Jenkins, Joshua

Whats popping?       Man this week has got to be one of the least productive weeks I've ever had on my mission, but at the same time we also did a lot. We're still struggling with finding people to teach but slowly we've been meeting more and more people and next week we should really start seeing progress and the fruits of our labors. When the work gets slow like this, I tend to go back to feeling really anxious all the time and even get depressed. Some days I wake up and just wish I could lay in bed all day because I know that it's going to be a struggle the entire day to stay motivated and busy when there's not much going on in our area and not much to do. But If no one else, I'll be the one to do the work and to push through becuase I know there's still people here that need the gospel and I know that there's potential. We met mostly with just a bunch of members and inactive members and we were also met with a lot of doors slammed and phones hung up ...

Howdy yall!         Man I don't even know where to begin. The growth I've had just in this week has been insane. We didn't get into Alpine until late Wednesday evening due to our tire exploding on the highway, but we arrived safely and I'm grateful. I've heard many stories and fairytales about alpine and the shack, but what I saw when I arrived is not what I was expecting. We live in a literal tin shed, and it's been very humbling. The first thing I noticed about this area is just how beautiful it is. I never would have imagined seeing mountains in Texas, but I guess Texas ain't so flat. I also noticed many challenges I would soon have to face and it became obvious that I am going to need to work harder than I have before, and I am really going to need to rely on the Lord. Elder Aden, bless his heart, has just completed his training and doesn't know anything outside this area and his trainer. I dont know anything about this area either, so we are growing...

Good morning        Well it's been a good run. We got transfer news this weekend and I'm leaving plainview. I have come to love this area so much and everything that it's taught me. I've seen it at a state where there was little to no work to do, all the way to where it is now. I've definitely grown and learned the most here so far. It's been challenging but rewarding. I will always have a special place in my heart for plainview, and especially all the amazing people that I met here as well. I am going to return back to the Odessa zone, the Zone I started my mission in, only this time I'm even more isolated from the city compared to plainview. It's going to be me and my companion living in a literal shed. It's an incredibly small town but a big area to cover. It's in the mountains which is nice, but far from everything and everyone else. I'm a social butterfly, especially with other missionaries, so it will take some adjusting for sure, but i...

Well well well,     So we meet again. Man this week was a very very busy week for us. We had a lot of things to do to get ready for jazmins baptism and a lot of lessons and things to take care of aswell. I sweat through all of my white shirts which could be taken as a good thing I guess, but we were always on our feet doing something and it's nice to have a little break to catch up. We had zone conference in the beginning of the week and that was a very spiritual experience as always. We talked a lot about letting the atonement work for everyone, including other missionaries and other people, because some people struggle with allowing the atonement to work for the people they are around. It was a good message and it's important to remember that the atonement is and was for everyone, and everyone can be changed by the atoning sacrifice of our savior Jesus christ. When we hold someone's past over their heads we are not allowing ourselves to see how the grace of God has change...

Howdy yall!        I didn't write late this time! This week has been a very productive week and I've enjoyed being busy and working hard. We had exchanges on Tuesday and I got to leave my area after 3 transfers finally, and that was super refreshing. We got back and just put our shoulder to the wheel and grinded hard. We taught jazmin this week and also got her interviewed to be baptized, and she passed! She will be baptized and confirmed next weekend so stay tuned for that. We did a lot of service this week as well. We helped with the usual food bank and we also helped members with yard work and even rebuilding an entire fence. We met with Tarissa this week, and everytime we see her it's very interesting. This time she came bearing gifts! She made us all crosses with colors based on our characteristics and personalities, whatever that means. But that was very nice of her. Overall we were always on our feet and doing the lords work!       So I was...