Happy Random Thursday...

Sorry for the delay in the post...

Hola everyone,

So I'm writing today, since yesterday my companion and I spent the day translating for some American doctors.  It was really fun and I enjoyed translating for them.  I guess what happened was that Sister Douglas talked to one of her friends who works at St. Mark's hospital and a group of doctors came down and are giving free clinics to the poorest parts of the area.  It was a really good experience to help these people get some health care and see them leave happier and healthier too!  I would definitely do it again if they asked me to!

So this past week has been a big week of learning for me.  I've been busy trying to learn the area, get to know the investigators and the members, and I'm trying to learn my new position.  I got called about a week ago from President Douglas telling me that he would like me to be the new office Elder in charge of cell phones, mail, vehicles, and church materials.  I was not expecting that!  I'm excited to serve in this assignment, but its a really big job and alot of work.  I've started training today and I'm excited to serve in this new position and work with some really neat people.  I'm going to be training this whole transfer, so I'll officially become the "real deal" at the beginning of next transfer in about 5 weeks.

So as I've continued to serve in different areas around the country, I've noticed an overall commandment that the Dominican people have trouble keeping.  The law of Tithing.  It seems that the saints in this part of the world can't put their trust in god and give 10% (mind you, only 10% of what we earn) to the lord.  There's a scripture is Malachi that promises that the windows of heaven will be opened and there won't be enough room to receive them.  I recently received a letter from a member who told me about her blessings of paying tithing.  She commented that the trouble still comes around, but it is settled down much cheaper, smoother, and calm matter.  As I've seen people sacrifice almost all they have to pay the lord 10%, I've seen miracles and the blessings of the lord poor into their lives.  I know that the law of tithing isn't always easy.  Nothing in life ever is all the time, but I know that receiving the blessings of the lord is always worth it.  Without tithing, we wouldn't have temples, buildings, missionary work, and loads of other stuff.  We've all been blessed by tithing money, so I hope we can always put our trust in the lord and receive all the blessings of heaven.  The Dominican people still haven't learned that, but I hope we can all be examples of the believers and be full-tithe payers!  I know we will be blessed more then we can imagine.  En el nombre de Jesucristo, amen.

Have a great week everyone!!

Love,

Elder Jensen

Hello...

Hola,

So transfers today.....and I'm now in a place called Hato Mayor.  It's a neighborhood in Santiago so I'm back in the big city!  My new companion is named Elder Cabelacavo (something like that).  He's from California, but his parents are Mexican.  Therefore, he speaks really good Spanish and English, haha.  He only has 3 months in the mission, so hopefully we can learn alot from each other.  I'm looking forward to serving in this area.

So Libby got baptized last Saturday!!  It was a really good day.  However, the generator for the church broke half-way through the baptismal service, so I essentially baptized her in the dark with people using their cell-phones and flashlights.  It was very spiritual and I think Libby was very happy and excited. Definitely an excellent way to finish off my time in Fantino!!

Well, not much more is exciting this week.  So hopefully I can send a couple of pictures of members and my area.  The mission is great and I love serving the lord!  

Have a great week everyone!

Love,

Elder Jensen

Happy Wednesday...

Hola Everyone,

 

So this past week was pretty good!  We didn't really have too many exciting things happen, but I feel we made some progress.  Late Saturday night, I got a call from a member telling us not to announce Libby's baptism.  So of course, my companion and I both starting freaking out.  We kept saying, "not again, not again!"  So church rolls around the next day and Libby comes in and we go and talk with her with President Castano in his office.  She told us she was not feeling sure about her decision anymore.  I was really, really sad.  I've worked so hard and was sad that she started questioning herself again.  Well, what happened next was a complete miracle.  President Castano started talking about the adversary and how much he wants to destroy us and our salvation.  He explained to Libby that the adversary doesn't want her to get baptized and that if she keeps on pushing it further and further ahead, he'll always make it harder to take a stand and follow Christ.  She completely agreed and felt she needs to get baptized on Saturday.  She says she feels prepared, but at times she feels unsure.  So, we gave her a blessing that all would work out and that she could feel completely sure of her answer. So today is Wednesday, and Libby's baptism is still planned for Saturday and she's very, very excited for it now!!  I'm happy.

So on Thursday we received an awesome referral of a family in my area.  They are super legit!  This family will get baptized eventually I'm pretty sure.  Its a family of 6 and they are really interested in the gospel.  They even came to church last Sunday too!  I hope they progress and all get baptized soon!

Missionary work is pretty great and I love teaching people about the gospel of Jesus Christ.  I know this church is true and that Christ lives.  Heavenly Father loves each one of us and wants us to succeed!  We should never stop telling the world of that message!  In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Have an excellent week everyone!

Love,

Elder Jensen

 

Happy Independence Day...

So things in Fantino are hot!  I understand that it's been blazing hot (Or what you guys believe means hot) in Utah right now; we've also seen some heat, but also lot's of rain.  I walked through a couple rivers the other day.  Maybe I'll see my swimming skills put to use, haha.  But, the church has A/C so I'm happy.

This past week has been filled with a couple of interesting things.  We had Branch conference last Sunday and President Douglas came and spoke to us.  He shared different stories of the success and miracles that the mission is seeing in different area throughout the mission and that now is the time for Fantino.  He talked about how this church really is different from all the different churches and that we have a responsibility to share it with our friends and neighbors.  It was actually really, really good!  And Sister Douglas's Spanish is getting better!  After church, my companion and I invited them over to our house to eat Hamburgers and Potatoes.  They really were excited and had a really good time.  They said they were surprised that we had the courage to cook for our Mission President.  My companion and I thought that it was something we could do since they're always cooking for us missionaries.  It was really enjoyable!! We had a good time having lunch with President and Sister Douglas.

So things are really doing good with Libby!!  She told us last Sunday that she's feeling ready to be baptized again!  YEAH!!!  And we asked her how she felt about the 13th of July.  She felt that this is the day for her!!  I really have faith is will be the day this time!!  I've been working with her for over 5 months and I want to see here get baptized before I leave this area!  So hopefully is two weeks we'll see another baptism here in Fantino.

So life in the mission is continuing forward.  I'm grateful for the opportunity I have to serve a mission the the Dominican Republic.  I'm learning alot about the world, the importance of the church structure, and alot about myself personally.  I'm grateful for this church and I know that my savior lives.  I wouldn't trade this experience of serving as one of his missionaries for anything.  The gospel is true and my testimony continues to get stronger.  Thanks for all the prayers and support everyone!  Missionary service is awesome!!  

Have a great week everyone!

Love,
Elder Jensen