FAMILY!!!!
I don't know what to say or how to even start this last email. What started out as a normal mission to the Philippines has expanded into a life changing event that has taken through every emotion and a few countries. I have gone from; English to Tagalog to English again, from trainee to trainer, from shy to bold, and from old me to an older more knowledgeable me. My testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ has expanded and strengthened. I have been able to teach the Gospel to those who had no idea there was even a God, to those who have needed more guidance and direction in their life, or just more peace and comfort. This Gospel is applicable to every person everywhere all around the world. That is the wonderful thing about this message is that it can effect everyone, it has that power to change the world if people would just listen and follow Christ's example. Thankfully there is always agency involved so not everyone will listen but everyone gets that chance to listen, that chance to change.
I don't know what to say or how to even start this last email. What started out as a normal mission to the Philippines has expanded into a life changing event that has taken through every emotion and a few countries. I have gone from; English to Tagalog to English again, from trainee to trainer, from shy to bold, and from old me to an older more knowledgeable me. My testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ has expanded and strengthened. I have been able to teach the Gospel to those who had no idea there was even a God, to those who have needed more guidance and direction in their life, or just more peace and comfort. This Gospel is applicable to every person everywhere all around the world. That is the wonderful thing about this message is that it can effect everyone, it has that power to change the world if people would just listen and follow Christ's example. Thankfully there is always agency involved so not everyone will listen but everyone gets that chance to listen, that chance to change.
We
were able to go to a baptism in the Williamston ward this past Friday, the Mason family was a part member family the
mom was a less active but now
their daughter who is 17 and the dad are members of the ward and their mom is active again. There were so many
people that attended the service
that it had to be moved into the chapel for the opening program. The ward has begun to catch the
missionary fire and are starting
to realize that there are others all around them that could use the gospel. There have been so many leaders
of the church come and tour the
area and make the promise that if these people will just reach out in fellowship and bring others into the
church that this stake would have
to be divided within the next 5 years. We are still struggling, it is quite difficult to share the
gospel with those we know, we are
afraid of losing friendships or not knowing what to say. As missionaries we have the responsibility to
teach the Restored Gospel, we take
care of the doctrinal conversion, as members we have an obligation to help with the social conversion. So
many of our investigators are
baptized because when they came to church they were befriended and they were able to feel comfortable and
the Spirit was then able to work.
Those who did not have many friends or people come up and say hello...it is quite a bit more difficult to
get them to come back to church.
When we weekly plan we are taught to think about each of our investigators and how we can get them to
church, whether they had a
negative experience in the past or how we can help them continue to have a positive experience in the future.
Solid members that are always
reaching out in friendship and love are the best.
One family like this is the Evans family in the Lansing ward. They are great fellowshippers. We mentioned that we needed help with Bronjal and Pratibha and last night over dinner we were talking about how we can help them and Brother Evans suggested they go on a double date with them. They are becoming their friends not just their fellowshippers. I love that! As Elder Snow and Collins have been teaching to members and dinner appointments "We need to first become their friends before we share the gospel with them." They are asking the families in the area to find a friend and invite the over for dinner or a social activity. Then after that invite them over for FHE, then invite them to a church activity, then to church, then to meet the missionaries. We have reach out in love and befriend others that is the only way this Gospel is going to spread throughout the world.
One family like this is the Evans family in the Lansing ward. They are great fellowshippers. We mentioned that we needed help with Bronjal and Pratibha and last night over dinner we were talking about how we can help them and Brother Evans suggested they go on a double date with them. They are becoming their friends not just their fellowshippers. I love that! As Elder Snow and Collins have been teaching to members and dinner appointments "We need to first become their friends before we share the gospel with them." They are asking the families in the area to find a friend and invite the over for dinner or a social activity. Then after that invite them over for FHE, then invite them to a church activity, then to church, then to meet the missionaries. We have reach out in love and befriend others that is the only way this Gospel is going to spread throughout the world.
Well
enough of my soap box, you will hear enough of me on Sunday. I am still having the hardest time comprehending that I
will be home in just a few days. I
have tried so hard to work so hard that I haven't even noticed that the time has been passing. I always
said that I just want to look up
one day to have someone tell me that it is my time to leave and I have been blessed with that desire. We have
appointments all of tonight and
tomorrow morning. We are staying busy up until the last moment. I hope that my entire life that I can
continue to be an instrument in
the hands of the Lord. I have loved being a missionary, it has been the best decision I have ever had to
make...twice. :)
Thank you for all of your support. I could not have made it to where
Thank you for all of your support. I could not have made it to where
I am with out all of your
support and love.
See you soon.
Mahal ko po kayo!
Ingat,
Sister Rebecca Jensen
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