Dear Family,
GRACE is now a baptized and confirmed member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and oh what joy fills my soul being able to say that. Her baptism was beautiful once it finally started. This was my first baptism in America that I had to plan and prepare so there were many things that I learned this weekend. Can I just say that I have never wanted a Bishopric more than I have this past week. Ours is non existent and so trying to coordinate this baptism was like trying to lift and move a grand piano alone. Luckily God prevailed and everything worked out in the end. We went to go fill the font Saturday morning since we couldn't find anyone who would help us, we were standing there in the men's bathroom staring at the silver box that has no key going how in the world do we open it. We tried a penny for about 15 min until we were frustrated and sick of being in the bathroom. We called the Assistants and there response was we are on our way. My response "what so we can't do it ourselves" their response, it is in the men's bathroom, you have to open up the box and turn it on. "Yes I know we have to open the BOX but HOW" them We are on our way, plus did you know it takes 3 hours to fill the font. At that point I hung up because of just sheer frustration and called the Zone Leaders. I had Sister Keys call because I was hugging my knees trying to calm down. They told us how to use the back of a key to open it (really?!??!?) and that it only takes 90 min to fill the font. It was just a whole week full of things like that. I fell like I was trying to spin plates and every time I accidentally dropped one that is when someone would come talk to me about it and tell me that I had dropped and broken this plate. We had 4 investigators at church on Sunday and 3 of them pulled me aside after sacrament meeting and told me of the plates that I had dropped. Then they went over to Sister Keys and just chatted happily. I got to Sunday School just trying to smile and hold back the tears. YARG!!!
Hiva finally set a baptismal date!! He came to our last lesson and while sitting calm as could be just said "I got my answer, baptism is right for me, I will be baptized." Sister Keys and I wanted to dance we were so happy but we stayed calm and extended a date and explained what would happen in the coming weeks to help prepare him. At church yesterday he pulled me aside and said that he had been doing some research online and he had some off the wall questions about Joseph Smith running for president of the USA and others like that. I was able to resolve his concerns and told him that if he had any more questions to look atmormon.org.
Danny is still trying to learn everything before he commits to a baptismal date. He is progressing well and the Spirit is always very strong in our lessons he is just afraid to use his faith and be baptized without knowing everything first. We are trying to help him see the importance of having the Spirit to help us learn as a confirmed member of the Church. He has a lot of pride and that is his stumbling block.
Xiao and Al were able to come to church this week. They attended a baptism last week. We met with them on Friday and it was a rough lesson. They have also been doing research online and it just has made them confused to the point that they didn't even remember how to pray. It saddened me greatly. But we are taking it slowly and we started over with the three basics of gaining faith: prayer, scripture study, and church attendance. We are having Tristan come to our lesson this week, that will help the language barrier and hopefully we will be able to really help.
Elders Ransley and DeHart had 9 investigators at church on Sunday, it was incredible!
We also had interviews this week with President Hess. My interview took over 30 min. It was awesome. We talked about all of my companions and how the work was going. We also talked about what they have envisioned for me in the coming transfer. He said that if he could call sisters as district leaders he would call me as one. That just brought my soul joy to hear Pres. Hess say that. :D He said that they want me doing companion exchanges to help with the training process, I am not sure the logistics for those but he used the phrase "the assistants and you" quite a bit. It was quite an amusing interview.
We toured the MSU Dairy this week with our ward mission leader. We saw how they make cheese and ice cream. They were making sweet corn ice cream because the have flavors for every school in the pac 10. Also we were able to see the shiny crystal football trophies they have won. Insane!!
We get to go tour the capitol today!! I am super excited I have been asking to go the entire 3 months I have been here. Crazy how time flies.
I love this gospel, I love how it makes sense and it makes life easier. God lives and loves us so much.
Well my time is up. I love you all.
Mahal ko po kayo!!!
Ingat,
Sister Rebecca Jensen
Monday, October 24, 2011
You Should Never Lift a Grand Piano on Your Own
Monday, October 17, 2011
May it be...
Dear Family,
What a week. MSU beat UofM it was one insane crowd of people going to parties and drinking for breakfast. MSU won!! We have had a lot of cold weather, still beautiful fall leaves but now it is accompanied with the cold gray skies. All of the companions are doing well. Sister Keys can now hear, Sister Martin had a broken filling and got that replaced this morning, so hopefully life will be less painful for her. I am done shopping for at least a week. I have been very blessed not to have to go shopping/clothes shopping a lot on my mission and today...well it made be grateful that we don't do this weekly.
GRACE!! Is being baptized this Saturday. She is just fantastic and so excited to be baptized. We are making sure that we are in contact with her daily to make sure that she is doing well. She went home for the weekend and her parents are still willing to let her choose to be baptized. Still not thrilled with it like she is but they are willing. Our ward is very excited to see her baptized many of the members have said that she just fits right in to the ward.
Hiva and Danny are still just about the same. We taught them both the plan of salvation with Bro. Cody as a member present. It went well, I think that it finally clicked for both of them why we keep bringing up the importance of baptism in helping them prepare to return to Heavenly Father. Hiva said that he would pray about it and that we would talk about his decision on Wednesday. Danny is still loving church and our lessons and has started to make connections from church to our lessons, he still says that he lacks the faith to be baptized.
We were able to do service this week at the Golf Course laying sod. I love service, the feeling that comes from it is priceless. Also for laying sod it was really fun to get to know the Elders in our District, last transfer we didn't get to know any of them and this transfer they have been a little friendlier and working with them this week helped break that barrier. Also I got really dirty. The other sisters raked leaves but we didn't have that many rakes so I joined the Elders and we went to work. Talk about awesome! We were also able to do service for Sister Hatch and Cheryl in the Williamston ward. They were fantastic. It was so much fun to help them out raking leaves and scrubbing showers and kitchens to help stave off their mental and emotional break downs. It felt good to help them and to see how grateful they were for what we did.
I am in the ward chapters of Alma and there is still so much to learn. Moroni is a master planner, the thought and preparation that went into the battles that he waged is very impressive. Many times his army won because of the strength of the Lord and his preparation. It reminded me that as I plan then I too can "win this battle" or have success in this work because the Lord will be with us as we stay worthy and do our part.
With the cold can I just say thank heavens for crock pots and warm food. We have not had a single dinner appointment this week so we have been making a lot of soups. Also I made some awesome apple sauce in the crock pot. Just michigan apples and cinnamon, the house smelled amazing.
I hope that everyone in the family is doing well. Thank you for the card. I don't really know Sage but I keep hearing a ton about her, she sounds like an interesting addition to the family.
We have transfer calls on the 28th I cannot believe how quickly the time has flown past, it feels like yesterday I was boarding the plane to come here and that was 6 months ago.
That is about it for the week. We are just plugging along. I know that this church is true. What a blessing it is to be serving as a missionary at this time in the world.
Well the time is far spent!
Mahal ko po kayo!
ingat,
Sister Rebecca Jensen
What a week. MSU beat UofM it was one insane crowd of people going to parties and drinking for breakfast. MSU won!! We have had a lot of cold weather, still beautiful fall leaves but now it is accompanied with the cold gray skies. All of the companions are doing well. Sister Keys can now hear, Sister Martin had a broken filling and got that replaced this morning, so hopefully life will be less painful for her. I am done shopping for at least a week. I have been very blessed not to have to go shopping/clothes shopping a lot on my mission and today...well it made be grateful that we don't do this weekly.
GRACE!! Is being baptized this Saturday. She is just fantastic and so excited to be baptized. We are making sure that we are in contact with her daily to make sure that she is doing well. She went home for the weekend and her parents are still willing to let her choose to be baptized. Still not thrilled with it like she is but they are willing. Our ward is very excited to see her baptized many of the members have said that she just fits right in to the ward.
Hiva and Danny are still just about the same. We taught them both the plan of salvation with Bro. Cody as a member present. It went well, I think that it finally clicked for both of them why we keep bringing up the importance of baptism in helping them prepare to return to Heavenly Father. Hiva said that he would pray about it and that we would talk about his decision on Wednesday. Danny is still loving church and our lessons and has started to make connections from church to our lessons, he still says that he lacks the faith to be baptized.
We were able to do service this week at the Golf Course laying sod. I love service, the feeling that comes from it is priceless. Also for laying sod it was really fun to get to know the Elders in our District, last transfer we didn't get to know any of them and this transfer they have been a little friendlier and working with them this week helped break that barrier. Also I got really dirty. The other sisters raked leaves but we didn't have that many rakes so I joined the Elders and we went to work. Talk about awesome! We were also able to do service for Sister Hatch and Cheryl in the Williamston ward. They were fantastic. It was so much fun to help them out raking leaves and scrubbing showers and kitchens to help stave off their mental and emotional break downs. It felt good to help them and to see how grateful they were for what we did.
I am in the ward chapters of Alma and there is still so much to learn. Moroni is a master planner, the thought and preparation that went into the battles that he waged is very impressive. Many times his army won because of the strength of the Lord and his preparation. It reminded me that as I plan then I too can "win this battle" or have success in this work because the Lord will be with us as we stay worthy and do our part.
With the cold can I just say thank heavens for crock pots and warm food. We have not had a single dinner appointment this week so we have been making a lot of soups. Also I made some awesome apple sauce in the crock pot. Just michigan apples and cinnamon, the house smelled amazing.
I hope that everyone in the family is doing well. Thank you for the card. I don't really know Sage but I keep hearing a ton about her, she sounds like an interesting addition to the family.
We have transfer calls on the 28th I cannot believe how quickly the time has flown past, it feels like yesterday I was boarding the plane to come here and that was 6 months ago.
That is about it for the week. We are just plugging along. I know that this church is true. What a blessing it is to be serving as a missionary at this time in the world.
Well the time is far spent!
Mahal ko po kayo!
ingat,
Sister Rebecca Jensen
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Sorry it is kind of long this week...
Hello Family,
How are you this week? I heard that is has been snowing in Utah, I think that is crazy since we are having a slight heat wave of sorts here in Michigan. It is lovely but crazy.
Sister Keys is still being amazing, she has the ability to make work fun for all involved. We are still working on the desire to go up and talk to people. In lessons she is teaching simply and powerfully and understanding a lot more. Since we have a few investigators preparing for baptism we have been teaching the commandment lessons together so that she will have taught through all of the lessons before the end of her training. We are also doing a lot of short practices in our companion study, those have proved to be fruitful in understanding where everyone is on their teaching and comprehension levels and trying to help them understand and apply what we are learning from Preach My Gospel.
Sister Martin is doing a lot better than she was. It turns out that she does not like Sister Keys more than me, the issue was that she was intimidated by me thinking that I was too perfect. CRAZY!! We were able to talk it out and we have come up with ways that I can help her understand what is going on and see that I am just trying to be obedient and help in any way I can. She is feeling less homesick and has started to participate in studies and activities more often. Elder Ransley gave them a challenge to read the Book of Mormon for 30 min each morning for personal study and mark every time it talks about Christ, this challenge has completely changed the way they study and the Spirit has increased and so has companionship unity. I am very grateful!!
Sister Thackerary is doing well. She is talking less about home. She really has a desire to become a great missionary sometimes there is a desire for her to jump straight to perfect and then to not reach that and feel frustrated but that is happening less and less. I think that she is starting to understand that only through consistent dedicated study and application of the Gospel will bring about the desired result of an effective and obedient missionary.
Hiva and Danny are both doing well. When we met with them this week they both had similar concerns. They both believe that Joseph Smith is a true prophet and that the Book of Mormon is true. They are struggling to accept Thomas S Monson as a prophet. They believe that he is an apostle but not a prophet. It was an answer to prayer to have them both at Stake Conference where they could hear about how that mantle of authority is passed when they released the old stake president and sustained a new one. (Elder Olsen and Baxter from the seventy came. I got to talk to Elder Baxter, one of his quotes is my all time favorite, it saved me in Mt Pleasant and I actually got to meet him. Surreal!!) Also they have social concerns saying that they love the way they feel they just don't know how their friends will accept them if they do join and become a "mormon." They both have fantastic fellowshippers and not only that but friends in the ward that have been inviting them to do activities with them and help them make friends here. We extended a baptismal commitment to both of them Danny said yes, but he wants to learn more before he will set a date, and Hiva brought up his social concerns we told him to pray about it and we will follow up with him in this weeks lesson.
Stephanie who is 17 and from China has talked to her parents and they are okay with her joining and being baptized but she would like to wait until she is 18 years old so that we don't have to deal with paperwork doing to and from the Chinese embassy. She was talking about her brother who is almost 3 yrs old right now and saying that when he comes to America to study here that she will have us teach him about the God and make him one of us. I love Asians!!
Grace was also able to come to Stake Conference. She is SO excited to be baptized! Her lessons are going well and she is still very open and receptive. She accepted the word of wisdom without a flinch and gave up coffee on the spot. What faith she has. Her parents are not supportive of her being baptized into this church but they are letting her choose what she wants to do. She looked sad but determined to follow the answers that she has received from God and be baptized even if her parents don't support it. She will be interviewed next week and then baptized on the 22nd! We are so excited for her!!!!!
I know my emails are long but I hope they help you all better understand what I am doing and who I am working with. Also for the guys reading. Last Tuesday we were walking up to Spartan Village and we were walking past a guy with headphones in and somehow we got talking, I don't know how. We talked about why we were there and about missionary work and we asked what he was studying and about him. Well turns out that he was Isaiah Lewis, he is #9 on the football team. Ya he offered us a ride to spartan village. Don't worry we said no, but he still offered.
We also have a car to drive. After squashing in the truck the Assistants said "that's it the sisters get a car" and by the next day we had a car. We only have 350 miles of which our district leader drove 50 before he gave it back to us....grrr...but atleast it is a car.
Also for the past 2 preparation days we have been playing Quiddich. Our Zone Leaders Elders Hill and Clawson play with us. We do ride on brooms or sticks and have a quaffel, 2 bludgers and a snitch which is still hidden so the game is still on. We don't get that many people to come actually just Catherine, Ashley, Austin, the 4 sisters and our zone leaders. Its pretty awesome. We tried to get the Assistants to come, but they have been acting super weird and detached lately, we rarely see them or talk to them. Sad day.
Well that will conclude this weeks email. Not much more left to say, things are starting to flow easier. I still spend my nights trying to figure out logistics of who is where for which appointment making sure that everyone gets to teach with each other, but God helps. This is not my work I am only an instrument in His hands and I have felt that ever greater these past few weeks.
How are you this week? I heard that is has been snowing in Utah, I think that is crazy since we are having a slight heat wave of sorts here in Michigan. It is lovely but crazy.
Sister Keys is still being amazing, she has the ability to make work fun for all involved. We are still working on the desire to go up and talk to people. In lessons she is teaching simply and powerfully and understanding a lot more. Since we have a few investigators preparing for baptism we have been teaching the commandment lessons together so that she will have taught through all of the lessons before the end of her training. We are also doing a lot of short practices in our companion study, those have proved to be fruitful in understanding where everyone is on their teaching and comprehension levels and trying to help them understand and apply what we are learning from Preach My Gospel.
Sister Martin is doing a lot better than she was. It turns out that she does not like Sister Keys more than me, the issue was that she was intimidated by me thinking that I was too perfect. CRAZY!! We were able to talk it out and we have come up with ways that I can help her understand what is going on and see that I am just trying to be obedient and help in any way I can. She is feeling less homesick and has started to participate in studies and activities more often. Elder Ransley gave them a challenge to read the Book of Mormon for 30 min each morning for personal study and mark every time it talks about Christ, this challenge has completely changed the way they study and the Spirit has increased and so has companionship unity. I am very grateful!!
Sister Thackerary is doing well. She is talking less about home. She really has a desire to become a great missionary sometimes there is a desire for her to jump straight to perfect and then to not reach that and feel frustrated but that is happening less and less. I think that she is starting to understand that only through consistent dedicated study and application of the Gospel will bring about the desired result of an effective and obedient missionary.
Hiva and Danny are both doing well. When we met with them this week they both had similar concerns. They both believe that Joseph Smith is a true prophet and that the Book of Mormon is true. They are struggling to accept Thomas S Monson as a prophet. They believe that he is an apostle but not a prophet. It was an answer to prayer to have them both at Stake Conference where they could hear about how that mantle of authority is passed when they released the old stake president and sustained a new one. (Elder Olsen and Baxter from the seventy came. I got to talk to Elder Baxter, one of his quotes is my all time favorite, it saved me in Mt Pleasant and I actually got to meet him. Surreal!!) Also they have social concerns saying that they love the way they feel they just don't know how their friends will accept them if they do join and become a "mormon." They both have fantastic fellowshippers and not only that but friends in the ward that have been inviting them to do activities with them and help them make friends here. We extended a baptismal commitment to both of them Danny said yes, but he wants to learn more before he will set a date, and Hiva brought up his social concerns we told him to pray about it and we will follow up with him in this weeks lesson.
Stephanie who is 17 and from China has talked to her parents and they are okay with her joining and being baptized but she would like to wait until she is 18 years old so that we don't have to deal with paperwork doing to and from the Chinese embassy. She was talking about her brother who is almost 3 yrs old right now and saying that when he comes to America to study here that she will have us teach him about the God and make him one of us. I love Asians!!
Grace was also able to come to Stake Conference. She is SO excited to be baptized! Her lessons are going well and she is still very open and receptive. She accepted the word of wisdom without a flinch and gave up coffee on the spot. What faith she has. Her parents are not supportive of her being baptized into this church but they are letting her choose what she wants to do. She looked sad but determined to follow the answers that she has received from God and be baptized even if her parents don't support it. She will be interviewed next week and then baptized on the 22nd! We are so excited for her!!!!!
I know my emails are long but I hope they help you all better understand what I am doing and who I am working with. Also for the guys reading. Last Tuesday we were walking up to Spartan Village and we were walking past a guy with headphones in and somehow we got talking, I don't know how. We talked about why we were there and about missionary work and we asked what he was studying and about him. Well turns out that he was Isaiah Lewis, he is #9 on the football team. Ya he offered us a ride to spartan village. Don't worry we said no, but he still offered.
We also have a car to drive. After squashing in the truck the Assistants said "that's it the sisters get a car" and by the next day we had a car. We only have 350 miles of which our district leader drove 50 before he gave it back to us....grrr...but atleast it is a car.
Also for the past 2 preparation days we have been playing Quiddich. Our Zone Leaders Elders Hill and Clawson play with us. We do ride on brooms or sticks and have a quaffel, 2 bludgers and a snitch which is still hidden so the game is still on. We don't get that many people to come actually just Catherine, Ashley, Austin, the 4 sisters and our zone leaders. Its pretty awesome. We tried to get the Assistants to come, but they have been acting super weird and detached lately, we rarely see them or talk to them. Sad day.
Well that will conclude this weeks email. Not much more left to say, things are starting to flow easier. I still spend my nights trying to figure out logistics of who is where for which appointment making sure that everyone gets to teach with each other, but God helps. This is not my work I am only an instrument in His hands and I have felt that ever greater these past few weeks.
Mahal ko po Kayo!!
Ingat,
Sister Rebecca Jensen
Ingat,
Sister Rebecca Jensen
Monday, October 3, 2011
What a Beautiful Morning!
Dear Family,
What a week it has been. We had zone conference, the musical number went well thank heavens. We learned a lot. The chicken we were supposed to eat for lunch wasn't cooked so that was interesting. The assistants have been crazy this week doing all of the zone conferences all around and they didn't really tell us the plans for shopping this morning. Lets just say that Sister Jensen was very frustrated and not the happiest person. Sigh. Life goes on. We had 6 investigators and Conference! What a blessing it is to have them be able to come and feel of the Spirit so strong. Many of them said that they finally felt what we have been trying to describe!
Danny is amazing. We met with him this week and taught him the restoration. He told us that he didn't know everything but that he trusted God to tell him when he was ready. When we closed we said a kneeling closing prayer and he said it, he paused after it was over and after a few seconds I asked him what he was feeling, he responded that he was feeling empty, not a bad empty, just clear, good. He was able to come to conference and he loved the talks about the importance of families and the management of time. Our ward already loves him and is taking great care of him.
Riu Le is a new investigator that came via referral. Sister Keys and I went to contact him one night, it was dark and rainy and cold. Blessed by the Lord we got off on the right buss stop and were able to walk there while only getting soaked. He was not home so we called the Elders for a ride, when they came we were convinced it must be after 9pm it was so dark and cold. Yup, when they dropped us off it was only a little past 8:30...awesome. We were able to meet with him later this week and teach him the restoration. He toured SLC temple square last week and they gave him a Chinese copy of the Book of Momon. We were able to give him an English copy and explain what the difference between our church and others is. The spirit was strong and we have a return appointment.
Xiao, Al, and Dexter all came to their lesson on Friday. We showed them the Restoration dvd in Chinese and afterwards talked about it. They were the ones who brought up baptism. So we talked about it and reset baptismal dates and talked to them about the process that would need to happen in order for them to be ready to be baptized November 12th. We went into that lesson thinking we were going to drop them and came away with solid baptismal dates and happiness. They were also able to come to Conference and they talked about how they felt the Spirit. For the first time they actually connected what we were talking about the Spirit to the actual feeling of the Spirit!!!
Hiva went to priesthood session and Sunday morning session of General Conference. He loved the talk by Tad Callister about the Book of Mormon and when we asked him what he thought about that he replied "Its true." Last week we showed him the Restoration DVD and talked about why Joseph Smith is so important.. He said that he was still waiting for those strong feelings that he gets when he feel really sad/bad and prays, he wants those strong feelings as his answer. We talked about the Spirit and how it works and the different ways we feel it, on Sunday he said that he was feeling the Spirit more! HUZZAH!!!!
Grace is doing so well. She is so excited for her baptism her energy is contagious. She went home for the weekend and when I called and talked to her last night she sounded just as excited! Catherine and Ashley have been fantastic fellowshippers and friends to Grace. It has been a great help to know that they are calling and talking to Grace out of love and a desire to see her progress. We taught her about prophets last week and she seemed to teach us, she is just fantastic, what a blessing to be teaching her.
Training 3 companions is going well. A little stressful at times when appointments change or cancel and then we have no clue what to do with that companionship. Thankfully we have been very blessed last week to have many appointments and many new investigators which are making this week look a little more full. We are having trouble finding appointments for the new sisters to go to at night and we have 1 dinner appointment all week. I think that our members are feeling a little drained. I hope that something will work out and we will be able set up appointments for the night. Nights are the hardest since we can't go contacting after dark and it really is not safe to walk to apartments to door knock. I am just at a loss of what to do, but that is what prayer is for. I know that things will come up, we will be able to find the right things to do.
We were able to watch all the sessions of conference! It was beautiful. Actually I was not homesick for this one, last October I cried through the entire thing, this time I was a little more occupied with investigators and trainees to even notice really that the days are flying past and that I am not at home. I do miss you all, don't get me wrong, I am just a little busy. Thank you for the conference package, it was lovely.
We have a new morning schedule to make sure that everyone is up and doing exercise. It is inspired really. We get up at 5:53 and pray until 6 then we exercise until 6:30 after that we get exactly 10 min in the shower and have breakfast at 7:30. Those who are not getting ready get time for extra study, which is lovely since our personal study is now 30 min BOM and 30 min PMG scripture chains. It has helped unify the companionship. Also I got to lead everyone in sun salutations, Sister Keys lead us in random stretches with a promise of Richard Simmons type exercise next turn. The person who leads the exercise is the person to shower first. I tell you inspired.
Well I think that concludes this weeks activities. The church is still true! Please continue to pray for me and my companions...we need all the prayer that we can get.
I finally figured out how the apostles and prophets and mission presidents and leaders are able to work so hard for so long and still keep going. Its called LOVE! Amazingly simple yet so profound isn't it. With love and charity that desire to help others becomes the priority and when our priorities are in line we are given power from God and with that power and love comes the energy to do the work that needs to be done. Fantastic!!!!!!
Enjoy the fall weather.
Mahal ko po kayo!
ingat,
Sister Rebecca Jensen
P.S. we were told this week the the Mission Office had our address wrong on a page of forwarding stickers, that has since been corrected. If you sent a letter and it was returned, please try again it has been corrected. I am hoping this is why there has been a great dearth of letters. If not, know I love you anyway and that with or without letters the work goes on.
What a week it has been. We had zone conference, the musical number went well thank heavens. We learned a lot. The chicken we were supposed to eat for lunch wasn't cooked so that was interesting. The assistants have been crazy this week doing all of the zone conferences all around and they didn't really tell us the plans for shopping this morning. Lets just say that Sister Jensen was very frustrated and not the happiest person. Sigh. Life goes on. We had 6 investigators and Conference! What a blessing it is to have them be able to come and feel of the Spirit so strong. Many of them said that they finally felt what we have been trying to describe!
Danny is amazing. We met with him this week and taught him the restoration. He told us that he didn't know everything but that he trusted God to tell him when he was ready. When we closed we said a kneeling closing prayer and he said it, he paused after it was over and after a few seconds I asked him what he was feeling, he responded that he was feeling empty, not a bad empty, just clear, good. He was able to come to conference and he loved the talks about the importance of families and the management of time. Our ward already loves him and is taking great care of him.
Riu Le is a new investigator that came via referral. Sister Keys and I went to contact him one night, it was dark and rainy and cold. Blessed by the Lord we got off on the right buss stop and were able to walk there while only getting soaked. He was not home so we called the Elders for a ride, when they came we were convinced it must be after 9pm it was so dark and cold. Yup, when they dropped us off it was only a little past 8:30...awesome. We were able to meet with him later this week and teach him the restoration. He toured SLC temple square last week and they gave him a Chinese copy of the Book of Momon. We were able to give him an English copy and explain what the difference between our church and others is. The spirit was strong and we have a return appointment.
Xiao, Al, and Dexter all came to their lesson on Friday. We showed them the Restoration dvd in Chinese and afterwards talked about it. They were the ones who brought up baptism. So we talked about it and reset baptismal dates and talked to them about the process that would need to happen in order for them to be ready to be baptized November 12th. We went into that lesson thinking we were going to drop them and came away with solid baptismal dates and happiness. They were also able to come to Conference and they talked about how they felt the Spirit. For the first time they actually connected what we were talking about the Spirit to the actual feeling of the Spirit!!!
Hiva went to priesthood session and Sunday morning session of General Conference. He loved the talk by Tad Callister about the Book of Mormon and when we asked him what he thought about that he replied "Its true." Last week we showed him the Restoration DVD and talked about why Joseph Smith is so important.. He said that he was still waiting for those strong feelings that he gets when he feel really sad/bad and prays, he wants those strong feelings as his answer. We talked about the Spirit and how it works and the different ways we feel it, on Sunday he said that he was feeling the Spirit more! HUZZAH!!!!
Grace is doing so well. She is so excited for her baptism her energy is contagious. She went home for the weekend and when I called and talked to her last night she sounded just as excited! Catherine and Ashley have been fantastic fellowshippers and friends to Grace. It has been a great help to know that they are calling and talking to Grace out of love and a desire to see her progress. We taught her about prophets last week and she seemed to teach us, she is just fantastic, what a blessing to be teaching her.
Training 3 companions is going well. A little stressful at times when appointments change or cancel and then we have no clue what to do with that companionship. Thankfully we have been very blessed last week to have many appointments and many new investigators which are making this week look a little more full. We are having trouble finding appointments for the new sisters to go to at night and we have 1 dinner appointment all week. I think that our members are feeling a little drained. I hope that something will work out and we will be able set up appointments for the night. Nights are the hardest since we can't go contacting after dark and it really is not safe to walk to apartments to door knock. I am just at a loss of what to do, but that is what prayer is for. I know that things will come up, we will be able to find the right things to do.
We were able to watch all the sessions of conference! It was beautiful. Actually I was not homesick for this one, last October I cried through the entire thing, this time I was a little more occupied with investigators and trainees to even notice really that the days are flying past and that I am not at home. I do miss you all, don't get me wrong, I am just a little busy. Thank you for the conference package, it was lovely.
We have a new morning schedule to make sure that everyone is up and doing exercise. It is inspired really. We get up at 5:53 and pray until 6 then we exercise until 6:30 after that we get exactly 10 min in the shower and have breakfast at 7:30. Those who are not getting ready get time for extra study, which is lovely since our personal study is now 30 min BOM and 30 min PMG scripture chains. It has helped unify the companionship. Also I got to lead everyone in sun salutations, Sister Keys lead us in random stretches with a promise of Richard Simmons type exercise next turn. The person who leads the exercise is the person to shower first. I tell you inspired.
Well I think that concludes this weeks activities. The church is still true! Please continue to pray for me and my companions...we need all the prayer that we can get.
I finally figured out how the apostles and prophets and mission presidents and leaders are able to work so hard for so long and still keep going. Its called LOVE! Amazingly simple yet so profound isn't it. With love and charity that desire to help others becomes the priority and when our priorities are in line we are given power from God and with that power and love comes the energy to do the work that needs to be done. Fantastic!!!!!!
Enjoy the fall weather.
Mahal ko po kayo!
ingat,
Sister Rebecca Jensen
P.S. we were told this week the the Mission Office had our address wrong on a page of forwarding stickers, that has since been corrected. If you sent a letter and it was returned, please try again it has been corrected. I am hoping this is why there has been a great dearth of letters. If not, know I love you anyway and that with or without letters the work goes on.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)