Living in a Dream

Greetings from Retalhuleu, the capital of the world... (Not even kidding, that’s what they say...)_

Another week, another letter. Here I am just chillin like a villain and it’s not that fun cause wickedness never was happiness.... (I’m not being wicked, don’t worry... I’m happy) hahaha oh man, well there are good things going down here in the south.. or center. Where am I? I don’t know, but things are good. This week was busy, busy as usual and we had some good experiences.

Monday we had a family night with a family that has been less active for 9 years. It was really, really good and the High Priest Group Leader taught a lesson about eternal families. It was really good. Then he took us to his house and they had invited a family with problems in the ward to a family night and taught the same thing, then on Wednesday we took another family to the same house and they taught basically the same thing... then Sunday in Sunday school he taught the same thing................. (He is also the Sunday school teacher). But yeah.. I heard the same lesson about marriage 4 times... now I want to get married. And fast._

It was really good though because the inactive family for 9 years went to church, the problem fam went too. We had a ton of less active people in church and we were just super happy and so was the ward. It felt fuller and happier. The more the merrier, am I right??

This week we were busy doing a lot of stuff for the zone. Changes are coming up and a lot of stuff is happening... but I’m not allowed to tell you!!! HAHAHAHA we were in the office the other day and President told us some good stuff that is going on here in our area and our zone and he told not to tell a soul. Then when he said goodbye to us he said, "May the force be with you." So we have been trying to keep the force with us....

Good news - we finally bought umbrellas. All this time we hadn’t had any but my companion got a blue one and mine is green. Sometimes we use them to protect us from the rain, sometimes to protect us from dogs, sometimes as light sabers, and sometimes we leave them in our house and we get rained on. They are quite useful.

Yesterday there was a ward/stake council. All the leaders of each ward got together in the Stake Center and we went too!! The stake president here is amazing. He is supports us a ton and is just amazing. -

But he talked about the tree of life, Lehi’s Dream... First they showed the cartoon version of the tree of life, then they drew a picture of it on the whiteboard and then started drawing people how the scriptures describe them. They then numbered them and asked where are we? Where are the members of each ward? Where are all those that get baptized and fall away? Where are all the people? It was really good to think about that we are living in the tree of life right now. Where are we? Are we in the darkness? Did we partake of the tree then fall away? Are we in the building making fun of those that want to follow Christ and partake of the fruit? I really liked the way he applied it and it made me feel excited to work. This stake needs lots of help, and working together we all can do it. There are people that need help, maybe they are lost in the darkness or have fallen in the pit, but it’s never too late to save them. Christ came to this earth to take upon Himself the sins of the world, all we have to do is repent and keep the commandments. Hold to the rod.

Some scriptures I found this week -

Moses 1:39 the work of God. His goals and desires._

39_For behold, this is my_^awork_and my_^bglory葉o bring to pass the_^cimmortality_and_^deternal_^elife_of man.

But what is our work? What do we have to do to be able to help God with His work? Doctrine and Convenants 11:20

_20_Behold, this is your work, to_^akeep_my commandments, yea, with all your might,_^bmind_and strength.

I really liked that. I hadnｴt ever seen the scripture in D and C before. But I liked it. God just asks that we are obedient. We just need to keep His commandments and He will bless us with immortality and eternal life. There are so many blessings waiting for us, we just have to be faithful, and obedient. If you have to make changes, do it. There is nothing more important than following God.

Yesterday the relief society pres spoke in church and she said, "Iｴm not perfect, but that’s why I came to earth." Now is the time to act. Now is the time to become perfect.

I hope you enjoy these great pictures!! They are a little old, about a month ago we helped Hermano Pepe clean his yard, so we snapped some pics. About 2 weeks ago Elder Quiroz and I got back to the house after lunch super tired, we just laid down on that mattress for like 2 seconds and we were both out. (after lunch is the time we study Spanish/my companion English), The other 2 that live with us snuck in and grabbed the pictures. We had no clue ahahah. And the other picture was last night. Every Sunday night we eat dinner with a lady the office missionaries and us and some sisters, last night we celebrated the secretary’s birthday, Elder Pulsipher. It was jammin.

 

I love you so so much. I hope you have the best week of your life!!!!

A Recent Convert Baptizes His Brother

Well hello there.

Another week down and I can hardly believe it. But it sure was a good one.

When I started the mission everyone told me that when you start having a lot of time in the mission you are just always tired and your body is just worn out.... I didn’t believe them, but now I do. Oh man I’m just a tired boy. Plus it had been raining SO much we have been soaked all week... its actually pouring right now too. Its makes it cooler here, but its just all wet.... I don’t know why haha.

We had a super good week. Working hard to try and find people. We found a super SUPER Catholic lady that asked us why we wanted to be missionaries, and basically we just shared our testimonies and she said we would be excellent Catholic priests.... haha it was actually a cool experience.

This week we did divisions. I went to San Sebastian with Elder Jones. I was his first district leader, then I was his Zone Leader in San Marcos, and here we are together again. Kinda weird but its all good. It was fun. We found a super awesome accepting family. There are always miracles on divisions. Then we got back to my house to end divisions and we walked in the house and there was President Ruiz just waiting patiently. He was ready to go work with us. I don’t remember if I told you but during the leadership meeting he had a slip of paper with all the zones on it and he took ours out of the stack! It was a good day. We basically contacted a lot cause we have been trying to find people. I learned a ton of stuff. Here in Guatemala we have the same conversation all day long. If I ask the people a question, I know exactly what they were going to say. EXACTLY! They say the same thing no joke, but President was so interested in everything and everyone, and that reminded me about an Elder Jensen about 2 years ago. I want to be like that again. He looked at everyone like a child of God. We had some good contacts and a good lesson with an old guy that didn’t even want to talk with us at first but he completely changed!!! Amazing how the Spirit works.

 

We are having problems with Manuel and Damaris. We don’t know it we should drop them or no. It’s a major rollercoaster!! 

I need lots of prayers over here. We need people to teach and I need to stop thinking in the house so much. It’s tough; I only have a little left and I wanna finish strong. I cant believe its almost time, but there is still time to work!!

I know the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is God's Kingdom on earth. I don't have a doubt about it. I know it's true. We are only on this earth for a little bitsy of time, and it's our responsibility to do everything we can to get better and choose the right, then we have an eternity to think about everything we did. My wish is that every single person I know would be faithful in the church, read the scriptures, pray always, and choose the right. There is NOTHING more important than following God the Father, and Jesus Christ the Son. I know They live. They love us, and want us to return with Them someday. 

 

I love you so much. Enjoy the pictures. Us with Pres. Ruiz, tired Elder Quiroz and me in the weekly planning session, and the super rain!!! By the way, I'm completely soaked in that picture.

I love you!!!!!!!

Elder Salas just sent me this, its Adolfo (my convert) baptizing his brother!!!

This was the Saturday right after changes.... true joy!!!

Crazy Week

Well hello there.    

I sure did have a crazy week I don’t believe it's Monday once again. I'm just kinda shocked about what's going on and everything in my life.... holy cow my mission has gone by so fast. All right so...

Tuesday - we had our leadership meeting. It was really really good. I love Pte. Ruiz. He has so so much energy and tons of plans for the mission. I hope you enjoyed the picture he sent you and the letter. I hope you understood it. haha but He did that with all the leaders. He is an amazing man and I love his wifey too. 

Then Tuesday at night we had our meeting with the Stake Pres. and Pres. Ruiz and us. Those are always great. Just so the Stake and the mission are working hand in hand. Pres. Ruiz was very impressed with our Stake President, and so was I. He is an amazing person and so willing and ready to work. The Stake has a lot of challenges, but he is the one to pull it out of the mud that it's in. 

Wednesday - We helped clean a lady's yard; we did it pretty fast since we are pretty good at chopping weeds with a machete. Then we started divisions. I stayed in the area with Elder Tenney from Arizona, on of the district leaders here. We had a good day and a good lesson with Manuel and Damaris, (I think I told you about them right?) Anywho, it was a good day.

Thursday - We had our zone meeting and our stake president showed us with bags of Taco Bell for the companionships that baptized 2 families last month. Then we played a game. He tied a ring of keys to six strings and then 65 missionaries were facing outward holding the strings and there was someone directing them to get the keys in a cup. It was really fun. At one point he made my companion and me direct the game, I had my back to the group and my companion was whispering in my ear what to say. He was the only one that could see the cup. It ruled!!! Everyone loved it.

Friday - A lady in the ward called us to help her load a bunch of stuff in a truck cause she was moving, it was fun, but we couldn't be there for very long cause we had to go help some sisters in our ward with an investigator that they have. The sisters trust us so much; they always ask us for help and stuff. They are humble, and that's why they have success. It's awesome having sisters in the zone; especially the 10 we have (so many sisters!!!!!)

Then we helped the same sisters make a million cupcakes for their activity that they had on Saturday, It was pretty fun plus they were tasty!!!

Saturday - We went to help some other sisters that their investigator was building a step to get into his house. We dug a little hole, put blocks in there, dirt, and some concrete. It turned out good but I got a bit sunburned. Then we helped the sisters with their activity, it was an activity of 2 wards and it was about the plan of salvation, they had rooms decorated as the kingdoms of glory and games and a bunch of stuff!! Really cool!

Sunday - church.... it was wayyy good. Damaris went to church and loved it!!!!! It was a REALLY good sacrament meeting, so quiet and a little odd cause I'm used to loud!! but it was so good, I leaned tons.

We were so tired after this long week, I'm sure I forgot some good stuff, but there's the basics. I love serving, and I love being a missionary. It's so so SO hard not to think about you guys every second of every single day. I can't believe I'm almost done with my mission, and I'm just a little shocked about my travel itinerary. I dunno if I'm ready for this... but I can't wait to see you and get to know Oakley.

This week I studied a lot about the plan of salvation. I want, with my whole heart and every fiber of my being, to get to the Celestial Kingdom with every single one of you. It's time to do your part so we can be there together. There is nothing more important than going to church every week, reading the scriptures, and praying always. Do the changes you need to do to be able to receive the blessings that God has waiting for you.

My companions dad sent him a story about eagles that he read to me - Eagles live to be about 70 years old. But when they reach 40 years old their beaks, claws, and feathers are all worn out. They can either sit there and die, or go to a nest close to a rock wall. What they do is beat their beak against the wall till it falls off, then when a new one grows back they pull off their claws one by one, then they pull of their feathers when their claws have grown back. After 5 months they are a new eagle, and can live up to 30 years more. It's never too late to change, to eliminate the things from our lives that hold us back, and we can always receive forgiveness of our sins. God lives and He loves us. He also wants us to return to live with him. Do what you need to do today to live with Him once again.

I love you so so much, and that's why I want to live together forever. Enjoy these pictures of my life, and I hope you have an amazing week!! I love you!

Que onda muchachos?

Que onda muchachos?

Oh yeah... It´s English time. How are you????? I´m doing super good. We have had a super busy week and I actually forgot today was Monday... Monday´s aren´t as special as they used to be.. Me and my companion always joke with the zone that we are not going to internet to write, and I feel alright about it.... But I know you wouldn´t be alright about it. 

This week we got wet 3 days straight, but the good news is that the sun in the morning during the time of our study is strong enough to dry my boots. All of my shirts are basically transparent, and my pants are all dirty and I love my life. 

On Tuesday we studied the Testimony of Joseph Smith, and I want to share what we learned. We had already learned that Moroni told Joseph Smith 4 times everything about the plates, but what we didn´t realize is that the 4th time, Moroni told Joseph Smith to tell his dad. We applied that to our teaching. Sometimes we have to teach someone something 3-4 times and then they will take an accion. We are seeing that with a family we are teaching. Fam Sologaistoa. We have challenged them to baptism like 4 times, but the last time we did it the husband said, "now you´ve hit the nail on the head." They are super close, the only thing is they haven´t gone to church yet because they owe money to a member... we don´t know who!!!!!

We also learned that when Moroni showed up, Joseph Smith was scared, but then realized he was a messenger from God. With my companion we are trying to help the people realize we are sent from God by helping them feel the Spirit in the first little bit, or at least being their friends.

We contacted a lot this week, and has great experiences and lots of fun. Tonight we have an appointment with the equivalant of the Elder´s Quorum Pres. from another church in his "family home evening". (copy cats) hahaha we are stoked about that. He is really nice and so is his wife. We´ll see how it goes.

Today we went to play mini golf as a zone, and then the senior couple invited me and my companion and 2 sisters in the zone to eat BLTs and learn how to paint, (she is an art teacher)... I didn´t paint, I just sat and talked. They are the best though. Elder and Sister Hodgman. They have 4 months in the mission and they still have a hard time with their Spanish. Pray for them!!!! I want them to speak Spanish. So I helped them a little bit too. They are amazing. plus they gave us a dessert... cookies.... WHAT!?!?! I started crying! I love cookies!!!!!!!!!!!! It was so so fun!

I don´t really remember much else... just little things - The other missionaries in our ward had a baptism, every Sunday night we eat dinner with the office elders, some sisters, and the senior couple, in the mission cooks house. umm... Did I mention I love my companion. umm... There were some white guys here from Las Vegas that their nephew is in the office right now, they are in Guate working for some dental thing... umm... I met a friend duck and I named him Lunch aka Almuerzo. We made a box to put in front of every meeting in the ward that´s a box to collect references, we are starting english classes this Saturday, ummmmm our house is like a hotel,Tuesday night 2 elders slept there and at 5 in the morning one woke us up telling us his companion got stung by a scorpian. (He is alright). He brought it with him from his area cause we aint never seen one here. Saturday morning we cleaned a guys yard with machetes, and my hand was all blistery. That´s a summary of my week. I love my area, the ward, and my companion. I´m happy healthy, and blessed. Here are some pictures of my week too!!!

I know God lives, and so does His Son Jesus Christ. They love us and we are children of God. We have a living prophet here on earth who guides us. I know that families can be forever. I know Joseph Smith was a prophet call of God in these latter days to bring about the restoration of the fullness of times. I love it. 

I love you so much, I hope you have an excellent excellent week!!!

Elder Jensen