Wow, what a week it has been! I can't believe it's pday already. It's been a week full of following the spirit etc. To start off with on Monday we had the neatest experience--after we got done emailing Monday we had already made plans for the rest of the night after dinner. Well when we got in the car Keyes looked at me and said, "Where to now J?" My hand just automatically typed in the address of a sweet lady in our ward. I dunno why but I felt very impressed to go there. As it turns out she had promptings all day that the missionaries would give her a blessing. Well when we showed up at her house we were even able to give a 45 min lesson a true blue southern baptist. He kept wanting to argue about things, but I will tell you when we asked questions that just made sense...we stumped him a couple times. We were able to successfully give him a BOM at the end of the 45 min and he was very nice and sincere. We are hoping he really reads it--our discussion was great. Well, after we talked to this man we were able to go into this sweet members home. She told us her promptings and I was on the phone texting Elder Green and Burt to get over there immediately. I may not hold the priesthood but I will sure find those (aka our Elders) who do quickly. Thankfully they just got out of an appt. So they were able to come over and give her a blessing. It was very neat and she was very thankful.
Wednesday we were able to have another lesson with Dem.....!! It was great. Dem..... knows her bible in and out. She starts bringing up these stories from the old testament that I don't even know! But I nod my head and smile. She truly is starting to see how the Book of Mormon and the Bible go hand in hand. At the end of the lesson she said, "I know I need to go to church I'm just not sure when I'll be ready to come with ya'll." It was fantastic to hear her say that because we didn't even commit her to church. Before Dem...the very bold Sister Jenkins came out!! I think I honestly scared Sister Keyes a little bit. We went to visit Sister F..... and D...... was there!! I haven't talked to D..... regarding the church in such a long time...I honestly thought we lost contact with her..okay we did. Anyways...we walked in right in the middle of the ending of their favorite soap opera...we had to sit their awkwardly for 20 more min not looking at the t.v. while these two cute ladies watched it haha. But in between commercials I would talk with D....... Her biggest hang up now is that Sunday is a man made day. God didn't specifically say in the Bible that the Sabbath day is supposed to be on Sunday. She went off about this very passionately for about 20 min. Finally my heart couldn't take anymore...especially when we have taught her the lessons. I started bearing my testimony, "D....... I know how you feel frustrated...but the Lord hasn't taken us out of your life for no reason. I know you say you've been baptized, but you have not been baptized by the correct authority and if you truly want to live with Heavenly Father again you must be baptized by that correct authority. There is a prophet on earth I know it and I hope that someday you will know it. Also...I know you refuse to read the book of Mormon...but I am begging you and so is Heavenly Father please read it. I know it's true..I did not leave my home for 18 months based on something that wasn't true. I left my home so I could find you D.......and if you aren't willing to read the Book then at least pray to know if my words are true I know they are and it's time you find out." Then I grabbed her hands, "I love you...which is why I am being so bold right now please pray on my words for I know they are true." Then there was a pause...I could tell Keyes was holding her breath. D........ then says, "alright I will..I love you too J--whens your bible class? Imma come to that." It was amazing!! When we got out to the car my hands were shaking.....we had to drive around the block once because our next appt was right next store. But I felt the spirit so powerfully! I loved it.
Another amazing moment happened Friday. During weekly planning Sister Keyes and I planned for a mystery person we were planning on finding that day. We had a half hour to tract right before dinner and we knocked on five doors and nothing. Then finally La...... answered. I knew that if we were going to get a return appt..we had to get into her house. So, I asked if I could use her bathroom (after we talked for a min of course). She said, "sure ignore the mess honey." Well..I knew this was the teaching moment...Keyes was able to talk about the BOM and when I came out we gave her a Restoration lesson. Then she said, " I feel like my Mother-in-Law who has passed sent you two and needs my family to hear this." We then asked if we could teach her again..but next time she wants her husband and three little girls to be apart of the lesson!! So we are hoping big for this next week.

So many amazing things happen each day in the field..and a question I always ask myself is, "how strong is my faith?" I know that faith is power...and with it if we ask in the name of Jesus Christ we can do all things. I love it out here and I am so thankful I am currently serving. Ya'll have a great week!! Keep up all you do I know how crazy life can get.....don't forget to serve others and do your own missionary work at home! We are all missionaries! Continue to "Catch the Wave"
Love Always
Sister Jenkins
P.s. Shout out to my girl Ashley Howell for getting married this week!! Love you tons! good luck!

So, we tracted into this lady and she had us dig up these flowers in our skirts.  She wanted us to take them home and luckily we had a flower pot in our back. . .patio.

How pretty some of MS is right now.

A little girl drew us in this pic and we are both "black" in this pic.  Love it!

Hey Ya'll!!

Wow what a week. It's been consistanly busy and I know that it's because Sister Keyes and I have been striving to be obedient in all that we do.

Monday was a great Pday. We all went to Madison to play ultimate frisbee with a lot of other missionaries. It was way fun and I scored...yep as uncoordinated as I can be sometimes I scored. Monday not a lot happened though I'm not going to lie. However, it was a well needed pday as every pday is.

Tuesday was great--We went to one of our investigators and realized that we needed to drop her. She is a very lonely lady that we have come to love, however she is a southern devoted baptist. She said that there is no way we would be changing her mind. But she loves to talk and talk and talk!! She talked for nearly an hour and a half. Keyes and I barely got three words in. We love her--but we had to tell her why we visit her and let her know we would be by less. It's always sad to drop an investigator but there are others just waiting to hear what we have to say. When we visit this sweet lady we will now have to make our visits very short because we know how lonely she gets. Sister S... fed us that night and wow..haha she fed us pig jaw bacon. I was grossed out but it's a good thing she told us at the end of dinner or else I would have been weirded out the entire time I was eating it.

Wednesday we were able to visit D.  D....... I love this lady so much--she is not a member but her son Bro. D..... is. We were able to talk with her and find out that apparently a couple of years ago two sisters were really pushy with her to get baptized so very politley she told them not to visit her anymore. We told her we would never push her. She is always welcome to come to church and we won't push her--She's amazing and has the best stories. I love visiting her. Another amazing this happened...Of course when doesn it not? But the Lord is so quick to answer prayers. Sister Keyes and I have been a little frustrated because even though she hasn't been here but for the last 3 weeks maybe for no one has come to Book of Mormon class! We were sick of feeling like it was a waste of time so we made a goal a half hour before dinner to find someone to go to BOM class. We said a prayer right before we started tracting asking that we would find someone to come. Well...guess what we did! The first door we knocked on a 18 year old boy who's mom is a former investigator answered. We told him who we are and what our purpose is. He said he's love to learn more and he promised to coming because he can drive! Well...we knew he would come..but then we get a text saying his mom wouldn't let him. But I know that because of our efforts two people ended up coming to BOM class. This boy will come to soccer this week but it's amazing at how quick the Lord is to answer prayers. Not only did all of this happen but that morning we had a really long meeting about this whole Gladys Knight event. This is going to be the biggest mission opportunity the south has had. I feel so honored because Gladys is coming to sing at our church (Clinton is the Stake center), this choir has won a grammy award (before the MoTab did), and Gladys has been ordained as a full time missionary and her testimoney is so powerful. The Clinton missionaries will be helping a lot (Keyes, me, Burt, and Green). I'm so excited the ward has been inviting everyone and we are going to get so many referrals! There's a lot to do and a lot to invite before then. But I am so excited for this amazing opportunity.

Thursday was great we had another lesson with D...... we committed her to church but she is simply not ready to come and it's completley understandable. We hope that as we continue to teach her and she continues to read she will come but everything is only a matter of time.

Saturday was a blast. Our ward held an MTC day and it was the cutest thing ever. Our primary president (Sister Boone) planned this awesome day! It was a real MTC day for all these little kids. Us missionaries got to teach them how to tract. There was a biking obstacle course, a language class, and everyone had Dot Dorks (all the new missionaries wear them in the MTC I hated mine haha) , and everyone had name tags and a mission call. They even had a giant map to take pictures in front of pointing to where their mission was in the world just like the MTC. At the very end everyone met in the gym (the flight home) we watch a video called the Atonement with Elder Holland and Elder Eying speaking. It made me cry and love my Savior so much more. But after the video everyone sang called to serve and there was even plane snacks:) It was the cutest thing! I loved the whole day I couldn't get enough those little children were making me so happy seeing all the future missionaries.

Sunday was a good day--I got asked to sing and play the piano for a musical number so I sang and played "This is the Christ" First performance where I wasn't extremely nervous. But it went good I love Sundays. Yesterday afternoon we went tracting and ran into a methodist minister and he was a sweetheart. We didn't go to argue but haha he started saying how he believes mormons can be saved and that the book of mormon was orignally written by Solomon Spalding...and that Joseph Smith copied it...I could feel my heart start pounding and I was getting really really upset!! My passion almost became vocal. But I continued to smile and bear my testimoney. At the very end we sang "I know that my redeemer lives" Then blessed their home. It was a very spiritual lesson because you could feel it and his wife said with big happy eyes, "it was such a pleasure to have you ladies" Even though they aren't investigators it was good to go bear testimoney and let them feel of the spirit. I love that couple I pray the best for them.

Sunday night--Lor.... was in the hospital for a major allergic reaction so we had the Elders come to South Jackson hospital with us to give her a blessing. They told us that Jackson Mississippi is the most dangerous state for white females. Oh and they tell us this when we are walking out of the hospital in the dark at 8:40 at night and we are lost and can't find our car. No big deal just make the Sisters freak out why don't ya. The blessing was really could I knew that Lor.... could feel the Spirit.

It was such a good week!! My testimony is always increasing and growing. I love Sister Keyes and we work hard everyday. Training is really good--Its been a very humbling experience. Everyone stay strong this week for me. I love you so much and You all are in my constant prayers. Through Christ we can do all things. I would recommend that you go and watch the Atonement video on youtube. I think...it might be that. I dunno haha Elder Holland and Elder Eyring are the speakers. It will make you cry! I love my Savior Jesus Christ. This is is church.

Good luck--Sister Jenkins

Playing in the rain!

Primary Day in the ward was about Missions!

Adorable twins!

At a birthday party for Tanner:)

Nana is going home:(

Hey ya'll!!

Wow it's been a great week. I love my new companion Sister Keyes!! We have had a great time this week--a little stressful not going to lie but we have had some great tracting experiences.

Monday was Sister Mapu's last day so we spent a lot of time just going to all the members houses to say goodbye. But I love the members here!! After watching how much all of them love sister Mapu it made me realize that love in the church is huge!! The love I have for the people out here is growing everyday and when I look at them I can't help but smile because I am so grateful to be here.

Tuesday I met Sister Keyes!! She's adorable..the ward says we look like we could be sisters...so I play along and tell them that she's my second cousin who got called to the same mission as me. Haha we have fun together--she has such a drive and motivation to do the work its honestly inspiring. She's 19 and is from Heramman Utah...I don't think I spelt that right.

Wednesday--Sister Keyes and I were able to go tracting!! We met a lot of people and we met a lady named Dem...! We were going to go visit L.... and Sister F.....--and there we saw Dem.... sitting on the stairs of these apartments smoking and reading her bible:) We went up to her and talking with her about what she believed. She doesn't even go to a church right now but she wanted us to come back. She lives with her fiance and they have lived here for 4 years..but she really wanted to hear more about our message so we set an appt for Friday. When Friday came we were able to read with her in 3 Nephi and talk about how the Book of Mormon goes hand in hand with the Bible. I love this lady!! It all made so much sense to her:) We had a great lesson and we are going back this week to teach her more. We honeslty had a good day of tracting...people were willing to let us in and talk with them. We ran into this one old Lady Eliz...... Eliz...... is a widow...she lost her husband 5 years ago and her only daughter 10 years ago. We were able to sit with her and keep her company while she gave us a tour of the house and discussed religion with her. She was able to see how the Bible and Book of Mormon work together as well! When we left she made sure we had her number and that we would come back this week. So we are. I love that lady and can't wait to go back.

On Thursday we were able to visit some less acitves in the ward. It was great! We went and visited the Sp..... family and Sister Sp..... really opened up to us...I was so thankful and wanted to cry because I love that family and want so much for them. But finding out why they don't come to church breaks my heart. Sister Mapu and I gave their girls awhile back two book of mormons with our testimonies written in them. When we left all the girls ran out to the car holding their Book of Mormons to their heart. It made me so happy--we went back this week and read with them. We visited more members so Sister Keyes could meet more people in the ward! It was a great day:)

Friday we went tracting some more. We ran into Seth S...he's 17 and he is awesome!! His mind is so open to the mormon religion and he wants to learn as much as he can. He asked some really deep questions that I was really nervous about answering but I hope we answered them to the best of our knowledge. He wants to see us again..and asked if we would go to his school play.

My favorite quote that my mission president this week told me is, "Don't focus on all the things you can't do, when the Lord see's all the things you can do." Honestly my mission has changed my life already-- I learn so much and grow everyday..I know that my life would not be the same without this. I needed to be here serving my Heavenly Father. Praising him and my Savior Jesus Christ everyday. I have a testimoney of this divine gospel and I know without a doubt in my heart that it is true!! I couldn't be more thankful to be here and I just want to say Mississippi is absolutly gorgeous this time of year!! I have never seen so much green in my life. But I am full of thanks. Heavenly Fathers plan for me is perfect--I know he loves each one of us individually and knows us better then we could ever know ourselves. Stay strong this week--pray morning and night...it doesn't take long:)

Love you all so much!

Love Sister Jenkins

Hey ya'll!!

Okay so this week has been crazy! I just have to tell everyone that I am TRAINING! What in the world....I never expected to but Wednesday we were eating with President, the Elders, Gpa and Nanna. Mapu made the dinner it was so good!! That girl can cook! She made sticky chicken and we all loved it. After dinner the us and the Elders were walking out...we knew we would be getting transfer calls on Friday so we weren't really worried about talking to President. Then Pres. looks at Mapu and I and says I need to talk with you two. My stomach almost dropped! I knew he would be giving us big news as to what was going to happen to us but honestly I had no idea. He took Sister Mapu's hand and said, "Sister Mapu we are going to be moving you to El Durato Arkansas, you will be opening and training. You have been in Clinton for awhile and it's time to go somewhere else." Mapu said of course and I thought she was going to cry...she loves Clinton she's been here for 7 and a half months. Then he looked at me took my hand and said, "Sister Jenkins, you will stay in Clinton to train." Um...I put my hands over my face and started to cry. I fell so inadequat to train and I am so nervous! President just sat there smiling and I knew everything was going to be alright. We talked for awhile longer and Mapu and I felt really good about the future. We honestly have had such a great companionship. My training and my mission would not be the same without her. She is one of a kind and such a great example to me. I know we will always be friends--I couldn't have learned all that I have learned and will take in my heart without her. President showed me the picture of my new Comp. Her name is Sister Keyes and she is from Utah! She's adorable and meeting her today in person made me less nervous.

This week has been really crazy....we have really just been going with the Elders to all the members houses to say goodbye. Mapu and Milli have served here in Clinton together for the last 7 months so the ward loves them both a ton. Not going to lie I was exhausted last night....we finally finished saying goodbye to all the members and it mad me sad to watch Mapu love and say goodbye to everyone. But I learned so much about loving others. I know that sincere love is crutial out here and everywhere else. An adult knows when you love them just as a child does. Mapu had that trait of loving all and I hope I am able to carry it with me the rest of my mission. I love where I am at, I love Clinton and I love the ward members. They are so supportive of the missionaries and they sincerely are trying to help us.

It's getting warmer and today it's really humid...I basically did my hair and walked out side to have it stick to my face. All I can say is the summer is going to be awesome! Mapu has offically moved out of the apartment...she spent the whole week packing. She taught me how to make polly food!! It's so good--this morning I made Musubi. She left me her rice cooker and I am going to take it around with me throughout the mission haha it's going to be funny. We didn't tract a ton this week but can I just say I LOVED General Conference!! Conference in the mission is totally different--It's like super bowl sunday but better. I took so many notes my hand couldn't write fast enough. The saturday sessions we watched both here at the church. All the stake comes to Clinton--our church is the stake center. However, no one came haha it was just us four and two jackson missionaries. But that's okay--we stood and sang with the congregation...it was almost like I was at home:) When they showed the picture of the Salt Lake temple I couldn't help but think look there's my home! To some members Utah is a vacation--but Utah is my home!! I love it:) I loved all the talks on missionary work!! "Catch the Wave!"--Elder Nelson Missionary work is exploding and the lord truly is hastening his work. Today we had 12 sisters and 5 elders come in--I love how much support missionaries have and I have to thank everyone who supports me and my mission. It means the world to me and I thank my Heavenly Father each and everyday for putting all the people I have met and love in my life. I also loved Sister Daltons talk--it is truly a privilege to be a woman and a current Sister Missionary...I feel so honored to wear his name and do his work. So it was awesome to find out that Sister Wixon, Elder Falabella, and Elder Holland all came to speak to us in the MTC and they all spoke at conference!! I have hugged Sister Wixon:) I look up to that lady so much--She's a graduate from USU in Elementary Education and if she can do it, and my mother can do it, then when I get home I can do it.

My testimony of my Savoir Jesus Christ has increased so much!! President Monson's talk on obediance really inspired me to be obedient--I know that it is the key to salvation and the perfect example of obedience is Jesus Christ.

I hope you all enjoyed Conference and this week as much as I have. Always increase your faith for it is true power!!

Have a good week and good luck!!

Love you tons

Sister Jenkins

Hey ya'll!!

Okay so I need to say Happy April fools day!.....That joke about USU being bought by the church and getting changed to BYU--Logan wasn't funny at all!! I'm pretty sure I was about ready to yell at someone....and my heart was about ready to drop..and I was on the verge of tears! Not funny Utah State! Happy April Fools I love you. 

This week has been great! Sister Mapu and I tract everyday and we meet so many new people I love it!  This week is going to be a short email sorry.  But I hope everyone had a fantastic easter! I did---and yesterday the spirit was amazing!  I love the fact I get to play the piano and organ so much out here.  I played for 2 musical numbers yesterday--sang at the Elders baptism while playing on saturday, and I was able to play the organ for church yesterday.  I love it, the lord has truly blessed me by sending me to my perfect mission.

Tuesday this week Sister Mapu and I went to follow up with Mr. W....--we tracted into him 4 weeks ago and he finally read!  The lesson was really short about 4 min tops but it was powerful and I know he could feel the spirit at his door step.  We told him there was a living prophet on earth and he looked at us shocked and said, "There is!?"  Then he said he would read more and we are meeting with him tomorrow!  L.... was amazing this week!! She is so cute...We haven't been able to contact her for awhile but, we had a lesson with her on Saturday and right when we walked in she came out with a bag.  It had a skirt and a shirt in it for my bday.  I thought that was the sweetest thing that she even remembered!!  I will wear it because it's from her loving heart--she didn't even have to remember but she did.  But the lesson went great!  We asked her if she knew the BOM was true and she does and she knows Joseph Smith was a prophet called of God!--She has a Baptismal date set and we hope all goes well in preperation for that. 

Wednesday tracting was hilarious!! But the wierdest story is this one guy answers the door and wouldn't even shake my hand because his hands were "dirty"...then he starts going off on Mormons like we are the devil.   It took so much energy in my heart to control my anger and stand there and smile.  Then he told us we don't believe in the bible!!  He started quoting a scripture from it and Mapu started quoting it with him! Then after she says, "see we do beleive in the Bible."  Then come to find out the real reason he wouldn't even shake my hand was because I was Mormon.  Some people wow...I just had to walk away and laugh and pray for my anger to go away.  I controlled it a lot better this time then the last guy who angered me. 

Thursday we had dinner at the G..... house and it was so much fun!! I felt like I was in Newton.  The children ran out to the pasture with the elders and we ran, hid, and played with the horses.  Then, they all hid easter eggs from the missionaries! There was one called "The golden egg" and it had one dollar in it!  Well the little boy Bubba took me to find it--you should have seen all of us racing around this place in our skirts and best dressed trying to find all of these eggs.  Well the golden egg was hidden in the exhaust pipe of our car!!  Haha it was hilarious!  The elders were cracking up--Mapu started our car and it popped out....I was able to keep it because I rightfully found it...with assisstance:) 

Friday...Happy Birthday Grandma!! I love you!! 

Saturday we helped a lot with the ward.  There were multipule ward activities for easter.  I love watching the children!! They are my favorite--they have such sweet spirits and i couldn't be more thankful then to serve here in Clinton. 

Easter Sunday was amazing!! I loved every second of it.  3rd hour of church was the best--I had to play for a musical number and the song was "I heard him come"  I started crying while I was playing! The testimonies were all so strong and Mapu was crying and I couldn't see my music cause my tears weren't making it very easy for me to see.  As I was playing I just thought of the words...I couldn't help but cry and love my Savior Jesus Christ and thank him for always always being there for me.  I love him he is my best and enternal friend and his atonement is infinite and perfect.  I love what I am doing and I couldn't be more thankful to be out here.  I love you all and I hope you have a great week! This gospel is the only Church of Jesus Christ and I know it is true without a doubt in my heart! 

By now--talk to you soon.

Sister Jenkins

Cuttest girls who can impersonate Michael Jackson better than anyone.

They were trying to help me be "black!"  I was struggling.

Ward Easter Egg Hunt!  So fun!

Clover Field

In front of Maytor from Cars:)

The Elders Bombed our pic again!

My dream back yard..

Easter Dinner!