SP Barcelona- Rio Acima Letter 18

Dear Family & Friends,

LUIZ CARLOS WAS BAPTIZED ON SATURDAY!!!!! We had a combined baptismal service with the other sisters who share the church building with us. Everything went perfectly! He was definitely nervous, but Irmão Claudi (member who baptized him) helped him alot. It made me so happy to see the ward members jumping in to make him feel welcome and comforted. Luiz Carlos was our miracle this transfer. No doubt the gospel changes people from the inside out! His mom came to the baptism and to church on Sunday to see him recieve the gift of the Holy Ghost.  She cried as she saw her son get baptized and told us she never thought this day would happen. Luiz Carlos has caused her much heartache and sleepless nights over the years, and now, she has the biggest smile and glow of happiness. |Makes my heart smile! Yes, let's baptize her next :)

Yesterday was the best Sunday of my mission. Aside from the fact that Luiz Carlos was confirmed and his mom Tereza came to support him, Eduardo (recent convert) passed the Sacrament, gave his first talk, and recieved his first calling. He will be helping out with the Young Men- perfect! I can't even express how happy I am to see one of our recent converts progressing in the gospel and growing his testimony. SO AWESOME! And Murilo also was at church with his mom and stepdad! Such a great Sunday. WOOHOO!

Unfortunately Murilo was not baptized this week. When we passed by his house the other night to confirm everything for the baptism, he was so stressed out and crying because he didn't want to be baptized. He felt like he was being rushed into it and he was worried about what would happen on the weekends when he went to his dad's house. After listening, resolving his doubts, and much prayer, we decided to take a few steps back on focus on helping him gain a stronger testimony. We had a basic lesson on the name of the Church and we taught him the Joseph Smith story again. He was able to see Luiz Carlos get baptized and I know this helped him feel a lot better. I know it won't be long before he gets baptized! Keep praying for him please!

To my surprise, Sister R. Santos and I will be staying in Rio Acima for another transfer! I was shocked when we got the call. Normally after training, the trainer leaves so I was all ready to be transferred. But the Lord certainly knows better than I do so here we go! I found a lot of peace reading Alma 17 this morning. As I continue to serve the people of Rio Acima just like Ammon served the King, I know the Lord will bless me with the ability and strength to  continue in this area with my companion. Oh how my mission is teaching me lots and lots of pacience. Let's make this transfer the best one yet!!!!

I only have 3 transfers left of my mission... SCARY.

I hope you all have the best week ever!! LOVE YOU ALL! Thanks for praying for Luiz Carlos, Murilo, and the rain! Yes, it rained a ton this week. We won't die of lack of water! I know the Lord hears and answers our prayers!

Sempre Sorria,

Sister Jorgensen

P.S. Pics of the baptism (Luiz Carlos is on the far right- he was happy, I promise!) and of Murilo, his mom Ivone, and his step dad Silvio. Love this family. Murilo WILL be baptized! I have faith!!!!

SP Barcelona- Rio Acima Letter 17

Dear Family & Friends,

Happy November! It really does not feel like November. Are you sure it's not July?! Still melting and Brazil is having a severe lack of water. There are several areas around us that didn't have water for a few days last week. I'm a little bit scared! Actually alot. So we are preparing and doing everything possible to save water! We are all praying for rain and November 16th all the members of the church in Brazil will fast together to help those without water. I know Heavenly Father will take care of us!

And Happy late Halloween! Unfortunately no one here really celebrated and I love Halloween so that was a bit sad. But I'll get my candy fix when I come home. Did you hear that family? Save some for me!

Ok now for the exciting news. Luiz Carlos went to church again yesterday and he had the chance to see the baptism of the other ward, so he is all set to be baptized on Saturday!!!!! I am so excited! He is very anxious and a little bit scared of what will happen after baptism- if he will be strong enough to resist temptation and addiction. We have been talking a lot about the gift of the Holy Ghost and he tells us every lesson "I'm ready to change, I know I can do it". We fasted for him yesterday. Please pray for him to stay strong this week. He's gone several weeks without using any drugs but he did drink one day last week. I know he will stay strong. He needs baptism now more than ever!!!!

Moroni 8:25-26 "And the first fruits of repentance is baptism, and baptism cometh by faith." Luiz Carlos is showing that he has repented of his past and he has faith to enter the waters of baptism. "[The] Comforter filleth with hope and perfect love". With the Holy Ghost as his light and guide, he will have the strength to overcome his problems and stay firm. With perfect love and hope, we can't have fear. The gift of the Holy Ghost will be the confidence he needs to continue on the straight and narrow path back to our Father in Heaven!

Murilo was at his Dad's house this past weekend so we aren't sure if he made it to church in another ward. If so, he can be baptized Saturdaytoo. If not, his baptism will be Sunday after church. His mom (less-active) is so grateful we are teaching her son. She is so excited for Murilo to be baptized! Murilo is truly feasting upon the words in the Book of Mormon, studying with real intent, and always says the most sincere prayers during our lessons. He is so ready for baptism! Pray for him too!!!

On Saturday we did a service project with all the missonaries in the interior (half the mission). We helped clean and paint a school in the city of Trujilo. It was awesome! President and Sister Farnes and their family were there too. I loved having the opportunity to do a big service project. Reminds me of all the service projects we did in Sacramento! I love service. Always makes you feel good.

So guess what... I am having lots of trouble remembering English. I never thought this would happen to me! Eduardo (recent convert) is learning English and has been asking me lots of questions. It's a little bit frustrating when I can't remember how to pronounce words or remember how to say things in English. I can write just fine but even reading my scriptures in English is starting to become more strange than reading in Portuguese. Just goes to show that having a Brazilian companion has helped me A TON. My language abilites have improved so much over the past 2 transfers. 

This week is the last week of training Sister R. Santos. We are going to end this transfer with a BANG! Finish strong!!!! Next week we will have transfers. Stay tuned :)

I LOVE YOU ALL!

Sempre Sorria,

Sister Jorgensen

P.S. Pics at the service project. First is with all the sisters- look closely and you'll find Sister Talli Archibald! Love her. The other is with a group of us and our awesome new tshirts. They aren't exactly "Mormon Helping Hands" shirts, but close enough! 

SP Barcelona- Rio Acima Letter 16

Dear Family & Friends,

Luiz Carlos came to church yesterday!!! YAY! He is really progressing. He has trouble reading but we've been reading with him and teaching him slowly so he understands everything. He told us that we are angels sent from God helping him change his life! Woohoo! Eduardo (recent convert) has been doing awesome at being his friend this past week. He's been helping us teach him. I am so happy with this!

We have another investigator on date for baptism November 8th: Murilo. He is 15 years old, the son of a less-active named Ivone that we found street contacting. She moved here recently so we didn't have her on our ward list. It was a miracle we found her because she didn't have the courage to go to church on her own. The youth in the ward are doing a great job of interacting with Murilo and inviting him to activities. He loves the Book of Mormon and is really excited about baptism!

On Tuesday all the missionaries in our zone (about 20 of us) went to one area to do a "Blitz" to help out the other sisters. Each companionship was in charge of a road and we had about 3 hours to contact people and find as many new investigators as possible. Sister R. Santos and I found some really neat families and put 2 people on date for baptism! That day was certainly a powerful and productive day of missionary work for this area. It was a good experience! United our zone, helped the other sisters, and we learned that we can accomplish ALOT in just a few hours.

"And we did magnify our office unto the Lord, taking upon us the responsibility, answering the sins of the people upon our own heads if we did not teach them the word of God with all diligence..." (Jacob 1:19)

This scripture really jumped out at me during my personal study this morning. We always talk about being more diligent missionaries, but I have never thought about teaching more diligently. How can I teach more diligently? I can ask more inspired questions, listen better. I can seek to follow the Spirit in discerning what our investigator needs. I can explain scriptures and testify more. I realized today that I truly have a responsibility to "teach with all diligence", teach every person to the best of my ability to they can understand. I must continue to do my best to teach simply, boldly, and with love. I must continue to pray and study for the needs of my investigators so they can feel and learn through the power of the Holy Ghost.

I am so grateful to have this chance to serve the Lord and teach His gospel! I am learning so much and seeking to be a better missionary each and every day. It's not easy but it's so worth it. We had so many moments of pure happiness this week. Pure happiness for me is seeing my companion happy. She's not one to express joy, but when she finally does, I can't help but smile!!! Sister R. Santos is an incredible missionary and I am so thankful for the chance to be serving with her.

I hope you all have a great week! Just have to thank each and every one of you for your love and support. Love and miss you all!

Sempre Sorria,

Sister Jorgensen

P.S. Pics... I CUT MY HAIR!!!!! I feel at least 50 lbs lighter and so free! And I hit my 13 month mark this week. And 6 months in Brazil. WOOHOOOO!

SP Barcelona- Rio Acima Letter 15

Dear Family & Friends,

This was a really, really good week! This week was AWESOME! Still melting and baking in the brazilian sun, but hey, we are on fire in more ways than one! We had a district meeting about using every possible opportunity to teach and it really pumped us up. We taught over 60 lessons this week! And we've been working on inviting everyone to be baptized with a specific date on the first contact. Sounds crazy? Oh, it is. It's kind of thrilling! This is thrill in the life of a missionary. Conquering our fears. 

We have to take advantage of every moment to give people the chance to change their lives for the better. I have no doubt that there are people all around us right here, right now, ready to accept the gospel and be baptized. Here's proof:

Tereza was a referral. Sweet older lady who has super strong faith but really doesn't want anything to do with the church. She wanted help for her 30 year old son Luiz, who is recovering from addictions. First visit he stayed in his room and didn't want to talk to us. Second visit, even after much coaxing and persuasion, he still stayed in his room. Then, when it came time to pray at the end, he came out. He told us he had been listening, how he wanted to read the Book of Mormon, how he wanted more than anything to change. It was a very humbling moment and the Spirit was strong. So what did we do? We invited him to change his life and put him on date for baptism in that instant. November 8th. It's going to be the best day of his entire life. And guess what... HE PRAYED AT THE END!!!! I'm so excited to teach him more!

We found a 19 year old less-active named Julio a few weeks ago who told us he had been feeling like the missionaries would visit him that day. He felt like everyone had forgot about him, and this visit was what he needed to have the desire to return to church. We were sad when he didn't come to church last week, but he came yesterday!!! Wooohooo! He even took out his earrings and was wearing a suit! Best part. He brought his girlfriend Sabrina. And we're teaching her tonight!

We had one another investigator at church yesterday. His name is Otavio. Sister R. Santos street contacted him in another area when we had exchanges this week. She tried to get his address but he was being stubborn and wouldn't give it. We found him again on Saturday (there are no coincidences!) and he ended up telling us his whole life story about how he lost his wife and how he doesn't know what happiness is anymore. He still wouldn't give us his address so we said "If you want happiness, meet us at church tomorrow". He told us that if we weren't out front waiting for him exactly at 9am, he would turn around and go home (haha this man really is a funny one). We kept our end of the deal and there he was. He stayed for all 3 hours and loved the Gospel Principles lesson about Eternal Marriage. Perfect. We are going to be teaching him this week!

As you can see, Heavenly Father is really blessing us ALOT! We have been working so hard and we are so exhausted. But it's all worth it. 

I gave a talk in church yesterday about missionary work, how Christ was the perfect missionary. I love Matthew 4:19 when the He says, "Follow me and I will make you fishers of men". Key word "I". HE will help us. HE will qualify us. This is HIS work. I got lots of compliments on my talk so I think everyone was able to understand what I was saying. I hope so! It was a good experience for me and I learned a lot preparing for it.

I know my Savior lives and He is helping me be a valiant missionary every day. This week was truly a week of valiance for us! When we show the Lord we are willing to work, He blesses us. It's that simple! So happy and excited for this upcoming week! More miracles!!!

Love and miss you all!

Sempre Sorria,

Sister Jorgensen

P.S. Pics from the Campinas temple that I wasn't able to include last week and a family we are teaching. Rita, the daughter of a less-active, just turned 8! We are helping her family return to church and preparing her for baptism. 

SP Barcelona- Rio Acima Letter 13 & 14

Dear Family & Friends,

Did you all miss my email last week??! I missed writing! I hope everyone is doing well. We had a surprise temple trip and got back late. So here is my past 2 weeks in a flash:

First, I LOVE TO SEE THE TEMPLE! All the missionaries serving in the interior (about half the mission) got to go to the Campinas Temple for our Pday. This is why I didn't have time to email last week. I feel so lucky because this is the 4th temple I have visited during my mission (Provo, Sacramento, and São Paulo are the others). It was SO beautiful! Perfect spiritual upliftment for me. Just what I needed! I am so grateful for the temple. The temple truly is the house of the Lord, the closest place to heaven on Earth.

General Conference was great! I have to admit it was a bit different listening to everything in Portuguese. I missed hearing the power in Elder Holland's voice! But it was neat to hear the talks of our prophet and apostles translated live. All the music was still in English so everyone was asking me what the words meant haha. The theme that stood out to me from the talks was that of knowing for yourself, gaining your own testimony. This was perfect for the 3 investigators we had watching with us at the church building. I really enjoyed conference!

Last Sunday was Election Day here in Brazil. Posters and flyers EVERYWHERE. There were a few roads where you couldn't even see the sidewalk. The roads with the schools, where people voted, were the worst. Here in Brazil, everyone over the age of 16 votes. It's a law. If you don't vote, you have to pay R$3 (about $1.50). Not alot of money, but kind of riduculous! I thought that was interesting. I'm not sure who won the election and I'm not sure if people are happy or sad about what happened. I don't really understand politics, especially in another country!

The weather has been SO hot. I have no idea how many degrees it is, all I know is that I have not stopped sweating for days. There is no air conditioning anywhere. And fans can only do so much! And guess what, it's only October. It's still spring. Which means summer is going to be even worse. I think back to my high school cross-country days running in the heat. This prepared me! Also it seems like all the bugs have come out to play. Lots and lots of bugs! But it can always be worse, so I will put on a smile and "keep swimming" -like my mom always says, but now, in my own sweat :)

Yesterday was "Dia das Crianças", (day of kids) a special holiday for all the children under 12. I think this is just so cool! They have parties and the kids get presents. I know my little sister Addi would love this! All the primary kids got treat bags at church. Super cute!

Yesterday at church Sister R. Santos and I taught the lesson in Relief Society (the class for the women) about missionary work and the "fruit", or blessings of the gospel, in our lives. The lesson turned out really good! My companion shared her conversion story and had everyone in tears. She was baptized because of her friend. We as members don't realize the impact we can have on just one person! And just one person can affect generations of others. During the lesson, when I looked around at all the moms and ladies in our ward, I felt so much love for them. I love Rio Acima! These people are my family.

These past few weeks have been awesome! We've been having investigators at church and we have a few on date for baptism. We will keep working hard and I know the Lord will continue to bless us!

I LOVE AND MISS YOU ALL!
Sempre Sorria,

Sister Jorgensen

P.S. I had some great pics to share this week but the computer doesn't like my camera today. Next week, I promise!

SP Barcelona- Rio Acima Letter 12

Dear Family & Friends,

What a week! This week was super busy and it went by really fast. First of all, we got our transfer calls today and I'll be staying here to finish training Sister R. Santos. I'm excited for another 6 weeks with her here in Rio Acima! Also, Thursday was my 1 year mark! Crazy, I know. I can hardly believe it's even possible that I've been on my mission for ONE ENTIRE YEAR. 

It rained almost every day this week so that was a bit frustrating, but we were still able to get lots of things done. It seemed like every time the rain came down really hard, Heavenly Father prepared a home for us to enter and people to teach. No doubt He's looking out for these two little sister missionaries here in Rio Acima!

On Wednesday we had another zone conference and President Farnes taught us about being "consecrated" missionaries and giving everything to the Lord. We watched the video clip from "Facing the Giants" when Brock crosses the entire football field with another player on his back. President Lewis, my mission president back in Sacramento, showed us this same clip in a zone conference there. I guess the Lord really wants me to understand the potencial I have as a missionary and the power of my best effort. It was interesting watching the clip again, putting myself in Brock's place, just as I did nearly 5 months ago. And now, watching it in Portuguese! I know, with Heavenly Father's help, that I can continue to give my best effort every minute of every day and never throw in the towel because it's too hard. The Savior gives me the strength to keep progressing as a missionary, keep helping my area grow, and keep encouraging Sister R. Santos every step of the way.

On Thursday we had a noite familiar with an awesome family we found, Aline and Heber. We watched "Finding Faith in Christ" in a member's home and it was a very good experience for them. They loved it! If you haven't watched that movie recently, watch it this week. It's so good! And even better in Portuguese :) Unfortunately Aline and Heber are moving to Rio de Janiero this weekend. A bit frustrating because we were super excited about them, but hey, they'll be miracles for the missionaries in Rio. 

I was reflecting on this past year in the mission field and all the things I am learning, and one thing that stood out in my mind is WHY I am here on my mission:

"When we understand WHY our Heavenly Father has given us this pattern for living [and missionary work], when we remember WHY we committed to making it a foundational part of our lives, the gospel [and my mission] ceases to become a burden, and instead becomes a joy and a delight. It becomes precious and sweet" -President Dieter F. Utchdorf, Forget Me Not, October 2011 (read this talk, it's great!)

I did not dedicate 18 months of my life to serve the Lord because anyone forced me. I did not leave my family, my friends, my country, my language, and the comforts of home because I wanted to go "sight seeing" (if this was the case, I would have quit after the 7 months in California haha). I am here on my mission today because I love my Heavenly Father and the gospel of Jesus Christ. This gospel truly has blessed my family and I have such JOY in knowing that my family can be together forever. This is what I want to share with the world. It doesn't matter where I have served or where I am serving now, the joy and happiness of the gospel of Jesus Christ is the same. It changes hearts! It changes lives! I am so grateful for all the experiences I have had during my mission until now. I am thankful for the time I spent in California and for my two areas here in Brazil. I am learning and growing so much! Truly, serving a mission was the best decision I ever made. So excited for the next 6 months!!!! IT'S GAME TIME!!!!

I'm so excited for General Conference this weekend! Watch it with a question in mind and I can promise you that you will hear and feel something just for you. This is the beauty of hearing from the Lord's servants, our prophet and apostles. Happy Conference!

Love you all!

Sempre Sorria,

Sister Jorgensen

P.S. Tuesday we had exchanges with the sister training leaders again and I had the priviledge of being Sister Vaughn's last exchange. She goes home tomorrow! I am going to miss her so much. She'll be at BYU so it won't be goodbye forever! She is an awesome missionary. Oh and I forgot to mention that this week I got my "trunky papers" (info I have to fill out about addresses and phone numbers) with my return date of March 18th. Crazy! But this doesn't mean I am counting down. I've still got lots to do and lots to learn!

SP Barcelona-Rio Acima Letter 11

Dear Family & Friends,

We found lots of new families to teach this week and I am really excited! We have been visiting all the people on our ward list that we don't know and we are finding miracles! We met a man named José Antonio, who was baptized when he was a teenager and shortly after didn't return to church. Now we are teaching him, his non-member wife Adriana and 14 year old son Leandro! My favorite moment was when José Antonio thanked us for visiting him and helping his family. Made my heart smile :)

I have a huge testimony of using the ward list to find people to teach. There are many people that were baptized years ago that no one knows about. The moment someone is baptized into the church, their name is kept so "that they might be remembered and nourished by the good word of God" (Moroni 6:4). Every single person who is baptized immediately joins the ward (congregation) "family". Every member of our family in Rio Acima is important and we are here to rescue them and bring them back into the fold, just as Christ taught us to love the "one". I truly feel my duty as a missionary is to get to know every person on our ward list. That way, we can work WITH the members. We can help reactivate those who have stopped coming to church, and find families where many are non-members. This is how we are building the kingdom of God here in this little part of Brazil the Lord has trusted us with, Rio Acima. 

Feeling very blessed and grateful today. Grateful for the chance to serve in this area, grateful for my companion, grateful for all the people we have to teach. Heavenly Father has been blessing us a lot! This week wasn't all rainbows and flowers, but it was a good week and we have lots of reasons to be grateful. I know the Lord will continue to prepare people for us to baptize. He is truly laboring with us!

Something funny I thought you all would enjoy: Tic tac toe in Portuguese is called "Jogo da velha", which means, "game of the old lady" (hahaha)

Sorry I didn't have much to share this week. Short on time! Have a great week everyone! Love and miss you all! 

Sempre Sorria,

Sister Jorgensen

P.S. Pic of our zone activity today with the other missionaries in Barcelona. We played volleyball and soccer. I am not an athletic person, and playing with Brazilians makes me feel even less athletic, but hey, it's still fun! The other is a noite familiar (family night) we had about Family History. We are each holding up country flags that were the wrappers of chocolates we did an activity with.