Thats All Folks

Hello all(:

Well, this is it. Thank you all for supporting me throughout my mission and following along with my journey. This is probably all going to sound incredibly cheesy, but hold tight.

I'd like to take some time to reflect on all of my areas, and things I've learned from each of them.

When I first came to Star Valley, I learned how real this all is. The gospel, the prophet, even Jesus Christ. I started to see it all. We walking into different homes everyday and it became apparent to me when someone was living without the gospel in their life. I was blown away by the reality of it all, and the incredible difference the gospel could make in people's lives. I had never seen it so clearly, and I understood how important this work is.

As I came to the end of my first few transfers in Star Valley, I was sent out to the Pocatello YSA. Completely different area. We were surrounded by students, our peers all day, and it was hard at first to "preach" to them. I'd like to say I learned to forget myself, but I still had my moments. I did try everyday though, to put aside what people might think and be confident in the message we had.

After the YSA I was sent out to Chubbuck, and holy cow. I learned patience, trust, charity and acceptance of God's plans, not ours. Trials will hit in everyone's lives. We can't control what other people do, but we can at least control what we do.

I thought I would end my mission in Chubbuck, but as transfers came up, President had other ideas. A while ago, when I was in Pocatello YSA with Sister Wilson, we had been talking about past areas. She talked about how she would love to go back to Bear Lake and have another opportunity to work in that area. I told her how cool I thought it would be to go back to Star Valley, just for my last transfer. To see people I loved, and get to continue working with the people I had met. It wasn't and idea that stuck around very long, we sort of talked about it and there it went.

Well transfers came up while I was in Chubbuck, and President called to talk about our area. He started the conversation by saying how he needed to close some sister areas, and we discussed what Chubbuck would look like with elders. After a bit, he asked, "Do you have any unfinished business in Thayne?" I was shocked, and literally started to cry I was so happy.

I think that was the moment I realized just how much Heavenly Father cares for each and every one of us. I didn't pray to come back, I didn't think to ask anyone, yet Heavenly Father knew my desire and had a need for me to come back to Star Valley. The whole transfer has been a mix of emotions. It's sad to come back and see people you love and taught, going back to their old ways and struggling with the gospel. But it's also been so wonderful to see how much some have improved.

I've loved my time spent as a missionary. I wouldn't trade it for the world. I know my Savior lives, and sacrificed himself for us. I know that through him, we can live again. We can change our lives and become new people through his atoning power-

(3 Nephi 9:13-15)
   13 O all ye that are spared because ye were more righteous than they, will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you?
   14 Yea, verily I say unto you, if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life. Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me.
   15 Behold, I am Jesus Christ the Son of God. I created the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are. I was with the Father from the beginning. I am in the Father, and the Father in me; and in me hath the Father glorified his name.

Jesus Christ performed the atonement so he could offer the promise in the verses above. No matter what we've done, and how far gone we thing we may be, he can "heal" us and is waiting, with his arms extended towards us, to do so.

I love you all so much, and I hope you were able to be inspired as you read my updates and all I learned as I served.

Love,
Sister Aubrilyn Jensen