The Lord always puts us in the right place at the right time

August 22, 2016

Hey everyone!

I love Santa Clarita so much! So many miracles are happening in this area. Elder Wade and I have noticed that the Lord always puts us in the right place at the right time. We'll have a 15 second gap to cross paths with someone and some how that 15 seconds lines up perfectly. Plus it always ends up that we crossed paths with someone who is interested in hearing the Gospel. It just blows our minds sometimes! We were looking for a referral at this apartment complex in our area and we ended up walking around the whole complex in a big circle like total idiots haha. Well this guy named Joey got out of his car and we started talking. Well turns out that his girlfriend is a member and he's been really interested lately. So we taught the Restoration and he asked for a Book of Mormon and said he would read it and come to church and everything! Stuff like that happens every day which is pretty awesome.

Update on Manet. So she has still been meeting with Elder Martin and she has made some huge progress! She got her answer and knows that she needs to be baptized!! She said she wants to talk to the Bishop and make sure it's ok for her to get baptized again and if he says yes then she's all in! Hahaha we already know his answer will be yes! They also taught her the Word of Wisdom and during the lesson she got up, walked into her kitchen, and handed them all her tea and coffee. She's such a cool woman! If only everyone was as willing as her to live the Gospel...our jobs would be a lot easier haha. Keep her in your prayers.

We set a date with Ian which is a huge miracle considering that he's spent most of his life as an atheist. He's still confused about a lot of things and isn't sure if he believes anything but if he gets an answer that this is true he'll follow Jesus Christ and join this church. The ward really took him in yesterday at church which was awesome. He can feel the support and love they have for him and that's something he's never had...not even from family. So he knows there's something special here.

James also came to church yesterday! He smelled like an ash tray and it was awesome haha! The ward has always been super supportive. He brought his 6 year old daughter Kylie and she LOVED primary! She's a little rowdy but she's never been taught otherwise so it's God for her to learn how to be reverent. We introduced James to the Elders Quorum and said he was visiting with us this week...then he corrected us and said he was visiting from here on out and never leaving the church. SO COOL! I'll have to get a picture of him so you can realize how crazy it is to see a guy like him at church...and more importantly enjoying church. He's prepared!

We also had interviews with President this week. We set up times for everyone in the zone to meet with him and lets just say it was a long day. We were at the church from 8:30am to 5:30pm. But on the bright side we got free lunch! Haha, and it was cool to get to chill with Sister Henrie. Elder Wade and I just told jokes the whole time and made her laugh. After interviews we laid down on the floor and just passed out. Zone leader Life!! hahaha


Well that's pretty much my week! Hope you are all having a great week so far!

Elder Jensen

Lunch with the Sister Training Leaders, and President and Sister Henrie, at lunch in between interviews.

Operation Gratitude with Elder Shaw!

Our favorite Korean sister Nam.

Zone Leader lunch

August 19, 2016

Lunch with President and Sister Henrie and the Zone Leaders and Sister training leaders.

Elder Wade and I at the Zone leader lunch.

Things I have learned this past year as a missionary

August 15, 2016

We asked Andrew some questions about his mission experience this past year, and loved his responses.  What an amazing mission he has had...what a great and dedicated missionary he has been.  We are so grateful for his willingness to serve the Lord and for the genuine responses to the questions that we gave him.  He knows who he is, that he is where he is suppose to be, and that the Lord's hand is in our every day lives.


What has been one of your greatest challenges to overcome on your mission?

The back lash we receive for simply trying to make others lives a little better.


What has the Spirit taught you on your mission?

The spirit has taught me that I need him all the time. That I can't do anything on my own.


What thoughts can you pass on to others that are thinking about serving a mission? 

I wish I would have studied the scriptures more before I left. I would have been more effective sooner. Also it's the best decision ever.


How has your testimony grown since you left home?

It's grown more than I can explain. I know without a doubt that this is the Gospel of Jesus Christ.


What have you learned to do better on your mission that at home you may have not done as well at?

Scripture study, cooking , laundry, cleaning, self reliance in general.


What are some life lessons that you want to never forget after your mission?

That you can trust in the plan God has for you personally. That prayer is powerful. And that if I stop going to Church the missionaries are gonna come looking for me. haha


What has your Mission President been doing to inspire the mission? What do you love about your Mission President? 

He is having us work through the members. They open doors that we can't.


What is your mission theme?

We are the Great California San Fernando Mission. We teach repentance and baptize converts.


What should we do to be better missionaries at home while you are gone?

Simply invite people to come to church or meet with the missionaries. That's all it takes. And give referrals!

One Year Down!

August 15, 2016

Hey everyone!

Well I hit my year mark this week...so crazy to look back and see how fast it went. Now we're on the count down! It's been one of the best learning experiences I've ever had, full of funny stories and miracles.

Speaking of miracles we had such a sick miracle happen with Jim this week. We had a lesson scheduled at his house and I decided to just shoot him a text and see if we could switch it to the church. He's never been to the church so it was kind of a long shot but we decided to just send it. He replied super fast and said he had nothing going on so he'd meet us there. Well we show up to the lesson and he was already sitting in the chapel reading his Book of Mormon. Then he told us about this super spiritual experience he had as he was walking into the chapel. He had a super mellow day at the office which was unusual to him but it was nice. Then he showed up to the chapel an hour early and was a little nervous to be there. He walked down the hall all stressed and  anxious because it was new to him. Then he got to the chapel door and he stood there for a second and just tried to calm down but he couldn't. So he decided to just go into the chapel and read. The second he touched that chapel door handle he was just filled with this feeling of peace and he felt so at home. God has his hand in the work! He made this whole thing possible. He blessed Jim with a peaceful day and, then some how made it possible for Jim to get into the church because it was supposed to be locked at that time. But someone was there to let him in so he could get that personal spiritual witness that this is where God wants him and that he's on the right path. Jim has investigated for 2 years and lately he's come a long way. We also had Stake Conference this Sunday and Jim showed up to the 7:00 Priesthood session. That was his first time at church. That experience changed the game for him for sure!

So we met this awesome kid named Edwin last week during knock out and picked him up as a new investigator. He's 17 and is golden. We talked for a while about God and he said recently he's been trying to find out if God is real but he is struggling. So we talked about the Book of Mormon and bore our testimonies and told him it would help him find God. Well we came back this week and he had read some of it and loved it. He doesn't believe in coincidences and he's ran into lots of Mormons in his life and he's always liked them. Then we showed up at the perfect time...right when he was struggling to find God. He knows this wasn't just an accident that we crossed paths. There's only one problem. His parents are hard core Catholics and every time he tried to come to church they get real mad. So we're working on them slowly.

Ian came to church this week! We named him "stanky flakes Ian" because he would always flake out on us. But we did a church tour with him and he's been so solid ever sense...so we have to change his nick name haha. Ian came to the Saturday and Sunday sessions of Stake Conference and liked it a lot. He did say something super funny though that Elder Wade and I still laugh about. He said "Man that was a good meeting but I feel like you're atheists." Hahahah what? We are so far from atheist. He asked to be taught the lessons though so we're stoked!

Another highlight of the week is that we have the coolest service spot! We get to go to a Gibbon Conservatory and feed the Gibbon monkeys and stuff! They just swing around and like parkour in their habitats haha.

Here's a sad story for you. We were walking into wing stop to grab some lunch. Just a causal normal day. Well we walk into the store and turn the corner and BAM....the TV was eye level and it was golf highlights from the Olympics. My biggest weakness. Bubba Watson had a pretty sick eagle not gonna lie hahaha! That's all I saw though. Golf is Life!

Now here's a funny story. We knocked on this guys door and he opened it and started yelling and told us that if we didn't run he was gonna let his dog out on us hahaha! So I said "Oh awesome I love dogs!" So he got so mad and let his dog out and it was this tiny little dog so I just petted him and was like "Thanks for letting us see your dog bro!" then we peaced hahaha. He was sooo mad hahaha. Some people.

I love the new area! It feels a lot like Utah though haha. Love the companion and love the ward and people we serve! 

I don't have tons of time because now some of our email time is taken up by Zone Leader duties and spread sheets we have to fill.

Well I hope you all have a great week!

Elder Jensen

P.S. We decided to take knockout to the next level with this 100 degree weather so we bought some tanning lotion hahahaha!

Elder Wade at the Gibbon Conservatory

Me at the Gibbon Conservatory

Gibbon Conservatory mural.  Me and the monkeys!

Taking knock out to a whole new level.

Hidden Missionary skills!

August 8, 2016

Hey everyone! This week has been crazy. Elder Wade and I have been holding down the fort here in the Santa Clarita Zone! We've had to tap into some hidden skills to do so though haha. For example, we both found out that we are pretty decent plumbers! Some Sisters toilet was broken so we took it apart and had no idea what was wrong so Elder Wade just started pulling on tubes and stuff until it started working again! Problem solved! Then we tapped into our cleaning skills and deep cleaned a nasty apartment that some Elders were moving into. Then some bikes broke so we became bike mechanics for a minute. Then someones car exhaust pipe got bent on their car so we became chauffeurs and took them to get it fixed. It's been fun so far though so no complaints!

Here's our new address by the way!

27614 Susan Beth Way Unit C
Santa Clarita, CA 91350

Quick flash back to last Monday in Burbank. After email, we had our last zone activity, and we played 'How well do you know your companion?' which was pretty much the Newly Wed game if you've seen that. And only two arms were broken in this non-contact activity... just kidding. Just a few broken hearts from when Elder Martin and I dominated and won! We definitely bonded over the one transfer we were together. Then we went to the Harmons for dinner. Brother Harmon works for Dream Works and is an amazing artist so he drew a caricature of me.

Now back to Santa Clarita:

Our area is pretty diverse. We have some really nice areas and then there are some areas that are basically just a cleaner version of Van Nuys haha. So I love it here! Our area is also really small so we are running out of places to knock that Elder Wade hasn't already knocked in the last month haha. But there are people prepared everywhere! We have already found 2 future investigators this week so I'm stoked about that.

Well here's a little about our week. We have some super sick investigators we have been teaching. The first one is James. He's been in and out of prison and his parents are Hell's Angels so he grew up in a super rough environment. But the Gospel is really helping him make changes in his life. He wants to quit smoking and drinking so badly and he's just waiting until he finishes this bag of tobacco...then he's gonna fight it and stop. We had a lesson with him this week and he told us how he wants to be baptized and he is willing to make the changes, but the only problem is that he is living with his girlfriend and he can't get her to marry him. So we talked about how her heart would be softened as he began to make changes and follow Jesus Christ. He's such a sick guy.

We also had a lesson with Mark this week. Hahaha oh Mark....Mark has been investigating the Church for about 2 years now. He confuses me. We rolled up to the lesson and he refused to call me by anything but my first name lol...so he calls me Drew and he calls Elder Wade Josh. We pretty much just laid down the law with him and told him that he needs to listen to the Spirit and that if he denies the answers that he receives then our job is done and there's no point in us meeting because he won't soften his heart. We had this whole lesson in the Chapel and the Spirit was so so strong. You couldn't deny that. Elder Wade and I were tearing up and were just so passionate about the message we were sharing. Then we asked him what he got from the lesson and he honestly got nothing. He just confuses me...don't really know what to do with this guy.

We also teach Dennis who we are pretty sure is a hard core computer hacker hahaha. He's a great guy though and he's seriously a genius. He came to church this week and wowed the entire Elders Quorum with his comments.

Well that's pretty much our week! There will be more to come next week!

Funny Story: Our apartment used to be a Sisters apartment so everything is covered in long hair! We can't get it out of the carpet and we're so grossed out!

Love you all so much!! Have a great week!

Elder Jensen

Jensen and Wade reunite.

Bro Humphreys and his daughter!

New Comps!

Benny took a selfie!

 The drawing!

It's amazing how God's timing works!

August 1, 2016

So much happened this week in Burbank!

First off...I'm being transferred away from Elder Martin. Super sad about that. I'm not going to be able to finish his training. He's an awesome friend and I'll hopefully serve around him again! I've been called to be a Zone Leader in Santa Clarita. It's a huge change of culture and surroundings but it's all part of the adventure for sure! And God knows where I need to be better than I do. My new companion is Elder Wade! My old district leader back when I was serving in Encino! It's gonna be an awesome transfer up in the other valley!

Here's my address:

27614 Susan Beth Way  Unit C
Santa Clarita, CA. 91350

There's been a huge fire just over the hill in Santa Clarita and the sky has just been full of smoke and ash lately. The smoke was so bad that the sun actually looked redish orange for a while. So far it's still out of control but we're not being affected to much anymore. But I'm going to Santa Clarita so that might change soon haha.

We visited with Manet, and she still wasn't done with the Book of Mormon, which was strange because she read to 3rd Nephi in a week, and then in the last two, hadn't read very much, so we asked her why. The reasoning? Because she rented books about our religion at the library and was reading them, and they're not written by Mormons. Not good for an investigator. So I asked her if it was okay if we borrowed them for 'study'. And by that, we meant they would stay in our trunk all week, that way she could focus on the Book of Mormon hahah. We also met with Manet on Sunday. We went to church and with it being the 5th Sunday, it was combined third hour. The lesson was on food storage. Talk about trying to stay awake! Manet didn't come which was a bummer but she said she still wanted to meet after church. Sister Andrus came, as well as another member, named Ryan. They connected instantly, which was perfect. Exactly what we want with members and our investigators. P.S. Manet asked us to take her books back for her..YES! We talked about the Kingdoms of Glory and usually that's a really hard piece of Doctrine for investigators to accept. But Manet told us that it made so much sense and that is the only way God could be a merciful and still a just God at the same time. She's so prepared! I'm going to miss her so much! Can't wait to come back and visit her!

Ashley Abrego is still doing amazing and is on track to be baptized on August 27th! We had another lesson with her this week and her mom is just loving the church. She's just sharing the Gospel with people left and right! Anyway, we talked about the Resurrection and Judgement and what we can do now to prepare for that day. Ashley is following in her mothers footsteps and is marking up her scriptures like crazy! It's so cool! I'll be back for that baptism soon as well!

We picked up a new investigator this week named Gary Bell. He is a former teacher at UCLA and has actually met with missionaries before. He almost got baptized in 2013 but couldn't understand the concept of faith and lost interest. So we talked about faith and read in Alma about faith being like a mustard seed. After our lesson he told us how badly he wants to know if this is all true. It's amazing how Gods timing works. This man dropped off the map for years and then two years later is ready to be taught again. Timing is everything.

We went back to the Wilson's this week. We found a way to motivate them to read the Book of Mormon. We bribe them with more hymns hahaha. If they read we sing an extra hymn and if they don't we sing one less hymn. So I'm wishing Elder Martin the best of luck on that one haha. I've never sung so many hymns in my life! I love them though...they remind me of my Grandparents and I just have a soft spot for oldies haha.

Well Sorry for the short email today. I hope you all have a great week!

Elder Jensen

Mangos with Elder Olivas

Studio City

The fire is killing the air quality

I always need to remain faithful and will always be a Disciple of Christ

Hello everyone! It's been another hot week in Cali!

 So after emailing last week, we played flag football. Exciting, right? Elder Martin was so excited to play because he played football in high school so I just sat on the sideline and watched. Well it's all fun and games until someone gets hurt. And this week, it happened to be Elder Martin. As he was pulling the flag from someone, they spun, and his hand went with them, and all I heard was "POP" and he turned to Elder Olivas and said "I broke my wrist". We thought he was fine but it was literally just dangling there. Elder Andersen made a make-shift splint for him out of socks and sticks haha. The Eagle scout really came out of him! So Elder Martin joined me on the sideline.  Pre x-ray, was nerve damage and sprained wrist. Post x-ray, in the doctors words "Snapped wrist and minor nerve damage". So now, here's Elder Martin with a broken wrist in a splint, and me...broken elbow, also in a splint and a sling. I bet that's the first time President Henrie has heard of companions both being broken at once hahaha.

Since we were both in splints this week we couldn't drive and we couldn't bike...so we ended up walking everywhere. It was terrible!!! It was in the 100's all week and we were just dripping with sweat. We'd talk to people on the street and they'd say "stay cool today!" And we'd just chuckle and then definitely not keep cool. But here's an update on my elbow. So last week I got x-rays and the doctors said it was fractured. There was a distinct crack on the first x-ray, and blood filling the joint.  So I got a Priesthood blessing from Elder Olivas and just had faith that everything was gonna work out how it needed to. So this week we went in for a follow up at the Orthopedic Surgery Clinic. They took more x-rays and the doctors couldn't find the fracture anymore! It had just disappeared. The doctors couldn't believe it and the mission nurse, Sister Farrimond, said it was gonna go down as her "mission miracle!" haha. So I'm currently out of the split and sling doing some stretches every day to get my range of motion back. We have the car back and I can drive. The Priesthood is real!!

We met with Manet twice this week and she is still amazing. She finished the Book of Mormon last night and is following the council in Moroni 10:3-5 tonight before she goes to bed. We talked about 3 Nephi chapter 8 where it talks about the last days and she was just amazed at how much is coming to pass. That was definitely a big testimony builder for her. She knows this book has so much validity she just needs that spiritual witness now. We went through the first three baptismal questions with her and she believes that Joseph Smith was a Prophet. She said "Why would anyone lie about this? It's too beautiful!", said in an Armenian accent haha! She's so awesome. She calls us her Grandsons and wants us to tell our mothers that she is our Nanna while we are away from home! So mom...I'm being taken care of by a sweet Armenian woman...no need to worry haha! Keep her in your prayers this week.

We also met with Ashley and Diana this week! Ashley is still so excited to join her mother as a member of the church! We taught about the Plan of Salvation and how they could be together as a family forever! They are seriously best friends and Ashley loves her mom more than anything in the whole world. Her face just lit up when we testified about eternal families and how death doesn't separate us. She's found the missing piece to her life that she never knew was gone and you can just see that she is so happy.

We finally got in contact with a less active member that has been off the radar for so long! He just got back from his mission in Milan in February and has only been to church a hand full of times since. Recently he hasn't been at all. He called us the other night and was so sad on the phone. He asked us to meet him ASAP so we told him we'd be right there.  He said "Elders...I'm less active. I never would have guessed that it would be me. I served a mission and never thought it would be me!" We read together in John 21 and talked about how the Apostles returned to fishing after Christ died and how Christ told them that Disciples never die...they are always Disciples and they are always supposed to share his Gospel. The Spirit was so strong and Elder Martin and I were basically crying haha. He was so thankful for our message and he said "I'm coming back. This Sunday I'm coming back!" Such a special experience and a huge reminder that I always need to remain faithful and that I will forever be a Disciple of Christ!

Well those are the highlights of our week! I hope you all have a great week!

Elder Jensen

Dumb and Dumber!

Another year mark ceremony!

Burbank

Dang it!

I broke my arm.. but we got a car out of it!

July 18, 2016

Hello everyone! This was another sick week here in California!

Last Monday after emailing, a couple of us Elder's, got together and went to Universal, to go to City Walk and to be honest, it was a big let down at City Walk. Besides a couple Universal themed stores, so we didn't stay long, just long enough to take pictures.  Afterwards, we went to play kickball and it was Sand Lot (mission edition) because elder Martin kicked the ball over the fence and it popped so we couldn't "play no more" hahaha.

When Elder Silva and I were companions, a few months ago, we knocked into Daniel and he was immediately receptive to the message we shared. He was so prepared through his experiences and trials he faced during his transition from the Philippines to the United States. Daniel had been searching for a way to get closer to God and feel his support and guidance more fully in his life. Well this week I got to go back to Van Nuys and see Daniel Noora get baptized! I'm so happy for him and I know that the gift of the Holy Ghost and this Gospel will fill that gap that he has been trying to fill his whole life. I'm so happy for him and I can't wait for his family to see his example.  It was an awesome day for both of us seeing someone we found and taught together getting baptized.

We met with Diana Del Mundo this week to teach her a recent convert lesson and she brought her daughter! So we decided to teach the Restoration so her daughter could hear our special message! Well the Spirit was so strong and the daughter was loving everything we taught. At the end of the lesson we committed her to be baptized on August 27th and Diana was almost in tears! She has been praying that her daughter would gain interest in the church and her prayers were answered. It was such a cool experience!

"On Friday's, we have district workout in the mornings, so we play games as a district. The sister missionaries always come up with games for us to play (usually turn out a disappointment). So this week, we played "Sharks and Minos". And in every group, school, mission, fun, whatever, there is always that one person, who thinks it's the Olympics and takes it too serious. Well, this particular Elder, was in the middle, and hadn't tagged anyone yet. Elder Jensen was near the end, and this Elder decides to dive for him, and he took his legs out. Elder Jensen put his hands on the wall to stop himself, and hurt his wrist, and had pretty bad bruises on his knees. So we left right away, and we called the mission nurse. After I hung up, I decided that my elbow had started hurting. So I called the nurse back, and she showed up about an hour later and took me to the doctors. Turns out, Elder Jensen has a Radial-head fracture in his elbow. But we got a car out of it!" - I asked elder Martin to type that all up because I am too slow with one hand haha. So yeah I am now in a sling for a while! I'll keep you all updated on what happens!

Manet couldn't meet this week. More updates coming next week!

We met with Peter Roses this week! A huge miracle happened. He had always told us that he wasn't getting baptized because he needed to figure out some personal things first but it just didn't feel right. So on Friday we figured it all out! Elder Martin was coming in clutch with some inspired questions and we found out that he doesn't have a testimony of the Priesthood. He believes everything else but he can't understand the need for that authority. So now that we know what he needs we are feeling a lot better about helping him progress.

Funny story of the week: Elder Martin is the pickiest eater that has ever walked the planet hahaha! Man I love this kid. So we go to the Mathov's for dinner. She is Philippino, so she cooked a Philippino dish. Well Elder Martin was struggling to get it down hahaha. He leaned over and whispered, "Elder...I'm about to throw up." As he gagged a little hahaha. All I could tell him to do was to drink water hahaha. Poor kid is still adjusting to the mission life!

Well my hand hurts at this point so I think I'm gonna call it quits for the day. Love you all and hope you have a great week!

Elder Jensen

Universal Studios!

Candid with my boy Daniel.

City Walk with Elder Anderson and Elder Olivas.

Burbank

Daniel's Baptism

Daniel's Baptism.

Sand Lot -mission edition.

I know this Gospel is true. I know that this Church is true.

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!

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

One year celebration ceremony for Elder Olivas.

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.

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.

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.

Elder Olivas and I.

Posterity in a picture. My trainer...my trainees..and elder Silva's trainee.

Elder Silva and I with Sister Solis for our Last "Hawaiian" Supper before I transferred to Burbank.

Last "Hawaiian" Supper with the sister missionaries and the Solis family before I transferred to Burbank.

Elder Silva and I and Brother Solis packing heat?

I don't even know what to say about this one.  Haha.

The area.

Long day for Elder Martin.

Skinny guy on a bike.

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

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

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.