Elder George

Week 17-

Well I am sure you are curious about the subject line, and so I will explain it. My last name is very difficult for Ukranians to pronounce.  About my second week here a native was like "I will call you george."  So since the root for Jorgensen is Georgic, I said "Ladna(Whatever)"  SO now when someone cant pronounce my name, I just say, you can call me george,  they sigh in relief and say, yes George is much better.  (вы Сможете называть меня george).  

So this week was pretty awesome!  We had a giant zone conference and we all learned so much from president Sullivan and the spirit.  On top of that we got 2 new investigators!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Yes that is a lot of investigators! Both of them basically sought us out, so one day on our way to the branch building, a christmas tree dude stopped us and I thought He was going to try and sell us a christmas tree, I was just about to say Nay Nada(I dont need it) when he said, dont you meet there on Sundays?  I was like yeah! at 11 oclock in the AM.  HE said Can I come?  I was just like yes of course, here is our number so if  you cant find it you can call us! in my head the conversation continued with him saying, "I dont know what baptism means, but can I do that?" Yeah so he came, and he wants to come again next week and he said he was interested in learning the Gospel, and I was just like, well, you came to the right place!  The other is from our potential investigator list,  the potential investigator lists, are where we right down potential investigators in the Area book so that the next elders know who might be interested in the gospel.  His name is Артем(Artyom) we invited him to come play ping pong with us, he showed up, we played it was fun.  The night was winding down, and then he asked Elder Bates about the church.  He is one of the few Ukrainians that claim to be christian and actually follow christ!!!!  Elder bates tried to quote John 3:16 but it got lost in translation, Artyom, was like oh I know that one, and he helped Elder bates finish the quote!  HE started asking about the church leader ship, and elder bates explained to him all about the prophet, and the quorum of the 12 and the 70s,  Artyom exlaimed"Wow thats just like how Jesus did it!"  He wasnts to meet us again, and not just to play ping pong. 

Well saddest day of my mission was the other day.  We had to drop Valeree.  We still see him everyday, and hes read the book of mormon stories, but he just doesnt want to meet with us.  He is still nice but he wont ever show up to lessons any more.  Asd soon as elder bunker left, so did Valerees desire to meet with us.  

Ping pong was awesome this week though! We had 4 investigators come, and they all got to meet the Branch President(who also happens to be wickedly awesome at Ping pong).  

  One close new investigator is Eugene, we met him by the River, but he seemed reluctant to talk with us, and then we started to talk about christ, and why we are here and he really wants to meet with us now, he is older and has some health problems.  I am so excited for the next few weeks because we are really starting to see miracles here! 

I love you all so much!!!!!!!

Emails with Mom-

Hi buddy!

Wow...just 4 days until we get to see each other and talk to you!  I can't wait...we are all so excited. I sent the Skype info for you.  I will stay on tonight so that we can talk about any details.  

The T-boys have to go back to Margaret's on Christmas Eve and they will try to call in on the Skype call.  You won't be able to see them but they should be able to talk.  We will have Dakkon here though.  Most of the family is going to come over, but some can't work out the schedule.  Lynds and Clint won't be here I think.  

We are all doing good.  The stake is asking us to create our own family goals this year to become more spiritually minded.  We are going to study Preach my Gospel as a family as our goal so that we can be studying the same thing you are teaching.

Dakkon update- (confidential...don't bring it up with anyone... even him) I did tell him that I was going to tell you.

Bad News first-

He failed his classes again and lost his scholarship.  He wants to move back in with us, because he isn't speaking with Margaret again.  Things were really bad with Simon and I guess Simon is atheist now.  Environment sucks at the U...we knew that!  He is going to drop out of school...why waste money if you don't go to class.

Good news-

He is expressing interest in a mission.  He went and talked with the Bishop today and got a temple recommend.  I don't think he has had one in several years.  He is going to get his Patriarchal blessing set up asap.  We have told him that we want to be supportive, but will NOT enable him again.  If he moves in he will have to work full time, contribute financially, have chores, babysit, etc. If he doesn't like the terms he can get an apartment on his own.  We don't know if he is serious about a mission...or using it as a ploy to string us along.  So we are going to push it to happen asap.  If he is serious (which we are praying he is) then we'll get him out quick.  If he is trying to string us along and buy time, we will be able to see through it that much faster.  If he wants a life of gaming he will have to do that on his own dime.  He has been very kind and helpful around the house.  He feels bad about how things went and sees that Dad and I were right and is trying to talk openly with us.  Should be interesting to see...but if he really goes on a mission it will be awesome.  He misses you a lot and has a lot of regrets I think.  He doesn't want to tell the tboys he is moving in because he doesn't want them to tell margaret...so that is still a mess.

Everyone else is doing pretty good.  Dad is taking up guitar lessons through a system on the xbox one, with an electric guitar.  He is actually pretty good and just started.  We went to Star Wars yesterday and everyone loved it.  It was good.  Jacob had a great game yesterday and made several shots including 3 of 4 free throws.  The Y lost to the U in a pitiful football bowl game yesterday.  We had 5 turn overs in the first couple minutes resulting in them having 35 points given to them in the first 5 mins. of the game.  We came back and held them with the final score 35-28.  Ethan was happy everyone else was pretty bummed.

Well, I am just super proud of you and excited for you.  I made you a final scrap book of the last 3 years so I am totally caught up.  Sarah helped me find some of the pictures of the dances I was missing.  So after your mission, we can do a mission book and then your whole life will be in books. Sarah was super jealous...I guess stacey has never even uploaded a picture...like ever.

I have added to the shrine and was laughing this week because you sent me a picture of you and an elder in the MTC...but I didn't know who it was.  I was putting up the new pictures and realized it is you and Elder Bates.  So that was cool.

Biggest question is just making sure we are good to go on Friday for skyping.

1-I would love for you to bear your testimony in your group email.

2-How are things going with Elder bates?  

3-Language still coming along?

4-What are the English classes that people are talking about?  Are you teaching them?

5 What are the activities that you are talking about?

6  Are your SD cards full?  Do you need to send them to me and I can send them back empty?  I could send out some new ones too...so you always have them.

7 Are you happy and enjoying it?

8 Have you been healthy still?  

9 What mail/ packages and letters have you received?

10  Im glad I was able to send extra things for your companion.  I don't think Elder Bates mom got a package out on time.  I helped her figure out the Roxolana thing though so he should get one soon.  

11  Anything you need from us, or how can I be helpful?

12-  Are you starting to love Ukraine and the people?  What is your favorite thing over there?

So Kaestli is super cute and misses you.  Today she said  I miss Jaxon Jane Toone.  She is obsessed with her full name right now.  Then she tried out Jaxon Jared Toone.  I told her your name was Jaxon Hunter Jorgensen and she said "Hunter???  That's a weird name!"  She is sweet.  

The family is still feeling blessed by your service and if Dakkon actually makes it out on a mission I will attribute it to you serving as well.  You are awesome.  Keep working hard and staying faithful.  Heavenly Father knows your heart and you will be successful in his eyes no matter what the outcome is.  I believe in you and love you so much.  We are praying for you and your district continually.

Love you tons!

Mom

Wow that is so amazing, I am literally crying right now, because I have been praying for/about Dakkon, and was going to send him an email today encouraging him to serve a mission.  God definitely hears and answers every childs prayer.  

Okay I can bear my testimony, Elder Bates and I are getting along swell, we are very similar people.  

The language gets better everyweek, its like a muscle now, With use it grows, there are some words now that I know in russian that I dont know in english.  

Yeah I am teaching them, its basically just us teaching a gospel lesson in english, its more of a practice than a lesson in english, but if they have questions we answer them.  

The activity is just ping pong, and food, and games.  

I havent even touched the second SD card, but I have tons of pictures today.  

I am very happy here, Elder Bates and I saw a lot of miricales this week.  

I am Still very healthy, but everyone that sees me tells me I look sick becasue4 of the shape of my cheeks.  

I have recieved so many, and I just recieved the one from Nov. 11 that you sent in the other system, it is not better.  I have recieved all packages that I know of, that is 2.  

I dont need anything but support, What is your skype name so that I can find you, I will be skyping through Face book, my Username is Jaxon Jorgensen, and the other thing is facebook:jaxon.jorgensen, 

I am starting to love the people, they are all really funny and different from Americans.

My skype name is Julie.toone3 I sent a Skype email. I had Dakkon help me set up an account for you and we sent a separate email about it. I didn't know if you had something set up. I'll look for the other one through Facebook. 

The November 11, through the other system...was it just a piece of paper taped?  I have only done a couple of those. I'm glad the letters are finally coming!  I'm doing 1-2 a week. Some from me. Some from dear elder.

You forgot I love you again!

You should still email Dakkon!  That might really help. I'm glad I told you about it and that it answered your prayers. That is awesome!  He seems genuine in it. Time will tell:). 

Love you

Mom

Love you too, I will try the skype you set up. I am super excited to talk with you all !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!