July 11, 2016
This week was sooo sick!
So Manet is golden and you will see why in a second. This week we invited her to church and she said she would come and check it out. Well she showed up 10 minutes early and sat with us and some awesome members. She loved Sacrament and the speakers were on point which was an added bonus. Sister Andru's came up to her after Sacrament and they just hit it off! They went to all the classes together and it was an answer to my prayers. I was so worried Manet would feel alone and out of place but the members here are just awesome. We met with her later Sunday night and asked her how she liked church and she said it was the best church she had ever been to. She told us how the Relief Society program was an answer to her prayers because she always wanted to be able to help people more and get more involved in a woman's service group. Bringing investigators to church makes a huge impact on them! On Sunday we also followed up on her Book of Mormon reading. We had asked her to start from the beginning rather than pick random chapters the Sunday before so we were a little confused why she was reading in 3 Nephi. Well we asked her about it and she said "I did start from the beginning! I read 3 hours every night and now I'm almost finished! I couldn't put it down!" So she literally read all the way to 3 Nephi in one week....that's unheard of hahaha! We talked about the Plan of Salvation as well and she loved it. She is still praying to know if she needs to be baptized and the thing that is holding her up is the fact that she was already baptized twice in two different church's when she was little. So keep a prayer in your heart for Manet! She is just such a prepared investigator. The Lord placed all of us in the right path at the right time and this is exactly what she needs right now.
We also picked up a new investigator named Nick during K.O! Hes a cancer survivor and really related to elder Martin because his mom was a cancer survivor as well. Elder Martin killed it in this lesson. He immediately started to bare his testimony about the Plan of Salvation and how the gospel helped get him through those hard times. The Spirit really hit Nick and he asked to hear more. At the end of the lesson we committed him to a baptismal date of September 10th! Right there on his door! Straight up miracle!
Diana was confirmed this week as well which was so cool to be a part of. We had a lesson with her in the Palilla's home
Well sorry this weeks email is so short. We were super short on time today. But I want you to know that I know this Gospel is true. I know that this church is true. I have seen too many miracles happen to think otherwise, and I have felt the Spirit work through my companion and I countless times. This is the way back to our Father in Heaven, the only way.
I love you all so much! Have a great week!
P.S. Sorry about the lack of pictures! We were too busy dying on our bikes to take any!
Monday, July 11, 2016
Tuesday, July 5, 2016
The Lord ALWAYS answers our prayers.
July 5, 2016
Hello Everyone!
This week has been another busy, hot week here in Burbank. Elder Martin and I are starting to get real tan thanks to these bikes.
Diana got baptized this Saturday! She was interviewed by our Zone Leaders on Thursday and was so excited the whole time. She is usually really shy and quiet but she kept expressing to us how excited she was and how happy she felt. She even told us that she wants us to come and teach her daughter so she can get baptized as well. Diana is just another perfect example of how prayers are answered. She has had some really tough times recently and had been praying to Heavenly Father for guidance. Well a few weeks later the missionaries were doing their laundry at the same laundromat she goes to and they told her they felt they needed to talk with her. She instantly knew that this was the answer to her prayers. The Lord ALWAYS answers our prayers. We just need to have faith and recognize the answer when it comes. Everyone in the Burbank 3rd ward is so friendly so I know Diana will have no problem joining the new family she just received. Elder Agamata came back and baptized her. He is the one who found her and began to teach her. The program was awesome and lots of ward members came and supported. She was really moved by one of the Stake Presidency members talk on baptism and afterwards asked him to confirm her on Sunday! Such a cool experience. Oh and a funny story about the baptism...the water heater broke so it was ice cold hahahaha! They got out as fast as possible!
We taught Mannet ( the woman who pulled over to talk to us) this week as well. Holy Cow she is SO prepared!! We got to know her a little better before the lesson and she told us how she had been to many churches, but she left all of them because she didn't think they were right. So we jumped right into the restoration and talked about the Priesthood and how it's permission from God to baptize etc...and she opened up her Book of Mormon ( which was all marked up and had notes) and started reading a scripture to us from 3rd Nephi that explained the priesthood perfectly. I was pretty mind blown that she knew the Book of Mormon so well so I asked her what she thought about it and she gave the most sincere answer I have ever heard. She said " The Book of Mormon makes the bible even sweeter. It's so detailed and I just understand everything Christ did for me even clearer. I love it. I love this book." Said in an Armenian accent haha. She was still struggling with the English though so we gave her an Armenian Book of Mormon and she was so happy! I've never had an investigator who was more excited to receive a Book of Mormon. She committed to baptism and has been praying for an answer about Joseph Smith being a Prophet so please pray that she will receive an answer!
We got in touch with a former investigator named Byron this week! He backed out of his baptism a few days before it was supposed to happen so we went to find out why. Well turns out that his family all loves the missionaries and after he called off his baptism the missionaries just stopped going by. So they asked us to please come back and visit tomorrow! It was a super cool experience to find them and see how interested they still were in the Gospel!
Funny story of the week: We were tracting in a park and I was looking around for people to talk to. Anyway, I turned to the left and everyone was staring at us cause it was the 4th of July and we were just walking around in white shirts and ties...so I turn back around and run right into a pole hahaha. I bruised my nose super bad! Everyone kept staring at us the rest of the time we were there hahaha.
Another funny story...I threw a one year mark party for Elder Olivas hahaha. It was so funny! We had a Ceremony and everything. I conducted the ceremony.
Well I love you all so much! I hope you have a wonderful week!
Elder Jensen
Hello Everyone!
This week has been another busy, hot week here in Burbank. Elder Martin and I are starting to get real tan thanks to these bikes.
Diana got baptized this Saturday! She was interviewed by our Zone Leaders on Thursday and was so excited the whole time. She is usually really shy and quiet but she kept expressing to us how excited she was and how happy she felt. She even told us that she wants us to come and teach her daughter so she can get baptized as well. Diana is just another perfect example of how prayers are answered. She has had some really tough times recently and had been praying to Heavenly Father for guidance. Well a few weeks later the missionaries were doing their laundry at the same laundromat she goes to and they told her they felt they needed to talk with her. She instantly knew that this was the answer to her prayers. The Lord ALWAYS answers our prayers. We just need to have faith and recognize the answer when it comes. Everyone in the Burbank 3rd ward is so friendly so I know Diana will have no problem joining the new family she just received. Elder Agamata came back and baptized her. He is the one who found her and began to teach her. The program was awesome and lots of ward members came and supported. She was really moved by one of the Stake Presidency members talk on baptism and afterwards asked him to confirm her on Sunday! Such a cool experience. Oh and a funny story about the baptism...the water heater broke so it was ice cold hahahaha! They got out as fast as possible!
We taught Mannet ( the woman who pulled over to talk to us) this week as well. Holy Cow she is SO prepared!! We got to know her a little better before the lesson and she told us how she had been to many churches, but she left all of them because she didn't think they were right. So we jumped right into the restoration and talked about the Priesthood and how it's permission from God to baptize etc...and she opened up her Book of Mormon ( which was all marked up and had notes) and started reading a scripture to us from 3rd Nephi that explained the priesthood perfectly. I was pretty mind blown that she knew the Book of Mormon so well so I asked her what she thought about it and she gave the most sincere answer I have ever heard. She said " The Book of Mormon makes the bible even sweeter. It's so detailed and I just understand everything Christ did for me even clearer. I love it. I love this book." Said in an Armenian accent haha. She was still struggling with the English though so we gave her an Armenian Book of Mormon and she was so happy! I've never had an investigator who was more excited to receive a Book of Mormon. She committed to baptism and has been praying for an answer about Joseph Smith being a Prophet so please pray that she will receive an answer!
We got in touch with a former investigator named Byron this week! He backed out of his baptism a few days before it was supposed to happen so we went to find out why. Well turns out that his family all loves the missionaries and after he called off his baptism the missionaries just stopped going by. So they asked us to please come back and visit tomorrow! It was a super cool experience to find them and see how interested they still were in the Gospel!
Funny story of the week: We were tracting in a park and I was looking around for people to talk to. Anyway, I turned to the left and everyone was staring at us cause it was the 4th of July and we were just walking around in white shirts and ties...so I turn back around and run right into a pole hahaha. I bruised my nose super bad! Everyone kept staring at us the rest of the time we were there hahaha.
Another funny story...I threw a one year mark party for Elder Olivas hahaha. It was so funny! We had a Ceremony and everything. I conducted the ceremony.
Well I love you all so much! I hope you have a wonderful week!
Elder Jensen
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| One year celebration ceremony for Elder Olivas. |
Monday, June 27, 2016
If we have a prompting come to our mind and it's good...we can trust that it is from the Spirit.
June 27, 2016
Hey Everyone,
Well this week I had to leave Elder Silva. He has been such an amazing companion and friend. Hopefully we will serve next to each other sometime soon. We had so many good times together and so many miracles happened in Van Nuys. I know he'll do a killer job keeping that area going. I got my new trainee on Tuesday! His Name is Elder Martin. He's from Kaysville Utah and graduated a year ago so we are the same age. He's a really athletic guy which is nice. We went to the gym on Friday for our morning work out and as we were shooting hoops he just dunked like it was no big deal hahaha. So he can dunk! He's starting to get the hang of things and is adjusting really easily.
So last week I totally forgot to send the address for our new apartment. Here it is..
Elder Andrew Jensen
1800 Grismer Ave #316
Burbank, CA 91504
So here's an update on our week. We visited a lot of members and got to know the ward. It seems like 70% of our ward works in the movie industry so they give us updates on movies that are coming out soon! The Coach in High School Musical, Bart Johnson, is in our ward and he married Blake Lively's sister Robyn, so apparently Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds show up at the ward sometimes for primary programs and stuff like that. But anyway, the ward is awesome and there are lots of cool families that I'm sure we will get close with.
We helped out with an eagle project this week. We had to move 75 tons of rocks into a river that was too deep at Johnny Carson Park. So that was a rough day full of manual labor and then biking for the rest of the day. Haha.
We came into the area with a baptismal date a few weeks away. Diana Del Mundo is from the Philippines and has been meeting with the missionaries for the last month and a half or so. She is so prepared! She has been looking for the joy this gospel brings for a long time now. We had a lesson with her at the park this week and at the beginning of our lesson a man walked up to us and asked if he could join in on our lesson. We said sure and started to explain how we were missionaries and told him what our purpose is. He said "I know. I used to be one." So he taught and testified with us about the Commandments and how they are there to bless us and help us be happy. After the lesson we stayed and talked with him for a while. He explained how he served in Uruguay and had left the Church shortly after his mission. He also said how amazing it was to have a spiritual missionary experience teaching like that because he hadn't had one in such a long time. God always places us in peoples path every day! It's so amazing how everything just falls into place perfectly! Oh and the guy told us that he was in the movie "Just Let Go" About Chris Williams and his family in Utah! He played the roll of the drunk driver. It was a super cool experience. I told him about how my Mom and brother and sister were also in that movie and we talked about that for a while!
We had another awesome miracle happen to us this week! We were visiting some less active members in the lower half of our area after knock out when the prompting came that we should bike all the way to the top of our area and visit this investigator that we were trying to meet. So we listened and started the 30 minute bike ride up the steep hills haha. Well we finally got to Pete Roses house. We talked to his daughter and she said he wasn't home but that he would be back in an hour or so. So we had a little time to kill. We remembered that Brother Sweat had told us to go visit a part member family, the Kalama's, at the bottom of the hills...so we biked there and she wasn't home. So we were just confused as to why we were led up to the top of our area...it felt like it was for nothing. So we sat down on the curb and started to plan our bike ride back to Pete's house. As we were sitting there a woman pulls her car over directly across the street from us. She walked over to us and said "I think you're Mormons." We told her that was us! Then she told us how a missionary had knocked on her door 18 years ago and gave her a Book of Mormon. She hadn't even touched it until a few weeks ago. Mannet said, "I've been reading that book and I am having a hard time understanding it. I really want to know what you all believe and I want you to come and teach me." Elder Martin was just sitting there with his jaw touching the ground hahaha. We got her address and phone number and went through the Restoration with her right there on the sidewalk! But that's not the end of it. We biked back to Peter Roses house and he was home! He let us in and said "Where have you guys been! I miss having the missionaries come over!" So we sat down and really connected with him. Peter is a football and basketball coach and loves talking sports. Elder Marin is a living sports encyclopedia so they are a perfect match for each other! He asked us to send him a scripture every day and meet with him once or twice a week! He is such a cool guy...He said he would be baptized by now but he just has some things he is trying to overcome. Can't wait to work with him these next couple of months! I have really learned the importance of listening to the Spirit. As missionaries we are useless servants if we aren't humble and allow the Lord to work through us.
Funny story of the week: Our first night on bikes was a little sketchy. The only way into the bottom of our area is across this bridge that has multiple freeway entrances and exits. So we were riding home and we realized that we didn't have any bike lights. Well we decided to just go for it. So we were crossing this bridge in the pitch black with cars flying by us and I looked back and Elder Martin was screaming and peddling his heart out trying to get to the other side hahaha. We almost got hit by cars...California drivers are just crazy!
Message of the week: Listen to the promptings you receive. We often struggle with trying to decide whether a prompting is from the Spirit or if it's just our own minds putting that thought or feeling there. This week I found the answer to that question. In Moroni 7: 13, 16-17 it tells us that every good thought or action is from God. Gordon B. Hinckley said "That's the test, when all is said and done. Does it persuade one to do good, to rise, to stand tall, to do the right thing, to be kind, to be generous? Then it is of the Spirit of God..." So if we have a prompting come to our mind and it's good...we can trust that it is from the Spirit. Never ignore those thoughts or feelings because they are always put there to bless us or others in some way!
Well I love you all! I hope you have a great week of summer!
Elder Jensen
P.S. we will be emailing on July 5th rather than July 4th next week.
Hey Everyone,
Well this week I had to leave Elder Silva. He has been such an amazing companion and friend. Hopefully we will serve next to each other sometime soon. We had so many good times together and so many miracles happened in Van Nuys. I know he'll do a killer job keeping that area going. I got my new trainee on Tuesday! His Name is Elder Martin. He's from Kaysville Utah and graduated a year ago so we are the same age. He's a really athletic guy which is nice. We went to the gym on Friday for our morning work out and as we were shooting hoops he just dunked like it was no big deal hahaha. So he can dunk! He's starting to get the hang of things and is adjusting really easily.
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| New missionaries from the MTC. My companion is Elder Martin in the middle. |
So last week I totally forgot to send the address for our new apartment. Here it is..
Elder Andrew Jensen
1800 Grismer Ave #316
Burbank, CA 91504
So here's an update on our week. We visited a lot of members and got to know the ward. It seems like 70% of our ward works in the movie industry so they give us updates on movies that are coming out soon! The Coach in High School Musical, Bart Johnson, is in our ward and he married Blake Lively's sister Robyn, so apparently Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds show up at the ward sometimes for primary programs and stuff like that. But anyway, the ward is awesome and there are lots of cool families that I'm sure we will get close with.
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| Bart Johnson with his wife Robyn Lively and thier kids who are in our Burbank 3rd ward. |
We helped out with an eagle project this week. We had to move 75 tons of rocks into a river that was too deep at Johnny Carson Park. So that was a rough day full of manual labor and then biking for the rest of the day. Haha.
We came into the area with a baptismal date a few weeks away. Diana Del Mundo is from the Philippines and has been meeting with the missionaries for the last month and a half or so. She is so prepared! She has been looking for the joy this gospel brings for a long time now. We had a lesson with her at the park this week and at the beginning of our lesson a man walked up to us and asked if he could join in on our lesson. We said sure and started to explain how we were missionaries and told him what our purpose is. He said "I know. I used to be one." So he taught and testified with us about the Commandments and how they are there to bless us and help us be happy. After the lesson we stayed and talked with him for a while. He explained how he served in Uruguay and had left the Church shortly after his mission. He also said how amazing it was to have a spiritual missionary experience teaching like that because he hadn't had one in such a long time. God always places us in peoples path every day! It's so amazing how everything just falls into place perfectly! Oh and the guy told us that he was in the movie "Just Let Go" About Chris Williams and his family in Utah! He played the roll of the drunk driver. It was a super cool experience. I told him about how my Mom and brother and sister were also in that movie and we talked about that for a while!
We had another awesome miracle happen to us this week! We were visiting some less active members in the lower half of our area after knock out when the prompting came that we should bike all the way to the top of our area and visit this investigator that we were trying to meet. So we listened and started the 30 minute bike ride up the steep hills haha. Well we finally got to Pete Roses house. We talked to his daughter and she said he wasn't home but that he would be back in an hour or so. So we had a little time to kill. We remembered that Brother Sweat had told us to go visit a part member family, the Kalama's, at the bottom of the hills...so we biked there and she wasn't home. So we were just confused as to why we were led up to the top of our area...it felt like it was for nothing. So we sat down on the curb and started to plan our bike ride back to Pete's house. As we were sitting there a woman pulls her car over directly across the street from us. She walked over to us and said "I think you're Mormons." We told her that was us! Then she told us how a missionary had knocked on her door 18 years ago and gave her a Book of Mormon. She hadn't even touched it until a few weeks ago. Mannet said, "I've been reading that book and I am having a hard time understanding it. I really want to know what you all believe and I want you to come and teach me." Elder Martin was just sitting there with his jaw touching the ground hahaha. We got her address and phone number and went through the Restoration with her right there on the sidewalk! But that's not the end of it. We biked back to Peter Roses house and he was home! He let us in and said "Where have you guys been! I miss having the missionaries come over!" So we sat down and really connected with him. Peter is a football and basketball coach and loves talking sports. Elder Marin is a living sports encyclopedia so they are a perfect match for each other! He asked us to send him a scripture every day and meet with him once or twice a week! He is such a cool guy...He said he would be baptized by now but he just has some things he is trying to overcome. Can't wait to work with him these next couple of months! I have really learned the importance of listening to the Spirit. As missionaries we are useless servants if we aren't humble and allow the Lord to work through us.
Funny story of the week: Our first night on bikes was a little sketchy. The only way into the bottom of our area is across this bridge that has multiple freeway entrances and exits. So we were riding home and we realized that we didn't have any bike lights. Well we decided to just go for it. So we were crossing this bridge in the pitch black with cars flying by us and I looked back and Elder Martin was screaming and peddling his heart out trying to get to the other side hahaha. We almost got hit by cars...California drivers are just crazy!
Message of the week: Listen to the promptings you receive. We often struggle with trying to decide whether a prompting is from the Spirit or if it's just our own minds putting that thought or feeling there. This week I found the answer to that question. In Moroni 7: 13, 16-17 it tells us that every good thought or action is from God. Gordon B. Hinckley said "That's the test, when all is said and done. Does it persuade one to do good, to rise, to stand tall, to do the right thing, to be kind, to be generous? Then it is of the Spirit of God..." So if we have a prompting come to our mind and it's good...we can trust that it is from the Spirit. Never ignore those thoughts or feelings because they are always put there to bless us or others in some way!
Well I love you all! I hope you have a great week of summer!
Elder Jensen
P.S. we will be emailing on July 5th rather than July 4th next week.
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| Elder Olivas and I. |
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| Posterity in a picture. My trainer...my trainees..and elder Silva's trainee. |
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| Elder Silva and I with Sister Solis for our Last "Hawaiian" Supper before I transferred to Burbank. |
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| Last "Hawaiian" Supper with the sister missionaries and the Solis family before I transferred to Burbank. |
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| Elder Silva and I and Brother Solis packing heat? |
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| I don't even know what to say about this one. Haha. |
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| The area. |
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| Long day for Elder Martin. |
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| Skinny guy on a bike. |
Monday, June 20, 2016
I'm being transfered to the Burbank 3rd ward.
June 20, 2016
Hey Everyone, another busy week in North LA! It's been so hot lately. Our Car was saying it was 118 degrees yesterday...It was a rough day knocking doors. You step outside and you don't even feel your body start to overheat...you just sweat immediately. Needless to say...these white shirts won't last past this summer. We went to the Temple this Friday as a mission! It was nice seeing friends and just being with all those missionaries in the Lords house. We also got transfer calls week. Silva and I are getting split up...we're both pretty sad about that. I'll be moving to the Burbank 3rd ward!
I'm going to be whitewashing again with a new trainee and I'll be the District Leader still. It'll be a challenge for sure but It'll be fun. Oh and I'll also be on bike....R.I.P to me hahaha. It'll be super fun though so I'm not too worried about the heat. Elder Silva will also be training next transfer and he will be stepping in as the District Leader!! He's going to do an awesome job! Gonna miss this guy so much.
We had an awesome miracle with Daniel this week. We felt like he was just hitting a roadblock in his conversion and we didn't know what to do so we prayed real hard about what we needed to do. We both were impressed to just do a refresher on Jesus Christ's baptism and the need to receive the Holy Ghost. He really understood the need for the holy ghost after our lesson and we set a baptismal date with him for July 3rd! We asked him how he felt about it and he said "I'm excited! And I know this is what I need to do. It's what we all need to do. I want to learn more." He's so prepared! His heart is softened and he is willing to live the Gospel! He also came to church on Sunday and loved the lessons and classes that were given. He really feels the friendship from the ward and that's making it so much easier for him to come each week.
We also got to meet with Charlie again this week! He's such an awesome guy. He's been trying to set up a lesson with us for a while now but he's been really busy lately writing scripts and stuff for his job. But this week we had an awesome lesson on the Restoration of the Gospel. We didn't even have to commit him to baptism! He did it himself! He really is seeking the truth and I know Elder Silva will be able to help him find what he is looking for!
We Taught the word of wisdom to the Mata's this week. Michael understands it perfectly now! He talked to the Bishop again this week and he now has a baptismal date for August 7th! I'm so excited for him! The Bishop really wants Sister Mata to be on board so that Michael will have good support as he grows up. So Elder Silva will continue to meet with them for probably the rest of his time in Van Nuys. I'm excited to visit for the baptism!
Elder Silva went to Canada this week! It was so weird going to the airport and dropping him off because it feels like I was just arriving at that airport a few months ago...but it's almost been a year. Crazy to think about. Anyway, I spent the day with our roommates in Spanish work. Then we picked him up at the airport that night. We were all holding signs that spelled out "Returned with Honor" Hahaha it was super funny! It's been so much fun living with all these guys! I'll miss them.
We met with Marius again. He's been having a rough time. His girlfriend has cancer so he has been taking care of her and it's really wearing him down. It's sad cause we never see him at church anymore and that would really strengthen him through all of his trials. We did a little service for him and cleaned up around his house so he could rest. Life is impossible to take on alone. We have to look out for each other and always keep the gospel as our main focus. Only then will we be able to endure to the end.
Well, I love you all so much and hope you have a great week! Sorry for the short email this week!
Elder Jensen
Hey Everyone, another busy week in North LA! It's been so hot lately. Our Car was saying it was 118 degrees yesterday...It was a rough day knocking doors. You step outside and you don't even feel your body start to overheat...you just sweat immediately. Needless to say...these white shirts won't last past this summer. We went to the Temple this Friday as a mission! It was nice seeing friends and just being with all those missionaries in the Lords house. We also got transfer calls week. Silva and I are getting split up...we're both pretty sad about that. I'll be moving to the Burbank 3rd ward!
I'm going to be whitewashing again with a new trainee and I'll be the District Leader still. It'll be a challenge for sure but It'll be fun. Oh and I'll also be on bike....R.I.P to me hahaha. It'll be super fun though so I'm not too worried about the heat. Elder Silva will also be training next transfer and he will be stepping in as the District Leader!! He's going to do an awesome job! Gonna miss this guy so much.
We had an awesome miracle with Daniel this week. We felt like he was just hitting a roadblock in his conversion and we didn't know what to do so we prayed real hard about what we needed to do. We both were impressed to just do a refresher on Jesus Christ's baptism and the need to receive the Holy Ghost. He really understood the need for the holy ghost after our lesson and we set a baptismal date with him for July 3rd! We asked him how he felt about it and he said "I'm excited! And I know this is what I need to do. It's what we all need to do. I want to learn more." He's so prepared! His heart is softened and he is willing to live the Gospel! He also came to church on Sunday and loved the lessons and classes that were given. He really feels the friendship from the ward and that's making it so much easier for him to come each week.
We also got to meet with Charlie again this week! He's such an awesome guy. He's been trying to set up a lesson with us for a while now but he's been really busy lately writing scripts and stuff for his job. But this week we had an awesome lesson on the Restoration of the Gospel. We didn't even have to commit him to baptism! He did it himself! He really is seeking the truth and I know Elder Silva will be able to help him find what he is looking for!
We Taught the word of wisdom to the Mata's this week. Michael understands it perfectly now! He talked to the Bishop again this week and he now has a baptismal date for August 7th! I'm so excited for him! The Bishop really wants Sister Mata to be on board so that Michael will have good support as he grows up. So Elder Silva will continue to meet with them for probably the rest of his time in Van Nuys. I'm excited to visit for the baptism!
Elder Silva went to Canada this week! It was so weird going to the airport and dropping him off because it feels like I was just arriving at that airport a few months ago...but it's almost been a year. Crazy to think about. Anyway, I spent the day with our roommates in Spanish work. Then we picked him up at the airport that night. We were all holding signs that spelled out "Returned with Honor" Hahaha it was super funny! It's been so much fun living with all these guys! I'll miss them.
We met with Marius again. He's been having a rough time. His girlfriend has cancer so he has been taking care of her and it's really wearing him down. It's sad cause we never see him at church anymore and that would really strengthen him through all of his trials. We did a little service for him and cleaned up around his house so he could rest. Life is impossible to take on alone. We have to look out for each other and always keep the gospel as our main focus. Only then will we be able to endure to the end.
Well, I love you all so much and hope you have a great week! Sorry for the short email this week!
Elder Jensen
Tuesday, June 14, 2016
The Book of Mormon is so powerful! It truly softens hearts!
June 13, 2016
Oh man...another super busy week in Van Nuys. Oh and we finally got our mirror back!! That was a highlight for sure.
Michael finally had his baptismal interview with the Bishop! The Bishop said that he just needs a refresher on The Word of Wisdom. When he was asked what the Word of Wisdom was he said "Don't smoke weeeeed!". Hahahaha he forgot about tea, coffee, alcohol, and tobacco...but at least he got the weed part right? He's so close! Just one more lesson and he will be 100% ready for baptism. I'm so excited for him. Two months ago he didn't want to be baptized at all, but children are so humble and in tune with the Holy Ghost. It's been amazing watching the light turn on in his eyes as the Spirit testifies to him that what we are saying is true. This week we were talking about always recognizing Jesus Christ and keeping our covenants we make at baptism. He was sitting on the couch writing on a piece of paper so we thought he wasn't listening. But then he raised his hand and started reading what he had written on his paper. It was his testimony. That was a really spiritual moment for everyone, especially his mom. He's made so much progress.
We found a new investigator this week named Albert! He's from Armenia and is such a cool guy. He told us that his mother had just passed away a month ago from cancer and that he wasn't sure he was going to see her again. We testified that he would see his mother again and started teaching him the Plan of Salvation. He had SO many questions. More questions than anyone I have ever taught before. He liked our message but said that is was hard for him to believe so we asked if we could come back and bring him a Book of Mormon in Armenian so he could read it and get an answer from the Holy Ghost that what we taught was the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. He said yes and then invited us over for dinner yesterday haha! So we talked about the Plan of Salvation over dinner and became his friends. Then he told us his wife owns a hair salon and told us to come in and get free hair cuts! He's such a homie haha! Elder Silva and I are super excited to work with him and hopefully his family as well!
Brother Solis and the Boatman's came to church this week!! Hopefully they keep coming regularly. Church is a crucial part in building a testimony, receiving spiritual guidance and lasting conversion. I hope they come to realize that soon.
We met with Leo Rodriguez again this week and the coolest thing happened!! He showed up to the lesson with his 11 year old son Matthew who isn't a member. He told us how he has started reading the Book of Mormon ever since we stopped by that one day and that the story of the tree of life really hit home for him and that he wanted his family to experience the joys of the Gospel just like Lehi wanted for his family. The Book of Mormon is so powerful! It truly softens hearts!
We also taught Daniel this week. We talked about temples and families and how we can be sealed together forever. We also talked about how we can perform baptisms for the dead. He loved that because his Dad died a little while back and he is worried he will never see him again. The Gospel brings so much comfort...some people are just to hard hearted to see that. We're going to try and get Daniel on date this week! He's been praying for an answer for so long now...we just need to get him to read the Book of Mormon more.
Those are just some of the highlights from our week. Hope you all have an awesome week of summer!
Elder Jensen
Oh man...another super busy week in Van Nuys. Oh and we finally got our mirror back!! That was a highlight for sure.
Michael finally had his baptismal interview with the Bishop! The Bishop said that he just needs a refresher on The Word of Wisdom. When he was asked what the Word of Wisdom was he said "Don't smoke weeeeed!". Hahahaha he forgot about tea, coffee, alcohol, and tobacco...but at least he got the weed part right? He's so close! Just one more lesson and he will be 100% ready for baptism. I'm so excited for him. Two months ago he didn't want to be baptized at all, but children are so humble and in tune with the Holy Ghost. It's been amazing watching the light turn on in his eyes as the Spirit testifies to him that what we are saying is true. This week we were talking about always recognizing Jesus Christ and keeping our covenants we make at baptism. He was sitting on the couch writing on a piece of paper so we thought he wasn't listening. But then he raised his hand and started reading what he had written on his paper. It was his testimony. That was a really spiritual moment for everyone, especially his mom. He's made so much progress.
We found a new investigator this week named Albert! He's from Armenia and is such a cool guy. He told us that his mother had just passed away a month ago from cancer and that he wasn't sure he was going to see her again. We testified that he would see his mother again and started teaching him the Plan of Salvation. He had SO many questions. More questions than anyone I have ever taught before. He liked our message but said that is was hard for him to believe so we asked if we could come back and bring him a Book of Mormon in Armenian so he could read it and get an answer from the Holy Ghost that what we taught was the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. He said yes and then invited us over for dinner yesterday haha! So we talked about the Plan of Salvation over dinner and became his friends. Then he told us his wife owns a hair salon and told us to come in and get free hair cuts! He's such a homie haha! Elder Silva and I are super excited to work with him and hopefully his family as well!
Brother Solis and the Boatman's came to church this week!! Hopefully they keep coming regularly. Church is a crucial part in building a testimony, receiving spiritual guidance and lasting conversion. I hope they come to realize that soon.
We met with Leo Rodriguez again this week and the coolest thing happened!! He showed up to the lesson with his 11 year old son Matthew who isn't a member. He told us how he has started reading the Book of Mormon ever since we stopped by that one day and that the story of the tree of life really hit home for him and that he wanted his family to experience the joys of the Gospel just like Lehi wanted for his family. The Book of Mormon is so powerful! It truly softens hearts!
We also taught Daniel this week. We talked about temples and families and how we can be sealed together forever. We also talked about how we can perform baptisms for the dead. He loved that because his Dad died a little while back and he is worried he will never see him again. The Gospel brings so much comfort...some people are just to hard hearted to see that. We're going to try and get Daniel on date this week! He's been praying for an answer for so long now...we just need to get him to read the Book of Mormon more.
Those are just some of the highlights from our week. Hope you all have an awesome week of summer!
Elder Jensen
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| We took American flag pics because Elder Silva is Canadian. He is leaving this Wednesday to go back to Canada to get the paperwork stamped that he needs to stay in the U.S. |
Thursday, June 9, 2016
Dinner with the Sellens
June 2, 2016
We love to get texts from members who feed our missionaries! Thank you Brother and Sister Sellens!
We love to get texts from members who feed our missionaries! Thank you Brother and Sister Sellens!
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| Dinner with the Sellens for Elder Silva's Birthday. |
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| Happy Birthday Elder Silva! |
Monday, June 6, 2016
We must have tenacity as disciples of Jesus Christ.
June 6, 2016
I think summer has officially started here in California. It's definitely starting to heat up! We have had a few 100 degree days and we basically wear sweat suits so it never ends well. We still don't have a mirror by the way...I think they have just forgotten about us.
Daniel came to church for his second time this month! He stayed for the whole 3 hours and afterwards he was telling us how much he enjoyed the lessons and classes. And also the members just really helped out and reached out to him and showed their love. He seemed to really enjoy speaking Tagalog with the other Philippino members and we could just see him slowly feel more and more comfortable! Something so cool about Daniel is that he is sincerely trying to find out if this church is true and he is really relying on the Spirit of the Lord to tell him. We are very happy for Daniel as he is coming closer and closer to the knowledge of our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
We met with the Boatmans this week! They have been less active since Sister Boatman got baptized last year. Anyway, they were super happy that we reached out and they asked us to come over! They said that they want their 8 year old daughter to get baptized this year and that they really need to start coming back to church. That was before we could even say anything so that was very cool. We're excited to work with Brother and Sister Boatman and their little kids! Such an awesome family!
We met with the Mata's as well!! Michael is ready for baptism! He just needs to get interviewed by the Bishop. He has really come a long way in his Gospel knowledge! He is such a cool kid and is like a brother to elder Silva and I. I can't wait for him to get the Holy Ghost so he can feel that guidance in his life.
Those are the highlights of the week. Oh and one other cool thing happened! We went golfing last P-day! A member from the YSA ward took us!! It was so nice to get back on the course and have fun!!
Message of the week: We must have tenacity as disciples of Jesus Christ. What does tenacity mean? Tencity is the quality or fact of being very determined, persistent, stubbornly dedicated, and steadfast. It's the act of not quitting! We must be tenacious in our membership of the church. Satan never quits so obviously we can't either. We must always have our eyes set on a greater goal..which is eternal life. When we fall into temptation or sin we must be tenacious. We need to try again and again to overcome our weaknesses and shortcomings. And as we do so the lord will turn those weaknesses into strengths.
Love you all so much! Have a great week!
Elder Jensen
I think summer has officially started here in California. It's definitely starting to heat up! We have had a few 100 degree days and we basically wear sweat suits so it never ends well. We still don't have a mirror by the way...I think they have just forgotten about us.
Daniel came to church for his second time this month! He stayed for the whole 3 hours and afterwards he was telling us how much he enjoyed the lessons and classes. And also the members just really helped out and reached out to him and showed their love. He seemed to really enjoy speaking Tagalog with the other Philippino members and we could just see him slowly feel more and more comfortable! Something so cool about Daniel is that he is sincerely trying to find out if this church is true and he is really relying on the Spirit of the Lord to tell him. We are very happy for Daniel as he is coming closer and closer to the knowledge of our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
We met with the Boatmans this week! They have been less active since Sister Boatman got baptized last year. Anyway, they were super happy that we reached out and they asked us to come over! They said that they want their 8 year old daughter to get baptized this year and that they really need to start coming back to church. That was before we could even say anything so that was very cool. We're excited to work with Brother and Sister Boatman and their little kids! Such an awesome family!
We met with the Mata's as well!! Michael is ready for baptism! He just needs to get interviewed by the Bishop. He has really come a long way in his Gospel knowledge! He is such a cool kid and is like a brother to elder Silva and I. I can't wait for him to get the Holy Ghost so he can feel that guidance in his life.
Those are the highlights of the week. Oh and one other cool thing happened! We went golfing last P-day! A member from the YSA ward took us!! It was so nice to get back on the course and have fun!!
Message of the week: We must have tenacity as disciples of Jesus Christ. What does tenacity mean? Tencity is the quality or fact of being very determined, persistent, stubbornly dedicated, and steadfast. It's the act of not quitting! We must be tenacious in our membership of the church. Satan never quits so obviously we can't either. We must always have our eyes set on a greater goal..which is eternal life. When we fall into temptation or sin we must be tenacious. We need to try again and again to overcome our weaknesses and shortcomings. And as we do so the lord will turn those weaknesses into strengths.
Love you all so much! Have a great week!
Elder Jensen
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| Elder Silva and I golfing on P-day! |
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| Elder Sponseller and Elder Silva and I on the course. |
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| Elder Silva and I with a member and Elder Elder Sponseller and Elder Long. |
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| Elser Silva, a member, Elder Long, Sister Dhoner, Sister Bullock, me and Elder Sponseller. |
Tuesday, May 31, 2016
Don't make excuses, just go!
May 31, 2016
This week was a rough one here in North LA. We lost a few of our flaky investigators but that's how it goes some times! It was a tough finding week as well but it's not always easy! Actually it's never easy haha, but that's how you learn and grow!
We went to the Temple today for our birthdays! It was so awesome. The spirit is so strong in the temple and it really strengthens your testimony that the church is true! It was pretty cool to be able to put all our investigators on the prayer list as well. I know that will make a difference as they feel prayers coming their way.
We met with Daniel a couple times this week! It's so cool to see him rely on the spirit and not on his personal wants. He is still praying for a baptismal date and I know he will get an answer through his faith. We read together out of the Book of Mormon again and he's starting to understand the wording more. It's still tough for him and he struggles, but he's working through it. I just look at him and see so much potential and I just want him to experience the blessings this gospel has to offer so bad!
We went on exchanges with the Zone Leaders this week. Elder Adams came with me in our area. During K.O. we knocked into Marcos and his family. He let us in and I taught the restoration in english then Elder Adams would translate it into spanish so they could understand. The spirit was so strong so we decided to set a baptismal date with them. We committed them to be baptized on July 2nd! The spirit really can soften hearts!!
Also During K.O. the other day Elder Silva and I were walking down the street and saw a young teenager playing basketball with his dad. We challenged them to a 2 on 2 match and they kinda laughed because we were in dress shoes and church clothes. Well...they were mind blown when we beat them hahaha. They let us share a card with them and I know that even though they didn't want to hear our message at the time, Christian (the teenage kid) has a new outlook on missionaries. I know that next time the opportunity comes for him to listen to missionaries he will be more willing. Planting seeds is how we roll!
We got to meet with Michael this week! He asked to be baptized before we leave the area. We really have grown close. It's a total miracle that we have been able to get him to this point. He wants to be baptized so bad that he actually listens and focuses by himself now! The Lord came in clutch...he truly is by our side.
Funny story of the week: So just a quick update on the mirror. We still don't have it. 5 weeks without a mirror hahaha! And here's the bad news...we're now down to 1 and a half mirrors. Some guy shattered our right mirror as he tried to merge and then he took off! California drivers kill me. Wish us luck.
Message of the week: We went and visited Diane in the rest home this week. Haha as we walked in the door we were swarmed by a bunch of old ladies who wouldn't stop trying to hold our hands and ask for our names! We were literally attacked! But Diane had a fall and broke her arm and shattered her knee cap. Anyways, she's doing good for the most part. We talked about how Christ is always our guiding light and how if we follow that light we will make it through the darkness. One thing she said is that she's in a lot of darkness right now because she stopped going to church when she moved to California. She said that she wishes that she would have furthered her spiritual progression while she had the chance because now she can't attend church no matter how bad she wants to. So that's the message this week. Take advantage of the opportunity you have to go to church each week and progress spiritually! Don't make excuses, just go! That's one huge lesson I've learned this transfer.
Well I love you all so much and hope you have a great summer!!
Elder Jensen
This week was a rough one here in North LA. We lost a few of our flaky investigators but that's how it goes some times! It was a tough finding week as well but it's not always easy! Actually it's never easy haha, but that's how you learn and grow!
We went to the Temple today for our birthdays! It was so awesome. The spirit is so strong in the temple and it really strengthens your testimony that the church is true! It was pretty cool to be able to put all our investigators on the prayer list as well. I know that will make a difference as they feel prayers coming their way.
We met with Daniel a couple times this week! It's so cool to see him rely on the spirit and not on his personal wants. He is still praying for a baptismal date and I know he will get an answer through his faith. We read together out of the Book of Mormon again and he's starting to understand the wording more. It's still tough for him and he struggles, but he's working through it. I just look at him and see so much potential and I just want him to experience the blessings this gospel has to offer so bad!
We went on exchanges with the Zone Leaders this week. Elder Adams came with me in our area. During K.O. we knocked into Marcos and his family. He let us in and I taught the restoration in english then Elder Adams would translate it into spanish so they could understand. The spirit was so strong so we decided to set a baptismal date with them. We committed them to be baptized on July 2nd! The spirit really can soften hearts!!
Also During K.O. the other day Elder Silva and I were walking down the street and saw a young teenager playing basketball with his dad. We challenged them to a 2 on 2 match and they kinda laughed because we were in dress shoes and church clothes. Well...they were mind blown when we beat them hahaha. They let us share a card with them and I know that even though they didn't want to hear our message at the time, Christian (the teenage kid) has a new outlook on missionaries. I know that next time the opportunity comes for him to listen to missionaries he will be more willing. Planting seeds is how we roll!
We got to meet with Michael this week! He asked to be baptized before we leave the area. We really have grown close. It's a total miracle that we have been able to get him to this point. He wants to be baptized so bad that he actually listens and focuses by himself now! The Lord came in clutch...he truly is by our side.
Funny story of the week: So just a quick update on the mirror. We still don't have it. 5 weeks without a mirror hahaha! And here's the bad news...we're now down to 1 and a half mirrors. Some guy shattered our right mirror as he tried to merge and then he took off! California drivers kill me. Wish us luck.
Message of the week: We went and visited Diane in the rest home this week. Haha as we walked in the door we were swarmed by a bunch of old ladies who wouldn't stop trying to hold our hands and ask for our names! We were literally attacked! But Diane had a fall and broke her arm and shattered her knee cap. Anyways, she's doing good for the most part. We talked about how Christ is always our guiding light and how if we follow that light we will make it through the darkness. One thing she said is that she's in a lot of darkness right now because she stopped going to church when she moved to California. She said that she wishes that she would have furthered her spiritual progression while she had the chance because now she can't attend church no matter how bad she wants to. So that's the message this week. Take advantage of the opportunity you have to go to church each week and progress spiritually! Don't make excuses, just go! That's one huge lesson I've learned this transfer.
Well I love you all so much and hope you have a great summer!!
Elder Jensen
Friday, May 27, 2016
Monday, May 23, 2016
Serving at Operation Gratitude
Elder Jensen had the opportunity to serve at "Operation Gratitude" this past weekend. The missionaries love to prepare packages to send to troops all over the world. Here are a few happy missionaries preparing boxes to send.
We can receive peace, comfort, and the remission of our sins at any time...but it's up to us when that is.
May 23, 2016
This week was so awesome! We saw so many miracles and just had an all around good time! But still no car mirror. We have been to the shop 3 times to get it replaced and they keep buying the wrong replacements so I don't know what's going on. Still haven't crashed though!!
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
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. |
Tuesday, May 17, 2016
Sweet email from Elder Silva
May 16, 2016
I received a sweet email from Elder Silva on Monday. I was especially touched and appreciative of his comments about Andrew.
"Mama Jensen,
Gosh Do I love and appreciate you and your family. I really want to thank you for sending me those books and pictures of the first presidency and apostles those are really cool.
Holy smokes and thank you for sending some fun toys as well. I have almost lost an eye already, way fun in our apartment now.
Something that I really appreciate about your son is that he himself is truly converted to the Gospel and really understands why he is here. This really makes me happy knowing that when he is teaching he is really understanding the importance of what he is teaching and who he is teaching. I will never forget the missionaries that taught me and the blessing that this Gospel has brought to my life as well as my families even though they are not members yet. I want you to know that Elder Jensen has his heart in this work and that he is representing Our Savior Jesus Christ and is not only helping others who are not members but also the missionaries around him.
I am excited to also have a party fro his birthday this wednesday as well, there will be gifts. I promise.
Mama Jensen Thank you so much for your example and faithfulness. Thank you for your membership in the Church. Thank you for your sacrifices. THIS CHURCH IS TRUE. Your Heavenly Father loves you and all that you do."
Love,
Elder Silva
I received a sweet email from Elder Silva on Monday. I was especially touched and appreciative of his comments about Andrew.
"Mama Jensen,
Gosh Do I love and appreciate you and your family. I really want to thank you for sending me those books and pictures of the first presidency and apostles those are really cool.
Holy smokes and thank you for sending some fun toys as well. I have almost lost an eye already, way fun in our apartment now.
Something that I really appreciate about your son is that he himself is truly converted to the Gospel and really understands why he is here. This really makes me happy knowing that when he is teaching he is really understanding the importance of what he is teaching and who he is teaching. I will never forget the missionaries that taught me and the blessing that this Gospel has brought to my life as well as my families even though they are not members yet. I want you to know that Elder Jensen has his heart in this work and that he is representing Our Savior Jesus Christ and is not only helping others who are not members but also the missionaries around him.
I am excited to also have a party fro his birthday this wednesday as well, there will be gifts. I promise.
Mama Jensen Thank you so much for your example and faithfulness. Thank you for your membership in the Church. Thank you for your sacrifices. THIS CHURCH IS TRUE. Your Heavenly Father loves you and all that you do."
Love,
Elder Silva
I Love You Mom!
May 14, 2016
I love getting surprise texts from members in Elder Jensen's mission! This one from Elder and Sister Sellens from Alaska made my day! They had Elder Jensen and Elder Silva over for an early Birthday dinner on Saturday to celebrate Andrew's Birthday this Wednesday. He said that he and Elder Silva ate half of the cheese cake between the two of them.
I love getting surprise texts from members in Elder Jensen's mission! This one from Elder and Sister Sellens from Alaska made my day! They had Elder Jensen and Elder Silva over for an early Birthday dinner on Saturday to celebrate Andrew's Birthday this Wednesday. He said that he and Elder Silva ate half of the cheese cake between the two of them.
Monday, May 16, 2016
With the Lords help and the right timing we will be able to do it.
May 16, 2016
We had another busy week! There was just so much stuff we had to do to settle into our new apartment and get situated. So about the car mirror...we got to the shop to get it fixed and he pulls the mirror out and it was completely wrong. It was the wrong color, the wrong side, and the wrong model. The only thing the guy got right was that it was a mirror. So we are going another week with no mirror!
We taught Ben Nunez this week and it was awesome! He really opened up to us about what is going on in his life with his family and the struggles he is going through. We talked about the Gospel and how it really helps us see things in an eternal perspective which makes it easier to go through trials and struggles in this life. He loves when we come by and teach him but the main challenge we have with Ben right now is that he already goes to a church. He has lots of friends there so it's been really hard for him to find the desire to visit our church. It's a huge change for him so of course it will be difficult to get him to church...but I know that with the Lords help and the right timing we will be able to do it.
We also taught Lorena. She was a potential we found a few weeks ago during knockout. She let us teach her the restoration on her doorstep and as we taught she agreed with all the basic things we taught her about. We told her about modern day Prophets and asked her what she thought about it. She said it would be awesome if we had Prophets on the earth again. We testified that there were again Prophets on the earth and the Spirit must have touched her heart because she set up a return appointment! She's awesome, but she also has the same challenge as Ben. She already goes to church and has lots of friends there so she said it would be hard for her to come visit. Once again...the Lord is gonna have to come in clutch. A 22 year old and a teenager can't do this on their own.
Michael was a little difficult this week. He threw a huge tantrum right as we sat down and then peed his pants...so the lesson had to be salvaged. We got it under control though. We taught him the story of Alma the younger and how he repented from what he had done wrong and eventually became a missionary! Michael loved following along as we talked about the pictures in the story book scriptures. It was kind of a flash back to my child hood. My parents would always teach us out of that book and I'm so thankful that they did. It really helped me get a better idea of the stories in the Book of Mormon which helped me learn once I was old enough to actually read. I'm just so thankful for parents that taught me the Gospel from a young age. SO blessed because of that.
Funny story of the week: So when we got to our new apartment the Zone Leaders had clogged the kitchen sink because they had been dumping food down the side that didn't have the garbage disposal. Anyway, one night while we were cooking dinner the sink started to fill up with water (it was more food than water though). Elder Silva and I just stood there staring at it. Right when it was about an inch from overflowing I think panic set in because we both sprinted towards the garbage can. We pulled out the bag and then got bowls and began filling the can with the disgusting water. Hahaha oh man it was terrible! We had no where to dump the water out so we just carried it to our Zone Leader's tub and dumped it in there. We filled the large garbage can about 4 times until we finally plugged the drain. When the ZL's got home we told them what had happened and they died laughing! They thought it was so funny that we had to clean all of that up! Elder Allen caught his breath for a second and asked us "So where'd you dump it all?" When we told them they didn't think it was quite as funny hahaha! Oh man good times!!
Oh and I forgot to tell you about another funny thing that happened this week. I got a Birthday package from my mom with 4 nerf guns in it...one for everyone in our apartment. We kinda took it to the extreme and we put small needles on the ends of the darts and we were chasing each other around our apartment shooting each other hahahaha. It was so fun!!
Well I love you all so much! I hope you have a safe week!
Elder Jensen
We had another busy week! There was just so much stuff we had to do to settle into our new apartment and get situated. So about the car mirror...we got to the shop to get it fixed and he pulls the mirror out and it was completely wrong. It was the wrong color, the wrong side, and the wrong model. The only thing the guy got right was that it was a mirror. So we are going another week with no mirror!
We taught Ben Nunez this week and it was awesome! He really opened up to us about what is going on in his life with his family and the struggles he is going through. We talked about the Gospel and how it really helps us see things in an eternal perspective which makes it easier to go through trials and struggles in this life. He loves when we come by and teach him but the main challenge we have with Ben right now is that he already goes to a church. He has lots of friends there so it's been really hard for him to find the desire to visit our church. It's a huge change for him so of course it will be difficult to get him to church...but I know that with the Lords help and the right timing we will be able to do it.
We also taught Lorena. She was a potential we found a few weeks ago during knockout. She let us teach her the restoration on her doorstep and as we taught she agreed with all the basic things we taught her about. We told her about modern day Prophets and asked her what she thought about it. She said it would be awesome if we had Prophets on the earth again. We testified that there were again Prophets on the earth and the Spirit must have touched her heart because she set up a return appointment! She's awesome, but she also has the same challenge as Ben. She already goes to church and has lots of friends there so she said it would be hard for her to come visit. Once again...the Lord is gonna have to come in clutch. A 22 year old and a teenager can't do this on their own.
Michael was a little difficult this week. He threw a huge tantrum right as we sat down and then peed his pants...so the lesson had to be salvaged. We got it under control though. We taught him the story of Alma the younger and how he repented from what he had done wrong and eventually became a missionary! Michael loved following along as we talked about the pictures in the story book scriptures. It was kind of a flash back to my child hood. My parents would always teach us out of that book and I'm so thankful that they did. It really helped me get a better idea of the stories in the Book of Mormon which helped me learn once I was old enough to actually read. I'm just so thankful for parents that taught me the Gospel from a young age. SO blessed because of that.
Funny story of the week: So when we got to our new apartment the Zone Leaders had clogged the kitchen sink because they had been dumping food down the side that didn't have the garbage disposal. Anyway, one night while we were cooking dinner the sink started to fill up with water (it was more food than water though). Elder Silva and I just stood there staring at it. Right when it was about an inch from overflowing I think panic set in because we both sprinted towards the garbage can. We pulled out the bag and then got bowls and began filling the can with the disgusting water. Hahaha oh man it was terrible! We had no where to dump the water out so we just carried it to our Zone Leader's tub and dumped it in there. We filled the large garbage can about 4 times until we finally plugged the drain. When the ZL's got home we told them what had happened and they died laughing! They thought it was so funny that we had to clean all of that up! Elder Allen caught his breath for a second and asked us "So where'd you dump it all?" When we told them they didn't think it was quite as funny hahaha! Oh man good times!!
Oh and I forgot to tell you about another funny thing that happened this week. I got a Birthday package from my mom with 4 nerf guns in it...one for everyone in our apartment. We kinda took it to the extreme and we put small needles on the ends of the darts and we were chasing each other around our apartment shooting each other hahahaha. It was so fun!!
Well I love you all so much! I hope you have a safe week!
Elder Jensen
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| About to open our gifts from my Parents for my Birthday! All the cookies were gone within 2 days hahaha! Everyone loved them! |
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| And the Nerf guns....man were they a hit!! Everyone was so excited to get them! Me, Elder Allen, Elder Silva, and Elder Adams ready for a Nerf war. |
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| Forts! |
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| Our apartment got destroyed during our nerf war. I loved the Birthday surprises from home! Thank you Mom and Dad!! And not only did I love it, but everyone loved it! Thank you for the awesome Birthday package!!! Thank you for making this Birthday away from home awesome! I love you so so so much!!! |
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