The Errand of Angels: Week 43 Always be Prepared

Hello Everyone!

I am grateful for all of you. I am grateful to be here on a mission. To hear from modern prophets and apostles over the weekend. And most especially, I am grateful for my family.

I am eternally grateful to Heavenly Father for the blessing we have of being an eternal family. I hope each of you realize the significance of that and strive every day to live up to your covenants to be worthy of that gift or strive to be worthy every day to make those covenants and receive those blessings.

Funny of the week: Well, I didn't share one from last week. We were outside a member's house, dropping her off from teaching with us. There was a cute, green froggie on the grill of our car. I went to grab it and it jumped on my skirt (score! the frog made my life so much easier). I caught it and was holding it. I wanted to show the member (she is a sweet, older woman). I opened my hands just the slightest and the frog jumped right onto my mouth and then jumped away. Yup, I got kissed by a frog. He didn't turn into a prince though. I think its because I still have 8 more months on my mission :)

Weekly Highlights: 

Monday: We were contacting a referral. Initially she had the attitude of "who are you? why are you here? and I'm not interested." Then we just kept on talking, trying to find a common interest. She shared that she the only way she uses the Church is for family history. The conversation then turned from really negative to really positive. She still wasn't interested in Christ's message (it's not ours, its His) when we left, but it was on a bright note.

Tuesday: Missionaries in an old area contacted about getting an address for someone. I couldn't find it anywhere. I prayed, and it was found. I am so grateful for prayer!! Also, we called a bunch of less active members that we previously have had a hard time getting in contact with and all but one answered. We were able to set up appointments and do service from those calls. It was great and such a blessing!

Wednesday: One of our investigators set a baptismal date! We had the lesson on the grass by an intersection. Regardless of the distractions, the Spirit was very strong.

Thursday: Sister Sliger went home today for medical reasons. She will be very, very, very much missed. She was a great missionary and it was such a blessing to serve with her. I am grateful that all worked out with her plane flight and she made it home safely. 

A less active who is very illiterate is now reading The Book of Mormon with the easy reader. Had a great lesson about spiritual fortifications in Alma 50 and in vs. 1 was reminded and assured that after every challenge, discouragement, trial, etc. you can't take a break, you must always be preparing.

Friday: Was able to do service for a wonderful less active. The Relief Society helped as well and she let us share a message with her.

Saturday: Did a peace and blessings prayer with an investigator of another set up of missionaries (long story, lives in our area, but because of family, they teach her). The Spirit touched her very much and she cried. She then had her friend come meet us and set up an appointment for all of us to have a lesson and gave her a copy of The Book of Mormon - her friend saw her joy and was so excited! (Members, take note of this beautiful example of someone who truly knows the blessings this gospel can bring to other's lives).

Sunday: We met with a family that was a referral. They were so receptive and we were able to do peace and blessings with them. I am so excited to teach them. Also, we had a less active family that came and watched conference. I was so grateful for their sacrifice regardless of mid-terms, work, and other things going on. 

Weekly Spiritual Insights:

I was really touched by eternal families this week. Between conference sessions I was able to watch families share their experiences about preparing to go to the temple and be sealed together for time and all eternity. I was so grateful for members of my own family to have taken the steps to also do that this week. Every effort and hard work is worth it to get sealed for time and all eternity. And every effort and hard work is worth it to stay worthy of those covenants and that sealing power. I testify to you that God lives, Jesus is our Savior, that the power and authority of God is again on earth today in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and that power is the only power that can bind families together for the eternities. Temples covenants are essential. I know the gospel of Jesus Christ is truly here to bless families. I am here serving a mission so I can bring that joy and happiness to others. I care for their eternal happiness. I know that happiness can be found on earth and in the eternities through the gospel of Jesus Christ and following Him. Please never be deceived to think that true happiness comes from sin or the things of the world, it does not.

General Conference was amazing and so profound. If you have not taken the time to watch it, please, please do so. You can watch it at http://www.lds.org/general-conference?lang=eng

Invitation:

1. During General Conference, there was a great focus on missionary work and the responsibility of every, single member of the Church to do it. Elder M. Russell Ballard invited every member to reach out to 1 person between now and Christmas and to invite them, share the gospel with them, ask them to meet with the missionaries. He promised that if this was done, MILLIONS would be brought in. I extend that challenge to you. Start NOW. You will be blessed and guided. Pray for the opportunities and they will come.

2. Something that our companionship sometimes does is say a. I love you because.... b. I learned today.... and c. I am willing to.... Will you try this practice in your own family this week. Maybe as part of FHE.

Keep up the wonderful work!! Each of you are so great and I am so happy to have you in my life!

Have a great week!

Sister Jenkins

The Errand of Angels: Week 42 Spiritual High

Hello Everyone!

I hope that you are all well! I have had a very great week with many huge spiritual highs... I find that when the toughest times come that it is always a great opportunity to grow spiritually!

My Companionship

 I have gained a greater testimony of eternal families and the importance of temples because of family events this week and have had the opportunity to share my testimony many times this week. Thank you!

Funny of the week: Well, got to hold a snake this week! One of my companions about died watching it slither up my face. 

Weekly Highlights (Switching Order): I wanted to do something different this week and do "A week in the life," with some of my highlights from each day this week. These are the miracles I have seen:

Monday: Saw Matt (an investigator who wasn't getting back to us) at the store. He set up an appointment and told us why he had distanced himself.

We got permission to play laser tag

Tuesday: Was having a lesson with the non-member wife of a less-active member. The husband had previously chosen to not join our lessons. He joined as we were talking about the Restoration, and gave a strong testimony to her. She is a super solid investigator anyways and is already sharing the gospel with her family and prepping names for the temple. It was great! She invited him to watch General Conference with her :) Powerful to have both of them sharing their testimonies and uplifting each other.

Wednesday: Had an excellent zone conference with Elder Teh (from the Quorum of the 70). Went fasting and praying and seeking inspiration.... received tons!! Also, met with a less active who isn't ready to come back to church, but is allowing her young daughter to come :)

Thursday:  Had a great lesson with Matt and our fellowshipper. He has taken a challenge to read The Book of Mormon for 8-minutes every day for the next 8 -days to help him find out its true. And to pray each day about it. 

Friday: Got a referral from Mormon.org, Robert. He was so receptive! He became a new investigator and wants to be baptized. We were truly blessed! Also, had a lesson with a less active, part-member family who has previously been really hard to setup appointments with. The lesson was great and almost the entire family participated. Found another new investigator while walking to our car after the lesson. I was able to push aside fear and go up and talk with her. She is great!

Saturday: We had time to contact a less active that I have wanted to visit. She lives in a gated community, and her number isn't on the gate to call. We also didn't have her phone number. We went there. The gate was closed. We prayed. Three cars came driving up through the gate. We were able to go in. She was home and  her children had just laid down for naps. We were able to get her phone number and share a powerful message with her. Also, we had the opportunity to meet her husband. Also, saw the mother of a less active that we visited on Friday. She said it was a miracle her daughter has been so receptive to us. Wow, guess we just took that for granted. Such a blessing!

Sunday: Received four referrals from ward members (unheard of for our area!!). I realized that this was something I included in my fast for that day. Plus, it was something that one of my companions had been promised in a priesthood blessing. Also, one of our investigators came to church!! (Two weeks in a row!!). And there was a powerful lesson that helped our companionship in things we were struggling with.

Other blessings throughout the whole week have been that many people have opened up to us about their concerns and have been open to us sharing them. It has been one miracle after another after another.

Weekly Spiritual Insights: It has been a powerful week for insights! Here are a couple:

From Zone Conference:

- What lenses are you wearing? (As you change type of glasses lenses you can see differently... as we change our perspective on situations it can change how we see and the blessings we notice... and our attitude!)

-Get out of the PNC! (Popular 'N Comfortable Flow) and stay in the Excellence Flow (comparing to Finding Nemo... with the EAC and how those in the current really didn't need to work very hard to move forward)

Relief Society Broadcast: (http://www.lds.org/broadcasts/archive/general-relief-society-meeting/2013/09?cid=HPTH091213087&lang=eng)

-Point out all the beauties along the path (find joy in the journey)

-It is important to wait and walk with "the one"... help them along the path and walk with them

-Study and renew baptismal covenants

Church: (http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2008/10/lift-where-you-stand?lang=eng)

-Lift where you stand

-Love is spelled T-I-M-E

-"Make us one, that our burdens may be light"

-Become everyone's best friend

-Stay together with your companion (not just in sight and hearing, but emotionally, spiritually, mentally, with them)

Invitation:

1. Really listen to the words of the sacrament prayer and renew baptismal covenants (Mosiah 18:8-10 http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/mosiah/18.8-10?lang=eng)

2. Prepare for General Conference this weekend by praying about a question or concern that you have, fasting if you feel like you need to, and then opening your heart and mind to the answer this weekend. This is an opportunity to hear from living prophets and apostles!

You are so great!! Have a wonderful week!! Stand as a disciple of Christ this week!!

Sister Jenkins

The Errand of Angels: Week 41 I KNOW

Hello Everyone!

Meet my new companion, Sister Fox

 

I apologize in advance for the length of this week's letter, but I really felt the need to just testify and share some things. I pray that you will feel uplifted as you read.

Well, how is everything going?! I am tired. Missionary work is exhausting, but it is so worth it! If I wasn't exhausted at this point then I would truly be wondering if I was giving it my all. I memorized a quote this week on the treadmill... its not exact, but I couldn't find it on lds.org :(

"You only get once chance to serve a mission; it is your responsibility, your duty, to use it to its fullest.To give every last ounce of energy until you collapse in exhaustion at the end of it. All the hardships, all the tears, all the hard work, will be looked back upon as the best thing you've ever done. Not because you enjoyed it, not because you baptized everyone, but because you gave it everything you had, even when you didn't think you could, and especially when you didn't want to. Live your mission to your fullest. Work harder than you've ever worked before. Let people know that this is the most important thing in the world to you. If you do not run until you have nothing left to give and then keep on going anyway, cry, and pray, and work, and sweat, and plead, until you are so drained that all you can do is turn to the Lord. If you do not do this, then these people won't come to this joy because of you. Their failure to come to Christ will be partially upon your head. Come out of your mission proud of what you've done and this experience will bless the rest of your life." - Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

I have been reminding myself of this over and over again. I love God, I love my Savior, Jesus Christ, and I want everyone to have the joy that I have.

This is my favorite lady in the ward--congregation.

Funny of the Week: 

Last night Sister Sliger and I got into a pillow fight. The mistake was not the pillow fight, but the fact that we were still in church clothes. I stepped on her birthday skirt and ripped a massive hole in it. Yup, Walmart here we come! I owe her. It was super funny though.

Study of the Week: 

Mostly, I just feel the need to testify to all of you of what I know to be true - without a doubt in my mind.

I know that Patriarchal Blessings (http://www.lds.org/general-conference/1986/10/your-patriarchal-blessing-a-liahona-of-light?lang=eng&query=patriarchal+blessing) are the words of God to us. This week I needed extra strength, even though I had just received a Priesthood blessing. I prayed and dove into my Patriarchal Blessing. I had the sweetest insights and the biggest confirmation that I am a daughter of God. That our Heavenly Father knows me personally and each person on earth personally. We not only knew Him in this life, but we lived with Him in the life before and conversed with Him. He loves us and watches over us. Our Savior does as well. He is truly our elder brother and watches over us just like an elder brother does.

I know that the gospel is here to bless families. I know that the family unit is ordained of God and that marriage between a man and a woman is called of God. I know that families are worth working for. (http://www.lds.org/Static%20Files/PDF/Manuals/TheFamily_AProclamationToTheWorld_35538_eng.pdf)

I know that in the temple families are sealed for time and all eternity. Marriage and families do not need to end with "and death do us part." They can last forever. It is worth working towards this goal (http://www.lds.org/general-conference/1976/04/the-blessing-of-building-a-temple?lang=eng&query=temple). 

I know that the Priesthood authority of God is on earth AGAIN today. I know that prophets anciently held this authority and power, that Christ held it and gave it to His apostles, and I know it has been restored to earth again today. After Christ's apostles were killed this power was not passed down, and so it needed to be restored. John the Baptist and Peter, James and John came to earth and restored this Priesthood to Joseph Smith and others. It is only available in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This is the authority by which baptism, marriage, and other essential acts are bound on earth and in Heaven (http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/matt/16.15,16,17,18,19?lang=eng#14).

I know that missionary work is and has always been a commandment of God. It is not our responsibility to convert people, that is the Spirit, but it is our responsibility to invite, and we will be held accountable for this (http://www.lds.org/training/wwlt/2013/hastening/a-new-vision).

I know that prayers are answered. I 100% know that prayers are answered. God is there. He does listen. He always listens. He loves you so much. He hears the pleadings of your heart. Please, trust in His promise, that if you ask, you shall receive an answer (http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/john/16.24?lang=eng#23). Open your heart to God and let Him enter and heal it.

I know that The Book of Mormon is the word of God. I know that if we study from its pages every day, as well as from the Bible, that a power will enter into our lives and we will have more joy and more strength to endure the trials of life.

This is a thank you card we made for someone in the hospital. the flowers come out and they have scriptures or nice sayings on them

And above else, please, remember, God loves you.

Tender Mercies/Miracles of the Week: 

So, no need to worry about bathroom time, God blessed us immensely this week!! In fact, most days my hair and makeup were down before studies! Wow! Really though, it seems like God just warped time and we have an extra 30 mins in the morning. It’s awesome.

We had three investigators at sacrament meeting for our primary program! It was great! I am grateful as well for wonderful friends and fellowshippers who help others feel welcome and explain things during church and during the week to them. The ward has been great with that this week. We had a lot of member present lessons. Thank you, Seffner Ward!

Even though this week had its rough points, I know that God was there through it all and that angels were watching over me. Other missionaries are sometimes those angels.

Invitation: Prepare for General Conference by praying about what you need to receive and even a question that you can take there. I know God will bless you as you prayerfully prepare to listen to words of modern prophets and apostles.

Have a great week!

Sister Jenkins

The Errand of Angles Week 40: Fear God More Than Man and Transfers

I 110% love being on a mission and serving the Lord, but I am excited for the day when I get to reunite with my family. I hope at that point everyone will be able to see my spiritual growth and I will be able to see theirs. I pray that none of us will have stood still in our progression during this time.

I think of living the gospel like a downward escalator. If we stand still we are moving steadily downhill. We not only need to meander forward but to push forward. To give it everything we have. It will be a hard journey, but the reward will be so worth it in the end. And luckily, as we collapse in exhaustion, we have the Savior and His angels there to carry us as we move upward. 

Funny of the Week: Well, it is transfer week. Yes, this is going under the funny. We are getting a third companion. So there will be three sister missionaries using one bathroom... I am not worried, but its kind of funny about how "worried" (more like sarcastically worried) Sister Sliger is about it.

Study of the Week: This week was really great but pretty hard. It is a tender mercy to be where we are now... a happy, positive, peaceful companionship. I am grateful for the Atonement, for repentance, for forgiveness, for the scriptures, for prayer, for my love for Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, and for developing Christ-like attributes. Wow, I am so grateful to have the scriptures and words of modern prophets to read about charity. Charity is a powerful Christ-like attribute. In fact, it says in 1 Peter 4:8 (JST) that charity preventeth a multitude of sins (http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/1-pet/4.8?lang=eng#7). That is pretty powerful and so true. If you love God and then love others there is little you have to worry about... patience, long suffering, keeping the commandments... all these things follow.

Tender Mercies/Miracles of the Week: 

I am grateful for freedom. With September 11 this past week I reflected back on all the freedoms that I enjoy (http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/mosiah/29.32?lang=eng). I am so grateful to live in a country where I have religious freedom. Where there was religious freedom so that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints could begin. I am also so grateful for people who give their lives to defend those freedoms (armed services and missionary).

We had an investigator, Matt, at church! As well as three returning members. It was beautiful to see so many people making the choice to come back to church! 

A little boy we are teaching.

We also set up appointments with people who haven't responded to church contact in a very long time. It was a huge blessing!

We talked a lot about faith this week... faith to overcome trials, faith in God's plan of salvation. I am so grateful for faith.

  

Invitation: Find one way to strengthen your faith this week.

Keep up the great work!

Sister Jenkins

Also, I was reading John 21 this week about finding the lambs and the sheep. The Greek translation talks about young lambs, teenage sheep and then older sheep. Its amazing it defines it. I know it is important to find all the sheep. Every last one. God loves each one of us. Each deserves to be found.

The Errand of Angels: Week 39: Half-Way and Froggies!

Hello Everyone!

Wow, God is amazing. Christ completely understands. He knows us. He loves us. 

Funny of the Week: So we stopped last night near our mailbox for me to put a letter in. Sister Sliger said, "don't ask any questions," and then just jumps out of the car and runs onto the grass and starts running in circles... chasing frogs. We have massive frogs in our area. They are so cute!! So, obviously, I joined her. Probably not the best representation of missionaries running around chasing frogs. BUT we caught them! And took pictures!! Heavenly Father knows us and how much I would love to see froggies. He is so good!

Study Subject of the Week: 

Well, there were lots. It was one of those weeks :) A talk that we used a lot was "Forget Me Not" by President Uchtdorf (http://www.lds.org/broadcasts/article/general-relief-society-meeting/2011/09/forget-me-not?lang=eng). We used this when teaching how God is our loving Heavenly Father and why His gospel is important to us.

The quote that stands out is: "Sisters, wherever you are, whatever your circumstances may be, you are not forgotten. No matter how dark your days may seem, no matter how insignificant you may feel, no matter how overshadowed you think you may be, your Heavenly Father has not forgotten you. In fact, He loves you with an infinite love." 

I know this is true!!

I also read about the responsibility we have from God to take the gospel to others. We have the gospel, we see the blessings in our life, but there are billions of people who go to sleep without that. It was our responsibility to share our joy with others. To share the reason for our rejoicings! See Ezekial 33:2-9 (http://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/ezek/33?lang=eng).

Tender Mercies/Miracles of the Week: 

We attempted to give away 40 copies of The Book of Mormon this week. We gave away  31. We prayed and prayed to find people. We found them on our way home from the gym, sitting on stairways, etc. People everywhere are prepared. It was so beautiful. 

Sister Cusick (our mission president's wife) taught a lesson with us this week. She was amazing and gave one of the most heartfelt testimonies about why she is on a mission and why this is important. She reflected charity for the person we were teaching in her testimony. I want to learn to have that power as well.

Well, we prayed for food this week because we were poor and we ended with five meal appointments (four unplanned), and receiving a other food from people. It was so amazing!

We went though a list of "unknown" members of our congregation. Everyone but one didn't live there anymore. But one did. And he wants to come back. It is all worth it!

 My new friend and I! I decided to not kiss him A. because I am a missionary, B. Yeah...

We had lots of wonderful appointments! So many beautiful experiences. People are changing their lives to come closer to Christ. I am so grateful to be part of this.

  

Invitation: Try to make someone's day this week. 1. Share your testimony with them about what makes you happy, and/or 2. Just talk to them. and let them know how important they are to God.

I know that this is the fullness of Christ's gospel and we become happier as we follow Him and His teachings!  Have a wonderful day!

Sister Jenkins

Week 38: Shaking an Apostle's Hand and Nine New Investigators

Hi Everyone!

Greetings from the mission!

Transfer Information:

So… I am sure you are all wondering, “where in the Florida Tampa Mission is Sister Jenkins?” Well, the mystery is over! I am serving in Seffner B with Sister Sliger J I am living in Tampa again but am in the Brandon stake.

Sister Sliger and I for her birthday.

So a couple facts about the area: 1. Seffner has sink holes. A lot of them. 2. Seffner is a ward. 3. We have a family history center in our church building (that is a first for me). 4. We have three sets of missionaries in our ward. 5. One of the missionaries that I took over Gulfport A for is our District Leader. His companion also served in my last zone. 6. We have a washer and dryer in our apartment for the first time on my mission. 7. We have carpet! Gulfport didn’t have carpet, and I sure have missed it. 8. We have a gym!! Guess who is now running every morning on that treadmill and working her arms like crazy on the machines? I truly love our complex :)

Funny of the Week:

We saw a man walking with a lizard on his head. Yup, it was great. Took a picture. Hopefully it turned out.

Study Subject of the Week: Faith and Giving full heart, might, mind, and strength.

So I have been wondering how do I give it all to God? I want to become like Christ and our Father in Heaven, but how? I want to give my full heart, but how? I want to have my will be God's, but how? President Cusick had us read an excellent talk. I read it before my mission as well, but it was wonderful to have an opportunity to read it again. I encourage each of you to read it with your family, or personally, if you don't have one yet. Even though it is entitled, "The Fourth Missionary," it can apply to every day life as well.

Basically to give our will to God, we need to be willing. To be willing we need to have faith.

Elder Christofferson spoke in our Stake Conference this weekend. (I know, perfect timing for transfers!). He talked about faith and how it is a blessing of  obedience. In Helaman 3 (http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/hel/3?lang=eng) it talks about how the people were obedient, and they had faith, and prayed, and tens of thousands were baptized and their leaders were astonished.

Growing hurts, but it is worth it! In Jacob 5:64-77 (http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/jacob/5?lang=eng) It talks about how Christ wants to perserve the natural branches to Himself. Naturally we are all good. We are sons and daughters of God. But sometimes we have evil fruit and branches that cumber our tree. They cannot be removed all at once or else the tree wouldn't be able to handle it. They are removed a little bit at a time as the good is brought in bit by bit. It takes diligence, but it is worth it. Sister Bush had that great insight a couple weeks ago.

Tender Mercy/Miracle of the Week:

Wow! I don't even know where to start. So Elder Christofferson (one of the 12 Apostles on earth today) came and spake at our stake conference. I don't know why, but he did. I'm not complaining. We also had Elder Parker (from the Quorum of the 70). Yesterday he came right to our row and shook our hands (and said my name!) and shook the hands of an investigator we had there and two recent converts. It was great! Our investigator loved the talks and plans to come to church every week, oh, and is planning on getting baptized soon. Yeah, it was a great week!

Other Highlights of the Week:

We are just talking with everyone and bearing testimony and inviting! We were blessed with 9 new investigators this week. There were two families. We found them all sorts of ways. My favorite though, was just last night. A member texted us that he felt prompted for us to stop by a house on his walking route. We asked him if he could come. He said that he had plans. We didn't respond. About 15-30 minutes later the Spirit had worked on him enough for him to text us and say that he could meet us there. He did. He had never actually met the family before. But he introduced himself and us at the door. They let us in. They were very receptive. We ended the lesson with the mom in tears for feeling the Spirit. It was so cool! We found another investigator right outside their door (he was just walking to his sister's house). Yup, the work is hastening and even faster and members get involved.

So, guess who made our programs for Stake Conference? Press Media out of Provo, Utah. That was a nice little tender mercy to see :)

It was just an awesome week! Here are some highlights from stake conference:

-It was said that the missionaries in each ward should be getting 100 referrals a month from the members. 100, not under 10... and even that is lucky. So, guess what members? Go to work!

-Satan wants us to keep our mouth shut from doing missionary work.

-If we express thanks, God will give us more (we have been trying that this week and its been helping us so much!). Especially more of the Spirit.

-All Bishop positions are reviewed by the First Presidency. Trust in your Bishop and their calling.

-Don't have time to list all the things, but Elder Christofferson basically gave our stake a blessing by the authority he holds. It was cool!

Invitation: Refer a friend to the missionaries today. Do not delay. Share your testimony with someone today. It is not up to you to judge who is prepared and who isn't. It is your responsibility to invite. After that God will do the rest.

I know that this is Christ's true church. I know that He directs it. I know that the prophets and apostles today are called by God and hold the Priesthood authority.

I know The Book of Mormon is the word of God. I know the Bible is too. I know we are God's children and that He loves us.

Keep up the great work!

Sweet goodbyes :)

Sister Jenkins

The Errand of Angels: Week 37 Transfers and Betty's Baptism

Hello Everyone!

Sadly, I left all my letter notes at home! Hopefully I don't forget anything! :(

Transfer Information: 

The stress is on... where in the Florida Tampa Mission will Sister Jenkins go next? Well, she sure wish she knew! I know I'm being transferred, but I don't find out until transfer meeting on Tuesday (so essentially until I am on my way to the area). I will let you know where I am going and my new address. Please hold off on mail for the week.

Funny of the Week: 

Well, a few weeks ago we found a live gecko in our apartment. We found a dead one this week. That was fun. 

Study Subject of the Week: Forgiveness  

I love the talk "The Savior Wants to Forgive," http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/04/the-savior-wants-to-forgive?lang=eng

Not forgiving others is like poison. Forgiveness brings freedom and joy

Tender Mercy/Miracle of the Week: 

This was a really great week! So many tender mercies and miracles. Just to show God puts people in our path for a reason:

We were driving home from an appointment with a delicious, hot Hungry Howie's pizza in the car waiting to be eaten by three starving Sister Missionaries. We passed a lady stopped in the turn lane with her hood up and flashers off. We circled around and came back and asked if we could help. She said sure, but she didn't know what was wrong. We came over and helped push her car to the side of the road (with the help of two young men). She gave them $20 to get her gas. We then taught her a quick lesson and gave her a Book of Mormon. We checked up on her 30 minutes later and they young men hadn't come back, so we went and got her gas. She had read to 1 Nephi 12 by then. We then had another quick lesson for her before she went home. She unfortunately doesn't live in our area, so we referred her to other missionaries. We checked up on her a few days later and she was in 2 Nephi 6 (67 pages into The Book of Mormon). She has already prayed about it and knows its true. She is going on vacation this week and bringing The Book of Mormon. Yup, people are prepared everywhere.

AND it is always worth sacrificing the hot goodness of a pizza for helping someone in need. ALWAYS.

Other Highlights of the Week: 

At Betty's baptism. This picture makes me laugh. I am unsure who took it, but you gotta love the wind chimes!

  

 Betty's baptism! It was beautiful. We had a great choir from the branch and a good attendance with a nice luncheon afterwards. She said she felt so good following the baptism. Her confirmation and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost was the following day. It was so beautiful. She was promised that she would be an example to her family and that they would be blessed to come into the gospel. Betty has really given up A LOT for the gospel of Jesus Christ. She was the choir director in her previous church and was an active member for 20 years. None of her friends or family members came to support her, yet, she knew she did was right. Also, two of her grandsons are now joining our lessons and want to come to church. It is beautiful to see the ripple effect. Oh, and one woman gave all our recent convert women a bouquet of flowers on Sunday. That was so special.

So, I cried a lot when transfers came. I LOVE GULFPORT. I cried when they announced it in church. I was in front of everyone because I was interpreting. I cried so much in my departing testimony because I was so touched by how much love I felt for this branch and from them. Many members were crying as well. I know they will all be blessed for their service. I really feel so blessed to have served here with Sister Bush and, later, Sister Howard. I love and adore these sisters and this branch. I was also so blessed to serve in Carrollwood. We will see where the Lord needs me next.

 Invitation: Have you checked out the Hastening the Work Website yet? If you haven't, please do! It is a great Family Home Evening Activity. In fact, I think I gave this invitation earlier. So double judgement if you don't do this! :) http://www.lds.org/training/wwlt/2013/hastening/a-new-vision Have a great day! 
Sister Jenkins