Be an Instrument

Hey y'all:) 

Well, here was the week.  

Monday: It was the day of service.  So we painted the Glass families house all day--it was a solid day.  We also were able to teach Daniel at a resturant he's coming along really well.  He's the first investigator that has ever read the BofM as far as he has.  He's read to 2 Nephi 12!  It was pretty cool.  He was talking about all the stories that he had read I was pretty impressed! That doesn't happen to often.  We were so happy.

Tuesday was pday because it was transfer day.  But,  y'all already knew that so.. there goes Tuesday.  

Bah, this email is boring.  I'm not really in the mood to type up a huge email y'all.  We've had some great investigator lessons this week though.  Like, most of our investigators will be progressing soon.  Emily is amazing!! We visit her house at least a couple times a week and discuss the gospel.  She had us over for dinner with her brother and husband.  We had shrimp and had to peel it ourselves.  We watched the restoration DVD and the spirit was super strong.  Her brother was so excited to come to church Sunday that he went and bought a new tie for it.  

I just have such a strong testimony of the spirit and what it can do.  This week I am physically and spiritually exhausted.  It's really how missionary work should be.  I am so thankful that near the end of my mission we're still working as hard as ever.  It's been a super emotional week I think a lot of you understand.  I love it here so much.  I love the south I really do.  I love the spirit I am able to feel every single day.  We met this week with one of President McD's counselors, "President Houston".  I am so thankful that we met with him.  He gave me great coming home advice and told me that I am doing a wonderful job at my missionary work.  There was also a lot said that was an answer to all of my prayers. 

 Basically I'm more motivated to become the person the Lord wants me to be.  This mission has truly saved my salvation.  Without it, I don't even know where I would be or what my outlook on life would be like.  I have a long ways to go.  But, I can at least have the hope and faith that as long as God is number one in my life everything will work out.  Kind of trying to keep all the emotions together.  It might also be possible that I am crying as I write this.  5 weeks is not a lot of time, but I know that I'm going to keep working my hardest.  I love these people so much, every person does have good in them if you look at their hearts.  I'm not saying my goodbyes (even though it sounds like it) I'm just full of thanks!  It's like my need for people to receive this message of the gospel is greater then ever.  

I truly feel as if I am clay in the makers hands.  At church yesterday President Houston talked about how the organ in our building is the happiest organ in all of Stonewall.  Why?  Because it gets to be played every week.  It's an instrument that is constantly being used.  In Alma 29:9 (my mission scripture) it talks about being an instrument in the hands of the Lord, "and this is my glory, that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul unto repentance."  

Now I know why we are always so happy at the end of the day when we do missionary work.  It's because the master is using us.  We are literally his instrument and I am the happiest I've ever been because I am in his total and complete control.  Trusting that he's going to make me sound beautiful the way I make the piano sound, gives me hope.  Sometimes it's difficult, but I want to be the best instrument I can be.  I want to be out of my case and being used for him.  Anyways it's a cool analogy I felt that I appreciated the calling I have as a missionary a whole lot more. 

Okay there we go, I feel a lot better about this email.  Sometimes just going through each day is...a drag to write.  But, y'all there's to much in my heart at the moment to really express the way I feel.  I hope y'all have a fantastic week.  As the classic song goes, "It's Alright, have a good time cause it's alright."  Everything is all right.

Love Always Sister Jenkins

We gave puppies a bath!

Don't get clouds like this in Utah.

Hey Mom!.....are you attempting to cook again?

Cookie fail....thought they needed more butter after my batch.

Last the best of all the game

Alright, I can't believe its the start of my last transfer of my mission.  The feeling is weird.  It doesn't seem real. But here's the scoop on this week for you.

Currently right now it's transfers. It's crazy to me. Some of my favorite missionaries are going home and I am one transfer behind them, but I got to see other favorite missionaries today! I don't like to think about it, it makes me sad! But, at the same time I know change will have to happen. I can't be on this wonderful mission for forever, there are other things I need to do. That doesn't mean I can't always be a member missionary though! I'll just be a lot smarter. I won't load every detail about the gospel to people that have never heard that. I tried that one time on a date....a couple years ago. Didn't go so well. I even invited the guy to church. Maybe I was a little to pushy? But, he never came. It's fine though cause I tired. But, now I can come home and try "smarter".

Well, Monday was my last Zone Conference. Weird!! I was able to bear my testimony and it really didn't feel real. I remember when I first got to the mission field, thinking I would never get to that point. I looked at the older missionaries thinking, "Wow, you did it, you made it! Will I ever get there?" Yep, I sure did, it honestly was hard to do. I love missionaries so much. I have been influenced greatly by people I have had the privileged to serve around throughout my mission. Sister Brown and I played a piano duet to "I am a Child of God." super pretty duet. Our mission President said, "I don't think that piano has ever been played that way in a long time."

 

Tuesday was pday.   Wednesday, that was a good day. You see, Tuesday we did this thing called "Camp Gladiator" with Sister Glass for our morning work out. Then that night we got signed up for the whole thing and went to the first class Wednesday morning at 5 a.m. Oh my gosh, can I just say, Sister Brown and I looked like penguins walking around all day!! It hurt, but I love it when it hurts because that just means good things are about to happen. It was kind of hilarious to watch the two of us go up and down stairs. We've, been doing this class consistently so our bodies are used to it now. Which is really good, this week we are on bikes all week. We went out with Bailey and taught Sister Thomas again!! I love that woman so much. She is very intrigued and interested in temples, they catch her attention. We asked her if she would like to go inside of a temple someday and she responded, "Well, I do but I'm not going to be Mormon. I haven't taken all the lessons. I don't know enough." Perfect response because we are the ones that teaches her all she needs to know. She shared the most precious love story ever and it just made me cry!! I got to the car and all I could do was cry. I know someday she'll be with that man again someday. We had another official Book of Mormon class again! One person came...but, it went really well. One person is so much better then zero! I've got faith though. I know this class can grow.

Thursday was legit. Bailey invited us to go to this homeless, Baptist dinner thing. We like host the tables. Tonight, they didn't have a "devotional speaker". So of course I thought it was the perfect opportunity to volunteer. Want to know why? I've secretly had this need, want to teach in front of a bunch of Christians of all different faiths. I mean mostly this dream had to do with preaching to a congregation of Baptists, that'd be awesome. This dream was about to come true. Because they totally let us do the devotional!! Sister Brown and I (not to brag) did a pretty decent job. We talked about faith and on the spot sang. People were singing with us and we were getting a lot of amens along with that. I felt legit, afterwards people would say things like, "I didn't know Mormons could preach like that!" "We were drawn to everything y'all were saying." etc. I felt like saying well...you can be that way too! Just ask and ye shall recieve because we will teach. I loved it one of the highlight points of the misison for sure.

Friday, our car had some major car problems so we had to take the time to solve that. But we got some pretty solid lessons in.

Saturday was a refresher day. We worked all day non-stop. We tracted a lot and ran into a couple of people who wanted to "bash" with us. But we couldn't. Even though I attempted, I was surprised at how much more confident I was! I actually could answer most of her questions. The mission is a success!

That honestly was the majority of the week. I mean Sunday was great too. I just don't have a lot to say. Miracles and experiences happen all day everyday out here. Every Sunday the Sisters in Relief Society have a missionay moment. I love it cause this week they asked, "Sisters do y'all have a missionary moment." I said, "Yes we do! If we didn't have a missionary moment y'all should be worried." I made myself laugh. But its true!

Good week though eh? I loved it. I can't believe this is the last transfer of my misison! But, don't worry we're working out hardest! I love the work. I love this gospel. I know the Church of Jesus-Christ of Latter Day Saints is the true church on earth!

Love always,

Sister Jenkins

                                                             Sister Brown and I

                                                    The lesson I cried afterwards

                             Love this guy!! Served with him in Hattiesburg. 

The church in Coushatta!

       

Hey y'all!!
What a week..full of different experiences that I am so thankful for.  Monday was a great memorial day! I hope everyone remembered our soldiers and remembers how blessed we are to be apart of this country.  In the Book of Mormon it says over and over again..."If ye keep the commandments ye shall prosper in the land."  I know that if we put our faith in God that we will prosper more abundantly
Tuesday came around and I was still not able to do a ton however.... we did go to the doctor and he gave me this wonderful Boot to wear!  He said that yes it's broken but in about a month I should be walking with the boot.  It was all just a relief and my prayers were all answered.  I felt so much love and I knew that I am supposed to learn a lot from this experience.  I read Alma 26 and it was such a comforting chapter and made me realize that this is just a trial and I will finish this mission strong!  I love my mission so much....I love the ward and I couldn't ask to be in a better place.  I have learned so much and can't express all the love I feel for this ward taking such good care of me.  I don't deserve it.  I really don't and I feel like when this injury has healed it has motivated me to just work even harder then before.  All I want to do is run sometimes...haha it's rough but there are so many things to be thankful for that I can still do the work with a smile.
Wednesday was an emotional day...we lost two of our progressing investigators because they simply aren't ready.  All district meeting I could feel that they were not going to accept the message yet.  It was a really good district meeting.  I hopped along with my crutches and we were able to have a special visit from President and Sister McDonough!  I love them so much...they make me so happy and I love listening to President McDonough he is so wise and all of his advice I take to heart.
Thursday we went out to Raymond.  I know that my days in Clinton are getting short....so I told Bro. Kynerd that and all the work that has been done in Clinton was worth this one comment, "You have touched our lives more then you know and have left your mark on our hearts."  I almost started to cry.   That made my heart swell with joy....--I worked all day Thursday and it was interesting with a cast.  I tried tracting and we got into one door.  The man was so nice!!  I love the south:)
Friday I worked all day again....not so smart still..  haha I weeded a potential investigators yard with one foot in my proselyting clothes!! I don't like just sitting there and watching...I had to help somehow.
Honestly it was a really good week.  There's so much to say and my mind just can't grasp all of it.  However--I am thankful I am here with all my heart.  I know that every trial is a blessing and we can overcome all.  The lords hand is in all things!! That is very evident and I know that without a doubt.  Thank you all for all you do.
Love Sister Jenkins

Just me!

Watermelon....yep my favorite fruit in the world...I could eat a whole one.  Mississippi has the best watermelon in the U.S.!! They are famous for it:) another reason I was called her.  Watermelon competitions...bring it on.

Yep...I tracted in this boot...it was SO hot!

The trio!

My Favorite Pic!  I love these ladies!

"THE BOOT!!  The ward members started signing it:)

Sister Zemp and I

Sister Keyes is an amazing cook!

Tommy, the most humble person I will ever know.

The BOM!