Week 9! Max's 19th Birthday!

Week 9! Max's 19th Birthday!

Week 9 

 December 9,2013
Hey mom and dad, 
I’ve been doing pretty good lately! My birthday was good!! Im just really glad I didn’t end up tracting on it. In the morning right after we did Insanity, I opened the package, oh man i loved it!! Haha I loved everything you guys gave me. The socks and sweats were sick! The sweats were actually something I needed, along with the screwdriver. I loved the Nike socks too! So after we got ready we actually went straight to someones house to do service and we ended up cutting down a few trees. It was sweet!!  But FREEZING!! Man I was cold! It was a lot of fun using the ax too to chop some wood! So that took about like 3 and a half hours!  Right after a member, Brother Mosher again, took us to Craker Barrel and then after he drove us to see less actives and former members. Cracker Barrel was so good! After he took us, we went straight to Applebees with that gift card you sent us. Thank you so much for that too. IT was really cool, but the best part was watching the sections championship game for college football;) Then we just studied for the rest of the night because we missed it this morning. But ya, that was my day. It was a weird birthday not gonna lie, it didn’t really feel like it was my birthday. I missed you guys on that day for sure.  That’s good that they have been snowboarding a lot lately. It’s been snowing here a lot and looking at the powder really makes me miss it.  Elder D and I  still have a great time together most of the time. But ya, just been the same old. Its been very hard. Mission life is hard. Just something I really need to get used to. I loved all those pics you sent me. Sounds like you guys are doing great!!  And sounds like a lot of people posted pics of me as well. Man I wish I could see them. Oh well!! I loved Whitneys instagram pic you sent me, that is really awesome and means a lot. I have two pairs of long johns, think that’s enough?... haha not sure! 
Love you, Max

Ya, I’ve been fine, it’s just been really hard lately. No new investigators yet. Sucks a lot.  But ya, just same old hard stuff. 

Love, Max

Week 8! First Thanksgiving!

Week 8- Derry NH

Week 8                                                                                 
December 2, 2013

Hey guys!! 
I know its crazy I’m almost 19!! Happy Thanksgiving!! Abby follows Marielli now??  I love her, she’s super cool and we went to her family’s house for Thanksgiving, they are Guatamalan family so it was super cool and the food was sooo good. I ate so much I felt bad but the grandpa kept telling me to keep going so I figured...ehh what the heck. It was funny. Most of the family like the grandparents and the dad speak Spanish, little English, so it was weird yet entertaining cause they were trying to teach us a bit.  When I started using what I learned in high school, they were impressed, but Elder Dean had no idea what they were saying. Luckily the family spoke English too, it was a really good time. Well, after that, we went straight to another family’s home, the Cobars, and again another Guatamalan family, but they all spoke English and their were a lot of people there, includiong two other elders from the Exeter zone. It was a blast and I met a lot of new people. Not gonna lie, it was a bit hard knowing I wasn’t home with you guys for Thanksgiving. ps, i really liked your guys’ card.
Seriously? Man I hope Gertie will be ok.. keep me posted on that. Hows Jeni, Tim and Cody doing with that? I’ll be praying for her for sure. 
How was Moab?? Dad sent me the video, looks like it was a blast. I’m jealous. Its been getting really cold here recently. I’ve been fine so far. I just got the box today.  I won’t open it till Saturday.  I’m excited. Ya Elder D has a blog i guess. I was just gonna tell you about that. Elder D has one too, you should see if you can find it, his name is Elder D, i think. My companions good.  He’s a great missionary. We have a good time together. We always have mini Nerf wars in the apartment. Its been fun. Ya its been hard, really hard, but like Cole said, “so what”. I just keep looking forward. We had transfer call ins on Saturday, but we didn’t get a call so are both staying for at least another transfer. She did call you?! Wow thats really cool. Ya I was on companion exchanges up at Haverhill, and we went to this member’s home, and the wife is originally from Roseville, and her mom was there because she just had a baby, so she knew some of the people from there, then asked for my moms phone number, so I gave it to her,. Haha you guys broke down, aw I’m sorry. I really miss you guys a lot too. I think I’m good for now. Oh you maybe should start ordering the implant batteries soon, I’m good now, but i would order them now. Just in case. I love you guys so much! Email soon!! 

Miss you guys so much.

Pictures from Week 7

His Daily workout

Week 7- Derry, New Hampshire

Hey guys! Sounds like its been a pretty good week for you guys.  I'm sure you guys are super excited for the trip to Moab, I'm jealous!  We better be doing it when I get home. SO as for this week, it was pretty good. Monday night I went on companion exchanges with one of the zone leaders, he came here until wednsday afternoon. I learned so much.  I really liked him a lot, we had a lot in common. He plays baseball and other things. Then the rest of the days were the same, just a lot of finding etc. Actually on Saturday night it was a crazy night. SO we walked in the apartment for dinner at around 6 ish and it was a clear sky, didnt look like it was going to rain at all, then as we were done with dinner we walked out, I noticed there was white all over the ground and we looked up and it was snowing like crazy. So we decided to go for a walk instead of driving to be safe because they hadn't salted the road at the time. On the way back to the apartment, there is a big field of grass by us and Elder D and I were wrestling a bit just to have fun, then my implant fell off and fell in the snow. So we were on our hands and knees looking carefully to find it, there was barely any light, really dark, and it was snowing a bit. After about an hour of looking, we decided to run back to get the car to use its lights so we could have more light. So we did, and luckily after about 15 min I found it by crawling and feeling something on my knee. Surprisingly it still worked despite how wet it was. Definetly a hand of the Lord there. But ya, its just been really cold lately. Its 18 degrees right now. Its freezing. That's cool you guys went to Irvine, what else is new? How Sam and Kate doing? My companions doing fine, he's a great missionary and companion.  I enjoy him. Love you guys!!



 Sam got his hair short!? Tell him to get a better pic! And maybe spike it up or something. I'm so glad he decided to do rugby, he'll have fun and it'll be good for him. Soundsd like the playoffs were very furstrating. But I'm glad its over now, she can look at club now! Maybe have Sam get the night season pass if he wants to, the snow should be great this year in CA. Sweet, please keep checking just in case. I won't be spending too much anyways. There's not a lot of familar restaraunts around here, there's Cracker Barrel, Applebees, and the original fast food stuff. The only place we can really shop for clothes is TJ Max. But i really like that place. Transfers are this Saturday, I dont know, because im a new missionary I'll probably be with my trainer for another transfer, because that is how it usually is, but we never know.  We dont play a lot of sports here sadly, I wish though, its usually shopping, emailing, rest. There's just not a lot to do here in Derry. I've been trying to find something though! Im going to the Rojas, the same family with that daughter that commented on that instagram pic, for Thanksgiving.

Pictures from week 6!

In the paper for working in the soup kitchen.

Week 6 Down- Derry, New Hampshire

Hey Mom and Dad,

      Man I get so excited every time I'm about to open my email to hear from you guys. It shows how much I miss you guys. Its crazy I've been out a month and a half. It doesn't feel like its been that long but at the same time it feels like its been so much longer. Dang, sounds like everybodys been getting the flu recently. I'm still debating to whether I should use my money to get a flu shot because I really dont want the flu at all. Thats a bummer that Abby lost, but now she needs to focus on winning JO's this year for 5 Starz. Kate won the whole thing?? Dang thats so awesome. And that sick that sam scored a PK! What a stud. Abby went to the Abel's Grandparents house? I love that place, and that building she talked about is so creepy but so cool. Wait cody got enganged? Wow, I didnt expect that at all. Thats good I guess. It's actually really warm today, I'm wearing my short sleeve white shirt right now and it feels soo good. 
       Hey guess what, two big things happened last week. We had zone conference and Elder Nielson who spoke in conference came! It was sooo cool. He's such a great guy. It's funny at the same time because he's the type of guy who if he was my age in high school, he would be hanging out with my group and I cause he was a stud in high school. One of his stories he told that was funny was when he was walking around, he heard someone call his name, so he turned around, and it was the prophet! He started freaking out, obviously. So when he came up to shake his hand, he asked, "How tall are you??" So that was pretty funny. It was a cool day, nice to get out of Derry. Then yesterday, I spoke in church with Brother Whitney, who is a return missionary that just came home last week. I did great!! Despite the fact I only had 2 hours to prepare for it. I got a few good laughs out of them so thats good. Haha. Then Brother Whitney went up for his homecoming talk, the first thing he does, is tell me to stand by him, and told Elder D to stand, and bore a huge testimony about missionary work and thanking us for our decisions to serve a mission. It was super cool. We talked a lot between, and I like him a lot. so ya that was my week!  My companions great. Overall, he's a great missionary.  What else is new?? I miss you guys. I love you guys!

Pictures from Week 5

Max got to see his good friend from the MTC this week!

Miles from Derry to Roseville!

Elder D's mom surprised the boys with pizza!

Kate made this bracelet for Max before he left!

Week 5

Week 5

Novemeber 10, 2013

Hey Mom and Dad! Things are going good here, this week we had companion exchanges so I was with a different elder from Monday until Wednesday in the Georgetown area. It was sooo ghetto, but a really cool experience. I got way more teaching there than the whole time I’ve been here in Derry. haha. Elder D is good, were having more fun being together, I do like him.  The first transfer is on the 31.  But I’ll probably be staying here with Elder D. since I’m kind of still a new missionary. I guess that’s just how it is, but it may not be that way at all. So I guess we’ll have to see!! I really like the ward here though, I love everybody especially the youth, so I don’t really want to leave here for a while. I got the package, I loved it, It was perfect! The photo album is something I really needed!  It has helped boost up my confidence so thank you. I love It!
I know, her name is Sister S, she left the room and came back with her iphone and asked for my moms phone number so that was really nice of her. It’s starting to get a bit cold, I guess its supposed to snow the next few days so well see how that goes. Saturday was cool because we went out with a member in out ward to find less actives.  Because of the drinks the member bought us, we had to go pee really bad, so we stopped at a gas station, and asked to use their restrooms, but they didn’t have any so he told us to go next door to this restaurant.  While we were using the bathroom, the member came in started talking to one of the young employees. She asked a lot about us, so he started to explain who we are, she was like, OOOO Ya I kind of recognize them. When Elder D and I came out, she started asking questions about us, and we ended up talking to her for like a half hour, and she now has our phone number, so hopefully the lord had prepared her for us and hopefully she’ll call. Then we got another referral right after we left the place, so we quickly contacted him, and he’s super interested, so we gave him a Book of Mormon, and bore our testimonies, and now he’s gonna call us when he’s ready after reading it a bit. SO that was pretty cool, a really good day!
All areas have a car, but some of them do car share.  But ya things are going good! Love you guys! Thats awesome that she made the playoffs, I’m happy for her, hopefully they’ll do good, even though thats unlikely!  Haha  I’ll be praying for her. Tell Bailey congrats on his game, thats sweet!  Miss you guys!
Love, 

Max

Week 4! Week 2 in Derry, New Hampshire

Hey Mom!!

     Its been great!!  But we still have a lot of fun together! Hey, I got my first referral yesterday!! Even though it was from a 12 year old were still happy about that because we literally have no one to teach. That's good for Chance he actually emailed me, it sounds like hes doing great!!  Ya, the ward is really spread out, luckily we have a car, but we only have limited miles each day, so we cant really travel a whole lot. The bishops great here, hes a good person, but I love the 1st counselor, Bro. Tremblay.  I'm super excited for Brigham!!  I cant wait to hear where he goes!  I miss you guys so much! But everythings been going good here,  just the same. It's starting to get a bit cold here, I cant wait to hear from you guys. Umm, the transitions still a little tough on me, I'm just not used to always having to study, but its still great. I will send you home a flash drive that has all of my videos, but make sure you send it back after you upload them on the computer. 

Love you!! email me soon!!

We go tracting a lot, but lately we've been trying to visit less actives too. Everybody was freaking out the day after the Red Sox won!  I could tell they won before I even asked who won. Pretty funny how everybody loves the Red Sox here!

Haha it's all good, I'll just get used to it. Ya its gonna be the same for me. Ya it does, I cant wait for my first baptism. No Facebook here.  Man that's awesome for your missionaries, I'm jealous they can use it.  It's been getting a bit cold, the weather is weird, it will be cold one hour then hot the next.  Like yesterday was snowing a bit in the morning then it was hot in the afternoon.  I love you guys and miss you guys so much.

Pictures!!

Not To Bad!

He says there are 6 Elder Jensens in his mission!  Crazy!

Arriving in Manchester

First Apartment

Week 3- First Area- Derry, New Hampshire

October 28, 2013

Hey Dad and Mom, 

No seafood yet!!- But New Hampshire is SICK!  A lot of trees and very beautiful like everyone said it would be. Its starting to get pretty cold.  My companions great. We have a blast together, and he’s a great trainer.  He’s been out for 9 months and this is his 2nd area. I’m in Derry, New Hampshire. My address is 26 S Main Apt 3 Derry NH 03038-2121. When you write me a letter, be sure to include my first name because we have 6 Jensens in the mission right now. Crazy isn't it? 

The mission is tough though, people here are sooo flipping stubborn. Literally, there is a saying everybody uses when they see us missionaries in new Hampshire, "Im all SET!!" Every time we knock, and they open and see us, before we say anything, " Im ALL SET.", and the door gets closed on us. We have no investigators right now. It’s tough. So tracking is kinda pointless right now.  We’ve been seeking for referrals, less actives and part members right now. We’ll find people. Its just tough. But that's what New England is like. They LOVE the Red Sox, so I ask how their doing in the series, sounds like their down right now. Its cool because it gives me something that I can talk about with them because I love baseball. The wards great, I’m loving the people. I’ve been trying to get close with the youth, and they love me. We went to seminary a couple of mornings last week, once to teach, and once to have breakfast. It was sweet.  We have a member meal basically everyday so that's kind of nice. There is really no wifi anywhere so its been tough to upload pics. Mom, that's seriously so awesome about you getting that calling! How are you feeling about it??

Love you guys.

Love, Elder Max Jensen

Sounds great!! Yes I’m not too far, from Boston. My President and his wife are super nice, I love them. Yes I got A LOT of emails!  I have only an hour and a half to email on PDay.  I cant wait to get the photo album, I don't think I need anything, just more food. Haha. My dockers would be nice I guess, and my long sleeve shirt. But I’m good other than that!!

Derry, New Hampshire 

Max's first companion in the field-Elder D

Week 2, Last letter from the MTC

Things are going pretty good here, it really is true when they say that the days seems like weeks when weeks seem like days. MTC is going so much better and easier, not gonna lie though, I cant wait to get out of here. Haha I'll have to look for him, and ya, I saw Chance. It was sooo flipping good to see a familiar face from home. I was so happy when I saw him we got a long hug going on, people thought we were gay;) Just kidding. He seems to be doing pretty good. I'm jealous you guys went to Santa cruz, ya it gets cold there but its so much fun up there. I love camping there. My companion and I are ok... We teach so good together, and we still get along. He's just a little uptight.  Haha, i just have to suck it up, cause we do teach really well together, but he's cool other than that. Me and Elder D are like bestfriends right now. We think and act the same, we have a lot of fun together, and whenever something happens thats super funny but no one sees it, ,Elder D and I see it and look at each other, and just start busting up laughing. I can tell well stay friends even after the mission. I already wrote Hunter before I came here. He replied but I havent looked at it yet. Haha, i miss my truck. Make sure abby takes good care of my lover...(my truck). If you need to trade it in for a jeep, then by all means do it!! That would be sweeeeeet. Ok sweet, I cant wait to leave. I leave at 3:30 in the morning monday. Pretty early.  Umm, what else? Sunday is for sure the best day, with how relaxing it is, and the Sunday walk to the temple is pretty sweet. It feels so amazing to get the fresh air after all that time feeling trapped... no joke. HAHA Tell Chase, I just saw his roommate, Mitch Page. Hows Cole and Ryan doing? Tell Abby to keep up the good work in volleyball. I miss going to the games, seeing all of her teammates checking me out;) I get homesick at some points, but when I do i just think of how important I am to the Lord. I had a pretty sweet thought that came into my mind I want to share. I dont know if I heard it from someone or If I made it up. When we were in a war between Christ and Satin, we as missionaries are in the front line. And in real life wars, being in the front line is the most dangerous and because of that, Satin works on us missionaries the hardest, which means the Lord is taking special care of us. Pretty cool huh? Hows Sam and Kate doing? Are they doing good in school? They better be. I'll email pics soon! Email me back, I miss and love you guys!! 

Love, Elder Max Jensen