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.
Monday, April 20, 2009
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
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
Monday, April 13, 2009
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
Friday, April 10, 2009
Monday, April 6, 2009
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.
Monday, March 30, 2009
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.
Monday, March 16, 2009
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.
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.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Travis's March 9 Email
Hello Everyone,
This week was good. We ended up baptizing the 20 yr old man, Kleber, who didn’t believe in God. Turns out he used to believe in reincarnation and that Moses talked with his inner self on Mt. Sinai. It’s a long story but everything worked out. He was baptized by his good friend Walber who I baptized a couple months back. Speaking of a couple months back, I think this is my 24th P-day in this area; sheesh.
We were going to baptize that woman who told off the pastor of the evangelical church but after receiving threats from her boyfriend that he would leave her if she was baptized, she backed out. That day was really sad, out of the middle of nowhere a bunch of people in the street wanted to talk bad about the church and it was obvious that the adversary was working hard that day. But, that’s how it goes.
The week ended up really well and the baptism yesterday was awesome.
Everything is going good here, the ward is starting to help us more with the work and the bishop is happy with what we’re doing.
Have a great week everyone, thanks for the prayers.
Nate, Missy, the cake offer is still on the table. I’ll even put sprinkles on it if you want.
-Elder Travis Jenson
Questions:
This week was good. We ended up baptizing the 20 yr old man, Kleber, who didn’t believe in God. Turns out he used to believe in reincarnation and that Moses talked with his inner self on Mt. Sinai. It’s a long story but everything worked out. He was baptized by his good friend Walber who I baptized a couple months back. Speaking of a couple months back, I think this is my 24th P-day in this area; sheesh.
We were going to baptize that woman who told off the pastor of the evangelical church but after receiving threats from her boyfriend that he would leave her if she was baptized, she backed out. That day was really sad, out of the middle of nowhere a bunch of people in the street wanted to talk bad about the church and it was obvious that the adversary was working hard that day. But, that’s how it goes.
The week ended up really well and the baptism yesterday was awesome.
Everything is going good here, the ward is starting to help us more with the work and the bishop is happy with what we’re doing.
Have a great week everyone, thanks for the prayers.
Nate, Missy, the cake offer is still on the table. I’ll even put sprinkles on it if you want.
-Elder Travis Jenson
Questions:
1. When are transfers?
2 weeks from today
2. What do you want for your B-day?
A few ties-they can be from goodwill if you want. I don’t need nice ties. And if you could burn some copies of the church music that you guys have-tabernacle choir, etc.-and send them to me that would be cool. (If you don’t know how to burn cd´s mom you can ask dad or Scott or somebody). I think that’s it.
3. Do you need a sheet to cover that big mattress in your living room? It looked a little dirty?
No we don’t need a sheet for that thing; we only use that mattress when we kneel to pray.
4. Does the rain make it more humid or does it cool it off a little?
Depending on the time of day, it does both. At night it makes it cooler and during the day it makes it hotter.
5. Tell us about your favorite convert so far, and why are they our favorite?
Walber, he already received the Melchizedek Priesthood, he is helping the ward a ton in fact he performed one of the baptisms yesterday, and he’s preparing to serve a mission.
6. Did the bishop take you out for pizza yet?
No, much my dismay. :( He said its going to happen this Saturday. cross your fingers for me.
Love ya a lot
Mom
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Travis's Email Mar 2, 2009
Hello Everyone,
First of all I need to comment on a few matters. First and foremost, it’s hard for me to believe that my father has a Facebook account, I can’t imagine when he has time to do that. I would like to send a big thank you and um abraço(hug) to the Heninger family for the valentines day love that you guys sent me.
Sorry about the loss of my email last week, the email here isn’t very reliable. I’ll review the good parts: My companion is afraid of cars and dogs. Last week was Carnival, there were some crazy parties in the streets but I came out of the madness with only a few hugs from drunken men. We baptized Cleia(the woman that had tuberculosis) and her three kids.
This week was great. It’s raining a lot but I’m ok with it. They say that the more you get rained on, the prettier your future wife will be (they say that with everything in the mission). We had 7 investigators in the church who have a baptismal date. One of them was a man that I had taught months ago and when I taught him he doubted that God exists (something extremely rare here). He came to church with a friend, cried in the fast and testimony meeting and then wanted to be baptized.
My companion is getting pretty trunky, yesterday he completed 18 months so I have to encourage him to stay focused sometimes. There were 2 more missionaries that arrived in the mission with me that had passed the same amount of time as me in their first area and they were transferred today. So I think I’m setting some sort of mission record for most time spent in first area. It’s okay though because we are going to baptize a bunch of people this Sunday.
Things are wonderful here, due to very slow internet I have to stop writing now. Have a great week everyone! Missy and Nate, go to church this week, I’ll make you guys a cake when I get back.
Tchau
-Elder Jenson
Questions:
1. Everyone wants to know what was in the beans? Our guesses are red cabbage, cow intestine, liver, cow tongue are we close?
It was colon or liver, I’m not sure because I didn’t eat it.
2. Why was your companion wearing a T-shirt at lunch and you had on your white shirt and tie? I didn’t feel like taking my shirt off.
3. How did your companion end up on a mission when the rest of his family is inactive? How does his family feel about him serving a mission? How many are in his family?
His leaders helped him. His family supports him. I believe he has one sister and two brothers.
4. What is your all time favorite scripture? (We need it for a plaque at church)
Alma 26:22 (I love that scripture)
5. You told us about a woman you were teaching after you received a prompting to go to her house, are you still teaching her?
She’s going to be baptized this week
First of all I need to comment on a few matters. First and foremost, it’s hard for me to believe that my father has a Facebook account, I can’t imagine when he has time to do that. I would like to send a big thank you and um abraço(hug) to the Heninger family for the valentines day love that you guys sent me.
Sorry about the loss of my email last week, the email here isn’t very reliable. I’ll review the good parts: My companion is afraid of cars and dogs. Last week was Carnival, there were some crazy parties in the streets but I came out of the madness with only a few hugs from drunken men. We baptized Cleia(the woman that had tuberculosis) and her three kids.
This week was great. It’s raining a lot but I’m ok with it. They say that the more you get rained on, the prettier your future wife will be (they say that with everything in the mission). We had 7 investigators in the church who have a baptismal date. One of them was a man that I had taught months ago and when I taught him he doubted that God exists (something extremely rare here). He came to church with a friend, cried in the fast and testimony meeting and then wanted to be baptized.
My companion is getting pretty trunky, yesterday he completed 18 months so I have to encourage him to stay focused sometimes. There were 2 more missionaries that arrived in the mission with me that had passed the same amount of time as me in their first area and they were transferred today. So I think I’m setting some sort of mission record for most time spent in first area. It’s okay though because we are going to baptize a bunch of people this Sunday.
Things are wonderful here, due to very slow internet I have to stop writing now. Have a great week everyone! Missy and Nate, go to church this week, I’ll make you guys a cake when I get back.
Tchau
-Elder Jenson
Questions:
1. Everyone wants to know what was in the beans? Our guesses are red cabbage, cow intestine, liver, cow tongue are we close?
It was colon or liver, I’m not sure because I didn’t eat it.
2. Why was your companion wearing a T-shirt at lunch and you had on your white shirt and tie? I didn’t feel like taking my shirt off.
3. How did your companion end up on a mission when the rest of his family is inactive? How does his family feel about him serving a mission? How many are in his family?
His leaders helped him. His family supports him. I believe he has one sister and two brothers.
4. What is your all time favorite scripture? (We need it for a plaque at church)
Alma 26:22 (I love that scripture)
5. You told us about a woman you were teaching after you received a prompting to go to her house, are you still teaching her?
She’s going to be baptized this week
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Questions to Travis:
1. Tell us more about your companion; has he been a member all his life? (You have a little monk in you too.)
He was baptized when he was 11, all of his family are members but they’re all inactive. He worked in a pizzeria before the mission; he has a fear of dogs and cars.
2. What did you do for p-day last week?
Well by the time I got back to our apartment after writing email to you guys, it was about 2 o clock because the place where we pass internet is far away from our house. We went grocery shopping, made lunch, and then took a little nap.
3. Tell us what you would eat in a day.
Oatmeal, pancakes, French toast, or a smoothie for breakfast, rice beans and boiled chicken for lunch, spaghetti or an egg sandwich or something for dinner.
4. We haven't received your SD card when did you send it?
About 2 and a half weeks ago. You should receive it some time this week.
5. What food do you miss the most?
Sub sandwiches, pizza, and milk....all these food questions are making me hungry.
6. Funniest thing that happened this week?
I don’t know, its been raining a lot and I got really, really dirty yesterday. I also taught a donkey a few gospel principles.
1. Tell us more about your companion; has he been a member all his life? (You have a little monk in you too.)
He was baptized when he was 11, all of his family are members but they’re all inactive. He worked in a pizzeria before the mission; he has a fear of dogs and cars.
2. What did you do for p-day last week?
Well by the time I got back to our apartment after writing email to you guys, it was about 2 o clock because the place where we pass internet is far away from our house. We went grocery shopping, made lunch, and then took a little nap.
3. Tell us what you would eat in a day.
Oatmeal, pancakes, French toast, or a smoothie for breakfast, rice beans and boiled chicken for lunch, spaghetti or an egg sandwich or something for dinner.
4. We haven't received your SD card when did you send it?
About 2 and a half weeks ago. You should receive it some time this week.
5. What food do you miss the most?
Sub sandwiches, pizza, and milk....all these food questions are making me hungry.
6. Funniest thing that happened this week?
I don’t know, its been raining a lot and I got really, really dirty yesterday. I also taught a donkey a few gospel principles.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Monday, February 16, 2009
Travis's email Feb 16, 2009
Oi, Como Vai? (Hello, how are you?)
Hi everyone, this week was a good one with my new companion, Elder Vieira. He is quite an interesting creature, it cracks me up. When he arrived he deep cleaned and rearranged the entire house, I’m not quite sure why, he’s just a little quirky I guess. He only eats crackers and ramen noodles and he won’t let me make food for him. He’s an extremely calm individual that doesn’t talk very much but he does like to sing the Brazilian national hymn and other patriotic songs in his deep lounge-singerish voice. He doesn’t understand my sense of humor but I think he’s catching on. We have a good companionship and the work is going well,
I’m learning a lot from him.
The work this week was good; we taught some really good people who were searching for the truth. One day, we were walking down the street to an appointment when we passed by a house that had a woman watching TV with her three kids. We kept walking for a little bit and then I stopped, looked at my companion and said, ´wait a second, these people are going to listen to our message. So we went back and knocked on the door, clapped our hands actually, and the woman came out. I told her that we were missionaries and our work is to help people and their families to have more peace and happiness through the gospel of Jesus Christ. Before I finished talking she invited us in. We taught the lesson and when we finished she said that she had never heard a message so beautiful and that she couldn’t wait to read the Book of Mormon. Later that week she was talking to a Pastor of an Evangelical church and she asked what he thought about the Book of Mormon. Of course he said that he read the book several times and that it is filled with lies. She then told him that she knew that the Book of Mormon is true and that a man of God should be able to recognize that. It was very cool. We are having lots of experiences like that and the work is going really good.
Life is good here, its raining a lot and I like it.
Have a good week everyone!
Elder Travis Jenson
Special Thank You to the Scouts...
Hi Constellation Ward Scouts! I wanted to take a second and thank you guys for the package and the letters that you sent me. It means a lot to know that people back home in the ward are thinking about me and missionaries always love to receive packages, especially packages with candy!
Life here in Brazil is fantastic. The kids here like to fly home-made kites and play soccer in the streets. The people here are really cool, sometimes the food is weird, and the mission is awesome. It’s never too early to start your preparation to serve a mission Scouts!
Thanks again!
Elder Travis Jenson
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Monday, February 9, 2009
Travis's Email Feb 9, 2009
Heyyy Youu Guyyyys,
We just had transfers and guess what....I’m staying in the same area for another transfer. My companion is Elder Viera and I’m here in the bus station waiting for him to arrive from Natal. I really thought I was going to be transferred, in fact I packed up all of my stuff last night, but it’s ok and I like this area.
We just had transfers and guess what....I’m staying in the same area for another transfer. My companion is Elder Viera and I’m here in the bus station waiting for him to arrive from Natal. I really thought I was going to be transferred, in fact I packed up all of my stuff last night, but it’s ok and I like this area.
This week was good, we baptized a man that I never thought would be baptized while I was in the area and with his baptism their whole family are members of the church. Last week he went to church with his family out of the middle of nowhere, we went and visited him after the lesson and he accepted baptism. We promised him that he would be blessed in all things because of his decision and he told us later that shortly after we left he received a phone call and after a long time searching, he got a job. It was very cool. And to top it off, the bishop is going to buy us pizza because we completed a family.
We had a woman and her two children who were ready to be baptized also. When we found her and her family they were all sick with Tuberculosis but after a priesthood blessing everyone was better within a matter of days. She told my companion later that when we taught her the first lesson she saw a light around me when I recited the first vision and that’s how she knew that we were teaching her the truth. It was very humbling to hear that and i was very grateful to know that I’m being blessed for my hard work. Her and her 2 kids were going to be baptized Sunday but her daughter had fallen out of bed and got hurt so she was in the hospital with her. Hopefully her daughter will get better and they will be baptized next Sunday.
That’s about all that happened this week. So it looks like I will be spending Carnival here in Joao Pessoa. Some stuff has already started; people basically just wreak havoc in the streets, beating drums and doing who knows what. It’s pretty crazy. One night we were going to our house and a locally famous DJ was putting on a show close to our house and that was pretty crazy.
Hey, I got the pictures from the wedding, very cool. The pictures look like they’re out of a wedding catalog or something.
I hope everything is great back home, love you guys.
-Elder Travis Jenson
Questions:
Hi Trav,
1. Is Stuart Hamblin still in your district?
Yes. In fact, he’s sitting right next to me.
2. Give details of the area you are going to.
It’s a lot like the area I’ve been in, in fact it is the area I’ve been in. I will be staying in the area for at least one more transfer.
3. Who will you miss the most and why?
Um...
4. What are the buses like? AC?
I’ve never been in one of the buses that we use when we go to a different area but I think they have ac. the buses we use to get around the city don’t have ac.
5. Are there lots of people who beg on the streets; or is it like here, only in certain places and on the street corner?
There are definitely more beggars here. Here in the city there are a ton and in my area everyone asks if I have 10 cents that I can give them.
6. About how much money does the average person make in a year? Do they have a minimum wage there?
I really have no idea. I think the average person in my area makes about 100 dollars American per month.
Love Ya a lot !!!!!
Mom
Love Ya too
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