Week 16 - HEYYY

So a couple cool things happened this week. We had a knock on our door on Sunday night and it was Wes Lifferth. Wes lives in our ward and was our bishop while our kids were growing up. He had a picture on his cell phone of Camri in church with his brother. That might not be a big deal to most, but his brother is from Indiana and was just visiting Moses Lake on the exact same day that a girl from Payson was speaking. He walked up to Camri and introduced himself. Just another tender mercy. Also, one of the girls in the singles ward is from Spanish fork. She was home for the weekend and was able to take Camri's Christmas and some other things back to Camri for us. She was able to express how awesome Camri is doing. Some of you may recall how Camri is directionally challenged. One time while driving by the Hare Krishna Temple, she shouted out, hey its Peteetneet. I asked her to drive me to provo and she went up and started making a left hand turn at Little Caesars and driving me to Spring Lake. Thank Heavens for the iPhone. Anyway, I tell you this because a GPS was at the top of her Christmas list. Some kind ward members let her use one last week until hers arrives. She told us that it started smoking and quit working. My thoughts are it burned up from overuse. Hahaha. Camri really had a hard time saying goodbye to sister Wadman. It was probably harder for her to tell her goodbye than it was to tell her family. I am so happy she had an amazing companion to start her mission with. I am sure she will remain great friends throughout her life with Sister Wadman. She is excited to start the new adventure with Sister Shepherd. Thanks for your support. On to week 17. 

                                                                                                                             


Hey everyone!!
Thanksgiving was just a blast and a half! I ate way too dang much but its all gucci.  We ate at the bishops house and then right after we headed over to our investigators, Shayna.  She fed us too.  Then we went over to a member in the YSA and ate some more pie.  Haha I guess you could say it was a pretty successful Thanksgiving.  Sorry I didn't take pics though....
So Wednesday was transfers! It was quite the day! Not gonna lie, some tears were shed... but thats expected coming from me, right? Right.  Sister Wadman taught me a lot and I was sad to see her go.  But! Sister Shepherd is really awesome! Shes a lot different from Sister Wadman.  And her and I are very different people as well.  But shes a bomb missionary and theres a ton that I can learn from her! One thing I can for sure learn from her is how to work out... holy cow.  The other day I timed her while she ran ladders.  And every night before bed she does 50 pushups and 50 situps.  I've been doing those with her lately hahah its been an adventure. 
We've been tracting the crap out of this place the last few days.  Trying to find new investigators because the work has been slowing down.  We met some interesting people i'll tell you what..... hahah missions are insane. 
We met with a couple last night, the Pattersons.  Richard Patterson is a member but his wife, Anne Patterson, isn't.  Shes from Thailand and shes only been here for about 7 months.  I guess they met online on a site called "Thai Friendly" or something like that.  She's a Buddhist I guess but is open to learning about other religions.  Her english is actually pretty good but her husband wants her to be taught in Thai.  so we're going to figure out if theres a way to do missionary lessons via skye or something with a Thai missionary.  Is that possible? I don't know.  But it would be cool if we could figure something like that out. 
Oh I lost my flashdrive this week... I think I left it at walmart.  Sad day.  It had all my pics from the MTC and from Sis. Wadman.  But no worries I think i could probably find all the pictures again on my email and stuff.
I spoke in church yesterday! it went well I think.  I spoke on Bonnie L. Oscarson's talk "The Needs Before Us".  Super good talk! Go look it up if ya get a sec. 
OHHHHH LIGHT THE WORLD IS SO LEGIT!!! We show it to people on their doorstep while we're tracting if they let us.  Its super funny because people will answer the door and say, "We're not interested".  So we'll tell them about the light the world initiative and how its all about service.  And they still say "We're not interested".  And we say "You're not interested in doing service for others?" and they say no and its super funny.  Ahh people these days. 
Well, thats about it for ya this week.  We have quite a bit of lessons tomorrow though so I'll let yall know how it goes. 
LOVE YOU!!!!
-Sister Jensen

Heres a few pics! Lol I am the ugliest crier but I think its a funny pic so I sent it.  And this selfie was just about an hour ago.  :)

Week 15 - HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

In Camri's  words, it was a slow week. She is saying goodbye to Sister Wadman. That should be interesting deciding whose clothes belong to who. Camri continues to have an amazing attitude and sense of humor through it all. She had some great one-liners for me today. She is so funny when explaining some of the things happening to her. It sounds like she is being watched over and protected. She is going to eat one of her T'giving dinners with her bishop. Thanks for your support and Happy Thanksgiving.

                                                                                                                                      
BIG NEWS: I'll be receiving a new companion this week! Her name is Sister Shepherd.  She's from Utah, she's been out for 2 more transfers than I have, and shes serving in Goldendale right now.  Thats about all I know about her... oh and shes a beast at basketball.  But I bet I could still take her ;)
I'm super excited about it! I'm really sad to say good-bye to Sister Wadman though so it's bitter-sweet for sure.  Sister Wadman will be going to Yakima to serve in the YSA ward there and shes going back to her companion that she had right before me, which is kind of strange but super cool because she already knows her. 
Don received the Priesthood yesterday! The next step is going to the temple to do baptisms so hopefully that will be happening soon! He wants to know where in the scriptures it says he can't go to nudist communities.  "I'll take your word for it and I understand why.  But I wanna know where in the D&C it says that so I can tell my other nudist friends that its in black and white." haha so if anyone has some good scriptures for that..... let me know. 
Oh I got asked to speak in church in the YSA ward next week! And I kinda can't say no cause I'm a missionary... so that'll be happening.  I'll let ya know how it goes.
For some reason, people were pretty salty this week when we were tracting.  We got more doors in our face than usual.  And some dude wanted to know where angels come into everything.  He was like, "We are humans but then theres angels too, so where do they come in, how do they fit into everything?" We tried to explain the pre-earth life and all that but he didn't wanna hear it.  Its so weird to hear some of the things people believe... he said he felt bad for us that we didn't know the answers to things.  And he also was upset that we didn't offer him salvation?? His name was Tony.  Nice guy. 
I've eaten so many Thanksgiving meals already! Its been very nice of people, but at the same time, i wish people wouldn't be so nice, ya feel? I'm about sick of turkey and stuffing... haha but we're going to about three different thanksgiving meals this week soooo that should be fun.  I don't think i'll ever step on a scale again if these people keep giving me food.
I'm gonna be honest, not a ton happened this week.  We had an awesome lesson with Annette and Joey's family! Annette said she feels like its true but shes waiting to be smacked in the face with an answer.  I told her my story about getting an answer to come on a mission, and most the time its not a smack in the face, its the good feeling that shes already felt.  They have a lot of potential, and Don lives across the street from them and he keeps asking them if they've read the Book of Mormon or if they've decided when they're getting baptized.  Haha so he's being a missionary and helping us out. 
Ummm thats about it for the week... love you all! Have a GREAT Thanksgiving.  AND DON'T FORGET TO LOOK UP THE NEW VIDEO FOR THE LIGHT THE WORLD INITIATIVE! Its up the day after thanksgiving :))
love, Sister Jensen <3
PICSSS
1. My District :')
2. Breakfast this morning
3. Church yesterday with Sunnie
4. Teaching Don his first recent convert lesson: The Restoration lol
5. Don and the girls :)

Week 14 - There's a First Time For Everything

Camri had a great week. I think she stayed away from the bourben this week. She had a zone conference this past week. if you have time, there are some great pictures of her not only on her own blog, but on mission blog as well. in fact, there is a video of her in fine form. 

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Don wore some pants!!! Theres a first time for everything right?? lol.  He said the only time he'll ever wear pants is when he wears the jumpsuit to get baptized.  And he did! His baptism was so awesome!
So Thursday we got a call from our Zone Leaders letting us know that they had talked to the AP's about Don's nudism situation.  Don has changed pretty much everything about his life, but the one thing he was set on was being a nudist and going to nudist communities.  The zone leaders said that he could not be baptized that Saturday unless he committed to not going to anymore nudist communities.  We were so nervous to tell Don!!!  I'm telling ya, we prayed so much.  We had a lesson with Don that night and right after the prayer, I was just like "Don, in order to be baptized we have to be keeping all of the commandments.  One of those is the law of chastity.  And I know you don't go to nudist communities for the wrong reasons.  But because our bodies are sacred, we protect them.  And so we don't go to nudist communities and thats something that you'll need to commit to before you can be baptized".  Idk it was something like that.   And his response was so shocking! I thought for sure it would be a no go.  But he said "Okay then I wont go.  I'll do whatever Heavenly Father wants me to do". 
Holy crap! So cool! So he got baptized :') And then..... he bore his testimony after.  it was.... Don to a T.  Hahah he started off by talking about his past transgressions.  Sis. Wadman and I definitely should have read through it before.  But anyways.  He talked about High school how he broke some commandments with a mormon girl and they "did the dirty". It was something I'll never forget, and I'm sure its something no one else that was there will ever forget either... hahah.  He also really wanted to end by reciting the Lords prayer... so he did.  Don is a one of a kind man, thats for sure. 
I don't know if I ever told yall about his voicemail, but it was pretty inappropriate.  And he decided on his own that he needed to change it :')
As far as other investigators, Taylor is still doing good! She didn't stop smoking yet.. she was doing so good.  Stopped cold turkey.  But then her doctor got mad at her for doing that since shes pregnant and that can send her into pre-mature labor.  Sooo she's weening herself off of it now.  She went from 15 a day to 4 a day so shes making some major improvement! Hopefully she'll still make the date on Dec. 15th.  I freaking love her holy.
Shayna came to church again! But sad news... i think shes moving.  Hopefully we can teach her up until then and refer her to missionaries wherever she moves to. 
Hmmm what else... we had exchanges on Friday! Hermana Cluff came down to Moses Lake with me.  It went really well! We had lots of fun.  We had a lesson with some YSA peeps, got a return lesson with them and their nonmember friends, and we had a lesson with Shayna.  I think shes finally starting to understand the Restoration. 
Ohhh we got a flat tire too.  A huge nail was in our tire.  So that was an experience.  We tried to do it ourselves but were missing a tool.  So the Elders had to come help.  We coulda done it though I swear! haha.
Zone Conference was the bomb.com.  I did a dance in the vid because I was sick of smiling and waving... but anyways.  I learned so much!!! We were challenged to read the books of Matthew and Luke before Christmas so I started doing that.  Its a great way to get to know Jesus Christ.  ALSO! LIGHT THE WORLD INITIATIVE COMING SOON!!! Ask me how stoked I am.  Seriously, if you're not pumped for Light the World, then GET PUMPED! Its gonna be freaking awesome.  Gosh I LOVE THIS GOSPEL!!!! IT IS TRUE!
THE CHURCH IS TRUE BROTHERS AND SISTERS.  HALLELUJAH :')
Heres some pics :)
1. Font selfie
2 & 3: Don and his nephew, Barry
4: This kitten ran into our apartment and it was just so dang cute I had to hold it.  The other sisters wouldn't let me keep it though :'(

Week 13 - Merry Christmas Everybody!

Camri's email wasn't working the best today. She wanted me to let you know just in case she wasn't able to send you an email. Things are awesome for Camri right now. I don't like looking at the white stuff in her pictures. As you read her email, you will notice some illegal activity taking place. Don't worry, I have sent her a message about terms such as "possession" and "open container". I don't think she even realized what she was doing. I am sure she was being watched over. I told her that I am not driving to Washington to bail her out of jail. I simply said, "pour it out BEFORE you get in the car."
I can't wait to see what the next 63 weeks are going to be like. Maybe she will learn terms such as "intent to sale." hahaha.
Camri asked me to take that part out of her letter, but those of us that really know Camri are not surprised, so I left it in. thanks for all of your support. you can check out her pictures on her blog. sisterjenseninyakima.blogspot.com

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Jk jk, I know its not christmas.  But it might as well be because there is freaking snow outside!! It snowed a little bit on Saturday but when we woke up on Sunday morning, our car had snow on it :(
Here's some highlights of the week:
- We went to the Trunk or Treat for a little while on Halloween.  Taylor came with all of her kids and her boyfriend! And Shayna came too :)  Except we only got to stay for about 45 minutes and then we had to go back to our apartment.  We made cookies and watched a movie.  haha but don't worry the movie was "The Testaments".  Good stuff. 
-Hahah we talked to Don about the Bourbon thing from last week.  We resolved the issues and talked to our District leader about it.  He is still going to be baptized on Saturday! He already had his interview and everything! But in our lesson with him on Tuesday, we made him give us all of his alcohol.  So then we had alcohol in our car on Halloween night... haha we dumped it down our drain but i kept the bottle as a souvenir to remember Don :')
He told us having it was a temptation.  So we were like, Don how about you just give it to us? And he said he'd give us the wine but he might keep the bourbon.  And we said Don, you aren't going to drink it right? so why keep the temptation? He said "enough, enough, i get where this is going.  I'll go get it." Hahah then he told the members about how we took away his alcohol but he was grateful that we did.  Don is truly a one of a kind man.  We had a member with us at one of our lessons and he kept trying to ask her out on a date... #awkward.  I don't think shes going to go with him... poor guy lol.
-We had the Word of Wisdom lesson with Taylor and she'll be starting the stop smoking program this week! She's been smoking since she was 12 years old.  So I really hope the program works for her.  Shes still looking forward to being baptized on December 15th :)
-We went to a baptism on Saturday and Don came with us.  I didn't know the guy being baptized but the spirit was super strong! While the man was changing back into clothes, the missionaries played a restoration video.  At the end of the video it said "Truth Has Been Restored".  Don leaned over to me and whispered, "completely and perfectly restored".  I lost it.  THIS MAN WAS SO LOST NOT VERY LONG AGO! And now he knows how true the gospel of Jesus Christ is.  It continues to amaze me. 
So I've been thinking about weaknesses a lot lately.  In Ether we are told that our weaknesses can be made strong.  While I was in the MTC I asked a lady how she kept a close relationship with the Savior.  She told me that her weaknesses are what brought her closer to him.  I don't think I really understood what she meant.  But I'm now putting it together.  I don't know why but for some reason, as a missionary all of your weaknesses are magnified and kind of just laid out in front of you.  Its easy to feel inadequate.  But I'm also grateful to recognize my weaknesses because it makes me understand how much I need the help of the Savior.  There is no way I could be the missionary that I need to be without his help. And its okay to have weaknesses! Because they really can help us come closer to our savior.  And weaknesses can be made strong because of him :)

Anywayssss I hope that made sense.  Idk it made sense in my mind but its hard to put into words haha.  Well I love all of you!!! I'm sorry if I didn't email you back today.  For some reason my email wasn't working and I wasn't receiving emails :(  But have a good week everyone!


Love, Sister Jensen <3


Pics:
1. Check out the snowwww
2. Taylor and her fam at the trunk-or-treat :') The kids wouldn't look at the camera though.
3. The man himself: Don Thomason
4. Our  cute mugs we bought for our Halloween movie night
5. #PicINeverThoughtI'dTakeAsaMissionary