Happy halloween everyone!
Week 93....wow...
Apparently Halloween is something that has only existed for the last
10 years here in Spain, and all of the old people refuse to
participate! They all blame America for starting this holiday, and so
everyone has been asking me if we really celebrate it and what it's
like, they act like its our version of Christmas! Haha but really the
special day is tomorrow, the day of the saints, where everyone
remembers those who have passed away in their families and goes to
visit them. It will be a great day to be a missionary as we will be
able to share the great hope that we feel through Gods plan!
The work is going really great here! We found a Colombian a week ago
and he is progressing a ton. Every time we say something that he likes
he gets all excited and yells, ESOOOOOOOOO, which is basically like
YESSSSS THATS WHAT IM TALKING ABOUT...if I had to try and translate
it. His excitement really has transmitted to us as we have realized
how awesome what we get to share every day really is! I don't know if
I already talked about him in my last letter....but if I did this
should just reiterate how awesome he is! He's preparing for baptism
and every time we ask him about the day he says...you guessed
it....ESOOOOOOOOO!! He came to church and when they announced that he
was visiting for the first time he stood up, raised his hand and
said....right again!...ESOOOOOOOOOO!! He is the best.
All of our other investigators are also progressing a ton. I've never
in my mission had so many people who were desirous to hear the gospel
and who really want to progress and be baptized! What a blessing!
I had a pretty eye opening experience as well. I always thought that
at some point in my mission, talking to random people or following
spiritual impressions without question would just become instincts,
but I'm finding out that we must make the daily decision to talk with
everyone or to follow those impressions without hesitation! We were
sitting in the bus station, it was our study time so while we waited
we were reading the scriptures, and a lady passed us. We said hi, and
she looked over and smiled and said hi as well....I thought to myself
wow what a nice lady, I should talk to her, but I kept reading. Then
she passed again, and this time just stared at us smiling as she
passed.....again the impression, you should talk to her...but then I
looked and she was kind of far away and the bus was going to come any
minute....basically a multitude of flimsy excuses. Well, 5 minutes
later she appeared again and this time turned to me and said, "I'm
sorry, but as I walked by I felt that I should talk to you guys, but
didn't. Then as I was walking away, I felt that I had to turn around
and say something. I came from Hungary 13 years ago, I was going to
your church there and absolutely loved it, but when I came here I
couldn't find it. I have been looking for 13 years for the church, and
when I saw you guys and the Book of Mormon I knew I had to talk to
you. Where is the church, can we meet some day, and can I buy a copy
of the Book of Mormon?..." 😳😳😳😳😳 we told her that she could have
a Book of Mormon free of charge, and I don't think I've ever seen
someone so close to hugging us! As we got on the bus, we looked out
and she was smiling ear to ear and reading the Book of Mormon! I felt
so happy, but at the same time so ashamed! How embarrassing that the
spirit had to go to her and convince her to turn around and come
contact us because he had already tried with me and I was too
comfortable to crank up the engine and talk to her. I'm so thankful
for a merciful God who is willing to work with imperfect tools, and
that he didn't let my complacency impede one of his daughters from the
blessings of the gospel.
I guess the morale is I don't think that doing the right thing will
ever just become the instinct, at least for certain things. We will
always have to be anxiously engaged in making the right choices and in
following the impressions that come to us.
I hope that you all have a great week! Thank you for love and support!
BE AWESOME! ESSSOOOOOOOOOO.
LOVE,
Elder Jenkins
Monday, October 31, 2016
Tuesday, October 25, 2016
The adventures of Elder Jenkins : Pressuring the work!
Hello everyone!
THis has been a great week! My companion had to go to get his
residency card so I worked out of my area or with other missionaries
for 4 days. One of the things I really miss about not being in a
leadership position is doing the exchanges with the other
missionaries, but I feel so relaxed now when I do them and it is
humbling to see how I can learn so much from my leaders now and all
the other missionaries. We saw a lot of miracles during that time, but
the greatest miracle of all was how much I learned getting out of my
little routine and seeing the diligence and effort of the other
missionaries.
One of the biggest miracles of the week is that we FINALLY got the
area book planner app. Basically it is an application that puts all of
the records we keep and our planning for the day and the week in our
iPad. It is the most effective tool when using the iPad and it has
been sad to have had them for so long without being able to utilize
it. Luckily, with just one transfer left, I will be able to see how
this will transform the work that we do here, finally we will be able
to use our iPads at their fullest capacity! The Lord is pressuring His
work!
We got to see our friend who was glued to the Book of Mormon again,
and it was incredible! She has read over 100 pages in the past week
and we asked her how it was. She said it was okay. We asked how she
felt. She said she felt peace just like we promised. We asked her if
she found something that she felt was written to her. She said yes and
that we wouldn't believe what it was. "The book commanded me to be
baptized.".....😳 "can I be baptized?" ...I felt like saying well if
the book said so, who are we to impose?? There are still a lot of
steps we need to take with her because of past experiences she has had
but it was incredible to see how the Book of Mormon combined with the
spirit is really the most powerful tool in the conversion, even more
powerful than we are!
Needless to say, this week is sure to be filled with miracles miracles
and more miracles for you all and for me! Have a great week!
Love,
Elder Jenkins
THis has been a great week! My companion had to go to get his
residency card so I worked out of my area or with other missionaries
for 4 days. One of the things I really miss about not being in a
leadership position is doing the exchanges with the other
missionaries, but I feel so relaxed now when I do them and it is
humbling to see how I can learn so much from my leaders now and all
the other missionaries. We saw a lot of miracles during that time, but
the greatest miracle of all was how much I learned getting out of my
little routine and seeing the diligence and effort of the other
missionaries.
One of the biggest miracles of the week is that we FINALLY got the
area book planner app. Basically it is an application that puts all of
the records we keep and our planning for the day and the week in our
iPad. It is the most effective tool when using the iPad and it has
been sad to have had them for so long without being able to utilize
it. Luckily, with just one transfer left, I will be able to see how
this will transform the work that we do here, finally we will be able
to use our iPads at their fullest capacity! The Lord is pressuring His
work!
We got to see our friend who was glued to the Book of Mormon again,
and it was incredible! She has read over 100 pages in the past week
and we asked her how it was. She said it was okay. We asked how she
felt. She said she felt peace just like we promised. We asked her if
she found something that she felt was written to her. She said yes and
that we wouldn't believe what it was. "The book commanded me to be
baptized.".....😳 "can I be baptized?" ...I felt like saying well if
the book said so, who are we to impose?? There are still a lot of
steps we need to take with her because of past experiences she has had
but it was incredible to see how the Book of Mormon combined with the
spirit is really the most powerful tool in the conversion, even more
powerful than we are!
Needless to say, this week is sure to be filled with miracles miracles
and more miracles for you all and for me! Have a great week!
Love,
Elder Jenkins
Sunday, October 16, 2016
Hurricane Elder Jenkins
Hey Everyone!
The first time I heard someone say Hurricane Matthew, I thought "oh come on Im not really that tough to be around am I?"...Its pretty interesting to hear everyone talk about it, especially because I havent heard my name in a year and 9 months, and even when I say my name here I say Mateo. I find it strange to think of how where I am at right now there is absolutely no danger, but at the same time there are people with their very lives at risk. I think it has to be that way, because it would be so easy for each one of us to take our blessings for granted if there wasn´t always someone, somewhere, who was passing through harder moments. I cherish the great plan of salvation that I truly believes provides answers to our purpose in this life and where we are going afterwards, which allows me to have peace despite the turbulence of the world around me.
But I´m sure watching the news is giving all of my past school teachers a heart attack remembering what it was like to have me in their classes...
This past week has been great. My companion and I will be staying together for 6 more weeks at least in the beautiful Benidorm. We both decided that we needed to start off strong and so for the past week we have been leaving the house in the morning, leaving to go to one of the many towns that are included in our area, and just staying there to work all day. Luckily the members have been feeding us so we havent had to bring a packed lunch, but it is definitely different adding 2 and a half hours of proselyting to the schedule. Even though we havent seen a lot of direct results, people have just been falling out of the sky to teach. We werent planning on anyone coming to church, and out of nowhere a girl walked into the meeting and told us that she wanted to learn about the gospel because her aunts and uncles are members. Then a member called us and told us that she had a friend who she had talked to and the friend wants us to come and teach her....which in a year and 9 months of missionary work has NEVER happened before! MIRACLES.
In one of the days that we were in a far away "pueblo" working, it was 5 oclock in the afternoon, we werent even supposed to be outside working yet, and we were already dead tired because the whole entire town is built into a hill side. We sat down on a bench for a moment to decide where to go and contact, and then we saw someone (which is rare at 5 oclock in the afternoon) and bolted off to talk to her. After a couple of minutes, I realized I had left a pile of pamphlets "The family, a proclamation to the world" on the bench, so we went back to get them and when we arrived there was a woman sitting right next to them. I picked them up and asked if she had read one, and she said yes and that she was interested in knowing more because there were so many things that really called her attention! We were able to share some more with her right there and she was actually really interested in knowing more! Its funny because I always tell my companion not to waste material just leaving it in random places, but you never know when finding the right material at the right time will change someones life.
I have always heard a myth that one of the parts of our area smells like chocolate in the evening. I didnt really believe it, but literally at 8 oclock at night it feels like you are SWIMMING IN A SEA OF DARK CHOCOLATE. It is divine.
Well we shall see what great miracles this week has to offer. Stay safe, thank you for your support and prayers.
Love,
Elder Jenkins
"It's the final conference"🎶
Hey everyone!
These last 6 weeks have just passed by flying! It's hard to believe in
6 more weeks elder tabilo will be fully trained! He already seems to
be though. He is a MACHINE, as we say in Spanish,
As we reflected on the past 6 weeks, we were kind of sad for a lack of
lessons taught or investigators preparing for baptisms, but as we
looked at the effect we have had on the branch here we have found our
true success from the transfer. This past week we were invited to 3
service opportunities with the members, we had multiple members tell
us of friends they wanted to introduce us too, and we found out that
the members always post the things we do in the group chat and are so
happy for us to be here. When we arrived, the members really did not
have any faith in the missionaries, and to see them with such
excitement for the work is incredible. Now I feel like we are truly
ready to work together and see miracles.
The conference was amazing! We were just a couple of members, in our
tiny little church building, but the spirit there was beautiful. I
especially was impacted by the session when the mtc choir sang and
many of the talks were focused on the missionary work and the Book of
Mormon. I especially loved the talk about the ambitious missionary who
worked and worked despite his physical limitations. It made me feel
bad for every moment I have complained about my legs hurting, but I do
understand why he kept going. There is nothing more exhilarating than
sharing the gospel! I remember being in a lesson this past week,
looking over at my companion as he shared a part of the message, and
just thinking how incredible it is to be able to preach the restored
gospel.
I also loved the talk from elder Rasband about the danger of
forgetting. I have noticed that the Devils greatest tool is our own
forgetfulness. I guess my mom was right about needing to write in my
journal....but I was able to remember during that talk all of the
beautiful experiences I have had here that will give me a treasure
chest full of spiritual strength for the rest of my life.
One awesome experience we had this week. We met this family because we
found out that the mom was from the same street in chile as my
companion....like 1 in a 10000 chance....and so the dad let us in ONLY
because my companion is from chile. Well we both felt inspired the
night before to share the plan of salvation with them and elder
uchtdorf a talk confirmed that impression. We shared the message, and
it went really well. The next day, the dad called us and practically
begged us to come over again, telling us that despite his not
believing in any specific higher power, he truly felt so great when we
were there and when we left he said he felt an "emptiness". He even
offered to make us a dessert just so we could go. We of course
accepted...haha....and went and taught his family again. It was
incredible to see how his aspect had changed after realizing what it
is like to feel the spirit of God. I realized that we spend so much
time begging people to listen to the restored gospel, when really they
should be pleading with us to come over and teach them. I know there
are people who are ready and searching for something more.
Life is great, my iPad has 1 percent left. I love you all
Elder Jenkins
These last 6 weeks have just passed by flying! It's hard to believe in
6 more weeks elder tabilo will be fully trained! He already seems to
be though. He is a MACHINE, as we say in Spanish,
As we reflected on the past 6 weeks, we were kind of sad for a lack of
lessons taught or investigators preparing for baptisms, but as we
looked at the effect we have had on the branch here we have found our
true success from the transfer. This past week we were invited to 3
service opportunities with the members, we had multiple members tell
us of friends they wanted to introduce us too, and we found out that
the members always post the things we do in the group chat and are so
happy for us to be here. When we arrived, the members really did not
have any faith in the missionaries, and to see them with such
excitement for the work is incredible. Now I feel like we are truly
ready to work together and see miracles.
The conference was amazing! We were just a couple of members, in our
tiny little church building, but the spirit there was beautiful. I
especially was impacted by the session when the mtc choir sang and
many of the talks were focused on the missionary work and the Book of
Mormon. I especially loved the talk about the ambitious missionary who
worked and worked despite his physical limitations. It made me feel
bad for every moment I have complained about my legs hurting, but I do
understand why he kept going. There is nothing more exhilarating than
sharing the gospel! I remember being in a lesson this past week,
looking over at my companion as he shared a part of the message, and
just thinking how incredible it is to be able to preach the restored
gospel.
I also loved the talk from elder Rasband about the danger of
forgetting. I have noticed that the Devils greatest tool is our own
forgetfulness. I guess my mom was right about needing to write in my
journal....but I was able to remember during that talk all of the
beautiful experiences I have had here that will give me a treasure
chest full of spiritual strength for the rest of my life.
One awesome experience we had this week. We met this family because we
found out that the mom was from the same street in chile as my
companion....like 1 in a 10000 chance....and so the dad let us in ONLY
because my companion is from chile. Well we both felt inspired the
night before to share the plan of salvation with them and elder
uchtdorf a talk confirmed that impression. We shared the message, and
it went really well. The next day, the dad called us and practically
begged us to come over again, telling us that despite his not
believing in any specific higher power, he truly felt so great when we
were there and when we left he said he felt an "emptiness". He even
offered to make us a dessert just so we could go. We of course
accepted...haha....and went and taught his family again. It was
incredible to see how his aspect had changed after realizing what it
is like to feel the spirit of God. I realized that we spend so much
time begging people to listen to the restored gospel, when really they
should be pleading with us to come over and teach them. I know there
are people who are ready and searching for something more.
Life is great, my iPad has 1 percent left. I love you all
Elder Jenkins
Sunday, October 9, 2016
Elder Jenkins Sunday surprises!
Hey everyone!
So this week has been really great! I will just tell a couple of cool stories.
Sunday was incredible! We went through the whole week just having our plans fall through every single day. But not like one at a time, no, like in a 5 minute span everything we had down just crashed and burned. We spent a lot of time walking around just trying to find people to talk to. On Sunday, we werent expecting anyone to come. Then all of the sudden, a family comes in and the dad was carrying a pamphlet from the missionaries. It turns out a member invited a family to the church and they came!! It was incredible. Then, towards the end of the meeting, i saw a woman come to the door, look in, and then start walking out. I felt a strong impression that I had to talk to her and so i grabbed my companion and we stormed out. Right when she was walking out of the door, i called to her and asked what she needed and she said she was looking for someone who had lived in Utah.....i told her I lived in Utah and told us that she was going there to see her daughter who is a member and wants to hear the message we share before she goes so that she can know a little more when she goes to church with her daughter. AND as if that wasnt enough, a family from Switzerland came and I offered to translate for them and after the meeting they invited us over to eat lunch, SCORE. It was an incredible day!
Time is flying by! I got a call this week from another elder from my group who is going home tomorrow. He started having some medical problems a week ago and so they are sending him back to the States for medical care. Just like that, the mission ends. It was a wake up call that even though I have 12 weeks left, it could end at any moment! We have to take advantage of every single moment!
I hope you all have a great week!
Love,
Elder Jenkins
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