Aug 24, 2015

Querida familia,

I'm so glad to hear things are good with the kids! Has school started there yet? It started here today, and it feels so nice to be working for the Lord rather than for A's... This week has been super fast, but I new it would. The same thing happened in the CCM. Time flies when you're having fun! We've had a lot of people that yell random things out of cars at us and bark at us like dogs. It makes me feel pretty special! Earlier this week a guy yelled from his front porch at us "Satan loves you!!". I'm pretty sure he meant it offensively, but it just made us laugh. Elder Robinson is a good companion and I learn a lot from his example and awesome attitude everyday; especially in situations that would regularly be difficult.

This week was a little bit humbling, but still very good. I learned how important it is to teach by the spirit. If we receive not the Spirit, we shall not teach. One of our investigators came across some anti-Mormon material in studying more about the church. All of the comments were inaccurate, but it made me nervous when he brought it up, and I didn't feel the spirit. I had a hard time teaching during that lesson because I was afraid of what could've happened. Everything was fine, but I was frustrated with myself for trying to teach out of fear rather than faith. I didn't feel the spirit, so I shouldn't have taught. My companion was wise though and made sure that he knew he could ask God and have faith to know what was true and false. It was so simple, but out of fear I let myself get worried. I stayed frustrated with myself and my imperfections with the work for the next few days, and that attitude was such that I couldn't progress. I realize now that dwelling on past mistakes inhibits our progress and stops us in our path of becoming like Jesus Christ. This is an enabling gospel, not a disabling one.

I would also like to say how much love I have for our investigators. We are teaching an awesome African-American man named Marion, and he has an amazing grasp on the concepts of the gospel. He doesn't know much about the church, but he is very smart and his thought processes follow completely accurately with the doctrines of the Gospel of Christ. He is very humble and I love teaching him. We have our things we need to help him with to prepare for baptism, but his heart is prepared. The field is truly all white and ready to harvest, and it makes me so happy when we can find and teach the people who's hearts are ready for this.

We're also teaching a guy named Wesley. He is absolutely rock solid. Every time we go over there I feel the Spirit, and he listens very humbly and intently to the word. He has a very honest heart, and does everything we ask him to do without hesitation. He has some tough situations that I won't write about, but it's so amazing to me to see his faithful righteousness. Not only does he listen and act on what we teach him, he is also feeling and having spiritual experiences on his own. He has already shared parts of the gospel and the book of mormon with some friends and relatives. He's not even baptized yet and he's already doing missionary work. It just amazes me to see the happiness people can feel through the gospel. It truly changes lives!

Thanks for writing me again, I love hearing about home and all that you guys are doing good in your lives. Happy birthday yesterday Jaxon, I hope you had a great day and a fun party! I love you all so much, and I brag about you to all the people we talk to. Many people ask how we are able to make it through all the muck and craziness of the world and be strong servants of God at such a young age. I just tell them it's because of the truthfulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and especially because of my great family who lived by and taught me the principles of the gospel growing up. I'm super grateful to have a family like you! Les amo muchisimo!

Con amor, Elder Jenson


P.S.--Mom, can I machine was those other pants you bought me or do I have to get them dry-cleaned. We sweat buckets here everyday riding our bikes, and I will end up spending a lot of money if I have to dry-clean all my stuff every week. I will borrow my companion's camera chord next week so I can send pics. Thanks, and love you lots!