ST JOHNS, FLORIDA
COMPANION: ELDER BORE
DISTRICT LEADER
Jacksonville South Zone
There's no time for randomness today! Too many miracles to tell!
Miracle #1 is named Vicki. Vicki met with missionaries 17 years ago but circumstances combined to separate her from the Elders. When missionaries tracked into her daughter-in-law, she took it as a sign. She got out number, called us out of the clear blue sky, and asked for a Book of Mormon. Now, less than a week letter, she has read all of 1st Nephi, has met with us twice, come to church and brought her husband, and set a baptism date for August 21st!!!!!!!!
Hundreds of hours of tracting, thousands of doors knocked on, opened, and slammed (it's almost invariably slammed. The people of St. John's must have uncontrollable forearm strength. It's the only explanation. Poor people. What a terrible burden. Pray for them.) and then THIS. Wonder of wonders. Miracle of miracles.
Miracle #2 is Tommy! Tommy has been meeting with missionaries for a long time. Over a year. He knows the doctrine so well sometimes he texts us and requests which lesson he wants us to teach. We brought a member, we sat down, and we read 2 Nephi 31, and then the Holy Ghost said to do something CRAZY. We looked him in the eye, we said, "Tommy, if you will pray about this chapter, you will feel and be able to recognize the Holy Ghost. From that experience, you will know that everyone we say and have been saying is true. Also, Tommy, a day of the month will come into and then stick in your mind. That is the day you will be baptized. We'll be back in two days, and we will ask you what day you're going to take the leap." and then we left! So, you know, pray for him! But he said yes. Oh you should have seen the look on his face! But we are ambassadors for the Savior. We speak with His authority, His love, and His promises. And Tommy said yes. And his family of NINE is looking to him as an example, waiting and watching.
So important what example we set. So incredible to ponder the impact every thoughtful, or thoughtless, action makes.
Something troubling has been happening rather consistently lately. We knock, people with light in their eyes answer. We teach, right there on the doorstep. We present the doctrine clearly, quickly, simply, and by the power of the spirit. Then we invite. And they decline. That part is fine. That's missionary work. But here's the troubling part: they COMPLIMENT. They talk about how well we did, how bold and powerful we were. They tell us how much they respect our confidence and delivery and technique and remind their children to learn from and emulate us. Then they close the door, and are gone.
And I am at least a little bit humbled to realize that even if I were FANTASTIC, even if I made a slam dunk in every point of doctrine and every Preach my Gospel teaching skill and even if I managed to be excellent in every way, it wouldn't be enough. Even if I employed every mission focus and tactic and strategy and technique it would still not be sufficient! No amount of personal merit will ever be satisfactory in this work. Only reliance, wholly, upon the merits of He who is mighty to save.
I wish I could do it on my own! I wish I could convince people! I wish I could save them! I wish I could convert them. But I cannot. I can only love, I can only invite, and I can only try (and fail, but try) to emulate my Master.
I do love Him very much. I am thrilled to be here. Every splendid moment is precious to me. Each new day is a delight. They are wonderful. They are long. I share them with Him. I love them.
Have a great week. They come and they go, whether we want them to or not. There are no fast-forward or slow-motion buttons. Every moment of time is equal, every second inert. We make them whatever else they become. What a miracle THAT is.
I love you,
~Elder Jorgensen