Sometimes I get a little overwhelmed trying to determine what to put in an email. There is so much that happens in just a week!! But, I will do my best not to put any of you to sleep and only put the best experiences in. For all of you who are planning on serving a mission... missions are hard. I know you've heard it from your mom, from your dad, maybe from your older brother. It's one of the most spiritually challenging things you will ever do. There are days where you just don't think you can do it. My dear companion Sister Fenn had one of these very challenging weeks this last week. I have come to realize how true the statement is that when we lose ourselves we find ourselves. Sister Fenn has had a hard time coping with the idea that she will be getting a new trainee and training at six weeks. Many hours this week have been spent talking to one another and helping her realize that she can do this. One thing that I know is that God wants us to become the best that we can be. Like one of our zone leaders says, "there's no growth in the comfort zone." Maybe that's why people feel like they grow so much on their missions because there are a lot of moments when you are out of your comfort zone. Don't make this turn you away from going on a mission though. As hard as a mission can sometimes be, there are moments where you look back and think, "wow" or lessons with investigators that make you dance when you come home to your apartment because the spirit was so strong. I'm just letting you know, missions are hard, but they are amazing.
It seems like on some of the lowest days, God puts someone in your path to just give you that extra strength. Sister Fenn and I met this wonderful lady the other day. She is 26 years old and let us come into her house and she was just talking to us. She was telling us how she really came to know Christ. She just talked to us about all of her trials and how he truly has changed her. She asked us how old we were. I told her to guess my age. She said if she were to take a stab in the dark she would say 19, but if she were to guess based on my maturity she would say 26. She was like, you're going to be a CEO of some fashion line. She just talked to Sister Fenn and I. She is one of those people who can speak to your very soul and make you want to become your very best self. She really gave us that extra something that day. What a wonderful thing it is to meet such incredible people. We're still just trying to figure out how to get those wonderful people to accept the gospel ;) God has amazing children. And if you're reading this, you're one of them!!
This week it was our privilege to witness Georgia Kings baptism. What a beautiful day that was. She has diligently read the Book of Mormon, prayed and fasted to know this is what she needed to do. She was so excited the moment she got out of the water. What an amazing experience. One of our ward members even brought an African American friend to the baptism. The friend just kept saying how strongly she could feel the spirit. She even came to church and said the same thing after church. Sister Fenn set up an appointment to meet her on Thursday. The gospel teaches us the plan of happiness and the spirit makes us happy! How great of a message we have to share!!
Sister Fenn and I also had the opportunity to have the first lesson with a lady that we talked to earlier in front of her home. She said she worked at Shands (hospital in town) and knew a lot of mormons. She is a nurse anesthetist and there are so many anesthesiologists or people in their residency there who are in our ward. By the way, she says she looooves being a nurse anesthetist and she is a mom so that was awesome to hear someone who does what i want to do! She asked us what the importance of the Book of Mormon was in our first lesson. We got to teach the whole restoration and she was just in aaww. She committed to read and pray about the Book of Mormon and said she would get baptized if she received that answer. It was a fantastic lesson.
Well! The news for the week is that I will be training a new missionary and opening a new area for sisters in Waycross Georgia. Like I said, God likes to push us. God is in charge. I'll do whatever he asks of me, even if it is hard. Sister Fenn and I will pick up our new trainees tomorrow in Jacksonville and I will get you the new address when I write next P day! In the meantime know that I love all of you! Read the Book of Mormon and the scriptures every day! Pray with real intent and God will help you through whatever challenges you may face. Love where you are at in life, whether it be preparing for a mission, a young mother, or a student in school. We are here on earth to have joy! So be joyful where you are and keep striving to be better!
God bless!
xoxoxo.
SIster Jensen
p.s. most pictures are taken on Pdays so for any of you who think we just do this all the time, that is not true. We work. I promise ;) Love you all!!! MUAH!
