Janelle's Homecoming

We had Janelle's homecoming in our ward this morning. We planned to meet at the church a half hour early to get some pictures of the family. Right when we were about to leave Eli had a HUGE explosion in his pants and they had to go to Ky's house (they had been staying over there) to get a whole new outfit. So, we only had about ten minutes to snap a few photos, but we still got some cute ones (aside from the fact that the babies didn't want to smile or look at the camera!) 

Janelle did a great job on her talk! Emily Williams sang “Where Can I Turn For Peace” for the musical number, which is one of Janelle’s favorite hymns. We had a luncheon at our house afterwards. We had bought three or four rotisserie chickens at Costco (we would have been fine just getting two though) and Rick, Jaiden, and Maddox deboned the chickens and made two huge bowls of chicken salad. We also had chips, watermelon, strawberries, salad, and desserts. We ended up with a ton of food leftover. 

Grandma Jensen and Julie came for the homecoming and a bunch of Janelle's friends came. Her trainer, Miriam Martinez, came clear from Idaho with her family! They went to their daughter's graduation in Provo yesterday and then drove all the way to Mesquite to stay with family and then drove back to St. George for Janelle's homecoming. Janelle was excited to see her! It was nice to meet her family and fun to see many of Janelle's friends again! The married kids left in the afternoon and Janelle went with Jared to the YSA Come Follow Me lesson that night. 

It was a great day! We are so grateful to have Janelle home safe and sound and grateful for everything she was able to achieve on her mission. She saw many miracles, and the many promised from her setting apart blessing were realized. We are so grateful that she could serve a faithful mission, and we are grateful for the knowledge that Christ lives and that families are eternal! 

Welcome Home!! (Mom Post)

We were excited that the married kids could come to St. George with their families to join us for Janelle's homecoming!! It was also my birthday today and having my missionary come home was the best birthday present ever! We all made some signs and gathered at the St. George airport for her arrival! Here is a picture of us with her signs while waiting for her to come! 

Janelle's flight was scheduled to arrive at 3:47 and arrived around 3:37, about ten minutes early. When we saw her we all started cheering! Of course Dad is always the loudest one! We had brought the tripod to video the reunion, but it was missing the piece that connects the camera to the tripod and so we couldn't use it! So Dad was trying to film, but when he was cheering he was also moving the camera up and down, ha ha! Thankfully there was a stranger witnessing the whole reunion. She pulled out her phone and filmed it! And then offered to airdrop the video to us. We were so thankful for that act of kindness! 

Janelle saw us all and started walking really fast. I got to hug her first! I was surprised that I was so emotional -- Janelle and I were both crying!! And then all of the other kids started gathering around and hugging her too. Then the married kids handed their babies over to her! After some hugs we went into the other room to do the traditional "run through the finish line while cheering/chanting some awkward rhyme that dad made up." All of the kids (or most anyway) think it is pretty hokey!! And I guess it is, but it is fun too. The chant for this time was "JANELLE, JANELLE -- RING THAT BELL!!" All of the kids were like, "what does a bell have to do anything?" She ran through through the crepe paper finish line while we all cheered and then rang the bell that dad brought! Then we went to get her luggage and they lost it -- both of them!! Thankfully she had an extra dress and other essentials in her carry on bag! She finally got her luggage a couple of days later and they delivered it right to our house, which was nice! 

The whole family is back together again!!! 

Janelle was exhausted and understandably so since she left yesterday and arrived today!! AND they lost her luggage!! Good thing she had a carry on with an extra dress and some other essentials for the weekend! We all headed home and then had Janelle teach the family the traditional after-mission lesson. She did a great job. It was a little more distracting with the grandkids, but that's okay! 

We then had dinner. Janelle had requested crock-pot chicken. We enjoyed a delicious dinner and then Rick and I brought Janelle over to President Nadauld's house so that she could be released. He asked her to share some experiences and share her testimony. It was neat to hear her experiences first hand! Then President Nadauld asked her to share her goals (spiritual, physical, social, emotional) and then added some suggestions for goals. 

We came back and the kids all wanted to play Smash Bros with Janelle, but Rick made her go to bed!! (It was about 7:00 p.m.) It was morning in Taiwan time, but thankfully she was exhausted enough to go to sleep! The next morning she gave her homecoming report and did a great job! 

Final Days!!

Hello! Here are the last few days that weren’t included in my last weekly: Monday we went to a waterfall for a hike, and then ended up watching a church movie with our district and some YSA. It was a very nice and relaxing P-day!

Tuesday we had lots of lessons, so most of it was going back and forth between places! They were good and a good opportunity to let people know that I was going home. Wednesday we ate Chidaobao Kaorou as a district, or in other words, all you can eat Korean BBQ! It was really good! Another funny thing is that Korean BBQ was the first thing I ate when I got to my first area in Taiwan. So it was fitting! Our only lesson cancelled, and that night we had ECG and talked about farm animals and sang “Old Macdonald Had a Farm.” Some of our members also brought us pizza and cake! That night we went and dropped my bike off at the train station, which ended up taking way longer than expected so we were home late. After that I packed and prepared for transfer day!

Thursday was transfers! We transferred and I just took lots of pictures, said goodbye, and hung around a little! Afterward the other sisters who are also going home (Li Shi Lin Jiemei, Li Xin Jie Jiemei, Weng Jiemei [the other Elders were Lin Zhanglao, Elder Bowden, and Elder Topol]) and I went to lunch and then we all went to the temple. It was really special to be able to do an endowment session and I think I was able to have a lot of comforting thoughts and new insights to prepare to return home! Afterward we went to the mission dedicatory prayer site (we had come when we first arrived in Taiwan) and we were able to do a little “report prayer” in the same spot that we had prayed in when we first arrived. It was a special experience! Afterward we went back and just had pretty much free time and went to dinner with some sisters who had gone home the previous transfer!

Friday morning, we played frisbee with central Taipei missionaries, which was so much fun! Most of us had served in Central before and had played frisbee often, so it was a nice “last hurrah.” Afterward we ate breakfast at President’s house and had our departing interviews. President gave me two pieces of advice: Don’t stop the things you have learned to do (prayer, planning, studying, going to bed on time, exercising, etc) and stay in contact with my companions and the people I taught or met here. It was a good interview! Afterward we went to Taipei 101 with the other departing missionaries! It was beautiful and cool to be there. Afterward we rushed to catch the MRT and got back right in time for us to leave to go to another Chidaobao (all you can eat) dinner! I swear all Taiwanese restaurants are either super sketchy or super fancy. This one was the latter. We ate our fill and more and then afterward went back to President’s house and had a testimony meeting. It was really good! The spirit was present! Afterward we went back to the house that we were staying at and that was about it!

Saturday morning, I woke up early and we met at the mission office at 6:30 AM. I was pleasantly surprised that the other sisters not only woke up with me, but somehow convinced President to let them come with me to the airport to say goodbye! So that was super nice! We went to the airport, got everything checked in, took a few pictures, and said our goodbyes, and then they stayed until I was up to security and out of sight. I had been worried about flying alone but Heavenly Father put many nice people in my path who helped me get where I needed to go, especially once I got to San Francisco! The flights weren’t all that exciting, I was able to talk with some people and tried to sleep. I flew into San Francisco, then to Phoenix, Arizona, and then to St. George! I found it funny that the closer I got to home the more people commented about me returning as a missionary.

Upon my arrival, I was able to walk in and see my family! It was so good to hug them again, and I did the traditional “finish line run.” Driving through the desert of St. George, Utah felt so surreal and like a dream. I was able to teach my family, have some crockpot chicken for dinner, and then we headed over to President Nadauld’s house to be released. He asked me about my goals, had me share my testimony, and I began to cry as I could tell he was coming up to it. Then he officially released me as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. When he said those words, I didn’t know what to do. My tag was still on, but it felt out of place, and I knew I needed to take off. But I still waited until he told me to take off my tag. It hurt to see the missionary tag, the one that distinguished me as an authorized servant of Christ, in my hands instead of on my chest. After going home and crying it out a bit, I went to bed around 7 pm and slept for about 12 hours, which was very helpful for my emotional stability haha.

Well, here we are! How does time seem to pass without my notice? I’m sad my mission is over, but in reality, life has just begun. I am forever grateful for the opportunity I had to serve as an authorized representative of Jesus Christ. I know this is His work, and know that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Light. No man cometh unto the Father but by Him, which is why this, the work of salvation, is the most rewarding work imaginable.

-Sister Janelle Jensen

Taiwan Taipei Temple

Airport! 

Getting ready to board the plane!! 

"...and...our [missions] passed away like as it were unto us a dream..."

 大家好！ How is life for all of you? Yes. I am fully aware that is my last weekly. I will address that later!

Last Monday we had a lesson with our new friend 林弟兄! Tuesday we had 4 lessons, they were all pretty good. One of our friends is struggling with making the necessary changes to keep the sabbath day holy, so please pray for her! It was a busy day! 

Wednesday morning we got a call from the Elders asking if we could join for a blessing that they were going to give to a member, so we joined and ended up doing a Book of Mormon read with her as well which was good! Right after that we met with a member for lunch, and then did a service and practiced English with a potential! Later we finally had some personal study time haha, and then we had English Group and had a cute little family come. We haven't had people come in a long time so that was a blessing! 

Thursday we had our mission president's wife, 楊姐妹, join us for the day! She goes on exchanges with all of the departing missionaries! We were able to have lunch with Yao Jiemei, my last companion, and we also had another member lesson that day. It was fun! She is super sweet and I'm glad she got to join us for the day and share lots of insights. 

Friday we had exchanges with the Songshan Sisters! I was with Li jiemei for the day. We had lots of lessons that were good but very long haha. It was fun though! Most of the day was just lots of biking to and from lessons!

Saturday we finished up our exchange, practiced some musical numbers, did some other stuff, and then had a ward activity that was out by a lake with tons of fireflies! It was super pretty, and we were able to catch lots of them! I was in heaven haha. Then we got transfer boards! It didn't really affect me haha because I'm not on them...but Sister Kirton is going to be coming to Hualian with Wang Jiemei! It'll be a blast for them :) 

Sunday was super busy; we were in meetings from 8:30 am-5 pm haha. It was special to me that I was able to perform in both wards and share a departing testimony in both wards. Also, MIRACLE ALERT this transfer we have been struggling in getting sacrament attendances, and guess how many people came to church on Sunday? 7!!! And it wasn't even because of us, but peopel just like brought people to church and it was a miracle! Afterward we went to the bishop's house for dinner, which was a lot of fun, he was trying to set me up with his son haha.  

Today we were able to go hiking to a waterfall and watch a church movie with our district and some YSA which was fun! It was a great last p-day!! 

Okay.....now I need to face the fact that this is my last email to you all. I don't know what you expect me to say. My mission went by so fast and slow, and I can't believe that this time that I seemed to prepare for and invest in for so long is nearing an end. But I am forever grateful that I served. All of my places and areas and companions and friends will forever hold a piece of my heart. If you are wondering whether or not to serve a mission, DO IT! It will change you. Give yourself to the Lord, for He has given everything for you. 

I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ changes people. I know that this is our purpose of being here on earth, is to change through Him and learn how to become like Him. We aren't perfect, but that's why Jesus Christ atoned for us. That's why He gave us the gift of repentance and the opportunities to make promises with Him, that allow us to grow to our full potential. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the restored Church that is led by Jesus Christ. The Book of Mormon testifies of Him and leads us to Him. It is the perfect road map of how to live with Him again. I know these things because I have taught them, preached them countless times, and lived them. Through Him I have changed. My service was imperfect, but the Lord has greatly blessed me for my imperfect service. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. 

I would like to close out this email with a portion of a scripture found in Jacob 7:27:

"And I make an end of my writing upon these plates, which writing has been small; and to the reader I bid farewell, hoping that many of my brethren may read my words. Brethren, adieu." 

-Sister Janelle Jensen (江柔安姐妹）