Happy Turkey Day!!

Hola!!

So, we just got back from being in the temple! We switched our pday to today so that we could attend the temple(: The temple is closed on Mondays, so we have to switch p-days to go. Being in the temple was wonderful, It was really nice to get to feel that peace inside again and see the paintings around. The temple is quite small compared to even the Provo temple, but it has some beautiful stained glass windows that I thought were really nice. While we were in the session, I just got to thinking about the crucifixion of Christ. It's always hit me just how much pain alone he suffered by being nailed to the cross. And then to think of the pain and anguish he felt in the Garden of Gethsemane too. It just hurts me to think of what torment he went through, and then to think that he was willing to go through it- because he loves us. I kinda got a bit teary because it just hit me again, but it just speaks volumes of how much Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father really do love us.

Some other highlights from my week-

We had dinner with a ton of elderly sisters on Tuesday, and it was my favorite dinner yet. The widowed elderly women will get together to feed the missionaries or have family home evening and they are the best. They told us all about the 50's and dances and Christmas parties and they were so cute and fun. Made me a little mad I wasn't born in the 50's but i don't have control over that and swing dance is still around so i can't be too jealous.

On Wednesday we got to visit with one of our potential investigators again and MIRACLES!! He was super happy to see us, talked a bit, went and put on shoes so his feet wouldn't freeze and then talked some more. Then, THEN. Prepare yourselves. He let us share a message. !!!!! This is huge. I shared a scripture I came across in my personal study and related it back to myself (1 Nephi 9:5-6, I'm not exactly sure why i'm out here and/or I don't really know who I'm supposed to meet and talk to out here on my mission, but the lord told me to come, and so here i am.) AND HE LOVED IT!!!! He said it was so beautiful, just the verse itself, and how i connected it to myself and we talked a bit about the feelings we get in church and then we had to go, but he said to bring someone next time so we can go inside and sit down! SUCH A MIRACLE!! Love that guy. (This was the guy that hated us at first)

On Sunday, we went to the Meridian Temple dedication and that was pretty cool. Let me specify, we actually went to Montpelier to watch the temple dedication. Sister Elliot drove us there, and she's fantastic. One of the sweetest ladies, she's basically adopted us. But the temple dedication was really neat. We tried to go to the Face to Face that night, but were unable to find it. So instead we had the delightful opportunity to come face to face with everyone who hates us. That was fun. We tried visiting people instead, but nobody really like us that nightx) Oh well, not the first time, or the last.

Then yesterday...what a weirdly fantastic day. So yesterday would normally be our p-day, but as I said, we switched it to today so we could go through the temple. Well yesterday still sorta felt like a pday because to start we helped sister reinhart clean her house. We usually begin by cleaning our apartment so that felt a little odd. While we were doing that our 1pm lesson cancelled. Then our 11pm lesson wasn't responding to us.. so we had a bit of an unoptimistic attitude..but went and knocked anyways...yeah she wasn't home. So then we went and did our studies, (which, i guess you don't do on pday, but we were still inside so it felt like a pday kinda day still.) then we went and tried to do some service, but the sister we tried to serve had already picked up all the tree limbs that we came to help her with...and then everyone else we visited (IN SERVICE CLOTHES!!!) wouldn't accept, or didn't need our help. The Schwab family (love, them, they've basically adopted us too) insisted on paying for our dinner that night so we ate at a super great mexican place, which still felt pday ish because it was just Sister Thomas and I. BUT THEN! We had a lesson appointment!!!!

We went and taught a family and it was great! Sister Thomas and I both had moments where we almost cried a bit tbh. The parents are both less active, and they have 3 boys. An 8 yr old, a 7 yr old, and a 2 yr old. They want to become active again, and the parents have talked about working toward the temple. Our first lesson with them, Sister Thomas and I both walked away feeling sorta terrible because we totally underestimated how little they knew about the gospel and went way over their heads. Well this lesson, to start, the 7yr old, shows us his Thanksgiving list for school and he had listed us, the missionaries on it! I about cried there. Somebody appreciates usx) We had a really simple lesson about who Heavenly Father is and who Jesus Christ is. We talked about the atonement a bit, and it was just such a good lesson! The dad told us about a few experiences he had, and the boys were really into the lesson and what we had to say. Such a good note to end our day on(:

So that was my week! I also finally got caught up on my journal, for which I should really receive an award because I was like a week and a half behind so go me! Anyways, I love and miss you all, have a good week!!<3

Love,
Sister Jensen