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
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