Feeling Good...

Week 100

The highlight of this last week was being able to baptize a young member of our branch.  Her name is Irina and we have been working with her family slowly over the last several tranfers. She has wanted to be baptized for a long time now but her father is a non-member and doesnt really love that his wife and 2 daughters go to church, but he allows them to.  So she finally got his permission, and walked up to me after our english practice and said in Surgic(1/2 russian 1/2 ukrainian) "I have good news, I am getting baptized on saturday, and I want you to baptize me"  I was so happy for her.  I also confirmed her on Sunday and I had such a burning feeling in my chest. Conferring the Gift of the Holy Ghost is an amazing feeling.  

Viktor and Nastya are waiting for their baby to come any day now, and there fore missed church again. We taught them a couple lessons this week to help them understand baptism better and to help them build their testimonies.  They love us and love the teachings of the church.

Viktor is doing well and is keeping his commitments, he only had one cup of coffee last week and is doing good at fighting temptations.  He loves feeling like he is a part of the church and the Branch has really taken him in.

Liza, Mashas little sister came to the baptism on Saturday and and after I asked her what she thought. She replied that she liked it and I invited  her to be baptized on September 16th(Happy birthday Jacob) after her sister gets back. We are going to help her prepare for that date.  So that puts our total on date at 4(More than I have had accept a baptismal commitment over the course of my entire mission).  I feel like the Lord is really hastening the work here.

​Strangeness: We met a member from Montana here on Friday, he bought us pizza and talked to us about his mission.  He owns an ammunition company that is pretty big, his name was Tim.  Talked to him for a bit, he has been inactive for quite a while, but claims to be inwardly active, hopefully we can help him come back, but it sounds like plenty of people already have.  

The Church is true and I love you all and miss you!​

Hey Jax,

I did your blog posts the other day and noticed that this week's email will be week 100!  That seems so amazing to me.  I am so proud of you!

I absolutely loved your email last week.  The minute I finished reading it, with tears streaming down my face I got on the floor to my knees to thank Heavenly Father for answering so many of my mother prayers in 1 email.  I have prayed your entire life for some of the things you talked about.  I have been praying for you to have a full conversion and go from believing the gospel is true to knowing it is true.  Also, I have been praying that you can baptize your family before you go, I hope they make it! I have also prayed that there would be a good reason that you were staying the extra 2 weeks...so that answered 2 prayers.  I have also prayed you would get to see a miracle investigator like Viktor has been.  I am praying so hard for all of these things now.  We will be fasting for them.  I will get their names in the temple, and I am praying that the power of satan will be diminished for the next few weeks for all of you.

So Sarah Ralphs came home this week!!!  It was so great to see her.  I was able to do her and Jessica's eyebrows on Saturday and visit for an hour.  She is doing great!  She was in shock when she saw Josh and how much he has changed.  Josh was a lot taller than her and she made a comment about it and then he said, "Yeah, I'm still not as tall as Jax though".  Sarah gasped and asked how tall you were now and we told her a little over 6 feet and she couldn't believe it.  Then I may or may not have showed her the photo that Viktor sent me of you flexing your bicep when we talked about the "behind the walls" approach and stacey told Sarah that you get to go to the gym.  Let's just say she looked at the photo for a long moment;).  She leaves for Utah State the weekend before you get home, but she said she will make sure to be home for your homecoming.  Her homecoming was today and she did a great job.  They had 2 youth speakers and she got the rest of the time.  It was awesome.   It did make it so I had to miss Elder McCleary's homecoming though.

Also we are back to not being able to go to EB. homecoming because his is now on Sept. 17 at 1:00 too.

I have decided that for the next 4 weeks I am only going to send pictures of how everyone looked when you left.  That way when you get home you'll have a good perspective of how much they have changed.  So prepare for a flashback;)

It's Jordy's birthday this week so please make him a recording, or send a happy birthday note to him on this email that I can have him read.

I am not sending you a birthday package...which is killing me...but I know it doesn't make sense and I promise I have a fun surprise for your birthday when you get home!  I did send a lot of letters over the last 3 weeks.  I actually took pictures of a lot of them that I will send if they don't show up in the mail.  That way you will get to read them for sure.  I am so bugged my letters aren't making it to you.  I keep praying that all of the sudden you will get all 10-15 that are missing!!!

I was so happy and relieved that you didn't get transferred and that you are still with Elder Jarman!!  I hope things are going good!  

I was able to find out that the Stake President should be able to release you the night you get back.  Bishop said the other day there was a missionary flying it at 11 pm and he was waiting there to release him.  So no worries there.

So Ethan got his mission call but they have been gone for a couple weeks.  They just got back tonight so we will do the opening tomorrow night.  It should be really exciting.  I hope he gets to leave soon!  Especially if it is stateside.

We are all doing really good, just enjoying summer.  Dad's foot is much better and I am feeling better too!  I am starting to get prepped for school to start again and we have Lake Powell next week.  

questions-

1-How is miracle viktor doing?  What are his issues he needs to work through?

2-Has Nastya had her baby yet? Boy or girl? Name?

3-How is Nastya Viktor and Anna doing with the baptism goal?

4-How are you feeling about your last month out there?

5-Have you got any letters this week??? (I sent my last letter a couple days ago.  I keep sending them just in case, but now if they made it there you'd be home anyway.)

6-Do you think you will need some new school clothes?  Plus like dorm stuff???  I guess we can just figure it all when you get here, it's just going to feel rushed I'm afraid.

7-When does Masha get back from Germany?  Does she write you at all?

8-Does Vika still write you?

9-Message for Jordy.

10-Send pics to the JulieToone3 because I can't open them for the blog if they come through this email.

11-recordings

12-Are you still happy and positive?

13-Do you need anything from me?

14-Do you want to have a family swim party the day after you get home with the extended family?

15-Best thing of your week?

16-Funniest thing this week?

17-message for me:)

I miss you and love you so much.  I can't wait for you to get home.  We are getting so close:)  Lyndsee will be having her baby around the time you get home so that will be extra fun too.

Keep working till the very end.  Give everything you have to the Lord.  Pray hard, work hard, stay positive.  You will never forget this experience.

I love you!

Mom

1 He is doing well, I shouldnt tell you about those issues over email, it is super private.

2not yet it should be a girl

3 Not super great. he they didnt come to church yesterday, they will for sure get baptized, just not while I am here.

4Good, we are working hard and we have a lot of stuff to do.

5NOpe still no letters, but it is weird to know that now your letters wouldnt even make it hear, it is crazy to have so few days left.

6 I will probably need some new clothes, but i dont know what yet, so yeah it will just be a bit rushed.

7 well she did, but she didnt answer my last email. :) I think we are in the clear for that one.  The nightmare would be if what Vladlena says is true and Masha plans to get to America some how.  "knock, Knock" *opens door*.... Yeah I would not be a happy camper.

8Yes we write eachother and she is doing good, but I wouldnt marry her either, she is a super good friend though.

9 Jordan Thomas Gordon Jorgensen! Happy birthday pal, I cant believe it has gone so fast, I will be home 25 days after your birthday.  This week I was thinking about picking you up and hanging out with you. I miss you so much.

12 yes

13 Nope, I just need you to be there at the airport. 

14sure, that sounds good, I dont know if I can swim any more

15 Baptizing and Confirming Irina

16 We were playing ultimate frisbee at our sports night, and I needed to use the facilities, but at their facilities there was no TP...

17  I love you so much and I cant wait to see you again.  I am so grateful for everything you do for me.  I got a good surprize present for you and G-ma when I get home.

More Miracles

Week 99

Me and Elder Jarman were talking and now we can change Ukraines Missionary reputation.  The rep is that if you come to Ukraine that you wont baptize very many people, if any.  My new saying thanks to Viktor is "In Ukraine, people literally come knocking on the Church doors, asking to get baptized."

Thats not to say that his road to baptism will be easy, he has many trials and challenges that he shared with us yesterday, but he loves the gospel and his only complaint is that he neighbors are so loud it makes it hard to read the book of mormon. He is doing well with his commitments and reading.

Viktor and Nastya last night accepted a baptismal date for August 26, we are so happy for them.  Nastya and Viktor think that their baby could be coming any time now becuase she has been having some "warnings".

Also this week was transfers, I am still here, with Elder Jarman, and the other companionship didnt change either, so yay!

I love being a missionary so much. On Saturday we cleaned the branch as usual, but Max, a peace corps volunteer that we went to lunch with tagged along to help us, we had a good discussion about why he isnt interested by religion, and such. Then later I talked to a man who was quite Atheist and was really depressing to talk to because from his point of view there is no right our wrong and our lives are of zero value or meaning.  After these conversations I felt as if there was a Cloud of Darkness overshadowing me.  The cloud can be described as such "All of my experiences in life point to the existence of a God, and to the truthfulness of this gospel, but what if thats just me wanting that, what if thats just something created by people who just "want" it to be true because it makes better sense that way, or it seems fair that way?" This was the cloud. sure it doesnt make tons of sense, but for me there were just heavy what ifs banging around inside my head.  So yesterday I started my personal study and I recalled the story of the Lamanites who were converted and "Knew it not" (3Nephi 9:20)I dont know why I felt impressed to study that story but I did. 

So Open up your scriptures to Helaman 5, and read it.  

28 And it came to pass that they were overshadowed with a cloud of adarkness, and an awful solemn fear came upon them.

29 And it came to pass that there came a avoice as if it were above the cloud of darkness, saying: Repent ye, repent ye, and seek no more to destroy my bservants whom I have sent unto you to declare good tidings.

30 And it came to pass when they heard this avoice, and beheld that it was not a voice of thunder, neither was it a voice of a great tumultuous noise, but behold, it was a bstill voice of perfect mildness, as if it had been a whisper, and it did pierce even to the very soul—

31 And notwithstanding the mildness of the voice, behold the earth shook exceedingly, and the walls of the prison trembled again, as if it were about to tumble to the earth; and behold the cloud of darkness, which had overshadowed them, did not disperse—

32 And behold the voice came again, saying: aRepent ye, repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand; and seek no more to destroy my servants. And it came to pass that the earth shook again, and the walls trembled.

33 And also again the third time the voice came, and did speak unto them marvelous words which acannot be uttered by man; and the walls did tremble again, and the earth shook as if it were about to divide asunder.

34 And it came to pass that the Lamanites could not flee because of the cloud of darkness which did overshadow them; yea, and also they were immovable because of the fear which did come upon them.

35 Now there was one among them who was a Nephite by birth, who had once belonged to the church of God but had dissented from them.

36 And it came to pass that he turned him about, and behold, he saw through the cloud of darkness the faces of Nephi and Lehi; and behold, they did ashine exceedingly, even as the faces of angels. And he beheld that they did lift their eyes to heaven; and they were in the attitude as if talking or lifting their voices to some being whom they beheld.

37 And it came to pass that this man did cry unto the multitude, that they might turn and look. And behold, there was power given unto them that they did turn and look; and they did behold the faces of Nephi and Lehi.

38 And they said unto the man: Behold, what do all these things mean, and who is it with whom these men do converse?

39 Now the man’s name was Aminadab. And Aminadab said unto them: They do converse with the angels of God.

40 And it came to pass that the Lamanites said unto him: aWhat shall we do, that this cloud of darkness may be removed from overshadowing us?

41 And Aminadab said unto them: You must arepent, and cry unto the voice, even until ye shall have bfaith in Christ, who was taught unto you by Alma, and cAmulek, and Zeezrom; and when ye shall do this, the cloud of darkness shall be removed from overshadowing you.

42 And it came to pass that they all did begin to cry unto the voice of him who had shaken the earth; yea, they did cry even until the cloud of darkness was dispersed.

43 And it came to pass that when they cast their eyes about, and saw that the cloud of darkness was dispersed from overshadowing them, behold, they saw that they were aencircled about, yea every soul, by a pillar of fire.

44 And aNephi and bLehi were in the midst of them; yea, they were encircled about; yea, they were as if in the midst of a flaming fire, yet it did harm them not, neither did it take hold upon the walls of the prison; and they were filled with that cjoy which is unspeakable and full of glory.

45 And behold, the aHoly Spirit of God did come down from heaven, and did enter into their hearts, and they were filled as if with fire, and they could bspeak forth marvelous words.

46 And it came to pass that there came a voice unto them, yea, a pleasant voice, as if it were a whisper, saying:

47 aPeace, peace be unto you, because of your faith in my Well Beloved, who was from the foundation of the world.

48 And now, when they heard this they cast up their eyes as if to behold from whence the voice came; and behold, they saw the heavens open; and angels came down out of heaven and ministered unto them.

This basically describes my experience minus the Fire and Angels appearing to me.  But After reading the story I decided to apply it to myself. I knelt down and prayed for the remainder of Personal study. My bosom burned as I repented and pleaded for greater faith, And I felt such peace as I finished my prayer. The cloud of Darkness was dismissed.  MY bosom is burning now as I relate this story to you.  

I love you all and I know that this church is true!

Hey Buddy,

Happy 24th of July all the way from Utah!  This is the Place!!  Having you spread the gospel in Ukraine and seeing how the members there have to be pioneers has given me a better appreciation for our own pioneers!  

Transfers this week!!!!  This is your last transfer!  I can't believe that!!!  I mean are you just freaking out at this point?!?  I know I am!

Things are going good here.  I have fully adjusted to this new medicine and my headaches are much better and so is the numbness in my arms.  It's been nice to feel good again.  

We went to California this week.  We had a couple days at the beach and then a couple days at Disneyland.  We had a ton of fun.  We road tripped with Allie and her kids.  It really went so good.  Josh helped me and her drive at different times.  We did a character breakfast with minnie mouse one of the days and Kaestli was literally in heaven!  She would run up and hug every character that came by us.  The food was actually way good too.

So some updates.  Your homecoming got changed from the 10th to Sept. 17 at 1:00 because of a regional conference.  This will make it so we can go to Elder Biesinger's homecoming, but will make it super tight to do Elder Montgomery's homecoming/breakfast.  It is the 17th at 9:00 with the breakfast at 10:30.  So maybe if we are completely ready we could still go down to it and then be back up here at 1:00.

Another update.  Mikey accepts your challenge.  This is going to be serious.  Jacob is in on it as well. (Maybe Jordy and Josh as well)  There will be 3 events.  The mile run, a push up contest and the final decided by Mikey is a 100 meter dash.  We will try to hold these events at Riverton's track.  This will be held shortly after you come home...probably that first weekend.  So they say bring it on;)

Also Robert Ditty is engaged;)

It's killing me not to send a package for your birthday, but I really am not going too.  I just bought the tires for the truck and I have to pay on your housing already, so consider that your birthday present.  I will send a few letters though.  So hopefully you get them!!!

1-Letters...please tell me you are getting letters now...I have literally sent so many so if not I'm going to cry!  I wonder why they aren't getting there!

2-Transfer info!!!!  Elder Jarman's mom sent an email saying that he thought he would be transferred.. so did that happen?  I REALLY hope you get to stay there and baptize miracle Viktor!!!  So full details on transfer, comp, area etc.

3-How are you feeling about the fact that this is your last transfer?

4-Details about miracle Viktor?

5-Details about Viktor and Nastya? Do you think they will get baptized?  I love that they sent those pics last week.  I can't believe how huge your biceps is!!!!  That is amazing.  I can't wait to see you in person!

6-This is a weird question...but Josh is already getting a hairy chest and stomach...like a man...it's weirding me out!  Do you have chest hair?  Daddy Jake had a lot...but it's weird to have a man child running around.

7-Are you ready for your athletic events?  What is your fastest mile?  How many push ups do you have?  (I won't tell the others;)

8-How is the branch doing?  The crazy babushka's?

9-What will you miss most about Ukraine?

10-What will you miss most about your mission?

11-How many of the missionaries actually become fluent in Russian?

12-Are you still happy and positive?

13-Why didn't you like doing exchanges with the AP's in Kremenchuk?

14-What is the first restaurant you want to eat at?

15-What is the first dinner you want me to make?

16-pics/recordings

17-message for me:)

I miss you like crazy and love you so much!  I CANT WAIT FOR YOU TO COME HOME!!!!  Seriously so excited to have you back.  But so proud of you!  I want you to soak in this last month and make the most of it!  Work hard the entire time!  Stay focused on being a missionary and giving the Lord your all.  Play till the whistle blows!

Love you tons!!!

Mom

1 Okay I will tell you I am getting the Letters now, That isnt the truth, but I will tell you that. "I am getting the Letters now"

2No we are together still YAY!

3 Good, but it is scary knowing that I can count the number of Sundays left on one hand.

4WOW, he is full of surprizes, he has had a much tougher life than originally appeared and, he was definitely in real need of the gospel. We had a lesson yesterday and some issues came up that he wants to work past.  He is an amazing man.

5August 26th, accepted baptismal date.  I hope they will make it, it will be a close one with the baby coming soon, I dont know if they will make it to church enough times.

6 Nope I still just have transparent hairs all over my chest.

7Yes, I think so, my knees have been hurting me lately so we will see what happens to my ability to run. my fastest timed mile was 5:45ish.  That was last year with Elder Schwieghardt, I dont know what it is now because we dont have an official sized track to practice on.  I run 14 kilometers per hour for ten minutes at the gym for warmups I can go faster and farther than that though so whatever that means. I am heavier now because of an increase of muscle mass, so I am now around 70-80 in one sitting.

8Alright, some arguments lately about 1 Polygamy 2 money and spirituality, the crazies have simmered a bit.

9 The people

10 I dont know, i dont remember what its like to not be a missionary, sometimes it feels like I was just born this way.

11 Depending on your definition I would say 70 percent or more if they actually work on it.

12Yes

13 Because they dont come here, we have to go there, and before last time it has always seemed like a huge waste of our time.

14 I dont know, maybe chilis, maybe wendys.

15 Roast beef(beef is super rare to find here) and mac and cheese.

17 I love you mom! I miss you so much and I cant wait to see you. I am so grateful for everything you do, you are definitely my best friend.

Zone Conference

Week 98

Well, we had zone conference this last week. IT was super good, we did a work out after and boy was I sweatin like a bag of milk.  I enjoyed all of zone conference but especially the part where we talked about the importance of the spirit. We listened to a really good talk from Elder Holland where he addressed the importance of not offending our 3rd companion.  We really cant do anything with out him.

Miracle Viktor came to church yesterday and really liked it. I have never met someone so prepared in my life.  " I just have had this feeling in my heart ever since I heard about your church, I cant explain what it is"  HE is progressing towards his baptismal date on August 5th.  He stuck around after church and we taught him a Lesson on the Plan of Salvation.  He basically accepts everything.

WE had Brother Garbarenko on the lesson with us and he said something really cool at the end. "Even if you have doubts, just come. Dont stop coming.  If you keep coming everything will make sense and you will see that its not just books and words but that God is actually reality.  Just keep coming"

We also played against some Ukrainians in Soccer for sports night. Wont make that mistake again.  They DESTROYED us.  It was like kicking kittens, they are utterly defenseless and tiny.  We were kittens and they were Boots.  Also they were taking it way more seriously than we were, but we made some good friends.  I scored a goal, and had 2 other shots.  Elder Bates got one, and I think elder Jarman snuck one in.  Im gonna blame the loss on the fact that in America we spend our time on nearly everything but soccer as children and for them it is the opposite.

WEll I love you all!

Hey buddy!

I am just loving every week that passes by!!!  Yay for time to be moving on.  It is your last transfer this weekend!?!  That is just crazy!  I seriously can't wait to get you back:)

First item of business...your water!  WHAT!!!  how can you go a week without any water?  I am seriously put out if it is off for an hour!  I mean the toilet even!  How did you function?  Plus, don't get dehydrated again!!!  

We are doing good.  We are heading to California in the morning.  We are driving to keep the cost down and staying in a fairly iffy hotel, but it should be fun.  G&G planned it as a trip before Grandma starts back at BYU.  Everyone in the family is going except for Mike and Keely.

We had Kaestli's birthday this week and everyone came over. She loved your message to her by the way!  She made me replay it several times for her.  It was super cute!  We also went to Cowabunga Bay with just our family.  Ethan got us in for free, so that was awesome.  Kalten works there too.  The kids had a ton of fun.  Ainsley came again too.  She really gets along with Cam and Kaes.  It's fun to have her along for these activities.  It's Ethan's birthday today (Friday), writing early because of our trip and I'm a terrible phone typer.

Ethan's paper are officially submitted...but since it is July it may take 3-4 weeks to get his call.  We are so excited that they were in!!

I had the nerve test today...which was terrible.  It involved electrical shocks to my arms and hands right on the nerves and then a 3 inch needle that was inserted to my arm and hand muscles then wiggled around while I had to flex or move that muscle and then she sent waves through that.  They did it in 8 different spots and it KILLED and I nearly passed out by the end of it.  I had to lay down for several minutes until the room stopped closing in on me.  The test was normal which means there is no nerve damage or muscle damage so that is good.  But that test was the worst...so now you can consider me paid back for you needle incident;).

1-I'm so excited to hear about your miracle last week with Viktor 2...that is awesome.  How has he progressed this week?  Did he come to church?

2-How about Viktor 1 and Nastya?

3-When will the Sullivan's be coming again?

4-Did you have zone conf. this week?

5-Who is your zone leader? Which zone are you guys in?

6-Do you know why President Sullivan picks such "young" AP's?

7-Are you still happy and positive? plus are you healthy?

8-Do you plan on telling me the real stories when you get home?

9-Do you have a lot of stories you haven't told me?  Like the strangling that you let slip on the voice recorder?

10-Do you feel like most of the missionaries are really close in your mission, or just mainly if you are in a zone together?

11-Why is Sister Broadhead coming home on Aug. 15 if she is going to BYU?

12-Did you get to choose out of the 15 and 29?

13-Are you happy with traveling with EB, EO, EM?  Who else is traveling with you guys?  It will be fun to be at the airport together.  Us moms are pretty close.

14-recordings/pics

15-Is your water issue solved?  Did you get dehydrated again?

16-Emails...are you going to want any other emails between you and other people besides me, on the blog/book I make?  Right now it is just mine and yours, but I found out about another option for printing emails so let me know.  Your lds mail will shut down a few days after you are home and anything not saved will be lost.  I think there is a way to transfer it all over to a different account though, so I can look into that if you want.

17 message for me:)

Well,  I miss you and love you.  Your emails were great last week!  I love the stories and details!  I loved the story of the little old lady calling you yasha...that is cute!  I pray for you constantly and so do the kids!  I can't wait to see you and hug you.

Don't get trunky though!  Work hard and go till the whistle blows!  Finish this last transfer super strong!  I love you!  You're the best!!!

Mom 

1 I will write about that in my group message

2 They are doing well, he wants to come to church ang learn more, but didnt have time to come yesterday

3Not until September or october

4 Yes we did

5 Our zoneleaders are also the APs, and we are in the Dnepr zone.

6 To train them and then he puts them in different places in the mission.

7 Yes!  Yeah I am healthy.

8 and 9, I dont remember what I have and havent told you, I feel like I tell you most of it.

10 You only really get close if you serve in a District together.

11 I dont know, maybe she wanted more time, I probably could have requested to leave on the 15 but that would basically cut my time in half at this point.

13I dont have the travel plans, so I dont know who I am travelling with.

15 Yes we got the water problems solved, no I didnt get dehydrated.

16 I dont know, you are the person I write the most.

17  I miss you and love you so much, dont worry I wont get trunky, I am determined not to.  Today we sent letters home, so you should get at least 1 more before I go home.  I cant believe the time has gone so fast! Love you!

I hope I have time to finish this Email!

Week 97

So today was super good, and crazy and I hope I have time to finish this email before 6:00.  The thing that took up all of our time was a lesson with a super prepared guy that walked into the branch. We taught him the Restoration and explained about a few things.  He took a ton of times telling us about these dreams hes been having, I dont know whether they are of God or not, but he felt like he should tell us so we just listened.  We commited him to be baptized on August 5th(People need to attend Church 3 times in our mission before they can be baptized) he is about 35 years old and lives in a community housing place.  He wants direction in his life and wants get his feet under him.  HIs name is Viktor.  This was a super big miracle for me because other than that we had 0000 for our key indicators and I was feelin like a terrible missionary.

WE also had a tough week in General. The water was off ALL WEEK. It finally got turned on again yesterday.  Water is so nice to have.  We ended hand washing all of our laundry in our bathtub. (The water was super gross after, like Utah Lake types stuff) Elder Jarman scrubbed one of his knuckles off haha.  That was the major source of our problems this week. "I am thirsty"-Elder Jorgensen "No youre not"-kitchen sink.  SO for water we had to buy 6 liter jugs from the grocerie store.  Super funny time not having water.  But the Lord was nice enough to have this week not be blistering hot.

Super funny story: I have a new nickname Yasha. So from now on to all you Edmunds people that will be Yasha Sherman Apple to you!  Yasha is the diminutive(cute baby version of a name like our version of "Camers" for cameron) form of Yakov which is the Russian form of Jacob, which is the closest thing an 80 year Old woman we met this week could get to my name.  "Whats your name young man?"  "Elder Jorgensen but you can call me Jaxon if that is easier" "What?" "Jaxon" "Oh Yasha, okay Yashinka(the diminutive form of the diminutive form)" She couldnt get Jarman either, and just settled on calling him David(Duveed)  

WE met with viktor and Nastya last night super fast and commited them to read a part of the book of mormon together. They have a lot to cath up on, after viktor left they stopped progressing as quickly, but hopefully it will speed up again.

Thats about it from Elders Yasha and David this week, Love you all!

Hey bud!

I can't believe that its here already.  They made it back from Fiji on Wednesday night!  Is was so cool to be at the airport waiting knowing that I'll be there in just a few weeks to pick you up:).  It has been a great week with them home.

We started with celebrating the 4th of July.  We even went to the Riverton parade on Monday night.  It was super hot...and the kids lined up were like ravenous wolves!  Jordy kept stealing candy from other little kids...so that was fun too;).

We had a BBQ/swim party and fireworks for the 4th with some of the family.  It's an awesome view to sit on our back patio with the new laws of ariel fireworks being legal now.  We sat out there and you can watch the entire city of herriman shooting off fireworks for over an hour!  It was so pretty.  The kids kept saying how great that we didn't have to waste the money or have the danger...we just got to watch everyone else's firework show.  

Wednesday is when G&G got home from the airport.  I'll send pics, but we had a good showing.  They were on a flight with like 12 missionaries coming home from Taiwan so there were tons of other families there.  But the coolest part was they were talking with all the missionaries in at the airport in Los Angeles and one of them was McKay Christiansen.  So they got a pic together and I saw his mom at the airport and sent her the pic too.  

We went up to the cabin with everyone after that and talked all night.  The next day we spent just hanging out at the cabin.  Dad and the other working men came up that evening and we had a BBQ again.  Friday we came home and G&G did a bunch of shopping for their homecoming.  

Sunday was the homecoming and they did an awesome job!  I wish you could have heard it.  You know how much grandpa loves to tell stories though, so I'm sure he will tell you all about it when he is home.  You guys will have a lot of stories to swap!  They had 7 missionaries come and they sang the mission song.  They were really emotional to see all of their family and missionaries in one room together.  It was a neat experience.  They all came up to the cabin after to have lunch.  Dad and the Tboys had to leave early so that they could all have their interviews with the bishop for priesthood advancement.  

It turns out that Ethan's bishop really has just been "too busy" to push through the paper work.  So he finished his stuff today, Ethan meets with the Stake Pres on Tuesday and then it should be sent in.  So hopefully we will have a call in a few weeks for him!  YAY!  That will be so exciting!  

Jacob heads to scout camp this week and they are going to Millsite reservoir...the lake I made you get in that one time that was like 50*...sorry about that still.  Mother of the year award for me;).  He is excited and I hope they let him stop and show them Daddy Jake's grave in Castle Dale.  

We are driving to California on Saturday and meeting up with everyone else who is flying on Sunday.  It's a trip with G&G and all the rest of the family.  She wanted to do something fun before she starts teaching at BYU again.  We will do the beach a couple days and Disney a couple days.  

Questions...

1-Viktor and Nastya??  are they progressing at all?

2-When is the last transfer going to happen?

3-Are you still happy and positive?

4-Funny story this week?

5-Spiritual thought?

6-Favorite scripture?

7-Favorite ukrainian you have met up to this point?

8-Happiest moment this week?

9-Last chance to ask or request something for a birthday package?  I really want to send something, but I don't want to send a bunch of stuff you would have to pack home or wouldn't need.

10-Do you want me to just give you some extra money to get some momentos?

11-Do you need any money to buy any other gifts/souveniers for the family or yourself and any shipping money?  Is yes...how much?

12-Do you have any questions for me about schooling, housing, etc? (I paid that first housing payment btw...I didn't realize it was due so soon!)

13-I have been loving the recordings:)...send more!  Do one of you saying I love you and happy birthday to Kaestli!  It's her birthday today so it will be so special!  Cam loved his message.

14-more pics:)

15special message for Kaestli's birthday

16-special message for me:)

I love you and miss you so much!  I am really proud of the man you have become!  Thank you for serving a mission so faithfully!  I can't wait to see you walking down those stairs and give you a big hug!  That will be one of the best days of my life!

Love you tons, stay safe and smart!  Listen to the spirit!  Love you

Mom

1 They are doing good, we gave them a reading assignment, they have been super busy because of the broken pipe situation

2 IN 2 weeks, so one week from this saturday

3Yes

4Well, yes, but its a long one and its going in the Group email.

5 The church and the book of mormon are true.  Everyone deserves a chance to come to know that and thats why God calls people on missions. Because unlike all of the knowledge they give in schools.  Ours are really the only 45 minute lessons that make any sort of difference in a persons life.

6 Probably still Helaman 5:12

7 Vika is a homie, shes probably the best. 

8 I dont know. Probably on Friday when I got to share Familysearch with a muslim girl here that we are freinds with now.

9 I am great!

10 That would be cool, but there arent a ton of things I need to get at this point. 

11 If you give me money I can buy and send home a couple of Maces and maybe more of the traditional dress, but there isnt a ton more to buy.  The clothes are expensive the maces are like 10-30 dollars

12No i am good

13OKay

Okay

15 love you sis! Happy Birthday, now you are Six so that means I will be home soon.

16  I love you and am super happy that I am able to be on a mission. I miss everyone a ton but I know it is worth it. you are the best!

4th of July, almost..

Week 96

Well the 4th of July almost fell on a Pday, but we celebrated it as a District today anyway. We had a BBQ with stake and Sausages. And then we went into our Air Conditioned home, and played Settlers of Catan over cheesecake as all of the American songs on my Ipod were playing. It is ironic to play that game when "This land is your land, this land is my land..." is playing because, no its just my land, not yours.  Elder Jarman won.  Thats the first time either I or Elder Bates havent won, hes grown up so fast.

On top of that this week was super eventful.  WE had a few activities like english and basketball.  there is a new peace corps volunteer named Max who is pretty cool.  We might try to meet with him, he seems to know quite a bit about out Church.  WE met him at Frisbee.  Viktor and Nastya got married and during their wedding they got a call from the building manager of our apartment and he told them that they were leaking water down. And they were, into our apartment and our neighbors apartment.  So we have had no cold water for the last few days and boy is it painful to shower.  Also we cant do our laundry until the water gets turned on... I am almost out of shiny white shirts and clean pairs of socks. Hopefully everything gets fixed before I am forced to "Recycle".

Liza came to church, her family is going through a rough time, hopefully things will get better.  Her mom is sick and in the hospital, which is super stressful.

I am doing super good at not being trunky, President gave us all an invisible box and we are supposed to put all of the not missionstuff inside and only open the box on Pday.  So far its working for me, if I think of something I just right down on the Pday slot in my planner and then think about it on Pday.

Yesterday was Fast and Testimony meeting, which was good. I bore testimony on how God will never desert us and how our trials will be for our good.  I shared a few verses from DandC 121 which was good, and it had a deep impact on the branch members.  Joseph Smith was a great man. This is the Lords Church and he is doing his work. 

Love you all!

Hey Jax,

How are you doing?!?  We have had a great week.  Cam's birthday is today (Sunday).  We had a birthday party for him on Saturday with all the cousins.  We had a swimming party, had pizza and cake with snow cones.  Tonight all the Tboys came over including Ansley (their sister) to have cake and ice cream.  She has been coming over more often lately.  She likes to be included and play with Cam and Kaestli.  They like when she comes as well.  

Josh and Jordy went to Youth Conference this week.  They did a ropes course in Provo and then did boating the next day.  The last day was a service project at This is the Place.  After they had a dinner and testimony meeting at the Kimball's house.  They had a good time.  Me and the younger kids had a great time with both of them gone too;)  We went to see Cars 3 in the theatre and then ate out a few times as well. 

We are still swimming everyday usually once...but somedays up to 3 different times.  It's a blast.  We have been getting raspberries from our garden this week too.  The kids found a toad last week so we've been looking for him again as well.

Tennis and track finished up this week, so I am happy about that.  Jacob's basketball starts up again this week.  The first game is on Saturday.

Curtis and I celebrated our anniversary this weekend since it will be Grandma and Grandpa's homecoming this coming weekend when it's our actual anniversary.

Josh went on a date with a new girl this weekend.  He still works at Subway.  He should get his AP score this week too.

Grandma and Grandpa get home on WEDNESDAY!!!!  Can you believe that!?!  We are all so excited about it!  We are going to go straight up to the cabin and hang out for a couple days.  The homecoming is Sunday and they have invited a bunch of their missionaries from Fiji too!  I think it will be so awesome!  

Ethan is still working on his mission papers.  His bishop is really being slow about it.  Curtis actually called the Stake President to see what is going on.  I guess the bishop has been out of town and is pretty unorganized.  So we will keep you posted on when it actually gets put through.

I went to another mission mom lunch this week.  We finally got to meet Elder Jeffery's mom and dad.  They were in town.  It was fun to talk to her.  She know a lot of details of your Sumy days that I didn't know!  I guess Elder Knorpp is doing the dishes now days in Sumy! haha.  

The summer has really filled up and I feel like you are going to be coming home so soon!  I honestly can't wait!  We are all doing well and just looking forward to having you home with us again!  We all miss you a ton!  I am so proud of you for serving a mission.  I can't wait to hear all the stories you have.  I know this has been a really hard mission and I'm sure you aren't telling me everything.  I'm proud of you for doing so well out there!

Questions-

1-any details on the wedding plans/date etc??

2-How is Viktor and Nastia doing?

3-How is your companionship going?

4-Are you happy and positive?

5-What are you studying in the scriptures right now?

6-Do you consider yourself fluent in the Russian language?

7-What is your favorite thing about serving in Ukraine?

8-Any mail yet?????

9-What are you most excited about when you get home?

10-How often do you do activities with the Branch?

11-Any update on Masha?

12-Do you think you will stay in kremenchuk for your last area?

13-Recording... I really love them.  I liked the one about the son in your book, that was awesome.

14-pics

15-message for me

16- birthday message for Cam

I miss you and love you!  Keep working hard and doing great!  I am so proud of you!

Love you

Mom

1 They are married! It was super low key because they couldnt afford a big ceremony, only their family was invited.

2Good, we recommited them to pray together last night.

3Super good, we love each other

4Yes

5 Doctrine and Covenants, that is what we teach for sunday school, I am almost finished with it.  Other than that it changes often right now humility.

6To a point yes, I can understand 98 or more percent of what everyone says, and I can speak maybe 90 percent correctly depending on how strong the spirit is.

7 Honestly, Ukrainians are the funniest people ever, some are super irritating, but you can laugh at them later.  So I would say the people and the change they have made in me. My sense of humor is a bit different and I have learned several valuable lessons from them.

8One letter from you and one from Sarah, we are still good friends.

9The family of coarse, I cant wait to pick sis up and just squeeze her to death.  Other than that, Elder Jarman has made a list of things I need to watch, and told me I need the Lg G5 for my phone, and I am excited for college.  I am excited for that first night( if possible I want to be released that night) because I will finally sleep and not have to worry about someones salvation being delayed if I dont wake up at 6:30

10 Once a week we have a "branch/missionary" activit which is usally sport night one week and the next week something else.

11 Nope, I think she is probably even over me, because she hasnt seen me in so long, and when I write her it is super NOT juicy.

12Maybe, I think that makes more sense than me moving, but who knows.

15 I miss you and love you so much and I am so happy that I have had this opportunity to be away from you for 2 years so I can fully appreciate how much I love being around you. I love you!

16 Happy Birthday Camers! I love you and miss you! I will be home really soon so you wont have any more birthdays without me!