Made it Alive!!

October 24, 2017
Made it Alive!!

Hey Family!! They gave us a little time to email just to let you guys know that we are still alive and safely in the land of Fortaleza!!

Love you guys!!

Elder Jensen

Como se diz "bigwigs" ????

October 11, 2017
Como se diz "bigwigs"????

Hello Family and Friends!!

One month already?? What?/ This week started off with a bang with the arrival of new Brazilians. That was pretty chill until about 2 in the morning on Thursday when one of them began screaming like he was having a Vietnam flash back. No one said anything the next morning though, and it hasn't happened since so I'm hoping it was a one time thing. Hearing about Josh sleep walking made me laugh. I'd bet they'd be good friends.

I got asked to play for a CTM conference on Sunday which was pretty good. Its pretty tough because I don't really have any time to practice but its been going okay so that's good.

We had fast Sunday which was pretty typical except this one elder known for his lengthy prayers smashed all previous records with a twelve minute prayer (we timed him haha). They usually sit around seven minutes but this prayer blew them all out of the water. We were all quite impressed (except his companions because they have to stick around for about 15 minutes longer than everyone else).

We had a visit from the international director of MTC's and he gave a devotional last night (more on that in a moment cause it was really good). He kept using American slang though and my district and I could hardly keep it together thinking of the translators in the back translating "bigwigs" and "dinking around". Hence, the title. He talked a lot about staying on target and remembering why we are here. Which was a little of a slap in the face for our district as we spent about half an hour recreating the phantom menace on our white board. 

Funny story, Does anyone remember Spencer Gurr? he went to Neely with me, I don't think I've seen him since 6th grade. Anyway, he showed up at the CTM yesterday which was just a little wild. Small world haha.

Any way, I love you all, I've been doing great, thriving on beans and rice!!

Elder Jensen 

Week 3

October 4, 2017
Week 3

Where to start with this week hahah. It started off normal haha. Saturday morning we went proselyting on one of the busiest streets of São paulo. Elder Neilson and I ended up making a contact with an English teacher. She didn't really seem to want to hear much about the gospel though. She offered to teach us better Portugese HAHA. Its only been three weeks what can I say? We also ran into a dude who was completely naked except a moving blanket he had (kinda) wrapped around his waist. He was super friendly though (drugs tend to do that). Also, he had no information so we couldn't get him as a contact

 

Then we had conference which was really great. I really enjoyed Uchtdorfs talk from the priesthood session. It was a really powerful message about Light and Dark and how by coming to Christ we can over come the dark. 

In between sessions, I ended up giving my floor haircuts LOL. Some of them actually looked decent (like mine(yes I cut my own hair)) Others, like my companion's, got started by a Brazilian. So we ended up shaving my companions head. He pulls it off though. Although the Brazilians decided he looks like the spider baby from toy story. And they rub it for good luck HAHA.

Our classroom stated shaking like crazy yesterday. we were certain it was an earth quake except no one else felt it so maybe my whole district is hallucinating. Also we've had power outages off and on which have added a great deal of excitement to every day. 

The Brazilians ins our room all left (which was actually really sad) and we get new roommates today. 

So, funny story. Our physical activity has been reduced even further. Its been raining for the past few days and they're afraid we will slip playing volleyball and basket ball. so we all stand in the rain watching two people play ping-pong. Its slightly reminiscent of yard time in federal prison. JK It's not as bad as it sounds. 

Finally, we got a new sister in our district. She was from Provo and she had visa issues. I feel bad for all the Provo missionaries because they have no Brazilians to teach them all the famous memes of Brazil HAHA.

Still fed on rice and beans,

Elder Jensen

Sorry about the lack of detail My companion is Elder Nielson. He's from Utah. He plays basketball and volleyball. Hes really chill. He also plays the piano so its not too difficult to convince him to join me haha. I don't know where i put the inverter rip. I thought it was on the kitchen counter.... I love you guys so much!!!!

Week 2

September 27, 2007

Week 2

HELLO FAMILY AND EVERYONE! 

Week 2 flew by wow hahah!

Notable occurances:

 I got asked to play true to the faith for the choir 10 minutes beforehand which was pretty rough but oh well haha. You couldnt really hear it overe the sound of 300 Brazillians hahaha.

The brazillians in our room chose this week to stay up till 1 in the morning (multiple times) which was also pretty rough .    

Portuguese is both moving way too fast and wy too slowly. Its been tough trying to keep up with our "investigators" and their portuguese but painfully slow with the rest of the gringos haha (im sure the brazillians dont appreciate that most of my portugese is just spanish hahahhahah oooppps...)

Apparently the reason we cant jump while playing volleyball is because a kid had a compound frature while playing basketball on his lower leg. who knew right? Still pretty lame though. (its hardenough to play volleyball as it is hahah. All of the brazillian elders on our floor have taken to screaming "no pular elderes!!" at like 10 at night (which may or may not be designated as quiet time hahah. 

The food is still beans and rice. Except breakfast. then its ham and cheese sandwiches. whixh kinda got old in about a week. the rolls are always good though so i just load up on those. 

There were a couple super cool spiritual experiences after the devotionals in our district meetings. Nothing really profound but very testimony building. 

ANyway, i love you guys! I wish i could say more (there are so many crazy storries) but im already getting kicked out.

Elder Jensen