Week 105! The End of a Roller Coaster

Area: Gallatin, MO
Companion: Elder Wolfley & Elder Henrie

 

Monday was just cold... but we met with some ward leaders and got new names of people in the ward to get to know.

Tuesday was a busy day. We drove all over our area, which from south to north is about a 50 minute drive. But that is basically what we did. We had an appointment with a less active member who wants to come back. Then we drove all the way out to McFall again. We stopped to see the man we saw last week. He was there but had forgotten about our appointment. It all worked out though because he let us in and he had his younger cousin staying with him for a few days. We answered questions about who Mormons are and challenged them to read the Book of Mormon. We were also able to stop in Adam-Ondi-Ahmen... because you know, its in our area and it is actually a kinda short cut to get from place to place. 

Wednesday we got a call from a random lady neither of us knew (because we white washed in) asking if “we could help fold at the Jameson Gem”. We had no idea what that meant but we went anyway. Turns out that the Jameson Gem is a little newsletter for a town in our area. So we went to Jameson (which has about 100 people) and the service turned out to be us and 5 older ladies folding the newspaper and putting stamps on it, getting it ready to send in the mail. So we got to listen to old lady drama for 2 ish hours. It was probably one of the best things that has ever happened.

Thursday we had district meeting and then we visited people throughout the day and made some good contacts. Then at the end of the night we met up with the assistants and the Yellow Creek Elders. Elder Duerksen had extended his mission but could only extend for 30 days, so it was his time to return home. His companion, Elder Henrie came to stay with us for the rest of the transfer. Elder Henrie makes my 17th companion! I did it!! (There are only 17 transfers in a mission) E. Henrie actually started his mission in Gallatin and served here for 6 months, so he knows the area and the people better than either of us do.

Friday we had a solid day of contacting people and setting up appointments. We visited a few members who live in a rest home. We had dinner with the Baldwins and taught them spiritual CPR - Church, Prayer, and Reading the Scriptures. I like that acronym because when you feel like you need saving or are starting to spiritually die, just remember to always hold on to CPR.  We ended the night by video conference teaching some of E Henrie's investigators from Yellow Creek. Elder Duerksen, even though he is not a set apart missionary and is in California was still able to join in and it was really cool. We also learned that E Henrie is going to be training a new missionary this next transfer!

Saturday, E Henrie had to go to a meeting for trainers so we all drove down to Kearney and E Wolfley and I stayed and proselyted with E Barlow. I got to see the area where Zion’s camp camped and where the 105 section of the D&C was received. After E Henrie got back we drove up to Adam-Ondi-Ahman (AOA) and had lunch with one of the missionary couples. Then Elder Wheatfill drove us all around AOA, even the restricted parts and showed us a bunch of cool stuff. This definitely is a special place we have been called to serve in.

 

 

Sunday we had church, then did our studies. We tried contacting some people and had another video conference lesson. 

Overall it was a great week. This week is transfers and I will be ending my service as a full time missionary. This has been the best experience and adventure of my life. I would never trade the things I have learned. I have come to know my Savior more and I have solidified my testimony in the restored gospel. I still have much to learn and do and grow into, but I am glad that the Lord helped me start off on the right foot. I can’t wait for my next ride.

I have made many friends out here and my heart goes to all of them, thank you so much for your influence and helping me become who I am today. 

Thank you to all back home who have supported me along the way. I could have never done it without you.

I still want to keep in contact with you, my home email address is kennethjensen10@gmail.com. 

Or just Facebook stalk me. 

Thank you!

Elder Jensen

Week 104!

Area: Gallatin, MO
Companion: Elder Wolfley

This week has been sweet. Sorry I didn’t write an email last week. Christmas was a ton of fun, but we were pretty much running from place to place all day long.

Monday was of course Christmas. We went to a member's house for breakfast and then we watched the kids open their presents. They also got us a few things. Then we went to a part member family’s house for lunch. The wife is from the Philippines, she made sweet spaghetti and this stuff that is kinda like whiteish jello/pudding with corn in it. I thought it was alright, it tasted good it was just a weird consistency. But poor Elder Wolfley couldn’t do it. We were already stuffed and he could only take a few bites. Then later we went to our ward mission leader's house and had dinner and watched Ephriams Rescue. I had never seen it and it touched me deeply.

Tuesday we were at a member's home for dinner. We talked about the Plan of Salvation and the great blessing to know of the gospel. The RM daughter told us to go see one of her friends but the rest of the family said they didn’t know anyone. Then I was asked to say the closing prayer. Right after the prayer, after asking for people to teach, the mother said “during the prayer the name of one of my friends popped into my mind. I think she could be ready.” It was a sweet experience and we are excited to get that moving along.

Wednesday I went on exchanges to the Yellow Creek branch. It is even further into the boons than Gallatin. But it was a lot of fun. We got to teach some people and I got to hang out with Elder Duerksen all day.

Thursday we exchanged back and did weekly planning. We visited a few people but nothing too special.

Friday was fun, we drove all the way around our area. We drove to a town all the way in the corner of our area called McFall. We found a young man in his twenties. We were able to share the message of the restoration with him. He said that we could come back this week and talk about it more with him.

Saturday we got to teach an Amish family. It was awesome and they are really nice people. We also got back in contact with some of our investigators. It was a solid day of work, but not too much to report on.

It was really cold this week, so people haven’t been as inclined to open up their doors. But that is ok.

Missionary work is the best. Thank you so much for all that you guys do! 

 

Elder Jensen