Happy Turkey Day!

Hello hello everyone!!

Happy Thanksgiving!! I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and were able to spend it with friends and/or family(:

This week I had a pretty neat experience. On Wednesday I drove out to Star Valley with 5 other missionaries to begin shooting for the next mission video. We got to Star Valley, had dinner with the folks I stayed with while I served there, and then headed off to a member's home to shoot the interview portion of the video. I typed that all in a very calm way, but throughout the whole trip I was so incredibly stressed. We left Pocatello way later than planned, had to head to dinner before setting up for the interviews, and only had about 20 minutes of partial setup before people started to arrive for interviews. I just remember looking at my watch over and over and while I was enjoying the company I was in, a mental schedule was rolling in my mind and we were behind. Somehow, it also felt like everyone in the group was looking to me to make decisions, so I was feeling quite stressed. Interviews all worked out, the house we shot in was beautiful and the people that came were patient with us as we finished our setup. That night we crashed pretty hard, we were all exhausted.

In the morning, (Thursday) we were again running late getting out to the Paris Tabernacle to shoot the music portion of the video. Two more sets of missionaries were joining us at the tabernacle, so they could play instruments for the music we had planned. Once we all finally arrived we took much longer than anticipated to figure out the sound system of the tabernacle, find the shots we wanted, and hash the music out. (We literally threw the "mini orchestra" together and they hammered out something that ended up sounding good in about 3 or 4 hours. So mad props to them.)

Again, it felt like I was placed in charge and I knew the missionaries that met us there had schedules and we were running so late... stress was like through the tabernacle roof. (It was all super fun though, I did have a good time I promise.)

During the whole trip, Star Valley & Paris combined, I was just praying those involved were looking at me with charity. There were many things we didn't think to plan for, schedules that ran ridiculously late, and unexpected setbacks that we really didn't have control over. Feeling like I was making a lot of decisions, and not feeling adequate to do so, I found myself hoping that those around me saw I wasn't perfect and were looking at me with charity and understanding. Throughout my mission, I've prayed for charity, and I've prayed to understand those we work with. But until that trip, I hadn't really recognized how much I needed everyone to have charity towards me because of the stress I was under. It was very humbling and eye opening to see just how important it is to have charity towards those around you. We never know everything someone is balancing or going through. There is much more going on in a person's life than what we see.

With the holidays approaching, I invite all of you to pray for charity. Pray to have charity to those around you, and pray to receive charity from others. The holidays can be some of the most wonderful times for families, and also some of the most stressful. Have understanding for those around you and look to serve and provide relief however you can, just as Christ would.

I love you all,
Sister Jensen

No Mistakes... Only Happy Accidents

Hello all!

This week we had Zone Conference!! It was a really good conference, President had a professional artist come to speak to us. She talked about art she's done, including work in temples!! It was really cool to hear about. She also talked about a painting she did for a judge. Once she had completed the project, she left the painting for just a few minutes, and her 2 year old came in and wrecked it. Like she smeared Cadmium yellow all over the face and the hands. After a bit of a freak out, she scraped the paint off the best she could and basically had to repaint the face & hands. She quoted D&C 122:7-9 -

7 And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.

8 The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?

9 Therefore, hold on thy way, and the priesthood shall remain with thee; for their bounds are set, they cannot pass. Thy days are known, and thy years shall not be numbered less; therefore, fear not what man can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever.

She showed us the painting, and said that after redoing it, the portrait actually turned out better than it looked before. She talked about how sometimes the Lord sends us setbacks to make us better and to stretch ourselves, something I've definitely seen in my life & on my mission.

This week Sister Wilson and I also went out to 2 more firesides, Sister Wilson actually did a 3rd one Sunday evening, we had a lessons o I couldn't go. Sister Miller and I met with the Leach family, we're teaching their son Lyric. He is waiting for permission from his biological mom to be baptized. He is super sweet and knows a lot about the gospel. 

We also had a few meetings this week to plan out the next video, which will be out in Star Valley! It's going to be an awesome video and I'm excited to continue to be a part of the new ways we are finding to share the gospel!! I love you all and encourage everyone to prepare for the Christmas season by looking at the "Light The World" campaign the church has put out and find ways to serve this Christmas!

Love ya,

Sister Jensen

"Hoy Hoy!"

This week was crazy!!

To start, Sister Fitzpatrick and I had our last day together, and early Wednesday morning she headed out to North Carolina. The AP's had us meet at the mission home at 5am for a breakfast before they took the missionaries headed out to the airport. That was a weird day. I had gotten up at 3:30am and gotten all ready, because the AP's didn't really give me much information on where I would go/ who I would go with. They said one of the options was going with Sister Southward, and I wasn't sure if she would just be up and ready to go that early or if I'd get a short nap hahax) (I also knew I wouldn't really be able to fall back asleep anyway so it was sort of a lose/lose situation.) Anyway, they had me go out with some sisters that were dropping off another sister headed to NC. I did have the opportunity to take a nap...but like I said, I defintely couldn't fall back asleep haha.

So I spent the rest of Wednesday with Sister Pineda! We ended up doing some service at a theater in Chubbuck (The Palace Playhouse) and I got to paint sets!!!!! I was in heaven haha. He gave a bit of direction on what he wanted and let me have at it. It was super fun(: That night we went to a relief society and painted too!! Apparently Heavenly Father knew what I needed to help me de-stress lol. Once we got home that evening, I helped Pineda deep clean the apartment to prepare for transfers the next day. Holy cow. there was a lot to do haha. Sister Pineda likes a clean apartment, but he past comps didn't seem to care...so it was a lot of work but dang it looked so good after!!!x) It was a fun night and we bonded over cleaning supplies lol.

Thursday was transfer day and I got Sister Miller!! I didn't know her super well before, but she is so sweet! And hilarious. I'm psyched for this transfer it's gonna be a blast. She is from Arizona, and just came from serving out on the reservation. She's got some crazy stories! 

Anyway, the week was hectic even after transfers. We had quite a few lessons, went back to the res for a Pow-wow, (i'll include pics) had District Council with our new district, and went to a baptism the Elders had! The week was great and I am excited for my last few transfers. I feel like Heavenly Father has placed me here with Sister Miller for a reason, and I am excited to see how the next few transfers go! I love you all! Have a great week!!

Love,
Sister Jensen

("hoy hoy"- a sound one makes while one's companion is popping one's back. Sister Miller lol)

Paint a Missionary Tag on Your Heart

Hello hello all!

This week Sister Fitzpatrick and I did a lot of editing for the mission's video. I will attach a link to watch it on youtube. (that was our halloween, editing..woot woot! we did dress up tho. i painted sis fitz and I's hoodies...i'll include pics!)

On Saturday we had a special Zone conference, in which President M. Russell Ballard presided. He came to visit the mission and tour around a bit.

Leading up to his arrival I was a mix of emotions. Sister Jennings and I were set to sing during the conference. We practiced the song and I was getting quite nervous for it. As I sat down and we began spiritual prep my hands were literally shaking. The elders we were by weren't helping, they politely reminded me that I wouldn't just be performing for an apostle, but the president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. How kind. I read a bit in 2 Nephi 31 to attempt to calm my nerves, and soon President Ballard entered the chapel.

As he entered the room you could tell what a sweet man he was. After he had made his way up to the stand, he asked to shake our hands before beginning the meeting. Though it was just a brief handshake, I could feel the love the leadership of the church has for the missionaries as I looked into his eyes.

The conference started and Sister Jennings and I actually performed our musical number after we had opened with a hymn, prayed, and President Southward had announced the order of the meeting. I wasn't expecting to go so soon, but it was good to get it out of the way. Wow I was nervous. As we began I felt shaky, but a sister told me after she didn't believe me on that. It felt like a good performance, though I probably looked down at the music too much. As we walked off the stand President Ballard was so sweet, complimenting us as we walked by and thanking us. (We sang "Savior Redeemer of My Soul" no I apologize, i didn't get a recording.)

It was amazing to get to hear from President Ballard. He reminded us of the simplicity of missionary work, which seems to be a theme this week. I think we find many excuses not to share the gospel, and justify keeping to ourselves. On Sunday, in a ward council we opened by singing "Love One Another." I feel like this is truly how we do missionary work. It doesn't take a direct invitation to be a missionary. Often times, it is the love we express to those around us that helps them see our testimonies and how much this gospel means to us.

I love you all, I challenge you to find someone to show Christlike love to this week, many are in need of it.

Love,
Sister Jensen