February 15, 2014

Hola everyone!!

     So, this week seemed super long, but in a good way!!

On Monday-tuesday I got to go to Idaho to pick up my Visa. Before I go into how awesome that was, let me just let you all know that I have my visa and so I am CLEAR to go to MEXICO!!! WOOOO! I went with a group of about 15, and my companion did not come because she already got hers with a different group in salt lake a few weeks ago. SUPER WEIRD to be without her for a while, but we have grown closer since. the 2 other sisters, Hermana Ledek and Hermana Terry were there with me. In the airport, there was a guy that spoke spanish to us, and we understand pretty much everything he was saying! it was soo cool (he was american but knew spanish, so it was easier, but still, progress) I got to  eat CAFE RIO!

     It was very good. And they had Horchata. I know, they will have that in mexico, and it will be better, but I still missed it. So we flew- we got there around 9:30 pm and then a senior couple serving there picked us up and took us to the mission home in Nampa. That place is BEAUTIFUL and SO huge and I really miss the bed there. I got to sleep in my own room (which was weird) in a queen sized fluffy bed (which was amazing). The next morning, we got our pictures taken for our visas and while they were processing, we got to go to the Boise temple! It was so pretty, and the only temple that I have been to a session in outside of Ut. I will try to send a picture. After that we got our visa and we ate at chick-fil-a. Then we still had a pretty long time until we were supposed to fly back, so we had a pretty relaxing day. It was like a vacation with my parents because we went to this Nature center. There were ducks and fish and a crazy squirrel that jumped out of a hole in a tree and made me scream very loud. and then at the end there was a museum with dead stuffed animals in it... BUT it was a nice change.

Boise Temple

     I had a lot of fun there and I also realized how much I loveeeee my district. They are so amazing. OH something kind of cool, I found out that we are actually a pilot group here at the MTC. The way that we are being taught has never been done, and it is only my zone that is doing it right now, and I LOVE it. So normally, you have pretty much 2 teachers that you stick with. In our zone, we have about 7 teachers. We have one home room teacher that is here at least once a day, and the rest of the teachers switch around. So we get taught by so many teachers, and it is so perfect for my learning style. I love it because it helps me focus, and all of the teachers have such amazing ways of teaching that I am so glad that I don't have to miss out on that. We also do workshops at the end of... tuesdays and thursdays I think. They are little half hour mini classes on things like "getting to know your investigator" or "the attributes of Christ" or things like that. I am learning a ton. God really knew what would be the best way for me to learn.

     Because of Boise, I missed choir on Tuesday, but tomorrow, Elder Holland's son is coming to speak and so we get bussed up to main campus. I really love the devotionals. So many people care about missionary work and it keeps me going!

A district in our Zone is leaving for Mexico tomorrow, and I am so excited for them, but it is really sad! We have gotten really close to them. They were our sister training leaders and our zone leaders and stuff, and we are in the class next to them. They really feel like part of our family. It is crazy how close you get to people so fast here. I love them and know they will do amazing things. 

     So we started TRC last week. Training Recourse Center. It is where you teach people who are not your teachers. Some of them are members that are acting. Some of them are real investigators-- they say... Ours was a member. It was SO scary the first time because we just really didn't know how to start. It was a very humbling experience. They speak more English then my teachers do when we teach them- which is weird. He wanted us to focus on the priesthood, and so we made that the focus throughout the first lesson- which lasted 3 visits. His name is Daniel. He is a really nice person and we have loved teaching him and learned a lot through him. It got easier the next few times that we went back. 

     Well my brain is a little toasted right now, and I can't think of what else I want to say! OH thank you all for all the loving cards, letters, and valentines. I love them and I love you!! Remember what the pure love of Christ is, and that is Charity. So show that you love Christ by loving others. We are so blessed to have a perfect example to follow, with the atonement there to help us when we are weak. He is the only way. I love the gospel!

Love,

Hermana Jensen