Week 71

So before I get started, allow me to address some things:

Christmas-I will be skyping and seeing as how it will be a p-day I will send you an email before I call. I will probably call at about 8-10 your time, but I need my username and password for the millionth time. I keep writing it down and I keep losing the paper. But this week, I will take a look around, but still, if you could send it to me, that would be awesome.

I have not received my package yet so I hope I will get it soon.

Transfers are tomorrow and I will be staying and my companion will be going home.

My week was calmer. We had a leadership meeting on Thursday and I learned a lot of things I need to improve and a lot more things I learned to help my zone improve. But we worked hard, played hard, and had a good week. We had the ward end-of-year party on Friday and I decided it would be fine to play soccer for a bit... 2 minutes later, I scraped my foot (not too bad; just a little one) just playing around and saw that as a message from God. So ya,  I have decided to leave soccer for p-days.

It is great to see how things are going there; keep me informed. Well, I will let you guys know what happens at transfers and how things are.

Love you all and I am soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo excited to see you at Christmas!!!

Sincerely,

Elder Jardine

Week 70
This week was good. Kind of a normal week. We worked hard and were able to teach a few new people and have some attend church. Adelmo and Josefa are doing great. We are hoping to baptize them soon, so we will see how the whole marriage thing goes.

I am good; excited to see what the new transfer brings and how this last week will play out.

Sorry not much to talk about this week, and I am not able to send pictures due to this computer, so sorry about that.

Well, I hope you guys have a great week, and I can't wait until Christmas!

Sincerely,

Elder Jardine

Week 69

This week was great. We worked hard and had success. We have three people with baptismal dates and found a bunch of new people to teach. Two are named Adelmo and Joseépha who got married this week, so we will start pressing for a baptism on the 9th. So pray that everything goes right. We also had interviews with the president this week which was good too.

I am good. I kind of forgot about Thanksgiving , but it was great to hear about  yours and all the fun you guys had. Mom, I loved the video (I made the turkey dance; it always dances to "Staying Alive" by the Bee Gees...silly family tradition that the kids have always loved...).

Just two quick notes:

• Christmas-I still don't know when or were I will be Skyping so hopefully I with be able to figure that out in the next two weeks.
• Package-I still haven't received it yet, but I will let you know when I do.

I miss and I love you all sooooooooooooooo much!!!!!!!

Sincerely,

Elder Jardine​

Week 68

HOLY CRAP!!!!!!! Sounds like things are going great there. 

Lauren, nice job with the BYU thing (BYU contacted Lauren about playing volleyball there after high school).  Sounds like you are destroying there!!! 

Jaron, para bems (congrats) on the new job! What will you be doing exactly? (Jaron got a job in his career field at Axis Steel Detailing doing steel engineering.)

Brigham, I loved the photos; they were sweet, especially to see that Jess has a lil baby belly. I am suuuuuuuuuuuper excited for that-you have no idea! 

Hayden, we must talk more about this girl. I need to know things!

So, just a few quick notes:

1. My release date-by the latest I will be home July 19, but due to the fact that there is a 5 week transfer and I will have to leave early due to my visa, I cannot give a definite date. But, like I said, July 19 is the latest I will be home, so you can count on me being there after that. This is also the most preferable date due to the fact that I have some things I want to take care of.
2. My Christmas package-I should be getting it this week because I have interviews on Wednesday, so if it is there, I will get it at the office.
3. My Thanksgiving-I have no idea what will happen; we might just buy a pizza or something.

My week was a bit slow. We weren't able to teach anyone new and we were only able to get in contact with Patricia, Rosangola, Bianca, and Mariana on Saturday night, but they came to church and they enjoyed it so we will pass by there tonight. We will see how that goes. 

We had divisions this Wednesday and I was able to do three baptismal interviews, so that was fun. I will have an interview with my president this Wednesday so maybe I can get a bit more information about when I will be going home, but no promises.

Personally, I am fine. Last I checked, I am almost 6'8" (so tell Uncle Preston to get ready to pay up; Jaron knows what I am talking about) and about 68 - 70 kilos-it varies. Please pray for me to have energy. I find myself at times getting tired of almost everything (the stress and responsibility of a zone leader is much bigger that a district leader) but don't worry; I am still working hard and doing what I can.

Thanks for everything. Have a great Thanksgiving and good luck with everything.

Love you all sooooooo much!!!!!!!!

Sincerely,

Elder Jardine

Elder Jardine and his companion

Week 67

Well, this week was great for us. Allow me to show some highlights:

•  I got to speak English at a class at the church Thursday night and now we have a bunch of references to go and teach!  woohooo
• Friday morning we had zone conference and I learned a lot; it was great to know where I can improve.
• This Friday afternoon, we went to go talk English and eat milkshakes with some students of a school where the teacher is a member (same one who teaches at the church). While there, we gave a pamphlet to a young woman member to give to a friend. 1 hour later, we received a message saying "I want to learn more about Mormon doctrine." We passed by there 30 minutes later. Lo and behold, it was the friend of the member. We taught her and her family and one of her aunts in the closing prayer admitted to being critical at the beginning, but was immensely grateful for the great joy that our message brought. Spirit for the win!!!! The entire family was receptive and enjoyed the message. Unfortunately, they weren't able to come to church this past Sunday because they were in another city, but we will go by there more. I think that they will be our five baptisms this transfer, super excited.

• On Saturday, we went and helped clean a balcony of a member. It was great to be able to go and help out.
• Sunday was Stake Conference which was fun, especially since we got to have lunch in a member's house who make cinnamon rolls!!! They weren't as good as moms, but it helped to kill the missing you guys, so... worth it.

So that is what is happening. I am getting used to my new designation (Right now, Elder Jardine is serving as a zone leader; he's responsible to lead a group of 10-15 missionaries.) and am enjoying being able to help the mission on a greater level. I am healthy and am excited to receive your package! As for weight, I am about 70 kilos so see what that is in pounds (about 154 pounds) and I think I am also growing so you can let Uncle Preston know to get ready to pay up (Jaron knows what I mean) (My younger brother bet Nathan he wouldn't reach 6'10". It's already too hard to find him pants that fit now, so I'm hoping he doesn't get much taller...)

I love you all so much and I am soooooooo excited to see you at Christmas!

Love you,

Sincerely,

Elder Jardine

Week 66

Well, transfers happened. I learned in the bus station that I was now a zone leader which is exiting. I am now in an area called Ouro Verge (green gold) which has much promise. My companion is Elder De Almeida who is ending his mission this transfer and is a great guy. I think all will be well together. I am excited to see what happens in my last 6 transfers of the mission.  That's a scary thought.

Sorry, I didn't take many photos this week, so I will send them next week.

I am so excited to see how things are progressing for you guys there and can't wait to see how things improve.

Love you all soooooooooooooooo much and hope that the Lord will continue to bless you.

Sincerely,

Elder Jardine