Week 8 --- September 26, 2016 --- sorry about the last e-mail

So squad I truly am sorry about the last email, it was very short without a lot of details, and there were many more things that happened that I didn´t tell you about.

So I´m gonna start from the beginning! We arrived in Argentina, and went straight to a hotel, it was pretty crazy, in the bathroom they have bidets it was interesting, and we had some bomb food, almost every meal here consists of bread and meat, but I know I can´t get enough bread, It´s pretty bomb. Then we went to  the mission president’s house for dinner, and it was pretty tasty not gonna lie, then the next day we received our trainers, I think I already told you, his name is Elder Morgan.

So my first day at church was swell, I had to share my testimony during Sacrament Meeting, I have no idea how it went, but I think it was alright, probs butchered it pretty bad, but I´m pretty sure through the power of the spirit they understood it just fine. So the way they talk here is kinda interesting, it sounds Italian but in Spanish, it´s pretty swell, but it´s a little difficult to understand, but I think I´m getting better, each and every day. Me and my companion have had some pretty good numbers these first 2 weeks, and I have successfully extended invitations to baptism 3 times, 5 people total, One said yes and the others want to read more in the Book of Mormon and pray about it. I have high hopes for those investigators.

So the other day I met a young progressing investigator named Enzo, he is 9, and I´m pretty sure he is knows more about the Book of Mormon than I do. He´s getting baptized on the 15 of October.

So I haven´t talked about my area, so my first area is called Chimbas in a little town called Albardón. So remember how we ride bikes here, well last Monday we returned to our apartment to get our bikes to go to an appointment with an investigator, and we were hecka late, and my tire was flat, so I had to ride a good 5 or 6 miles in like 10 minutes with a flat tire, it was kinda rough, and on the way back, there was no way the bike could ride anymore, so I had to sit on the back of the motorcycle of one of the members in our ward and carry my bike on my shoulder, I looked a little silly not gonna lie.

So my mom said I should explain a typical day here, so I wake up, exercise for 30 minutes, shower, eat fruit loops, and then do personal study, then companion study. So every day we get lunch from members, but they don't eat dinner here, and I love dinner, it's my favorite meal. I am always hungry now, because I don't get dinner, but I guess it's okay, but that's not what is important, the important thing is that I am serving with all my heart might mind and strength. To help others come unto Christ. I love you all thanks for all your support!

Elder Keaton Jorgensen

Argentina Mendoza Mission

Week 7 --- First Week in Argentina

SQUADDDD! Yeah so to start I just wanna let you all know that my Spanish is not quite what I thought it was, it is a little difficult to understand the people here.  

So not gonna lie it has been a little difficult adjusting to life here.  My first area ended up being a biking area, and my rear end is in a lot of pain. 

Anyways my trainer's name is Elder Morgan, and he's from St. Louis Missouri, he's pretty swell, he's been out for a little more than a year. It's kinda weird having 2 gringos as companions, but it's a good time. Yeah so there was a lot of traveling to get here, and I wasn't a fan, the worst part was I only got to talk to my mom at the airport for like 15 minutes, it was awful, because some dude swooped my phone when I looked away, and he was on the phone forever!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Anyways Spanish is hard, but I did successfully invite my first investigator to baptism in the field, and he said yes so that was pretty swell. 

They have froot loops here and it is lit. I was worried I wasn't gonna have cereal, but now I'm okay. Not gonna lie I don't have a whole lot to tell you this time around, because as of right now I can't understand what's happening, but hopefully eventually I will be able to. 

Anyways life is good!

I love you all con todo mi corazón!

Elder Keaton Jorgensen

Argentina Mendoza Mission

Photos:

With my trainer, Elder Morgan

With President and Hermana Goates

First photo in Argentina

Dear Jorgensen Family,

Here is the picture of Elder Jorgensen with President and Sister Goates. Thank you so much for the support that you give your son!

Sincerely,

Elder Landt

Argentina Mendoza Mission

Elder Jorgensen arrived in Mendoza

Argentina Mendoza Mission <2012677@ldschurch.org>	2:38 PM (4 hours ago)
to me

Dear Jorgensen Family,

We wanted to inform you that today Elder Jorgensen arrived safely to Mendoza this afternoon. His mission president, President Goates, and his wife both welcomed him in the airport. After a brief meeting tomorrow morning, Elder Jorgensen will be assigned to his first companion and area, and begin his labors in the mission field. I will be sending a photo tomorrow of Elder Jorgensen, with President Goates and his wife.

Thank you for supporting Elder Jorgensen. We are excited to have him in our mission!

Sincerely,

Elder Landt

Week 6 --- Last P Day in the MTC

Squad my MTC experience has been pretty swell not gonna lie. Although I did somehow manage to get pretty darn ill during my last week here, but all is well, I got some pills and stuff, so I'm gonna be just fine, I think. Anyways this week has been crazy, my departure has been creeping on up me, it's seriously all I can think about right now. This last Tuesday Elder D. Todd Christofferson came and spoke to us about our purpose as missionaries. Teach repentance and baptize converts. It was so awesome, what I got from it was, we aren't just inviting others to repent and be converted, but we need to invite ourselves to use repentance every day, and truly convert ourselves to the gospel, because repentance is one of the most important things that shows our faith in Jesus Christ. When we truly repent with broken hearts and contrite spirits, we can not only receive forgiveness but also strengthen our testimony of our Savior, and become closer to him, and that is something all people need, not just investigators, but also members of the church, especially missionaries, because if we can truly repent, and have the spirit with us that comes from sincere repentance, we can help others realize the importance, and truthfulness of it. 

So yesterday we had to say goodbye to our favorite teacher, Hermana Dibb. She was seriously the coolest person. Her testimony was so amazing, at the end of every day, she shared testimony of whatever doctrine of principal we had learned about that day, and every time, it was so powerful. For her last day with us, she shared with us the importance of loving the people. She told us that our mission will be miserable if we focus on ourselves, but if we focus on loving the people, our mission will be the best experience of our lives, and it will fly by, and at the end it's gonna be so hard to say goodbye. I'm so excited to serve the people of Argentina, and love them will all my heart, and give my all to them, because I know if I do, I will be blessed, the people will be blessed, and I will be able to bring them unto Christ. This is not gonna be easy by any means, but I know if I always look to the Savior I will be strengthened, and If any of you are going through rough times, I want to invite you to turn to Alma 37:37 read it, ponder, and apply it in your life, because I know If we do Counsel with the Lord in all our doings, we can be lifted up in the last days. One more thing, I learned about making goals a lot, and about accomplishing them, I have a few words of encouragement... You gotta want it!

 Love you all! Peace I'm out. Last email for you in the good ol US of A.

-- 

Elder Keaton Jorgensen

Argentina Mendoza Mission

Week 5 --- 1 Month Down . . .

   ​

Well squad that is a month down a little less than 23 months left, I'm almost there! So yesterday I got my dang flight plans... and things got real. Luckily we don't leave til about 9 am and we fly overnight to Argentina, but when we get there we have a 14 hour bus ride... so that's cool. Me and Elder Udall had our last lesson with our investigator Daniel yesterday, not gonna lie it brought a tear to my eye, he is such a swell guy, and you can tell he has a love for the gospel. He is getting baptized this next Saturday, obviously there is a chance that he is already a member, because he is a TRC, but from what I've heard from others and the way he acts, it doesn't feel that way, but honestly either way, the spirit that was felt is still the same, and I learned a lot, and I'​m​ very grateful for the opportunity I had to teach him.

     

     You know everyday I think about all the people that are getting this group email, and the amazing examples they set for me. Recently I have just been so grateful for all of you. Just know you all are a huge reason that I'm here right now, so thank you for that. 

     Yesterday when I got my flight plans, not gonna lie I got kinda nervous, but a swell Elder in my district just felt inclined to leave a certain scripture up on the white board, and later that day, when I prayed for some comfort, I looked up and the first thing I saw was that scripture, John 14:27. Look it up, it is amazing, if ever you feel down or, nervous, or uneasy in any way, read that scripture. It is powerful.

    I love all of you! Keep on Keeping on! Even though at times it might seem hard, remember this in the words of Elder Holland " It was never easy for him" (speaking of the Savior) Put your trust in the Lord, and he will bless you.

Elder Keaton Jorgensen

Argentina Mendoza Mission

So in these pictures you will find the squad with our flight plans, me and my companion with our sweet Argentina shirts, Me and my companion with our TRC Daniel, and the mythical being... The Luchador