Almosy a month in the field...

Dear People Whom I Love,

How are you all doing? I am doing great this beautiful, sunny morning in downtown Hamilton. Let's jump straight into things shall we? Oh by the way, did I tell you that New Zealand does their date like this: 12/11/10. That would be the November 12, 2010. That's just an example. That's a cool date huh? But yeah, that's how they write it. Anyways... I got like a dozen letters on the 19th. THANK YOU!! I'm not usually a double exclamation pointer so you know I mean it. The most recent letter was dated February 7th I think. So mail can get here in 12 days, maybe less. But they hold them at the mission home until they have a lot to send out to the districts. And I don't think I'm supposed to give anyone the address of my specific area. Not sure why. Probably because we get transferred (every six weeks, but you sometimes stay in the area, for those who are illiterate in missionary goings-on) and then whoever replaced me would be getting my mail and that's no good.

We have a Mission Tour next week. We have these once a year. The area president, President Callister (wrote The Infinite Atonement), is going around holding meetings, similar to zone conferences I think, training the missionaries. We had an assignment to study the Atonement and write an essay explaining what the Atonement means so a ten-year-old can understand it. Then teach it to a ten-year-old. Just finished doing all that this morning actually. I taught the 10-year-old yesterday and it went well. But that, along with me feeling like I should speak about the Atonement for my farewell talk, and the focus of our mission being "teaching Christ" (relating everything to the Atonement), I have realized that everything is about the Atonement. Everything. It's incredible. My testimony is strengthened every time I study it. It's amazing to me how Christ was literally separated from Heavenly Father. He was, in the fullest sense of the word, alone. That's what it took. He had to be perfect, and then He had to suffer everything that could ever be suffered. That's why it's infinite. We can't even understand how much He went through for each one of us. I'm excited for the mission tour. I'll let you know how it goes.

The letters were fantastic and I'm feeling much better because of all the great insight you all gave me on patience and working hard and sticking with it even when nothing seems to be happening. Seriously, I feel like many of the letters I received were inspired. This mission has really opened my eyes to how important it is to have a solid testimony of your own. You can't lean on anyone else because the day will come when the only Ones you can rely on are Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. It WILL come, for everyone. I promise. I was reading a General Conference talk By Elder Scott about faith and character. It's pretty much my favorite thing ever right now. It helped me so much. I really should have taken the time when I was home to strengthen my testimony every day. I'm ashamed to admit that I did not have a very strong testimony. Why? Because I was passive, as Elder Scott talks about. You could compare it to walking up the "down" escalator. If you're not taking steps forward in the Gospel, you're moving backwards. Does that make sense? I'd encourage everyone to read the talk. I'd also encourage you to take the time to pray about the Book of Mormon. Ask Heavenly Father if He's listening to you and if the the book is true. Even if you think you're fine, push forward strengthen your testimony! I didn't even realize I was moving backwards. Check yourself and make sure you're not. This time has been hard for me. I wasn't as strong as I thought. But every day makes me happier as I strive to do Christ's work here on earth. Faith is a principle of power. With faith you can do anything. There's an elder in my district who stopped the rain in the name of Jesus Christ. Everything obeys our Savior. Hopefully we will too.

Haha missionary e-mail to the extreme! Love you all. I haven't written any letters here in New Zealand yet, but I'll try to write soon... Thanks for the support. It means the world to me.

Another week, Another baptism, Hopefully

Dear Family,

I've actually had no baptisms yet, but I'm praying for one.

I'm giving up on trying to make this big e-mail enjoyable for everyone to read. I'm just talking to you guys now. Still free to post it on the blog and forward it to anyone you like, but I really just don't care to address the world anymore, mainly because I have no time to write letters (I haven't written any yet) so this is my only way to communicate with you. Why do I have no time to write? Good question. My district likes to do stuff on P-days. All day. I'm pretty sure none of them ever write home. I don't know what to do. Sorry. Plus, one elder who I went on a trade-off with a couple days ago said that it takes a month for stuff to get here from the States or get to the States from here. If that's true, I won't be getting anything from you for a while. It's annoying as.

Jake, Whitney, and Megan, did you get my letters that I sent from the MTC a long time ago? You never told me if you did. Also, Megan and Jake, shoot me an e-mail so I can send this directly to you. I don't know your e-mail addresses. K so I'm pretty sure that lots of people think I'm an idiot because I say so many sarcastic things. People think I'm serious -- I never really say just kidding or explain that I was being sarcastic. So yeah, they just kind of give me this look, almost like one of disgust or disapproval or something. I really don;t care to explain myself though. So they sit there thinking I'm so dumb, while I know better. It's almost entertaining. Maybe that's why I don' say anything. Haha, don't worry, this is true only with missionaries (not investigators), mostly in the MTC, but a few here in the field as well.

I just thought that was funny. Maybe it's something I should work on. It's not that I'm even being rude-sarcastic, just non sensible. Makes no sense so I look dumb. It's funny.

I can ride my bike with no hands! Now I realize there are many people out there that can do this and you are currently reading this and laughing because it's so easy for you. Well you're the people I've always been jealous of, and when I saw that my companion could do it too, I decided to learn. So after a few days... I'm a champion of it. That's what happens when you're riding a bike all the time. You acquire skills.

Hey I was wondering if someone could send me some genealogy information. Where did our family come from, both sides? When did they join the church? Pioneers? Any Jensens ever serve in New Zealand? I never really bothered to find out and it makes me a little sad. By the way Mom, there are two missions here, not three. Wellington and Auckland. Speaking of New Zealand, I'm sorry to say that I'm going to try my hardest to retain my American accent. Kiwi accents bug me, and mine sets me apart from the rest. Proudly, I don't say warsh in place of wash and I know that the word "four" is in fact pronounced with an "r."

I heard this cool quote from John Bytheway: "Perhaps the happiness of death is hidden from us that we might better enjoy life." I think that's true. Can you even imagine how fantastic it must be on the other side? To be with God? To be creators of worlds, to be with those you love for eternity? Eternity. Blows my mind.

Haha, we talk to lots of crazy people here. We met with this Seventh-Day Adventist the other day who basically preached to us and told us we don't follow the commandments because our Sabbath is on Sunday. Yep. That happens a lot. We preached by the way into a lady a few weeks ago who said James bond was her half-uncle. She was serious. One guy told us we were deceived by Satan and that we couldn't get down on one knee and praise Jesus (we can; we chose not to), which he proceeded to do to show us he was right. Another guy asked us who the first person on earth was and when we replied with "Adam," he scoffed at us and said it was Satan, who was cast down to earth. Semantics. Those are just a few.

I eat a lot. I'm going to get fat. But I'm still always hungry. I had the same meal -- taco salad -- three times last week at member feeds. They insist you keep eating. Fine with me. Haha. Ice cream is guaranteed everywhere we go.

A speaker in church yesterday said that because he was born into the church, he has a greater responsibility to the world to be an example and to help bring the gospel to people. "I Nephi, having been born of goodly parents..." (you're good parents). "Because I have been given much, I too must give." I also have that responsibility. But so do you guys. This is what I would like you to do: think of a friend who doesn't have the truth in their life and then refer that person to some missionaries. I realize it's scary but think of what they are missing out on. The Lord gave all of us a responsibility to preach His word, not just the full time missionaries. It's a commandment. Please do this for me. Just one person referred to the elders. Or sisters. I'm sure your friend isn't going to hate you because you try to help them.

That's my Elder Jensen lecture for today. Mother, will you save these e-mails and future letters that I send so I can have them after my mission? Thanks babe, you're a doll. There's this guy in my ward (by the way, I'm in a small area within Hamilton so I haven't seen much of New Zealand -- and the area is kind of run down) whose name is Raymond. He looks and acts like Bilbo Baggins. It's hilarious. And creepy.

Yes, I wear sunscreen.

I appreciate the e-mails. Thanks. It's hard for me to write a long one of these as well as reply to personal ones. Sorry about that.

Happy Valentine's Day! Tomorrow for you.

I'm so sorry to hear about Kooba... Please give Kim and Katie my condolences. I didn't even know she was having problems..?

Dad, there are these bugs here that are so flipping loud it's ridiculous. They're everywhere. And they chirp all the time. You would hate them. Constant droning.

I love you all. This letter took the whole hour and I feel like I've said nothing. Thanks for all the support.

Love, Elder Jensen

P.S. GO GREEN BAY PACKERS!! I heard from a member. She just mentioned it, without me asking, then I went crazy. Thanks for the letters and package, even though I haven't gotten them yet. Bye!

Another week down, a couple more to go

Dear USA,

Hello from New Zealand. It's a beautiful day in the quaint little trashy town known as Hamilton. The scenic vomit-colored river provides a refreshing extra layer of humidity, so I am blessed with omnipresent sweat. My consistent ab exercises in the morning leave me nearly drowning in my own perspiration in no time at all, but when I'm the star of the newest edition of Macho Missionaries, you'll know why. The ozone layer here above NZ is quite absent, giving us an extra dose of enriching sunlight -- with a little extra kick. Needless to say, my hair is having a hard time keeping up with my skin. On the whole, New Zealand does not understand what it means to have good food. Everything here is very bland. But for some reason, everything tastes delicious! I'm always hungry and I haven't had something I didn't like yet. Maybe that has something to do with all my energy seeping out of me in the form of that perpetual salty discharge. Riding around on bikes all day every day takes its toll. But I'm loving it!

The Kiwis are rather fond of a ridiculous lingo in which "rubbish" replaces trash or garbage. When someone is interested in the Church, they are "keen." That's the one. That's the one. (Right on. Cool.). I was thinking about attending uni when I get off my mission, maybe at Utah State. Most people here think "uni"versity is a waste of time because you can get jobs very easily without it. But that decision doesn't need to be made for a long time. Meanwhile, the mission is sweet as! I'm hungry as all the time. But most the time I'm just sweaty as. But it's all goods. All goods. I hope yous in America are having fun and being happy and being the best yous can be. That's all I want. If not, well, that's real stink. The feeds here are great! Islanders make good food, and lots of it. But you don't see lots of lollies. Sweets are in short supply.

Yeah that's how they talk... I know. Crazies. We committed this guy named Epi to baptism and that was amazing. We asked what it would mean to him if the BOM was true, and he said it would change everything, because "the truth will make him free." I'll send a more spiritual e-mail another time. Sorry about that. I love you all and thanks for the support!

Thanks for everything. I'll let you know if I get letters from anyone.

I love you. New Zealand is great and humid. All the time. Jacob 6:12. Great one. That's my spiritual thought for today. Bye!

Love,
Elder Zachary Jensen

First P-day in The Land of the Long White Cloud!

Hello everyone!

How are you all doing? Today's Monday in New Zealand. It's a beautiful day with NO SNOW! Haha. Actually I kind of miss the snow... The ozone layer pretty doesn't exist here so my arms are fried. My first area is called Hamilton Claudelands, an hour and a half south of Takapuna, where the mission home is. Takapuna is just north of Auckland if you want to check out a map. My companion's name is Elder Brown. So we went to the Hamilton temple this morning at 7o'clock and came to the city to the e-mail shop we're at now. Got some New Zealand money for the first time -- it's plastic-like with holes and all kinds of colors. Lame. I didn't really know we were coming here right after the temple so I didn't bring any notes or anything so I'm going off memory here.

Here are the mission home addresses:

Letters:
New Zealand Auckland Mission
PO Box 33-840
Takapuna, North Shore City 0622
NEW ZEALAND

Packages (feel free to send as much candy as you want):
New Zealand Auckland Mission
7A Auburn St
Takapuna, North Shore City 0740
NEW ZEALAND

I would like to state here that if I die here on my mission, know that it will be from lack of love, so send me letters! I'll try to reply to everyone.

The day I arrived in New Zealand -- your Tuesday, NZ's Wednesday -- President and Sister Porter and the assistants brought our new group of 13 missionaries to an awesome place called One Tree Hill (ironically, the "one tree" was cut down some time ago). We saw the infamous sheep of New Zealand and from atop this hill you could see pretty much all of Auckland and surrounding areas. It's so beautiful. While we were there, President was talking to us about our mission to save souls weekly. That's the goal. Four baptisms a month (not EXACTLY weekly but...). It can happen. As he's talking to us about this, some guy who has obviously been listening comes up and tells us that our church is a cult; that baptism is not necessary to go to Heaven (it is); that demonic spirits possessed Joseph Smith (or something like that); and that "by the holy spirits, you will not have success." Unfortunately for him, the baptisms here in the Auckland mission have doubled since just a couple of years ago, and continue to increase. He was Hindi by the way, not that all Hindis are like that. Just interesting.

We preach to people "by the way" here, which means that you talk to pretty much everyone you pass about the gospel. I guess you could consider that tracting. We knock a couple of doors now and then, when directed by the Spirit. It's kind of scary to just talk to anybody about Christ, especially because so many people think you're crazy. But I'm getting used to it. And now it's kind of funny.

Missions are hard! But I'm learning how to rely on the Lord and we've taught a bunch of lessons already. I have some hope for one guy named Huiarangi. I'll let you know how that goes. I love you all and I'm so so grateful for all the support you've given me. Thanks! Good luck with everything back home!

Personal Hellos: Hi Whitney, hi Megan, hi Jake, hi Little Jake, hi Father, hi Mom, Sorry, I've got more to say but I don't have time. Talk to you next week. Keep reading the BoM and keep praying. I love everyone one you. Thanks again for everything, especially your testimonies.

Love, Elder Zachary Jensen

Arrival in New Zealand

Parents and whoever else you choose to send this to,

Hi! So I'm in New Zealand now. The Land of the Long White Cloud. I'm alive. The flight wasn't that bad. I just slept and wrote and ate. Sorry I didn't call again in San Francisco but I'll talk to you in just five months. It's beautiful here and very humid and some Hindi guy came up to us while the new missionaries were getting briefed at the top of this green hill called One Tree Hill. He told us our church was wrong and we're crazy. It was awesome. Gotta go!

Love, Elder Jensen

January 25, 2011

*Sorry I've taken so long!

Elder Jensen and his trainer Elder Brown

His mission President and other missionaries

2 down 102 to go

Dear Elders and Brothers and Sisters and Young and Old,

 

First thing first: P-days are ridiculously busy. All I do is write the whole day, mixed with a little laundry and temple. Anyways, thanks for all the letters everyone! I appreciate it very much. As you returned missionaries all know, letters are my lifeblood. Haha one of the funniest things is having one of your district members getting all riled up because you got five letters in a day and they got one. Of course, I don't enjoy that in the slightest. It's not my fault that I know sso many awesome people.

 

Non-spiritual topics first: Elder Hole and I were being sarcastic the other day about some ridiculous things. For example, we were discussing what an island is. Piece of land surrounded by water right? So then we were asking Elder Davis--the district leader and Elder Hole's comp--what North America is. He said continent. Boy was he wrong. We just couldn't understand how he reached that conclusion. We showed him how it's completely surrounded by water and therefore it must be an island. He was getting so upset haha. "Are you serious? Are you kidding me? North America is a continent!" You really had to have been there haha. Anyways, other non-spiritual stuff. Oh I'm no longer undefeated in basketball. I have 25 wins and 3 losses. I can dunk now! Syck huh? I've done it twice now. Not in game yet, but I've got a couple more chances before departure.

 

Speaking of departure, I leave for the big NZ on Monday the 24th. We take off for San Francisco then have a three hour layover, then we fly with Air New Zealand, leaving Monday night and arriving Wednesday morning around 6 o'clock their time. I will not experience a 25th of January, 2011. It's a sobering thought.... The world is a crazy place, what with its time travel and such. 

 

Spiritual: We taught this one mock investigator named Roseanne. We were teaching her as a district, so each companionship had about ten minutes. Everyone went into different rooms to pray about what should be taught and to beg our Heavenly Father for the Spirit and for guidance. I offered my companionship's prayer. It was seriously one of the most earnest prayers I've ever uttered. And God answered! Like He always does. He allowed all of us to teach powerfully with the Holy Ghost. He taught through us. My companion said afterwards that he couldn't even remember saying some of the stuff he did say, like the Spirit was speaking through him. Before we went to teach Roseanne, and after praying, all of us in the district met together to discuss what she needed. We had all received the answer of the Atonement, that that's what she needs to hear. It was incredible that we all received that same answer, but it does all come from the same God! Anyways, it was a great experience.

 

Haha I just looked at my timer and it said 1:39. Go to that in Moses! Great stuff! Gotta go. Love you all!

 

Love, Zach Jensen 

 

1 Week Down 103 To Go

Elder Jensen is doing great!! Here is a little bit from his email home...

Dear everyone,

First of all, I would like to tell you all that I'm alive. Today, Thursday, is my first P-day and the first day they've allowed us to write.  I really have no time. But that's the way of the MTC. No time for anything. 

So, the first day. The family dropped me off at the curb, the host elder  picked me up, and I was off. No wasted time. I immediately met my district and companion at our class, where I have spent more than half of my time. Then we went to a welcome meeting with all 409 new missionaries. Of course I was chosen to give the prayer. That was nervewracking. Then we had class and nasty MTC food. Trust me, it's gross. I've seen Heather a few times since I've been here. She seems to love it. And I'm growing to like it as well.

So like I said before, tthhere is not enough time in the flippin day! That's why we plan. I've gotten thhee  hang of things more since the first few super long days. Now I'm almost halfway out of this joint. Oh, my companion's name is Elder Keith Hibbard. We work well together. We've mock taught a lot of people and done grreeat. We went to an appointment with this one guy yesterday and asked how to know how much to teach and how to know what to teeach. He helped me figure out how vitally important the Spirit is in discerning the investigator's needs and showing them how important the gospel is their lives. At some moments in our many mock teachings, literally all I  cared about was giving these people the truth, the key to their happiness.

The gospel really does have everything you need in your life, and in everyone's lives. It's amazing the power that the scriptures hold, and how effective Preach My Gospel is. We were lucky enough on Tuesday night to hear Elder Holland speak about missionary work. It was amazing. I don't have time to really  talk about it, but one of the things that I loved was his story about a young missionary in the time of the "discussions" that had the sense to tell a woman who had lost her baby about Moroni 8. He told her where her child is. Because of that, she joined the chuch. That's why it's so important to listen to the Spirit while teaching. And I'm trying as hard as I can to do that.

Basketball is my sport here. I'm undefeated. Haha I'm sorry to stray from the spiritual topics. 13 games and I've never lost. I'm super close to being able to dunk it. I jumped so high one time that I almost kneed a guy in the face. Haha I love it.

There are some great guys in my district. Elder Hole always acts like he's shooting me and throwing grenades at me. We have an ongoing war. Elder Espino is Australian going to NZ.

Love, Elder Zach jensen