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!!!!!
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
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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