Finding Your Own Testimony

Howdy! 


      Another week gone by in the blink of an eye. I'm starting to think that 2 years isn't going to be long enough. While the days were fast, they were good and productive. We stayed up in lubbock for a few days, arrived on Monday and we didn't leave until Wednesday late afternoon. We had transfers on Tuesday which are always bitter sweet and exhausting. I got my new companion Elder Judd, and we crashed at some elders place and played cards and had a fun time with some of my district. The following day I gave my district council instruction, which I feel like went very well and it was fun to get to know some more people and become friends with them. I mentioned in my previous email that I was feeling a little anxious recieving my new position as the district leader, but while it's not easy, I am enjoying getting to serve missionaries and care for them and show them in ways I haven't really had the chance to before. It makes me happy to see other people happy. 


      As for the lessons and work that was done this week, we had more opportunities to share the gospel and bare our testimonies. It's always a good day when we get to do that. We did a lot of contacts and finding, unfortunately we had a lot of people drop the ball on us and bail last minute, but we got someone to church regardless, and they have been taking the lessons and progressing towards baptism. Not much really happened beyond that in terms of teaching, but thats what happens when you serve in a part of the country where there's more churches on every street than people to attend them, and all of those people having strong faith and commitment to their church already. They play nice and invite you in, only to eventually lead no where, or sometimes the occasional Bible bashes. The weather has also had its fair share of bashing. Texas weather is extremely bipolar. We had some very cold days followed by some super hot days, and just yesterday it rained in the morning, cleared up after church and it was absolutely perfect, then hours later all the streets were blocked off as a massive dust bowl blew in and made miday look like the sun was getting its bulbs replaced. The power went out and the dust was thick, it's what I imagine happened when the savior was crucified and there was total darkness for 3 days. 


     Our mission is doing a challenge to read the book of Mormon everyday with our companions, the cool part about this is every missionary is reading the same chapters everyday and I love being a participant in this. My testimony is growing as I see the blessings that come from studying God's word, and the fruit of my labors are being shown. It's made me realize how far I've come. When I first came out I knew close to nothing, you could even go as far as saying my testimony was built off my parents, and what I grew up in but didn't fully belive in. But I've come to know that's not the truth. I have been a missionary for over six months. I sacrificed seeing my family, put my schooling and life on hold that I had back home, gave up old habits and friends, and put off so much. If my testimony wasn't strong, I couldn't just be floating around in the waves of it all, that would be torturous and quite literally impossible and there would be no point in being out here. I'm out here and continue to serve and give up so much, because I know I have more to gain. I know there is nothing greater going on in this world right now than the gathering of Israel. I could not have made it this far without realizing what I am doing, believing in it for myself, and by the grace and power of God. Now is the time for us to grow our testimonies and learn who God is. Life has no worth or meaning without this simple truth. 


Anyways yall, it's been a week for sure. I have a lot in my mind always, so I know the tone of this is more serious than usual. My conversion has been an ongoing journey, one that I am grateful for and have become fond of. I love yall and hope and wish and pray for the best!! 


- elder jenky 


Pics: 
1: this wind blows 
2: am I dead?
3: I don't like sand....
4: another storm pic 
5: just a small hole 
6: mmm food 
7: my district 
8: Odessa reunion? 
9: district card game 
10: Becky boy
11: grummy bear 
12: shcawtty 











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