Stacey's Companion - Hermana Alcantara
The Room 221 Group
Brother Dallon (a teacher) is in the middle
Every Good Thing
6 years ago
June 17, 2008
June 5, 2008
Hermana Jensen's First Letter From California
I have entitled this email "Will He really answer me?" From that song - mom has the cd. I have done this because I know the answer. Yes. He really will answer me and He does every time I plead for help. I hope you too, know that He really will answer your prayers.
Today as we were driving to the library to write our emails, we listened to Saturday's Warrior and it reminded me of singing with mom as she played the piano. Those experiences taught me about the beauties of working to magnify your talents, the joys of singing praises to the Lord, and the unexplainable importance of families. I miss you so much. I'm not really homesick in that way, but I miss you a lot. It's hard for me to think that you are all going on and living your lives without me there to celebrate with you and cry with you. At times I wish that you could all be here to cry with me and celebrate with me too. But I know that it is this way for a reason. If I could, I would rely too much on you and instead I rely on the Lord and my companions.
My companions: Elder Alvarez and I were picked up by the 2 office elders. They took us to Carl's Junior and then to the mission home where I met the President and his wife. They couldn't get a hold of my companions though, so I went with another sister and she gave me a tour of the LA temple and then they said I could rest. They put me in the transfer room and I took a NAP! It was beautiful. I felt so loved by the Lord because He knew that I was literally exhausted and He let me ease into this life with a nap on a delicious bed. When I woke up I wrote in my journal and then we had grilled cheese sandwiches for dinner and then I went to bed. The President's wife was my companion the first night and stayed with me. The next morning I got up, studied, and waited for my companions to come and get me. When they knocked on the door, I saw a FRIEND! Hna. Wilcox and I were in the same FHE group my Jr. year at BYU and when I saw her, I couldn't believe it. The Lord loves me so much that He gave me a companion that I already know and love and feel comfortable with and trust. My real trainer is Hna. Escoto - from Honduras and she's great.
They took me to our apartment on "Melrose" - believe it or not. I unpacked, the Elders brought me a bike and a mattress and we ate lunch. We went out to work right after that. We tracted and I took the third door. It is what it is - tracting. Not the funnest ever, but I don't hate it.
Speaking of tracting - we had a goal to get 10 hours this week - which ends on Sunday night and when we left for church Sunday morning we had 4. I had zero hope that we would reach this goal and frankly gave it no energy whatsoever. I was not going to let myself feel bad because I can't control anything here. Well, the other Hnas. really wanted to reach it and somehow it happened. We found someone to split with us and between two companionships tracted 6.5 hours. It was truly a miracle.
Dinners with members are fun but awfully stressful. The rule is we can only be there for an hour total and we have to share a lesson in that time. That never happens. We always stay too long and our lesson is always ridiculously lame. We had spaghetti at all 3 appointments this week!
I'm in the Hollywood area - which means the Hollywood sign is in my mission.
News: our landlady has a rooster. Did you know roosters don't just crow once, they crow ALL MORNING! My first morning he started at 5:55 (we get to sleep in until 6:30 by the way) and crowed 78 times in 12 minutes. There are cockroaches here too. I don't like them at all, in fact they make me feel so squirmy and sick. They're almost as long as my pinky. I always ask the hermanas "How do you know that they don't walk on you in the middle of the night?" and they just say "I have faith, Hermana Jensen."
Part of my patriarchal blessing has already been fulfilled. The part that says "As the Savior walked and talked with all kinds of people, so will you." We taught a recovering homosexual man with AIDS the other day and as we walked back to our car, we stopped to talk to a homeless guy. We talk to everybody, Koreans in Korea town, black people, white people, latino people. And so yeah, there you have it. All kinds of people.
Tracting is tough because you never know what language you are going to speak when they answer the door. And even if they are latino, sometimes they'd rather you speak to them in English. It's a fine line to walk and it makes me very uneasy. People get offended and anways, it's hard to master Spanish because we use both every day.
I met and taught a woman named Ruby on the plane ride over here. I found out later that I wasn't supposed to accept it, but she made me take $20 to help pay for my mission. She was very sweet. I taught her just about the church in general and how we have a prophet. I found her again near baggage claim, grabbed a pass along card from one of the office elders, and went over to give it to her. I hope she calls and lets the missionaries come teach her. She was very sweet and a great first person to talk to - she spoke English!
The weather here is beautiful, but it's funny because since I was just here like 9 months ago for the BYU vs. UCLA football game - like in this very area - I feel like I'm back here on a road trip for a football game. Which, in case you were wondering is NOT the case :) So it's funny.
I've seen gas as high as $4.49 for regular and $5.49 for diesel - I think. Crazy, huh? Brother Dallon my MTC teacher told us one time that it was $4 in Provo. Is that true? Also I heard that this summer they are going to sell gas tax-free? Is there any truth to that?
Daddy, the bane (I don't know how to spell that) of my existence is parking. I never planned to deal with that as a missionary. Everywhere we go we are late because we're always running behind anyways and then we drive around for ten minutes to finally park 4 blocks away from our appointment. Not only that, but everywhere you go it's bumper to bumper and I literally would have an anxiety attack if I was the one behind the wheel. Thankfully I'm not, nor will I ever be.
Here's the most important thing I learned this week: so maybe I'm slow for not already knowing this, but the Atonement covers all. I always knew it covered sin, pain, infirmities, sorrow, stuff like that, but now I understand that it also covers temptation, frustration, fear, anxiety, weakness, and every bad day I've ever had or ever will have. I learned this because I constantly feel unequal to the task before me. I wasn't complaining, but I was asking Sister Wilcox how I can cope and just deal with this. She taught me that everytime I feel like I can't do this, it's OK because that's where the Savior comes in and says, "You give me all you have (even if it's only 12% right now) and I'll take care of the rest." When we knock on doors and I feel like I just can't start talking, I open my mouth and just wait for Him to start speaking for me. And He does. Every time something goes wrong (like when we were showing the Restoration DVD at a teaching appointment this week and it froze right before the first vision...) I just wanted to throw my hands in the air and quit. Satan does everything he can to stop us from progressing. I think the lack of parking is Satan's fault. Everytime I feel frustrated, I remember that Christ understands what I'm going through because He already suffered it. He comes in and He makes my small offering enough. He takes my 12% and it becomes 100%. I wish I could say that knowing and understanding this makes everything all better instantly and that I never get frustrated or sad, but I cannot make that report. I know that you can never stop. If we stop, we fall and we sink. It's like Peter walking on water towards Christ. He fell the second he stopped. So I know never to stop, I'd never just go home early one day and lounge on the couch. I won't ever stop or ever quit. But in the hardest moments, when it's not fun and it's not easy, I just keep going. Other moments though, they are amazing. I have seen miracles. I prayed to find the remote so we could change the language to spanish on the restoration movie I mentioned earlier and before I said amen in my mind I looked up and found the remote.
The miracles are many, the blessings are abundant, the love of the Lord never ceases. His protection is always with us-- but it's still not easy.
We get to go to the LA temple next Wed. - the 11th - which means our p-day won't be Monday next week, it'll be Wednesday, so expect my email then.
I don't know if you've written me, we won't get mail until this Friday. That's how it goes, once a week, from the mission home on Friday. I have to go, but I'll write next Wednesday and will be thinking about you in the interim!
I'm sending pictures too. Look for them!
Love,Hermana Jensen la verdecita!
Today as we were driving to the library to write our emails, we listened to Saturday's Warrior and it reminded me of singing with mom as she played the piano. Those experiences taught me about the beauties of working to magnify your talents, the joys of singing praises to the Lord, and the unexplainable importance of families. I miss you so much. I'm not really homesick in that way, but I miss you a lot. It's hard for me to think that you are all going on and living your lives without me there to celebrate with you and cry with you. At times I wish that you could all be here to cry with me and celebrate with me too. But I know that it is this way for a reason. If I could, I would rely too much on you and instead I rely on the Lord and my companions.
My companions: Elder Alvarez and I were picked up by the 2 office elders. They took us to Carl's Junior and then to the mission home where I met the President and his wife. They couldn't get a hold of my companions though, so I went with another sister and she gave me a tour of the LA temple and then they said I could rest. They put me in the transfer room and I took a NAP! It was beautiful. I felt so loved by the Lord because He knew that I was literally exhausted and He let me ease into this life with a nap on a delicious bed. When I woke up I wrote in my journal and then we had grilled cheese sandwiches for dinner and then I went to bed. The President's wife was my companion the first night and stayed with me. The next morning I got up, studied, and waited for my companions to come and get me. When they knocked on the door, I saw a FRIEND! Hna. Wilcox and I were in the same FHE group my Jr. year at BYU and when I saw her, I couldn't believe it. The Lord loves me so much that He gave me a companion that I already know and love and feel comfortable with and trust. My real trainer is Hna. Escoto - from Honduras and she's great.
They took me to our apartment on "Melrose" - believe it or not. I unpacked, the Elders brought me a bike and a mattress and we ate lunch. We went out to work right after that. We tracted and I took the third door. It is what it is - tracting. Not the funnest ever, but I don't hate it.
Speaking of tracting - we had a goal to get 10 hours this week - which ends on Sunday night and when we left for church Sunday morning we had 4. I had zero hope that we would reach this goal and frankly gave it no energy whatsoever. I was not going to let myself feel bad because I can't control anything here. Well, the other Hnas. really wanted to reach it and somehow it happened. We found someone to split with us and between two companionships tracted 6.5 hours. It was truly a miracle.
Dinners with members are fun but awfully stressful. The rule is we can only be there for an hour total and we have to share a lesson in that time. That never happens. We always stay too long and our lesson is always ridiculously lame. We had spaghetti at all 3 appointments this week!
I'm in the Hollywood area - which means the Hollywood sign is in my mission.
News: our landlady has a rooster. Did you know roosters don't just crow once, they crow ALL MORNING! My first morning he started at 5:55 (we get to sleep in until 6:30 by the way) and crowed 78 times in 12 minutes. There are cockroaches here too. I don't like them at all, in fact they make me feel so squirmy and sick. They're almost as long as my pinky. I always ask the hermanas "How do you know that they don't walk on you in the middle of the night?" and they just say "I have faith, Hermana Jensen."
Part of my patriarchal blessing has already been fulfilled. The part that says "As the Savior walked and talked with all kinds of people, so will you." We taught a recovering homosexual man with AIDS the other day and as we walked back to our car, we stopped to talk to a homeless guy. We talk to everybody, Koreans in Korea town, black people, white people, latino people. And so yeah, there you have it. All kinds of people.
Tracting is tough because you never know what language you are going to speak when they answer the door. And even if they are latino, sometimes they'd rather you speak to them in English. It's a fine line to walk and it makes me very uneasy. People get offended and anways, it's hard to master Spanish because we use both every day.
I met and taught a woman named Ruby on the plane ride over here. I found out later that I wasn't supposed to accept it, but she made me take $20 to help pay for my mission. She was very sweet. I taught her just about the church in general and how we have a prophet. I found her again near baggage claim, grabbed a pass along card from one of the office elders, and went over to give it to her. I hope she calls and lets the missionaries come teach her. She was very sweet and a great first person to talk to - she spoke English!
The weather here is beautiful, but it's funny because since I was just here like 9 months ago for the BYU vs. UCLA football game - like in this very area - I feel like I'm back here on a road trip for a football game. Which, in case you were wondering is NOT the case :) So it's funny.
I've seen gas as high as $4.49 for regular and $5.49 for diesel - I think. Crazy, huh? Brother Dallon my MTC teacher told us one time that it was $4 in Provo. Is that true? Also I heard that this summer they are going to sell gas tax-free? Is there any truth to that?
Daddy, the bane (I don't know how to spell that) of my existence is parking. I never planned to deal with that as a missionary. Everywhere we go we are late because we're always running behind anyways and then we drive around for ten minutes to finally park 4 blocks away from our appointment. Not only that, but everywhere you go it's bumper to bumper and I literally would have an anxiety attack if I was the one behind the wheel. Thankfully I'm not, nor will I ever be.
Here's the most important thing I learned this week: so maybe I'm slow for not already knowing this, but the Atonement covers all. I always knew it covered sin, pain, infirmities, sorrow, stuff like that, but now I understand that it also covers temptation, frustration, fear, anxiety, weakness, and every bad day I've ever had or ever will have. I learned this because I constantly feel unequal to the task before me. I wasn't complaining, but I was asking Sister Wilcox how I can cope and just deal with this. She taught me that everytime I feel like I can't do this, it's OK because that's where the Savior comes in and says, "You give me all you have (even if it's only 12% right now) and I'll take care of the rest." When we knock on doors and I feel like I just can't start talking, I open my mouth and just wait for Him to start speaking for me. And He does. Every time something goes wrong (like when we were showing the Restoration DVD at a teaching appointment this week and it froze right before the first vision...) I just wanted to throw my hands in the air and quit. Satan does everything he can to stop us from progressing. I think the lack of parking is Satan's fault. Everytime I feel frustrated, I remember that Christ understands what I'm going through because He already suffered it. He comes in and He makes my small offering enough. He takes my 12% and it becomes 100%. I wish I could say that knowing and understanding this makes everything all better instantly and that I never get frustrated or sad, but I cannot make that report. I know that you can never stop. If we stop, we fall and we sink. It's like Peter walking on water towards Christ. He fell the second he stopped. So I know never to stop, I'd never just go home early one day and lounge on the couch. I won't ever stop or ever quit. But in the hardest moments, when it's not fun and it's not easy, I just keep going. Other moments though, they are amazing. I have seen miracles. I prayed to find the remote so we could change the language to spanish on the restoration movie I mentioned earlier and before I said amen in my mind I looked up and found the remote.
The miracles are many, the blessings are abundant, the love of the Lord never ceases. His protection is always with us-- but it's still not easy.
We get to go to the LA temple next Wed. - the 11th - which means our p-day won't be Monday next week, it'll be Wednesday, so expect my email then.
I don't know if you've written me, we won't get mail until this Friday. That's how it goes, once a week, from the mission home on Friday. I have to go, but I'll write next Wednesday and will be thinking about you in the interim!
I'm sending pictures too. Look for them!
Love,Hermana Jensen la verdecita!
Last Trip To The Provo Temple
Look at all of those "Thank You" cards!
Zona (Zone) 47 
The Hermanas of 47May 31, 2008
Up, Up And Away-- To L.A.!
On Tuesday morning, Stacey called us from the airport before heading out to Los Angeles. She said she had been assigned to fly out with an Elder as her traveling companion, which was funny because I pictured him waiting for her outside a restroom or listening to her conversation with us. We had a nice phone call full of questions, answers, expressed emotions galore and of course happy tears. There were many things said and conveyed, but above all was our love for each other and our gratitude for the comfort, guidance and strength we will receive while we are apart.
Here are a few lines from a letter, written three days before she left the MTC:
The Lord answers prayers! I prayed for you to check your email because I desperately needed that info and you did. The littlest things like that make me cry. It is a miracle how much the Lord loves us and that He will give us what we need exactly when we need it.
We had a special opportunity this week - one of our teachers (for me it was Hno. Toledo) gave us a Priesthood blessing - en espanol. Before he asked me what I wanted, what I desired, and stuff and of course I said the gift of tongues. In my blessing, he blessed me to receive "el don de lenguas ahora" - ahora means "now" I couldn't stop the tears then or now as I tell you about how strongly I felt the Lord's love for me in that moment. He wants me to have success and He wants to bless me. I just have to work hard, be obedient, give Him all my heart, might, mind, and strength and He will pour out His blessings upon me. From that moment on I felt different. I still make tons of mistakes, say things incorrectly, blank out when I'm trying to speak and stuff, but I feel different. I'm not fluent or perfect, but know that He is helping me.
We taught lesson 2 in the TRC - our last time in the TRC (where pretend investigators listen to you--in Spanish of course) and for the first time I felt like I truly taught with the Spirit. Our pretend investigator almost started crying and when I responded with my testimony, I was fighting back the tears as well. It was incredible because up until that point, I felt like every time I teach and testify, it is completely "dry." That's what I call it when you don't just feel the Spirit like drowning you, ya know? Anyway, it was a landmark for me here in the MTC. It was a blessing from my loving Heavenly Father who wanted to show me that even now I can teach with the Spirit and I can testify with power.
I have a testimony that nothing just happens by coincidence. I believe that each missionary in our district and zone has taught me something. My teachers were literally the best teachers I could have ever asked for. They were so different that it was refreshing to have them both each day because it kept me sane. Both have incredible testimonies and have changed my life for good.
I'm healthy and well and truly blessed with energy - the rigors are already a lot, and all we do is sit in class. I have to get up around 5:45 to shower and get ready to be in the classroom to study at 7 and then lights out is at 10:30, but I usually stay on my knees for 10-15 minutes in the dark as I pour out my heart and soul to my Heavenly Father. He hears me. So I'm always tired, but always able. The beds aren't that nice, but I'm shocked that I'm actually sleeping just fine. It's almost like I have a pretend "heaven memory foam" on my bed, but I assure you I don't!
Pray for me as I'm packing today, I need peace and faith to abide with me in spades as I embark on this adventure. I'm nervous, but that's good.
In our departure meeting last night there were 340 of us. 40 going to Argentina - me and 2 other Hermanas :)
I feel so different, and I'm not. I'm like the other 3000 missionaries here, dressed up, in a tag, and studying like crazy. I can't imagine how different I'll feel when I get out to the field and really am the different one, with the truth to share with the world.
I'll call you tomorrow. Thanks for being responsive to the promptings of the Spirit from my prayers.
I love you so much. Never forget that this is His work and He will guide it and all of us.
I love you.
Hermana Jensen
Here are a few lines from a letter, written three days before she left the MTC:
The Lord answers prayers! I prayed for you to check your email because I desperately needed that info and you did. The littlest things like that make me cry. It is a miracle how much the Lord loves us and that He will give us what we need exactly when we need it.
We had a special opportunity this week - one of our teachers (for me it was Hno. Toledo) gave us a Priesthood blessing - en espanol. Before he asked me what I wanted, what I desired, and stuff and of course I said the gift of tongues. In my blessing, he blessed me to receive "el don de lenguas ahora" - ahora means "now" I couldn't stop the tears then or now as I tell you about how strongly I felt the Lord's love for me in that moment. He wants me to have success and He wants to bless me. I just have to work hard, be obedient, give Him all my heart, might, mind, and strength and He will pour out His blessings upon me. From that moment on I felt different. I still make tons of mistakes, say things incorrectly, blank out when I'm trying to speak and stuff, but I feel different. I'm not fluent or perfect, but know that He is helping me.
We taught lesson 2 in the TRC - our last time in the TRC (where pretend investigators listen to you--in Spanish of course) and for the first time I felt like I truly taught with the Spirit. Our pretend investigator almost started crying and when I responded with my testimony, I was fighting back the tears as well. It was incredible because up until that point, I felt like every time I teach and testify, it is completely "dry." That's what I call it when you don't just feel the Spirit like drowning you, ya know? Anyway, it was a landmark for me here in the MTC. It was a blessing from my loving Heavenly Father who wanted to show me that even now I can teach with the Spirit and I can testify with power.
I have a testimony that nothing just happens by coincidence. I believe that each missionary in our district and zone has taught me something. My teachers were literally the best teachers I could have ever asked for. They were so different that it was refreshing to have them both each day because it kept me sane. Both have incredible testimonies and have changed my life for good.
I'm healthy and well and truly blessed with energy - the rigors are already a lot, and all we do is sit in class. I have to get up around 5:45 to shower and get ready to be in the classroom to study at 7 and then lights out is at 10:30, but I usually stay on my knees for 10-15 minutes in the dark as I pour out my heart and soul to my Heavenly Father. He hears me. So I'm always tired, but always able. The beds aren't that nice, but I'm shocked that I'm actually sleeping just fine. It's almost like I have a pretend "heaven memory foam" on my bed, but I assure you I don't!
Pray for me as I'm packing today, I need peace and faith to abide with me in spades as I embark on this adventure. I'm nervous, but that's good.
In our departure meeting last night there were 340 of us. 40 going to Argentina - me and 2 other Hermanas :)
I feel so different, and I'm not. I'm like the other 3000 missionaries here, dressed up, in a tag, and studying like crazy. I can't imagine how different I'll feel when I get out to the field and really am the different one, with the truth to share with the world.
I'll call you tomorrow. Thanks for being responsive to the promptings of the Spirit from my prayers.
I love you so much. Never forget that this is His work and He will guide it and all of us.
I love you.
Hermana Jensen
May 23, 2008
Headed For The Field After 17 Days At The MTC
Greetings one and all! On Thursday night Stacey called home for a brief five-minute phone call to let us know that on Tuesday, May 27, she will be en route to the California Los Angeles Mission. It is Spanish-speaking and, per Google, I learned that it's also affectionately called "The C.L.A.M." She will serve there until her VISA is completed, and then be on her way to Argentina.
It was great to hear her voice, which was filled with complete and utter excitement and shock that she is headed to the field to talk to and teach random strangers! She said that although they have been practicing with volunteers, pretending to open their doors, this will all be very new, and let's face it --- scary! In those few moments, she also had just enough time to squeeze in a couple of "I love you's" and "I miss you's," and then tell us a quick story about running into the new "Buenos Aires West" mission president and his wife, earlier that afternoon at the MTC. They will be in Argentina a month or so after she is there (if all goes as planned) and are excited to see each other again.
Hermana Jensen is doing well! She is happy and upbeat and thankfully, not even a little homesick, which is great news. In a letter written last week, she explained that she is learning how to teach the lessons in Spanish, but has NO TIME to learn Spanish. Apparently, the advanced class doesn't teach Spanish, which completely makes sense; but she says that since she isn't native, like everyone else in the class, she is left with a lot of questions. While this can be trying at times, she wrote that she trusts that everything will work out and is diligently striving to have more faith to be blessed to learn quickly and be as fluent as she can, as soon as possible. She closed by saying she feels "so far away from home, but so close to the Lord." What a great quote!
Below is her new address. Write when you get a chance, she'd love it!
California Los Angeles Mission Home
Hermana Stacey Lynn Jensen
1591 East Temple Way
Los Angeles, CA 90024-5801
Thanks for reading and please continue to pray for her to receive the gift of tongues. Have a beautiful weekend!
Love,
Karen
It was great to hear her voice, which was filled with complete and utter excitement and shock that she is headed to the field to talk to and teach random strangers! She said that although they have been practicing with volunteers, pretending to open their doors, this will all be very new, and let's face it --- scary! In those few moments, she also had just enough time to squeeze in a couple of "I love you's" and "I miss you's," and then tell us a quick story about running into the new "Buenos Aires West" mission president and his wife, earlier that afternoon at the MTC. They will be in Argentina a month or so after she is there (if all goes as planned) and are excited to see each other again.
Hermana Jensen is doing well! She is happy and upbeat and thankfully, not even a little homesick, which is great news. In a letter written last week, she explained that she is learning how to teach the lessons in Spanish, but has NO TIME to learn Spanish. Apparently, the advanced class doesn't teach Spanish, which completely makes sense; but she says that since she isn't native, like everyone else in the class, she is left with a lot of questions. While this can be trying at times, she wrote that she trusts that everything will work out and is diligently striving to have more faith to be blessed to learn quickly and be as fluent as she can, as soon as possible. She closed by saying she feels "so far away from home, but so close to the Lord." What a great quote!
Below is her new address. Write when you get a chance, she'd love it!
California Los Angeles Mission Home
Hermana Stacey Lynn Jensen
1591 East Temple Way
Los Angeles, CA 90024-5801
Thanks for reading and please continue to pray for her to receive the gift of tongues. Have a beautiful weekend!
Love,
Karen
In The Beginning
Stacey's first district meeting
Just a reminder of where she's going
Hermanas Garcia, Mayor, Jensen, and Alcantara
The classic shot in front of the signGetting In The MTC Groove
2nd Companion, Hermana Alcantara on P-dayThey LOVE their jeans!
First Companion, Hermana Pruner
Once a Cougar, always a Cougar!
Stacey and Hermana Smith sporting their BYU gear before bed
Stacey's 2nd district, "Advanced Spanish," with a sub-teacher
First Companion, Hermana Pruner
Once a Cougar, always a Cougar!
Stacey and Hermana Smith sporting their BYU gear before bed
Stacey's 2nd district, "Advanced Spanish," with a sub-teacherMay 14, 2008
Another Update- More Curves Ahead!
Hi Everybody,
We received our first e-mail from Stacey on Tuesday, which is her new P-Day because of her transfer. She sent a fun, informative e-mail and wrote about her latest curve and request from us. Here are some highlights:
Family!
Ok, so this is going to be way scrambled and there are bound to be mistakes. I have 19 minutes and I feel like I could type for 3 hours!
Today I went to travel services to make sure that they are expediting my VISA since I'm leaving in 15 days, and got some "news." I say news because to me it is both good and bad. Ready?
I'm actually going to serve a mini-mission somewhere in Utah while I wait for my VISA and stuff and fingerprinting. They think I will probably hit Argentina in the second or third week of June.
That's good because: I get a chance to teach lessons and get the hang of proselyting here where I am very familiar. I can learn things in English about teaching and doing the work.
That's bad because if I go to an English speaking mission I am concerned that I will lose my Spanish that I am working so hard to master.
I'm trying to only see the good, but it never ceases to amaze me how many curve balls I'm being thrown here.
There is no time for ANYTHING! Today was p-day, but it was packed with a temple trip, laundry, emailing, buying stuff at the bookstore and it's almost over.
I love dearelder letters - they are great! Don't feel pressured to write a ton, but moderately short letters are great. We have almost no time to read them.*** When you do send those, will you all put the date in caps at the very top - so when I get 5 at a time, I know which to read first - that would be GREAT!
My minutes are gone. I'm sending a letter in the mail, look for it-- Happy Birthday to Dad tomorrow!
I love you more than you could ever know.
If you only say one thing when you pray for me - I beg you to pray for me to receive the gift of tongues. I need it so much!
Gotta go!
Hermana Jensen!
Well, that's it for now...thanks for reading!
Karen
We received our first e-mail from Stacey on Tuesday, which is her new P-Day because of her transfer. She sent a fun, informative e-mail and wrote about her latest curve and request from us. Here are some highlights:
Family!
Ok, so this is going to be way scrambled and there are bound to be mistakes. I have 19 minutes and I feel like I could type for 3 hours!
Today I went to travel services to make sure that they are expediting my VISA since I'm leaving in 15 days, and got some "news." I say news because to me it is both good and bad. Ready?
I'm actually going to serve a mini-mission somewhere in Utah while I wait for my VISA and stuff and fingerprinting. They think I will probably hit Argentina in the second or third week of June.
That's good because: I get a chance to teach lessons and get the hang of proselyting here where I am very familiar. I can learn things in English about teaching and doing the work.
That's bad because if I go to an English speaking mission I am concerned that I will lose my Spanish that I am working so hard to master.
I'm trying to only see the good, but it never ceases to amaze me how many curve balls I'm being thrown here.
There is no time for ANYTHING! Today was p-day, but it was packed with a temple trip, laundry, emailing, buying stuff at the bookstore and it's almost over.
I love dearelder letters - they are great! Don't feel pressured to write a ton, but moderately short letters are great. We have almost no time to read them.*** When you do send those, will you all put the date in caps at the very top - so when I get 5 at a time, I know which to read first - that would be GREAT!
My minutes are gone. I'm sending a letter in the mail, look for it-- Happy Birthday to Dad tomorrow!
I love you more than you could ever know.
If you only say one thing when you pray for me - I beg you to pray for me to receive the gift of tongues. I need it so much!
Gotta go!
Hermana Jensen!
Well, that's it for now...thanks for reading!
Karen
May 10, 2008
Mission Update! May 10, 2008
We received our first letter from Stacey today. She wrote it her first night there, on Wednesday and started out by saying:
Mom and Dad, No worries- I'm lovin' it! Which was just what we wanted to hear-- and of course very comforting.
After telling us about her companion, "Hermana Pruner" from Canada, she told us about a large devotional they had with the MTC Presidency, interviews with District Leaders, and that per alphabet she was the Senior Companion. She was called to be the "Coordinating Sister," which she said means that it is her job to make sure the four girls in her room are ok (herself included!), and report it at Branch Council. They took a tour, started unpacking, wrote home and then went to bed. Classes started the next morning at 6:55 a.m. She ended by writing, Nephi wasn't kidding about the, "I cannot write a hundredth part" thing. I feel it! But know that I love you, I'm happy and I want you to be happy.
Next Dave and I read the second letter she had enclosed and written, "open last," on and it said:
Change of Plans
After about an hour in class, my teacher took me and another Hermana downstairs to be tested. He sent her to intermediate--still 9 weeks and me to advanced. 3 weeks here then Argentina--in the field!
I'm pretty scared, excited, nervous, panicked, shocked! I'm probably going to stay this way a while. I hope my VISA gets processed and I get everything all figured out. I'll write as soon as I can!
Love,
Hermana Jensen
WHEW--Here we go! That's the news for now, I just wanted everyone to be updated! Have a wonderful night and Happy Mother's Day tomorrow...and of course take good care!
Love,
Karen
p.s. the dearelder.com letters to the MTC are only delivered Monday through Friday. I checked the site and it said they arrive in the afternoon and the missionaries get them on their way to dinner. FUN!
Mom and Dad, No worries- I'm lovin' it! Which was just what we wanted to hear-- and of course very comforting.
After telling us about her companion, "Hermana Pruner" from Canada, she told us about a large devotional they had with the MTC Presidency, interviews with District Leaders, and that per alphabet she was the Senior Companion. She was called to be the "Coordinating Sister," which she said means that it is her job to make sure the four girls in her room are ok (herself included!), and report it at Branch Council. They took a tour, started unpacking, wrote home and then went to bed. Classes started the next morning at 6:55 a.m. She ended by writing, Nephi wasn't kidding about the, "I cannot write a hundredth part" thing. I feel it! But know that I love you, I'm happy and I want you to be happy.
Next Dave and I read the second letter she had enclosed and written, "open last," on and it said:
Change of Plans
After about an hour in class, my teacher took me and another Hermana downstairs to be tested. He sent her to intermediate--still 9 weeks and me to advanced. 3 weeks here then Argentina--in the field!
I'm pretty scared, excited, nervous, panicked, shocked! I'm probably going to stay this way a while. I hope my VISA gets processed and I get everything all figured out. I'll write as soon as I can!
Love,
Hermana Jensen
WHEW--Here we go! That's the news for now, I just wanted everyone to be updated! Have a wonderful night and Happy Mother's Day tomorrow...and of course take good care!
Love,
Karen
p.s. the dearelder.com letters to the MTC are only delivered Monday through Friday. I checked the site and it said they arrive in the afternoon and the missionaries get them on their way to dinner. FUN!
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