"The Lord lives. I know Him."

June 24, 2013

Hey Everyone!

 

Elder Jenson's Zone Independencia June 17, 2013 El Salto Chile

 

This week was absolutely amazing! My companions and I worked hard and the Lord blessed us so much. We found tons of really promising investigators that are so prepared for this gospel and the investigators that we already had at that point decided to kick it in gear. It was so great to just be a part of the work this week and see the Lords hand helping us the whole way.

Logros (Achievements)

bautismos  0

confirmaciones  1 (Paloma!)

inv con fecha  9

inv que asisten a la iglesia  8

lecciones con miembro  18

otras lecciones  7

inv que estan progresando  8  (Viciana, Soledad, Erika, Fernando, Katherine, Licet, Esteban,Cristian)

ref recibidas  10

ref contactadas  11

nuevos inv  7

lecciones a cr ma  14

contactos  69

MED  519


We have 8....yes 8 progressing investigators! 8 out of 9 investigators that have a baptismal date attended church yesterday. Sick! That's the most progressing investigators in the whole mission right now by 2! One other sector has 6 progressing investigators. Like literally, my companions and I received soooo many blessings this week to be able to achieve that. All 9 investigators that have a baptismal date have their goal for baptism in the month of July and are so stoked for that blessing in their life.

SWEET EXPERIENCES WE HAD THIS WEEK:

1. There are two recent converts in our sector named Amalia and Alexandra. Alexandra's dad and Amalia's husband, Rafael, just decided after so much time to start listening to the missionaries. During one of our closing prayers in the second visit my companions and I had with him, Rafael asked to say the prayer. Rafael said a very simple, but heartfelt prayer and when he finished, the emotion could not be contained for Amalia or Alexandra. Tears of joy streamed down their faces. The spirit was there in that room. I was so happy for them because I knew that our prayers, but most importantly their prayers had been answered.

2. My companions and I found a new family of three (Katherine, Licet and Esteban) through a reference of a family friend in a different sector. Their GOLDEN!! This family in the other sector had lost their son in an accident over 3 years ago at the age of 5 years old. She was devastated and depressed until the missionaries got in contact with her. She found renewed strength through the plan of salvation and was baptized. Just two weeks ago, she was sealed in the temple with her husband. Katherine wanted to know how her friend could overcome such a tragedy and how she could change so drastically from being so depressed to now so happy. My companions and I knocked her door and she readily received us in her home. We taught Katherine, Licet and Esteban the restoration and all three of them came to church yesterday and are progressing towards their baptismal date, the 28th of July.

3. We have a list called Permaneced that's a list of all the less active members in the ward. My companions and I were working with that list one day this week and one of the people on that list wasn't home. We decided to knock the neighbors door to see where they were or even if this family we were looking for still lived there. Luz came out and answered the door. She greeted us and then went back in the house....she was getting the keys to open her gate to let us in! Luz let us in her home after a 15 second word exchange. Luz said that she was from Columbia and we started talking about the gospel. Luz was very interested and excited to learn. My companions and I have taught her twice and have an appointment set for tomorrow where we will invite Luz to be baptized along side her family as well. Nice.

4. My companions and I started talking with Jose Toro's parents, Erika and Fernando! The Bishop of our ward accompanied us to an appointment we had with them to help see if we could fix their tattered house. There are 11 in their family and they live in a very small, humble home. Most of the family members sleep on the floor and their floor is cement. Our Bishop said that we could help them out of necessity and they were so excited and grateful. This coming Saturday, my companions and I are going to go to their home and help them cover up cracks in their house from the 2010 earthquake, so they don't have to continue to suffer in the cold all day and night. We will also help them put down tile so they don't have to sleep on cement anymore. Erika and Fernando were so grateful that they came to church yesterday. This was followed by a sweet lesson in the Bishop's office after church about the spirit that they felt. Erika told us that she went to church when she was a little child and liked it but she was never baptized. She then expressed her desire to be baptized because she felt that this IS the true church of Jesus Christ. Fernando also talked about how he used to go to different churches when he was younger but always felt awkward. When Fernando enters our church, he feels at home. Erika and Fernando accepted a baptismal date of the 28th of July, but they have to get married first. That will be a lot easier since they both want to get married!!

There's 4 sweet, testimony building experiences that my companions and I had this week. Hope you liked hearing about them. I sure do :)

Highlights of the week/Thoughts:

Loved seeing the Allen family picture of them at the Carthage Jail. That was really cool. Remember when we went as a family? Great memories!

Loved the special pictures I got from Lolo and Will this week. I've got them hanging up on my wall so I can see them. Tell the Michael Horsley's thanks for their support and that I love them.

 

 

 

Loved the Missionary Braodcast last night. Crazy that missionaries will now start to use computers on a regular basis. I don't know how long that will take to get implemented here in Chile...prob after my time...but pretty sweet. My companions and I can give tours of our church but I've only done it once in my whole mission. Maybe we'll start to do it more.

Pretty sweet that the former Mayor of Parker got baptized yesterday and is in your ward. Help him stay active!

Love the communication from friends and family each week. Thanks for thinking of me!

Tar, I can't believe that you're turning 16 yrs old! I have lots of meaningful experiences with you when we were younger and always hung out together. Being on my misson, I've realized your love for me. You've always been someone that just wants everything to go right whether it be in the family, school, friends etc. That's a very good Christlike trait you have! Everything always can't be right though. There's always difficulties, tests and afflictions in this life that we have to overcome. Jesus Christ always wanted to help others and did this by serving them, teaching them the way to return to the Father, establishing the true church on the earth, healing everyone He came in contact with and the biggest service of them all, taking upon Him all the sins, afflictions, pains, temptations, hunger, thirsts, and much more and carrying out the Atonement so that all of his friends, us, could return to live with our Heavenly Father. Everyone saw all of His kind acts but still did not believe Him...so they beat Him, spit upon Him, whipped Him and talked bad about Him behind His back. We all know He is the Christ, but they didn't. Seek His help in all you do. Seek to feel the comfort of the Spirit. Seek to feel His love. Seek to feel His peace, not the wordly peace because His peace is not of this world. Maybe more than anything, seek His healing power of the Atonement because "through his lashes we are healed" as it says in Mosiah. I love you with all my heart and hope you can feel of my love. I know that this life is hard, the Lord never said it was easy, but we can overcome our afflictions through patience. Be patient though your afflictions and the Lord will exalt you on high as it says in the Doctrine and Covenants. That is the ultimate goal....to live with our Heavenly Father again as an eternal family. Happy Birthday Tar. Hope you have a good one...you deserve it :)!!!  Love, Tan

I'll close with a quote from President Packer from yesterdays Broadcast...in spanish translated he said, "The Lord lives. I know Him." Pretty sweet. I wondered when he said that what it takes to "know" the Lord. Something for each of us to think about this week.

Hope you all are doing really well. Good luck to Tay as he heads to SUU this week!

Have a good week!

Love,
Elder J.

PALOMA GOT BAPTIZED THIS WEEK!

June 17, 2013

Hey, hey, hey!!! (it's fat albert!)

Elder Jenson and Paloma at her baptism in El Salto Chile June 16, 2013

Paloma got baptized yesterday!!!! Elder Rodriguez and I are so happy for her. Paloma was so excited and ready to make that decision to follow our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All of our collective  prayers were definitley answered as Paloma was able to overcome all her obstacles and get baptized. I'm so grateful I was able to witness and be a part of her baptism!

 

Elder Jenson, Camila (Paloma's sister), Paloma, Grandma Luci and Elder Rodriguez

 

Elder Jenson, Mario (a priest in the El Salto 1 Ward), Paloma and Elder Rodriguez

 Elder Rodriguez and I had such a killer week as well...teaching tons of lessons and having a bunch of investigators progressing. It was a great way to finish out the change. Life is GREAT!

I will be in a trio this change! Elder Castro joined Elder Rodriguez and I today.

 

Elder Castro and Elder Jenson new companions in El Salto June 17, 2013

 It should be a good time but a little bit tough teaching in a trio but we'll get it down in no time. A trio will help with divisions really easily if a member accompanies us which is a positive. Elder Castro is from Ecuador and actually was in my Zone this past change. President thought it would be a good idea to put Elder Castro with Elder Rodriguez and I this change. We're excited and are going to make the most of it knowing we have some good investigators we're working with.

LOGROS (ACHIEVEMENTS)

bautismos  1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

confirmaciones  0

inv con fecha  4

inv que asisten a la reunion sac  4

lecciones con miembro  21

otras lecciones  6

inv que estan progresando  3

ref recibidas  4

ref contactadas  6

nuevos inv  1

lecciones a cr ma  21

contactos  63

MED 498


We continue to only basically work though the recent converts in our El Salto 1 Ward in a small sector that we have been able to select. It's been awesome to get this sector going and get a baptism. Elder Rodriguez, Elder Castro and I are excited for this change to come because we've got 3 baptismal dates already lined up (Viviana Poblete 20th of July, Soledad Riveros 14th of July and Jose Toro 23rd of June-this weekend!). Elder Rodriguez, Elder Castro and I are going to continue to kill it here in El Salto 1!

INVESTIGATORS

JOSE is going to get baptized this Sunday and we're stoked! He's 16 yrs old and a stud. The only bummer is that he couldn't come to church this week. He's excited for his baptism. Just have to finish up his lessons and he's all set. The ward has been amazing with him.

SOLEDAD is doing good. It's a little hard to find her now that she's found a job. We typically have to go by her house around noon to teach her because she works from 3-10pm. Soledad has expressed her excitement and desire to get baptized. We're really excited for her!

VIVIANA is an all time investigator...but won't be on the 20th of July! The Spirit finally got to her and testified that she needed to get baptized and she picked her date of baptism...20th of July. Can't tell you how excited we are for her and will be supporting her all the way!

CRISTIAN went to church this week!! He was really nervous but stayed the whole time and also attended Paloma's baptism so he could see what it was like. Cristian said that he loved the baptism and it gave him more excitement and motivation to be able to get baptized soon. We're still working really hard with Cristian so that he can stop his bad habits. Pretty challenging times for him.

Thoughts/Highlights for the week:

I'm so happy that my buddy Cory is doing so well on his mission.

Random thought: I remembered a time this week when Trevor Tripp came home from his mission in Brazil and I was fighting to be able to pass him the Sacrament. He then made a comment of how much I had grown in two years in his talk.

El Salto is a little different in a couple of ways from other areas I've served in. There's no set Hermana that washes the missionaries clothes. We buy detergent every week and bring it to a different Hermana so that they can wash them. Also, the members only feed us lunch on Saturday and Sunday in El Salto so we make wraps, hamburgers, chicken or just go buy food for lunch during the week.

Thanks for the continued support I get from friends and family each week with prayers, letters and packages. It means alot. I especially loved getting Tallyn's letter and pictures this week. Love you Tal!

I hope dad had a great Father's Day. I was thinking of him!

Scripture: If any of you lack wisdom let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not and it shall be given to him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. (James 1:5-6)

Well, that's all the time I've got today...I'm a little sick and need to get back home and rest for the week so we can give it our all!!!! Hope you are all doing really well. I love being a missionary! Saludos a todos!!!

Love,
Tan

BE PREPARED AND WILLING TO SEEK

June 10, 2013

Hey Everyone!!

Elder Rodriguez and I had a pretty sweet week with a bunch of success. We're learning tons from one another and are trying to use our strengths to help others come unto Christ by being baptized! Right now we're focusing on a bunch of our investigators so they can all take that step! Elder Rodriguez and I continue to look for those that the Lord is preparing through our Mission Plan that Pres Essig has made up for us and are focusing our efforts on those that are going to progress. This week we continued to have success through the members of the church in El Salto which has helped Elder Rodriguez and I "caleta" (tons!).

logros (achievements)

bautismos  0

confirmactiones  0

inv con fecha  5

inv que asistieron a la reunion sac  3

inv que estan progresando  2

lecciones con miembro  15

otras lecciones  4

ref recibidas  3

ref contactadas  10

nuevos inv  2

lecciones a cr ma  16

contactos  47

MED 412

We continue to basically only work through the recent converts and less active members in the ward. By doing this we are able to keep the recent converts active, reactivate those that have strayed a little bit and also teach our investigators all at the same time! It's helping us a lot. Elder Rodriguez and I struggled a little bit this week with investigators coming to church, but it isn't because we're not working on it. Investigators have to get their attendance for baptism (3 for adults and 4 for kids under 18 yrs old).

INVESTIGATORS

Paloma is doing sooo well! She went to church this week and is really excited to be baptized in 6 days! Elder Rodriguez and I are obviously excited for Paloma and are grateful for the blessing we have to teach her.

Jose was our other investigator that was progressing yesterday and attended church. He always does with his two brothers that were baptized back in December. Don't know why the missionaries before Elder Rodriguez and I never focused on Jose....He's doing well but we need to teach him a lot of lessons still. We're going to try and fit all the teaching in before his baptism. If we can't, Jose's baptism will be in two Sundays.

Soledad is the mom of a recent convert who has a baptismal date for the 14th of July. She's doing really well and likes to read and always wants to know more.

Cristian is strugglin a little bit. He's got his three vices and is having trouble keeping the Word of Wisdom. Elder Rodriguez and I are working with him on a plan so that he can get baptized soon.

Nunez Family!!! We had a sweet family night on Sat night with Amalia and Alexandra (two recent converts) and Kelly, Janz (8 yrd old), Diana (10 yrs old) who are three of the 8 people that live in the home. It went really well and they were committed to attending church....but then Kelly (the mom) got really sick and her throat was killing her she said. Sounded like a lame excuse, but then Elder Rodriguez and I went to her house to see how she was and she said that she was struggling a little bit with her health. Kelly then told us alot about their family and how its been pretty hard on her as a mom. Elder Rodriguez and I set an appointment with her for tomorrow to come by and teach her and her kids.

I made up a fun activity for my District class this past week where everyone had to go on a scavenger hunt and find a tie, pencil, pass along card, Book of Mormon, investigator, and then run to the baptismal font and baptize the investigator. It was pretty sweet!

 



Elder Fonseca and Elder Shelley were the winners of my District Scavenger hunt!



Right now I'm studying the Bible in general. I almost finished Acts and then I just started studying everything in general to get a better picture of the Bible and the Old and New Testament and everything that it really talks about. I know a fair bit about the Bible from what I've learned on my mission, but I still have lotssssss to learn.

Highlights/Thoughts of the week:

Elder Pacheco was in charge of a District activity....soccer and food!

 

 



Elder Alvarez cooked lunch for us....delicious and soooo good!

 

 



I got the package with the hand warmers, Thanks!!! It hasn't been that cold lately so I haven't used them yet but I bet this week I'll break em out! Tell Tal thanks for her little treats she sent me as well!

Funny thing: So there's this plaza in our sector where a band was playing. There was this old hobo who was doin all kinds of moves to the Jazz music the band was playing. It was one of the funniest things I've ever seen. Some teenagers were eggin the hobo on to dance more and more with crazier and crazier moves....it was then that we left! Haha!

When I was doing an exchange with Elder Shelley this week in his sector we found this ridiculously nice car shop. There were lamborghinis, mercedes mcclellans, porches, ferraris, old style cars, hummers, chargers, motorcycles, lotus elises etc. It was pretty sick!

Elder Jenson and his new Lamborghini mission car!

I got lots of letters this week from family and also got some from converts I've taught. :)

I loved seeing the Stephen Horsley cousins and a picture of Xan at her graduation this week. Thanks for sending those. They're all growin up! Tell Xan congrats and good luck at BYU from me. That's awesome that Ellen got baptized as well.

Hearing from Elder Calvert was awesome!

Tarryn sent me a cool quote that I really liked and wanted to include this week from Gordon B. Hinckley..."There are many out there who need exactly what you have to offer. They are not easy to find, but they will not be found unless there are those who are prepared and willing to seek them out." Every member a missionary!

*Dad,
I love and miss you sooo much. I think about you tons and hope that you're having tons of success in all aspects of your life (business, spiritually, family wise etc.) You have always set an incredible example for me and every time I reflect on all that you taught me I just thank my Father in Heaven for you in my life. I would never be the missionary that I am without the lessons you taught me, especially the lessons about obedience, hard work and never giving up. I hope you have a great Father's Day and that the family and all of those around you thank you for who you are and all that you have done for them. I always share with those that I meet the example that I had in the home every single morning waking up to dad reading his scriptures helping me to remind myself that I needed to do it too. Those experiences have impacted my life forever and I hope to be a dad just like you. Thank you for everything!!!!

Love you worlds,
Tan

I don't have any more time but I hope you have a great week and have a fun time ENJOYING this gospel!!!

Love,
Elder Jenson

The First Year!

June 3, 2013

Hey All!!

"Pretty crazy I completed a year in my mission this week. Doesn't feel like I've been gone that long. Excited for what the coming year will bring."

Elder Rodriguez and I had a great week here in El Salto! It's great to work with Elder Rodriguez as Zone Leaders because he knows how to work! With the two of us, we are able to get a lot done! It seems lately that we have only been working through the members which has been a ton more effective than knocking on doors. I've seen that the recent converts have stayed active due to the great member fellowshipping and the investigators make tons of friends at the same time. This past month in El Salto Elder Rodriguez and I have been able to help in the activation of less active members. It was so awesome to see the Soto family in church yesterday, a family that hadn't been to church in quite a while. All that was needed was a little visit, love from Elder Rodriguez and I and providing them an opportunity to feel the spirit in a quick lesson and they were there. Elder Rodriguez and I have also been helping a man named Ramon Munoz to reactivate. Ramon now has a calling as a ward missionary! :) That is so awesome as he is always willing to help Elder Rodriguez and I and accompanies us to many of our appointments as well.

LOGOS (ACHIEVEMENTS)

bautismos  0
confirmaciones  0
inv con fecha  5
inv en la reunion sac  5
lecciones con miembro  14
otras lecciones  3
inv que estan progresando  2
ref recibidas  10
ref contactadas  18
nuevos investigators  13
lecciones a cr ma 15
contactos  55


So, basically the miracle of the week happened last night at 910pm....Elder Rodriguez and I hadn't found many people at all in the last two weeks (7 in total) and it was now Sunday night. This past Tuesday, Elder Rodriguez and I fasted and prayed fervently to be able to find more investigators to teach. It seemed like we were still not finding anyone to teach. Elder Rodriguez and I had one appointment left after our family night. Elder Rodriguez and I checked our agendas to see who the last appointment was. The appointment we set was Gabriel, a contact that we had had about 3 days earlier in the week. We went over to Gabriel's house absolutely exhausted from the weeks service but still praying in our minds that this appointment would be fruitful. Elder Rodriguez and I came up to the door and yelled..."Alo!....Gabriel!" We waited for a few seconds and then....Gabriel answered the door! Gabriel told us to hold on a second so he could go tell his family Elder Rodriguez and I were there. He then came back and let us in and we were greeted with smiles by a family of 8! We taught them all the Restoration of the gospel and gave them our last 5 pamphlets and told them to read and pray about it with the steps we wrote down. They are such a great family named the Nunez's. Elder Rodriguez and I are really excited to be able to teach them. I brought some jolly ranchers to give to all of them and they loved the American candy! I also showed them pictures of our family. Without fail they always think Tarryn is my older sister and comment on how tall Tay is! We made a great friendship and are going over to their home this next Tuesday morning to paint a section of their house. Service is awesome!

Here is a sample of an investigator calendar Elder Rodriguez and I put together to help our investigators stay on track with their goals of praying and reading the scriptures daily. Pretty creative! :)

INVESTIGATORS

PALOMA-She didn't come to church this week and we're not sure why???? She can't get baptized this Sunday now, so we'll have to push it back a week :(

VIVIANA-Elder Rodriguez and I had to drop her this week because she doesn't want to progress. She's received so many confirmations.

JOSE- He's progressing really well. Jose's been to church 3 weeks in a row and is preparing to be baptized the 16th of June. Elder Rodriguez and I have our work cut out for us to teach all the lessons and have him prepared by the 16th. It's pretty hard to teach in a little house of 11 people. Elder Rodriguez and I are going to try and teach Jose in a different house or in the church but he lives really far away from members and the church so its pretty tough.

CRISTIAN- He's the brother of some recent converts and is about 40 years old. Cristian is struggling with some bad habits but we set some goals with him so he can quit his habits that damage his body and mind. Christian is open and willing to work on it.

Highlights of the week:

Received Taylor's graduation announcement in the mail. Congrats Tay! I'm excited for you and your future at SUU!

HUGE BBQ with the Parraguez Family.

The Parraguez family had Elder Rodriguez and I over to celebrate their son Joshua's departure for Brazil on his mission tomorrow. Look at all that meat!

 

Received Tal's letter in the mail. Made my day when I read it! Thanks Tal...love you worlds!

Received a ton of dearelders this week. Thanks for the support. I love hearing about what's going on and how you all are doing.

Can't believe my best friend (Cory Calvert) is headed to Boston this week! Unbelievable that he goes in the field already! No doubt he'll be an amazing missionary! Mom, send me his weekly letters!

Well, I hope you all have a great week this week! Que les vaya muy bien y tengan una semana exitosa!

 

Thanks for the awesome HUMP DAY package. I felt loved!:)

 

 

 

Thumbs up to all my favorite treats, the banner and your letters...oh ya....and the camel! :)

 

Jamaica no problem.....being a missionary in Chile no problem!

(Thanks dad for the t-shirt!)



Oh ya...it's pretty crazy that I completed a year in my mission this week....doesn't feel like I've been gone that long. Excited for what the coming year will bring.

Love,
Elder Jenson