So Long, Jurupa!

We have had so much awesome success in this ward, and I will get to come back for the baptism of Norma A. (the Elders Quorum President's wife's sister) in two weeks. She is super solid and just loves learning! It's unreal being able to work with so many golden people.

I have so thoroughly enjoyed being in the Jurupa ward these past 6 months. It has hands down been the best 6 months of my mission. I will miss the wonderful members, converts and investigators that I worked with while I was here. I am very excited to be working in the Ironwood Samoan ward. That will be a lot of fun and I am excited to eat well and be surrounded by the legendary faith of the Polynesian people. I know it will grow mine!

So I am being transferred back to the Laselle Ward in Moreno Valley (the ward that I was in before coming here to Jurupa, for 4 1/2 months). I will also be covering the Ironwood Samoan ward!

I don't know my address there yet, but I will be at the mission office this Friday for a district leader meeting! You really don't have to send me anything, mom. I already have way too much stuff out here on the mission. But if you do end up sending anything I can pick it up then. Speaking of that too, I really don't need anything for my birthday. I will only have like 3 months left at that point and I already have too many books and things to worry about getting home. Plus, I get to facetime with you and dad just a few days after so that will be a great birthday present! I am excited to see you all again!

Also, Sister Turner's daughter Mallori Mickelson will be going up to Utah in June and she is going to be taking some of my stuff up there as well. I said I didn't know if you'd be there but if not she could probably just drop it off with Stacy for a little while. Just a heads up. You still have Sister Turner's number so don't lose it for that reason!

I get to eat Cafe Rio today! Blessed Sister Williams drove to get it for us today as a going away gift for me! How nice!

I really hope FASFA didn't lose a bunch of our info. That would be the pits!

I really enjoyed learning about the Savior this week in Luke 6:12-13. There it talks about how He went and prayed all night before choosing His apostles. If the Savior needed to spend that much time, sacrificing precious sleep, pleading for His Father in Heaven's guidance, even though He was completely without sin and undoubtedly had incredible amounts of revelation coming to Him, how much greater a need I have to spend time pleading to know the Lord's will in my life. The Savior was so incredibly humble, I need to do the same. I too can do nothing without my Father in Heaven, so why try? I should seek mountains (the temple) and to pray earnestly to God so I can make the best decisions for my life!

We had MLC this week and it was great! I also really really enjoyed getting to go back to Corona for the baptism of Maria S., with whom I worked a year ago! It was such a spiritual experience and I am so happy for her to have taken this step. It was also really cool that her husband was able to do it. I love Corona. I hope I can go back! 

I am so glad that you enjoyed our little music video that we sent you! I thought it was a pretty funny idea but I'm glad it came out as well as it did! Will you save that video so I can see it again when I get home? haha We laughed so hard before and after the filming. I'm glad you had a good birthday and also got my card! I don't really know how to draw Birds of Paradise, but I tried! 

I love you mucho! Have the best week ever! I love you and miss you more than you know!

Love,

Your Elder Jackson :)

The Big Baptism Event!

Conference was so great! We were able to watch all the sessions of conference. I really enjoyed it a lot. I realized how much more I have to work on. I really need to focus on loving others  and striving to serve them more selflessly, not for any other reason than to glorify God. I also loved the doctrinal clarifications by President Nelson and Elder Bednar. They were fantastic. I loved the analogies given by Elder Sabin and Elder Costa's talk on becoming a member. When they announced a new Chinese Seventy, all 20 missionaries in the stake center looked at Elder Yang (from China) as if to see if they were related. It was pretty funny! 

This week was a great one. We had a lot of very spiritual experiences between having General Conference, Multi-Zone Conference, the baptisms of the 4 Davy children, and the opportunity to go with Sister Milligan to the temple to do baptisms for the dead for her first time (at which Elder Drebot and I were also able to baptize one another for the dead as well). It has been such a spiritual week! I almost felt like a straw being attached to a fire hydrant: there was so much to take in spiritually. This was the first time that I've felt ancestors accepting the work that is being done and their gratitude. It was special to be able to do baptisms for the dead again after so long. I also loved how spiritual the baptism was when I looked over to see Danielle sobbing with joy to see her 4 kids be baptized by her husband. That touched me a lot, especially their son, who is severely autistic but received special permission from Salt Lake to be baptized with his family. I loved each one and I learned a lot from them. I took a lot of notes in my journal about the things I learned from the Spirit so that I can remember them. I am truly amazed at how much the Lord blesses us when we simply try our best to do His will, be obedient, and act on the promptings we receive.

I think what I learned most this week  was the need for me to continue becoming more like my Savior, particularly in the way that He loved others. I read this week in Matthew 8:16-17 where it reads that He took upon Himself our infirmities. I have heard that a lot before but in the context of Him healing people of diverse diseases and ailments I was confused. I prayed for understanding and the Spirit taught me that He was quite literally taking these things from the people He healed, knowing full well that He would then have to experience everything that they were feeling, but to an infinitely more intense level. I was blown away by how much love that would take. How often do we do one or two nice things for someone but we bail out before we have someone "take advantage" of our kindness? The Savior did not do that. He simply offered to help others and allow them to find happiness and peace, even at the price of His own comfort. That is true love, and I want to exemplify that.

It was overall a great week! I loved it and I love being a missionary. We have transfers coming up here in the next week and I have a feeling that I will be leaving, which will be really sad. But I am grateful to continue serving somewhere else and find more people to teach and baptize. It is crazy how fast time is going! It's ticking quickly! 

Here are pictures from the past week, including President and Sister Mullen kissing! (yuk haha), Danielle's baptisms for the dead, the Davy kids' baptism and when our former AP David Sy came and visited! It was a great week!

Love you to the moon and back! I hope your birthday is super awesome! I love you tons! 

Your Elder Jackson :)

Temple-Going Converts! Yes!

This week was another great one! We were elated to hear the news that Jayce M. can be baptized with the rest of his family this Sunday (Jorde, Jakob and Camberlynn). That family is so special and is such a wonderful addition to the Lord's church. We are so thankful to have been able to have been trusted sufficiently by the Lord to teach these wonderful children of His. Danielle was confirmed this past Sunday and said that she felt chills completely overcome her as we had our hands laid upon her head and the blessing by Elder Drebot was being pronounced. I love confirmations; they are the best!

Also, we are hoping to have both Andrew Cruz and Danielle go to the temple this week! They have both received their recommends. It is so exciting!

We were able to find some very prepared people. Elder Drebot and I set a goal to have 3 baptisms in April and we had no one on date for April so we knew that we needed to do all in our power to be worthy of that blessing and then we needed to plead with the Lord that He would provide us with miracles to accomplish our goals. One that is worth mentioning was that we prayed very hard, and even fasted, for referrals to be given to us. That same day we received a media referral and also other missionaries who had previously served here told us to stop by previous investigators. We had members tell us to stop by people, such as less-active members and part-member families. It was such a blessing. The Lord does hear our prayers and is so merciful unto us!

As I was doing my personal study I was reading in Alma where the Anti-Nephi-Lehies decide that they would rather die than shed the blood of their brethren in self-defense because of the mighty repentance they had undergone. I was deeply touched by that. Do I have such thanks for the agony that my Savior went through in paying for my sins that I would rather die myself than re-commit those sins, even if many would say they were totally justified? That is truly being changed by the Holy Ghost and having no desire to sin. That is why Christ payed for our sins. When we justify ourselves in committing sins, especially after we have repented, we are openly mocking the Atonement of Christ. I don't want to ever do that. I want to have the commitment to the Lord that I would rather die than return to my own sinful tendencies.

I felt that this week I also came to appreciate the type of life Christ lived as I pondered what His ministry was like. He really can succor us in all things because He has experienced them. I'm thankful for that.

That is way cool about your experience with Music and the Spoken Word. I agree. I think it is way important to use the talents we've been blessed with. I think you are doing a good job of that. I think that is why I am dead-set on doing design as a career because I will be able to grow my talents and hopefully bless others' lives in so doing as well! I think you've done an excellent job of that as well!

I don't know if this is super gross to share with you or kind of cool but last week I got I really big blister (about the size of a penny) on my foot from playing Ultimate Frisbee for a few hours on Pday. It's healing up well but it is currently in the shape of a heart! So we know that in all of our pain, we can see the Lord's love :) haha

Wow! That is crazy that you were so close to us when you came down! I'm glad you didn't tell me. But I am glad that you were able to have fun and spoil Jesse and Julie. They are good kids. You sure do bless a lot of people's lives. I think you've had a far-reaching impact positively of people. I'm proud to call you my momma :)

How did the kids like Disneyland? The water park sounds like a blast! I think when I come back to visit I will want to go all of the attractions that everyone here is talking about (like the theme parks, LA, beach, etc.) since I've spent almost 2 years hearing about it but never getting to go.

How are the Smithsons doing? I really like that family. I hope they are doing well. Corey gets home just a little while after me, I think? How's his mission? Is Wesley married? I've met quite a few people throughout my mission that know the Smithsons! Tell them I say Hi!

 You are the bestest mom ever! I love you to bunches! Have the best week ever! Enjoy conference and I will send you all the pictures of the kids getting baptized next week!

Love you!!!

Your Elder Jackson :)

A Different Kind of Investment (From March 13th)

That is so crazy how much water there is in Winnemucca! That is unreal. I agree, I think I've only ever seen the water that high on the bridge one other time. Is Rye Patch finally filling up again? Stay dry!

I am really really really excited to hear about Jose Romero. I just always remember him being the sweetest kid ever. I don't think he ever said or did anything mean. I am so happy for him. I really think he will do amazingly well on his mission! You should give him my email! I would love to get in touch with him.

This week was another great one! The weeks are really flying by! I think the highlight of the week was when Andrew and Madison and Scott M. all met with the bishop in preparation for the next steps they will be taking! Madison got her temple recommend so that she can now go do baptisms for the dead to redeem her dead ancestors; Andrew is getting ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood; and Scott is getting ordained to the Melchizedek Priesthood so that he can help confirm his wife, Danielle, in a few weeks and baptize his kids! It is such a blessing to see all of the good things that are happening in the lives of those with whom we are working. I am so grateful to be able to be a part of it.

I have really come to know the Savior more as I have been studying consecration and the scriptures about Christ topically. I came to really understand that there is a difference between self deprivation on behalf of the Lord and devoting all of us to Him and His causes. When we do the latter, we are able to experience joy and become more like the Savior Himself, who gave up all in order to carry us and pay for those things that we do wrong. He invites us to follow Him, to carry our own crosses and to lose ourselves for His sake. If we do so, we will inherit eternal life and we will be changed into a more Christlike version of ourselves. I really came to see that consecrating ourselves to the Lord is a blessing that will allow us to achieve all that we wish. It is like investing: when we invest our money we are using it to attain something better (investing our money to get a house, car, etc.). When we invest our all to the Lord we are able to receive His all, which He has consecrated to us for our benefit. If we want to be like Him, we must take the steps that He took as well, which is a blessing to be able to do!

I heard a talk this week by Hugh Nibley about the difference between managers and leaders. I found it very interesting. I like the sounds of a leader much more than a manager. I think that President Mullen exemplifies a great leader. I hope that I can incorporate more attributes of a leader, especially a Christlike leader, and be less of a manager. Obviously Christ was the best example of a leader ever and we should try to be more like Him in all that we do. 

I really like your photographs! I think that is awesome that you are taking the time to develop your talents! Keep it up! That is great! 

I love you so so so much! You are definitely one of the blessings I am most grateful for! I appreciate all you do, which is a ton! Love ya! Have a great week!

Your Elder Jackson :)

Weeks are Flying By Too Fast!

Zone Conference

 I am really really really excited to hear about Jose Romero. He and I were never super close but I just always remember him being the sweetest kid ever. I don't think he ever said or did anything mean. I am so happy for him. I really think he will do amazingly well on his mission! You should give him my email! I would love to get in touch with him.

This week was another great one! The weeks are really flying by! I think the highlight of the week was when Andrew and Madison and Scott all met with the bishop in preparation for the next steps they will be taking! Madison got her temple recommend so that she can now go do baptisms for the dead to redeem her dead ancestors; Andrew is getting ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood; and Scott is getting ordained to the Melchizedek Priesthood so that he can help confirm his wife, Danielle, in a few weeks and baptize his kids! It is such a blessing to see all of the good things that are happening in the lives of those with whom we are working. I am so grateful to be able to be a part of it.

I have really come to know the Savior more as I have been studying consecration and the scriptures about Christ topically. I came to really understand that there is a difference between self deprivation on behalf of the Lord and devoting all of us to Him and His causes. When we do the latter, we are able to experience joy and become more like the Savior Himself, who gave up all in order to carry us and pay for those things that we do wrong. He invites us to follow Him, to carry our own crosses and to lose ourselves for His sake. If we do so, we will inherit eternal life and we will be changed into a more Christlike version of ourselves. I really came to see that consecrating ourselves to the Lord is a blessing that will allow us to achieve all that we wish. It is like investing: when we invest our money we are using it to attain something better (investing our money to get a house, car, etc.). When we invest our all to the Lord we are able to receive His all, which He has consecrated to us for our benefit. If we want to be like Him, we must take the steps that He took as well, which is a blessing to be able to do!

I heard a talk this week by Hugh Nibley about the difference between managers and leaders. I found it very interesting. I like the sounds of a leader much more than a manager. I think that President Mullen exemplifies a great leader. I hope that I can incorporate more attributes of a leader, especially a Christlike leader, and be less of a manager. Obviously Christ was the best example of a leader ever and we should try to be more like Him in all that we do.

That is so crazy how much water there is in Winnemucca! That is unreal. I agree, I think I've only ever seen the water that high on the bridge one other time. Is Rye Patch finally filling up again? Stay dry!

Is there anything that I can do to help with FASFA? I seriously don't understand it one bit, but I want to help in any way that I can! It's crazy how difficult school stuff can be!

Your Elder Jackson :)

So Pumped!

I am so pumped that I got into BYU! 

We are so pumped because Sister Ashenfelter and Brother Cruz (who got confirmed this week; it was sooo great!) are getting their temple recomends this week and we are planning a trip to go do baptisms for the dead with them! Danielle Milligan and all of the Milligan family are also doing great! She is on track to get baptized on the 19th of March and her kids on the 2nd of April! We also found 7 great new investigators this week, including Madison's parents (we are teaching them again tonight), the Ualotu family (they are former investigators who moved here from Eastvale about a year ago) and some others. We have really been focused on asking the Lord to lead us to those who are prepared and He has! We were enabled as we taught because on our end, frankly, it was a little rough, but the Lord allowed the Spirit to be there and teach them wonderful things in spite of us having weaknesses in our teaching.

That is so cool that Elders Zeng and Cornia made it home safely. I miss those guys a lot. They are the best!

I love you bunches! Have the best week!

Love,

Your Elder Jackson :)

Another Simply Awesome Week!

This week was simply awesome! We had Madison get baptized and confirmed and Roman get confirmed as well!

 Sister Madison A. was baptized! It was the best service of my life. She is hands down the most prepared person ever! Tons of people came to show their support for her, including her non-member mother and father. They were deeply touched by the Spirit and the warmness of the members they felt. We are teaching her parents in their home tonight! At the baptism the only feeling that could be felt was that of joy. I will never forget that. She was confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and received the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost the next day by the laying on of hands. The Spirit seemed to be flowing in ever direction possible (from the ground, up above, inside of me, between members of the circle and even from her head!) as the blessing was given. The Holy Ghost could be felt as it descended upon her. It was so touching. Today she even texted us today that she had a very powerful experience as she was reading President Russell M. Nelson's talk and said she "definitely have felt the companionship of the Holy Ghost this morning". She is making tons of friends and is like a celebrity in our ward. It is so amazing to see someone grow so drastically in their love towards God in such a short amount of time. We are now working on getting her to the temple! Honestly, Sunday was the most joy I think I've ever felt in my life, and I know it all came because of Jesus Christ and what He has done in my life and the lives of others!​

We are still teaching Danielle M.and all of her 5 kids! The whole family, including the dad, Scott, came to church on Sunday! They are so awesome and loved church. She is going to be baptized in about 2 weeks and her kids in a month. Such good things are happening!

Mini-Zone wearing T-Shirts Elder Jackson designed.

We had ward conference this week and it was an honor to have the stake leaders, including the Stake Presidency there this Sunday. The theme was from Matthew 13: the parable of the sower. President Jergensen talked about how he saw a huge magnolia tree fall on a house recently due to the copious amounts of rain and the strong winds. He said it really doesn't matter how big our tree of faith and testimony is, it can always fall if we are not constantly -daily- strengthening our roots and nourishing ourselves the devil will send storms into our lives that will eventually topple us. It coincided perfectly with what I was studying in the book of Alma about the people of Ammonihah who fell into apostasy bit by bit and eventually were so far removed from the Lord that they killed the saints and even tried to kill the prophets. They boasted that their city could not be destroyed, yet even in all it's greatness, it was left desolate and lifeless. We may think we are great, but the only true power comes from the Lord and unless we are constantly receiving it we will fall, just like that giant magnolia tree, and who knows what damage our fall may cause. I pray we all can daily nourish our roots and be like the 4 type of soil that the Sower sowed His seeds upon. Let us take root and bring forth fruit to our Lord!

We had President Mullen come out with us and it was the most fun thing ever! We taught Danielle's family and it was super spiritual. They have a young boy who loves to do the Dab dance, and so President Mullen did it with him! It was the funniest thing of my life. I love President like a father and I am so glad that he is my mission president. We also taught the Turners and Mickelson's with him and they loved the missionary challenge we extended to them!

We had transfers this weekend and I am so beyond happy! I am staying here for a 3rd transfer with Elder Drebot! That will make 6 months here in the Jurupa ward and 1 year in this stake! I love it. I would be so happy if I could stay here for the rest of my mission! It is really sad though, all of the Sisters I started my mission with are now home and so is Elder Zeng and Elder Cornia (two of my best homies). I feel like this last 6 months I won't know anyone! 

Also, that whole flying bit doesn't sound fun. I'm glad that I'll be flying home during August when it's usually hot and dry with no weather. I think this is the longest I've ever gone in my life without being on an airplane, isn't that crazy! I'm so glad that you made it to the ground safely though.

I love you so much! Have the best week ever!

Love,

Your Elder Jackson :)