We met with Daniel twice this week. In the first lesson, on Tuesday, we talked about the Book of Mormon and why it's so important that he reads it. We explained that the Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion and that if it is true then everything else must be true because that is what holds our church together. He seemed to understand why it was so important and by the next lesson, on Friday, he had read 4 chapters which is pretty good! We talked about what he had read and explained what was happening. Our member came in clutch and invited Daniel to church. Daniel said no the first time but then our member asked "Why not?" Daniel realized that he was just nervous and busy, so we explained that Keeping the Sabbath Day Holy is a Commandment and that we can really feel the Spirit there and get answers to our questions. Brother Dalumpines asked him again if he would come to church and the Spirit must have softened his heart because this time he said yes! So Daniel was at church this week and he was super excited to meet all the Philippino's in the ward! We're super excited to see him progressing!
We also Taught Lorena this week. We brought Sister Solis with us and it ended up working out perfectly. Lorena had a lot of questions about the church and why her catholic church didn't have the priesthood power. Sister Solis used to be catholic and had all those same questions so she was able to answer them easily and really cleared up Lorena's questions. It was a huge testimony builder of member missionary work! We would not be as effective without member support.
We picked up two new investigators this week. Adrie, who is from Iran, and Lisa. Adrie was found during K.O. and told us she felt unworthy to be in the presence of Jesus ever again. We told her about baptism and repentance and the atonement and then she asked us to teach her more. We taught her the restoration and it seemed to really touch her heart. She committed to baptism and said that she wanted to read the Book of Mormon! It was such a cool experience! And then we met Lisa. Lisa was a little sketchy. She kinda started off bashing our faces in but then she realized that we weren't there to bash back and so she stopped and let us share a message. She had tons of questions and asked us to come back and answer her questions today...so we will see how that goes haha!
I had an awesome birthday week! My roomies threw me a party and we had cake and ice cream. It was super awesome! Elder Silva and I went to lunch and a member from Santa Monica came over to our table and gave us 40 dollars and told us lunch was on him. So that was a birthday miracle! Then that night the Solis family fed us and they somehow knew it was my birthday and surprised me with a cake! It was an awesome birthday! And thanks for all of the birthday letters and emails! They all meant a ton to me!
Funny Story of the week: The zone leaders put a cupcake in our toilet this week. We had to fish it out so it didn't clog. We had to get them back so we covered their shower with Vienna sausages hahaha. It's still an ongoing battle! Updates to come.
Message of the week: We need to remember that the Atonement was already performed by Jesus Christ. We can receive peace, comfort, and the remission of our sins at any time...but it's up to us when that is. We have to do our part in order for the atonement to work in our lives. I was studying Alma 7:11-13 this week and I'd invite you all to read it and remember what your savior did for you. Always remember that he carried the cross on his shoulder so that we could start over...and we all need to start over multiple times in our lives.
I love you all and hope you have a great week!
Elder Jensen
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| Elder Silva throwing me a Birthday Party! Hahah...very funny... "16"! |
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| Elder Silva is an interior designer! |
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| Shooting balloons with needle darts! #firingsquad. |
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| The Solis Family! Jim, Nora, and Jane. |
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| Spending my Birthday having dinner with the Solis family. |
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| My Brother Elder Silva. |
