Kumusta na!!
How are you all?? It sounds like everyone is busy living their lives, for which I am very grateful to hear about. U2 was postponed...you don't think they could just come back say November of 2011. Joke lang. Wow Tagalog is going well, we taught our first lesson all in Tagalog last week, thank you all for your prayers it helped so much, we actually made it through the entire time all Tagalog. I was so happy, there is still so so so so so so so much to learn and understand but already I feel so blessed to be learning such a wonderful and strange language. We learned how to barter and use money last week, it was awesome we had cards with clothes and went around trying to barter the price down and then pay with money. All the time and money are done in Spanish numbers so I am glad that we had Spanish all through elementary because lo and behold I am thankful for it.
What else, the temple is closed to day so we do not get to go this week, that makes me sad, I have gone every week since I have been endowed except for the week my appendix decided to hate me. Oh well we get more study time this way. I got a hair cut this morning, it is currently drying into big frizzy waves as we speak, I only got a trim but I hope that I can still do a decent braid...if not I am going to be toast.
I only have 3 more weeks of this...wonderful...painful...MTC experience. There are things that I am learning about myself and the gospel that I will always cherish and that will help me for the remainder of my life.
Elder D Todd Christofferson came and spoke to us last Tuesday. It was amazing! I can't believe that we have had an apostle every other week, what blessings to be taught at the feet of apostles. Ayos!!!
Well mom to answer your questions about my kasama, she turns 22 June 13, the is from Highland. She is a hairstylist person and loves to go shopping and look cute. She is great at talking to people and has a story for everything. She is a great therapist and has advice for everyone and a story for every problem. I am so grateful that she is my kasama, yes there are trials to overcome but who doesn't have them when you are getting used to a new environment with new people and places and hard hard trials.
I went to go play the violin yesterday, I couldn't remember any of the songs I have learned but I played hymns and I loved it. I miss playing.
I love you so much, thank you for your prayers.
Mahal ko Kayo,
Sister Rebecca Jensen
Monday, May 31, 2010
Monday, May 24, 2010
SNOW
Kumusta Pamilya,
Fun story for you all...it is snowing and I do not have a coat. We were walking up to the temple this morning and it was slushy but when we got done with initiatories there is a lot of snow and it was coming down hard. Talk about insane, we have now seen all 4 seasons in the past month at the MTC.
Speaking of being here for over a month and being on the down hill slant of my time here everything we do is now in Tagalog. Which is good but really hard at the same time. We teach our first complete lesson in Tagalog this Thursday, prayers para sa Kaloob ng mga wika would be appreciated on my part for that lesson. I am just concerned about remember all of the verbs and their different forms whether it be object of actor focus. All in all though it is about meeting the needs of the investigator and so it really won't be that big a deal if I struggle this is my first solid Tagalog week and we are here to make mistakes so we can improve.
The sisters sang in Zone conference, we sang Go Forth with Faith to the tune of Abide with Me Tis Eventide, it turned out well. Also I had to call a meeting with the sisters and talk about obedience, it was so scary but while I was speaking I definitely was guided with what to say and how to say it, I hope that these sisters can come to understand that these rules are in place to help us, not hinder us. They are for our protection and so that we can be filled with the spirit not just there to change who they are or stifle their artistic personalities. Fun I am hoping we will see the fruits of this meeting this week and for the rest of their missions.
Sister Ann Madsen, wife of Truman Madsen spoke to us yesterday in Relief Society. She was so inspired she also spoke about modesty and obedience. Also making our prayers more meaningful. I really appreciated that because I was asked to give the closing prayer in Sacrament meeting and I was nervous to pray sa tagalog for a congregation. But it all went well.
Not much new happened this week. My district and zone sisters loved the Brownies and think that I have the coolest family ever. Thank you all for your notes and packages I appreciate them so much. Thank you also for your prayers and support I cannot thank you enough for the support and love that I feel daily from all of you. I am so glad to have such a strong base of support so that I can lose myself in the work.
We had a member of our district go home this week because of medical reasons, we are praying for his speedy recovery and hope that he can return to the mission field soon where ever he is recalled I am sure that he will do great things but it has been odd not to have him in our district anymore. He was in the older group but was help back because of injury he was only in our district for a few weeks but still it is odd without him.
The Hong Kong sisters leave today, I have been able to get to know them well and there is still a part of my heart that longs to go there. Mom I am going to blame you for that, I love it though, hearing them speak Cantonese reminds me of you.
I am glad to hear that everyone in the family is holding strong. Life is hard, but I am so glad that we know the Plan of happiness so that we can have happiness and joy while here on this earth.
The Church is True.
Mahal ko Kayo.
Sister Rebecca Jensen
Fun story for you all...it is snowing and I do not have a coat. We were walking up to the temple this morning and it was slushy but when we got done with initiatories there is a lot of snow and it was coming down hard. Talk about insane, we have now seen all 4 seasons in the past month at the MTC.
Speaking of being here for over a month and being on the down hill slant of my time here everything we do is now in Tagalog. Which is good but really hard at the same time. We teach our first complete lesson in Tagalog this Thursday, prayers para sa Kaloob ng mga wika would be appreciated on my part for that lesson. I am just concerned about remember all of the verbs and their different forms whether it be object of actor focus. All in all though it is about meeting the needs of the investigator and so it really won't be that big a deal if I struggle this is my first solid Tagalog week and we are here to make mistakes so we can improve.
The sisters sang in Zone conference, we sang Go Forth with Faith to the tune of Abide with Me Tis Eventide, it turned out well. Also I had to call a meeting with the sisters and talk about obedience, it was so scary but while I was speaking I definitely was guided with what to say and how to say it, I hope that these sisters can come to understand that these rules are in place to help us, not hinder us. They are for our protection and so that we can be filled with the spirit not just there to change who they are or stifle their artistic personalities. Fun I am hoping we will see the fruits of this meeting this week and for the rest of their missions.
Sister Ann Madsen, wife of Truman Madsen spoke to us yesterday in Relief Society. She was so inspired she also spoke about modesty and obedience. Also making our prayers more meaningful. I really appreciated that because I was asked to give the closing prayer in Sacrament meeting and I was nervous to pray sa tagalog for a congregation. But it all went well.
Not much new happened this week. My district and zone sisters loved the Brownies and think that I have the coolest family ever. Thank you all for your notes and packages I appreciate them so much. Thank you also for your prayers and support I cannot thank you enough for the support and love that I feel daily from all of you. I am so glad to have such a strong base of support so that I can lose myself in the work.
We had a member of our district go home this week because of medical reasons, we are praying for his speedy recovery and hope that he can return to the mission field soon where ever he is recalled I am sure that he will do great things but it has been odd not to have him in our district anymore. He was in the older group but was help back because of injury he was only in our district for a few weeks but still it is odd without him.
The Hong Kong sisters leave today, I have been able to get to know them well and there is still a part of my heart that longs to go there. Mom I am going to blame you for that, I love it though, hearing them speak Cantonese reminds me of you.
I am glad to hear that everyone in the family is holding strong. Life is hard, but I am so glad that we know the Plan of happiness so that we can have happiness and joy while here on this earth.
The Church is True.
Mahal ko Kayo.
Sister Rebecca Jensen
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
What a beautiful day
Kumusta,
Hello Pamilia, how is everyone?? I am so jealous that everyone is home and doing fun things like hiking ensign peak. Funny story Ann Dibb and Sister Cook came to speak to us on Sunday for Relief Society and they talked to us about Hiking Ensign peak and to think that you were there. Wow. I got a hug from them so I will count that as close to you...right. Sis McCormack and I taught our District in District meeting yesterday, we taught about the Plan of Salvation mostly focusing on the PreEarth life and of course the focus of everything the Atonement, the Spirit was really strong I am glad that we were able to work together to help our district. Then I sang with 3 other girls in sacrament meeting. I got to be escorted by Elders to my meetings, I should not have so much fun going to meeting on Sunday but I really do enjoy it. All of my new sisters are doing well, we have 2 from Samoa, they are quiet and getting used to the Language but other than that they are sweet and very strong in the gospel. The other 2 girls are from big families in Utah and are ready to serve the Lord, it is interesting to see how the Lord places people in our paths for a reason.
Thank you for the shoes mom, they are nice and give me one more option to my lovely sister missionary attire. Thank you Chick flick sisters for the letters, I missed you all Saturday night. I had your picture out and told everyone in our room who you all were and what chick flicks are...they think that it is an awesome idea. We loved the bread...yum.
President Holland came and spoke to us on Tuesday, that is about the most energetic speaker on missionary work I think I will ever see. Unfortunately I was still sick at the time and could not hear very well and was feeling miserable so I missed a lot of the excitement that our Elders took away from that meeting. Bro. Welch promised that we can watch it again when they finally make it available to the missionaries. Even though I felt nasty I could still feel the Spirit and I was still able to take away a lot. We are the missionaries of today, we are the example, I have no right not to be that example, the Lord has called me set me apart and now I need to step up to the position become that missionary the Lord has called me to be. It was amazing.
Companion woes are working out, there are more up days than down. Companion inventory still gives me heartburn and leaves me not the happiest person, but I know that as I try and improve and as I try to lift where I stand I will the strengthened. I was given this kasama for a reason and I need to appreciate that for the remainder of my MTC stay. Which is almost half way over...yup I will have been in here for a month this week. Do you miss me??
Well I will write more later.
I love you.
Sister Rebecca Jensen
Hello Pamilia, how is everyone?? I am so jealous that everyone is home and doing fun things like hiking ensign peak. Funny story Ann Dibb and Sister Cook came to speak to us on Sunday for Relief Society and they talked to us about Hiking Ensign peak and to think that you were there. Wow. I got a hug from them so I will count that as close to you...right. Sis McCormack and I taught our District in District meeting yesterday, we taught about the Plan of Salvation mostly focusing on the PreEarth life and of course the focus of everything the Atonement, the Spirit was really strong I am glad that we were able to work together to help our district. Then I sang with 3 other girls in sacrament meeting. I got to be escorted by Elders to my meetings, I should not have so much fun going to meeting on Sunday but I really do enjoy it. All of my new sisters are doing well, we have 2 from Samoa, they are quiet and getting used to the Language but other than that they are sweet and very strong in the gospel. The other 2 girls are from big families in Utah and are ready to serve the Lord, it is interesting to see how the Lord places people in our paths for a reason.
Thank you for the shoes mom, they are nice and give me one more option to my lovely sister missionary attire. Thank you Chick flick sisters for the letters, I missed you all Saturday night. I had your picture out and told everyone in our room who you all were and what chick flicks are...they think that it is an awesome idea. We loved the bread...yum.
President Holland came and spoke to us on Tuesday, that is about the most energetic speaker on missionary work I think I will ever see. Unfortunately I was still sick at the time and could not hear very well and was feeling miserable so I missed a lot of the excitement that our Elders took away from that meeting. Bro. Welch promised that we can watch it again when they finally make it available to the missionaries. Even though I felt nasty I could still feel the Spirit and I was still able to take away a lot. We are the missionaries of today, we are the example, I have no right not to be that example, the Lord has called me set me apart and now I need to step up to the position become that missionary the Lord has called me to be. It was amazing.
Companion woes are working out, there are more up days than down. Companion inventory still gives me heartburn and leaves me not the happiest person, but I know that as I try and improve and as I try to lift where I stand I will the strengthened. I was given this kasama for a reason and I need to appreciate that for the remainder of my MTC stay. Which is almost half way over...yup I will have been in here for a month this week. Do you miss me??
Well I will write more later.
I love you.
Sister Rebecca Jensen
Monday, May 10, 2010
May 10, 2010
Hello Family,
I cannot believe how quickly the time passes when we are engaged in the Lord's work. I am starting week 4 in my planner which means that we lost 2 districts today and we will gain a new one on Wednesday. With losing 2 districts they had to make new assignments for the coordinating sister and zone leaders. I now have less time and a lot more responsibility but I am so humbled and thankful for the 6 weeks I will be able to spend as coordinating sister to our zone. I was so sure that I was not going to be assigned because of the companion issues, but those have come to a lull and we have worked well together. We pray for each other more and I am learning that being exactly on time is not more important than my companionship.
I caught a cold this week, I just sniffled through a temple session...and I am tired beyond all belief but I know that I will be bless by obedience and not by skipping my studies to take a much wanted and needed nap.
Thank you all for your letters and support this week, it has been fantastic to have so much support. Monica, as far as I know no one else has allergies. Melanie thank you for the package, everyone loved your cookies, they still talk about them, it makes me smile.
I hope you had a wonderful Mothers Day, I missed you so much yesterday. We went to music and the spoken word yesterday and I just about cried through the entire thing. Sheri Dew talked to us in Relief Society she was amazing. I am so grateful that I can be here serving, yes it is hard, yes there are times when I don't understand the language or know how to teach a gospel principle, but I know that that will all work out with time and that the Lord is preparing me day by day for the work he has for me to do.
I am so glad it is rainy today, I love rain.
Mahal ko kayo.
Love,
Sister Becky Jensen
I cannot believe how quickly the time passes when we are engaged in the Lord's work. I am starting week 4 in my planner which means that we lost 2 districts today and we will gain a new one on Wednesday. With losing 2 districts they had to make new assignments for the coordinating sister and zone leaders. I now have less time and a lot more responsibility but I am so humbled and thankful for the 6 weeks I will be able to spend as coordinating sister to our zone. I was so sure that I was not going to be assigned because of the companion issues, but those have come to a lull and we have worked well together. We pray for each other more and I am learning that being exactly on time is not more important than my companionship.
I caught a cold this week, I just sniffled through a temple session...and I am tired beyond all belief but I know that I will be bless by obedience and not by skipping my studies to take a much wanted and needed nap.
Thank you all for your letters and support this week, it has been fantastic to have so much support. Monica, as far as I know no one else has allergies. Melanie thank you for the package, everyone loved your cookies, they still talk about them, it makes me smile.
I hope you had a wonderful Mothers Day, I missed you so much yesterday. We went to music and the spoken word yesterday and I just about cried through the entire thing. Sheri Dew talked to us in Relief Society she was amazing. I am so grateful that I can be here serving, yes it is hard, yes there are times when I don't understand the language or know how to teach a gospel principle, but I know that that will all work out with time and that the Lord is preparing me day by day for the work he has for me to do.
I am so glad it is rainy today, I love rain.
Mahal ko kayo.
Love,
Sister Becky Jensen
Monday, May 3, 2010
Week 2
Kumusta Pamilya,
Thank you for your letters today and this week they really helped cheer me up a lot. This week has been good and hard, we had our first teaching appointment in the TRC. It was really odd to be the one teaching and not the one being taught. We taught an older couple sister missionary and she asked us some really odd questions, that we did not answer very well. They don't teach us how to address everyone taking the sacrament in sacrament meeting so we stumbled though that. The language is going well, we had our first language skills task on Thursday as well, it was interesting but I know that it will get better. I can now pray in Tagalog without notes of any kind that took some faith to finally let them go but I feel so much closer to Ama sa Langit when I pray without notes. I am now calling myself sister Jensen in my head it is the oddest thing.
The Elders in my district are amazing they have really been a great support this past week as I have had some companionship woes. I know that I am in the district I am in for a reason, they are so good to us and I am not saying the other zones are not great but I am thankful to be in this one.
There is not much else to say this week. It has snowed a lot lately...as in almost every morning and I just love the fact that I packed summer clothes and a light jacket...it has been really cold. I keep reminding myself that I am going to miss this feeling for the next 17 months so enjoy the cold now. That has helped, along with the jacket you sent mom. Thank you for that.
The food remains interesting, yesterday was fast Sunday and they way our meals are set up it had us fasting about 25-26hours...awesome...by the end of that I was so thankful that I knew I had a plate waiting for me so I could eat something, so I walked through the kitchen to go get my plate and as I opened the heater it was not there. I just stood looking into it for about 5 minutes trying not to cry. One of the kitchen ladies came up to me to ask what was wrong, when I told her she looked at the list and it had me as fasting...yup it was sad, I had to go stand in the back of a very long line and try and pick out food that I could eat...it was very hard. Then everyone had ice cream and it looked so good...ya I had cantaloupe and grapes...which I love don't get me wrong but when compared to BYU creamery ice cream with the gamut of toppings...it looked very sad.
I hope that Ashley has a wonderful time getting ready to graduate this week, I am so excited to hear how that goes. Oh and Happy Mothers Day mom, they ran out of cards at the bookstore but I know that you will understand. I will be able to talk to you June 22. I know that time will just fly, I still have trouble believing that I am starting my third week here...it just boggles my mind.
Well I love you, have a wonderful week.
Mahal ko kayo.
Sister Becky Jensen
Thank you for your letters today and this week they really helped cheer me up a lot. This week has been good and hard, we had our first teaching appointment in the TRC. It was really odd to be the one teaching and not the one being taught. We taught an older couple sister missionary and she asked us some really odd questions, that we did not answer very well. They don't teach us how to address everyone taking the sacrament in sacrament meeting so we stumbled though that. The language is going well, we had our first language skills task on Thursday as well, it was interesting but I know that it will get better. I can now pray in Tagalog without notes of any kind that took some faith to finally let them go but I feel so much closer to Ama sa Langit when I pray without notes. I am now calling myself sister Jensen in my head it is the oddest thing.
The Elders in my district are amazing they have really been a great support this past week as I have had some companionship woes. I know that I am in the district I am in for a reason, they are so good to us and I am not saying the other zones are not great but I am thankful to be in this one.
There is not much else to say this week. It has snowed a lot lately...as in almost every morning and I just love the fact that I packed summer clothes and a light jacket...it has been really cold. I keep reminding myself that I am going to miss this feeling for the next 17 months so enjoy the cold now. That has helped, along with the jacket you sent mom. Thank you for that.
The food remains interesting, yesterday was fast Sunday and they way our meals are set up it had us fasting about 25-26hours...awesome...by the end of that I was so thankful that I knew I had a plate waiting for me so I could eat something, so I walked through the kitchen to go get my plate and as I opened the heater it was not there. I just stood looking into it for about 5 minutes trying not to cry. One of the kitchen ladies came up to me to ask what was wrong, when I told her she looked at the list and it had me as fasting...yup it was sad, I had to go stand in the back of a very long line and try and pick out food that I could eat...it was very hard. Then everyone had ice cream and it looked so good...ya I had cantaloupe and grapes...which I love don't get me wrong but when compared to BYU creamery ice cream with the gamut of toppings...it looked very sad.
I hope that Ashley has a wonderful time getting ready to graduate this week, I am so excited to hear how that goes. Oh and Happy Mothers Day mom, they ran out of cards at the bookstore but I know that you will understand. I will be able to talk to you June 22. I know that time will just fly, I still have trouble believing that I am starting my third week here...it just boggles my mind.
Well I love you, have a wonderful week.
Mahal ko kayo.
Sister Becky Jensen
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