Hey y'all!

Okay sooo basically it was a week full of up and downs..go figure. But, it was good. It's always good. I've come to realize that no matter what (even if the week or day seems like crap) there is always something positive to pull from the day. Even if it's...I'm breathing and I managed to do something today.

So Monday was the most interesting pday on my mission so far. It was great though because my companion Sister Bailey was able to go to a baptism that she spent 9 months of her mission teaching. Her name is Ashley and she's an amazing person. I love her. We were kind of bums and had to hitch a ride to Slidell, then from Slidell hitch a ride to Ocean Springs (don't worry we didn't hitch hike we found the rides beforehand). We spent the day with Ashley, going across Biloxi bridge and going to the beach. Yeah it was a little chilly but I found some sweet shells.

The baptism was great, I am so thankful that out of all the sisters that got to go I was companions with Sister Bailey. The other thing is I met Ashley two times up in Hattiesburg because one of the Elders is one of her best friends and he just loves her. I learned something though and it really touched my heart, Sister Bailey and this Elder never ever gave up on Ashley. They loved her for all she was worth and she has given up so much to have this change in her life. The mission tells us we should drop investigators if they don't progress quickly. Well, some missionaries know better and see the person far more deeply then others do. They never give up hope on the ones they love. These missionaries and a lot of other missionaries never pressured her. They let it ultimately be her decision to be baptized. They never gave up on her. More importantly she never gave up on herself. It just made me realize that when I get home, I will never give up on the ones I love. Anyone can change, including ourselves, we just have to see them as what they can become not as they are. Even if it takes three years or more, never lose hope in your best friends and loved ones. I respect this woman a lot the day of the baptism Satan was trying hard but guess what he failed, loser.

I was able to play the piano, and the Ocean Springs ward is a lot bigger then our tiny branch here in Bogalusa. But, my heart was very full at the baptism!! There was a lot of missionaries there all in support of Ashley. She was just glowing after she was "dunked" and confirmed. Ashley was our ride home we stopped to get dinner before entering Bogalusa and she was glowing. One of the Elders said, "You have the new member glow!" really though y'all that new member glow is a real thing. I've witnessed this a lot out here even at home.

CeAnn, if you read this, I'll never forget when you became a member. You were so pure and beautiful. Never forget your baptism day and the way you felt. I'll never forget that day my friend, you were new and it was a privilege to watch you completely change your life for the better.

Now, if I went into anymore detail about Monday it would basically take up the entire email:) So, I better move on. Tuesday--hmm well we had a normal missionary day. We were all a little tired and shot from all the traveling around Monday. But, I mean we pushed through it and worked. Oh my but we found some solid investigators this week! I'm really excited to see where it all goes.

We were able to go out to the Raines this week. They live out by Franklinton (which is also our area) our area is kind of huge y'all. But, we were eating and had made plans just to tract all day out by their house. Come to find out they live 7 min away from Franklinton. We never go out there because of miles, we asked if they could take us out their. They dropped us off for a couple of hours and all we did was tract. Work has not been done in this area at all since I've been here because it's kind of a joke sometimes to get out there. But it was good to tract. We found some new investigators. Franklinton is cute!! It's a cute little town! Still not as small as Newton y'all. Do you even know how much crap I get because my town has one stop sign, one church, one park, one everything? It's really funny:) You think a town is small and then Sister Jenkins has to pipe in and talk about her town. Lets just say when it comes to small town talk, I win:) But, I did love this little place. We're going back tomorrow this week with Sister Jones!! The Lord must feel it's really time to get work done out their because now all of a sudden we are magically getting out to Franklinton!! It was such a struggle before but now...it's becoming not a problem.

Well, the Lord truly works in mysterious ways. I have had so many blessings this week and have been able to witness tender mercies everywhere. I just have so much faith that everything is going to work out, in fact I know it. As long as I am obedient, diligent, and I endure to the end, I know the righteous desires of my heart will happen.

I hope y'all have a great week this week. Enjoy the spring time:)

Love Always Sister Jenkins

 

 

Hey everyone!!

Soo, this week was one of those weeks where it seemed as if it was never going to end. But, it did not that that's a good thing, but it did end. It was a crazy week. We got a new sister in the area. Her name is Sister Ray and I love her. She's a fantastic missionary and she loves the Lord with all of her heart. So, I guess we'll start with Tuesday this week yeah? Cool.

Well, we went to Hattiesburg to pick up Sister Ray and we were their for most of the day. I wasn't very hungry at all mostly cause it was weird to be back in a place that I love soo much. Oh the memories of Hattiesburg, I wasn't hungry because I was nervous to be back. However, I felt at home. Don't get me wrong I love Bogie Town but, I just feel attached to Hattiesburg and it's probably just because I opened the area. Well, we managed to get our new companion. However, the Zone Leaders were having a change in their companionship and one of the companions totally forgot they had the phone! So he asked us to keep the phone and give it to the new Elder coming to the area. So, not only can we barely keep track of one phone, now we have two phones. Can you predict what happened? Bogalusa is about an hour and a half away from Hattiesburg. We went to lunch with a bunch of other missionaries and decided to start driving back to Bogie Town. Literally we get 20 miles away from Bogalusa and all of a sudden we realized we had the Zone Leaders phone only. Go figure, we frantically call our phone thankfully someone had it. We had to drive back to the burg to get this phone.

The ZL's really needed the phone (no kidding) so we had to stay the night in Picayune so that they could pick it up. We just went to district meeting the next morning but still was a frantic hassle. My nerves weren't helping anything either. But, hey y'all we went nearly 300 miles this day and I didn't crash once be proud. Why I am driving, sometimes I don't know haha but keep me in your prayers. However, we're a little low on miles. Okay a lot, but it's okay we've found rides everywhere and life it good. I kept laughing at the whole situation. Roll with the punches and laugh it off when there is nothing else you can do. In the end, the ZL's got their phone back, so did we, and we made it to Bogalusa the next day just fine.

Phew that was a mouthful. Now as far as the week goes...solid. We have a couple of new investigators and most of the week was us going to members homes so Sister Ray could meet them. In church we had 3 investigators and Wade is solid!! Elect for sure. He came to church and said he would defiantly be back. He loved the feeling, he also said that he has always had a soft spot in his heart for the Mormon church.
Watching the boys who have all recently been baptized pass the sacrament is the best sight in the world to see. I have hope for this area. I know that it can continue to grow and change. Sister Ray says that she feels like she is finally in an area that is well established and is ready to have new members enter into it. Well, that's how I feel too, this area is ready. I know that miracles happen. I just know that they do. I have witnessed to many not to know. Everyday I witness a small miracle and it's a blessing. But, when you think about it, you don't just have to witness miracles just as a missionary. I look back on life at home and everyday there was a small miracles that happened. I think that when we take the time to really reflect on the positive small miracles that happen daily we recognize the Lord's hand a lot more. My heart especially is full of nothing but thanks.

Honestly though, the week was great. One of the longer weeks for some reason. But it was great the Lord is so merciful and I know he hears every word that I pray at night. Please enjoy life and take each day one at a time. Sometimes I find that when I'm constantly wishing for the future to happen I fail to recognize what's right in front of me. What's currently around me and in my life at this very moment is what's most important. Anyways y'all be good, work hard, play hard.

Love always Sister Jenkins

Good morning one and all:)

So, it was a good week:) Actually a really good week. We worked, and we worked hard. But good news, I am staying in Bogie Town. Which actually was slightly unexpected. In interviews I honestly thought I would be leaving, but guess the Lord has other plans. It's all good though. I really do love this branch, I was going to be sad to leave them. However, we are getting a 3rd companion. Her name is Sister Ray coming from Florence, MS. We'll be in Hattiesburg tomorrow to pick her up.

Monday we had dinner with the Mizell's and I just love that family. Christian and the girls are my favorite. Krystal is so independent and a fire ball. We talked about Moses and his entire story. The children were really into it, I think Christian really enjoyed it because now he knows that our church is the only church that has a prophet just as Moses was. I was able to reflect on the power of Heavenly Father. Wow, as we were talking and teaching I just I know this sounds weird, but I gained a solid testimony of Moses! I love him, what great faith he had to have had. But he was truly prepared and called of God. Through God, he delivered his people from Egypt. Anyways, haha it's funny because here I am the one teaching, but I'm the one being mind blown.

Wednesday was what I was thinking my last district meeting with my current district, ummm false. But, when we drove back home we tracted basically the rest of the afternoon. We tracted this retirement home and surprisingly enough 5 people let us in the doors! We met this one adorable lady miss Laura. She's elect I can feel it. She's asking all of the right questions. We went over to her house on Saturday and helped her clean it all day. Umm, this woman has more then 300 pairs of shoes!! and guess who's her size? me!! She gave me this really cute pair, plus a purse, and a necklace. She had quiet the life before she got put in this tiny apartment. But, she requested the Book of Mormon and was realizing that our church teaches everything that she believes! We can't wait to go back and see how she is doing.

Thursday we had dinner with the Workmans. Oh my, I just love that family and their adorable children. Aiden is a sweetheart, he asks me to play all the time. So, after we had a lesson with the family, Aiden comes up to me with the biggest smile on his face asking me to come play with him. How could I even resist?! We played "Tiger and the Kingdom" he made his Tiger say a prayer before we started. I thought it was the most adorable thing ever. I thought man I would give anything to be able to witness that from my own child someday. But that will come when it comes.

Saturday we went to Stake Conference (the adult session) with Sister Jones. It was so good to be back and see my old Hattiesburg ward. I love them dearly and seeing them made my day!! Elder Meredith of the 70 came and gave such a great talk. It made me reflect my life and how I could've been so much better. But, mistakes happen and lessons were learned. If there is one thing I know, is that I will never go back. I will serve God with all I can the rest of my life and after. Granted mistakes happen and the Atonement is so real, I have seen and felt the power of it everyday of my life out here. I've also been able to witness that in my brothers and sisters that we teach.

Sunday was the Bday. The Willis family fed me and it was really fun. I don't know about you, but I'm really feeling 22..haha I'm so original it's ridiculous. Anyways, we went back to Stake Conference and I saw Sister Zemp! I love that girl. She will be a dear friend after the mission. But she told me amazing news, there was a woman in Clinton that was a nurse from Bro. Kynerd and we would go sing to him and visit with him. One day when we showed up this lady started to cry and said that she could just feel our joy and love for the lord. The spirit was so strong! But apparently she is getting baptized with her entire family!! So, you never ever know what influence your "spirit" will leave on others.

A quote that I love from Elder Meredith is, "You example, the way you live your life, might be the only Book of Mormon that someone will read." Which is so true y'all. We should live our life through example and act as witnesses of Christ at all times, in all things, and in all places.

But it was a great week! Hope y'all are holding strong to that iron rod and continuing to do all you can to help the Lord in this "Hastening of the Work". I love you!

Love always Sister Jenkins

Hey everyone!!

Okay so it was an interesting week. Mostly I was trying to get well and Sister Bailey got sick.

But we did have a successful week!! DJ ended up getting baptized which was a joy to witness!

I love that family--It's just such a blessing to know that families really can be together forever.

Y'all this week was Mardi Gra and what an experience!! Haha I don't' have much to say other then wow!!

Enjoy the pictures:) They basically sum up the week!! We're going to zone pday today so this message will be very short again! But I hope y'all know the testimony that burns in my heart on eternal families. I've been singing the song "we can be together forever someday" a lot this week, and I know that we truly can be!!! But y'all stay strong and keep the faith. I love you!

Love always Sister Jenkins

 

 

Hey everyone!!

So this week has been interesting. I found out this morning that I am pretty sick "Walking Pneumonia" doctor even said so. Interesting. But we worked as best we could this week so let me tell you about it.

Monday we had another awesome bonfire at Bro. Gills place in Picayunne. It was Sister Helms bday. The Barlows came down to see me for Jenni's bday and I love that family sooo much!! They seriously are my mission family-we went out to eat and had a great time. Gosh, I can't believe I've been out for over a year. It literally blows my mind. Anyways, Tuesday we had to spend the day inside. I felt so sick!! It takes a lot for me to stop working and I figured if I got well Tuesday I could work the rest of the week.

Wednesday we met a few new people. We still worked, I felt a little better and honestly Wednesday was the best the day feeling wise. But that night I lost my voice:( Bleh!! We tracted most of the day because I really wanted to hit the seven hours but we didn't haha only got two and a half hours in. But hey we met some stellar investigators that hopefully by the end of this week we will be able to see.

We didn't see a ton of people Thursday cause once again I was sick most of the day sounding like a complete smoker. But we saw a total of three people. Wahoo:)

Friday we planned for DJ's baptism which is coming up this week yahoo! That night we were supposed to practice with Bethany. She was asked to sing "God Bless the USA" at a Veterans Day celebration out in Columbia. She asked if I would play for her. Well, the only music that we had was the original song consequently, Bethany couldn't sing that low. So, I figured out ( I don't know how) but I figured out that she sounded better with 3 sharps instead of one flat. So I transposed the song to A major. I couldn't believe I could do that!! It took a little while, most of the night until curfew. But, I really think Heavenly Father was helping me see that I could really do something I never could and he helped me the entire time. The next day we drove out to Columbia and most of the missionaries there were wondering why the Bogie Town sisters were there. Well, clearly it was to play for Bethany. Get this, there was no piano in the room were the celebration was being held!! I wasn't about to go and drag a piano in that room in front of all those people-so I accepted it for what the situation was. Laughed a little and patted myself on the back then watched Bethany sing the song accepella. I was happy though. I got to see a lot of my Hattiesburg ward members. I sounded like a smoker the whole time but it was great to see those I love and miss.

Saturday night I was out. The sickness was getting to me and I couldn't take much more. Then Sunday rolled around. We had four investigators at church which is awesome!! But Pres. Lux came up to me and said, "Sister Jenkins don't take this personally but you look well, awful." Don't worry I didn't take it personally and yes I did look pretty bad. After Sacrament, Pres. Lux took me aside and said, "The branch will take care of your investigators. You need to go home. You look like a walking zombie." So Bailey and I went home I was really relieved but I couldn't help but cry cause I didn't want to leave them!! I knew I had to but I didn't want to. Thankfully the branch did a beautiful job fellowshipping them. They defiantly took them under their wing and guided them the rest of church.

Yesterday was zone conference. I was the pianist for the whole thing and played for two musical numbers. I felt awful cause I was sounding like an extreme smoker at this point. But the show went on. Heavenly Father helped me get through. Sister Bailey and I were scheduled to sing a song that we "mashed" together. The song was a mix of "This is the Christ" and "Jesus was no ordinary man" I could barely get a noise out of me. But President came up to me after asking if Sister McDonough could record the two of us sing it. So she did, and that round went a lot better then when we performed in front of everyone. I couldn't believe I could even sing, but I prayed my family angles would help me and they sure did.

Basically that sums of the week. This morning I finally found out what I have! Anyways, I am so blessed to be here. I love this gospel more then anything and I am so thankful for my Savior Jesus Christ. I know he lives!

Y'all be good.

Love always

Sister Jenkins