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.

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

I Can Feel Your Prayers

Hi... Did you know I can literally FEEL your prayers? Well if you didn’t know, now you do... I can feel your prayers. Isn´t that neat?? Keep em comin!!

This week went by EXTREMELY fast. I don’t know where it went. I think into the past... but I’m not sure. haha Time just keeps marching on.

We had some special experiences this week... on Tuesday we went to teach Mauro and Florencia, well.. I think it was Tuesday. But anyway we went there with a member that helps us a lot. Mauro started asking us about marriage and about how he and his wife were married but he didn’t like it so he wanted to get married again, then he started telling us about a dream that he had. He said he and his wife were young, and were in a big beautiful building. Everything was just amazing. They were running to get married. While he was telling his dream he grabbed his wife’s hand and started getting all teary eyed. In that moment we started explaining to him about the temple and about how families can be forever. We talked about how much God loves us and a little bit about the plan of Salvation. They told us that they had never heard anything like that before, and that they want to get baptized the 28th of Sept....... THIS SATURDAY!!!! YAYAYAYAYAYAY!!! I’m so stoked. 

Plus their son is a member and we visited him on Friday cause we want him to baptize his parents. He started talking about the experience that we had and was so shocked. He told us that his dad was the type of man that had his beer bottle right next to his pistol and that he had never ever seen him cry; that he was so hard and tough and a fighter. The Spirit can break through whatever wall. 

I love Mauro and Florencia. They are so special and they love us too... On Saturday we passed by to say hi and buy some tamales from them and they were installing a light right above their couch so when we come we will have light to see. Isn’t that the cutest thing ever? We also gave them a big huge bible and triple and they made us sit down and write a little note in them with our names too so they can pray for us!!! Oh my heart is going to burst with so much love for these people. The small and simple things are just too much for my heart to handle. 

BUT we need a miracle. Florencia couldn’t go to church yesterday because she had a fever and her body hurt. She had symptoms of dengue, and that’s bad. But she wants to get baptized with her hubby. Please pray for them that everything will go well for the baptism and they can be strong to handle everything... did I mention Mauro is 78 and Florencia is 74. I love them so much.

Last night I woke up at around 2:30 with a sore throat and I went downstairs to take a pill... There are 3 pills - Tabcin night, tabcin day, and tabcin cough. I wanted to take tabcin day but I couldn’t find it, so I took tabcin night. Oh man I’m walking around like a dead man. hahahaha it´s so fun. I was just singing all morning EFY songs in a deep voice.... I don’t really know what´s happening to me, but I’m ok. hahaha

I have been in such a good mood since we have progressing people. I always say that everyday is the best day of my life, and now my companion started saying it too. I think I have the best companion in the entire world. I love the guy... oh ps finally we aren’t in a trio (what’s that in English...) We are just 2 not 3 now. Elder Avelar begged President to send him to another area... I don’t really know why. but oh well. Now we are alone in our huge 2 story house. We cleaned it really really good too and moved around some furniture. I love it.

I have so many thoughts in my head right now. Everything is so bittersweet. But I’m loving my time here. I try not to think about home, and what I’m going to be doing in just a few short weeks. And I know you are praying for me so I’m focused.... I´m so thankful for that. In these last few days we have seen miracles and seen the ward change and get excited and I love it.

Remember when I told you about an inactive family that we activated?? Well in Priesthood they were talking about home teaching and after the class the guy we activated took us up front with the member that helped us and told everyone the experience we had, then he told everyone to do their visits and help one another.... (I think I told you about them right??) I dunno...... But he was just so thankful for everything and he told everyone that they were there for good and they we so happy.... (they started using their garments too and in 3 months they can go to the temple again......) I think that’s GREAT!!!!! I´m so happy. 

There is nothing more important and more rewarding than following God and being obedient. He loves us so much. I know families can be forever. I know it I know it I know it. I don’t have a doubt. I know that La Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos de los Últimos Días is God´s true church here on earth. I know Joseph Smith is a prophet of God. oh oh another experience. We were explaining to Mauro and Florencia about the leadership of the church and we showed them the pictures (the ones that come in the Ensign with all the faces and names) well they loved it. They realized that the church is established the same exact way that the church of Christ was established 2000 years ago. The church is true. Never forget it.

I love you all so so so incredibly much. I hope you have the best of weeks, and that today and tomorrow and the next day can be the best days of your lives. 

ps enjoy the pics. Us with Mauro and Florencia, then with some beans and Hna. Carmen (The mom of the mission.. she cleans presidents house and makes us banana bread whenever there are conferences.. and we eat dinner with her every Sunday night)

I love you

Elder Jensen

We Made Chocolate!

Hi. 

Good news - today we made chocolate.............. Did you know that chocolate came from trees!?!?!?!?! I´m so stoked about it!! hahahahahaha alright, alright well there are a million cacao trees here. And there is a sister that got a bunch of seeds and we toasted them and took off the shell then we toasted cinnamon and put vanilla and a whole bunch of sugar, then we took it to "el molino" (the grinder??) so it could be all powdery and yummy and chocolatey. Tonight we are going back to drink some hot chocolate and bread!!!!! I´m in heaven and my hands have smelled like chocolate all day... Elder Quiroz and I keep saying that there is a waterfall in our mouths... get it.. cause they are all watery. (It´s a little saying I came up with and I think it´s the funniest thing ever.. then we pretend our mouth is just full of water and we can´t control ourselves. hahahahahahahaha) So we were basically at the members house all day, and for part of the day there wasn´t light so we had to go the molino twice and it was just a blast.... pictures are included... 

My week was also a blast!!!! We are teaching 2 teenagers named Manuel and Andrea. They are really super positive and have been to church once. They really like what we teach. We just need to soften the heart of their step dad. We also have some oldies we are teaching. Mauro and Florencia Calderon. Their son is a member, and they both went to church on Sunday and they loved it!!!! (I taught Gospel Principles by the way... I like it). We always have really good lessons with them and they understand a lot. They just want to feel sure about their decision... pray for them so they can feel sure!! That they know they have to get baptized!! I love them. Florencia always gives us juice and a sandwich when we go. I love it.

Funny story - we were teaching Mauro and Florencia and an older lady (84 years old) walks in. Elder Avelar (My other companion... we´re still in a trio)... Elder Avelar turned to her super happy and asked her how she was and she said, "No tan bien como usted Pollonazo." ("No as good as you big chicken"). and she hugged him and planted a big wet one on his cheek. We were dying of laughter..... When she left, Mauro said, Well I guess she liked you.!!! hahaha and we have been saying pollonazo to him all week. I love Guatemalans.

On Tuesday we had leader´s conference with Pres. Ruiz. It was really good. 2 weeks ago he changed assistants and put a missionary named Elder Banegas. He is a deacon-sized missionary, with the heart of a bear. Man I love his guts. He gave a really good message about finding people and faith, obedience, and repentance that I really liked. Sister Ruiz talked a lot about obedience, and basically everyone. It´s a real problem in the mission. Satan is working hard!!!!!!!

On Thursday we had our zone meeting and I shared a little about Mosiah 18. I love that chapter. Especially verses 8 and 9 where it talks about how we need to help others, and be witnesses of the truth in all times, all places, and all things. (sorry but it´s better in Spanish....) I love it though. Ever since we were baptized we made those promises. I love it. A little bit later in the chapter it talks about the unity and about preaching the gospel. The zone really liked it. Then I shared my testimony - 

I told them that I only have one month left in the mission, and nobody knows what´s going on in my mind. There are so many thoughts and it´s so tough to focus on just one little thing. But that they have to work hard, treasure the time they have, and be messengers and defenders of the truth. I know the Spirit talked more than me, the feeling in the room was so strong and undeniable. For the first time it hit me that I´m going to be home in just a short month. That I won´t be here speaking Spanish and loving the people and eating beans and tortillas. I´m going to miss it SO much!!!!! I love this place, and the people are incredible.

We had an experience the other day that strengthened all our testimonies. Right after our study time we were getting ready to go and we heard the doorbell. We left and there were 2 women... Jehovah’s Witnesses. They shared a little bit with us about preaching the gospel and who knows what else, (She was literally peeing herself I think). But then we started talking a little bit about our message, and she was so closed off that she didn´t want to hear anything. It was nuts. She wouldn´t accept our pamphlet either cause it "wasn´t based on the Bible," Then we showed her that it was... and she still didn´t want it haha.

I´m so glad and blessed with the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. I´m a missionary, a representative of Jesus Christ. A messenger and defender of the truth. I´m Elder Jensen. I only have 1 more month to be able to say that. I´m not going to lie, I´m so super super excited to see you. But it´s bittersweet. I can feel that you are praying for me. I know it. THANK YOU. I´m forever grateful for your support, love, and prayers.

Elder Quiroz and I read a talk today from Elder Holland that explained something like this - When a missionary goes home and the family is in the airport waiting for him, I imagine it´s a moment as special as the moment when Jesus Christ had finished His mission here on earth; the proud family, and the tears, and the gratitude for service and time given. 

I know the church is true, without a doubt. Jesus Christ lives. He is our Savior and Redeemer.

I love you all so so so much. Be faithful, happy, and always remember who you are and what you stand for!

Elder Jensen

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

Nutella and a New Presidente

Hi mom.... oh and everyone else. hahaha

 

Hows it swimming in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America. Wull... here I am in San Marcos, San Marcos, Guatemala, Central America. We are far huh?? hahaha

 

Well this week was a good'n.

 

On Tuesday we went to Reu for the last meeting with President Maravilla with all the zone leaders. Lucky me huh?? Well Hna. Maravilla shared a little message, then President Maravilla just sat at his table and said, "does anyone have a question for me." (ps he does this all the time and its so fun). But anyway a lot of people asked him questions and he told us stories, he told us about his childhood, and when he got baptized and all kinds of stuff. I loved it!!!I love that man. I´m so blessed that I was able to know him, learn from him, and be better because of him. I sent some pictures of the goodbye, we took pictures two weeks ago when we had conference of the zone, and the other is with them on tuesday. I was just about to cry, man it was a toughie. I hate goodbyes!!!!! haha plus Hna. Maravilla is amazing too. I will miss them. But as Pres said, The old king is dead, the new king lives... so that´s the way it is. I´m excited to know Pres. Ruiz tomorrow, (we are going to Reu, AGAIN. Then Friday we have multi-zone conferences)... Then in two weeks we have interviews with him. I´m stoked. Life is good. 

This week we also did divisions. I was with Elder Gazo, he´s here in the same ward, but it was fun to have a little change for a day. We had a good day. Elder Gazo talks a ton, I loved it ahhaha I´m not used to it cause Elder Salas is a mime... well not exactly but......

Oh I forgot to tell you, on our way back from Reu we got permission to go to the distribution center in the temple and then to Wal Mart in Xela. That was a blessing. I bought NUTELLA!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh man I love it. I bought just a little jar for like 57 quetzales.... kinda expensive, but if we don´t spend money before we die it will just stay here, am I right?? plus it was only like $6 or something. Well worth it. But it´s about halfway gone. But that will hold me over for about another week then I will just have to be strong for 4 months more. 

Yesterday was ward conference. It was incredible. The church was jam packed and the temple president came with his wife. It was so so so so good!!! I love the temple and I love this place. It´s so special.

I almost forgot the coolest part of this week - Last Sunday a guy came to church with his friend, his name is Adolfo. He went to church and loved it. Then when we taught him he told us he was going to get baptized and he searched out the church on his own. On Sunday we gave him a Gospel Principles book, and by Wednesday he had read 14 chapters. So we gave him a Book of Mormon, taught about baptism and the restoration. Then Saturday him and his family invited us to eat lunch and we watch the restoration movie. Then we challenged him to get baptized the 13th of July. He said yes. Oh man I´m so stoked. He went to church yesterday and was telling everyone that he is going to get baptized and everything!!! Everyone was super happy for us and just happy. He told us he didn´t just want to be another member, he wants to be an excellent member. Can you say prepared?? I can. Prepared. His little brother Milton also said he would get baptized, but hasn´t been to church yet. But we are working on that. please pray for Adolfo and Milton. They rule.

I cant really remember what else happened this week, all I know is that I love my life. I love speaking Spanish. I love Guatemalans, with my entire heart and soul. They are an amazing incredible people.

Dad, Mom, Kelsey, Corey, Brooke, Elder Jensen, and Oakley - I know without a doubt that the church is true. It´s so important that we are obedient, that we go to church, that we read our scriptures and pray. God loves each and everyone of us. We are His children and He wants us to be happy. Families are forever. Never forget that I love you and I hope you have the best week of your life. 

Ps yesterday Elder Salas overflowed the toilet and a ton of water was spilling out at 11:30 at night. It was hilarious I had to snap some pictures. the floor is still wet, but not the lake like last night. JAJAJAJAJAJAJAJAJAJAJAJAJAJAJAJA

Elder Jensen