The best...and the worst...!

 

Date: Mon, 26 Aug 2013 10:57:26 -0300
Subject: weekly email
From: adj1991@myldsmail.net



Hello Everyone


So this past week...


This week was awesome, rewarding, a blessing and the most absolute worst week!! Ha well it was awesome because we ended up baptizing 3 people. Luana, Cleyton, and Camila - 3 little munchkins! I love them 3. The week was rewarding, because we ended up finding some more people who truly want to progress and find God´s path. The week was a blessing because our prayers came true. We were praying so hard the we would be able to get the people to church and that it wouldn’t rain. It obviously didn’t rain and most of the people were able to go to church! So, with the families that we are teaching, we ended up having 17 people at church that we are teaching - it was crazy.


I was so happy to see them finally come to church and actually like church. They all were very happy that they decided to go. The people that we found were actually a brother of the huge family and the other is a boyfriend to one of the young women in our ward, they both want to go to church and read the Book of Mormon and soon be baptized! I was very happy with the results from this past week!!!


Now for the bad things that happened!!! It all happened on Sunday again, well do you all remember last week when I talked about a women named Neide? Yeah, she striked again this past Sunday. Firstly, she sat next to all of them during Sacrament meeting and she was trying to force them to sing, unfortunately about 75% of them can’t read. I told her again that and she was still trying to force them. Then during the baptisms, she was trying to control everything. When one of the baptisms got scared of the water, this Neide woman started yelling saying she needs to leave the water and that she should not be baptized. She then went to the baptismal door and started yelling at the baptism to leave the water and because of Neide, others started yelling and saying that she needs to be baptized and stop worrying. This Neide woman then helped her change back into her regular clothes, but once she changed her clothes, Neide literally took some of them by the arms and kicked them out of the church before Elder Guzman and I could switch back into church clothes. We couldn’t even finish the baptismal meeting. she ruined everything and because of her, this huge family is thinking about not even returning to church. We talked to the Bishop saying that she is literally no longer allowed to talk, sit or watch the baptisms of our investigators. Elder Guzman was that one who talked to Bishop. I couldn’t get around my anger to talk. He said he would talk to her again, but we will see what happens. We are supposed to have lunch with her tomorrow, but Elder Guzman and I decided we will not go, and that we are going to talk with the R.S President that Neide can no longer give the missionaries’ lunch. She has been a problem for a lot of missionaries, but she drew the last straw and Elder Guzman had to stop me from hurting her. At this point, I would rather go to prison than see her in the church - she is like the most faithful anti-Christ!! All the other people to be baptized decided to not be at home, or not be married. Stupid, but we did get to at least fulfill God’s commandments before baptism. But yeah, the 3 baptisms who are 9, 10, and 10 all of them said they will come back! Neide doesn’t take medication, but I think should lol!

The lunch with the Stake President that day was good and we all were able to catch up on things.

I think I only have 19 more Sundays. I think I will be transferred on the 11th, which will most likely be my last area which will suck but oh well! It would also be amazing to all have a nice family meal together when I get back - a good old American dish lol and one that doesn’t have cilantro in it!!!

I love trips and I would love to go to Disneyworld, and see the grandparents in Alabama in April it should be nice. I would enjoy the trip. but it could only be in April. I say this because I need at least two months to work and get some money for college. and maybe a trip back to Brasil. I was just thinking that you would want to go to Disneyworld for more than a day, but then again, you just need one day to do everything. I think the trip would be perfect - a week in the south and then one more week at home preparing for college, this would be very nice!

Ok but I have to go now. I love you a lot and I will talk with you next week,.

I wrote back to Sean.


love


elder adam jensen

I will get them to Water!

August 19^th, 2013

 

Hello Everyone

 

So this past week....

 

Well we had so many people ready to be baptized! We had actually 9 people in total for yesterday, but what decides to happen...rain, and drunk men! We get to their houses to give them a ride to church, and 3 of the women said that they wouldn’t go without their sister, so I went to the sisters’ house, and her husband was super drunk. When we first saw him, he was chasing one of the kids back into the house yelling that she is a little brat, but once he saw us, he calmed down and was like, "oh church is good. And everyone needs God." yeah that only lasted 5 minutes!!  But due to the family taking sooooo long getting ready, the rain started. Once the rain started, it’s like it triggered his aggressive side of being drunk and started yelling again and that no one could leave the house when it’s raining. He ended up kicking us out of his house, and continued yelling thank you for some reason. So basically none of the people who were supposed to be baptized were not baptized!!!!

 

Anyways, we get back to church and luckily, a little girl named Maria Eduardo wanted to be baptized, and her whole family was there, so what did I do, yes, I said that she was going to be baptized after sacrament. It was perfect and she was so excited!! The only down side is that nobody had towels. So the grandfather ran home on his motorcycle, grabbed the towels and it was a successful baptism! Oh but before the towels were grabbed, a member was trying to tell me that the baptism wasn’t going to happen and that she shouldn’t be baptized at that time. I yelled at her and told her she is never going to talk to my investigators again or watch the baptisms. This woman is always the one that scares everyone away from church. She thinks she has authority over everyone. So, I decided that someone had to say something. This woman even grabbed the skirt of one of my investigators and pulled it down, and forced her to take a picture with the rest of the women. First, she didn’t have any other clothes and already felt embarrassed wearing that skirt to church, and she flat out said she didn’t want to take a picture. We reassured her that her clothes were fine and that she didn’t need to take the picture, but this member...my goodness it just never stops.

 

Well anyways, all worked out in the end. It looks like this next week I will have more baptisms, just as long as the rain doesn’t come back: D  I  do plan on it, especially because they all live on a farm and in huge grassy fields, I will get them all in the car and just pile them all in!! (I don’t have a car, the members do :D  I’ve  have always had a phone though)  I will just go there with a car and get everyone when it’s not raining and throw them all in the water lol.

I’ve been thinking more about school, the only issue about psychology at BYU is that it’s all numbers. the math portion of psychology and nothing more. its sooo boring! I mean like I am interested in a lot of things, but it’s hard to get around things, when you think about a future job as well. Yeah I will do my best. but man lately I have been thinking a lot about what I should really study. like psychology is cool, but I suck at all the classes!

Also, I haven’t bought anything yet - maybe I will today or tomorrow actually, or I could wait and go to another city that has 3 clothing factories all right next to each other for very very cheap. My stomach is doing just fine. The stake president is giving all of us lunch today. Hey I am sorry but I have to go now, we have to go to the lunch meeting, it’s basically a meeting for the Stake President to flirt with the sisters. I hate this!!

Anyways, I love you and I will talk to you next week!!

That’s all folks

love,

 

elder adam jensen

 

A new approach to missionary work!

Date: Mon, 12 Aug 2013 10:48:41 -0300

Subject: Re: Good morning!
From: adj1991@myldsmail.net

Hello Everyone,

 

So this past week....

 

We worked in a way that worked out to be perfect! We basically stopped caring about everything except the salvation of souls. Did you know that the only way you have a shot at salvation is through baptism and nothing else? Baptism is the first thing, so I truly have wasted a lot of time on the mission. I am only working to baptize, not to better people’s lives, not to bring people back to church, and definitely not to listen to your crap, just baptize. People can complain and be angry about it, but it’s my job and my duty and nothing else. We didn’t baptize on Sunday, but I have the best news about this up-coming Sunday! I will baptize 10-11 people and these people are very firm to be baptized. NOTHING will happen to make these people not be baptized. It is so clear and simple now. Just baptize and that’s what I did! I worked just to find those to be baptized and Elder Guzman and I did that. I don’t even care if they have been to church before. You have to be baptized; this is the first of all things, so why worry about the rest?

If someone falls away from the church after baptism, or after a couple years - whatever, it’s not my fault and not my duty. Members have responsibilities and I have mine, so people have to deal with it.  I think the missionaries back home should start to do this as well. I think they would have a lot more baptisms back home and help the ward become so much bigger. You just have no idea of my happiness and joy I have for next week, it’s like for once in my mission I am happy, calm, and not worrying about anything.  I am just going with the flow and letting everything come to me. I get up and leave and start working, but I am literally letting people come to me. I will never ever again do contacts or door-knocking or tracting, I will just stop, say a prayer - and wait.  It’s working out perfectly for now. I am enjoying my mission and my companionship with Elder Guzman!

Oh and yesterday, Elder Guzman went with a member to get our investigators, and on the way he found two little girls who wanted to go to church and want to be baptized, so they will be baptized next Sunday. Oh man I love this now, just people coming to the path!  I just realized that every single part of our scriptures and preach my gospel says that our job is to save souls. How can you save a soul from the world if that person isn’t baptized? I am helping a lot of people. I am giving everything to them, right in front of them through baptism. How can you accept Jesus Christ and his teachings, without following him in the only way we should be baptized, by authority from God!

Oh but then Sunday night was a buzz kill! I was trying to get all the numbers and help my district and one of the Sisters wasn’t understanding anything, and didn’t know how to pass her numbers for me, so I got fed up and hung up on her. I thought it was hilarious but I think she didn’t, but you know that’s ok, She is new on the mission, so she should learn that she should have things prepared before she talks to me again - Silly sisters, and I wasn’t being mean to her, she was just being a little ignorant and not wanting to listen, and it wasn’t my Portuguese, because she did the same exact thing to the Brazilian Elder, and I literally don’t have an English accent anymore. but that’s ok :D

 

When you are looking on Google earth, try looking for the apartment building, it is red and white it’s kind of big and it should be easy to find I think instead of the numbered building.

 

WOW, Sean is really doing everything right then – getting his Duty to God award!

OK - would it be possible to put 20 dollars into my account today. I would like to buy some button up shirts.  I love you and I will talk to you next week because I have to go now, but I would be very grateful for the 20 dollars :D

That’s all for now,

love,

elder adam Jensen

Your number one son!

A great Week!

Date: Mon, 5 Aug 2013 11:34:09 -0300

From: adj1991@myldsmail.net

 

Hello Everyone,

 

So this past week...

 

We baptized! Again!  Both me and Elder Guzman both decided that all other things really don’t matter. Other goals that the mission has put or what others think. We are here to save souls and the only way to do that is through baptisms! We are just lining people up now, and nothing else is really important. Anyways, his name is Luan and he was so excited to be baptized. One of my most anxious!  He was so excited to be baptized and I knew that it would never have failed. A member baptized him but the baptismal meeting was amazing!!  We all gave our testimonies, taught his friend that came, and she got super excited as well, and then we all sang "Come, Thou Fount" for him and the other members.

Oh and Luan and Brenda were both baptized on Sunday. Luan was confirmed during sacrament, but Brenda was so embarrassed to go in front, so she said no and literally wouldn’t move from her seat. Kind of hilarious and frustrating, but it was alright because after the baptism of her friend, Vanessa, she decided to be confirmed with her. Well that makes that with the baptisms; none of my investigators ran way before the confirmation! Sunday was a good day, and so far the work is getting a lot better and a lot more people are coming to us and wanting to listen to our message.

And last Friday, I was kind of frustrated because all of our commitments fell through and didn’t happen, so we started to look for people on the street, and literally nobody was on the street - I looked at Elder Guzman, said a pray and told him that I won’t walk anymore and that I will wait for the sheep to come to us. We waited about 10 minutes, and a young man showed up, 18 years of age, and asked for the book of Mormon and that he is looking for the truth and which church teaches that truth and nothing else. I was very excited to talk with him, and right then and there I was reminded that our Lord never abandons us, and that we can always depend on Him.

As for going to the Dr. last Wednesday, the problem with my stomach is gastrite in Portuguese. So it’s just a gastric problem or a gastric ulcer. She just gave me medicine and I am doing much better. My knee is not really hurting anymore. Just here and there when I don’t take my meds or when I overwork it. But all in all I am doing just fine now. I hope nothing else goes wrong!

I thought about the Christmas list actually. I think it would just be best to get one of the phones and nothing else. I will work and with the money I make I can buy new clothes. Mainly I will just need to buy two pairs of pants. I remember that none of my jeans will fit afterwards, or they will be loose. But please Mom, don’t buy jeans for me before I get back. I know it’s kind of mean but it’s just we have different tastes in jeans: D

Testimony meeting here is a little bit more humble. It literally is just a testimony and nothing more. Sometimes it’s boring that way but also a lot better, Campina Grande is a city and has 400,000 people, and my address is Rua Campo Sales 790, Campina Grande, Paraíba, if you want to look at Google earth. You will still have to write to the mission home though and not this address.

Today for p-day, my plans are nothing. I will go home and make lunch, and then probably nothing just because there really isn’t much to do unless you play soccer or have money.  I am wearing my cargo shorts and my dr.pepper shirt. I don’t really like wearing missionary clothes to email. Nope, I don’t think I need any money, I am just saying that I won’t do anything because I don’t want to spend money doing it!

Elder Guzman and I are doing much better. We have a good relationship now and we both have the same vision or thought process about the work. It’s all working out now. I am still not like him, but what we want to do now on our missions is the same, like the goals.

This past week, I got two letters, one from Mom and the other from Howard.

I think in November I will have the itinerary, for my travel plans to come home!!

Ok well I love you and I have to go now. Have a great week and I will talk to you next Monday! :D

 

 

love,

 

elder adam jensen

 

 

Thank you for your Prayers

July 31st, 2013


Hello Everyone,


So this past week...

 
Sorry for the later email but because we have to email as a group and the other companionship didn’t get back until a little later, we waited.

This past week wasn’t too bad. I went back to the doctor, all he said is that it looked like I hurt it and that I need to take this medicine and do physical therapy. I am taking the medications but I am skipping out on the physical therapy. The only thing they do here for the therapy is the little machine thing to contract your muscles, and besides the doctor from São Paulo (LDS) has already said which exercises I should do to keep it working again. For now my knee is doing much better and I am having not much of any problems with it. Thank you all for the prayers. I am done with the knee doctor, he was a lazy doctor anyway! I can’t remember what the medicine is called, but not the one that Dad takes. I think though that It’s basically like a stronger ibuprofen.   I really think that I did hurt my knee playing soccer.


The only bad thing at the moment is that Sunday night I got hot with a stomach infection! Yay me! I am going to the hospital tonight because I can’t handle it anymore. Sister Nogueira said that I should. Like my stomach is a little swollen, tender, and if I eat or sit in a weird position or stretch my stomach area.....wow the pain loves to come! I don’t know why at this moment I am having problems with my health, but it’s all good. I know I will be alright. Got a keep on keeping on and for now just the pain. But, yeah the pain is almost about the same as when I had my appendix out, and, yes I got a blessing, but I don’t remember what they said in the blessing. You’re right, that’s a good about my appendix, being gone already, but it would be easier just to say it was my appendix and I probably won’t be able to email after the hospital. Sorry, you’re just gonna have to wait until next week on Monday. But, that’s why I am going to the doctors, but I don’t have diarrhea. which is a sign? Or constipated, It’s like I am still able to poop, not as much as a should, but it’s still working fine. It’s just a really bad pain in the same exact spot on my stomach. Maybe they’ll need to give me the BOMB!

On Saturday everything went to crap! People didn’t want to go to church or be baptized and I was like what the heck?? But out of nowhere, a little girl that is nine years old just said, "I want to be baptized this Sunday." I was so excited and I said well of course you can be baptized. She went to church and of course got in the water, her name is Brenda. Oh and I forced Elder Guzman to baptize her. It was his first baptism and he did it hating the fact that he had to wear the jump suit and not his white pants. I loved it by the way and it was a good way to laugh at him, but he was pretty excited to baptize her!


There were six investigators at church! 3 of the people I was very surprised to see them there. It’s a good thing I have such an eager companion! When I was talking to the investigators that were already at the church, he went with another member to go looking for more. I was very happy he did so. I don’t know if any of these people will be baptized this week, but like always, I am going to try!!


I have been getting up, or well just yesterday and today at 4:30 in the morning. It’s not that much fun when you go to bed at about 11:30 at night. Elder Guzman has only been with me for 6 weeks. or well this week is the 7th week, so no transfers yet!

 
Oh and I only have 4 minutes left, and yes I was able to open the pictures up and yes I liked the little boat, especially because there was a motor behind it - way better then rowing!!!

 
Oh, no Adidas sandal yet but Mom I got the letter, the one you sent on the 18th of July, It was the fastest letter yet!!!!

 
Hey I love you guys a lot and I will talk to you Monday :D


Tchau!!!

Well that’s all :D

love,
elder adam jensen

 

 

It will get better!

 

 

From: adj1991@myldsmail.net

 

Hello Everyone

 

So this past week...

 

I am trying to have a better attitude, but wow this past week was possibly the worst week I have ever had on the mission. I have listened to so many people say they will never come back to church because of specific leaders and some people can’t be baptized because of things in the past.

I would say some of the things I heard or witnessed, but it would not be appropriate to put on the blog, actually it would be better to be forgotten, but it’s hard to get passed something’s, that affect your work and your success.

 

I was not the happiest camper listening to these things. I know that leaving the church because of one or two leaders is not a good enough reason to leave the only true church on the earth, and what is really more important  your salvation in a church that actually has the authority of god, or worrying about other people? Ridiculous!! But all in all, Sunday was alright in the end.

 

We had three investigators that want to be baptized next week, so we will see what happens. I am praying, working and hoping for the best.  Oh and my district, or well one companionship in my district baptized two people this week.  One was a man that doesn’t like me too much and a women who got married on Friday and right after, she got baptized as well. The man that they baptized doesn’t like me that much because he started to like one of the sisters, and every time he is near her, I purposely flirt with her to make him jealous. Maybe because this sister likes me and not him.  - Hahaha sucks to be him, but really he is a pretty cool guy and I am very happy for him that he wants to change his life and be a better person.  I think he will be one of the strong ones!

 

I am nice to both of the girls that seem to like me, actually I am very nice but I just like one of them more than the other hey but do you want to see the sister that likes me but the one I don’t like. this one that likes me wants to live in the US already. when she gets back she wants to be home for only a month then head on out to the US for a year. no but she is trying to flirt with me every time I talk with her on the phone

 

I am not worrying about my mission. I know I will have success and I know that things will get better, including my knee. It’s just that lately a lot of sad things have happened.

 

I thought about things lately that I would like from home, but I don’t remember now. You can send me anything you would like. Actually would you like my Christmas list???
If I send it to you then I wouldn’t want you to send me these things. Just keep them in the house till I get home in January.

 

1. BOD cologne. the green spray bottle, it’s cheap and I like the smell.

2. That nice black jacket from Kohls if you remember.  If not then it’s all good.

3. Shotgun shells, or a belt from Cabellas that is also a shotgun shell holder and a gun holder. I can send you a picture of it.

4. Or... just some money to buy new clothes. that would be nice. just some money set aside and you and I could go out shopping to by myself new clothes.

5. Oh and a cell phone - preferably the iPhone 5s or the android thunderbolt.

That’s all though, if it’s too much then I can make my list again at a more affordable Christmas.

My companion is still gung ho. I think he gets tired of the fact that I can’t work though. He knows he can’t do anything about it, but I think he secretly judges me.

Oh and the MRI was authorized. I am going there in about 45 minutes. I will leave and then be able to get back on email. My knee, it’s like off and on pain, well like a constant pain, but some days are worse than others - kind of sucks. But I have to go now. I think I will get back on to tell you the results and talk a little more because right now I have to catch a bus to go do the test. I think I will get back on about 2 p.m. here, so four hour difference. love you and I hope you are able to be on at that time.

 

love you,

 

adam

 

I am back lol. I basically got the MRI and that’s it.

The one young girl - no she not American she is Brazilian from Rio de Janeiro. Very good looking and already speaks English, and at times it seems that she likes me but it could just be her flirty personality. I will try to get a picture of her sent to you. In my district, there are no Americans.  Oh BTW at times, I try to say that I am American and people don’t believe me -Ridiculous.

But this week was about two investigators and 6 different members.

The six members, every single one of them said they will never come back because of the same exact leaders. Some of them have written to Salt Lake or São Paulo to try and fix the situation but nothing changed and they said they wouldn’t come back until they are released. These members used to be the most faithful - VERY active and always showed charity and kindness.

Well I love you and I will talk to you soon, I love you a lot and I will talk with you next week on Wednesday as it is transfer week!

  

love

elder adam jensen

Frustrating...

Date: Mon, 15 Jul 2013 11:51:58 -0300




From: adj1991@myldsmail.net





Hello Everyone,

So this past week...

We tried and tried and tried but nothing ever goes our way. All the people we are teaching and all the things we have used to get people in the water just doesn’t work! Nicolas, our investigator ended up being too afraid to stand up to his drunk dad, so he never even went to church.

Felipe our other investigator decided that his parents are right and that he shouldn’t be baptized because he still does bad things like helping his parents in the house. Ridiculous.

At every turn someone is there just waiting to stop the baptism from happening. I wanted to cry or punch someone in the face, but instead I just hugged someone!! Oh and none of the people we wanted to be at church - didn’t go!!!! Ahh and on top of that I heard some very bad things from other members on Sunday gossiping about other members of course!!!!! I was not in the best mood on Sunday. Actually, thinking about it, it’s kind of like this every Sunday. I think after the mission I will enjoy Sunday again, with no worries about investigators and no worries about a baptism or even worry about people going inactive for a while. Back home I feel it is difficult to go inactive; it’s like you have a bigger reason to go to church - but here WOW! The reasons they come up with to stop going - I can’t take it! It makes me very sad and frustrated. Anyway, we should have two baptisms this next week, two men, Gilberto and Carlos, two people that are wanting to follow God and Jesus Christ. We already say hi to everyone and talk with everyone while we are out and about, it doesn’t work here because everyone is so open to things, but too lazy to follow, or that hard heart thing that doesn’t want to follow but loves to listen.


Well that’s all the new things except that interviews with President Nogueria were very fast. It was just...."are you worthy, following the rules, how old are you, how much time on the mission, and if we have any problems with our health?" He also told me that I have until the end of the month to get better with my knee. I don’t know how I will get better, but at least me knee is hurting less and I know it’s all because of the prayers. The MRI never happened. I am still waiting – RIDICUOUS!


So at this point I just gave up on this authorization from the Church medical insurance - I think it will never happen. Also, President Nogueira said that we can’t have missionaries with leg problems on this mission. So if it doesn’t get better by the end of the month I have to call him and we will go from there. I don’t know yet about going home, like at times I feel that I am wasting time and that I have already done what I am here to do, but at other times I feel like going home wouldn’t solve many things. Like I would probably just end up going to physical therapy back home for about 6 weeks and then I would be totally fine. But I know that if I go back, I probably would not come back to finish my mission. Yeah I bought the shoes. They were 45 American dollars. Thank you: D

The shoes fit very well and I don’t need insoles in them at this moment. I don’t really know what is going to happen at the end of the month. They might just send me to João Pessoa and stay there for a little bit and try and see a doctor there.

 
I am sorry I have to go now and I will talk to you next Monday, I love you so much and have a great week.


love,


elder adam jensen

No MRI

Date: Mon, 8 Jul 2013 11:38:43 -0300
Subject: Re: Good Morning or afternoon?
From: adj1991@myldsmail.net



Hello Everyone, 

So this past week...


I went back to Vera’s house thinking I could maybe, just maybe get her baptized...yeah that was a mistake!! I found her passed out drunk on her bedroom floor. I was very displeased!


We have a new goal to try and mark everyone’s baptisms. Actually 5 per day. It went very well and very bad. Got rejected only a few times, but when someone talks like they have had a lot of schooling or educated, they just want to say yes. We ended up having 6 more people marked for this month, but none of them went to church. It’s kind of a normal thing I am noticing here in the northeast of Brasil. Really annoying! 

 The good thing though is that on Sunday, two people that I did not expect to be at church went. Two girls that our sisters to the brother that we have been teaching. My companion went to their house yesterday and talked about baptism with all of them including the parents. The mother seems interested in talking with us about this. I think that she is wanting her children to be baptized. I hope.......:)


My knee has not gotten any better. I went back to the MRI place and they said that our Church health plan has not yet authorized the MRI. I am still in a waiting period. It’s ridiculous!!! But for now I am just trying to deal with it. I hope I can get it fixed soon though. But yesterday it was hurting a lot. I couldn’t bend it that much or it would just kill me. But at least everyone knows what’s going on and they want to help. I haven’t used our Regence Insurance at all. And they would have to get authorization from Regence as well. Just because it’s a health plan. Almost no one has them here because everyone is poor, so I have to wait until it’s authorized - and you don’t need to email the mission home Mom!! It’s the health plan. They can’t do anything about it.

I liked the photos you attached from the 4th except where Emily is not kissing me! LOL! Well, she is
giving my brother Nic a peck on the cheek!


We have about 25 more minutes if we’re fast at responding: D

Oh and I found some really sweet shoes the other day. They are 45 dollars and I have around 10 reals left! Hmmm….

So, ok for Christmas gifts I will get you some flip flops. They are cheap here because I am near a factory full of them! Oh and I got the packages that were sent to the Bishops house in Ipes. The two small ones that had ranch and peanut butter in them. Also a card from Sean. And your card with that two pieces to the heart and you and dad in a picture no sandal still but that’s ok!

I am emotionally fine. I miss a lot of things still but I am good. And if my knee needs surgery I would have to return home to do it. It also depends on how long I would be at home if I should return to the Misison or not. Like if I had to return for 3 months, then the time wouldn’t count as being in the field. If it was for just a month then it would count as time in the field. If I had to stay for three months at home, then I would probably just stay at home, but I have to go now. I love you and thank- you for everything!!!

love,


elder adam jensen

A letter to our Camano Island Ward, Arlington Stake, WA

This was received from Elder Jensen and read in sacrament meeting by bishop Dale Tilley on July 7th, 2013



June 17th, 2013

Dear Bishop and Ward

I would like to thank the youth for the letter's and the package. I enjoyed EVERYTHING!
Actually, it's kind of crazy how one package can be such an attitude changed for missionaries.
Before I received the package, I was a little down because we're not having much success, but due to what I received it doesn't really matter because I know the Lord is on my side and I know people love me!

Well, I would like everyone to know that I am doing just fine and working very hard. Work here is very easy to get the investigators, but it's so hard to get them to do anything. The weather is still hot, which makes the ground hot, which eats away the sole of your shoes pretty fast. But in the end, I love these people here and would do anything for them and I would be grateful if I could serve them for Eternity!

The things that I have gained to be a better me from these people here is something I will never forget.

I love the Gospel, Church and my Mission and I know that the church is TRUE!

Love

elder adam jensen

My knee is hurting!

Date: Mon, 1 Jul 2013 10:30:03 -0300
From: adj1991@myldsmail.net


Hello Everyone

 
So this past week...


We worked soo hard trying to get so many people to church and accept baptism!!! But what were the results!!!!! NO-ONE except for one person we invited and marked for baptism went to church, and then on top of that our baptism ran away on Sunday. She stopped drinking and smoking, but when Sunday hit, she was nowhere to be found. We looked everywhere and nothing! We looked again at about 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. but still NOTHING! We have no idea what happened to her.


That was the whole week. running back and forth trying so hard for people to progress and those were the result! RIDICULOUS!

The new Mission President is already here. It is his Mission now, but for what comes next, we have no idea - new rules, new meetings, nothing new yet!

I have got no mail yet. maybe next week I will have more.

I went to the doctors today. Yes, he is an orthopedist. Sister Hall told me to visit the doctor. But again, another ridiculous situation! The doctor looked at my knee and sent me to another place to take an MRI, but the MRI place said that they have to verify my insurance to even take the MRI, so I think Wednesday or Thursday I will finally know what is wrong. Stupid doctors and Brasil. So they are waiting from the LDS insurance. Regence will cover it, but we never use our own insurance here. It wouldn’t work if nothing is wrong, I will be so angry! I just want to know what’s wrong and how I can fix it. If he says nothing and that I have to deal with it, it is just frustrating! I will suggest going back home to ask a real doctor and what he thinks? Doctor’s here are not very good. I feel like I am in England and their health insurance. horrible! URGH socialism! Ha-ha I am just kidding Mom! And yes, I have been doing everything for my knee. icing every day. medicine. good shoes. and the designated exercises that the LDS doctor sent me via email. So next week I will have the results for you guys. The doctor said nothing. just sent me to another place. and after that place I have to return to him to get his opinion. ridiculous but I think it could be worth it. but I went to the doctors today already. I just have to wait for the insurance to approve the MRI and then I will know what is wrong. the LDS doctor is soooo certain that its overuse syndrome in the knee, but we will see. I want to prove him wrong actually!. I have no idea, but the doctor in São Paulo said that usually runners or hikers get this. he said he has seen it in a lot of missionaries already. I think it’s just an excuse because no other doctor has seen anything in a lot of MRI´s. What was it about the orthotics! I am wearing great shoes, with insoles. O stop worrying. everything at this point is at an ok. Oh but really don’t worry about the orthotics’, I don’t need them and just in case they don’t get to me, when I get back we can go to the The Everett clinic in Smokey Point for a new appointment. The exercises like the ones you do at physical therapy, and icing, and medicine. and using only my good shoes that are in excellent condition with supports built it, and yeah I can walk on it. It just hurts every time I sit, lay down, and walk. no biggie!! YOU DO NOT NEED TO SEND ME MY ORTHODICS – BUT IT WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE THEM ALL NICE AND NEAT WHEN I GET BACK!!


When I go back to BYUI, yeah I could either take the Portuguese course or take three tests in Portuguese. but it would be out of BYU Provo, so I would have to pay for it out of pocket. before I left the Portuguese tests were about 400 dollars. It would definitely bring up my GPA though!


I have 15 minutes left.

My new companion is Elder Guzman - Nathaniel Jose Guzman. from Argentina.

I don’t like 4th of July here. it sucks actually, one of my favorite holidays!. I am the only American in the house and when no one celebrates an amazing holiday of the US, it just doesn’t work out very well.

Today for p-day I am going to bake, banana bread, cinnamon rolls. and a snicker doodle cake.

But next email is bye bye, until next Monday!

love,


elder adam jensen

love you!

tchau!!!!!