Ohh family and friends what a week it has been. I have been really sick this week which has not been fun at all. I have had a fever, runny nose, sore throat, stomach pains, an allergic reaction, and a cough.
So it's been a pretty tought week trying to get over all of that. And there have been some days that my companions have made me stay in, but I always feel guilty when I have to do that because I really want to be out doing the work and talking with people and I feel I am not reaching my potential when I am just staying inside.
And so I was a little frustrated at the beginning of this week, because I am trying my best to be a consecrated missionary and serve the Lord with all my ability, but this sickness was holding me back. And I didn't know why I was given this sickness.
Because we had to stay in a couple of times this week, I had the opportunity to have a lot of study time. I was reading in a talk we were given, and it says, "Every challenge you face, every hard thing you confront, every bad thing that happens to you, every unfairness, every conflict, every sadness, tragedy, every disappointment and heartache, every temptation and every opposition happens for one purpose only: to give you opportunity to respond by applying in your life the teachings of Jesus. As you do so you are changed to become more like him."
So yeah that hit me pretty hard. I have learned even more to be grateful for our trials. Because without the trials in our lives we would never be able to become like our Savior. And this trial I have faced this week has allowed to me grow my faith in my savior and learn to trust even more in him. Because in all honesty this next two years are his, so whatever he seeth fit to put me through these next two years. I will go through, because I know he will only put me through things I can overcome and will be for my good!
I was reminded of an analogy I once heard about trials. A trial is like a pot of boiling water. We can either choose to be an egg or a carrot. When an egg goes into the boiling water (a trial) it becomes hard. But when a carrot goes into the boiling water it become soft. So in this life our we going to let our trials make us made and bitter at God, and make us angry and hard hearted like an egg? Or are we going to let our trials soften us and humble us like a carrot? Because we cannot make it through this life without the help of Jesus Christ!
But we were still able to go out somedays and the work was really really good those days. I was able to talk to some really cool people, and in Baltimore you just never know what kind of people are going to cross your path. So its honestly like a game everyday we walk outside and I love it.
Here are some highlights from the week:
1. I am thoroughly convinced we talked to an actual witch this past week. My companions have been telling me about this crazy lady who is always out an about asking people for money. And we finally ran into her this week, not once but twice. We were going to bt groceries this past week. And this lady, hailed us down and called us her grandchildren. She had a creepy witch voice and looked exactly like one. She then asked us for money, but I told her we dont carry money and told her we could share a message about Jesus Christ if she would like that. She didn't and wobbled away. The next day, we went to this famed Chicken place in Baltimore called hip hop chicken (a little overrated) but anyway she was in there again. Asking for money again. We were with our zone leaders, and one felt bad and bought her a potato salad. He then gave it to her and said, "I can't eat this without a soda. Buy me a soda!" My zone leader didn't and the store owner was getting mad with her and he just wanted her out so he gave her a Pepsi in a can. She then threw the Pepsi back and said, "I don't drink Pepsi!" So now the store owner was really mad, and I legit thought we were going to have a fight between the witch lady and the Hip Hop man. But he went to go get the Police and she eventually and went and sat on the curb outside the restaurant. And then as we were walking back to our car she asked for money again! I learned that as a missionary I need to be as persistent as the witch lady!
2. We had a little birthday party for our Ward Mission Leader this past Saturday. We had to make tamales for it. So my companion and I were in the kitchen with all the Latino women and it was so much fun. They were all super super impressed with my skills and tell me I have a natural talent! So I was just in there with all the women popping out tamales like it was nothing. What was so crazy is that women just kept coming in and they all know how to make tamales. So now that I know how to make tamales I am one step closer to becoming a Latina woman!
3. We were teaching this family and as we were leaving the house. Thw wife was cooking up meat, and she asked if we wanted some. She told us it was deer meat, so we thought it would be fun to try. So she threw some meat in the bag and sent us on our way. We got back to the apartment and we found out she gave us raw meat. So I went all iron chef on my companions and whipped of one delicious meal. It was really fun. Also don't really know how she got the meat... let's just hope she didn't take it out with her car! Ha!
4. Finally we were with a member and he didn't want to take the bus, so he got an Uber. The guy came and it turns out he was from West Africa, specific Ghana! So I was able to talk to him about Accra and especially Fufu. Shout out to my Ensley brothers Frankie and Bennie. He opened up after that and we shared a little message with him about God and his love for all of us. So a pretty cool seed that was planted.
So yes, this week had been hard but I have been able to learn so much. And this has been a good week. I love y'all and I hope this week is just the best. So so crazy i have almost completed my first transfer in the field. Time flies!
I love yall,
Elder Jorgensen
Pics:
1. Baltimore, best city in the America
2. Cool public chalkboard
3. The city
