transfer week Dec 14th

Well it's that time already, transfer week. President called on
Saturday morning and informed us we would be both be staying, but I
already knew because he told me the whole district was staying in an
interview earlier in the week. I am very excited! I love this Ward so
much. I no longer have desire to serve in a plolongi Ward again, which
is bad because I still have a lot of mission ahead of me. But we have
two baptisms on Saturday if everything works out and on Sunday there
was a strong spirit of change and I feel the Ward is going to step up
big time for missionary work.  Because it's transfer week we are
hosting missionaries. Elder Brätt's been here since Saturday and goes
home tomorrow. It's sad to see him go but great to see him again. He
is defiantly the single missionary who has had the most influence on
me, and the Tongans love him and miss him.

My Tongan has come a long way this week and the members are all very
impressed. In our Tongan lessons I've been doing some of the teaching
and inviting, and of course praying and bearing testimony.  We had
some great lessons and are doing great. Anyway there is a lot going on
because of all the missionary's are in town for transfers tomorrow so
I don't have much time.

Ofa atu!

Elder Jensen

Kalamisie Fiefia!

Last week was pretty crazy with all the missionaries being here and
all the Tongans wanted to go to dinner with us and other missionaries
so we were taking 12+ missionaries to every meal and all the members
loved it. They love feeding missionaries. And we of course ate at
Golden Corral a lot, but that's ok. We taught a lot of investigators
this week, we had to cancel a couple dinners because we had so many
appointments. But being that busy is very stressful, especially
because the traffic up here is terrible from like 4:30-7 and the roads
are always slick. I'm tired of driving on slick roads. At least in
Wyoming eventually the roads will melt, but here the sun never comes
up high enough to heat the place up and melt the roads. Today is the
shortest day of the year I'm pretty sure. The Ward is doing really
good, we are getting all kinds of referals to teach people's family,
we taught the restoration 5 times last week which is a ton for this
mission. But most of the people we teach are young. Mostly kids of
families we have reactivated and they never got baptized because they
weren't coming to church or part member families.

Last week was when I finally got to invite Maluhola the old Methodist
man to take the lessons in Tongan. It was really special for me. He
said yes, and we went over to teach him and Elder Na'a did most of the
teaching, but he doesn't want to listen to a Tongan pretty much, he
wants me to teach him, so I am studying like crazy and having elder
Na'a teach as much as I can but he gets tired of it pretty quickly. So
it will be an adventure, Maluhola isn't that interested but his family
has played such an influential role in Tongan Mormon history and they
all want him to join. I really hope we can help him.

We were invited to sing in some choir for Martin Luther King day I
think with a bunch of other church's so we started practicing on
Sunday nights for that. And last night we had dinner with President
and Sister Robinson and the APs. It was pretty fun and refreshing,
especially to be able to serve my own plate and everything. And from
the discussion I'm thinking I will be here at least one more transfer
but President really wants me to be training, but I want to stay here.
I guess it's always a surprise when you get transfer calls.

Anyway I will talk to you all on Christmas, have a great week until then.

Malō E Lelie

That's hello in Tongan. I'm doing great, and still loving it. It's
been very warm here the past week always above freezing and I'm loving
it. The work is really starting to come along here. We've been finding
lots of less actives and got two referals on Saturday so Elder Na'a
and I are in good spirits. Thanks grandma for the Christmas package,
we are enjoying it, I gave Elder Na'a one of the bears and it pulled
his temporary crown off so we had to go get it repaired.

A real tender mercy this week happened on Wednesday night. We had been
struggling so hard since we had been here and had nobody to teach and
all of our appointments were falling through for days, we hadn't even
been to a members house in three days they took us to Golden Corral
three nights in a row, and I was confident it was going to be four
because the family that had us on the schedule always took us to
Golden Corral, and my companion fell asleep in the car and I was,
simply put, at my breaking point. I said a prayer that I had given all
I had, I and nothing else and I begged to just have one person to
teach. Brother Pulu had us over for dinner that night and had the food
all dished out two plates, lucepi, tapioca, and canned corn beef is
what it is I think oh and sea urchin. Two huge plates already dished
out just so much food, and then he said if you don't eat at Least one
plate you're  not Tongan. So I dived into the plate and ate and ate
and ate and my companion finished like after 10 minutes but I was only
like a third done. Anyway it ended up my companion had to finish my
plate because I couldn't. But brother Pulu was pleased enough. We had
a very good gospel message with his family and I asked him if he had
anyone for us to teach and he said yes, his father, who is a crotchety
old Methodist man who wants to die that way and who only speaks
Tongan. But I have to ask him in Tongan and be able to to know enough
Tongan to participate in the lessons, and not only that, but that he
was no longer going to take us to Golden Corral but have us into his
home every time they feed us, and since it was the Christmas time he
was going to find someone for us to teach. My prayer was answered less
than two hours later and I was so grateful.

Thanksgiving was a painful day. Bishop Tatafu invited us over at one
for lite thanksgiving lunch, because we had a real thanksgiving dinner
later. when we showed up there was a full thanksgiving spread and as
usual only two plates as we are the Elders. He dished us up and
literally cut half the turnkey off and put it on my plate, the breast
down to the drumstick and thigh, everything. "Eat your plolongi food
Elder Seniseni(that's how they say my name)" and they always make rice
just for the plolongi, which doesn't make sense to me because I eat
the tero and tapioca just fine but I always end up having to eat more
because they make rice just for me. Then he asked, "Elder Seniseni
tell us what thanks giving mean?" So I got to everyone about the first
thanksgiving and pilgrims haha, I had to do that at every house we
went to that day. When we got to our real dinner I was pleased to see
they have a split level entry home so they could just roll me down the
stairs when the battle was over. That dinner was rough, if you don't
eat a lot they think you don't like their food, and you can see the
hurt in their eyes, and these old ladies are too nice to me to
disappoint them in anyway. And I barely ate enough, but it was still a
lot. Then we went to the Pulu's, and here I would meet another one of
his tests. First we ate steak, and then he said you eat raw fish elder
Sensen? Sure I do, so l ate some of his raw fish. "Elder Sense you eat
octopus?" So I ate some of his octopus, and he had like huge chewy
chunks. "Elder Sensen you eat crab?" I was like this isn't even a
challenge I love crab. "the whole crab elder Sensen." I choked down
all what ever is inside a crab and I had passed the test. "You know
Elder Sensen I like you, you eat all the Tongan food and you always
smile, you better than Kalipoki." (Kalipoki is the missionary in the
"other side of heaven" movie) But all in all it was a pretty good day.
That's all I have time to write about.

Here's a picture from my first day with Elder Na'a.

long week

This is Bishop and Sister Tatafu from last night.

Well my Tongan is coming along very slowly. I can pray, but I only
know so many things to pray for. Elder Na'a and I are still in good
spirits but it's tough. It seems that every Tongan has been baptized
but most of them are inactive. So I guess there is a lot of that kind
of work to do. A lot of the less actives will make appointments with
us but then not be there or tell us to come by another time. Which is
very frustrating because we technically cover the whole mission for
Tongans, but really we are just in Eagle river and Anchorage, which is
still a huge area, three zones, and none of the, seem to live next to
each other. I still haven't learned the area because it's so big and
we are in a different part of town all the time. But I am slowly
getting it.

I love it when we finally do get to get into their homes though. We
always have a wonderful time and we always have a very good gospel
discussion. They all love their families so much and it is such a big
deal to them. It's so refreshing. The little kids are fun too, always
joking around and playing with you. It's defiantly different than
serving in a white Ward for sure.

I finally got to meet the Ward on Sunday and Ward council. Ward
council was all in Tongan so I'm not sure what they talked about
exactly, same with sacrament meeting, but some of the talks were in
English. I love the Tongan Hymns, they are all very beautiful. Gospel
principles was in Tongan too, every once in while the teacher would
ask me a question in English and I'd answer but that was it. I ended
up getting asked to teach elders quorum last second. I taught about
keeping the commandments, and think I did a pretty good job. I was so
impressed because a little over half of the people showed up to
sacrament meeting over a half hour early and it was so reverent in
there, even with all the little kids for a half hour leading up to the
start of the meeting. I thought that was just about every one it
seemed to be the same size as a small Ward and looking at old teaching
records this was the Tongan branch until 2012, but then during the
opening hymn people started pouring in. They didn't do any overflow or
anything they just packed everyone in there. There was no gaps or
spaces between families or anything. It is a very big Ward, and 3/4 of
them are related and all intermarried to it is very confusing learning
names.

One of the less active families we taught this week came to church and
brought all their kids and grandkids so just teaching two people got
20 to church. That was exciting. The whole Ward was excited to see
them back.

Since my first day in Anchorage it didn't get above 10 degrees at sat
right at 0 most days but on Thursday it finally warmed up because of
all the snow. We got about three inches Thursday night, then Friday
night we got another 10. And they didn't plow anything for a long
time. These people are crazy drivers, going down these 5 lane one ways
with a foot of snow so there is no lines so people are just all over
the road and nobody slows down if anything they are going faster. I
don't like it.

Anyway I am doing great, yes I got the lights from dad I thought I
said that last week but yes I am very pleased with them. We play
volleyball on pday with some less actives and I just get demolished by
them, it's not even fun, they are very good.





Letter from Kam about the food

Yes the ones in America celebrate thanks giving. We've been invited to a few thanksgiving dinners. As for what I've eaten, since over been here I've had, tapioca or tero with every meal, I've had lamb prepared a few different was same with chicken, I've had sea urchin, horse, bread fruit, lots of corned beef, curry, turkey tail which is really good, some kind of sausage, the only food we have in common is chicken. Oh and Oti it's like a fruit smoothie, but so good and a fruit salad with no fruit in it I've ever had before except pineapple was way good. Oh and cocoa soma, that's like the worst thing I've had to eat, it's like I imagine coffe but with coco beans, it's so bitter and it taste burnt, I'd rather eat a plate of sea urchin, maybe not but I don't like it, and they love it. I don't want anything but black wool socks and some gray wool socks, and cool ties, no crazy socks but I like those Bigfoot ones, I can't wear them with prosy living clothes. if I need anything else I can buy it. I brought gloves with me and I use elder Na'as coat. I hope that answers your questions.

First week in the Lake Hood Ward

I met my new companion for the first time at transfer meeting, he is
very much straight from Tonga and I love him. I'm pretty sure he will
be my favorite companion of my mission already. After Transfer Meeting
President pulled me aside and told me to just stay strong and keep
going. I was somewhat confused and surprised because I was doing just
fine and felt great and was very excited for this new area so I just
kinda shook off what he said.

When I got the area book downloaded I was excited to see the first
name was a progressing investigator on date for baptism, I tried to
scroll down but it wouldn't let me. My heart sank. There was three
names on the list, the one that was on date had actually gotten
baptized September 12th and my companion hadn't met the other two and
there was no phone number or address or fellowshipers listed for them.
So after we updated the information we had zero progressing
investigators, zero other investigators, and zero potential
investigators, and the Ward didn't like or trust us according to Elder
Na'a. But if we worked hard and were obedient they would come to love
us and do anything for us. And it was stake conference so that would
make it even harder to meet the Ward. Now presidents encouragement
made a lot more sense to me. That night we had dinner with the Bishop
and his wife. He just got called less than a month ago and doesn't
speak English. His wife could say "Elder! Eat, Eat" in a very Asian
sounding accent. "It good? It good?" They were evidently expecting six
missionaries but it was only us. So there was a lot of food. We had
lucepi (lamb and tero leaf stew) but the lamb has tons of bone
fragments and gristle in it. We also had bowls of raw octopus and raw
fish chunks (with bones still in it) and tapioca and bread fruit. And
ice cream for dessert. And through all that first day I wasn't fazed
once. Im more worried about hitting a moose or crashing on these roads
because they don't plow at all, and there are moose like crossing the
highway in the middle of the city. I've seen 4 different bull moose
and two cows this week. See picture below.

The other dinners this week all of them just take us to buffets and
pay for us and leave because they are busy. We ate at China King two
nights in a row. That's the most frustrating part for me. I would
rather starve and get to be in their home and share my testimony and
they don't care as long as they feed us a lot of food. But the Ward is
excited to have a new missionary, and a plolongi at that.

We had two lessons this week with investigators so we have three
investigators now. One the Ward mission leader took us to his
neighbors house to teach a family and they turned out to be Mexican.
They only spoke broken English, same as my companion and the Ward
mission leader. It was weird being in an English lesson but being the
only one that speaks it. But the spirit was there as we had a lesson
on the plan of salvation and eternal families. They loved the message
and there wasn't a dry eye as we bore our testimonies of eternal
families.

The other lesson was with Funaki, he has been anti in the past because
his dad is a Reverend but his wife is a member. He was sick, so we
offered to give him a blessing. He accepted and I did the anointing in
English I could barely say his full name, and Elder Na'a gave the
blessing in Tongan. I only know maybe three words that were said but I
felt the power of each one as it went along. Funaki was crying and the
first thing he said was "I feel the Holy Spirit. I never feel this
before from Mormons" we had a short lesson after that in Tongan and I
bore my testimony in English, and committed him to read the Book of
Mormon and come to church. We will commit him to be baptized next
appointment.

There is so much that happened this week I can't say even half but I
love this Ward and this people. There is no other place id rather be.
Elder Na'a and I have a lot of work to do here but it will be a
marvelous work no I am so excited. The language is very hard to learn
and understand but I am trying my hardest. I know we can do it with
the lords help.

Funny moment from the week. Elder Na'a and I were driving to an
appointment and we passed a beautiful German shorthair and I said that
was the kind of dog I used to have. He said "you have one dog at home
when you leave?" I said yes. He said "I have 20 or 26 dogs at home
when I leave."
"What do you have so many dogs for?"
" the missionaries and my home country like dog very much."
I cracked up, and almost ran off the road. I still chuckle every time
I think about it.

That's all I have time for. I hope every one has a great week!
Love ya all!

North! to the Future

Well transfer calls came in on Friday night at about 10:30. Going into
it I was expecting to stay, but Elder Meade and Brätt were pretty
confident I was leaving so really I had no idea what was going to
happen. Anyway Peesident Robinson finally called. He talked to Elder
Brätt and Elder Judd, they are staying in Ketchikan this next transfer
as a companionship. Then he asks to speak to Elder Meade. "Elder Meade
you will be staying in Ketchikan and your new companion is Elder
Hall." Up to this point I was confident I was staying so it was a
little shocking I wasn't staying. Then President asked to speak to me,
and this conversation followed.

President: Elder Jensen, how are you doing? (I'm pretty nervous this
is my first real transfer call and I have no idea where I'm going but
now I know I'm leaving)
Me: I'm doing just great President, how are you?
President: I'm doing well my self. Elder Jensen. How-aa, how is your
Tongan? (At this point Elder Brätt starts freaking out, he was the
last poloingie or white guy to serve in the Tongan Ward and he loves
it and misses it and elder Meade is kind of having a little tantrum.)
Me (voice cracking a little bit): I'm not going to lie President, it
is really really shaky. ( I'm really nervous now and not sure what to
think.)
President: That's ok. Elder Jensen are you prepared to gain weight?
Me: I had heard there was a good chance I would before I accepted my
call, so I guess you could say that.
President: That's great to hear Elder Jensen, because you are needed
in the Lake Hood Tongan ward to serve with Elder Na'a. At the end of
next transfer your Tongan will be much better and you will probably
quite a bit heavier. If you some how figure out how to lose weight in
the Tongan Ward let me know.

It took me around three hours to fall asleep that night.

A little bit of context for elder Meade being angry. Earlier that day
we were discussing transfers and I said. "I don't even know where I
should want to get transferred to, I don't know the mission at all.
Where should I want to go?" He said his dream companion was Elder Na'a
and his dream area would be to serve in Pioneer peak or Tongan Ward
with him, so he feels like I stole his call. Also he was totally
ragging on the kid who was going to be his next companion an hour
before we got transfer calls. I think he learned his lesson haha.

The next day the APs called to give me my travel itinerary. They
informed me I was flying out Sunday evening instead of the expected
Monday afternoon. I had around 30 hours before I was supposed to leave
and I hadn't even thought about packing. Elder Meade and I went about
our already scheduled events and we stopped by as many people as we
could to say goodbye. It was sad because I didn't have much
opportunity to see to people, but it is what it is.

Sunday was fast and testimony meeting. I bore my testimony to the and
cried a little while doing it. I let them know how much I loved them
and the place where they lived and for everything they had done for
me. And my testimony of the Atonement and the Book of Mormon. It was
an amazing testimony meeting. After church we said goodbye to as many
people as I could but I had to be to the ferry at 6:45. I said goodbye
to Elder Meade and Elder Brätt and Elder Judd and left in darkness the
paradise I came too 4 months ago when the sun was shining and the
float plans and fishing boats and cruise ships busying around with the
Fourth of July banners all over town. And I know I could have done
more but I know I left it a better place and a better man.

I was flying solo that night. It was a weird feeling being alone. I
was just flying to Juneau to stay the night with the Zone Leaders then
I would catch a flight to Anchorage early the next morning. I landed
around 8:20, and expected to be picked up probably around 9:00 o'clock
or so.  What I didn't know was that the APs had forgotten to tell them
I was coming in Sunday night. The airport quickly emptied out and I
was the lone soul there. But I was confident they were coming. At 9:30
I decided I had better call but I didn't have anyone's phone number I
had no idea what I would do even if I got a phone it would do me no
good. Eventually I found the last lady at the airport and asked to
barrow her phone, I knew that something would come to my head if I
could get my hands on a phone. I knew that I had always been taken
very well care of so far on my mission and I knew the Lord wouldn't
let me down now and that it would come to me. I looked at the phone
and remember I could call the Elders in Ketchikan, and they could call
some missionaries in Juneau! And then I couldn't remember their number
exactly. I tried what I thought it was and a girl answered. Wrong
number hang up. I tried a different one and Elder Brätt answered, and
he figured it out for me. I got picked up around 10:30 or 10:45. It
took forever, I was freezing and wet, it was drizzling and in the 30s
and I had checked my bags with my jacket to Anchorage because you have
to travel with a suit. I stayed up really late talking to the Zone
Leaders, it's one of theirs last night as a missionary and it was
pretty sad.  I land in Anchorage and it's 20 degrees, and my jacket is
packed away, not that it would do me much good because it's pretty
much a just light rain jacket. My feet froze. Luckily I thought of it
last night so the Elder that is leaving gave me a nice pair of long
johns, so it could have been worse. The Sand Lake Elders picked me up
and are hosting me until tomorrow.

As I flew from Juneau to Anchorage this morning I thought Bishop
Genho's calling it "The Great White North" was accurate for as far as
the eye can see there is feet upon feet of snow coving all the ground
up to the ocean among all the peaks and glaciers. It is a maze of deep
bluegreen ocean tangled up against white mountains with just the
steepest and highest peaks and cliffs jutting out out of the blanket
of snow. It is a deep and beautiful contrast.

And here I sit in a church building in North Anchorage, with two
missionaries I've never met 800 miles from my last area and ready to
start a new adventure tomorrow, knowing I still have so much to learn
and that it is going to be a struggle having a companion who doesn't
speak English well (he's from Tonga and has been learning it since he
got on his mission.) and not being able to talk much in appointments.
And the darkness is going to get to me. And it all started Friday
night. Life goes by too fast and is too full of goodbyes. But boy am I
excited.

I love you all and hope you are doing well. I pray for you all hope
that you are ponderosa get a scripture a week.

Love,
Elder Jensen