Arriving in Johannesburg, South Africa

So I have made it alive and well, don't worry!!

I now have a few spare minutes to write to let you know that I am indeed alive and well and that you would want to hear from me. so here I am.

I left Newcastle Airport Wednesday afternoon and went to London Heathrow's Terminal 5 where I had 3 hours before my next flight.

I only had a slight panic when I found out that I was meant to be in the C building, when actually I was still in A, this was in plenty of time for the flight though so I was fine and just got the train "thing" to it.

The flights were perfectly fine. I found everywhere in good time and everything went smoothly. I had a nice seat in the middle of the plane in a corner. The other two seats next to me were free so I had a nice bed for the 10 hour overnight flight to Jo-burg. I slept reasonably well in between reading the letters I had received from people.

Since I was the only missionary on the flight to Johannesburg the  first time I saw anyone was when I came out of Johannesburg Airport and saw the people from the MTC greeting me together with other African missionaries who had also arrived.

I feel "ready to go" and so far I "love it all".

Johannesburg looks really nice, especially from the air. All the missionaries, American and African alike that I have talked too are all really nice people. I just have to learn to get used to the fact some of them talk very quietly.

So I'm the only English missionary at the minute, but apparently there is another one coming. Some of the guys here will be serving in Botswana and some are serving in Jo'burg. 

Literally all I've done so far since arriving is filled out forms, had lunch and now I'm emailing you. 

I love the MTC already and my companion is an African from Uganda, Elder Kagimba. I need to get used to pronouncing all of these African names, Kieran your help would be appreciated :-)

I suppose this wraps it up and don't worry I'm not homesick, getting off the plane I was like "this isn't being away from home, this is just one big best adventure of my life" and with that I leave you some of the words of Nephi:

"And it came to pass that we lived after the manner of happiness" (2 Nephi 5:27)

Many hugs kisses and well wishes, I love all of you.

Elder Jorgensen

The Days before the Storm

So this is the first of hopefully many blog posts, documenting my adventures in the land of South Africa while I serve my mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

So the past couple of days have been pretty crazy, yet I still have no idea what to write, so I hope I can come up with something interesting enough for you lovely people to read.

Right now, as I'm sitting less than 48 hours away from my flight, my suitcase is on the floor, open and still empty, something wrong there, but I can’t figure out what. A whole load of last minute checks, gatherings and shopping trips to the point at which I'm just ready to go now.

My feelings at the minute are pretty mixed, I am of course very excited to go serve a mission, and I've been looking forward to it for like the past 4 months, and it’s only 2 days away! There has been too many well wishes for me to count, and countless people telling me that I will enjoy it and it will be fantastic, even so I still feel a bit nervous, and my stake president put it perfectly; it’s like standing on the edge of a cliff, ready to jump off.  I seen so many missionaries over the years come and go and they are having a great time, best two years etc, and so many others share with me how much their mission means to them so I know it and yet still have no idea what awaits me, although I'm told that it will be very good.

All in all I feel like whatever I feel like now, it will be different to what I feel like when I actually get there. I am looking forward to experience South Africa, its culture and its wonderful people. It is really exciting to be going to experience all this. Although hands down the weirdest thing that I think I will experience will be Christmas in the summer. I've never been able to understand how it works (I know why it happens don't worry) but it will be an experience. Especially having only been in the field about 2 weeks when it comes.
Definitely the hardest thing about preparing to leave is having to give up my phone, I won't lie to you, it was hard for me :') but I am glad I am doing all of this, despite all my nerves and the unknowns I know that this is the right thing to do, and a the best thing for me to do, and as John Bytheway said it is my "shortcut to maturity"

So as this is the last thing I shall write in England on my own computer I shall say to you all farewell and good luck with the next 2 years, in case I forget, Merry Christmas to you all, it's only 4 weeks away!! And finally, please please come back and read about my adventures, and write to me!!!! I'm sure my excellent father will provide it for you somewhere over there >>> on the right hand side

Until next week

Elder Jorgensen