Week #4 - The MTC is getting to be slow

I am so excited to hear Jayden and all of these young men getting ready to get out into the field. They are doing a great thing and will learn very well. I have met a couple of missionaries going to the mission in the Philippines and they are some cool people. 

Mom, I don’t think that you struggle because we are good kids. I think that everyone struggles and that God knows that you are strong enough to triumph in them I believe that God must pull us down so that He can build us up. Joseph Smith told that to someone over a stick pull vs a man that clearly was stronger than him. 

I don’t think that we can record it but I know that travel orders come this Friday. 

I would like some cashews like from Costco. Chips are really good. I have a lot of treats still though. I do still want an extra shirt though for Gym. Oh mom if you can make something like the pink bag that Elder Smith has then I would love it because it makes taking laundry so easy. I will send a picture too. No new Elders in our district it kinda works in a way that when a district ships out a new one comes in behind them. so there won’t be any new Dutchies until we leave. Me and Elder smith are getting along really well. I think that our last dispute was just me in my head. It was alright though. We worked it out. I will have some stuff for you though. to send home Its so funny because now that everyone else is gone we have the most decorated room. Elder smith made sure that we used every streamer that we got and every banner. We found some extra flags and hung those up too so we have so much stuff on our walls. It feels kinda like at home. We did clean up really good though because we had a new elder move in with us because he was in with the swedes but doesn’t leave till this upcoming Monday. I have been doing well although I want out. I want to be in the field. I think that it will be so much better because it won't be repetitive. 

The MTC is getting to be slow. Me and my district sang in the devotional for everyone on Sunday half in Dutch and English. It was so great. Never knew I could sing. I miss all of you and time isn’t necessarily flying for me. The days seem like weeks and the weeks seem like days. I have to remind myself that I am on the Lords time now and that I have a job to do. I have to be obedient and try my hardest to stay focused on the work.  I miss you all. I can’t wait to get into the field though.

I have had some incredible experiences here already. It was so cool the night I was set apart during the prayer I could see in my mind armor being built upon me. It was some really cool armor too. I can't get rid of the image in my mind. I wish that I could draw because I have this really powerful image in my head. The cool thing was is last night after our devotional back in our classroom I looked over and the other 4 elders in my district and I could see similar armor on them and I have this image stuck with me that we were all in throne-like chairs and all had similar armor on and you can’t see faces but I know that they were the elders with me now. 

The food is terrible here and it screws with your poop. I have been adjusting very well and the language has come so far. I love it so much. I have taught 4 lessons to an "investigator" in Dutch which is super good for just being here a week. It is so hard and I have such a hard time with being exhausted. I struggle in some of the large meetings to stay awake. I miss you all

Elder Jardine

My District at Sunset near the Provo Temple Fountain

Provo Temple reflection pool

Dutch Commanders in God's Army

We love going to the Temple

I liked this, See our shadows, Awesome

Mom & Mikey sent me Jesus Sandals

Elder Smith's Laundry Bag

Elder Jardine's room decorated for a Happy Birthday

Elder Jardine

Birthday Decorations

Sound Check

Elder Jardine and Elder Soloman, getting ready to sing

This is the Auditorium we sung in. a bit scary

Week #3 - Happy Birthday!!!, I am not alone!

This week was an interesting turn of events. On Saturday and Sunday I truly started to feel alone. The day started with me and my companion having a disagreement and it was really hard for me because I haven’t really disagreed until then. It got better towards the end of day but still I shut down and had a lot of time to think because I reverted to my quiet self that is off in the corner alone and thinking. I had some really hard thoughts too but I think that it was to show me that god can really show us what our weaknesses are. I had a Coaching-Missionary Study thing which is a one on one talk with a teacher. I came to a conclusion on why I am so afraid of feeling alone. That is because It’s the one thing that I can’t beat. I can figure out how to overcome any trial and have always been able to pull my head out of the water except for this. I think that God gave me this one weakness because That way he can show me that I do really need to rely on him that I can’t do it all on my own. But that he blesses me with strength that I am not needy. or needing of blessing so that I can fulfill his purpose in all of my relationships. I feel closer to him that I ever have been and I know that with everyone I meet God needs me to fulfill and specific purpose with them. Whether it be family friends or investigators. But god has shown me that I am not alone in the fight against Satan and His Angels. That he has my back and that I should not feel alone. Mom I am ok just so you know.  We had some really good lessons today and so that everyone knows I do speak pretty good Dutch. I can give most of all the lessons in Dutch. I am not fluent but I have learned so much. I think that it is so cool that I can show investigators that I love them and that I love my Heavenly Father. I think that This week I won’t have to feel alone unless I don’t remember that God has my back and that this trial is mine to keep and that is always going to be my think to deal with I have to just remember.  We had a really good devotional last night and had a great time opening my birthday package. I think that it was the funniest night yet. The devotional has been pretty sweet and we learned that sometimes when challenging someone to read the BoM that we need to read with them and be their reading buddy I really do think that is why we understand what we do growing up because someone read with us, read with me. I am sorry that I don’t write everyone hand written letters but I have to take the little extra time and write which is close to 15-30 minutes a day and it is hard to hand write so many people. I love all the letters because that is the best part of the day is getting mail. I really enjoy seeing what everyone has written and it does mean a lot to me even though I may not be able to respond.  The biggest thing that I have noticed while being here. Is that God listens. But We must also listen. Since I am here I am doing his work and I constantly feel the spirit and what God wants me to do. God listens and he answers. I have prayed so much more often and sometimes Its weird because I probably have prayed in Dutch more than English already because I don’t remember praying all to often in English. So when I want to be more specific all my head can think is in Dutch. We say so many Dutch prayers. because in class and different things in church and priesthood meetings we basically pray in Dutch and talk in our own languages. It is so cool how much I can speak in Dutch If I believe in myself and think in Dutch. I love it the language is a silly language and that makes it fun. I hope that all of you out there can take a moment and listen to your heavenly father and ask like we are told in the scriptures.  I am doing good. Me and my companion get along and the MTC food is kinda terrible. so yeah know you all know so you don’t have to ask the prequestions that everyone has.  To everyone at home. I love all of you and wish success upon you all. Thank you so much for all the support that you give me I wouldn't be who I am without it. Dankeje vell Love ELDER JARDINE Tout Zines

Oh I was also called to be the Sacrament coordinator so basically make sure sacrament gets taken care of and my Colega is the Chorister so he makes sure the music is ready and E. Isaksen was made District leader and E. Soloman went from DL to Zone Leader

Writing Home, Elder Jardine & Elder Isaksan

Elder Smith, Elder Isaksan, Elder Jardine

Elder Smith, Elder, Elder Isaksan, Elder Jardine

Elder Smith (black glasses), Elder Isaksan (green glasses), Elder Jardine (red glasses)

Happy Birthday Elder Jardine, Nice Decorations Mom

Week #2 - Learning To Teach "Onderzoeker" that's Dutch for Investigator

We had a really cool experience. Me and my companion were teaching our "Onderzoeker" that's Dutch for investigator. the investigators background is that he has three kids but his wife and 4th kid died and he works nights and then sleeps during the day and then helps his kids with schoolwork during the afternoon. and then repeat. I thought it was really interesting because he was a devote christian but didn't belong to any specific church. It was really nice to be able to teach him in all Dutch that God is our Father and that he loves us. That even when we feel we are alone. That we can always feel his love and the love of the Savior. That Christ Heals all and that he doesn't just heal guilt from sin. The Atonement covers all things that includes pain, guilt, sorrow, grief, and fear. I think that it is so important to know that we are not alone and that everything will be ok. That Heavenly Father only gives us what we can manage and that is such a blessing. Just like Nephi we must just simply Go and Do.

I love my companion and I am 100% percent sure that we were meant to be together. It is interesting because over this last week my district has been separating between the two companionship's. ME and Elder Smith feel that they are starting to be a little exclusive with the Dane sisters. It could be just a thought but WE had to step back and not be mad that we weren't a district anymore but that we are two individual companionship's. I think that if we forget ourselves and our worries and just be nice and be happy that the Dane's are heading out within a week and be super nice to them I think that would be the best idea out there. Idk It could be all speculation but sometimes when we see 2 Danes and then the 2 other Dutchies that they are being exclusive to just the Danes.

How is life at home. Anything big happen? how is Mikey? He doesn't write me as much as Id like to here from him. love you mom. you are the best and I couldn't have asked for a better Mom. You taught me like the mothers of the Stripling Warriors.I am doing well, I am doing laundry while I catch up on my emails. I love ready each one of them. My Clothes are great I haven't had to iron them yet I will probably tonight though. I will get some pictures and I have been so happy to have such a good companion. I am so happy right now. That made my day. Thanks for the moccasins they are the best I am wearing them right now hahaha.

I get good sleep as long as I follow the rules. I will be going to the temple later today and it should be good. I definitely like the Timpanogos temple a lot more though. I love any package and any letter I get they mean so much to me and I keep everyone. It is just hard because I cant write back instantly or as often as I would like. But that is ok because I am on the Lords time and he will have me do what I need to. Give everyone a hug for me I miss them all so much. That is the hardest thing for me here by far. I love you all

The Danes

Elder Jardine, Elder Soloman, Elder Smith, Elder Isaksan, Elder, Sister, Sister, Sister, Sister

Elder Jardine, Elder Smith - Going to the Temple

Week #1 - I Got to the MTC "Commanders in God's Army"

Hey Mom, I love you so much. I know that you have prepared me for this moment so well. I have no fear anymore. The Lord has blessed me so much this last week. I have come to understand more about what kind of position that I am in for God’s army. I know that me and my companions are not just ordinary soldiers. We are commanders in Gods army and that we are to go to the Netherlands and fight for freedom because that is what the gospel gives. That is why we are so happy, because it makes us free from everything so that our choices allow us to do anything we desire. My mission may be hard but that won’t mean I don't plan on not having any baptisms. I am called at the right time to have the Lord guide me to those children that are lost and liberate them from their sins and bindings as Satan would have them.

The Elders in my district are

Elder Smith, from Orem
Elder Isaksen, from Noway
Elder Soloman, from West Valley

We each have strengths and weaknesses. We have been put into the companionship and been called to the Netherlands because we are his elite. We are to fulfill his work as he desires. I am so glad that I have been placed with these Elders they are definitely in the right place with me. We are already so close. I have no idea what kind of things make them who they are but I love them so much. We wish sometimes that we could all just be a giant companionship.

Thank you guys so much for the package I loved it so much. I need some chips or something that isn't so sweet though. I love that I have mangoes though. We check the mail every day except Sundays. I would tell people to go to DearElder.com because we get those instantly in the MTC. They get printed out and given to us in the mail boxes. That way you can save on postage. But in the next package please send me stamps and envelopes. That's something that I really want. Along with a copy of my Patriarchal blessing. I also would love to have a typed up version of the blessing that the stake president gave me when I was set apart. I know that Dad recorded it. The FBI paper work hasn't come through for anyone else either and we have to do some labs for the VISA. Which were not so fun. Ask me about that one when I get back because I’m not going to write it over an Email.

Love

Elder Jardine

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Dad

Life here has been great I love it in the MTC. It has been a lot different than I thought it would be. I love seeing all the letters. The MTC has really brought me closer to my heavenly father. It was interesting because I have come to understand that I am God’s commander in his army. I can’t get that thought out of my head and that I have a specific purpose here. I am here to learn how to fulfill my role in my life and the lives of others. I really do love my District. We have only been here a week and I know that they are also commanders in Gods army. Last night I shared with them that I know that we are commanders in Gods army and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I think that it is important to remember our purpose. God has a special task for me and I know that I will be a great soldier and leader in Gods army.

My favorite thing I have learned coming here is that everyone has a specific purpose. I know that you have one as well as I do.

I am currently doing laundry and had a few minutes to wait to see if you see this right away just know that I will have more soon.

Love Elder Jardine

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These are some photos of us. The one with five of us it have all the elders and our zone leader in the middle. His name is Elder Jennings and he is so cool because he is speaking dutch too but he is a solo missionary to the West Indies. The one elder posing is Elder Isaksen and he is pretty cool.

Elder Soloman, Elder Isaksan, Elder Jardine, Elder Smith

Elder Soloman, Elder Smith, Elder Jennings, Elder Isaksan, Elder Jardine

Elder Isaksan

Posing at the Temple