January 27, 2014 ~ Week 27

Hey, Hey, Hey-
So, first off, I am now in Reading, PA (Pronounced Redding)  with Elder Alex Eldredge from Layton! I am honestly so super excited! This area is so prepared, and we have been getting so much work done. We had 8 lessons in just 3 days of working and that is us just getting started! There is so much potential in this area, and honestly, me and Elder Eldredge are like the dream team. We're the same size, and we look a lot a like, and we act a lot alike, and honestly we get along so well. He is a stud of a missionary, and everything is going for us. 

{LOVE this picture that a sweet member in Cody's ward sent me last night. When Ky and I FB stalked his companion, the 1st thing we said was, "Oh he's so cute and little like Cody." }

So, Reading... It is the 2nd poorest city in the U.S According to Eldridge, and it is super tiny, and compact. It is full of Puerto Ricans. Super full of them. We try to do as much work outside of Reading as we can though. Not because we don't like going there, but people NOT in Reading are far more likely to keep commitments and whatnot!  But there is so much work to be doing here. We're going to be working crazy hard, and honestly nothing is going to be able to stop us, because we really have been called here by God, to do his work. The area has been prepared, and the field really is white, and ready to harvest. So, we will be doing a fare bit of reaping! So crazy excited. Everything really is just going right for us. I'm loving it so much! 

We have a car, which is super weird. We live in a super duper nice apartment complex. Definitely not your normal missionary apartment. We have a pool (Can't use it!) and a clubhouse and computer and a carwash! We actually live in Exeter, but it's like right next to Reading, and it's a township, not a separate city... so yeah! I'm just super happy to be here, and it's so crazy how much I am learning and how much different of a person I am just since last week! So weird. Anyways, I got to go. 

 I love you all a bunch!
~Elder Jorgensen

FB Message

Our Heavenly Father is always there for us. He loves us, and wants to do everything He can to help us through our trials. ~Elder Jorgensen

Happy Bump Day!

Exactly 6 months ago today, this sweet boy left to serve the great people of Philadelphia. He has had such a great experience learning, teaching, and growing. I miss him every day but I KNOW he is where the Lord wants him... doing what the Lord needs him to do. I am so grateful for him and for his great example. Happy Bump Day Elder Jorgensen! I love you to the moon and back! 

January 21, 2013 ~ Week 26

Hey there everyone! 
So I've found out that me and Elder Turpin are both getting transferred. It's kind of weird to think I've only been here for 6 weeks and I'm leaving already! Just when I was starting to figure things out! Darn, oh well! I'm so super excited for wherever I'm going though.

This week has been a lot of just prep work for the next set of missionaries coming in, and also packing... That's one thing I've realized that I hate... Packing. It takes forever! I only have like 2 suitcases worth of stuff, but I'm kind of super unorganized in case you forget... So my stuff is scattered all throughout the apartment and it takes forever to find it all, organize it all, and put it into my suitcase! WHY IS MY LIFE SO HARD?!?!?!?! :) 

On a completely unrelated side note, I realized this week that I am a whiner! YES! A WHINER. I whine about EVERYTHING. I don't know how Elder Turpin hasn't killed me yet! "I have to pee," "I'm out of milk!" "I spilled water on my shirt" "I'm tired," ETC.  Oh my gosh! It never ends! But hey, now that I notice it, I can change it right? That is one thing that I'm kind of in awe about concerning a mission. Now that may just be something that's kind of just a bit silly, but every single day, every single week, I become more and more aware of who I am. Not just the "I am a child of God" stuff, but what do I like? What bugs me? What is it like to be me? It's strange how out of touch I was with myself, strange indeed! But I'm slowly but surely figuring it out, and the best part is that I have my Heavenly Father that is teaching me every single step of the way, helping me to be the version of me that he would have me be. It's AMAZING and I'm so thankful that I'm able to talk to Him about myself, without feeling like I'm bugging him, or that I'm being selfish, because I know that He just wants to help me be the BEST me that I can be! Anyways, there is my ADD letter of the week. :) 

Thanks again for all the love and the support! I appreciate it so much! I'll let you all know next week where I'm at and who I'm with! Much love!

-Elder Jorgensen!

{I found this picture on FB this week.  This is Elder Jorgensen with his 2nd companion when they were saying good-bye.  It kind of goes with Elder J's comment about whining....right?}

FB Message

The blessing of knowing that we can see our loved ones, even after they have departed from this mortal life, is something that I cherish. I know my Heavenly Father loves me, and I know that these words of our Prophet,Thomas S Monson are true, and that we really can speak with our Heavenly Father, who will provide us comfort, and strength in our darkest times. He hears our prayers. I know He listens to me, and I know that He will listen to you, and answer your pleas. ~Elder Jorgensen

January 13, 2014 ~ Week 25

Hello there everyone! First off, I would first like to apologize! I guess my letter I sent last week could be considered by some to be sad, and discouraging. I promise that I'm doing fantastic and I'm so happy and just glad to be here serving a mission. 

One of my favorite things about serving a mission, besides just seeing the growth and change and happiness in others people's lives, is to see the growth and change in myself. A mission changes you, for the better. Far more than I would have ever imagined. There is no better way to learn and understand the Gospel, than to live it each and every single day. The best part is that I have a secret! I have a hidden solution to all of life's problems! All those things that angsty, white, teenage girls complain about on twitter? (My previous self included) Nonsense! Our Heavenly Father has prepared a way for us to understand the simplicity of life, and to live so that we can be happy, and ultimately return to Him! You know what's the best part about this secret? I'm trying to share it with everyone, every single day of my life. As long as we hold fast to the instruction we've received (Commandments) we don't need to worry about anything! I'm so grateful for being able to serve my Heavenly Father and help people be safe! There is no better calling on Earth than that of a missionary.

 That being said, I'm so excited for our area. Things are about to be exploding here in Taylor. There is so much excitement about missionary work from the members, and once we find a way to efficiently work with them, there will be nothing that can stop this work from progressing! I'm so excited to see what the next couple of weeks have in store! I'm sending a bunch of pictures to my mom today, so she will most likely be putting them on my home Facebook and on her blog thingy.  Know that I love each and every one of you, and that we really are led and guided by the hand of God.

Lot's of love!!

~Elder Jorgensen

{WE FINALLY GOT SOME PICTURES!!! YAY!  They are kind of random but proof that 

Elder Jorgensen really is on a mission. ENJOY!}

This is my ALL-TIME favorite picture in the history of EVER.  We sent Elder Jorgensen a life-sized paper version of us to celebrate his special day.  LOVE it!

{At first, I thought he was showing us that he was making jello.}

{Until this picture.  NOW I have no idea....}

January 6, 2014 ~ Week 24

Well Happy New Year everyone! I hope it was great for all of you! My New Year was pretty boring, but that is alright, I'm a boring person so it works out! We had to be home by 6 PM.  We ate dinner, played some games, and went to bed by 10 PM.  All in all though, my life is pretty boring right now! I'm getting pretty frustrated with this area because every week it is the same. We get pretty much nothing done. The zone leaders keep telling us how our area is a gold mine, over and over again, and yet nothing. It kind of stinks, but I'll get through it! No trial is too much for Elder Jorgensen because "...I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the things which he commandeth them." (1 Nephi 3:7)

 So for now I will endure! But I do hope my patience isn't tried for too long. But Hello!!! I press on! I will continue doing my best! That's what's most important right!?!?!?! As long as I do my best that's all I can be! 

Anyways, we had one lesson this week with Jason and Dennise. We just read Alma 42. I actually really love that chapter. It kind of kicks you in the butt every time you read it. They said they would be at church but they weren't. So we will see, I guess. 

Anyways, that really is all I have to report this week. Sorry for the lameness of this letter. I hope you all are doing fantastic!  Please drop me a line sometime and let me know how YOU are doing.

~Elder Jorgensen


{Note from Mom: Please keep Elder Jorgensen and his companion in your prayers that they will find those who are ready for the gospel.  Thanks for all your support.}

A Sweet New Year Message

Sometimes we have a tendency to feel sorry for ourselves. Sometimes we think that it's too hard and we can not do it. Brothers and Sisters, I promise you we can. Our Heavenly Father loves us and will never give us any trial that we can not overcome by buckling down and getting it done! As we have begun this new year, I would invite you all to "Gird up your loins; Fresh courage take." You can do it!
~Elder Jorgensen

Why should we mourn or think our lot is hard? 

'Tis not so; all is right.

Why should we think to earn a great reward

If we now shun the fight?

Gird up your loins; fresh courage take.

Our God will never us forsake;

And soon we'll have this tale to tell--

All is well! All is well!