This
week was just as miraculous if not more miraculous than last week.
For those of you don't
know me, I am paranoid. Especially the week before baptisms. I legit have seen
too many people fall away in that last week before a baptism. It is a stressful
week. But it all worked out this week!
We had one of our last
lessons with Darlene the day before her baptism, and she was just sitting in
front of the window when we walked in, saying that she was "reflecting on
her spiritual journey." She told us some personal things that she had been
struggling with, including anorexia and depression. She had come from 350
pounds to 100 in like a year and every time she looked in the mirror she said
she saw her 350 pound self. Every time we'd meet with her we'd check her fridge
and convince her to eat more and more. On Saturday at her baptism she came up
out of the water crying and said "I'm free." She gave Brother Clarke
one of her main fellow shippers who was baptizing her a huge hug.
We came back the next
day after her confirmation and talked with her and she wrote her testimony down
which she is so excited to share in church next week and also she wrote and
page that talks about how she'd been free from bondage. She said now she looks
in the mirror and says "that girl needs a full course meal!" She told
us how the gospel had taken her out of a haze and a disorder she didn't know
she was in. Every single lesson the first 10 min are: "I'm just so
grateful my 3 elders showed me this amazing gospel...." haha you get the
point. If there is anyone who I've been able to teach on my mission who
understands the gospel and has changed MY life, it's her. Also she met a new
friend at church and they're starting to get a little flirty haha.
Our first lesson after
she was baptized she started doing the "I'm grateful" rang and
somehow mentioned how John the beloved died peacefully, so naturally we had to
show her doctrine and covenants 7 and the end of John where it mentions he
doesn't die until Christ comes, and talk about the 3 Nephites... "Oh my
goodness there is so much I still don't know! I can't wait to read it
all!" She probably has the greatest study ability of anyone I've ever
met.
With Martins we found
him on the elevator at the building that we're always in. Said hello in Yoruba
their language, he was so hyped that we spoke some of his language, and he was
at church that next week and loved it. The dude was also super prepared and
absolutely loves going to church! it was a miracle because there was a Nigerian
man named Ibukun who got baptized just a little under a year ago and he leads
the music every Sunday, and martins recognized him when he came to church.
Turns out they grew up together in Nigeria and it was the first time they'd
seen each other in years and they both just happened to be at Chicago. Ibukun
was able to baptize Martins and it was probably the greatest thing of all time.
He dunked him forwards, put his hand to his back halfway through the prayer,
and said amen as he was raising him out of the water instead of before he went
into the water haha. But the ordinance was done, the prayer was correct, and Martins
was immersed.
Before the baptism I
reminded the ward mission leader that it might be good to remind everyone to
not film, but it was literally like right before the baptism. So as soon as
martins got in the water, his friend Kudi (who were also teaching) got up and
started filming it *sigh/facepalm*
After the
confirmation, Kudi was on it again haha! So it's possible that Martins posted
confirmation pics on FB he was so hyped haha.
With so many Nigerians
at church it definitely makes it a very unique ward! But I love it so much.
Lots of simple things that wouldn't be done in a regular Utah ward. One came up
to give a talk and said a prayer before his talk, one sang a song and all the
Nigerians in the congregation clapped after haha. Utah bishops would flip out.
It's OK were slowly getting there.
Had some of our
friends come to church, one of my fav homies is named Kenny, every time you'll
ask him how his day was he says, "I am too blessed to be stressed!" Basically
it’s the coolest motto of all time.
Last of all I think we
had a wild experience; we were blessed to find another Nigerian family in our
favorite building. Pretty devout to their church but from my experience if you
can get them in the church at least once they are in -- maybe because it's true
or something. But they had us over and were cooking so what do they do? Offer
the food! And what do we do? We accept! (Glad my companion is learning haha)
but they made these mashed potatoes with what they call Jamaican peppers. I
have had plenty of soups with these peppers and they are extremely hot, but
this "porridge" was loaded with them. It's hard to smile and say you
loved their food when legit you're sweating more than when you play basketball
on Mondays. Dead serious. It was obvious haha. So much sweat. From eating
peppers. But we ate it all and it was actually super delicious besides the fact
that I was on fire!
I think that's about
it for us! It’s been a legendary week and I cannot wait for another one! hope
everybody has an amazing week!
Elder Jensen
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