The return of Elder Rasband!!

So this week was another week to put in the books! So as many of you know Elder Rasband & Elder Ballard were here in January! Well Elder Rasband returned on Saturday! He is thee sweetest apostle! (I mean they all are) He was here to officiate one of President Huntsmans daughter's wedding in the Washington D.C. temple earlier that day, so he figured why not meet with us! The Huntsmans & Rasband are homies. Like it's awesome! I was able to shake his hand & look into his Christ filled eyes. This man is a man of God. A dedicated valiant disciple, who makes me want to strive to become a better servant of the Lord. 

So our mission held a fireside (a meeting) for our investigators, recent converts, & less actives! At the fireside we heard from Jon & Karen Huntsman, Presidents parents who were actually the mission presidents over the D.C. area when President was a kid!!!! Best. Mission. Ever. Right?! Then we heard from President & Sister Huntsman (Hope all these Huntsmans aren't getting confusing (:) Then we heard from Sister & Elder Rasband!! It was such a good night. All these faithful devoted members have rock solid testimonies & just radiate the Light of Christ. What an amazing blessing it is to be part of this great work! 

IF YOU READ ANYTHING READ THIS!!!: Sister Rasband shared a story about an Elder in their mission when Elder Rasband was the mission president in New York. This one Elder wanted a shoe shine so bad from a fancy Bronx shoe shine place. He waited forever trying to find a shoe shine place in his area. Almost at the end of his mission they were walking the streets & he hears, "Shoe shine, shoe shine, anybody want a shoe shine?" He was so excited & ran around the corner. He immediately asks, "How much does it cost?" The man said, "As much as your willing to give." The Elder looks around & doesn't see any shoe shine place. Little confused he looks down & there is the man kneeling at his feet shining his shoes with a baby food jar full of black shoe shine & shining it with nothing but his own shirt & skin. This man was covered in black shine from head to toe trying to do anything for a little money. As this elder looked down he realized it was like the Savior. Giving everything he had to make us happy. "Soul shine, soul shine, anybody want a soul shine?" The Elder remembered his selfish remark, "How much does it cost?" & gave every bit of money he & his companion had to this man who was willing to take whatever he would give. Everybody I KNOW this is how our Savior is to ALL of us. Willing to take whatever we can give & will make up for the rest. I know it because I have definitely seen it in my own life. 💗💗💗

We helped members do yard work & I asked one of their kids what his favorite vegetable is.... he said a cookie! Haha 😂 same dude, same. 

So in this area it's VERY common to meet someone who you have never heard of their language or country before. So one of our common questions is where are you from? So we ask a man this & I thought he said, "Owtanawa" I'm like wow I've never heard of that country before & my companion just starts laughing.... turns out he said, "Can you guess?" Haha opps. I'm such an embarrassment😂 He was from Ethiopia...  plus on that Blitz (switch companions for a couple hours) we got 5 new investigators! Heck ya. Miracles. 

Love you all! Thanks for ALL the love & support. 👍 

xoxo, sister jensen

April 17, 2017

Pics:

Pretty trees!! 

Almost walked into an appointment with our tags switched. Thanks elders. 

Yard work!! 

VA is famous for their Dogwood trees. Pretttttty 

Thee Mt. Vernon Sisters!  

Running away, Ghanaian food, & #princeofpeace

Hello family & friends: This week we were in an apartment building & we asked a guy unlocking his door if he had ever met missionaries before, he looked at us & RAN! Hahaha I was laughing & Sister Cannon looked a little frightened. He stopped sprinting down the hall, turned around, & was laughing! Haha I have never had anyone run away from us jokingly or seriously before, so that was a new experience. He said people tell him if he ever sees missionaries to run the other way 😂 we had a super good conversation, like super good. It made my whole week! 

We met another guy sitting outside on his porch & chatted with him for a good while about faith. Then he nicknamed us J.C. (Jensen/Cannon or Jesus Christ)👍 pretty cool nickname! 

A family in our ward had their daughter/niece come home from her mission this week! We helped them get ready for her return. We went over there to party with them for dinner. They are from Ghana & fed us fu-fu. We both really wanted to try fu-fu so she made it for us. Fu-fu is an African dish that is like a huge glob of dumpling with soup & you it with your RIGHT hand, not left. That's a BIG no no! So we were trying it, while hesitant, & the Sister comes and says, "Ahhh Sisters you don't chew it, you swallow it!" It was super different... I had such a hard time trying to swallow it whole & slurp it out of my hands. Haha good times! I LOVE the different cultures & religions here. It is so interesting & a lot of the time I feel like I'm not in America! This place is thee best. 

We had our two recent converts receive the gift of the Holy Ghost yesterday. That was a neat experience. The Spirit was so strong in Sacrament. 💕 

Have you all watched the Prince of Peace video this Easter season?!? If you haven't, you should! It is amazing!! Every time I watch the video, which is a lot, I feel so peaceful. In this crazy world we all need some peace. I know that the best source for peace is in Our Savior, Jesus Christ. So if any of you are looking for peace in your life turn to the Savior & His Gospel to find it. I know you will. I am so grateful for this gospel & the HUGE role it plays in my life. I know that Christ lives today. I know that as we learn more about the Prince of Peace we too will find peace. I love you all & wish you a Happy Easter 🐇🐥

xoxo, sister jensen

Us trying fu-fu = an adventure (you cut it with your fingers, so that's why my hand looks weird) 😁 

 Squirrel x-ing it's a legit thing here. I've never seen so many squirrels in my entire life. 🐿 

 I just want to publicly announce my love for Sister Banfield, our amazing Bishops wife!  💕 

 #princeofpeace 

BEST. WEEK. EVER.

Hello!! This week we had a BAPTISM of two amazing sisters & GENERAL CONFERENCE!! Seriously God is sooooo good.  The baptism we had for went so good! They asked me to talk on the Holy Ghost, which was fun ish! I love this family more then I can even put into words. I am BEST friends with all of them & have learned so much from teaching them. Their faith & dedication shines through. They all have made huge changes to come unto Christ & now they have that "Mormon Glow" (I swear it's a real thing.) 

My testimony on trials has grown a lot this week. Sister Cannon & I have some similarities in our family situations & we found out this week we have a lot in common about our families with some of our investigators.  My biggest trial is now a blessing that I am able to bear a strong testimony on the enabling power of the atonement & the strength that ALL families have, no matter their situation. What an amazing family situation I have. I wouldn't change it for ANYTHING. & Sister Cannon & I were able to talk about these difficult times & how we made it through! 💗 I KNOW that Sis. C & I were sent here together at this time for this family. What an amazing calling this is. 

Want to hear some more miracles? Haha okay so one of our investigators read the Book of Mormon!!! She has been putting it off (she said she is on her own curriculum) & then read 10 chapters & took A LOT of notes. After weeks of testifying of the Book of Mormon & how it can change her life she finally read it! Now her husband has to catch up to her 😊 also she cooked for us & she hasnt cooked in over a year!!! And another one.... our recent convert is preparing himself to go through the temple in the next couple months!! Ahh. 

Funny moments: One of our investigators thought that we have to wear black skirts cause I guess Sister Cannon & I always wear black skirts there. Haha! & VA LOVES their pizza delivery, so a lot of the times when people open up the door they expect pizza, but fortunately for them it's Christ's representatives! They never listen though, I guess pizza on its way is more important. Haha! 

I love you all & pray for you! Thanks for all the love & support. 💕

xoxo, sister jensen 

Pics:

Our favorites. 💗 

Our member ordered all the desserts on the menu 😂 gaining weight? Nah. 

 Practice teaching blindfolded! best trainer ever. 😂 

 Getting serious. 

I got to see my BEST FRIEND!!!!! 

 Cherry blossoms season w/ my cherry blossoms skirt! (Not planned, promise) 

 THE BAPTISM!! (one picture is pre grabbing my tag 😂) 

"Come back in 10 years!"

Hey hey heyyyyyy everyone!! How is everyone doing?! So this week was great! I'm half way done with my mission... eww. Gross, 9 months flew by! 😢 We knocked a lot of doors this week (which felt so good to be back knocking doors a lot 😂) & we asked a man when we could come back to share more. He said, "Come back in 10 years!" Well thank you kind sir for being completely honest. 😂 I will put a note in here to remind missionaries 10 years from now to stop by!  Also, I asked a little boy to give me a high five & he growled at me... haha alright! 

One night we left a tuna casserole that a member gave us in our car & it had to stay there the next day cause we didn't have time or resources to throw it away. No worries, it didn't stink. But then more than 24 hours later we take it to the trash can & we find a perfect ottoman!! So we came back & got it & now we have a super nice Ottoman in our apt. Awesome series of events! God was sure aware of us! 

I hope you all had a chance to watch Womens General Conference Session! It was so good. I loved President Eryings talk about the Holy Ghost. It truly is one of thee greatest gifts God has given us. (John 14:26) The Spirit has played a HUGE role in my life as well as my own conversion to this gospel. In Gal. 5:22 it talks about the fruits of the Spirit & it's so awesome to look back on your own life & see how much the Holy Ghost has been apart of it! It's always been so hard for me to discern the Spirit, but I have learned that if it is anything good it's from God & to act upon it. You look back & realize the spirit was there the whole time. It's awesome!! Ahh I love you all. PLEASE WATCH GENERAL CONFERENCE!! You will find so many answers to your questions & IT WILL BLESS YOUR LIFE!! I am obviously excited 💗 

xoxo, sister jensen 

The 9 month sisters!! 💗 ft. the elders. 

 Bunny x-ing. Typical. 🐇

 T.C. Williams High school! Where Remember the Titans was filmed! 👍 

Thy will be done

Hello again!! Transfers are this week & Sister Cannon & I will be staying together in Franconia! That's a huge answer to my prayers! So glad I get to serve the people here for at least another six weeks. Just a follow-up for those who actually  read my emails, that I can finally introduce ourselves to people in Spanish!! Huge accomplishment I'd say for my non understanding Español brain. 😂 

This week we had a "big" snowstorm! Haha it's totally different back east then home! So we had to stay inside till dinner on Tuesday because of this storm! But here the snow is ice, so driving conditions were bad. I think we only got two inches. Wednesday we were walking up a little slope (that's pure ice) to an apt. & couldn't get up to save our lives. Haha I was laughing so hard! We both kept sliding down & on the way down the slope after the apt & I fell flat on my bottom & a member comes out of the house laughing & said, "Sister Jensen are you okay?" Haha we all couldn't stop laughing. 😂 

This week I have seen a lot of our investigators take a leap in faith. It has been so cool to watch our investigators apply repentance & faith into their lives. Miracles keep coming & I just stand back amazed at how much God is blessing me. One day we asked an investigator to pray & she has been hesitant to pray in front of people, but has a lot of faith & did it. After I asked how she felt & she said, "like I want to throw up!" Hahaha she is amazing! 

This week D&C 109:44 has been on my mind a lot. (Probably because it's my background, haha) I have learned a lot about submitting to His will the nine months I've been on my mission. Submitting to His will is yes, sometimes very difficult, but I testify that is is the best thing that you can ever do for yourself. We all want the best life, we all want happiness, we all want things & you know the best place to get all that is? The Lord. & how will we achieve His PERFECT plan for us? Submitting to His will. I've found the most happiness & success when I humble myself & submit to His will. Thy will be done, O Lord, and not mine. I truly love this gospel will all my heart. 

I LOVE you all. Have an amazing week! Remember who you are & what you stand for! 💗 

D&C 109:44 "But thy word must be fulfilled. Help thy servants to say, with thy grace assisting them: Thy will be done, O Lord, and not ours."

xoxo, sister jensen

Pics:

Coolest. District. Ever. 

District pic ft. myself 

Trainers @ return & report 

Thee best mission president ever! "If your not going through challenges & difficulties, you're not getting your moneys worth." -President Huntsman 😂💗  

Old Town, Alexandria, VA 

Miracle Week!!

Oh. My. Gosh. So many miracles it's amazing!!

Funny stories: so one night we were knocking doors & we walked up to an old man & he walked fast the other direction, so we moved on. Soon he had gotten his neighbor & they were coming to lay down the law to us. So we went to talk to them & he found out we were missionaries & not hoodlums trying to steal car parts. Haha too funny. 

& the other day we were eating at Wendy's & a random guy was talking to us for 10 minutes ish & all of a sudden cops showed up & stood around us... we excused ourselves & they had a good talk with this man. I think he was there all day talking to people...  

So some Elders sent us a family they were teaching because they moved into our area, so now they are our investigators. Sorry elders. They are my favorite. They are getting baptized April 1st!!!! Our first lesson with them the daughter said, "Mom what's the word? Oh ya! So I want to be baptized!!" Ahhh oh my gosh!! Then we went over another day & I gave her a picture of the D.C. temple & she just starts crying. She loved it so much! I am so so beyond excited for them to get baptized & obviously they are too!  So thanks to the efforts of other missionaries our job has been easy. Seriously so easy, God has prepared them & they found us. It sure has made everything worth it to wait for this exciting moment. 

We have met amazing people this week & our teaching pool just keeps getting bigger & bigger. Such a miracle & something that is so new to me! 🤗  

Hope you all are doing amazing. What can I do to help all of you?! 💗 

xoxo, sister jensen 

Lots of pictures this week of Sister Cannon & I! 

Twinned & didn't even mean to. Kinda embarrassing 😂

Potomac River! 

Moved.

Hola! Well this week went by crazy fast. For reals. My subject about describes our week! So heading home from district meeting we get a call that we were moving.... umm today!! So change of plans we went home to pack!! It was raining so they postponed it to the next day, put Sister Cannon & I were ready to go! We actually moved into our area which is a good change into a very nice retro cabin patriotic looking place (you can tell we have thought long & hard about these adjectives)!  So we were sure excited!! 

On every first Saturday of the month our mission does a "car fast" where we don't use our car that day. So because of this we were able to meet so many cool people!! Everyone that day was telling us their life stories, which was amazing to learn about their trials & their faith. Everyone had something in common, can you guess what? God & The Savior. Everyone has fully relied on their faith in God & Jesus Christ no matter what their faith might be. I admire these people here for everything that they have gone through & accomplished. There is a saying, "Someone you don't love, has a story you haven't heard." Which I believe to be true. As we take time to get to know one another & listen to our hard times as well as our good times, your love & desire to help them grows. Which is exactly what missionary life is all about! Ahh I love it so much. Learning more about people is what I LOVE. Everyone is so amazing in their own way, because we are all children of God. 

I love you all & hope everything is going well for you.

St. John 14:18 💕

xoxo, sister jensen

March 6, 2017

Pics:

George Washington's Masonic Memorial! We didn't know too much about masons so we loved going there & learning more about them. We were able to go to the top & see over Alexandria, VA & in the distance you could see D.C. 💗

 💕 Our weekly Wednesday get together for Book of Mormon reading & dessert! 

Pretty trees!! 

Our cool patriotic carpets💕 

Having too much fun moving! 

The morning of moving & you realize you have NOTHING to cook with... good thing we have hands & 2 pans! #blessings