Saturday, April 27, 2013

This week...

Hola everyone!

This past week has been a pretty slow week in Fantino.  We've had a couple of rough days or trying to find people to teach, but I feel like that we have some really good investigators breaking through the clouds.  The most exciting thing that happened was I got a new companion.
My new companion's name is Elder Montes de Oca (I know, quite a long name).  He's from Santo Domingo, so he is my 3rd companion who's Dominican.  He has 6 months in the mission, so still quite young.  I'm his 3rd companion and he seems really excited to work.  I haven't had a whole lot of time to get to know him, since we just got home about 1/2 hour ago, but he seems like a really good missionary.  I look forward to serving with him this next transfer and improve my Spanish, the area, and ourselves as missionaries.  Oh yeah!  He knows how to cook, so I'm looking forward to learning how to make the yummy, Dominican food I love to eat!Indeed, a brand new transfer, new companion; yep, things are looking good!
We've continued to make progress with Livi.  She told us that she didn't really understand exactly what happens at baptism.  So my companion and I did our best to explain our promise, the lord's promise, and the blessings received through baptism.  I feel like she understands a little better the importance of baptism now.  She committed to pray and ask Heavenly Father if baptism is right for her at this time.  I'm praying that he answers her prayer, because we know she's ready.  We have a visit with her tonight, so hopefully we can set a date.
We've continued trying to find investigators, and come up with ways to help the branch grow and become more involved in missionary work.  It's so important to have the members involved in all aspects of our investigators, lessons, and finding of investigators.  We're hoping to plan and set up an Open House of the Church, so all the town can come and see what the "Mormons" do inside that big, new building.  Hopefully, that will help us find more people to teach and help the town know more about our beliefs.
This past week I've really thought about the love God has for all of his children.  We constantly make mistakes, fall short, and we all seem to find ourselves "Human."  If we think about it, we all need the divine gift of the Atonement, and the love and Mercy of our savior.  It weird how I sometimes find myself "short fused" about little things I do, or other people do and I forget that God never gets "short fused" with me!  He always is there to pick us up, dust us off, and help us on the right path again.  I think of all the effects that come from our time on this earth, and I remember the love, and peace that comes from the simple words, "Be still, and know that I am God."  I hope we all can rely on God and his love for us in our weakness, short comings, and challenges that come in life.  En el nombre de Jesucristo, Amen.
Have an excellent week!
Love,
Elder Jensen

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Hey...

Hola Everyone!

This past week has been another regular week in Fantino. We just have been doing our thing and enjoying our time in the rice fields! Next week is transfers, and I'm 99% sure I'm staying in Fantino. In my interview with President Douglas he told me that he sent me to Fantino for a reason, and he feels my time is about up, but not quite yet. That made me feel really good. It strengthened my testimony that God has a hand in the transfer process and where I need to be. Anyways, my companion Elder Mendoza is most likely headed out next week, so it should be interesting to see who my new companion will be.

The most exciting news on the investigator front is Livi. I guess I shouldn't call it exciting because it's not "good" news. She was originally planning to get baptized this Saturday, but isn't anymore:( She had a good, honest, heart-to-heart talk with us last night and shared how she's feeling right now. She told us she really likes attending church, reading, and the set-up of the church; however, she said she doesn't fell 100% ready to be baptized yet. I was a little sad, because she is the most prepared investigator I've ever taught, but I'm very grateful she was honest to us and to herself. She explained that she wants to get baptized, but just needs a more sure answer to her prayers. We gave her Elder Holland's talk from last Conference and we are hoping that that helps. The thing I'm learning from this situation is that we make our own decisions. When it comes to our salvation and our happiness, we must be the person to choose "yes" or "no." Family, missionaries, members, friends, etc. can all influence our own decisions, however, when it comes right down to it WE MUST MAKE OUR OWN DECISION! We have our own agency, and that's the beauty of the Plan of Salvation. Is it frustrating at times when someone doesn't make a decision? Yes! However, that's we we got to keeping on cheering from the sidelines and never abandon them. So we're going to keep moving forward and supporting Livi until she makes her decision! I know that it'll come, and she use her agency and choose to follow Christ and be baptized.

With our other investigators we have really nothing new to report. We've been kind of cleaning house and trying to find some new people who want to progress. We've spent alot of time this past transfer on less-actives without alot of success, so we're going to focus more on the people who don't have the gospel and need it, want it, and will live it! It's important to focus on the less-active members too, but we are trying to balance our time more effectively and spend an equal amount of time on both sides of the battle field.

I'm so grateful for the gospel in my life and the opportunity to serve a mission! I love the lord, and his son, Jesus Christ. He is my savior and king! I'm grateful for the simple prayer of a young, 14 year-old boy who had the courage to ask! The church is true, and prophets lead and guide us in these latter-days. Thank you for all the love and support, and I pray that you are happy and enjoying the journey of life! Have an excellent week, and "just keep swimming!"

Love,
Elder Jensen

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Hola...



Hola Everyone!!

This past week has been awesome!! I LOVE General Conference!! I felt like several talks were just for me and that God's kingdom is really growing. We had a few investigators come and it really was a make it or break it moment. Luckily, it made it! (I'll explain more later)

So, a few of the conference talks I really enjoyed were Pres. Uchtdorf's Sunday Morning, Pres. Becks's in the Priesthood, of course Holland's talk, but I really liked Pres Monson's talk about Missionary work. All the talks were good, but these 4 really hit me. I really like how Pres. Uchtodorf talked about how the light will always follow the darkness, and if we invited Christ eventually all that will be left is light. I hope we can all invite more light into our lives and chase out the darkness of the world. In Pres. Beck's talk, I really enjoyed his story about the group of football players. And it got me wondering if I'm ministering to my family, friends, and ward members. Holland's talk was just amazing, like usual. I hope I can always be an example of the believers. And I really enjoyed Pres Monson's talk on missionary work and obedience. I hope I can apply the 4 ingredients of the formula and become an even better missionary! Overall, conference was great!

So yesterday, we had an excellent lesson with Livi! She attended Conference, and we felt that it would have sealed her desire to be baptized. So during the lesson, we asked how things were going and she said that she still had a doubt about Prophets, and such. So we talked about Conference and prophets and how she felt. It was awesome!! The spirit was so strong, and I know that she felt the spirit tell her she's ready for baptism. She also said, that Conference cleared her doubts about prophets and that she feels like baptism is the right way to go! I'm hoping to share Holland's talk with her and seeing that really confirm the truthfulness of the testimony she's gaining. I'm confident that she'll be baptized on the 20th of April. I hope she'll follow the feeling of her heart and take that leap of faith. She can be such a strong leader in the church!

This week is going great and I love being a missionary! Life's good and I'm enjoying of the fun experiences I'm having here in Fantino. Missionary work is so important, and I'm grateful for the chance to serve in the Royal Army of God! Please hearken unto the words of the living Prophets and I know you all with be blessed for doing the best you can! God lives, and he loves each and every one of us! Keep holding to the rod!
 
Love, Elder Jensen

Hey...

Hola everyone!

This past week has been a little slow in Fantino, but it sounds like things back home were a blast!! I'm super happy that Holli loved going to Prom and had an excellent time! It seems like life continues forward, and all of us are growing up.

The past 7 days were filled with teaching, walking, and sleeping. We've starting working really hard with the branch leaders to try and create some excitement for missionary work. We've started doing exchanges again, visiting the members everyday, and attending alot of meetings with them. Things seem to be picking up, and the members are slowing waking up again. We've even received a couple of referrals this past week too!

On Sunday, we had 3 new people come to church that we'd never met before. They were referrals from a member of the Branch Presidency. One was a couple in there late 40's and the other was a 24 year old young man. They seemed to enjoy it alot and want to continue attending. We stopped by their houses yesterday and shared a first message with them. The couple seems very timid right now, but they want to continue learning. So I'm very excited! We then stopped by the 24 year old guy. He's very smart and reminds me alot of David from Gurabo. He picks up on things very early, and has alot of intellegent, profound questions. I'm looking forward to seeing all 3 of them progress in the gospel lessons.

Our other investigators are continuing to progress and gain testimonies. The biggest struggle we seem to be facing right now is getting people to church. Especially on time!! It seems like Mormon Standard Time has taken on a whole new meaning!! However, at least they make it to church, so that's the most important part. I think we can learn as members, that we set the example to the investigators of the church. If we don't attend all our meetings, and especially show up on time; we can't expect our children and investigators to do like wise!!

My companion and I are doing great too! Elder Mendoza is a really fun person and an excellent missionary! He's obedient, has a love for the work, and is a great person! I'm grateful for my time here in Fantino with him as my companion. We've gone without water, power, money, and clean clothes together; and he sure makes things a blast. I'm learning alot in Fantino about how hard people have it is come places in the world. I'm so grateful that I have water that I can drink from the tap, AC, power 24/7, and the knowledge that all is well! I'm grateful for this opportunity to learn gratitude!

I love missionary work and I'm grateful for this chance to serve my Heavenly Father and his son, Jesus Christ. The master is hastening his work, and we can see a difference here in the Dominican Republic. I love this opportunity to learn and grow as I serve the lord in his vineyard. I know this work is real. God lives, and he is our loving father-in-heaven. We truly have the potential to become like him. And I LOVE sharing the message of happiness! En el nombre de Jesucristo, Amen.

Have an Excellent week everyone!!

Love, Elder Jensen