Travis got transferred back to his 1st area

Hello Everybody,

You guys aren´t going to believe this. I was transferred and you wont believe to
where. Jardim Veneza, my first area where I spent almost 7 months. Yeah, I didn't
believe it either. It will be crazy to go back there and see all the people that
I baptized and all the other members. It´s a good thing that I liked that area. So I
will be returning there but it will be a little different this time because I'm
district leader but we´ll see how it goes. My new companion is Elder R. Nielsen,
he´s a large white missionary from Utah. I don't really know him that well yet so
I´ll have to include more details later. I´m sad to leave Canguaretama, it was
really really good there. The members there looove the missionaries. They love
the missionaries too in Jardim Veneza and I´ll have a great time there.
To be honest I was going a little bit crazy with Elder Gama so it will be good
to have a change.

Well in a little while I´ll complete 1 year in the mission! So far it's going
good. I´ll have to work really hard to have success in this area but it will be
good.

Well I just got done traveling and I'm tired so I'm going to grab my companion
grab a bus and go to our area. Have a great week everyone. It would be good to
hear from my brothers if you guys get the chance.

Questions:
1. How do you feel about us selling the house? (be honest)
Hey at least you let me know beforehand. It could have been like the RM where he 
shows up at his house and his family doesn't live there anymore. I trust in you 
guys, if you felt that it was the right thing to do then I´m happy.

2. Have you been getting a lot of rain?
Yeah it´s been raining a lot lately, it usually rains in the morning and is 
sunny in the afternoon.

3. 2 good things about your companion
Well I was transferred so from what I know about Elder R. Nielsen so far he is 
humble and likes to joke around.

4. Do you think you mission president is strict and if so give me a couple of
examples.
He is very strict. If he hears your name and the word girl in the same sentence 
he´ll give you a nice little phone call. Honestly, in a lot of ways pres. 
Fernandes reminds me of dad, he looks stricter than he is and he likes to joke 
around. 

5. The more we rely on the Savior the closer we become to him. Tell and example
when you relied on the Lord.
Every day there are times when I don't know what to say to an investigator or 
what to do. Last week I talked about a man who I taught that stopped 
investigating the church. I knew that he could be a great member of the church 
and that he would be baptized but I didn't know how because he didn't want to talk 
to us. I prayed for him every night during the week and Sunday he showed up at 
church and said that he wanted to be baptized. Unfortunately I won't be there to 
baptize him.

Travis's Email July 13, 2009

Hello,

I’ll say the same thing about this week that missionaries say when they don't want to tell a member that they didn't like the food, it was interesting....This week was a little tough. A man that we had been teaching who I thought for sure would be baptized and one day become a bishop stopped investigating the church. He was tricked by one of the many false doctrines that exist here in northeastern Brazil. He told us that all of the churches are true even though they weren't organized by Christ. He also said that anyone who’s invokes the name of God has authority. I had to tell him very bluntly that he had been deceived. That God does not act that way, that there is only one path that leads to eternal life and few people find this path. Unfortunately, the evangelical churches have screamed in the ears of the people that God is a mysterious great spirit who will save all of us because we’re helpless sinners and that we just have to have faith. But this type of faith is an imaginary concept that can make you talk gibberish and fall on the ground if you believe.

It’s sad to see that so many people profess to follow Christ and that they love his gospel but when we, his servants, invite them to change their lives it’s irrelevant, unnecessary to them. When the scriptures teach that Satan will have a great influence on the hearts of the people it’s true, but I also know who will win this battle.

I’ll stop venting now. This week also had some really good moments. We’re having a lot of success and baptizing weekly here. This week several young men told us when they grow up they want to be exactly like us missionaries. Moments like that help me realize that everything we do as missionaries affects the members and the people here.

I found out the other day that there is a beach about ten minutes from the city here and it´s part of our area so we’re going to go check it out. Hopefully I will be able to resist the temptation to jump in the ocean.

Have a great week everyone. Don’t forget to read the scriptures and put your life into perspective daily.

`our foes have rejoiced when our sorrows they’ve seen but the hour of redemption is near`

Só batiza.
Elder Jenson

Hey,

This week was a little hectic. Wednesday afternoon I was walking down this street with my companion, Elder Parrella. Then the cell phone rang and it was President Fernandes saying that my companion was being transferred and that he would leave the area as soon as possible. And thus ended the story with me and Elder Parrella, he went to work in the mission office. So I spent a day with a member and then the next day my companion, Elder Gama, arrived. If you want to know what Elder Gama is like, just picture a loud latino guy who likes to dance salsa and other latin dances. When they say that latinos are passionate they aren´t kidding, this guy is pretty wild but its fun. He's really passionate about the mission.

Yesterday, President Fernandes appeared out of nowhere and attended sacrament meeting in our branch. Yeah, it was stressful but thats how it goes. He decided to stay for our baptismal meeting. We (Elders) had done all of our baptisms Saturday so Sunday was the sisters´ baptism and everything went wrong. I had a member baptize a 9 year old girl and he said the prayer wrong and when she went under the water she breathed in some water. So the member needed to baptize her again but she was scared and said she didn't want to be baptized anymore. So yesterday was the first time that I saw someone enter and leave the baptismal font without being baptized. A bunch of crazy stuff like that happened this week. We´re teaching a family that lives out in the middle of nowhere, in a sugar cane field and yesterday when we stopped by to take them to church the lady had been drinking (they were having a party) and suddenly she felt like shouting to everyone in the house that I had never know a woman(in the biblical sense). That was interesting... Anyway, I probably should write more uplifting things to you guys.

It's amazing to see how much the church has grown in this small city in just one year. I don´t know why but the Lord has prepared the hearts of the people in northeastern brazil. It´s great to be in a mission where I can baptize almost every week and teach people that believe so easily in what we teach.

Have a great week everyone, happy 4th of July!

Elder Travis Jenson

Questions:

1. Did you get your package yet?
Yeah and it was awesome. I loved the pictures and the ties and especially the chocolate!

2. What's the hardest thing about being a District leader?
Helping the sister missionaries. you have to work in a way that is completely different than when you work with elders.

3. What are some of the responsibilities of a District leader?
Be an example, do baptismal interviews, conduct district meetings, help the missionaries in the district, etc.

4. When are transfers?( they seem to come so quickly)
We had an emergency transfer this week. The actual transfer will be in 2 weeks.

5. When you have given a talk in church what did you talk about?
Baptism, missionary work, faith, repentance, whatever i feel like talking about.

6. The coolest thing about the area your in right now?
The branch president is exciting and willing to work and we are having a lot of success.

Travis's Email Jun 29, 2009

Hey,

So missing out on the beach vacation wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be.
Partly because I’m sure the way Mom and Dad talked about the vacation wasn’t half as cool as it actually was and also because I was so busy here that I didn’t even remember. I do have to admit that when I put on sunscreen every morning it’s a little hard not to think about the beach but don’t worry I’ll make it to the next trip for sure.

This week was crazy. Monday we had p-day with President Fernandes. Tuesday we had mission conference. Wednesday we cleaned up the yard at the church. Thursday until Saturday we had the open house at the new church. The open house was a success. President and Sister Fernandes, the assistants to the president, and some other missionaries that had already served here spent the whole weekend here helping us out. We had a lot of people who visited the open house and we’re going to have people to teach for a while. We worked doing proselyting for a total of 2 hours and miraculously we had a baptism this week. No wonder they call this the celestial mission.

I’m pretty tired from all the work we did and from the assistants to the president who stayed at our house and kept us awake and it was a little stressful with the mission president around watching our every move but we made it through okay. I’m definitely going to make the most of this p-day and sleep.

So this week the Sao Joao festival started here. Everyone puts gigantic bon fires in front of their houses and shoots off fireworks. There’s so much smoke in the streets that its hard to see where youre going and there is no way to keep your clothes from stinking. They have a traditional dance that they do here called quadrilha. It’s a lot like square dancing with big dresses and cowboy outfits. I thought it was pretty funny.

So that’s all the big news I have for now. I’m looking forward to working this week and not having to tell people that our church is in a school house. Have a good week everyone!

Elder Travis Jenson

Questions:

1. Was there a special reason that you were having lunch with the mission Pres. Last week?
No. he just decided to do a special p-day with a bunch of zones. There were about 50 missionaries there.

2. When is the open house for the new church house? Are you doing any thing for the open house?
It was last week. We did everything. We organized everything, set everything up, walked all the people through the church, took everything down and cleaned up. It was good.


3. Did you get your package yet?
Not yet. If it’s arrived in the mission office I’ll receive the package in about 2 weeks.

4. Did you find a different place to live? If so what is it like?
Not yet. We’re working on finding a new house here in Canguaretama because there is a problem with the wiring in our house and the electricity bills are really high.

5. What is the best thing about the branch?
It’s new and there are a lot of people to teach.

6. Is it hard to get new converts because everyone knows everyone else's business?
Sometimes it’s hard because everyone worries too much about what the other people think. Rarely will we have someone that doesn’t want to be baptized because they don’t believe the church is true. Most people are worried about what their friends or neighbors will think.

7. The funniest thing that happen this week?
The door to the bishop’s office was stuck so we had to put an Asian missionary, Elder Lew, through a small hole where the air conditioner goes so he could take out the stuff we needed. It was just like ocean’s 11.

8. The hardest thing that happened this week?
We only did proselyting work for about 2 hours. We spent our week doing stuff for the open house.

Travis's Email June 15, 2009

Hey you guuuyyysss,

Talk about a good week. I´m loving my new area here, the members are great. All the members are like a close knit family its really cool. We had 2 young men who were going to be baptized this week but unfortunately one of the kid´s Mom didn't let him and the other kids pastor from the evengelical church convinced him that the book of mormon doesn't exist. Literally. he told me the book doesn't exist. It didn't make much sense because I was holding the book in my hand but whatever dude. My brasilerican companion is great, he knows how to cook and we´re having a lot of fun. In 2 weeks a house that the church is remodeling is going to be ready and we won't have to have our meetings in the school. There is going to be a big open house and we´re going to invite all the important people from the city, and president fernandes is going to speak. Opa, times up. Have a great week everybody. friends, family, feel free to send me chocolate. Giradelli´s, Hershey, the brand really isn't that important. haha

tchau,
Elder Jenson

Questions:

1. How many people are there in the branch?
There are about 130 people baptized and 40 people went to church yesterday.

2. Describe what a Sunday meeting would be like. (who teaches, do they go all three hours, what is your role on sunday's)

The meeting was in an elementary school, there are a few members that teach the classes and I just do want the branch president needs- give a last minute talk, prayer, bless the sacrament. whatever he needs.

4. How are you and your companion getting along?

Great.

5. Where in Ca did your companion live, how may people are in his family, was his dad and area authority in Ca.?

He lived in San Marcos Ca, he has 4 brothers and his Dad was an area authority in Brazil.

6. Describe the area that you live in now.

Its a lot like my other area only a little smaller. Its just like Cheers everybody knows each others name and life story.

7. What do people do for a living in this area and how's the crime rate?

Most of the people are unemployed or work at some shop in the town. Its a safe small town.

8. How far away from your last area is this one?

About 2 hours.

More Pics from Joe's Baptism party

Joey is now a baptized member of the Church

Here is our newly baptized Joe! Joe is Rachel's 3rd.

Nathan Turned 30!

Nate was excited to get his picture taken on his 30th birthday

Travis's email June 10, 2009

Hey,

Big news, I was transferred. I left Elder Snow and that cool little city for another cool little city named Canguaretama. I was called to be district leader, our district is me, my companion, and two sister missionaries who interestingly work in the same area as us. The church has only been in this area for 1 year, the Sunday meetings are in a school, and we need to baptize lots of men and lots of families to help the church grow here. My companion is Elder Parrella. Here's some info about him- he lived in california for 5 years so he speaks fluent english, his dad was recently called to be mission president in the mission brasil belo horizonte, he likes movies and I'm his 3rd companion. An interesting detail is that my trainer Elder Sanches was in the area just before me. I really wasn't expecting to be transferred and really wasn't expecting to be called district leader. It will be interesting doing baptismal interviews and district meeting and all that stuff. President Fernandes is really stressing the importance of helping the church grow here because this area was opened recently so there's a lot of pressure on us to baptize and help the church here. I´m not too stressed because I know that if I trust in the Lord then everything will turn out ok. I even adopted a slogan for the rest of my mission: A verdadeira força provém da humilde confiança em Deus. (true strength comes from humble trust in God) It´s a quote from Willford Woodruff. So I´m going to do my best to live that until the end of my mission. I have a lot of work to do in this area and I´m really excited. Have a great week everyone, só batiza.

-Elder Travis Jenson

Questions:

1. Why did you need to find a new house?

I don't need to worry about finding a new house now, I was transferred to Canguaretama. Cool name isnt it.

2. Tell us about the house you live in now.

It´s a small apartment but it looks like we´re going to look at a new house today. This house is nice but there´s some puddles of water close by and that makes problems with the mosquitos.

3. What is the best thing that you know how to cook?

Pancakes, cake, rice, pasta.

4. Does your companion doing any of the cooking?

Last transfer elder snow usually made breakfast and i made dinner.

5. What will you be doing for p-day this week?

I travelled, ate lunch with the branch president, I'm writing emails, and then later we´re going to look at a house.

6. Have the bugs been bad in this area?

In ceará-mirim it wasnt bad at all but we´ll see how it goes in this area.

Hey,

This week was pretty good. We taught a lot of lessons this week but unfortunately only one investigator went to church, we need to work on getting people to church. We baptized a woman named Ivete this week and a girl named Jackeline. Elder Snow performed the ordinance, it was a good day. I received news from sister Fernandes that she wants us to move so I found us a house that has a banana tree. I´m pretty excited about the bananas but moving the furniture isn't going to be much fun.

Funny story time: this week we went with a member to teach one of her friends. We showed up at the house and the member made the mistake of presenting us as her friends instead of saying we were missionaries from the church. I put out my hand for the handshake the girl went to greet me with a kiss on the buchecha( cheek)-very funny word. Anyway, she went in for the kill and by reaction I stiff armed her and then shook her hand. The situation was very awkward and she did not want to hear a message from the wierd american that can't kiss or touch anyone. Oh well, it happens. Thats about all the news for now. Things are good, next week is transfers and I think I'll be staying here with elder snow for one more transfer, love you guys. Remember, you can't always get what you want, but if you try sometimes you just might find....... Elder Travis Jenson

Questions:
1. Why are you not allowed to do service other than teaching in your mission?

Because there are certain missionaries who like to talk with girls instead of work during the service projects.

2. Did all your pictures get stolen? Any special pictures that you want me to send? I'm mailing them today.

Yeah all my pictures got stolen but Scott said that you guys saved them all on the computer. Did you not? I´d like some pictures of scotts wedding.

3. The best thing that happened this week was?

2 baptisms.

4. Which General Authority have visited our mission?

Elder Cook and a few area seventies.

5. What 2 things do you like most about your mission president?

He´s funny and he knows a lot about the scriptures.

Travis' email May 25, 2009

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.

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

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!

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.

Travis's Email April 20, 2009

Hey,

It was a good week. We baptized a man that is going to help a lot in the church. His brother recently left for his mission in Rio de Janeiro and he started thinking a lot about church and his salvation. We went there taught him about the book of Mormon and the restoration and he was sold. Everyone said that he would never be baptized but truthfully it was really easy, he was already prepared when we showed up.

We had another kid that we were preparing for baptism who changed his mind the day of his interview because his dad told him that prophets don’t exist. The kid had the guts to tell me i was a sinner for saying there is a living prophet on the earth. Let’s just say my patience was tested and he won’t be baptized. I learned that most people simply don’t like what is good; seems pretty illogical but it’s true.

My companion got sick this week with what appears to be extreme laziness. Just kidding he has some problem with his equilibrium that gets out of whack every once in a while. So I had to go on splits for the 3 days. Luckily the members here are willing to help.

That’s about all the big news for this week. This will be the last week of the transfer.
Repent of your sins. Scott stop being lazy.

Goodnight and good luck,

Elder Jenson

Questions:

Hi Trav,

1. How do you get around in this area? (Walk, taxi, bus)
Walk, it’s a small area.

2. How many priesthood holders are there in the branch?
There are about 6 or 7 Melchizedek priesthood holders.

3. What kind of cake was that for your b-day? (It was huge)
Yeah it was huge. It was half chocolate, half vanilla? Well I’m not quite sure what it was but it was good.

4. What do you do on your p-days? Do you ever go sight seeing?
There aren’t many sights to see here in the area. This city is pretty far away from everything. Last week we visited the giant Catholic Church and the cemetery.

5. Is there much crime in this area?
Nope. It’s a pretty quiet town.

6. About how many miles is your area?
It must be about 10 square miles.

7. Do you send a letter to the mission pres. every week?
I send an email to him every week. he doesnt respond :(

Love ya a Lot!

Mom

Travis Turns 20! Happy Birthday!

Hey Everybody,

This week was great. The members here are helping us a lot with references and references always make the work much easier. We baptized 2 young men this week.

Sunday was Easter and unfortunately the people here don’t have the same Easter spirit as the people back home. They have some weird Easter traditions here. For example, they make dummies of Judas, hang them from light posts and then beat them with sticks or light them on fire. As if it was all Judas’ fault, silly Catholics. Did I mention there are a lot of Catholic people in this town? They say that the first thing they built here in Ceara Mirim was the Catholic Church. But it’s not much of a problem for us; it’s more of a tradition than anything for the people here.

It was also my 20th birthday Sunday. It was really cool; a member in the ward made me a giant cake. The people here have a big capacity to love people they don’t know. So I guess I’m getting pretty old, 20 years. Yeah right, I’m not even close to old; 20 years is really short.

Thanks to those who sent me birthday cards and such, the Chinese birthday card that I received was pretty awesome.

Well, times up. This week was great and this next week looks like it will be even better! Tchau, cuidem de suas almas!!!

-Elder Jenson

Questions:

1. What did you do for your B-day and Easter?
Basically the same thing we do every Sunday. We worked and then a member told us to stop by her house because she made me a cake so we happily stopped by and ate some cake.
2. Describe the house you live in.
It’s pink, it has 3 bedrooms and 2 baths, it has white tile floors and a backyard where the plants are getting a little out of control.
3. What do most of the men in the ward do for work?
Most of the men in the branch are unemployed or younger men who are in college.
4. Did you get your package yet? I sent a package to Chris Heninger at the same time and he got his a while ago.
Yeah I got the package last week. Thanks mom! My companion and I loved the candy and the water guns and everything!
5. What's the hardest thing about being senior companion?The best thing about is?
Making sure your companion keeps all of the rules because if he’s disobedient I have pay for it. The best thing is... I get to make decisions about the work and make sure we use our time wisely.
6. Do people in this area have cars?
Only the branch president has a car.

Have a great week

Important Message at Easter

Travis's email April 6, 2009

Hi World,

April 6th, talk about an important date! Today’s the birthday of the Savior and the anniversary of the day the church of Jesus Christ was restored to the earth. I was thinking about presents that we could give to the Savior and I thought about something Pres. Monson said on his birthday a few years ago. He said he would like all the members of the church to find someone in need and help them. That’s not a bad idea. Well everyone, this week was pretty good. Unfortunately, I woke up Friday morning exhausted and with a fever and I ended up having to stay in bed Saturday and Sunday. I’ll have to wait until the conference issue comes out and read all of the talks. Getting sick in the mission is probably the most frustrating thing that can happen but Sunday morning I was drinking coconut milk in bed and reading a conference talk(I know it sounds like a vacation but trust me, it wasn’t) and I learned something interesting. I read a talk by James B. Wirthlin where he taught about the principal of compensation. He said when the Lord takes something away from the faithful, he always compensates with more blessings. I’m hoping I’m faithful enough to be compensated with baptisms.

Funny story: my companion saw my first name and thought that it was the word trevas which in Portuguese means darkness and he thought it was the funniest thing in the world and now he walks around the house calling me darkness. Ok, maybe its not that funny but I’m not quite sure what funny is anymore. Well everyone, life is good, the church is true, don’t be fooled! It’s impossible to break the commandments and be happy.

Missionarily,-Elder Jenson

Questions:

1. Where did you watch conf.? Do you watch it on tape or live?
Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to watch conference. I was at home in bed battling some weird Brazilian virus. But don’t worry, I’m better now.
2. Are the monkey's in your backyard mean?( everyone thinks its so cool that your have monkey's)
They’re fairly well-mannered monkeys. Other than the high-pitched chirping noises they make in the morning, they don’t give us too much trouble.
3. Who was the girl in the picture that you baptized?
Juscélia Otaviano da Cruz. She’s 22 and lives with her sister.
4. Have you lost weight?
Are you trying to butter me up? No, my weight is pretty much the same.
5. Is this area poor or middle class?
It's a lot richer than my other area but I’d say its more or less middle class.
6. Tell us about the branch, How many people? Are they mostly families?
The branch has an attendance of about 60 people, mostly adults and young married couples.
7. What's the bishop like?
I’ve only talked to him once. He’s nice but not very involved in missionary work.

PS Did you get your package yet?Not yet.

Travis's Email Mar 29, 2009

Pic#1: Monkeys in backyard......Pic #2: Travis, new convert, comp

Hi, It happened,

I was transferred to the state Rio Grande do Norte to a city called Ceára-Mirim close to Natal. I was called to be the Senior companion and my companion is Elder Dilson. He´s a short, chubby, brazilian guy. I like him, he´s a good missionary. This is a really cool small town that has a beachy feel and the people have a really layed-back attitude. Here it's a small branch that has meetings in an old house where a locally famous guy used to live. Our house here is really nice, it has a back yard and everything where small monkeys live in our coconut trees. A member is going to stop by and pick the coconuts for us so we can drink some coconut milk. mm..

Everything is great here, we´re working hard and its really nice to work in a new area with new people! sorry about the short email I wrote one before but it got lost. perdão

-Elder Travis Jenson

Questions:

1. If you got tranfered tell us three intersting things about your area.
Ceará-Mirim- its a small city close to Natal. Small monkeys live in the trees in my backyard, its a small town, it´s a branch thats going to be a ward soon.
2. What funny thing happened this week?
I dont know, everything that my companion does is funny. A young boy in the area asked me if i smell like a gringo, that was funny.
3. Its going to be winter in abut 6 weeks will there be any change in the weather?
I dont think so. Here its cooler than my other area, its really nice.
4. How do they celebrate Easter in Brazil? Do they have the Easter Bunny?
Yeah they celebrate easter with the easter bunny and everything. All the stores sell big chocolate eggs with candy inside.

Travis's Email March 16

Hello World,

This week was goood. I hope yours was also goood. I’d like to share a quick story with you guys. One day this week we left our house to house to go work when in the distance i saw a short, chubby, middle-aged woman running in our general direction and at first I didnt think anything of it. But when she got close to us and started grabbing at my Book of Mormon saying, ´give me your bible, i want it´ I got a little worried. We explained to her that we give the book to people inside of their homes along with a message so what did she do? She invited us to go to her house and teach her so trying to decide if she had mental problems or not we starting walking to our house. On the way she told me to give a message to Barrack Obama that Joao Pessoa loves him. I told her of course i would relay the message. So we went to her house and tried to teach her a lesson but she wouldn’t stop asking questions. When my companion started reciting the first vision she ran into the kitchen grabbed some cookies and then made us eat them. We ended up leaving a Book of Mormon with her and at the same time we searched for the hidden cameras because there is no way that something like that happens naturally. We talked to her parents as we left and it turns out she doesn’t have mental problems, wait let me rephrase that, she doesn’t have any diagnosed mental problems. It was nuts. Well that's all the time I have, this week was good, we baptized 2 people and this could possibly be the last week that I spend in my first area!

Tchau,

Elder Travis Jenson

Questions:
1. Do you have enough time to read all your e-mails or would it be better to get
some hand written letters?
I have time to read them all but if you guys want to send hand written letters, feel free.

2. Can we send church hymns from other artists or does it have to be the Mormon Tab.
Yes, It can be any church music.

3. Do you know if you'll get transferred next week?
No, we find out Sunday night and then leave Monday morning.

4. Have you had any mice in your apartment?
No

5. The funniest thing that happen this week?
A crazy chubby lady chased us down in the street and tried to steal my Book of Mormon. ill tell you more about it in the main email.