Dear Family!
What a wonderful week it has been welcoming Sister Martin (from Bountiful, she lives over by Washington Elementary, her mom passed away last Sept from cancer) and Thackerary (from Skull Valley Utah, she lives on a farm and is not used to being around so many thousands of people) to the companionship! It is a little crazy trying to get everyone showered and read and out the door in the morning and in bed at night. We are managing though.
Training is going well, Sister Keys is doing a fantastic job it is amazing to see how much she has changed in just the past few days. She went from being so cautions and nervous to confident and aware of the Spirit's guidance. What a blessing it is to have her helping me with these new sisters. Sister Thackerary and Sister Martin did not get along well at the MTC and were excited to get new companions, so it was a little bit of a shock when they stayed together and all got me as a trainer, thankfully things have calmed down and we have so much work to do that there really is never any time to dwell on that. Sister Matrin has been dealing with culture shock and homesickness pretty bad the first few days, she finally started to open up after the Relief Society Conference, now she is smiling and laughing and adding into conversations and lessons. Em I am greatful that you shared your feelings about your mission, that has helped me relate to her and help. Sister Thackerary is a talker I am praying for ways to use that skill for missionary work, but at the moment we are hearing great stories about her home and childhood. I have been doing 3 hour rotations each day so that they all have an opportunity to work with everyone. Those blessed hours and night working with Sister Keys while Sisters Thackerary and Martin do member visits in the Living Center are a tender mercy. It has been hard to just send them off with those investigators that you have grown to love, but there is no other way for them to learn.
Investigators: We had 5 investigators at Church yesterday, it was fantastic.
Grace: she is progressing beautifully. Sister Keys and Thackerary taught her the Gospel of Jesus Christ and during that the issue of baptism came up, she said that she had already been baptized. She did come to Relief Society broadcast with Catherine. Sister Thompson talked about the power of covenants (fantastic!!) and then Grace came to church on Sunday. After Church we followed up with her about all that had gone on that week. She asked about the Relief Society and Baptism. We were able to answer her questions then extend a baptismal commitment and she light up and smiled huge and said YES! It was a beautiful moment, we paused and just felt the Spirit confirming that choice. Then we set a date, October 22!!
Hiva, was also at Church, he is reading from the Book of Mormon and asking great questions. We were able to teach him the Restoration. He was concerned about Mohamed and him being a prophet, when we testified about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon being the fruits of Joseph Smith's works he was very excited to read Alma 32 about Faith.
Xiao finally came to church!! We have been working with Xiao for the past month and she finally showed the faith and came to church. She also for the first time to a lesson alone, she is always bringing friends. We were able to read from the Book of Mormon with her, she had read up to 1 Nephi 5 and so we read that along with her and explained what was happening. Then we talked about the importance of prayer and we closed with a kneeling prayer. She all knelt and prayed one by one so that she would have a better example of what prayer is and the feelings that come from it. We paused after the last prayer and after a few seconds I asked what she was feeling. Light, happy. I am so excited for her!
Danny is one of those people that we all pray for on our missions but don't really expect to find. Danny actually called us on Thursday afternoon asking if we would be able to meet him and let him come to church. We set an appointment for Friday and I took Sister Martin with me to meet with him. He is 26yrs old from China but studying Hospitality. He learned about the LDS church from the Marriott Hotel chain. He also has a good friend that was just baptized that helped him find our phone number. During our first visit he told us that he wants to learn everything. As I told him the outline of what we were going to be learning over the next few weeks and that we focus people on baptism as an end result of our teachings he happily said GREAT! He prayed for us in closing and said that he felt very good inside. Danny was so excited to get involved with our members that he came to our day of service on Saturday and made a lot of new friends. He also came to Church on Sunday and was a great help with Xiao in translating what was going on. He said that during testimony meeting he wanted to get up and share what he felt inside but didn't know how or what to say. He has been prepared. We are meeting with Danny on Tuesday and will be setting a baptismal date! What a blessing he is in our lives. He also helped Sister Martin find some hope for being out here serving!
Tia is still meeting with us although she is not progressing much because her prayers are not sincere. We have talked about prayer and faith before but there just seems to be no application. Today we are meeting with her and Sister Martin and I are planning on teaching about praying with real intent and talking about what that really means. I think that Tia doesn't fully understand what the answer to her prayer about the Book of Mormon really means, so we are hoping to clarify that today.
It is fascinating to me to feel that when we really understand that God in our Loving Heavenly Father and that He desires to hear from us that it becomes our desire as well to talk with Him in prayer. I have seen that in my life this past week, there have been a lot of adjustments and new challenges and questions that I have no clue what the answers are, but God does and He is always there to help me along my course. I was studying Elder Bednar's conference talk about Revelation and he said that, "Sincere desire and worthiness invite the Spirit of revelation into our lives." Again it goes back to desire. Amazing how often that word appears in the scriptures and how key it is to agency. It is up to us, we just have to ask God for help and blessings and if it is right we receive. It is a good thing there is revelation because I personally would have no clue what to do daily without the help and guidance that we receive.
I am eternally grateful that whom the Lord calls He qualifies, there would be no other way that this companionship could work if that were not true. Thank heavens He does and everything has worked about beautifully so far!
January 25 is my new release date! Thank you for being willing to have me extend, I know that it is not the "home in time for Christmas" that we planned on but it is what needs to be done.
PLEASE pray for us, Sister Keys, Thackerary, Martin, and I. It is going to take a lot of work but it is going to be great once we all get in the rhythm of things, I pray that we find that soon.
I get to sing at Zone Conference again, I am singing Lead Kindly Light with Elders Hill and Clawson. Should be interesting...
Thank you for you help and support.
Mahal ko po kayo!!
Sister Rebecca Jensen
I hope you all have a wonderful conference!!! Seriously Sister Jensen absolutely LOVES this time of year, fall weather, fresh green apples, garden veggies, canning, and conference. Could not get better. Mind you this year it is store bought produce, personal contacting, lesson teaching, commitment extending, super-training and repentance crying. Either way Conference is just AMAZING!!
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Sunday, September 18, 2011
I am training again and again and again... :D
Dear Family,
What a week this one has turned out to be. We had transfer calls this week and wow were they different than I thought they would be. I thought that Sister Keys and I were immune to these since we are still in the middle of the 12 week training program. Well we were not immune and President Hess called and asked if he could talk to me and well I am training the 2 new sisters that are coming into the mission along with finishing training Sister Keys. Yes those who have math skills that would be a grand total of 3 companions. Still not sure how that is all going to work out but it will. On the plus side I have never been more complimented in my life. The Lord seems to have a lot of trust in me and training in the niche that I was told I would find in this Mission. Seriously what a compliment to have the opportunity to train so many new dear sisters.
This week it rained a ton and was cold, my tracting shoes with the hole in the bottom was rabid, it actually was bubbling and foaming every time I stepped down. That plus lack of sleep and stress equaled Sister Keys and I laughing until we cried right in the middle of campus. I love life!
Our Asian moments this week were awesome. We met a guy last night who was sad and we asked him why, in broken English he responded, "I tried to ask a girl on date, I failed" and hung his head as he walked away. It was really sad, we tried to talk to him but he was not wanting to talk. Another guy we met said that he did not have time for God, he was heading down campus when we met him. We didn't think anything of our visit and moved on talking to others, we were talking to a guy that took us in walking loops around campus and he dropped us off in the middle of nowhere middle of campus and lo and behold there was that the guy that said he didn't have time for God. He came up to us and said that he had made a great mistake and could he meet with us. It was awesome. We also met another Asian kid who we asked how he found peace and happiness in his life and he responded that he just had his first hug from a girl today and that made him happy. Asians are just amazing, I love working with them!!! :D
As for investigators there is Tia, she did not finish reading Alma 34 so we read it with her. Abby our fellow-shipper was able to be there and answer questions. Tia was asking some really really deep doctrinal questions that we were able to point back to faith to answer. Her assignment is Ether 12, we are working on helping Tia sincerely pray and have a greater desire to know that what she is learning is true. She has a lot of fear and that is hindering her faith.
Dexter and Xiao are still progressing towards baptism. Dexter is reading from the Book of Mormon and loving it, he is also praying and you can see the difference. Xiao is struggling to pray and we are going to spend our next lesson with them talking about the purpose of prayer. We were able to teach about the Plan of Salvation and to see Dexter make the connections was just happiness. They were not able to make it to church last week because of illness but this week they said they would and they have already met the person giving them a ride.
Hiva, is a member referral from our Ward Mission Leader. Hiva has met with the missionaries about a year ago but he said that he was not ready to learn and now he wants to learn. He has been coming to sports night with the YSA for a while now. We were able to give him an overview of what we will be teaching and answer his questions when we met with him. Brother Cody is really good friends with him and is making sure that he has a ride to church and that he has someone to sit with. It is fantastic to have him to welcomed. Hiva was also able to come to our ward opening social last week, yay!!
Finding has been going well, Sister Keys is doing great she is being more persistent and I know that she will do great this next transfer helping a new sister learn how to contact as well. What a joy it is to see her learn so quickly, I know that the Lord has helped her learn quickly so that she will be ready for this new opportunity! We went from wanted to "barf on peoples shoes" to "Hey how are you" and responding to needs. What a beautiful thing.
Dexter and Xiao are still progressing towards baptism. Dexter is reading from the Book of Mormon and loving it, he is also praying and you can see the difference. Xiao is struggling to pray and we are going to spend our next lesson with them talking about the purpose of prayer. We were able to teach about the Plan of Salvation and to see Dexter make the connections was just happiness. They were not able to make it to church last week because of illness but this week they said they would and they have already met the person giving them a ride.
Hiva, is a member referral from our Ward Mission Leader. Hiva has met with the missionaries about a year ago but he said that he was not ready to learn and now he wants to learn. He has been coming to sports night with the YSA for a while now. We were able to give him an overview of what we will be teaching and answer his questions when we met with him. Brother Cody is really good friends with him and is making sure that he has a ride to church and that he has someone to sit with. It is fantastic to have him to welcomed. Hiva was also able to come to our ward opening social last week, yay!!
Finding has been going well, Sister Keys is doing great she is being more persistent and I know that she will do great this next transfer helping a new sister learn how to contact as well. What a joy it is to see her learn so quickly, I know that the Lord has helped her learn quickly so that she will be ready for this new opportunity! We went from wanted to "barf on peoples shoes" to "Hey how are you" and responding to needs. What a beautiful thing.
What else...we get to set up the apartment to house 4 sisters now, one bathroom...this apartment went from spacious to small. Oh well, still the good life compared to the Philippines.
We made zucchini bread this morning and muffins on Friday. I love spending time cooking with Sister Keys she is just amazing. I have really never had a happier companionship. There really is charity and love and companionship unity. What a blessing it is. Also please keep her in your prayers she keeps loosing the hearing in her left ear, they think that it is related to stress and headaches. (Loss of hearing sound familiar to anyone? She really is my trainee!!!)
This morning I could not sleep, I lay in bed from 2:30 am until 4:30 when we got up to do laundry then I wrote in my journal and just got ready for the day. There are so many thoughts running through my mind, about training 3 sisters and once and leading the change in the mission. Of having SO many prayers answered this past week that I cannot even begin to number them. Our lives right now are exceedingly blessed!
We have been extending this 21 day challenge to every member of the Relief Society in the ward and the Elders have been to every guy in the ward. We had to have them all out by tomorrow before our Missionary Fireside. We have our Stake President Richie and President Hess and Bishop Robison speaking at it, we are also singing. It should be a great meeting. I hope that it helps inspire our ward members to do some missionary work!
Thank you all for your letters and e-mails. I really love hearing from you. Let me know if there is ever anything that I can do for you from Michigan!
Mahal ko po Kayo!
Ingat,
Sister Rebecca Jensen
P.S. Our preparation day is moving to Monday so I will not be writing until next next Monday. Please still write me! Love you all!
Saturday, September 10, 2011
At home in Mt Pleasant again...at least for a few hours
Dear Family,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMILY
Well it sounds like you have had an eventful week. A new dog. Wow. You moved on quite quickly but it sounds like Sage just fit in...I hope that she likes me when I get home.
This week has been crazy. Thank you for the package, it was nice, even though it did have a bunch of pictures of Champ that I got right after I read your email...sigh. I have been a little stressed this week. And when I get stressed I have trouble sleeping which makes me a little slow and well I have an awesome 2 inch blister burn on my arm because I was trying to be nice and bake banana bread and I hit my arm on the top rack of the oven. Ya it hurt like crazy. I tried to keep it as cold as I could but we just didn't have a lot of time and so it is quite painful and a deep burn. Oh the joys of my life, when one burn in healing up I get a new one.
The Assistants were gone all this week, it was ridiculous. They has Zone Leaders Council on Monday, then leadership trainings on Tuesday and Wednesday in Mt Pleasant then Thursday the were blitzing Traverse City and today they are dropping mattresses off up north. Working the area with just Sister Keys has been weird. We are grateful that every week is not like this past one. Also we did our first splits with the ward missionaries. It was interesting. Sister Keys went with a girl named Andrea who just got off her mission to California in June, and I was with a really sweet girl named Ashley Fox who is really young but wants to serve a mission in 3 years. My companionship did really well we were able to teach a lesson with a girl named Xingyi and then personal contact, we were able to get 6 return appointments so that was sweet. Ashley just went up and started talking to just about everyone, it was really fun to see how bold she was. Andrea and Sis Keys didn't quite have the best experience, I guess in California they do things different than here, and Sister Keys does not like change so that was also hard for her. Luckily we only have then scheduled every other week so this next week we have off.
Awesome finding story. Ashley and I were talking to people by Hubbard Halls and we met a girl who just looked sad. I stopped and talked to her for a bit, just asking how her classes were going and then how she found peace and happiness in her life. She paused, looked a little shocked, looked down then back up at me. Then she responded with, my dad died last week and I have been searching for something like this. Wow talk about Heavenly Father being in charge of His work and placing us in the right spot at the right time! We were able to testify about the Plan of Salvation and that her family can be together again because of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She is going home this weekend for the funeral but she is meeting with us as soon as she gets back on Tuesday! What a miracle.
Our ward has been stepping up and coming to more appointments with us and doing more fellow shipping. Although we had a lesson with Xiao, Al, and Dexter (they all have bapt dates) and we were teaching in the institute before our ward party began. The party had not begun and there were people lining the walls and as we ended our meeting we walked right past them, we were desperately trying to get people to fellowship them but no, they just stood there as they walked out. FRUSTRATION! On the plus side we now have 5 investigators with a baptismal date. That right there is a tender mercy. Also we were able to finally hit the mission standards. It looks like it takes a solid month of work for me in a new area to hit them but with many miracles and hard work it always comes. For that I really am grateful.
This week it has been really cold outside, we have been pulling out the nylons and jackets. I am very grateful also for the cooler weather. Although it feels SO weird to be doing missionary work in the fall, I have never had to experience missionary life in this weather the Philippines was always drastically hot. I do enjoy crunching the leaves while we walk to campus. The downer to living in a singles ward is that no one has a garden so we don't get any awesome free zucchini or tomatoes.
Yesterday we walked a ton, our district leader passed an investigator to us and told us earlier in the week that when they set the appointment that we would be able to use the car to get there since it is so far away. Well the night before he told us at about 9:45 that we would not be able to use the car and that we needed to ask someone for a ride or something. Little does he understand that those with cars have class and work. Sigh. We took the bus only to find out that our transfer bus only runs once a day at 7:35am so we ended up walking 2+ miles out to this appointment and then we get there and she isn't even home. We wanted to cry but we laughed instead. Elder Ransley when he found out told me that I should have called and had them pick us up, or he would have let me drive the truck if they weren't using it. I like my independence but I also like not spending hours walking to the middle of the city.
Our ward had an opening social last night, sigh. I didn't really want to be there, we had pizza for dinner and then games to mix mingle and marry. We couldn't leave because they asked us to be celebrities in their LDS version of Hollywood Squares. It was a long night but I am glad that we were able to help.
I got up at 3:30 this morning, just couldn't sleep anymore and we had to leave by 5:50 so the Assistants could be in Gaylord on time. It was early and we had a lot to do since this is still our preparation day and we do have cleaning checks on Wednesday. Sigh. I am tired but happy to be here. Isn't that always how it goes. Last week Sister Keys and I were exhausted and after our prayer to close nightly planning we just laid on the hard church carpet and laughed because both of us had one tear streaming across our faces. Companion exhaustion unity tear is what she called it.
Today at the baptism Brittany asked me if I would say the closing prayer. Of course I agreed, then last night Sister Ricks called saying that their coordination meeting planning the baptism group had decided that they want me to talk about the restoration while she is getting dressed. I am all for helping out with baptisms but I am a little saddened that there isn't more member interaction planned for the meeting.
I love you all so much. I hope that you know how grateful I am for your examples and prayers and letters of support.
Well it sounds like you have had an eventful week. A new dog. Wow. You moved on quite quickly but it sounds like Sage just fit in...I hope that she likes me when I get home.
This week has been crazy. Thank you for the package, it was nice, even though it did have a bunch of pictures of Champ that I got right after I read your email...sigh. I have been a little stressed this week. And when I get stressed I have trouble sleeping which makes me a little slow and well I have an awesome 2 inch blister burn on my arm because I was trying to be nice and bake banana bread and I hit my arm on the top rack of the oven. Ya it hurt like crazy. I tried to keep it as cold as I could but we just didn't have a lot of time and so it is quite painful and a deep burn. Oh the joys of my life, when one burn in healing up I get a new one.
The Assistants were gone all this week, it was ridiculous. They has Zone Leaders Council on Monday, then leadership trainings on Tuesday and Wednesday in Mt Pleasant then Thursday the were blitzing Traverse City and today they are dropping mattresses off up north. Working the area with just Sister Keys has been weird. We are grateful that every week is not like this past one. Also we did our first splits with the ward missionaries. It was interesting. Sister Keys went with a girl named Andrea who just got off her mission to California in June, and I was with a really sweet girl named Ashley Fox who is really young but wants to serve a mission in 3 years. My companionship did really well we were able to teach a lesson with a girl named Xingyi and then personal contact, we were able to get 6 return appointments so that was sweet. Ashley just went up and started talking to just about everyone, it was really fun to see how bold she was. Andrea and Sis Keys didn't quite have the best experience, I guess in California they do things different than here, and Sister Keys does not like change so that was also hard for her. Luckily we only have then scheduled every other week so this next week we have off.
Awesome finding story. Ashley and I were talking to people by Hubbard Halls and we met a girl who just looked sad. I stopped and talked to her for a bit, just asking how her classes were going and then how she found peace and happiness in her life. She paused, looked a little shocked, looked down then back up at me. Then she responded with, my dad died last week and I have been searching for something like this. Wow talk about Heavenly Father being in charge of His work and placing us in the right spot at the right time! We were able to testify about the Plan of Salvation and that her family can be together again because of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She is going home this weekend for the funeral but she is meeting with us as soon as she gets back on Tuesday! What a miracle.
Our ward has been stepping up and coming to more appointments with us and doing more fellow shipping. Although we had a lesson with Xiao, Al, and Dexter (they all have bapt dates) and we were teaching in the institute before our ward party began. The party had not begun and there were people lining the walls and as we ended our meeting we walked right past them, we were desperately trying to get people to fellowship them but no, they just stood there as they walked out. FRUSTRATION! On the plus side we now have 5 investigators with a baptismal date. That right there is a tender mercy. Also we were able to finally hit the mission standards. It looks like it takes a solid month of work for me in a new area to hit them but with many miracles and hard work it always comes. For that I really am grateful.
This week it has been really cold outside, we have been pulling out the nylons and jackets. I am very grateful also for the cooler weather. Although it feels SO weird to be doing missionary work in the fall, I have never had to experience missionary life in this weather the Philippines was always drastically hot. I do enjoy crunching the leaves while we walk to campus. The downer to living in a singles ward is that no one has a garden so we don't get any awesome free zucchini or tomatoes.
Yesterday we walked a ton, our district leader passed an investigator to us and told us earlier in the week that when they set the appointment that we would be able to use the car to get there since it is so far away. Well the night before he told us at about 9:45 that we would not be able to use the car and that we needed to ask someone for a ride or something. Little does he understand that those with cars have class and work. Sigh. We took the bus only to find out that our transfer bus only runs once a day at 7:35am so we ended up walking 2+ miles out to this appointment and then we get there and she isn't even home. We wanted to cry but we laughed instead. Elder Ransley when he found out told me that I should have called and had them pick us up, or he would have let me drive the truck if they weren't using it. I like my independence but I also like not spending hours walking to the middle of the city.
Our ward had an opening social last night, sigh. I didn't really want to be there, we had pizza for dinner and then games to mix mingle and marry. We couldn't leave because they asked us to be celebrities in their LDS version of Hollywood Squares. It was a long night but I am glad that we were able to help.
I got up at 3:30 this morning, just couldn't sleep anymore and we had to leave by 5:50 so the Assistants could be in Gaylord on time. It was early and we had a lot to do since this is still our preparation day and we do have cleaning checks on Wednesday. Sigh. I am tired but happy to be here. Isn't that always how it goes. Last week Sister Keys and I were exhausted and after our prayer to close nightly planning we just laid on the hard church carpet and laughed because both of us had one tear streaming across our faces. Companion exhaustion unity tear is what she called it.
Today at the baptism Brittany asked me if I would say the closing prayer. Of course I agreed, then last night Sister Ricks called saying that their coordination meeting planning the baptism group had decided that they want me to talk about the restoration while she is getting dressed. I am all for helping out with baptisms but I am a little saddened that there isn't more member interaction planned for the meeting.
I love you all so much. I hope that you know how grateful I am for your examples and prayers and letters of support.
Mahal ko po kayo!
Ingat,
Ingat,
Sister Jensen
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Football is a religion in Michigan
Hello Family,
Yes, well a few tears are being shed on this end of life as well. Champ will be missed but it is good to know that he is finally passed on. [Our family dog died this morning. - Emily]
This week has been one of many adventures. Namely we are starting to roll forward with those thousands of potentials and we have 7 new investigators this week. Also one in Brazilian and we have a Portuguese Book of Mormon ready to give him tomorrow at our lesson. We also have a Chinese one that we are giving out today at our lesson with Suri. What a blessing it is to
teach so many people the gospel. No matter where they are from around the world they are still children of our Heavenly Father.
We had Sparticiapation this week...that was interesting. We were told come, don't come, come. So we went and there were TOO MANY people. The LDSSA was supposed to make our booth, well it was a poster board with LDSSA written with black sharpie. The rest of the stuff we as missionaries provided. There was no color, no gimmick, nothing. That was slightly embarrassing especially since we were right next to the marketing booth. Oh well the important thing is that there were some that were interested so it was a success.
Also I got to drive the Assistants truck. Dad, thank you for having a truck and for Clark occasionally not using it so that I had experience driving a truck. It was way too fun, I was seriously giddy for hours after wards. They had an appointment and we needed to get home, thus the driving.
We as missionaries have deep charity for Asians, on Monday we had an appointment with 2 of them, but they brought a friend. Mid meeting one of them got up and said wait my friends are coming. Well in walk 2 more Asians. We taught all 5 of them the Gospel of Jesus Christ!! When we walked out Elder Ransley and DeHart were standing right outside the door of the Institute where we had our appointment and the look of shock and awe was completely worth it. Happiness!!
Seriously though we have been so blessed this week, everyone has been bringing a solid friend to their appointments and so we have been able to pick up a lot of new investigators that way.
My mary jane shoes that have left my feet with 2 white bars of shocking whiteness have died this week as well. The sole of my left shoe is well no longer intact. So I have been wearing my other shoes which don't have the strap and it has been embarrassing since my feet are tanned to my other shoes. Sigh. The life of a sister missionary.
MSU had their first football game yesterday. We were advised to get off campus before 5pm when the tailgating started. The tailgating started around 3pm, I have never seen so many people drinking in my entire life, not even in the Philippines. It was just wrong. Luckily we were able to do companion study at night and we had a dinner appointment so that took up the evening and we were safe.
We made cookies last week to celebrate my half birthday. It was so much fun to just be in the kitchen with Sister Keys talking, laughing, having a wonderful time and doing something fun. I have been so blessed to be her companion, I really never understood before how you can really live a fun happy life as a missionary. What a blessing it is that I get another shot at this missionary thing.
The burn on my hand is pealing up a storm this week, it is kind of nasty and looks a little weird, but it looks like it is in the final stages of healing. Huzzah!
Emily I have a great present for you, Brittany Abbott a girl I taught up in Mount Pleasant is being Baptized on your birthday and since I worked with her so much she asked me to come to her baptism and President Hess said I could go. I finally have a baptism in Michigan. I am so happy. :D The Assistants are driving up to Travers City next Saturday morning so they will drop us off and we will spend the day in Mt Pleasant. I am super excited about that! I love Mt Pleasant!!!!!
I think that is about all that happened this week. I am still a little in shock mode from the news about champ. Please know that I love all of you and I am praying for you all many times a day.
This church is true, it has the power to change hearts and lives for the best. I will be forever grateful for the opportunity I have had to share the Gospel as a missionary, I have learned so much and I have started to become the Sister Jensen and I need to become. I know that I still have a long hard pathway to travel but at least I am on my way. What a blessing it is to serve, I hope that I always have the opportunity to serve others.
I love you all.
Mahal ko po kayo.
Sister Rebecca Jensen
Yes, well a few tears are being shed on this end of life as well. Champ will be missed but it is good to know that he is finally passed on. [Our family dog died this morning. - Emily]
This week has been one of many adventures. Namely we are starting to roll forward with those thousands of potentials and we have 7 new investigators this week. Also one in Brazilian and we have a Portuguese Book of Mormon ready to give him tomorrow at our lesson. We also have a Chinese one that we are giving out today at our lesson with Suri. What a blessing it is to
teach so many people the gospel. No matter where they are from around the world they are still children of our Heavenly Father.
We had Sparticiapation this week...that was interesting. We were told come, don't come, come. So we went and there were TOO MANY people. The LDSSA was supposed to make our booth, well it was a poster board with LDSSA written with black sharpie. The rest of the stuff we as missionaries provided. There was no color, no gimmick, nothing. That was slightly embarrassing especially since we were right next to the marketing booth. Oh well the important thing is that there were some that were interested so it was a success.
Also I got to drive the Assistants truck. Dad, thank you for having a truck and for Clark occasionally not using it so that I had experience driving a truck. It was way too fun, I was seriously giddy for hours after wards. They had an appointment and we needed to get home, thus the driving.
We as missionaries have deep charity for Asians, on Monday we had an appointment with 2 of them, but they brought a friend. Mid meeting one of them got up and said wait my friends are coming. Well in walk 2 more Asians. We taught all 5 of them the Gospel of Jesus Christ!! When we walked out Elder Ransley and DeHart were standing right outside the door of the Institute where we had our appointment and the look of shock and awe was completely worth it. Happiness!!
Seriously though we have been so blessed this week, everyone has been bringing a solid friend to their appointments and so we have been able to pick up a lot of new investigators that way.
My mary jane shoes that have left my feet with 2 white bars of shocking whiteness have died this week as well. The sole of my left shoe is well no longer intact. So I have been wearing my other shoes which don't have the strap and it has been embarrassing since my feet are tanned to my other shoes. Sigh. The life of a sister missionary.
MSU had their first football game yesterday. We were advised to get off campus before 5pm when the tailgating started. The tailgating started around 3pm, I have never seen so many people drinking in my entire life, not even in the Philippines. It was just wrong. Luckily we were able to do companion study at night and we had a dinner appointment so that took up the evening and we were safe.
We made cookies last week to celebrate my half birthday. It was so much fun to just be in the kitchen with Sister Keys talking, laughing, having a wonderful time and doing something fun. I have been so blessed to be her companion, I really never understood before how you can really live a fun happy life as a missionary. What a blessing it is that I get another shot at this missionary thing.
The burn on my hand is pealing up a storm this week, it is kind of nasty and looks a little weird, but it looks like it is in the final stages of healing. Huzzah!
Emily I have a great present for you, Brittany Abbott a girl I taught up in Mount Pleasant is being Baptized on your birthday and since I worked with her so much she asked me to come to her baptism and President Hess said I could go. I finally have a baptism in Michigan. I am so happy. :D The Assistants are driving up to Travers City next Saturday morning so they will drop us off and we will spend the day in Mt Pleasant. I am super excited about that! I love Mt Pleasant!!!!!
I think that is about all that happened this week. I am still a little in shock mode from the news about champ. Please know that I love all of you and I am praying for you all many times a day.
This church is true, it has the power to change hearts and lives for the best. I will be forever grateful for the opportunity I have had to share the Gospel as a missionary, I have learned so much and I have started to become the Sister Jensen and I need to become. I know that I still have a long hard pathway to travel but at least I am on my way. What a blessing it is to serve, I hope that I always have the opportunity to serve others.
I love you all.
Mahal ko po kayo.
Sister Rebecca Jensen
Monday, August 29, 2011
46,000 Potential Investigators just moved to Michigan State U
Dear Family,
It is good to hear that everyone is still alive and doing well.
How was the first week for School for everyone? I feel a little out of the loop at the moment.
This week has been a trial and a half. You know when you finally feel like you have your feet under you that something is going to change so that more growth can occur. Well that was this week. Monday we were at a dinner appointment and we were told that we were not having training until September, but then Sister Keys was sad because she wouldn't see Sister Jones (they are seriously BFFLs as they say it) so the assistants got thinking and decided that if we went with the other Zones that there would be an even number of companionships and life would just work out happier. So we were last minute moved to the trainings in Grand Rapids. I was not that excited since many of my missionary friends will be at the one in Mt Pleasant. We drove down on Tuesday with President and Sister Hess. They are very spiritual, even in the car. Sister Hess read us a story out of a church book about Sam Hannah, the guy who translated the Book of Mormon back into some Islamic language. It was very interesting. Then on the way home they took us to Costco. I didn't know were would be going there so I didn't have much cash on me so I just bought a box of flat fruit. The set up to that Costco is identical to the one in Bountiful. The only difference was where the bread is there was a ton of alcohol and the bread was up front by the flowers. It felt so weird walking out of there and going back to work. For the second day of training we just rode in the Assistants' truck. They were reviewing what they would be teaching that day and we learned a lot about the Book of Mormon. I love learning so much so fast. Trainings are blessings.
The actual training was good. Sister Jones and Sister Keys were like two peas in a pod, their anxiety attacks were both grand and they helped each other get through parts of them. It was slightly funny yet way too stressful at the same time. I have never actually seen someone freak out mid training, usually they are very spiritual meetings. Finding is a tender topic though. My companion I thought was doing okay until a little before the end of the second session she just all of a sudden burst into tears. Who knew. Ever since training there have been a lot more anxiety attacks and a lot more tears and frustration. I am not sure if that is because of spending time around Sister Jones, feeding off of her tense energy and then being taken away again or if it is just overwhelm mode. I have tried to stay patient and understanding but there are things that I just don't get. There are things that I just don't know how to help. I have been spending a lot of time on my knees, and with the church carpet in our apartment my knees look terrible by my soul feels more calm.
Sigh.
President Hess is SO EXCITED about MSU, seriously excited about the 46000 potential investigators that will be walking around campus for the next few months. I am so grateful that I get to serve here, that he and the Lord trust me so much with helping in this area. It is quite a big thing if you think about it. Luckily I am blessed with a great companion who is trying and Elder DeHart and Ransley who are always willing to help. After our terrible day finding...long story...just not a happy day...they called and asked how things were going, from the long pause on my end I figure they knew something was up. After hearing my story they scheduled right there to meet us Monday and help Sister Keys and I. My trouble is that I want to talk to everyone and Sister Keys doesn't want to talk to anyone. If the people look away she will stop talking or just not talk at all because they are not interested. That has lead to some frustration. But she is trying and I am so grateful for that.
The Diversity here is so amazing. Remember how I thought that I was going to be bland my entire life, BYU and the Philippines are just not the places for diversity. But the MSU campus is!! We teaching/have taught and met people from China (all around Asia-except the Philippines haven't seen any of them yet), Brazil, Russia (not sure where but somewhere in that direction) the list goes on but I do have the say that the Brazilians understand more English and they seem to radiate happiness when we talk to them about God, its fantastic. I guess being on one of the largest campus' in the world has its cultural benefits.
I have been teaching Sister Keys and the Assistants Tagalog. It has been fun. Greetings are strictly Tagalog now and the only word Sister Keys can remember is Ayos (fine or great) and the only word the Elders can remember is Mabuti (good). I get a good laugh, which I think is worth it.
We are participating in Sparticipation on Tuesday, like a serious of clubs with booths. Please pray that it goes well, there are a lot of things that we don't know about with that and I am a little unsure of what it is going to turn out like.
I think that is about it for this week. It has just flown past. I am still trying to just take one day at a time, there are tired and slow days but before I know it another week has past.
I love you all.
Mahal ko po kayong lahat!!
Ingat,
Sister Rebecca Jensen
PS a BFFL is a Best Friend For Life.
It is good to hear that everyone is still alive and doing well.
How was the first week for School for everyone? I feel a little out of the loop at the moment.
This week has been a trial and a half. You know when you finally feel like you have your feet under you that something is going to change so that more growth can occur. Well that was this week. Monday we were at a dinner appointment and we were told that we were not having training until September, but then Sister Keys was sad because she wouldn't see Sister Jones (they are seriously BFFLs as they say it) so the assistants got thinking and decided that if we went with the other Zones that there would be an even number of companionships and life would just work out happier. So we were last minute moved to the trainings in Grand Rapids. I was not that excited since many of my missionary friends will be at the one in Mt Pleasant. We drove down on Tuesday with President and Sister Hess. They are very spiritual, even in the car. Sister Hess read us a story out of a church book about Sam Hannah, the guy who translated the Book of Mormon back into some Islamic language. It was very interesting. Then on the way home they took us to Costco. I didn't know were would be going there so I didn't have much cash on me so I just bought a box of flat fruit. The set up to that Costco is identical to the one in Bountiful. The only difference was where the bread is there was a ton of alcohol and the bread was up front by the flowers. It felt so weird walking out of there and going back to work. For the second day of training we just rode in the Assistants' truck. They were reviewing what they would be teaching that day and we learned a lot about the Book of Mormon. I love learning so much so fast. Trainings are blessings.
The actual training was good. Sister Jones and Sister Keys were like two peas in a pod, their anxiety attacks were both grand and they helped each other get through parts of them. It was slightly funny yet way too stressful at the same time. I have never actually seen someone freak out mid training, usually they are very spiritual meetings. Finding is a tender topic though. My companion I thought was doing okay until a little before the end of the second session she just all of a sudden burst into tears. Who knew. Ever since training there have been a lot more anxiety attacks and a lot more tears and frustration. I am not sure if that is because of spending time around Sister Jones, feeding off of her tense energy and then being taken away again or if it is just overwhelm mode. I have tried to stay patient and understanding but there are things that I just don't get. There are things that I just don't know how to help. I have been spending a lot of time on my knees, and with the church carpet in our apartment my knees look terrible by my soul feels more calm.
Sigh.
President Hess is SO EXCITED about MSU, seriously excited about the 46000 potential investigators that will be walking around campus for the next few months. I am so grateful that I get to serve here, that he and the Lord trust me so much with helping in this area. It is quite a big thing if you think about it. Luckily I am blessed with a great companion who is trying and Elder DeHart and Ransley who are always willing to help. After our terrible day finding...long story...just not a happy day...they called and asked how things were going, from the long pause on my end I figure they knew something was up. After hearing my story they scheduled right there to meet us Monday and help Sister Keys and I. My trouble is that I want to talk to everyone and Sister Keys doesn't want to talk to anyone. If the people look away she will stop talking or just not talk at all because they are not interested. That has lead to some frustration. But she is trying and I am so grateful for that.
The Diversity here is so amazing. Remember how I thought that I was going to be bland my entire life, BYU and the Philippines are just not the places for diversity. But the MSU campus is!! We teaching/have taught and met people from China (all around Asia-except the Philippines haven't seen any of them yet), Brazil, Russia (not sure where but somewhere in that direction) the list goes on but I do have the say that the Brazilians understand more English and they seem to radiate happiness when we talk to them about God, its fantastic. I guess being on one of the largest campus' in the world has its cultural benefits.
I have been teaching Sister Keys and the Assistants Tagalog. It has been fun. Greetings are strictly Tagalog now and the only word Sister Keys can remember is Ayos (fine or great) and the only word the Elders can remember is Mabuti (good). I get a good laugh, which I think is worth it.
We are participating in Sparticipation on Tuesday, like a serious of clubs with booths. Please pray that it goes well, there are a lot of things that we don't know about with that and I am a little unsure of what it is going to turn out like.
I think that is about it for this week. It has just flown past. I am still trying to just take one day at a time, there are tired and slow days but before I know it another week has past.
I love you all.
Mahal ko po kayong lahat!!
Ingat,
Sister Rebecca Jensen
PS a BFFL is a Best Friend For Life.
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Welcome to the Good Life!!
Dear Family!!
Can I just start off by saying that life is amazing. I never thought that training or opening an area could be happier. I have never laughed and smiled more, and the best part I am honest to goodness happy. I think that I have finally lost myself in this service and I absolutely love it, I love talking to people on campus and walking with them to class just to talk to them a little longer. The realization came this week when Sister Keys was freaking out about talking to people and she asked me what it felt like...pause...meh...it just feels like I want to talk to them. Who am I???
Sister Keys and I eat healthy. She is a blessing as well since we both love fresh veggies and fruits and whole grains. We seriously have some awesome veggie wraps/sandwiches for lunches. It really is so much easier to eat well when your companion is eating healthy too. So yes Mom, I am getting fresh veggies.
This week we have almost hit standards, we have hit our 10 return appointments, 3 new investigators (happiness!!) and we are working on our 20 lessons, so far we only have 14 right now, but for having 1 set appointment last Sunday when we got home from Church all I can say is that I am so blessed and proud of the work that we have done. The Assistants are just fantastic, they were able to meet with Elder Jay E Jensen and President Hess this morning and they are just excited as all get out about the potential growth that can come from applying what they learned. I asked what it was and all they would say it that it is in the sealed portion. Sigh.
I got a hair cut today, 5 inches are gone and it feels lovely and like I am ready to fit in on a campus and not the jungles of the Philippines. I also made lots of banana bread, the Elders buy bananas and don't eat them and so I volunteered to turn their black squishy bananas into bread. Then Sister Keys made salsa and so our kitchen is a mix of sweet banana bread and cilantro. I tried to eat it but it still comes out tasting like soap.
We were able to gain some new investigators this week! First we have a girl named Paige Smith who is living at the Student Center and living with a less active. We had a meeting with Mary her roommate and there she was, as we came in and started talking she joined in the conversation and started to ask questions. We were able to teach the Restoration and give her a copy of the Book of Mormon. The Spirit was strong and the look in her face was very sincere about truly knowing. We meet with her again on Monday.
Tianshu from China, she has no christian background and yesterday we were able to start from the very basics and teach her who God is and what prayer to God is and what it can do for us. We were able to teach her in the institute and the Spirit was very powerful. She prayed for us at the close and I asked her what she felt and she smiled said and the words calm and happy, that summed up the experience. We are meeting with her again next Thursday. I am very excited to help her now understand who Jesus Christ is, she had some questions as we taught her how to pray like, who Jesus Christ was and why we needed to close in his name. We are also working with a language barrier there, but she is amazing.
Anwer from Egypt, he is Muslim and is more interested in just learning more about what we believe not joining, but we are still happy for someone willing to listen to our message.For now he is willing to make and keep commitments and it is helping us learn together as a companionship so we will continue to teach him while he is in America. He goes back to Egypt in October.
Last night was slightly crazy. While walking yesterday I got a sunburn on my neck and was glad that we were able to come in right on time and do our laundry so that we could get it done (yes we had permission to do it on Friday). I got a call from Elder Ransley saying that a member of the ward was in the Hospital and would it be alright if they picked us up early from tracting-no we don't have a car so yes they drive us a lot-we said yes and they came to get us around 8:40. We went to a hospital, it turned out the be the wrong hospital so we quickly drove to the right one. We got there a little before 9pm. Turns out the guy was intoxicated and is a member that often works with the Elders. I was seriously giddy to be in a hospital. The smell just sings work mode to my soul. I got some "you are crazy" looks from the Elders and Sister Keys. Luckily while they were slightly weird about going in and around the hospital I was able to help out a little, I think my happiness to be there made it a little easier for them to get comfortable a little quicker. We were able to talk about how we are Sons and daughters of God with a divine potential. I made us all sing his favorite hymn, which was Come Come ye saints. I love being a sister and being able to get away with things like that!! :D Long story short, it was amazing to see the skills and abilities that we have all been given and that as we all strengthen each other we can help others on the path home. The Spirit was strong and I am so grateful that I was able to see these Elders sincerely caring for a lost sheep. It was an awesome moment. We also got home past 10pm, we ran to get to bed but I had planned on doing laundry so my bed was already in the laundry basket. Needless to say for one reason or another I watched the hours of the night tick past...I couldn't sleep and I am still not sure why. We did get up at 4:30 to do laundry and then we went shopping at 6:55. Preparation days went from nice slow paced days to ones where we are running around and yet I still feel awake and ready to go to work. It is a conundrum and I am just going to say BLESSING and move on.
I wish you all luck at School this upcoming week. What an exciting time to be back in school learning. What a beautiful time of life. I am praying for you all, it was great to hear that everyone is plugging along. Well there are some I haven't heard from in a while and I am just going to assume from the silence that you are still the same and moving onward. If you ever get some time I would love a letter! HINT HINT. Those who write me, please know that I am so grateful for you.
Julie, awesome story for you. Well remember Turtle Troy that you sent me, well he his now our new professional investigator. Yes, we made him a name tag and all. He sits on my desk and we practice teach him in the mornings. He has also become the background for our phone. I love it! :D
We have trainings in Grand Rapids this Tuesday and Wednesday. I am SO excited, I love learning!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is going to awesome, especially with all that President and the Assistants just learned from Elder Jay E Jensen. What a blessing it is to interact with such amazing priesthood leaders and to learn from them.
I know that this Church is true and that Jesus Christ lives. I know that our Heavenly Father is infinitely aware of every one of His children here upon the earth and that as we try our best He can use us as instruments in His hands.
with love,
Mahal ko po kayo.
Sister Jensen
Can I just start off by saying that life is amazing. I never thought that training or opening an area could be happier. I have never laughed and smiled more, and the best part I am honest to goodness happy. I think that I have finally lost myself in this service and I absolutely love it, I love talking to people on campus and walking with them to class just to talk to them a little longer. The realization came this week when Sister Keys was freaking out about talking to people and she asked me what it felt like...pause...meh...it just feels like I want to talk to them. Who am I???
Sister Keys and I eat healthy. She is a blessing as well since we both love fresh veggies and fruits and whole grains. We seriously have some awesome veggie wraps/sandwiches for lunches. It really is so much easier to eat well when your companion is eating healthy too. So yes Mom, I am getting fresh veggies.
This week we have almost hit standards, we have hit our 10 return appointments, 3 new investigators (happiness!!) and we are working on our 20 lessons, so far we only have 14 right now, but for having 1 set appointment last Sunday when we got home from Church all I can say is that I am so blessed and proud of the work that we have done. The Assistants are just fantastic, they were able to meet with Elder Jay E Jensen and President Hess this morning and they are just excited as all get out about the potential growth that can come from applying what they learned. I asked what it was and all they would say it that it is in the sealed portion. Sigh.
I got a hair cut today, 5 inches are gone and it feels lovely and like I am ready to fit in on a campus and not the jungles of the Philippines. I also made lots of banana bread, the Elders buy bananas and don't eat them and so I volunteered to turn their black squishy bananas into bread. Then Sister Keys made salsa and so our kitchen is a mix of sweet banana bread and cilantro. I tried to eat it but it still comes out tasting like soap.
We were able to gain some new investigators this week! First we have a girl named Paige Smith who is living at the Student Center and living with a less active. We had a meeting with Mary her roommate and there she was, as we came in and started talking she joined in the conversation and started to ask questions. We were able to teach the Restoration and give her a copy of the Book of Mormon. The Spirit was strong and the look in her face was very sincere about truly knowing. We meet with her again on Monday.
Tianshu from China, she has no christian background and yesterday we were able to start from the very basics and teach her who God is and what prayer to God is and what it can do for us. We were able to teach her in the institute and the Spirit was very powerful. She prayed for us at the close and I asked her what she felt and she smiled said and the words calm and happy, that summed up the experience. We are meeting with her again next Thursday. I am very excited to help her now understand who Jesus Christ is, she had some questions as we taught her how to pray like, who Jesus Christ was and why we needed to close in his name. We are also working with a language barrier there, but she is amazing.
Anwer from Egypt, he is Muslim and is more interested in just learning more about what we believe not joining, but we are still happy for someone willing to listen to our message.For now he is willing to make and keep commitments and it is helping us learn together as a companionship so we will continue to teach him while he is in America. He goes back to Egypt in October.
Last night was slightly crazy. While walking yesterday I got a sunburn on my neck and was glad that we were able to come in right on time and do our laundry so that we could get it done (yes we had permission to do it on Friday). I got a call from Elder Ransley saying that a member of the ward was in the Hospital and would it be alright if they picked us up early from tracting-no we don't have a car so yes they drive us a lot-we said yes and they came to get us around 8:40. We went to a hospital, it turned out the be the wrong hospital so we quickly drove to the right one. We got there a little before 9pm. Turns out the guy was intoxicated and is a member that often works with the Elders. I was seriously giddy to be in a hospital. The smell just sings work mode to my soul. I got some "you are crazy" looks from the Elders and Sister Keys. Luckily while they were slightly weird about going in and around the hospital I was able to help out a little, I think my happiness to be there made it a little easier for them to get comfortable a little quicker. We were able to talk about how we are Sons and daughters of God with a divine potential. I made us all sing his favorite hymn, which was Come Come ye saints. I love being a sister and being able to get away with things like that!! :D Long story short, it was amazing to see the skills and abilities that we have all been given and that as we all strengthen each other we can help others on the path home. The Spirit was strong and I am so grateful that I was able to see these Elders sincerely caring for a lost sheep. It was an awesome moment. We also got home past 10pm, we ran to get to bed but I had planned on doing laundry so my bed was already in the laundry basket. Needless to say for one reason or another I watched the hours of the night tick past...I couldn't sleep and I am still not sure why. We did get up at 4:30 to do laundry and then we went shopping at 6:55. Preparation days went from nice slow paced days to ones where we are running around and yet I still feel awake and ready to go to work. It is a conundrum and I am just going to say BLESSING and move on.
I wish you all luck at School this upcoming week. What an exciting time to be back in school learning. What a beautiful time of life. I am praying for you all, it was great to hear that everyone is plugging along. Well there are some I haven't heard from in a while and I am just going to assume from the silence that you are still the same and moving onward. If you ever get some time I would love a letter! HINT HINT. Those who write me, please know that I am so grateful for you.
Julie, awesome story for you. Well remember Turtle Troy that you sent me, well he his now our new professional investigator. Yes, we made him a name tag and all. He sits on my desk and we practice teach him in the mornings. He has also become the background for our phone. I love it! :D
We have trainings in Grand Rapids this Tuesday and Wednesday. I am SO excited, I love learning!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is going to awesome, especially with all that President and the Assistants just learned from Elder Jay E Jensen. What a blessing it is to interact with such amazing priesthood leaders and to learn from them.
I know that this Church is true and that Jesus Christ lives. I know that our Heavenly Father is infinitely aware of every one of His children here upon the earth and that as we try our best He can use us as instruments in His hands.
with love,
Mahal ko po kayo.
Sister Jensen
Saturday, August 13, 2011
I feel like I am living a Preach My Gospel movie
FAMILY,
So I am currently sitting in the East Lansing Public Library with Sister Keys and Sister Miner and the Assistants. We really do work closely with them, as in we have a million questions which they have been having fun answering for me the past few days. Sister Keys believe it or not is the niece of the lady who was getting her hair cut at the same time I was back in April. Which means that I had already heard about Sister Keys before I met her, and she had heard about me as well. Blessings.
Sister Miner gets picked up at 1pm by her parents and grandma, needless to say she is SO excited. I honestly can't blame her. I spent Tuesday with the missionaries who were leaving -no I am not trunky in the least- but it shocked me how some here counting down the hours until they could play video games or wear shorts. There were also some that looked tired but they were so full of the Spirit, they were sad to leave the mission but ready to move toward the future. Missionaries like Elder Curley and Swapp and Wood were great examples when I first came out here. I love how the mission life is always changing, we are always growing and learning from those around us.I love how we get to learn from and work so closely with our District, Zone leaders and the Assistants, I have learned a lot about how the mission is run. Someday all of this knowledge will be useful.
The apartment is the most gorgeous apartment I have ever stayed in, it is owned and run by the church so it looks and feels like a church. Blessings! It is new and clean and has central air and mattresses that are comfortable, a shower and sinks that don't say ewww all over them. I really feel more like I am living a surreal life than my own at the moment. We pushed our desks together so they are facing each other so when we study we can see each other. PMG movies always have their desks like this which I have always thought was cool but none of my companions would ever try it out with me. Until now that is. I love training! I am constantly trying to ask myself if that were me how would I feel, or how would I need it explained. Keeping her up to date on what I expect has lead to happiness and no homesickness or problems so far!!! Blessings again.
Sister Keys in from Sandy and she was a nanny before she came out on a mission. She went to SLCC and doesn't quite know what she wants to do with her life yet. She has amazingly cute clothes and accessories which make me feel like an old seasoned missionary, it also reminds me of a time when I was the one with the colors and cutes. How times change. I am glad that we get along so well, she eats healthy and she loves to be clean and well pressed. Which makes my life so easy. I really just can't say enough how blessed I am!! She is also the first companion I have had that is younger than I am, her birthday is November 12. Again weird to feel like I am one of the older Sisters in the mission but there are only 4 of us who have been out for more than 2 transfers, all the rest of the sisters in this mission are new. Probably why the new training should leave these sisters ready to train themselves. That is the vision of what they need to become and we have a desire to reach that.
We live in a YSA Ward and they love us. We are a new novelty. We have been left gifts at our door just about every time we go out of the house. Pots and pans, laundry soap for the new high tech complex machines which are free (blessing) knives, toaster, cups, plates, you name it we have found it at our door with a note saying how excited they are to have us in the ward. I have never been so welcomed into a ward before, I am left every night feeling just a great love for the people and for this work that I am blessed to do in this area.
Campus is massive, there are going to be about 52,000 people here in the fall. It is one of the largest campus' in the country. Luckliy, I have been able to get a hold of the campus pretty quickly and after pouring over the maps nightly I am feeling a little more prepared. We figure that there are 520 people ready for baptism on campus and we with the assistants have a goal to see 25 baptisms by January 1. It is a high goal but we feel motivated and good about it so we will reach for it, even if we don't make it we will have at least grown in the process.
There is a new 12 week training program, they started doing a type of this in the Philippines when I was there so the whole idea is not foreign to me. Funny how much the first part of my mission has really prepared to me serve here. The Lord works in mysterious ways, someday I hope to understand maybe just a little bit better how my life is turning out the way it is, because really I am so very very blessed.
My new address for the next 3 months will be
I know that this church is true and that Christ lives! I know that God is our loving Heavenly Father and that even with all of life's little annoyances we can still feel of His love and guidance daily.
I love you all.
Mahal ko po kayo!
Sister Jensen
"Big things are accomplished only through the perfection of minor details." John Whitman
So I am currently sitting in the East Lansing Public Library with Sister Keys and Sister Miner and the Assistants. We really do work closely with them, as in we have a million questions which they have been having fun answering for me the past few days. Sister Keys believe it or not is the niece of the lady who was getting her hair cut at the same time I was back in April. Which means that I had already heard about Sister Keys before I met her, and she had heard about me as well. Blessings.
Sister Miner gets picked up at 1pm by her parents and grandma, needless to say she is SO excited. I honestly can't blame her. I spent Tuesday with the missionaries who were leaving -no I am not trunky in the least- but it shocked me how some here counting down the hours until they could play video games or wear shorts. There were also some that looked tired but they were so full of the Spirit, they were sad to leave the mission but ready to move toward the future. Missionaries like Elder Curley and Swapp and Wood were great examples when I first came out here. I love how the mission life is always changing, we are always growing and learning from those around us.I love how we get to learn from and work so closely with our District, Zone leaders and the Assistants, I have learned a lot about how the mission is run. Someday all of this knowledge will be useful.
The apartment is the most gorgeous apartment I have ever stayed in, it is owned and run by the church so it looks and feels like a church. Blessings! It is new and clean and has central air and mattresses that are comfortable, a shower and sinks that don't say ewww all over them. I really feel more like I am living a surreal life than my own at the moment. We pushed our desks together so they are facing each other so when we study we can see each other. PMG movies always have their desks like this which I have always thought was cool but none of my companions would ever try it out with me. Until now that is. I love training! I am constantly trying to ask myself if that were me how would I feel, or how would I need it explained. Keeping her up to date on what I expect has lead to happiness and no homesickness or problems so far!!! Blessings again.
Sister Keys in from Sandy and she was a nanny before she came out on a mission. She went to SLCC and doesn't quite know what she wants to do with her life yet. She has amazingly cute clothes and accessories which make me feel like an old seasoned missionary, it also reminds me of a time when I was the one with the colors and cutes. How times change. I am glad that we get along so well, she eats healthy and she loves to be clean and well pressed. Which makes my life so easy. I really just can't say enough how blessed I am!! She is also the first companion I have had that is younger than I am, her birthday is November 12. Again weird to feel like I am one of the older Sisters in the mission but there are only 4 of us who have been out for more than 2 transfers, all the rest of the sisters in this mission are new. Probably why the new training should leave these sisters ready to train themselves. That is the vision of what they need to become and we have a desire to reach that.
We live in a YSA Ward and they love us. We are a new novelty. We have been left gifts at our door just about every time we go out of the house. Pots and pans, laundry soap for the new high tech complex machines which are free (blessing) knives, toaster, cups, plates, you name it we have found it at our door with a note saying how excited they are to have us in the ward. I have never been so welcomed into a ward before, I am left every night feeling just a great love for the people and for this work that I am blessed to do in this area.
Campus is massive, there are going to be about 52,000 people here in the fall. It is one of the largest campus' in the country. Luckliy, I have been able to get a hold of the campus pretty quickly and after pouring over the maps nightly I am feeling a little more prepared. We figure that there are 520 people ready for baptism on campus and we with the assistants have a goal to see 25 baptisms by January 1. It is a high goal but we feel motivated and good about it so we will reach for it, even if we don't make it we will have at least grown in the process.
There is a new 12 week training program, they started doing a type of this in the Philippines when I was there so the whole idea is not foreign to me. Funny how much the first part of my mission has really prepared to me serve here. The Lord works in mysterious ways, someday I hope to understand maybe just a little bit better how my life is turning out the way it is, because really I am so very very blessed.
My new address for the next 3 months will be
4912 S Hagadorn Road
East Lansing, MI 48823.
What an awesome road name! Also we don't have a car so we ride with the Assistants a lot and we take the BUS. Crazy, I am actually using a bus. Who knew that taking classes in the SLC center which caused me to use the bus would also come in handy now. Really I feel that I have been so prepared for this assignment, we are going to see miracles. Yes the work is still hard, don't worry I fully feel the weight of this calling I am just saying that in the process of finding more about this area and walking around talking to people the feeling of peace and preparation is just overwhelming.
East Lansing, MI 48823.
I know that this church is true and that Christ lives! I know that God is our loving Heavenly Father and that even with all of life's little annoyances we can still feel of His love and guidance daily.
I love you all.
Mahal ko po kayo!
Sister Jensen
"Big things are accomplished only through the perfection of minor details." John Whitman
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