Lead Me Guide Me

June 16, 2014

tears running down my face as I'm reading ALL of my emails.. wow. she did it. shes home. she finished.. wow. umm well the only thing I finished this week was.. the book of Mormon again.. so WOOO #winning hahah

EVERYONE LOOKS SO BIG (grownup). lexi looks gorgeous of course I cant believe it. classic that mom and aubs pass the do not enter. geez could lex be anymore popular? I cant believe how many people were there.

when is your homecoming lex?

This week was eventful. woooo! Monday was a work day.. had its ups and downs. I mean this week.. IT POURED RAIN! and I literally hate nothing more during missionary work than rain! ESPECIALLY in a walking area.. it is just so annoying... no one is even out and you cant even walk because you are DRENCHED. oh ya HAPPY ANNIVERSARY YOU 2 OLD LOVELY PEOPLE MADRE Y PADRE. holy cow. 25 years. is that real life?  geez you two are perfect I cant believe it.

 but sister Cole and I have been working hard! we have been trying a lot, walking a lot, talking a lot, and praying a lot! Monday night we had quite the experience as we were walking home this car pulled up on the side walk, we walked by and said hola and we had talked to one of the girls previously in the car and we just stopped for like 5 seconds, and the driver in the driver seat gets out and starts literally screaming "THE DEVILLLLL SATANNNNN 666 THE DEVIL IS HERE..." so many other things that I will not be putting.. but just screaming.. so sister Cole and I start walking away.. his other friend in the car is just laughing dying.. like "harassing" us.. luckily we were closer to home so we kind of walked faster and went inside.. people came out and like looked at us.. (embarrassing) literally my heart just ached... 1. because well I WAS SCARED!!! and 2. because I can not believe how sad Heavenly Father has to feel. I mean it made me sad.. and HES NOT MY SON! he is just my "brother"... I couldn't stop thinking about it for the longest time.. It makes me wonder to what degree does Satan go to trying to make the work of our Heavenly Father stop.. Sister Cole and I come into those type of occurrences if not daily.. weekly. you will all see when you come back to visit with me, the type of area I am working in! haha I LOVE this area. It is literally the COOLEST place in the United States. I cant believe how multicultural it is!

On Wednesday we went to the temple. I was shocked to see how close I am to new York city! maybe like 15-20 depending on traffic! It was such a needed time for me to be able to go to the temple and just feel of the Spirit. Then later that day I get a text from sister insong, from the Philippines that kim and kurt met.. she goes umm "do you know kim and kurt?" I was like OH MY GOSH YES!!  she said they said hi and that they are here in Ellis island! I was SO BUMMED! because I went the next day.. ohhhh I was so sad!!!

KaT AND GUS CALLED ME THEY HAD THEIR BABY! EVERYTHING WENT PERFECT! they named her.... LEXI CAMILLA :)))))))) HOW STINKIN CUTE!  

Friday that whole day we went to Morristown and it was literally pouring rain.. people don't know a thunderstorm until they come here.. So we all got together as a mission! literally I love that. our mission is so close and everyone has such great relationships! President and Sister Jeppson kind of gave their "dying" testimonies.. of course tears were shed. They are INCREDIBLE if you ever get the chance to meet them, you will be blessed. They have such a spirit, and love about them that you know that Heavenly Father is leading and directing them to guide us here in New Jersey. Friday night.. little hard for me but it went well! I was thinking about you all and hoping everything went perfectly!

I'm at peace to see the pictures and to know that all went well, I was a little anxious the past few days, but I am at peace!

yesterday was fathers day and I was thinking about the role of a father. I sure am grateful for an earthly father that loves and takes care of us! I was more focused on my HEAVENLY Father because he was the only one I could talk to yesterday, and I just want to bare my testimony that GOD lives. He is our Father. I know that he is in the details of our lives. I sit here sometimes and I feel alone, or I struggle and I feel like NO ONE could possibly know how I feel, but I have come to learn on my mission that is not true. He is above us, and He is aware. He is leading our every step. As one of my favorite hymns says" ..Lead me guide me walk beside me help me find the way teach me all that I must know to live with Him someday." We are here to be tried, to be tested, to be happy, and to be sad. TO OVERCOME ALL DOUBT AND MOVE FORWARD IN THE LOVE OF OUR HEAVENLY FATHER TO RETURN TO HIM SOMEDAY. I love my Heavenly Father. This is a Gospel full of love. A plan full of love!

I love you guys! lex I'm proud of you!

love: Hermana Jorgensen.. THE ONLY ONE! xoxx

I went to the temple Wednesday... Ellis island Thursday and then

did my comps hair and dressed her up! it is so fun! everyone in the ward is like ayychiuaua Hermana Cole! I'm like I KNOW!

Lexi You Did It

June 9, 2014

well to start of the emails this week.

Hermana Jorgensen (last time saying that..while you are a missionary) you did it. It feels surreal but wow YOU DID IT! i LOVE you and seriously am so thankful that you left on your mission.. it got me to my mission. You lead by example, and truly have set the path for many others to see the true example of Jesus Christ. You represented Him with your whole heart. And I have been blessed to be serving the same time as you. NOW breathe, relax, enjoy the time..in the real world... AND DON'T GET MARRIED FOR 5 MONTHS!!! okay :)

This week. woooo.. well lets just say i have learned a lot. first. Everyone thinks I'm Cuban.. haha WHAT?! i get asked that all the time..

Now to the lessons i have learned.

This week I truly have been shown how all the little things truly have an effect on people. So we went to zone meeting and during zone meeting our zone leaders asked if sister Cole and i would go up to the front and sit in these comfy chairs. It was so uncomfortable, and we didn't really know what was going on. Well then they go okay everyone you can start.... uhh what? SO everyone went through and said something they love about sister Cole, and something they love about me... OH I WAS HAVING A COW. i hate compliments.. i hate being put on spot i felt SOOO uncomfortable.. haha and needless to say that all of Sister Coles compliments were "you work so hard sister Cole, you really are so dedicated and focused on this work. you never rest, and truly understand how important it is to work every second." Then they get to mine.. all of mine.. " you are crazy, you are NUTS, you never lost yourself on your mission, the level of energy in the room is 5 and then when you enter it shoots to a 10! you make everyone feel loved.. yadyadada..." hahah what? i was like oh great I'm AWESOME! my companion is this unreal missionary, and i am NUTS! hahah sweeeet. Then they got to the last elder. This elder just got to his mission, he is from Mexico and he is 25.. he has been having a really hard time. No one really reaches out to him so like i am always talking to him, and just seeing how everything is going and trying to get him to interact with everyone when we do things! I never really thought anything of it.. just like ehh I wanted everyone to be included so i would talk to him. ANYWAYS he says something about sister Cole and then he gets to me, and he goes silent.. and we are all kind of sitting there.. it was a little uncomfortable but he tried to talk and he was just crying... it was just dead silent for like literally 10 minutes and he was crying. (of course i have tears form in my eyes) he goes," i really want to thank you. because every time i wanted to be alone you would come and talk to me. i prayed every night that i could feel love, and in the times that i needed it most, and felt so alone you were there. I can not tell you how grateful i am for every time you try to include me. You really have helped me more than anyone on my mission..." Umm.. it was just silent and we all sat there.. i just felt so touched.. and uncomfortable because everyone was looking at me.. but after it made me think. THE LITTLE THINGS. i would talk to him every time we were with him, it wasn't ever anything big. It didn't make me sacrifice anything, it was just a simple conversation or invitation to invite him to be with all of us.

Well later that week i don't know if i wrote about a less active Grace Contreras? if not real quick background. We were walking to interviews with president and she contacted us. Well we had a lesson.. she knows nothing. she was forced to be baptized by her ex husband 30 years ago.. she literally doesn't know who jose smith is or what the book of mormon is. So it is fun we get to teach her EVERYTHING! (she went to church yesterday!) Anyways i asked her why she stopped us and knew we were missionaries.. and she said because you smiled at me... that was it.

SO it made me think holy cow the little things we do truly do impact people. It is so important that we always try to act like the Savior in all that we do, because someone is always watching, and someone is ALWAYS affected by the little things.

We run into so many people who hate the church because of what the PEOPLE do inside of it. It breaks my heart because the church is PERFECT, and people judge it by its IMPERFECT people inside of it.

Funnies this week:

Umm Saturday we had a split with our bishop and assistant.. hahah yeah that was a riot! my poor comp hated it because it was actually really fun! it was a breather that i needed!

then.. i don't know how funny this is

but in ward council they were talking about how there is a group of people that play basketball at the church.. boys.. but bishop wants them to be interested in the church.. the elders said they really aren't.. well when the bishop was with us there was a 14 year old boy that walked with us for like 15 blocks that i talked to him about the church.. so bishop brings that up in ward council and then proposed the idea, "well maybe we can have sister jorgensen come and talk to them because i saw her talk to a young boy yesterday and he ended up giving his information to her." ....u uhhh what? he was dead serious. i was kind of embarrassed. the elders apologized and told me that it wasn't appropriate what he said. He had good intentions, but it didn't come out right.. technically he wants me to flirt to convert....

i love you all. lex. i love you. you did it. 

Ricardo got baptized :)

June 2, 2014

HOLY COW. this week. family. get ready for an email. First things first. 

I'm safe. hahah :)

Lexi called me. WHAT? when she called and I first heard her voice I didn't really know what to do.. I was just like uhhhh hi?! because I hadn't heard it in a 1 1/2. Anyways we talked for like 30 minutes about everything.  I MEAN EVERYTHING I love that lady. She is so calming. she is incredible, she is changed, she is understandable, and she has served an incredible mission with an incredible purpose to come to know her Savior is. Lets just say all was good till the end and I got a little teary just because I know that our relationship has changed since we have both been serving the Lord, but I didn't actually realize it till I talked to her on the phone. I love her with all my heart. She is literally an angel from my Heavenly Father.

So Monday was good. wrote so many letters. holy cow.

then Tuesday. we had district meeting, and then we emailed... and lex told me she was going to call me the next day. HOLY cow. I was focused don't worry.

Wednesday. We did studies, and then.. LEXI CALLED! Then we walked to the church to have interviews with President. Which was my last one.

I had an interview with Sister Jeppson first and she asked me how I was doing especially with my companion because, well they know it is hard. Sister Cole has a really hard time getting along with people and she stresses out to the max and it is just hard. But she asked me how I was and I told her good.It was just SOOO good to talk to her. I love her. She is amazing! I just got in there and like for the past 3 weeks this was my fist time I could just actually be myself and just like unload all my overdramtic acting hahaha her theme was choosing to be happy... it is a CHOICE. as momma always teaches us. EVERYTHING IS A CHOICE. Then I go to interviews with President. And he asked me Sister Jorgensen how is everything? I said good, I feel a little lonely. and he said, "I knew that would happen." He said, "I want to tell you a little insight Sister Jorgensen. When I prayed to know who your next companion was going to be, Sister Cole came to my mind. I was a little nervous because I know that you love to love, and that the "love" aspect of the work would of been lacking a little bit. I prayed 4 times and every time it was reconfirmed that you 2 needed to be together.." I just sat there and said okay... he said, "I just finished having an interview with sister Cole, right before you, and I can honestly say with my whole heart,  Sister Jorgensen, if you went home right now, if you got on a plane right now, and did nothing else with your mission,  for the change I have seen in Sister Cole, you would have served a 100% successful mission. The change I have seen in Sister Cole has been immensely evident. Sister Jorgensen, Sister Cole needs you. She needs you. (he said it twice..) Now I know you may be struggling and it may be hard, but please keep doing what you are doing and know that I love you for the work that you have done in a short 3 weeks with sister Cole, and more importantly that your Heavenly Father LOVES you." Tears filled my eyes.. I got this overwhelming change of heart that ya know what.. it doesn't have to be hard, it doesn't have to be lonely, I have a CHOICE to make it what it is. He then proceeded to say, " but also remember that there is a great lesson to be learned from sister Cole, I am not sure what it is, but I am positive when I say you have something to learn from her." and he's right. I love President Jeppson. He has impacted my life more than anyone here on this earth.. (besides my family of course)  He is so tender hearted, and Christ like, that it just makes you feel like you are in the presence of your Heavenly Father. He is a man of God.

So I have changed my outlook. Sister Cole and I talked and I told her I felt lonely because it was the day after I talked to lexi.. and yeah.. it was hard in the morning just knowing shes going home and everything that was happening but I talked to her and we talked things out about how we are here to help each other and it has been a blessed week! We've never argued, I think we just needed to let each other know whats up!

For a funny story now.

SOOO. 3 weeks into this area. don't know a soul. really. We plan out the day and we get a call at like 12:30 from an investigator, his name is Luis. Well he asked if we could come over to answer some questions about the Book Of Mormon. So we are literally stressed out of minds trying to find team ups. because well 1 needed to be with sister Cole in the church with that lesson, and then we had to find 2 OTHER people to come with me, because I needed a companion, and he is a guy so we needed a 3rd girl. so yeah that was pulling strings. BUT we found them! SO the lesson is at 8 o'clock.. we meet 2 of the team ups at church, 1 stays with sister Cole, and the other one goes with me, and with a guy named Diego (recent convert) anyways I'm riding in the car.. ( not even allowed but we didn't even realize or know till after the whole night was over) repented.  ANYWAYS we drive by Luis's house trying to find a parking spot.. there are like 8 people outside his house, so I call the other team up and I'm like hey we don't need you anymore because I didn't want to bring 4 people to his house, and he knows none of them, and I have only met with him once.. so I just thought oh maybe his aunts are home because he lives with like 3 of his aunts. so Diego drops us off so he can try to find parking.. cause it is impossible to find parking. Hermana Amao and I walk up and Luis is wearing a tux.. I was like oh wow you look nice, are you heading out? he was like yeah we are going dancing.. I was like uhhh what? I  thought you wanted to go over questions for the Book Of Mormon. He was like yeah I do, go in. I was like okay are your aunts there because we need another women. He goes don't worry there are a lot of people there. So we are walking in and we hear applauding... I'm shaking hands left and right it was kind of like a tunnel... SOOO. I'm just like oh no what is going on. I don't have a companion, I don't even know this team up, I don't know what anyone is saying , I don't know this area... SOS HELP!!!! hahah We walk in and it was a convention! HE TRICKED US!! He wanted us to become clients... Hermana Amao and I are just sitting in front of this room with like 30 people  and everyone is chanting like every 5 minutes "si se puede" (yes you can!!) like clapping! giving us water... and teaching us... about how to improve my quality of money through THE HISPANIC culture.... uhhhh excuse me.. I am not Hispanic.. I'm not making money right now, and I'M A MISSIONARY! We sat there for like 15 minutes I didn't know what to say  or how to get out.. I felt so uncomfortable.. like I couldn't stop laughing inside because I couldn't believe this just happened! Anyways we get out, after I make a huge scene to leave.. and I'm like Luis.. I thought you had questions on the book of Mormon.. he goes oh yeah what chapter did you want me to read again... I was like... IS THIS REAL LIFE?! I COULD OF ANSWERED YOU OVER THE PHONE OR TEXT! instead I am just highly uncomfortable apologizing to the team up, 3rd wheeling it, didn't even teach a lesson, show up to the church with 5 minutes to 9 RUNNING MY TAIL off 20 blocks to get home on time... well. there it is folks. we got used. he thought we were his "clients" instead of him being our "client"

we dropped him haha he was interested in something else.

Well tender mercies of the Lord. I am grateful for them. We were struggling finding a team up for a lesson that was in like 2 hours we called for the past 2 days.. literally everyone. like I cant even begin to tell you. anyways we called our bishops wife early and she didn't answer, the appointment was in 1 hour.. and we get a text from her that said "who is this?" and so we called her. Right as I was talking on the phone asking her to come out with us, she was saying yes.. and the catholic church's bells were ringing and playing the song "Be Still My Soul".... I love my Heavenly Father. He is truly in the details of our lives. He is aware of us, and he is always there for us.

Last but not least, sorry I feel like this is too long. umm... yeah sooo RICARDO in my last area got baptized. I didn't even know till after. Sister Duke called me last night and said sister Jorgensen Ricardo got baptized.. it was a shock to me.. He was a member referral that sister duke and I got and taught.. and he was baptized. wow. I cant believe it. I don't really have emotions to say how happy I am. But I am grateful for the Lords hand in Ricardo's life.

This week was good. I have been overwhelmed with everything I have been learning, from the spirit I have felt, and from the tender mercies of the Lord. I see them daily.

Sister Cole and I are working hard, and I am grateful for her. It has been so fun working with her, and truly learning the concept of patience and love. You will not fail in life if you are patient and full of love. God is aware of us. He has a plan, and though at times it may be hard, and uncomfortable if we wait with patience, (as every prophet does in the scriptures) and we choose to love our surroundings and what God has given us, it will be alright in the end.

I love you fam. you are my Sunshine's :)

love Hermana Jorgensen xoxx

ps.... I

ate cow heart this week... yeah.. ummm.... yeah. no thanks.

rhubarb!!!! thought of mom :)

interviews with president and sister jeppson

 doing sister coles hair!

lexi called!!!! 

also we always have to take selfies because its hard to take photos in the city.. cause you cant look like tourists and there are people around you 24/7

so a selfie a day.. :)

Ricardo he is on the right of me? he isn't holding the baby! he got baptized :)