Dearest Family!!
It seems to be the tradition in
Canada to snow after a big holiday. Or at least that seems to be the trend this
year. When it was Halloween, it snowed the day after. The same goes for
Christmas, so we had a white Boxing Day instead this year. Did you know that
Boxing Day was the day that the servants got off in England for Christmas? Me
neither. Basically it is just black Friday after Christmas here (And everywhere
else but America).
This week has consisted of a lot of
finding and waiting. We had to be inside by 6 pm on Christmas Eve and
Christmas, so we spent a lot of time with the Peter's Family. Both Sister
Gardner and I finished the scarfs that we were crocheting, however it is kind
of maddening staying inside all day when you are so used to being out.
As I said on our Skype call home,
the Evergreen area is full of many different types of nationalities. We seem to
be finding a lot in the way of Filipinos and Chinese, however because the
Mandarin Elders like to teach the Chinese, we work mostly with Filipinos in our
area!! I have learned to really enjoy Filipino food. It is funny because when I
was waiting for my call letter to come in the mail, I was quite determined that
I did not want to go to the Philippines, however Heavenly Father has blessed me
to work with the wonderful people that have immigrated from there to Alberta.
On Christmas day, we had the opportunity to enjoy dinner with Sister Fernandes,
who is from the Philippines. She made the obvious Turkey and Mashed Potatoes
and Green Beans, but everything else was a little less traditional (which was
really sweet). She makes the best spring rolls and she also made this great
rice dish that had shrimp and scallops in it.
So last week we had dinner with a
less-active family in the ward. Both the husband and the wife are from the
Philippines, so every time we go we are treated to great food and more left
overs. What was different about this visit was that their sister Virgie was
there. Now, she has been there before, but Brother Watson decided to spill the
beans that she wasn't a member and that she would like to take the lessons from
us. After talking to her, and asking if she really wanted to or it Brother
Watson was just saying so, we picked her up as a NEW INVESTIGATOR!!! She is
super nice, although quite, and we hope to be able to actually sit down with
her soon to teach her.
On Friday (boxing day), we received
a referral from the mission office for a new investigator named Christie. We
called the number we had because she was expecting a call that day, however the
number we had was incorrect, so we just stopped by. The sisters met her on the
Train coming home from downtown contacting, and she has been here in Canada for
more than 5 years, but she is also from the Philippines. We haven't actually
gotten to teach her yet, but we gave her a Book of Mormon is Tagalog and said
that we would stop by on Sunday (The best part about this story is to come).
On Saturday, we had the opportunity
to go to a Filipino Christmas Party at the Stake Center. All of the
Filipino missionaries (And companions) where there, and because it
was at our Stake Center we were able to go. Sister Wagstaff was there
(my MTC companion) so it was really nice to be able to catch up and
see how the work in the NW is going. They had all sorts of food from
a giant roasted pig to tiny squids (which I did try... it is weird
when you can see their faces). It was fun to take part in the cool
Filipino Christmas traditions. However, the best part was
that the Watson's and Virgie where there, which meant extra time
to learn about them and to build that relationship.
Sunday was pretty amazing. This was
our last week for 11 o' clock church, and although Janet (one of our
investigators) didn't come, all of church was pretty fantastic. We have three
amazing talks and one about the Savior that was given without notes. SOOO GOOD.
However, after church was probably more cool than church itself. The Condron
family signed up to have us over for dinner, so at 5 o'clock we went over there
for breakfast for dinner. Afterwards, we asked them for any referrals or if
they knew anyone that needed some strengthening. Sister Wolsey (their mom) told
us about the Prete family (whom we knew had moved). However, we decided that we
could still check to see if they really had moved, so we went over anyway. When
we knocked on the door a couple named Claudia and Steven answered. They are two
really devoted to Christ wonderful people and we gave them a Book of Mormon and
will be stopping by again after they get back from Arizona!!!
Now for the pretty crazy part of
the Friday story!! Sister Gardner and I decided on Sunday that we would be
going back to Christie's house. Now remember how we had to stop by instead of
call because her number was wrong? Well while we were there we met her nephew
Kingston (24). When we went back on Sunday, he was the only one home, but
invited us in. Since we can't come in without another female we declined, but
Sister Gardner felt inspired to ask him is we could come back in 10 minutes. He
said yes and we quickly called the YSA sisters to come to the lesson with us.
The cool thing is that they were at the Stake Center (not even 5 minutes away)
and their lesson has just cancelled on them!!!! When they showed up, we had a
pretty great lesson with him, and asked invited him to be baptized!! Really
cool ending to a pretty great week.
Thank you to everyone for the
amazing Christmas gifts and the cards! I hope that you had an amazing
Christmas and that your New Year is wonderful!!! I wanted to leave you with my
testimony. I know that Heavenly Father knows and cares for each and every one
of us personally. As we come to recognize the love that He has for us, we grow
in confidence and purpose in life. I know that through my Savior Jesus Christ,
I can become the person the Heavenly Father knows that I can. I know that He
gives me strength through His atonement, and that because of it, He knows how
to succor me and all of His people. I know that through the Book of Mormon, I
have found guidance and answers to my every day questions. That it testifies of
our Savior Jesus Christ, and that it likens to our lives completely. I know
that it is true. And that because it is true Joseph Smith is a prophet of God.
I love you all so much. I hope that your Christmas season has been wonderful
and that your New Year’s will be just as great.
"Dearly beloved brethren, let
us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still
, with the utmost assurance to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be
revealed." D+C 123:17
I love you all,
Sister Jensen
Hi Mom,
Thank you so much for the gifts!!
You knew exactly what I needed so now I don't have to go out and buy it!! I
really like the shirt that you got for me from Dressbarn, and the skirt is
super cute (and not to long!!!). I haven't taken the ring off (except to
shower). I can now proudly say that I have driven in snow!! Let me know/send me
pictures of what you make! The Peters got a cool massager thing for Christmas
and let us use it, not as cool as a spa, but pretty sweet. I am glad that you
liked Into the Woods!!! Don't forget to take dad to a movie he will like!!
However I have no idea what is out. OH DID YOU GET TO GO SEE MARY POPPINS??? OR
DID MAZ? I love you lots!! Tell everyone hi and that I love them.
Kelliann
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