Hook, Line, And Sinker

What it do? 

     Hey howdy and Hola. Still tryna change my intros lol. But this week has been, well I'll put it this way, a week. This week flew by at Mach 3 looking back but during the week it felt like I was saddling a slug. We weren't really having a whole lot of lessons or any success in our area at the start of this week, and if I'm not busy and my mind occupated, I get depressed so that was a little rough. Regardless of the big sad, and sluggish week, we started picking up speed and traction and ended with a bang. All God willing. I've seen myself really grow and change while being on my mission, and one way I know that I've changed is I have more motivation. I've never been one to quit at anything or give up really, but I noticed that my perspective and outlook has changed and it's easier for me to motivate myself and work harder if I'm down or things aren't working out. Instead of running from a problem, or tying to find an "easier" route to fixing it, I just take it on the chin, solve it, and come out on top. I'm grateful for the growth I've had, even if it's painful. No pain no gain baby! Let's get onto this week...

    Firstly let's just get the chores done and out of the way, and take out the garbage first. I've been really really struggling with my companion lately. He is a good kid and everything, and I really do love him, but it's been hard. He seems to have some anger issues and he takes it all out on me or the members or people that we are teaching. I don't let it get to me and I am trying to love him and have patience and not lash back or snap at him, but thats been very exhausting and mentally draining. The natural man in me wants to say stuff back and snap, or sometimes I'll be honest, punch. But I don't because he needs to be loved and deserves that just as much as anyone does. It's got so bad to the point where we just don't talk because I'd rather not talk, than to be screemed at constantly. I haven't yelled at him once or even given him a reason to lash at me, so it's been exhausting. I've talked to him about it several times in a cool and chill way and manner, but he just doesn't understand why its a problem. So I'm just trying to help him understand in a loving way, but I can only do so much. Other than that we get along okay. I just hope he doesn't snap at the members or people we teach at least. I know that hard companions are part of the mission and whatever, but that doesn't mean I have to deal with being yelled at everyday and have to put up with it. I've been struggling really bad and there's just us out here so I can't just go on exchanges or anything. But if no one else, I'll be that one person who treats him with love and kindness. God can put up with him and loves him, so I can at least find the good in him and be kind. But don't feel bad for me or anything, imma grow and become stronger, all I'm learning is to be the best husband at the end of the day so it's nothing but a win for me. 

     Okay phew, we made it through the gross part yall! So despite a slow week and having to take a lot of bathroom breaks to breathe and catch myself, this week ended good! We have been meeting with Bradie, he's a guy that we've taught a couple times now and he comes to church every week. He also is engaged to one of our members so thats cool but we taught him the past 2 days and on Saturday we set a baptismal date for him! We set a day of June 1st and he agreed! But after that we got a call from a member on Sunday and said he wanted to get baptized sooner! Maybe even next week! So stay tuned for that! We also had a ton of people that came to church as well. I've never seen this branch so full, it was so awesome! We got to teach the youth in second hour and it was awesome. I guess I'm really good with kids because that seems to be my audience that pays attention the best and participate the best which you would expect the opposite, but thanks to God given gifts, I can cater to both groups. But that was really fun! I enjoy teaching the youth and just teaching in general, it's my favorite thing to do now. I've become confident and comfortable in my own skin and with who I am so thats made it super easy to hold conversations and talk with everyone and just vibe with literally everyone. I'm extremely grateful for that and other gifts. 

     There was a lot of other little small things that happened this week and of course more work that we did, but I don't want to bore you with details or feed you too much, otherwise you wouldn't come back for more! But this week was definitely a roller coaster for me and that's okay because I like rides and I like experience and fun in all different shapes and sizes. I just wanted to share that God is good. In this life we often blame him for our trials and become angry with him because of what we go through in life. That's a very natural thing that we are probably all guilty of. While sometimes it's hard to see his grace and his goodness, it's there in front of our face, and when we turn our heads away from him we don't see it. So I want to encourage all of you to yoke yourselves with Jesus christ and follow him. He will give you rest. Those trials and hard things you blame him for, he will carry them with you and make them lighter. It's a pretty incredible thing once we realize just how merciful he really is and it's also life changing and stress relieving. I'm so pumped for general conference and can't wait to see what kind of peace he will bring with his words through the prophet and apostles. 

     Yall stay cute out there, and continue to be awesome people and great christ like examples to those around you. You never know the impact you have. 

-elder jenkins 

Pictures:

1: just a bunch of stuff with a car on the side 

2: cowboys or something idk I didn't pay attention in class 

3: are you the Mormon guys? How many wife's do you have?