Travis's Email October 26, 2009

Hi Mom,
I'm trying to recover from the shock I had right now when I saw the pictures of Ethan and Benson. You can wrap individually the gifts for the missionaries. They want to know what the parents will be sending so if you could let me know what you will be sending so I can tell them that would be great.

Hello,
This week was good. Things are going well here with Elder Gama and we are teaching a lot of lessons. So far we haven't found the future bishop that we are looking for. We taught a man who would have been a good Bishop but he didn't believe that Joseph Smith was a prophet basically because he is prejudiced against the U.S. but that's the way it goes. Tonight we are going to have a family home evening and we are going to bring some families with us to watch the movie Joseph Smith Prophet of the Restoration. There are times when I need to help my companion remember the mission rules but other than this things are going great with him. We had 4 people to baptize this week but because 3 of them drank coffee we only baptize a teenage girl. I'm finally starting to feel like an older missionary. I realize that after Christmas I will have very little time left in the mission. Well everything is the same here. We are going to keep working hard to find people that will strengthen the church. I'm going to eat ice cream today and that's gonna be awesome. I hope everyone is great back at home. Let Nate know that he should think about cutting Ethans hair and let Benson know that he should think about growing less. Dad keeping sending pictures it's fun to see everybody.
Tchau!

-Elder Jenson

Questions:
1. What are you going to do for p-day today?
We are probably going to the dermatologist because my companion has splotches on his chest. If we don't go to the doctor we´ll probably watch a movie in the church.
2. your favorite discussion this week was ? Why was it your favorite?
Last night we taught a lady that asked us, can you leave a book of Mormon with me so I can read it? Of course we gave her a book and she wants to be baptized. When we ended the message she gave us a piece of cake, that was cool.
3. The best place you ate this week, and why was it the best?
One of the members made spaghetti and meatballs and mashed potatoes for us that was probably the best thing we ate this week.
4. Does a member still wash your white shirts? Do you need any new shirts or garments?
The members never washed my white shirts, we wash them in our washing machine. No I don't need any shirts or garments. If I need them in the future I´ll let you know.
5. What is your favorite food that you cook yourself?
Pancakes
6. How is your new companion doing? Is he OK being with you again?
He´s fine. he´s happy with the situation he´s in. He said he wants to learn to be more obedient with me.

Travis's Email Oct 5, 2009

Whoa, Leona was baptized! That's awesome. Did you guys take a picture? I'm really
happy for Jenny and for Leona. I'm sure jenny knew it would happen sooner or
later. Tell Leona that I said congratulations! Did Scott baptize her? If not
tell him he´s a goleiro (mission slang for missionaries that don't baptize). I
hope you guys loved conference unfortunately I only got to watch the Sunday
sessions.

Hi,
I hope everybody had a great week. My week was good. This week we spent a lot of
our time teaching all of the people that a girl that we baptized knows. The
people here are great because they aren't afraid to introduce the missionaries to
everyone they know. This girl, Eduarda, gave us references of her family,
friends, and some people that she barely even knows. This is something that I
wish everyone in the u.s. could see. one of the apostles talked in conference
about how missionary work has changed. How now it involves the members more and
that way it is much more effective. And its true. When members are involved in
missionary work they get excited and everyone gets to participate in the Lord´s
work.
I really enjoyed the parts of conference that I got to watch. I only watched the
Sunday sessions and I missed some talks because of baptismal interviews and the
baptism that we had. I've learned to give more importance to all of the speakers
and not just the prophet and 12 apostles. If we try to listen to the Spirit then
we will learn from all of the talks.
I'm sure my mission president is going nuts because they are going to build a
temple in his city, Fortaleza.
I hope everybody is excited for the holidays I know I am. Next week is going to
be transfers and we´ll see if I´ll be leaving the area that's starting to look
like my home ward.

Well I love you guys, keep on keepin on. Please pray for me so I can baptize
more people, especially men and families that will strengthen the church.

tchau,
Elder Jenson

Questions:

1. Who do we address the packages to for the other missionaries at Christmas?
You need to address the package to the mission and write donation on it. For 
example Brazil Joao Pessoa Mission ´Donation´ or if you want to write in 
portuguese Brasil Missão João Pessoa ´Doação´

2. What do you want for Christmas?
A pen drive(if you dont know what it is mom, dad knows), i left anchor blue 
calogne in my bathroom send it if you still have it and if not dont worry about 
sending calogne, rechargable batteries and the charger if it doesnt cost more 
than 20 dollars. if its more than 20 i can just buy it here for the same price. 
one of the pairs of athletic shorts that i left. tigers milk protein bars, 
candy, and maple syrup extract if you can find it. 
thanks, love ya   

3. What was your favorite conf. talk and why?
My favorite talk was the talk by Elder Ringwood in the sunday afternoon session. 
He talked about the condition of our hearts and our receptiveness to the Spirit. 
This was something that will help me in my personal conversion and the 
conversion of others. He talked about a people in the book of mormon in helaman 
6 that it was easy for them to hear and live the gospel. i have also felt this 
at times and at other times no. he taught us how and when we can feel the 
influence of the Spirit so the gospel is easier for us to hear and live. I am 
really grateful for the times in my life when God has helped me see the purpose 
of his plan. these have been the greatest times of my life and it can make all 
the difference for us. this understanding comes during study of the scriptures 
and hearing the word of god being taught. When God gives us this vision of life 
it is easy to live the gospel, i just hope and pray that i can have a greater 
vision and not lose it when i end my mission. 

4. How many people  so up for baptisms?
I don't understand the question. how many people show up? we have the baptisms 
after the Sunday block so there are always about 10 or 15 people.

5. The best thing you ate this week was?
Chicken parmigian(sp?) with rice and beans and mashed potatoes.

6. Do you work out at all or are you just getting skinny and a little soft?
( questions from your brothers)
I jump rope, do pushups and situps but for some reason i cant seem to mantain 
the flawless body that i had before the mission.