January 2, 2017

Cam: I’m here.

Mom: You should see what I am driving in.  It’s insane.  Then I thought you would e-mail later or I wouldn’t have taken these kids to the ski bus.  Bug is e-mailing for me. How is your house? Is it worse or better?

Cam: My companion is from Curitiba, Brazil. His name is Elder Natan and he has been out 9 months.  He is really weird. It’s close to the same here but a lot of condos, residential areas, and apartment type homes.  We are further inland. Our house is better.  The ward and ward members are good.

Mom; Well, it’s a new year.  Put a smile on your face and I promise it will be full of many blessings.  Love you.  You can do it. Why is your companion weird? How are you this week?

Cam: Things are ok I still have been struggling… This week we just got to know the area and members and tried to find investigators by making contacts in the street. My companion will just say random things and I’ll ask him what he said and he just says that it’s his own language.

Mom: Your group e-mail said you talked in sacrament.  Tell me about it.

Cam: My new Bishop asked me and my companion to talk in sacrament on Sunday.  I talked on the scripture D&C 18;10 Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God.  I want to do good mom but I’m just struggling so bad.  You don’t know how hard it is.

Mom: You’re right I don’t. But, I want you to think of everyone that has struggled. I don't think there is anyone that said they didn't when they served a mission. Yet they don’t say that or reminisce on that unless we ask them if they were homesick or struggled. When they get home they are glowing and just want to remember the joy they had. I saw joy when asking you about things on Christmas. I also have heard joy in your emails. There are people needing you more than we need you right now. I take that back, we need you to serve that mission you accepted and do it with all your might, mind, and strength. Think of this scripture you talked on.  You are an instrument for Heavenly Father to let some of these people know their worth.  You have amazing work to do Cam. I love you!

Cam: ok, I love you!

Mom: I know you need to be there. You will truly never forgive yourself. You have Cooper, the Earnests, Tristan, Shawn, and many others looking to you for leadership and example. The adversary is only as strong as you let it be. You know I love and miss you but you also know where you need to be and what you need to do! I believe in you Cam and so does Heavenly Father. Colina Ward believes in you! I do know that it's not harder than what you can do. You would be so down on yourself here. It's sad to say but it's not the same. Your buddies are out putting their best foot forward just like you. Seriously you need to think of how blessed and lucky you are.  Promise me you will have a good week and you will try your hardest to focus on what the Lord needs you to do.

Cam: : I know mom, I think that too.  I will try.

Mom:  Do more than try. You need to make lots of friends because I'm coming to Brazil to get my son and I want to meet these peeps. I love the jersey! Who gave it to you? Just think if you wouldn't have gone on a mission or served in that area. Heavenly Father places you where you're needed. I believe that.

Cam: Karla’s brothers.  Their names are Elizeu and Elias. Thanks mom and I love and appreciate you more than you know.

Mom: Actually I do know but it is so nice to have it said and I love you for that.  You are a great missionary and touched so many hearts in Colina Ward.  Now you have been placed somewhere else and you need to find those that need you there and leave them with a little piece of Elder Cameron Jensen’s smile and love of the church!

Group e-mail:

Hello everyone. I hope that you all had a Happy New Year!! Everyone make goals for this upcoming year. Every day we need to work to be better and without goals we have nothing to reach for or to work for. Every day we need to become more like Christ, through living this gospel and following the example of Christ we will be happy. I am in the Bendito, Bentes Ward, it is good and the members are all nice. My companion Elder Natan from Curitiba, Brazil and I are both new to the area so we both know nothing and no one. So, we worked with some members to get to know other members and talked with a lot of people in the streets to find people to teach.  We both had talks in sacrament yesterday that went well so that is good. 

Pictures from my new area:

A family that had us to their home for a New Year's Celebration, me and Elder Natan in our new home.

pictures:

Saying goodbye to my last area. They gave me a jersey of a team here to remember them.