Transfer....San Antonio

Hola,

I am in an area called San Antonio, with my companion Elder Juarez from Mexico. He has 9 months in the mission, so we are just new guys. But he is a super duper good teacher and a good missionary. I’m so excited for this month!!!

This week we just got to know the area, and some members. Also we found some new positive people. We are teaching a family right now that have a fecha for this next Saturday. The man was kinda just waiting for an answer and stuff, so we went with the movie Together Forever. I had never seen it before, but we popped it in. The movie started talking about the guy’s EXACT problems with his family and everything. Then we taught about the importance of family, and the Atonement (my favorite subject), then we asked him about the Saturday, and he started crying, and couldn’t really talk. The Spirit was so powerful, he knew it was true, his wife knew it was true, and my testimony was strengthened. I loved every second of it. He and his wife will be baptized this Saturday with 3 or 4 of their kids. We aren’t 100% sure about the other kid right now, but Ill let you know how it goes. We also found another man that wants to get baptized this Saturday... so he will be baptized too and maybe a 13-year-old girl. We will see about that one tonight.

I get so excited to work here in San Antonio. I just feel like my attitude is better, my faith is stronger, I have less doubts, my Spanish is getting better, and I just feel more desires to share the truth and to study the scriptures. I just feel desires to be better. I loved San Luis, but I LOVE San Antonio!

San Antonio is the most baptizing and best area in the entire mission, I just know there are people here waiting for me, I’m just ready to go find them.

I love being a missionary, I’m sorry this letter is short. Just know that I am doing great, working hard, still haven’t gotten sick my entire mission (that is a miracle), and I love this message that I have. I have the strongest testimony of it, and I couldn’t ever ever deny it. It is the truth, nothing more, nothing less. I have learned so much, but there is so much to learn. Now I just wanna go study my scriptures. bye bye...

les amo con todo mi corazon.

--

Elder Jensen


I added some of his letter to his dad...

San Antonio is a super awesome city, where EVERYONE is prepared to be baptized. My zone is now called Mazate (Mazatenango) and it is the most baptizing zone of the whole mission. Our goal in July as a zone is 100 with 20 families..... Incredible. As a district our goal is 40 and 10....... it just happens to be the most baptizing district in the mission. And our goal as an area for July is 20 and 6.. It just so happens to be the most baptizing area of the mission. I think its safe to say I’m in the best area in the mission. This area always baptizes more than some zones.... Everyone in this zone is just rockin it. This zone has tons of success. It has all the good food places, all the best EVERYTHING. I’m super enjoying my time here and super ready to work hard. The record in this area is 25 with 4 families in one month, pretty crazy huh?? I have learned to have more faith here and to doubt less.. the truth is, I want to smash that record.

I’m in San Antonio with my companion Elder Juarez from Mexico. Super rockin. He is the greatest. He is a super super good teacher.... I thought I was an all right teacher, but now I just feel like a bad one compared to him. But with the Spirit, it really doesn’t matter how bad we are, right?! We are focusing in the scriptures more. President always tells us to just read them the truth, so that’s what we do. It has been working out quite nicely, it brings the Spirit stronger, and the scriptures are the best teachers. 

I love waking up every morning here. It is a small city here, so there is more energy, and you know how I like that. San Luis was just one street of nothing...... even though I loved it, I love San Antonio more!

We live right above a grocery store, so if we get hungry during study time or something, we just drop on down to eat a bite. yummy.

There used to be 4 missionaries in this ward, but they took out the other 2 because we are losing missionaries left and right. We are super super low right now. In August 30 missionaries go home, (9 zone leaders, and a ton of District Leaders) and only 20 news come. President is a little worried, but it is going to help us grow as a mission. I really hope Chandler comes here, there is nothing like this mission. at least... I think not. It is amazing. I love being a missionary, I love the scriptures, I love the Gospel, and I love more than anything, teaching about the Atonement and reading Alma 7 with people. I LOVE IT! I love you so much. 

Maybe you could share this solid letter with the others. It would save my fingers. I love you

Elder Jensen

Tom Hanks is a Taxi Driver in San Luis...Did You Know?

What´s cookin?

Beej, Care Bear, Kelwey, Brookie, Yinny, and umm... Corey (what´s your nickname?)

I´m just still here in little old Guatemala. Preachin, teachin, and testifying. I sure am lucky right??? This week was incredibly fast am I right????? yeah... I know I´m right.

This week was a good one though. Elder Aoki and I found a lot of people and almost all of them are super positive. 

Things I learned this week -- I LOVE teaching. I love it. I LOVE IT!!!! Yesterday the Sunday School teacher was sick, so she asked me to teach. So I had sacrament meeting to read over the lesson really quick (Alma 5-7) probably my favorite section of all of the Book of Mormon. Super machete, but it´s great. So I taught the lesson with power, and I didn’t really follow the book that much, but I liked the lesson, I felt the Spirit, and I hope everyone else did. I also realized that I’m basically fluent in Spanish............ That is a miracle. (I still don’t call myself fluent, but it’s getting there, better and better.. good enough where I can teach a whole Sunday School lesson)

Something else I learned this week -- I love love love reading the scriptures. I used to just read them, and enjoy them right.. but now I just read them in ever second of free time that I have. Seems like they are more powerful in Spanish too... maybe just cause I really have to focus on the words and the meanings and I actually understand it rather than just skimming fast. I just really enjoy the scriptures these days. The other day I read 2 Nefi 33, I love the words that Nephi chooses and what he says. It´s just a super powerful chapter.

This week I don´t remember much...

Monday - we had a Noche de Hogar (whatever it is in English...) with a family.. super rockin.

Tuesday - We did divisions. I was with Elder Cieza (my old companion) in San Luis. It was just like old times. But not that fun, it was weird I don’t really know why. We found these two old blind people.... a couple... and they are both blind and they are just dang cuties.... they didn’t understand much of what we said, but they invited us back!

Wednesday - we ended divisions... kinda. We went to San Felipe to change, but the Hermanas were moving so we helped a little, then we figured out Elder Aoki had to do some baptismal interviews. So we just stayed in San Felipe and slept with the Zone Leaders,

Thursday - don’t remember......

Friday - We had a Noche de Hogar with a family that just moved in. We went with a member family, with some enchiladas and drinks and went to visit them and welcome them into the neighborhood... at first the lady didn´t even want to let us in, but her brother-in-law did. Then we started teaching about the Restoration. They just kinda started attacking us. Telling us that they believe in God, Jesus Christ, and the Virgin Mary. Then talking about how they already had their church, they we just hard I dunno. Elder Aoki bore his testimony super strong, and then we popped in the Joseph Smith movie. They watched it, we testified some more. THEY WERE COMPLETELY CHANGED!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We gave them a Book of Mormon, challenged them, and they said they would read and pray. It was great, and then we become best friends. There is still some work there, but we will try hard.

Saturday - There was a baptism in Muluá (the sister´s area) and a little kid picked me to baptize him... so I did it happily. FOTO! In the nighttime a member gave us beans and eggs. Yummy.

Sunday - Every investigator that we are teaching had something, so no one came to church... but there is always next week. We went to Muluá to help the sisters teach an investigator. It was cool stuff. Then we got back and visited our bishop and his wife. I wanted to say goodbye... they were just about to go to sleep but they got up and made us beans and eggs. I LOVE THEM... (beans and eggs and Bishop and his wife)

And here we are again, Monday. Haven’t done anything yet... about to go to Reu to shop and stuff.. I’m going to buy a new backpack so I can switch off when It’s wet, (it’s stinky if it’s wet) so make sure I have money :) 

Just know that I love you all so so much. I´m so proud of the Jensen name, and to be here working!

The church is true and I know it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Elder Jensen

Don't Forget About Me!

Howdy y’all...

I have some bad news and some great news.

The bad news - I do not remember this week AT ALL. I don’t remember what we did, who we talked to, where we went, or anything. I just remember we worked super hard and all the days just ran together. It feels like I just wrote you yesterday........

The great news - I’m still a missionary, and I’m still here in the motherland.

So I will take this opportunity to think about my week................................................................................................................................................

I know we did divisions one day, we taught the Law of Chastity another day, we talked to a lot of people, we have positive families, and our bishop loves us. Other than all of that, I really don’t remember.

Please don’t hate me...

uh oh... it’s going to rain today......

I don’t really know what to write this week. I just looked through my agenda, but that didn’t help.

I realized this week also the importance of studying. I always knew the importance, and I always liked to study. But I just love it more and more everyday. President Maravilla always says if we aren’t studying, we don’t have investigators. It’s true. We study for our investigators, not for ourselves. I always learn more when I’m studying for someone else, and I always feel the Spirit stronger. I love being a missionary and being able to feel the Spirit. I really am enjoying every second of my mission. I love to teach, I love to study, I love the people, and I sorta kinda am learning to love to plan.... But we always see success when we plan.

I´m going to have changes on the 20th. I´m scared to death and scared to death. I will have 6 months in San Luis, my home. I´m a little selfish about San Luis. It is my area, no one else’s. It will always be my area, and it’s the first place I’m going back to visit. A dusty old road, with a million churches and tiendas... love that place.

I love teaching the truth to people. Elder Aoki and I (and the whole mission) we’re trying to contact more. Everyday we should set 20 appointments with people we talk to on the street. WOW that is a lot. So we talk to everyone. I’ve found out, the more people we talk to, the more rejection we get. Rejection isn’t common in Guatemala, but it is still there. Every bit of rejection we get, I feel sad for my hermanos y hermanas in Guatemala. They don’t realize that two jovenes have the truth, and just want to help. We have the message about the ONLY way we can make it back to live with our Heavenly Father.

We also have the Book of Mormon. Elder Aoki and I walk around with Books of Mormon in our hands, so it forces us to focus on the book. (maybe that’s why we have received more rejection). The Book of Mormon - Another Testament of Jesus Christ, is the evidence and proof that our message is true. IF the Book of Mormon is false, I’m wasting two years of my life, I’m a liar, 56,000 missionaries are liars, and the church is not true. BUT THE BOOK OF MORMON IS TRUE!!! It teaches us that Jesus is the Christ, our Redeemer, and our Savior. Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, called to be an instrument to restore the truth here on the earth. Through Joseph Smith, Jesus Christ established his church here on the earth once again. With the exact foundation and principles as it was before. La Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos de los Últimos Días es el reino de Dios aqui en la tierra. I might not speak perfect Spanish, and I know I’m not a perfect missionary, but that is my testimony, and I will NEVER deny it. If you have doubts about anything, read the Book of Mormon. Read Alma 7. PLEASE READ ALMA 7. I love that chapter. It has helped me help my investigators.

I’m sorry I don’t have much to say............................

Pictures are included. To get to one area of San Luis, we have to cross a field of sugar cane.. I think it’s sugar cane. So we snapped some photos of that and then a big tree in the middle of the field and pictures of the volcano. Cool huh??

I love you so so much. I miss you too... Remember who you are and what you stand for. We are the light of the world!

ps, sorry if this doesn´t make sense, my mind is in spanish mode. I started typing Spanish about 4 or 5 times. I always forget.

I´ve been super blessed with two things on my missions - the language and my health. Thank you for your prayers and thoughts and letters... (letters are nice)....... Write me!!!!

Elder Jensen

I'm Hungry and I Wanna Go Eat!!!

Hi people.

This letter is going to be short, I´m hungry and I wanna go eat!!!!!

This week was a good one, as usual right???? I learned lots of things and was led by the spirit a lot. I´m so happy for this opportunity to speak spanish, to learn things, to grow, and to become a better missionary. Wow I sure am lucky right?? Well this week, we worked a lot, and just did what we were supposed to do, nothing super grande happened, but here´s my week - 

Tuesday - Elder Aoki smashed my hand in a taxi door. Thank you Elder Aoki. But I´m ok, the doctor sewed me up nice and tight. 10 stitches................................................................................................................. Just kidding. No stitches, but it hurt. But I´m healed. cool huh? Nothing else really happened... just worked hard, plus I don´t really remember.....

Wednesday - It was Mothers Day in Nicaragua.... Where is Hermana Maravilla from?? yeah.... So as a zone, and the two zones in Reu got together and practiced two songs, got some gifts and went and surprised her at her house...... but she wasn´t there.... only President. So he called her and she was getting her nails done, right close by the house. So of course we went to find her.... in the tiniest nail salon. Everyone was confused, and she sure loved the songs and gifts. It was a great day.

Thursday - All I remember is what we at for lunch.......... pig feet. About two months ago I ate cow feet with all the tendons and nerves right?? well, pig feet is the same... just smaller. It made me sick. Know I´m currently aware of the two things that make me sick - Coconuts and pig feet. No thank you. We also had to find a house, cause the house we live in now got sold... luckily we found a house. (Saw miracles there, remind me in a year and a half to tell the story).

Friday - We had interviews and a little seminary with President. I sure do love that man with my whole entire heart. I talked to Hermana Maravilla a lot too, I sure love her too. We are probably the luckiest mission in the whole world. NOT EVEN JOKING.

Saturday - we started packing up our house a little bit, to be out Monday morning. Then we went out and worked. We visited a family that asked us if we drink coffee... we said no. What did the family do?? BROUGHT US COFFEE, and expected us to drink it. They literally said, "we know it is your religion, but just drink it this once, then you can keep the commandment." I was just baffled at this...... but we kindly declined and everything was just calidad.

Sunday - After church we went to eat food with our Sunday eating food people. (we eat there every sunday now). As we were eating it started raining.. not just raining, but pouring a whole animal shelter of cats and dogs and elephants. incredible. Also the road was a pure river, so we couldn´t leave. So we hung out a little, the lady taught me how to crochet (I´m making a tie), we got hungry again so we made pancakes. The best part, I was showing them how eggs don´t break if you squish them in certain parts...... but then I broke an egg cause I didn´t do it right. It shot to the ceiling, the hermana screamed and everyone just laughed super a lot. Then I scored a super old 1 Quetzal bill.... money. Cool huh?? Then it finally stopped raining, so we left and worked!!

Monday - This morning we moved, with the help of bishop and his truck, we did it in a half an hour. Then we cleaned the house a little and then we had an activity with the zone. It was fun. I´m sleepy, that´s why this letter is a sleepy letter. sorry.

But guess what?? The church is still true. I love seeing investigators recieve answers, it strengthens my testimony everytime. I´m a messenger of the truth, and I love it.

I also had the opportunity to give two or three blessings this week. The Priesthood is real, it is here on the earth, and it is amazing!!!

Just know that I love you so so much. I miss you. Write me. 

I love you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

--

Elder Jensen