Hello Everybody!

So this week has been really busy my pday was bumped to Wednesday due to a flight delay for the new missionaries coming in so because of that our transfer day got bumped to today and so did our pday.  But, yesterday was great!  My first transfer is over with and I have 6 weeks left of training!  Sister Mapu and I got to take two new Sisters out tracting for the day.  I was with Sister B and Mapu was with Sister H.  We only had one car so Mapu had to drop B and I off at the places we were going to tract.  Let me just say this, it was amazing we had great experiences and it was kinda crazy and slightly scary.  We tracted into a crazy person that is all I have to say.  Even on top of the crazy person we tracted into a man who right when he opened his apartment door this "drug" smell came pouring out.  I almost passed out right then and there.  I had an extremely bad feeling about him and there was no doubt he was stirrin up a drug storm in the kitchen.  I wanted to run away soo we briefly introduced ourselves and left.  Besides the wierd experiences we had some awesome ones too!  However...I had to keep telling myself "I am the hulk, I have Heavenly Father on my side."  Mapu always says that.  She is an awesome trainer. 

 So last week started off with us going to another family's house.  I love them soo much.  My second encounter with a fantastic family and they were making homemade peanut butter and I (like a little child) wanted to lick out the "bowl".  Well...I will just say when we went to visit with her she had to head to raymond to pick up her two little boys.  It was raining so hard and I on the way back we listened to the "windsheid wiper song"  I loved it she also got me a Diet Coke--made my day. 

We went out to Raymond twice this week and I love going to Raymond to visit our less active members.  There is a sister who is beautiful both on the outside and inside.  She's a water baby and she has a heart of gold.   I was able to paint her nails and it reminded me of painting Grandma Jensen's nails:) 

We were able to get our 1st real appt. with another incredible lady, finally!  It was amazing and the spirit was so strong.  We invited her to baptism and she said yes.  It was amazing to be able to testify the truth that is in mine and Mapus heart that we will  never deny. 

Okay sooo Mom, remember that song on the Trek CD somewhere there's a mountain?  Remember how it bugged us?  Well guess what I love that song now.  I love these little children out here and my favorite line is, "That's where I'll find Jesus, and when I see him smile, I'll put my arms around him, it will be worth every mile."  Really though since there are no mountains here, I miss them but I can't help but put myself in these little pioneer childrens shoes.  They had never seen a mountain before and they were looking for one the entire time they walked and walked.  Those children had hope that once they found that mountain they knew they would be home.  Thats how I feel.  However, Mississippi is beautiful and I love it here.  The rain is incredible I have never seen rain drops so big. 

I want you all to know that my testimoney of this gospel is growing each and everyday.  I love it with all my heart and soul and I would be out here if I didn't know it was true.  I love my Savior Jesus Christ and I love the Book of Mormon (another testament of him.)  I want to continue to work as hard as I can. I love the people of Mississippi and I am learning and growing each and everyday.  I am thankful to be here.  Ya'll have a good week!! I will be writing monday which will be extremely soon:) Stay safe, be true, and know that the lord will never ever fail you.  Love you all!

Love Sister Jenkins

Love this Living Room!

Yes, wish I had this in my house!

WELCOME to the New Sister!

Painting Finger Nails!  Once a Southern Woman always a Southern Woman!

Best HOMEMADE PEANUT BUTTER EVER!!

Went to Activity Days and made a Friendship WEB!

President's Birthday--Love him!

Family in the ward knew exactly what I needed!

Birthday Fun!

Hello Everybody!!

I hope you all had a wonderful Valentines Day! Shout out to Miss CeAnn C! I can't believe your engaged girl actually I can...I knew it was coming:) Gosh I am soo happy for you!!! When's the offical date? Anyways what a week in the mission field. The beginning of the week I was on exchanges with Sister V haha her last name is hard to spell. Anyways it was really good!--We went and visited with her daughters--We baked Valentine day cookies it was really fun and fun just to be with them. The other people we talked two were their investigators not Mapu's and mine. But it was awesome because I was able to explain what we believe grace is to them. Mapu and I were studying this a couple of days before and we came to the conclusion that our definition of grace is that you take a lake....and you are at one end and Christ is on the other. Instead of you swimming half way across and Christ meets you in the middle and takes you the rest of the way. He is with you at the begining of the lake--and he is helping you every time you start to fall--he assists you the entire way while you are trying your hardest. It was so great!! I loved it. Also it was a little wierd because they showed us their entire shelf of animals they have creamated! That's was a little wierd to me....okay actually it was really weird but hey they love their pets and I can't judge.

I told you all about the prank sooo I don't need to write about that. But we tracted quiet a bit this week--It was amazing at how many times I was able to bear my testimoney about the gospel. Sister Mapu and I had a really good time. My favorite line is those that look at us and say, "Na I'm good I've been saved and I'm a christian." haha Sister Mapu always looks at them and says....Well good!! We are Christians too:)

But Valentines day was great!--We at Sister S's house and we she was soo cute!! She gave us all little missionary valentine day boxes--the dinner was so good we had chicken pockets with heathy fruit and veggies. I love that lady she reminds me a lot of home.

This week we were also able to do some service in Jackson. We were having a rough day and no appointments were coming through then we went to Jackson. This lady just moved into her house and the Jackson Branch's relief society president told us to come and help. So in our skirts we started stripping wall paper. They had an oven all heated up in the kitchen because it was cold. Mom remember all those times we stripped wall paper?? Yeah I felt pro. Mapu and I were doing work. I love service!! I feel so good after we help someone and....Mapu and I always make it fun:)
Sorry this email is probably going to be a little bit short, but I love the gospel so much!! This mission is the best. I love being out here, I love the people I meet, and I love the people I serve with:) You all have a great week. Your constantly in my prayers and I am thinking of you. Stay warm. The Church is true and the gospel is simple, pure, and perfect!

Sincerely Sister Jenkins

So here is the prank of the week---I suppose our elders always have to pull one and it always happens to be on me!!

About two weeks ago I was playing the organ at this ladies house and apparently Elder Green (way before I ever showed up) --well they came back from her house letting me know that she thinks Elder Green plays the organ better....He's never played before!! I was ticked....So then sunday came and we told Bishop that story and we were all laughing. Then--someone had the wonderful idea to have a "Piano off" Yep...it was between Elder Green and I. Well...I played a river flows in you and he played a Jon Schmidt song "waterfall" of course he won!! Any Jon Schmidt song is awesome. But that still doesn't mean he's the better pianst/organist. Well..Green and Miligan knew I was mad he won. The next day we went on exchanges and when I got home we played soccer and on the way home I get a text from Bishop saying, "sorry we I didn't mean to call you, but I do need to talk to Sister Jenkins to tell her that we will not be needing her to play the organ this week. Since we know Elder Green can play we will give him a chance." I was really annoyed....but I texted back happy and said, "haha okay awesome. Thank you!" That night I prayed so hard to have a humble heart and love towards the Elders because I was mad because Elder Green is playing the organ and he doesn't even play! We...come Wednesay and it is district meeting and while we are sitting there Elder Blomquist (district leader) says, "Well, rumor has it in our district that there was a little competition between and Elder and a Sister this week. (I was mad that he even brought it up) Could we have Elder Green and Sister Jenkins come up here please?" Blomquist pulled out two trophies one really tall and shiny one and one really weird and dusty one. Then he hands the tall one to Elder Green saying Congratulations for winniing the competition. You get first place and the biggest trophie. It even said in marker, "Elder Green 1st place." Then he handed me the dusty trophy and it said, "Sister Jenkins 2nd place." I was so mad!!! We had an awesome district meeting after that but really?? haha wow...

Well then the story gets better....we went to Taco Bell for lunch. When I came back to sit after ordering Elder Miligan says, "Hey Bishop called us telling us that he called you." So I check my phone and sure enough two missed phone calls from bishop. I immediatly called back. Well he answered...but I look over and it's Elder Miligan talking, "Hello this is Bishop and we won't be needing you to play this sunday." Everyone was laughing so hard!! Evidentally they switched the name in our phone from Zone leaders to Bishop and I had no idea. The whole thing was a scam and I ended up playing the organ on Sunday. I mean I would've been fine with Elder Green playing....but honestly I prayed so much that I was to the point of thinking well...if he stubbles on his face I guess I'll be there to back him up. Haha it was a good prank.....really I give the Elders props. Good prank...good prank.

Us stripping wallpaper in a house, off of wood!

Thanks Sister S for making Valentine's Day so fun!

Hey everyone!!  Happy Valentines Day (Thursday)!

It was great week in the mission field.  I have loved every min. out here in the field.  My companion is awesome and the members are great they look out for and take care of the missionaries here it's amazing.  We had interviews with President this week and I love and look up to that man so much. It was great--my first interview went perfect.  

On Wed we were able to meet with an older woman and I felt the spirit so strong during the lesson--I love that woman.  Oh Thursday we were able to tract a little bit in the morning.  We saw this woman sitting on her front porch smoking and we went up to her and started introducing ourselves.  She was receptive to what we were saying and took a Book of Mormon. I slightly wanted a picture in that moment, Haha a cigarette in hand along with the Book of Mormon.  What I sight, but while we were talking she threw the cigar down and then wanted to meet with us again.  We are meeting with her this week I am so excited. 

 There was another little boy he's seven years old and this week. We were talking with some children on the play ground and this little boy who's friends with the family we were talking with started to listen.  Soon we asked him if he knew who Jesus was and he said no. All we ended up telling him was that Jesus Loves him always and gave him a picture.  It's sad some situations.  Apparently his older brother is the one that really takes care of him--and all his brother watches is Family Guy.  I'm sorry I don't care who you are that show may be funny but it's completely  inappropriate   This seven year old boy said (when we asked if he knew who Jesus was) said that he saw Jesus on a T.V. show called Family Guy and then another girl piped in and said yeah Jesus swore in that show too I've seen it! Of course I was ticked because I hate that show.  I asked..well did you like it?  They answered No....   Um....This was not okay with me.  I almost started crying right then and there.  We are suppose to become as a little child, "submissive,meek, humble, patient, and full of love.....even as a child doth submit to his father." Mosiah 3:19.  If a child says and feels there is something wrong with the T.V. show they are watching then shouldn't we?  If there is one thing I have learned from teaching little children is that they never lie when it comes to their feelings.  Little children already have the spirit with them, so why would we not learn from a child's example and follow a child's perfect and correct feeling of something being wrong?  It made me soo sad to hear the children say this--But it made my day that as Sister Mapu and I were saying our goodbyes I handed this little boy a picture of Jesus and told him to keep it close to his heart.  I also practiced with him so that next time his brother has that show on he can hold Jesus's picture and leave the room or ask his brother to turn it off.  Well that little boy gripped the picture of our Savior and then when we got into our car he ran up to the car and said, "I believe in God." come back soon.   The light in that child's eyes and the things he has to go through hurt.  I want so bad to just take him in my arms and help him have a better life.  But in this apartment complex all the children are out playing by themselves.  With the gospel of Jesus Christ in their lives I know they could look at their future a whole lot differently.  

I love Sister Mapu!! She is the greatest and we laugh so hard together! Dad--we went and got ice cream and I ordered your favorite shake.  Sister Mapu heard me and ordered a Recess Banana shake:)  She took a bit and said, "oh my gosh I love your Dad!! He's a genius--adding Banana is amazing!" My shake was not very good....they aren't like Utah shakes haha they only gave me a straw and um....shakes should have a spoon (to me anyways).  

Random thought--but can I just say I love my school.  Utah State hey Aggies all the way!! I miss it up there, but it is nice having a fellow missionary that loves Utah State like I do.  We had Dinner at a member's house this week and I have not laughed the way I did in such a long time!  They are the best:)--One of my favorite things to do is sing and play the piano at some less active members houses.  We were able to do that at a Brother's house this week and it was so great!  We also go every week with the Elders to sing to an older man; he has to be taken care of.  But we go sit on his hospital bed and sing all of us:)  I love this gospel and I know without a doubt it's true!!  Congrats to the girls getting their mission calls!!  The lord needs us:)--This is Jesus Christ's church. We are centered around him and the Book of Mormon is truly another testament of him!   Stay Strong Utah I love you all build your life around Jesus Christ.  "One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism." Ephesians 4:5.  That is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  We have the Book of Mormon, a prophet, Apostles, and the priesthood and so much more that Christ did and had to establish his church while he was on the earth. I love my Savior.  

Good Luck! 

Sincerely Sister Jenkins

Yes those are the size of the raindrops!  LOVE THEM!

Elder playing:)

We go and sing at night to an older man, we are by his hospital bed.

Singing again.

Hey Everyone!!

So what a week in the mission field.  I have loved every second well...almost every second.  But the beginning of this week we were able to go and visit a sister in the ward. I love her!! We went to visit her for her birthday and we ate pie and danced to oldies music:)  We even made a music video..but I can't send that soo parents you will have to wait till I send you the SD card to see it:)  I made it to a month!  Wahoo see you all in seventeen months--I love my companion and we get along really well.  We went tracting on Thursday and we ran into a man that when he opened up his door looked at us both and said, " I know who you two are...do you want a coke? You can come in but don't get any ideas we are just casually visiting and you are not going to baptize me understand?"  Yeah...Casual visit right...um we ended up talking for an hour.  He talked about religion almost the whole time and his wife and him love the lds church.  They asked a lot of questions about the temple and his wife looked at the picture I had like she wanted to be there someday.  He started talking about weird things--then my favorite was.  Are you Married?  "no"  "hmmm well you will be when you go back honey, but who's that football player that has a really good spirit?"  Sister Mapu and I looked at each other like...umm are we supposed to know?  Then he says, "oh Tim Tebow.  Yeah if you and him are meant to be together it will happen.  But honestly I don't think it will because your both in different places in life."  I just looked at him stunned.  I had know idea what he was saying I mean I did..but I wanted to burst out laughing.  Besides that weird comment he talked about religion the rest of the time.  I felt soo strongly to ask him if he's been a preacher in different religion and has been in the army, and loves god--Why has he not considered joining the LDS faith if he loves and respects it so much.  But the timing wasn't right. Then, his wife had to leave so that meant we had to leave.  On our way out he looked at me and said, "It looks like you are dying to tell me something so just say it."  So I asked, "why have you not tried the Mormon faith if you love everything about it?"  He looked at me and said, "well I'm to old."  Then I asked him to read the Book of Mormon and give it a chance he said he would and expects us to come back this week.  But then he said, "well you've been successful you handed me a book and now you can check me off your check list."  I looked at him and said, "Christ doesn't look at you like a check mark and I want you to know we never will either.  We are only here to bring you closer to him."  He looked at me and smiled we said a prayer and we are going back this week to see him:)  

Oh and D. our investigator came to church this week!! it was great:)  I was playing the organ and look down to see my companion sitting by her and I was so happy she was there.  She loved it and is coming again next week and we are teaching her on Wed.

Also another one of our investigators told us she knows what she is reading is true and she wants to get baptized.  One problem is though that she hasn't told her mom she has been talking with the missionaries.  Her dad knows but her mom doesn't.  So we are waiting until she tells her mother.  She is 16 years old and loves everything we are teaching her.   She said that it just feels right.  So we will see what happens with her--she's adorable!

I love my mission--I am starting to know my Bible a lot better trust me.  With all the new missionaries we have a 12 week program (it's new) but I get an extra hour of study everyday.  The normal is two hours but nope I get three:)  I actually really love personal study I learn so much--I finished the Book of Mormon again!! I love it!  Seriously people read that book...it's the best thing and the most truthful and perfect book on earth.  

There is a Brother and Sister that  took us to a restaurant this week (by the way mom she is trying to find you on FB)  I was able to eat some southern catfish--we went to a place called Cock of the Walk.  The couple that took us kept telling everyone in there that I am a westerner so they better give me a good experience.  It was good!  Kinda crazy though...I didn't like the greens they gave us.  Seafood is huge down here--I am trying to work out every morning but all I do is run!  Any other work outs I can do besides my 100's work out I brought with me that I found on pinterest would be wonderful.  

The members are so sweet and I get to speak in church on Sunday...yay!  I'm really nervous new ward--but I love the people so it will be fine.  I am def not going to church in Utah anymore that's for sure.  There is no temple here (yet)  There is one in Baton Rouge which is three hours away but we don't get to go to that at all.  I love the temple and I'm super bummed I don't get to go but that's okay because the lord's work needs to be done here!  

So yesterday we went to go visit this family that's inactive and they have ignored us twice when we can hear them when we knock on the door then all of a sudden it's silent and nobody answers for like three min.  Yep....here's how it goes...Knock Knock--Oh it's the missionaries!! Hide we are inactive and don't come to church and they are only trying to help us but hide!  Yeah...it annoys me but when we come back and catch them outside it's hilarious they have this oh no run away look in their eyes but then oh dang it I'm caught and they have to talk to us:)  I love those people though--But after that house we saw this dad outside throwing the football.  (By the way football is a religion down here...don't mess with the southerners on Superbowl Sunday).  Anyways Sister Mapu asked when we could come back because he said we could.  Well...I wasn't buying it--I knew he wasn't interested.  So I bluntly asked, "Look are you really interested? Because unless you don't have a desire to change and hear the message of the restored gospel please don't invite us back if your not going to be here.  So are you sincerely interested?"  He paused for a min...then he looked up at us and said, "no I'm not interested sorry."  I said, "Thank you..We welcome you to read this Book if you ever want to know the truth about any question you've ever had."   Then we shook hands smiled and walked away.  

I love the south!!  I said, "y'all" the first time this week and felt soo weird!!  I won't get an accent but heck...the fact I said that surprised me:)  Anyways I love you all!! I hope you have a good week:)  Keep you standards high!  

Love Sister Jenkins

At a birthday party!

Celebrating my one month and my companion's one year anniversary!

My Desk!

Best Greek Yogurt Ever!

At a Restaurant called Cock of the Walk.

Just had Catfish and Hush Puppies and some seaweed stuff.