First Week

Area: Chanute, KS
Companion: Elder Hansen

 

I Finally made it to Missouri... for like 12 hours. We landed in Kansas City and spent the night in the mission presidents basement. It was good we got to go to the liberty jail visitors center and we stopped at the temple in Kansas City. It is really pretty. I met my companion the next day. His name is Elder Hansen, super cool guy we seem to be getting along well. He has been pushing me and I've been trying to take it all in stride. I have already eaten lettuce, Onion and tomatoes so that's been just super....great! I was assigned to go to Chanute (Sha-noot) Kansas which Is literally the furthest we could be from the mission home. We drove for about 2 and a half hours to get here. Not only did we get the furthest area away from home it is a brand new area that has been closed for about a year. So no area book no investigators we dont know anybody. Its definitely been one heck of a ride.

It seems like a really cool area and everyone is Super excited to have Elders back in Chanute. The ward is Huge it covers about 100 square miles and we have about 100 ish active members. The primary sang in sacrement meeting yesterday and they did a very good job. There were only 11 of them but they all did really well. I havent taught the lessons to any investigators yet but we have some lined up soon. Its been pretty crazy but fun the days have flown by already.

We live in a super old house that is kinda split into two levels we live upstars and then someone else lives downstairs. But the house has to be at least 100 years old and our outside doorknob fell off so closing it is always fun. We just kinda have to slam it shut.

We eat a lot of dinners with members so thats always a plus. And I can read emails throughout the week but I can only respond on Mondays.

Thank you all for everything you all have been a major support. I'm sorry if i can't email everyone back I only have a little bit of time but thank you all. I encourage you to look up and ponder Moroni 7:13 and some surrounding verses.

Elder Jensen

 

Elder Hansen and Elder Jensen

 

This is our closet. It's really short as are a lot of the doorways.

Jan 19 email

Area: Provo MTC
Companion: Elder Smith

Hello! Well I leave for Independence tomorrow morning at 4:35 am. I am super excited to go,not so much for the 4:35 part but everyone else had to leave more like 2:30 so im not complaining.

 I got two packages this week one form my mom and yes I believe I can use a phone card at the airport so I will most defiantly try to get a phone. My flight leaves at 9:44 so hopefully expect a call before then. Thank you for the quarters and zip ties and candy that came with it as well.

 

The next package was a box of Crispy Kreme donuts- had NO idea who it came from but we ate them and none of us have died yet so im guessing they weren't poison. Ha but really I just learned today that they were from my Grandma Davis Via my aunt Debbie thank you so much they were delicious. 

I think I already said this last week but 6 of the 12 apostles were hear at the MTC and we got to hear from Neil L. Anderson it was really good it was about how to work out in the field and how to stay strong. and then I fell asleep... not kidding I dont know why but when you live like a missionary there are just times that the moment you get comfy its just lights out. I couldnt help it and I kinda feel bad but it is what it is.

Another set of missionary's came this Wednesday one is named Elder Jensen, he is form St. George and one other is Elder Van Bughen he is from Pocatello. 

One of the Sisters in my District  Sister Noel Bybee, was on the voice and she didnt tell us! So dad will you look that up and see if it is true apparently she was on team Pharrell this season. She is also on the Come unto Christ music video on LDS.org she is the one with brown hair in the school.

Also we watched the Mormon message LIFT I highly encourage you to watch it. I Literally could not stop crying... it sucked but the movie is awesome.  

 https://www.mormonchannel.org/watch/series/mormon-messages/lift-the-power-of-service

All of our District left this morning Except Elder Smith and I it is really weird to just be the two of us and it was hard seeing my good friends go but they will all be amazing missionary's

Last night before we left for our dorms one of our sisters has gotten really sick so she asked us to give her a blessing. and we ended up giving all three sisters a blessing and sister Bybee asked me to give hers. It was a very cool experience I have never given a blessing before. It wasnt the longest or the best but I know that the spirit spoke through me and hopefully I said the things that Sister Bybee needed to hear. Thank you all so much for your emails I loved reading all of them hopefully I can reply to them all. thank you love you. 

My scripture today is Proverbs 21:19 you've probably seen this one before but if you havent its worth reading for sure.

Elder Jensen. 

  

Elder Jensen with his companion Elder Smith

  

The District with one of their teachers

  

Banana Blasters

 

Week 1

Area: Provo MTC
Companion: Elder Smith

This week has been the longest and probably the most rewarding week i have ever had. It has been really tough. but i have had some amazing spiritual experiences. Me and Elder smith have been getting along pretty well. We work well together and can use each others strengths for our weaknesses. My computer seems to be having some problems so i will try to email you some pictures later. I have been sleeping ok our room is insanely hot all the time so its kinda hard to stay asleep but there are 6 beds per room and we have 6 elders so naturally 4 of us are in my room and another companion set is in one by themselves. but we basically have the whole floor for our Branch but we are the only district in our branch. I have been writing in my journal and i wish i could tell you all the funny amazing stories that are in it but i cant. For exercise we have a big gym for volleyball basketball or four square. and then above that is a track and weight lifting stuff. i ran a good 6:20 Mile our first gym time and then a 3:30 half mile the next day so i think the altitude probably has something to do with that.

We got to watch a talk given by elder Bednar here at the MTC its called the Characteristics of Christ. And it was probably the best talk/sermon i have ever heard it was amazing i think you can get the text copy. I would highly recommend that.

Another thing i learned is that today (i think) all of the MTC Presidents are coming here to get special training from 6 of the 12 apostles! I dont think we get to see or hear from any of them but Just knowing that 6 of the apostles are within like a half mile of me at most is pretty cool. Thank you for everything you have given me all of you have made me a better person and i feel greatly blest to be there 

love- Elder Jensen

HOLA!

Ha just kidding i am really English speaking, My first couple of days have been very long but fun and extremely knowledgeable. My companion is Elder Smith he is from Clear field Utah he is a really great guy. The schedule is insanely busy. The food is great and never ending so thats good. Im sorry i really dont have like any time for this so it will be short, but i love you all thank you for all of your support. My P-day is on Tuesday so expect something then (hopefully Pictures). Our branch leader shared 1 Cor. 13:11 its pretty awesome i suggest you look it up. Thank you and i love you.

Elder Jensen

and mom i think i have more than enough food  here thank you love you.

 

Just a quick note about his first line - we were joking around with him on Tuesday that maybe there would be a change of plans and they would switch him to Spanish speaking after he arrived at the MTC.