't believe the week of pure blessings from God. I will tell you everything, but first I will answer your greasy emails)
Sun Goddess? Oh my goodness I got such a good laugh from that! Here we have a member of the stake presidency going against everything he has ever told me about skin cancer and other random safety facts. I sure hope that was sunscreen spf 80 you were spraying on so generously. Oh dear... You're the best dad!
Lex Luther that is rocking that you got a job. It is sure a good thing that dad at least helped you out with the whole last name thing. Ha jk of course you got a job on your own. You are the freaking bomb. You are going to get loaded... maybe you could send that 1% my way ;)
Mom, don't worry about me. This is the revelation that our President has received and I can't afford to lose the blessings of it after I have seen so many. 1 Nephi 3:7. No te preocupes y tiene fe. (Do not worry have faith) I actually haven't even used that filtration bottle or the one from the MTC, so don't worry about sending more. The water here is more contaminated with chemicals than dirt or things like that, so I don't really trust the filter. Besides, we buy a huge garafon of agua every week and the people always give us water or something to drink so I am fine. But ya the crystal lights will be way sweet! ha and ya the number system is a good idea!
Good grief I cant believe my buds are leaving and I can't believe how long I have already been out! Time is flying! I got a letter from the Frank Train this last week, but it is such a pain to write letters (at least I think, I haven't actually tried yet) so will you just give my buddies my email. Just so we can send short little things back and forth because that is what I am doing with my mtc buds.
Ya pops that is the mind of a missionary!! Sin pena! (without embarrassment) In PMG it says that it is our responsibility to give everyone an opportunity to hear the gospel, but it is their choice to accept or reject it. I also read in True to the Faith in the kingdoms of glory that the people that reject the gospel in this life, even if they accept it in the spirit world, cant enter in the celestial kingdom! I know that God will still be the judge, but now it breaks my heart when people bail on our appointments or dont keep their commitments. But the most important is that you all are giving these people 2nd and 3rd chances to accept the gospel.
So yesterday we had our last interview with President Cardenas because he is also leaving Julio 1. I am not sure what will happen with these transfers but from things he said it doesn't sound like I will experience change. I have heard of people staying in their areas for really, really long times, so I am grateful that I am here in Tulum. I have heard of elders that complain or are disobedient so they get stuck in little pueblos for like 10 months, so I always make sure to tell him how much I love Tulum and my mission... which is the truth, but I just make sure he knows it so that doesn't happen to me. But he and his wife went on and on about how quickly I have learned spanish. They told me that lots of elders can barely understand or speak after like 8 months in the field. Hna Cardenas told me that I must have more faith than the other elders... I don't know about that, but I know that I have been blessed and received so much help. I still need to work on my vocabulary but I feel comfortable talking to anyone.
Ok so this week has been so incredible. It started last week when we left the capilla. (chapel) We walked out and directly across the street from the church was sitting a guy by his broken moped, so we went and talked to him. His name is Carlos Antonio, but it wasn't anything too different than a normal contact, but he seemed interested so we invited him to come in the church for a little tour. In the tour, we should him a picture of the first vision that is in the church and related him the story and set up another appointment.
On Tuesday, we went and taught him, but also his wife, Marysela, and his two daughters, Paulina (10) and Emily (4). It was one of the most spiritual lessons we have ever had. We focused ourselves a lot this week in changing our lessons to better invite the spirit. Now we always start with a hymn and we have made our lessons the most simple and short that we can still cover everything, but it is incredible how much more powerful you can feel the spirit when you talk less and let him talk more. The room of their little palapa had the most peaceful, joyful, loving feeling ever! The next day we returned for another visit, but his wife and Paulina werent their, so we taught him and Emily. Again, the spirit was so strong and at the end we invited him to be baptized, but he didn't accept. It caught us way off guard. He explained that he wants to find a religion for his family because they are catholic by name but don't actually associate with them, but he wants to be totally sure since it affects his whole family. He then told us that he used to live in Chetumal and play soccer at the church (because all the churches here have the soccer courts) with members, but they never invited him to attend their meetings, but one time he found a stack of books of Mormon and stole one! ha He said he used to read it everyday and liked it but didn't really know what it was, but lost it when he moved here.
We were bummed that he declined the invitation, but left him a new book of Mormon and a part to read. Two days later, we went back for another appointment. This time his whole family was their. We taught a mix of lesson 2 and 3 about the importance of baptism in order to live together forever and invited them again. Again they turned it down, but he asked us to come back and keep teaching him. Usually, we drop people if they don't accept and especially if they don't accept twice, but we went back. This time it was just Carlos and Paulina. Carlos told us exactly what was going on. He told us that he wants to be baptized, but his wife is worried because all of her family is catholic. He told her that she is free to chose for herself, but that she should let their daughters decide for themselves. Then he had us teach Paulina about Jose Smith. We taught her and then just really tried to get to know them. Basically, he has prayed and knows without doubt that this is true, but really wants his family to progress with him (and so do we). He told us that in his work someone started giving him crap about the mormons not believing in Dios and worshiping Jose Smith, but he told them exactly how it is. That we worship God and Jesus Christ, but that Jose Smith was a prophet of God by which Christ has restored his true church! He is the man!
Then on Sunday, Carlos and his daughters came to church with us. Paulina said she prayed and knows it is true too! We have another appointment with them tomorrow and we are going to teach them about fasting and fast together for their mom that she will pray and receive a testimony so they can all progress together! They are the best!
Then we had a really cool experience on Saturday. We were a little discouraged with a bunch of appointments that fell, so decided to stop and pray. Elder Valdivia prayed that we would find someone that would accept the gospel, come to church with us that Sunday, and be baptized in 3 weeks. Within the next 5 doors we knocked, we found a guy named Antonio. He let us right in and we taught lesson one. He was like hungry for everything we had to say. He was so in to the lesson and by the end asked us if we had services and if he could attend! We told him that the Lord had sent us specifically to him and that we would pick him up for church the next morning at 8:30 and he said he wouldn't go anywhere until then. The next morning we passed by and he was ready and waiting. He attended all of church along with Carlos, and I fully expect that he will be baptized in 3 weeks. I testify that the Lord hears and answers our prayers.
I have experienced these and many other blessings from the Lord this week. I know this is His work and His glory. We are so blessed to have the gospel in our lives and we need to share it with the world. Every person he puts in our path for a reason. Share the gospel with everyone because you love them.
I love you all! Keep dad out of the sun!
Elder Jergensen
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