Week 1 in Cali: Offically a "Greenie"

"GREENIE" dinner with the Smith family!!

Well family and friends... I made it to California safe and sound!!  Got here last Monday and the group of elders and sisters I was traveling with were forgotten about and we sat at the airport for 3 hours.  Super fun!!!  That gave us a great first impression of the mission President...Lol. Well I'm alive and surviving.  This has been a super weird change for me and I honestly have been struggling... I'm going through normal feelings that all missionaries go through, and it's hard!!! Missions are so hard!!! I got my companion/trainer... Elder Steed!  He has been out for 21 months and goes home in July.  He's from American Fork...He is a great missionary, but is not like me at all and he doesnt like to talk about anything but church stuff.  He also sings all the time out loud!! haha but I seriously love the guy and know I'll learn a lot from him however long I'm here!  We have finally been able to really connect and talk.  Now that we are talking I feel so much better.  God is definitely testing me before I go to India.  He is truly preparing me in his way and in his time.    

I have been getting a lot of exercise in... cause guess WHAT!!! I got sent to an area called Fruitvale... which is a biking area!  It's the hottest area in our mission.  It also has spider's.  I don't think God has any intentions of sending me anywhere that doesn't have spiders... He is so funny!!  Well this week has been filled with ups and downs, but the best thing for me so far has been dinners with the members.. I love them and they make me feel like I'm at home every single night.  Nothing beats good old Highland though... Well this isn't one of my best weeklys, and I find my self getting more busy everyday!   We haven't taught a lot, but we have done a lot of contacting and seeking with faith (proselyting) and that has been such a great learning experience.  We also have a baptism scheduled for May 27th!! Well this is way longer than it should be sooo I'll end with a spiritual experience/thought and then say bye:) 

I heard a quote in sacrament meeting from a girl who was giving her farewell talk.  She said "without change we can not improve".   I think it's so true... missions are so hard, life is hard and we all have moments when we want to just give up or stop going.   When we give up or don't accept the change we are not able to improve and become what the Lord wants us to be.   As we take on change and challenges and push through them we improve and the Lord shapes us into the son or daughter he knows will bring us the most happiness and success in this life.   As we are patient and "trust the process" we improve, learn, grow and become more mature. My last two weeks have been so hard, but I can't wait to improve and become what the Lord wants me to be!! 

 I love being a missionary.   This church is so true!!   I love you all and hope you have such a good week:) 

       -Love Elder Jorgensen!!!

My trainer Elder Steed

President Darrel and Sis Joanne Hammon

Study area

SAFETY FIRST!!!

WEEK 3: Getting reassigned to CALIFORNIA!!

Hey y'all!!!    It has been a crazy week, and to make it even crazier... I have been reassigned to the California Riverside Mission until my visa comes through.  I could not be more excited for this opportunity, and I know that there are people in California that I need to find and bring to an understanding of this amazing gospel.  I know the Lord has a plan for me, and there is a reason for this.  SOOO that is some crazy news this week.   

It has been another amazing week at the MTC.  I have had so many spiritual experiences and so many opportunities to learn and to grow.  I am so grateful for the opportunity the Lord has given me to represent him and serve a mission for this amazing and true church. I am teaching two investigators right now with Elder Rogers and things are going so well.  They are understanding what we are teaching them, but they are having a hard time feeling the spirit and knowing if what we are teaching them is true.  It will come over time, and we just keep on letting them know that it will take time to have that feeling and knowledge that its true, and we will be there with them every step of the way to help as they keep having us over.  It has been such an eye opener teaching these TRC Investigators... I love being a missionary!   Time has been flying and I barely remember all the things that are happening each day, but its just been awesome spending time with my district and being able to learn from them!  We did not get any new missionaries in our branch this week or last week, so it is just my district left.  Sister Mills, Sister Kendall, Sister Cox, Sister Balthrop, Elder Olson, Elder Rogers, Elder Mateiaki and Myself.  I am District leader and Zone leader so that has been fun, crazy, tiring, and stressful all at the same time. I love the opportunity to learn from these experiences though!!   I hope all is going well back at home, and I love all of you so very much!!!!  

Spiritual message:    This is mainly for priesthood holders, but I wanna say something about young women first.  Elder and sister Schwitzer of the seventy talked to us this Tuesday at our devotional.  Two things were said that I thought were very important.  First!  Young women and women... You are very important and crucial to the work of the Lord! Always remember that and always remember that you are a daughter of your Heavenly Father and he loves you more than you can comprehend!!! Without young women and women the work of the Lord could not go on the way the Lord would want it to.  Remember that sisters!!! 

Now for the Young Men and Priesthood holders... Elder Schwitzer said this... He explained that priesthood authority and power is very different... all priesthood holders are given authority, but not all are given power!  Your priesthood is a privilege, and it must be earned.   You earn it through the choices you make, things you say, and the things you do.  As you do these things you will be able to bless, protect, heal, love, comfort, and teach all that you come in contact with... More importantly when the time comes to have a family you will be able to protect your family and keep them safe.   Always earn your priesthood and make sure you are doing everything you can now to be worthy of that power!!!   

I love you all so much and hope you have a great week!!  The church is TRUE and I love being a Missionary and Disciple of Jesus Christ.   

             -Elder Jorgensen

Here are some pictures to show that I am alive...   

Week 2!!

Well I survived the first week in the MTC, and I can now say that I love it! My companion is Elder Rodgers and I am now called Elder Calhoun... You know from the movie Best Two Years haha! 
The Elders I am with are pretty shy and don't talk a lot, but we are slowly getting better at that!!! I was ok with the silence the first two days, but could not take it anymore, so I decided to really pull out KJ and be loud, crazy, and myself!! The Elders have blossomed into people I never thought they could, and my prayers were for sure answered when I asked my Heavenly Father to make them talk and be normal!  I love them though, and I'm so grateful for their testimonies and the spirit they bring to my day. There really is such a special spirit about the MTC!  I love being surrounded by people who love the gospel and have stronger testimonies than me.  It makes me want to strengthen my testimony and learn as much as I can before I leave for India.  

My third day in the MTC I got called as District Leader, and that was actually such a blessing to me. It is definitely a lot of work, and I have to keep my eye on 7 other elders and sisters every day, but I have loved it.  I have been able to give 3 blessings with in a week of being in the MTC, and those experiences have truly strengthened my testimony on the power of the priesthood, and how it can truly comfort and bring peace to those in need.  I'm only an 18 year old missionary and I find myself giving advice, counsel and guidance to missionaries who are struggling with things that I am for sure not an expert on. I can promise you that the only way I have been able to help them in a way that they understand is through the spirit of the Holy Ghost.  It is so real and so powerful, but only works if you seek it with a sincere heart and a real desire to have it.  I am so grateful for the chance to be a missionary, and to learn so much so fast!!  I have loved the devotionals, and Sundays are by far my favorite day here... except for all of the meetings I have.  

Well I am going to keep my first letter short, and just have that be my update for the last 8 days!!  The church is true people, and being a missionary will bring so much happiness into your lives if you serve!!  Remember to pray with a sincere heart and with a real desire to have your prayers answered.  I also challenge you all to read your scriptures everyday!  Just ten pages a day and Elder Larry Echo Hawk said you will be able to finish the Book Of Mormon in 2 months!  DO IT!!!!  It is not that hard, and will bring you closer to God!   

I love you all, and hope you have such a great weekend

           -Elder Jorgensen

Blog Update

This is Kade's mom (aka Blog Editor).  If you provided an email to KJ on instagram I have entered it into the blog.  An email was sent and you have to click the link in that email to confirm it for the blog.  Once you have confirmed your email you will be notified whenever the blog is updated.  Kade's email address, MTC address, and Mission address are all included on the blog.

I am not sure Kade was able to get thank you notes or texts out to everyone before he left.  He was trying to get to all of them.  Just in case, thank you to all of those that provided cards and gifts.  Your love and support has been so comforting to him and to all of us.  Let the adventures begin!

I'M ALIVE!!!

First Day in MTC: April 4, 2018

The MTC "Drop off" 

Hey guys!  I am 50 min in and doing more then ok. Brother Sellers, my host, did a great job showing me where my room was, and giving me some good advice.  He said to not listen to all the things that everyone tells you, and all of the advice that they try to give me.  He said to make sure you learn on your own, and make the time at the MTC my own and special to me!  My companions name is Elder Rogers and seems like a really great guy, and I know that we are going to get along and learn well together.  I love you guys, and already love the MTC.  My P-day is on Thursday, but not this Thursday!   I look forward to talking with you next week!  Love you guys! I will send pictures next week!  See you in two!  THE CHURCH IS TRUE!!!!  -Elder Jorgensen