well they stationed me in Indy 1st ward this time. my conpanions are Elder Christiansen and Elder Cannon, both vets in the area. there arent a ton of new adventures to report. it only took me a couple days here to get hugged by a drunk man. ohh i did also get into a bike wreck on my second day here. i clipped a mailbox with my handlebar. now my hands are all messed up from
the gravel i landed on.
college. ive considered being a teacher. im leaning more towards psychology for the time being, perhaps in the criminal or child psychology fields but im not really sure yet. teaching would be fun and theres certainly some job security there. i dunno.
the lost dutchman is pretty hoosier. all i know as far as hoosier things go is that when i go camping squirrels are no longer safe.
well you have a great week
i love ya
john
yes i got it (drivers license) extended. as far as where you should send it. im not totally sure. im sure you read my email from last week that i sent dad about college stuff. im pretty sure ill probably just start at bsu, i dont know if my grades and everything are good enough YET for anywhere else.
welp im in indy 1st ward. its on the south side. southport is in my area and our church is on stop 11 and about madison. round 3 for indianapolis. my companions are Elder Christiansen whos been out one more transfer than me and Elder Cannon whos been out about 9 months. this week was pretty good. we're all transitioning well to fit the threesome lifestyle. its always wierd having to make lesson plans to fit three when youre only used to doing it for 2.
not a ton to report about investigators. weve been doing a lot of tracting this last few days, i guess its accually a bit of an unussual amount. ive been trying to view tracting and other finding methods as a quest to find new gators. so ive been having fun with it.
birthday month is always crazy. at least youre going to have one less to deal with off and on for a WHILE. i think everyones getting kinda stressed with the end of school season coming up.
those were some really neat comments you shared with me from conference. our stake conference is coming up next sunday. its going to be a broadcast from SLC to our region. should be neat.
well i love you. have a great week!
john
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
thanks for your email it was encouraging. we got our transfer calls today. both Elder Jackson and I are leaving martinsville. theyre going to have someone train in martinsville. i got released as a district leader, and not called to anything else. im kinda disappointed but im trying to humbly accept that the Lord through the mission president knows more than me and what i need. i figure i can look at it two ways. i was needed in an area that isnt a district leader area and it cant be switched because the other guy needs it more than me. or the negative not so useful to even mention way. im gonna keep an open mind and wait and see what the Lord has in mind.
im sure my next (and maybe last) area will be wonderful. i understand now whay missionaries say they learned the most during the last 6 months of their mission. im sure learning a lot.
that sweet ride reminds me so much of indiana. one of our less-actives said it best "all hill-billies have pick-up trucks. all hill-billies have 4-wheelers. all hill-billies have dirt bikes. and all hill-billies have golf carts. the only problem is is the hill-billies dont have the land to play with their toys on." i guess hes been having problems with his neighbors trespassing and playing on his land.
as far as college goes. i agree that quickly returning to school is a great idea. i want to make sure that i can get as many scholarships as i can and get to work as soon as possible as well. i have briefly considered byui but im not too excited about not being able to grow a huge prophet beard. however; i understand facial hair isnt as important as my education. do you think you could look and see how byui's psychology and theater programs are? also if you could do similar research regarding other local schools that would be good. i dont heve the time to worry about all that very much right now but i want to know whats available for me for at least a couple years
after i return. ill obviously have to go to a school with a grad program eventually but i was planning at starting at bsu or something.
well im feeling a bit better about all the transfer stuff already. i just
needed to talk about it.
i love ya
john
im sure my next (and maybe last) area will be wonderful. i understand now whay missionaries say they learned the most during the last 6 months of their mission. im sure learning a lot.
that sweet ride reminds me so much of indiana. one of our less-actives said it best "all hill-billies have pick-up trucks. all hill-billies have 4-wheelers. all hill-billies have dirt bikes. and all hill-billies have golf carts. the only problem is is the hill-billies dont have the land to play with their toys on." i guess hes been having problems with his neighbors trespassing and playing on his land.
as far as college goes. i agree that quickly returning to school is a great idea. i want to make sure that i can get as many scholarships as i can and get to work as soon as possible as well. i have briefly considered byui but im not too excited about not being able to grow a huge prophet beard. however; i understand facial hair isnt as important as my education. do you think you could look and see how byui's psychology and theater programs are? also if you could do similar research regarding other local schools that would be good. i dont heve the time to worry about all that very much right now but i want to know whats available for me for at least a couple years
after i return. ill obviously have to go to a school with a grad program eventually but i was planning at starting at bsu or something.
well im feeling a bit better about all the transfer stuff already. i just
needed to talk about it.
i love ya
john
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Record Setter and stuff
Hannah had a track meet today and set some new records. She has a new Personal Record on the discus. It is 49 feet. She has been throwing around 30 feet in practice.
The other record is the shot put. She got a PR of 17 feet today...the school record for girl's shot put was 15 feet.
Isn't she cute?! I am so proud of Hannah. She has such amazing confidence. She is one of the kindest, most loving people I know.
My mom and dad visited for Easter and we went to the temple together. My sister Linda is an officiator at the Boise Temple, and we were able to attend the session she was officiating in. Then we did a second session and met Linda in the cafeteria for lunch. It was a very good morning.
When Johnathan went through the temple for the first time, Linda told me, "We're just two proud mamas, aren't we?" I told my mom that I could pretty much say the same thing as we watched Linda do her duties in the temple. I've got such a special sister.
Mom, Linda and Dad
Mom and Dad
The other record is the shot put. She got a PR of 17 feet today...the school record for girl's shot put was 15 feet.
Isn't she cute?! I am so proud of Hannah. She has such amazing confidence. She is one of the kindest, most loving people I know.
My mom and dad visited for Easter and we went to the temple together. My sister Linda is an officiator at the Boise Temple, and we were able to attend the session she was officiating in. Then we did a second session and met Linda in the cafeteria for lunch. It was a very good morning.
When Johnathan went through the temple for the first time, Linda told me, "We're just two proud mamas, aren't we?" I told my mom that I could pretty much say the same thing as we watched Linda do her duties in the temple. I've got such a special sister.
Mom, Linda and Dad
Mom and Dad
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Missionary Mail
The last part of that (Tom’s talk in sacrament meeting) talk reminded me of the parable of the lamp by talmage. he tells a story of a lamp salesman who came to his home, he asked if he could come in a see his lamp. then after examining it he praised it and without a disparaging word got his lamp out and demonstrated it. it was a much brighter lamp and talmage says that he never would have known what a dreary dark room he had been working in before. He bought the lamp outright.
Sometimes I feel like that. People have something in their lives that is totally fulfilling to them. And I’m just here to show them greater light.
I used that in one of my recent trainings as we've been discussing the proper use of the book of Mormon in missionary work this transfer.
I love that song. “this is the Christ” is VERY powerful.
That’s neat that Linda is officiating. I wish I still remembered all the details about the temple. I miss it so much. It doesn’t make it easier that the sisters in my district got to go not long ago. To quote a catholic man in the movie 'between heaven and earth' I have "righteous envy".
I think it’s also insane that James and Tim are as old as they are. I was looking at the calendar the other night and realized James was almost 14. I can remember when I was 14. That wierded me out.
Well this week was pretty crazy actually. Elder Jackson’s back is better so we were able to get out to work, which was great. We also went on companion exchanges with the zone leaders AND the traveling Zone leaders. Both exchanges were fun and I learned a lot. Probably the most important lesson I learned was about forgiveness. One of the Travelers is an elder that I had some bad experiences with. He was my district leader during the whole Elder Strong stuff. There were some conflicts there and I have been holding some very negative feeling ever since. Well he was down here and he went with Elder Jackson and they had a great time. As Elder Jackson told me about it all I realized how immature I was being about the whole ordeal and that I needed to drop it. So I gave him a call and apologized for being so stupid. And you know what? I felt a million times better. So since then I’ve been thinking about how else I can relieve myself of any other excess negative energy that I don’t need and I’m working on it. It’s been a really good thing for me.
Everyone’s doing alright. Charles is kinda... I dunno. He has a testimony and he knows its all true but the synapses aren’t firing or something so he can do what he needs to from that point. 3 words. too many drugs. We’re going to get him to the ARP (addiction recovery program) and hopefully that will help. Chris is doing great!! He’s been working. He’s getting himself ready for the temple. He’s sharing the gospel, ALOT!! Jimmy is doing awesome as well. He came on exchanges with us and he’s going to be assigned as a home teacher soon! Pam is... well we'll find out Wednesday. She finished the book of Mormon. That’s good, I think. Like I said, we'll see. She’s expressed to her fellowshipper that things might be grinding to a halt. More details next week.
Like I said it was a pretty good week
Love ya,
john
Sometimes I feel like that. People have something in their lives that is totally fulfilling to them. And I’m just here to show them greater light.
I used that in one of my recent trainings as we've been discussing the proper use of the book of Mormon in missionary work this transfer.
I love that song. “this is the Christ” is VERY powerful.
That’s neat that Linda is officiating. I wish I still remembered all the details about the temple. I miss it so much. It doesn’t make it easier that the sisters in my district got to go not long ago. To quote a catholic man in the movie 'between heaven and earth' I have "righteous envy".
I think it’s also insane that James and Tim are as old as they are. I was looking at the calendar the other night and realized James was almost 14. I can remember when I was 14. That wierded me out.
Well this week was pretty crazy actually. Elder Jackson’s back is better so we were able to get out to work, which was great. We also went on companion exchanges with the zone leaders AND the traveling Zone leaders. Both exchanges were fun and I learned a lot. Probably the most important lesson I learned was about forgiveness. One of the Travelers is an elder that I had some bad experiences with. He was my district leader during the whole Elder Strong stuff. There were some conflicts there and I have been holding some very negative feeling ever since. Well he was down here and he went with Elder Jackson and they had a great time. As Elder Jackson told me about it all I realized how immature I was being about the whole ordeal and that I needed to drop it. So I gave him a call and apologized for being so stupid. And you know what? I felt a million times better. So since then I’ve been thinking about how else I can relieve myself of any other excess negative energy that I don’t need and I’m working on it. It’s been a really good thing for me.
Everyone’s doing alright. Charles is kinda... I dunno. He has a testimony and he knows its all true but the synapses aren’t firing or something so he can do what he needs to from that point. 3 words. too many drugs. We’re going to get him to the ARP (addiction recovery program) and hopefully that will help. Chris is doing great!! He’s been working. He’s getting himself ready for the temple. He’s sharing the gospel, ALOT!! Jimmy is doing awesome as well. He came on exchanges with us and he’s going to be assigned as a home teacher soon! Pam is... well we'll find out Wednesday. She finished the book of Mormon. That’s good, I think. Like I said, we'll see. She’s expressed to her fellowshipper that things might be grinding to a halt. More details next week.
Like I said it was a pretty good week
Love ya,
john
Sunday, April 12, 2009
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
It's birthday season at the Jenson house.
Johnathan turned 21 on April 4. I can't believe I have a 21 year old son. Wow! How did that happen?
Tim will be 18 on April 22. I can't believe that one either.
And James will turn 14 on April 15.
It's that time again! Today on the way home from church the boys told me that they may have interviews with the bishop this week. Ordinations are coming...Tim to an Elder and James to teacher. I love these milestones, but the time goes so fast. It was only two years ago that we had an ordination party...John was ordained an Elder by Tom, then John ordained Tim a priest, and then Tim ordained James a deacon. It took about 15 minutes.
Johnathan turned 21 on April 4. I can't believe I have a 21 year old son. Wow! How did that happen?
Tim will be 18 on April 22. I can't believe that one either.
And James will turn 14 on April 15.
It's that time again! Today on the way home from church the boys told me that they may have interviews with the bishop this week. Ordinations are coming...Tim to an Elder and James to teacher. I love these milestones, but the time goes so fast. It was only two years ago that we had an ordination party...John was ordained an Elder by Tom, then John ordained Tim a priest, and then Tim ordained James a deacon. It took about 15 minutes.
We are so blessed.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Love, John
general conference was as always wonderful. i really enjoied it all quite a bit. i especially appreciated Elder Hollands talk this year on the atonement. ive also recently kind of gained a greater desire to be a good member missionary when i return home. i want to do what Elder Perry was talking about and fulfill my missionary responsibility as a member so our missionaries in idaho can be full time teachers.
on my birthday i had a cool opportunity to go and preach at a local church called the manna mission. each weekend they hold a prayer breakfast where they discuss Christ. its an atmosphere where they encourage leaving the doctrine at the door and together breaking down the barriers of denominations and talk of, rejoice in, and preach of christ. i had a chance to share about christs atonement and then i went into the life of christ and the idea that he not only died for us, he lived for us, and the least we can do is live for him. i used both bible and book of mormon verses and even as i read from alma i got an amen. it was a cool way to start my 22nd year.
well it sounds like you all had a decent week yerselves, im glad to hear it. its wonderful to have the guidance and direction so available to us in this dispensation. it truly is wonderful to have prophets and apostles on the earth.
love you guys
john
on my birthday i had a cool opportunity to go and preach at a local church called the manna mission. each weekend they hold a prayer breakfast where they discuss Christ. its an atmosphere where they encourage leaving the doctrine at the door and together breaking down the barriers of denominations and talk of, rejoice in, and preach of christ. i had a chance to share about christs atonement and then i went into the life of christ and the idea that he not only died for us, he lived for us, and the least we can do is live for him. i used both bible and book of mormon verses and even as i read from alma i got an amen. it was a cool way to start my 22nd year.
well it sounds like you all had a decent week yerselves, im glad to hear it. its wonderful to have the guidance and direction so available to us in this dispensation. it truly is wonderful to have prophets and apostles on the earth.
love you guys
john
Monday, April 6, 2009
Witty tongue strikes again...
Our brother-in-law has been out of work for several months and today he commented on facebook that he is getting to be a hippie...he's been wearing flip-flops and working in his back yard garden.
Tom says, "It depends on what you're growing."
Hannah said something about growing wheat.
James says, "Yeah, if you're growing weed you're a hippie. If it's just wheat..."
LOL
Tom says, "It depends on what you're growing."
Hannah said something about growing wheat.
James says, "Yeah, if you're growing weed you're a hippie. If it's just wheat..."
LOL
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