Good News and Bad News

Date: Mon, 27 May 2013 17:54:50 +0430
Subject: Re: Good Morning!
From: adj1991@myldsmail.net





Hello Everyone,



So this past week....



This past week was pretty good and pretty bad, the good parts is that we met all of our goals, and that I did some interviews for people to get baptized, and I got a free lunch in a different area. 

Bad parts....our baptism, that lives a good hour and half away walking, didn’t go to church on Sunday with his family. Half of the family was sick, so our baptism didn’t happen. Also this same kid, on Saturday night we planned an interview for him, and he would not go to the church for the interview. I tried everything to get him to go, and he wouldn’t budge. The more I talked about the interview, the more he wanted nothing. The Zone Leaders were already there waiting to in the church, and we were in a different city basically. It totally sucked!

Our other baptism that we had, he decided one day that he wanted nothing from us on Thursday.
We have no idea what happened, so we will talk to him tonight. We couldn’t see him that much last week, because of our other baptism that never happened.

Oh and the other bad thing is that a companionship in my district went to the President's office today. One of them with his suitcases. I don’t know what he did or what happened. I am worried for them both, but I want to know what this companionship did or what happened, since I am responsible for them being the District Leader. I like them both, but I still hope for the best.

Oh and when we had the free lunch, the member decided to put on a CD that had all of your music videos of movies like, Grease, Dirty Dancing and stuff like that. I got pretty trunky. Especially because of the Grease videos. it reminded me of watching the movies with you Mom when I was younger, about how much I loved spending time with you and just watching movies like Grease, kind of gay for me saying this, but it’s true, I was missing of the old times watching movies and just relaxing with my mother on off-days from school. I almost cried during lunch because of the music!

Anyway, those things are horrible that happened in England. Those English people standing around are horrible. but really, they wanted to video tape it? That’s sick!! Also, that really sucks about the bridge. I don’t even remember where it is, but I know that there is probably a little bit of panic and frustration now for people. Hey did anyone die? And what happened with the tornado in Oklahoma?

I talk with the Bishop each Sunday, but nothing has happened yet, with organizing a pot-luck or anything. I try to get the members involved and they want to help, but they are not always there when we can use them. And they day of the interview, was the day that everyone went to the temple.

And yeah it looks like Emily still is being lazy now that she isn’t in school. I didn’t understand about the signs, what did Emily tell you? She hasn’t written or emailed me. Ammon writes me every week. he asked me what he should do when he gets back. I said to take Emily on a date!!

I think I have 38 or 39 credits. Why? I think it was14 credits the first each semester. I think when I get back I will just stick to 12 and see how it goes. And wow 1.9, that is very low. Looks like I need to work a lot harder. 1.9 is like an average of a D each class. Wow it’s horrible!
                              
I got the pictures and I liked them very much. except for that white looking chair, it doesn’t go well in the living room, actually I won’t lie, but I think it’s ugly lol. Don’t take it wrong, but it’s just my opinion hahaha. Yeah it was the chair that has the gray patterns on it. I don’t really know what color it was, I just know that’s its next to the brown recliner, there’s a table between them. I liked the benches. The benches turned out a lot better than I thought they would. Congratulations! I liked the brown in the living room, it made it look more of a relaxing home - like a cabin but near the beach.

I would love Resses Puffs. No I don’t need 50more bucks. But I have to go now. Already an hour has passed. I got on a little earlier today so that I could have an hour with you. It has been an hour and a half now on the internet. But love you and I will talk to you next week.

If anyone wants to email me at: adj1991@myldsmail.net or snail mail and I really do mean snail mail at:

Elder Adam Jensen
Jaoa Pessoa Missao
Rua Deputardo Jose Mariz # 515
Tambauzinho
Joao Pessoa
P.B 58042-020
Brazil


with love,


elder adam jensen
 

So Slow...

 

 

May 20^th, 2013

 

 

Hello Everyone,

 

 

So this past week...

Actually this week felt like it past by so slowly! I was dying!  But anyways, Matheus was baptized!! It wasn’t easy, but I was very happy he was. Well, during the week, Matheus´s mom was very nice with us and let us in and said that Matheus could be baptized. she even said that she would watch the baptism and go to church with him the next day. Actually, the whole family said they would, but when the day of the baptism rolled around, I got to their door to get Matheus and bring him to the church, his mom started yelling at me, but in a quiet tone. She started going off saying that she will never go to our church and that she will never want her son to be a part of it, and that she doesn’t agree that her son should be baptized. She kept saying this over and over again, but in the end she said that Matheus can do whatever he wants to do. (the good thing is that she already signed the papers to let him get baptized, so with or without her verbal consent, I was going to baptize Matheus). Oh and she finally consented to letting him get baptized, but she still was very mad for some reason.  I hope that Matheus can show his example at home. The weirdest thing was is that we went there every day and she was very nice, but man she exploded on the day of the baptism. to be honest, I think someone told her very bad things about the church. who happens to live right near here. Stupid people, who know nothing!

Oh and two other things happened Saturday and Sunday. we were able to commit two other people to baptism this Sunday! They have been going to church for some time now and I had no idea that they were not already baptized. So as a missionary, I did what I have to do. I invited them to be baptized. Well it worked and they committed!!! It should be great. I love it when people say yes. Actually the word no, can be a very hurtful word and should be used a lot less!

I have a leadership meeting with the President tomorrow, so I might get more mail. The leadership meeting is normal thing and it’s here in Campina Grande with President Hall and all other leaders of this mission.  I have to wait to have a meeting with the new Bishop here in Catolé about activities.  

Well I have to go now, it’s already more than an hour. Sorry we haven’t had much time to speak. I will talk to you next week I got on an hour ago, either you just haven’t been writing back and I don’t know what’s up, it’s either your computer or mine but either way, I have to go now. Sorry!!

That’s all folks!

I love you a lot

love

elder adam jensen

 

 

Happy Mother's Day!

Hello Everyone,


So this past week...

 

I worked lol. Well I mean I got some people to progress through invites and such, but not very many people went to church that I expected. I understand since it was Mother’s Day, so people were having parties and no time to go to church and prepare food. I think that is a downside about Brazil. Lunch is like our dinner - BIG and everyone is together. When church is in the morning, not a lot of people have a lot of time to prepare lunch and go to church. It sucks, but I have to deal with it and try to work around it!


We tried to teach Gabriela last week as well, but she is never home! It’s so difficult!!!! But I finally learned on Saturday that her class in the morning is over. She no longer has that class! It would have been better to know that last Sunday or maybe last Monday! If I visited her then maybe she would have gone to church and started to really progress, but at least this week that I know this information now, she can’t run away from us now lol.


But this Saturday, most likely, only Matheus will be baptized. He is a cool kid, but kind of shy. Well to really open up about how he feels about the church. All I know is that he likes the church and wants to be baptized, so that’s what I am going to do. Baptize him!


Ha so only 25% of royalites for writing my blog each week Mom? We will have to find out who is following the blog who are unknown to us! Tell them to write to me!


To answer your question, I am the second oldest in the house. Elder G’Oliveira has 5-6 months left on his mission, he leaves in October. Ha-ha and yeah I love to laugh and joke around, and I am happy that I am able to do it in Portuguese as well!


Yesterday as it was Mother’s Day, I said it to the other Elder’s, like us children work in the house every day, not just mother’s day - that we give you some sort of present each day by cleaning!


My testimony truly is strong, and God never abandons us! It’s us that leave him. We just need to try and make it back to him, because only with him, we can truly be happy for eternity.


New things....ha nothing!!! Everything has slowed down, but at least when things slow down your able to see more and prioritize. I love organization. I think that’s one of the many reasons why I love the church. It’s just organized! It makes things so much easier, but as a Missionary, I have to bear my testimony every day, but to do that I must believe, love, and to live my testimony. Being strong in the church and understanding that it is the only true church on this earth is a blessing in my life. I know I will continue to believe and continue to show that I believe. Being the man I want to be is the man the understands the importance of church and the path of God, and wanting to give that same blessing to others. such as family, wife, and friends. Without this one true path, then so many people including myself would be lost in this world. It’s only a short time to try and do everything God asks of us. I am grateful that I was raised to know what I am supposed to do. Thank you Mom and Dad, I love you both!!


But I have to go now. I love you and I will talk to you next week. Thank you for everything and next week we will have more time.


love


elder adam jensen

New Companion!

May 8, 2013



So this past week...



Not much happened like usual. We worked hard and had some success and some opposite sides of success. We talked with Gabriela, an investigator that is possibly going to be baptized on the 18th, and she seems excited about the church - but only a little scared because her family is Catholic.


Yesterday was hilarious though when we saw her. We went to her house but she wasn’t there, so we went to our next appointment. But while we were there, Gabriela passed by in the driving school car. She saw us and started laughing due to embarrassment, but she started laughing right in front of a speed bump, so she ended up stuck in front of the speed bump! While she was laughing she finally was able to get over the hump after two minutes. With another investigator, Matheus - his mom doesn’t like Missionaries and doesn’t want to talk to us, but we talked to Matheus and said that he has to talk to his Mom about how much he wants to be baptized, and he did!! His mom gave authorization. We will now baptize him on the 18th. I am so happy due to miracles from the Lord. The missionaries before me tried and tried to get him baptized but no one was able to do it. I succeeded!! Sadly, another person was cut and we stopped teaching her. Other people have become potential investigators - just a normal week in the life of a Missionary!


On Monday night we went to a pizza place that is a pizza buffet. It was pretty good and a little crazy, but ended up being a lot of pictures. It was me and three other missionaries with some of the youth from the ward - pretty funny!


My companion was transferred to Belo Horizonte, Mossoró. He will like it a lot there. My new companion is Elder Vellela. He is from São Paulo, that’s about all I know about him for now. Next week I will know more. Oh and he has about 7 months on the mission. He is Brazilian, so I don’t need to teach anyone Portuguese. That’s a nice thing! My last companion spoke Portuguese, except it was with a Spanish accent. It was actually kind of funny sometimes and we laughed my new companion is 19.


I will be visiting Gabriela. Matheus. Maria José. Ana Paula. Maria Edwarda. Deborah. José Barbosa. Andrei. A lot of people this next week. The ward here has mutual and seminary. Also, Ricardo is married and baptized!


I got Grandma’s letter. I also got the debit card and its working. I got a package that had the peanut butter to go, ranch, and the chocolate bar, and taco seasoning. I don’t know how that one arrived so fast. I think the other package that you sent with the other adidas sandal may have been stolen. I think this because you may have written on the package wrong. The package that had the smoked salmon said it was supposed to have the sandal, peanut butter and hot sauce. So I think you may have written on the package that it should have smoked salmon in it. Sorry if it got stolen. But I am hoping it gets to me soon. So, only one shoe still, I hope you don’t cut one of my legs off.


I am a little better now. Ha-ha ya, I am excited for this weekend. And yes I will call before. I will most likely call you guys when my companion is on Skype lol. I will Skype though at 1 p.m. there I think. It’s a four hour difference isn’t it?


Oh and today, 5 people in the Zone kept asking me what’s my secret for staying so calm. I didn’t know how to answer them. I think I am calm because someone had to be the opposite of you though, Mom! lol.


I am very grateful for everything you have given me in my life and at this moment on my mission. Hey I got to go though; I will talk to you again on Sunday.


Love you and I will see you soon lol


Love,

elder adam jensen

Lot's of Investigators!

Date: Mon, 29 Apr 2013 10:59:33 -0300
Subject: Re: Hey Adam
From: adj1991@myldsmail.net

 

Hello Everyone,


So this past week....


This past week actually was very tiring but not much happened. We completed all of our goals and 5 investigators went to church. But three of the investigators were a huge surprise!!. One of them was Banda, who had moved away or left or something like that, so we never expected her to come back. But the next thing we know is that she was in the church and looked like she was liking it. Another person was Deborah, who likes us ~ Elder Franco and I, but she seems like she would never follow. But she happened to be at church for the first time. Deborah has been taught and met with the missionaries for a very long time, but finally she went to church. I was very happy to see her there. Another was a girl named Gabriela. she is never at home and she never has time to meet with us, so we stopped trying, it was just too difficult to try and see her. But on Sunday her member friend went and got her from her house and brought her to church. She liked everything and she is already reading the Book of Mormon and believing! Gabriela is now the number one person we will be working with especially because next week she won’t have any classes in the college to go to. Woo-Hoo investigators that care!!!


To answer your question, I am not frustrated. I don’t know, I am fine and I will continue to work. It’s just that I guess I am just missing a lot of things right now. I know that I will continue to work very hard, but sometimes it’s ok to be a little homesick but I also think it is because someone in the house here is finishing his mission at the moment, he is pretty trunky!! I am doing fine and it always passes, these little moments of trunkyness.


Today I learned that my debit card finally arrived at the Bishop's house. I should receive it on Wednesday or Thursday depending when he comes to Campina Grande I cannot believe that my debit card has finally arrived, actually Elder Simpson that told me he got my card and he said that the other package still hasn’t arrived. It kind of sucks but Oh well! Still only one Addidas shoe! I would love that beef jerky right now to be honest!!


 I think that’s awesome about Curtis. I am pretty sure he will love Arizona. there are actually quite a few missionaries on this mission from Arizona. Oh and here in the city it is now raining a lot. I get wet every day now. I am actually loving it lol!


Yeah being district leader is a challenge. Like being a leader of 2 other companionships feels like nothing but being responsible for everything they do can get stressful. If they can’t meet their goals or if they are having difficulties or whatever, it also becomes my mistake and not just theirs. kind of frustrating but I am a pretty relaxed person so I try not to let it get to me, and at this moment I would rather have the sisters in my district because they meet their goals every week and baptize each month, but I know that I need to stay here because they are a lot more people I am needing to meet and help.


Thank you for the thought from Pres. Eyring. it is very true because at times we never really perceive that something has happened through the Lord’s hands. But we must pray to him always and maybe through the prayers are eyes will be opened so that we can see more of the Lord's work, such as the gifts he has already given us.


Yeah the day is the same. January 17th, 2014, but I was thinking that maybe it would be better going to the Canada airport because of how the layout is when coming back through customs, but anyways, I am excited for that day. coming home and I probably will cry! I can’t think about it too much or I will get worse. But oh well I am doing good and I get over these moments pretty fast.

I have to go now but I love you and I will talk to you next week on Wednesday. transfers!!!

well I love you and thank you for the email.


 elder adam jensen

A quiet week

Monday 22nd April, 2013 

 From: adj1991@myldsmail.net

 

This past week was interesting....

actually I lied...nothing happened except for a baptism. Isis, the young lady that was baptized was baptized on Saturday the 20th of this month. She was baptized after institute at another chapel in the city. The funny part’s that happened because of this baptism, so the baptism was supposed to happen at 7:30 p.m. but that was the time we showed up there, so we were already late as it is and then we didn’t have time to bring any jump suits, so we were running around trying to find someone who knew where the white jumpsuits were and we had to make the baptismal room all nice and clean and ready for the baptism. I also had to create a meeting plan since I am district leader I can conduct the meeting, but the problem was, is that it was my first time doing it. I was kind of nervous and kind of stuttering a little bit. It kind of sucked, but in the end she was baptized and on Sunday she was confirmed. She seems to be very happy because of this choice she has made. They are a great family and I am eternally grateful for her choice. After the confirmation a woman who was sitting next to us said she was never confirmed and she has been in the church for a long time. So if she really wasn’t confirmed than we will end up baptizing her again. It’s kind of bad to say, but I hope that she wasn’t confirmed lol. I like to baptize people, but it would still be sad if she hasn’t been confirmed because she goes to church every Sunday!

Anyway, but the bad things about this week it that I basically cut all of our investigators, well not cut them, but I am choosing to not teach them. They already know everything but they don’t want to come to church and because of the heat here and the traditions of Brazil, they think that the standard of the church is a joke. I am very discouraged when someone doesn’t want to follow the church even when they know it is true just because they like to wear clothing that would be inappropriate to wear in the United States. We were teaching someone else this past week and she said in her opinion that every church is true because they believe in God, so we said to her that that was her opinion, but we asked in God’s opinion, which church is the only true church on this earth, and she said the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, but in the end she still doesn’t want to follow because she thinks her opinion is better than God’s. Ugh stupidness!!!! Also, none of those 14 people I told you about last week will go to church. They only like us as friends, but as missionaries they don’t like us that much!! So it’s kind of one of those things that need to stop. 

I have no idea if Ricardo and Simony got married or baptized but I will call them today to find out. I sure hope that it all happened last Saturday.

I haven’t got any new mail yet or the debit card. I hope that it comes this week. it sure is taking its sweet time. but that was this past week.

Hey but I have to go now. I love you and I will talk to you next week. thank you for everything and don’t forget that mother’s day is coming up: D

love,

elder adam jensen

When you've gotta go....

Monday April 14^th, 2013

Hello Everyone,

 

So this past week...
 
First off...I’m sorry I wasn’t on earlier. I had to go to João Pessoa to renew my visa. I got there Sunday night and woke up very early today. But everything was in order and I am now legal again. My visa expired in March, and didn’t really renew it until today and today happens to be a month later then when it expired. The police are a little slow here so No, I probably wouldn’t of been deported!!

Oh and Sunday we had some very good news and results. The good results were that 5 investigators went to church and we will be working a lot with them this week. 5 people that I think will most likely be baptized eventually. I am excited to work with them. And the really good news is that a woman who happens to be married to a less active member came up to us and asked us to baptize her this Saturday. It’s awesome! We weren’t really expected much from this less active family but blessings and miracles from the lord truly are real and are always happening.

Oh and I came in contact with another drunk, except this time he was very passive aggressive. He wouldn’t let us leave. But his breathe...I literally almost threw up!!! It was horrible! Because here in Brazil they have a drink that is basically moonshine and it is totally legal. He kept talking to us about how a master lock is a magical device and nonsense like that. We were able to get away because I told him to walk with us, and you know how drunks are, and how fast missionaries walk, so he wasn’t able to keep up and he wound up bothering someone else. Really annoying drunks can end up being a fun story!!

Talking about funny stories....actually I don’t know if I should put this on the blog, but to be honest I don’t really care. This past week...actually it was last Monday after lunch. Elder Franco and I were walking back from a pretty long distance and it happened to be that I really needed to use the bathroom...number 2! And to make a story short...I was able to hold it in to about 500 yards to our house. But at this moment it was bad! So I looked around really fast and found some greenery and pulled the pants down! yepp...for the first time on my mission I had to poop on the street/green area. Luckily this once upon a time busy street had nobody on it and nobody passed when I was going!!  I am a lucky and slightly stupid boy, but I felt much better afterwards; and no I didn’t have tp. and there were leaves right behind me, but not just any leaves, really small leaves to where you have to grab like 6 of them to make it big enough to wipe. It was horrible. When I got home I went to the bathroom to clean it up a little more and a leaf was stuck to my butt.  It was hilarious. My companion was so embarrassed!  :D

Wow that’s all that happened to Gavin in the photo?  Why was his face near the blades of the weed-whacker? Idiot!!  But I hope he is feeling better.

I got some letters when I went to the mission office yesterday and the debit card still hasn’t arrived at the Bishop’s house. I am a little worried now. Also, I cannot go to João Pessoa for the mission, wedding.  I got the mission scholarship loan paper thing from BYU as well, but I got to go now. Sorry!  I love you a lot and talk to you next week on Monday at about 6 am there.

love

elder adam Jensen

 

Getting used to my New Area

Monday 8th April, 2013

From: adj1991@myldsmail.net
To: jensens6@msn.com


So this past week...

Well this past week was honestly just Wednesday night until now so not much has really happened. I got to know my district; they didn’t really do much this past week. Lazy bums but that’s ok. I will talk to them on Tuesday.

I sat down with Elder Franco and told him to explain everything about this area, for example, like the problems, and what works here and who has he been teaching. I also told him to make a list of people who are closest until furthest away from being baptized. He gave me a list of 20 names. So that is our work for now, and some of them live right next door to the next. Actually 14 of the names live next door to each other. It’s crazy, but makes it a little easier. Through all this, my companion Elder Franco is a huge help, and no he never started bossing me around - he knows better than to boss me around, lol. It’s been good that so far it seems no one has really not liked me. I guess I am just too easy going and fit into crowds easily, but out of my companions...I have liked Elder Claudio the most I think as he taught me so much. He just went home on the 3rd and lives in Las Vegas.

Being in Campina Grande now means that I can also pass in only two more areas or zones. Rangel and Mamanguape. The mission João Pessoa will be very small after the division in July, I am excited though.

These have been my areas and companions so far that you asked for:

Souza. Elder Rinaldi. 3 transfers.

Mossoró...Elder Collins 2 transfers. Elder Claudio 1 transfer.

João Pessoa...Elder Martins 2 transfers. Elder Simpson 1 transfer.

Campina Grande. Elder Franco.

 
Conference was really good as well. I enjoyed so many talks and I received the revelations I was hoping to receive. It’s a relief to know that through prayer and obedience, that all can be answered and testified by the spirit. I still don’t know the ward, except for the Bishopric. We haven’t had a normal meeting yet because of conference, but next week I should be able to get to know just about everything. Except the only issue here is that there really is no one to send letters or packages to. I guess the best option for now is the mission office. Oh but the really nice thing about here in Campina Grande is that at night it gets pretty cold, it’s exactly like the night during summer back at home. I was walking at night on the first day and it really reminded of me of home, the weather is amazing at night, but yeah we still sleep with the fan, but here we just have one fan for the both of us, it’s good enough.

 I am still sad though that I left João Pessoa because I wanted to see Ricardo and Simony get married on the 20th of April. It should be very nice with the party and everything. Oh and not to forget that Ricardo is going to be baptized on the 21st. I am excited for Elder Simpson who stayed because at least he will be able to see them get married and baptized. I don’t know if I can go back to João Pessoa for the wedding or baptism, but I will ask Pres. Hall if I am able to, and it doesn’t really matter who was able to do more on the mission. It just matters if I believe I had success on my mission or not.

So for now I have passed in Souza, Mossoró and João Pessoa. but now that I am in Campina Grande I will most likely stay in the mission João Pessoa. but seeing that I have already been in João Pessoa

Mom you shouldn’t buy anything from the shops here to send to me. I think it could be a very bad idea, I don’t really need much. We have a calendar and it seems like the food is better, for breakfast it is usually toast and dinner it is either top ramen or toast again. Nutella. I don’t really like it but they have it here in Campina Grande, along with pb now. Except, it’s Peter Pan PB and it’s about $7.50 in dollars. 15 reais here. The jar of PB is like a normal size from Safeway not like the giant jar from Costco and yeah you won’t need to send PB anymore since it is here and I am excited for pop-tarts. I know I am spoiled and I am loving it!! But I only ever want is food from United states because they just don’t know what amazing food is, like the stuff we have in the States. Oh and I found brownie mix here as well. its 10 reais. so $5 each small box. A whole chicken is expensive. I would rather just stick to something small. But wow pop-tarts sound amazing!!!! Cinnamon pop-tarts!!!!!!!!!!!

I would love mixes to go with meat and chicken is actually the cheapest. I don’t need insoles right now; the ones I have are still working completely fine. No mail from the mission home and my money situation is fine. I will be fine until the next allowance comes on the 15th.

I haven’t wrote back yet....I am putting more pictures on the 8 gb SD card before I send it, so I will send a letter with the SD card.

But I got to go now. I love you a lot and I will talk to you next week.

But that’s all for this week...

love,

elder adam jensen

 …and I enjoyed the pictures!

 

Transfers

Date: Wed, 3 Apr 2013 19:28:56 +0430




Subject: Re: Good Morning
From: adj1991@myldsmail.net
To: jensens6@msn.com



So this past week...



I was sick for the most part. Tuesday until about Friday, it sucked by the way. Headache, fever, and stomach pains, but it’s all good now. My sickness is gone and I am feeling perfect and it was just a little virus I don’t really know how I got it but oh well. All is good. Because of the sickness, Elder Simpson and I didn’t really get a lot done, we tried Friday and Saturday but it didn’t really pay off, especially because literally no one went to church and we were not able to baptize Daniel, a young man who lives two streets down from the church. On Easter I ate lunch and some chocolate, that was about it. Oh and there was a birthday party for a sister in the ward. It was her surprise birthday party on Sunday.



No I have never been robbed or assaulted. I think it’s because I am not afraid to hit someone. Oh and I started to lose weight again – woo hoo! I gained some weight while I was in João Pessoa so I need to lose more weight. I got back up to 88 kilos!! (193lb’s). I can wait to get new clothes when I get back. to be honest....I don’t really like surprise clothes because at times I don’t like them and I will feel bad for whoever bought them. So please can we wait till I get home to buy new clothes so we don’t have the awkward..."yeah I like the clothes but I won’t wear them in public situations"



Oh and transfers were today. I was transferred. I left Ipes at 8:30 this morning and arrived here at like 10 a.m. It’s a very close city that has a lot, a huge supermarket close to the house. I know...spoilt now! Nope no service projects! The apartment is nice just needs a little cleaning and I have a bed. All houses have beds for each missionary; we don’t all sleep in hammocks. I am now in Campina Grande. I am actually kind of upset about it. I worked so hard to have a wedding and before it could happen I get transferred! Also, Elder Simpson and I had some plans to do an activity in the ward - a ward cook-off. We would have totally won! But now it won’t happen, along with some other things they won’t happen as well.



Good news:



Campina Grande is the coldest city in the mission, being here in Campina Grande means that I will stay in the João Pessoa mission as well. The bishop from Ipês always comes to Campina Grande, so it means that the next package and my card that is still arriving at his house will eventually get to me. probably next week. I hope!! Most likely will or he will just give it to the Zone Leaders to give to me. one or the other. The new area is more city like with actual roads, but I haven’t been in my working area yet. We will see how it is afterwards…



My new companion is Elder Franco; he is from Paraguay and has about 4 months on his mission. He is a very skinny person that seems like he wants to be the boss but I am at the point where I don’t care and I think I will let him be the boss. I became District Leader as well. I don’t know if I want this calling, just a little more responsibility, but then again responsibility will probably keep me out of trouble and try to be an example.



I received the smoked salmon and one sandal, worth it by the way! I did like the one shoe!! Other members loved the fish and it was delicious and eaten all within 4 days ~ perfect! It just needed a nice Dr.Pepper to go with it ~ lol. Thank you for everything.



That is my week for ya...



love



elder adam jensen
 
 

Miracles upon miracles!

From: adj1991@myldsmail.net


So the past two weeks...

So about Ricardo and Simony...they STILL haven’t gotten married yet! Ricardo has no documents whatsoever, so now he has to go to somewhere at 5 in the morning to sit in line until he is able to do the documents he is needing, Ricardo needs his identity! It’s ridiculous! Everyone in the ward is nagging about when the wedding will be, but we have no idea what to tell them. Other than that, other things that have happened, was we saw the guy with the joint again. He was actually outside at night close to our house dancing with another man that was wearing overalls but the pants part was cut into short shorts, it was hilarious and I waved at him!! Last Tuesday Simony´s son Sergio was baptized. Unfortunately, it wasn’t planned very well, the bishop didn’t go. We were able to baptize the boy and we put Elder Simpson in a white jump suit and said go at it lol!!

Oh and also a miracle happened!

The miracle....
Glaydson was baptized! The miracle part was that we showed up at their house before church to wake up the family for church. When we got there the mom said that he shouldn’t be baptized because she thinks that he doesn’t know enough or is not ready, and that the father of her children didn’t know as well. (they are divorced by the way and he doesn’t help at all) But anyways, while we were talking with her she started to get really quiet and stopped to ask of us if we were able to give her any money because she has no money whatsoever and she had no food in the house. We gave her some money, but we said that she could only earn the money if she went to church with her child because Glaydson needed someone to sit next to him during church. (They don’t have bishop store houses here, and if they did they wouldn’t use it, as they think they can’t even use fast offerings to help people.) The Mom accepted and went to church. While she was there during sacrament, the real miracle happened. EVERY single talk and hymn was about baptismal preparations and that we all must follow the path. It was crazy because I don’t think it was planned that way. Anyway, the Spirit definitely softened her heart because after the meeting she said that her son should be baptized and that she is happy that he chose this religion to follow. Later that day we went to their house again so that we can have a baptism and the mom said that she will continue going to church with Glaydson because she liked it so much! It was a good Sunday!

We also had a Mission conference but with just two zones. It was actually 30 companionships. (60 missionaries) We found out the mission boundaries when it splits, All I know still is what cities each mission will have. Like the missionary boundaries, I want to stay in the Joao Pessoa mission if I can.

I also got some more letters and packages. I got more hot sauce, which is delicious! A letter from Howard, I also got Emily’s letter at the bishop’s house (that was nice to read :)

My money situation is good at the moment. Everything came from the mission home except for Emily’s letter, I have not gotten the packages yet from the bishop’s house, and I already wrote Sean back. 

Starting Tuesday morning, before we went to district meeting, we went to a fallen away member that gives us money for lunch every 3rd Tuesday of the month. When we got there he got home as well, they gave us the money, but when they did, a random man just stops on his motorcycle and says he is a return missionary and that he had a reference for us. It was pretty cool because we haven’t had a reference for quite some time now and the reference is in an area that is soooo difficult to work in. so it should be good finding this week. The reference is in the rich side of town!

The ward is going to pay Severinas bills, 3 in total. I think it’s about 150 or a little more reais, which seems like nothing, but she literally has nothing! And she only gets like unemployment checks from the government. But it’s only like 50 bucks every two weeks. Or less. This is for 3 people. But she had 3 energy bills she hasn’t been able to pay and she has been getting money together to pay for their rent, it’s kind of bad! She is a single mother who lives in a one room house. One bed and one fan - 3 people! They have clothes and what not. They just don’t have enough food all the time. Yes, she is very poor, but I have seen worse! The last time we met with her, we made some progress. We kept talking about authority and power from God, but near the end Elder Simpson bore his testimony about priesthood and she started to cry! While she was crying she finally said why she has been saying no to some of our invites or feeling like her baptism in another church should be valid. She started saying all the problems she had in the past, like with the church, her ex-husband and family and with no money. She said the only good thing from her past was her baptism. The only joy she has had in a long time but, at the same time she feels like if she gets baptized in the church of Jesus Christ she will forget that joy she had when she was first baptized in the other church. She is also scared of being deceived by another church, she goes on and on about how she was deceived by the other church, but she doesn’t want to forget her baptism but after a little while, she finally started asking more about the church, and that she feels really good in the church and that she is very happy that her children have something to follow such as The Church of Jesus Christ. Maybe we will see more progression this week. She likes to read the Book of Mormon and is praying, and maybe soon....a new member!

A young man named Lucas was ordained an Elder last night as well. but he doesn’t arrive in the mtc until Thursday, it kind of sucks for him but the Stake President is traveling this week so he was ordained 4 days early!
I received Mom’s letter the one from when Sean went to WWU for History Day. On Friday night we went to dinner with the second counselor in the ward. He brought us to a place called Rodizios, which is a pizza place that’s endless pizza - it’s like a buffet but they come to you, you just sit and wait until they come with pizza!!! it’s kind of nice. I think I had about 17 slices of pizza!!! I ate way too much!!!! I felt fat afterwards! But then again Elder Simpson ate at least 24 slices.   

Also, the documents that Ricardo needed are all done now!!!! We are going to the place to set the marriage and get the marriage license on Wednesday.

But I have been good. A little more tired lately but good in all. Still in one piece with no dysfunctions!! Nope, I don’t need shoes or socks, or deodorant!! But I do miss American deodorant. I don’t need it though, like you think all the mother’s on missionary mom’s talk about! Not sure what or anything that we are doing for Easter.

Next Wednesday is transfer week, so just a reminder that all mail should go to the Mission home from now on unless I do stay through another transfer but please write to me at:


Elder Adam Jensen
Joao Pessoa Missao
Rua Deputardo Jose Mariz #515
Tambauzinho
Joao Pessoa, P.B 58042-020
BRAZIL

I normally get my mail from the Mission home once a month, around the 5th. So it could actually now take up to two months for a letter to reach me, please be patient for a reply…but I will write back!

Thanks for everyone’s support, prayers and love!

 love

elder adam Jensen

p.s. I do need the Pehrsons address from the ward phone book and the pizza dough recipe that doesn’t use wheat flour?  Jif creamy PB would also taste good!