I've learned that the key to finding success is simply 1) Faith to find 2) Working hard regardless of if you see success from your efforts and 3) Praying like it depends on God and working like it depends on you.

May 22, 2017

This Week is going to be a little bit of a shorter email. We just have tons to do and not enough time to do it! Transfer Calls came and Elder Martin is leaving me. We're both pretty sad but he will be with Elder Horito in the Santa Clartia YSA ward and I will be with Elder Hadley. So we're both pretty excited for this next transfer!

We picked up so many new investigators this week! Elder Martin and I have definitely worked super hard to leave this area better than we have found it. People always told me that the rich areas were hard and that you can't find anyone there. We now have 10 solid investigators and 2 baptisms coming up within the next month and a half for Tabatha and Taylor Boyd. I've learned that the key to finding success is simply 1) Faith to find  2) Working hard regardless of if you see success from your efforts and  3) Praying like it depends on god and working like it depends on you. We have been so blessed by just doing those 3 things. Thanks for all the prayers coming our way. It's made a huge difference.

Well I hope you all have a great week! Look at the pictures I sent out this week and hopefully it'll tell you more about how our week was than I can!

Elder Jensen

P.S. in here are pics of the beach. NO we did not go to the beach! We were driving back from the temple! We are very obedient missionaries! 

20th Birthday!

May 18, 2017

My Birthday was just a usual day of working hard and teaching people.  It was a really cool day though...just so fun feeling so selfless and not really thinking about yourself when you usually would be!

"The highest and noblest work in this life is that of a mother." Isn't that so true?

May 15, 2017

Hey Everyone,

Happy belated Mothers Day to all of you wonderful Mother figures in our lives. We love and appreciate all of you! Russell M. Nelson said "The highest and noblest work in this life is that of a mother." Isn't that so true? I appreciate my Mom so very much!

Let me fill you in on a few miracles we had happen to us this week!
We were knocking doors the other day and we decided to start a little early so we wouldn't waste any time...because time is everything on a mission. So we start knocking and at 5:55 we knock into Blake. His window is open and he's smoking and drinking while he watches the Players tournament in Florida (it's a golf tournament for all of you uneducated golf fans out there). I peek my head in his open window and start to talk to him about golf and how his day has been. Then he came to the window and started telling us about his Mormon friends he has. We talked for a while and then he said  "you guys are cool...wanna come in and chat for half a smoke?" haha we said yes and then we got into a pretty deep conversation where he just told us everything he was going through. He has had 3 siblings die tragically, his wife left him, and he doesn't even know what the purpose of life is anymore. He wanted to change his lifestyle but he didn't know how. So we started testifying of The Book of Mormon and the Gospel of Jesus Christ and how through Christ we can change. Elder Wade was with me on Exchanges so he started bearing testimony about how he used to be in the same spot blake was in and how the Book of Mormon pulled him out of it. Blake started to cry and he felt the spirit tell him he needed to read it himself. As we left he said "Guys you did a good job today. But it's not a great job until you come see me again next week!" We're excited to work with him and help him change his life forever through the Gospel.

We stopped by Eliana again this week and she set up a time for us to come and have a lesson with her. Apparently her Cousin is moving in with her in a month or so and he is a Member! She has so many questions for him and us showing up was just a sign to her that she needs to learn more. Miracles always happen in the Lords timing.

We also had a great lesson with Tabatha! She is praying for her baptismal date! We talked about faith and how sometimes we need to take that leap of faith so we can receive the blessings God wants to give us. At the end she came to the conclusion that it's time for her to just set a date and do it! Keep her in your prayers.

We got a referral for a man named Matt. He started talking to a member on a plane ride in Idaho and the Members started taking him to church and teaching him to pray and things like that. Then they referred him to Us. We called him a few days ago and he said "Oh hey Guys. Let's meet this week at the church." God just dumped blessings on us this week and it's because we are doing all that we can on our own. We are so stoked about how much stuff is going on in our area right now!

Well I love you all and hope you have a great week!

Elder Jensen

Hidden Hills.

They don't even off road...lame!

Martini and I with our Mexican friends.

 Long Day.

Tracting.

It's already May but it feels like August!

May 8, 2017

Hey everyone! It's already May but it feels like August! It sure has been hot around here, I can only imagine the summer again...we had a lot of meetings this week, so sadly proselyting time was down.

Tuesday was interview day. My interview was pretty different than usual. President ran a few things on the transfer board by me and asked for a few suggestions about what to do with certain missionaries and certain areas. Then after that he just showed me pictures of missionaries from our mission that were engaged already. So yeah haha...we kinda just caught up for a few minutes. We also got to sit with Sister Henrie all day while President Henrie does all the interviews and I'm positive she was sick of all of Elder Martin's and my dumb jokes. We also went to lunch with them and then had to run off on an emergency to pick up some Elders with a flat tire on their car.

Wednesday was Mission Leadership Council (MLC). We hit Wendy's on the way up, and then were there, being trained and uplifted. The Church came out saying no more "Zone Training's" which was usually in the place of the District Meeting following MLC. So we no longer get to train the zone as a whole, but this info still needs to be passed to the missionaries, so instead, in our mission, the Zone Leaders bounce from every District Meeting, and give a 15-30 minute training. And that will be every week. So that's different, but it'll be good. We didn't get back into our valley and area, until 6:30, which was our dinner time with a member. We hit California Pizza Kitchen, which has some dang good pizzas. We visited some potentials, and knocked a little as well.

Thursday we had district meeting, but we bounced between them, and did training's in them. Hopefully it'll be for the good, and work well in our areas. Elder Martini and I have such chemistry, that makes teaching and training with one another super smooth allowing for the Spirit to teach, and not choppy.

We had a lesson with Mary Anne, and just answered final questions, and got her prepared for her baptism. We practiced what she would do during the ordinance so that she wouldn't have to get dunked more than once and it payed off. The baptism went so smooth on Saturday and was just a great Baptismal service!  But as it turns out, the baptismal font coordinator, booked 3 baptisms all within an hour and a half of each other. He said we gave him the wrong time for ours, but when we reminded him, why we had that time , he remembered, and told us to figure something out with the other wards who were child on record baptisms. It was very stressful, but it ended up being good. We were able to get it all situated, and make for a spiritual experience for Mary Anne.  A couple months ago, missionaries took her to see a baptism of someone in the ward, and a video was shown that answered the basic questions about the Church and talked about some of the amazing things we do around the world. She really liked it and asked us to show it at her baptism for the sake of her kids. So we did. Her kids really enjoyed it, and so did the Stake President. Our Stake President brought up our baptism, and decided to talk about missionary work. He showed the video that we did at the baptism during Stake Conference, and talked about how all members need to work a little harder and spread the Gospel. Being a little better than just a good example. It was really good!

We had dinner at the Waldman's this week and they live in Hidden Hills. Elder Martin took me on a little tour so I could see Drake's house (Yolo Estate),  Adele's house and a few others. Pretty cool area!

We are hopefully going to have another baptism coming up soon for Tabatha Mills. We have such amazing lessons with her every week and she knows it's all true but something is still holding her back. We are praying that we will be able to help her get over the hump and make this commitment with her Heavenly Father that will bless her life forever.

It was a great week! I hope it was for you as well. I would just like to share a couple of the Scriptures that Sister shared that helped her, as well as some quotes.

Isiah 41:10;13
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.

Jacob 3:1 
But behold, I, Jacob, would speak unto you that are pure in heart. Look unto God with firmness of mind, and pray unto him with exceeding faith, and he will console you in your afflictions, and he will plead your cause, and send down justice upon those who seek your destruction.

D&C 6:20;36
Behold, thou art Oliver, and I have spoken unto thee because of thy desires; therefore treasure up these words in thy heart. Be faithful and diligent in keeping the commandments of God, and I will encircle thee in the arms of my love.

Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.

D&C 121:7-8
My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment;

And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes.

D&C 122:7
And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.


"If you feel the Lord has given us a long list of things to do, it's probably because you aren't doing them." -Stake President Grasteit

“Who is righteous? Anyone who is repenting. No matter how bad he has been, if he is repenting he is a righteous man. There is hope for him. And no matter how good he has been all his life, if he is not repenting, he is a wicked man. The difference is which way you are facing. The man on the top of the stairs facing down is much worse off than the man on the bottom step who is facing up. The direction we are facing, that is repentance; and that is what determines whether we are good or bad.” Hugh Nibley

One of the counselors in the Stake Presidency gave a little quiz. I think it's called the Charlie Brown quiz, or the Charles Schulz people quiz. It really puts this world into perspective, and shows who matters to us. He followed by this quote:

"The most important people aren't those with the most credentials or achievements, but those who cared the most." President Payne

It's so true! I hope you all have a great week!

I love you all!

Elder Jensen

Humility is the key to progression in Gods plan of happiness.

May 1, 2017

Hello Everyone!

I can't believe it is May! Time has continued to fly by and blows my mind! Elder Martin is at the point in his mission that I was at when I was his trainer. I can't believe it! But anyways, this week was great! We got so much done and were able to find new people to teach as well!

On Tuesday we had a pretty cool miracle! When it came time for knockout, we had already knocked a lot of doors. We went to a different area, and for some reason, in this particular place, no one wanted to hear the Gospel or our help, it was a pretty bad spot, not going to lie. It was a couple minutes before 6 o'clock (when we end door knocking) and we were going to stop early, but decided to finish out. The last door we knocked, someone from inside yelled out "come in!" - Now, we're not just going to walk in someone's house. So we yell back, introducing ourselves, and then someone rushes to the door and says "Elders! Who sent you?" We were a little confused. Jokingly, I said we'd still like to come in, and they invited us in. It turns out, that it was an inactive family of 10-ish years. We sat down and talked with them, and this sister told us that she felt that it was divine intervention that we were there and that God sent us. She expressed her gratitude because they're going through a really hard time. It wasn't until they talked about coming back to church that she blurted out "What do I have to do to get my 11 year old son baptized?" We got a return appointment with them, and will have them coming back to church here soon. It was a testimony builder to see that with our faith, we can work miracles not only in our own lives but in the lives of others as well! Now we can work with this family and help them all get sealed in the temple for eternity...one of the greatest blessings that we can ever receive. I'm so thankful for my eternal family and the joy that it brings me every day and I'm also so thankful for this opportunity that I have to go out and share the gospel with others and unite families through the gospel of Jesus Christ just like it has done for mine.

We went on exchanges this week with some of the district leaders in our zone. I went with Elder Hawkins in his Spanish area and I was so lost haha! I wish I spoke Spanish but it's impossible haha! Everyone thought I was a mute but Elder Hawkins did great! He's only been out 4 months but I learned so much from him. It's amazing that as we humble our selves we can learn so much from those around us even if we are "older" or more experienced. Humility is the key to progression in Gods plan of happiness.

We had some great lessons this week and picked up 2 new investigators as well as got in contact with a former investigator! Things are bumpin here in Hoodland Wills!

Sunday, testimony meeting was really good. Mary Anne got up and bore her testimony of missionary work, and it was really neat! It's amazing to see how appreciative people are of our service and sacrifice to them and to God. She's one of the most converted people I have ever met and she now has the biggest desire to share it with others. (1 Nephi chapter 8). She has already given us 2 or 3 referrals and she isn't even a member yet! Truly amazing.

Mary Anne's baptism is this week so keep her in your prayers! She's come so far and Satan is gonna really work hard to push her off this path she is on.

Well I love you all and hope you have a great week!

Elder Jensen

The Lords hand is truly in the work and he is preparing people all over the place.

April 24, 2017

Hey everyone! I hope you all had a great week! Elder Martin and I are lovin' life down here in Woodland Hills! I'll give you a quick recap of some of the memorable things we did this week.

We were able to have an awesome lesson with Manet on Monday!! We talked a lot about the Book of Mormon and the spirit she had felt in the past from reading it. She committed to continue reading it and coming to church so she can find out if this is still the path for her to go down. She bore her testimony about the word of wisdom and told us how she went to the doctor and he said "No more tea or coffee. It's bad on your health." and she said "My sons already told me to stop so I did." We both thought that was pretty cool. It was great to get to see our Armenian grandma again.

We had more great lessons with Mary Anne and were actually able to start teaching her daughter. We felt inspired one day to go and ask Mary Anne if there was anything we could do for her and she asked us to wash her car. I guess that really touched her daughter because she kept asking us why we were so happy and smiled all the time. We started to teach about serving others and having charity just like Jesus Christ. She asked to learn more so we will have a lesson with her this week!

We got to help the community out this week by painting fire hydrants with a bunch of members and other people from the county. It's always good to get out there and show them we love to serve.

We also had a great lesson with a girl named Tabatha! We talked about the Restoration and had one of her member friends there which helped out a lot. At the end of the lesson she said "I want to get baptized this summer", so we're stoked about that. Hopefully 2 baptisms coming up here soon in the Woodland Hills area!

We saw so many miracles this week. We have really been working on finding new people to teach and we were led to so many awesome people while we were knocking doors. The Lords hand is truly in the work and he is preparing people all over the place.

Well I hope you all have a great week! Sorry for the short email but I'll send lots of pictures to make up for it!

Elder Jensen

Someone got arrested at our complex a few nights ago. #Cali

Car wash pics

Manet!

Mary Anne taking us on an Iris tour in her garden LOL.

Macklemore