Hey People,
This week we had a zone conference where President Fernandes spoke. It was a great conference, I´m really impressed with the ability that my mission president has to explain and apply the scriptures. He explained the story of David for us - a story that I´m sure all mission presidents like to use. He used a new missionary, Elder Fletcher who played basketball at Gilbert High, to play the part of Goliath and a small Brazilian missionary to be David. It was spiritual and funny at the same time and it gave all of us a greater desire to do what is right.
Yesterday we had Stake Conference and President Fernandes spoke again. He taught that God inspires men like Thomas Edison and the Wright Brothers to do great things but rarely the people recognize the influence of God. He told us how 5 days before his death, John Lennon said in an interview that the Beatles were more popular than Jesus Christ. Also, one of the builders of the Titanic said that not even God could sink that ship. He told several other similar stories and it was really clear that when people don't recognize the hand of God in all things they suffer the consequences.
Yesterday was pretty sad because the boyfriend of the woman we were going to baptize threatened to leave her if she was baptized in the church. Unfortunately she chose her boyfriend over God. I was sad to see that happen. But it´s ok, I´m happy. I learned that I need to trust in the Lord and have hope that my mission will be successful because God always does his part we just need to seek his help. Things are good here, Elder Snow is doing good, and we´re going to baptize more people that are converted. More families, more adults.
Have a great week everyone.
-Elder Travis Jenson
Questions:
1. Have you had a lot of rain?
Yeah, but it´s not flooding the city or anything like that. it never rains the whole day, lots of times it rains in the morning and then its hot and sunny in the afternoon.
2. Tell about your best discuss this week?
We had a lot but unfortunately most of the people didnt go to church on sunday. We taught an old, really catholic woman and her daughter and they both loved the message and couldn't wait to read the book of mormon. we´re going there tonight to see how it went and to answer their questions.
3. Did you take any pictures with your new camera?
Yeah, I´ll send you some.
4. Do you think you will get a new companion this next transfer?
No, I think I´ll stay with elder snow for one more transfer.
5. Whats the hardest think about training a new missionary? Whats the best thing?
Hardest thing? teaching portuguese, but thats really not that hard. The best thing is having a companion who is obedient, willing to work, and follows your advice.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
Travis' email May 18, 2009
Hey you guys,
This week was alright. We taught a lot of lessons during the week but when Sunday came and it was a little rainy it made it really hard to have investigators at church. It´s a weird thing with the culture here, if it´s rainy or if it looks like it´s going to rain, the people don't leave their houses. I assured our investigators that rain is just water and that it will have no long term affects on their health but they didn't believe me. It was frustrating. I´m hoping that next sunday it doesn't rain.
My comp had his second baptism in the mission yesterday! He performed the ordinance and baptized a 15 year old girl named Beatriz. It was good, although she needed a little encouragement at the beginning, she´s really happy with her decision to be baptized. We´re doing good and working hard. I´m working on developing faith in the fact that in the midst of all the people on the street that say that one of these days they´ll take some time to visit the church if its not raining, there really are people looking for the truth and we see these people everyday. I´m doing my best to find those people.
There are 2 weeks left in this transfer and I´m doing my best to teach Elder Snow how to work hard and baptize a lot. Elder Snow is learning a lot and he´s not having any problems with homesickness. That´s all I´ve got for this week.
Cya
Elder Travis Jenson
1. What do you think would be the biggest cultural shock for us if we came to Brazil?
I would be like when the buddah left his palace for the first time and saw the world how it is. Just kidding, for you mom it would probably be the food, for dad it would be congestion of people. But if you guys just stayed in a hotel thats close to the beach there wouldnt be that much culture shock.
2. Do you use an umbrella?
Only when it rains. the evangelicals use umbrellas when its sunny, i cant have people confusing me with them.
3. The strangest thing you ate this week?
Chicken feet.
4. How much do you weigh and Nate wants to know how's your hair looking ?( still thick or not so thick)
I weigh about 176 and I don't even want to comment on the hair situation.
Love ya, Mom
PS I got your letter, and yes it made me cry. Your an awesome son!! Thanks
This week was alright. We taught a lot of lessons during the week but when Sunday came and it was a little rainy it made it really hard to have investigators at church. It´s a weird thing with the culture here, if it´s rainy or if it looks like it´s going to rain, the people don't leave their houses. I assured our investigators that rain is just water and that it will have no long term affects on their health but they didn't believe me. It was frustrating. I´m hoping that next sunday it doesn't rain.
My comp had his second baptism in the mission yesterday! He performed the ordinance and baptized a 15 year old girl named Beatriz. It was good, although she needed a little encouragement at the beginning, she´s really happy with her decision to be baptized. We´re doing good and working hard. I´m working on developing faith in the fact that in the midst of all the people on the street that say that one of these days they´ll take some time to visit the church if its not raining, there really are people looking for the truth and we see these people everyday. I´m doing my best to find those people.
There are 2 weeks left in this transfer and I´m doing my best to teach Elder Snow how to work hard and baptize a lot. Elder Snow is learning a lot and he´s not having any problems with homesickness. That´s all I´ve got for this week.
Cya
Elder Travis Jenson
1. What do you think would be the biggest cultural shock for us if we came to Brazil?
I would be like when the buddah left his palace for the first time and saw the world how it is. Just kidding, for you mom it would probably be the food, for dad it would be congestion of people. But if you guys just stayed in a hotel thats close to the beach there wouldnt be that much culture shock.
2. Do you use an umbrella?
Only when it rains. the evangelicals use umbrellas when its sunny, i cant have people confusing me with them.
3. The strangest thing you ate this week?
Chicken feet.
4. How much do you weigh and Nate wants to know how's your hair looking ?( still thick or not so thick)
I weigh about 176 and I don't even want to comment on the hair situation.
Love ya, Mom
PS I got your letter, and yes it made me cry. Your an awesome son!! Thanks
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Jenny Graduated from ASU
Jenny graduated Magna CUM Laude from ASU! Way to go Jenny! We are very proud of you. Later we all went to IMAX to see Under the Sea 3D and that was a lot of fun. Then we all went to Nielsen's custard for dessert.
We also celebrated Derek's graduation from the Gateway Community College Radiation Technology program. He is scheduled to take his board exams next week. He already has a job at a medical clinic in Chandler. We are really proud of him!
Monday, May 4, 2009
Travis's Email May 3rd 2009
Hi World,
Well I wrote you guys an email but it got erased by trusty old ldsmail. I´ll write a summary. I´m training a brand new missionary, Elder Snow. He´s from Utah, very mormon, and very cool. He´s very humble and he follows the advice that I give him.
Funny Story: One day we were teaching and he told an investigator that he would receive a big fart for his sins instead of saying that he would receive forgiveness. Unfortunately for him the words fart and forgiveness are really close in Portuguese. (perdão and pedão) It was awesome. I´ll write more next week
Sorry for the short message,
Elder Travis Jenson
Questions:
1. Do you want a new camera? ( I don't know what I paid for your around 200 I think)
There was a mishap with my camera and I´ll need another one. Preferably one that uses a rechargable battery.
2. Are batteries really expensive? Do you want me to send you some?
No, just the new camera.
3.Transfer's were this week I'm guessing you'll be in the same area. How do you feel about that?
Great!
4. I was going to e-mail you letters from Greg Webb and Chris Heninger do you have time to read them? Would it be better for me to mail them?
It's better to mail them
5. Do you get very many e-mails from other people besides family? ( I don't give your e-mail address out)
No, I cant even receive emails from other people; its against the mission rules.
6. The funniest thing that happened this week?
Instead of saying receive forgiveness for your sins my companion said receive a big fart for your sins. I almost died from laughing.
Well I wrote you guys an email but it got erased by trusty old ldsmail. I´ll write a summary. I´m training a brand new missionary, Elder Snow. He´s from Utah, very mormon, and very cool. He´s very humble and he follows the advice that I give him.
Funny Story: One day we were teaching and he told an investigator that he would receive a big fart for his sins instead of saying that he would receive forgiveness. Unfortunately for him the words fart and forgiveness are really close in Portuguese. (perdão and pedão) It was awesome. I´ll write more next week
Sorry for the short message,
Elder Travis Jenson
Questions:
1. Do you want a new camera? ( I don't know what I paid for your around 200 I think)
There was a mishap with my camera and I´ll need another one. Preferably one that uses a rechargable battery.
2. Are batteries really expensive? Do you want me to send you some?
No, just the new camera.
3.Transfer's were this week I'm guessing you'll be in the same area. How do you feel about that?
Great!
4. I was going to e-mail you letters from Greg Webb and Chris Heninger do you have time to read them? Would it be better for me to mail them?
It's better to mail them
5. Do you get very many e-mails from other people besides family? ( I don't give your e-mail address out)
No, I cant even receive emails from other people; its against the mission rules.
6. The funniest thing that happened this week?
Instead of saying receive forgiveness for your sins my companion said receive a big fart for your sins. I almost died from laughing.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)