Week 31: Back to the Beach

What a week! So many things have changed in so little time and it's
hard for me to keep up with the pace the Lord has set but I know that
He doesn't set the pace without giving us the push.

On Wednesday, I had to say goodbye to my companion elder guarcax. It
is always sad to send a missionary home to his house, but I am so
thankful for all that I learned from him. I know the Lord sent me to
him to get me ready for the trials that I will face here in
torremolinos.

That Wednesday I also met my new companion. He hails from the fertile
forests of Oregon, where he enjoys hunting duck and muddin in his
truck. There is no elevator that can fit him, no door frame that he
will not hit his head on. Hanging lights are in danger and the air
traffic control takes his location into account when planning flight.
introducing the great, the tall, the amazingggggg ELDER REEDER. He is
7 feet of smiles and love for the missionary work. I can't tell if the
people stare at him because he is tall, or because he is a missionary!
Regardless, he is a lot of fun to work with and I'm excited for a
great transfer together.

It is definitely a lot different now than it has been in the past for
me. After having two companions who spoke Spanish, I'm not used to
carrying 100% of the speaking weight on my shoulders. Luckily, after 4
months of only Spanish I think I'm more comfortable speaking in
Spanish than I am in English. I've also been very humbled as I have
had to take on the role of teaching this new missionary how to do the
work. It has helped me realize how much I don't know and I have had to
learn to have more faith in the Lord than I have in myself. Most of
the time, I really have no clue what I'm doing but I trust that His
plan is perfect.

I got amazing new this past week too! One of my past companions called
me and told me that a family that we found together just got baptized!
I was so happy and I felt so blessed to have been able to play even a
small part in a decision that has changed their lives.

Well, I'm really loving the new area. I started the mission by the
beach, and now I'm back! The people here are so nice and loving and it
is a blessing to be able to serve them. I hope everything is going
well and that you all have a great week! Thank you for the love and
the prayers like always!

Love,
Elder Jenkins

Things I learned
1. Have more faith in God than you have in yourself
2. "It's the cheese"
3. Sometimes the blessing you get from doing something is a testimony,
not a new investigator
4. You can only cut so many corners before your paper disappears
5. A job worth doing is a job worth doing right
6. You feel really short next to someone who is 7 feet tall