São Paulo- Santana Letter 7

Dear Family & Friends,

This powerful trio here in Santana has been extremely blessed. Sister Pinon, Sister Nascimento, and I are working "até o pó" (until the dust) day in and day out and WOW, this area just might burn to the ground because we are on fire!!! I'm learning to let the Lord guide the way and seeing the positive effects of working WITH the members of our ward- this is the secret.

My favorite moment from the week was last night during our "noite familiar" (family night) with a few investigators and families from the ward. Larissa, a 19 year old girl we are teaching with a baptism date for July 5th, was there with her brother, along with another investigator Jacilene and her son. The Bishop, his wife, and two other couples from the ward came too and it was awesome! We had a lesson on the Gift of the Holy Ghost, played games, and ate popcorn. I just had to embrace the moment and look around the room at everyone laughing and smiling together. This is truly what the work of salvation is all about: friendship, love, and happiness, together with the gospel of Jesus Christ. AH loved it!!

We had members come out with us for several of our lessons this week and it was great! So much more special when a member invites the investigator to church and shares his or her testimony. If you have the chance to go to a lesson with the missionaries or offer to have a family home evening in your home, it makes the world of difference to the investigators to have a friend and you will see the blessings of the gospel in action! We have Andrea and Geovanna, a mom and daughter, all set for baptism this Saturday! So excited!!

Tuesday was another Brazil World Cup game so we were inside most of the day. It wasn't quite as crazy as the first game but still very exciting! There is another game tonight too so we have an all-day Pday today (normally we have to proselyte after 6pm). We were talking to people we met on the street the other day and they were asking Sister Pinon and I if we were visiting for the World Cup because we are Americans. I guess there are lots of tourists here but I haven't seen any because we aren't super close to the stadium. Nope, we are here in Brazil for something so much more important than soccer... your eternal happiness and salvation!

This Wednesday is the half-way mark of my mission! 9 months!!! Wow I can't believe it. In some ways, I feel like I just arrived in the mission field and I still have no idea what I'm doing. In other ways, I feel like my whole life has been spent as a missionary and everything else was a dream. It's weird! A mission isn't always sunshine and roses, and I am being pushed and stretched in ways I never imagined, but it's the best thing that has ever happened to me. So blessed to be here!

This morning I was reading in Mosiah 18:8-10 about our baptismal covenants. When I was baptized, I made a promise to my Heavenly Father that I would bear one another's burdens, mourn with those that mourn, comfort those that need comfort, and stand as a witness of Him at all times, in all things, and in all places. More than this, I promised to do these things WILLINGLY. Am I truly living up to my covenants? How many times do I focus on me, how I'm feeling, wallowing in self-pity, when there are people right beside me that need my help? I need to be a better listener, more observant of others. Yes, being a missionary has it's challenges, but when I turn outward and offer a helping hand and loving heart, my own problems melt away. This is what I promised when I was baptized and took upon myself the name of Jesus Christ, having a determination to serve Him until the end. And now, I have the honor and priviledge to be set apart as a representative of Him with power and authority to act in His name, to help others make this sacred covenant with God. How great is my calling!

I love you and miss you all! Have a great week!

Sempre Sorria (Always Smile),

Sister Jorgensen

São Paulo- Santana Letter 6

Dear Family & Friends,

This week was another crazy one! Super busy, but it's a great feeling to lose yourself in this labor of love and work of the Lord, and focus all your energy on others!

Tuesday we had an awesome Zone Training and exchanges with our Sister Training Leaders. Sister Rodrigues came to our area for the day and we had tons of powerful lessons with our investigators in Zaki Narchi. Sister Rodrigues is from the interior of São Paulo and is 33 years old, but you would never know it! She is so excited and energetic about everything. I learned many new teaching techniques from her. She LOVES Subway so we ate there for lunch. Did you know they have Subway here in Brazil? I was happy!!!

Thursday was the first Brazil World Cup game and wow, it was INSANE! Alabama football on steroids. Not even kidding. We worked for a few hours before the game and we talked with people as they were getting ready. Everyone, I mean everyone, was wearing yellow and green. Brazil flags and banners everywhere. The roads and sidewalks were spray painted. All the stores closed. It's like the world stopped. How cool is it to be in São Paulo during the World Cup?? We had to be inside before the game started to avoid all the partying. But we didn't have to watch the game to know what was going on. Being in the middle of the city was like being in the middle of the stadium! Every goal brought fireworks, noisemakers, and cheering. It was fun to listen from the window! We had our own little missionary world cup party with popcorn and had lots of time to study and catch up on our area book.

Friday we woke up at 5am to go to the federal police station for my visa paperwork. I'm an official Brazilian now! While we were waiting in line, the phone rang and it was President Martins. Sister Paredes was being transfered that day. What?? Another transfer?! I guess President Martins is trying to finalize everything before the new mission president arrives this month.

Sister Pinon and I are now in a trio with Sister Nascimento, and let me tell you, she is an answer to prayer! I have been praying for an experienced Brazilian companion. She is a former Sister Training Leader and has been out for almost 14 months. She is from Curitiba, Brazil and was baptized a year before she left on her mission, the only member in her family. Sister Nascimento is an INCREDIBLE missionary with an inspiring testimony. She is truly a blessing! She is the only reason I am not exploding with all the craziness of our two areas. Heavenly Father knew I needed her!

This week was full of miracles. We had 8 investigators at church again yesterday! I don't know how we have so many awesome people to teach, I don't even know where they are all coming from. This is true joy! I am still in awe. We are being blessed so much. Santana is on fire and we are going to have baptisms!!!

I am tired but I am SO happy!! We have been working so hard! What a week. I am so grateful for this opportunity to dedicate 18 months of my life to serve my Heavenly Father and be a representative of Jesus Christ. It's so rewarding to serve with all my heart and strength. I know this gospel changes lives and blesses families. I know this church is the only true and living church upon the face of the earth.

Pray for missionary opportunities, live your testimony, and let others see and feel of your light. And remember, anything is possible with faith! I love you all!

Com Amor,

Sister Jorgensen

P.S. Pics of our trio with Sister Nascimento and the other on the day of the world cup game before Sister Paredes was transferred

São Paulo- Santana Letter 5

Dear Family & Friends,

Happy Monday everyone! This week seemed like an entire month, so many things happened. I'm relieved it's finally Pday. 

The beginning of the week was really good. I was feeling confident about our lessons, we were having success with our investigators, things were starting to feel a bit more normal. Then... SUPRISE! Sister Garner gets emergency transferred and the other Santana sisters (Sister Paredes and Sister Pinon) and I become a trio. Which means I have to carry on our area. Which means we have to balance all the work from 2 areas. Let's just say this week was very hectic and at times, we were literally running from appointment to appointment. Missionaries should be used to unexpected events like this right? I am thankful for the chance to finally breathe today.

The day Sister Garner was transferred, I had to ride in the car with her, and President and Sister Martins, to Soracaba, to be the "companion" while they transferred other sisters around. We went to the "interior" part of São Paulo, an hour outside of the city where most of the sisters serve (there are few sisters that serve here in the "capital" where I am serving). So I spent pretty much the whole day in the car with my mission president, which turned out to be a HUGE blessing. Of course I was stressed about Sister Garner leaving and President Martins told me something I desperately needed to hear: "Sister Jorgensen, this is not your problem. It's the Lord's. This is not your work. It's the Lord's. Leave the worrying to Him".

I can testify to you, because of all the crazy things that happened this week, that this is in fact the work of the Lord. He qualifies whom He calls. When we submit to His will and do all we can do, He makes up the difference. He labors WITH us! I could not have made it through this week without His help and His tender mercies. Let me give you an example.

Yesterday we had Stake Conference (a semi-annual church meeting with all the congregations in the area). Sunday mornings for missionaries are always stressful trying to make sure all the investigators (people we are teaching) make it to church and are taken care of. We were already late because we were walking with a mom and daughter from the other sisters' area (here in Brazil we walk our investigators to church) and I was really, really stressed about my investigators, Amanda and Damiana, who would be coming for the first time. I wanted to meet them at the front so they wouldn't get lost or overwhelmed with all the people. I was fuming inside, looking at my watch, as we climbed the last hill to the church building, when a car drove by "Oi Sisteres!", which the Bishop, his family, and my two investigators in the back, Amanda and Damiana. 

My heart melted with joy and gratitude. I was SO happy, what a relief!!! Without being asked, the Bishop picked up Amanda and Damiana as they were walking from the bus stop. This small act of service was a huge deal to me and to them. We ended up having 8 investigators at church yesterday- miracle! And Amanda (12 year old daughter of Damiana) is excited to be baptized June 28th!!! Now we just have to get Damiana on board...

I have no doubt that the Lord's hand is guiding this work of salvation. I am so grateful for this week, though probably the most stressful and crazy of my entire mission, it has been a growing week and I have learned ALOT. I CAN lead my area. I CAN speak Portuguese. I CAN work in a trio. I can't do it alone, but I can do it with the Lord. Anything is possible with prayers of faith. I am so grateful for the ward I am serving in. They are the real missionaries; we are just here to help.

Heavenly Father often sends us experiences that take us out of our comfort zone, that seem overwhelmingly impossible. But He knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows what we can handle. And He is right there, every step of the way, to take our worries, to take our stress, to take our fear, and to replace it with faith and strength.

I love and miss you all!

Com Amor,

Sister Jorgensen

P.S. Guess what... I was talking in my sleep in Portuguese this week. My companions laugh and laugh about this. And this annoying computer still won't load pics... hopefully next week!

São Paulo- Santana Letter 4

Dear Family & Friends,

This week we had transfers but because I arrived mid-transfer, nothing changed. Sister Garner and I are continuing our adventures in Santana along with the other sisters that live with us! This transfer we have Copa Do Mundo (world cup) coming up but it won't affect us as much as I thought. There are four days (June 12, 17, 23, 28) with games that we have to stay in our apartment after 4pm, but other than that, missionary work will carry on as normal!

We had some really good lessons with our investigators this week. The most spiritual lessons we have are when we read the Book of Mormon together, especially verses about following the Savior's example with baptism. We're teaching an awesome lady named Angelica who has a son living in Florida, who was recently baptized with his family. She visits them frequently and attends church when she is there (in English so she doesn't understand much). She was very firm about not joining the church but in the past month her heart has softened and she has been coming to church on her own here in Santana. During our lesson, her son actually called on the phone to talk to us! He said Angelica is a "tough one" but if she decided to be baptized, he would fly to Brazil to surprise her and baptize her. She is tough to convince, but we aren't here to convince her- we're here to open the door for the Spirit to convert. We are determined to make it happen! We fasted for her yesterday. She is such a sweet lady. Future Relief Society President for sure.

I learned something cool this week. "CTR" (choose the right) is the same in Portuguese but "conserva tua rota" (conserve your route). I thought that was pretty neat! When we are choosing the right, we are in fact striving to stay on the correct path and "conserve", or remain steadfast and firm as an example of Christ. I just really love Portuguese. So much insight.

Overall this week was a good one! A few rough days but I am getting more accustomed to the routine and all the walking. No more band-aids but I have some rock solid caluses (sp?) on the bottom of my toes. Very attractive, but no one sees my feet. Day by day I am understanding and speaking more and more. It's still hard- I still come home at the end of every day completely wiped out, brain explosion and all. But I know Heavenly Father is blessing me and He won't give me anything I can't handle. Thank you for your prayers!

2 Nephi 16:8- "And I heard the voice of the Lord saying: Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then I said: Here I am, send me".

I like to imagine living with Heavenly Father before coming to Earth and Him reading a mission call, "Who can I send to serve my children in Sacramento and São Paulo? Who is willing to represent my Beloved Son and teach the gospel here? Who will be my valiant servant?" And I said, "Send me! I will do it Father!" Just like Christ answered the call to be our Savior and fulfill His life mission. He is my Example. I am here to help people "understand with their heart and be converted and be healed" (verse 10).

Similar to a 18-month or 2 year mission call, we each have a life mission call. We're each here on a mission here on Earth to remain faithful and return to our Heavenly Home, helping our brothers and sisters along the way. Perhaps before He sent us to Earth, Heavenly Father assigned us our life missions, with our own personalized challenges, difficulties, and experiences to mold and purify us into the sons and daughters of God we truly are. I am grateful for this opportunity to serve a mission as part of my life mission, to help me gain a greater eternal perspective. I know I have a purpose here in São Paulo because I told Heavenly Father I was willing to do this. This is what our missions in life are all about: striving to find our purpose and magifying it.

I hope you each have a wonderful and blessed week! Love and miss you all!!!!

Com Amor,

Sister Jorgensen

P.S. I had some fun pics to send but the computer is not loading them and I am trying not to be frustrated... next week!

Sao Paulo- Santana Letter 3

Dear Family & Friends,

Despite lots of rain and a few days of not being able to do missionary work, this week was quite productive! Heavenly Father blessed us to be able to make the most of our proselyting time and we found lots of new people to teach.

On Wednesday all the police in Sao Paulo went on strike so we weren't allowed to leave our house. Nothing too crazy happened but it's better to be safe (literally) than sorry. This was the day Elder Nelson was supposed to come speak to us so unfortunately we didn't get to see him. Bummer! But it was nice to have a day to relax and not have to walk anywhere. I wrote lots of letters and we caught up on our area book!

On Thursday we had interviews with President Martins and wow, he is awesome! He talked with me in English so I could understand everything, thank goodness. He actually served in my very same area over 40 years ago when he was a missionary. Santana has a special place in his heart and he trusts us to take care of it! I asked for advice with the language and the first thing he said was "Sister Jorgensen, just be calm. Patience and time" (yes I know, I am a stress bag). He told me if I want the blessings of the gift of tongues, I have to work for it. That means resisting to speak even a word of English, especially in our apartment. It's hard but I know that as I continue to do all I can, the Lord will make this weakness into a strength.

Friday afternoon and evening it rained and rained and rained. Everyone we tried to talk to wouldn't let us in and we were frustrated, tired, hungry (always), and cold. Not knowing what else to do, we said a prayer asking Heavenly Father to lead us to someone who needed our light, that we were willing to work in the rain, but we needed direction. After trying several other people with no success (at this point I was ready to give up and go home), we went to a different area. A little while later, we were walking past a house with the door open and a lady called out to us (in Portuguese of course), "It's cold and it's raining. And you're smiling. You must be of Jesus" Haha yes! We are! I don't remember smiling but I'm glad she thought so. We taught her the Restoration and we're going back on Wednesday. I know Rosa (the name of this lady) was a blessing from that prayer.

Yesterday at church I was called on last minute to share my testimony during Sacrament meeting. It was nerve-wracking but I know the Spirit was magnifying my words because I don't even remember what I said! Lots of people came up to me afterwards, complimenting my Portuguese, telling me it's a miracle I can speak so well after only 3 weeks in the field. Even if they were just saying that to make me feel good, it was a good confidence booster to know that I have heavenly help. I am grateful for the chance I had to share what was in my heart with the members of the Santana ward and our investigators that were there.

During personal study this week when my brain was on overload and I needed to read something in English, I found an incredible talk by Elder Holland called "Missionary Work and the Atonement". I read it before but this time it really hit me. We faced a lot of rejection this week and I was having a tough time. Being a representative of Jesus Christ is not easy. How could we believe it would be easy for us when it was never, ever easy for Him? He suffered for our sins and sacrificed His life for us because of His loving kindess (1 Nephi 19:9). When I struggle, I am standing with the best life and example this world has ever known. His Atonement carries me. He dries my tears and heals my wounded heart, giving me strength beyond my own. 

We can do hard things! Just got to remember who we are and why we are here, and keep smiling!

Have a wonderful week!

Com Amor,

Sister Jorgensen

P.S. I tried "feijoada" for the first time this week at our Bishop's house. It's a black bean, meat dish- I have no idea what was all in it but it was good! The other pic was at the mission office waiting for interviews with President Martins. Love you all!

Sao Paulo- Santana Letter 2

Dear Family & Friends,

This week was so much better! First of all, thank you for praying for my blisters. I realized how selfish I was being, so consumed with how tired I was, and complaining about how much pain I was having. Now I see that instead of merely praying for my blisters to disappear, I need to pray for the energy and ability to walk and make it through the day SO I can be a blessing to those we are supposed to meet. This mission isn't about me; this time belongs to the Lord!

So Brazilians have a really hard time pronouncing my name. Most of the time they look at my name tag and don't even try. So I have been taking on Sister "Jota" (Sister "J" in Portuguese) to make things a little easier :)

We spend a lot of time in a bairro (neighborhood) in the very farthest corner of our area called Zaki Narchi. It's an area of more than 30 apartment buildings that remind me a lot of the projects in Ensley (I truly believe serving in the Ensley Branch with my family for 2 years prepared me for this). The people who live in Zaki Narchi don't have much, but they are very humble and eager to listen to our message about the Restored gospel. This area is our powerhouse!

We have a rock solid, 21 year old recent convert named Edvaldo who passed the Sacrament at church for the first time yesterday. We have an investigator named Jaceleine who has 5 kids and really wants to be baptized, but she's not married and her husband guy doesn't want to be. We're also teaching Wemerson and Juceleine, the Brazilian version of Ivan and Belen from Northridge, who are also living together and need to be married before baptism. It's super rare to find people who are legally married. Funny side note, Wemerson told me the other day that I look like I am 30 years old hahaha. I blame it on being American. Anyway, all these people and almost everyone else we meet with live in Zaki Narchi. Every day in this area is an adventure.

Interesting things I am learning about Brazilians and culture here: they use military time, everyone drives really small cars, oranges are green, no clothes dryers, they eat Halls cough drops like candy, all the stairs are really steep, the napkins are so thin they are like oil blotting sheets, everyone here smells really good, moms nurse their babies out in the open anywhere and everywhere, you can't flush the toilet paper, everyone writes in cursive, they'll wear alot of American brands and anything with an American flag, and you really can't say no to things people offer you (you'll never believe this... I gulped down the famous Guarana soda the other day, my first soda in my entire life. It burned...). And the weather has been beautiful!! Yesterday was the first day it downpoured.

Differences between my mission in the United States and here in Brazil: we can only listen to music on Pday and it has to be Mormon Tabernacle Choir, investigators only need to attend church twice before baptism and don't have to be taught Plan of Salvation, no hour for dinner, no zone sports with other missionaries on Pday, we hardly ever use our cellphone and we can't text, we walk EVERYWHERE, and missionaries usually don't do many service projects because we are supposed to teach as much as possible. We have a goal of 35 lessons and 20 new investigators per week. 

As far as my Portuguese is concerned, I can understand most of what people say if it's church related. Anything else, nope! I just smile and nod. I participated more in our lessons this week so I am trying. Still frustrating but little by little I am improving. There is a neat promise by President Hinckley that if you read the entire Book of Mormon in another language, you will have the power of the Holy Ghost to be able to understand and speak that language. So that's what I am doing!

I love reading in Portuguese because I am gaining new insights. In 1 Nephi 9:6 it says "But the Lord knoweth all things from the beginning..." In Portuguese, it says "Senhor conhece todas as coisas", using the verb "conhecer" for "to know" rather than "saber" (same as in Spanish). The Lord doesn't simply just know all the facts from the beginning or know who His children are. He understands us, He is familiar with what goes on in our lives. This helps me realize the Lord has a person relationship with each one of us. And just like the end of that verse says, He prepares the way for us to accomplish His mighty works. 

May we each strive to know the Lord a little better this week! I love you all and thank you for your prayers.

Com Amor,

Sister "Jota" Jorgensen

P.S. Pics are of the 4 of us that live and serve together here in Santana- 3 Americans and the other sister is from Peru. The other pic is from the top of a street with a beatiful view. I couldn't pass it by!

Also this week we have interviews with President Martins and Elder Nelson from the Quorom of the Twelve Apostles is coming to speak to us!!!! Stay tuned!

Guess what I just realized. A year ago from tomorrow I opened my mission call. And this week I turn 8 months old in my mission! Crazy.

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).