LA RIOJAAAAAAAA

LET'S GOOOOOOOOOO

it was transfers this last week, and I COULD NOT BE HAPPIER! It was super sad leaving Cosquín (I had been there for 6 months!), but I'm stoked to now be in La Rioja! My mission consists of 3 different provinces, Córdoba (where most of the mission is), Catamarca (where I started my mission), and La Rioja (where I'm at now). I got the trifecta! This province is well known for being HOT. SO SO HOT. Seriously though, my first day it was toooooooastyyyyy and they said it was a calmer day. Today, a storm came in (which NEVER happens here) so it's a cool day today, but everyone tells me I need to buckle up. 

Another great thing is that my new companion is Elder Corgiat, who I've known since I started in Catamarca. Also in this zone are familiar faces Elders Singley, León, and my trainer Elder Farfal! It'll be a good transfer, and there is a LOT of work to be done. The people have already been so open and nice!

I'll send some cool pics I have from the week, it's been pretty great.

This week I've really loved studying the topic of the Savior's atonement and repentance (I hope you are all reading Ven Sigueme (Come Follow Me)). In my farewell talk in Cosquín I talked about the story of Alma the Younger. A wicked dude, lots of trouble, against everything the church stood for. However, after his encounter with an angel of the Lord, the was left motionless and speechless for 3 days. At the end of that time, he awoke and proclaimed that he had repented and that God and Christ exist and love us, and then went on to become a great missionary. He talks later about his experience (Alma 36), and one part always stands out to me. 

17 And it came to pass that as I was thus ^aracked with torment, while I was ^bharrowed up by the ^cmemory of my many sins, behold, I ^dremembered also to have heard my father prophesy unto the people concerning the coming of one Jesus Christ, a Son of God, to atone for the sins of the world.

18 Now, as my mind caught hold upon this thought, I cried within my heart: O Jesus, thou Son of God, ^ahave mercy on me, who am ^bin the ^cgall of bitterness, and am encircled about by the everlasting ^dchains of ^edeath.

19 And now, behold, when I thought this, I could remember my ^apains ^bno more; yea, I was harrowed up by the memory of my sins no more.

20 And oh, what ^ajoy, and what marvelous light I did behold; yea, my soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was my pain!

21 Yea, I say unto you, my son, that there could be nothing so exquisite and so bitter as were my pains. Yea, and again I say unto you, my son, that on the other hand, there can be nothing so exquisite and sweet as was my joy.

Alma's conversion and repentance all began with the simple act of remembering the Savior and His sacrifice, then calling upon his name for forgiveness. That turned all his sorrow and pain into joy and light.

The same can happen in our lives! If any of you are "racked with torment" or feel pain because of your sins, remember Christ! He is there and real and He loves you! Ask Him for forgiveness, and you can feel the same sweetness and joy as Alma did. I testify of that!

Love you all, have a great week!

Elder Jenkins

transfers and goodbyes and sunrises - General La Madrid

Crazy and long but good week!

We had multizone conference this week, which was great cuz I got to see some of my old companions, plus it was the first conference of the new mission president, so that was fun. However, it was sad too, because this was the last conference of one of my old comps, Elder Bingham, who was with me in Catamarca. He's the first of my comps to finish the mission. He's on his way home as I'm writing this email. Good guy, if any of you are going to BYU, you'll have to say hi from Elder Jenkins:)

This week was also transfers, and my comp Elder Oyarzabal got assigned to a new area, Santa Ana, so a lot of this week was spent saying goodbye. We visited a few families, and ate some great dinners. 

Earlier today we left to the terminal to meet up with all the missionaries, where I dropped off Elder Oyarzabal, and picked up my new companion from Chile, Elder Ortega. He's from the same group as Oyarzabal and my hijo Elder Miliotto, so I've already gotten to know him a bit from before, he's a cool guy, I think we'll get along great.

Hope you all have a great week, find ways to help those around you! Every morning, ask God who needs your help, and pray for the ability to find that person and follow through with the prompting!

Elder Jenkins

It's always been our dream - Dean Funes

How are ya? 

This is gonna be a short email, I don't have much time, but there's a chance I'll be able to email tomorrow but I'm not sure. Thats because...

I'm leaving Catamarca! I have mixed feelings about it, these past 4 and a half months have been really amazing, and I've learned so much. I'll definitely remember all the experiences I've had here. Yesterday and today have been filled with saying goodbye to so many of the awesome people I've met during my time here, it was a lot harder than I was expecting. They'll be alright though, Elder Bingham and his son (he's gonna train a new missionary) are going to keep checking up on all of them. I said bye to Graciela, Andrea, Lucia, and her daughters, which was one of the hardest things of my mission so far, they were one of my first visits, and I've been to their house so many times, they're like family. Ill miss them so much. Also last night Elder Constanza, my first zone leader, left to Córdoba to go back to his home in El Salvador. He's been a great example and teacher to me, and he's finished his mission like a champ.

Tonight I leave on my way to Dean Funes, another city in the middle of nowhere! This time in the province of Córdoba, but halfway on the way back to Catamarca. I'll be with Elder Olivera from Brazil, and I'm stoked. It'll be fun to get to know more people and a new place.

If I'm able to email when I get there, I'll send photos and stuff, but love you all, hope everything is going well!

You're one big beaver,

Elder Jenkins

Arm in arm, we'll win the fight - Catamarca

February already? Someone needs to tell me if the Groundhog saw his shadow or not, and what that means for the Southern Hemisphere, cuz I could use some cold weather right about now.

Another good week of work in Catamarca! I think I'm finally going to be blister free, after over a month of foot pain haha! gotta love Catamarca heat and inconvenient walking! nah but we're good, Elder Bingham has been a lot sicker than I have so I have a good example to follow of working hard.

We had a really great lesson last night, I started out unable to speak, I don't know what happened. But partway through, I said a quick prayer to myself, took a deep breath, and the Spirit helped me a lot, and we had a very powerful lesson to 4 new people. 

Not too much else for this week, the Church is true, because it's the same Church that Jesus established, and He is still it's head! Next week is transfers again, CRAZY, and this time it's pretty likely that I'll leave Catamarca, but who knows? I'm not certain I'll be able to email next week but I'll try!

There's the flavor,

Elder Jenkins

Panchita the parrot drinking mate

The baby of the lady Farfal and I baptized

Getting a haircut

Intercambios with Elder Macquehue from Chile. This is his first transfer, and he's awesome, reminds me a lot of Elder Farfal, also from Chile

drinking pritty limón soda with Elder Bingham

Corbataza (neck tie)

Me with some cool murals/art 

There's no better team - Catamarca

There's no better team than Elder Bingham and I, I tell you what. We've been working dang hard out here in Catamarca, especially because chances are that I'll get transferred out next transfer, so I probably have two weeks to leave any mark I'm going to leave in this place. Gotta stay on that grind.

I just want to share a short experience from this week that was really special to me, and is hard evidence that the church is true. Because it is.

A little while ago, we were walking down a street, and we saw a recent convert in front of a food service building, so we said hi. When we walked up, the service ladies inside invited us in for mate and to share a message. It was awesome, we talked, most were super duper Catholic, but one woman wasn't very religious and had a ton of questions that we answered as best we could, and we set another return appointment. Went back another day, and taught them about the Restoration, and the Book of Mormon. We could see she was a little skeptical about Joseph Smith seeing Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, but she was really intrigued by the Book of Mormon. We asked her to read it and pray, and told her she would receive an answer about our church. She said that she didn't think she would, but she would try. 

When we went back the next time, she sat outside with us, and told us that the other ladies were saying bad stuff about our church. We asked her if she read and she said that she read what we told her to, but it was boring. 

RIP.

BUT THEN. She said that she started reading a different part of the Book, specifically the Introduction. She said she prayed and felt a feeling that she couldn't describe, but she felt really calm and peaceful about all of it, and that she wanted to learn even more. She also told us that she liked what we taught and that she WANTS TO JOIN OUR CHURCH. We need to finish teaching her everything and have her come to church, but I feel like this story shows the true power that the Book of Mormon has. Its the truth, man. Sometimes we take the scriptures for granted, SO DON'T! READ YOUR SCRIPTURES, PEOPLE!!! Seriously you'll receive so many blessings, including an answer like Alejandra if you need it. 

Love you all, the church is true, the book is blue. 

Get dunked on,

Elder Jenkins

PS I tried sending a ton of awesome pictures of my adventures in making some Donut Balls, but they might have to wait. but in the meantime you have the end result.

Come with me, the time is right - Catamarca

Catamarca is the best. This week has been great, we've seen a lot of small miracles. 

We've started visiting with a couple that has a little daughter, the dad is an inactive member, but his girlfriend isn't a member, but she wants to get married then baptized so bad. Which is really convenient, because since my companion Elder Bingham was the mission secretary, he knows all about the paperwork for everything, so we've been able to help them make steps towards those goals.

This Sunday in church, a new face showed up and just straight up said that he's investigating the church and wants us to visit him. He lives in our area and we visited him yesterday, and he has so much faith. He told us about family members that were members, and how the Gospel gave them peace in hard times. He wanted the same peace and to help his family have it too. What a guy. 

Not too much to say this week, but everything is going great! Pics this week include:

Nice sunset

Me riding a motorcycle

Eating Shawarma with Elder Bingham to celebrate another successful week

Playing Heart and Soul on piano with Elder Campbell for way too long

Hope you all have a great week, remember that God loves you and you can show your love for Him by doing the small things He asks of us! The Book of Mormon is true! Love you guys!

"Big, big, big, big, water,"

Elder Jenkins

To claim my rightful place - Catamarca

THIS WEEK WAS AWESOME!!!

First off, we had another zone conference in Córdoba, which means another 2 nights in a row sleeping on a bus for 5.5 hours! It was really fun though. I loved escaping the heat of Catamarca for a little while! The conference was great, President Correa got us all really hyped to have a great year working hard. Also, since Elder Farfal is working in the office, I got to see him again! It was weird to be with him, but with a new companion as well! 

Also in Córdoba, after the conference, we got to go to the temple! It was my first time actually being able to attend since the other times I´ve been in Córdoba it was either closed or we didn't have enough time. Let me just tell you guys, if you are able to go to a temple near you, just do it. Temples are the absolute greatest, I felt the Spirit so strongly, it was exactly what I needed to start the year off right. All you peeps, especially those in Utah, TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO GO TO THE TEMPLE!!!

I picked up some nice Christmas cards in Córdoba too, I especially loved the notes from the Primary kids of my ward! Thanks you guys!

The absolute highlight of the week was the baptism of Carolina! It was such a wonderful experience. I can really see the effect that the Gospel has had on her life. She is the first person to be baptized that I started teaching. It's been so cool to watch her progress each lesson from when we started teaching. I know that the Lord has been able to confirm her testimony that this is His true church on the earth. I know that as well. The Church that Jesus established when He was on the Earth really is restored and we can all benefit from it's message!!!

You are all wonderful, God loves each and every one of you. 

"The phone, the phone is ringing"

Elder Jenkins

(PS If you're looking for a nice tune this week, and you enjoyed starting the year with Me and Michael, check out I'm A Believer by Hot Dad. One of the best covers of all time.)

I will battle every day - Catamarca

Wow what a week.

Lowlights:

Saying bye to Elder Farfal, he's been an awesome trainer, but I'll see him a lot these next 6 months since he'll be in the mission office.

I ran out of toothpaste, so I bought some new toothpaste, but the lack of minty freshness is disheartening to say the least.

Highlights:

Elder Bingham! He just ended his time as the mission secretary in the mission office, and now he's out in Catamarca with me! We've had a lot of great success working together, and we get along really great. We've been contacting in a lot of new parts of our area, and we have found some great people. One street in particular really made me feel the Spirit when everyone was so interested in what we had to say, and our message, and gringo-ness, that we were just sitting on the curb talking about the Gospel and prayer, with about 15 people gathered around listening, aging from 2 to 8 to teenagers to adults to old men. It was so cool to see all these people and how all of them are able to benefit from the message of the Gospel of Christ.

We've been listening to a lot of Conference and BYU talks by different apostles, and I liked a few in particular that talked about doing the little things, and the Book of Mormon. Henry B. Eyring talked about how if we are able to enhance our efforts in the little things (scripture study, prayer, etc.) we will be blessed. Not only should we, but we need to improve in those areas in this changing world. Dallin H. Oaks talked about the importance of the Book of Mormon, and why it's important. We need to recognize/remember that the Book of Mormon's purpose is to testify of Christ. It really is "Another Testament of Jesus Christ." It's awesome. Everyone please make an effort to read the Book of Mormon every day.

We had to move a baptism date back a week so we could fit in everything we needed to teach her, but she passed the pre-baptismal interview and is way excited!

This week has been great, I'm excited for more time and work with Elder Bingham in Catamarca, hopefully with some days where the whole world doesn't feel like it's on fire. Loves.

"I like shorts, they're comfy and easy to wear!"

Elder Jenkins

With courage I will face - Catamarca

Hey! and Happy New Year everyone!

Everyone be sure to give 2018 the sendoff it deserves by listening to the best song to come out this year, (and the best song of all time), Me and Michael by MGMT. Also start off 2019 right by listening to Me and Michael by MGMT. And might as well make it a daily habit. Just saying.

This week was pretty good, a lot of anticipation to know about transfers coming up! Elder Farfal is going to go to Cordoba, to be in the Mission Office as the Pensionero! Exciting stuff. I'll be staying in Catamarca for at least one more transfer, and the old Secretary of the mission, Elder Bingham, will be my new companion! I'm really excited, I've gotten to know him a little bit already from the times I've traveled to Cordoba, he seems like a really good guy, and a hard worker. Elder Farfal leaves Tuesday night, and Elder Bingham gets here Wednesday morning. Im stoked.

We've been teaching a girl in a partial-member family, and she's progressed faster than anyone I've taught before. After her first sacrament meeting, she said that she already knew that this was the true church. And she has a baptismal date for this week! So if all goes well you'll get some pics next week!

Love and miss you all, hope you had a great 2018, and that 2019 will be even better! (Which it will be if you listen to Me and Michael. Just saying...)

Flameo, hotman,

Elder Jenkins

Every challenge along the way - Catamarca

Merry Late Christmas everyone! I hope everyone's holidays were spectacular!

Pics for this week include:

Our trip last P day to Pirquitas, an awesome lake, with cool rocks, and a nice dog. 

Emptying the dirty baptismal font by hand because the machine didnt work.

Farfal's small foot in my chacos.

The baptism of Lucia!!! We've been teaching her since I got to the field, and she finally joined the rest of her family in the church! It was really awesome, and she's progressed so much in loving the scriptures and the gospel. Her baptism was really great.

A picture of me with an old man, we visited an old person home, and this guy couldn't talk, so I don't know his name, but we conversed between my less than perfect spanish and his hand signals. It was really nice. We sang to them too.

Christmas Eve with Lucia's family, they're the sweetest.

Christmas morning with the zone! we spent christmas all together, because the rest of the country was busy sleeping.

Real quick I just wanted to add a spiritual thought, because I forget to add them in my emails a lot of the time. During the Christmas season, its a great time to remember our Savior, but we should remember Him all the time! His life was entirely dedicated to every one of us, and His sacrifice for us is the most selfless act in history. After being out here on a mission for this time, I've loved coming closer to the Savior and learning more about His life and love for us. So everyone, remember that Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father love each and every one of you personally, I testify of that.

I love you all, and I'll talk to you next year!

Elder Jenkins

The power that's inside - Catamarca

Hello!

Short week highlights:

We started teaching a really awesome family. Some of the fam are members, others aren't but they're all really awesome and interested.

I got bit by a parrot named Panchita.

A random guy stopped Elder Farfal and I on the street, handed us cien pesos (its not a lot in USD but it's a decent amount for us) and said to go buy ice cream, then walked away before we could say anything.

We went to a lake far away from the city, it was a super pretty hike, and a stray dog followed us the whole trail, it was epic.

There's not much else to report this week, but everything is really great, we got some rain this week so hopefully Christmas won't be too hot. Wish you all the best.

The sun is a deadly laser,

Elder Jenkins

Each to understand - Catamarca

Wow what a week. 

SO first off, I had to go to Cordoba this week to do paperwork so I don't get kicked out of the country, I left Tuesday night. To go to Cordoba, its a 5.5 hour bus ride starting at midnight. So I left tuesday, got there wednesday morning, and when I arrived, they told me that I actually have to do the paperwork on Friday, and the only place to do it is in Cordoba. So I chilled in the mission office that day, then Wednesday night I went on the same midnight bus back to Catamarca.

Elder Farfal had to do his paperwork Thursday, so for my day in Catamarca, my temporary comp was Elder Larsen, a gringo with even less time in the mission than me. So our Spanish game was a bit lacking. The day went really well though, we found some good people we can teach. Then Thursday night, again, midnight bus to Cordoba. 

This time, on Friday, I actually did have my paperwork to do. It was really awesome because I got to see the guys from my district in the CCM, including my old comp and best buddy in the mission Elder Kotter. Que capo. Spent the rest of Friday working in Villa Belgrano, then, yet again, midnight bus back to Catamarca. For those keeping count at home, thats four consecutive nights with 5 and a half hours of sleep riding in a shaky bus. It was awesome though, great story, great to see the people I haven't seen in forever.  

The rest of our week was pretty regular, just regular working, but I MADE CREPES today and we ate them with Dulce de Leche and Bananas and it was delicious. Also, Lucia, a girl we're teaching, is progressing really well.

Christmas time is awesome, I'm definitely being guided by the spirit, and I get help from the Lord when I'm exhausted from the heat and traveling and walking. Everything is awesome.  I miss stuff from home, but no part of me wants to go or be home. its weird. Like its all just excitement for when I can do it after the mission, no part is wanting to leave what I'm doing now. 

Thanks everyone for the prayers and support, I love you and I'll see you soon. LIGHT THE WORLD.

That is an interesting response,

Elder Jenkins

PS Also I wanted to mention that since Elder Farfal needed to go to Cordoba on Thursday, and me on Wednesday and Friday, that meant that we couldn't travel together, so for those 3 days and 4 nights I traveled solo, and I didn't see my Padre. Que triste. that's all.  

Crepes!

Guys from my CCM District

With Elder Kotter