August 26, 2013

Hello Family and Friends!

I cannot believe how fast this last transfer flew by! I've been out here about 3 months already!?? That does not even seem real. The president called on Friday and has asked Sister Fenn and I to train. I guess this means I'll be white washing or opening an area. God sure knows how to spice things up here and there ;) I will do what he needs me to do though, even if it is hard. In fact, in mission life/real life he doesn't usually ask us to do easy things. He likes us to become true disciples of him. I was just reading in Mosiah today and reading of the afflictions that Alma and his people had but they dealt with them cheerfully and with patience. I don't think I've been able to relate to the scriptures so much in my life as I have as I've been out here on my mission. I love what Elder Wirthlin  said in a talk years ago of what his mother use to tell him, "come what may and love it."

This week has been pretty eventful. Sister Fenn and I went on exchanges with our sister training leaders. Those sisters are so amazing. They serve in the YSA branch on UF campus. We also had zone conference and I got to see three missionaries that came out in the field with me there. That was great to see familiar faces. One of the elders said something there to the effect: If this gospel weren't true, there's no way this work would progress. You take two missionaries, you give them a gas card, an apartment, a debit card with $140 a month and then you just drop them off and say "go share the gospel". It's amazing how involved God is in this work.

This Saturday is not only a big day in Gainesville because it's the first gator's football game, but Georgia Kings is getting baptized!! Georgia had her interviews with Elder Gao and the bishop after church on Sunday. I felt so bad when she was going to them because she was SO nervous! When she came out of both interviews, however, she was just beaming. I can't wait for her to feel that amazing spirit as she finally enters into the waters of baptism and then receives the gift of the Holy Ghost. What a great way to end a transfer for me!

Sister Fenn and I haven't been able to meet with Daniel and Sam for a couple of weeks because they have been soo busy! (the miracle find). We were in their area last night and were talking to one of their neighbors because we had knocked on their door and they weren't there. As we were talking, we saw a few people carry a mattress into Daniel and Sam's apartment so we decided to knock and see if Sam and Daniel were there with them. Sure enough, they were! It was getting close to nine o'clock and we have to be home by nine if we're not in a lesson and nine thirty if we are. Daniel seemed to want us to share some more with them. We decided we would have a quick lesson before we had to go back. The spirit was so strong in that room. Daniel and Sam were asking questions from our last visit. I could see, and have seen in Daniel, how he is just holding so much inside him. That's because of some things his old mentor in their church said or did to them and the fact that he and Sam have lived together. We shared a scripture on repentance and then I felt impressed to share that we have to forgive others of the things that they have done to us if we expect God to forgive us. Daniel couldn't look me in the eyes. I knew he knew what I was saying was true. I asked him if he would pray and ask God to help him forgive those who had offended him. He didn't commit, but we'll help him as we meet with him and Sam again. Sam and Daniel are some of the best people I've ever met. I know that God loves each of them very much. I know that we have to forgive in order to be forgiven of our transgressions as well. I was grateful to truly have the spirit be the teacher in that lesson and am so grateful for the healing that comes through the atonement of Jesus Christ.

I love you all and hope you have a wonderful week.

Read and pray every day!

Sister Jensen