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

WOW - Cosquin

WHAT A GREAT WEEK I TELL YOU WHAT!

K so I'm not gonna lie, coming here with nobody already interested isn't the easiest, BUT. I've learned so much. It's helped me look at every single person as someone with the potential to listen to and progress in the Gospel. I love sharing the Gospel. Especially in a place as pretty as Cosquín.

This week has also been one of the biggest in my personal progression. I've come to understand a lot more about what our purpose in being here on Earth is, and what we need to do to achieve that goal. I got to give a talk my first Sunday here to the branch, and I talked about how God's goal for us is to progress and become like Him. We can only do that by accepting Christ as our Savior, repenting, and making decisions that align our will with His. I've studied a lot about humility, diligence, and the plan of happiness, and I'm hyped up with a fire to complete my duty in the mission and my life. Everyone read the scriptures and get to know your friend and Savior.

Love you

Elder Jenkins

Cool thing in Santa Maria

Elder Vidal and I at the Cosquín River

The view from the roof of the apartment, looking at the Sierras, the peak on the left is called Pan de Azucar

I thought my christmas lights looked cool with my new brick wall

My new agenda, Theme: Power and Authority that comes from Obedience and Loyalty

my organized unorganized desk set up, featuring my plant that I just bought.

bye bye Lamadrid, Hello Cosquin

WOWZA!!! Crazy stuff. As the title indicates, I got transferred! I was so sure that I was going to stay in my old area General Lamadrid for another transfer with my companion, so I didn't even think about saying bye to anyone or packing bags, nothing. Not even in the back of my mind. 

But alas, on Saturday we got the call that I'd be leaving Lamadrid to go to Cosquin! I was in the same zone as Cosquin before, so I've already visited it and it is SO PRETTY. Probably the prettiest place in the mission. Also, they're bumping up the number of missionaries in the area from 2 to 4, so my new companion (Elder Vidal from Chile) and I will be starting from scratch finding people to teach! I'm really really excited.

It was really sad saying goodbye to all the families I know, it felt weird because my 3 months in Lamadrid passed by really fast. Hopefully I'll get the chance to go back and visit sometime. 

I'm sure I'll have a lot to tell next week, but today I don't have too much time because I need to move in all my stuff! Have a great week, talk to you later!

Elder Jenkins

COSQUIN

The Zone

The Zone, but silly

COSQUIN AGAIN

unplanned working on the foundation of a house, using a tube full of water to measure if is was level

LOMOPIZZA AND PRITTY BABYYYYY, shoutout to the Castidad pamphlet in the background.

In a world we must defend - Dean Funes

BOMB WEEK wowza.

Started off Wednesday by traveling to Córdoba capital for a missionary conference, and it was really great. I saw all my roommates from the MTC! Real fun. Talking about missionary work all together and listening to President and the Assistants give talks was really awesome and got me hyped to work as hard as I can. 

I had mate for breakfast in my new cow hoof mate, pretty dank, I think.

Yesterday we came to Cosquín for exchanges with the zone leaders, and it's so pretty, I'll send pictures. I was with Elder Caballero, and he's great. I love exchanges because you can learn from how other people teach. He teaches in a way that's very simple and easy to understand, and fun so it's not boring, and it reflects how much he cares about the people. I always have something to learn and that's what makes the mission so great. Learning is progress, and progress in the way of the Lord. A post-it note in our apartment says it best: "Always be happy, never be content." Don't get down on yourselves when you aren't perfect, because nobody is, everyone has something to improve. Look for those things in your life, and work hard to become the best person you can be. 

Leggo my Eggo,

Elder Jenkins