Hey everyone!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!  and to my best friend Nicole congrats on the engagement!! I am sooo happy for you and I love you it's about time:)  Well this week was awesome.  I hmmm got to talk to my family woot!
Christmas eve was really fun.  I had something different for dinner that I've never had before!  I ate duck for Christmas Eve dinner people.  It wasn't half bad though.  I mean, I'm not going to just start cooking duck for Christmas dinner when I get home.  I'm just saying I ate it:)  But before dinner we went to Ms. Fae's house and she was adorable.  She looked at us and asked if we were going to come over for dinner on Christmas.  Sadly we had to tell her no because we had other appointments and she got really sad.  I looked at her and said, "Ms. Fae are you a little upset with us?"  She said, "yes I want to see y'all tomorrow."  Then I told her we all wanted to talk with our families and she was totally fine after that haha family always comes first!   Well, after that the Spinks came to get us and we went over to their house for some "turdunken" don't even know how to spell it but it's a duck fried inside of a turkey yum:)  I'm not in the south or anything.  But I loved being with that family.  Sister Spinks made us all dream catchers for Christmas and they were beautiful.  Well, that night we all brought the mattresses out in front of the Christmas light and well we watched some D & C videos and then fell asleep and it was Christmas!  It was great.  So Christmas morning, I got my companions nerf guns.  PARTY!  Jk...not sure if that was the smartest idea or not because next thing I know when I was getting ready they are both in the bathroom shooting at me.
President Lux came to pick us up to take us to Popluarville and it was such a good Christmas.  What a blessing!  Being able to talk with my family made my day. Christmas this year was different cause I looked at it in a whole new perspective.  Reflecting truly only on the life of Christ and how joyous the occasion of his birth was.  I am in awe at how much more I know Jesus Christ.  This time of year is so wonderful because the spirit of Christmas is truly the spirit of Jesus Christ.
Well, after Christmas it was back to the regular missionary schedule!  Wahoo. But the day after Christmas wasn't bad--I mean a little discouraging but still not horrible.  We were able to eat at the Workmans house and man do I love those children!! Haha I walked in and one of their little boys wanted me to start playing "hunting" with him.  So I played...for like an hour while Sister and Brother Workman talked to my companions and made dinner.  Haha well, during dinner this adorable little boy says, "hey you girl! you are sitting right here in the same chair as me."  Basically I've made yet another little best friend out here all we did was play.
So after the day after Christmas well missionary life was really really back to normal haha.  We went and saw the Atkins family and taught them the Plan of Salvation well guess what!! They are getting Baptized on Jan 11th!! It might be pushed back...but honestly this family is amazing.  They came to the Christmas social, the baptism, and they have come to church the last two weeks.  So the Lords hand is definatly in everything that we do and I am so thankful for it!
But over all it was a really good week.  I'll write more next week I'm outta time this week!! LOVE YOU
Love Sister Jenkins

MERRY CHRISTMAS y'all!!
I hope everyone is keeping Christ in their hearts and remembering the true meaning of Christmas.  This week we received a gift that will be in our hearts forever.  We were able to witness the baptisms of Alex, Keith, and Christian.  It was a such a blessing and my heart is so full of joy its kinda ridiculous! But at the beginning of the week we all kinda got colds....bleh.

Monday, P day of course right?! But we went and taught Keith and Alex because they were getting baptized on Saturday!! They just had a couple of lessons left so we were able to finish those and get them ready!!
On Tuesday, we took it easy all day but later that night we saw miss Fannie, who fed us dinner. What a sweetheart! But we actually got there and she had forgotten about it :P so she just fed us what she had made for her and her son. She is the sweetest lady! And she kept apologizing haha Then we taught Christian, his last lesson. We went over the interview questions - and he is so solid! He will be the best priesthood holder. We're so excited for him :) He wants more than anything to hold the priesthood. He keeps asking the branch president when he can get it haha.

Wednesday, I was feeling a bit better, but Mygrant woke up with a sore throat. So we did what we could. We went to the Landrums because she asked us to help her pass out some Christmas presents, and she gave us some popcorn and stuff :) Then we tracted, and ran into this one lady, Jessica, who had just moved here and needed some friends. So we made an appointment with her to come back and teach her! Cool beans.
Then we taught Keith and Alex their last lesson, and went over the interview questions - they're a little scatterbrained, but they'll learn it eventually :) We're so so so proud of them, really we love them a lot.

Thursday, Sister Baker started feeling sick. So we went to the Senior Center, which I love with all of my heart but the food is well...gross haha. but then we tried to see a few people but I could barely concentrate on anything haha. We saw Janice, this one lady who we tracted into - she is the sweetest! But she was so sick, so we left a peace and blessing upon her home-- Then later, when we were feeling slightly better, we tried to see Jessica - but she wasn't home. Go figure. We'll try again. And then we saw Jeanette - a very cute old black lady with a lot of attitude! hahaha she just loves to talk with us. So that was fun :)

Friday We traveled to Slidell that morning so we could see someone. That took the whole morning. Then we saw Chris and Sara Atkins - they are so solid!! They're investigators and we taught them the restoration, using cups. And when we explained that Jesus Christ's name wasn't in any of the other churches, and they didn't have the proper authority, they kept nodding their head and saying, "Yeah, that makes sense." He's been baptized in about 3 other churches so he's obviously looking for something. He's doing great!
Later that night, the branch had a Christmas Social and that was awesome. Christian, Keith and Alex also had their interviews, so our District Leader, Elder Tanner and Elder Skelton came down and it was their first time to Bogalusa and they loved the branch. But the boys all passed their interviews!! Whooo! So we stayed for the Christmas social and played with the kids and sang :) It was awesome!

Saturday - CHRISTIAN, KEITH AND ALEX GOT BAPTIZED!!!!!!!!!!!! YESSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!! It was a crazy morning though! We had to do a lot of things to get ready for it! But everyone showed up on time, and the boys looked so good in their white shirts, black pants and ties! It was awesome :) And in their jumpers! It was an awesome experience. I thought it was going to be this huge spiritual thing but it wasn't - and I realized it was because it was THEIR experience, not mine. I was just the instrument. And that was humbling :) They looked so good. And the Atkins family showed up to see it! So we gave them a church tour after. We're really excited about them, they are so ready :)
Christian wanted to give a talk after the Holy Ghost talk, and he just got up and told us that he was baptized so that he could see his dad again and live with him forever. It was so sweet! He is such a special spirit. We are so proud of them and their accomplishments.  They have come such a long way and have brought their families with them! Their grandfather, who was less active, was able to baptize them and he gave up Christmas and New Years to do it. It was the most humbling experience!
Best part? It was Fannie's Birthday! (their great grandmother, pretty much the only active member in the family) And so they all gave her a surprise birthday party right after. It really brought them all together :)
Later that night, we saw the Spinks - a less active family in the boonies, who are the nicest people in the world! They fed us dinner, and invited us over for Christmas Eve to have turdunkin - its turkey, chicken and duck mushed together and fried! So they're gonna try it to see how it is :) She also made us dream catchers! she is the sweetest :) That was an amazing day!

Sunday, we went to church and the boys got confirmed - the Spirit was so strong, and the Atkins family came to church and were able to feel that Spirit - it was awesome :) they wanted to come so bad that they brought their little boy with a fever! What the heck?! haha but dedication! Cindy also came - we're gonna give her a baptism date this week! So excited :)
Then it rained all day and we had to stay inside. But later that night, we went to Sister Slade's to eat dinner - I really admire Sister Slade. She is really very strong. A lot has happened to her but she still gives to everyone and relies on the Lord. I managed to finally talk to her son Nick who isn't a member but he actually talked to me finally!!  He's a teenager, but he told his grandma he wouldn't talk to the Sisters ever....especially that one that keeps trying to talk to him aka me.  Haha but yesterday it happened!! We found a common interest sooo I let him know Heavenly Father really loves him.  It softened his heart so hopefully he'll keep talking to me....one step at a time right?
Then Roy, the police officer, invited us for dinner at the police station again! We had fried turkey, baked chicken, and greased fries. It was so good! And one officer, Paul, started asking us questions about our church. Soon we were teaching 5 officers about the gospel and the priesthood and the prophet. It was amazing! I love all of them cuz they act tough, but their huge teddy bears and they love us and want to protect us :)

Anyway, super awesome week!  It was a really humbling experience, and this is only just the beginning! We still have a lot to do, but I've learned so much--I love that I am seeing what this work of salvation is really all about.  It's amazing--we are turly working with Christ.  It's a blessing for me to be able to witness.  I am just so thankful that Jesus Christ was born on earth.  Our Savior and Redeemer saved our souls.  We owe all that we can to him.  I am thankful for the opportunity I have to be here in Bogalusa.  At first I thought it was going to be hard.  It has been but with the Lords help we have had success.  I am thankful for the power in my calling.  I love it soo much, I love this gospel so much and watching it change lives is something that I have been blessed to witness especially with my own life!!   Y'all remember the reason for the season.  It's all about Christ.  Without him there would be no CHRISTmas.  I love you tons!!  I will talk to my family Wednesday Wahoo!!  See y'all soon enough.
I pray for you always--may there be peace in your homes and may you feel the Saviors love for you in your hearts.  God Bless.
Love Sister Jenkins

10 days till Christmas wahoo!!

Well it was a really really good week I must say so. But okay sooo we've really been working a lot with the three that are getting baptized this up coming weekend!! We couldn't be more excited for them. Their understanding of the gospel is just amazing. Krystal fed us on Thursday and we all went over to their house. It was so much fun teaching them the lesson "The gospel". I tried a new experiment to show what repentance was with bleach, food coloring, and water. Well, it was very interesting haha....it basically failed when I first did it. Haha the bleach is supposed to make the food coloring disappear and make the water clear again. Well, I didn't put enough bleach in and the water turned green! Then I said, "Can we just pretend that the water is clear?" the children all go, "No, it's green the repentance didn't work!" Well hmm clearly that's not true because repentance ALWAYS works. So we did the experiment over again.
So this time we repented sincerely" well it worked!! Overall they understood the concept. We had fun growing closer with the family we love everyone it in:) The three girls that are in this family love us too. Right when we get to the door they are all there ready to give us hugs and we love it!

Friday Nanna (Fannie Taylor) met with us again:) I love that woman she is such a great example in my eyes. She's been through so much and our branch basically exists because of her and her husband. But a lot of her family are returning members and they are all amazing. We have all grown close to them and consider them our family. Things are changing in this branch and its through the love and the hand of the lord. Nanna bore her strong testimony on family work. She also always says, "Before the gospel entered my life I only existed. I had no life to me. But when I finally received the truth, that is when my life began. When I entered into the waters of baptism for the LDS church I actually felt cleansed from my sins. I knew this was the true church of God when the missionaries first appeared at my door." Her testimony makes my heart swell because I know the words she speaks to be true.

Friday was a miracle sort of day--but I love it when I truly listen to promptings. I know I do all the time but I love it when they are distinct. All of our apts fell through and our double back ups to our backs-ups fell through also. So we decided to go see the Landrums. consequentially they weren't home either. So as we were driving away I looked at this house and thought they had a really pretty Christmas tree in the window. But my heart was searching for who we should go see next. I had a constant prayer asking who was next. But then right after I looked at that house with the tree I thought, "you should go knock on that door." But, no that couldn't be right....really? Just pull over to go knock on the door? Well, why not? But we were too far away down the block and I figured Sisters Baker and Mygrant had something in mind. Well, they didn't and we pulled over the car to say a prayer. After we prayed we sat in silence and I didn't dare speak up because I still felt prompted to go knock on the door. But I knew I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't speak up. "Um...hey y'all I know it's a little way's back but there was a house I feel prompted to go knock on by the Landrums." Well, in a min we were off!! We pulled up to the house and my heart was nervous!! I knew someone would answer but I couldn't find the words to say and I felt so unprepared. But thankfully the scripture Matt 10:!9-20 kept going through my head. "Take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what y shall speak." I knew the right words would come. Well, we knocked an sure enough a man came to the door. The words flowed!! and we taught him the restoration. He needed to know God was aware and that there is truth out there. He told us to come back because he wants to learn more so hopefully he will start to progress! We got to the car and the spirit was really strong. I know that we truly are instruments in the Lords hands. We are working WITH him and we have to remain obedient and worthy to follow promptings and to speak with power from the spirit.

Saturday was really good--We went over to Pams house and we all watched the Testaments with the children. They were all there because Krystal and Brett were in Slidell--but they liked the movie haha we think but to end the night off we all had a pillow fight! How nothing was broke in Pams house we will never know! But it was so much fun:) I love this branch so much!

Anyways it was a really good week--at church yesterday went really well, the Hintons from Hattiesburg came to speak to us and I was asked to sing a solo. Well, I was sick of course!! Everytime I am ever asked to sing I get sick....I don't understand why but thankfully my voice wasn't gone so I did alright. But then we went to go visit a non-member family and well the guy wanted to fight with us the entire time about Joseph Smith and things I don't even want to talk about. But all I got to say is my heart was about ready to pound out of my chest and I really wanted to yell at him. But I didn't we said a prayer and left because there is no use in arguing with people who only have intentions of arguing and well there's just simply no point in trying to teach him. We left that house pretty quick. Contention just drives the spirit away and we needed to leave we weren't arguing but he was being pretty rude. So we just asked if we could say a prayer and left. To end the day off at 6 we went tracting and it was really cold!! But Louise a cute little widow let us in and we talked and sang for her. It was a good way to end the night:)

But overall Christmas is in 10 days and well I am basically so excited!! I only wonder why:) But this gospel is amazing. I love the scriptures!! Study time is basically one of my most favorite time of day. But y'all have a good week. I know this is the true church of Jesus Christ. May we always have him in our hearts.

I love you

Love Sister Jenkins

 

 

 

 

Merry soon to be Christmas everyone!

What a week that we had here in Bogalusa...or in missionary terms "Bogie Town". This week seemed to start off slow because we had Zone Conference on Monday, pday Tuesday, and Saturday another zone conference which was amazing!

Monday tracting was really quiet amazing---we as a companionship are trying really hard to be exactly obedient and we had a wonderful study in the morning. Right after that study we had planned to go tracting. Wow the words that we said that were not our words at all! They were purly the words of what the Lord wanted us to say. We knocked on three specific doors that all needed to hear our message. The final one let us in. She had really good questions and we were all able to answer those questions through our testimony and scriptures to back up our answers. There is so much power in the Book of Mormon--using scriptures from that to back up the entire lesson has been such a blessing. I finally feel like I'm getting to the point now where I know where scriptures are at without a doubt!! Because I know the Book of Mormon the Holy Ghost is able to pull from my bucket that is getting filled. I have SO much more to learn and I love it. Seriously that hour of personal study is my most favorite time of day. Not only but later that day we went to go see one of our investigators who has had an issue with drugs. The good news is that we walked in and she has been 2 weeks sober! The spirtitual light in her eyes really is growing and she seems so much happier. We will be able to set her up with a baptismal date very soon.

Thrusday was a really good we found out some things that really made our hearts swell. If you can remember one of our investigators we'll call her Emily for the sake of the story, but awhile back we got a promting to go out to this trailer park however it really wasn't in the plans, but both of our backups failed and we were all sitting in the car thinking of what to do. All of a sudden we felt we should go out to one of our members houses to say hi. Consequently she wasn't even home nor were her children. So we looked at the trailer park and decided to tract it. In the back of the trailer park there is a really humble and beautiful home with a bright red door. We decided to go and knock on it. When we knocked Emily (a widow) came and answered. She started talking, was very standoffish at first and didn't want to hear anything we said. She said, "I've heard all about what the Mormons have had to say, I have to many problems I am dealing with right now. I don't have time to talk. Then all of a sudden I couldn't help but put my hand on her door before she went to close it. "M'am...I promise you, whatever your going thorugh, if you will open your heart to us, we will say all the right words you need to hear from Heavenly Father right now." Well she did, she opened up her heart--she started crying and told us everything that's going on. At the end we left a prayer/blessing on her and her home. Then she told us we better come back. Gave us three mini cokes and some satsumas and we were off. Well this week we went to visit her (she lets us in every time now)--she got us little christmas bracelets and told us she's been reading the Book of Mormon. Then she said, "Look sisters, if y'all didn't come to my door that day I wouldn't be here today. That day I was struggling so much that I didn't want to be alive anymore. Y'all said all the right words and saved my life." We looked at her and told her its throught the grace of God that he sent us to her and the words we said we testify where his words. It was amazing!! Following the promptings of the Holy Ghost and being worthy to really recieve them by being obedient truly does work in this "Work of Salvation". I love love love being a missionary.

Next Friday happened and it was good. Just another work day in the field. We had all these plans haha but we again got promted to go and see Nanna. Well, it was pretty great cause we couldn't figure out why we showed up because Nanna wasn't even home. But we had already driven out by her house and well haha she wasn't home so we pulled over and said a prayer. We then got prompted to go to the Freemans house. Well we went and soon the entire family showed up!! It was great so we got to teach a lesson to them.

Saturday was yet another Zone Conference and I loved it!! Elder Zwick from the 70 came and talked to us for 8 hours. I learned so much on having a "Solid Foundation" I know that because I am learning and growing so much I refuse to let the world get to me when I go home. I truly have a testimony on obeidence and letting everything be the Lords will. It's still in process of learning but it continues to grow. We also talked about working very close with the members. President Hinckley even said, "There is a better way." Well, Elder Zwick testified to that. Even in the member leadership meeting he truly told both missionaries and members that we need to work hard together in bringing the Lords sheep to his fold!

Sunday was great--the boys came to church and had a solid lesson on Jesus Christ and all that he did for them. You could feel the spirit and really see their testimony growing. After that Kelleye fed us at her house and she had a fire place with a t.v. just like at my house! haha I was soo happy it felt like home. I love this time of year its amazing and people here all have the spirit of christmas. It's truly amazing. Never lest us take the Christ of CHRISTmas.

I love y'all so much.

Love Sister Jenkins

 

 

Well Happy Thanksgiving y'all

This week was good. It was a week that made me reflect on all that I am thankful for. We were able to be with the Landrum family for Thanksgiving day and I loved it soo much! I felt like I was back in Utah for a moment haha. The food was good--but really there is so much my heart is thankful for. We had zone conference yesterday and I learned so much. The thing that really hit me was the difference between merely believing and being converted. We refered these two concepts of believing and being truly converted to Peter. I love Peter. He is so relateable, everyone has a little bit of the apostle Peter in them. But then I reflected on myself and how I've gone from believing to being converted on my mission. Fearing man vs fearing God. It was a heart felt zone conference and I loved it. President McDonough is truly called of God to be our mission president I know it. He is an inspired man of God sent here to help us missionaries on this mission. Sister McDonough also gave a wonderful talk. She talked about three "sayings" 1.This is what we signed up for  2. It's not about you. 3. Doubt not but be believing. But I know that even though missionary work can be hard this work is to assist the Lord Jesus Christ. Yesterday I was reminded of the power and authority in my calling. I'm just in awe at this wonderful and amazing opportunity I have been giving. I literally represent the Savior Jesus Christ, what a huge calling! I also love that even though I represent him he still forgives me of my sins and I am able to repent daily. I was reminded that obedience is truly my protection and I have able to witness so small miracles because of obedience. I honestly love this mission soo much my heart was so full yesterday and I was tired spiritually. The knowledge I have brings more joy to my life then anything. President McDonough also talked yesterday about memorization. So look out world the MJM is going to be very knowledgeable on scripture references which is exactly what this mission needs.

The baptisms we are having within the next couple weeks are set:) Alex, Keith, and Christian are the amazing youth in the branch and they will be the three that are in young mens and will be the three to pass the sacrament. They are all getting baptized on the 21. Next week Stella is getting baptized on the 15 so it's going to be really good. Because of them parents are started to get "reactivated". It's such a blessing to be able to witness. The boys Grandpa (who lives in Slidell) will be the one performing the baptisms and they brought the boys to church on Sunday.

This week is going to be a busy one and it's going to go by fast. During weekly planning on Friday our district leader Elder Christofferson informed us that a member of the Seventy is coming to speak to us on Saturday for another zone conference! So road trip down to Gulf Port twice in one week wahoo! Speaking of which way random but along with zone conference yesterday all the trainers were introducing the new missionaries and then two senior sisters got up and one looked extremely familiar and I just couldn't quite put a finger on where I have seen her before. Then all of a sudden she was introduced as "Sister Griffin" I then shouted from the piano, "Are you Chantel's Mom?!" she responded, "Yes I am!" mind you in front of the 2 zones and everyone else I say, "Do you remember me? Chantel used to babysit me and my Mom loves you!" Haha she said she did and then sat down. Yeah...haha small world!! I can't believe she is in my mission--we were able to talk and catch up on each others lives but wow. This world is a very small one.

Anyways that really how my week went. I am just so thankful for this church. I am so thankful for Jesus Christ, I love him so much and this holiday it's all about him. If there was no Savior born this time of year there would be no Christmas period. The Savior was born to save the world! We are saved because of him and we can someday live eternally with him. Amist all the hustle and bustle of the Holiday season let us always remember that it's about Christ. The presents are nice, but the greatest gift of all is Eternal Life which gift is obtainable because of our beloved Savior Jesus Christ. He has redeemed our souls and makes us clean. His love is infinite and his example perfect. I love him with all my heart. Y'all have a good week. The Lords work is pressing forward with faith together we can do this.

Love Sister Jenkins