San Marcos-Zonie

Hello family...

 

Can I just tell you a little about my week?? Cause it was crazy.

 

Lets start with Monday.... alright we will. skip to Tuesday cause Im too excited. So Tuesday in the morning we had a great district meeting with the district.. cool... then Elder Barnes and I go back to our area, eat lunch, then go back to the house. When we got back to the house the phone rings... who is on the phone??? His name is Elder Flores and he is President's assistant.. He kindly infomed me that I had emergency changes and I had to pack up everything and at 8:30 in the night they would pick me up and take me away. WHAT!? crazy huh?? So I spent most of the day packing and running around picking up clothes and saying goodbye quickly. Suddenly I get another call fom Elder Flores telling me to call Pres Maravilla. So I called him and he gave me the assignation as Zone Leader... WHAT!?!?! He also told me I would be going to San Marcos with Elder Villatoro (my current zone leader).

 

So Im basically freaking out by this point, just waiting to go. Finally the assistants pick us up and we go to Tiquisate to pick up Elder Villatoro and drop off Elder Barnes to stay there. We drove all the way to Reu and slept there for the night. Then in the morning they picked us up bright and early and dropped us off at the bus station and said adios. We got on the bus and it took us to Quetzaltenango (where the new temple is, its not even in our mission, but you have to go there to get to San Marcos). There we found the other missionaries, ones heading to Tiquisate and the other two to take us home. So we got to San Marcos. Super tired from being traveling for 7-8 hours, super hungry from not eating, and super COLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It just so happens we traveled from the most southern point of the mission (the hottest part of the mission) to the most northern part of the mission (the coldest part of Guatemala (I think)). Good thing I packed a sweater!!

 

So we are here in San Marcos. Our zone is super awesome. It feels like Utah here. Big mountains, dry skin, cold air, wind. Its crazy. We basically live in a freezer. I will send pictures of the house in another email. The other zone leaders left us with a ton of people to teach... like... zero. Thanks. But our bishop is the best man on this planet. It is such a powerful ward and we have had ton of help from them. They even give our programs each week!! cool huh?? We shared our testimonies on Sunday, and we have this guy that has helped us so much named Alex. I love the guy!! I love everything about this place. Its really cold, but the everything about it just warms my soul hahahahahahaha..

 

Elder Villatoro is from Huehuetenango, Guatemala!! FINALLY A GUATEMALAN COMPANION!! I love the guy. We had tons of fun together in Tiquisate and now we have even more fun. When we have to walk up hills, whoever is a little behind grabs on to the other guys backpack and pulls and its like a slingshot. It is hillarious. I also love speaking spanish all day long.

 

I hope you enjoy the pictures. One is with my cocinera from La Nueva and her fam, the others are just my life here. We decided we want to take a lot of pictures because E Villatoro has 20 months and I have 15... so we have to soak it up. We figure we will be together until May when E Villatoro goes home. I would love it. But we never know whats going to happen, there are always surprises.

 

When they told me I had changes, the first thing I did was ask God if it was what He wanted for me. He told me clearly that it was exactly where He wants me. I have a reason to be feezing my nose off. Prayer is incredible. I love it. I love the gospel, I know the church is true. I love studying and learing and sharing the gospel with everyone. Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. I love it. I know my Savior lives. He loves me so much. He is my Redeemer. I know it without a doubt.

 

I love you all so much. Pray for me to find families and to get used to this cold. A sudden change of climate is a little tough. But Im halfway used to it haha.. Have a fabulous week. I love you more than you know!!
-- 

Elder Jensen

Do Something Nice For Someone Today!

Well howdy!

How is everyone this week!!?? Well I´m doing good. This week was a
good one. Remember how I told you about the possibility of changes???
WELLLLL... I have a new companion... His name is Elder Barnes... and I
have a new area, it´s called La Nueva Concepcion. Elder Barnes is from
Texas. It´s really hot here.... OH WAIT.. I didn´t have changes and
neither did Elder Barnes. We are still kinda in shock about it, but we
aren´t complaining!

We are doing really good. Since the changes we have been really
excited to work, and my district is super super excited too. I love
it. We are finally seeing success in just a few short days!

Familia Sanchez update - They love the church.. They are so happy, and
progressing. The mom is the only one holding back, but yesterday we
put a goal for them the 2nd of February to be baptized.. the whole
family together!! I can´t wait!!

Right now it´s a little tough finding people, but we have a family
night with a new family tonight that I´m super duper excited about.
Whenever I see other people learning and growing and converting to the
truth I just get all happy and excited. I love this area!!!!

Yesterday I taught Sunday School... surprise right?? It went well. We
also had a member invite us to lunch (well we invited ourselves cause
our cocinera wasn´t home), then they invited us to dinner too... It
was fabulous!! ps I love eggs and beans and platanos with hot
tortillas!!!!!! My body just always craves that plate of food. Plus
cream and dry cheese on top. There is nothing else that I love more
than that!!!!!

I can´t really think of much else to write. just know that I´m happy,
healthy, speaking spanish like a maniac, serving, loving, and all that
good stuff. I know what I´m doing is the best thing that I could
possibly be doing.

The kid running this internet cafe and I just talked for the first 30
minutes we were here and just asked me all kinds of questions. But he
asked me if I had ever doubted or regretted what I have been doing for
14 months. I told him ABSOLUTELY NOT. In fact, I never want to go
home. From time to time I have dreams about being home, and I had one
this week. I woke up bawling. That was one of the saddest ones I had
ever had. Oh man I hated it.

Just so you know, I have the strongest testimony of this church. It is
the true church of Jesus Christ. God tells me every single day. He
loves me, and you. Jesus Christ lives, He is the Son of God. He
suffered and died for us. Í´m so happy here in Guatemala. I love being
a representative of Jesus Christ. Thank you for the prayers, letters,
and love. I can feel it.

Do something nice for someone today!!

-- 
*Elder Jensen

Guatemala

Hoy si puedo escribirles.

Haha everyone says "hoy si."

I love being Guatemalan. This week was a good one. I´ve never been this tired in my entire life. We saw some miracles, taught some people, loved, served, and all kinds of other stuff.

Changes are coming this Wednesday and they don´t tell us until tonight what the dealio is. For sure one of us is out of the area. We came in together, and now that we finished the training, it´s one of us out. I think I´m out. Word on the street is that they are giving me another greenie.

Our mission is receiving SO many missionaries. Right now we have about 180, 9 go home on wed and 25 come in. CRAZY! The Lord is accelerating the work. It makes me all fuzzy inside. I don´t know what´s going to happen. I guess you will have to wait a week to see.

The Fam Sanchez is progressing so much!!! They love church... well the husband, the wife hasn´t gone yet, but we are having a noche de hogar with them tonight! He even payede some fast offerings. I like baptizing, but even better, I love having converts. He accepted a baptismal date for the 26th, tonight we are going to see what the rest of the family says. For this reason, I don´t want to leave my area. I´m scared...

Elder Barnes didn´t get back from Guatemala City until Tuesday morning. This week feels all messed up because of that! Then Thursday we went to Mazatenango for a multi zone conference with Presidente Maravilla. It was one of the best conferences ever. I loved it. Any chance I get to listen to that man I just soak it up. I love him so much. He goes home in July or June or whenever... I will cry lots.

Surprise surprise!! I spoke in church yesterday. It´s something I enjoy. I also taught Gospel Principles. I love that class.

I don´t really remember much else about this week. Just that I loved it... and I´ll never get to live it again. I´m so happy being a representative of Jesucristo. I´ve changed the way I introduce myself this week. Instead of saying, "Hello, I´m Elder Jensen, a representative of the church....." now I say, "hello, I´m Elder Jensen, a representative of Jesus Christ and His church here on the earth." In the conference President talked a lot about our calling and who we really represent. I bear my testimony to the people before I even start explaining stuff.

I know I represent God´s Kingdom here on earth. I preach "las buenas nuevas." I am a child of God. He loves me. Wants me to be happy. He sent His son. He suffered for us. He loves us. I love you all, I want you to be happy.

Be good this week. Do the basics - read, pray, go to church.

no pictures today, sometimes Guatemala doesn´t like to read my memory card. oh well, I still love you Guatemala!!!

What's Cookin?

What´s cookin?

I´m sitting here in this internet cafe just thinking and thinking and thinking about this past week... and I don´t remember anything. I hardly remember yesterday. This week was a good one. It feels like all the days just mashed into one.. I´m remebering now that last week was New Years. Ok.

Monday - Well for New Years we ate some sandwiches and more TAMALES. Yep, they make them for Christmas and New Years. I´m kinda bored of them.... We basically just chilled in our house and played Life (board game!). It was just chill and stuff... haha

Tuesday - just made me feel happy that I know the truth. We talked to some Jehovah´s Witness guy... he wouldn´t even pray with us. I´m so glad I know the truth!

Wednesday - We are teaching the Familia Sanchez. It´s a family of 8!! The parents and 6 kids from the ages 22 to 8. 1 girl, 5 boys. The dad is reading the Book of Mormon and praying and preparing to get baptized at the end of the month. They love the church!! Just the daughter and the mom aren´t really progressing, because they never have time to listen to us. Here in Guatemala the women just do all the housework while the man just waits for his food and tortillas... But I really love this family. Please pray for them!

Thursday - Was a hard day. We found a drunk member on the side of the road. It made me so so SO sad. 9 months without drinking. bummer. But we are working with him. It taught me to trust in God more, to never skip a prayer, and strengthened my desire to be perfectly obedient. God works in mysterious ways. Through trials of people we love, we can learn too.

Friday - I took a 30 second break to think about Friday and I don´t remember it.... sorry. haha But it was a good day!!! oh oh I remember... we contacted our next door neighbor. She said the missionaries had NEVER passed by there to share a message with her. We were the firsts! Sometimes the people right under our noses are the people the are prepared, but Satan just puts thoughts in our mind like, "why would you contact right by your house, every other missionary did the same."  Don´t listen to that!! or he might say, "dont give a Book of Mormon to your neighbor, they probably have 30." New goal - Share the gospel with the ones closest to you. SHOW THE LOVE!

Saturday - I don´t remember either. We invited a ton of people to church and talked to a lot of people. I love talking to people!

Sunday - Almost all of the Familia Sanchez came to church. It was a great testimony meeting, it always is! I love this branch so so much. It´s a great place. We got home from church and we got a call that said that Elder Barnes had to go to Reu, then to Guatemala City to sign some paper for his passport or who knows what... so right now I´m with another elder called Elder Robledo from Mexico. Yesterday we spent the day in another area called Rio Bravo while our companions went off to Reu. They should be getting back any time now, I wanna go to my house!!

Today is Monday, we haven´t done anything. I just ate a hamburger, fries, and a shake. I sure love the shakes here aka licuado.

I love you all so much. This past week was a good one, and it can only get better. I love being a missionary. I never want to come home. I love the Guatemalan people more that anyone. That love grows every day. I love the gospel of Jesus Christ. The small and simple things bring to pass the big things (I can only think of that saying in spanish..I had to translate it, sorry if it doesn´t make sense).

God´s kingdom is here on the earth, and I am a representative of it. I testify that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only true church on this whole entire earth. I know it, I live it, I love it. I have been studying the conference talks and I know we have a living prophet. Under the direction of Jesus Christ, he directs the church. I know that The Book of Mormon is the word of God. I KNOW IT!!!!!! I also know that God loves us, He sent His son, Jesus Christ, to suffer for us and help us reach exaltation.

I love you so much. I felt like I needed to bear a big testimony today.. so I did. There aren´t pictures today, I accidently left my camera in my house. I´ll take some good ones this week.

Be of good cheer, and always look upwards. With lots and lots of love from Guatemala.

Hasta la proxima.

Happy New Year!

Hey... what´s happenin!?

I don´t feel like I have much to write today... just HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! you betcha!!! It´s 2013.. almost.

This past week was a good one. We talked to eachother.. That was fun. We also worked really hard and found a family of 8 people that really want to know the truth. 3 of their kids went to church... (the whole family was going to go, but the dad went shopping early in the morning and never came back). bummer. But there is always next week. 

Yesterday the sunday school teacher leaned over to me and told me she was going to leave, and handed me the lesson manual... so I taught sunday school. It was good. The people in the branch like to participate so I like teaching. We talked a lot about prayer which was really good. I learned a lot. Then we had planned with our Branch President that I was going to teach Priesthood and Relief Society. So I did.... hahaha it was just a full day of teaching. There are 4 missionaries in the ward... but they always turn to me to teach. Maybe they like it when I "machete" them. (it´s like scold... you understand).

I really like being a missionary. Yesterday we were talking to a lady in a tortilla stand.. and I asked her if I could make a tortilla. So I did it. It wasn´t perfectly roud, but my skills are getting better. Then she gave us some tortillas with cheese. Nothing better. 

Then last night I killed a rooster. with a knife. I cut it´s main vein in the neck... yikes.

Elder Barnes and I had a really good week, we taught a lot of people. I love teaching from the scriptures. It makes me happy and I love answering questions. My teaching is getting better and better. I´m more patient, I love more. I have changed so much this year. It´s been a good one. This next year will be even better though. I´m so excited for 2013. 

Put goals this year to be better, more commited, more friendly, serve more, and love more. -How many apples come from one seed? we may never know.

I love you all so much. I know the church is true, the scriptures are the word of God. We are so blessed to live on this earth and be guided by a living prophet today. God loves us, He lives, and I love Him.

I love you all so much and I hope this year is a great one!!! Be happy!!

--

Elder Jensen

Feliz Navidad!

What am I doing right now?? Watching a dancing Santa. It is so funny.

Well.... MERRY CHRISTMAS aka FELIZ NAVIDAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Christmas is way happier in Guatemala.. there are tamales, dancing santas, everyone kills pigs and chickens, more fireworks than the 4th of July and 24th of July put together, parades at night, and no one is home! It is really great!!! 

This week has been a crazy one. We didnt teach as much as we wouldve wanted too, but it was still good. I just feel happy and all Christmasey and HOT!!! This is definitely the hottest Christmas in the whole world.

Guatemalan Christmas Traditions:

TAMALES

Everyone and their dog invited us over tonight for tamales. So I will let you know how many I was able to fit in tomorrow... TOMORROW WE GET TO TALK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am super excited!

This week we just kept pushing along, teaching people. This is the first time in my whole mission that I havent been suffering for investegators. Right now we are teaching about 5 or 6 families. The hardest part is getting them to church, but little by little they are progressing. Im so excited for the month of January. 

We found another family this week, Domingo and Sara. Domingo shines shoes, and he RULES! We are also teaching a man named Abraham. He is super super stuck in his church, and sometimes he fights with us, but he is studying the Book of Mormon and is praying. I love being a missionary, I love the Book of Mormon. 

My mind is literally scattered... I dont know what Im writing. 

This week we also had a branch Christmas party. We ate tamales and drank ponche (hot drink with just every type of fruit cut up in it). Santa also came!! (you bet he was dancing). Then the other day there was a parade at about 7:00 at night. pitch dark, but all the cars and everything had lights and there were about 7 dancing Santas. 

By the looks of this letter, it seems like we didnt work very hard this week, but we did. Dont worry. Im loving my time here in La Nueva. I never evver want changes. The people are amazing, we have good lessons with the Spirit. We find a lot of FAMILIES and they want to be families eternals. I love teaching families. We just have a hard time getting the people to church because its a little far. Pray hard for us this week so we can have families in church next Sunday!!!!!

I know that Christ lives, I know He loves us. I know His kingdom is here on earth today, and Im a representative of His church. The church is true. 

This week, cherish the things you have. Count your many blessings. Christmas is a time of giving!!! Find an opportunity to serve someone tomorrow. Take someone cookies, or SOMETHING! I will look to serve too. I love this time of year. Be happy, be good, and you will be blessed. 

I love you all so much, and I hope you have the very merriest Christmas!!!!!!

¡Feliz Navidad de Guatemala!

--

Elder Jensen