Sao Paulo- Santana Letter 1

Dear Family & Friends,

"Is there anything too hard for the Lord?" (Genesis 18:14) This is one of the 18 faith scriptures we recite in Portuguese every morning and every night. With faith in our Savior Jesus Christ, we can accomplish anything and be the instrument for bringing about many miracles!

WELCOME TO THE SAO PAULO NORTH MISSION!!!! Honestly this past week was tough for me, physically, mentally, and emotionally. So I definitely cried when I skyped with my family on Sunday for Mother's Day! Despite all the blisters from walking (about 8 to 10 miles a day) and getting used to a new language and culture, I have to remember everything is hard before it is easy. 

On Tuesday we left the MTC, met our new companions, and went straight to work in our new areas. I am serving in the Sao Paulo North Zone in the wealthier part of the city, in the Santana area. Our area is huge so there are two sets of Sisters and we live together (in a very nice apartment! I got lucky). Sister Pinon, my friend from the Provo and Brazil MTC, is serving in the other companionship here with me so that's been fun. I have an American companion, Sister Garner, from Mesa, AZ. She has been out for 13 months total, 8 months in Brazil. Sister Garner was transferred here to Santana only 2 weeks before I arrived so it's been quite the adventure trying to figure everything out, especially when I feel like I am no help. But Sister Garner is an awesome missionary and we are doing our best! We have been adding lots of new investigators. 

The missionary work here is on fire! There is no doubt that these people are prepared. I don't know if it's the culture or two random American girls talking about forever happiness, but people here are just more willing to listen! Sister Garner does most of the talking in our lessons right now, as it is very frustrating not being able to express what I want to say. But I know I have to be patient! I can't be afraid to speak because the only way I will learn is if I try to talk as much as I can, despite the many mistakes. I'll write more about our investigators next week.

I LOVE Brasileiros. They are so warm, sincere, and friendly! All the women greet you with kisses on the cheek. They are your best friend after just a minute of talking to them. No strangers here! The members of the Santana ward are strong in testimony and faith. And they are so excited about missionary work and love the missionaries. We have lunch appointments with members every day, instead of dinner like in the United States. Lots of rice and beans! I tried a new fruit called "caqui" the other day. It was kind of like a crunchy sweet tomato pear thing. And I tried cashew juice... not a fan of that one. But overall, I have been very impressed with what people feed us!

Well my brain hurts. I know these first few months are going to be tough, and right now it's been more physically tough than anything else. I am just so tired! But I really am SO happy to be here. I'm so thankful for this opportunity to serve my brothers and sisters here in Brazil, to take what I have learned in California to be the best, most valiant, missionary the Lord wants me to be. I know Heavenly Father has everything all under control and He knows me better than I know myself. He knows what I am feeling and He sends me little daily reminders to let me know I am not too far from home (like hearing Taylor Swift playing from a nearby store haha). I am so grateful to know I have a loving Heavenly Father, an "Amoroso Pai Celestial", who loves me and wants me to be happy. It's so special to see and feel how my same Father in Heaven loves these precious people, moms and dads, sons and daughters, here in Brazil too.

Pray for my blisters! I don't want to even tell you how many band-aids I go through a day. I LOVE YOU ALL!

Com Amor,

Sister Jorgensen

P.S. Pics of my new companion and I, the Sao Paulo temple, and the first day in our new apartment when I saw the view from our window (we live on the 8th floor- I still can't believe we live in a place that nice).

Brazil MTC

Dear Family & Friends,

This is my one and only Pday email from the Brazil MTC so get excited!!! I have way too many things to write about and I don't even know where to begin. But first and foremost... I LOVE THIS PLACE!!!

Having visa-waiters come to the training center in Brazil is the best (most inspired) idea ever. Total immersion in the language. Us few "Americanos" (there are about 30 of us total) are among more than 250 missionaries from Brazil, Ecudaor, Argentina, Peru, and several other countries. It's super weird to be the "foreigner". My district is made of all American visa-waiters like me, but we are mixed in with the other missionaries for meals and everything else. Our teachers speak Portuguese (most of them don't even know English) and our roommates are even Brazilian. I'm definitely trying to make the most of this opportunity to speak the language as much as possible. It's frustrating but Heavenly Father helps me.

The biggest adjustment so far for me has been the food. SO MUCH MEAT. I wonder what I'll be eating when I go to my first area next week. I think I'm getting used to having a ham and cheese sandwich (everyday) for breakfast, but I'm still hoping for a dessert that doesn't jiggle...

I love being here at the Brazil MTC because we get hands-on experience. On Saturday our district rode an extremely crowded city bus to the center of Sao Paulo to proselyte. Each companionship had to give out 6 copies of the Book of Mormon. Coming from my state-side mission where people pretty much scream and run when you say the word "mormon", I was shocked at how easy it was. Brazilerios were taking the Book of Mormon like it was candy. Of course explaining the Book of Mormon in my extremely limited langauge abilities was difficult, but I could at least say my testimony! That's what is most important.

This morning we went to the temple in Sao Paulo which was a really special experience. So beautiful!  I can't even express how it feels after waiting so long to actually be here in Brazil. The session was actually in Spanish because most of the missionaries we were with were from Argentina, so I had headphones for translation. No matter where you are in the world, no matter what language you speak, no matter what temple you're at, the Spirit is the same.

Last night we had a devotional by Elder Pinho (just was called to the Quorom of the Seventy this last conference and happens to be the dad of one of my teachers at the Provo MTC) and all the missionaries got to sing a special verson of "How Great Thou Art". We sang a verse in Spanish, Portuguese, and English. I had to hold back tears because the Spirit was so strong. It's just so neat to be surrounded by all these missionaries from different countries who have the same testimony and conviction about the gospel of Jesus Christ as I do. Though it was in Portuguese, the devotional was great and I understood a lot.

The other Americans in my district waited for their visas for anywhere from 7-12 months. I didn't realize how lucky I was. It's interesting to have this "pause" in our mission, coming back to the structured environment of the MTC after being in the field for so long, but I am SO grateful for this experience. Several visa-waiters in my district had the chance to serve as Zone Leaders and Sister Training Leaders so I am learning a lot from them. Sister Talli Archibald from my stake in Alabama is in my district (she waited for 8 months and served in AZ) and Sister Gabrielle Pinon from my Provo MTC district (served in St. Louis, Missouri) is my companion! These familiar faces are definitely a tender mercy from Heavenly Father to help me in this transition.

Every day when I wake up and look out the window at the beautiful city of Sao Paulo and see my Brazilian roommates, I thank my Father in Heaven for this opportunity to serve here. I am so blessed to finally be living my dream. I am not going to waste a single minute of it! I am thankful I have the chance to serve two very different missions, which were and will be hard in different ways. The experiences I am having are giving me a foundation in faith and testimony of my Savior Jesus Christ that I will have for the rest of my life.

I wish I could write for hours and hours and hours but this will have to do for now. I tried to include pictures but I think these MTC computers are blocking it so I'll have to keep you wondering, sorry. Next email I will be in my Sao Paulo North mission! WOOHOOOO!

I love you all! Thanks for the prayers and support.

Com Amor,

Sister Jorgensen

Sacramento Week 23: THIS IS IT!

Dear Family & Friends, 

It's hard to believe this is my last "Sacramento Letter". When I started I figured I would make it to number 9 or 10 but the Lord knows better than I do of course, so here we are 23 weekly emails later.

Tomorrow I will get on a plane and fly to Brazil. Yes, tomorrow. I just have to type it out because I still don't believe it yet. It's really happening. There has not been a day that has gone by since I opened my mission call in May of last year that I have not thought about this. NOW I'M REALLY BRAZIL BOUND!!!!!!!!!

Highlights of my final week as an English speaking missionary...
On Thursday two young women from another ward came out with us on splits as part of the stake youth conference. I went with a girl named Meghan and we went to visit a few less-actives and do some street contacting. Sister Cleverly took the other girl and went to a lesson with one of our investigators, which ended up being a super awkward Law of Chastity lesson where we found out we needed to stop teaching this investigator due to some issues. Anyway, on a lighter note, Meghan was going back and forth about wanting to serve and she told one of the other missionaries that coming out with me made her decide she wanted to go! So I'm glad it was a good experience for her. I thought that was a really cool idea for a youth conference- to pair off with the missionaries in the stake for some real missionary life experience. 

We tried to take advantage of the rest of the week so we could see as many people as possible (just using me leaving the country as an excuse to actually SEE and TEACH something to them). We got to see Craig & Amanda and their family and we taught them about the importance of having a forever family. I wrote them a letter and took pictures with them. I am not giving up on them, or Jason & Shelly, being sealed in the temple one day. Yes, they do have to get baptized first, but it's going to happen! The rest of the week was filled with lots of good byes to our other investigators and some less-active members we worked a lot with, which was hard. But I know Sister Cleverly and her new companion will keep up the great work and continue to see many miracles. Unfortunately there wasn't a miracle baptism for Larry this weekend but that's alright, we tried our best and did all we could!

Yesterday at church was like my mission farewell at home all over again! Now I realize why they don't tell visa-waiters about getting their visa until as late as possible. I hate good byes! The Northridge ward isn't just a ward of really great members; they are my family. There were so many people that came up and said good bye, wishing me well on my next journey, and thanking me for all the hard work I had put in there. I felt so loved! That helped me feel like I had in fact made a difference and that I won't be forgotten. Sister Cleverly and I sang with the choir for Easter, gave the prayers in Sacrament meeting, and taught Gospel Principles class for my last Sunday. I also got up in Relief Society and said a little something, thanking all those ladies for all they do for us as missionaries. I will cherish the memories I have in this area forever.

As I reflect on my past (almost) 7 months, I realize that serving in Sacramento was truly a blessing and an opportunity that I will never forget. There were many times of trial and hardship, but those were crucial growing moments for me when I had to rely on strength beyond my own. He has poured out His tender mercies and carried me through when I didn't want to stick it out any longer. Heavenly Father knew I needed this experience to help me become the valiant missionary he wants me to be.

I may not have had that golden convert baptism yet on my mission but I have seen one person converted to the gospel, and that has been ME! I know this church is true and I cannot not deny it. Each time we tell someone about Joseph Smith or the Book of Mormon, or even about how families can be together forever, I feel the Spirit testify to me that it is in fact truth. I know Joseph Smith was called by God to restore His true church back to the Earth, which we so desperately need to help us return back to our Heavenly Home. I know the Book of Mormon was translated by Joseph Smith through the power of God and it compliments the Bible in testifying of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I know my family and yours can be together forever through the blessings of the holy temple. I love serving a mission because I get to see the light of the gospel change people. The gospel of Jesus Christ brings me such joy and even though being a missionary isn't always fun, it's the best thing that I have ever done.

My favorite scripture is D&C 84:88 (go look it up, I am not writing it because I want to entice you to search it on your own!). I have felt the promises of this verse and I know the Lord doesn't ever leave us alone. 

My state-side mission chapter is coming to a close. Now it's time to write the next chapter... in Portuguese... (deep breath) HERE WE GO! 

Love,
Sister Jorgensen 

P.S. Pics of final biking adventures! Oh how I'll miss that bike. The other is some of the missionaries in our zone (I'm on the very right end because I had to put my camera on timer to squeeze us all in)

Sacramento Week 22

Dear Family & Friends,

"...ye receive no witness until AFTER the trial of your faith" (Ether 12:6)
Oh yes, my faith and patience have been tried quite a bit over the past 6
months but I am pleased to announce that good things come to those who wait
:)

This week we helped the less-active Holmes family do some yard work and we
had a good talk with them at the end about the true meaning of Easter. As
Sister Holmes was reflecting on her own son's mission she said to us, "I
hope you know how proud your parents are of you and what you are doing for
people on your missions and all the service you give". That really touched
my heart as I thought about my mom and dad and how much I miss them. Just
another tender mercy phrase that I needed to hear!

We spent quite a bit of time with Craig and Amanda this week as we helped
them organize some more of their stuff for the sale. Craig told us he
really wants to be baptized but Amanda feels they are in the middle of too
much chaos right now. They have to be out of their house within the next
month and they've got some roommate problems, in addition to all the
craziness with their little kids. I think service is just the best thing we
can keep doing for them right now! It's important to keep showing them our
love so they can feel God's love for them too.

We ate dinner with Hannah, a potential investigator who is about to be
married to a less-active in our ward. She gave us cute little "summer
survival" kits with sunscreen (a must for biking) and lots of other fun
things- perfect missionary gift. She told us flat out that she loves us
missionaries but she doesn't ever want to become a Mormon. We'll see about
that!

Carl, our new investigator from last week, is on date for baptism for April
26th... but we are trying to figure out if he is really accountable. He's
having trouble remembering our lessons, can't hear anything that goes on at
church, and can't see or read even a large print Book of Mormon. He's a
child of God who needs to be baptized but can he be accountable to the
higher standard? Not sure yet. We'll keep discussing it with our ward
mission leader and of course continue to pray.

On Sunday afternoon I got to practice Portuguese with a real Brazilian! Her
name is Ivane and she is a less-active member of another ward close by. She
also had a non-member friend named Mariza there who was also from Brazil.
It was fun! They told me all about the culture and I got to share my
testimony and share the Joseph Smith story in Portuguese. I understood most
of what she said but I definitely need to work on my speaking...

Lots of good things happened this week. Lots of tender mercies and little
miracles. Oh and a really big miracle... get ready for it....

SISTER JORGENSEN IS GOING TO BRAZIL!!!! That's right, I got my visa!!!!  I
leave next Tuesday April 22nd and report to the Brazil MTC in Sao Paulo for
a 2 week refresher course on the language. Then I'll be going to my Brazil
mission!!!!!! WOOOHOOOOOOO!!! Is this real life? I still am not quite sure.

We had interviews with President Lewis yesterday and that's when he told
me. He thanked me for all the service I had done here and told me I was a
"model missionary". That really meant a lot coming from him.

I called Larry and told him he has a week to get baptized. Who knows, we
could have a miracle baptism this weekend!

I know my Savior lives and I am so grateful for this time of year when we
get to remember Him and reflect on His sacrifice for us. Jesus said, "I am
the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were
dead, yet shall he live" (John 11:25). Because our Savior Jesus Christ rose
again after the third day, I know that we too will live again after we die.
He makes it possible for us to return to our Father in Heaven. He has given
me the strength to make the most of every day here in Sacramento. I feel
closer to Him than ever before and I know He will continue to be by my side
as I continue on to the next part of my mission.

I love you and miss you all! Happy Easter!
Love,
Sister Jorgensen

P.S. Pics of my new Brazilian friends that I practiced with and when I got
my visa yesterday. YIPPEEEEEEE!!!!!!

Sacramento Week 21

Dear Family & Friends,

You hear a happy knock at your door. You find two cute, adorable, smiling sister missionaries on your doorstep. What do you do? Some people listen, some people give us the nice "thanks but no thanks". Last night it was, "just turn yourself around and go away!" SLAM. Gotta love being a Mormon missionary. It's my life, rain or shine! But honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way (and really we only go tracting when we are super desperate). Just as so many talks from General Conference encouraged us to do, we must be true to our faith! Valiantly live the gospel and defend our beliefs with love and compassion.

Let me tell you about our new investigator Carl. We met Carl on the street one day. He's an older man, probably in his 70's, and he's one of those creepy, scruffy, homeless-looking people that you would probably lock your car doors around if you passed him. But he's not homeless so we are allowed to teach him and he really wants to be baptized. He told us the reason he came here to live in Sacramento was so he could find us missionaries. Do you know what's so great able to the gospel? It changes people. Inside and out. Despite Carl's hearing and vision problems, he enjoyed watching a session of conference with us at the church building. Teaching him has been quite interesting to say the least. I'll keep you posted!

We're still working with our other investigators. We did service for Amanda this week and her husband Craig actually went to the Priesthood session of conference with one of the members in our ward. Woohoo! I wish I had something amazing to report on Larry but he's still being stubborn about a baptism date. One of the less-actives we have been working with came to the church to watch both Sunday sessions with us so that was HUGE. Yay for General Conference weekend!

We watched all the sessions at the church building with the other missionaries and their investigators so that was fun. I really enjoyed listening to all the uplifting messages, talks, and music. SO many things said during conference were just for me. One theme that really stuck out to me was that of LOVE. Of all the topics our prophet could have chosen to speak on, that's what he felt the world needed to hear. I just need to keep loving my mission and everything about it! Love my area, love my companion, and truly love the people we teach and see them as the Lord does.

I also gained insight for my trial of waiting for my visa. I'm here in Sacramento to build my faith. I am like a tree growing in strong wind and because of this wind, I am becoming stronger (Elder Andersen's talk). This trial of my faith is giving me the "spiritual load" I need to rely on my Father in Heaven to make something more out of me than I could ever achieve on my own (Elder Bednar's talk). This mission is like my golden "4 minute performance" that I have been preparing for my whole life (Bishop Stevenson's talk). I only have 18 months to serve, but an eternity to remember. I'm going to continue to work on being grateful in my circumstances (President Uchtdorf's talk). More than anything, throughout conference, I just felt like God is aware of me personally. He knows my worries, what I stress about, what I yearn for. He is building my faith and testimony of Him so I can be firm and unshakable (Elder Holland's talk).

Just like President Monson said, I want to be ever found doing the work of the Lord. I hope you each take the time to review your notes from conference and make some personal goals about what you can do to be a better disciple of our Savior Jesus Christ. I want to thank each of you for the examples you are to me. Thank you for your testimonies and thank you for cheering me on in my journey of serving the Lord!

Love,

Sister Jorgensen

P.S. P-day is on Tuesday next week because we have interviews with President Lewis on Monday. And the week after that is transfers! Enjoy the pics- my companion and I with the ASL sisters in our zone during conference weekend. One of the pics is of Sister Enggas and I. She is fully deaf and I amazed by her each and every day. If she can be a missionary, so can I!

Sacramento Week 20

Dear Family & Friends,

Do we realize how lucky we are to have the chance to hear our modern-day prophet and apostles speak to us this weekend??! Just got to throw in my plug for General Conference :) It is so amazing that each time I read or watch those talks, I always feel like there is something thrown in just for me, even though they are addressed to millions of people.

For those who aren't familiar with General Conference, it is a special worldwide broadcast held twice a year, April and October, from Salt Lake where we get to hear from the leaders of the church (you can watch the sessions Saturday andSunday on lds.org or the BYUtv channel). I don't know about you but I'm excited!!! We are so blessed to have the same organization and authority on the Earth today that Christ had when He set up His church over 2,000 years ago. These prophets and apostles are special witnesses of Jesus Christ and they will tell us exactly what the Lord would want us to know for our day. As you watch the sessions, think of a specific question or guidance you need, and I can promise you, if you prayerfully listen with an open heart and open mind, it will be answered through thoughts and feelings from the Spirit.

Jorgensen family, you have a homework assignment to report on your favorite talk in next week's email to me. Happy watching!

On Friday night, Sister Cleverly and I got to go to a baptism for another ward of a 30 year old dad named Matt. Even though Matt wasn't our companionship's baptism, I could still feel the immense joy that comes from watching someone make that special covenant, or promise, with God and begin his journey back to his heavenly home. The Spirit was SO strong! We did this new thing called the "missionary moment" where we taught the Restoration during the few minutes after the baptism while Matt was changing. It's a great finding tool, especially because many non-members are present at baptisms. I am grateful my companion and I got to teach the missionary moment and it was neat for me to see a convert baptism on my mission. Our area hasn't had a baptism but it will soon! Going to Matt's baptism just made us even more determined!!

So Larry is just being Larry and feels like he doesn't want to commit to a baptismal date. See how investigators just get you so excited about baptism and then crush your hopes and dreams? That's all I am going to comment about that. There were several days this week where it seemed like none of our investigators wanted to see us, like Craig & Amanda and Jason & Shelly. On the bright side, the Otts came to church again and even the dad stayed for all 3 hours (miracle!) and so did one of our new investigators named Carl. So good things are still happening!

Ready for some comic relief? One afternoon this week we decided to do a little bit of tracting because all of our other plans fell through. We felt prompted to knock on this one door with one of those annoying metal screens where you can't see in, but they can see out. We heard the door open and a man grunt with disgust as he said "Ugh, it's like your pushing drugs or something" and shut the door. Hahahaha what??!! I wouldn't exactly compare the gospel of Jesus Christ to drugs, but I will admit reading the Book of Mormon can be addicting. Haha anyway, that gave us a good laugh for the day. I'm glad the Lord has a sense of humor and sends us ways to laugh during the day. I need it!

Oh by the way, this week's weather included heavy rain, hail, and even a tornado. And there was an earthquake a few hours away. No big deal. We're just bike riders.

This week had a lot of ups and downs (as does every week) but I learned that if I truly love the Lord, I will truly love my mission- no matter what. And I do! I am so blessed to be here.

"And the Lord said unto [Sister Jorgensen]: Go forth among the [people in Northridge area] thy brethren, and establish my word; yet ye shall be patient in long-suffering and afflictions, that ye may show forth good examples unto them in me, and I will make an instrument of thee in my hands unto the salvation of many souls" -Alma 17:11

I pray daily to be used in the way the Lord wants me, to do His will, to give Him my best effort, to be an answer to someone else's prayer. I've been in this area 5 months and it's easy to get caught up thinking that I still haven't accomplished anything, but I know that through the strength of the Lord, I am His instrument for many small and simple things. Small and simple things EVERY DAY!

Hope you all had a safe and eventful week! Thanks for all your prayers. Enjoy General Conference!!! Love and miss you all!

Love,
Sister Jorgensen

P.S. Picture time... So in the city of Citrus Heights where I am serving, they have a trash pick-up day 3 times a year when everyone puts their junk on the side of the road. It makes the city look so ghetto! Just had to have the picture to prove it. The other pic is just to remind you all that I AM having fun on my mission and I DO love my bike :)

Sacramento Week 19

Dear Family & Friends,

Today I am feeling very blessed and full of gratitude! I'm thankful for the great week we had, for my companion, for the support and encouragement I receive from countless emails, letters, and packages. I'm thankful for the past 6 months I have had to serve the Lord (yes, tomorrow I turn 6 in "mission years" and this time next year I'll be going home... crazy) and I wouldn't trade my experiences for anything!

First I just have to tell you a cool tender mercy moment for me. As you know, my theme for my mission this year is "valiance". Every day I pray for opportunities to become valiant and to be a noble, courageous, strong, faithful, obedient missionary. We were teaching a less active family a practice lesson this week and at the end, the dad turned to his family and said: "These sisters were called and prepared before they came to Earth to preach the gospel and do what they do. They were valiant spirits up in Heaven set apart just for this". He had no idea I needed to hear that word "valiant"; he had no idea how much that meant to me. But Heavenly Father knew I needed that reassurance that I was in fact a valiant spirit in the pre-earth life who promised the Lord I would help His great work. It touched my heart! You never know what you might say to impact someone.

We met with Shelly, our church-hopping investigator, and a lady who is a convert from our ward. We went to get frozen yogurt and it was the perfect, comfortable environment for a casual discussion about the church and conversion. They ended up having a lot in common! Shelly had nothing but nice things to say about us as missionaries, the Mormon church, and Mormons in general. Come on Shelly, you need to just become one! Slowly but surely. They didn't come to church again yesterday but we'll keep trying.

Larry is praying (seriously) about April 19th for baptism! We have faith that this is really going to happen! We watched the video "Finding Faith in Christ" and talked about how to show Christ we are willing to follow Him. The Spirit was very strong and we invited him to be baptized on April 19th. Though he didn't say yes or no, I've known Larry long enough to know his serious pondering face. And he is seriously pondering!

Quick funny story. We saw Larry earlier in the week, just talking to him outside on the doorstep, when a lady came up and tried to sell him something from an electric/gas company. He kindly declined and then started telling her all about Mormons and how she needed to meet with us missionaries. It was the greatest thing ever! She quickly walked (actually she kind of ran) away but he kept yelling after her "Come back! We're talking about ordinances and sacraments and covenants..." Hahahaha. I laughed really hard, a real true sincere laugh, for the first time in what seems like forever. Made my day! Larry is awesome.

Other highlights of the week... the Otts came to church and Sister Ott and the boys stayed all 3 hours! We also helped a less active family with yard work and another less active lady fixed one of my skirts for me. I love how people are just so willing to help us out! We found another 2 new investigators this week so we're excited about that. Joyce and Stevie, our new investigators from last week, both bailed on their appointments. Welcome to the life of a missionary.

On Saturday we had exchanges again and I went to Rancho Cordova for the day with Sister Dalley. If there was such thing as a missionary sleepover, that would be it! I really enjoyed being in her area and seeing her investigators. She is a great Sister Training Leader and that day I had a lot of fun. They have a car so we drove to all their appointments. I can't believe I am saying this, but I actually really missed my bike! Yes, I missed my squeaky, cheap, pedal-brake baby blue and white beach cruiser bike. I admit it! Biking is a blessing. It's great exercise, good for the fresh air, and it's so much easier to talk to people.

We had an amazing Zone Training on Friday from President Lewis that was probably one of the best trainings so far. My favorite part was when President showed us a movie clip (normally we can't watch anything but church movies- this was a special exception) from the Christian football movie "Facing the Giants". We watched the part where the Coach has Brock do the death crawl all the way across the field. As Brock took each step blindfolded, with another player on his back, the Coach yelled and pushed him the entire way. Brock was only going to go half way, but by the end, as he took off his blindfold, he realized he made it across the entire field.

The Lord is my coach, and just like the Coach told Brock, the Lord is saying to me, "Come on Sister Jorgensen, I need you! Come on! You can do it! Don't give up on me! Just give me your best!" Sometimes I may feel like I am in the dark with hundreds of pounds of weight on my shoulders, trying to accomplish a seemingly impossible task, but I don't know my potential unless I give it my all. My coach wants my best effort on my mission and that's what I am striving to give Him each and every day! It's called "missionary WORK" for a reason. I am here because I I answered His call and I volunteered to this work. Yes coach, you can count on me!

I want you each to know how much you mean to me and all I want to do is make you proud of me. I want to make my family proud, my friends proud, and most importantly, my coach, the Lord, proud!

Love,
Sister Jorgensen