P-Day: After Hours

May 7, 2018

If there's one thing that we can't get enough of in Jaén, it's understated service projects. In the days leading up to Monday, we were informed by both our Elders Quorum president and ward mission leader of a sister in the ward who needed "just a couple pieces of furniture" moved from the garage/storage room thing of her building to her apartment on the second floor, and it had to be done on Monday. We couldn't really say "no" so we got a ride from a member to the apartment building and we got started--only, there was just a little more work to be done than we were told. First, we had to bring down a bunch of chairs, shelves, a fridge, and a couple other items. Also, the second floor was technically the third floor. We then had to bring up about four mattresses, a larger fridge, couches that were almost too big to go up, other dressers, a TV, and newer little things. They said it wouldn't take anything more than an hour. It took three.

We talked with President the day before in regards to making up lost time (when we could do it, if we could do it) and he said that he trusted our judgement. Using that, and the unexpected hunk of time taken out of our day, we decided to add an extension to the day so we could get the full 8 hour period of Preparation Day. The four of us played basketball on this cool little half court in a park and Johnny showed up to make a surprisingly fun 2 on 3 game. After lunch, we wrote emails and such, then did our shopping and cleaning at the end of the day.

The rest of the week wasn't too out of the ordinary. Well, we had exchanges which isn't as ordinary. And we had a ward activity....and we got José set up with a baptismal date. 

Huh! I guess this week wasn't all that ordinary. 

ANYwho! We had a little switcharoo of companions on Tuesday and Wednesday. I was with Elder Palazzo Tuesday evening. We helped a member preparing for a mission practice the Plan of Salvation, and then we went out and contacted; however, it was the national Labor Day, so everyone was everywhere but the street. We got some good conversation out of it. He's extremely laid back and pretty dang funny so there weren't too many dull moments. We also talked with President about the situation with older José and whether or not he needed to wait for baptism and he said as far as he could tell, nothing is impeding him. Woo!

Wednesday was pretty cool. Elder Wiseman and I met with younger José and he had even more questions ranging from seer stones to the scale of Christ's atonement. This time we started and ended with a prayer (last time he just dove right in and we went along with it) and he said the last one. He gave thanks for how we answered his questions perfectly. There was a good vibe felt throughout the rest of the day. 

On Thursday, we met with older José with the plan of setting a baptismal date for the 19th. As we were explaining that he in fact didn't need to wait anymore, he said that he would like to be baptized on the 19th! Revelation! He's a good dude. A shining example of a corazón dispuesto.

Friday, we were out and about in the morning, and got a Family Home Evening set up with a less-active member (not planned)! In the evening we had English class, of the which not a single soul attended, and a ward FHE activity that was very well attended! Eh, you win some and you lose some, I guess. The Goodricks made a German chocolate cake and HOLY mackerel it was probably the best cake I've had in the mission.

Saturday was dead because Elder Bushman was very under the weather and needed medicine and bed rest. But he's feeling good now so it's all good. Sunday was very regular with meetings, reports, more meetings, and studies. Good stuff.

It is now at this time that I should probably insert some sort of spiritual thought.

I'm currently in the Book of Ether in the Book of Mormon at the moment, well, I actually finished it today, but that's beside the point. For those of you who are familiar with the final chapters of Ether, you know it's kind of depressing. It is a brief, yet grim summary of the downfall of a once-thriving civilization that spread across ancient North America. Basically, deceit, hatred, rejection of a prophet's council, blood-lust, pride, and never-ending war whittle millions down to a handful of people, which then leads to two survivors, and then to one survivor cursed to witness the destruction of his house and his people.

Moral of the story: When you get that feeling--that prompting--to do the right thing in any situation, do it. We are all given the Light of Christ, a conscience, if you will, that gives us all an inclination to do things that are morally right. While the example of the Jaredites is a little extreme, the beginning of their decline began with an abandonment of their God and a dropping of their morals for personal and temporal gain. The more we reject that divine inclination, the harder it becomes to feel. When we numb ourselves to righteous desires, we walk a treacherous, slippery path that can, and will, eventually lead to pain, sorrow, and spiritual stagnation. 

I hope all is going good wherever you might be!

Elder Jensen :)

I never said anything about great grandma's birthday last week soooooo HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GRAMMA GRAESSER!!!