Why hello there! My name is Elder Jorgensen! I just wanted to let you know how this past week has gone... Are you ready? Here we go!
So... compared to the last couple weeks it's been pretty slow here. Given, we are still getting more numbers than I've gotten in any other area on my mission, but that's just because it's Reading. Again, the funny thing about this area is that 80% of the people you talk to will set a return appointment with you, but only like 10% of those will keep their return appointment! and out of those 10% maybe only 20% will keep their commitments. It's incredibly frustrating at times, but we are definitely being blessed for our efforts. Lately we have seen a huge spike of media referrals coming in. Don't know where they are coming from, but it's super nice because usually those are the people who are really investigating the church, not just people who are willing to give you a shot. We have one of those people, Trey, who is so golden... so solid. He is the product of some great member missionary work in another ward. He grew up with some LDS friends and for the past year or so he has been going to church off and on with them. He already has a testimony, he reads the Book of Mormon every night, and studies it too. It almost feels with him like we are teaching a member. He could honestly get baptized next week but his date is for May 17th as of now. We'll see how it goes with him! Besides him we have a couple people that have some potential but none that are really noteworthy as of yet.
Right now Elder Goates and I are trying to get our washing machine out of our apartment. It broke and we are getting it out so that one of the ward members can bring the replacement one they got. It's a lot of fun moving washing machines ya know! Oh! And Elder Goates just broke the dishwasher a lot, while trying to fix it a little. So many adventures happening here! So there is this Goodwill here in Exeter (the township of Reading that we live in... don't ask... I don't even get it.) where you literally buy clothing by the pound... It's like a dollar a pound... So that means you can buy like 30 ties for around 5 dollars. That's just an estimate, but it's crazy! On a side note, Elder Goates is having a very educational experience as he is attempting to get the hose from the dishwasher to stop spraying everywhere. Fun times are to be had for all.
So...something from the scriptures... Sometimes being a missionary can be a bit overwhelming, especially in a city like Reading. Now I don't know for sure how many, but there are a LOT of people here. How am I supposed to preach the Gospel to all of them? There is just one me and just one Elder Goates. What are they among so many? How can the little bit I am be able to give help to so many people that need my help? Here's the part where the scriptures come in. Now think of my situation as you read these scriptures I am about to copy paste from the New Testament. (John 6:5-14)
5 ¶When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?
6 And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.
7 Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little.
8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, saith unto him,
9 There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?
10 And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.
11 And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.
12 When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.
13 Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.
14 Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.
If Jesus can feed 5000 with 5 loaves and two fishes, why can't he spiritually feed the people of Reading with the words I bring from Him? He can and He will. It will just take some patience on my part. One other point I would like to point out... Imagine how you would feel if you had 5 loaves of bread and 2 fishes, that you brought so that you wouldn't have to starve while you were out in the wilderness, and Christ asks you to give all of it to Him, so that he can feed all these people who weren't prepared? Christ doesn't ask for us to give Him some of it, he asks us to give all that we can, and when we do, we not only feed the 5 thousand, in addition to ourselves, but we have 12 extra baskets! There wasn't even that much to begin with. In closing, I know that Christ truly does bless and consecrate my efforts. I know that He is proud of me when I give my all and I know that He lives. Me and Him have been working pretty closely together lately, so I know He is using my efforts to feed far more than I ever could.
One last note, I need everyone to get on all social media and use the hashtag #BecauseOfHim and share the video from Mormon.org. The first presidency wants us to do an all out media BLITZ on FB. Keep posting things as often as you can. Post until you can't post no more! Also visitMormon.org/BecauseofHim it is such an awesome website and everyone who is able to see it will have their life blessed.
Love you all!
~Elder Jorgensen
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