Here is Jordan's email. What a great blessing it is to have children who are serving the Lord as missionaries. I love you all.
Tom
My Dear Family,
How are you this wonderful Wednesday morning? As I reflect upon the Christmas season as a full-time missionary, I am so overwhelmed with gratitude. I have never felt so full of love--love for the Savior, love for my parents, love for my brother on a mission, love for my other brothers at home, love for my sister, love for my grandparents in Idaho, love for my nana and grandpa Wayne in Utah, love for my aunts, uncles, and cousins in Utah, Idaho, California, and Arizona, love for my wonderful mission family here in Virginia, love for the wards that I'm serving in, love for the wonderful people I'm teaching, and just simply love for the life of a missionary! I am so grateful to be a full-time missionary--it is truly the greatest blessing and greatest joy. I love being a missionary! Imagine me saying that four or so months ago, huh? The reason I am so happy and enjoy this great work so much is because I know that I am offering the greatest possible gift to those that I come in contact with: the living, restored gospel of Jesus Christ. Sharing that message brings so much joy.
I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored--the same gospel that was on the Earth at the time of Jesus Christ. When He lived on this Earth, He established His church. He called twelve apostles, each of whom was given the Priesthood, the power and authority to act in God's name. Together, Jesus Christ and His apostles ministered and blessed the people. But, of course, after a time, the people rejected Jesus Christ, and He was crucified. His apostles were also rejected and killed over time. With the deaths of Jesus Christ and His apostles, there was no longer anyone on Earth who held the Priesthood. The fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ was removed from the Earth. There were pieces of truth--there were a lot of good, inspired people who were searching for truth, but the fullness of the gospel was no longer on the Earth. For hundreds and hundreds of years, people sought truth and established churches, but none of these churches contained the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
After time, our Heavenly Father saw fit to call a prophet and restore the gospel in its fullness once again on the Earth. The young prophet Joseph Smith was called and overtime restored the gospel in its fullness--the same gospel that was on the Earth at the time of Jesus Christ. He also translated the Book of Mormon, a record of ancient prophets who lived on the American continent about the same time as the book of Jeremiah in the Bible. The Book of Mormon is the keystone--it is how we can come to know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and that we have a living prophet on the Earth today.
So, my challenge to all of you who read my emails is to take the year 2011 to read the Book of Mormon cover to cover and find out for yourself if it's true. If you've done it before, I invite you to do it again and renew and strengthen your testimony. If you've never read the Book of Mormon or have only read parts of it, I invite you to take this opportunity to read it and to pray about its truthfulness. There is a promise given by the last prophet in the Book of Mormon, the prophet Moroni. He invites all men to read the Book of Mormon and to ask God if it is true and from Him. He promises that if we ask with a "sincere heart" (we really care to know), "real intent" (we intend to act upon the answer we receive), and "faith in Christ", that we can truly receive an answer through the still, small voice of the Holy Ghost. I know that we can all receive this answer for ourselves, in our own ways. For me, the promptings of the Holy Ghost come as feelings of peace, of joy, and of comfort, but it is different for everyone. Be prayerful and patient, and I know you will receive an answer.
Coming to know that the Book of Mormon is true changes lives. It brings light, peace, and joy. I can promise you that. I see it everyday, many times each day. I have seen it in my own life. Most recently, I have seen it in the life of Li Tang, my dear friend who is getting baptized tomorrow. She is filled with more joy and light than she has ever been before. I can see it in her face. When we first met her, about three months ago, she was hesitant to learn more about the message we came to share with her. But we bore testimony of the Book of Mormon, and she invited us to share more. We've been teaching her ever since, and she's come to know for herself, through study and fervent prayer, that the Book of Mormon is truly another testament of Jesus Christ, a companion volume of scripture to the Bible. I am so happy for her and grateful for the opportunity I've had to teach her and get to know her. She wants to come visit our family in Utah and go to General Conference when I'm done with my mission! It will be wonderful to introduce you all to her.
In closing, I want you all to know how much I love and appreciate you. I am so grateful to have each one of you in my life. Thank you for your prayers, for your letters, and for your love. I miss you! I'm so excited to get to talk to you on Saturday! Merry Christmas! Please give me a Christmas gift this year by taking the challenge I have presented. :)
Love you forever,
Jordan
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Jordan: 12/15/10
Here is Jordan's email from today. She seems to continue to thrive. We are so grateful that the Lord is watching over her.
Tom
Mom, Dad, Jake, Benji, Josh, Tara, and Danny Bear,
How are you? How is everyone doing? I miss you! Today was our Christmas Conference, and it was really fun. Our whole mission got together at a stake center and Elder Marriott of the Seventy spoke to us. It was wonderful! We also got to hear President and Sister Albright's son and daughter-in-law sing, and they are AMAZING. They sang "The Prayer" and "For Good" (from Wicked). It was so much fun!
Life in Crystal City is great! Sister Bennett is going home TOMORROW, so that is really sad and weird. This past week has consisted mostly of going around saying goodbye to people. I have to remind myself that I am not leaving too! It's weird and hard to "kill" a companion. I don't want to do it ever again! It's hard to stay focused! But, other than that, everything is going really well.
Here are some highlights of things that have been going on:
Nathan Soli got baptized on Saturday! It was such an exciting, happy day. The only downside was that the water heater was out in the stake center, so he had to get baptized in 54 degree water! We felt so bad. But he came up out of the water with a huge smile on his face. It has been miraculous to witness the change in Nathan's countenance throughout this process. We tracted into him about 2 1/2 months ago, and now he's a baptized member of the Church! His face just glows. He is so happy! What a joy it was to be a part of his baptism and conversion! On Sunday, after he was confirmed in Sacrament meeting, we asked him how he was feeling, and he said he just felt so at home.
Li Tang is getting baptized on December 23rd! (Hopefully the water heater is fixed by then!) I am so thrilled. I love her so much. She is the most humble, loving person and is so ready to get baptized. Both her son and her husband are coming to her baptism, so hopefully they will feel the wonderful spirit there and have a desire to learn more about the Church! We'll see. . .
Everyone is so very loving towards us this time of year! I was worried that this would be a very difficult time to be away from home, but I have felt so incredibly loved. First of all, Cassandra (who got baptized back in October) invited me and my new companion (Sis. Vaitai) over for Christmas! I am so thrilled. There isn't anyone in Virginia I'd rather spend Christmas with. Cassandra has been such a blessing to me. She was here for me to teach right when I arrived. I was able to be here to teach her and help her work towards baptism. Now she is a wonderful member of the church, and we are dear friends. What a blessing!
Also, Bishop and Sister Sampson invited us over for Christmas! I'm so happy and excited! They are so wonderful! Sister Sampson walked into church a few Sundays ago (right after transfers) and gave me a big hug and whispered in my ear, "Yay! We get to keep you for Christmas!" (because I wasn't getting transferred). I love the Sampsons so much! They are so good to me!
The Chambers (the older couple we've been teaching) also make me feel so loved! I told you last week about how they gave us the White House ornaments for Christmas. They are so wonderful! We really wanted them to come to church on Sunday, so we went caroling to their house on Saturday night. They were home and invited us in, and we had a really nice visit (which included me and Sister Bennett trying out Mrs. Chamber's electric chair that helps her get up the stairs while Mrs. Chambers took pictures of us--great fun!). They agreed to come to church, and when they arrived they had Christmas cards for both me and Sister Bennett. When we opened them up later that day we found that they each had $20 in them! Wow! They are so sweet to us. And they loved church! Sis. Vaitai and I are going back to teach them tomorrow, so I'll let you know how it goes!
I love the Crystal City area so, so much! It is going to be SO hard for me to leave. Bishop Sampson said he is lobbying for me to stay as long as President Albright feels good about, so we'll see! :) I feel like I will be here for at least a couple more transfers (probably until the spring), but you never know! (Our next transfer is on January 6th.)
As of tomorrow (when Sister Bennett leaves) I am officially training a new missionary! I am excited but a little nervous too. Sister Bennett was making fun of me because I made this big list of things I need to remember to do before I go to sleep each night (call the ward mission leader, update the area books, set up exchanges, etc.) and taped it on the wall by my bed. She assures me I'll be fine. I just feel funny going from being the brand new missionary to the "trainer" who supposedly knows what she's doing. :) Pray for me! I know Heavenly Father will help me.
This is kind of a random, scattered email. Just know that I love you so very much and miss you always. Thank you so much for your letters, prayers, love, and support. It means so much to me. I pray for each of you by name every day. This gospel is true. It is the living gospel of Jesus Christ once again established on the earth. I testify that Jesus Christ is our Savior, and He loves us and knows us by name. Never forget that!
Love you forever,
Jordan
Tom
Mom, Dad, Jake, Benji, Josh, Tara, and Danny Bear,
How are you? How is everyone doing? I miss you! Today was our Christmas Conference, and it was really fun. Our whole mission got together at a stake center and Elder Marriott of the Seventy spoke to us. It was wonderful! We also got to hear President and Sister Albright's son and daughter-in-law sing, and they are AMAZING. They sang "The Prayer" and "For Good" (from Wicked). It was so much fun!
Life in Crystal City is great! Sister Bennett is going home TOMORROW, so that is really sad and weird. This past week has consisted mostly of going around saying goodbye to people. I have to remind myself that I am not leaving too! It's weird and hard to "kill" a companion. I don't want to do it ever again! It's hard to stay focused! But, other than that, everything is going really well.
Here are some highlights of things that have been going on:
Nathan Soli got baptized on Saturday! It was such an exciting, happy day. The only downside was that the water heater was out in the stake center, so he had to get baptized in 54 degree water! We felt so bad. But he came up out of the water with a huge smile on his face. It has been miraculous to witness the change in Nathan's countenance throughout this process. We tracted into him about 2 1/2 months ago, and now he's a baptized member of the Church! His face just glows. He is so happy! What a joy it was to be a part of his baptism and conversion! On Sunday, after he was confirmed in Sacrament meeting, we asked him how he was feeling, and he said he just felt so at home.
Li Tang is getting baptized on December 23rd! (Hopefully the water heater is fixed by then!) I am so thrilled. I love her so much. She is the most humble, loving person and is so ready to get baptized. Both her son and her husband are coming to her baptism, so hopefully they will feel the wonderful spirit there and have a desire to learn more about the Church! We'll see. . .
Everyone is so very loving towards us this time of year! I was worried that this would be a very difficult time to be away from home, but I have felt so incredibly loved. First of all, Cassandra (who got baptized back in October) invited me and my new companion (Sis. Vaitai) over for Christmas! I am so thrilled. There isn't anyone in Virginia I'd rather spend Christmas with. Cassandra has been such a blessing to me. She was here for me to teach right when I arrived. I was able to be here to teach her and help her work towards baptism. Now she is a wonderful member of the church, and we are dear friends. What a blessing!
Also, Bishop and Sister Sampson invited us over for Christmas! I'm so happy and excited! They are so wonderful! Sister Sampson walked into church a few Sundays ago (right after transfers) and gave me a big hug and whispered in my ear, "Yay! We get to keep you for Christmas!" (because I wasn't getting transferred). I love the Sampsons so much! They are so good to me!
The Chambers (the older couple we've been teaching) also make me feel so loved! I told you last week about how they gave us the White House ornaments for Christmas. They are so wonderful! We really wanted them to come to church on Sunday, so we went caroling to their house on Saturday night. They were home and invited us in, and we had a really nice visit (which included me and Sister Bennett trying out Mrs. Chamber's electric chair that helps her get up the stairs while Mrs. Chambers took pictures of us--great fun!). They agreed to come to church, and when they arrived they had Christmas cards for both me and Sister Bennett. When we opened them up later that day we found that they each had $20 in them! Wow! They are so sweet to us. And they loved church! Sis. Vaitai and I are going back to teach them tomorrow, so I'll let you know how it goes!
I love the Crystal City area so, so much! It is going to be SO hard for me to leave. Bishop Sampson said he is lobbying for me to stay as long as President Albright feels good about, so we'll see! :) I feel like I will be here for at least a couple more transfers (probably until the spring), but you never know! (Our next transfer is on January 6th.)
As of tomorrow (when Sister Bennett leaves) I am officially training a new missionary! I am excited but a little nervous too. Sister Bennett was making fun of me because I made this big list of things I need to remember to do before I go to sleep each night (call the ward mission leader, update the area books, set up exchanges, etc.) and taped it on the wall by my bed. She assures me I'll be fine. I just feel funny going from being the brand new missionary to the "trainer" who supposedly knows what she's doing. :) Pray for me! I know Heavenly Father will help me.
This is kind of a random, scattered email. Just know that I love you so very much and miss you always. Thank you so much for your letters, prayers, love, and support. It means so much to me. I pray for each of you by name every day. This gospel is true. It is the living gospel of Jesus Christ once again established on the earth. I testify that Jesus Christ is our Savior, and He loves us and knows us by name. Never forget that!
Love you forever,
Jordan
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Jake: 12/14/10
Here is Jake's latest. This is vintage Jake, including disdain for self-righteous missionaries who send annoying letters! Also, he things to have a thing for mud: this tells of his latest head-to-toe encounter.
Tom
Dear Family,
Ok Sorry its takin me so long. Anyway so my comp is pretty cool. Elder Haywood laughs a lot and thinks i'm am a very funny person. He also makes fun of my driving and he should: My driving is terrible! I don't know whether it is because i haven't drivin in so long or that i'm just stressed out with the work and can't concentrate, but i am very bad. We are finally starting to know the area, but the sad thing is that the work is slowing down drastically. I made it a point to follow all the rules and work as hard as possible, and i kinda expected the work to explode, but it has done the opposite.. If anyone has any answers to that other than it is a trial of patience tell me. Speaking of rules...our mission has so many and sometimes it is so hard to follow them. Sometimes in the mornings when i am running, there are to TV's and they are on sportscenter and i just have to look down and it kills me! Elder Haywood does not help either, i kind of have to pull him along with any of the rules that we follow, i have a feeling if i didn't he would not follow many. He listens to a little CD player at night and i don't know whats on there, but it is not hymns. It is not huge deal and i am not angry at him for doing that, its his choice. Being senior is better, harder, and more stressful. We have not taught enough lessons these last two weeks and the potential in this area is killing me. I want to baptize people! Spiritually lately i have been a little off: I have encountered two very anti-mormon people in the last while and they always get to me. One while i was at Les Schwab (our car has been struggling) and i lovingly turned to this awkward looking, scrony guy and tried to start a conversation with him (the goal being to get a referral for the English Elders) and we ended up talking about how i was brainwashed. It wasn't a very fun conversation, but i ended up figuring out that he had never prayed with real intent (was at one time taught by missionaries) and promised him if he did he would get an answer. Speaking of our car, so at the beginning of this transfer we got stuck in some deep mud, like really really deep. We ended up digging it out and driving an inch at a time out of it, until we were out and we were covered with mud from head to toe. We were laughing pretty hard because we looked pretty legit (legit is the missionary word around here, everyone uses it, kinda dorky). One of our investigators houses was right where we got stuck so instead of going home and calling it a night i really still wanted to see her. Patty has three kids that are members, but she never got baptized. I really think with time she will get baptized too. She is very very poor and very very loving and nice. I feel like i'm one of the family when i am over there. Her three kids are really cool: Sergio (17), Gaby (14), and Oscar (12). They love missionaries and are so cool. We also have as investigators Victor and Joksana, Lola and Oscar, Orlando and Elvia, the Portio family, and some others we just picked up. The problem is that everyone is busy and doesn't have a lot of time for us. Lola and Oscar are the people that had us over for Thanksgiving and they are great...a little too great...: So Oscar makes us play his game all the time when we go over there, he is an accountant for Microsoft, and has been forcing us to play his KINECT. It kinda makes me feel sick to my stomach playing with him, but i know that if it helps our relationship then it helps the work. Elvia is one of my favorite people also, and i love it that she calls me brother. She has two kids and a husband that is a member. Lately she has had some trouble with immigration so she has not been able to come out to church, which is hard already because it is like twenty minutes away. Side-Note: Do you know what bugs me? When missionaries write their letters and they write some epic thing like they are the new prophet and they are telling their readers to do all of this stuff and go on about how amazing and perfect their mission is. Sorry..but it does. Anyway i hope that everyone is doing good. Mom get better, i do feel bad for you right now, being sick is not fun around the holidays especially. Ben you are awesome, tell me some basketball stuff, tell me some girl stuff: p.s. yes i do know her, i have talked to here a little bit and i would say hi every time i saw her in the halls, she's a pretty chill girl. Dad, Mom, Jord, thanks for your letters, they were great! I love you all so much!
Tom
Dear Family,
Ok Sorry its takin me so long. Anyway so my comp is pretty cool. Elder Haywood laughs a lot and thinks i'm am a very funny person. He also makes fun of my driving and he should: My driving is terrible! I don't know whether it is because i haven't drivin in so long or that i'm just stressed out with the work and can't concentrate, but i am very bad. We are finally starting to know the area, but the sad thing is that the work is slowing down drastically. I made it a point to follow all the rules and work as hard as possible, and i kinda expected the work to explode, but it has done the opposite.. If anyone has any answers to that other than it is a trial of patience tell me. Speaking of rules...our mission has so many and sometimes it is so hard to follow them. Sometimes in the mornings when i am running, there are to TV's and they are on sportscenter and i just have to look down and it kills me! Elder Haywood does not help either, i kind of have to pull him along with any of the rules that we follow, i have a feeling if i didn't he would not follow many. He listens to a little CD player at night and i don't know whats on there, but it is not hymns. It is not huge deal and i am not angry at him for doing that, its his choice. Being senior is better, harder, and more stressful. We have not taught enough lessons these last two weeks and the potential in this area is killing me. I want to baptize people! Spiritually lately i have been a little off: I have encountered two very anti-mormon people in the last while and they always get to me. One while i was at Les Schwab (our car has been struggling) and i lovingly turned to this awkward looking, scrony guy and tried to start a conversation with him (the goal being to get a referral for the English Elders) and we ended up talking about how i was brainwashed. It wasn't a very fun conversation, but i ended up figuring out that he had never prayed with real intent (was at one time taught by missionaries) and promised him if he did he would get an answer. Speaking of our car, so at the beginning of this transfer we got stuck in some deep mud, like really really deep. We ended up digging it out and driving an inch at a time out of it, until we were out and we were covered with mud from head to toe. We were laughing pretty hard because we looked pretty legit (legit is the missionary word around here, everyone uses it, kinda dorky). One of our investigators houses was right where we got stuck so instead of going home and calling it a night i really still wanted to see her. Patty has three kids that are members, but she never got baptized. I really think with time she will get baptized too. She is very very poor and very very loving and nice. I feel like i'm one of the family when i am over there. Her three kids are really cool: Sergio (17), Gaby (14), and Oscar (12). They love missionaries and are so cool. We also have as investigators Victor and Joksana, Lola and Oscar, Orlando and Elvia, the Portio family, and some others we just picked up. The problem is that everyone is busy and doesn't have a lot of time for us. Lola and Oscar are the people that had us over for Thanksgiving and they are great...a little too great...: So Oscar makes us play his game all the time when we go over there, he is an accountant for Microsoft, and has been forcing us to play his KINECT. It kinda makes me feel sick to my stomach playing with him, but i know that if it helps our relationship then it helps the work. Elvia is one of my favorite people also, and i love it that she calls me brother. She has two kids and a husband that is a member. Lately she has had some trouble with immigration so she has not been able to come out to church, which is hard already because it is like twenty minutes away. Side-Note: Do you know what bugs me? When missionaries write their letters and they write some epic thing like they are the new prophet and they are telling their readers to do all of this stuff and go on about how amazing and perfect their mission is. Sorry..but it does. Anyway i hope that everyone is doing good. Mom get better, i do feel bad for you right now, being sick is not fun around the holidays especially. Ben you are awesome, tell me some basketball stuff, tell me some girl stuff: p.s. yes i do know her, i have talked to here a little bit and i would say hi every time i saw her in the halls, she's a pretty chill girl. Dad, Mom, Jord, thanks for your letters, they were great! I love you all so much!
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
12/7/10: Jake
Here is the other letter from Jake this week. He is not much for writing these days but sounds happy and engaged. Thanks for everything!
-Kim
The Falcons huh? yes! Matty ice is bringing us home!
Anyway so i have been pretty stressed out, but really I'm very blessed right now so no worries. Yes, senior comp is a little more stressful and the language burden is on me a little more now. I think I'm going to start making my companionship speak all Spanish, but we'll see, i don't think my comp is going to be happy about that. He is a very easy going person... a little too easy going when rules come into play so I'm trying to push him to be better; not saying that I'm a better person or anything. Anyway we have a lot of things to do here in Kirkland: Great Members, Some investigators, but the problem with this area is that it is not clustered(big areas need to be organized into littler areas so we can save miles). So this week we have been in the apt. a lot and I'm going a little crazy, but this next we is going to be great. Dad, you asked about the food? Yes! we get some really great food, from a bunch of cultures, but my favorite hands down is Mexican. I obtained a secret recipe from an investigator of his family's secret salsa recipe, it is amazing green salsa that is very spicy and sooo good! Anyway I'm gonna get on again soon to write more, but i love you all!
-hurry and heal Ben, so u can start playin again
-josh, i found the cutest girl your age out here and i'm setting u up when i get back
-Mom, your package u sent? i didn't understand how u got it here, but thanks for the decorations.
-Dad or Mom, i want pictures of the family, the kids sports, lots.
-Dad, En tu mision, Tu estuiaste mucho de tu espaniol durante toda de la mision?
Not saying i'm already perfect, i'm just wondering?
p.s. i buzzed my head! it looks strikingly handsome...just kidding. I look alright though, we had an investigator do it.
-Kim
The Falcons huh? yes! Matty ice is bringing us home!
Anyway so i have been pretty stressed out, but really I'm very blessed right now so no worries. Yes, senior comp is a little more stressful and the language burden is on me a little more now. I think I'm going to start making my companionship speak all Spanish, but we'll see, i don't think my comp is going to be happy about that. He is a very easy going person... a little too easy going when rules come into play so I'm trying to push him to be better; not saying that I'm a better person or anything. Anyway we have a lot of things to do here in Kirkland: Great Members, Some investigators, but the problem with this area is that it is not clustered(big areas need to be organized into littler areas so we can save miles). So this week we have been in the apt. a lot and I'm going a little crazy, but this next we is going to be great. Dad, you asked about the food? Yes! we get some really great food, from a bunch of cultures, but my favorite hands down is Mexican. I obtained a secret recipe from an investigator of his family's secret salsa recipe, it is amazing green salsa that is very spicy and sooo good! Anyway I'm gonna get on again soon to write more, but i love you all!
-hurry and heal Ben, so u can start playin again
-josh, i found the cutest girl your age out here and i'm setting u up when i get back
-Mom, your package u sent? i didn't understand how u got it here, but thanks for the decorations.
-Dad or Mom, i want pictures of the family, the kids sports, lots.
-Dad, En tu mision, Tu estuiaste mucho de tu espaniol durante toda de la mision?
Not saying i'm already perfect, i'm just wondering?
p.s. i buzzed my head! it looks strikingly handsome...just kidding. I look alright though, we had an investigator do it.
Monday, December 6, 2010
just an email: Jake
Here is an email I just got from Jake. It looks like both of the Lee missionaries are becoming senior comps at the same time. I am excited for them, as I think they will both really flourish in circumstances where they get to call the shots.
Tom
SOo.... Elder Lee (Me) and Elder Haywood are in Kirkland..contrary to what the clueless housing coordinators told me. So i am a bit lost in this area and on top of all of that they just made me Senior Companion..scary! Anyway Elder Haywood is from St. Louis and is a transfer younger than me(I only have 3 transfers under my belt, why would they put me senior?). Anyway i have realized i have no sense of direction so i'm going to buy a GPS with some extra money i have on my Church card, which is for money but this totally works out cause i had an excess. Anyway mom, a couple answers, i don't have a temple recommend either right now because it got destroyed a while ago so my ID number is not with me. I am always burning up and no i don't need another blanket. Haha. It is sad that ya'll still don't remember that i'm very similar (in more ways than one, woo woo!) to the Jacob in Twilight, porque siempre tengo calor, so don't worry about that. Anyway i am kinda freakin out about this whole transfer, but we'll be fine and so is Elder Haywood; he's a good guy. Love you all and Mom, what would be nice for christmas are some hymns on CD. I love my family.
Love, Jacob Rex Edwin Lee
Tom
SOo.... Elder Lee (Me) and Elder Haywood are in Kirkland..contrary to what the clueless housing coordinators told me. So i am a bit lost in this area and on top of all of that they just made me Senior Companion..scary! Anyway Elder Haywood is from St. Louis and is a transfer younger than me(I only have 3 transfers under my belt, why would they put me senior?). Anyway i have realized i have no sense of direction so i'm going to buy a GPS with some extra money i have on my Church card, which is for money but this totally works out cause i had an excess. Anyway mom, a couple answers, i don't have a temple recommend either right now because it got destroyed a while ago so my ID number is not with me. I am always burning up and no i don't need another blanket. Haha. It is sad that ya'll still don't remember that i'm very similar (in more ways than one, woo woo!) to the Jacob in Twilight, porque siempre tengo calor, so don't worry about that. Anyway i am kinda freakin out about this whole transfer, but we'll be fine and so is Elder Haywood; he's a good guy. Love you all and Mom, what would be nice for christmas are some hymns on CD. I love my family.
Love, Jacob Rex Edwin Lee
12/1/10: Jordan
Here is Jordan's letter from today. I want to thank you all for your prayers on her behalf. I know that her happiness and success are due in part to your faith.
Love,
Tom
Dear Family,
I am sitting here in the mission home emailing today! Sister Bennett has to do an online student orientation for school, so we came to the mission home to do it. President and Sister Albright are out at a meeting, so we're just alone in the mission home. It feels a little weird to be here without them but also really good to be in their home. The Spirit is so strong in the mission home. I felt it the moment I walked through the doors my first day in Virginia. All the stress and anxiety I had been feeling the past three weeks just melted away when I walked into the mission home. Anyway . . .
Wow! I just wrote December on the date for this email! Crazy! I have almost been a missionary for 4 months! Well, this week has been a good one. Thanksgiving was surprisingly a really good day. I was worried it would be really hard, but my heart just felt so full or gratitude the whole day--fitting for Thanksgiving! I felt so grateful to be a missionary here in Virginia, doing this wonderful work. I felt grateful to have a companion who makes me laugh and I get along well with (Sis. Bennett). I felt grateful to have TWO wonderful Thanksgiving dinners--one at the mission home and one with some members from the Crystal City ward. (I was so full I thought I was going to explode, but it was a really fun day.) I felt so grateful to be serving in the wonderful area with two great wards that I'm serving in. (I hope I will serve here for a long time. It's going to be very hard for me to leave.) Heavenly Father is truly blessing me in so many ways.
Sister Bennett has two weeks and two days left of her mission! It makes me so sad. Sister Bennett has been the perfect trainer and first companion for me. We have a very similar sense of humor and have just laughed our way through these past three months, which has helped me SO much. She is going to be going to school at the U--don't hold it against her, I try not to :)-- in January and would love to come and visit with you and have Sunday dinner every once in a while at our house because her family lives down in St. George. You will love her--she's hilarious. I will be sad to see Sister Bennett go, but I'm excited for you to get to meet her.
Although I'm sad to see Sis. Bennett go, I'm really excited to get to train and be companion's with Sis. Vaitai. She's from Tonga and has like 13 brothers and sisters! Wow! It will be an adventure because we're both so new to the mission. :) It's Sis. Vaitai's 1st transfer and my 3rd. Usually, your 1st comp. is your "trainer" and your second is your "breaker." But since I'm just jumping straight from my trainer to being a trainer, I'm training Sis. Vaitai and she's "breaking" me. Kind of funny. :)
We are teaching so many wonderful people right now. I am so grateful to have such a wonderful teaching pool. First of all, there's Li (from China). She's so awesome! We had to move her baptismal date back a little bit because she wants her son to be there, but we're really excited because he agreed to be there! He's going to school out in Charlottesville (spelling?), so we have to wait until he's done with finals. Li's so sweet though. She gave me this huge map because I mentioned to her that we get to teach people from all over the world, so I want to try to keep track of it by coloring in the different countries on the map. Li has a really strong testimony of the Book of Mormon and is doing so well.
We are also teaching the Chambers, and they are SO WONDERFUL! We tracted into them, and they are so very kind to us. They are also very receptive, which is rare, especially because they are in their 70s (I would guess). Usually the older people we talk to are pretty set in their ways, but the Chambers are so humble and willing to learn. They are already in 1 Nephi Ch. 19! They have been reading out loud together. Mrs. Chambers is from England and has the best accent ever. I love hearing her read the scriptures!
On Sunday, we brought a recent convert (Steve) to the mission home fireside, which was really great. A couple who just got baptized in October spoke to us. They shared their conversion story, and the spirit was so strong. They are a darling family with four children--soon to be an eternal family! I was really impressed by their story. It is amazing to witness the marvelous change the Gospel brings to people's lives.
We had an exciting experience out tracting last night. The first door we knocked on, the couple let us right in--no questions asked. It was interesting, that never happens. They have a new little baby and are the cutest family. They were very interested in the Book of Mormon and agreed to let us come back and teach them more. So we got two new investigators! Their names are Mya and Dennis, and I am really excited to get to teach them.
Overall, everything is going really well. I miss you as always, but I am happy and healthy. Heavenly Father is really blessing me and helping me to be happy--sometimes I am so overwhelmed with happiness in this great work that I feel like I'm going to burst. :) Please write me this week, and I will write you back!
Love you forever,
Jordan
Love,
Tom
Dear Family,
I am sitting here in the mission home emailing today! Sister Bennett has to do an online student orientation for school, so we came to the mission home to do it. President and Sister Albright are out at a meeting, so we're just alone in the mission home. It feels a little weird to be here without them but also really good to be in their home. The Spirit is so strong in the mission home. I felt it the moment I walked through the doors my first day in Virginia. All the stress and anxiety I had been feeling the past three weeks just melted away when I walked into the mission home. Anyway . . .
Wow! I just wrote December on the date for this email! Crazy! I have almost been a missionary for 4 months! Well, this week has been a good one. Thanksgiving was surprisingly a really good day. I was worried it would be really hard, but my heart just felt so full or gratitude the whole day--fitting for Thanksgiving! I felt so grateful to be a missionary here in Virginia, doing this wonderful work. I felt grateful to have a companion who makes me laugh and I get along well with (Sis. Bennett). I felt grateful to have TWO wonderful Thanksgiving dinners--one at the mission home and one with some members from the Crystal City ward. (I was so full I thought I was going to explode, but it was a really fun day.) I felt so grateful to be serving in the wonderful area with two great wards that I'm serving in. (I hope I will serve here for a long time. It's going to be very hard for me to leave.) Heavenly Father is truly blessing me in so many ways.
Sister Bennett has two weeks and two days left of her mission! It makes me so sad. Sister Bennett has been the perfect trainer and first companion for me. We have a very similar sense of humor and have just laughed our way through these past three months, which has helped me SO much. She is going to be going to school at the U--don't hold it against her, I try not to :)-- in January and would love to come and visit with you and have Sunday dinner every once in a while at our house because her family lives down in St. George. You will love her--she's hilarious. I will be sad to see Sister Bennett go, but I'm excited for you to get to meet her.
Although I'm sad to see Sis. Bennett go, I'm really excited to get to train and be companion's with Sis. Vaitai. She's from Tonga and has like 13 brothers and sisters! Wow! It will be an adventure because we're both so new to the mission. :) It's Sis. Vaitai's 1st transfer and my 3rd. Usually, your 1st comp. is your "trainer" and your second is your "breaker." But since I'm just jumping straight from my trainer to being a trainer, I'm training Sis. Vaitai and she's "breaking" me. Kind of funny. :)
We are teaching so many wonderful people right now. I am so grateful to have such a wonderful teaching pool. First of all, there's Li (from China). She's so awesome! We had to move her baptismal date back a little bit because she wants her son to be there, but we're really excited because he agreed to be there! He's going to school out in Charlottesville (spelling?), so we have to wait until he's done with finals. Li's so sweet though. She gave me this huge map because I mentioned to her that we get to teach people from all over the world, so I want to try to keep track of it by coloring in the different countries on the map. Li has a really strong testimony of the Book of Mormon and is doing so well.
We are also teaching the Chambers, and they are SO WONDERFUL! We tracted into them, and they are so very kind to us. They are also very receptive, which is rare, especially because they are in their 70s (I would guess). Usually the older people we talk to are pretty set in their ways, but the Chambers are so humble and willing to learn. They are already in 1 Nephi Ch. 19! They have been reading out loud together. Mrs. Chambers is from England and has the best accent ever. I love hearing her read the scriptures!
On Sunday, we brought a recent convert (Steve) to the mission home fireside, which was really great. A couple who just got baptized in October spoke to us. They shared their conversion story, and the spirit was so strong. They are a darling family with four children--soon to be an eternal family! I was really impressed by their story. It is amazing to witness the marvelous change the Gospel brings to people's lives.
We had an exciting experience out tracting last night. The first door we knocked on, the couple let us right in--no questions asked. It was interesting, that never happens. They have a new little baby and are the cutest family. They were very interested in the Book of Mormon and agreed to let us come back and teach them more. So we got two new investigators! Their names are Mya and Dennis, and I am really excited to get to teach them.
Overall, everything is going really well. I miss you as always, but I am happy and healthy. Heavenly Father is really blessing me and helping me to be happy--sometimes I am so overwhelmed with happiness in this great work that I feel like I'm going to burst. :) Please write me this week, and I will write you back!
Love you forever,
Jordan
Monday, November 29, 2010
A letter to ME
This is one of the letters she has written back to me! It is really fun to see her handwriting :)
PLEASE email me any letters she has written to you!
I found this HUGE leaf out tracting :)
Monday, November 22, 2010
Jordan: Pictures!!!
These pictures were from her mission president's wife armiesofhelaman2.blogspot.com, this is a blog of her whole entire mission, and only has a few pictures of Jordan in it. Whenever I find a picture of her on there, I will be sure to post it on here for you to see!
Sister missionaries in her mission... can you find her?? (near the middle :) )
That is her companion on the right in the hot pink shirt she has been talking about in her letters, Sister Bennett
Everyone's carved pumpkins!! The lady standing on the right of jordan is sister Dalrymple, she has also talked about her in a few of her letters!!
Jake: 11/22/10 & PICTURES!!
Dear Fam,
First Comments on Dads letters, (1mail+email today)
"Ben has a really funny sense of humor" -i miss that so much it is seriously killing me! i love that kid
Thank you for getting kids to write, it was awesome to hear from them
Go Tara!! Good job goin with dad to the game!!
Ben!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes! I've been so worried and then when i heard you made it i haven't been shutting up about you. I think my companions are getting sick of me braggin about you. That is so amazing! What position have you been playing?...WHy did jake Lloyd go to a diff. school? I think you are so awesome Ben! Wow you must be as good as like.. Kobe Bryant or something...:)
I'm sitting next to Elder Fairbanks right now by the way...Exchanges kinda thing today..
I will be done being in the 3pack after transfers. They already told me i'll be going back to Bothell.
Yes. Sometimes i get to play basketball on P-days, but the fact is that this mission is pretty much the strictest mission in the world. We really can't do anything but breathe.
I am so jealous that im not watching this NFL season. Its killing me! Send me an article about Vick or something ah!! I also need something about how the NBA is going, like the Heat? Lakers? etc..
For thanksgiving i'm having it with investigators, (Lola and Oscar) and will not be eating turkey! haha. funny, but i dont really care... anyway it'll be fun and sad, i miss vosotros big time! speaking of weird languages i talked to a Chilean the other day..kinda weird!
First Comments on Moms letters, (1mail+email today)
What did the Halloween package have in it? i am in a blurr right now...
I am filling my prescriptions from a Fred-Meyer and it is all good, i dont even know exactly whos insurance its going through though.
Stew AP!! wow! i feel so inadequate.. i wish the spanish missionaries over hear could do that kinda stuff.
Very sad about coop. i'm sure he'll go back out.
The threesome is going fine, but too quick, im going back to my bothell dungeon too soon. I'm sure i'll be fine though.
Spanish ward- yes they only speak spanish there. its cool there are so many different countries there i love it.
Hahaha! Jake Craft thats funny i maybe could need that some day, (Rogaine) but for now i think im fine
I wrote joshy, i hope he got it...
after my suit was dirty from slipping, i washed it off with a rag and then took it to the dry cleaners, it looks good as new.
for christmas, i'll be fine, don't waste more money on me, i'm too spoiled but i wont be angry if you get me anything i just feel dumb around all these poor people. sorry that was mean, im sure you'll be happier if you send me stuff cause honestly it will make me happier i just feel bad, i'll think of some stuff and send it in an email...soon
Sooo the pictures are amazing!! Ben youre huge!!!!!!!...and hot with those braces off. Tara and Danny- i loved your costumes! Cute for tara and awesome for Danny. Josh...you beat them all, you are too good looking!!
So anyway..Everything is going well we had a really fun last week, but not very productive at all for some reason. No one was home or able to teach. No one came to church. We were with members mostly. I laughed so hard so many times, o gosh. I'm super sad this is coming to an end, but i'll be good. P.S. that was a funny card with mikes picture, haha i kinda do wish he did write me something, but i know he is overwhelmed. One of our investigators could be getting deported which is strange and very sad. I wish that she was just a citizen. This stuff is not that uncommon either! It happens all the time to our people that we teach. Sooo I am almost 1/4 of the way done with me mission... is that weird or waht!!?? anyway i'm not thinking about it too much, so no big deal. It is snowing over here right now and everyone is freaking out! It is so not a big deal there is no reason to stock up of food and lock the cellar. Elder Daniels Elder Fairbanks and i are going to find a Christmas tree and chop one down hahah. Anyway not alot to say right now, things are fine, i'll maybe try to write on Thursday..
I need my patriarchal blessing, i'm trying to be patient, but this is kinda taking forever
I love you so much and love when you write me! Thankyou
-Elder Eel Bocaj
First Comments on Dads letters, (1mail+email today)
"Ben has a really funny sense of humor" -i miss that so much it is seriously killing me! i love that kid
Thank you for getting kids to write, it was awesome to hear from them
Go Tara!! Good job goin with dad to the game!!
Ben!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes! I've been so worried and then when i heard you made it i haven't been shutting up about you. I think my companions are getting sick of me braggin about you. That is so amazing! What position have you been playing?...WHy did jake Lloyd go to a diff. school? I think you are so awesome Ben! Wow you must be as good as like.. Kobe Bryant or something...:)
I'm sitting next to Elder Fairbanks right now by the way...Exchanges kinda thing today..
I will be done being in the 3pack after transfers. They already told me i'll be going back to Bothell.
Yes. Sometimes i get to play basketball on P-days, but the fact is that this mission is pretty much the strictest mission in the world. We really can't do anything but breathe.
I am so jealous that im not watching this NFL season. Its killing me! Send me an article about Vick or something ah!! I also need something about how the NBA is going, like the Heat? Lakers? etc..
For thanksgiving i'm having it with investigators, (Lola and Oscar) and will not be eating turkey! haha. funny, but i dont really care... anyway it'll be fun and sad, i miss vosotros big time! speaking of weird languages i talked to a Chilean the other day..kinda weird!
First Comments on Moms letters, (1mail+email today)
What did the Halloween package have in it? i am in a blurr right now...
I am filling my prescriptions from a Fred-Meyer and it is all good, i dont even know exactly whos insurance its going through though.
Stew AP!! wow! i feel so inadequate.. i wish the spanish missionaries over hear could do that kinda stuff.
Very sad about coop. i'm sure he'll go back out.
The threesome is going fine, but too quick, im going back to my bothell dungeon too soon. I'm sure i'll be fine though.
Spanish ward- yes they only speak spanish there. its cool there are so many different countries there i love it.
Hahaha! Jake Craft thats funny i maybe could need that some day, (Rogaine) but for now i think im fine
I wrote joshy, i hope he got it...
after my suit was dirty from slipping, i washed it off with a rag and then took it to the dry cleaners, it looks good as new.
for christmas, i'll be fine, don't waste more money on me, i'm too spoiled but i wont be angry if you get me anything i just feel dumb around all these poor people. sorry that was mean, im sure you'll be happier if you send me stuff cause honestly it will make me happier i just feel bad, i'll think of some stuff and send it in an email...soon
Sooo the pictures are amazing!! Ben youre huge!!!!!!!...and hot with those braces off. Tara and Danny- i loved your costumes! Cute for tara and awesome for Danny. Josh...you beat them all, you are too good looking!!
So anyway..Everything is going well we had a really fun last week, but not very productive at all for some reason. No one was home or able to teach. No one came to church. We were with members mostly. I laughed so hard so many times, o gosh. I'm super sad this is coming to an end, but i'll be good. P.S. that was a funny card with mikes picture, haha i kinda do wish he did write me something, but i know he is overwhelmed. One of our investigators could be getting deported which is strange and very sad. I wish that she was just a citizen. This stuff is not that uncommon either! It happens all the time to our people that we teach. Sooo I am almost 1/4 of the way done with me mission... is that weird or waht!!?? anyway i'm not thinking about it too much, so no big deal. It is snowing over here right now and everyone is freaking out! It is so not a big deal there is no reason to stock up of food and lock the cellar. Elder Daniels Elder Fairbanks and i are going to find a Christmas tree and chop one down hahah. Anyway not alot to say right now, things are fine, i'll maybe try to write on Thursday..
I need my patriarchal blessing, i'm trying to be patient, but this is kinda taking forever
I love you so much and love when you write me! Thankyou
-Elder Eel Bocaj
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Jordan: 11/17/10
Mom, Dad, Jake, Ben, Joshy, Tara, and Danny:
How are you? I'm so excited Jake got email! Yay! This will be so much easier! (I'm still going to write you a written letter every week though Jakey Poo, so I expect you to do the same!) Well, this week has been CRAZY. I told you last week that Sis. Dalrymple came up here to be in a threesome with us, which has been interesting. Sister Bennett and I have just been together for so long that it's difficult to make sure Sister Dalrymple feels included. And Sis. Dalrymple loved her old area and doesn't really have any desire to try to love this new area, which is really hard for us because we LOVE this area! Anyway, three's just a rough number. But, here's the crazy part, Sister Bennett just got a call saying she's going down to be companions with a Spanish sister for this next week (starting tomorrow) which means it will just be me and Sis. Dalrymple here with me as the senior companion. I'm a little nervous! I still feel brand new. We'll see how it goes! Transfers are a week from tomorrow (on Thanksgiving Day), so we'll see what happens then.
Speaking of Thanksgiving, we got invited to go over to some of my favorite members' houses for dinner: The Wolfleys and Sis. Rasmussen. Sis. Rasmussen's husband is in the military (serving in Iraq) and her children are all at in-laws this holiday, so we're going to go over to her house, and Br. and Sis. Wolfley are going to come over too. I'm going to try to make Peter Schot Pie and bring it! We'll see if it turns out O.K. I'm so grateful we get to spend the holiday with members! I'm really looking forward to it! They're going to split our P-day next week in half, so we have half on Wed. and the other half on Thanksgiving, so we can mostly just hang out with members all day. It will be wonderful!
Here are some random thoughts and happenings in the life of Sister Lee this past week:
1. Our investigator (Nathan Soli) has a crush on me, and the whole Singles Ward knows about it. It's super funny and super awkward for me. He makes inappropriate comments, and asks me how long I'm going to be in the ward, etc.
2. On Saturday, all of our lessons fell through, so we tracted the entire day. It was LONG. By the end, we decided to start singing Disney songs in between houses just to keep ourselves moving. It was funny. We've found it's kind of overwhelming for people when we go tracting in a threesome.
3. I reached my 3 month mark and got frozen yogurt! (Today is Sis. Bennett's 17 month mark!)
4. My roommate (Hermana Funch), who has become a really good friend, is a convert to the church. She's from California, and the missionaries taught her when she was in high school. She was the first member of her family, and shortly after her mom joined the church. She then went to school at B.Y.U. and decided to serve a mission. Then, this past spring, she found out her dad was getting baptized! She was so excited! This past Sunday, he received the Melchezidek (spelling?) priesthood, and this spring they will be sealed together as a family. How wonderful!
5. Since Sis. Bennett is "going Spanish" for a week we decided we needed to do something Spanish--while out tracting we translated (to the best of our abilities, which isn't saying much) "The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow" (from Annie) into Spanish and sang it to the Hermanas that night: El sol va a venir, manana...entonces tengo que esperar hasta manana...Good times!
6. On Sunday it was Sis. Bennett's departing fireside, so we went with some ward members, including Popo (80 yr. old Chinese lady), who I sat next to. She was getting a little emotional (because she LOVES Sis. Bennett) so I patted her hand. She then proceeded to caress my hand for a while and then look very carefully at my fingers. Then she looked carefully at her fingers and back at mine again. Then she worked off one of her Jade rings and put it on my finger! She is so sweet. It turns my finger totally green, so I don't where it all the time but always put it on when I go to see her. :) I love Popo. Another funny story about her: Yesterday we were visiting her, and she was telling us that she uses Bengay cream for her sore joints. I mentioned that my neck had been kinked for a long time and wondered if Bengay would help. "Oh yes!" she said. "Come here. I be doctor!" I went over and she proceeded to unbutton my shirt and rub Bengay (smells like Icy Hot) on my neck with her little old hands. Sis. Bennett was laughing so hard. It was pretty funny. Actually, it did help a little! :)
7. On Sunday afternoon, we went and taught our investigator Nikki. She is doing really well. We taught her about prophets, and it was a really wonderful lesson, with lots of discussion. Towards the end of the lesson, I bore testimony to her the President Monson is truly a prophet of God. "How do you know that?" she immediately asked. It was a good experience for me to have to answer that question. I thought about it for a moment and then told her that I knew for several reasons. First, I knew because I had prayed about it and received confirmation through the Holy Ghost that President Monson is truly a prophet of God. Second, I know he is a prophet because I know that the Book of Mormon is true and from God. I told her that, that is why we emphasize the Book of Mormon so much--because it really is the keystone to our religion. If we know the Book of Mormon is from God, then we know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. And if Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, then we have a living prophet on the Earth today. It is such a blessing to have the opportunity to share my testimony and really think about how I have come to believe the things I do.
8. At church on Sunday, I turned around to see Kaylie Dreyer sitting a few rows behind me! We were both so excited and surprised! It turns out she was there with her sister-in-law who was in town and thinking about moving to the area, so they were there checking out the ward. I had an investigator (Nikki) with me, so I couldn't rush over her right after sacrament meeting, but after I took Nikki to Sunday school I went out in the hall and found her. She had her baby with her, and he is getting so big! It felt SO WEIRD to have someone call me by my first name. Oh, it was so good to see her though! She gave me a big hug and we took I picture. We only got to talk for a minute, but it was so fun to see a familiar face!
9. We tracted into a fabulous old couple a few weeks ago, and we went back to teach them this week. They are SO sweet! The lady is from England and has a fabulous accent. They are very receptive, and it is such a joy to teach them. When we got there, the man opened the door and said to his wife, "Honey, our three angels are here!" They are wonderful! When we left they gave us a HUGE Costco tin of cookies to take home for Thanksgiving.
10. One more Popo story: She has two huge fish tanks at her house with lots of fish, and Sis. Bennett and I always like to feed the fish when we go to visit her. So this week she had some new food, and she said that we needed to hold it a little above the water, and the fish would jump up and get it. So I did. I had the OPEN can of fish food in one hand and held my hand over the tank with the other hand. Sure enough, the fish jumped up to eat the food, and it scared me so bad I jumped about a foot in the air and screamed. The fish food went flying like confetti. Popo thought it was SO funny.
Well, everything is going well. I miss you and love you SO much. Please write me! (BEN!) I can't believe we're not going to be together for Thanksgiving. Take lots of pictures and send them to me! I want more pictures of Leila too! Please :) Thank you for being the best family in the world!
Love you forever,
Jordan
How are you? I'm so excited Jake got email! Yay! This will be so much easier! (I'm still going to write you a written letter every week though Jakey Poo, so I expect you to do the same!) Well, this week has been CRAZY. I told you last week that Sis. Dalrymple came up here to be in a threesome with us, which has been interesting. Sister Bennett and I have just been together for so long that it's difficult to make sure Sister Dalrymple feels included. And Sis. Dalrymple loved her old area and doesn't really have any desire to try to love this new area, which is really hard for us because we LOVE this area! Anyway, three's just a rough number. But, here's the crazy part, Sister Bennett just got a call saying she's going down to be companions with a Spanish sister for this next week (starting tomorrow) which means it will just be me and Sis. Dalrymple here with me as the senior companion. I'm a little nervous! I still feel brand new. We'll see how it goes! Transfers are a week from tomorrow (on Thanksgiving Day), so we'll see what happens then.
Speaking of Thanksgiving, we got invited to go over to some of my favorite members' houses for dinner: The Wolfleys and Sis. Rasmussen. Sis. Rasmussen's husband is in the military (serving in Iraq) and her children are all at in-laws this holiday, so we're going to go over to her house, and Br. and Sis. Wolfley are going to come over too. I'm going to try to make Peter Schot Pie and bring it! We'll see if it turns out O.K. I'm so grateful we get to spend the holiday with members! I'm really looking forward to it! They're going to split our P-day next week in half, so we have half on Wed. and the other half on Thanksgiving, so we can mostly just hang out with members all day. It will be wonderful!
Here are some random thoughts and happenings in the life of Sister Lee this past week:
1. Our investigator (Nathan Soli) has a crush on me, and the whole Singles Ward knows about it. It's super funny and super awkward for me. He makes inappropriate comments, and asks me how long I'm going to be in the ward, etc.
2. On Saturday, all of our lessons fell through, so we tracted the entire day. It was LONG. By the end, we decided to start singing Disney songs in between houses just to keep ourselves moving. It was funny. We've found it's kind of overwhelming for people when we go tracting in a threesome.
3. I reached my 3 month mark and got frozen yogurt! (Today is Sis. Bennett's 17 month mark!)
4. My roommate (Hermana Funch), who has become a really good friend, is a convert to the church. She's from California, and the missionaries taught her when she was in high school. She was the first member of her family, and shortly after her mom joined the church. She then went to school at B.Y.U. and decided to serve a mission. Then, this past spring, she found out her dad was getting baptized! She was so excited! This past Sunday, he received the Melchezidek (spelling?) priesthood, and this spring they will be sealed together as a family. How wonderful!
5. Since Sis. Bennett is "going Spanish" for a week we decided we needed to do something Spanish--while out tracting we translated (to the best of our abilities, which isn't saying much) "The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow" (from Annie) into Spanish and sang it to the Hermanas that night: El sol va a venir, manana...entonces tengo que esperar hasta manana...Good times!
6. On Sunday it was Sis. Bennett's departing fireside, so we went with some ward members, including Popo (80 yr. old Chinese lady), who I sat next to. She was getting a little emotional (because she LOVES Sis. Bennett) so I patted her hand. She then proceeded to caress my hand for a while and then look very carefully at my fingers. Then she looked carefully at her fingers and back at mine again. Then she worked off one of her Jade rings and put it on my finger! She is so sweet. It turns my finger totally green, so I don't where it all the time but always put it on when I go to see her. :) I love Popo. Another funny story about her: Yesterday we were visiting her, and she was telling us that she uses Bengay cream for her sore joints. I mentioned that my neck had been kinked for a long time and wondered if Bengay would help. "Oh yes!" she said. "Come here. I be doctor!" I went over and she proceeded to unbutton my shirt and rub Bengay (smells like Icy Hot) on my neck with her little old hands. Sis. Bennett was laughing so hard. It was pretty funny. Actually, it did help a little! :)
7. On Sunday afternoon, we went and taught our investigator Nikki. She is doing really well. We taught her about prophets, and it was a really wonderful lesson, with lots of discussion. Towards the end of the lesson, I bore testimony to her the President Monson is truly a prophet of God. "How do you know that?" she immediately asked. It was a good experience for me to have to answer that question. I thought about it for a moment and then told her that I knew for several reasons. First, I knew because I had prayed about it and received confirmation through the Holy Ghost that President Monson is truly a prophet of God. Second, I know he is a prophet because I know that the Book of Mormon is true and from God. I told her that, that is why we emphasize the Book of Mormon so much--because it really is the keystone to our religion. If we know the Book of Mormon is from God, then we know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. And if Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, then we have a living prophet on the Earth today. It is such a blessing to have the opportunity to share my testimony and really think about how I have come to believe the things I do.
8. At church on Sunday, I turned around to see Kaylie Dreyer sitting a few rows behind me! We were both so excited and surprised! It turns out she was there with her sister-in-law who was in town and thinking about moving to the area, so they were there checking out the ward. I had an investigator (Nikki) with me, so I couldn't rush over her right after sacrament meeting, but after I took Nikki to Sunday school I went out in the hall and found her. She had her baby with her, and he is getting so big! It felt SO WEIRD to have someone call me by my first name. Oh, it was so good to see her though! She gave me a big hug and we took I picture. We only got to talk for a minute, but it was so fun to see a familiar face!
9. We tracted into a fabulous old couple a few weeks ago, and we went back to teach them this week. They are SO sweet! The lady is from England and has a fabulous accent. They are very receptive, and it is such a joy to teach them. When we got there, the man opened the door and said to his wife, "Honey, our three angels are here!" They are wonderful! When we left they gave us a HUGE Costco tin of cookies to take home for Thanksgiving.
10. One more Popo story: She has two huge fish tanks at her house with lots of fish, and Sis. Bennett and I always like to feed the fish when we go to visit her. So this week she had some new food, and she said that we needed to hold it a little above the water, and the fish would jump up and get it. So I did. I had the OPEN can of fish food in one hand and held my hand over the tank with the other hand. Sure enough, the fish jumped up to eat the food, and it scared me so bad I jumped about a foot in the air and screamed. The fish food went flying like confetti. Popo thought it was SO funny.
Well, everything is going well. I miss you and love you SO much. Please write me! (BEN!) I can't believe we're not going to be together for Thanksgiving. Take lots of pictures and send them to me! I want more pictures of Leila too! Please :) Thank you for being the best family in the world!
Love you forever,
Jordan
Monday, November 15, 2010
Jake can email!
Hey family its your son Jacob from the tall pines of Washington.
Thank you so much for the letters, Dad, kids- that was very nice of you!
I'm still in Kirkland with Elder Burnett and Elder Daniels. We had a slowish week, as far as work goes. Hurry and send me my camera card back when you can. This transfer has been weird, and good. I got a call from president that i will be going back to Bothell next transfer and i will get a new companion there. I don't know how i feel about that. It could be back to the dark, scary place from where i came. I know i can make it what i want it to be, but it will just be easier if i get a companion that wants to work. I'm so tired right now. Something about this mission that i realized is that it is a million times stricter than a lot of missions. We have so many rules it is kind of ridiculous. O and by the way, I think i will be only checking this email on Mondays.
I love this work and it makes me so happy, but it really is wearing me out. Sorry i really don't have a lot to say in this mail.
Elder Daniels is so funny. This ward just laughs every time they see his face. It is really fun to be in a trio companionship because Elder Burnett and I just laugh out heads off all day. Also Elder Daniels is a Greeny so it is fun to watch him trial and error all the things he's trying to figure out. Grecia is leaving to Peru for a while so i don't think she is baptized any time soon. We got 5 people to church this week, which was a surprise because all of our other numbers were very low; not for lack of trying. We had 1 member present, 4 other lessons and that's about it. The funny thing about the Latino culture is that when we are baptizing people, we are also having to marry people too. Almost all of our investigators are needing to get married, and the men are all scared of commitment, kind of funny, but also very frustrating.
In a lesson with an investigator we were reading with the 2 Nephi 31 with them and something really jumped out to me this time. I have probably read this scripture like 15 times already on my mission, but this time it really stood out. Verse 19: "And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path(speaking about baptism), I would ask if all is done? Behold I say unto you, Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save." We all need, especially me, to keep progressing in this life, if a tree stops really growing it probably means its dead, and so that happens with our souls also. Keep on fighting to the end, what ever trial you have, Christ will be the one to save you. The more personally you know him, the more you trust he will catch you.
Love you all so much You are the Best!!!
E. Lee
Thank you so much for the letters, Dad, kids- that was very nice of you!
I'm still in Kirkland with Elder Burnett and Elder Daniels. We had a slowish week, as far as work goes. Hurry and send me my camera card back when you can. This transfer has been weird, and good. I got a call from president that i will be going back to Bothell next transfer and i will get a new companion there. I don't know how i feel about that. It could be back to the dark, scary place from where i came. I know i can make it what i want it to be, but it will just be easier if i get a companion that wants to work. I'm so tired right now. Something about this mission that i realized is that it is a million times stricter than a lot of missions. We have so many rules it is kind of ridiculous. O and by the way, I think i will be only checking this email on Mondays.
I love this work and it makes me so happy, but it really is wearing me out. Sorry i really don't have a lot to say in this mail.
Elder Daniels is so funny. This ward just laughs every time they see his face. It is really fun to be in a trio companionship because Elder Burnett and I just laugh out heads off all day. Also Elder Daniels is a Greeny so it is fun to watch him trial and error all the things he's trying to figure out. Grecia is leaving to Peru for a while so i don't think she is baptized any time soon. We got 5 people to church this week, which was a surprise because all of our other numbers were very low; not for lack of trying. We had 1 member present, 4 other lessons and that's about it. The funny thing about the Latino culture is that when we are baptizing people, we are also having to marry people too. Almost all of our investigators are needing to get married, and the men are all scared of commitment, kind of funny, but also very frustrating.
In a lesson with an investigator we were reading with the 2 Nephi 31 with them and something really jumped out to me this time. I have probably read this scripture like 15 times already on my mission, but this time it really stood out. Verse 19: "And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path(speaking about baptism), I would ask if all is done? Behold I say unto you, Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save." We all need, especially me, to keep progressing in this life, if a tree stops really growing it probably means its dead, and so that happens with our souls also. Keep on fighting to the end, what ever trial you have, Christ will be the one to save you. The more personally you know him, the more you trust he will catch you.
Love you all so much You are the Best!!!
E. Lee
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Jordan: 11/10/10
Jordan seems a little sad this week, be sure to write her lots!! The letter:
My dear family,
How are you? Well, this has been a crazy week. On Saturday, we received a call from President Albright informing us that Sister Dalrymple's (my M.T.C. companion) companion was struggling with depression and was going to be moved to work in the mission office so she could be under special care from President and Sister Albright, so Sister Dalrymple was coming to be in a threesome with us. We went and picked her up on Monday from the mission home. While we were there, I was talking to Sister Albright about a question I had with my insurance, and she said she would just call Mom and talk about it. I thought she meant later, after I left, but all of a sudden she was calling Mom with me sitting right there. Then, I could hear Mom's voice on the phone, so I slowly started backing away. It really threw me for a loop. It made me a little upset that she would just call right there with me close by. I don't think she realized how hard it would be for me. Oh well, what can you do? I just miss you, especially because this has been a really hard week.
My companion (Sis. Bennett) has been getting migraines all the time, which means she sleeps all day, and I sit around trying to find ways to be productive in a tiny apartment. I wrote this in my journal on Saturday: "My companion is sick again. We've been inside pretty much all day. I'm going a little bit crazy. I 'missionary laminated' (with tape) my Preach My Gospel and a Book of Mormon for tracting. I also made a little pouch to put pass-along cards in for my tracting Book of Mormon. Hmmm, what else? I studied some of the 'Questions of the Soul' in Preach My Gospel, answered by the Book of Mormon. It is crazy how many times we've stayed in these two transfers with my comp. sick! I just want to be out there working! It's really hard to stay in all day."
Sis. Bennett has been sick 2-3 times per week pretty much the whole time we've been companions, and it's really hard. She is going home in less than five weeks, and I really wish she was motivated and able to finish strong. It's hard to be the junior companion and be the one who's trying to motivate and help with obedience. It causes a strain in our relationship, but whenever I try to talk to Sis. Bennett about the tension I feel, she says it doesn't matter. "We don't need to be best friends," she said the other night when I asked her if we could talk and figure out what was going on. I try to be patient, but it's really hard. I guess the biggest struggle for me is that Sister Bennett is SO dramatic—she’s a theater major—and I am just about the least dramatic person in the world, so I don’t know how to deal with drama. I’m so done with the drama! She's either super, super sick and complaining or so excited and over the top happy and talking about home or passionately, intensely disscussing the gospel--it's like being on a rollar coaster. I feel worn down. I think the Elders are much better at just going out and working and not being so dramatic—that’s what I want. I guess it's just difficult to be with the same person 24/7 for almost three months. I want a companion who wants to be friends and who isn't talking about going home every ten minutes. OK. I'm done venting now.
Sister Dalrymple is here now, and it's been really fun to be around her again. She is so sweet and loving, and I've missed that a lot. I was a little worried about being around her, not because I don't like her or get along with her, but because I was worried it would bring back the feelings I had in the M.T.C. You know how when you eat something and then get sick; it wasn't necessarily the food that made you sick, but you're nervous to eat the food again because you feel like it will make you sick. That's kind of how I've felt. But it's been fine so far. We're pretty squished in our tiny little apartment. The Elders brought over an extra mattress for Sis. Dalrymple to sleep on, and she sleeps UNDER my bed on her mattress. (Our beds are raised up high.) It's really funny. She says she likes it under there because it's cozy. I think she's just trying to have a good attitude about the situation. J Transfers are in two weeks (on Thanksgiving Day), and I will be anxious to see what happens.
This week, one of our Relief Society Presidents (we have two in the ward because it’s such a big ward) was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. She is about 30 and single and is the picture of health. Last week she had her blood taken because she’d been feeling extremely tired, and her friend thought she might have thyroid problems and suggested she get her blood checked. The next morning, the doctor called her and told her to go to the ER immediately because her blood counts were so abnormal. After a bone marrow biopsy, she was diagnosed on Saturday night. We went and saw her Saturday morning, and she seemed so scared and lonely. We sat with her and comforted her and kept her company for as long as we could. Thankfully, her mom is now here, so she isn’t alone. She will be beginning chemotherapy this week, and, sadly, they don’t have time to harvest any eggs, so she will never be able to have children. It is a sad situation and definitely makes you count your blessings. It also makes me realize how blessed we are to have this great gospel and know that we are never alone. The ward has been so great and really pulled together through this situation.
On a lighter note, we had a wonderful experience a few nights ago that I would like to share. It was Monday night, we had just picked up Sister Dalrymple and come home, and it had just been a really hard day for several reasons. Although we were tired and could have just decided to stay home and help Sis. Dalrymple un-pack instead of going out and working, we decided to go out and at least knock on a few doors. We picked a street, prayed, and approached the first door. It was a loving Bolivian family who didn’t speak much English but were willing to talk to us and agreed to have the hermanas come back and teach them more in Spanish. We were thrilled to have found some potential investigators for the hermanas, and—with only a little time left before we needed to head home for the night—decided to knock just one more door. An older man opened the door, and agreed to let us come in and speak with him and his wife. We talked about the Book of Mormon, prayed with them, and set up a time for us to come back and teach them more. We only knocked on two doors and both doors yielded receptive, loving people who were ready and willing to hear the gospel. This experience really witnessed to me that Heavenly Father is aware of us and cares so much about each one of us. We had, had a hard day and really needed a boost to let us know we were doing what we should be doing. I am so grateful to be a part of this great work.
Tomorrow is my 3 month mark, and I'm excited. It will be fun because Sis. Dalrymple and I get to celebrate it together. We are going to go get some frozen yogurt, as usual. Today we are going to go do some shopping with the hermanas and hopefully get rid of some of the tension in our companionship because it’s wearing me out!
Please write me this week! I didn’t get any emails from you! L That better mean lots of letters are coming. I miss you so much, and I need some letters!
Love you forever,
Jordan
My dear family,
How are you? Well, this has been a crazy week. On Saturday, we received a call from President Albright informing us that Sister Dalrymple's (my M.T.C. companion) companion was struggling with depression and was going to be moved to work in the mission office so she could be under special care from President and Sister Albright, so Sister Dalrymple was coming to be in a threesome with us. We went and picked her up on Monday from the mission home. While we were there, I was talking to Sister Albright about a question I had with my insurance, and she said she would just call Mom and talk about it. I thought she meant later, after I left, but all of a sudden she was calling Mom with me sitting right there. Then, I could hear Mom's voice on the phone, so I slowly started backing away. It really threw me for a loop. It made me a little upset that she would just call right there with me close by. I don't think she realized how hard it would be for me. Oh well, what can you do? I just miss you, especially because this has been a really hard week.
My companion (Sis. Bennett) has been getting migraines all the time, which means she sleeps all day, and I sit around trying to find ways to be productive in a tiny apartment. I wrote this in my journal on Saturday: "My companion is sick again. We've been inside pretty much all day. I'm going a little bit crazy. I 'missionary laminated' (with tape) my Preach My Gospel and a Book of Mormon for tracting. I also made a little pouch to put pass-along cards in for my tracting Book of Mormon. Hmmm, what else? I studied some of the 'Questions of the Soul' in Preach My Gospel, answered by the Book of Mormon. It is crazy how many times we've stayed in these two transfers with my comp. sick! I just want to be out there working! It's really hard to stay in all day."
Sis. Bennett has been sick 2-3 times per week pretty much the whole time we've been companions, and it's really hard. She is going home in less than five weeks, and I really wish she was motivated and able to finish strong. It's hard to be the junior companion and be the one who's trying to motivate and help with obedience. It causes a strain in our relationship, but whenever I try to talk to Sis. Bennett about the tension I feel, she says it doesn't matter. "We don't need to be best friends," she said the other night when I asked her if we could talk and figure out what was going on. I try to be patient, but it's really hard. I guess the biggest struggle for me is that Sister Bennett is SO dramatic—she’s a theater major—and I am just about the least dramatic person in the world, so I don’t know how to deal with drama. I’m so done with the drama! She's either super, super sick and complaining or so excited and over the top happy and talking about home or passionately, intensely disscussing the gospel--it's like being on a rollar coaster. I feel worn down. I think the Elders are much better at just going out and working and not being so dramatic—that’s what I want. I guess it's just difficult to be with the same person 24/7 for almost three months. I want a companion who wants to be friends and who isn't talking about going home every ten minutes. OK. I'm done venting now.
Sister Dalrymple is here now, and it's been really fun to be around her again. She is so sweet and loving, and I've missed that a lot. I was a little worried about being around her, not because I don't like her or get along with her, but because I was worried it would bring back the feelings I had in the M.T.C. You know how when you eat something and then get sick; it wasn't necessarily the food that made you sick, but you're nervous to eat the food again because you feel like it will make you sick. That's kind of how I've felt. But it's been fine so far. We're pretty squished in our tiny little apartment. The Elders brought over an extra mattress for Sis. Dalrymple to sleep on, and she sleeps UNDER my bed on her mattress. (Our beds are raised up high.) It's really funny. She says she likes it under there because it's cozy. I think she's just trying to have a good attitude about the situation. J Transfers are in two weeks (on Thanksgiving Day), and I will be anxious to see what happens.
This week, one of our Relief Society Presidents (we have two in the ward because it’s such a big ward) was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. She is about 30 and single and is the picture of health. Last week she had her blood taken because she’d been feeling extremely tired, and her friend thought she might have thyroid problems and suggested she get her blood checked. The next morning, the doctor called her and told her to go to the ER immediately because her blood counts were so abnormal. After a bone marrow biopsy, she was diagnosed on Saturday night. We went and saw her Saturday morning, and she seemed so scared and lonely. We sat with her and comforted her and kept her company for as long as we could. Thankfully, her mom is now here, so she isn’t alone. She will be beginning chemotherapy this week, and, sadly, they don’t have time to harvest any eggs, so she will never be able to have children. It is a sad situation and definitely makes you count your blessings. It also makes me realize how blessed we are to have this great gospel and know that we are never alone. The ward has been so great and really pulled together through this situation.
On a lighter note, we had a wonderful experience a few nights ago that I would like to share. It was Monday night, we had just picked up Sister Dalrymple and come home, and it had just been a really hard day for several reasons. Although we were tired and could have just decided to stay home and help Sis. Dalrymple un-pack instead of going out and working, we decided to go out and at least knock on a few doors. We picked a street, prayed, and approached the first door. It was a loving Bolivian family who didn’t speak much English but were willing to talk to us and agreed to have the hermanas come back and teach them more in Spanish. We were thrilled to have found some potential investigators for the hermanas, and—with only a little time left before we needed to head home for the night—decided to knock just one more door. An older man opened the door, and agreed to let us come in and speak with him and his wife. We talked about the Book of Mormon, prayed with them, and set up a time for us to come back and teach them more. We only knocked on two doors and both doors yielded receptive, loving people who were ready and willing to hear the gospel. This experience really witnessed to me that Heavenly Father is aware of us and cares so much about each one of us. We had, had a hard day and really needed a boost to let us know we were doing what we should be doing. I am so grateful to be a part of this great work.
Tomorrow is my 3 month mark, and I'm excited. It will be fun because Sis. Dalrymple and I get to celebrate it together. We are going to go get some frozen yogurt, as usual. Today we are going to go do some shopping with the hermanas and hopefully get rid of some of the tension in our companionship because it’s wearing me out!
Please write me this week! I didn’t get any emails from you! L That better mean lots of letters are coming. I miss you so much, and I need some letters!
Love you forever,
Jordan
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Jordan: 11/3/10
Dear Mom, Dad, Jacob Rex, Benji, Joshy, Tara Sue, and Danny Bear,
How are you? Happy Halloween (a few days ago)! My Halloween was really fun. We worked until 6:00, and then got to go have our little Halloween party. Our zone met together at a Stake Center and watched Invictus. I was surprised they approved that movie for us to watch because it had some bad language in it, but it was a good movie with a good message. We had dinner together (Ward members cooked for us--it was these two bachelors, and it was super funny--they made us such man food. :) We had taquitos, chips and salsa, cookies, bottled root beer, and--to top it off--marichino (spelling?) cherries on a platter (random!) and chocolate covered pretzels. I made some pumpkin bread to bring, and my companion made some popcorn. The elders pulled all the couches and arm chairs into the Relief Society room, and we watched the movie in there. It was so much fun! There are four sisters and about 18 elders in our zone--a good, fun group!
Can you believe it's November!? My companion goes home in six weeks! Weird! I am helping her make invitations today for her departing fireside. This morning, we came to email and the business center was full, so we went and washed our car because tomorrow's zone conference (we have one every three months), and they do car inspections. Then we went grocery shopping at Walmart, had lunch at Chipotle (I got Diet Coke with lots of lemons, so I'm a happy girl right now!), and went shopping at World Market. Haha. Sister Bennett and I are both obsessed with World Market--we go almost every week. We never buy anything, but it's so fun to look around! They have the cutest stuff, especially jewelry, purses, and other accessories.
This afternoon, we're going to make some soup to take to our District Leader (Elder Skousen) because he's been really sick for a couple weeks. He is waiting to get blood tests back and is hoping it's not Mono! I really hope it's not A: because I've been around him a lot, and that makes me nervous and B: because he's awesome, and I don't want him to have to go home! (they send you home for Mono!) He'd been out 6 months when I got here, so we're supposed to go home the same time (a year from Feb.) He's an awesome wakeboarder, and we decided we're going to plan a big mission Lake Powell trip when we get home. Anyway, I hope he gets feeling better and doesn't have to go home! Keep him in your prayers.
This past week I got to go on exchanges (for 24 hours) with my M.T.C. comp. (Sis. Dalrymple) who's serving down in Fredricksberg. It was so much fun! I've missed her, and Fredricksberg is beautiful! The area I serve in a very much a big city, and Fredricksberg is the complete opposite. It is very country feeling and relaxed. We even got to go wash a ward member's horse and take her out to the pasture to graze! It was so relaxing and fun! While I was there, I got to see Hermana Gwynn (who used to live in Crystal City with me). She's roommates with Sis. Dalrymple, and it was so good to get to see her and talk to her again. I really hope I get to serve in Fredricksberg someday--it's beautiful! While I was there, we did go visit some pretty crazy people though. First, we saw an old lady who is bed ridden and has too many cats to count. Because she is bed ridden, she can't clean up after her cats, so her house smells TERRIBLE. It was so hard to sit in that house and talk with her! But she was such a sweet lady. It's so sad! Then, we saw another lady who talked to us about her terrible diaherrea for an hour solid. Wow. Oh the people you meet!
Well, I'm officially halfway through my second transfer! Wow! Most of the time now a days, the time just flies by. We are teaching wonderful people in two wonderful wards, so we're always pretty busy, which is such a blessing.
We were able to take our investigator Li and her husband to the temple visitors center this past Saturday, and it was a wonderful experience. Her husband really struggles with social anxiety, so this was the first time we had met him, and it went great. We brought one of my favorite couples from our ward (Bren and Sterling Larsen) with us, and they were so great. Sterling served his mission in Taiwan, so he was able to speak with Li's husband and make him feel comfortable. We all watched the Joseph Smith movie, and afterwards Li's husband agreed to let us start teaching him! Li is so excited! She is getting baptized on December 4th and really wants her husband to share in the joyous occasion.
I am sure there is more to write, but I'm having a hard time remembering what we did this week. Overall, I'm doing great! I miss you, as always, but other than that life is good. I will close with a quote that was shared at our sisters conference a few weeks ago. I just loved it.
"Today many sisters are being called to serve. Not because they are not married or don't have anything else to do, but because they have a desire to serve. The reason: the Lord wants more sisters to serve because in the next generation he will be sending his priesthood armies to the Earth. He wants to send His choice spirit children to mothers who are prepared, who have been properly trained and taught in the gospel. What better schooling can a mother have than the experience and growth she has gained through serving a mission." -President Ezra Taft Benson (Quoted by President Hinckley)
Thank you for being my wonderful family. I love you SOOOO much. Write me and I will write you back!
Love you forever,
Jordan
How are you? Happy Halloween (a few days ago)! My Halloween was really fun. We worked until 6:00, and then got to go have our little Halloween party. Our zone met together at a Stake Center and watched Invictus. I was surprised they approved that movie for us to watch because it had some bad language in it, but it was a good movie with a good message. We had dinner together (Ward members cooked for us--it was these two bachelors, and it was super funny--they made us such man food. :) We had taquitos, chips and salsa, cookies, bottled root beer, and--to top it off--marichino (spelling?) cherries on a platter (random!) and chocolate covered pretzels. I made some pumpkin bread to bring, and my companion made some popcorn. The elders pulled all the couches and arm chairs into the Relief Society room, and we watched the movie in there. It was so much fun! There are four sisters and about 18 elders in our zone--a good, fun group!
Can you believe it's November!? My companion goes home in six weeks! Weird! I am helping her make invitations today for her departing fireside. This morning, we came to email and the business center was full, so we went and washed our car because tomorrow's zone conference (we have one every three months), and they do car inspections. Then we went grocery shopping at Walmart, had lunch at Chipotle (I got Diet Coke with lots of lemons, so I'm a happy girl right now!), and went shopping at World Market. Haha. Sister Bennett and I are both obsessed with World Market--we go almost every week. We never buy anything, but it's so fun to look around! They have the cutest stuff, especially jewelry, purses, and other accessories.
This afternoon, we're going to make some soup to take to our District Leader (Elder Skousen) because he's been really sick for a couple weeks. He is waiting to get blood tests back and is hoping it's not Mono! I really hope it's not A: because I've been around him a lot, and that makes me nervous and B: because he's awesome, and I don't want him to have to go home! (they send you home for Mono!) He'd been out 6 months when I got here, so we're supposed to go home the same time (a year from Feb.) He's an awesome wakeboarder, and we decided we're going to plan a big mission Lake Powell trip when we get home. Anyway, I hope he gets feeling better and doesn't have to go home! Keep him in your prayers.
This past week I got to go on exchanges (for 24 hours) with my M.T.C. comp. (Sis. Dalrymple) who's serving down in Fredricksberg. It was so much fun! I've missed her, and Fredricksberg is beautiful! The area I serve in a very much a big city, and Fredricksberg is the complete opposite. It is very country feeling and relaxed. We even got to go wash a ward member's horse and take her out to the pasture to graze! It was so relaxing and fun! While I was there, I got to see Hermana Gwynn (who used to live in Crystal City with me). She's roommates with Sis. Dalrymple, and it was so good to get to see her and talk to her again. I really hope I get to serve in Fredricksberg someday--it's beautiful! While I was there, we did go visit some pretty crazy people though. First, we saw an old lady who is bed ridden and has too many cats to count. Because she is bed ridden, she can't clean up after her cats, so her house smells TERRIBLE. It was so hard to sit in that house and talk with her! But she was such a sweet lady. It's so sad! Then, we saw another lady who talked to us about her terrible diaherrea for an hour solid. Wow. Oh the people you meet!
Well, I'm officially halfway through my second transfer! Wow! Most of the time now a days, the time just flies by. We are teaching wonderful people in two wonderful wards, so we're always pretty busy, which is such a blessing.
We were able to take our investigator Li and her husband to the temple visitors center this past Saturday, and it was a wonderful experience. Her husband really struggles with social anxiety, so this was the first time we had met him, and it went great. We brought one of my favorite couples from our ward (Bren and Sterling Larsen) with us, and they were so great. Sterling served his mission in Taiwan, so he was able to speak with Li's husband and make him feel comfortable. We all watched the Joseph Smith movie, and afterwards Li's husband agreed to let us start teaching him! Li is so excited! She is getting baptized on December 4th and really wants her husband to share in the joyous occasion.
I am sure there is more to write, but I'm having a hard time remembering what we did this week. Overall, I'm doing great! I miss you, as always, but other than that life is good. I will close with a quote that was shared at our sisters conference a few weeks ago. I just loved it.
"Today many sisters are being called to serve. Not because they are not married or don't have anything else to do, but because they have a desire to serve. The reason: the Lord wants more sisters to serve because in the next generation he will be sending his priesthood armies to the Earth. He wants to send His choice spirit children to mothers who are prepared, who have been properly trained and taught in the gospel. What better schooling can a mother have than the experience and growth she has gained through serving a mission." -President Ezra Taft Benson (Quoted by President Hinckley)
Thank you for being my wonderful family. I love you SOOOO much. Write me and I will write you back!
Love you forever,
Jordan
Monday, November 1, 2010
Jake: month of October
So now it can be Jordan AND Jake's blog! Kim just sent me a summary of October. This is what she said:
Since Jake’s mission still is not allowed to email I have collected the last 4 or 5 letters to share with you. I have taken the liberty to leave some things out but tried to keep in the most important parts of the letters in his exact words. I feel like he is having a true missionary experience, hard, challenging, rewarding and spiritual.
October 4th 2010, “This week was filled with a lot of ups and downs. Did you all love conference? I did! It was great! I am learning so much out here. My testimony is growing everyday. I got to go back to Marysville to baptize the rest of the Placencia family. It was my second time in the water. I got to bap. Betty, the oldest sister. Funny thing, the water was somehow draining and she kept kicking her foot out of the water so on the 4th try we knelt down and it worked, ha ha then I did my first confirmation. It was cool, all in Spanish, I am getting better.”
“Last night we went to a member’s house with two other missionaries for an enchilada eating contest! I ended up winning with 21 enchiladas. Yes, I know, I am chubby! I have been changing out here with this companion. I feel like nothing is fun and I hardly ever laugh. I hope you will like the boring Jake when I get home Blaaaaaaaaaa I am running out of energy.”
“Now I am going to give you a couple of senarios: We are driving in our toyota, and Elder Kamstra pushes in the CD which is classical music, which is fine with me, we can listen to classical, Christian, and any church music. Everytime he asks me a question he gives me this seriously intense stare. He stares at me everytime he gets done saying something. It was freaking me out. By the end of the very long car ride, everytime he would stare at me it was like I was Harry Potter and he was Voldamort, and when he starred my forehead burned like the scar. It was very uncomfortable.”
“We are eating at a member’s house and I see spagettii! Yes finally I am starving, First I eat all my sides around the spagettii, anticipating the delicious main course. Then it was time to take the first couple bites. It tastes strange. All of a sudden it hits me that this spagettii is horrid. So terrible. So I smell it again thinking it is just in my mind and oh no it is ugh sosoo bad.”
October 11th 2010, “I am feeling better than I was last week. I have learned that you can’t just persevere though a trial (hard companions) but you have to overcome them and better yourself. I am learning to get along with people that I could not have even looked at at home. I am pretty happy. I understand my purpose personally out here now. No one is going to be working as hard as I would want. So I just need to leave them better missionaries then they were before. It is really hard for me to get up at 6:30 when my comp. never does. I am trying to gently be a warning voice to him, just like missionaries are the warning voice of repentance. We have transfers on the 18th. I don’t know what will happen. I love you with all my heart. The church is true. Never let someone offend you and end up not going to church or something because of it. Salvation is worth a lot more than what we can comprehend!!”
October 18th , “Dear family, I had another hard week, I really want to have joy but feel like I am kinda scrapping the bottom of the barrell. I am holding my breath for transfers, tomorrow. I picked up some juicy stories about the elders casting out devils during this week but it is not something I want to write about. I really like some of the members here. We get to eat good food with a particular few. Some of them really help us out with investigators and missionary work.”
“I am making some good friends out here. Elder Muir had a collapsed lung and couldn’t go to the Phillipines and is so cool. Also Elder Warhurst from St. George has my same hair color (weird) and loves baseball and is very cool.”
We are getting to do service for a man whose wife died 3 days after delivering a baby. His backyard is like a jungle. We have been weeding with Elder Griffin (Kiwi)and Warhurst, Yeah Weeding!! We have literally transformed his backyard. His daughter Maya, age five, is like my best friend. I have her and all of her friends who love me. P.S. who knew that I could attract so many little girls? I promise I am not a pedifile. They are just so awesome!” “Our main investigator has been out of town this week so it’s been really slow. “
“We had Elder Packard from the 70s come to our mission for a conference. After Elder Muir and I hung back to talk with him and the President and we got to talk with him for 5 min. just by ourselves! Elder Packard obviously know Grandpa Lee and it was cool to brag to him my full name. His wife then jumped in on our conversation and said, “You have big shoes to fill!” and then I laid her out in a tackle. Just kidding…. About the tackle part.” “I have been taking a lot of pictures. A lot of them are not of me so you might be disappointed but the landscape here is so beautiful! I have turned into a landscape photographer. Washington is beautiful, sometimes too beautiful, the green starts hurting my eyes!”
“I went and opened the door the other day and it was the zone leaders at 10:30 am. I got up from my desk, this was during language study, after studying Negation and How to Form Questions, in my red spanish text book. It got out why my comp. wasn’t studying and I told them he was still sleeping like always. Anyway, he got to talk to them. It was weird.”
“this transfer the homesickness has started to go away. I think without Christ in my life right now I probably would have killed by companion by now. And if this transfer went homicide free anything is possible. I love my Savior and what He did for us. I love the countless blessings God sends my way everyday, and I love when he stops sending them , and sends me a trial, probably not during it, but after I feel pretty good. This church is true and there isn’t a trial that could come my way to shake me from my testimony. The Church of Jesus Christ in its perfection is here again! Proclaim it to everyone in the world!”
October 12th, “Im staying Elder Kamstra is leaving…I am feeling optimistic of who I can get tomorrow.”
October 19th “ Wow… one of the hardest days of my life. I have been with a companion for this last week in Bothell, he got sent home. It was for something he did in the last area. Now I am with the Kirkland Elders. It will be three Elders together for one whole transfer. They are Elder Daniels from P.G. Student Council and Elder Burnett. I don’t think they are very happy about me coming in. I feel sick to my stomach. But I know this will all work out.
October 13th “Now it is Wed. morning. I feel a little better. This transfer is going to be all right. Three packs are fun!” Tell everyone that I love and miss them. I think my family and friends are the best!!! Love, Jake
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Jordan: 10/27/10
My dear family,
How are you? Another week has come and gone--slowly at sometimes and quicker at others. Can you believe it's almost November? Wow. I've almost been a missionary for 3 months. That's 1/6 of my mission! Jake's been a missionary for 5 months! Awesome! This is my companion's last transfer (full transfer anyway--she'll be here for three weeks of the next transfer), so it's been interesting. She's so close to going home that it's a little weird for me. It's just kind of difficult sometimes being at such opposite ends of the mission.
Well, life in Arlington, Virginia is good. :) The members treat us so very well-- we have dinners with them four times/week. I am so grateful for these dinners! Being in members' homes is such a strength and a boost to my day! It's really what gets me through the hard days--knowing that I get to go into a home where the Spirit is present and the people care about you.
Thank you for your letters this week! (Let me know if/when you get the package!) Also, I got the package with my patriarchal blessing and school pictures! I LOVE the pictures! Send me more pictures! I swear Tara and Danny have already changed so much! Tara especially looks older to me. Tara Bear you look SO pretty and you're hair's so long! Mine's getting long too!
I can't believe you got snow! Wow! It's been pretty warm here the last couple of days (about 78 degrees), but I'm thinking it's the warm before the storm because it's been really, really humid. I think we're about to get a bunch of rain.
This is the second week of my second transfer. My new Zone is great. There is one other companionship of sisters: Sister Baxter and Sister Kyrokosyan. Sister Baxter has been out the same amount of time as Sister Bennett, and she is awesome. She is very hard working and really nice to talk to. I like having her around a lot. Sister Kyrokosyan is from Russia, and she is so much fun. We flew out from the M.T.C. the same time, and it's been fun getting to know her. Surprisingly, (since English is her second language) she has a really good sense of humor and is very sarcastic. She always makes me laugh. Her name is difficult to pronounce, but she makes sure everyone says it right (not Sis. K). She's so funny.
A few days ago, Sister Bennett and I went to World Market to look around during our dinner hour because we didn't have time to go all the way home for dinner. Have you ever been to a World Market? Do they have them out west? It is the coolest store! Mom, you would love it! They have tons of cute furniture and decorative stuff. It's all pretty inexpensive too. We walked around pretending that we'd just been given money to redecorate our apartment. We picked out a table, couches, pillows, and curtains. :) It was fun.
On Sunday, we had dinner with the Olivers (Nana's cousin's daughter and her family). They are such a sweet family, and I really enjoy getting to see them! They made this homemade pizza that was really good. They have two little boys (4 & 2) named Simon and Jack. They are so cute and love playing with us. Simon gave me this fake mustache that I put on, and Sister Bennett was laughing so hard. We took a picture; it's pretty funny--I'll send it to you the next time I send pictures.
As you know, on Sunday it's Halloween! I'm excited because our zone gets to get together and watch a Disney movie. I'm not sure what it's going to be yet, but I'm so excited! It will be weird to watch T.V.! I love being with the other missionaries though. It just makes me feel good! The elders in our zone are awesome! They all are so strong and know so much; I forget they're only 19 & 20! Tomorrow night we also get to go to the ward Trunk-or-Treat because a lot of the members are bringing some of their neighbors who they want to introduce to the church. I'm really excited! I love being with our ward!
A few days ago, we went tracting and brought a member from the ward along named Sarah McConkie. She is Bruce R. McConkie's granddaughter! It was a wonderful experience. We've been trying to invite members to come tracting with us more and more because it seems that miracles always happen when they do. The night Sarah came with us, we were knocking doors, and on about the third door a young guy invited us in. (That hardly ever happens!) We sat down and taught him all about Joseph Smith, the Restoration, and the Book of Mormon. Sarah bore a beautiful testimony, and the Spirit was so strong. He agreed to read from the Book of Mormon and meet with us again. We're seeing him tomorrow, so I'll let you know how it goes. A few days before that, we also had a wonderful experience tracting with a member (Emilie). Emilie is a return missionary, and she's awesome. (She's the one who invited our recent convert Cassandra to church and introduced her to us.) We picked Emilie up, and while we were driving to the street we wanted to tract, she asked us what our goal was for the night. "Find new investigators," Sister Bennett said. "What is your goal for the week?" Emilie asked. We told her it was four. "Well, let's find three tonight!" Emilie said. I was really skeptical. It's hard to find one! But we didn't want to burst her bubble, so we agreed to shoot for finding three new people to teach. We knocked about five doors, and on the sixth one the woman looked very familiar to me. It turns out that I had talked to her on the stree in Pentagon City the day before. She had been pleasant and took a pass along card, but said she didn't want to learn more. Her name is Johanna. Johanna recognized me and greeted us politely. "Johanna," I said. "We are very prayerful about the streets we choose to go to, and I don't think it is a coincidence that we decided to come to your street tonight." "No, I don't think it is either," she said and invited us in. We ended up talking with Johanna, her husband, and her 28 yr. old son for about a half an hour. We told them more about the Book of Mormon, prayed with them, and set up a time to come back and teach them more. After we left there house and were walking to our car, Emilie said, "And then there were three!" We got three new investigators! I am really excited to teach Johanna and her family and see the light that the Gospel brings into their lives.
Right now we are teaching three wonderful ladies: Li, Tiffany, and Nikki.
We've been teaching Li since I got here, and she's been to church about six times. She's from China and has lived in the U.S. for about 20 years. She's a wonderful, intelligent person who is truly seeking truth. This past week, we met with her and taught her about the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Faith, Repentence, Baptism, Receiving the Holy Ghost, Enduring to the End). After the lesson we were talking, and we asked Li how she was feeling about baptism. (She had been thinking and praying about it for several weeks.) "I want to do it!" she said. We were SO excited! She is going to get baptized on Dec. 4th. (Shortly before Sis. Bennett goes home.) We are taking her to the temple visitors' center on Saturday, and I am really excited for her. She's a wonderful person. We are also hoping to teach her husband at some point, but he is really anti-social and is nervous to meet with us or go to church.
Next there's Tiffany. We taught Tiffany for the third time last night, and she's been to church twice. She's so great! The lesson last night was fabulous. We had two recent converts there who bore beautiful testimonies about their conversions and answered a lot of Tiffany's questions. She has a really interesting background: she was raised a member of the World Wide Church of God, which pretty much means a very strict upbringing during which she could only associate with other members of that church. When she was in college, her church dissolved, and she felt very lost for a long time. She has been hopping from church to church looking for truth and something that lines up with her beliefs. She is very spiritual and prayerful, and I know that as she continues to read from the Book of Mormon and pray about it she will receive the answers she is seeking.
We are also teaching Nikki. We've also taught her three times, but she's never been to church. Nikki's in medical school, focusing on HIV patients. She is such a wonderful, caring person and truly wants to grow closer to Heavenly Father. Like Tiffany, I know that since Nikki is sincerely praying and seeking to know that she will receive answers to her prayers as she continues to read and pray.
Well, I love you all SO MUCH! And miss you like crazy. Please write me, and I will write you back! Today we're going to the Stake Center to play volleyball with some other missionaries. Should be fun!
Love you forever,
Jordan
P.S. 58 days to Christmas!
P.P.S. I LOVE YOU SO SO SO SO MUCH!!!!!
How are you? Another week has come and gone--slowly at sometimes and quicker at others. Can you believe it's almost November? Wow. I've almost been a missionary for 3 months. That's 1/6 of my mission! Jake's been a missionary for 5 months! Awesome! This is my companion's last transfer (full transfer anyway--she'll be here for three weeks of the next transfer), so it's been interesting. She's so close to going home that it's a little weird for me. It's just kind of difficult sometimes being at such opposite ends of the mission.
Well, life in Arlington, Virginia is good. :) The members treat us so very well-- we have dinners with them four times/week. I am so grateful for these dinners! Being in members' homes is such a strength and a boost to my day! It's really what gets me through the hard days--knowing that I get to go into a home where the Spirit is present and the people care about you.
Thank you for your letters this week! (Let me know if/when you get the package!) Also, I got the package with my patriarchal blessing and school pictures! I LOVE the pictures! Send me more pictures! I swear Tara and Danny have already changed so much! Tara especially looks older to me. Tara Bear you look SO pretty and you're hair's so long! Mine's getting long too!
I can't believe you got snow! Wow! It's been pretty warm here the last couple of days (about 78 degrees), but I'm thinking it's the warm before the storm because it's been really, really humid. I think we're about to get a bunch of rain.
This is the second week of my second transfer. My new Zone is great. There is one other companionship of sisters: Sister Baxter and Sister Kyrokosyan. Sister Baxter has been out the same amount of time as Sister Bennett, and she is awesome. She is very hard working and really nice to talk to. I like having her around a lot. Sister Kyrokosyan is from Russia, and she is so much fun. We flew out from the M.T.C. the same time, and it's been fun getting to know her. Surprisingly, (since English is her second language) she has a really good sense of humor and is very sarcastic. She always makes me laugh. Her name is difficult to pronounce, but she makes sure everyone says it right (not Sis. K). She's so funny.
A few days ago, Sister Bennett and I went to World Market to look around during our dinner hour because we didn't have time to go all the way home for dinner. Have you ever been to a World Market? Do they have them out west? It is the coolest store! Mom, you would love it! They have tons of cute furniture and decorative stuff. It's all pretty inexpensive too. We walked around pretending that we'd just been given money to redecorate our apartment. We picked out a table, couches, pillows, and curtains. :) It was fun.
On Sunday, we had dinner with the Olivers (Nana's cousin's daughter and her family). They are such a sweet family, and I really enjoy getting to see them! They made this homemade pizza that was really good. They have two little boys (4 & 2) named Simon and Jack. They are so cute and love playing with us. Simon gave me this fake mustache that I put on, and Sister Bennett was laughing so hard. We took a picture; it's pretty funny--I'll send it to you the next time I send pictures.
As you know, on Sunday it's Halloween! I'm excited because our zone gets to get together and watch a Disney movie. I'm not sure what it's going to be yet, but I'm so excited! It will be weird to watch T.V.! I love being with the other missionaries though. It just makes me feel good! The elders in our zone are awesome! They all are so strong and know so much; I forget they're only 19 & 20! Tomorrow night we also get to go to the ward Trunk-or-Treat because a lot of the members are bringing some of their neighbors who they want to introduce to the church. I'm really excited! I love being with our ward!
A few days ago, we went tracting and brought a member from the ward along named Sarah McConkie. She is Bruce R. McConkie's granddaughter! It was a wonderful experience. We've been trying to invite members to come tracting with us more and more because it seems that miracles always happen when they do. The night Sarah came with us, we were knocking doors, and on about the third door a young guy invited us in. (That hardly ever happens!) We sat down and taught him all about Joseph Smith, the Restoration, and the Book of Mormon. Sarah bore a beautiful testimony, and the Spirit was so strong. He agreed to read from the Book of Mormon and meet with us again. We're seeing him tomorrow, so I'll let you know how it goes. A few days before that, we also had a wonderful experience tracting with a member (Emilie). Emilie is a return missionary, and she's awesome. (She's the one who invited our recent convert Cassandra to church and introduced her to us.) We picked Emilie up, and while we were driving to the street we wanted to tract, she asked us what our goal was for the night. "Find new investigators," Sister Bennett said. "What is your goal for the week?" Emilie asked. We told her it was four. "Well, let's find three tonight!" Emilie said. I was really skeptical. It's hard to find one! But we didn't want to burst her bubble, so we agreed to shoot for finding three new people to teach. We knocked about five doors, and on the sixth one the woman looked very familiar to me. It turns out that I had talked to her on the stree in Pentagon City the day before. She had been pleasant and took a pass along card, but said she didn't want to learn more. Her name is Johanna. Johanna recognized me and greeted us politely. "Johanna," I said. "We are very prayerful about the streets we choose to go to, and I don't think it is a coincidence that we decided to come to your street tonight." "No, I don't think it is either," she said and invited us in. We ended up talking with Johanna, her husband, and her 28 yr. old son for about a half an hour. We told them more about the Book of Mormon, prayed with them, and set up a time to come back and teach them more. After we left there house and were walking to our car, Emilie said, "And then there were three!" We got three new investigators! I am really excited to teach Johanna and her family and see the light that the Gospel brings into their lives.
Right now we are teaching three wonderful ladies: Li, Tiffany, and Nikki.
We've been teaching Li since I got here, and she's been to church about six times. She's from China and has lived in the U.S. for about 20 years. She's a wonderful, intelligent person who is truly seeking truth. This past week, we met with her and taught her about the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Faith, Repentence, Baptism, Receiving the Holy Ghost, Enduring to the End). After the lesson we were talking, and we asked Li how she was feeling about baptism. (She had been thinking and praying about it for several weeks.) "I want to do it!" she said. We were SO excited! She is going to get baptized on Dec. 4th. (Shortly before Sis. Bennett goes home.) We are taking her to the temple visitors' center on Saturday, and I am really excited for her. She's a wonderful person. We are also hoping to teach her husband at some point, but he is really anti-social and is nervous to meet with us or go to church.
Next there's Tiffany. We taught Tiffany for the third time last night, and she's been to church twice. She's so great! The lesson last night was fabulous. We had two recent converts there who bore beautiful testimonies about their conversions and answered a lot of Tiffany's questions. She has a really interesting background: she was raised a member of the World Wide Church of God, which pretty much means a very strict upbringing during which she could only associate with other members of that church. When she was in college, her church dissolved, and she felt very lost for a long time. She has been hopping from church to church looking for truth and something that lines up with her beliefs. She is very spiritual and prayerful, and I know that as she continues to read from the Book of Mormon and pray about it she will receive the answers she is seeking.
We are also teaching Nikki. We've also taught her three times, but she's never been to church. Nikki's in medical school, focusing on HIV patients. She is such a wonderful, caring person and truly wants to grow closer to Heavenly Father. Like Tiffany, I know that since Nikki is sincerely praying and seeking to know that she will receive answers to her prayers as she continues to read and pray.
Well, I love you all SO MUCH! And miss you like crazy. Please write me, and I will write you back! Today we're going to the Stake Center to play volleyball with some other missionaries. Should be fun!
Love you forever,
Jordan
P.S. 58 days to Christmas!
P.P.S. I LOVE YOU SO SO SO SO MUCH!!!!!
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Jordan: 10/20/10
My Dear Family,
How are you? I am emailing you late today because we had a sisters conference this morning with President and Sister Albright. There are 25 sisters in our mission, and it was a wonderful meeting. It felt so good to be together and feel like kind of a normal person for a few hours! First we carved pumpkins, then we had lunch, and finally we listened to President and Sister Albright and Hermana Funch (our coordinating sister). It was a fabulous meeting. I love being all together.
Did you get the package I sent? I sent it last Wednesday and sent it to Grandma’s because you said you were going to be there. Hopefully it got there before you left, but if not maybe she can just mail it to you. Sorry for the confusion! I should have just sent it home, but I thought it’d be fun for you to get it at Grandma’s. Did you have a fun trip? It made me happy to think about you there at Grandma’s house, but it made me miss you lots too. Is Charlie getting big? I hear he’s walking! How fun!
Last Saturday, we got to go and do a service project with our singles ward for the Hume School. We did yard work for three hours, and I’ve never enjoyed yard work so much in my life! It was just fun to be doing something different! Speaking of yard work, is the lawn getting better? J
We had a pretty scary/funny experience a few nights ago when we were out tracting. We knocked on a door, and an old man came to the door. He smiled and said, “Hi! I’m not interested in learning about the church, but a while ago some missionaries came and did yard work for me. Would you want to do yard work for me?” We told him that we have some service hours and could probably help him with some yard work. “Good!” he said. “Come in and let me give you a rose!” I felt really uneasy, but my companion just walked right in his house, so I followed. I think he sensed my uneasiness because he said, “It’s OK, my wife’s home.” She came into the room and waved at us. He then gave us each a rose. We thanked him, and there was some awkward silence so I said, “Have you always been into roses and gardening?” “Yes,” he said. “Well, I just like to grow them so I can give them to women.” Weirdo. We were both feeling kind of creeped out at this point. Then he gave Sister Bennett his business card, which read “Roses for Special Women—the Rose Man.” Weird! “What is your religion?” Sister Bennett asked him. His face got really serious, and he said, “It’s a secret.” Then his wife motioned him over to where she was and said, “I don’t want you to talk to them anymore.” He showed us to the door, and we couldn’t get out of there fast enough. I was pretty creeped out.
On a happier note, we are teaching a lot of wonderful people right now, two of whom are recent converts who just moved into the area and haven’t been active in the church for a while. They’re both young single adults. The first is Joanna. Joanna is the one I told you about a few weeks ago who grew up in a children’s home. She is so sweet, and I really enjoy talking with her and teaching her. One of the biggest blessings of being a missionary is the increased capacity you have to love. I feel so much love for the people I come in contact with it is overwhelming. The other recent convert we’re teaching is Kathleen. I love Kathleen. You know those people you meet and just instantly have a connection with? That’s how it is with Kathleen. She’s such a genuine, good person. She joined the church when she was in high school and then kind of stopped going to church when she went away to college. She has forgotten a lot of the doctrine, so she asked us if we’d teach her the lessons again. It’s been such a joy to teach her. She has such a strong, powerful testimony. We were teaching her about the plan of salvation last week, and I was teaching her about judgment and how Jesus Christ will be there to be her advocate. I told her that He will know everything about her, about her life, and even the desires of her heart, and that—as a result—she will be judged perfectly. We both just felt overwhelmed with the Spirit and both started crying. This gospel is just so amazing. I can study and teach it all day, every day and still constantly learn more and feel like I have SO much learning and growing to do. But it is comforting to know that we do know everything we need to do to return to live with our Heavenly Father and be with our families forever. It is no guessing game. It is a blessing to be able to teach that to others.
As far as investigators go, we are teaching a lot of wonderful people including two really great women: Nikki and Tiffany. Nikki is in medical school and is just such a genuinely good person. The first time we met with her she said that she just wants to do what God wants her to do. She is so willing and open to learning and praying. Tiffany is also wonderful. She is from Florida and is only here in Virginia for a year. We’ve taught her twice, and she always has wonderful, heartfelt questions for us. It is just a wonderful blessing to be able to teach such intelligent people who are so willing to learn more. It is very humbling. But we pray always to have the Spirit guide us and fill our mouths, and as a result we have great success.
Cassandra (our investigator who was baptized on the 9th) is doing great. It is such a joy to visit with her on a weekly basis and recognize her growth and joy. Hopefully we will have more baptisms soon! We have a wonderful woman named Li (from China) who we’re teaching, and I think she will get baptized sometime next month. We’ve also been teaching a wonderful woman named Marcy (from Panama), but her English is not very good, so we ended up passing her to the Hermanas. I miss teaching her though. Between her broken English and my broken Spanish, we did OK, but we just felt it would be better for her to be taught by Hermanas and attend a Spanish ward. She seems to be thriving on it. Although, she is in Panama for a few weeks for her dad’s funeral, so she won’t be progressing for a little while. It was so sad. She texted me in Spanglish on Saturday morning and said, “Sister Lee, mi fader se fue.” I thought that meant he had died, but I wasn’t sure. I tried to call her, but she was hysterical on the phone, so I couldn’t understand a word she was saying. We were on our way to our service project, so we called the hermanas and had them go over and visit her. It helped her a lot, and she ended up coming to a big ward Spanish festival with her husband, daughter, and son that night. Sister Bennett and I were also able to attend the festival, and it was CRAZY! So much food and so much loud music and chaos. The bishop of the Spanish ward grabbed me half way through the night and said, “Can you go into the women’s bathroom. Someone’s sick.” I went into the bathroom to find about twenty Hispanic women in native dresses (permeating the room with strong perfume) crowded around a Hispanic woman (also in native dress) sitting on the toilet crying. I couldn’t understand what the problem was, but I tried my best to help her, and we ended up calling an ambulance because she was hysterical. I still don’t know what the problem was because by the time the ambulance arrived I was whisked away to help with something else. I hope she’s O.K. Oh the crazy things you do as a missionary! I am just beginning to learn! Anyway, Marcy is wonderful, and I can’t wait to attend her baptism in the near future!
Sorry this letter is so scattered. I am just writing as thoughts come to me. I miss you all SO much and really appreciate your letters, packages, emails, and prayers. You are the most wonderful family in the world. I love you. Please write me and I will write you back! Keep me posted on anything fun/interesting happening in Utah! I miss my Utah, but especially all of you.
Love you forever,
Jordan
How are you? I am emailing you late today because we had a sisters conference this morning with President and Sister Albright. There are 25 sisters in our mission, and it was a wonderful meeting. It felt so good to be together and feel like kind of a normal person for a few hours! First we carved pumpkins, then we had lunch, and finally we listened to President and Sister Albright and Hermana Funch (our coordinating sister). It was a fabulous meeting. I love being all together.
Did you get the package I sent? I sent it last Wednesday and sent it to Grandma’s because you said you were going to be there. Hopefully it got there before you left, but if not maybe she can just mail it to you. Sorry for the confusion! I should have just sent it home, but I thought it’d be fun for you to get it at Grandma’s. Did you have a fun trip? It made me happy to think about you there at Grandma’s house, but it made me miss you lots too. Is Charlie getting big? I hear he’s walking! How fun!
Last Saturday, we got to go and do a service project with our singles ward for the Hume School. We did yard work for three hours, and I’ve never enjoyed yard work so much in my life! It was just fun to be doing something different! Speaking of yard work, is the lawn getting better? J
We had a pretty scary/funny experience a few nights ago when we were out tracting. We knocked on a door, and an old man came to the door. He smiled and said, “Hi! I’m not interested in learning about the church, but a while ago some missionaries came and did yard work for me. Would you want to do yard work for me?” We told him that we have some service hours and could probably help him with some yard work. “Good!” he said. “Come in and let me give you a rose!” I felt really uneasy, but my companion just walked right in his house, so I followed. I think he sensed my uneasiness because he said, “It’s OK, my wife’s home.” She came into the room and waved at us. He then gave us each a rose. We thanked him, and there was some awkward silence so I said, “Have you always been into roses and gardening?” “Yes,” he said. “Well, I just like to grow them so I can give them to women.” Weirdo. We were both feeling kind of creeped out at this point. Then he gave Sister Bennett his business card, which read “Roses for Special Women—the Rose Man.” Weird! “What is your religion?” Sister Bennett asked him. His face got really serious, and he said, “It’s a secret.” Then his wife motioned him over to where she was and said, “I don’t want you to talk to them anymore.” He showed us to the door, and we couldn’t get out of there fast enough. I was pretty creeped out.
On a happier note, we are teaching a lot of wonderful people right now, two of whom are recent converts who just moved into the area and haven’t been active in the church for a while. They’re both young single adults. The first is Joanna. Joanna is the one I told you about a few weeks ago who grew up in a children’s home. She is so sweet, and I really enjoy talking with her and teaching her. One of the biggest blessings of being a missionary is the increased capacity you have to love. I feel so much love for the people I come in contact with it is overwhelming. The other recent convert we’re teaching is Kathleen. I love Kathleen. You know those people you meet and just instantly have a connection with? That’s how it is with Kathleen. She’s such a genuine, good person. She joined the church when she was in high school and then kind of stopped going to church when she went away to college. She has forgotten a lot of the doctrine, so she asked us if we’d teach her the lessons again. It’s been such a joy to teach her. She has such a strong, powerful testimony. We were teaching her about the plan of salvation last week, and I was teaching her about judgment and how Jesus Christ will be there to be her advocate. I told her that He will know everything about her, about her life, and even the desires of her heart, and that—as a result—she will be judged perfectly. We both just felt overwhelmed with the Spirit and both started crying. This gospel is just so amazing. I can study and teach it all day, every day and still constantly learn more and feel like I have SO much learning and growing to do. But it is comforting to know that we do know everything we need to do to return to live with our Heavenly Father and be with our families forever. It is no guessing game. It is a blessing to be able to teach that to others.
As far as investigators go, we are teaching a lot of wonderful people including two really great women: Nikki and Tiffany. Nikki is in medical school and is just such a genuinely good person. The first time we met with her she said that she just wants to do what God wants her to do. She is so willing and open to learning and praying. Tiffany is also wonderful. She is from Florida and is only here in Virginia for a year. We’ve taught her twice, and she always has wonderful, heartfelt questions for us. It is just a wonderful blessing to be able to teach such intelligent people who are so willing to learn more. It is very humbling. But we pray always to have the Spirit guide us and fill our mouths, and as a result we have great success.
Cassandra (our investigator who was baptized on the 9th) is doing great. It is such a joy to visit with her on a weekly basis and recognize her growth and joy. Hopefully we will have more baptisms soon! We have a wonderful woman named Li (from China) who we’re teaching, and I think she will get baptized sometime next month. We’ve also been teaching a wonderful woman named Marcy (from Panama), but her English is not very good, so we ended up passing her to the Hermanas. I miss teaching her though. Between her broken English and my broken Spanish, we did OK, but we just felt it would be better for her to be taught by Hermanas and attend a Spanish ward. She seems to be thriving on it. Although, she is in Panama for a few weeks for her dad’s funeral, so she won’t be progressing for a little while. It was so sad. She texted me in Spanglish on Saturday morning and said, “Sister Lee, mi fader se fue.” I thought that meant he had died, but I wasn’t sure. I tried to call her, but she was hysterical on the phone, so I couldn’t understand a word she was saying. We were on our way to our service project, so we called the hermanas and had them go over and visit her. It helped her a lot, and she ended up coming to a big ward Spanish festival with her husband, daughter, and son that night. Sister Bennett and I were also able to attend the festival, and it was CRAZY! So much food and so much loud music and chaos. The bishop of the Spanish ward grabbed me half way through the night and said, “Can you go into the women’s bathroom. Someone’s sick.” I went into the bathroom to find about twenty Hispanic women in native dresses (permeating the room with strong perfume) crowded around a Hispanic woman (also in native dress) sitting on the toilet crying. I couldn’t understand what the problem was, but I tried my best to help her, and we ended up calling an ambulance because she was hysterical. I still don’t know what the problem was because by the time the ambulance arrived I was whisked away to help with something else. I hope she’s O.K. Oh the crazy things you do as a missionary! I am just beginning to learn! Anyway, Marcy is wonderful, and I can’t wait to attend her baptism in the near future!
Sorry this letter is so scattered. I am just writing as thoughts come to me. I miss you all SO much and really appreciate your letters, packages, emails, and prayers. You are the most wonderful family in the world. I love you. Please write me and I will write you back! Keep me posted on anything fun/interesting happening in Utah! I miss my Utah, but especially all of you.
Love you forever,
Jordan
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Jordan: 10/13/10
Dear Mom, Dad, Jake, Benj, Josh, Tara, and Danny Bear,
How are you? I miss you so much! Sorry I say that at the beginning of every letter; I don’t say it lightly. I miss you so much. This week has been really hard. I’m not sure why because missionary work wise it was an incredible week, which I will tell you more about in a minute, but personally it has been really hard. Yesterday, I just totally lost it and couldn’t stop crying. It’s the first time I’ve done that since I’ve been here. I felt like I had completely reverted back to my M.T.C. self. I felt awful. I cried so hard that I had a terrible headache, and I was so embarrassed. I felt so ashamed that I was still so sad and missing my family so much. Sister Bennett finally convinced me to call Sister Albright because I just really needed to talk to a mom since I couldn’t talk to my mom. I was scared and thought Sister Albright would think I was whiney and wimpy for calling, but she was so loving and helped me so much. She told Sister Bennett and me to come right over to the mission home and help her make cookies for transfer meeting. Then she took us to dinner, gave us each a big hug, and we went back to work. It made me feel so much better. She talked to me about how normal and ok it is to struggle as a missionary. She said she wished she could give me a pill and make it all better but for me just to know that she is always there for me. I am so grateful to have President and Sister Albright. They are so loving and not judgmental. They just try to help in any way that they can.
Speaking of transfers, I think there was some confusion in my last email. I talked about exchanges (which just last 24 hours), but I have still been with my trainer Sister Bennett. This transfer (my 1st transfer) ends this week. Transfer meeting is tomorrow. Sister Bennett and I just found out that we’ll both be staying in this area together for another transfer! We are so excited. I feel so relieved. Sister Bennett and I have had our ups and downs, but I feel comfort knowing at least that I know what I’m getting into being with the same companion and the same area. And Sister Bennett has a great sense of humor, so that helps me a lot. (Just FYI, there are 12 transfers in a mission for sisters, so I’m 1 down and 11 to go!) Since it’s the end of a transfer, that means I’ll be sending you a package with pictures today! So be watching for it J I’m excited for you to get to see where I am, what I’ve been doing, and who I’ve been with. I think it will make us feel more connected. Please send me more pictures of you and what you’ve been doing!
On Monday, I celebrated my two-month mark. We went to the same yogurt place, and it was so yummy. In some ways it seems like it’s been a really long time since I’ve been here, but other times I feel like I just got here and I can’t believe the transfer’s already over. Time is just weird as a missionary, and in general I suppose. One thing I really struggle with is that I feel my emotions are so up and down—it’s like being on a roller coaster all the time, which wears you out! I’m happy, I’m homesick, I’m sad, I’m scared, I’m excited, and then I’m homesick again—all within a couple of hours. It’s exhausting! But missionary work is very rewarding, especially when you get to see someone enter the waters of baptism!
This week I got to experience my first two baptisms on my mission! The first was Cassandra, who was so wonderfully prepared and excited to be baptized. The ward really reached out and supported her. She was so happy. I have some pictures that I’m sending you of the day. The second baptism was unexpected. It was a little boy named Joseph whose dad was baptized last year. We’ve been teaching Joseph, and he really wanted to get baptized, but his mom didn’t approve. We prepared him for baptism a few weeks ago and then it fell through due to his mom’s feelings. But on Saturday, his dad called and said he had, had a dream and really felt like Joseph needed to get baptized that day. He asked me if we could make it happen. I said I would have to get back to him and after calling Bishop, President Albright, and talking with Sister Bennett, we made it happen! So we had two baptisms! One at 5:00 and another at 6:00. It was an incredible day.
I am so grateful for the opportunity to be a missionary. It is incredible to be even a small part of this great work. I know that this is where I am supposed to be, even if it’s hard. I am plugging along, trying my best to do everything I am supposed to be doing and praying constantly for the Lord’s help. That’s all we can really do sometimes isn’t it? It reminds me of the scripture I chose for my missionary plaque: “Let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power, and then may we stand still; with the utmost of assurance; to see the salvation of God and for His arm to be revealed.” That’s what I’m trying to do right now, and I know the Lord is blessing me for my efforts.
One thing I’ve been struggling with is knowing how to let my companion help me. I feel so homesick and sad sometimes, a lot of the time, but I don’t know how to express this well to Sister Bennett and to let her help me. I know that this is frustrating to her because she really does want to help. I am grateful to have another transfer together because we have been having great success. Hopefully, I can also learn how to be a better companion. Any suggestions?
I am so grateful for your love and support. Please write me! All I’m going to do today is write letters so that I can get all caught up. Please write me back! I miss you!
Love you forever,
Jordan
P.S. Be watching for the package!!!
P.P.S. I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!
P.P.P.S. You are the best family in the entire world J
How are you? I miss you so much! Sorry I say that at the beginning of every letter; I don’t say it lightly. I miss you so much. This week has been really hard. I’m not sure why because missionary work wise it was an incredible week, which I will tell you more about in a minute, but personally it has been really hard. Yesterday, I just totally lost it and couldn’t stop crying. It’s the first time I’ve done that since I’ve been here. I felt like I had completely reverted back to my M.T.C. self. I felt awful. I cried so hard that I had a terrible headache, and I was so embarrassed. I felt so ashamed that I was still so sad and missing my family so much. Sister Bennett finally convinced me to call Sister Albright because I just really needed to talk to a mom since I couldn’t talk to my mom. I was scared and thought Sister Albright would think I was whiney and wimpy for calling, but she was so loving and helped me so much. She told Sister Bennett and me to come right over to the mission home and help her make cookies for transfer meeting. Then she took us to dinner, gave us each a big hug, and we went back to work. It made me feel so much better. She talked to me about how normal and ok it is to struggle as a missionary. She said she wished she could give me a pill and make it all better but for me just to know that she is always there for me. I am so grateful to have President and Sister Albright. They are so loving and not judgmental. They just try to help in any way that they can.
Speaking of transfers, I think there was some confusion in my last email. I talked about exchanges (which just last 24 hours), but I have still been with my trainer Sister Bennett. This transfer (my 1st transfer) ends this week. Transfer meeting is tomorrow. Sister Bennett and I just found out that we’ll both be staying in this area together for another transfer! We are so excited. I feel so relieved. Sister Bennett and I have had our ups and downs, but I feel comfort knowing at least that I know what I’m getting into being with the same companion and the same area. And Sister Bennett has a great sense of humor, so that helps me a lot. (Just FYI, there are 12 transfers in a mission for sisters, so I’m 1 down and 11 to go!) Since it’s the end of a transfer, that means I’ll be sending you a package with pictures today! So be watching for it J I’m excited for you to get to see where I am, what I’ve been doing, and who I’ve been with. I think it will make us feel more connected. Please send me more pictures of you and what you’ve been doing!
On Monday, I celebrated my two-month mark. We went to the same yogurt place, and it was so yummy. In some ways it seems like it’s been a really long time since I’ve been here, but other times I feel like I just got here and I can’t believe the transfer’s already over. Time is just weird as a missionary, and in general I suppose. One thing I really struggle with is that I feel my emotions are so up and down—it’s like being on a roller coaster all the time, which wears you out! I’m happy, I’m homesick, I’m sad, I’m scared, I’m excited, and then I’m homesick again—all within a couple of hours. It’s exhausting! But missionary work is very rewarding, especially when you get to see someone enter the waters of baptism!
This week I got to experience my first two baptisms on my mission! The first was Cassandra, who was so wonderfully prepared and excited to be baptized. The ward really reached out and supported her. She was so happy. I have some pictures that I’m sending you of the day. The second baptism was unexpected. It was a little boy named Joseph whose dad was baptized last year. We’ve been teaching Joseph, and he really wanted to get baptized, but his mom didn’t approve. We prepared him for baptism a few weeks ago and then it fell through due to his mom’s feelings. But on Saturday, his dad called and said he had, had a dream and really felt like Joseph needed to get baptized that day. He asked me if we could make it happen. I said I would have to get back to him and after calling Bishop, President Albright, and talking with Sister Bennett, we made it happen! So we had two baptisms! One at 5:00 and another at 6:00. It was an incredible day.
I am so grateful for the opportunity to be a missionary. It is incredible to be even a small part of this great work. I know that this is where I am supposed to be, even if it’s hard. I am plugging along, trying my best to do everything I am supposed to be doing and praying constantly for the Lord’s help. That’s all we can really do sometimes isn’t it? It reminds me of the scripture I chose for my missionary plaque: “Let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power, and then may we stand still; with the utmost of assurance; to see the salvation of God and for His arm to be revealed.” That’s what I’m trying to do right now, and I know the Lord is blessing me for my efforts.
One thing I’ve been struggling with is knowing how to let my companion help me. I feel so homesick and sad sometimes, a lot of the time, but I don’t know how to express this well to Sister Bennett and to let her help me. I know that this is frustrating to her because she really does want to help. I am grateful to have another transfer together because we have been having great success. Hopefully, I can also learn how to be a better companion. Any suggestions?
I am so grateful for your love and support. Please write me! All I’m going to do today is write letters so that I can get all caught up. Please write me back! I miss you!
Love you forever,
Jordan
P.S. Be watching for the package!!!
P.P.S. I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!
P.P.P.S. You are the best family in the entire world J
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Some Pictures, and a letter from Sister Osmond
Some pictures that I found since Jordan has been in the mission field
The above pictures were at a fireside
Now the letter...
Hello Lee's,
I just wanted to let you know that we had your awesome daughter in
our home tonight for dinner, and I already love her. She is so
our home tonight for dinner, and I already love her. She is so
great and is doing really well. I know first hand how hard the first
little bit in the mission field is, and she is really hanging in there
well and doing a fantastic job. She has such a positive attitude and
I can tell she is giving it her all here in our ward.
I hope that the President keeps her here a long time so we can have
her over for dinner a lot. Please let me know if I can do anything
for you or for her.
I can tell she is giving it her all here in our ward.
I hope that the President keeps her here a long time so we can have
her over for dinner a lot. Please let me know if I can do anything
for you or for her.
Sincerely,
Laura Osmond
Laura Osmond
Here is the picture that she sent along with that email.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Jordan: 10/6/10
My Wonderful Family,
How are you? Hope your week is going great. I miss you so much. Yesterday was a really hard day. My poor companion has a stye in her eye, so my roommate Hermana Funch and I went to C.V.S. yesterday morning to get her some medicine. We walked into C.V.S., and I just started bawling. I don’t don’t even know what triggered it; I just miss my family! I ache for you. I miss talking to Dad about life, about decisions, feelings, and the Gospel. I miss hugging Mom, talking with her about everything, and running errands. I miss talking with Jake about friends, school, and our futures, and just hanging out together. I miss watching shows with Benji late at night, laughing at stupid things together and helping him with his homework. I miss Josh’s cute, embarrassed smile. I miss him asking me how my day went and sincerely caring to know my reply. I miss holding my Tara Sue, having her sit on my lap. I miss doing her hair, painting her nails, sharing a room, doing projects, talking and laughing about everything, and just having fun doing whatever we’re doing. I miss Danny’s sweet, sincere compliments and good hugs. I miss his stories and his contagious laugh. I just miss you! Wow, it hurts. It is difficult to be away from those you love so very much. As much as I love being a missionary and am eternally grateful for the opportunity to serve and give back just a tiny bit for all the incredible many things I’ve been given, it’s still hard and many, many times a day I just want to give up and go home. But I will not. I am here for the long haul. I will serve a full and honorable mission no matter how hard it is because I know this Gospel is true and that it is the only way we can fully prepare to return to live with our Heavenly Father and be sealed to our families forever. Who am I to keep that message to myself? That is why I am here, and I pray I will help as many people as I can to accept this glad message and reap the magnificent, eternal blessings of the restored gospel in their lives.
I can’t believe this transfer is almost over. Only a week left. Crazy! Part of me feels like it’s been a long time, but mostly it’s gone by fast. I really, really hope to stay in the Crystal City area. I don’t want to leave. I’m scared for change, and I love the wards I’m serving in. But one thing I’m really learning and trying to work on is embracing the experience along the way—even if it’s hard. Because life is about the experiences. It’s about joy. And most importantly, it’s about preparing to live with our Heavenly Father again someday. Greg sent me a letter last week and gave me some great advice. He said to swat doubts and discouragement and fears away like flies. Don’t dwell on them too much. Just be like, “Hey, there’s a doubt. Now I’m going to move on.” I’ve been trying to think more like that, and it’s helping me to relax and enjoy a little more. I am so grateful for a loving, caring family who is so wise and supports me in all that I do. Today we met with a recent convert (who’s new to our ward) named Joanna. Joanna is recovering from stomach cancer and really wants to get more involved in the church. She was put in a children’s home at the age of 12 and doesn’t have any family. It broke my heart to talk to her, but there she was smiling brightly and excitedly telling us about the culinary arts school she just started attending. This is so pessimistic and selfish, but when I meet someone like Joanna—someone who’s really had a hard life—I automatically think of myself and feel a lot of concern and fear for my future. Because if life’s been so hard for her, then certainly it’s got to be hard for me too. It makes me wonder why I’ve been so blessed with such a large, loving, supportive family when people like Joanna have no one and no where to call home. It breaks my heart and makes me uneasy.
On Saturday morning, Sister Bennett and I drove up to Bethesda with Sister Albright because Sis. Bennett has a dear family friend in NIH with cancer. It was an interesting experience. NIH felt a very somber place to me. I thought a lot about Nana and Grandpa. It made me really sad and uneasy to be there. It made me miss Grandpa and Nana and all of you. It made me sad to see those who were there suffering and fighting for their lives. But the upside is I got to talk with Sister Albright while Sister Bennett talked with her friend. I love Sister Albright so much. I wish I could see her every day. She is wonderful to talk to and a good “substitute mom” for me right now. She just makes me feel good.
As you all know, this week was General Conference! It was so wonderful. We watched it at the Stake Center with all the missionaries from our zone and even got to go out to lunch at Chilis on Saturday between sessions. That was a special treat! I feel like I’ve always appreciated and enjoyed General Conference, but it is a completely different experience as a missionary. I really soaked it all in and cried when it ended. I took 20+ pages of notes. It was amazing. Here are some of the things I really loved from Conference:
President Uchtdorf:
“Slow down a little and steady the course when facing adversity.”
“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication” –Leonardo Da Vinci
“Strength comes from being settled on a sure foundation of truth and light—the path leads to light, gladness, and peace—always.”
Br. Edgley:
“Choose faith. Faith is a choice; it takes work; it does not fall as the dews from Heaven—choose faith over fear, doubt, the unknown, and pessimism.”
Elder Andersen:
“In our weakened moments, the adversary seeks to steal our spiritual progression.”
President Eyring:
“A lack of trust in God brings sadness.”
Elder Jensen:
“The Book of Mormon is saturated by the spirit of the Lord.”
President Monson:
“To live with gratitude ever in our hearts is to touch Heaven.”
Elder Perry:
“You have a great responsibility to declare the Gospel to the world!”
Well, I am out of time. I love you all so very much Please write me! And thank you to those who have written! It helps me SO much to come home to letters at the end of a hard day. This is the true and living Gospel, and I am so grateful to have the opportunity to share that message with the people of Virginia. Thank you for your constant love and support. I pray for you and think of you always.
Love you forever,
Jordan
P.S. It’s been getting cold here! If you could send my winter clothes soon, that would be great! Just send what you think is necessary; I know it’s a lot of stuff!
P.P.S. I have started collecting acorns when we tract. J I am going to save them and then find a cute jar when I get home to put them in, so I have a little piece of Virginia with me.
P.P.P.S. Monday is my two month mark! Wahoo! 78 days until Christmas, and we get to talk on the phone!
P.P.P.P.S. Please send me the tape recorder and my partriarchal blessing! :)
P.P.P.P.P.S. I LOVE YOU SOOOOO MUCH!!!!!!!!
How are you? Hope your week is going great. I miss you so much. Yesterday was a really hard day. My poor companion has a stye in her eye, so my roommate Hermana Funch and I went to C.V.S. yesterday morning to get her some medicine. We walked into C.V.S., and I just started bawling. I don’t don’t even know what triggered it; I just miss my family! I ache for you. I miss talking to Dad about life, about decisions, feelings, and the Gospel. I miss hugging Mom, talking with her about everything, and running errands. I miss talking with Jake about friends, school, and our futures, and just hanging out together. I miss watching shows with Benji late at night, laughing at stupid things together and helping him with his homework. I miss Josh’s cute, embarrassed smile. I miss him asking me how my day went and sincerely caring to know my reply. I miss holding my Tara Sue, having her sit on my lap. I miss doing her hair, painting her nails, sharing a room, doing projects, talking and laughing about everything, and just having fun doing whatever we’re doing. I miss Danny’s sweet, sincere compliments and good hugs. I miss his stories and his contagious laugh. I just miss you! Wow, it hurts. It is difficult to be away from those you love so very much. As much as I love being a missionary and am eternally grateful for the opportunity to serve and give back just a tiny bit for all the incredible many things I’ve been given, it’s still hard and many, many times a day I just want to give up and go home. But I will not. I am here for the long haul. I will serve a full and honorable mission no matter how hard it is because I know this Gospel is true and that it is the only way we can fully prepare to return to live with our Heavenly Father and be sealed to our families forever. Who am I to keep that message to myself? That is why I am here, and I pray I will help as many people as I can to accept this glad message and reap the magnificent, eternal blessings of the restored gospel in their lives.
I can’t believe this transfer is almost over. Only a week left. Crazy! Part of me feels like it’s been a long time, but mostly it’s gone by fast. I really, really hope to stay in the Crystal City area. I don’t want to leave. I’m scared for change, and I love the wards I’m serving in. But one thing I’m really learning and trying to work on is embracing the experience along the way—even if it’s hard. Because life is about the experiences. It’s about joy. And most importantly, it’s about preparing to live with our Heavenly Father again someday. Greg sent me a letter last week and gave me some great advice. He said to swat doubts and discouragement and fears away like flies. Don’t dwell on them too much. Just be like, “Hey, there’s a doubt. Now I’m going to move on.” I’ve been trying to think more like that, and it’s helping me to relax and enjoy a little more. I am so grateful for a loving, caring family who is so wise and supports me in all that I do. Today we met with a recent convert (who’s new to our ward) named Joanna. Joanna is recovering from stomach cancer and really wants to get more involved in the church. She was put in a children’s home at the age of 12 and doesn’t have any family. It broke my heart to talk to her, but there she was smiling brightly and excitedly telling us about the culinary arts school she just started attending. This is so pessimistic and selfish, but when I meet someone like Joanna—someone who’s really had a hard life—I automatically think of myself and feel a lot of concern and fear for my future. Because if life’s been so hard for her, then certainly it’s got to be hard for me too. It makes me wonder why I’ve been so blessed with such a large, loving, supportive family when people like Joanna have no one and no where to call home. It breaks my heart and makes me uneasy.
On Saturday morning, Sister Bennett and I drove up to Bethesda with Sister Albright because Sis. Bennett has a dear family friend in NIH with cancer. It was an interesting experience. NIH felt a very somber place to me. I thought a lot about Nana and Grandpa. It made me really sad and uneasy to be there. It made me miss Grandpa and Nana and all of you. It made me sad to see those who were there suffering and fighting for their lives. But the upside is I got to talk with Sister Albright while Sister Bennett talked with her friend. I love Sister Albright so much. I wish I could see her every day. She is wonderful to talk to and a good “substitute mom” for me right now. She just makes me feel good.
As you all know, this week was General Conference! It was so wonderful. We watched it at the Stake Center with all the missionaries from our zone and even got to go out to lunch at Chilis on Saturday between sessions. That was a special treat! I feel like I’ve always appreciated and enjoyed General Conference, but it is a completely different experience as a missionary. I really soaked it all in and cried when it ended. I took 20+ pages of notes. It was amazing. Here are some of the things I really loved from Conference:
President Uchtdorf:
“Slow down a little and steady the course when facing adversity.”
“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication” –Leonardo Da Vinci
“Strength comes from being settled on a sure foundation of truth and light—the path leads to light, gladness, and peace—always.”
Br. Edgley:
“Choose faith. Faith is a choice; it takes work; it does not fall as the dews from Heaven—choose faith over fear, doubt, the unknown, and pessimism.”
Elder Andersen:
“In our weakened moments, the adversary seeks to steal our spiritual progression.”
President Eyring:
“A lack of trust in God brings sadness.”
Elder Jensen:
“The Book of Mormon is saturated by the spirit of the Lord.”
President Monson:
“To live with gratitude ever in our hearts is to touch Heaven.”
Elder Perry:
“You have a great responsibility to declare the Gospel to the world!”
Well, I am out of time. I love you all so very much Please write me! And thank you to those who have written! It helps me SO much to come home to letters at the end of a hard day. This is the true and living Gospel, and I am so grateful to have the opportunity to share that message with the people of Virginia. Thank you for your constant love and support. I pray for you and think of you always.
Love you forever,
Jordan
P.S. It’s been getting cold here! If you could send my winter clothes soon, that would be great! Just send what you think is necessary; I know it’s a lot of stuff!
P.P.S. I have started collecting acorns when we tract. J I am going to save them and then find a cute jar when I get home to put them in, so I have a little piece of Virginia with me.
P.P.P.S. Monday is my two month mark! Wahoo! 78 days until Christmas, and we get to talk on the phone!
P.P.P.P.S. Please send me the tape recorder and my partriarchal blessing! :)
P.P.P.P.P.S. I LOVE YOU SOOOOO MUCH!!!!!!!!
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