Dear
Family,
I'm here! I finished my first week in the mission field! Thank
you all for your emails, it was so fun to finally get online and read
everyone's updates. I really do have the greatest friends and family in the
world!
Before I get to all my adventures here in Idaho, here is a quick
wrap-up from the MTC. The day after I wrote last, we had our in-field
orientation, which is just a long day of workshops to prepare you for the
field. It really helped me get excited and start thinking about my first area,
companion, and all the people I would meet and love in the next few months. Sunday was
probably one of my favorite days in the MTC. It was our last day, so the
emotions were running a little high. I taught relief society to a small group
of sisters. It was about baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost. I thought it
went really well, I didn't have trouble filling up the time or getting people
to participate. Sister B. and I were the branch music coordinators for that
last sacrament meeting, and we requested to sing "How Firm a Foundation", ALL of the verses (which is like 7). It's been one of my
favorite hymns since Elder Bednar talked about singing it in Liberia. Singing
all of the verses reminded me of when Dad was bishop and always had us sing all
of the verses. Like father, like daughter :) Then our district sang "ComeThou Fount of Every Blessing" for the special music number, and it was
indeed special. I just have so much love for every one of those missionaries.
I loved my time so much in the MTC and am still a little homesick for it. But,
I know I have a work to do and I wouldn't be anywhere else.
The next day, I left the MTC around 4 in the morning for the
airport. After riding a bus, the Front runner, and a train we finally made it.
We had trouble checking in, because there was a problem with our tickets. But
we were able to make it on a flight only 3 hours later. I was just so
thankful that we didn't have to drag our luggage back to the MTC. And I got
more time to talk with family, so it actually worked out better. The flight was
great, and we were greeted at the airport by President and Sister Sorensen and
the AP's. I love the Sorensen's! Sister Sorensen is very sweet and warm.
President Sorensen reminds me a lot of grandpa, so that's the best thing ever.
They took us to the mission office and I met my companion! Her name is Sister S., and I am seriously so blessed to have her as my companion. She has been out for 9 months and is such a great trainer. She works hard, is super obedient, and is fun to be with. Everything I could have asked for.
Within a couple of hours, we were out tracting. We went to this trailer park for about an hour, and it was actually super fun. The people were really open and willing to talk to us, or at least most of them were. We talked to this lady who didn't speak any English. Sister S. knows a little Spanish, so she was able to talk with her a little bit. She was so sweet, she gave us all these apples. We couldn't exactly tract with them, so we just stuffed them in our bags when we walked away. But the lady was still watching us I guess because came and gave us plastic bags to put the apples in. She was so sweet, I loved her so much.
They took us to the mission office and I met my companion! Her name is Sister S., and I am seriously so blessed to have her as my companion. She has been out for 9 months and is such a great trainer. She works hard, is super obedient, and is fun to be with. Everything I could have asked for.
Within a couple of hours, we were out tracting. We went to this trailer park for about an hour, and it was actually super fun. The people were really open and willing to talk to us, or at least most of them were. We talked to this lady who didn't speak any English. Sister S. knows a little Spanish, so she was able to talk with her a little bit. She was so sweet, she gave us all these apples. We couldn't exactly tract with them, so we just stuffed them in our bags when we walked away. But the lady was still watching us I guess because came and gave us plastic bags to put the apples in. She was so sweet, I loved her so much.
That first day was so long, I remember being so tired. The
Sorensen's took us to dinner, since it was a small group. Only four new
missionaries came in, which I hear was nice compared to the 20ish that came in
last transfer. After dinner, we drove home! Our area is Nampa West. Also, Sister S. is new to this area, meaning we are "shot gunning"
or "whitewashing". Since we are both new, it has been a little
abnormal. We have spent a lot of time visiting people. We have visited members,
less actives, and past investigators.
One investigator we have is J. She was a caretaker for this older
couple that joined the church about a year ago, and she is also pretty golden.
We met her at church yesterday and are hoping to teach her tonight. She is
really funny and personable. She changed around her work schedule so she could
come to church, so we already know that she is awesome.
Since we cover two wards, we go to five hours of church on
Sunday. Taking the sacrament twice was really uplifting. I am so excited that I
get to do that every Sunday. We continue to meet people in the wards,
everyone is really so nice and really motivated to help the missionaries. We
have gotten several referrals from the members already, which are really the
best people to teach.
While I am still adjusting to missionary life, this past week
has been really great and I am so happy to be a missionary! I am still figuring
everything out, and probably will be for a while, but for now I am doing my
best to enjoy every experience and live up to my call as a representative of
Jesus Christ. My love for my Savior has grown so much and I just desire for
everyone here in Nampa to feel His love for them.
Love,
Sister Jensen
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