Hello hello! We had a super busy week, so as a result, I wrote a novel. Love you all!!!
During pday activities on Monday I got to know one of our elders better, Elder Calhoun. Neither of us like basketball, (which is what the activity was) so we ended up passing a soccer ball amidst the basketball games. He surprised me, and told me he was a convert of a year and a few months, and was previously a solid baptist who hated mormons. It was really neat to hear his testimony and strengthened mine.
Also, Gabriel came to FHE Monday night!! The activity was super chill, for which we were very thankful. At first there weren't a ton of people, (like 5) but by mormon standard time we had a pretty good turnout. We played some games with him and other ward members and then actually ducked out a little quick. He stayed when we left so pretty sure he enjoyed himself!
On Tuesday we had our last (normal) Zone Conference with President and Sister Hancock. We will have another special Zone Conference, mainly to say our goodbyes and hear their testimonies one last time. The spirit was very strong as we met together to recieve council from them for the last time.
Thier testimonies were both very sweet. I felt very torn the whole conference, the spirit was present and I couldn't tell if I was on the verge of tears for the better part of our time because of it, or because of the love they expressed for us and how much I will miss them when they are released. President Hancock spoke about waiting for the golden nuggets vs. patiently collecting golden flecks. He compared it to waiting for some miraculous sign to base our testimonies off of, or collecting the small tender mercies the Lord sends to strengthen and solidify our testimonies. Sister Hancock spoke of our vision and focused on seeing ourselves clearly and fortifying our testimonies. She stressed how we need to look inward at our own flaws before criticizing others and evaluate what we are lacking.
Both of them spoke with love and concern and I wish I could convey the spirit felt there. So many wonderful principles were taught and discussed, and I could feel the imlortance of what they were trying to teach us in preparation for a new mission president to come in.
One thing that really struck me powerfully was when Elder Rasmussen bore his testimony. He has seen the transition of 4 mission presidents in different periods of his life and touched on what would make this one different. He spoke about how the Southward's have young children who will be excited and watchful of us as missionaries. He talked about the impact we will have on these children and how seriously we should be taking this responsibility. It made me think of my own younger siblings, and brought me back to thoughts I've had often of them. I hope they can see the testimony I have of this gospel through my service as a missionary. And if nothing else, even if I didn't get to see anyone return or find the gospel through my efforts as a missionary, I'd hope my example to them was enough to help strengthen their testimonies. I hope we as missionaries will be able to have positive impact on the Southward's children and help them recognize the importance of the gospel at a young age.
On Wednesday we headed back out to Soda Springs to help with a service project. As a mission, we all had the opportunity to participate in the building of a play ground in Soda(: It was pretty funny actually, I ended up digging out a hole filled too deep, then helping to fill some other holes, and then had to unfill those holes because we were told wrong and should not have filled them. Many lessons can be taken away from the whole experience.
It was interesting to start out unfilling holes because as we started, I had the small thought "what idiots, they filled this 3ft hole all the way instead of halfway, and now I'm here cleaning their mess out with a garden trowel." I was slightly annoyed, and it sort of felt like they were abusing our free labor, but oh well. (It was still fun, service always is) That part reminded me of the atonement though. Jesus Christ sees the messes we've made of ourselves from having too much of whatever, and not enough of the solidifying gospel principles and small commandments he asks us to keep. (Filling the hole completely with dirt vs. Half dirt and half concrete). He sees our mess and helps us, without complaint, because of the love he has for us.
After unfilling that hole we started helping build the entrance buy getting some poles straightened and helping them stand exactly where they needed to be. After getting all the poles in place, the guy instructing us told us to fill the holes a small bit with dirt to stabilize the poles. While this was a good idea, after doing so the architect came by later and said we needed to unfill them because the holes were to be filled completely with concrete. Again, we had to get out our little garden trowels and dig what we had just poured.
This part reminded me of false prophets and correct ordinances. While people may have good intent and truly want to help us come closer to Christ, certain things, (such as baptism, sacrament, blessings, sealings, etc) need to be done by proper authority and direction from God. Such important ordinances cannot be done wrong, otherwise we jeopardize our entrance to God's kingdom. I didn't think to question the construction guy's instructions, but perhaps I should have. I also gained compassion and empathy for those who's holes we had fixed before because I could see how easy it was to be deceived and to mess up. Lots of life lessons from digging holes.
(Sorry the novel continues)
Thursday we had MLC, (Mission Leadership Council), which was also President and Sister Hancock's last MLC. So as you can imagine, many a emotions were felt. It was all a very wonderful Council and I walked away with a better understanding of how important our example as missionaries will be in this transition for our mission president. We got to sing a special version of "We Are All Enlisted" to President and Sister Hancock, as this is their favorite hymn. I'll have to include the lyrics, it was a very bittersweet moment and I definitely teared up.
More tender moments in MLC- two of out AP's (we have four right now to help prepare for the new mission president) decided to compliment each member of MLC. They very thoughtfully came up with a way to increase the love and charity in our mission, which was to feed each other verbally, with compliments. So prayerfully, they thought of what examples we all are to them and went around the whole circle telling each of us individually, what stood out to them. It was very touching and impactful. I challenge you all to verbalize the kind thoughts you have about others, and tell them how they are christlike examples to you. You'll find greater christ-like love and care for them.
Last thing holy cow, I apologize for the length. Sister Ziegler and I saw many miracles on Saturday when our afternoon completely fell apart, but was reconstructed by Heavenly Father. We had 3 appointments planned, and members excited to with us to each of them. Come Saturday morning all but one had cancelled. By the time our afternoon emptied out, we had to get to the one lesson still intact so had no time to plan the rest of our day. Somehow though, Heavenly Father organized it for us and we ended up getting to know the campus housing, correlating with 2 ward mission leaders, contacting people out in McCammon, and getting lists of referrals. It was amazing, and we even got Pink Lemonade on the way home! (Pics included)
My week was full of lessons and miracles as I hope yours all were too. Love you all!
Love,
Sister Jensen
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