Monday, September 30, 2013

Transfer!

Jordan is going to Croatia! He left Bosnia today for a city called Karlovac, Croatia. He seems really excited... I know my family and I are excited as well! He originally learned Croatian in the MTC and it seemed to come more naturally to him than Bosnian, so we are hoping this lifts his spirits a little! He will be getting a new companion also. He said his companion will either have been in the field for 6 weeks or 9 weeks! He is a little stressed about that but I think he will be a great teacher. We are excited to hear more about his new area when we get our e-mails next Monday. Keep Jordan in your prayers as he travels to Croatia today!

Friday, September 20, 2013

September 16th, 2013

Jord had another hard week, but his e-mail seemed more upbeat then previous ones! They had a barbecue which he enjoyed very much because 43 people came and some were investigators. Also, he did an Elder exchange and he said that made him appreciate having Elder Fausnaught as a companion even more haha. He got to drive a car for the first time since he was been gone and he said it was really weird! Jordan and Elder Fausnaught are teaching a man named Dan who speaks English and believes in God, but does not like the pravoslav religion. He is confident they will be able to teach him the gospel and he successful!

There are some couple missionaries in Jordans last area (The Winters) who really look out for Jordan and send us pictures of him and cook him dinner. Last week, Sister Winters e-mail my mom the following:

" I keep getting the impression that I should write you to let you know how safe I feel in Bosnia. I know they had a horrible senseless war here, but the people are some of the best in the world. I go out for walks by myself  every morning when I can and everyone smiles and tells me "Jutro." Please know that Jordan is safe here and helping with the beginning of the church in this part of the world. The Lord only calls his best young men and young ladies to this mission. It is hard to let them. go for two years but it really does go quickly. He always has a smile on his face when we see him and is doing a great job :)"

We were so grateful to hear this from her! Bosnia is so far away and has such a history of war so we always worry about Jord! Since Jordan has been having such a hard week, my mom sent him some things hoping to build his confidence and make him a little more happy:

While I was sitting at church today, I was trying to think of something I should say that would help you have a good week and not be homesick and worry about us. The scripture we found for your mission plaque came to my mind...Lift up your heart and rejoice, for the hour of your mission is come; and your tongue shall be loosed, and you shall declare glad tidings of great joy unto this generation. D&C 31:3. I really think that finding that scripture for your mission plaque was meant to be. It was what Heavenly Father had in mind for you. And as I was reading that scripture today, I noticed that the whole section 31 applies to you and your mission. I hope you will read it today and see what I mean. It is written for a man named Thomas B. Marsh who was called to serve a mission. He was worried about leaving his family and other things you have been worried about. I substituted your name for his name when I read it....it's only 13 verses, but I skipped a few parts..
1.Jordan, my son, blessed are you because of your faith in my work. 2. Behold you have had many afflictions because of your family; nevertheless, I will bless you and your family....3. Lift up your heart and rejoice for the hour of your mission is come; and your tongue shall be loosed, and you shall declare glad tidings of great joy unto this generation...4. you shall begin to preach from this time forth..to reap in the field which is white already to be burned...5. therefore thrust in your sickle with all your soul, and your sins are forgiven you...wherefore your family shall live...6. go from them (your family) for a little time, and declare my word, and I will prepare a place for them..7. yea I will open  the hearts of the people (in Bosnia) and they will receive you. And I will establish a church by your hand; 8. And you shall strengthen them and prepare them against the time when they shall be gathered..9. Be patient in afflictions, revile not against those that revile...10. you shall be a physician unto the church..11. Go your way..and it shall be given you by the Comforter what you shall do and wither you shall go..12. Pray always, lest you enter into temptation and lose your reward 13. Be faithful unto the end (of your mission) and lo, I am with you...

Please keep Jordan in your prayers this week!

Monday, September 9, 2013

September 9th, 2013- Finally!

Sorry it took so long to post something! I was having some technical difficulties with the blog but I finally got it figured out! I will be posting about Jordan's e-mails from 8/5, 8/12, 8/19, 8/26, 9/2 AND today, 9/9.

So Jordan is still in Bosnia, but he is in a new area called Banja Luka. Banja Luka is the second biggest city in Bosnia and it is also the Republic of Serbia so that means he is now on his third language!! Poor kid right? His ward is a little bigger there though with a grand total of 10 active members! A couple of them speak English though so that really helps Jord out a lot.

Jordan went out to eat with Elder Fausnaught and the sister missionaries a few weeks ago when they got to their new area and they all got soooo sick! When Jord and Elder Faunaught were feeling better that night they were able to go over to the sisters house and give them a blessing. I am glad Jordan has these little testimony builders here and there to keep his spirits up!

I was able to report good news to Jordan last night because the Rams won their first regular season game against the Cardinals! He was very happy to hear this, especially because I sent him a very detailed e-mail all about the game :) Jordan has started back up on his English classes on Tuesday and Thursday nights. They only have 3 students and 2 of them are members but they went and passed out 400 fliers so hopefully they can get more people to come to the classes so they can introduce them to the gospel as well!

One thing that has been really tough the past month is that Jordan is very very homesick. He is having a hard time trying to learn in 3rd language in less than 5 months and he is missing everyone very badly. He keeps saying that this is the hardest thing he has ever done and he feels like his mouth is taped shut. It is hard for him because not only is no one interested when they go knock on doors, but he also has a hard time communicating with these people. He said the spirit is such a comforter to him but PLEASE keep him in your prayers! I know they help him a ton and he needs as many as he can get right now. If you would like to, you can send letters to the mission home in Croatia.
The address is:

Crkva Isusa Krista spd
Svacicev Trg 3
Zagreb 10000
Hrvatska

I'm sure he would love to hear from anyone and handwritten letters are always appreciated :)

One of Jordan's favorite things... Bowling!! 



Preparing the pig for dinner :) 

Rocket Burger with the mission president!