Week 59-July 22, 2019

Sunny Rain part 2 ☀️💦

Dear FamBam:

It rained a lot again this week~ It gets real hot, all the water evaporates, and then it cools down about 1 degree and all that water dumps from the sky! We got to seem some sweet lightening too!

This week we spent a lot of time traveling to and from Taipei~ 6 times actually! Monday: we went to Taipei to eat mango shaved ice with some other sisters, Tuesday: MLC, Wednesday: taught a blind girl found through English class with Sister Peterson in the beautiful mission home, Thursday: Central Zone Council, Friday (twice): we participated in a youth activity called Mini MTC and got to take 2 young women each and go work in our area for a couple hours. It was super cool! Both the girls I went with are planning on serving missions and they are just the sweetest, most inspiring little spirits! I remember doing similar activities as a youth and it felt a little strange being on the official missionary side of things. 

Other than that, all is well here in Danshui.

Oh yeah! Bucket list item checked off: share the gospel with a cop at a stoplight! (this time it wasn't because I got pulled over! )

Scripture of the week:

3 Nephi 5:13

"Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life."

During the mini MTC activity, I practiced memorizing this verse with the Taiwanese young women in English and Chinese and I just love it so much! It is such an honor to represent Jesus Christ and no matter if we wear a nametag or not, we are all His disciples and can follow His example in our thoughts, words, and deeds as we share His light with others! ️

Sending hugs and prayers!

Sister Jensen 

Rain!

Fav snack: apples and peanut butter 

Mini MTC

Visit to Chen JM's

Preparation day bowling/pool

YSA activity 

North Taipei Zone Council 

MLC

Zhang family

Week 58-July 15, 2019

Danshui Daze

Hey FamBam!

First week in Danshui has been a blast! Also, a blaze! It's been super hot and Danshui is literally all hills, but I just try to remember that sweat is just your fat crying! Danshui is at the very top of Taiwan, right next to the ocean!

Sister Smith is amazing. She's from Utah, half Taiwanese, loves basketball, and really understands the Taiwanese people. Today we actually got to have lunch with her grandma!

The view from our apartment is breathtaking and almost every day I wake up and "I've been staring at the edge of the water, long as I can remember..." pops into my head. I'll attach some pics.

The Danshui ward is HUGE and the Zone leaders also cover the same area as us. It has been super fun to meet a ton of the members (also a little overwhelming ~ so many new names to learn). We are teaching quite a few families and meeting them has also been a real pleasure. I feel so blessed coming into this beautiful area.

Scripture of the week:

Helaman 5:30

"And it came to pass when they heard this voice, and beheld that it was not a voice of thunder, neither was it a voice of a great tumultuous noise, but behold, it was a still voice of perfect mildness, as if it had been a whisper, and it did pierce even to the very soul."

I have been working on recognizing spiritual promptings recently, specifically taking correction from the Spirit. I like this scripture because it reminds me that I have to be listening and ready to hear or feel it, and when I do, it pierces my soul because I know what the Spirit tells me is true. This week take a moment to think about how the Spirit talks to you and what the Spirit might want you to change. 

Love you all!!!

Have a FANTASTIC week! 

Sister Jensen 

Week 56-July 1, 2019

Fun in the Sun!

Hey Fam! 

Sorry I am short on time this week but here is a quick miracle we saw! 

On Saturday, we had a lesson cancel so we had 45 minutes and thought what can we do in these 45 minutes to help us find new friends this week? And so we got our phones out and called formers but unfortunately it seemed like no one was answering or interested and so we decided to get chocolate cookies and try a different method. While we were in line, we talked to the girl behind us and turns out she had been to church before, lives in the neighborhood, and was super sweet and open to talking to us. After we both got our food, we asked if she had 5 minutes right then that we could share a message with her about our church. She said sure! We shared with her about God and the Book of Mormon and how she pray to know God is real. I shared Alma 37:37 because it was the scripture I thought of and my companion shared a great personal experience with prayer and all of a sudden she opened up about a fight she had with her father the night before and how this scripture was exactly what she needed to hear to know how to make things right with her father. She also said she would come to church the next day!  It was just an awesome experience to know that the Lord was working through us to bless this lady and her relationship with her earthly father. Everything that day worked out so that we met. God has a plan and put us in line just at the right time to meet her and the Spirit guided our message without us really being super conscious of it.

Have a fantastic week!

Love you all!

Sister Jensen 

Week 55-June 24, 2019

Notification of missionary return

27 June 2019


The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsTaipei Taiwan Mission    4F, No 24, Lane 183, Chin Hua St., Taipei, Taiwan 10606 Tel: (02)2393- 32

Dear Jensen  Family,

Greetings from Taiwan where your daughter, Lydia Grace Jensen , is serving in the Lord’s vineyard. Currently, your  missionary is scheduled to depart Taipei on 21 Dec 2019 . Even though Sister Jensen is not scheduled to complete hermission for some time, we desire to ensure post-mission plans are in place for her. The purpose of this letter is to help you plan in three major areas.



1. DEPARTURE  DATE: Because of a six week transfer cycle, most missionaries will not return home on the same anniversary day they reported to the MTC, and most return a little thereafter. .

The release from missionary service is performed by  Sister Jensen's Stake President.  Prior to Sister  Jensen 's return, you should schedule a date and time for her Stake President's release interview. It should be scheduled immediately upon her returning home.

2. PARENT'S VISIT: In the Mission President’s Handbook it states,

 “Missionaries should travel directly home from their missions. Any other travel is permitted  only when the missionary is accompanied by at least one of his or her parents or guardian, The  Church discourages parents from picking up their missionary. However, if they do request this  privilege, make sure the parents understand that:

 · Their plans must be based on the departure date established.

 ·  They should not request a change in the departure date to accommodate other travel plans for commitments.

 · They should request this privilege from the Mission President and the Church Travel Office at least three months in advance if they plan to travel home with their missionary. (Six months preferred)

 · They are expected to pay and make own arrangements, including travel, lodging, and meals.”

 · Travel to Mainland China is not available for Taiwan missionaries. Taiwan Missionaries must return to the United States before traveling to China.

The church guidelines also states:

“Returning missionaries and parents should not impose on members, missionaries, or other missions as they travel. Do NOT stay in member or non-member homes and do NOT let them pay for transportation, even if they offer."

 Please do not take advantage of members who love and care for the missionaries in this area. It would be appropriate to take local members to dinner and pay for the dinner.

We request that all family members dress and act in accordance with church standards while visiting Taiwan. This is particularly important since one parent will be a companion at all times. While parents are not expected to dress in missionary attire like a full-time missionary, dress should be modest and meet accepted church standards.

Your missionary is not released until he/she has been interviewed personally by her home Stake President after you return home, so plan activities which allow you to continue to follow all mission rules.

3. EDUCATION PREPARATION: In order to keep missionaries focused on the work of the Lord, we ask that parents handle as much of the admission process as possible. Please fill out as many application forms, financial aid, transcripts, letters of recommendation, etc. as possible. It is recommended that you apply 4-8 months in advance of a semester start at major universities and 1-3 months in advance at community colleges.



Thank you again for sending  Sister  Jensen  to the people of Taiwan, Feel free to communicate with us by e-mail at 2019353@churchofjesuschrist.org or call 886-2-23933285.



Warmest regards,





President Michael L. Peterson

Taiwan Taipei Mission