Life Lines

So, I had this dream that I saw my family yesterday.  Oh wait!  I did:)  It was the best, I could talk to them all day.  This week went by really fast and I'm surprised.  It's like when you don't want time to go by fast it continues to go by fast.  Then when you want time to speed up, it goes slower?  How does that work?  Oh well whatever the case time won't be an issue in Heaven so I'm just going to enjoy every moment I have left in the field. 

Monday we had some members of the ward take us to Wally World and help us find things to put into our house.  These people are saints.  Literally I love them and couldn't thank them enough on the car ride home.  I seriously made the world to me! There are so many wonderful examples in the mission field especially members that take care of their missionaries.  I remember when we first got to Hattiesburg the Bishops wife helped us out so much.  I will always be thankful for these Christ-like people who give their time and money to helping the Lord.  As my trainer always said, "The members are our life lines."  I completely agree.  They are 100 percent our life lines regarding everything.  I really hope that one day I can be able to help out the missionaries as much as I have been helped out on my mission.

Tuesday was good-it's just been non-stop busy and I love it.  Literally this is such an amazing area.  It's literally been such a blessing to be able to open this area for sisters.  It's been our biking week, so obviously we've been on bikes all week.  Remember that time I told the Elders in Hattiesburg we could just car share?  Well, it totally helped prepare me for this area.  Biking wasn't that bad!  I mean the first day we didn't know where we were at half the time.  Which is totally typical so we just went with the flow.  Which I don't know if that was a good thing or not.  Everyone that we planned to see wasn't home.  So there was some I guess confusion as to where we were.  We had back up plans to everything and we ended up biking into the Elders area.  Not a bad thing though because we ended up finding them a potential investigator...go sisters.  But, Brother Adams saw us biking, "Hey you two Mormons! aren't you in the wrong area?" Oh hey haha umm yes we are...we just thought we'd bike at least 15 in the hot sun and humidity.  All to end up getting the Elders some investigators oh and to get lost like three times and have to bike back and forth back and forth.   He was so nice haha he saw that we were totally lost and let us use his GPS!!  It was a blessing to run into him.  Oh haha funny story so there was this one time we were driving last week and Sister Brown said at a major intersection, "haha can you imagine Elders biking across this highway?  I bet people laugh at them."  Well, guess who happened to cross that same intersection this day?  Oh two "Mormon Chick" missionaries in skirts with bright red faces.  Needless to say, we saw some awesome returning members.  So all of it was worth it.  We even got some sweet tan lines.  I personally love the watch and tom tan lines.  Icy Hot was well used at the end of today:)

Wednesday! District meeting.  Hmmm well, not going to lie it was one of the more awkward district meetings.  Thank Heavens I didn't have to drive to Shreveport this week.  Last week still kinda scared me.  But, it was just awkward! Like I can't explain it.  But, I totally became a Sister Missionary officially today ya'll. Because Sister Brown and I decided to make lunch for our little district.  Sister Brown made this pasta (it was all healthy cause the elders are health nuts) it was really good.  Then I made this spinach, strawberry, madrian oranges, cranberry, and the best part...homemade honey roasted pecans! Yeah, I didn't even use a recipe y'all I just made them. The Elders all thought they we're good...like they were eating these pecans like they were candy. One of them wants me to make him a whole bag of these so that he can snack on them.  Of course I will!! I actually made something that Elders will just eat.  I didn't buy it...(cause that's what I'd normally do if I was making lunch) but I made it.:)  I even forgot dressing and they said the salad was so good it didn't need a dressing.  Psh I felt awesome.  So it was a pretty legit lunch, all homemade which makes me an official Sister Missionary.  Thank Heavens I passed that test before I came home. Today Bailey came out with us:)  It was a good time.  Sister Brown had a "potential investigator" call and ask to date her.  Most awkward conversation, apparently it wasn't the gospel that got his attention.  My comp is beautiful y'all but she was very polite and mature in the way she turned him down.  We had an awesome lesson with Blake again and he committed to baptism!! Bailey is going to be a solid missionary someday--seriously she was pulling out scriptures I didn't even know before my mission.  But, the spirit was super strong during the lesson.  We also saw the Nelsons:)  Their and active family and I just love them.

Wow, I'm writing a novel today.  But, hey keep reading:) Thursday lets see, Sister Brown and I had to bike to the library to write our talks for Sunday.  Then we got caught in a rainstorm.  It was awesome!  I freakin love the rain, especially the rain in the south.  The rain in Utah just...isn't the same.   But, we had a legit lesson at the Saunders home!! Seriously this ward is the best.  They do so much missionary work on their own and make sure that the missionaries are in their homes teaching these people they are talking with.  We taught two people in their home.  It was kinda a jumbled lesson.  Sister Brown and I lead the lesson, and the Elders got our backs.  Even with the four of our teaching it was still great.  

Friday we did a lot of service, painting dressers and helping the ward with their "garage sale" at the stake center. We weekly planned today and we had legit stuff to plan for!! So we basically did that for about four hours.  

Saturday we went on exchanges.  I was on bikes and Sister Brown was riding with Sister Giddins.  Sister Cottrell and I saw a lot of people.  We tracted for a couple of hours and tried a few returning members.  Even though we didn't get a lot of lessons in, it was still a successful day because we were non-stop working.  I mean it was tiny moments that we kept finding opportunities to teach or serve.  For example, a man was looking for something down the street.  I said, "What you looking for sir?"  He replied that his dog was missing and she ran down the road.  I asked what kind of dog and immediately took off.  I didn't mean to like bike as fast as I was haha but I was determined to find this dog this old man needed help.  Well, at the end of the street we found her.  Then I chased her back home on my bike, because she wouldn't come to me.  But, since the south doesn't have sidewalks...I was bookin it on my bike across everyone's lawns chasing this dog.  Point is...the dog made it safely home:)  The man was extremely grateful.  

Sunday I was speaking in church.  I chose to speak on the conference talk "Oh how we need each other" By Bonnie Oscarson who is the young woman's general president. I wanted to make my talk a mix of this talk and mothers day.  So I wrote a poem for my mother Saturday night. The poem will be in a different post.  But, basically I talked to my family!!  It was a great great day.  I love them soo much.  The Glass family is awesome for letting us always come over.  They help the missionaries out so much.  

Anyways y'all it was such a great week.  Like, I am so happy. I haven't felt this happy for such a long time on my mission.  I mean I've always been happy, but I'm so much more.  I think the better I become as a missionary the happier I am.  Granted it means my heart hurts for everyone that I come to love that doesn't accept the gospel even more.  But, that's just part of the deal.  I pray for these wonderful people with all my heart every night/morning.  Nothing is more important then our brothers and sisters.  We all need each other.  We can't do it alone.  "Love one another as I have loved you."  John 13:34  This is literally the most important time on earth.  What a blessing it is to be able to be a member of the one true church on earth.  Christ lives and he WILL come again.  I know it.  Lets all continue to love and prepare each other for it.

I love you always.  

Love Sister Jenkins

Opening of Stonewall

Hey y'all!!
Oh what a week.  Opening is well crazy.  I feel so much more prepared opening this area then I ever did Hattiesburg.  Maybe that's because I know somewhat more of what I am doing.  Even though moving into our apartment hasn't been a very smooth transition, we've been able to get a lot of work done based on the circumstances. The Glass family let us live with them for a week and a half while we waited to hear back from the apartments. Well, Thursday we got the news that we would officially be moving in on Friday.  Wahoo!
Lets start with major events yeah?  Well, Monday we went tracting.  I have such a strong testimony of tracting on pday.  It's almost like every time we do go tracting on Monday we always find new investigators and people to teach.  This area is a whole lot different then Bogalusa is.  Wow, like people I think the over passes on the highways are pretty.  The Elders, when they split the area gave us the "richer"area.  Which is totally different the Hattiesburg!! We got the poorer area, which was great.  I loved our area there...the area now is more hmmm intimidating?  I get nervous knocking on the doors!  But, we've tracted enough this week that I'm more used to the houses now.  Anyways 1st day in a rich area, okay I stretched a little, took a deep breath, said a huge prayer that someone would accept our message, and knocked.  It seemed we weren't having any success, I just know though that no effort is wasted.  Well, we knocked on this door and a guy answered.  Apparently it wasn't his house, but he told us to come back the next day.  We walked away and as we were near the end of the street, this guy (we'll call him Fred) came running down the street saying, "Sisters, I know the Mormon missionaries and I feel bad for not inviting you in.  I should ha've even though it's not my house.  But, the guy that owns it needs Jesus."  We walked back with him and they fed us dinner and we talked.  It was very...very...interesting haha wow.  I have no words to even explain all that happened.  Just know I felt like I was in a hotel in vegas??  Haha I don't even know how to explain it!! I mean the woman of the house was telling us about her children and everything.  We asked where her children were and she said, "Oh they're out back swimming with their tutor!  She's tanning." Oh yeah...welcome to my life people.  But, on the bright side we did get to teach them a legit lesson.  Then the man of the house said, "Y'all can come back anytime.  I will feed you and you can teach us."  So there you have it.  We gave him a Book of Mormon, he said he'd read it and we were welcome back.
We did service this week for a man who owns a cat sanctuary.  Literally he has soooo many cats!!!  He calls the cat place "Fort Catamo" y'all it's online...look him up!  But, all the cats slightly hmm made me never want to have a cat?  But, hey I respect all that the guy did.  It reminded me of being a little girl and walking all around our land meowing and trying to save the cats I found (sorry Mom). Wednesday we went out to meet some people and boy did we. That's all I have to say about that one.
Thursday was Gladys Knight!  Wahoo!! I got to see her twice during my mission.  The one here in Shreveport was jam packed!  But, it was still just as great.  That woman has a way to reach all of these people's hearts.  I just love how sincere and powerful her choir is when they sing.  Seriously people, and then when she gets up to bear her testimony the spirit is super strong and you just know what she is saying is true.  After Gladys we went out to eat with Gwen and Sister Saunders.  I know that the Lord truly does put us in the right place at the right time.  We were able to help our server out that night.  Apparently she is a member but needed to know that the Lord loves her and is looking out for her. 
Friday we basically spent the entire day moving ourselves into our new apartment.  Woohooo.  It was actually really good.  The deans took us out for pizza after.  But, I am so thankful for all the members here.  They seriously are taking such good care of us.  They are the ones who are making our apartment ready for the missionaries.  Honestly it's such a blessing to be apart of this church.  The relief society is truly the greatest women's organization in the world.  Thanks to a lot of help our apartment has the things it needs.   All I have is a thankful heart and a willing hand to go out and work. 
Saturday was a good day.  We had to wake up early because we were apart of a service project called "Paint Your Heart Out" It was a lot of fun honestly.  We painted this house (our ward) and it took from 7-12p.m. Then, we had interviews at 2:30 so we all had to race home and get the paint out of our hair and head to interviews.  I love interviews!! Seriously I love being able to visit with President McDonough.  He helps me look at missionary work in a better way each time.  Then after interviews we were off again. Lets just say I was freakin out.  Like, I had to drive all through Shreveport (the main part) and the traffic was bad, I was panicking.  Plus it didn't help that Elder Jones (since we car share and are allowed to drive to interview and district meetings together only) was telling me what a horrible driver I was in the back.  I told them both it was a bad idea to let me drive.  But, no one listened to me.  So I was stuck as the driver freakin out.  Those who know me know I slightly have a hard time driving in a ton of traffic.  But, we all lived thankfully.  We went to dinner for the Paint your Heart Out event.  There was a ton of people and loads of Crawfish.  Welcome to the south y'all.
Sunday...May 4th...I just have to say this cause it's really funny, "May the forth be with you." hahahaha oh my when I heard that I went around all day saying that. 
Anyways y'all, it was a good week as usual!! I love the mission.  My companion Sister Brown is awesome and we are working really hard together.  Please remember how much the Lord loves you.  Never forget that who you are IS enough.  He loves us more then we could ever comprehend.  I am thankful I am here.  I will continue to work hard and remain focused.  The church is without a doubt the true church on earth.  It's Jesus Christ's Church restored let us all continue to endure and remain faithful to the truths we know in our hearts. 
Know I love y'all!
Love always Sister Jenkins

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