Almost September. Back in school. Fall looming ahead. Already?

Dear Family and Friends,

Hey, it's Elder Jensen. In New Zealand. On my mission. What are you guys up to? I'm exhausted. All that I keep thinking is endure till it gets better. If there's any pattern I have noticed on my mission, it's that Heavenly Father tries and tests us then He blesses us. The challenge is to not give up or lose faith until it gets better. It will. It always does.

So I'm training now. It's pretty ridiculous. On his first day, my new missionary, Elder Hoffman, from Layton, Utah, invited two people to be baptized! I didn't do that till probably my third transfer. He has a girl that is writing him and he talks about her quite regularly. Haha. It's funny. We're pretty different, Elder Hoffman and me, but it just gives me heaps of room to grow.

The next lesson that we had with one of the guys Elder Hoffman invited to be baptized -- his name is Tawera -- was mean. We had asked him to pray about the date that we set for baptism -- the 24th of September -- so we followed up in this lesson. He said he prayed three times, once sitting down, once on his knees, then once on his knees out loud... and nothing! He said he prayed for some kind of sign that that was the date he was supposed to get baptized and he didn't get or feel anything. But then he started to smile and kind of laugh and said that he did, however, randomly turn to a scripture right after praying: Alma 32:17 (and some other verses before and after verse 17). You should all go read that one haha. It was funny. We helped him recognize that as his answer and now he's planning on being baptized on that date. It was a miracle. God answers.

Elder Hoffman said he is loving things so far -- we've had some powerful lessons and I've been blessed to have acted on the promptings from the Spirit to find people in need. I'm glad I've been able to help him establish great expectations for his mission and I hope to continue the learning. I've also learned heaps. When we study the things the Spirit directs us to study and do so by the Spirit, diligently, Heavenly Father rewards us with the opportunity to apply our studies throughout the day or week. This isn't just for missionaries. It's why it is so important to study the Gospel every day.

Since I have been on my mission, Auckland has had a tornado, snow, and an earthquake (a small one), none of which have ever happened or at least haven't happened for decades. The summers are getting hotter and the winters colder. Something big is going to happen soon, and I'm excited! Haha I love this work and I'm grateful for everyone's support. I want to apologize to anyone that I have let down or said something stupid to. I'm really trying my best to be all that I can and to be more like Christ. I'm sorry for times when I've been prideful or appeared to look down on others. You can slap me around when I get home.

I love you guys. Thanks for everything. School's back in! Have fun! Use this time while you have it to learn and grow. Don't take for granted the amazing opportunities you've been blessed with.

Lastly, everyone is a child of God. Really. Try to look at people like that. You knew these people before this life. And you knew there would be challenges. Try to understand each other. Be patient. Open your heart to those around you. Love ya. Bye.

Elder Jensen

Monday Again

Bula family and friends!

 

That's hi in Fijian. This week, I experienced the coldest day in the history of Auckland. About 33 degrees Fahrenheit. Crazy hail during personal study. Even though I know that 33 degrees is not too impressive, it was cold! In my defense, we were biking around in it, and it started to rain. And I lost one glove a few weeks ago, so I stuck that hand in my pocket. It's really good I learned how to ride with no hands. It's quite useful. Sorry for not writing last week. I was short on time. The Rugby World Cup is coming to New Zealand in just a couple of weeks. I'm not entirely sure what is going to happen with the missionary work considering that the population of New Zealand is estimated to double for the momentous occasion. Heaps of referrals for other countries I guess.

 

This was probably one of the best weeks of my mission. I was witness to so many miracles. We found Rose, Cheryl, and Jason, taught them, and committed them all to be baptized in September. The real miracle was the fact that they really warmed up quickly to us, they knew from high school some of the fellowship we brought over, and they came to church just a few days later! They loved it. On Saturday, some of their family was teasing them for preparing to be baptized and said (in a nasty kind of way), "You're gonna be a Mormon? How do you even know the Mormon book is true?" To which our new investigators answered, "Because we prayed and God told us." Yeah.

 

We also taught this 19-year-old girl named Emmily for the first time and on Saturday and she told us she has been reading the Book of Mormon every day for two weeks and loves it. She talked about how so many people think they know God, but they don't, and when you read this book, you really come to know God and understand His plan for you. When we asked if she had tested Moroni's promise to pray and ask God if the book is ture, she said she had and she just felt this amazing feeling going through her -- like a shiver, but really warm. She knows it's true. We committed her for the same day as Rose, Cheryl, and Jason. She's golden.

 

And Leeanne Epiha was baptized! She went through so many trials, but by the power of the Holy Ghost we were able to discern all her concerns and teach according to them and help her to enter into the covenant of baptism on the 19th of August. She's really an inspiration. She loves the Gospel and will go so far. She has given up everything to make it where she is now. She has got great fellowship and should remain active. I'm so happy for her. I was privileged to baptize her and felt the power of the priesthood flowing through me as I raised my arm to the square, then baptized her. Seriously, it is so cool to baptize these repentant people! You can feel God's power as you speak His words.

 

Finally, I have some interesting news. I found out a week and two days before transfers (this Thursday) that I will be training a new missionary! I will be among the first to train according to a new 12-week program instituted by the First Presidency. I'll admit, I'm so nervous. I couldn't believe it when President told me over the phone. Being a district leader has already been stretching me to what I thought was my max. It's surprisingly difficult to help others become better missionaries. Now I get to train a brand new missionary. I'll be the one he looks to for obedience, teaching, finding, following the Spirit, everything. If you can't tell, I've been stressed. But I know that as we rely on Heavenly Father, He'll increase our capacity to handle anything that is thrown our way. It's amazing actually -- I don't think I ever mentioned this, but a few months ago, when I was struggling to become the missionary that Heavenly Father wants me to be, I prayed fervently several times that He would help me to become whatever He wants me to be and that He would trust me enough to put me in any position in this mission. I asked Him to make me more. In a few short months, He has changed me. I love this work and the Gospel and I know that as we just try to magnify our callings and strive to understand His will, we can become powerful tools in His hands.

 

I love you guys. I'm thankful for everything you've done for me and for the examples you've been. This email took me ages to write. Haha. I'm tired. I hope someone takes something from this email that will help them in their lives. Have a good week.

 

From the land next to the land down under, and with love,

Elder Zachary Jensen

Trunked out of your minds. And the priesthood.

Hello Family,

Do you know what trunky means? Let me fill you in. It's a missionary term, meaning looking forward to going home, or thinking about home, etc. You guys are so trunky! I'll come home when my mission is over, and then I will think about home-related things, but right now I'm busy serving the Lord. A couple of people said see you in 17 months! I didn't even know that's how much time I had left! I love getting letters and packages and emails, but you don't need to be trunky! I miss all of you, like you miss me. We all know how much we miss each other. So let's just leave that out of correspondence. Deal? Okay, thanks.

In other news, I want to tell you all a story about a young 25-year-old girl named Leeanne who I am pretty sure I told you about last week. She has made amazing progress. She came to church yesterday for the second time. She is really excited to be baptized, but has problems with the Word of Wisdom. At first she had some pretty strong addictions to smoking and drinking. So we taught her about the Atonement and faith and all this other good stuff. And she hasn't had a drink in two weeks! That's what we in the New Zealand Auckland like to call a miracle. The smoking, however, is still a problem. She has cut down heaps, but is still having trouble with it. She understands that smoking -- even if only just a little -- will keep her out of the Celestial Kingdom, so she is doing her very best to quit. She has made goals and plans to stop and is sticking to them. Her little girl, maybe five years old, is always there for the lessons, and one day, as she was getting out of the car to go to school, Rangi (the daughter) asked Leeanne, "Mommy, when are you going to stop smoking?" The influence of a child is powerful. Leeanne asked if she wanted her to stop and Rangi said yes. A couple of days ago, I went on tradeoff with a zone leader and President Lekias (he wanted to come see our teaching -- sweet haha) to a lesson with Leeanne. She was crying because she had just been in a fight with her sister, so we taught her about the power of faith in Jesus Christ to heal all kinds of pains and afflictions. We then talked about the Priesthood and its ability to heal addictions (using Matthew 10:1), and offered her a priesthood blessing for the smoking. The Spirit was so powerful in the room as I asked her who she would like to give her the blessing. With this look in her eyes, like, "duh, who do you think?" she pointed at me and said, "you." With the mission president and Elder Nipko, I gave a spirit-filled blessing. As I finished, President asked Leeanne how she felt, and she said she felt some kind of shiver going down her spine and felt amazing. I know she will make it to the waters of baptism. She and her daughter will be sealed together someday, with a worthy priesthood holder. And they will have the opportunity to live forever in the presence of their God.

I testify that the priesthood is real. It can heal and comfort and bless. Coupled with faith, the priesthood works miracles. The Atonement is for us. No addiction, temptation, or mistake can stand against the power of the Atonement to heal us and give us strength to resist and become stronger and move forward every day. Jesus Christ has felt it all. Please don't let the priesthood go to waste. Most -- if not all -- of you who will read this email have the amazing privilege of knowing many priesthood holders. If you need help, with anything, please ask for a blessing. And it will "heal the wounded soul!" I can promise you that, out of experience.

I love the gospel. I have been healed so many times before. It hurts me when I hear people say, "I need to get my life in order first, then I'll go back to church" or "I don't feel good enough to go to church." Heavenly Father is there to help us and get us back on the path to eternal life! Ignoring that help is a manifestation of pride at its greatest. Please don't "rely on the arm of flesh." I love you. Each of you. Don't be trunky!

Love,
Elder Jensen

P.S. Leeanne was texting me, asking me about words from the Book of Mormon, as I was writing to you about her! Solid!

Tarzan Part 2

Hey,

 

I'm back. We had to sign up for more computers and wait. We went and got some fish and chips and burgers while we waited. Fish and chips shops riddle this country. They're everywhere. It's good though, and unhealthy. They deep-fry pretty much everything. We had deep-fried candy bars the other day. Haha. Those feel they're going straight to your arteries.

 

I was talking about Alex and Ivory. Yeah, they're amazing. And I love them. Alex just seems like she's been through a lot of hard times with her partner. She almost looks wounded all the time. But the Spirit is healing her. I can see the hope on her face. They came to church yesterday and had a meeting with bishop at Anaru's request (he wanted to repent). After the meeting, we asked them how it went and Alex said, "Good... ... ...I think it's all going to happen. We're going to get married." Beauty, eh? We're excited for them. And I think Alex is really excited for Anaru to give up smoking and drinking and whatever else. I'll keep you posted on them. Oh and they have this cute little three-year-old girl named Persaeus. Haha during Prophet of the Restoration she kept yelling "BOO!" from behind me, then laughing heaps. She's funny. I so badly want them to be sealed as a family.

 

There were other miracles, too, like the fact this one girl we're teaching, Sally (15), has been coming to church for a while now with her friend and is now so involved that they ask her to give talks and stuff in young womens. She sent us a mass text once with the steps of repentance in it.... The only thing stopping her from being baptized is parental permission. Flip, Elder. That's what I think about parents who won't let their kids partake of the blessings that come from making your first covenant with Heavenly Father.

 

We taught this girl named Leeanne (22, I think) for the first time about a week and a half ago while on tradeoff with the zone leaders. She accipted the invitation to be baptized, but was very hesitant. In the next lesson with Elder Naicker and a fellowship that our Ward Mission Leader recommended, we read Moroni 10:3-5 with her, and asked her what she thought she lacked to receive an answer. She said probably a sincere heart and real intent. Since then, our fellowship has taken her to activities and institute, read 1 Nephi 1 with her, and, most importantly, helped her get to church! Leeanne is now progressing like crazy! She loved church, she has been reading the Book of Mormon every day, and she strongly desires to be forgiven of her sins though repentance and baptism. Don't ever underestimate the ability that each one of you has to help instill desire and faith in your friends and family. Use it or lose it. Use the gifts that God has given you to bless others, or He will take it away. That's a promise.

 

I love all of you so much. It's so good to hear from you, and I'm sorry for my failure to respond to many of you. Please don't think I care about you any less.

 

Because I think some of you have been using the address that you are supposed to send only packages to, I'm including the mission address for letters:

Elder Z. Jensen

New Zealand Auckland Mission

PO-Box 33-840

Takapuna, North Shore City 0622

New Zealand

 

Thanks for all the letters! I got a few just this week from our Finnish hero Vahnin Pope and the wily Mac. Thank you!

 

You should be growing closer to the Savior every day. That's something that I can't stress enough. Never let a day go by where you don't act on a prompting of the Spirit. Keep enduring cheerfully and in faith and the Lord will bless you and your families!

 

Love,

Elder Zachary Jensen