July 23, 2013
I have the greatest family in the
world! THE END. Seriously, I know I say this every week, but I mean
it with all my heart. I just loved seeing all the pictures of all the
cousins and fam at little Gary's baptism. And how special that
grandpa got to baptize him! Everyone is so tan and getting so big!
So this
week, I got to see three people from outside my little mission
world. Can I just tell you it's the weirdest thing
when your mission world and normal world combine! It's completely
surreal. Ever since I've gotten to the jail I've always thought about how
neat it would be to take someone through that I'm close to on this tour, and then Jana came
and it was so wonderful! It was so great to see her and just hug her. I was
nervous it would be completely distracting, but I am totally fine. Jana, I love
you so much and I'm so glad I got to share the sacred liberty jail with you! I
also saw a girl from my freshmen ward at BYU on Sunday and Chris Booth (I think
that's her name, the one you play wallyball with mama). I'm sure she sent you a
pic.
On Saturday, Sister Rackham and I went to a baptism because she was
singing in it and there was a little girl the had Down syndrome, and yes I
cried! It's the first little kid I've seen that has Down syndrome and I was
just so happy! And then, the next day at the jail there was a little four year
old boy who also has Down syndrome! So, I was in Down syndrome heaven! hahah
Made me miss my Aubsy!
Anyways, this whole week I
have just been overflowing with joy to be a missionary! I am so blessed!
Yesterday, we met with one of our new investigators, Porche, and we had one of
the most powerful lessons I have ever been in in my entire mission. We were
talking about the Book of Mormon and as she continued to talk to us, we
realized that we needed to change our plans and talk to her about the
atonement. She shared with us some serious and unfair things that had happened
to her in her childhood that she has never told anyone, except her mom
about last month. As we were all in tears, Sister Rackham and I were able to
testify of the healing power of the atonement and I have never felt the
spirit bear such a strong witness to me of this before in my entire life. As I
was able to testify to her, that she is a precious daughter of a Heavenly
Father who loves her, and that she does matter and is of great worth to Him, I
could feel the spirit working through me. There is no better feeling than this,
to know that you are truly being His hands. She is so prepared for the gospel,
yes, there are many things that we will need to work through with her (word of
wisdom, law of chastity, etc.), but I know this is her time if she is willing
to take the journey.
Another one of our
investigators, Dylan, is a complete miracle story! He was a referral given to
us from some other sisters and we had been trying to contact him for about 2
weeks and just weren't having any luck. As we were walking home one day, we saw
this kid walking around with a guitar. We asked him if he would play us a song.
He sat down on the grass and started to play a Christian song called
"Doubting Thomas". We immediately felt such a powerful connection with
this kid. After the song we introduced ourselves, and he told his name was
Dylan. We found him!!! Well, more like the Lord placed him perfectly in our
path. Anyway, we went over on Saturday and taught him and invited him to church
on Sunday. As we went to get him on Sunday with another member, he seemed so
nervous and hesitant. He told us that his friends had been trying to talk him
out of going the moment we left on Saturday, but something just kept telling
him he needed to go. So, he CAME! :) We sat in the back because he wasn't
comfortable in what he wore (sweat pants). As the sacrament was starting, I had
just been praying the entire time that he would feel at home. (You have to
understand, that he's this 24 year old kid, who doesn't really have any family
around, has been in jail, and we can just tell that he really doesn't have a
support group or people that love him.) During the sacrament, he leaned over to
Sister Rackham, and his exact words were, "I feel at home here.". Oh
my goodness, hooray! The Lord answers prayers. The talks that were given
couldn't have been more perfect for him. After the second talk he told us he
needed to go out and pray for a minute. When he came back in, he had a small
piece of paper that he wanted to give to one of the speakers (who is about to
leave on his mission to Brazil). He was so impressed by his talk! After the
first hour, the ward just engulfed him. Everyone came to meet him and welcome
him! It was incredible! Very different from my old ward. He, like Porche, has
been completely prepared. Yes, there are a lot of things to also work through
with him, but they are both truth seekers and they have found the truth!
The jail has been
wonderful. I love it there. Every single presentation I take, I feel my
testimony growing deeper and deeper. There is nothing like being able to bear
testimony of the Savior and the prophet Joseph Smith, at a place where
they have been. With all my heart, I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of
God. I know it. This week I was studying about the history of the men that were
in prison with Joseph, and I came across the story of Caleb Baldwin. His was my
absolute favorite! At the time that he was in jail, he had 9 kids (7 of them
daughters). He was very concerned about how is family would make it without
him, especially in the winter. He went to the judge and presented his unique
situation to him. The judge told him that he would let him go under one
condition. If he would deny Joseph as a prophet. Caleb could not and would not
do this. He knew, so deep within himself that he truly was called of God. And
so, it was because of his testimony that he was imprisoned. I just love his
story. He is my hero. I may name one of my sons after him (and of course Kaleb
Bailey as well :) ) But, I just love that he was willing to give up everything
because he was truly converted. It's made me think a lot about my own
conversion. Could I do what he did? Something for all of us to ponder and think
about this week.
Well, I love you all
mucho! Have so much fun on your trip! You are all my sunshine! LOVE YOU! XOXOXO
MUAH!
Con Mucho AMOR,
Hermana Jorgensen
Family Scripture: Luke 22:32.... "But I have
prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art CONVERTED,
strengthen thy brethren."
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