Elder Tanner Jenson's 730 Day Journey: HOME SWEET HOME!

May 20, 2014

May 19, 2014

Elder Jenson leaving the mission office headed for the Santiago airport!

Elder Jenson saying goodbye to President and Sister Essig at the Santiago airport on May 19, 2014

Elder Jenson on the airplane leaving Santiago for home!

In 16 hours Elder Jenson will be HOME SWEET HOME!

Our family was able to track Elder Jenson fights and were notified when he boarded, was in the air, landed and then arrived at his gates. Goodbye to my second home....Santiago!

Elder Jenson arrives in Denver and anticipates seeing his family for the first time in 2 years!

Tallyn waiting for Elder Jenson to arrive!

Tarryn waiting for Elder Jenson to arrive!

Taylor waiting for Elder Jenson to arrive!

Trevor waiting for Elder Jenson to arrive!

Taylor, Tarryn, Tallyn, Trevor and Jennifer waiting patiently at Denver International Airport for Elder Jenson's arrival on May 20, 2014 from the Chile Santiago North Mission!

Trevor sees Elder Jenson coming up the escalator at Denver International Airport!

Jennifer sees Elder Jenson for the first time in 2 years!

Trevor sees Elder Jenson for the first time in 2 years!

Taylor sees Elder Jenson for the first time in 2 years!

Tarryn sees Elder Jenson for the first time in 2 years!

Tallyn sees Elder Jenson for the first time in 2 years!

Elder Jenson and his family together again after 2 years!

As a family we thought this day would never come. Two years seemed like an eternity when we dropped off Elder Jenson at the Provo MTC on May 30, 2012. What an amazing 730 day journey this has been for Elder Jenson and our entire family. Fittingly in the mail on May 19th as Elder Jenson was departing the Chile Santiago North Mission to return home, our family received a letter from Elder Jenson's Mission President, President Essig. In the letter we as a family were reminded of Elder Jenson's obedience and how he worthily endeavored to unconditionally surrender and consecrate his will to the Lord, how he developed charity and took the Lord as his guide in all things. As a result, Elder Jenson was a fruitful missionary and has been the means of bringing many souls unto Christ and has had an impact in lifting and inspiring other missionaries. Elder Jenson has been richly blessed and has learned much about the Spirit of the Lord, his faith in and love for the Lord Jesus Christ have grown immensely, he has experienced greater happiness than ever before, has increased substantially in light and knowledge, has grown to love the scriptures (especially the Book of Mormon) and his love for the Lord and gratitude for His atoning sacrifice have become a central part of Elder Jenson's life. In short, Elder Jenson has become more like the Lord whom he has had the privilege to represent.

During Elder Jenson's release a question was asked from our Stake President, President Lyman. What was the single biggest change that occured in you over the past 2 years? Elder Jenson's reply was "I gained a strong testimony of Christ and the Atonement and His everlasting love for us. Putting the Lord first in everything instead of wordly things like golf and friends. My whole perspective has changed where I put the the Lord first and everything else comes after."

Elder Jenson's release concluded with his testimony and knowledge that "I know that this is the true church of Jesus Christ, that He loves each of us and I know that he wants us to have an everlasting forever family." Elder Jenson also said that he knows that the Book of Mormon is true after praying many many times and feeling like fire many times when teaching. Elder Jenson mentioned that he saw miracles and the Lord's hand in His work every single day. Elder Jenson commented that many people think the commandments are rules but on his mission he came to know that commandments are what make us free. Elder Jenson also learned to understand the spirit and knows that the spirit and the fruits he feels are true. By small and simple things great things come to pass. Elder Jenson said that if we keep enduring to the end our Heavenly Father will have a place prepared for us where we can have our family forever. Elder Jenson said he can't wait for the Second Coming of Christ where we can worship Him and thank Him. It is through Him we can have everlasting peace.

One of the highlights of Elder Jenson's mission was when Elder Holland visited Chile. Elder Jenson mentioned that Elder Holland taught him many things mainly if each one of us want to be true disciples of Christ, we are going to have to pass through our own Gethesame and feel those trials and hardships Christ has felt so we know what it's like and can be a true follower of Him. Elder Jenson took this to heart that he had to astonish every one he knows. At every visit with investigators from that time on, Elder Jenson always had in his mind the thought that this could be the last time that I as a missionary teach them the gospel. Elder Holland told all the missionaries..."When you come home you better just level the place when you talk. Blow the back out of the whole gym." Elder Jenson said that when Elder Holland came to his mission he knew that he was an apostle of the Lord who helped him feel that this gospel was true. "I know that this gospel is true, that the Atonement is incredible and through it we can understand the Savior and what He did for us."

After Elder Jenson's testimony he was told by President Lyman that he served admirably and that he would be blessed eternally and then was asked to take off his missionary nametag (plaque) and give it to his mom to which Elder Jenson replied, "I have two!" President Lyman smiled and said, "Give one to your mom and one to your dad."

Thank-you to all of you for your many sacrifices and support of Elder Jenson during his time of service as a missionary in the Chile Santiago North Mission. Many prayers were answered and miracles were ever flowing over the past two years. Life doesn't get much better than that. As I conclude this blog, I will continue to be inspired by the faithfulness of the missionaries around the world who selflessly labor to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to build His kingdom on the earth today.Thank you to each of you for helping Elder Jenson prepare for this important time in his life. You each have played a role in helping Elder Jenson return home from Chile a better man and disciple of Christ.