Sometimes, I do not know how to begin each of my blogs... I try and think of something catchy and creative, different than what I said the week before... but honestly this week has been wonderful!!  - Just like how I always say, haha!!! The only downside is it was like 105 plus humidity...that was so not wonderful.

Some highlights:  we went down to Lincoln for a day, for an exchange with some sisters, and we saw signs that said "Don't Pokemon and Drive!" This game is plaguing the world haha,especially if missionaries know about it. I had the most wonderful exchange with a dear sister who has only been out for a month, that greenie fire is a real thing! And, then later, basically melted while doing some yard work outside for three hours, but it was soo worth it!! My testimony of how hearts are softened through service, continues to deepen!!

But, what I really wanted to talk about was what I learned in sacrament meeting yesterday. July 24th is Pioneer Day, and the theme of sacrament was in honoring those who have paved the way before us. But rather than focus exclusively on all those wonderful saints who crossed the plains, they also spoke of modern day pioneers.  The analogy is that we are pioneers as well. Like the pioneers of the past, we live among those who do not believe the things we do. And, although we do not leave homes and family behind, we are asked to lay aside the things of the world and become followers of Christ.  Also, we go through times of extreme trials and testing. Our Zion, the promised land that we are being led to, is the eternal salvation with our Father in heaven.

As modern day pioneers we should look to those who came before us, as they are amazing examples of faith, unselfishness, sacrifice, obedience, moderation, unity and patience. All attributes we need now, just as much as they needed them then. I invite each of you to ponder on the pioneers you know, ancient and modern, and think of how you can more fully apply and practice these principles in your own lives. This is what I have been doing and I have found that we can, as Christ says in Mark 5:36, "Be not afraid, only believe".   There will be times of trial, however, we know we are here for Christ and as we put our trust in Him there will be nothing to fear.

~ With Bunches of Love,

Sister Jordan

Mailing Address: 1429 Grandview Ave #24

Papillion, NE 68046

Interviews with President, road trips to Lincoln, and two mini missions were the highlights of my super crazy busy week!!

 

I will start first with my interview with President Gardner. I had a most amazing revelation experience during our interview together. He asked me how I had changed as I have been on my mission?? So many things ran through my head, but this is the one I shared. During our first interview over a year ago, President shared with me a scripture in Matthew 5: 15-16 which talks about letting your light shine, and told me to fearlessly let my light shine. At the time, I sort of resented this challenge because I hate standing out, and despite my best efforts, it seems like that always happens. That is when it hit me, I have been able to overcome my fear of standing out because I have realized that it isn't my own personal light that is shining, it is Christ's light shining through me. I am now able to be confident in who I am and what I believe.

Second, road trips to Lincoln...meetings. I got to meet up with one of my most favorite Kansas families the Diazs!! And then there was driving, not much to report on that.

And finally, the mini mission. Oh my, it was so AMAZING!!! We had two laurels from our ward come out and just spend the weekend with us doing missionary work. Then, we ended with a sort of fireside, at the church, to discuss the outcome of the mission. The girls expressed how surprised they were with how hard a mission actually was... the schedule, the commitment, and especially the rejections. They said, however, it taught them so much! In those three short days, they learned about charity, having a positive attitude despite the circumstances, and how simple and natural it is to share the gospel. And even though it was really hard, and they were really tired, they would do it all over again. It was awesome to go out and teach with these young girls whose testimonies are so strong, to see how their desire to serve God and others just grew! I just love those girls!! I was even tearing up, a little, when we had to give them back to their families, hahaha.

~ With Bunches of Love,

Sister Jordan

Mailing Address: 1429 Grandview Ave #24

Papillion, NE 68046

GIVING YOUR HEART

 

Yayyyy Shout out to Evan, Happy Birthday Jo Boo!!!! #15   ;)

 

They do the 4th sooo big here in Nebraska. Seriously, there are block parties for days,with slip and slides and bounce houses with the whole road blocked off. They also shoot off their own fireworks, not just firecrackers and sparklers, but the real things that we cant even buy in Cali. And they shoot them off from noon to midnight, it sounds like we are in a war zone hahaha.

 

Anywho, this week has been full of lesson learned. Not just for me as a missionary, but as a person as well. In preparation for our missionary leadership meeting this week, our mission president asked us to read this talk called the fourth missionary...Life Changing. Though the principles of the talk were directed towards missionaries, I realized that the things I learned will always apply to me.

 

A little bit of background, this talk categorizes visionaries based on their mindsets and the fruits of their labors. The first and second missionaries are both disobedient so I wont talk about them.. I want to focus on the third and fourth missionary. They are both obedient hard working and see much success. The biggest difference is the condition of their hearts. The third missionary does things because it is his duty and because he knows he should, and though he serves with all his might and strength, he withholds his heart from the Lord. In contrast, the fourth missionary gives himself totally over to the Lord, he is obedient and hard working, not because he is expected to but because that is his desire as well.

 

This spoke tons to me, sometimes living the gospel can become a checklist or chore to do. However as we give ourselves completely and totally over to the Lord living the gospel becomes a joy! I have seen this personally as a missionary. Being an STL has given me the chance to be around a lot of missionaries and you can tell if missionaries have given their hearts over to the Lord, or not, because it is expressed in their faces. Now, don't get me wrong, the fourth missionary is not perfect by any means, and to move from being the third missionary or member is easy. It starts with the desire to change to align your will with God's and then it is done, its truly that easy!:)

 

In our meeting, President Gardner asked us a couple of awesomely thought provoking questions, and I invite you to ask them to yourself as well: "What kind of disciple do I want to become?" and What could keep me from achieving what I desire?" Because of our Savior and his Atonement each of us has the opportunity to chance and become better. Dont ever give up!:D

~ With Bunches of Love,

Sister Jordan

Mailing Address: 1429 Grandview Ave #24

Papillion, NE 68046

STOPPING TO REST
Oh my goodness, this week was SOOOO BUSY!!!! We had two exchanges, both of which I went to the other sister's area. We did at least 15 hours of service, and tons of missionary meetings. Two of which took us to Lincoln (about an hour away).

Despite the rush of this week, I got a moment of peace because we got to go to the Temple! Though this week was full of things to do, places to go and things to plan for, it seemed like time stopped while we were at the temple.

Thursday night, we were walking around the temple grounds and a couple of sisters came to talk to us. They told us they had started talking to this lady who was sitting on a bench right beside the temple. They talked for a minute and found out this young woman was from Russia and everyday she went for a run around her neighborhood, as she was running, she would always stop and rest right outside of the temple. She had no idea what the temple was or why it was there, she just always felt such calm and peace as she sat for her rest. After a bit, she would get up and run the rest of the way home. I realized there is a lesson in this experience.

Life keeps us running nonstop, we have so many things to do and it seems like there is never enough time in the day to do those things. We must take a break however, and there is no better place for rest and recuperation than the temple. As I sat inside the temple, I could feel the Spirit soo strong, it felt as if I was having my spiritual, mental, emotional, and even physical battery recharged.

 

I am so very grateful for the temple not just for the peace it brought to me this week but for the ordinances preformed within that provide us with the ability to return to Heavenly Father again. I know that as we take time form our busy lives and endless lists of things to do and make time to attend the temple, clarity, light and an increase of goodness will flow into our lives and the lives of those around us.

~ With Bunches of Love,

Sister Jordan

Mailing Address: 1429 Grandview Ave #24

Papillion, NE 68046

New places, not so new faces!

Transfers happened this week, bringing with it a ton of bittersweet feelings. I LOVE Kearney and all the people I met there, but I know that many more miracles and wonderful people are here in Papillion too!! Soooo many Infinite moments this week:

1. Finding out that Sister Youngberg and I were going to be companions again!!! Dream team reunited:D

2. We went with a recent convert here in Papillion for her first time going to the temple, and guess who was there...the entire Kearney youth! I seriously teared up when I saw them all, it was so unexpected but so perfect!!!

3. Oh and an AMAZING person I was able to see this week was Kesley!!!!!!!!!!!!! I mean, Sister Rook... She walked in the room, I, of course, screamed and ran to her, I was sooooo happy to see her I almost started bawling, hahahaha It is soooo weird to have home life and mission life combine, it did not even seem like a real thing.

Though there are a lot of new things, I am so very excited to be here and begin another new adventure!!

This Sunday, we were learning about what True Greatness is and how we can discover it within ourselves. Ultimately, true greatness is found in those who are willing to sacrifice their desires for others. Its having the ability to look for opportunities to serve, not because we are supposed to or asked to, but because we genuinely care for others.

We were asked to think of someone in our lives that emulate true greatness, and I automatically thought of my mom. She sacrifice so much for us and others, she serves with her whole heart and loves as well as sees others as Christ would. In all that she does, she directs me and others to our Savior who is the perfect example of true greatness.

Though the athletes, celebrities, and heroes fade there is one who will never fade nor change and that is our Savior Jesus Christ. On whom we can rely on in any circumstance and who will never let us down or lead us astray.

~ With Bunches of Love,

Sister Jordan

Mailing Address: 1429 Grandview Ave #24