Sweet As Week

Maori!

That's hello in Kiribati. I know, that's also the name of the natives (sort of) of New Zealand. Just a coincidence. I love Kiribati people. They are so cool. I'm learning lots of their language.

Easter. Is about Jesus Christ. I hope you all remember that this beautiful Easter Sunday (I assume it's beautiful there. It's raining here). Yesterday was my Easter. It was probably the best Easter of my life. Spiritually. Not as many Easter eggs of course. The second counselor in the bishopric asked me to speak a couple of days ago, about the Atonement. Five minutes. Yeah. The Atonement in five minutes. Not fair. Anyways, Bishop (oh by the way, transfers were this week -- guess who's manning Claudelands for another six weeks!? It's okay, I'm starting to love it) talked to me right before sacrament meeting and told me he probably wouldn't have me speak, since they already had three other speakers all speaking on the Atonement. I was fine with that, since I hadn't really prepared anything, but I had a feeling I was still going to speak. Sure enough, Bishop announced that I would be following the youth speaker. I can't even tell you how powerfully I felt the Spirit while I delivered my "impassioned plea" (as Bishop later called it) to the ward to let their suffering friends and family know about the gift that has already been offered them by our Savior. There's really no reason on earth that we shouldn't tell our non-member friends about the best thing in the universe. Except selfishness.

Yeah, so that was sweet, and two more hours about the Atonement (both from the Gospel Principles manual... mmhmm) followed. After Elder Purdon and I finished our lesson in GP class for investigators and new people to church (second hour), a lady named Lydia asked me for a blessing of comfort and counsel, which I gladly gave. Also spiritual as. At the Easter fireside that night, Bishop talked about how my "plea" earlier that day had brought back memories of the experience that changed his life decades ago, the experience that gave him a testimony. This was an answer to several of my prayers where I had begged Heavenly Father to allow me to touch at least one person through the Spirit with my talk that afternoon. Several other people thanked me for the talk as well. Like Alma, I boast in God. He allowed me to have the Spirit to change lives for the better. He answers our prayers. I have seen it over and over again. The only time we can't see God's hand in our lives is when we cease to have faith and we don't ask for miracles. We do our part and He does the rest.

I am so grateful for the Atonement. For Jesus Christ. For the temple and the understanding it gives us of the Plan of Salvation. We were able to attend a session this morning since it's a public holiday here (ANZAC Day -- Australian New Zealand Army Core; we went to the dawn service at 6 am, had to wake up at 5. That was cool). It's true what many general authorities said at the last conference: revelation usually comes like a sunrise, line upon line. The Spirit has built upon me again and again just the past two days; I feel like I'm going to burst with contentment. Really. It's mean.

I wish I could tell you guys about more awesome stuff, but I'm out of time. Love you, thanks so much for letters and prayers and SHARING THE GOSPEL WITH YOUR FRIENDS. I really, really appreciate it. I love this work! More and more every day. And guess why? Obedience. Yep, I corrected a few things and it has made all the difference. I promise that this joy is not reserved for missionaries. Please share what you know and love. "Perfect love casteth out all fear." Do you love those people who don't have the gospel? Prove it.

Till next week. Korapa. Sikaroi am bong! Thanks. Have a good day!

From En Zed (that's how they pronounce the letter z -- zed, not zee),
Elder Jensen

P.S. I do love Easter eggs and the bunny and all that. Haha, you all probably think I'm going weirdo missionary on you. Not yet.

Third Baptism

Hey People,

Just kidding, not yet. We don't even have any sets (people set for baptism) right now. Have I talked about the Sri Lankan family? They have lots of potential I think. We've been working with them for quite a while now, but they haven't been able to come to church since they have some cultural event coming up that they've been prepping for every Sunday and throughout the week. The event is on April 23; after it's over they said they will come to church. They invited us to it too -- which is awesome, although we'll have to see if we're allowed to go -- but guess when transfers are? Yep, two days before the performance. As much as I would love to go support Nadiru and Sundaru (they are so cool, especially when they teach me Sanghalese), I would also love to get the heck out of Claudelands. No offense to the ward -- they are great -- but it's not a very interesting place, save the heaps of crazies running around.

Speaking of crazies, we have had three Muslims now, in the space of a few days, try to bash with us (bible bash: to contend against doctrine). Of course they always lose because our church has all the answers. This guy stopped us yesterday, acting all friendly, saying "Worship to the Almighty" or something like that, and when I agreed he said, "then why do you worship Jesus?" I was caught a little off guard, then proceeded to force him to eat his words (that's an expression right? I can't remember), particularly when he told me that he would convert to Christianity on the spot if I could show him one scripture in the whole Bible where Jesus himself claims to be the Son of God. John 10:36. Yep (all credit due, Elder Purdon was the one who found the scripture. Thanks Elder). Our Muslim friend then went on about how the Bible has been translated so many times, it's completely unreliable. Yep, I said, and that's why we have the Book of Mormon, pure doctrine that clarifies the Bible, and living prophets to guide us. He just said "Well that's a little hard to believe" and promptly ran off when we asked him why God would stop talking to us if he loved us just as much as he loved those of the Bible days. He didn't convert by the way.

It was a good week. We had Stake Conference too, so our General Conference was delayed further to this upcoming weekend. I'm so excited. Thanks for not spoiling anything. Except for Jake, who said President Monson is so funny. Now I know the prophet is speaking. Thanks a lot. Some people...

"Service is the rent we pay for our earthly existence."  -- Some guy

My flat is pretty basic with a few rooms and no central heating. I'm a little cold sometimes, but doing fine. For anyone who is wondering if I eat okay, I EAT WAY TOO MUCH! It's ridiculous. You'll see in my pictures I am sending soon this week that I am getting fat. So uncool.

Haha the New Zealand that I know is not the New Zealand that you all imagine, so you can stop being jealous.

I hope you all realize how perfect this gospel is, how it explains everything, how Christ is everything, our Savior and Redeemer, which is really so incredible. He really is the Christ, which means that without Him, nothing would be possible. Every day I come to know Him better, I understand more His perfect empathy that comes from His voluntary sacrifice for not just the sins of the world, but every pain, sickness, infirmity, and whatever else you've ever felt or I've ever felt or anyone has ever felt. I love that I can turn to Him for anything I need, and I do -- or at least, I try. I love Him so much for doing that which I would shy away from in a moment's notice. I'm so grateful for the gospel and for the fact that I'm lucky enough to know about it. You're all that lucky too; don't forget to share it. It is a commandment you know, to share the gospel. "It becometh every man [woman, and child] to warn his neighbor, as he has been warned."

Thanks everyone for how great you all were to me back home and for the letters and emails and prayers. It really means so much to me. Each one means so much, not just the whole. I appreciate the love and hope that you'll each leave your comfort zone and do some missionary work. That's how your faith increases I've learned -- leaving the comfort zone.

Well bye.

Much love,
Elder Jensen

I love him

Zach's mission president's wife keeps a blog. This picture was on it. I love this boy. I miss him. I'm grateful that he made the decision to serve a mission and I know that he is where he needs to be. But I would be lying if I said I didn't miss him. I miss his smile, I miss his teasing, I miss his personality, but most of all i just miss being able to talk to him. 

I love my brother. 

Baptism #2

America,

I had my second baptism on Saturday. I did the actual baptism again. This time it wasn't as personal however, since she was just a nine-year-old girl and she couldn't decide who she wanted to baptize her, so she picked my name out of a hat. Haha. I have my suspicions that she likes me the best and didn't want to offend anyone else, so she just told us that she pulled it out of a hat.... Speaking of people liking me, so many people here hate us! It's discouraging sometimes. Then I reflect on the Atonement and how I'm doing His work, so it's all good. Like the other day, I went up to some lady after hving this prompting that I should talk to her and said hello and asked her how she was -- being very personable and smiling and stuff -- and she exploded!

Her - "I can't believe you would just stop someone on the street like this!"
Me - "We don't have to stop -- I'll walk with you if you want."
Her - "No! No, I don't want that! How dare you?! You are so rude!"
Me (now trying to suppress laughter) - "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend you; we just have this message --"
Her - "I don't want to hear it! You are so rude! This is my private time! How dare you?!"
Me (chuckling) - "Alright then, you have a good day. Ha."
Her (now getting as far away as possible, stopping and turning around in response to my small laugh) - "HOW DARE YOU?! YOU ARE SO RUDE!!"

Apparently, seeking the eternal salvation and exaltation of others is very offensive.

Hey family, George might call you guys sometime. We're good friends. He's going to come hang out at our house when I get home. He's moving to Bountiful in August to live with a former mission comp who lives across from the temple. Maybe you can meet him. He's the one who wanted to be added as my friend on facebook. Would someone please add him? His facebook name is Siosi Mekuli. Siosi is George in Samoan. I think Samoan.

Also, if you guys ever decide you want to send me another loaded ipod, put lots of Disney music on it, please. We can listen to Disney music. But not all of it. "Kiss The Girl" is an example of one we shouldn't listen to. You might decide to do this for my birthday or Christmas or something, but just log that away. Thanks.

I was wondering if you could send me a record of my priesthood lineage back to Joseph Smith. Thanks.

Did you activate my debit card already or do I have to do that? Call the States? Seems expensive, and probably not allowed.

Mom, I can't find my other SD card. I checked the speakers pouch. I'm just going to buy another one and send the one I have probably next week.

Glad you enjoyed the letter. Thank you for the package! I very much enjoyed all the medicine. Oh and the other stuff...

Does anyone ever have any tips for eating healthier? Dad, maybe an sample of the P90X diet? Also, how would one fatso slim down his buttocks? I'm having a very hard time fitting into my pants... I might have to get them let out...

Oh, the girl we baptized is named Bwerere Toromon. She's way cool. And so talkative. We're in the middle of teaching the Word of Wisdom and she starts rambling about the Parent Trap... for like five minutes. It was ridiculous. Then while we were talking about tithing or something, out of the blue she says, "Elder Jensen, remember that time when you asked me what my favorite subject was and I said 'Room 12'? I thought you meant room, not subject. My favorite subject is math." That's nice Bwerere... Haha. Yeah, she's great.

And Hoby is going on his first date ever! With a YSA girl. Sweet huh?

Okay, well I love you guys and thanks for the letters and prayers. The church is true and is so flipping cool. Everyone tries to prove us wrong. No one can. Doesn't that tell you anything? Oh and we don't see General Conference until April 16th and 17th, so I'm jealous.

Yours Truly,
Elder Jensen