Week #90

Well it happened. Brody sent an email with some scriptures in it. I'm surprised he took the time to type out all of the verses. I guess its a good thing. It is really neat to see his growth. We only chatted for  a short time. He was off to play rugby. Time is really ticking away. Thanks for all of your support.

                                                                                                                                                            

Well Hello Everyone, 

this past week was a great one! i had a couple of cool experiences. i got to go on exchanges with Elder Toombs, he is 24 and has been out for about 6 months. we had a good day, we were on bikes. i can say that i do not miss biking!! 

we also had zone conference this past week. i got to see Elder Mo'o and some other missionaries. he goes home one transfer before me. i only have 2 more zone conferences which is crazy! i learned a lot at zone conference. 

i want to share something that i was studying this past week and relate it to my mission and to life in general. the story i am going to share is found in John chapter 21. this is after Christ has been resurrected. it is talking about Peter and the other disciples. so i want to start in verse 3..... 

  3 Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.

 4 But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.

5 Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No.

6 And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.

 7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher’s coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea.8 And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes.

9 As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread.

10 Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught.

 11 Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken.

12 Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.

So in verse 3 Peter says that he was going to go fishing which was what he did before he was a disciple. so he was going back to living his normal old life. i feel that sometimes we do the same thing, after a big event or a spiritual experience we eventually go aback to the way we were and we don't fully change. Peter saw many miracles and preached with Christ for a long time. And after Christ's death Peter wasn't sure what to do so he went back to his normal life and went fishing. and now in verses 15-17 we will see what Christ says when the disciples come up to the shore.... 

15¶So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter,Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? Hesaith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee.He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

 16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son ofJonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thouknowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

 17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas,lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said untohim the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him,Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I lovethee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

i really like this scripture passage because Christ is telling Peter that if he truly loves him he should "feed his sheep" or become changed and more converted. Christ is pretty much saying, after all that you have seen and experienced are you going to be truly changed? Peter forgot for a moment what he should have been doing and what he was called to do. Peter went on to be incredibly faithful and a great disciple. 

The Atonement allows us to change and become better. it helps us to not slip into our old habits or old ways of life. i truly feel that my mission has changed me and i will not forget about it after my mission, i am forever changed. Being a disciple of Christ is a life long thing not just for 2 years. i am so grateful for the Atonement and ability to overcome trials and become stronger and better. 

One thing that has been hard for me in the past is talking to everyone on the street. it can be awkward but i found a great solution to  overcome it. i just tried picturing everyone in temple clothes and seeing their true potential as sons and daughter of God. it really made it easier to talk to people. and i was amazed with how many people said yes and accepted to listen to the missionaries. it makes me wish i would have figured this out a long time ago. 

so yesterday was Easter, we had a branch party and ate carne asada and had a great time! it was a really good day! we even had a lot of non members who are now investigators show up to church! that is about if for my week. i love and miss you all! have a great week and enjoy General Conference!
Elder Jensen

Elder Jensen tries a new hair do 

A member took this picture of Elder Jensen wishing his dad a happy birthday!

Speaking in church on Easter 

Week #89

Hey all, Brody had a great week in the mission field. It is nice that he gets to stay in the same area for a bit to see the process of those he has been teaching. He was introduced to kava this week and really liked it. After drinking 15 cups, he said he felt like he could do anything. As you know March Madness is happening. He has been relying on the members to keep him in the loop. He sounded really good today. He didn't have long because he had a basketball game lined up at the rec. center. He will be home before we know it. Thanks for all of your support. On to week 90.
                                                                                                                                                                

well hello everyone! 
this last week was a great week here in Atwater to be honest! the week flew by! we had our district meeting and i went on an exchange with the zone leaders. i went with Elder Speer, he is from South Carolina. i was in Merced  and we had a lot of fun together, it was a little weird to teach in English and stuff but it was still good!we found a couple of new investigators this past week, we are excited for them. We saw a HUGE miracle this week!!! so Gloria, is a women who was baptized way back in December, after her baptism she didn't come to church because she got offended. so we have been praying for a really long time for her to come back to church and to soften her heart. so on sunday  morning she called us and told us that she was going to come to church and that she wanted to feed us dinner as well! she then came to church and i confirmed her and gave her the Holy Ghost. it was a great day! we might be having a few baptisms in April as well, they aren't solid as of now but we have faith. so we did a service this past week in Winton, the red cross came out and we knocked doors and installed and checked everyone's smoke alarms. it was cool, but kind of weird to knock doors not as a missionary. so with Easter coming up we have been passing out pass along cards for the church's easter video this year. i encourage you all to watch it if you have not! also for easter the branch is going to be having a dinner. we are going to be eating Carne Asade, beans, rice, and some other good food! so i am pretty excited about that. this next week we will be having zone conference so it should be good. i want to wish a Happy Birthday to the best dad in the world this upcoming week! have a great birthday dad! i love you! i hope you all have a great week and i will see you all soon! i love and miss you all! 
Elder Jensen

Week #88

Brody is doing great. It is great to read his blog and look how far he has come and witness his growth. We are still not sure about the hair. Hahaha. Anyway, thanks for all of your support. Time is flying. 
                                                                                                                                                                   

Hello Everyone! How is everyone doing this week? things here are going great in Atwater. this past week i got to go to Fresno for a leadership meeting. it was a lot of fun! i got to see some Elders that i haven't seen in a while. i talked a lot with our assistant (Elder Mo'o) we had a great time and set up some fun things to do in the summer! it was a blast! as i was at the mission office, i saw a familiar face! it was Sister Barker, from Santaquin Utah. she just got here and is starting her mission! Elder Larson from Genola is also back up here in Atwater so that is three of us from Payson High School here in the California Fresno Mission! we have been working really hard and closely with the branch members here, we have a teamup for every night this week! this week i will be going on exchanges with the zone leaders. which he actually turns out to be sister barker's first cousin. the world is small when you are a mormon missionary! we found a couple of new investigators this past week and are working hard with those that we already had. President Clark said something this week that really hit me and made me think. He talked about how hard the mission is at first and how much better it is when you get further in. He talked about how the nature of a mission doesn't change, like i am still doing the same things i did when i started my mission like talking with random people, being away from home, learning a language, and stuff like that. but at first it was so tough. he told us even though the nature of things have not changed our abilities have. and it just goes to show how much you can grow as you trust in the Lord and give it your all. One thing i have learned on my mission is that i can do hard things, that i can get through tough times and they will become better and more enjoyable because our abilities improve and we can get through tough trials. it reminds me of Ether 12:27 which is my scripture that i put on my missionary plaque back at home, it talks about how our weaknesses can become strengths but only if we humble ourselves before the Lord. well that is about all i got today, i hope you all have a great day and week! i love and miss you all! Elder Jensen

Week #87

Had a good chat with Brody today. Should I be nervous that when I asked, "What did you do fun today?" and he replied, "ummm…don't tell anyone but I …."

Haha. Anyway, I'm not going to tell you what he did but Brody seems to be in a good groove right now. He is truly working hard and meeting new people everyday. He told me that he is becoming one of the  "old guys" in the mission. He said he gives advice to the new elders but feels sorry of them at the same time. He knows that they are feeling like it is the hardest thing they have ever done. He has kept the "sports night" going at the local branch. He claims it is a missionary tool. You and I both know that it is an excuse for him to put a ball in his hand. After you look at his pictures, I know what you are all thinking. He Needs a Haircut. I also asked him whats up with all the healthy good. He told me that he is on a diet. Go figure!!

The countdown may have officially begun. We filled out some paperwork for his release later this year. Time is really starting to fly. Thanks for your prayers and support in behalf of Brody. On to week 88.

                                                                                                                                                         

Well Hello Everyone, 

so this past week has been a pretty good week! we found a couple of new investigators and we are still working with a mother and her son that have a baptismal date. i have got to play basketball a couple of times this past week, i love when i get the opportunity to play some ball! We also had a district meeting this last week. in the upcoming week i am going to be having a couple of meetings, i have zone meeting, and a district leader meeting in Fresno. so this next week should go by pretty fast. 

i just wanna say that i LOVE mexican food, i am pretty sure i was suppose to be born hispanic but somehow ended up white haha. this last week a member tood us to a place that has awesome tacos. i ate cow eye tacos, tongue tacos, intestine tacos, and head tacos. they were super good! i look forward to mexican food every night haha. i am really gonna miss that when i am home! Everything here is going really well and i am having a lot of fun! i hope you are all doing well as well! have a great week! i love and miss you all! 

Elder Jensen