Salutaciones...

Hola everyone!

Well, here I am writing a day late because yesterday we were in Santiago buying some things and there wasn't power in Nagua all day, so we were able to sneak in an hour right now and write the families.  I'm glad to hear that everything is going well and everyone seems happy.  I hope Holli enjoyed her time in cheer and I'm glad I can tell people my little sister was a cheerleader, haha.  It also sounds like everyone is busy with work and just trying to get everything done; which is good I suppose!

So, this week has just flown by again.  It was the first week of transfers which usually always drags on, but it just seemed to fly by this time.  My companion and I are still busy trying to find more people to teach, but I feel like we'll start seeing some more investigators popping up soon.  Juan has still been busy with the University, so we still haven't had a chance to teach him again.  The couple Angel and Banica that we've been teaching are progressing slowly.  Angel is a less-active and Banica is an investigator who's ready to get baptized.  But, they aren't married!  They have plans to get married, but what to get some "personal" matters in order first.  So, there is nothing we can do but wait and pray that things come together soon.  But, they will both be strong members once she can get baptized and start preparing to go to the temple.

We have made some progress with alot of the members and I feel like my companion and I are more "welcome" in the ward.  The members are inviting us over more, asking to leave with us, and showing more interest in how the missionary work is going.  We still haven't received alot of referrals, but I'm confident that things we really start to move along now that the members are a little more open to us and excited to do missionary work.  I might not see very many fruits of my labors, but I'll be happy if I can at least get some seeds planted.  I've found that is more what missionary work is; lots of planting and leaving the harvest for the next in line.

Well, things continue to move forward and life continues on.  Next week I'll enter the last full month of my mission.  I'm looking forward continue working with Elder Gothard and try to build up God's Kingdom here in Nagua.  Things are moving along and I hope that we can witness some miracles here and do our part in working in the vineyard.  I know this work is true.  Christ is the good Shepard and he invites all of us to come and participate.  He is our savior and redeemer.  I'm so very grateful for this chance to be a missionary.  I love the work and I'm grateful for what I've seen and done.  En el nombre de Jesucristo, Amen.

Have an excellent week everyone!  Que vaya con Dios.

Con mucho amor,

Elder Jensen.

It's the final countdown...

Hola Everyone!

Well this is it!  I just entered into the last transfer of my mission.  I can't believe how quickly it's rolling to an end.  One of my good friends finished up the mission today; and it's weird to think that I'll be in that position in a few short weeks.  But, I'm glad I still have a little bit more time to try and make a difference.

Well, not much has really happened this past week.  We've had several changes in our district, but nothing changed with the missionaries in our house.  2 elders were transferred and 1 sister was as well.  It should be exciting to see what this changes can bring.  But, things are still moving along for us in Nagua 1; Elder Henriquez, Elder Morgan, Elder Gothard, and me.

These past 7 days for us were some very trying days.  All of our appointments seemed to fail, nobody came to church, and the members haven't been too enthusiastic about helping us.  Where ever we went, nothing seemed to happen.  Juan entered into the University so we haven't seen him for over a week and some how we just can't seem to find him.  It took a lot of patience and diligence for my companion and I to keep on swimming last week...

The good news is, is that this week has started off alot better.  Almost all of our appointments have been kept, and alot of less-actives are getting excited to attend church on Sunday.  We've found some less-actives to teach, but we're still struggling on new investigators.  I really what to baptize a couple more people before I come home, so I'm really praying and hoping that we find some people this week.

So things are moving forward.  We're trying our best to help this little ward become strong and thriving.  It's taking alot of work and patience, but I trust that Heavenly Father is preparing the people to do their part.  This is the lord's work.  He is in control and I know that he has many blessing in store for the people in Nagua.  I'm grateful that I can serve the people here and I'm grateful to be a missionary.  The church is true, and god wants us to be happy!  Christ lives and he loves each and every one of us.  I hope that we can all remember that!  En el nombre de Jesucristo, Amen.

Have an excellent Valentine's Day everyone!  Que vaya con bien.

Con mucho amor,

Elder Jensen

Hola Everyone...

Hola,

I hope everyone had a great week and enjoyed the new layer of snow.  Everyone said that Utah hasn't had any snow (well hardly any) and that Brigham City and the northern part of the state are in need of some serious water.  Hopefully some of the water will come do some good.  I'd give you some of the water here, but it's of the salty variety, haha.

 

Well, this past week has been a pretty slow week for us.  Juan continues to progress, but is having a hard time attending church.  We haven't figured out why he doesn't come to church, but I hope that we can get to the bottom of it because I think he'll be a great member to this ward if he can get baptized.  He continues to read the Book of Mormon and likes the things that we teach, but just struggles making commitments to come to church.  However, he's not the only one though.  Everyone we've been teaching has committed to come to church, but never comes.  Need less to say, it's frustrating to be waited at church for 7+ people and no one shows up.  But, we continue teaching and praying that they can realize the importance of attending church.  Other than that, the area is slowing improving, well with the members any way.  We still don't have alot of people to teach, but I'm hoping that we find a couple of families soon because I'd really like to baptize a family before I go home...

So today has been really fun day.  We went to a tourist city about a hour and a half away called Samana.  It was really fun and it had a some really pretty beaches.  There was a little island in the harbor which had a bridge to it, so we hiked over and took some pictures.  There was also a Cruise Ship in for the day so that meant lots of gringos, and even more Dominicans ripping them off.  I feel kind of weird seeing so many Americans and so many people talking English.  It'll be really weird when I get home I imagine.  But, it was really fun and I got some great pictures.  Then for lunch we got invited to eat at a members house, but not just any member.  It was an American couple who have a winter condo and live here in the colder 6 months of the year.  They came to church last Sunday and invited us over when they heard we were planning on coming.  It was really pretty at their house because their condo is right on the beach.  What is even cooler is that this couple grew up in Brigham City.  Their names are Brother and Sister Hacking.  He said he moved over 30 years ago, but it was cool all the same. It was very nice of them to invited us over and we had an amazing time at their house.  Overall, really fun day and an excellent way to blow off some steam of missionary work.

 

Well the work continues forward and I believe I only have 7 more weeks to go!  This truly is the lord's work and I am grateful I've had the chance to participate in this marvelous work.  Thanks for everything everyone!  Have an excellent week!!  Que vaya con dios.

Love,

Elder Jensen