Last Mission Letter... I Want to be Guatemalan Forever!

Well... I guess the time has come.. am I right? Feels funny and I´m depressey. I have been thinking a lot lately about... just everything!!!! My head is just so so full of spaghetti. hahaha I literally don´t know what to say right now..

This week was an extremely good week!!! First off... Mauro and Florencia got BAPTIZED!!!!!! Oh man it was so awesome. And the sisters of our ward baptized another family. Just like a sister said here, I finished my mission with a golden broach. It was just a special baptism. A ton of people showed up and we even sang a special number. I sang... weird... But it was really good and Mauro and Florencia invited a ton of their family members. It was just really special and we saw how the ward supports and loves us. They bought cakes, they helped set up tables, and they shared messages, they basically did everything, and that´s a rare thing in baptisms! It was just a super special day. I loved it! 

We also had interviews this week. We were in the church from 8:30 in the morning till 5:00 in the afternoon and my interview was literally a minute long. He basically just said that we would not have an interview since I have an interview on Wednesday before I go!

We are just so happy with the way the ward has changed and all the blessings and miracles we have seen and recieved. I´m so happy because now Pedregal is a better place than when I came. It´s stronger, there is a stronger spirit, the people trust and love the missionaries more, and it´s just an all around better place. I love it.

Yesterday in church was testimony meeting. I shared a little testimony, but during the whole meeting I basically just sat there and cried. Remember Cesar that had 9 years to not go to church and we reactivated him?? Well he blessed his granddaughter AND he was called as the ward mission leader of the ward AND his daughter got 2 callings AND his son blessed the sacrament AND that same son started his mission papers. They are so happy to be back, and tonight they invited us to eat dinner with them. We are going to get fat!

I honestly don´t know much else to write. I just feel kinda weird. I haven´t been sleeping that great, I haven´t been eating that great, and I dunno.. I just feel funny.

I´ve been thinking of all the things I´ve learned and I´m so grateful for the opportunity that I had to be a part of God´s Army. I have been a representative of Jesus Christ for 2 years. I´ve seen many things, learned many things, and lived many experiences. 2 years ago I didn´t know a lick of Spanish, I didn´t know how Guatemala would be. I wasn´t sure what to expect of this great land. But I have learned to love it. I love Guatemala. I love the culture. I love the people. It is an incredible, wonderful, amazing, beautiful place. People ask me if I´m sad, and I just tell them that there is no one on this entire planet that loves Guatemala more than me. I´m sad. It is the Promised Land. 

2 years ago I had a baby testimony of the truth. Now it´s a giant. It literally burns in my chest. I get all giddy when I think about the church. I know it´s true without a doubt. I know that Jesus Christ leads and guides the church through a prophet. Right now it´s a man named Thomas S. Monson. I know he is a prophet, seer, and revelator. A man chosen of God to be the prophet in these latter-days.

2 years ago I wasn´t sure if Joseph Smith really was a prophet. Now I know that one day in the Spring of 1820 he went and prayed. He knelt down and asked God a question. Which of all the many churches is the true church? God, our Heavenly Father, and Jesus Christ answered that young boy. They showed the world that They love us, They are the same yesterday, today, and forever. They gave us the opportunity to know the truth.

2 years ago I read the Book of Mormon. Now I feast from it´s pages. I apply it to my life, I learn so much. The Book of Mormon was translated by the power of God. It is another testament of Jesus Christ. I love it.

2 years ago I knew God was our Heavenly Father. Now I know that He lives. He loves us greatly. He wants us to be happy and He wants us to return to live with Him. I have felt His love, I know He listens to my prayers and He created a perfect plan so that we can be happy here on earth, and return with Him for eternity as families.

2 years ago I knew that Jesus Christ was important, that He suffered. Now I know that He is the Son of the Living God, Jesus is the Christ, the Great Jehovah, the Messiah, He is our Savior, and Redeemer. He took upon Himself all the bad we have ever

done and will do. He paid the price the justice demanded. He just asks that we be obedient and we will have mercy. Jesus Christ lives. And someday we will be resurrected and judged according to our acts. If we don´t repent, we have to suffer even as Christ suffered.

I know the church is true. I don´t doubt it. I feel it within me everytime I think about it. I love it. There are so many blessings waiting for us! Families are forever!

I love you all so so much. Thank you for the endless emails, letters, packages, love, and prayers. Thank you for all the sacrifices, and for the memories that will last forever. I love you more than you can imagine.

I´ll see you on Thursday!

Elder Jensen

This was our lunch yesterday. Meet Mommy Rosi, Axel, Michel, and Milton. Every Sunday we eat lunch there, but yesterday was just so special. I love them so so much!!! Plus cool pitchas with my companion... we were just so emotional when we saw that cake. hahahahaah I´m going to miss them SO much!

Here´s a picture with Cesar and his son! and the other on is with the dinner group. We eat dinner with them every Sunday! There´s Carmen, Susi, Amanda, Grandma Luz and Byron Josue.

It's Unbelievable!

Hi everyone. What’s cooking?

I feel funny right now... but that’s normal right?

This week was a good one, as always right?? Not to mention that we listened to the living prophet and apostles.... But I realized something while I was taking notes.... I CANT SPELL ENGLISH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, it’s so hard for me. Plus when I speak English my head starts to hurt. I hate it. I just need someone to translate for me. I love Spanish. There is nothing better. I’m so blessed to be able to speak 2 languages. so cool.

Well conference was just a blast. I got to watch it in my native tongue too. I loved every second of it…every single talk. I don’t have my notes here with me, so I don’t remember much (sometimes my thinker doesn’t work). 

This week we also had the monthly leadership council. It was also good. They talked a lot about the Spirit and how to use it in our work. I felt weird cause I’m going home.... but it was still good. I can use it in the life after too.

Wanna know something great about Mauro and Florencia??? Well..... THEY ARE GETTING BAPTIZED ON FRIDAY!!!! I’m so stoked. The sisters in the ward also have a family that is getting baptized on Friday so it will just be a super awesome party. I’m so happy!!! Plus this week Mauro called us and told us to come to his house, that he had a present for us. We got there and they had bought us 2 really nice big umbrellas. Holy smokes it was the best present anyone has ever given me. My heart just might explode for how much love it has in it.

My companion and I have been talking a lot about how the ward and people have changed since we got there. It used to be a ward where no one said hi to each other, no one really liked the missionaries, and they didn’t really work with them. Now they call us every few days to make sure we have enough food, we had an awesome ward council where everyone offered to go work with us. They are just so excited and I love it. The bishop is just stoked beyond belief. 

This week we also helped a lady clean her yard up. We chopped a ton of weeds with machetes. It was super fun. Remember the family that we reactivated?? Well they are in the picture that I’m sending. They invited us to eat dinner and we just ate and ate and ate and ate and ate. I love eggs, beans, platanos fritos, tortillas, and horchata. There is nothing better than that. I’m going to miss it so so so much!!!!

Well... My mind is literally full of a bunch of stuff. I can’t really keep my thoughts straight. I keep thinking of something I wanna write, but then I forget all about it. soo... sorry. haha

Everytime conference rolls around I feel such a sweet spirit telling me that Thomas S. Monson is a true prophet of God, that I’m a member of the true church of God in these latter-days. All the people outside don’t even realize that a prophet of God spoke to the world yesterday; it’s our job to let them know. I know the church is true without a doubt.

I love you all so much. I hope you have the best week of your life, I hope you are safe, and I hope you go to church and read your scriptures and pray. There is nothing more important than following God. I love you!!!!!!

Elder Jensen

Bittersweet Count Down

Well... It´s really getting down to the wire isn´t it...... I feel funny. Can I tell you a secret?? I´m going to bawl my eyes out in just a little bit of time. I can already feel it coming. Last night I only slept 4 hours. I was up just looking at every single picture of my mission and just thinking about the incredible people I have met and just thinking about all the experiences and EVERYTHING... long story short, I´m sad..... But happy at the same time. So bittersweet. I don´t even think words exist to describe my mission.. I´m so eternaly grateful. Forever and ever grateful. 

This week was a little crazy!!! We did divisions on Tuesday and I went to La Verde with Elder Saunders so the district leader could do the baptism interview of Mauro and Florencia.... well... we had some problems so we have to wait till the week after conference to baptize them. aka my last week, last opportunity of a baptism. I´m stoked for them. We have some other people that are progressing too, they are so close.. they just need some bravery I guess. We are hoping the conference helps everyone!!! (PS I´m so stoked for conference). PPS The picture where I´m soaking wet is in La Verde...... That´s my life. being wet all day. It's fabulous!

The whole week I had a super mean cold. I lost my voice for like 3 days and still have a little cough... But I´m ok. Don´t you go a worryin about me!!!

Mommy you asked me if I want to speak in the ward in SLC... I don´t care. I´m up to whatever. I love to speak in church. I think it´s my new favorite pastime. I´m going to have to speak my last sunday here... they already told me. I´m pretty stoked for that cause I only know how to teach the gospel in Spanish... But whatevs...

Today we went to an investigator´s house that the sisters in our ward are teaching. His name is Maco, and literally every piece of furniture in this guys house, he made. Everything was made of beautiful wood and he had some awesome boats that he had made and he is all into Guatemalan culture and the Mayans. He showed us a bunch of cool stuff and it made me love Guatemala even more. It´s the most special place on this entire planet. I love it!!! Then he taught us how to do wood burnings aka art. We each did a little scene of Guatemala... He helped us a lot, but it was really fun.

Last night we made Mac N Cheese with peas..... first time in 23 months. Is that nuts or what?! Me and my companion were sitting in the store thinking of what to eat and he said jokingly that we would eat mac n cheese... and I told him it´s what I was going to buy and eat. It was fabulous.

This week we went to go visit Mauro and Florencia and they had bought 2 new chairs for us to sit in. They are these special chairs here with metal frames and elastic string wrapped around them so it´s comfy and not too hot to sit in. We just love to go there so much. They are so cute and they just love to see us. They get so happy. They have made so many changes in their lives to be able to follow Christ more.

I have come up with a saying in the last few weeks, "There is NOTHING more important than following Christ." I say it to everyone. I love it. I know for a fact it´s true. A lot of people int he world find other things to do rather than going to church or rather than paying their tithing or whatever. But there is absolutely nothing more important than following Christ. I have learned so much about the Plan of Salvation. It´s literally the plan that our loving Heavenly Father made for us. It´s perfect, and all we have to do is obey. If we obey, we will recieve all that our Father in Heaven has. There is nothing more important than following Christ.

Well.... just know that I love you so so so much. I can´t wait to see you in just a few short days...... like 2 weeks. It feels so strange. But hasn´t completely hit me yet. I´m scared and happy and SAD. But I think I can take it on. If I can live in a foreign country speaking Spanish for 2 years I think I can do anything.

I hope you have the best week of your life. Just remember. No hay nada mas importante que seguir a Cristo.

I love you

What!? It's Time to Come Home Elder!

CHURCH TRAVEL CWT                          DATE 12AUGUST13

50 EAST NORTH TEMPLE ST                    AGENT VH/AM BOOKING REF 2OYLVW

SALT LAKE CITY UT 84150

TELEPHONE: 801 240-5111                    JENSEN/CHASE MICHAE 250882-R

FAX      : 801-240-5115

  MISSIONARY TRAVEL

  GUATEMALA RETALHULEU MISSION

SERVICE               DATE  FROM           TO             DEPART  ARRIVE

_____________________ _____ ______________ ______________ _______ ______

UNITED AIRLINES       17OCT GUATEMALA CITY HOUSTON TX     1203P   359P

UA 1503            THURSDAY LA AURORA      G.BUSH INTERCO

E ECONOMY                                  TERMINAL E

                            FOOD FOR PURCHASE             NON STOP

                            RESERVATION CONFIRMED         2:56 DURATION

                  AIRCRAFT: BOEING 737-800

                            SEAT 24A NO SMOKING CONFIRMED

UNITED AIRLINES       17OCT HOUSTON TX     SALT LAKE C UT 533P    751P

UA 4622            THURSDAY G.BUSH INTERCO SALT LAKE CITY     

E ECONOMY                   TERMINAL B     TERMINAL 1

                            FOOD AND BEVERAGES FOR PURCHA NON STOP

                            RESERVATION CONFIRMED         3:18 DURATION

                            FLIGHT OPERATED BY EXPRESSJET AIRLINES DB

            AIRCRAFT OWNER: EV  EXPRESS JET

                  AIRCRAFT: EMBRAER RJ135/140/145

                            SEAT 10A NO SMOKING CONFIRMED