Oh my gosh what a crazy week y'all!!

Okay so for the readers back home, I am OPENING another area!! This is seriously the perfect way to spend the last three months of my mission. I am opening Stonewall, LA but, most of our area is in Shreveport. The Stonewall Ward has been begging for sister missionaries for the last little while. I actually had a huge feeling that I would be opening the area. All I've heard is good things about the ward and how ready it is for sister missionaries to come. I was in Wal-Mart with a member in Bogalusa when we got the call from president. Not going to lie...I nearly fainted. I don't know why I was so nervous to get this phone call but I was. When he told me the good news all I could do was be excited.

Anyways...here we are in Shreveport currently. Our apartment isn't ready this whole decision was I guess pretty last minute! But, it was the perfect decision and totally led by the spirit. However, most of our area isn't even in Stonewall, it's in Shreveport. I mean we have some of Stonewall, but we are called the Stonewall sisters because the church is in Stonewall. So, there you have it. It's been kind of a frantic week. I've felt like a total bum this week!! When I got here on Tuesday I was soo confused as to what I was supposed to do let alone where I was even at. Well, my comp showed up (Sister Brown) and I was to stay the next two nights in Blanchard in her apt with 3 other sisters. I got the couch (total bum). I didn't even get here till like 5 p.m. on transfer day. But all I wanted was a taco...I was soo hungry. So, the Elders were our shofer's for the day (with permission from president we are all car sharing) and they took me to get a taco. That night we ate with a family in the Brownlee ward (which is Sister Browns last area).

Okay so Wednesday here we go. Basically it was our first district meeting and this district used to be sooo small!! It was the Coushatta Elders and Stonewall Elders and that's it. But, now the sisters have hmm "spiced" things up a bit. We all went around and thanks to sister brown told each other what our favorite flower was! I love this girl! She's like me in so many different ways.

Later this day the Elders were supposed to give us a tour of our area. Again with permission they took us to the other side of Shreveport to see our area. They took us to meet a couple of members. They also took us to see our "future" apartments. It was great, slightly overwhelming but it really was great. We really came into this area with nothing. We have a "substitute" phone currently. We offically split our area on Sunday, we had to get background checks for our apartments, and sooo much more. The Elders dropped us off at a random road in our area to tract...then they were going to be back to pick us up (we are like children/bums). Well, tracting was a success!! We found a woman who really is elect and said, "I've been trying to find a Mormon church everywhere because I want to go, but every time I ask someone they just blow me off." Well, prayer answered, the Sisters are in town. She sent us a text message that night of how grateful she was that we came. It was a pretty amazing experience, the Lord truly does always put us in the perfect place at the right time.

We ate dinner that night with a member who's mission president was President Monson!! how cool is that? He told all of us about it. That night we went to the church. It's pretty far out there, but hey it's a beautiful church. I had to get some energy out...so I played basketball with the young men (my comp was inside the gym of course). They have sooo many young men!! It's weird coming from Bogie town with 4 young men to here. Bah!! the area is awesome.

Okay, so then Thursday the Elders were done with all the tours because we now have the car. We did a lot of paper work and realized what a drive it is everyday from Blanchard to here. So...we called president and asked permission to stay with a member in our area. We spent a lot of time trying to find a map today. Well, we found one in a binder and we had to print off a bunch of mini maps to create our entire area. Complicated but it was worth it. Elder Jones told us to go to Jmart...well, we put J mart in our GPS (we named it Lwonda), it's actually Elder Loftins GPS....but we named it anyway. Well, Lwonda took us to a prom dress shop! It was called Jmart...bah everything was soo confusing. Typical of opening an area, I was having flashbacks left and right of opening Hattiesburg.

That night Bailey (the daughter of the member we're living with) took us to a service thing in Shreveport. It was cool, this church has made an effort to feed homeless people. So I was able to be a "Table Host" and talk to some people who don't get food at the table I was assigned to. Really random, but cool we want to help out again with that. Bailey wants to serve a mission, so being with her is great.

Friday the biggest thing that happened was the Glass family told us we could live with them for the next week while we wait for our apt to be ready! Oh and that night I almost cried. You see, we were invited to eat at the Quicks house for dinner. A recent convert named Drew "Andrew" lives with them. Our ward mission leader was there and so was the Elders quorum president. We had the most legit "Member Directed Lesson" I've ever had. Brother Tuck directed the entire lesson! I was so impressed with this moment I basically wanted to cry. They had their preach my gospels and everything. This is the kind of mission work I've been waiting for my entire mission. The ward is solid.

Saturday we officially moved in to the Glass families home! I am so thankful for them really. Their home is beautiful and it's right in our area. They are taking such good care of us. I really hope one day I can do the same favor to missionaries if I have the opportunity to do so.

Sunday we met the ward!! Sister Brown and I bore our testimonies and you can just feel the energy in this ward. In Relief Society, Sister Adams basically said, "We're all so excited y'all might get a standing novation." We ate dinner with the Adams family and well so much more! Great week y'all. This week a ton is going to happen. We will hopefully be let into our apt by the end of the week.

The gospel is amazing, I've loved life as of lately and I couldn't be more thankful to be here.

Love always

Sister Jenkins

 

 

Hello everyone!!

It's been a pretty crazy week not going to lie. Like I don't even have words to express all that happened this week. But heck, I'll try. Monday we went with Krystal and Pam to Slidell because it was a girls day out:) We really had to be their for a doctors appointment but along with that came a girls day. But, then y'all oh my we hiked Red Bluff. It's like a mini Grand Canyon (that's what everyone here calls it). It's beautiful!!! Like it looked somewhat like a mountain! I was like hey look a little piece of Utah just got picked up and placed right here in the south. It was a fun hike though we went with all the family. Just wait for the ultimate story. But, while we were hiking I asked Christian, "Do y'all have ticks down here?" He replied, "ummm yeah we do." Well, I wasn't too worried at the time. Just wait for it.

Tuesday was great. We had some pretty solid lessons plus we had a legit lesson with our new investigator!! She is truly elect. It might take some time, but hey I would much rather have them be completely solid and strong in the gospel. That way they understand the doctrine and know the church is true. If that takes time so be it. However, Sister Ray and I were making funny faces at her baby while she was in the kitchen for min. Hmmmm the silly faces kinda maybe sorta scared the baby. He started to cry..now the rude thing for me to do was to be like someone that I love and is one of my best friends out here (you know who you are). When baby starts to cry because of a silly face they would make, they would just keep making the baby cry by making more silly faces. Ha! The baby crying encourages them to keep making the face! Sooo I thought about it....did I do it? Yes, I did. It was wrong I know!!! But, our investigator was even laughing:) Life is all good, I mean what is life with out laughter and tears right?

Wednesday well, Sister Bailey got her trunkie papers. It slightly made me freak out because I know my turn isn't very far around the corner. We taught Cindy a recent convert lesson and it went really well. Cindy is sincerely trying. She promised she would always come to church unless she was sick or the baby was sick. But, other then that she promised us and President Lux she would always be there. She came to every event this week that was held at the church too!! In Cindy's words, " I love my church, I know it's true, and I need to be there." to that I say amen and hallelujah.

Thursday we went to a funeral in Picayune for one of the returning members future daughter-in-law. It was such a heartbreaking funeral. Not going to lie, it made me appreciate the plan of salvation a whole lot more. I saw some devastating tears. Literally some of these people had no sense of hope that they would ever see her again. I felt like yelling, "you will!! just listen to us please!" But, I couldn't...that'd be inappropriate, I'm just grateful missionary representation was there.

Friday well we had a great day planned. But did it go at all like what we planned? Nope, not at all. We had planned to go to this one area of Bogalusa. We work that area all the time so it's not like it was anything new. Granted, it's a little sketch but we know we're protected so life is all good. However, we got a really uneasy feeling driving around the area. So we pulled over, prayed, and asked Heavenly Father what it was he wanted us to do at that moment. We knew the area at the time was unsafe to be in. But, where did Heavenly Father want us to go?? We got the huge prompting of, "Go to Franklinton." Okay, well, we try to be good with miles and Franklinton would eat up a lot. However, "you do your best, and I'll do the rest." went through my mind. All three of us knew we needed to go but we were unsure why. The reason came!! We found a less active member that needed us and prayed that someone would come that day! It was great. There's a lot more that happened, but hey there was many reasons as to why we needed to go out there this day.

Now, Sunday was hmmm it was just a normal Sunday until that night. We had some legit investigators at church!! The lessons were simple and perfect for them. But, that night oh my y'all...I noticed a tick!!!! I had a tick on my hip. Was I freaking out? Yes, I was. Thankfully Sister Jones was in town and could pull it out, but seriously? I've never had a tick. Haha during the whole event I kept thinking okay do what Elder Uchdorf said and be thankful! So I tried, it worked:) However, I was still dying on the outside. I wanted to laugh so hard but it was weird!! Then I thought, "if I was a man, I would've taken a picture of this." Well, I didn't. But, I laugh at all the events that have happened to me on this mission. Can you count them all? I sure can. It makes me laugh, you can count on my life to always have a good story. I'm not going to go into details on all that happened that's just embarrassing.

So, y'all it was a fantastic week!! I love this gospel. Sincerely with all my heart. I love being his representative. I love growing and learning. I mean hey, I at least now know how to get rid of a tick;)

Please whatever happens to you on this journey of life never give up!! We are all pressing forward together. You are loved and I know we are never ever alone! God bless y'all! Have a good week.

Love always

Sister Jenkins

 

 

Yes, the theme of this email is--be a fighter so I invite y'all to read on:)
Sooo much has happened.  It's been a week full of the most joy, but also heartbreak.  We'll just start from the beginning.
Monday we had an amazing lesson with one of our new investigators and she is sooo ready to be baptized.  There are some trials she will have to overcome for this to actually happen.  But, she will overcome because she is ready.  We get to teach her this upcoming Thursday.  She is in my constant prayers, this woman is such an amazing example and has an amazing story.
Tuesday a lot happened. Funny stories to tell for when I'm home that's for sure.  But basically we saw a couple of potential investigators.  We ran into a man with a very interesting last name!!  Haha it's Kropog....but he says," Oh my name is go pork spelt backwards, not going to lie, I wanted to laugh that entire door approach.  We saw Wonda and it's so cute because now Wonda is to the point where when she sees our car she just comes out to the door.  Her mother recently passed away so we were able to really talk about the plan of salvation with her.  Oh my and this day when we were tracting, I am usually so determined to talk to everyone that sometimes I don't know what is coming out of my mouth.  This time wow, I felt dumb.  We walked up to this guy, sometimes you can feel when someone is clearly not elect and not going to take any of the lessons.  This guy was one of those people.  So from the beginning I was stuttering over my words.  Then he politely told us he wasn't interested.  While we were walking away I basically raised my voice and said, "Jesus loves you!"  he replied, "Well, yeah Jesus loves everybody."  my last chance to really leave an impression and say something that would prick his heart seemed like a failure, but was it?.....yeah..yeah it was;)
We also saw a woman named Gail and I had no idea that she was a teacher for over 30 years!! But, she was:)  Because of my mother I was slightly able to talk school with her.  I've officially decided, teachers all have to have this certain personality.  My Mom, she is this go getter teacher.  She doesn't take crap, she loves the children, and does her job.  Gail said, "All of us teachers are just teachers because we never grew up, that's why we connect with children so well:)"  I was just thinking of the amazing relationship I have with my Mom.  You put us in any social situation and we are joined at the hip.  We are the children;)  She is such a wonderful example of the future teacher/ leader I someday want to become.
Oh my and then multiple times this week the farm girl came out in me.  Sometimes I think it shocks my companions because evidentially I don't seem like the type.  But, when those moments come out I see them smile.  Then we all get in the car and they start singing "farmers daughter."  You know what, I am so thankful that I am a farmers daughter.  Really, I take pride in that.  I've learned so much from him about working hard.  I always surprise people when I start talking "farm" language to them!  Especially my companions.  I rarely talk about the farm (unless I'm telling stories about my childhood) with my companions.  But the other day President Lux was asking me all these questions about the farm and I was just answering like it was no big deal.  Afterwards Sister Ray says, "Who are you?" hahahaha it kind of made me laugh.  I love it, I love the childhood I was blessed with and I love watching that child come out in me, not going to lie the more I'm out here the more that girl comes out which takes me right back to the country.
Now heres my tangent about General Conference and things I learned. 
General Conference was amazing.  I received so many answers to my questions.  Even though it was one of the more emotional General Conferences I've attended.  I know that as a missionary there are some answers that I will not receive because I am a missionary and those answers are to be answered when I get home.  My focus is where I am currently and the people I am serving.  However, I believe a direction was given.  Elder Zwick of the 70 came to our mission a couple of months ago and spoke to us.  His talk was all about communication!  I felt this was strongly an answer to my prayers.  Communication regarding any relationship ever is key,  it's key with our investigators, friends, and loved ones.  The question that he stated stood out, "What are you thinking?"  So, regarding to affairs at home and the future I decided not to ever be mad.  I can't be mad or upset.  I need to see things from the other persons point of view.  I need to understand where they are coming from before I am rash to judge or make haste decisions that could ruin a good relationship.  Something that I've been saying a lot lately is, "Know your facts."  Get the facts before you make a decision.  Communication is truly key!  Even if communication can be hard and difficult just hang on to the hope that someday the right words will be able to come out and all will be will.  The best way to figure out what is going inside a persons mind is to as them.  If the time isn't right, the right time will come and all will be well.
I also loved Elder Uchtdorf's talk on a thankful heart.  BE Thankful!! even in the hardest situations.  At the time my heart was hurt due to other things, but I had to look at the positives even though they are sometimes hard to find.  However, when you start with one thankful thing, it's hard to stop.  Even though a thankful heart can't make the situation disappear it certainly eases your burden.
Then, (sorry I could go all day) I loved the talk about "Following-up" by Elder Ballard.  It defiantly applied to missionary work I agree.  But, I also related this to at home things.  Think about it, if we follow up with things that we want (just like he did) we will get what we want or desire in the end.  If you want something a dream or anything, GO for it!!  Nothing is holding you back and the Lord will provide a way always if it's a righteous desire.  Follow-up with yourself, with a person, with a situation, and keep trying.  Nothing is ever to late.
It's never to late to start over, repent, heal wounds, love, and be a different person in Jesus Christ.
This conference gave me so much hope for my mission now and the future.  Never assume, get the facts.  So, someday I plan to get the facts and follow-up with my dreams.  As Nike's mottos says, "Just do it."  I will watch me.
We are all fighters, in our own way.  The Lord doesn't give us anything that we can't handle.  If there is one thing I've learned from my mother and father it's to fight.  Fight for your loved ones, fight for your dreams, overall fight for the Lord.  Choose the right always, make Jesus Christ and his atonement the center of your lives.  I know he is the center of mine, I vow to never back track from all that I am learning out here.  "A man having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, isn't fit for the kingdom of God."  Luke 9:62  Yes, look back on your dreams, but don't look back on your mistakes.  But, don't mistake an action for a mistake.  If it was never a mistake, there is no need to look back.
Anyways, a lot learned!! I love conference so much!!  It was a great week.  Sorry to go off on a tangent y'all. But, I had to speak what I am feeling and thinking lately!
I love you all so much!
Love always Sister Jenkins

Alright y'all here's the scoop of the week--
Monday Krystal and Brett fed us:)  They feed us every Monday and it's the best.  We always manage to have some kind of family home evening at their house.  Krystal always says, "if you can handle this family, you can handle any family."  But, I just roll my eyes and laugh.  I love feeling apart of the family.  I love them so much, I am so thankful that 5 months ago the Lord let me meet them for the first time on during splits with Nana.
Tuesday was good.  We went on visits that were led by Sister Jones.  She is such a great relief society president.  I have so much respect for that woman.  She really is trying to make sure that everyone gets be visited and it's going well.  All the home teaching is coming along, and we were able to go out with her this day.  We went and saw Sister Talley.  I love that woman!! She is so country haha it was nice to see her house in the daytime.  Her and Bro. Talley literally built the entire thing by themselves. They got the logs from the river.  He used a boat and everything to pull them out, in fact he could go through each log used for the house and tell the story of where it came from and how they got it.  Pretty neat eh?  Well, I thought so.  There is also a part member family that we were able to go visit.  We had a great lesson in the front yard, and they came to church on Sunday.
Wednesday was interviews with President McDonough.  Because of the whole leaving our phone in Hattiesburg escapade we are extremely low on miles.  So, we had Nanna take us down to Slidell.  She's the cutest thing, interviews go for quite a while--sometimes 3-4 hours.  But, Nanna just sat in her car the whole time and read the Ensign cover to cover.  I was a little sketch driving with her down their at first, but hey y'all we lived and had a good time.  Nanna is a good driver.  Besides if I can drive down their and we all live, why would I be worried.  Shoot, I'm sure my companions fear for their life everyday.  But, keep the prayers up y'all! They literally protect us on the road....from my driving.  Okay now I'm just digging a whole and making myself sound like I'm the worst driver in the world.  No, it's not that bad.  I drive really well when I'm focused.  In fact y'all would be so proud at what a much better driver I am!  Keep the prayers up, haha...please?  Thank you!
Anyways, Thursday was exchanges.  We had a lot of appointments already planned on, and they went well.  However, it was one of those weird days were a lot of people (in fact most) weren't home.  But, not only did Nana take us to Slidell, but she went on visits with us.  We were supposed to meet her at this hospital to visit a returning member except it wasn't visiting hours yet.  So, we all just hoped in her car and went to visit some people.  That night we had a legit appointment scheduled, but it had to be canceled.  Thankfully we rescheduled for tonight!! I have extremely high hopes for this lesson.  I just know it'll go well.  The woman we are teaching is so elect!  She lives out in Angie so because we have like 7 miles left (thank heavens it's the last day of the month) Sister Talley is taking us out there.  Well, Thursday night the apt. canceled and Sister Talley was already in town.  So once again we randomly went to go visit some people.  However, we just weren't feeling anyone.  So, we said a prayer, five min later Sister Talley was in the drive way.  We told her the dilemma we were in.  Told her we said a prayer and said that we knew she could help us out.  Well, she felt like we should go and visit this woman.  We did, and it was perfect!! Her daughter evidentially was heading into surgery, so we were able to pray with them and give her comfort.  I know that one day this woman will come back to church.  She had the faith to ask for the prayer, that shows us that she is on the right path back.
Oh the 29th...Happy Birthday Grandma!!!  I do believe she has turned what 40??  Yep wow...Grandma you are doing great.  I love and miss you, I'll be seeing you soon so stay strong.  Your always in my daily prayers, I'm glad y'all had a good time celebrating her bday.  But, not only was it Grandma's bday, it was history in the making because the church had it's first Women's Conference ages 8 and older.  Not going to lie I loved it we watched it at the Freemans.  I've gotten to the point where I take less notes (don't gasp) but, I listen more.  The more I listen instead of focus on what I'm going to write the more I learn.  The one thing I really gained was "Stop comparing yourself to other women and love."  Well, I think I really needed to hear that.  I mean I need to hear it daily, but this time especially.  I'm naturally competitive and I sometimes have a hard, extremely hard time not comparing myself.  But, here's the thing as long as I'm trying my hardest my best is good enough.  I learned more of what the word perfect means.  Really the word perfect means complete.  That actually helps a lot...slows down my competitiveness just a tad and allows me to really take each day at a time.  Evaluate my best efforts, reflect, and work towards a better version of myself.
Yesterday...Sunday.  Okay well it was a great day.   We had three investigators at church and well they are all legit and elect!!  Really y'all life is golden right now.  Things are flowing and when the times get tough we just keep on going.  We went Krystal's for Heidi's bday and the entire family was there!! I just sat back and observed and loved life.  Then we went to the Willis's house for dinner.  Sister Ray was pretty sick yesterday so we've been taking care of her. I completely understand what she is going through!! Talk about still in recovery for pneumonia, inhaler and all.  Y'all should see me, you would laugh because I laugh at myself.
I am so grateful for the lessons I am continuing to learn.  I'm grateful for the struggles because they make us stronger.  I feel like my entire mission I've been pushing this giant bolder.  I push and push but it never seems to budge.  However, my own strength is growing.  I am becoming the missionary I always dreamed of becoming!!  Anyways, I love y'all.  Be safe, choose the right, work hard, and live it up.  The church is true.  We have a prophet!!  Life is going to be okay.  Here's a scripture of comfort.
Psalms 45:10 "Be still, and know that I am God."
p.s.  Congrats Carissa for making cheer!! I always knew you would...see so there was no reason to worry.  Kayla, keep pushing through your senior year!! Get good grades and finish strong.  Live it up you two and stay close to the Lord!!
I love you!
Love always Sister Jenkins