Corona Scare

Dearest Friends and Family, 

Happy 4th of July! We had the sisters over to our apartment for the holiday and made BBQ chicken, corn on the cob, and ate the most delicious watermelon I've ever had. It was a fun day! We went over to the Stapleton's backyard and Elder Stapleton set off a firework for us, even though it was the middle of the day. It was awesome! 

Good news: our county has officially moved to stage 1.5! Apparently that doesn't actually affect missionaries at all (except that the Elders can now go get haircuts, yay!), but it's nice to know we're moving forwards. As soon as we hit phase 2 we will be able to go in member homes, so that is pretty exciting. This week our mission had a small Corona scare. Some missionary in the Kennewick East zone thought he had the virus, which led to that entire zone being stuck inside (not allowed to have contact with anyone). Which affected us since the APs had been with that zone the day before and were also homebound...along with our zone leaders who live with them. It was pretty crazy for a couple days. We found out today that the missionary literally just burned his tongue from eating too many wasabi peas and was being dramatic. Oh Elders. 

This week we taught Makenna! She is almost 8 years old, and is part of a part member family. She is awesome, and is excited to meet with us. We also taught Russell outside of the church, and it was amazing to see him in person again. He and Salenea are doing super well! His countenance has completely changed since before he was baptized. He seems so much more confident, and so happy. I am so grateful I have been able to be a part of bringing the gospel to their cute little family!

Next week we will be receiving 47 new missionaries, bringing our mission to around 210 missionaries--more than our mission has ever seen! We've been told that almost every companionship will become a "tri-panionship" which is going to be super fun. 

I love being a missionary! I am so grateful to be able to serve, even and especially during these uncertain times. I know that the Book of Mormon is true. It doesn't matter how many people argue, disagree, discourage or contend, nothing can change the fact that God has spoken that truth to me, and I understood Him. For me to deny God would be stupid. We're all imperfect in our own ways. But I know the Book of Mormon is true because it has helped me to change. It has taught me how to access the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. To think that there is something that you can't overcome would be to deny that very Atonement. I don't know what you struggle with but I know you can overcome it because I have complete faith in the Atonement, and it's power to change the very nature of people. 

I hope you all have a wonderful week!!

Love,

Sister Melia Jensen