Merry Christmas!!!

December 25, 2013

We were SO excited we got to Skype with Gabe on Christmas day!!!  The connection was a little frustrating at times but it was so good to see his happy smiling face!  He is doing awesome and absolutely loving his mission!

Bis Übermorgen

December 23, 2013

"What up Fam!

I'm going to keep this one short with it being Christmas week and we get to talk more in a couple days.  Some of the highlights of this week...first one being - my courage!  My mut just changed this week, I wasn't scared at all to talk to everyone!!!  I went on a Tausch with Elder Wasden in Heilbronn this week.  I talked a lot on that Tausch, I just figured why hold back?  It went well and we got a long.  I feel like the mission has changed me so much already!  

We had a sweet surprise Christmas party with this family from Weihingenz.  They are a really cool family - the mom is a new member but they go to the Stuttgard ward.  

This week was good, I don't know what happened but I wasn't shy at ALL with the language and I have talked to the coolest people on the buses and trains.  It's my favorite thing, I just go sit by people and start talking to them, ya know share some crazy stories, laugh, try telling jokes...they usually I get an opportunity of them asking why I'm learning German or why I'm over here and I get to tell them about missionary work and our purpose.  It's really cool and I love it!  I love Elder Peterson and I will miss him as a companion when we split because we have become best friends!  We will talk more about my investigators and a lot of other things in a couple days!  FROHE WEIHNACHTEN!!! (Merry Christmas)

Liebe Große

Elder Jensen

P.S. Today Elder Peterson and I are going to put on our santa hats and deliver all the members in our Zweig a little box of chocolates, I'm excited!  We delivered one earlier this week when we had a member lesson and they LOVED it!  It was really cool!"

Elder Peterson and Gabe's "Christmas card" picture

 Gabe's side of the room decorated with Christmas lights :)

 All the Christmas loot

Nach Stuttgart

December 16, 2013

"Hallo family,

I'm really sorry but I am going to have to make this email short and sweet.  Elder Peterson and I are headed to Stuttgart today for our P-day to see their Weihnachtsmark (christmas market) and such.  So some quick info on this last week…not a whole lot happened, in fact it was a rather slow and uneventful week.  We were excited to start a new week.

Monday we ran into Sister "E" and she said she is not ready to be baptized anytime soon sadly, but we are still working with her and meeting with her - just taking it slower.  She needs more time.

On Wednesday was our Christmas party as a zone!  That was a lot of fun and that is when I received my Christmas package!  President and Sister Miles were there too so that was cool.  We played bells, did a white elephant exchange among us missionaries, had a pot luck lunch, had ROOT BEER, watched a little of the Christmas devotional, and then Sister Miles played us a song on the flute.  It was fun and really helped it feel like it's Christmas!  Missionary work is 24/7 so it's been hard to realize it's the holiday season.

This week we met with this guy who speaks English, it's weird teaching in English.  He really loves Jesus and knows the bible.  Anyways his computer was out and he was on youtube so I told him I know these videos that are really good if he wanted to look them up - our church bible videos (they are my favorite thing here on the mission - haha).  He pulled some up and started asking us some questions about the Book of Mormon while they were playing so that was cool.

Christmas is different here…the Christmas markets are great but other than that I don't know how much else they celebrate Christmas. Thanks for your emails, I LOVE them all.  Let everyone know I love them and wish them a happy holiday.

Liebe Große,

Elder Jensen"

A couple pictures from their zone Christmas party!

 Gabe and his companion Elder Peterson (sporting their Christmas ties)

All of the Stuttgart Zone at the Christmas Conference

Neu Distrikt

December 9, 2013

"Halo Familie, 

So this week was a little slower, the missionary work always seems to get a little harder and slower during the winter.  It's as if the people change with the weather…we only had two lessons this week, but we had a whopping three joint teaches!!!  KRASS!

Tuesday was our first distriktsversamlung with our neu distrikt (new district).  The district is REALLY young, my companion doubles everyone in missionary age.  I went on a tausch with Elder Graver in Heilbron, we were in the same MTC group so it was nice to catch up with him.

Wednesday we had an amazing joint teach with Sister "E" and President Setner.  It was really cool and  President connected with her and got a long great.  We talked about modern day prophets and read a talk from the Liahona and Sister "E" loved it!  We tried to tie in the Word of Wisdom too.

Thursday we had a dinner appointment with the Wengarts, which was cool and we got to sit and visit a little. 

Friday we had sprachkurse in the morning, we talked about family traditions during the holiday season.  Later that day one of our lessons got cancelled so we went out "finding" in the freezing cold, really cold wind and then it started snowing too!

On Saturday we had weekly planning and then we went out to stop by peoples places during the day.  That night we ate at the Mittlealt market and watched a fire dancer and an old Mittlealt band, it was really cool and they are all dressed up.

Sunday was busy!  We were in charge of teaching Priesthood the first hour, then we had an investigator class the second hour and then Elder Peterson and I gave a talk the third hour in sacrament.  When you have a small and older ward you end up giving a lot of talks.  After church we had choir practice (haha).  On the way home from church we were riding the bus and two ward members started talking to this lady that sat next to them and they introduced us as missionaries from our church.  Member work is amazing!  It's definitely different than member work back in the states.

I hope you are enjoying this Adwentszeit, a member planned out our Christmas so that's really cool.  Christmas Eve we are at the Setners house, Christmas day we are at an older couples house and then 2nd Christmas (yes Deutschland has a second Christmas on the 26) we are at the Wengarts.  I love you  and hope you're enjoying the holiday season.  Just know I am doing more than fine and I love it here, I'm trying to make the most of my mission because it really goes too fast - I can already tell.

Liebe Elder Jensen"

Middle-ages Market

A P-Day to Remember!

December 2, 2013

"Hello Family, not a whole lot happened this week sadly, it was still a good week though.  Probably one of the highlights was last Monday, our p-day!  We went to Stuttgart to the young adult center, which is about 4 floors high and we had zone Thanksgiving.  The senior couple and a local German who LOVES missionary work cooked us a Thanksgiving feast!  It was so-o-o good!  Turkey, stuffing, yams, potatoes, fruit salads, fruit and dip, homemade pumpkin pie, and ICE for our drinks…it was a little taste of America.  It was with our whole zone so it was cool, like a big family - our mission family. Of all the people the German sat next to me, haha, so I got to speak German throughout our feast while everyone else was talking in English.  Afterwards Elder Oviatt and I went to the top floor and shot some hoops and played the piano and sang, it was really fun!  When we got to the bahnof to come back to Pforzheim (train) it started to snow!!!  It was like the Polar Express, ha.  Once we got back to Pforzheim it was snowing pretty hard!  It just so happens that the Christmas Markts opened that day, opening day it snows.  I can't even begin to explain how HAMMER the Christmas markt is, the smell is indescribable - smells like Christmas, roasted nuts, fresh bäkeri smell, hot chocolate, Christmas punch, brot wurst, fresh cut wood, fire, and all these other sweets. It's very cool and has such good food, we have eaten there about everyday for at least lunch or dinner.  I get a kinderpunsch, which is Weihnachtpunsch (christmas punch) but with no alcohol, each one comes with a little christmas mug that you can keep so I am racking up on those.  It was really cool to see it all in the snow!  Right by the Weihnacht mark was a Mittleart Markt - middle ages market.  It has good food too, people dressed up, middle ages booths, fresh wool things, fire performances, black smith, archery, and so much more!  It's really cool too!  

Tuesday was our last Distrikt meeting with our old district :( it was sad but really good, I'm going to miss a lot of the Elders.

Thursday was Elder Peterson's birthday so I attempted to make him french toast for breakfast and treated him out to our China buffet for lunch.  And I wrapped his package he got so he could open it by our little Weihnacht tree!  We did weekly studying planning Thursday.

Friday we had a sweet lesson with a girl we met on the street the other week, "D."  It was our first lesson and we had it in the bakery since she is a female.  We got to know each other a little better and tried answering her questions.  Her father died 4 months ago from cancer - which sparked her interest to know the answers to questions such as: life after death and the purpose of life… it was a great lesson.  I shared some personal family experiences too.  Life doesn't always make sense, but does it ever?  I said how we must hold fast to our faith and how it gives us strength and comfort when needed.

Then Saturday we had a lesson with Sister "E" which was a little bit stressful.  She scared us a little saying she doesn't know if she can commit to baptism yet, it was quite discouraging.  I went home and wrote in my journal after that and about me and Elder P. conversation walking home.  '...You grow such a love and appreciation for our Savior while serving these short two years - and not just by studying and sharing his message with others everyday, but also by having the slightest, smallest chance to somewhat see how the life of the Savior was.  I mean the Savior himself was perfect in everything!  He truly taught through perfect example, and despite all the PERFECT sermons and messages Christ shared which couldn't have been any clearer or more simple - all the miracles he performed and by simply the perfect life he lived, people STILL spit on him, rejected him and his teachings, betrayed him, and eventually even persecuted and crucified him. BUT despite it all he still had a perfect love for them.  Christ has truly paved the way and shown the example of how to go about all things -- even missionary work.  We try our hardest, with out frustration or disappointment, to bring them closer to Christ and our Father in heaven.' Missions are tough, it is challenging.  We grow such a love for the people we teach and care for them so much that it literally HURTS us when they drop us or don't accept certain things.  But we must remember the Lord has been there and he knows how we feel.  

Anyways despite our lesson with Sister "E" I just knew she would still come to church on Sunday, so after our lesson with her she said how she was coming to church tomorrow.  I was in charge of planning the lesson for her at church, I offered for us to walk with her to church too. It was like a 40 minute walk, uphill, haha! But we do what we can - whatever it takes for our "friends of the Chruch."  

Church went great!  We taught our branch the Family Mission Plan and they were all so excited and willing to get involved with the mission work!  Some of the ladies even invited Sister "E" to a fireside during the week!

Sure do love you guys and hope you have a great holiday season at home!  This was always one of my favorite times of the year, and it's so "toll" here in Germany!  Missions are just amazing.

Liebe Elder Jensen"

District Meeting

Christmas Market

Happy Thanksgiving!

November 25, 2013

"Schönen Guten Morgen liebe Familie!  

Today is Thanksgiving for us…they don't celebrate it here in Germany so we are headed to Stuttgart to have a zone thanksgiving feast!  Oh yeah and I am staying here in Pforzheim!  Elder Peterson is too.  About this week, Tuesday was our Tausch.  I was here in Pforzheim with Elder Piepenstock, while Elder Peterson went to Ludwigsburg with Elder Morrill.  It went well, Elder Piepenstock doesn't speak any English, but I could speak to him a lot more this time and express my thoughts more.  We got a long and it was fun.  We went to Bad Wildbad to check on this person they knew but we couldn't find the place, it was about a 30 minute train ride.  The ride was cool because I talked to this middle aged lady the whole way there!  I think she was getting a little upset though because I couldn't understand everything she said but at least I gathered the mut or courage to talk to her.  I pulled out some pictures of my niece and nephew that I had just received and showed her the pictures and she loved them.  Then I showed her one of our whole family and we started talking about families - she told me this story about her son and how they don't really keep in touch and how it makes her sad.

On Wednesday Elder Peterson and I had an eating appointment with a sister and her daughter.  We had lamb and fresh veggies, then finished if off with star fruit and ice cream and then some Christmas tea!  I always said I didn't think I would get used to the mineral water or carbonated water here…well I have, it's all we have and I LOVE IT.  I can't remember the last time I had regular water.

Thursday we went and stopped by a lot of peoples houses through out the day then that night we had a stake thing in Stuttgart.  It was really cool, Bruder Wengert and President Setner gave us a ride there.  The meeting was all about hastening the work and working with our missionaries (all of us missionaries from the Stuttgart stake were there).  I'm telling you the work is truly hastening and it's from the members.  Members work is HUGE!  Missionaries are here to übersetzt or support the members.

The next day, Friday we went and stopped by some peoples again and we ended up meeting with this sister we met on the street.  We went to her restaurant she works at, answered her questions and talked a little more about the gospel.  Friday we were also finally able to meet with Sister "M" (the lady we met over a month ago on the street who stopped us and was interested in family stuff).  She was really cool and the lesson went well.  We talked and got to know each other a little more at first, then her baby fell asleep and we started talking about temples.  She thinks our temples are so beautiful...and it led into the first lesson!  She seemed touched and the spirit was there.  We were suppose to have a lesson with Sister "E" that night also but she called and cancelled.

Saturday morning was cool, Bruder Wengert came to meet with us in our Wohnung and talk about how we could work together.  It was really good and the right intentions were there.  He wanted to make posters and cards, and it's neat - but sadly we don't have the money too.  He wanted to make a HUGE poster or banner and hang it up down town that says, "KIRCHE JESU CHRISTI, WIR HABEN EINE GEMEINDE HIER IN PFORZHEIM…"  It's cool how they want to get involved and work together.  Afterwards we went and visited a member together, "M" and his mom.  Then we weekly planned.

Sunday we only had 6 men, including us in Priesthood, probably a total of 14 people at church.  Transfer calls came and a lot of our distrikt will change.  Elder Peterson and I are the only two that stayed together.  I love this mission, and even though Pforzheim is known as the "armpit" of our mission for some reason, I'm growing to love it.  The ward is small but you can't help but see potential in them.  I'm happy to stay another 6 weeks here in Pforzheim and just want to speak the language now!!  It will come, I have just got to be so patient with it.  It will improve.  Love you all and hope you have a great thanksgiving!  Christmas markets are starting up this week and I'm excited, I had my first kinderpunsch yesterday, and kept the glass.  They serve it to you in a christmas glass or mug and you can keep if if you want or return it for one euro.  Everyone says it's a lot smaller here (the christmas markets and what not) but I still think it's HUGE and AMAZING! 

Bis Nächste Woche

Liebe Elder Jensen - got to say it like a German now (yenn-sen)"

Companions! (Elder Peterson)

 Getting ready for the Thanksgiving feast!

 Thanksgiving spread

Yum Yum!

It's Beginning to Look like Christmas!

November 18, 2013

"Halo Familie,

haha I don't know why I put that as my title, probably because it's beginning to look and feel a lot like Christmas.  Germans love their Weihnacht and they have started building the Christmas markets down town, and they set an ice skating rink in the innderstadt.  They have two huge trees set- up down town and decorated and lights all over the streets and trees, they are not turned on yet though.  Pforzheim is known as the place where no one wants to really serve in our mission, but it's my first area and I LOVE IT! I've grown to love all the people here too, so I am happy!  Here's a little about my week...

Monday:  P-day, same old same old.  We got our hair-cuts, I got a German hair cut because I went on the opposite side of the hair place as Elder Peterson so I had to explain how I wanted my hair cut on my own, haha needless to say now I look "really" German, but it's okay.

Tuesday:  We had zone training in Stuttgart, Stuttgart takes about an hour, bei train to get there.  I really enjoy zone training and gatherings where we get to see other missionaries.  That's the thing with our mission, it covers SO much ground that you never see any other missionaries.  We have an average area size and the next closest missionaries to us are about 1 hour away.  Some bigger areas the closest is probably 3 hours!  After zone training we had a Tausch (splits).  Elder Morrill came to Pforzheim and I led the Tausch because it was my area.  I love Elder Morrill and learn so much from him by what he says and by his example.

Wednesday:   In the morning Elder Morrill and I had a lesson with a random guy I started talking to on the street.  We had the lesson in the Backeri (bakery) while drinking hot cocoa and he drank coffee.  I have always wanted to have a lesson in the Backeri so that was really cool, ha.  The guy took a book of mormon and he said he'll call us, so we'll see.

Thursday:  We helped the Dierks family at their new house and we bought the kids pizza.  We helped tear off/scrape off the wall paper in the kitchen.  I love the Dierks family!  We invited them to our Branch Christmas party too.  Also that night, we went over to President Setners and shared with him the Family Mission Plan.  Our mission has been stressing so much about member missionary work and this family mission plan we've created as a mission along with a short little dvd.  He was excited and all for it, and he wants us to share it in church in Dezember.  It was really cool.  I think me and Elder Peterson are going to stay another transfer together here in Pforzheim and I hope we do!  We are finally starting to pick things up!

Friday:  Friday is weekly planning day.  After weekly planning we had about 5 hours left of the day to go out.  We usually have sprach course but it got cancelled.  We went up on the hill by our house and delivered an italian BoM to a girl we had contacted on the streets.  We decided to check by a few other contacts that lived nearby, one was a family we found going door to door and we gave them a book of mormon about two months ago but haven't been able to make contact with them until now.  Turns out the lady has been reading the Book of Mormon and she loves it!  She is an immigrant so she doesn't know German too great, she has lived here for 7 years.  We taught her a little bit and told her to keep reading, then she offered us spaghetti to take with us, that never happens!  So we took our homemade spaghetti with us back to our place while it was still hot.  After we ate we decided to go back out and we were able to run into this girl "J-L," she had just got back from a vacation in Africa.  We helped her carry her bag, she broke down telling us her story.  It was such a sad story!  We shared a short message with her and then we were off to meet with Sister "E."  The lesson with "E" went really good, we taught the plan of salvation.
Saturday:  We stopped by some more contacts and then we met with Sister "E" again and taught her the second part of the plan of salvation.
Sunday:  Elder Peterson gave a talk in our branch, it was gemeindeessen - where we eat as a branch after church, everyone brings homemade food and it's so good.  And the best part, Sister "E" showed up to church!  She wasn't showing up and we were panicking, then we walked across the street to see the bus times and saw that they weren't running that day.  I said a prayer and a few minutes later in walks Sister "E."  I was so happy.  
Yeah it was a really good week!  All of the city setting up Christmas is making me so excited, you know I love Christmas!  Love you all and hope you are all doing well.  Transfer calls are this Friday but I think we're staying, I HOPE we are!  Please pray for Sister "E" she is so close to baptism!
Liebe, Elder Jensen"

First Zone Konferenz

November 11, 2013

"Halo familie crazy week I guess.  We had an übernacht with Elder Oviatt and his companion Elder Garret.  They are in our zone and live far away from Stuttgart so they stayed with us during the interviews and konferenz, it was fun.

Konferenz was great, it was on Tuesday and interviews for our distrikt were on Monday.  President Miles interviews all of us individually, and while he is interviewing all the others have distrikt meeting with Sister Miles.  She is so sweet and kind.  I love them both.  In my interview with President we just talked about how happy I was to be on a mission and how he could see my "happiness" through my eyes. He asked if I've had any home sickness and I told him how I've surprisingly not had any and he was saying how a mission is a happy thing and a privilege and to appreciate the short two years rather than looking at it as a sacrifice.  So true!  Missions are great.  

We met with "A.P." another one of our investigators, we showed him the Restoration dvd and he loved it and loved how it made him feel, he asked if he could keep a copy of it.  Then on Sunday, we also taught this lady who I talked to on the street.  I asked her "was ist den sind des lebens?" or what is the purpose of life.  She said her kids, so we got talking.  She said "it sounds too good" almost as in too good to be true.  She asked why do I believe myself?  We are asked this frequently.  But the answer I gave her simply was my family...I've seen all the blessings that my family has and how happy we are, and how we can live together forever.  She's never heard that - never even thought about living with our loved ones after this short mortal life.  We have another lesson with her next week!  Also this week we had this guy call us that we tried contacting on the street.  He told us then "kein zeit" or no time.  We gave him a pass along card and he ended up calling us cause he felt like he should.  He is really nice and wants to get more involved with religion.  

Sister "E" is still progressing, truly the Lords work with her.  We taught her the Word of Wisdom this week and she accepted all of it and committed to keep it.  We asked if there's anything we can do for her and she said "yeah convert him" pointing to her husband on the couch.  She didn't make it to church on Sunday.

As far as weight goes I've surprisingly gained zero pounds...I think.  We walk way too much and I think it helps that we don't have any eating appointments really, haha.  There is only three car areas in our Mission.  The language is coming, I can understand a lot of what I read now or understand what it is kind of saying at least.  Now I just need to really try and imply what I know.  Love you all.

Liebe, Elder Jensen"

Gabe with President & Sister Miles

Zone Conference

Keeping your head up on Strike-Outs

November 4, 2013

"I was never a big fan of baseball but I think that title fits this week the best.  I'm not going to lie, it was a challenging week.  My companion told me not to count because it would get me down, but just about every appointment fell out this week, including our appointment with "T.S." on Halloween and Taco Bell.  Every termin we had lined up with "E" this week fell through too, not because she's not prepared or solid because she still is - it has just been a really tough week for her.  We had a joint teach lined up with Bruder Maier but our investigator wasn't home.  It's easy to get discouraged but it's important you don't.  We still have love for all of them and pray for them every night. Halloween was hard here as well, we had a really great lesson with a sister "J" in the Schwarzwald that morning but then all of our other termins for that day cancelled.  So we just went and tried stopping by peoples houses...no one was really home.  That night I tell Elder Peterson, look it's been a hard week and it's "halloween," we deserve to treat ourselves out for dinner.  He agreed!  So we went to this nicer, sit down restaurant that served pizza and pasta.  It was nice and needed, it helped lift our spirits.  When we got home we had a couple trick or treaters, no costumes, just wanted some candy.  Haha, well we didn't really have candy, I gave them the few Hi-chews we had left and then Elder P. gives them this hard as a rock nougat candy we were given, haha.  It was so funny the kid held out his hand and was like what am I supposed to do with this and tried giving it back, ha.  No worries they weren't real young kids, they were older so it wasn't sad just really funny.  So they don't say "trick or treat" here but "sweet or sour."  

Friday we had three termins lined up, but all 3 fell through.  Friday was a tough day.  Then Saturday we had one termin cancel but we ate at this place called Little Texas.  It's a famous burger place here in Pforzheim that you have to make reservations a week before.  We went with the one Russian we teach English too but he speaks great English.  He's not interested in the Gospel at all right now but he really likes us and we are leaving a really good impression on him.  He notices us.  We just showed up to Little Texas and there was a table for three open, some people never showed up.  So that was a miracle!  Much needed, he is a true bro.  I forgot to mention, on Friday, at the end of the day after all three of our termins fell through he showed up to our doorstep with a baggie of Russian and German chocolates for me and Elder Peterson, a late Halloween treat.  That really cheered us up too.  As hard as it can be sometimes, it's so important you don't get discouraged, we still love them all and our faith is still strong.

The coolest thing about this week though, was the call we got Monday night.  Monday night this guy called us.  He is from Kuwait, he is a Catholic, speaks English, and is really quite wealthy.  He comes and visits Pforzheim and whenever he does he calls us missionaries.  He loves meeting with us and invited us to breakfast every morning this week! (besides Thursday and Friday).  He stays at this really classy hotel in Pforzheim and they have this breakfast buffet that is SOOO GOOD!  So we did that in the mornings and met with him, "J," which was really cool.  We are definitely going to stay in contact.  He showed up to church as well and I got to teach him in the investigator class. He loves our church though and could see himself becoming a member.  He loves how we live and apply what we teach, he says he feels good when he meets with us.  I really like him, he leaves this week but we exchanged emails.

This week I've had a lot of time to think, since most of our termins fell through.  I've realized all the awesome people I've met and memories I've made so far!  The people I've met on my mission I will never forget!  I love them all and have been blessed to meet all the people I have met so far!  Hope you guys are all doing great, crazy to think we are already in November.  We are heading to Stuttgart today for interviews! 

Tschüss Euch fehlt mir!"

Happy Missionary! :)

Schwarzwald

On top of the hills in the Schwarzwald

bunch of Apfelbaums (apple trees) "Best apfel I've ever had!"

Random parade in Pforzheim

Gabe's gourmet hamburger he made for dinner

Beautiful scenery in the area

7 Dezember 2013

October 28, 2013

"Guten Morgen Familie!

So what a crazy week!  We helped the Dierks family move on Saturday.  I truly love that family so much! haha We went with Bruder Wengart, got there at nine in the morning and worked until seven at night, no lunch break.  They live on the 3rd or 4th story of there building in Pforzheim and really narrow stairs.  It wasn't the easiest thing ever, but we did it.  They were moving  to this small town in Schwarzwald, so we helped them drop everything off and set up all the beds.  The kids remembered me!  It's hard to see progress with the language but I could actually communicate with them and make them laugh this time.  I hope we can meet with them again.  We met this guy "J" there who was really cool, he helped move.  I was walking and helping carry something down with him and he was pretty much baring testimony to me how the one thing he doesn't like about Germany is that they don't really believe in God and how everyone MUST believe in God.  He gave us his info afterwards and said he wants to meet with us so we'll go by him later this week.

Our appointment fell through with "M" (the lady we found last week under the street-light), her daughter was sick I guess so she couldn't meet.  We were sad about that.  On Sunday we met a guy "T.S." who came to church.  He's a member and was baptized in 2000 and he is AMERICAN.  He was in America the last 6 weeks, in Utah at General Konferenz.  He and some other mormons are starting this new business called O.U.R. Operation, Underground, Railroad.  They help bring kids out of poor countries.  He married a non member here in Germany, and missionaries have met with her before but nothing has happened.  She's never had a religion in her life so she believes she doesn't need it cause she's done fine thus far.  That's what it sounds like.  Well "T.S." gave us a ride home from church on Sunday  and said whatever we need, whenever just call him and he'll be our man!  When we got home he called us and asked when we wanted to come over.  So this Thursday, which is Halloween, which Germany doesn't celebrate, we will be going over and eating TACO BELL, American food!  I'm really excited, and giving a little message to his wife which I am just as excited for!

So we were walking back after trying to stop by a PU, it was late and a long walk.  Then out of nowhere this kid ran out of the house and started talking to us.  Kids never talk to us, haha.  Then there was this lady, "E", just waiting and smiling at us, so we said Halo we speak about Jesus.  She was interested, so we went to see her the next day and she wasn't there but her husband was, he spoke a little English. Well "E" finally came in around nine and we sat and talked to her for a bit.  She told us about her last two weeks and then running into us...we returned the next day at eight and started teaching her.  She finished the chapter we began reading the day before, and three other chapters!  It was all making sense to her.  We then read from Mosiah 18, bore testimony and then I asked, "Werden Sie sich Taufen lassen?"  She looked up and said yes!  Long story short, we bore testimonies and then set a baptismal date for Dezember 7th!!!  This was on Oktober 24, exactly my three month mark, really cool!  The Lord has truly been preparing her!  We were just the tools.  She didn't come to church on Sunday though, she walks to church and it got really windy so she never showed up.  We will call her tonight!  But she has a Taufe Date and she's really prepared and ready.  She keeps telling us that it just makes sense to her now and how she feels good!  If all works out she will enter the waters, so cool!

Other fun facts this week, I made this ultimate burger with cheese in the middle (like we used to Dad).  It was so good!  We met "T.S.", set a baptismal date, and then a lot of other appointments fell through so that was kind of sad but it will pick up.  I have so much more I want to say but little time, sorry.  Just know I love it here and that I'm starting to love the people more and more everyday.  And that I express my mind a LITTLE more each day.  LITTLE though.  I understand more than I can speak.  When it's written down it's easier to understand.  But yeah it's all good.  I love you all and hope you're all doing well.  I love the hour we have each day for personal study, and as I study for myself, it turns into study for those we will teach.  When I read a scripture I can't help but just think of how much it would help one of our untersuchers or how that's what they need to hear, and in return it strengthens my testimony!  They are always on my mind.  

Love you all

Bis nächste Wolche"

Stopped in our Tracks

October 21, 2013

"Guten Morgen!

Well just a "normal" week on the mission you could say.  But is it ever really just "normal."  I'll begin with our distrikt meeting.  We talked in distrikt meeting about finding through families.  It was a really good discussion and the spirit was strong at times.  When we talk to others about families - it builds a common ground between us and them.  A family is something that everyone is given here on Earth, even if they feel like they have a broken family, or don't get along with them, it's important to remember that in the bigger view...we are all brothers and sisters.  I would do anything for any of my sisters.  As I would for any of my brothers and sisters I come in contact with here in Germany. When it comes down to it, it's everyones main goal - there big goal - to keep their families forever.  Now here is the question, are big goals ever easy to accomplish?  The answer is a simple no.  Think back to some of your previous goals.  I think of my goal of recovering from my ACL in time for Basketball.  It wasn't easy at times, and extremely hard work, and I'll admit sometimes it didn't always make sense. But was it worth it?  You bet yeah!  Now think of our ultimate goal - Eternal Life with our Families.  Is it going to be easy?  To some it may seem easier than others but for most the answer is no.  For one thing most of these people are missing something really big in their lives that they must have to have an Eternal family - the restored gospel and all of the ordinances and blessings that come with it.  Well that is where we come in, we can help show them the tools that they must HAVE to achieve their ultimate goal of having an eternal family.  I say show because we can't give it to them.  Everyone has agency.  That's what is hard for others, others have lived a completely different life-style before hearing about the gospel.  Then once they hear about it, they have to practically begin a whole new life.  A better life.  Of course challenges will still be present, but with the tools found in the gospel anything is possible, and we can overcome any trial or hard thing in this life.

Now that I look back and think, I guess it was a tougher week.  We had 3 appointments fall out, one of which would have been our first joint teach with a member at the church.  So that was a bummer.  I know 3 may not seem like a lot but we average about anywhere from 1 to 5 lessons a week (we got 5 one week!)  This week consisted of a lot of going by people that we contacted on the streets and finding on the way.  We had 4 lessons I believe, which is still really good!

On Friday, Bruder Wängart picked us up and took us to work on this members old shed roof.  It was in a pretty area north, lots of german farm lands, hills and blue sky.  We ended up taking the roof completely off.

Sunday we met with the Ciarvellas, an italian family that we contacted on the street.  The lesson went alright and we are returning next week.  While we were there another one of our PU we found on the street showed up (they are really good friends).  He supposedly read the Book of Mormon before and felt good when he read it, but he just finds it hard to believe.  That's what it sounded like.  He said he has never heard anything bad about our church but he still has his doubts.  He wanted to hear from me, so I answered some of his questions and bore simple testimony.  But it made me be more actively involved in the lesson, it was good.  My German is far from good I still think, but I understand more and more every week and can express my thoughts more and more as well.  Just a fun little note, everyone we are teaching now are people that we have found on our own, so that's cool.  Now for the coolest part of this week...being stopped in our tracks:

It was on Wednesday night I believe.  We were in Nordstadt (north city, North of Pforzheim) and we were just going by people and finding between.  It was nearly 8 o'clock and time for us to head back for dinner.  So we walked up this hill to check on this one last name we found in the area book, but they weren't there.  We start working our way back down and we are stopped in the middle of the street at a stoplight, and on the other side is a woman, probably around 30 years old with a stroller.  But while we were at the stoplight waiting I could tell she was just smiling at us, and I smiled back, didn't think anything of it.  We are walking across the street and she is still standing there at the corner, once we get to the sidewalk by her, we just stall for a second (don't know why, but literally just stalled for 1 second).  Enough time for her to gather the courage and say excuse me to us.  She then asked if we were Mormon missionaries and we started talking.  She told us her dad had met with the missionaries a while back and liked them.  She had a 3 month old baby girl and her marriage isn't the healthiest I don't think...but she knew that our church was big into families.  She asked if we could stop by and bring her a church children's book or anything we have on families.  She wanted to meet!  It was so cool, so that Friday we dropped off anything we could find about families and a children's book and she was so happy.  She was just smiling!  We didn't end up meeting with her because we were a little late (and we need a third person with us when teaching a woman), so we have a lesson set up for this next friday.  

So coming back to the distrikt meeting this week, we discussed how we are the literal answers to peoples prayers, literally.  We read time after time in the scriptures how the Lord will make us into his own instruments, well he does!  We are helping to bring forth the work of the Lord.  He can do his work himself, we are here to just help.  The gospel blesses families, I've seen it growing up and I see it here on my mission.  That is why we must all help in hastening the work.  D&C 12:8 says "NO ONE can assist in this work except he shall be humble and full of love..." I pray every night that I can strengthen my love for the people of Pforzheim.  Despite appointments falling through, smoke blown in faces, being accused of being poisoned, being told they aren't interested in hearing our message, or doors unopened. Whatever it may be it is important to continue to love the people.  Be full of love.  Look at our ultimate example Jesus Christ, he was full of love to everyone. Missions are the best, I love you all and thanks for all the support.

Tschüss"

Wunderbare Woche! (wonderful week)

October 14, 2013

"Halo Familie!

It has been a truly amazing and busy week full of walking and talking and other missionary doings!  Beginning with Monday...same old regular P-day, I think I'm going to go "kaufe" (buy) some things.  Tuesday was zone training.  It was in Stuttgart, I really enjoy our zone leaders Elder Gibbons and Elder Horlacher.  Top Lads.  After zone training I had my second Tausch in Ludwigsburg!  The district leader, Elder Morrill, had it with Elder Peterson, my trainer, so I went with his companion Elder Peppinstock.  He is only one transfer older than me so a Golden as well.  He is a native German, doesn't speak any English, so I was forced to speak the German language for a whole day!  It was really hard and my brain just hurt after but it was really good for me because it forced me to speak it!  While on this "Tausch" we taught a new member "G" that the sisters baptized in August.  (There's a set of sisters in Ludwigsburg too).  She is an older Nigerian lady!  She is awesome!  She goes back to Nigeria the end of this month, and she only spoke English.  So I guess in Africa "JEN" means a woman and she kept telling me "Elder Jensen...you are not a woman...why is your name JENsen."  Then she said in Africa a "john" is a male so she called me her "JOHNson son" and she is my Nigerian Momma!  I will miss her but we will stay in contact.  She really wanted to cook us a feast before she leaves but we told her I was going back to Pforzheim the next day.  She was awesome and had a strong love for our Lord! After that Tausch I came back to Pforzheim and Elder Morrill and Peterson had a great tausch, they found like 10 new people!  

The rest of the week we had a lot of street contacting, but we do it differently now.  We just talk to people like a friend, and ask them what is important to them in this world and what is their purpose...they usually say families.  Then we begin teaching them the gospel right there! We found 20 PUs (potential investigators) this week and gave out 15 Book of  Mormons!  It was awesome!  Elder Peterson and Elder Morrill got a hold of "P" during their tausch, which is a MIRACLE!  They made an appointment too, but the day of he text us and said don't come by and that he no longer needs us.  It was a dagger to the heart.  We didn't know what to say, so I said lets pray and see.  I was still confused at first but then I came across this scripture in Alma 37, I believe, that talks about leaning unto the Lord for all our helps and crying unto the Lord.  I felt like we should share that with "P" so we did through text and let him know we loved him and we are here if he needs help.  I felt a comfort after - who knows what will happen, but I feel like he'll eventually come around.  

Friday we have our usual English course with the Russian and Roland and Bruder Kämeling.  Roland we could tell was different, he just had something about him.  Well he usually gives us a ride home after.  Usually on this car ride, he asks a lot of questions about our church, we don't speak about it at the English class.  This day he was asking all these questions about missionary work and he was really nice.  The time felt right and Elder Peterson said that we would be happy to teach him and his little family if they wanted.  He has a little 1 year old and 2 month old.  He said YES!  We see a lot of potential there as well, we have been taking it really slow with him and just becoming friends with him. So this Sunday our branch choir sang, a whole 4 people, haha.  Sadly it was just sad.  After Church, the head person in charge of the choir "asked" us to join.  We had no choice, so now we are in the Branch choir and we had singing class after church.  Our ward college started this week in Pforzheim so we gained some college students in the ward.  We had probably close to 25 members on Sunday!  We told  some members how we found a lot of success this last week and they were all really happy and supportive.  

It's gotten really cold here this last week,  I was 'European' and had on all these layers and wore a scarf.  Yes I wore a scarf, they are cool here and it was really warm!  It's really humid here so it makes it feel a lot colder.  Elder Peterson and I like to think we are chefs sometimes, we cooked us some spicy curry this week, it was pretty good!

It was a good week!  I love this mission and it's crazy how much you learn each week and how much more you grow to love our Savior and gospel.  I was truly blessed to have been able to be born into our Church.  Everyone has to make the decision for themselves if they believe or not, obviously I made my own decision otherwise I wouldn't be half way around the world trying to learn German and sharing what I love so much!  We are all so blessed!  Love you all and hope you have a great week!  Please pray for our investigators, I love you and am thankful for all the support.

Liebe,

Elder Jensen"

General Konferenz!

October 7, 2013

"Hey Fam,

This week has gone by pretty slow waiting for General Konferenz and trying to find people to teach.  General Konferenz was amazing and I hope you all listen to what they told us!  The Lord is TRULY HASTENING HIS WORK!  I get to witness it everyday, and you guys do too!  I hope we all listen to what Elder Ballard challenged us to do...even though St. George is mostly members of the church, reach out to just 1 person from now until Christmas and MILLIONS will feel the pure love of Christ.  I wish to share with you all the notes I took from General Konferenz because this one was really neat as a missionary, but not enough time.  No worries though I'll let you all read them - in 22 months, haha.

So this week... 
Monday was P-day, normal P-day, we ate at KFC, best KFC I've had and they had ICE!  We looked at european suits in this factory store for most of the day, then we went to "M's" house for FHE and had german pancakes.  
Tuesday was District meeting, we meet in Stuttgart so it takes up most of the day.  
Wednesday we met with "J", the less active who lives in Calw, we went over the Familie Proklamation to the World, she really enjoyed that and really believed it, she has two little kids of her own. 
Thursday.  Thursday was just a tough day.  It was a national holiday here in Deutschland, so the whole town and city pretty much shuts down.  We had lunch in Königsbach with a couple from the ward.  We gave them the sacrament and then shared a message on the spot about how infant baptism isn't needed, all children are perfect in God.  I told them how it was my nephews birthday today and he is turning 8 and so excited to get baptized and how big of a deal baptism is.  They fed us lunch and showed us their little garden and had me pick their apples since I'm tall.  That went well but we still had the rest of the day, all our other appointments for that day had been cancelled.  All the stores were closed and no one was out on the streets to even street contact.  So we had to go "klingling" or door knocking, which is not that successful, especially here in Germany.  With not a single person giving us a chance to come in or say more than one sentence I was loosing my faith.  Nothing was going good, when we door knock it makes us sound like we are trying to sell a free book called the Book of Mormon, but we are doing so much more than that.  After hours of that with no success it was time to come home, I came home and opened that picture of Jesus with a light and mom's little note that said "keep the faith going..." it was just what I needed and it's hanging up on my desk.  It meant the world to me that day!  
Friday is weekly planning, so that takes up most of the day.  We called "P" cause we haven't met with him for over a week, he hasn't been feeling "good." He told us how he wants to take a little break and hung up on us.  It was devastating, but we cannot get devastated.  We just need to pray that his heart will be softened again and he will realize he needs this gospel in his life.  Later that night we drove to Stuttgart on the Autobahn with two members to set up all the chairs for General Konferenz the next two days.  There were 5 of us and the chairs had to be set up perfectly so it took us about two hours.  On the way home I asked one of the Bruders what he knew about the Dierks family (the family with all the kids we ran into on a previous week).  I remember reading in the record book how he helped joint teach them in the years past...so he told us what he knew and we told them how we were helping them move later this month, so now he is willing to help with that!  
Saturday and Sunday we spent watching Konferenz.  Saturday we watched the morning session live in the afternoon, then Sunday we watched the Priesthood session in the morning, the Saturday afternoon session in the afternoon, and then the Sunday moring session live in the evening.  It was all great!!

Yeah, it was a slower week, we only found 2 Potential Investigators.  But this next week is bound to be better.  I love you all and hope you are all doing great!  

Bis Spater"

SCHWARZWALD

September 30, 2013

"Halo Familie! 

Another week already, crazy!!  So this week I entered the Black Forest for my first time...and second...and third!  On Wednesday we had an appointment with a less active member who lives in the town of Calw.  It's a little town deeper into the Black Forest!  It was the prettiest ride on the sbahn or train.  We went through all these tunnels and it would be pitch black then you would come out on the other side and there was just a huge opening of valley and hills with trees and streams!  One of the prettiest rides I've ever been on!  Calw is an older german town and the person we were going to teach lived up on the top hill - where there is more green fields and hills without trees.  We taught "J" and she had a good testimony.  She believed in the Book of Mormon, believed in Joseph Smith and that God knows us, but she has a problem with the Church standards.  That's really hard to teach.  She shared some personal stories with us and afterwards me and my companion were talking how if you have a real testimony of Christ and the Book of Mormon, you just begin to know that the Church standards are of Christ.  We have some scriptures and topics we'll teach her next week. 

The next day we had to help a ward member pack up and move.  It was a long day of moving and heavy lifting!  He lived in Bad Wildbad, a BEAUTIFUL stadt in the Schwarzwald (Black Forest).  We drove there with Präsident Setner, Bishop and the 1st Counsilor on the Autobahn through the Schwarzwald.  I didn't know which to enjoy more - the beautiful scenery out the window or the crazy drive there, as fast as you can possibly drive around all these windy roads through the forest!  It was about an hour drive.  The next day we returned to Bad Wildbad but on the other side of town.  It was the most beautiful little city.  It's where a lot of older people live.  There was a clear water river running through the town, then an alley of trees.  Rolling hills with houses scattered and different patches of trees changing colors.  It was really pretty!  Well we went here searching for "M", this man who came running up to us about two weeks ago in Pforzheim.  We had his "address" but it just wasn't there...we found the street and everything - but no house.  We called his mom, because that is the number he gave us and she said she didn't know where he lived and that she didn't have his number.  We were a little confused because people don't usually run up to us.  So after searching for "M" for 2 hours we came down the hill and worked our way back into main town to catch the little trolley back to Pforzheim.  So yeah, this last week I went to the Black Forest three different times, three different ways and they were all pretty!

The coolest thing, I found the local Basketball gym, haha!  We stopped and watched for a little bit - two german clubs playing.  They weren't bad athletes and varied in ages from 18-50.  Some of them had really good shots and could even dunk, especially this one, he jumped out of the gym!  I was so tempted to play with them.  They had a mini Oktoberfest down the main street here in Pforzheim this week, roasted pig, beer everywhere, and everyone in there lederhosens!  It was really crowded.

This week I was really thinking about what truly separates me from all the other 18 year olds we come in contact with.  There was a nice 18 year old who wasn't a member who helped us move on Thursday.  I thought of many things, but the one I studied more was the Priesthood. The Priesthood is such a great thing we have been blessed with.  We all know the just of Priesthood and what it is, but I wanted to know more about Melchizedek.  So I found out as much as I could about this great man that we call this great priesthood, which it's real name is The Holy Priesthood after the order of the Son of God.  He was a really amazing guy that I can't wait to meet someday.  I am really excited for General Konferz this week!!  WE GET TO HEAR FROM THE PROPHET!  We watch it in the Stuttgart Stake Center.  Everynight I have tried to read a previous talk from the past General Konferz  I strongly suggest you all read the talk: "Of Regrets and Resolutions" by Uchtdorf, it is really good! We found 11 PUs, or potential untersuchers/potential investigators.  That is really good for this mission!  

I love you all and hope you are all doing well."

Old church in Calw

 Bad Wildbad river

Bad Wildbad church

On top of the hill (Black Forest)

Searching for "M"

basketball gym in Pforzheim

Placed in our Path

September 23, 2013

"Halo Familie,

Another week has sped past us...since when did time decide to move so fast!  This week was really eventful so I'll just try to begin at the start and work my way through the week ending with the best!  

So I participated in my first "Austausch" (missionary splits) this week with our district leader Elder Morrill.  It started Tuesday after our district meeting, I went back with him to Ludwigsburg and it ended on Wednesday!  It was the BEST!  We began by having an appointment with one of the local investigators, he is an elderly man who is starting to forget things, but the gospel is finally starting to make sense to him.  He lives in a typical old German house, I think it use to be a barn.  We had to climb up a steep set of stairs, then climb up a ladder and enter through a door in his floor.  We taught him the Plan of Salvation through the Proclamation to the Family, it went really really well. The spirit was strong!  Elder Morrill asked me to explain and share a part in the lesson, it forced me to speak the language and it was a little broken but they said they understood my message.  Later that night we headed over to Elder "S."  He lives in the coolest historical German town, cobble stoned streets, fountains and lots of German shops and houses, it was really neat!  When we got to Elder "S", he cooked a wonderful dinner of pasta with all these spices and stuff with wurst in it.  It was really good!  After dinner he told us all about himself and his family and growing up.  What some amazing stories, we talked for awhile about some of his stories growing up and his beliefs and everything.  After our visit it was pretty late and we had to walk home.  The bus didn't come for another hour, so we began walking and just talking and sharing stories.  We came across the BIGGEST jungle gym and slide, I kid you not the slide was at least 50 feet tall.  We looked at each other and said we had to go down it!  So we climbed these nets to the very top, then this guy who lived across the street shined his flashlight at us and told us to get down...so we took off down the giant slide, ha ha.  After we got back home we made homemade milkshakes, then Elder Morrill played his acoustic guitar and sang.  He was really good!  I really enjoyed Elder Morrill and had a great experience.  (P.S. this austausch was called the "Austausch of the BIG SLIDE and MILKSHAKES," because every great austausch has a name). When we got back to Pforzheim we headed over to a members house to give her a blessing.  They fed us this homemade soup and bitter pear juice.  She noticed that I didn't have a jacket and it was raining, she felt bad for me and said I needed a jacket.  So she went and grabbed this huge green girl jacket and a flattering scarf and said I must wear it. 
On Sunday we were on our way to church and were waiting for an investigator at the bus stop.  They never arrived on time so we missed the bus.  We were frustrated on missing the bus, but we must put our Untersucher or investigator first.  We crossed the street to look at some maps when this lady came up and ask my companion if he was headed to vote...he said "no we are going to church."  She then told us how she had been searching for a church and asked if she could come with us!  So she gave us a ride to church and we weren't even late.  The Lord provided a way.  She attended class with the ladies from the branch while we went to priesthood, then we met together after that.  We asked her how she was enjoying it, and she said it was pretty overwhelming, which I can see.  She knew nothing about the church.  Afterwards she told us she was still searching to find what she was looking for and thanks for the invite, but now she knew that this is not what she was looking for... It was a knife to the heart.  She just wasn't ready, but she now knows of us and maybe she will look us up later on down the road.  It's just so important we don't get too discouraged though because discouragement can hinder your faith and hard work.  After Church we had "Gemeinde Essen" or Branch lunch, where everyone in the branch brings food and we eat together.  It was really good.
Back track to Saturday, I was just expecting a bad day.  I thought I was finally getting a hang of the language and then something happened which made me realize I am still lost.  I felt hopeless, it was obvious my attitude was not going to be the best for that day.  I went into our room and said a little prayer and was telling Heavenly Father how I felt and asked for his help.  Then we went off "finding", the same as any other day.  Running into people telling us they have no time, hearing excuses of why they can't listen to us, or asking us not to return.  We still love those people though.  Then as we were working in this neighborhood we had never been before, we came around this corner and notice across the street little kids running with a mom pushing a double stroller.  They were all packing groceries and it was obvious the mom was having a hard time, so we go and offer to help.  Turns out this was the family we had written down to go visit - this family had not been contacted for at least two years.  The oldest girl said "it's the ELDERS!" She tried to read our nametags, I was smiling so big!  It has been the longest time since I've actually seen little kids and played with them!  All the kids were running around us.  We helped pack in the groceries and I played with the kids!  They were following me around everywhere and climbing up on me and jumping.  It was obvious I was having fun I guess because one of the little girls asked me in German, "you love kids don't you?"  Well I told her yes I do and how I am an uncle to 1 niece and 4 nephews back at home!  Running into that family was just what I needed to lift my hopes and spirit, it was a little answer to my prayer.  Our timing was perfect, I don't think it was just a coincidence, I think the Lord placed them in our path.  We are invited back to help them move in Oktober.  I love this little family!
Well that is the just of my week, very eventful and each week comes and goes so fast.  This is all for this week from Elder Jensen.  Church is true, spirit is real.  God answers prayers and the gospel blesses everyone personally.
Tschüss"

Gabe's companion Elder Peterson

Castle view on the way to District meetings

 Elder Morrill

Gabe on top of the "giant slide"