Another Great Week

Dear Family & Friends, Well, it has been another great week! I know that Heavenly Father is aware of each of us and I have felt the prayers of so many people this week!!! The week started out not so good as I was coming down with a cold. I guess the English weather finally got to me! I had to break down this week and buy a brolly, (umbrella). Needless to say, we weren't able to work at 100% but we still did our best! I am amazed at how Heavenly Father still uses us when we may think we can't or when we thing we can't go any farther. Those first steps of faith really are the most difficult ones to take but we are blessed as we call upon the Lord's strength and take those steps. I noticed that it was difficult to muster the strength just to get out the door, but I can honestly say that I was bolstered up with strength from a source not my own. I want to thank each of you for your constant prayers because I REALLY felt those this week. I have heard people say that after they've experienced a tragedy in their life and I must admit I was somewhat cynical about it... thinking, how is it that you can feel the prayers of others? But I can say that the power of prayer is very real- just as real as the power of the devil. It is a great gift that our father and heaven has given us. This week we had the great opportunity to teach Roy Burbridge. Sister Bertha and I fasted last Sunday that he would accept the invitation to be baptised and that his heart would be softened. On Wednesday, we went to their house. We were a bit concerned about teaching him with his wife, because she is a member and can be really pushy and take over the lesson at times. But it all worked out so that she had to finish cooking the meal so we were left to talk with Roy on our own. Normally the first lesson we would teach the Restoration, but we were impressed to teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We talked to him about the principles of the gospel-faith, repentance, baptism, gift of the holy ghost, and enduring to the end. The spirit was so strong and he was very receptive. When it came to the subject of baptism, we asked him, "Roy, when you find these things to be true, will you follow th example of Jesus Christ and be baptised by someone holding the priesthood authourity of God?" He paused for a few moments... and said, "Yes, I will." We asked him if he would committ to November 30th, but then he said he wouldn't commit to a date. We asked him why and he told us that he has a fear of being immersed in water. Well, we tried to testify to him that God would make a way for him to be baptised, but he still wouldn't budge. We asked him to pray about a date to commit to and we would follow-up next time. Well, it was still a MAJOR victory and we both left feeling so happy. Roy is definitely progressing in the right direction! Please pray that his heart will soften and he will overcome his fear of water. (He is 82 years old, so the physical act of baptism scares him as well. If you have any advice about the subject, it would be much appreciated!!) Another miracle this week happened when we knocked on a LA's door. Her name is Leila Russell. She is about 28 and has 2 kids out of wedlock. Her family is very strong in the gospel but they live in America right now. She had her first daughter, Rosie when she was only 17 and rosie has been baptised and comes to youth every week. Well, we've knocked on her door before but she has never been in. So we decided to try again and she was home! It turned out that her little boy had taken a fall at school that day and had potentially broken his nose so she was home with him. Normally she wouldn't be in until later because she works so it was a miracle that she was home that day. We got to know her and shared a spiritual thought with her. Now, the highlight of the week was Jade's baptism!!! It was all a little hectic (as most baptisms are!) but it worked out in the end. Jade's uncle, mom, stepdad and nan were all there to witness it. She looked absolutely beautiful in white and was so excited. She really is an amazing girl! One of the Young Women spoke and then a young women leader spoke as well. The Young Women sang, "Walk tall, you're a daughter" which I accompanied. The whole service was lovely. Then on Sunday, she was given confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! My heart was so full during that sacrament meeting and I knew that Heavenly Father was so proud of her decision. Also! Malcolm, who we've been working with for these past two transfers, came to church yesterday for the first time!! And Roy came as well!!! It was so good. In gospel principles, we talked about Eternal Families. I must admit that at the end of the lesson I was feeling pretty home-sick (not in the way that I want to come home but just that I wished I could give my family a big hug and tell them how much I love them.) So Mom, Dad, Jake, Kayla, and Brayden, I am sending you a virtual hug right now!!!! ...... I hope you got it :) I love you all SO much. As I sat in that lesson, I pondered on the many memories we have had over the years as a family. I remember Mom always yelling, "Script-ies!!" at 6:30 am every morning and how we would fumble down the stairs with our blankies and fight over who got to sit on the heater. I don't really remember much of what we read but those memories will be with me forever as a testimony to me that my parents knew it was important for us to read the scriptures together as a family. Another memory that came to my mind during the class was when we were in Oregon on family vacation with grandma and grandpa Jensen. We all had the opportunity to go to the temple together and do baptisms for the dead. What a special experience it was for me to be baptised by my older brother, Jake. There is nothing that can be used to describe the feeling of being inside the temple as a family. Now Brayden, this is a shout out to you! ---- Pretty soon YOU will be going through the temple for your own endowment and we will have the opportunity to be together as a family in the temple! Prepare for that time right now and do not let ANYTHING get in the way. This is of most importance. I didn't realize it at the time how incredible this opportunity is but I am realizing it more and more. As a missionary you don't get to go to the temple unless you live close to one and receieve permission from your mission president. I definitely took it for granted, being able to go whenever I wanted. And I miss the temple so bad now. But I look forward to the time when I will be able to go again. I know that it is where we can be sealed forever with our families and where we can gain strength to serve. I have felt that strength come to me as I have kept my covenants and would encourage everyone to remember those covenants they have made- whether in the temple, or just your baptismal covenants. There is power that comes as we keep our covenants. I love all of you SO much and I'm grateful for all you do! Please keep Roy and Malcolm in your prayers. Have a fantastic week! Love, Sister Jensen

Wonderful people

 Renuka family in our ward.

 Sister Pauline Jarvis

Heber Pullen.

Jades Baptism

Liquid Sunshine

Dear Family & Friends! Well I am currently writing you at the moment in the family history center of our church, basically drenched from head to toe. Haha. It has been raining every day for like the past two weeks! Fun stuff. Our chapel in Lichfield was closed this Sunday because kids have been climbing on the roof and there are many broken tiles so rain has been getting inside. It made for a little adventure though! We had sacrament meeting in Sutton Coldfield. There were five sets of missionaries there! It was so funny. Anyways, it looks like it'll be raining for the rest of forever here! Haha nah, it's not bad if you're well equipped. So this week was pretty slow for missionary work. We had exchanges with our sister training leaders from Monday night to Tuesday night. I was with Sister Sassenus (she's from Belgium) and it was SO great. We had an Alma and Amulek moment, preaching to the multitudes. Haha. We were doing finding on the University campus and we walked past this group of about six guys. We were like, "should we talk to them or not?" We decided to go back and talk to them. We walked up and asked if we could share a card with them? about 4/6 were interested and stayed and talked with us while the others walked away. They agreed to meet with us again! It was SO cool. I was so nervous to talk to them but it was interesting how the ones that were interested stayed and the ones that weren't just walked away. It really taught me that you just have to place your faith in the Saviour and not be afraid and then miracles will happen! The next day, Sister Bertha and I met up with them again and taught them the Plan of Salvation! They really liked it and hopefully we'll be meeting with them again soon. Also, good News!! Jade passed her baptismal interview! So she will be baptised this Saturday! So exciting!!! We are so proud of her. On Thursday we had District meeting at the Sutton building and then interviews with President afterwards. It was SO good. Elder Alejandre taught about Christlike attributes. At the end he had us all talk about a Christlike attribute that our companion is really good at. The spirit was so strong in the room as we all talked about our companions. Something that Sister Bertha is really strong in is her faith. While i'm more the type to be cynical, she always gives people the benefit of the doubt and has so much faith in others. I truly believe that the Lord inspires our President to put us with the people who will help us the most. Transfers are coming up on the 30th of October and i'm so sad about the thought of being split from Sister Bertha. We really get along so well and have a great time together while working hard. But I suppose all good things have to come to an end and that everything is in the Lord's timing. I'm excited for the challenges that lie ahead in the future! I wanted to share with you something that President sent out this week in our email. Dear Elders and Sisters, A farmer’s son once watched with great compassion as a tiny chick stirred within its shell. Slowly the bird made a small crack in the egg, its tiny beak just poking through. And then, weary from its efforts, the bird paused to rest. Thinking he would help, the young boy pried open the shell with his thumbs, pulling away fragments of the shell until the bird was free. But in his eagerness to make life easier for the young bird, he sealed its fate: Without strength built from pecking open its own shell, the bird could not survive. Obstacles are a part of missions, but most of us don’t realize what a vital part they are, building in us the traits we need to succeed in our missionary service and for life. We often see difficulties and failures as doors that have slammed, opportunities we’ve lost, when in fact these trials can be tremendous gifts. Look at the everyday people around us who overcome setbacks—a missionary who lost a father, mother, sister or brother who diligently finishes the mission, a single mother who puts herself through nursing school and later helps all her children through college and missions, a man who takes on an extra job to support his family, including his missionary, during tough economic times. These are people who refuse to be beaten; they persevere through the storms and use challenges as a catapult. Every bird in flight is an example to us of this same perseverance. Each one had to break through its shell, one chip at a time, determined to live, determined to fly. The shell was an obstacle but also the very tool that built strength and tenacity. Those who understand this truth refuse to let bumps in the road define their entire mission. If we resolve never to give up, then our obstacles, instead of becoming final verdicts, can launch us to greater heights. As the Lord said, if we are to be His disciples, we must continue in His word. (John 8:31) The Lord has and will continue to bless you, His missionaries, in remarkable ways because of your faithfulness and perseverance. With much love, President Rasmussen I just absolutely loved that analogy and I see that it is so true. There have been so many challenges on my mission but it is amazing to look back on them and realize how they were just tools that were strengthening me. So many people that we talk to each day tell us how they can't believe in God because of all the bad things that happen in the world. But when we have an eternal perspective, we realize that the hard things are gifts to make us stronger. No opportunity is lost if we use it to grow. No trial is too hard to bear. This week during my personal study I was pondering on the atonement. I've been studying a lot about grace and what it really means. So many times I've heard people say how Christ makes up the difference, when in reality he makes ALL the difference. He didn't just suffer and atone for that little bit that we CAN'T do on our own. He suffered for even the part that we CAN do on our own. But why would He do that? Why would He choose to suffer for the part when we may not need him? I believe (now this is just Sister Jensen's doctrine), that He chose - He didn't have to - but he chose to suffer for everything so that during those moments when we DON'T need him, we can choose to let Him take our yoke upon Him. We can choose to join our strengths with His. When we do this, our the tiny portion of our strength is multiplied and we are able to do all things! He suffered all things for Him so even when it's easy, it can be easier! It is so amazing to know that He loves us SO much. We love Him because He first loved us. I know that He is there for us at all times. I hope that we can take advantage of His atonement in our lives and call upon His power every day. I love you all so much! Thank you for your constant prayers of love and support. I want you to know that I do feel the strength of your prayers every day. With all my love, Sister Jensen

Another Great Week

My wonderful family and friends!!! WOW! I have so much to write about. So I'll just get started. So Tuesday we had the mission event at the Gadfield Elm chapel and Benbow farm. We met in Birmingham at 9:30 am and hopped on the coach. It was about a 45 minute drive to Benbow farm. It was wet and cold! We got off the bus and were greeted by our wonderful mission president and his wife. We all walked down to the pond which looked more like a puddle! It was a beautiful sight though. President talked for about ten minutes about the history of it. Wilford Woodruff himself dug the pond and baptized about 60 people in it. I had the opportunity to sing Come Follow Me. Everyone joined in on the last verse. It was so special. After, we got back in the coach for another 45 minute drive to Gadfield Elm Chapel. It was sooo gorgeous. It's just a tiny little thing but the spirit is so strong inside of it. We had a small meeting about 30 minutes long. Wilford Woodruff preached to the United Brethren and all but one were baptised. I love learning about the history of the church and the sacrifices the early saints made so that I can be here in Great Britain! It was amazing sitting inside that little chapel, just thinking about all those who have come before me. It makes me SO excited to get more involved in my genealogy when I get home! Okay, so update on Jade. She is just amazing! We had a great lesson with her on Tuesday. We taught her the Plan of Salvation. The spirit was so strong and at the end of the lesson she started to cry and say how she knows her Auntie is looking down on her and how she is so proud of her. It was a very special moment. Wow, we're so lucky to have the knowledge of the Plan of Salvation! It just makes everything make sense! We also taught her again on Thursday and she had a neighbor over, Rachel who's probably in her 30's. We taught them together and Rachel is really interested! She also said she has an 8 year old daughter who she has been wanting to get involved in a church! So it was an absolute miracle! We are excited to continue teaching Rachel and her daughter Bethany in the coming weeks! On Saturday we had to opportunity to take Jade to a baptism in Cannock. The girl getting baptised is ALSO named Rachel, (so don't get them confused! This Rachel is absolutely amazing! She has had a rough road as her parents aren't supportive, but she's 20 years old so she doesn't need permission. The Elders started teaching her in March when she requested a visit from missionaries. At the time it was Elder Packer and Elder Church who were teaching her, then Elder Church went to Glenfield and Elder Packer began training Elder Schlovotsky. They have been teaching Rachel ever since. She's had some amazing experiences! She called the elders this week and told them how she prayed for the first time with real intent and basically, saw Christ. He told her that "He was with her" From that moment she was SOLID and so excited to be baptised. Needless to say, the baptism was SUCH an emotional, powerful, spiritual experience. Rachel was very nervous but as soon as she came up out of the water she was so happy and emotional. Jade was also emotional and really felt the spirit. They had a testimony meeting while Rachel was getting dressed and OMG. It was so good. There were about 10 missionaries there, and every single one of those elders are just SOLID. It was so great being among other missionaries, feeling united in our purpose to share the gospel. It was a night I won't forget! We also had a great lesson with Roy Burbridge. He's married to a member, Pat, and is 82 years old today! He promised his wife that they would be sealed in the temple (in this life) and obviously his time is getting shorter every day. Sister Burbridge told us that she has been praying this whole year that he would accept the invitation to be baptised and that his heart will be softened. Well, we went over and were just chatting about everything. We started asking Pat questions about how she was converted and led the discussion to Roy. We asked him if he would like to be sealed to his wife and he said, "Yes of course." We asked him a few more questions. We testified of the wonderful sealing power of the temple and the blessings that come through membership in the church. The spirit was SO strong, Sister Bertha and I were both in tears. We asked him if he would take the missionary discussions. He said that he would need some time to think about it. They are going on holiday for 2 weeks so we said that he can get back to us when they get home. We are praying so hard for him and we know that this is his time! We're excited for them to get home soon so Roy can progress. So a couple random, not spiritually related moments of the week- We got to go with the Renukas ( a LA family in the ward who are all coming back in full force!! ) to the Lichfield Cathedral. It was the first time going inside and it was absolutely breathtaking! Also we got to go to a wedding at the chapel on Saturday! So LDS weddings work a little differently. Basically, the government doesn't count a sealing in the temple as a legal wedding so couples first have to get legally wedding and then they have to drive up to the temple and get sealed there. So, The Maces are an amazing family in the ward. They asked if we could help out at the wedding and also invited us to attend. It was gorgeous and a really good English experience! :) But it was nothing compared to the temple! It was interesting because during the whole ceremony everyone kept talking about how later in the day they would go to the temple. Haha. I have to admit it made me a LITTLE marriage trunky! Haha but don't worry, I bounced back really fast! Well, that's about it for the week!!! Looking forward to more miracles in the coming week! Till then, Sister Jensen

Hanging out with the Canadians

 Our canadian Elders!

Christmas is coming!

 My favorite kitty, Pumpkin

Gadfield Elm Chapel

Another fabulous week in the EBM

Dear Wonderful Family & Friends,

It has been another fabulous week in the EBM! Time is flying by and my subconcious is starting to freak out! I had another dream last night about going home. Haha. 10 months just doesn't seem like enough time! But I am doing so well and loving every day here.  It is so true that there is no greater joy in life than being anxiously engaged in the work of the Lord. I have never been happier.

We have been blessed with so many wonderful experiences this week. A couple highlights:

JADE: Jade is a 17 year old girl who has been attending YW's for about a year. She has slight learning disabilities but is the absolute sweetest girl in the world. A couple weeks ago, Sister Raybone expressed that she could use some help with Personal Progress and asked if there was anything we could do to help. Another Sister in the ward found a simplified program for those with disabilities. We began teaching her the lessons through Personal Progress. She is loving it! This past week invited her to be baptized on October 26th and she gladly accepted! It was such a tender moment. I am so proud of her and her desire to follow the Saviour. It has been such a testimony to me that we teach people, not lessons! We need to adapt our lessons to every person.

RHYS- We found a great finding spot this week and within 5 minutes we met Rhys! He is attending Uni in Lichfield and we got talking to him about the gospel. We taught him a lesson on the spot! He is so cool. We can't tell if he's really interested personally but he said that he has a few friends who are interested. So we'll see how that goes!

RELIEF SOCIETY BROADCAST! So starting at 11 am we went to the chapel to do some service to help the Stake Relief Society President prepare for relief society activity and broadcast. We helped her set up tables and get food ready. There were two classes on nutrition and first aid. Then, afterward we watched the broadcast. It was SO SO good and had me in tears basically the whole time. I love our leaders and I am so inspired by their examples! I loved Sister Burton's talk on covenant keeping. The story of the ewe was so good. I love how she said, " Come on, you are not tied down anymore, you are free!" It is so true. The atonment of Jesus Christ releases those ropes that tie us down. With Him, we are made free. I also loved the analogy from Sister Reeves about the Provo tabernacle. It was engulfed in flames a few years ago and many wondered Why? Couldn't the Lord have prevented the fire? Yes, he could have! But what we didn't know is that He was preparing the tabernacle for it's greater, divine, purpose as a temple. It is the same in our lives. WE may not understand why He lets bad things happen in our lives, but He does. All trials and tribulation will be for our good and they will be the means of sculpting us into the "temple" he knows we have the potential to be.

GENERAL CONFERENCE! Ah, it was just too good for words. I was so excited to sit and watch 8 hours of talks!!! Haha. I know, you may think I'm crazy but it really was a spiritual feast. I am so thankful for our beloved prophet, Thomas S. Monson. I know that he is God's mouthpiece on the earth today and we are so lucky to have him! Oh, there were just so many wonderful talks so I can't even pick one of them. But I loved Elder Hales' about General Conference. He really helped me to see that we need to listen to Conference and then go home and LIVE what we learn. It isn't meant to be a spiritually uplifting experience and then we move on. We really need to apply what we learned. On a separate sheet of paper from my notes I wrote down the spiritual impressions I received and it's hanging up in the flat! I would encourage you all to do the same and see what the Lord wants you to improve on in the next 6 months. As I sat and listened to conference I couldn't believe that it has only been a year since the Prophet announced the lowering of the age. Since that d ay, my life has been changed drastically! I am overwhelmed to think that I am counted worthy to be a servant of the Lord and to wear his name accross my heart every day. What a privelege. A year ago I was sitting in Utah watching conference on a television screen, worrying about finals and what the Lord had in store for me in the coming months. Never did anticipate what He had in store for me! I can testify that Heavenly Father has great plans for each of us and we have to be willing to let go of the life we have planned to have the life that is waiting for us!

I love my mission. I feel that it is changing me from a tabernacle into a temple. I glorify His name and praise Him for the multitude of blessings He has given to me. I love you all. Thank you for your examples and support!

Love,

Sister Jensen

Fun in Lichfield

 Beautiful sunny day!