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

We had a church openhouse for everyone who wanted to see what it was like, and we had a great turnout

Asado with the zone

farfal, kotter and I in a kettle

Elder Kotter

Elder Farfal

Elder Bingham

Elder Oliveira

My new agenda

Saying bye to the Luna family

Saying bye to part of the Moran family 

Saying bye to the other part of the Moran family

Saying goodbye to my son, Elder Miliotto, this morning

My new companion Elder Oyarzabal from Uruguay

Saying goodbye to the Sisterna Family

Saying bye to Maria and her family

Saying bye to the Avila family

Easter Egg - Dean Funes

Well what a week it's been am I right?

I have a super great video with my companion, but it's taking a while to load, I'll send the link if it finishes. Paciencia

As I'm sure at least most of you know, it was Easter Sunday, which is awesome. Here in Argentina they take Thursday to Sunday off of work and school for Semana Santa (Holy Week) but mainly just to sleep. We as missionaries had a great time though. It felt like naturally all of our lessons became more and more focused on the sacrifice of Christ and His resurrection. It was a really edifying week for me, I've felt more gratitude than ever for Christ and everything He's done for us. 

This week we also had a multi-zone conference, it was awesome as always, especially because we were able to have 4 generations of trainers together. Elder Gingles, Elder Farfal, me, and Elder Miliotto. So awesome. This is Elder Gingles' last transfer, but Elder Farfal still has a year left, so we're going to see if we can get 5 generations, if my son trains, and his son trains before Farfal goes home.

We have some great stuff happening in Dean Funes, I'm absolutely loving it here with Elder Miliotto, we're working real hard, and we're really starting to see miracles from our efforts. God will help you if you ask. His arms of mercy are extended.

Love you all, hope you have a sick deans week, seeya later!

Elder Jenkins

P O K É M O N - Dean Funes

Well, there you have it folks, I finished the Pokemon theme song, using one line at a time for each of my email subjects. If you haven't caught on by now, I don't know what to tell you. I started this journey on October 30th, 2018, when I was still chillin in Catamarca in my first transfer. What an experience. 

At this crucial point of change, it's a good time to remind you that my aunt Teresa has made a super epic blog where she puts all my emails and pics and extra stuff, its really cool. check it out: http://elderdallinjenkins.blogspot.com/

This week was real hard, not gonna lie. Hard is good though, it means you're getting stuff done. We've been working a lot with a family that's less active, trying to get them to get back to church and help two of their daughters get baptized. They weren't able to go to church on Sunday, but we taught a good lesson at their house after. We also invited a different boy from a different family to be baptized, and he accepted! When we meet with his brother, we'll also ask him to be baptized. They've come to church lots of times, its about time they should be baptized. Exciting stuff.

Highlight of the week was Saturday morning, when I got a call while eating my "Big-egg"TM (Patent pending) from my padre of the mission, Elder Farfal, who is currently in the office as the pensionero, or the person in charge of the apartments. He lets me know that him, his companion Elder Smith, and President Correa are gonna be at our apartment in an hour to paint and fix everything. YAY! It was super duper fun, listening to music together (You already know that Prez was jamming to some Rappers in the Aisle), painting everything so it looks super nice, going to get lunch with Prez and my padre, and singing hymns all together. It was a great time, and it was super fun to hang out with Elder Farfal again, it's been a while since we've seen each other. Also President Correa is a great singer and he gave me advice of what types of Argentine flutes I need to buy and learn to play before I go home. He showed me video examples. Now the pension looks really clean and nice, and we had time to organize it all today. 

We got to eat an asado at a member's house, and we're gonna eat another one tonight somewhere else. Asado is just a ton of meat that's all cooked real slow and good. It's the best meat you'll ever have. 

I'm writing today, not tomorrow, because we have a mission conference tomorrow, so we'll need to travel to Córdoba. It'll be great, its always fun to see other missionaries, and get trained by the assistants and President. I'm really excited.

This week I've thought a lot about how amazing the Atonement is, especially after tearing up teaching it to a family during an exchange in a different area. We watched the Prince of Peace video that the church made, and it's really powerful. It's amazing that no matter what pain or suffering or sin we're dealing with, Christ has already paid for it, we just need to "come" to Him into his "arms of mercy" and He's ready and willing to help us. Everyone be sure to be grateful for that huge sacrifice. 

Hope you all have a great week, don't miss me too much. 

Elder Jenkins

(PS, if anyone has an idea of what I should do with my subject lines, please help me, I feel lost now that I've finished the Pokemon theme song.)

Cooking asado

Painting with my son (Elder Miliotto), my dad (Elder Farfal), and Elder Smith. I forgot that Elder Miliotto had painted a smiley face on my cheek, and didn't wash it off before the picture. RIP.

Lunch with the boys and President Correa in our backyard.

La historia familiar: my dad of the mission and my son. Que tierno.

My son and I, and I'm pointing to Elder Farfal's (my dad) plaque.
All the missionaries keep their dad's plaque in their suit coat, and later their son's too.

RIP Jeff, the way-too-large spider that took about a gallon of Raid to kill. 

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