Monday, December 26, 2016

Week 99 Feliz Navidad y un Prospero Ano Nuevo!


Merry Christmas! This Christmas was so rad! I had so much fun this past week. I have the true Christmas Spirit this year....it is much better to give then to get! I know that as we share and LIGHT the WORLD we can truly feel our Heavenly Fathers presence. Well, as you heard last week...we were going to baptize two people this Christmas. IT CAME TRUE! On Friday, we went to go do the baptism interview and man was it so hard. Javier....said he wanted to get baptized on the 7th instead of the 25th. And then the mom said she wanted to as well, because she wanted to do it with her son. We literally had a talk for 45 mins because they changed there mind back and forth from the 7th and the 25th. And we asked them if they had faith to do this, if they believe in Jesus Christ, if they believe that they have repented and of all their sins, if they have the desire to change, and if they desire to get baptized. And they said Yes to all those questions. And with that...we told them it really does not matter what happens tomorrow, just TODAY! And when my companion said that, they agreed to get baptized on Christmas day. The best gift you can give Our Savior. So, literally an hour before sacrament meeting...they got baptized. A miracle happened that day. They will always remember that day to be the best day of their life. I am so grateful I was able to be a part of that day. The spirit once again confirmed to me the purpose of me being in Honduras on my mission. I am finishing my mission this next change, but that does not stop me from being the best missionary I can be for the next 6 weeks.



On Christmas Night, we ate so much. I had like 4 dinners that night of just pork, potatoes, tamales, and torrejas ( sugar bread)....delicious. At 12...we lit fireworks and enjoyed the company of the Christmas Spirit with the people of our ward. I talked to my family as well, for the last time, and I am grateful I had the opportunity to talk with them. 



Love this gospel...and I love my Savior. I know this gospel can change lives. I have felt it this year and I have felt it on my mission. I am grateful for all I have done here and experienced and I know I it will help me be the person I need to be in the future. Love you all.....enjoy the spirit this year. FELIZ AÑO NUEVO!

Les quiero,


Elder Jensen





Monday, December 19, 2016

Week 98 Feliz Navidad


What a week it has been a wonderful week this week! But, really stressful! Like seriously. So, one of the companions from another area....came to live with us because his companion left to go to Brazil...so he is staying with us until changes. It is has been kind of rough because he is a little different and we don't always see eye to eye. But, i am trying to have patience with him (and I am sure he is with me). But, besides that this week we have been working hard to get those 3 baptisms that we want for Christmas. They are progressing faster than I could ever had imagined. It is amazing to see people have the desire to change and to really want the best for their life. Arling and Javier are truly the escogidos (chosen) that everyone wants. I have the desire as a missionary to be the missionary who will hopefully help them to make the best decision they will make in their life. I am glad to be a missionary still. I still have my weaknesses and I still have my faults...but they do not make me the new person I am today, I am changed. Christmas is the best time of the year to spend with family and be close together...and what a privilege it is to be a missionary in Honduras helping others to join with their family and remember the only person who can change their lives for the better, Jesus Christ.

On Saturday we had the Stake Christmas party and it was a blast to see everyone there...we also had a blast. We were able to bring 5 investigators to the party. It was a fiesta and we were able to help people truly enjoy the joy of Christmas. I am glad I was able to enjoy it here in Honduras...got to see all my friends from Roble Oeste again too. I am glad I am here to enjoy my last one too. Love you all and I am grateful for the opportunity I have to be a missionary. The Church is True. And this gospel is real...I know that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we can become clean of all sin and receive that True Conversion to the gospel. 

Btw on Sunday was the Presentación de la Primaria....I was able to sing as a missionary I Hope They Call Me On A Mission in Spanish with all the little kids...so Cute! 




Monday, December 12, 2016

Week 97 Gonna be a very Merry Christmas




Well, I am going to have one awesome Christmas. Christmas Eve lands on Saturday this year and its going to be very memorable. We had a real cool experience this week. We have been working hard on these 2 new people that came to church on Sunday. They are a family who are friends with the stake president. They came to church as a family and then we meet with them after and taught them about baptism. We talked from Acts 8 about Eunuch and Philip that if they had the faith to get baptized, they could too. It does not matter how many sins or temptations we have. All that matters if we have the desire to change. At that moment all of them decided to get baptized, and the are on December 24th, Christmas Eve. I know for us as missionaries, and of course the Lord, and most definitely for them this will be the best Christmas gift they will ever receive in their life. I am so happy for they made this life changing decision. For Marisol and for Genesis well they are a little bit different. They want to get baptized, but they are lacking the faith. The have postponed their baptism that was suppose to be this weekend.  So, we are going to help them and with the help of the members more we are going to read General Conference talks with them. 

My letters are getting a little shorter by the week because I so busy.  I am still working hard and I want you all to know that my testimony of this gospel is stronger than it ever has been. This week we were teaching the law of chastity to some investigators and I felt the impression to share my testimony. My heart burned with the spirit and I know now with all my heart that this law and others are true.  I love you all...loving this Christmas season. We are so blessed. We had 8 investigators in the church on Sunday....and we hadn't even found or asked these people. It's all from the members invitations! This ward is so awesome! Elder Estrada and I are working hard here and we are doing our best to invite all to come unto Christ! See you next week! 


Elder Jensen


Monday, December 5, 2016

Week 96 Fastings For Miracle

Marisol and Genesis
Well, this past week was one heck of a ride. We have been working real hard with Marisol and Genesis. They were sick a little this week. so they could not make it to church on Sunday. But, we were able to continue to prepare them for baptism on the 17th. It is really cool to see the change and the happiness when someone really wants to change. I have seen this in my life these past 2 years. I know that the Lord truly prepares those who are seeking for a new life. I know that I have felt that with them. You can just feel this love when you are with them, you cannot deny it. This week I found a scripture that comforted and changed me. I remember reading it a month into my mission, but could never find it again. It reads: 
¨For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to seperate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.¨ Romans 8:38-39

What a beautiful scripture that is right? I know that the pure love of christ that each one of us feels and is in us, no one can ever take that away. It is love unbreakable. A really cool miracle happened this week from fasting. It was Saturday and we were having a bad day and we were waiting for the bus to go to into some residentail areas to do some contacting. And this car came by and honked at us. It was the Stake President and we got in and we went with him instead to do some teaching with him. We met 2 new families and now we have 4 new baptisms for this month and next month. All of them went to church and we are planning their baptisms. What miracles happen when we fast for the most smallest things. I testify that fasting truly works. I love this work and I love my mission. 

I hope everyone is starting thinking of Christmas this year. It does not matter the presents or the gifts, what matter is our Savior Jesus Christ who was born. H who can save all of us if we just simply follow Him. Love you all. I know this to be true. Feliz Navidad a todos! Hasta la proximo semana. Cheque Pues!

Les quiero,


Elder Jensen



P-Day!


Monday, November 28, 2016

Week 95 Finding the Escogidos (Choosen)





What a week it has been! I cannot believe how fast time is going by. It feels like yesterday I was entering the CCM and now I am here 21 months later finishing my mission. But, seriously it has been a blessing to be here in Honduras. I have seen the blessings of being a missionary and helping families and catrachos (Honduran male) come unto Christ. I know that I will be immensely blessed for serving the Lord with my might in these last couple weeks here. I know that if I truly work hard, have faith and continue to be obedient my Heavenly Father will lead me to the people that are truly looking for the gospel in these last 10 weeks. So excited!

Marisol and Genesis are progressing so fast. Genesis loves the young women program and loves the activities that they do every Wednesday. She told all the young women that she wants them to go to her baptism on the 10th.....Yipeee! And Marisol has been reading the BOM a lot know and she finds it be very interesting. She has felt the spirit so much and knows it be true. It is going to be a very Merry Christmas for me and Elder Estrada this year. To have a chance to baptized someone during this time of year. I can't think of anything better. The fireworks are coming out and we are both excited to help everyone remember that the Savior was born in Bethlehem on Christmas Morning. I love this area. We have been finding new families all over and it is an amazing thing to tell them all about Christ and his life right now. 

Love you all so much. The weeks are catching up to me and before I know it I will be going home. It makes me sad and excited all in one.  All I know is that Our Savior and Redeemer lives and that this Gospel is truly amazing. It can change each and everyone of us. Does not matter how old you are, where you are, or what you've done. All that matters is that we are children of a loving Heavenly Father and he wants nothing more than for us to turn to Him and His son. The Book of Mormon is true and I can see new miracles just by reading a little bit everyday. Love you all....please pray for me and my companion and for our investigators that they can truly accept this gospel and receive the blessing that come from it. 



Les quiero,

Elder Jensen

Cute Honduran kids.

How I take a hot shower everyday.

Made Pizza Spaghetti for Elder Estrada's birthday and some investigators

Happy Birthday Elder Estrada!





Monday, November 21, 2016

Week 94 Excellente Estrasda




Bueno, pues. Este semana fue super BUENO! Trabajaba como burros este semana! (WOW! This was a super great week. We worked liked mules this week.) I have changed so much on my mission, and I have even seen a big change just in this change. We wrote down all our goals we want to accomplish this change and we have already completed like so many of them. I am so happy with myself and with my companion. My testimony has grown so much and it has changed me so much and I cannot even tell you how much. The gospel of true. 

An awesome miracle happened this week. We went to go teach a lesson with an investigator this week and we were waiting in the park for them and she called and wanted us to meet them at there house instead because it is starting to get a little cold here. When we got there, there were 4 extra people in her family. It was such a spiritual night, we taught the Word of Wisdom with them and all of them committed to follow it exactly. And then the next night we taught them about the Restoration and when we challenged them to baptism all of them committed to do so. I could not believe it. Obedience truly does bring blessings. But, Exact Obedience brings Big Miracles! I am so happy that Elder Estrada and I worked hard, had the faith, were obedient so we could have the spirit with us to teach them about the gospel and the spirit could touch them. And because of all of that both of them have a baptism date for the 10th of this December. There is nothing better than to see people feel the spirit and change their lives. We are planning to go to the temple this December for them. I am so happy for them and there desire to change. Life is going good! Please pray Genesis and Marisol to continue to receive answers. 

We are going to try and do 100 contacts this week...yea thats alot, but we are up for the challenge. I am loving my mission and I know if I put all my strength n into these last 11 weeks...I will truly return home with honor and with happiness that I did all I could.  Love you all...thanks for the support and the love you bring to me! FELIZ DIA DE GRACIAS! 

Les queiro,

Elder Jensen

2 fecha fijas que tiene un fecha por bautismo el dia 10 de Dic.


Estoy todo Macaunudo!


Que Verde!



Monday, November 14, 2016

Week 93 Cambios De Nuevo



Well, changes happened again. I cannot believe how 6 weeks can go by so fast...it feels like just yesterday Elder Hernandez and I became companions again. I will receive a new companion as of tomorrow. His name is Elder Estrada. He is from Guatemala. I know him pretty well...I know we will get along real well this change. I am going to kill him (this is his last change and he goes home, mission lingo, basically, work him to death). We are going to study hard, work hard, and baptize a lot. I know that these next 3 months are going to go by so fast, so I have to enjoy every minute of it. I love my mission and I know I can truly express my love to Heavenly Father by giving it my all.  I know if we do it His way, it truly does work. That is why this change I am going to make goals for the remaining part of my mission and goals for my future. I don't have a lot of time this week, so this will be short. But, I promise I will tell you about all the cool experience I have next week. 

Real quick...Elder Ochoa from the Seventy came this week and talked about us about how we can be better missionaries and how we can live our missions to the fullest. But, he said that there are thousands...THOUSANDS of people in our area that are waiting for this gospel and are just waiting for missionaries to knock on there door. So, I know now what I need to do as a missionary to really help my mission to the fullest. Love you all thanks for all your support. I gotta go...talk to you guys next week. 

Love,


Elder Jensen



Monday, November 7, 2016

Week 92 Unexpected Contact

 

Weeks are passing like a seconds here. I literally have 21 months right now and it is so surreal. I cannot believe that in 3 months I will be home. I really don't like talking about it. I am still enjoying my time here in Honduras, helping my fellow brothers and sisters find and stay on the path of righteousness to return back with our Heavenly Father. I had kind of a stressful past week with the work and trying to get it all done. We are doing our best and I know with my companion on the right side and the Lord on the left, anything is possible. We have seen some pretty dope miracles this past week. Our area is kind of tough because it is outside the city, but some crazy things have happened this past week. 

One of them was that Elder Hernandez and I were helping a family in their pulperia (small grocery store) sale food and utilities to the local people who always pass by buy stuff. Elder Hernandez went outside for just a minute to talk with the some people passing by. And these 2 ladies come up to him and said ¨Elder, Why are you not with your companion?¨ My companion responds,  he is just inside doing service for Hermana Olga¨´ And she responds again ¨I know the mission rules Elder and it tells you strictly to be by your companion at all times.¨ My companion said ¨Wow, that's right, how do you know the mission rules sister? Are you a member?¨ She says ¨No Elder, it is just I have been talking to elders for almost 20 years, still have not been baptized yet, and the elders have told me all the rules one of them is to be by your companion at all times. Elder Hernandez called for me...and when i came out we started talking more to them and getting to know them. Like she said they have been meeting with elders for 20 years and the reason they never got baptized was because they had problems with getting married because they did not have the money. So, lately my companion and I have been working with them this week. They went to church yesterday and they loved it because now the building is so close (since the new church opened). We are hoping to help them get married. It's just really hard because it is really expensive to get married in Honduras. 

We are working with a bunch of other contacts and referrals from the members this week. Surprisingly, we got a lot of referrals from the church and it has been really cool. This week will be as busy as last week. Which makes any missionary happy.  I am so happy to be a missionary. I have been learning so much and having many new experiences that will help me to prepare for the real life after my mission. President said to us yesterday that if we do not truly change on the mission, we will cry afterwards.  Love you all. Thanks for all your support. See you next week. 

Hasta Luego!!!

Elder Jensen

Christmas Activity


Monday, October 31, 2016

Week 91 Mr. Inspiration

Adorable kids that love talking to "gringos"

So, many things have happened this week I cannot even count. Well, we can first start off with a big surprise from our mission this week. Our mission and the Tegucigalpa mission had the opportunity to hear from GA Kevin R. Duncan and his wife and... Apostle Dallin H. Oaks this week! What a blessing was it to hear from them! They gave amazing talks and my heart just opened up and spirit taught me on how I want to finish my mission. One of the best things Elder Oaks said was, that we need to be Full-time Missionaries! "Work Hard, Strive Hard, and Endure until the very end". He said the he knows that if we put in our heart and our committ to this work, the Lord will bless us in ways we cannot even imagine. However, if we sin and give up....there will be no point to our mission. Repentance is not repeating the same sin over and over. Repentance needs commitment or it means nothing. Sometimes we repent from the mouth, and not from the heart. I know I am not the perfect, I do have my faults and my challenges. I have felt the Saviors love and know what I need to do and how to finish my mission not only with honor, but really changed. I have no intention of going home the same person. Nobody does....and with the Lord by my side anything is possible. The Lord has changed me in so many ways these past 21 months and I know if I continue to be obedient and work super hard these last 3 months I will be truly changed. God has a plan of happiness for each and every one of us and during our journey here are Earth there will be discouragement, loneliness, and frustration along the way. But, I know now what he has in store for me. I just need to do it. We all need to do it. He is the only way to be happy! We just need to trust him. And if we do, he will change us into the people we want to be and who he wants us to become. I bear strong witness to that fact. 

My Zone
Preaching while playing

Along with the inspiration we had this week, we had 2 unexpected baptisms this week. I am so proud of Alejandra and Ashley and the their decision to join the church. They will be eternally blessed. I know Heavenly Father puts people in our path to help nourish us strengthen our spiritual growth. I love Him and am grateful He is watching me and all his children.


Alejandra and Ashley Baptism
Well, this change is almost finishing up. We have about 2 more weeks and it be done. And then I will have exactly 3 months left. It is weird to think that Christmas is coming up so soon. I cannot even believe how time has gone by so fast. Love you all so much and I am grateful for your support and encouragement you have given me these past 21 months. Cannot wait to see you soon! Hasta Luego! 

Les quiero muchisimo,

Elder Jensen

P.S. Happy Halloween!!!

My house. No doors!


Monday, October 24, 2016

Week 90 Miracles Happen for Reason

We walk a lot of dirt roads here
Wow, another week has come and gone. I am grateful for what happened this past week even though it was humbling. I truly learned some pretty hard lessons and I know what I need to do to be better as a missionary in these next 108 days. I now know the blessings of true obedience. We slacked off a little this week and wow, I could see a difference from the results we had this week verses the last 2 weeks. I am not proud of it and I prayed for forgiveness. I can see how and what I need to improve upon and what I need to do to become the best missionary I can and what my Father in Heaven wants me to be. The mission is truly a refiners fire. And even though Elder Hernandez and I weren't totally obedient the Lord still blessed us with 2 unexpected miracles. You can't stop the will of the Lord. I would like to tell you guys about this week. 

Remember Jeisy from my last area? And how we taught her for so many weeks? She struggled with her testimony and she prayed and prayed for weeks.  Well, last Saturday was her baptism. I am so happy! Since I was so close to where she lives, my companion and I were given permission to go see her baptism. As well as my old companion when in that area. I felt such peace and joy as she entered the waters of baptism. I prayed so hard for that day to come. I am happy for her and for the decision she made. It is such a blessing as a missionary to see the change in someone when the decided to get baptized. I really feel like Jeisy was one of those that I was suppose to find. One the main reasons I was sent to Honduras. A chosen one for me. Miracles. So many miracles.
 
Jeisy's Baptism



The other miracle is that next week we have 2 more baptisms. 2 unexpected people from Elder Hernandez old ward who had some difficulties in the ward they were going to. Unfortunately, it got so bad they wanted to come here and be a part of the Germania Ward. Some people in Honduras never learn.  Well, I guess we can all say that sometimes. As the saying goes in the church,  The church is true, but the people are not. Alejandra and Ashley will be getting baptized next week. I have seen so many blessing this week. We are still working with Celeste. We are being patient and trying to help her understand the power of the Holy Ghost. We found some other new people to teach and we are hoping they will follow through with our request to read and pray for answers. Elder Hernandez and I will be praying too. 

Love you all so much! Cannot believe how little time I have left now. It is almost a shock how far I have truly come. Still working at it and doing all I can so I can be proud of myself when I come home. Hope all is well. As Jeffery R Holland says: Keep Loving. Keep Trying. Keep Trusting. Keep Believing. Keep Growing. Heaven is cheering you on today, tomorrow, and forever. Have a good week everyone! 

Hasta Luego!!!

Elder Jensen