Celebrate Good Times...Come On!

Hey... remember how we celebrate good times all the time??

Well it's time to celebrate a good week we had. I forgot to write down what we did, so I don't really have much to write cause it feels like I write you guys every day........

But this week was good... we taught a lot, found lots of positive people, had ups and downs and a BAPTISM! It's a girl named Talita, and her mom is a member, but went to the US for 7 years and then just came back.. so the mom is just going back to church, the little sister will get baptized this week, and that's their story. Cool huh??

I also sent a picture of the view out of our front door. We live on the second floor, so I always stand outside and just stare at everything. I like it. Then I sent you a picture of my favorite food... for El Salvador. They are called pupusas. It's just a tortilla with cheese and beans and chicharones stuffed inside. It's the yummiest ever. Plus my big naranjada.. yummy. I pay Q21 or.... $3 for all that. Of course it doesn't fill me up though.. .oh man I'm always hungry.

This week we just kept teaching Antonio and Maria, we are teaching another young couple named José and Siomara. We are having a baptism this week of at least 4 people... mast likely 6. September is a big month...

I got a cold the other day, cause we always get wet in the rain.... I finally bought an umbrella, but I don't like carrying it around, cause everytime I do, it doesn't rain.... oops.

I realized this week that I can speak spanish without thinking of what to say... it probably started happenin a long time ago, but I just now realized it. I love speaking two languages.....

This letter isn't full of a ton of information right.. sorry. just know that I love you all, just know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. It's the map back to Him. I know that book is true, I love it. Please read it, or keep reading it. I also know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. Exactly like Moses and Noah and Abraham. I love this church. It is a marvellous work and wonder. It is the only true church on the face of the planet, with Jesus Christ, the Son of God, our Savior and Redeemer as the head of the church. I love it so much. I love being a representative and missionary for the true church of God. I also know that families are forever. I love you all so so much. Sometimes I hate pulling out my pictures to show people my family because you guys are all ugly.... just kidding, it's cause I get sad. Even worse when they talk about the nena. I sure love my little Oakley. Tell her hi for me. I don't even know the girl, and I love her so much. Be good this week, CTR. Los quiero mucho.

-- 

Elder Jensen

Guatemala is the Coolest!

How are you?............................ I never know how to start out my letters. But Im good, Im just here in Guatemala still... It doesnt feel like I havent seen you all for 9 and a half months!!! WOW! crazy huh??

Well this week was a good one. We did lots of stuff and literally saw miracles.. but first I remembered a joke from my first area that I heard and never told you, so here it goes - One day President Monson really wanted to drive, so he switched places with his driver. President Monson was driving really fast, because it had been a long time since he had been behind the wheel. So he got pulled over... When the cop came to the window he freaked out and ran back to his car to call the chief. The cop called the chief and said, "I have a problem, I pulled someone over that is really important, should I give him a ticket?" The chief said, "Well who is it, is it the mayor?" "No." "Is it the governor?" The cop "no no its someone even more important." The chief says, "Well, is it the President of the United States?" Cop says, "No no, someone more important" The chief says, "Well, if it isnt the mayor, or the governor, or the President, WHO IS IT!!??" and the cop says, "well, I dont know who it is, but President Monson is the choffer." HAHAHA good one huh?? I liked it.

Well here goes the week - 

Tuesday - I went to another area in the district called Samayac to do a baptismal interview, it was pretty fun.. But I dont like leaving my area very much!

Wednesday - Well... Sunday we contacted this lady that had just moved into her house, so we put an appointment for Wed. So Wed we went back and there she was waiting for us with her husband. They are really humble people, who like to learn and dont just want to fight us. Their names are Antonio and Maria. They have a little son named Alex. I love them. Pray for them!

Thursday - we finally FINALLY put some baptismal dates for this Saturday. Two girls, the mom is member but inactive for 7 years. Now the mom is going to church and they LOVE IT! Man I get so happy when I hear about this lady back in church. She used to be the Relief Society Pres, so everyone knows her and loves her... man Im happy about that one!!

Friday - There was a parade in San Antonio. All the local schools had their marching bands and there beauty queens riding in cars. That was fun. It took like 5 minutes to pass by, it was super short but super fun. haha I love San Antonio. They always have crazy stuff like that going on. Also in the morning we were studying and there was a van out front of our apartment with speakers on top blasting Backstreet Boys. I enjoyed it. It has been a while since I have heard that.

Saturday - We went out and invited the whole world to church, then at night our cocinera invited us to a birthday party for her husband. So we went and ate dinner. We ate ribs and chicken and potatos and salad and rice. I sure love food. Plus there is this lizard that lives in there house. And it was chilling on the ceiling and it pooped on my head. It was pretty funny.

Sunday - Antonio y Maria went to church, also a member in our ward took 5 more people. Oh man yesterday was a good day. So we went and visited those 5 people. To our surprise there are 6. Its a mom and her 5 kids. So we put a baptismal date with them yesterday. They have had hard lives, and have been searching for help. Oh man Im so glad we can help them!!!! Oh and I spoke in church. Our bishop called me Saturday night and asked if I would... so I did. duh. I spoke about Missionary Work. It was good. Hopefully it will get more members involved.

This week I just put the highlights, but we also walked a lot, got wet in the rain, contacted a lot, taught a lot, and fought for fechas. Im so happy to be working in the Lords Vineyard. I love this work. It is tougher than anything, but I am so happy. I know the church is true, everything fits together like a puzzle, its perfect. Its nothing less than the Lords church. There are no questions unanswered in the church, there is no confusion. I love the scriptures, I love San Antonio, I love Spanish, and I love los chapines. I tell everyone that Im chapin... I love it. Have fun this week, be good, share the gospel. Its my only wish. I love you so much. Dont forget to show pictures of me to Oakley and talk about how funny and handsome I am. hehe

I love you

Wazzzzup!?

Hi

I don´t really have much to write this week. Elder Rucker and I worked super hard, contacted a million people, but didn´t have success. We realized we aren´t working with the members as much as we should. So this week we are going to start working with them, and having success. That is the key, members members members. Cool huh?

Haha this week I went to another area in Samayac to do baptism interviews. It was fun. I always like going to other areas to get to know more of Guatemala. I sure love it here, (in case you didn´t already know that). It is the best place in the entire world!!

I´m a pretty stressed guy, I could use some extra prayers heading my way.... I would love you for it... well, I already love you tons.

How´s Oakley?? I miss her so much, keep the pictures coming because I can just imagine kissing her little white head. There are babies here, but they are all stinky and cry a lot. I only like Oakley.

Yesterday I felt like I was in a different world. We went to eat lunch with our bishop, and he is really rich... so we drive to his house in his car, pull in a big gate, and there he has 4 cars, a big ol house, and super yummy food... then we ate FLAN. Oh man I love that stuff.. I told everyone about my daddy, how he likes flan.

In church I was feeling heavy with all my sins and stuff. But then I took the sacrament and felt instantly clean. I felt the spirit more in my life, and I felt truly repented of all of my sins. I felt on top of the world. I realized, THAT´S WHY WE HAVE THE SACRAMENT. It is like a second baptism, that we can do every Sunday. THAT´S WHY WE GO TO CHURCH PEOPLE. Please, go to church.

I´ve been able to study a lot this week. President is starting to cut down the amount of meetings we have, so now I have my study time, and as a companionship. Elder Rucker is already teaching because we are able to study. It is a wonderful thing, I don´t have to just sit there and talk all day long. We are also speaking a lot of Spanish together. His Spanish has gotten a whole lot better. I´m not going to say I enjoy training, but I don´t hate it.

Right now I´m pretty tired, I think we will go to Taco Bell or Pizza Hut, then go back to our area to shop or to sleep or listen to music or something. I don´t really know.

Just know that I know the church is true. It is the only true church on this whole earth with the Priesthood power, to do things such as baptism, confirmation, sacrament, blessings and so on. It an amazing authority that we hold. I´m so happy that we have it. I´m so happy to be Chapin for 2 years and bring mis cuates al bautismo. (Chapin = Guatemalteco, cuates = dudes, friends, etc).

I love you all so very much. I´m proud to be a Jensen.

Elder Jensen

What's Happenin' Locos?

Fish dinner at the beach on P-day

Just a day at the beach

What’s happenin locos..

This week was pretty crazy.... cause I’m a dad.. My kid’s name is Elder Rucker. He is from Spanish Fork. I´m pretty lucky to be able to train him. But holy cow it´s tough... and to make it worse, I’m District Leader. My head might just fall off. Once I figure out what I’m doing, and we get in our groove, everything will be better. I really am lucky to be able to learn and grow and all that jazz..... Now we are starting a new week so I’m excited to see what this week brings.

Right now we have a family that we are teaching…but we can never find them. They are building a house in another area so they are always there, and the dad is a truck driver. It is insane. Pray for us so we can find the family of Francisco and Otilia. That’d be great thanks. 

Yesterday was a really good Sunday. I was just happy all day. We got a lady back to church after 7 years without going. She used to be Relief Society Pres, and other stuff, but she went to the US, so stopped going to church... when she left church I saw the BIGGEST smile on her face, like she had won the lottery or something. Church is super super important.. so go!

With Elder Rucker we are finding a ton of people, working hard, and we will see success. I always run out of things to say.......................................................

Friday we found a guy with a mom and a sister that don’t speak Spanish.... they speak a Mayan language, and he learned Spanish when he was a kid. He said they understand about 5% of Spanish. Super crazy huh… people in Guatemala that don’t speak Spanish.... I love it. We taught him about Joseph Smith, and I know he will get baptized. He said after 30 years of being Catholic, he didn’t realize that it might not be the truth. So our message made him think about stuff and he said he would pray. Man I love this stuff. I love people that listen to us and are willing to learn.

Oh plus Wednesday I got the package from Lexi G.... and friends. Holy cow it was the greatest thing in the whole wide world. Now I have to write everyone back.... We will see if I find some time shoved between the baptisms and finding and eating and sleeping and studying and teaching and walking and sweating................ just kidding, I’ll write back, just be patient.

Elder Jensen & Elder Rucker

Seems like there should be more to write.... but I don’t have much. I’m doing good.... I have realized that I have had a lot of experiences on my mission already. I always tell Elder Rucker about my experiences and it helps me love my mission more. I also realized this past week that I have 9 months already... remember yesterday at the MTC when y’all dropped me off???? It’s almost fall/winter again. Wowsers!

Ummm..... today I paid a guy to shine my shoes in the park. They are shiny.....

I really can’t think. 

I hope you enjoy my pictures at the beach and eating fish and the one with Elder Rucker and me.

Just so you all know, I love this work. I love sharing the true gospel of Jesus Christ. The Book of Mormon is the word of God. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only true church, out of the millions of churches that is the true one. oh and... Guatemala is the best place on earth.

Enjoy your week; I love you all so much. Say hi to Oakley for me. I love you!

--

Elder Jensen