Family Letter #2

 Hey Hermana Aubrie:

Tonight for FHE we all went around and each shared a current favorite scripture and had 1:00 minute (Dad literally gave everyone a 10-second warning and cut them off at one minute) to share why it is their current favorite.  Then we all tried to remember what scripture reference everyone had said and a one liner key takeaway of what it was about.  We all are going to share those scriptures along a few updates with you:

Blake: Hey Aubrie, I hope you know that we all love you so much. My favorite verse right now is Philippians 4:13 and the main takeaway was that you can do anything through christ. Love you so much and I hope you have a great week.

Clara: Hi Aubrie I miss you so much. I wanted to tell you my favorite scripture was 2 Timothy 3:7 it will help you teach people on your mission. The key takeaway was: to not only learn about Jesus and Heavenly Father but be like them. I love you SO much!

Hallie: my verse was 2 Timothy 4: 10+12 and it was about how we all need to be an example as/of belivers in Christ and Heavenly Father. I think this is great to member throughout the day, especially cuz you are a set-apart missionary and you are the most public example of what a believer in Christ is, and to member this wheneveer you might feel discouraged or anything like that. Anywho I got ur email an im tryin tah respond ive js been gone a tad bit, and busy but I WILL respond asap I promiseeeee. But I love you Aubrie-strawbry!!!! I miss you too!!!

Robbie: My scripture was Alma 34:9 the sum of it is "we will perish without the atonement". Football ended. Now I'm starting off with baseball. Nothing really changed in my life, just same old same old. Went on a tour to USU and I really liked it so perhaps that could be an option for college, but other than that nothing else. Miss u a lot keepin u in our prayers. Also yes me and my girlfriend are doing well. It's weird that I'm dating someone but yea were bouta hit our one month. Love u aubachino 

Lucas: I love you, Aubrie. I scored 3 goals in my last soccer game. I like playing in Kindergarten. 

Dad: Hey Aubrie, this past week I delivered some of the hand-written thank you notes that mom wrote on your behalf to some ward members (Dunfords, Esplins, Johnsons, and Hylands) and each of them all asked how you were doing and how you were liking the MTC. It was so good to visit each of them so thanks for giving me the excuse. Not sure if you know but I've been going every Sunday evening for two hours to rehearse with an interfaith choir from local community members. The choir is being conducted by Brady Allred and we're preparing for a special Veterans Day concert at our stake center building.  It's been a good vocal stretch for me for sure. My (recent) favorite scripture that I shared for FHE tonight was Alma 49:8 which reminds us to be prepared spiritually, financially, mentally, and physically in ways that we have never prepared before. President Nelson said that these are unprecedented times which calls for unprecedented measures in the level of our preparation for the challenges that will naturally come to each of us in the "perilous" times of the last days (2 Timothy 3:1-7).  The fact that mom and I had set aside an "emergency fund" that we could live off of for 3 months has been the only reason we have been able to stay at peace (for the most part) over the past 90 days without employment. Anyway...we love you and are always thinking/praying about you!

Mom: Well I went with the ol' tried and true Alma 8:18.  The power of overcoming "the wall" of discouragement/defeat by  1) trying a "different" approach to the problem and 2) doing it speedily when the Lord asks us to.  There have been a lot of stressors lately--alot dealing with not having employment still.  It is painful ;) and also there has been a lot of good come from it.  Lots more time with dad, him looking at many different ideas of what he wants to do and interviewing and meeting a TON of new people, that hopefully will result in a much better opportunity, And some other things I will talk to you over the phone..  Also, Clara used the word "rebuke" at FHE tonight and Hallie said "do you even know what that word means" and Clara rattled off a perfect definition much to Hallies surprise. Hallie and Robbie spent most of FHE upside down or on the floor.  Its like the revert to being 3 whenever we try to be spiritually serious ;). You know.   We love you!! Cant wait to talk in a few days!  

Family letter to Aubrie

 -Aubrie

Hi! This is Clara. Aubrie, I miss you SO much. Hallie and I tried doing a dip the other day and I ended up on the floor. I really want to dance with you. Every morning I wake up and I think about you. My room looks so empty without you and all your stuff. You are in my prayers and I love you so much. How's everything in Mexico? Do you like your companion? Do you like your district? The missionaries came to dinner on sunday they were really nice 

-AUBRIE-

I hope you love Mexico. Last week we went to Robbie's football game and they WON 37-7 against Hillcrest, that's their first win of the entire season. And they play Murry this week on Weyrdnesday. I you love your companion and everybody else in Mexico, It's so weird not having you here last Sunday I set the table and I got out eight plates and cups. you are such a good example to me and everybody else you know. I love you so much and miss you. Will try sending you a message every week.

P.S. Last night I was listening to the tapes and I heard something that can help you whenever you get stressed out or scared.

The tape said that the name Samual means, "God hears" and when I heard that I thought of you, and whenever you pray or feel that you're all alone know that "God hears".

MISS YOU

-BLAKE-

yooo aubrie whatt is good ardy miss u a ton but know that u are doing good work. we finally won our first game against hillcrest and I scored three touchdowns. our house is quiet without u so u are very much missed. u shood convince mama and dad to let us get fb so we can text mer. 

love u so much

also I finally got a girlfriend her name is grace and she goes to olympus I asked her to date like three nights ago

well, lets hope that's not true.  

This is mom.  I can't type now I have to go ask Robbie about Grace.  Ill be back. 

(Hallie sent you an email a few days ago)

Today was really good and also ended with chocolate melted on the couch, a broken picture frame, lemonade on the floor, nail polish on the counter and Sandie had mud all over her.  

Mission prep was so good.  I think the way that the stake is doing it this year is awesome.  Its more like the kids all geting to just have a discussion together.  No teacher.  One adult to facilitate when needed.  The sister missionaries are now assigned only to our stake.  They are pretty awesome ladies.  We had them over for dinner today.  

This coming weekend, Mariam is hosting a "Ghouls Getaway" here in Utah for all the Jensen sisters.  It will be fun to play and hang out with them.  Mariam is so fun how she just goes all out with things.  

I love your mission scripture you chose.  It is the perfect mantra.  

I htink about you all the time.  So many people come up to ask about you on Sundays.  You are loved and supported and prayed for by so many.  I hope you get to feel that daily. 

love you Hermana Jensen!

-MOM

Hey Hermana Aubs:

Robbie typed his message and then ran to bed. Not sure what to think about that. Hopefully he is kidding around because Mom and I have never met any "Grace from Olympus"... I see he mentioned that his team won their first football game this past week against Hillcrest. It was so fun to see their team finally get a victory. Everyone was so happy and giddy after the game. Robbie played really hard and is getting better and better at playing QB. 

Hallie went to Logan with the Varsity team for a volleyball tournament. Sounds like she played well and the team got progressively better but didn't get any victories. Hallie is sometimes too hard on herself but she is so fun to watch play. Her progress this year has been pretty awesome. 

Saturday was a typical crazy day. Blake played a soccer game and then was referree for 3 other games. Luke and Clara also had games and both won. Mom and I then went on a double-date with grandma and grandpa Jensen. We took the ski lift up at Solitude (we had free passes with our "Get-Out Pass") and saw all the fall colors in the canyon. It was absolutely beautiful. The Lord has some amazing creations on this earth that I'm so grateful to be able to enjoy with family. Afterwards, we went to Vessel Kitchen and had a great visit. It's been so good to spend a lot of extra time with my mom and dad the past few weeks. I've been helping do some work around their house (e.g. throwing stuff out, organizing, trimming and planting trees, clearing house gutters, washing windows, etc.) to help them be more ready to leave on their mission. It's crazy to realize how little time I have with my parents on this earth. It's possible that they will only live another 15-20 years...sad to think about but I'm just trying to take advantage of all the time I can with them. 

Today at church Clara gave an awesome talk in primary. She spoke about her favorite talk from General Conference which was "For the Sake of Your Posterity" by Elder Godoy. Clara remembered the story about Elder Godoy's encounter with a taxi driver. You should go listen to that talk again, especially as a missionary. Clara told the story so well and tied it into how we need to remember that everyone needs the Gospel of Jesus Chris in their lives, whether they are a member or not. Several ward members came up to ask about how you were doing so far. You are very loved by the folks in our ward. Also, I met the Paredes older son at church today who is a full-time missionary and wrapping up home MTC. Elder Paredes is headed to the Mexico City MTC this coming week so keep an eye out for him. He is eventually headed to St. Louis, MO (Spanish speaking) for his missionary service. 

Hope all is well. Love you and so proud of all that you are doing!

Dad