43 WEEKS REMAINING--MESA, AZ

DECEMBER 26, 2016

Fammmmillly! Even though I just barley talked to you I thought I'd just send a little message! Today we went back out to AJ (Apache Junction) to visit a member and Play Volleyball with them! It was super good to go back! Hahaha we got super into it and it got a little heated. But it was such a  great Christmas to remember our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! I love being here in Mesa, even though I'm not on an Adventure in the Phillipines i still know I'm contributing little and little in the Work of the Lord. It Humbles me to know that I'm a servant of the Lord! I hope this year I can become more Christ-like and become who the Lord wants me to become. I hope I can truly become a Disciple of Jesus Christ, cleansed through his Atoning blood. Love you all! Have a great weeeeeeeek!

BAPTISM!!

So happy for these 2!



Merry Christmas!!!

44 WEEKS REMAINING; MESA AZ

December 18, 2016

Thanks Mom for the Pictures! :) I really appreciated them! Hahaha wow! Pate is realllly tall, I didn't even recognize grafton. And Jason, well hahah I'm not sure what to say. But they look great! :) But yes I did get the appointments set up! It'll be interesting to see what happens. I don't feel like I'll go home because I still feel like there's things I need to improve on and learn but we'll take what happens! :) let's talk over FaceTime please. It's a lot easier for me.

Wow! That sounds super fun! I miss the Snow, it's sad how 50 degrees is pretty cold for me. Way to go Mom! You keep on going! You're the best! I'm sorry, I've been super busy too and really stressed so I will get my Christmas Package to you all kinda late :/ but it'll get there, eventually haha. The Baptism was so special. President and Sister Townsend made it out to see it. How much should I spend on your guys' Christmas gifts? And should I get one for every person? Thanks Mom! Sometimes the Mission just gets really tiring Hahha something I've learned about myself is I REALLY like change, and after you've done the same thing over and over again for a Year it gets kinda hard to keep on going. But I've just been trying to Keep that Spark going by reading Jesus The Christ. It's really helped grow my testimony and helped me find those desires to keep on pushing on. But I just can't believe 2017 is almost here and that's the year I come back. THAT'S weird.

Thanks so so so so much for the Package. Hahaha I opened it early :/ it was great! I really enjoyed opening it!:) and thank you tons for the Shoes. It's Made my life a lot easier haha. 2nd Best gift ever behind the Christmas Package I got from you guys.

I super love you mom! Thanks for all the things you do for me! I hope I'm changing into Heavenly Father wants me to be and who you would be proud of! Thanks! 

Love, Elder Jensen

Enviado desde mi iPad

45 WEEKS REMAINING--MESA, AZ

Dec. 12, 2016

I've been Focusing on how I can apply the Atonement in Everyday of My life and I read a quote from a Talk, I'll copy it!

If you are suffering deeply, with others or alone, I urge you to let the Savior be your caregiver. Lean on His ample arm. Accept His assurance. “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you,” He promises. (“Come, Follow Me” by Practicing Christian Love and Service)

I love the opportunity to Learn about Jesus Christ that I have every day. I've learned more about him and his Gospel more than I think I ever would've in any other situation in my Life.  I truly know that Jesus Christ is there for us in any situation. Even on a mission everything isn't great and Dandy 100 % of the time. Haha but I have learned that when things get rough, to just take 5 min and kneel down and pour out your soul to Heavenly Father, things will get better. Jesus Christ died for us! And he and Heavenly Father love us.

Yeah this was a good week! We went on exchanges again, with Elder Madsen! It was a good exchange! He's in a YSA ward and it's just strange teaching with people around our age. We went to the Lights and it's just so great to be there! It makes it feel more Christmas-y. 

It was awesome, we did a review of the Baptismal Questions and M__________ and G______  just knew so much and their testimonies were very strong! It was just amazing for me to see how much they've grown and everything! They've both given up their past and truly come closer to Jesus Christ through his Atonement! It's amazing!:) Happiest Feeling ever!

It's been a little harder for some reason to find new actually interested investigators, then we met with one of our investigators A______, (she was a referall from sister E________ the Relief Society President) and The Lord worked on her! She completely understood the role of the Priesthood and The Great Apostasy! Hahaha later, she was like "Everytime that I'm feeling sad or my day isn't going well, Sister E_______ is always there knocking on my Door!" Hahaha we were like and "why do you think the Lord has been sending her?" And she was like "Well, I think he's showing me where to go!" Hahha then we were like well, this is the Church of Jesus Christ, Hermana. Hahaha she's so great! We recieved another Blessing! It was a referall from the Christmas lights that was SO PREPARED! She didn't have time but we left her with a pamphlet and she said we were welcome anytime!

Love

Elder Jensen

 How is the work over there? I'm sure it's rough. Yes! I needed them so bad! (new shoes) They're perfect! Thank you! I feel bad cause I know they were expensive!:/ but they'll last way til after the mission. Thank you! No, I have to do that tomorrow. My comps help me remember. Ok! Sounds good! Hahha I don't know what to get everyone because everything is like the same here! Thats Great! I would love to do stuff like that after the mission for Christmas, can you believe I'll be home for next Christmas? Weird. That's so cool! You'll have to let me know where they go (ward members he was in mutual with)!

I think I'll baptize one and Elder Duce the other one! I'll just wait to open them until Xmas. I can't wait to talk with you guys! We can talk whenever, our Mission President told us that on Christmas he doesn't want us out unless we have been invited to go somewhere.

Mom, can you believe that I only have close to 10 months left. Me and the mission buddies are all talking about how weird it is we're finishing up soon. Well, not really but. Every 3 months one of us goes home. It's gonna get weird pretty soon. Hahaha the Mission is fast. I'll be pretty excited though to move on to he next step, i think I'll want to go and try to get my AEMT or something like that.

Love

Elder Jensen

Went to breakfast to a wonderful family's home.  

Exchanges with Elder Madsen.

46 WEEKS REMAINING - MESA, AZ

DEC 5, 2016

The weeks go by soooo fast. This week was great though. We teach G______ and M_______ about every Two days and they should be getting baptized in Two Saturdays. Our area is mostly just neighborhoods filled with gringos. Well, the Hispanos are there, they're just hard to find. We found one though! His name is R_______! We also have been working with Hermano Q________, he's a less-active and we've been teaching him for like 14 weeks and he hasn't come to church and it has kinda been frustrating, but then he just like super opened up and told us all the hardships and stuff he's been going through and it just made me realize that we always should just try to LOVE everyone because we can't see what everyone is going through. I wanted to share this part of PMG...

It's talking about praying with Faith and how we should change it more into talking God instead of just like citing a report we should make it more like a Convo

“I always remember two young men who served in my mission. One was a superstar. He was educated. He was bright. He was quick. He was a little arrogant. We had another who was a sign painter. He came from a sign shop with very little education, but he knew his inadequacies and he relied on the Lord. When he prayed, you knew he was talking with the Lord. It wasn’t a rote thing, it was a conversation and that young man accomplished wonders while the other young man went through the motions. The power that was in the one and the absence of power in the other was so apparent. Call upon the Lord. He has extended the invitation, and He will answer” (Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley [1997], 469).

It's amazing how much stronger the spirit is with us as we pray like we are talking with our Heavenly Father. He loves us and he loves to hear from us! Especially when we pray sincerely! I've learned that the Lord truly does answer our prayers as we act in Faith! I Love our Heavenly Father and I know this is his work. I love my Father!:)

Elder Jensen

Mommy! Probably 9! Yeah we will be having one! Do they tell you about that kind of stuff? Man! I am jealous of you guys! I bet the Jazz games are the Best! Was it in a Suite? Thanks so much for putting together that Package and honestly just everything you do! I feel like I don't email you all enough and I'm sorry about that but just know I love you guys so much. I'm glad I came out here to learn how to do hard things, the Savior gave us the ultimate example while he was in the Garden of Gethsemane. Hahha I'm sure he wouldn't LOVE to do it. But he did it because he LOVED US. And he knew he could do hard things. The Mission has taught me many valuable lessons and has helped me Changed my desires to more of what the Lord what's from me. I know his ways and his Laws have a good reason to them. As I am looking at myself in the Mission as I'm moving downhill I ask myself, "have I done all that I could?" And many times I feel as though I could've done better which pushes me to strive to be better. I love Heavenly Father and I love his son, our Brother Jesus Christ. I love you mom! Thanks for pushing me to get out the door and to over here because I know it's where I needed to be. Hahaha I'm sure my future wife will thank you too.

Love,

Elder Jensen

47 WEEKS REMAINING - MESA, AZ

NOV 28 2016:

This week was pretty slow actually. It was a struggle finding new investigators. BUT THE WORK MUST GO ON! We've been going through the list of formers and it's been pretty fun! Hahaha the best is when we ask for a return appointment and people say well, how about you just give me your number then we will call you when we are ready. Haha psych. 

We taught M______ and G_____ the Word of Wisdom and they accepted it so well! Hahah she was like, Oh well should I take down my decorations? Hahha and we look around and ALL her decorations are about Coffee hahaha super funny! They have come to church 4x's in a row and they said the Love it every time more! But she said she will stop! Awesome! I forgot how pretty the Christmas lights are! They're super pretty! And it's actually gotten pretty cold down here! Haha I have to wear my jacket now every night! 

Hahaha I always feel like the amount of stuff that happens in the week and what gets put into my letter is super downsized hahaha but just know that I love you guys and I'm safe :)

This week As we were teaching M______ she asked a really good question about the word of Wisdom, she asked why it's ok to drink hot chocolate and not coffee and stuff like that and the member we were with said sometimes it's okay to drink tea haha I don't know why I just froze up and I didn't know what to say. But It was amazing as I was there to feel the Holy Ghost put the idea or the answer in my Head of why when we drink tea for medical purposes it's like the difference between talking Pain killers when your sick or just to take pain killers because you like the way you feel. It was amazing to feel the Holy Ghost just put the thought into my mind and be grateful that this work is someone else's and not mine! 

This was a part of Gordon B Hinkley's teachings of the prophets

"We need the Holy Ghost to guide us in our service at home and in the Church.

Listen to the promptings of the Spirit. Be humble. You may be led to someone by the hand of the Lord because of your spirit, your attitude, your feeling, your humility.

Revelation almost always comes to us through a still, small voice--the whispering of the Spirit."

Love you guys! Have a great week!

Elder Jensen

1- Jensen's Posterity

The Visitor's Center--spend a lot of time here.

Elder Parrella and I served together Back in May and he finished but he came down to visit!

Hey Mom! Before I forgot I want to ask you a couple things

- so for Christmas maybe you can look into getting me some new black shoes, I used up my first ones within six months and there was a sale and I got a second pair for like 20 bucks about 6 months ago but they're dying haha. So I was wondering if you could look into getting me some black GOOD walking shoes, I know Echo is usually a good brand they might be expensive but you may need to look on KSL for some used ones. Haha I just want some good walking ones hahaha. 

- there is a family here in the ward that is very poor and I was wondering instead maybe you could give me money on a Christmas Day to go get them some treats or something:)

- I called the Doctors Office and they said they would call me back with the results but they never did, I will call again.

That is so great! I bet it's wonderful to see the Family! Hahaha any big changes with any of them? No I think that's great! I would love to do more service for people when I get home and I think that's a great idea for Christmas! Well, maybe a couple of gifts haha :)

Hahahaha they sound SO BIG! That's exciting that he is talking! I'm excited to talk with him coming up soon! Yeah we are at the VC a lot! I'm feeling like I'll run into some people I know during this time haha! We got fed VERY well! Hahah like 3 meals hahaha 

That is a beautiful scripture! I LOVE THAT! I hope I can be and continue to be one who focuses on the others instead of ourselves. I love helping others and serving. I love you mom! Take care!

Elder Jensen

48 WEEKS REMAINING - MESA, AZ

NOV. 21, 2016

Man another great week has come and gone! Transfers happened! Nothing changed, me and Elder Duce are still here! The weeks just keep on going faster and faster! This week was awesome! I'm really starting to love the ward Liahona 4th. We have a great ward and everyone loves to help, especially with Maricsa and Gustavo! 

We went through our area Book and found the Abad Family! In the record it said like they wouldn't go to church. Hahha as soon as I told el Hermano that I liked to play basketball he started talking trash on me! Hahaha "me voy a poner mis J's" hahaha Spanglish is the best. But we read in the Book of Mormon with them and we know they felt the spirit! At the end of the reading they were like ok if you don't annoy us about going to church or reading we MIGHT go to church. Hahha 

Maricsa and Gustavo have been to church Three weeks in a row! They're on Date for the 17th! We took them to the VC to have a lesson and we watched JSPR! They loved it! We talked about WOW and they were like, well we don't do any of those things anyway hahaha. And we found out they got married only 5 months ago! Wahoooo! Now we just want to grow their testimonies more about the prophets and the BOOK OF MORMON!

I want to share a part of a talk that I read this week! It's called 

"Am I good enough, will I make it?"

It talks about how he was in Med school and he was in a nurses station and he felt so overwhelmed but then a man came up and told him how good he was doing. And it goes on and says 

The only opinion of us that matters is what our Heavenly Father thinks of us. Please sincerely ask Him what He thinks of you. He will love and correct but never discourage us; that is Satan’s trick.

And he goes on...

I love the way President Gordon B. Hinckley used to teach this principle. I heard him say on several occasions, “Brothers and sisters, all the Lord expects of us is to try, but you have to really try!

I know that as long as we try our best effort and REALLY TRY our Heavenly Father loves us and if we are truly trying he will bless us. I love you guys! I love and hope I keep on changing into what the lord wants:)

Elder Jensen

Mommy! I love you! So about the package Elder _______ isn't sure, so I would say just like candy and stuff would be great for him! He likes Reese's as well do I ;) yeah I know Dan! He's a great guy! Oh no! How tall is he? Probably gigantic. I love you guys so much and I'm excited to speak with you soon! And I will receive my results hopefully this week! Tell thank you to the fam for the emails! I love you guys so much! Next week I want to make more time for you! Love you soooooo much!:)

Elder Jensen

49 WEEKS REMAINING; MESA AZ

NOVEMBER 14, 2016

This week was another awesome one! We struggled to find some new investigators and we got shut down a couple of times but it was still a great week! It made up for it with the great lessons we had with E_____ and M________! They both came to church! They all loved it and they all said they want to be baptized! It's honestly amazing to see how much they change and how much they start smiling and opening up and just enjoying the Gospel! It's a HUGE blessing. They all said they want to be baptized. So hopefully in one week they'll have a date:) hahaha M_______ told us "This must be the true church because I've never felt so many weird feelings" Hahha it was awesome. 

This week I read in a talk "The Lord Jesus Christ teaches us to pray" and it's an amazing talk that talks about prayer when the guy almost died on the way up to Machu Pichu and this is what he shared 

"In the early morning of that same day, I had prayed with my lips, and when I was about to perish, I prayed from the heart to Him."

I've tried to get more sincere with my prayers and praying with my Heart. I love the Lord and I know he loves to hear from all you! Pray always from heart to Him!

Elder Jensen

Yeah! Time is going by really fast. It's weird to think that it's on the downslope. Hahah I kinda just have the mentality that I'm going to be here forever, so then I just don't really think about it. Haha ah man you've been sick? We've been sick around here too. Elder Duce was vomiting and for a little I've had a cough. And yes we went to the PET Scan and said my doctor would call me after he got the results back!

That's great Moab was enjoyable. The pictures make it look amazing! 

Hahaha that is crazy that it's Thanksgiving. Do you guys have any fun plans set up? I have no idea if anything special is going on, I think just visiting people! Hahah please don't spend a lot of money on me! I would rather you save it :) if the Hawaii thing is too expensive I would be totally fine with going on a smaller trip! Disneyland is always a favorite or out east somewhere! But you all choose!:) I love being obedient. I love the concept of Obedience! Love you mommy!:)

Elder Jensen

On exchange with Elder Madsen.

50 WEEKS REMAINING, MESA AZ

NOVEMBER 7, 2016

This week was awesome! It's finally starting to cool down so it's super enjoyable. We've had to drop some people but we found some new people also! It was so awesome! I got to do exchanges with Elder Juarez and Elder Vo! It was great!

We had an Amazing lesson with M________ and Her family! They loved the plan of salvation and they came to church! They loved it! The members were so good! They went up and made them feel welcome and invited them into their homes! Ah it was amazing! I love that family! 

Sorry this one is mega short! But we don't have a ton of time! I love you all and I'm so happy I came out on my mission! It's the best thing I've ever done and i know this is the true gospel!

WEEK 52; OR 51 WEEKS REMAINING! MESA, AZ

October 31, 2016

Happy Halloween! 

This week was great! Well, it was pretty good. Elder Duce was sick for a while and so there was some time we just stayed in the house. But other than that it was a fantastic week! We met a couple new people that have some interest and we went forward with teaching our more progressing investigators! We had a ward party and we were in charge of the Activity so we decided to play human fooseball! So we got a bunch of ropes and bought an Exercise ball and played it! Hahaha they loved it! Hispanics go like all out when it comes to futbol it was hilarious!

We're teaching P_____ and L______ and their son and his friends! Hahah they all work at a call center and whenever we have a lesson they just talk about how much they hate their jobs hahaha. They're really funny guys but we were able to teach them the restoration and one of them even asked for a copy of the Book of Mormon! Their son, C___________ really likes us and he said we could come over and work out with him and talk about the gospel with him while we workout Hahha! 

We finally were able to Meet with M___________ again! (She has the Twins) and we taught the plan of slavation and she LOVED IT. She was like "I'm going to go to church to learn more about this plan!" But she had to go to Payson so she couldn't come :(

P__________! Haha she's super funny, we teach her about twice a week and she's so cool! She's super Christian but doesn't belong to a church. She's very intelligent and loves Jesus Christ! We've been Teaching her for about a week and she stayed up and read 13 Chapters one night! Woooooweeee!

 But there's something that I noticed at her house last night. Her 3 year old grand daughter has a cat. Hahaha this cat gets thrown around and pulled at and picked up by the head and dropped like a stuffed animal hahaha! But the Cat just takes it! That Cat is just completely submitted to the little girl. I was thinking about it during my personal study and I think about how I'm always working and asking Heavenly Father for a baptism or something that I, Me, Elder Jensen, wants. I should be happy working hard and doing the best I can and be submitted to the fathers will. If it's in his plan to have one of his children receive the blessing of being baptized then great! But if not I will still be happy because I know I'm doing my best and the will of my father.

D&C 112:10 says:

 Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand, and give thee answer to thy prayers.

I know that Heavenly Father has a plan for each of us! If we give up our will and ask him to guide us he will lead us by our hand! I love him and I love each of you! Take care and have a great week! :)

Elder Jensen


October 31, 2016

Man I can't wait to eat the Carmel apples and chocolate pretzels after! Those are killer! Yes! When I get back to the apartment I will send it to them and set up the other appointment! I'll let you know when I have it set up! Yes so our haircuts got pushed back so now we are emailing. But yes I got the letter and everything!

Haha thanks mom! You're the best Mommy I could ask for! Tonight we aren't aloud to go out because of Halloween. The first day in a Year that I won't do any proselytizing hahaha that's crazy. Anything you want to hear? Any questions? Love you Mom!

Elder Jensen

October 31, 2016

We actually have a mission Activity at the Visitors Center! Wahooo! 

Oh my gosh! That is best news I've recieved for ever! ThAt makes me so happy! Ah I'm so happy he's deciding to come back! Tell him I PROMISE as a disciple of Jesus Christ he will see GREAT blessings! Oh my gosh tell him I'm so happy for what he's doing!  Really!? Ahh that's so cool! Man isn't the Gospel super amazing!? Hahaha I wish we could get cool hair cuts. I just got another buzz today hahaha  but I'll do it after the mission! Send me a pic! Hahaha noooooo it's ok I've accepted my Basketball career MIGHT be over ;) I think I'm probably like 5'10 or 5'11

Got to go!

Love you mom! :)

Jordy

WEEK 51 - Mesa AZ

Oct. 24, 2015

Hola Mamá y la Familia!

This week was another good one! We've been having lessons like every other day with P______ y L_____! It's so cool! They got baptized about 2 months ago and they Love the Gospel! They have a countdown for when they can get sealed! 10 months wahoooo! 

So Thursday, Thursday was the day when everything died. Hahah we had like 4 lessons that canceled and everyone wasn't interested or NOTHING! Haha it was a rough day. 

But on Sunday it was a really amazing day! None of the investigators we invited to church came:( but we just went around and met a lot of the Members! They were all sooo kind! It's just so nice to be able to connect with people and just feel the love and the Spirit so strong!:)  Then after church we went to a Trailer Park that we always go to and we were trying to talk with people but they were all Catholic, then we saw this man Arturo. We looked at him and the thoughts that went through my head was 

1) Wow he's big, and has really scary looking tattoos on his arms, and he's drinking beer, and listening to some hardcore metal, and he looks more Native American than Hispanic.

2) But think of how cool he would look in Baptismal Clothing!

The spirit Raced in my Heart as we talked with him! The Spirit was so strong as we testified of the Restored Church of Jesus Christ and edvidence being the Book of Mormon! I saw the Spirit Touch him as he accepted the invitation to allow us to come back and to read the Introduction of the Book of Mormon! 

I can't stress how much I KNOW that this is the Lord's work. As missionaries we're just the tools along for the ride. This is the Lord's Church and the Lord's Gospel and the Lord's work. Let the Lord do his will, it's a lot better plan than what we've got!

Jacob 7:14

14 And I said unto him: What am I that I should tempt God to show unto thee a sign in the thing which thou knowest to be true? Yet thou wilt deny it, because thou art of the devil. Nevertheless, not my will be done; but if God shall smite thee, let that be a sign unto thee that he has power, both in heaven and in earth; and also, that Christ shall come. And thy will, O Lord, be done, and not mine.

Love,

Elder Jensen

Oct. 24

Hahaha Missions are beautiful because you learn how to work hard and you learn and grow in so many ways but it's also beautiful because it comes to an end and you get to return to your family! Hahaha I'm definitely not ready to come home but I will be by the end of two years:) hahaha. I'm glad I've changed!

Man no fun! I was sick too this week! First time in the Mission though! Hahah that's great! How's their family? Wow! They're brave!

So yes Dr. Bingham was wondering if he could have the name of the doctor that did my procedures and all of his information so that he can get in contact with him so he can have all he information about the Cancer. So if you could send that to me tonight that would be much appreciated.  But he said everything looked normal! He gave me a prescription to go get my Scan so that's the next step! Yay. 

Also thank you so much for the Package! It came just in the right time! I was craving Oreos today but I didn't have the money in the account to do so! So great timing Mom:) thank you so much! I love you tons! I'm so happy I've got you for a Mommy! There's a cool Diamondbacks hat that I was wondering if I could buy... it could be a little Christmas Gift to myself?:) 

Love you!

Elder Jensen

WEEK 50 - MESA, AZ

This week I picked up my new Son! His name is Elder Duce from Nampa, Idaho. He's a great missionary! He loves to work and he works hard at his Spanish! We're still here in Liahona 4th. On Monday this really nice family we met in an English ward took us and our investigator to Organ Stop pizza then after we went to the Visitors Center with her! It was so awesome! I've never had a bad lesson at the Visitors Center. The Spirit is always so strong and amazing over there! 

Then on Tuesday we went and had a great Family home evening with the _______family. The dad served a mission in Mexico then met his wife at the hospital they worked at and botta bing botta boom they have a family. She just got baptized because she didn't want to confuse her kids but now we just have a lot of work to do! We played scripture pictionary with them and they loved it! Right after we went to a Apartment Complex and street contacted a person and then a member just like walked up and was like hey Elders! Hahah boom member present lesson!

We've been working with ___________! They just got baptized and they're so solid! They told us they would love to help us out with Missionary work and feed us! Something that I've seen on my mission is how willing these people are to help the missionaries, there are some who would rather us eat than they! It's amazing the Love people have for the Lord!

I love the Scripture in Jacob 2:8

7 And also it grieveth me that I must use so much boldness of speech concerning you, before your wives and your children, many of whose feelings are exceedingly tender and chaste and delicate before God, which thing is pleasing unto God;

8 And it supposeth me that they have come up hither to hear the pleasing word of God, yea, the word which healeth the wounded soul.

I love this Gospel! I love that it heals our soul and I know it's true! God speaks to us through our feelings and thoughts! Love you guys!

Elder Jensen

Email time!

One of our great families we are teaching!

WEEK 49 - MESA, AZ

This transfer was like the fastest of the Mission so far! The trio is getting split up! All three of us are training but I'm the one that is staying here in Liahona 4th! We get our new companions tomorrow! 

This week was great! We had more miracles happen this week! We met a man named ______. Hahah it was like the weirdest moment ever. We knocked, he saw us and his face lit up and he was like come on in! So we get in there and we said have you talked with missionaries like us before and he was like, Nope! Hahaha so we shared the Restoration and he LOVED it! He said his favorite part was when we told him he could know for himself by asking God. Hahaha he's always working during the day but he said he would love to continue to know more! Everyone works so much here and it's hard for them to attend church! :(

We also met some members from Colombia but they attend an English ward. But they met us and we talked for a little and they invited us to a place called organ stop pizza and we were like ohh well we have a lesson that night and they were like bring your investigators! Hahha so now we're bringing ______ (investigator with baptismal date)and her kids and then going to the visitors center! Whoooweee! 

This week we also met with a less-active family. We shared the talk Fourth Floor Last Door with her and it touched her heart so much. She was crying and she was like hermanos I'll be there on Sunday I have to go! Hahaha psych she didn't come. But the spirit touched her so much!

This is a part of the talk

In our search for enduring faith, in our quest to connect with God and His purposes, let us remember the Lord’s promise: “Knock, and it shall be opened unto you.”

Will we give up after knocking on a door or two? A floor or two?

Or will we keep seeking until we have reached the fourth floor, last door?

God “rewards those who earnestly seek him,” but that reward is not usually behind the first door. So we need to keep knocking. Sisters, don’t give up. Seek God with all your heart. Exercise faith. Walk in righteousness.

I promise that if you will do this--even until the fourth floor, last door--you will receive the answers you seek. You will find faith. And one day you will be filled with light that grows “brighter and brighter until the perfect day.”

My beloved sisters in Christ, God is real.

He lives.

He loves you.

He knows you.

He understands you.

I'm loving the mission! The mission has been hard at points but I'm truly getting to the point where I love the mission! I love being disciple of Jesus Christ! I'm very glad I took this opportunity to experience the love Heavenly Father has for each of us. Just like fourth floor last door when we are diligent and as we love to serve God he blesses us! 

Love you guys dearly!

Elder Jensen

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WEEK 48 - Mesa, AZ

This week was a really great week! It was so good to finally see some of the fruit of our works are finally coming! Heavenly Father has blessed us tons with tons of miracles! This week E. one of our investigators committed the he 29th for a baptismal date! But she couldn't make it to conference:( we asked her if she would ask God if the Book of Mormon was true after reading 1 Nephi chapter one and she said she felt the Holy Ghost fill her and she didn't need to ask God! But she still said she would haha. 

We recieved a Referall from the YSA Elders of a girl that wanted to learn more of the LDS Church! 

We also recieved a Referall and he lady was totally open to hearing the Gospel!

We also recieved a Referall for someone and we went and it ended up being the son of two recent converts that were baptized in a different ward but they just moved into our ward! So anyways they have a couple of friends that live with them that want to learn more because those two have changed their lives!

This week we were seriously blessed! My testimony has increased a lot with diligence and planning. Like before we were never not diligent and we always have planned well but we just tried to change our attitudes about them and the Lord blessed us tons!

I loved the Conference everything that was taught was amazing! I can't remember which person but someone talked about gratitude and it was my favorite! I love all that my father in heaven has given me, including the opportunity to be here. Today I hurt my ankle, I ended up spraining it pretty good while playing soccer and me and Elder Fenton like heard something snap and he gave me a blessing right after and he included that I would be able to stay here as a missionary and serve! It touched my heart and I knew those words were from God and it truly is a privilege to be here, and my ankle is fine! I got a brace and everything but I just know that it was from God.
Love you guys!

Tres Amigos/Hermanos

Treated to dinner at Outback!  How sweet!

I'm sorry I was emailing a bunch of friends catching up on those emails so I didn't have as much time to email you and dad and beck and Ben. But Tomorrow the appointment will be set, I was going to call today but it was after 5 when I was about to do it. So I set a reminder to do it tomorrow. 

But I'm really sorry I didn't get out a larger better email to you all hahaha I love you guys the most though!  But I love you mom! Today I read through those experiences you gave me with the photo album and it hit me hard why I am here! I'm here to help others get sealed with their families for eternity. It hit me hard that without dad or maybe even Elder Vernon and other members i may not be here where I am today. Hahaha I can't believe I would ever say this but I can't wait for the day I get to enter the temple and be sealed! The mission has really just set a foundation that I didn't have before he mission but one that I will need for the rest of my life. I love you mom and I'm super thankful for all you do for me! Today I had to watch while they played basketball hahaha I was jealous. My ankle is fine I just sprained it really good like I did that one time! Love you mom!

Week 47 - Mesa AZ

This week was a good one! We hit a cat with our car on accident hahah it was pretty graphic. We also met a pagan witch but she wasn't very interested. We also just met with a young family with a couple of twins! They said before hey get into baptism they want to attend regularly and read the Book of Mormon! But they stopped attending the churches and they want to meet with us and attend our church! We will be teaching the plan of salvation next! It'll be exciting! We alsways feel so much love in there and I feel like they are super prepared! 

We taught a lesson to the homies from Sinaloa. They have stopped coming to church.. But they told us they feel closer to us because they can open up to Elders but they didn't feel as close with the Sisters. We taught an older man in his 50's there. We taught repentance and it was so good! We read in Alma 32 with him and he was so excited, it's hard because the environment they live in is terrible! They all like to party and they won't come to church unless they all agree on it. Hahah I'm so excited for this next week! I can't wait to work hard with faith! I wanted to quote this from the General Conferene in April..

Most of you are familiar with Alice in Lewis Carroll’s classic novel Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. You will remember that she comes to a crossroads with two paths before her, each stretching onward but in opposite directions. As she contemplates which way to turn, she is confronted by the Cheshire Cat, of whom Alice asks, “Which path shall I follow?”

The cat answers, “That depends where you want to go. If you do not know where you want to go, it doesn’t matter which path you take.”

Unlike Alice, we know where we want to go, and it does matter which way we go, for the path we follow in this life leads to our destination in the next life.

May we choose to build up within ourselves a great and powerful faith which will be our most effective defense against the designs of the adversary--a real faith, the kind of faith which will sustain us and will bolster our desire to choose the right. Without such faith, we go nowhere. With it, we can accomplish our goals.

Something I have learned is how important goals are, without them we won't get anywhere. I know that our everyday decisions will determine where we end up! I'm sorry my emails aren't very good! We started playing basketball now and it's just so fun! Haha I love you guys so much! Stay strong! Choose to follow the spirit that leads you to do good!:)

My questions/comments are in red.

I hope you have had a good week!  How was church today?  What's the name of the ward you've been going to?   (I like to creep on you sort of, you know??)  Hey Mom! It was good! A little sad because we haven't been able to have anyone come to church in a couple of weeks, but we will work our hardest for that! We go to Liahona 4th! The building is on the corner of Mckellips and Stapley! Hahha hats what moms do! ;) 

Not too much has gone on here.  We had crazy storms hit us Thurs. and Fri.  There was a small tornado in Riverdale that damaged a couple of houses.  The wind was quite strong here, but no tornado.  It got literally as black as night at 4 p.m. because of the storm.  Got lots and lots of rain too.  What!? I'm so jealous! Hahaha that's amazing! Those are my favorite storms! A tornado!? Hats crazy! Someone else told me that there was one in Layton!?  Winter is on it's way, and so is your hump day!!!  YAY!!!!!!!!  Everytime I think about it, I get teensy bit teary thinking you've been gone a year and only have one more to go.  I cannot believe September is practically over!  It's crazy that I've almost been here for a year, Hahahha it's so crazy how the time is passing, I am really going to work as hard as I can because I can't get this time back! 

 Did I tell you that President Taylor is now is our ward?? Haha! No kidding!? You'll have to tell President Taylor I cover some of Lehi!This afternoon Becki, the little boys and I went for a small walk--Conner in his Ninja Turtle hoodie, and Austin in Conner's Spiderman outfit.  No, I did not have my superhero outfit on.  ;) Ah c'mon! You should've put on my Supermán one! Hahahhaha ;)   Thank you! Some times there is times when I need a little extra cash for things! You should save the care packages and then on xmas I was wondering if I could receive some really good basketball shoes, or money for them. My running shoes are starting to kick the Bucket haha. We play basketball for a couple of hours every P-Day! I love it! Oh i already put the reminder in for it tomorrow! It will be on its way! Don't you worry!:)

Austin now says, "hi naama."   (which means hi gramma.)  So stinkin' cute!  And he loves to chew gum and instantly notices if you are chewing some, then asks for it by saying, "num?"   He talks so much!  Conner is acting so much more grown up.  Tonight he fed the dogs for me by giving them each 2 scoops.  And he helps me by opening the door and letting the pups out, then calling them and having them come in.  What great kids!

I cannot believe he's talking. It will be crazy talking on Christmas and seeing what he's like! I love those little boys so much! I cannot wait to see them again in like 13 months. Mom I love you! You're the best mommy I could ask for!

 Sorry I'm bad at emailing! I'm going to attach mine to dad on here.

Hola papi! 

Way to go on the Lesson! How many are in the sumo sacerdotes!? I haven't read that talk! I'll have to look at it. Oh yeah! Dad I love the advice you gave to me, "forget yourself and go to work" even though it was originated with Gordon b Hinckley, it means a lot to me you said that. We had a white guy try to destroy our testimonies and it's hard trying to pour out your soul and have people treat you wrong because you're in a white shirt and tie. But there isn't time to dwell on it. My Heavenly Father has called me to be here and I will try to serve with my whole heart might mind and strength! I love the example you give me and I hope to have a baptism to report to you soon, love you dad. Keep up the great work!

Your son

 Elder Jensen

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WEEK 46 MESA AZ

SEPT. 19

 This week was pretty good! I got to go on a couple of exchanges! It's hard leaving to go on exchanges because it seemed like the best lessons happened while I was gone! But we have some really solid people that loved the first vision! So I'm really excited for the lessons this week! We've tried to get to know members the best we can because there's like 600 less active members on the roster! As I've tried to love the members I've felt he love that god has for them! Today I read some scriptures that really touched my heart it's 2 Nephi 4:27 and 34

27 And why should I yield to sin, because of my flesh? Yea, why should I give way to temptations, that the evil one have place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul? Why am I angry because of mine enemy?

34 O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm.

I love the Atonement! Hahah I feel like I talk about it every time! Next week I will talk about something else but I've felt the Atonement of Jesus Christ touch my life even as a missionary! Any of the Chalenges we have may be fixed with the Atonement. I know that we don't have to understand everything about it or the gospel we just need to put our trust in him!

Congratulations to Aaron and MYSTI! That's so cool! I'm so happy for you guys and I'm glad I got to be there in cardboard form.

Elder Jensen

WEEK 45, MESA AZ

SEPT 12

This week was another good one! We seemed to find a lot of more solid
people! So we have been trying to get to know all of our
investigators, but most of them don't answer our calls or are never
home, or showering. The change of sisters to elders is pretty hard on
them I guess! One of them we knocked on the door of the trailer (for
like the seventh time) and they pulled out of their garage and from
their car waved at us and drove away hahha. But we found a lot of
legit people I think! One lady said she even felt the spirit at church
when she went once but it's just so hard for her to change religions
when her whole family have been Catholics. But she said she even like
the feeling of when she went to church!

So our investigators dudes from Sinaloa hahahha I can't usually
understand a thing. Like they speak super fast and super slurred and
they use a ton of slang, so more or less I can't really understand
them. And I fasted for them and so that they would accept our message
and when we visited them yesterday night I just felt all this
overwhelming love for them! Hahha even though I can't understand them
like 60% of the time i can feel myself growing a love for them!

This week I read the talk do I believe by Bonnie L Oscarson and it
talks about how some sisters son was flown to a hospital and she talks
about being very worried but then she sees the draper temple and she
says this.

“At that moment I poured out my heart in prayer to my Heavenly Father,
thanking Him for the knowledge and belief I had that families truly
are forever. I thanked Him for His Son, Jesus Christ, who made it all
possible. I thanked Him for my son, and I let my Heavenly Father know
if He needed to bring my little Ethan to His heavenly home, it was OK.
I trusted in my Heavenly Father completely, and I knew I would see
Ethan again. I was so grateful that in a crisis moment, I had the
knowledge AND the belief that the gospel was true. I had peace.”

I hope we all can be believers of this gospel! I love it! And I love
to live it! Love you guys SO MUCH!

Elder Jensen

Elder Fairholm & I made Google Earth last spring!

Mom!

I just want to say how proud of you I am! To be able to do all that
you do, work, and take care of a family. It takes a great woman. I'm
thankful for you! You're always trying to help me and I love you mom!
You're my hero (ferris bueller) and as I have taught more and more
people I can't even imagine the courage you have had to have when
listening to the Holy Ghost testify to you his is true and choose to
be baptized probably against what your parents and all your family
has. I believe in this church I know Heavenly Father is there and the
atonement is a power unchangeable and so amazing that we can't
understand but it is sooo real. Something interesting me and Elder Vo
found is that for the most part our church is the only one that has
testimonies. Other churches will spit facts out and try to prove their
side to be right but ours is the only one that says, find out for
yourself! A testimony! I love you! Remember, Jesus told them in 3
Nephi to bring ALL the sick and afflicted, no matter WHAT AFFLICTION
IT MAY BE. The atonement will heal it:)

Wow you have a busy week ahead of you! Did you ever get a cut out of
me?;) hahaha I would love to come home to another Jordan lol.

It was a good week, I can feel myself maturing spiritually and finding
words in my patriarchal come true, and I'm so happy it's finally
coming. I'm finally starting to experience true happiness and I love
it. The lord is truly molding me in his hands and I'm feeling the Holy
Spirit tell me words to say and finding happiness in my full time
missionary service. I can't thank you enough for allowing me to be
here! Yes I would like to see a picture of her. Please send them all!
I promise this week I will make the appointment!

Love you so much! Tell the rest of the family sorry for not having
time to reply!

Elder Jensen

Ps can't believe it's 44, halfway mark is coming too fast

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This great lady cuts our hair!!!