Hermana Jensen: Mission Updates: Hermana Jensen's Testimony

September 12, 2008

Hermana Jensen's Testimony

LA IGLESIA DE

JESUCRISTO

DE LOS SANTOS

DE LOS ULTIMOS DIAS

MISION ARGENTINA

BUENOS AIRES OESTE

Ballesteros 1076

1704 Ramos Mejia

Buenos Aires - Argentina

1 agosto 2008

Mis Queridos Padres,

I simply cannot find the words in English or in Spanish to express the joy that I feel. I am so blessed to have the incredible opportunity to serve as a missionary. There is such power in this work. We need help, we pray for guidance, and we literally see miracles. The Lord loves His missionaries and I feel His love more so now than I have ever felt in my entire life.

I could try to tell you how happy I am, but for the most beautiful gifts and blessings we receive sometimes words just aren't enough. Please remember now and always that I know my Savior lives. He lifts me up and carries me when I feel like I can't take one more step. He is here, right by my side - even though I can't see Him...I can feel His love.

My love for my family is more than I can contain. Every time I see something new, every time I taste something delicious, I wish that I could share it with you. I feel like this must be how Lehi felt when he saw the tree of life. I want to share this mission with you. I know that I am here because of the things you taught me and because of the example you set for me. It's easy to choose the right when you know it's what your parents would do.

My goal is to make you proud...my earthly parents, and also my Heavenly Parents...to make them proud so that one day I will be able to return and live with Them and you forever!

I know with all my heart and soul that Jesus is the Christ. He redeemed me and you. He is the way, the truth, and the life. I will serve Him all my days!

Love,

Hermana Stacey Jensen

No comments:

Presidente y Hermana Benton

During the three years we will be working in Argentina, our main responsibility will be to teach and care for hundreds of our Church's finest young men and women (ages 19 to 26 ), as they serve the Lord in the capacity of missionaries, thereby helping them gain success in their goal of "Proclaiming the Gospel." We will do this by working with our missionaries to build strength in areas like spirituality, discipline, leadership, goal setting and health. Another one of our mission responsibilities will be to train and assist local leaders of several Church "Districts." We are happy and excited about this opportunity to work for a cause much greater than ourselves, and we appreciate the love, support and prayers of our dear friends and family. We express our great love to you all!

"I am called of God. My authority is above that of kings of the earth. By revelation I have been selected as a personal representative of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is my master and He has chosen me to represent Him--to stand in His place, to say and do what He Himself would say and do if He personally were ministering to the very people to whom He has sent me. My voice is His voice, and my acts are His acts; my doctrine is His doctrine.My Commission is to do what He wants done; To say what He wants said; to be a living modern witness in word and in deed of the divinity of his great and marvelous Latter-day work. How great is my calling!"
-Bruce R. McConkie

Church News Article

Seven new mission presidents and their wives have been called by the First Presidency to begin service about July 1, 2008.

Evrett Wade Benton, 59, Argentina Buenos Aires West Mission; Weston 2nd Ward, Boston Massachusetts Stake; high councilor; former stake and ward Young Men president, temple ordinance worker, high priest group leader assistant and stake Young Men president. President and chief executive officer, Five Star Quality Care, Inc. Born in Vernal, Utah, to Evrett Lee and Adelaide Cortes Benton. Married Cheryl Chapman, four children. A Stake Relief Society president, Sister Benton is a former seminary teacher, ward Relief Society and Young Women president, stake missionary and temple ordinance worker. Born in Seattle, Wash., to Eugene Henry and Marilyn Openshaw Chapman.

Mission Info

DATES:
2.19.08-- Received Call
4.27.08-- Farewell
5.7.08--- Entered MTC
5.9.08--- MTC Transfer
5.26.08--CLAM Mission
7.24.09--BAW Mission
2.5.09--- Halfway
6.15.09--Rec'd Release Letter
8.19.09--Rec'd Flight Itinerary
11.24.09--Arrived Home

AREAS:
5.26.08---Hollywood, CA (til VISA)
7.24.08---Castelar, Argentina
12.21.08--Haedo 1, Argentina
6.8.09----Merlo, Argentina
8.31.09---Las Heras, Argentina

COMPANIONS:
MTC
Hermana Pruner [Canada]
Hna. Alcantara [Dom. Republic]

Hollywood
Hermana Escote [Honduras]
Hermana Tavares [Argentina]
Hermana Wilcox [Alaska]

Castelar
Hermana Torres [Chile]
Hermana Johns [Idaho]

Haedo 1
Hermana Roy [Nicaragua]
Hermana Barrera [Argentina]
Hermana Di Stéfano [Arg.]

Merlo
Hermana Carrasco [Arg.]

Las Heras
Hermana Godfrey [Pennsylvania}

Still, Small Voice

Several years after Joseph Smith was martyred, he appeared to President Brigham Young. Hear his message:" 'Tell the people to be humble and faithful, and be sure to keep the spirit of the Lord and it will lead them right. Be careful and not turn away the small still voice; it will teach you what to do and where to go; it will yield the fruits of the kingdom. Tell the brethren to keep their hearts open to conviction, so that when the Holy Ghost comes to them, their hearts will be ready to receive it.' (Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 23 Feb. 1847, 2 vols., ed. Elden Jay Watson, Salt Lake City: Elden J. Watson, 1968, 1971, 2:529.)"The Lord has prospered this work and will continue to do so. He is close to His servants, even within whispering distance."This latter-day work is spiritual. It takes spirituality to comprehend it, to love it, and to discern it. Therefore, seek the Spirit in all you do. Keep it with you continually. That is our challenge."I pray that the Spirit of the Lord will be with each of you in your homes and families."Ezra Taft Benson, "Seek the Spirit of the Lord," Ensign, Apr. 1988, 5

Heart Filled with Love of God

"Our hearts can only be drawn out to God when they are filled with love for Him and trust in His goodness. Joseph Smith, even as a boy, gave us an example of how we can come to pray from a heart filled with the love of God and then pray unceasingly through a life filled with trials and blessings."Joseph started for the grove to pray with faith that a loving God would answer his prayer and relieve his confusion. He gained that assurance reading the word of God and receiving a witness that it was true. He said that he read in James, 'Let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him' (James 1:5). His faith to ask of God in prayer came after pondering a scripture which assured him of God's loving nature. He prayed, as we must, with faith in a loving God."He prayed with the intent not only to listen but to obey. He did not ask only to know the truth. He was committed to act upon whatever God would communicate to him. His written account makes clear that he prayed with real intent, determined to comply with whatever answer he received."
Henry B. Eyring, "Prayer," Ensign, Nov. 2001, 16

A Warm Welcome to Visitors From:

Albania, Arabia, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Barbados, Bahrain, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, China, Colombia, Croatia, Costa Rica, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, European Union, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Holland, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, London, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, North America, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, Tobago, Tonga, Trinidad, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam

"Women of God can never be like women of the world. The world has enough women who are tough; we need women who are tender. There are enough women who are coarse; we need women who are kind. There are enough women who are rude; we need women who are refined. We have enough women of fame and fortune; we need more women of faith. We have enough greed; we need more goodness. We have enough vanity; we need more virtue. We have enough popularity; we need more purity."
Margaret D. Nadauld (General Conference Address ~ October 7, 2000)

38 Things--by Stacey Jensen

I have summed up my list of things that describe me. I just couldn´t do it in 25, but here we go-- enjoy!
1. I finally made the choice to serve a mission at a Taco Bell in Riverton one November afternoon eating Gorditos with my mom.
2. I firmly believe we need but one commandment: be obedient.
3. I am a happier person when I French manicure my nails.
4. I like dipping apple wedges in peanut butter.
5. I have seen miracles.
6. Nothing frustrates me more than being misunderstood.
7. You can safely say that I am a bigger BYU fan than Coach Mendenhall, Coach Edwards, Coach Rose, and Brigham Young himself - put together!
8. I believe that cleanliness is truly next to Godliness and that laziness is of the devil.
9. Music fills my life with joy - a beautiful song can make me cry.
10. I have driven myself to the emergency room. "That´s a nice relaxing drive."
11. I am a soldier of the Lord. Each day I fight the effects of the great apostasy. Before this mission I was a Mosquito Abater-- fighting West Nile Virus and standing water.
12. I insist on cutting my french toast into perfect squares.
13. I want to be a (living) angel.
14. I can memorize just about anything if I really want to. Positively anything if it is set to music.
15. I am addicted to kettle pop-corn. It can be a meal --all by itself.
16. I love to set goals. I especially love reaching them.
17. As imperfect as we are... my family is my greatest source of joy.My dad taught me how to not be a doormat. My mom taught me to share, persevere, and forgive. My big sister Natalie taught me how to fight for what is important.
18. I take great pleasure in feeding people really yummy meals - as long as I can prepare them using a good Teflon pan.
19. I think pride and embarrassment are really lame excuses for not doing something.
20. I am a person who needs to feel appreciated and special.
21. I wish I could fly and breathe under water.
22. I live for dollar stores and love a good yard sale.
23. When it comes down to a few things, I absolutely refuse to settle. For me it is black or white.
24. I was born with but one dream: to be a mom.
25. I learned how much a kilo is because that is about how much my nephew Davy weighed when he was born. I learned how much a fourth of a kilo is because that is the perfect serving size of ice-cream on a hot and humid day in Argentina.
26. I have never cheated.
27. I have 20/12 vision but relatively poor hearing - to which my big sister can attest.
28. I talk in my sleep - often in Castellano.
29. I believe you can know you love someone just by holding their hand. There is nothing more endearing than seeing a really old couple holding hands.
30. If I could choose the way I will die, I would choose to die saving the life of someone else.
31. It took me 20 years to learn that I like mushrooms, and 22 years to learn that I like tomatoes.
32. I didn´t get an "A," but I loved PD BIO 220 - Human anatomy is so cool!
33. I may be the only person on the face of the earth that had to learn to ride a bike twice - my dad sure is a patient guy!
34. If I could have my way there would be a good downpour every week. I love falling asleep to the sound of pouring rain.
35. I do not tolerate vulgarity. A dirty mouth is a pathetic attempt to make up for an empty mind.
36. I was completely alone for 7 minutes last transfer when the sliding doors of the train headed from Ramos Mejia shut behind me... leaving my companion in Haedo.
37. Ranch dressing can make just about any food better!
38. I try to live each day without regrets. Each night I HAVE TO write in my journal. If I don´t, I feel guilty and afraid that I´ll forget about all of the blessings and adventures my Heavenly Father has given me.

And those are the 38 things about me!

“The Atonement of Jesus Christ and the healing it offers do much more than provide the opportunity for repentance from sins. The Atonement also gives us the strength to endure ‘pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind’ because our Savior also took upon Him ‘the pains and the sicknesses of His people’ (Alma 7:11). . . . if your faith and prayers and the power of the priesthood do not heal you from an affliction, the power of the Atonement will surely give you the strength to bear the burden.” - Elder Dallin H. Oaks

“It should be ‘with great earnestness’ (D&C 123:14) that we bring the light of the gospel to those who are searching for answers the plan of salvation has to offer. Many are concerned for their families. Some are looking for security in a world of changing values. Our opportunity is to give them hope and courage and to invite them to come with us and join those who embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Lord’s gospel is on earth and will bless their lives here and in the eternities to come.” L. Tom Perry, “Bring Souls unto Me,” Ensign, May 2009, 110

Lyrics Stacey loves...

Healing Waters
Michelle Tumes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmJGAVP2i7s

I've built a bridge All of my strength cannot cross over I stand at the edge The end of a road that I have followed Sinking from the weight of my own world Wanting the waves of Your ways to wash my feet
Chorus
Healing waters Healing waters Solace flows through the river of forgiveness to my soul Oh, I need You Healing waters
Pour over me water to clean all my intentions Baptizing streams I swim in the freedom of redemption Floating on the sea of purity Knowing I can dive in the love that rescues me
repeat chorus
Memories are raging high Floods so deep they touch the sky All the things I've done to You All the parts of a life untrue Healing comes from outstretched hands Saving me from what I am Carry me Carry me

President Hinckley on Missionary Work:

"I cannot promise you fun. I cannot promise you ease and comfort. I cannot promise you freedom from discouragement, from fear, from downright misery at times. But I can promise you that you will grow as you have never grown in a similar period during your entire lives. I can promise you a happiness that will be unique and wonderful and lasting. I can promise you that you will reevaluate your lives, that you will establish new priorities, that you will live closer to the Lord, that prayer will become a real and wonderful experience, that you will walk with faith in the outcome of the good things you do."

Marjorie Pay Hinckley on Service:

“I don’t want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully, tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails. I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp. I want to be there with grass stains on my shoes from mowing Sister Schenk’s lawn. I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbor’s children. I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone’s garden. I want to be there with children’s sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder. I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived.”

Stacey's Quotes and Observations

Until we meet again… in the Salt Lake airport. Don´t worry about me. I pray for you. Stress over nothing… we don´t want to be wrinkly young. I will see you soon. I love you more than a million peanut butter M&Ms. I love you. I love you!

Miguez who was baptized on October 24th is now going to baptize Marcos… it´s going to make me cry… I´m quite sure!

I suffer so much (from allergies) that I have even stopped working. Imagine how bad it must be if it takes me out of the street.

Sing it with me now! I´m leavin´on a jet plane, don´t know when I´ll be back again…… on the boats and on the planes, we´re comin´to America! Can you even believe it? I can´t.

It´s 3rd and 10 and We´re Runnin´It!

I had divisions in Mercedes and saw a bunch of 20 year old boys in suits leaving some military training and when they stood up to give their seats in the train to women, it about made me cry. I wanted each and every one of them to be a member and serve missions.

I am going to miss the mission so much it is just sad! I love everything, even the really lame stuff. I will even miss weekly planning. Ok, well maybe I won´t miss weekly planning, but the rest of the stuff... yes!

Miracle story: on divisions with Hermana Pruner we knocked a door and this giant dog came bounding out and went straight for our exposed ankles. Mine first, then Hermana Pruner´s… but the thing is he didn´t bite us. It was literally like Heavenly Father put a little shield around our ankles, because I felt the dog touch me, but then he immediately backed away and went for her. She also felt his teeth, but he didn´t bite us. There was an unseen shield protecting our ankles... and this dog had a bark so big that even if his bite was less it could still kill. What a tender mercy!

This point of the mission is surreal. You have bittersweet ‘realization minutes’ constantly.

Things are all pretty unreal to me for now. It´s like, this can´t possibly be my last train ride to Mariano Acosta for District Meeting. This can´t possibly be the last time I eat lunch with Maxi and Paula. I don´t know how I´m going to be able to leave these people that I have grown to love so much. And above all it is going to be tough to leave all my Latin companions that I literally may not see again until the Spirit World.

I have a firm testimony that families can be together forever. What is required of us is that we make AND keep eternal covenants with our Heavenly Father in His temples. He is inviting us constantly to do so. May we all remember that and do our part to be a forever family!

I am just so happy, let´s just make sure that that is clear! There is such a powerful calm that has washed over me in the last few days. Literally come what may and love it!

Daddy, nice try, but you know I am going to buy a bunch of stuff that says “Argentina” on it. Especially key chains... it´s how you prove you´re an RM. Don´t try to take that away from me. Hehe.

We were so not amused. But we made the best of the day and hey, it was an adventure.

During said conference Heavenly Father blessed me with great closure with respect to the end of the mission. It hit me little by little all day, that it was literally going to end and I was totally ok with it.

OK, that´s just weird that I´m going to be an “RM” in like a matter of weeks. How weird is that.

I know that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet. I know that we really will see Christ again, He will come back. We need to be ready. I know that the small things are what counts and consistency is the key. Every single day we have to read and pray and every Sunday we need to renew our convenants. I love the gospel and know it is true!

Gotta go, there are many souls to save this day!

It was one of those things you can only do as a missionary... walk into an abandoned theatre and find various families living there and teach them the gospel. I liked that day.

I will remain faithful and work as hard as I can because it does no good to lose faith over something that you simply just don´t understand yet.

I love the mission with all of my heart and cannot wait to share every joy, trial, success, failure, and moment with you. I have the pictures and the journal accounts to keep us talking for the next 7 years. So get ready to have me talk your ears off!

I know that Christ lives and that this is His church. I know that this is His work and that He is in charge. He has a plan and it is perfect. I trust in it, even when I can´t see all the parts or my role in it.

The faithful will remain! Be still and know that He is God.

I was reading in a Liahona and found out that Joseph F. Smith was so meticulous that he ironed his money. Hmmm. Who have we seen do that? Oh yeah, the cute Sister missionary that is writing you!

I can´t believe that my mind is really starting to accept that I will be leaving this country. It seems too crazy.

Yesterday we street contacted an 80 year old grandma who was cloaked like the young David from the Bible ready to attack the foe of her day and age… stray dogs!

In the ditches here there are mosquito fish. It makes me very giddy. There are also tons of tiny, tiny pollywogs. I think about my Daddy when I see them.

This last transfer has literally been the key to my testimony being what it is. I see with new eyes and understand with a new heart and mind. What our Savior did… we can never grasp completely, but as we come to capture a glimpse here and there, it is truly a beautiful experience---to love as He loved. I am learning it!

I will soon be with you again, but until then, may we all do more and more to thank Him for His infinite sacrifice and atonement. He lives. Find someone who doesn´t know, or isn´t sure, or has forgotten … and testify!

I´m a daughter of God and I re-learned that truth this week.

The road to the Celestial Kingdom has to pass by Gethsemane.

It was a long, tough week. In fact, I´m not going to lie... it was the worst week of the mission, but rejoice with me... I survived and it´s behind me.

I was brought to the very depths of sorrow, but that doesn´t matter because I have already climbed back out and hiked to the top of a mountain.

I´m fine, I´m more than happy, I have peace, and I know that all experiences teach a lesson.

Our Heavenly Father literally is waiting for us. He wants us to come home. He wants us to make it back safely. He is worried and looking out the front window to see if we´re about to pull in the driveway.

I´m going to be so totally lost in the work that they have to send out a search party to find me and pack my bags and take me to the airport.

I am a humble servant and a faithful witness of the truthfulness of the gospel. The Book of Mormon is true. It is perfect and teaches pure doctrine.

With love and unfailing trust in His plan, Hermana Jensen

Wasn´t General Conference just celestial?!

So one of my mission goals was to, “walk through a pair of shoes” and I have done that. My Born shoes now have holes in the soles that let water and dirt in. If you hold them up to the light, the light shines through!

Wouldn´t you know it? My rain boots were outside in the rain. That is a lesson I think I will only learn once.

I testify that I know that Jesus is the Christ and that He lives. I have not seen Him, but when I do I will not know any more than than I know now, that He is my Savior.

I know this is His restored church and that it is led by His prophet. I will work until I collapse and preach until my voice fails. This is the truth.

I saw Rolando and Valeria be sealed in the temple! I waited all mission long for that day and will never forget it.

We don´t have tithing to pay, so I´ll call it a fast offering blessing!

I don´t want to wake up.
I can´t let this adventure end.
This is the dream I never dreamed
That He gave me and made come true.

I love you all so much. Remember that every single challenge is an opportunity to succeed.

But now I´m afraid of accidentally stepping on little toads all night long in the dark, muddy, swamp streets. I would hate to smash one.

Every time one of the bigger trains starts up and “takes off” it literally sounds like a 747 is leaving the airport. We often pretend to lift off our chairs and giggle to ourselves that we are flying away.

I was 100% calm. Everything went down perfectly, we sang, there were witnesses, people supporting her... it was picture perfect. I had a goal to actually enjoy one of my baptismal services without running around like a chicken with its head cut off and now I can say that I reached that goal!

I tried and there is no doubt in anyone´s mind that was in that room that I gave my all.

We ate cow tongue this week. The truth is the taste and texture were totally tolerable. (wow, check out that alliteration! – my 7th grade English teacher Ms. Russell would be so impressed) But when you see the taste buds-- oh that is tough!

The other day I was standing up in a crowded bus going the 38 kilometers to Navarro and all the sudden I was falling. I guess I had drifted off because when I opened my eyes, my knees were buckling. I caught myself in plenty of time to not fall, but felt quite aware of the fact that I had just about fallen to the floor on a bus--and it was only 12:30 in the day. We had only just begun.

Today I bought some awesome sassy sandals to bring home... wait till you see them!

Ah, the joys of the language gap. You think you´re doing fine, and then you realize you´re a totally idiot (I´m referring to myself back in the day... not to my companion). Gotta love it!

Just when I´m all urgent and (feeling like) “I have to baptize the whole world before I go home” I´m in a train or on a bus – all day long! There is a lesson to be learned in every daily experience. Remember that.

I prayed with a lot of faith that this miracle will really happen... I´m not just hoping for it, I´m counting on it.

But the Lord showed me that this is His work and that if He wants investigators in church, He will put them there. It was this really stretching experience for me.

Las Heras rocks! I am living each day and seeing miracles and being incredibly blessed.

I´m not one to cry much, but the tears just kept falling down my face every time someone shared their testimony. It was so strong and powerful that I looked over my shoulder absolutely certain that I would see my Savior standing in the back of the room.

I´m remarkably not that tired physically, but I´m exhausted mentally and at times emotionally (I know, I know what you´re going to say, but hey... you raised someone that doesn´t accept the status quo... I´m going and working for something better).

The other day I was sitting down studying or something and I about started crying as I thought of how much I am going to miss this.

I love you all so much and hope that you can sense that even though at times I´m all nervous and tense and a psycho perfectionist... that it´s because my spirit knows how important this life is. There is not a moment to waste. There is not a day that we should let go by without making a difference.

I think that my big challenge in coming home will be taking off the name tag and letting that part go. I´m already practicing thinking, "Don´t cry because it´s over, smile because it happened." It will be ok. I will be in good hands.

There are so many prepared people here. The Lord really does send His missionaries where there is work to be done.

Don´t worry about me. This is the Lord´s work--And we´re winning!

Surprise...I am going to die (end my mission) in CAMPO! (the country)

I am resurrecting an area that has been closed and training. It´s a resurrect/white wash/ train transfer.

Any extra prayers you want to offer in our behalf will be well invested

We still haven´t even finished unpacking and I am behind in my journal (gasp!)

I´m super stressed out, but at the same time the Spirit is so strong that 95% of the time I don´t feel it. It´s like Joseph Smith said – I feel as calm as a summer morning.

I use that time to pray and tell my Father that I am in over my head, but He can keep me afloat. And He does. I may be lost, have no food and accidentally street contact the branch president, but I am not alone! (ps I haven´t accidentally street contacted the branch president… not yet anyways!)

I tell ya, the return to virtue is way important. Bring it on!

I just die when I think about not being able to wear this nametag anymore

I don´t know how you could get trunky at this stage… it´s like the last few games of the football season… you´re SAD to see them go, you´re not counting down.

I love you all so much and feel like in the blink of an eye I will see you all again.

Pray for the mission… we are very far out of the bubble where most of us grew up.

It was technically my best bautismal service yet because almost nothing went wrong. There was hot water in the font, the witnesses and baptizer showed up...and he didn´t have to be baptized twice--it was great!

Things will get better, every trial makes us stronger. Don´t worry about me.

The most important thing is that I can testify that Heavenly Father answers prayers.

I know the gospel is true. It sustains me. Let it sustain you now and forever!

I learned to never let Argentine mud dry on your shoes.

I love that where an individual is baptized, a door is opened for further missionary work as we work to complete the family.

I finished finding all the footnotes to my patriarchal blessing and it was one of the best activities I have ever done in my personal study. Do it!

Why can´t everyone be a 3 week convert? Oh yeah, 2 Nephi 2 says that there´s just gotta be opposition in all things.

I tell you, if there is one thing that makes the work difficult it is holidays.

I felt the need to testify about Davy and how Heavenly Father is a God of miracles.

We used the ever-famous Buenos Aires Oeste example of how you can´t know that a cake is yummy until you try it

Don´t worry about me, but pray for our investigators!

I do not regret for one second that I am here “resting” in the mission home. The Lord put me here for a reason and I learned that I am not dispensable. The work will always go forward.

Peanut Butter, Ranch Dressing, bacon! Steak, ice cream, sleeping in, taking naps… I said yes to it all!

To answer your question… the hardest thing to leave will be them. President and Sister Benton are so important to me.

We drove by one the other day and I was pretty floored as it occurred to me that people live there.

But after that, I got right back into my bold “repent, ye, repent ye” preaching missionary self.

I didn´t know quite how to do that at first, but luckily the Lord had a wonderful plan for the rest of our day.

I learned yesterday that San Antonio de Padua really is the best area in the world.

In the famous words of Stephanie from Full House… “HOW RUDE!”

I couldn´t bear the thought of Him walking in and seeing NOBODY up at the pulpit.

I can´t even believe how many plans and goals I have for my life. I want to do so many things it´s almost funny.

This is the Lord´s work and there is nothing better in the whole world.

For a second I was back in the Marriott center dressed in blue and screaming for the cougs!

None of them hit us, but it was really funny because we were literally being attacked and stoned! I got a kick out of it.

I was pretty content to win the scarf for the zone of Merlo… and with a white wash too! Take that Satan… you cannot stop this work!

I guess it´s time to ´fess up and tell you that I have pneumonia and pleurisy.

I feel terrible and want nothing more than to be well and be able to work in the cold, muddy, rainy streets of Argentina. It is not fun at all to be a missionary that can´t work.

Don´t worry about me. Don´t even begin to worry about me. Hermana and President Benton are taking good care of me.

Talk about putting a little more slack in the chain… after this I´ll have to put some Caín in the slack!

FYI- child Proof lids do not exist here.

So far kidney stones are the only thing strong enough to keep me in the pench.

The sleeping bag is my best friend, but it´s still cold at night.

All things are spiritual… when we finally got shared electricity… it occurred to me how lights (the Light of Christ) really is EVERYTHING. You can´t live without it. You can survive, but it is not a life well-lived.

I love oranges again… and mandarin oranges are dumb.

Those who want to be baptized always have a ton of obstacles and those who have fewer obstacles don´t care to be baptized. Lame.

I think that after the mission I will become obsessed with buying warm socks. Oh wait, I already was.

We need your prayers.

In my interview with the President he told me that I´m a great missionary and that I need to put a little more “slack in the chain.” Hmmm. Now where have I heard that before? Oh yeah, my wise family!

Take luck and have joy!

Just trust me that this twist in the work (swine flu) is throwing us all for a loop.

I don´t remember how I was able to get up and go out and work that day, but I remember that we did.

I tell you this not to make you sad, but to testify that the Lord hears our prayers.

I wish I could make them listen, but they have their agency.

I love the mission, even though this week was frustrating and trying. I am happy, I am well, I am protected, I am safe. I am blessed. I love you all.

I don´t yike packing or moving… at all.

Wow, when I´m 96 I hope I can still sweep up my own leaves, but I will let the missionaries serve me because I will remember that they have to report their service hours!

The Lord really does detain us and put us where He wants us to be and where we will be safe.

I felt like Moses pleading with the Pharaoh and I won in the end-- without resorting to plagues.

Don´t worry about me, I´m all better and my coat doesn’t even smell like throw up.

I am going forward with faith and don´t even let a single doubt or fear enter my brain. I just say that we will find a way to make it happen… because the Lord is on our side.

I love you all and am happier than you can imagine.

The gospel is so true I can´t even believe it!

I love everything... even kidney stones!

The new place is a block from the church and a block from the train station! It was literally handed to us on a silver platter by the Lord.

I´m not going to miss Alejo. (the barking, menacing dog)

I almost fell on my back when I stepped on a banana peel. Yeah, that really happens, and it really is slippery!

On Father’s Day it just so happens that kidney stone number 4 decided to pass. Hehe, 2 at BYU and 2 in Argentina. I woke up Sunday morning and knew I was in for a party. I am proud to say that I didn´t shed a single tear. I know the Lord helped me and that all in all, it wasn´t that bad.

So instead of thinking, “what if we don´t baptize this transfer… I´ll just die!” I think, “how cool is it that we are going to have 4 baptisms with a white wash transfer!”

My own lack of faith and doubtful thoughts were like poison that I was drinking drop by drop.

I now believe perfectly that we will have miracles... and we will. Choose to win. Choose to succeed. Choose to receive blessings and you will. Try it with me.

White washing an area (2 new missionaries transferred into an area instead of 1) is difficult-- if you can imagine.

We have been working a ton with member referrals here. They just might be the ticket to success!

That is just not the recipe to have success here and I promised the Lord that I would do all in my power to give Him success.

Being in the zone of Merlo is like starting a new semester in college. You´re lost, you´re confused, you´re stressed, you set all these incredibly high goals and you start with what you have, but every night you fall on your knees and beg your Father in Heaven to carry you through one more day. It is just mentally demanding. All day long you are lost, as you learn, you grow, as you grow you are stretched, you learn to rely on your Savior, but it is hard. I am not going to tell you it´s not.

So we are a perfect team. We complete one another in this challenge which we chose to see as an opportunity.

I am so blessed....so blessed.

If I never get to serve in the outskirts of the ghetto, life goes on. Argentina is different enough for me – even if I am in the “city.”

The intelligent learn from their mistakes; the wise learn from the mistakes of everybody else.
“Los inteligentes aprenden de sus errores, los sabios, de los demás.”

I need my daddy to pop my back--oh where oh where could he be?

Ponder for a second the grandness of the simple statement, “I am a child of God.”

Yes Dad, more pictures to take!

At first I felt like the Lord only let me carry 5% of it (Matt dying).... and I was coping quite well. Then little by little He started letting me carry more and more. I would say I´m up to about 35-40% and it´s about 20% more than I would like to be carrying.

I have so many questions and feel powerless and so far away from the answers I need. (Matt)

It´s really just a transfer... to another area...I´m trying to see it all like that.

I almost felt her pain, but my heart was so numb that I just kept testifying and teaching but I felt like I was in some other world.

Another thing to be thankful for – since we´re playing “the glad game” is that next p-day is temple p-day. I have needed that for so long--once every transfer is just not enough for my soul.

The weather here is literally unpredictable, but totally predictable for those that can refer to the news every night--since we can´t, we hit the street without umbrellas because we are just plain uninformed!

But the police were very friendly and let us go without a problem. I was all excited to show them my clergy certificate, but he was like “no, no, it´s OK” and they left.

That is what Dad said, "The mission can be rewarding and hard or hard and rewarding." I am trying to choose the right way of saying it and living it. Easier said than done.

I am keenly aware that I have only been able to cope as I have as a result of your prayers and everyone else who is praying for me.

I know what will make me feel better:
I know the church is true! I know that Joseph Smith saw God the Father and Jesus Christ. I know he was called to be a prophet and restore the gospel. I know he received the Priesthood keys and that as a result, families can be together forever. The Book of Mormon is true. Jesus is the Christ. He is my Savior and Redeemer. Heavenly Father hears and answers prayers. We are never left alone. The gospel is the only way to find happiness. I have been called of God to preach His doctrine. I am a missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I am fighting at His side and we will win. I know I will see my Savior again. I know that I will look into His eyes and worship at His feet. There is nothing that could stop me from persevering to the end. I will never give up, I will never quit. I will never surrender.

Of THIS I am sure!

This too shall pass, and when it does, I will be a better, stronger Disciple of Christ for having made it through.

When things blow up and go wrong I say, “how much can one heart take?” – it is a lyric from a song about Emma Smith. Then I realize that I really don´t have it THAT hard. I also say “you´re gonna miss this” – a lot.

You just want to be in the baptismal picture so bad. Laugh all you want, but it is true and it is real.

They literally cut all the branches off the trees here in the Fall. This place now looks like a slaughtering yard for trees. It makes me sad.

What a tender mercy… how cool is it to have a car to drive and buy the thing you need right when you need it? You have no idea. We were so cold. So cold.

I have senioritis of this area. I am screaming to get me out of here, but sad that I´ll barely miss the baptisms.

Mom – brace yourself… don’t take this wrong, but I have learned how to make an omelet even better than the omelets you make. It´s ok, I´ll teach you how it´s done. :)

I walk around way too comfortable… I need to go somewhere new and be confused again… you work differently when you know nobody and nothing.

Some people don´t want to change. I have learned that more than any other lesson in the mission.

Did you know that with a mug of white rice, a tiny bit of mayo and a can of tuna you can like make a meal? It isn´t that satisfying, but it fills you up.

Get ready to have your baby girl talk your ear off!

I about cried right there in the street. There is a 15 year old Australian boy in Argentina that prays – every night – because he wants to… and we found him. I know that this is the Lord´s work because when we went by his house he didn´t hear us knock and then an hour later we ran into him in the street a good 4 blocks from his house… the Lord literally put us in his path twice!

And yes… all these plans after a 7 minute lesson in the street. But hey, we always dream like that.

I have 6 months more to find, teach, and baptize the whole world and hopefully a few people from the land down under.

I love the mission so much and wouldn’t trade it for anything…I can’t believe I almost let this opportunity pass, what a mistake that would have been!

I´m walking on sunshine and lovin´every minute. Make sure you all have FHE this week!

I swear - they take this chocolate egg thing to the EXTREME. And then they keep selling them after Easter - with no notable discount. I´m perplexed.

I really barely felt it, but I can now say, " a dog bit me on the mission."

When I saw the (no smoking) sticker, I crossed the fence, went straight to the door and felt like the Spirit was pushing me to do it. It was cool.

But, alas, this is where I need to be, and where I want to be.

You can fit a family of 4 on a moped... did you know?

Don’t let that story scare you. I am way too paranoid to get hit by a train. And besides... we never wear headphones.

It was so funny we laughed until we cried. We were pretty tired too.

It is truly a mystery that when you finish one transfer you somehow find this new source of energy to start another one. It is astounding to me that I can crash onto the mattress one Sunday night and hop out of it Monday morning to find out who my next companion is and where I’m headed.

It´s nice because making your bed in the morning consists of straightening out the sleeping bag and folding the loose blankets on top. You can´t go wrong. I am fond of it.

We are the companionship of Barbies! It´s funny to us….so some day when I send home pictures of Barbies... you´ll understand why.

I know the Lord hears and is answering my prayers and pleas. I love the mission more than I can explain. I know that I am here for a reason.

! Never give up, never surrender, all things will give you experience and be for your good!

Monday is "p-day eve" and then Tuesday is "p-day" and then Wednesday is called "p-lag." And then Thursday is "Oreos" …. and I like to call Sunday "game day.”

Newsflash: it took 22 years for me to discover that fresh pears are way yummy I´m switching from mealy floury apples to juicy pears this week!

Enough of that….I´m going to put on my Pollyanna hat and we´re going to "play the glad game."

We lost more investigators than we found this week and we taught fewer lessons than meals we ate.

Shoot, but the Lord knows and He´ll take care of things.

I feel like this week we went into investigator debt because we lost more than we found. Bummer.

I have a testimony of Gatorade!

It is amazing to see that I literally walked right through the sole of my Sketchers!

I love Argentina – crazy colectivos, stray dogs, 105 degree heat and all!

I love you more than how much I Would love to baptize a complete family… and that is A LOT!

It´s just not fair, but hey, life isn´t fair.

Rejoice with me… because Jesus is the Christ. Of this I am sure.

I´ve become so hard that I rarely can let myself cry. I wish I could cry more, but I just can´t.

This week I felt like we were playing “hide and seek” with “the elect.” And not only that, but that we were “it” and they were kicking our trash. I got a little frustrated and thought about asking Heavenly Father if we could play “sardines” instead. We could hang out in the chapel and wait for everyone to come in and find us. But I don´t think that He´d let us play that game.

We pray in “tú.” We talk to dogs in “vos” We quote scriptures in “tú and vosostros.” We talk to our companion, investigators, and members in “usted and ustedes.” We sing in “tú” and “vos.” We talk to ourselves in “tú.” And we train ourselves all day long not to think in English. It´s pretty trippy.

There is no way I've hit the half way!!! :(

But yeah… imagine 2 sister missionaries in skirts scaling the fence to their own building and jumping into the arms of some man. Pretty funny!

Questions… is anything particular going on in Israel? When we pray with people lots of them pray for the people in Israel and I´m like “what?” is the second coming here and nobody is telling us?

American cheese doesn´t exist here and you´d be amazed how much you can miss it.

Never forget how blessed we are to know the gospel. It is something that so few people have and everyone needs.

The problem is he (our investigator) wants a book that proves that Joseph Smith was a prophet… you know like the BOM!

The mission is a lot like “Survivor” when they are thinking and planning about “the merger” that´s like every transfer. And having a family member visit you is like the Christmas phone call. And when you get to eat good food or a candy bar it is like getting and opening a package from home!

My companion is scabies free and me too! The cream she took eventually cured her and I was ever protected from getting it!

Seeds I planted in Castelar are being baptized! YEEHAW!

This transfer ends on Feb. 1st and then I just have 6 more… so few! So sad!

I think that´s about all the experimenting I´ll be doing with the bidet.

The problem is he wants a book that proves that Joseph Smith was a prophet… you know like the BOM!

I wanted to stop them and say – you are being fellowshipped by a General Authority, but they don´t quite know what that is yet.

Maribel said everything a missionary wants to hear, "How can I come to believe and know about this Joseph Smith?"

Never forget how blessed we are to know the gospel. It is something that so few people have and everyone needs.

Go, fight, win!

The time is flying TOO fast!

I say there is no shame in knowing your time left as long as you are using it…

One morning the cell phone made the croaking frog sound which wakes us up at 6:28 to pray and as I heard it I thought “NO… I´m so tired, I can´t do this much more” but as I thought that to myself that very instant I remembered that I only have just over 9 months left to do this, in this way, in this minute, in this mission, for the rest of my life. I only have this day to walk these streets and when it is gone, it is gone. I jumped out of bed and fell to my knees faster than you can imagine even if you had soaked me with freezing cold water because I realized in that minute that I only have x number of days left… they are slipping through my fingers and I couldn´t wait to get on my feet and make the most of that day. It is now the feeling that I have as I commence every day… with urgency… I only have so many days left, and I´m not going to waste a single one! Talk about wow!

Ferdinando says I need to get customized lifts in my shoes.....yeah…with all my free time and extra cash. Hehe

I prayed for her (Hermana Roy) to stay because I recognized there were more things I needed to learn from her before she goes.

We teach really well together and work quite unitedly—

When one member bails on us, she is quick to call another and another and get us lunch!

I´m learning a lot from her about getting what you need (notice I didn´t say “want”) from people.

You can trade your urine for spoons here! I´m so gonna do that… NOT!

I hope and pray that this transfer will be the ‘transfer of miracles’ because the last transfer was the test of our faith… it was so hard – I just can´t convey it in words, but we survived!
If it be the will of the Lord to work miracles, it will happen, but there are a million things getting in the way.

Ok, does there really have to be opposition in ALL things?

Divorces here are about as hard to achieve as is admission to Harvard Law School.

The other day we passed the carcass of a dead dog that is literally disappearing as the maggots eat him away. It´s funny because you see the fur that is becoming the ground and you know it´s a dog because his paws and skull are still 3-D.

We found a turtle on the sidewalk the other day and stopped to take pictures and play with it. It is about the size of a quad scriptures.

The good, the bad, and the ugly: brace yourself… my companion has "sarna" (SCABIES!) But the GOOD news is I don´t. What a miracle!

I bet you all think that my Castellano is just honky dory and that I understand all that is going on and can always communicate with the people. I just thought you should know that that is my fantasy, but not the reality.
Haedo 1 doesn´t yike me. Like today… I swear the entire country woke up on the wrong side of the bed.

Ok, no more whining… don´t pay my complaints any heed. I will get over it-- it was just a really demanding week. All things will pass. I´m ready to have a better week!

The take home message is… even if some of the stories in this email leave you feeling sorry for me… stop it. It´s my problem, my stress, my adventure. Not yours. Don´t worry about me, just keep praying for me to be tough and then even tougher when things are blowing up in my face and not a single soul wants to be saved.

I´m happy, I´m protected, I´m cared for, I´m not alone. I am doing my best and growing. I volunteered for this…. “I signed up for this!”

I've been gone so long--and yet it feels like I barely left home. I bet that's how we'll feel when we die and return home to our Heavenly Father. We were gone so long and yet hardly gone at all.

I swear there's something trippy going on here with the passing of time.....can you feel it too?

Sorry I cried a little bit when we were hanging up the phone it´s a girl thing.

Mini stories: Sometimes when I´m walking down the street with my comp and the sun is beating down upon us we have little drops of sweat that roll down our scalp, basically all over our heads. Unfortunately it is almost the exact same sensation as when a bug is crawling in your hair. Which it really could be because we walk under trees all the time and lots of times giant ants get stuck in our hair. So we have to learn to discern between sweat in our hair and bugs in our hair.Both are highly gross by the way!

It´s funny… we were fasting so that Heavenly Father would bless our investigators with the "miracle" of a divorce. LOL! And the funny thing is... you can ask any companionship here in the mission and they have all fasted for a divorce!

Last week we were being highly silly, but these are the things that keep us sane… well, relatively sane. :)For about a day I just laughed about everything and then I got over it and I´m being all serious again--I just had a super bad case of Spring fever.

My feet hurt like you wouldn´t believe. I think I have walked through the muscle and I´m really just walking bone on earth every moment of every day. You gotta love it!

My companion and I have pretty much come to the conclusion that we will shed tears of joy when we take our first bath after the mission.

I am completely allergy free–isn’t that such a great tender mercy of the Lord!

Oh well, what are you going to do… "ya fue" or in English "it's in the past" or "hakuna matata."

It was a roller coaster that gave us such joy and happiness… a family to teach… and then it gave us this huge heartache… all in 3 days....imagine it.If anything can go wrong… it will. That is the only thing you can rely on in the mission!

I’m learning patience, compassion, SACRIFICE, selflessness, endurance and how to work.I work when I’m tired, cold, hot, thirsty, hungry, frustrated, exhausted, depressed, rejected, discouraged-- and just about every other feeling. It’s great!

Ím pretty sure that Ím not going to be too homesick over the holidays because my mind cannot believe that it could possibly be Christmas when it is this hot.

All my love, forever and always,"Let's just say, I'll see you in a while!"

I have learned so much in these 6 months and can only imagine the refining fire that I will continue to pass through as the days, weeks, and transfers continue to FLY by.
The weeks pass like days and the days pass like weeks.

I’m serving one more transfer here in Castelar which means 6 more weeks of this ‘weak sauce’ shower AND yummy meals from the awesome members!

There is no room for doubts in the work of the Lord. This work will go forward. The field is white, all ready to harvest here in Castelar and Ím not going to leave it unharvested!

Never worry about me. No matter how hot, dehydrated, tired, sweaty, or taxed I am emotionally… I will never give up!

I am starting this transfer hitting the ground running… there is no stopping us here in Castelar!We are obedient, we are diligent, we are bold, and we are here to change the world.

ETTE -and I cańt wait to be with you all again! But for now, there is work to be done, and Ím ready to get my hands dirty in the vineyard of the Lord!

The concept of trick or treating here is literally beyond their comprehension-- that we go begging for candy from our neighbors... and it obviously shocked them when I told them I did it as a sophomore and junior in college… hehe :)

The weather that can take place during the day here is as big of a mystery as the location of the 3 Nephites!

We miss Wendýs… that's what we all talked about in the micro van to and from Belgrano where we had our Area Conference.

I'm really loving the mission and dońt want the time to pass me by.

I can’t even express how amazing it really feels, to help someone (like Raul who is so ready and prepared, to make and keep covenants with the Lord. I'd like to find, convert and baptize someone like Raul Antonio Cappanna every transfer--for my entire mission! But even if I don't baptize one more person it was all worth it because of him!

Holy Cow, sometimes it just hits me all over again that I’m in Argentina!

I just loved Conference… it was definitely the best General Conference of my life! Elder Wirthlin's inspiring talk, "Come What May and Love it!" (venga lo que venga, y disfrútelo) and Elder Holland's talk about angels. I decided that I will dedicate the rest of my life to becoming an angel.

Love Hermana Jensen --– still in Castelar and ready to see the miracles!

Sunburn one day, soaking wet and cold the next. Go Argentina!

I have the hardest time navigating in this country because there are no mountains. I would give anything to have this perfect inner compass that would direct me like the Liahona did...not only to where our appointments are, but to the elect at the same time!

Tenny sent me a dearelder letter and likened the mission to Fast Sundays-- I liked it :) I think I have 13 left!

Daddy - VAMOS PUMAS! (Go Cougs!) I cannot even explain how proud I am that we beat the Bruins. I would have given my Coco Alfajor to have seen that game. I cańt believe that this is the same team I drove all the way to CA to watch the Cougars lose to last summer. But what matters is that this time they got it done... MAN! That is my team!

I almost got run over by a colectivo today… literally, not hit, run over. I was standing in the street right next to the curb because we were going to cross, but then we didńt. Suddenly my comp said "careful!" and I stepped back up and onto the sidewalk and continued to move up as I watched a giant colectivo's back tires jump the curb and turn exactly over the place I had just been standing!

Wow....Ziploc bags are about as hard to find here as people who are ready to accept the gospel.

The people here dońt know what gravy is. But my companion got a packet from an old companion and today we are going to have mashed potatoes and gravy! She is excited to taste it but I wouldńt be one bit surprised if she doesńt like it--hehe, more for me...

I love you so much and my spirits are relatively high when you consider all that went wrong this week. I am actually pretty content. The Lord is carrying any sadness that I should be feeling.

The soles of my feet are black and so tough that I feel like I'm wearing shoes when I'm not. It's trippy!

My clapping contests with Nata are finally paying off--I can clap so loud now! And it's a good thing because it's how we "knock doors" here.

Every day counts, endure to the end....imagine if Christ had "almost" endured to the end. What if He had endured all but the last 2 hours of the atonement... we would all be lost. He did not give up and neither can we. Every day, Christ gave every moment. He suffered every pain... not just most of them.

I learned the hard way that it isn't smart to put your camera on the roof of a car on a windy day.

Chapels in Argentina all have 2 or 3 ping pong tables. I dońt know why, but I thought it was interesting.

I love hearing from you, even if it reminds me I’m not there with you.

Every time I see a sign for the church I hear in my mind Daddy saying really fast just like I asked him to, "La Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos do los Ultimos Dias.," Who would have ever thought that one day Íd be the one saying that all the time?

A package of Ramen noodles costs $2.40. What an outrage, but I bought some for the next time I need comfort soup.

Skippy peanut butter cost 24 pesos - about 8 dollars for a regular sized one like we have in food storage.

Buses are called "colectivos" and they hiss... all the time when they drive and it's weird. Plus, the word for hiss is the same as the word for whistle in Spanish... how dumb is that?

We were walking somewhere and had to cross the street. You know about the millions of wild dogs here, right? Well one such dog, stopped beside me, looked both ways (just like we were doing) and started to cross right when we did... HE KNEW! He stopped, looked both ways, and crossed the street... just like a person! I was astonished.

The people here are obsessed with piercings... it's like "livestrong" bracelets in the states.

What is small and round and rhymes with giggly bone?Ding, ding, ding...kidney stone! I wanted to relieve the pressure by taking a really hot bath, we dońt have a bath tub--let alone hot water to fill one. I wanted Salinas and to lie on your"heaven." I wanted to be home, I wanted to go to heaven and just be done.

I love you, Ím ok, I will survive, don't worry about me, it wasńt that bad. OK, it was pretty bad, but it's over now.

I know that my Savior is going to carry me until I can walk, and then He is going to walk with me until we have finished and we have won. I wish I could see Him, but I know He is with me.

It’s easy to choose the right when you know it’s what your parents would do.

My love for my family is more than I can contain. Every time I see something new, every time I taste something delicious I wish I could share it with you. I feel like this must be how Lehi felt when he saw the tree of life.

I could try to tell you how happy I am, but for the most beautiful gifts and blessings we often receive-- words just aren’t enough.

One day when I felt particularly overwhelmed with my life as a missionary in a far away foreign land, I asked my companion which way was north and then with all my might looked in that direction and tried to picture my family. It was a heavy thought to realize that even if I wanted to run to you, it was beyond my power to do so. We are separated by what-- 7000 miles is it... and oh yeah AN OCEAN!

P-days on the mission are so far from the day of rest.

Every Sunday is like finals week. All your efforts are on the line and the Bishop and everybody else are looking on to see how many investigators you get to church.

Since we layer up and walk out in the cold all day long I always feel like it's Halloween or that I'm getting ready to go to a BYU football game. The Lavell Edwards Stadium doesn't have hot water either, so that's what I think of-- Halloween and football games...does that really surprise anybody?

You have to keep your eyes on the ground when you walk here because the "side walk" if you wanna call it that is so uneven, it can change about a foot with no notice.

There are no stop signs in the area I am in. I haven't figured out the system yet, but one of the cars always stops, usually they honk too... but someone always stops.

The water here kind of tastes like dirt... or sweat or... I dońt know...

There is a cart pulled by a horse that this guy rides around on all day long to gather plastic bottles off the streets. So you hear a horse behind you and that's what that is.

There are more stray dogs on the street than there are birds in the sky.

Here instead of opening the gate and walking to the door to knock on it you just stand outside the gate and clap... and then they come to the door. It was amazing at first, now completely normal.

Everybody calls me a Yankee and I dońt really like it. They dońt know about the war, they just know about baseball.

If we pull out a pamphlet and talk to people we have to challenge them to be baptized-- can you believe that? But we do it!

It's such a pain to change missions. Everything I learned there is pretty much NOT how we do it here!

I dońt think the water spins the opposite way here... everybody lied.

Go BYU, but for heaven's sake, make me proud, winning isn't so grand if it isn't a victory we earned by playing hard.

You cannot really know the meaning of the word homesick until you have left your homeland.

The flight was long, but the Lord blessed me with a row to myself and I slept....well sort of.

Well another P-Day comes to a close, but that means we get to drop our lines back into the water...for we are fishers of men!

I don't know what is up-- but we had 2 weeks of being cockroach free and then 4 huge ones showed up in one night!

Sometimes when people are talking to me and I don't have a clue as to what they are saying...I think, "what was I thinking putting a "4" on how much I wanted to learn a language!!?

"This past week I had highs of highs and lows of lows, but I survived and I am here to tell about it!

I've started talking like a Californian... when I explain where the chapel is I say "It's on THE Normandie between THE Hollywood and THE Sunset."

"May you always be comfortably uncomfortable." True dat!

Mom, if I could have a few days to push pause and stop everything I'd fly you up here and we would TOTALLY CLEAN THIS HOUSE!

Mission life got a thousand times less stressful and better the day we got our cell phone!

Gotta run, know that I'm happy, safe, blessed, and protected. I'm being stretched, but it will help me testify with more power and conviction down the road.

When I die and get to see the slide show of my life, I'm going to that moment first! Three sister missionaries in dresses bookin' it under a closing garage gate in Los Angeles determined to contact an investigator who wasn't home!

"How far away is the plane" this is how missionaries ask home much time someone has left before they head home.

I have learned that the Lord will educate our desires.

I love cornflakes. It's amazing that it took 21 years for me to appreciate completely flavorless cereal.

Last p-day we went to the LA temple - it's HUGE! and absolutely gorgeous. I could totally get married there.

There's nothing like knocking doors and feeling drops of sweat roll all the way down your back!

I'm fine, the cyst is nothing, the Church is true, Jesus Christ lives. The timing and will of the Lord is what matters. I love you more than I can express and pray for you constantly.

It is just another bonus of the mission!

The miracles are many, the blessings are abundant, the love of the Lord never ceases. His protection is always with us-- but IT IS STILL NOT EASY!!

It is a miracle how much the Lord loves us and that He will give us what we need exactly when we need it.

I'm not going to lie though, it's hard. You have the highest of highs immediately preceeded and followed by the lowest of lows. But they don't last as long as the highs if you turn to the Lord and beg for help. I do that more times than I can even express. He is blessing me and He hears me. I just wish I could fast forward to the day that I'm finally good at this.

My first true door slam was on 6/8/2008 - Not bad... 2 down and who knows how many to go!?

People slam doors and are downright MEAN, and it just doesn't penetrate me. It's amazing, I finally grew a thicker skin and it's great dad, you'd be so proud!

We ate soup with cow feet or hooves in it...

Here's my preaching moment for the week. We were out visiting less actives and I said "there should be missionaries just for helping the less actives and new converts and Hermana LaBarge said, "there are, they're called visiting and home teachers." OH DANG! Take that!

I'm trying to only see the good, but it never ceases to amaze me how many curve balls I'm being thrown here.

I'm alive!!! (6 days after leaving home....)

Hermana Jensen: Mission Updates

September 12, 2008

Hermana Jensen's Testimony

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