St. Patrick's Day, The only time you see green in the North country

Well, Happy St. Patricks day! 

This past week up  here in Massena has been a pretty EVENTFUL one!  Elder Neus and I had a pretty good week teaching wise, and VERY blessed with many many opportunities to serve. 

So on Tuesday we had our Zone meeting, which was alright. I honestly cant say i learned anything i didn't know. BUT we have a new sister in our zone from Italy that Laughs like a zebra... so that's cool..

After Zone meeting we helped a family in our Branch move out of their home. Kind of sad to see the leave. But hey, I'll see them again. ( they actually just moved next to us in Utah .. haha) 

On Wednesday We were able to go to the Reservation to eat at the Buffet in the Awkwesasne Casino! That was super good. But while we were there a storm rolled in and just DUMPED snow nonstop for 2 days! So the rest of the day we were stuck inside... Which is never fun.

Eventually Thursday rolled around, and while we were weekly planning we get a call from the Zone leaders saying "this is the only day we're free  so we are coming up to move your apartments. So pack up you have an hour and a half" 

So there we were running around with our heads cut off trying to pack up our apartment! This later turned into a 2 day task. So we eventually move all our things to the new Apartment where the other Elders live, And it turns out the landlord never turned the heat on so we have to wait until Tuesday to move them out of our apartment. So now, there are 4 missionaries living in a One bedroom apartment... It got old fast.. hahaha

Oh here's a funny story. (if you'd think this is funny) After helping out with the Massena food distribution services downtown in Massena, We got a call from a former Investigator Asking us if we could help her friend move. Ofcoarse we said Yes! we were pumped! So we get to this house she leads us to this back room, and we look in and.... TORNADO! crap everywhere!! literally.. stuff all over and POOP on the ground. She asks us if we could help her organize and move all this stuff upstairs. then eventually paint it so her parents could move in... Reluctantly we said suuuure we can do that. THEN she says "thank you" and goes and takes a nap!! haha Elder Neus was sooo mad.

But we manned up and did it. granted it took us 4 hours but we got it done. And we have to go back and paint...

Luckily to Conclude that stressful day we had the Adult session of District conference in Malone. It was so good! The spirit was definitely there. they talked about Hastening the work in all that we do.

That was the overall topic on Sunday as well in District Conference. 

This past week i was Very humbled to see the blessings that come from service. Even if they are smelly and weird and awkward... haha 

We need always strive to follow Christs example and strive to serve our fellow men!

I hope you all have a great WARM week, wherever you are!

-Elder Jepsen

Killer Week in Massena!

Well Neus and I had a pretty GREAT week up here in Massena! We stayed very busy all week, teaching a bunch of lessons and trying to find new investigators. Our numbers have almost tripled now that the foolish traditions of previous Elders have gone. The harder we work, the more results we see. I LOVE IT!

We picked up a new family this past week. They are super solid! we met them at the Methodist meal we voulenteer at, and they are so funny. So this last Thursday we finally had a lesson with them, and the spirit was SO strong! i have never felt the spirit so prominent in a lesson until then. We were so stoked! haha

Later in the week we helped the family with their genealogy, and we found out that their youngest daughter has a huge crush on one of us (yours truly)... so that made things pretty awkward... Her sister showed me the texts between her and her sister and She wrote a poem about my face and my glasses....
So now we have to tread very lightly when teaching this family. haha

Then on Saturday one of our investigators invited us to her robotics competitions at Clarkson University in Potsdam. That was super cool! I GOT A SHIRT. That pumped me up haha. She ended up getting 4th place overall!  She is so smart and talented for only being 10! we think she might be the key to the whole Farm family. (they are so cool btw, the father of the fam let E. Neus taze him and in turn he had to taze me! ...it was crazy...felt weird)

But overall we had a really great week! From all the people we are meeting to being able to go to the gym every morning. 

OH! we got a sweet gym membership at this super GHETTO gym downtown! i love it. While i get jacked i get filled with asbestos! haha Whenever we workout this little Bulldog/pittbull chills with us every time we lift weights! ITS SO COOL!

I hope you all are Enjoying the weather back home! cause its still FREEZING HERE! 

And i also hope you are all helping out the Missionaries back home. Whether it be referrals or feeding em. It makes all the difference i promise! Missionary work is essential! It just isnt the Missionaries responsibility, but ALL MEMBERS:)

we push that so much up here.

I really hope you all have an amazing week!

And pray for a missionary experience! ;)

Much Love

Elder Jepsen

SCABIES!!!

Well... This past week has been one of the most eventful weeks I've had on a mission... SO MUCH HAPPENED!

First off, to begin the week on Monday we were playing basketball in Potsdam. And i guess i was just being to big of a baller and sprained MY ANKLE! straight up popped out and i fell on my face... so that hurt. But i couldn't let it interfere with the work up here so i just grabbed some crutches and toughed it out! Some one has to show these new guys where everything is! haha (My whole foot is blue it looks so cool)

We also found out the source of Elder Davis' itching. We went to a dermatologist this Wednesday (FINALLY). we thought he had a hair Pholical Infection but,Turns out he has.... SCABIES!  Which are like microscopic spider things that make you itch constantly! which meant we were all possibly exposed... SO WE FREAKED OUT! Elder Blames this all on Missionary Medical it's hilarious. Now elder Neus has it and im the only one that's not infected... so we have to wash everything we wear and sleep on everyday. We start our treatment today so they are very VERY excited! All three of us have been super paranoid lately haha Elders Davis and Neus look like drug addicts because they cant sleep and they itch their skin all the time! .... Elder Davis said "This should've been a plague in Egypt" ahahaha

Other than ALL THAT we have been working hard trying to find new investigators and trying potentials. As well as setting all our investigators with baptismal dates! We are so excited. This last Sunday we picked up 6 new investigators! Although it was tough at first to teach in a trio, it sure is paying off now! haha We all get along Very well. It's amazing how much the work picks up when you get along with your companion! it feels like you are just hanging out  with a friend but you are spreading the gospel in ways you couldn't before. ITS GREAT!

We also split the area here in Massena. It is now a car share area. So some days we walk some days we  drive. we will be moving into another apartment...significantly smaller but no matter! haha Elder Neus and I will now be in Massena West! So that's exciting!

But thats about it...

I hope you all have a great week, and NEVER get scabies....I would not wish that upon anyone haha...

P.s did you know that in the old testiment, these kids were making fun of Elisha because he had a bald head. So these 2 momma bears killed the kids? its weird... look it up haha (2 kings 2:23)

-Elder Jepsen

TRIO!!!

By far one of the most interesting weeks of my mission! But a great one! 

The day of transfers i worked with elder black in Downtown massena. We discussed the area...and our companions.. haha. This month we are most likely moving downtown and the Other Massena elder are moving across the river on the other side of massena. Then we will most likely be doing a car share, so we split the area and made many MANY pros and cons lists haha. Later that night Elder Neus and Elder Davis came up to massena!

Elder Neus is just the best! We get along really well, he is not afraid to work and already LOVES the area! he is just what massena needs! So after showing elder Neus the ropes we were out tracting on Friday when we get a call from elder black saying he needs to go to the hospital. Then after we take him to the urgent care, then the Hospital we find out the he has walking Pneumonia.... That was a surprise. So president wirthlin came up and took E. Black to the mission home so he can Sack out and hopefully get better so they can send him up her again!

SO now Elder Neus and Elder Davis and I are now in a TRIO! ...Which is super different... haha everything takes just a little longer now but its still really fun! hah Teaching is now a little different but we do well. We keep getting stuck in door ways but we'll get over that soon as well haha. Elder Davis is a very Obedient and Diligent Missionary. He used to be a zone leader In Rome before he came here. He keeps us both in line. 

It is really different leading the Area here since no one else has knowledge of massena. It's kind of like training! haha it was a little hard at first because they kept forgetting where we were and who we just saw but i was patient with them and they are now getting the hang of it!

I have a really good feeling things are going to turn around out here! We have new missionaries that are much more obedient than the last, they have an outside view of things which is just what we need! I know that if we just put our faith in the lord and strive to be perfectly obedient we will see ourselves and this area Progress!!

Thank you all for your love a support! I hope all of you have a great week! 

Much Love from Massena

-Elder Jepsen

TRANSFERS.......

This past week has just been a blur! So much has happened. 

We had a really crazy week full of random service opportunities, and A LOT of traveling. We tried many potentials this week but to no avail... But there's always next week. A lot of our appointments fell through...but not many of our Dinner appointments which is good! haha 

We also had the opportunity to travel down to Potsdam many times this week. Potsdam is where the zone leaders live, it is a fairly big town. Mostly because Clarkson University and State university of New York is there. We play basketball there, We also had our Zone meeting there on Friday. It was a great meeting! But since transfer calls were the next day President wirthlin kind of spilled the beans and told most of the missionaries where they were going. Turns out Elder Mecham is going to Elmira to be a zone leader (Never would have guessed that one) and Elder Nouse is coming up here to Massena with me. I am actually really excited to take over the area up here. Things seem like they have been in a stand still since Elder Mecham has been here. But president is taking a so called "leap of faith" with elder nouse and I since we are such new missionaries. He feels we can jump start this area AND I AM SO DOWN! haha I'm ready!

But anyway, after our meeting we had our Valentines day party. Which we ended up having to cancel because of the terrible weather... It was tough  because all of us had put so much into this party and tried to reach out to so many many people, AND EVERYONE WAS SO EXCITED... but everything happens for a reason. Oh well!

Then on Saturday, The downtown Massena elders had a Baptism in Potsdam for one of their investigators. It went really well. It was such a good baptism. (they showed the Brandon Flowers I'm a Mormon video i was super happy) Then after the baptism  we went to her fathers Funeral. He had died earlier that week and it put us all in a weird mood BUT SHE STILL WENT THROUGH WITH THE BAPTISM! i was so proud of her. It must have been so hard. That was a very interesting day. Really made me think... You cant help but to think  about the plan of salvation when art a funeral. The Deacon from the Catholic church really bothered me... He didnt really make it special he just did the prayers and whatnot... AND HE DIDN'T EVEN KNOW HIM! ah! we all just wanted to get up and teach the plan of salvation haha

 I digress...

But that Sunday we had a great turnout! Mostly because we had a potluck afterwards...but they were there! haha But most of our Sunday and Monday consisted of Elder Mecham saying goodbye to people and packing. Wednesday is our Transfers, its going to be weird not being with Elder Mecham now but that's just the mission life i guess. I've learned a lot from him. Honestly, mostly how to not do things but i learned from it, But i learned from it that all that matters.

I have a really good feeling about this next transfer and i am super excited! 

I hope you all have a great week!

Love always

Elder Jepsen

p.s I've received word that i never post pictures anymore sooooo GET READY! haha

The First picture is me holding a newborn KID named Solo. (like han solo) he was so cute

The second picture is of our district.
 I am banished to the back and Elder Mecham is the one in the middle pulling the face haha

Good ole Massena

Family and friends,
We had an over all good week up here in the Arctic! haha Yes... it's still cold ha. The week started out slow, No one wanted to leave their houses, let alone answer their doors. Everyone up here is "nesting" as they say, till it starts to warm up again! But as the week went on we had some really great lessons with our investigators! as well as some potentials. We have contacted many less active members WHICH IS AWESOME! we are inviting everyone out to our Valentines party this Friday. We are super excited to see who turns up. Or who we have to pick up (no one has a car...)

We also have Transfer call this week! Every area in the mission is pretty much expecting changes! Elder Mecham has been here for 5 transfers so he's getting pretty confident he's leaving. he keeps saying "when i leave...." haha it's going to bite him in the butt i know it! The zone leaders asked me if i was ready to take over Massena... So we'll see what happens.

Things are beginning to pick up here in Massena! I was on exchange with Elder Black (a past zone leader in Syracuse) He taught me a lot about companionships and always striving to work just a little harder. Lately I've been having to push elder Mecham just a little harder. He's in a point in his mission where being lazy is becoming a little more prevalent.... But i'll get him over it! haha

Other than that everything is going great! although It seems everyone is going through their seasonal depression up here in the north country, WHY CAN"T THEY JUST MAN UP? AH! i digress...

I just love it out here! NY stubbornness and all! haha

I hope you all have a great week! and remember the lords hand in your lives.

Love always

-Elder Jepsen

P.s this picture is me standing on the FROZEN St. Lawrence river.... it was pretty much legit.

F E B R U A R Y . . .

Dear Family and friends,

This past week started out great, We had a great many things planned for the week. But oh how the tables turned... haha But more on that later! 

So we began our week on exchange with the Zone Leaders in Potsdam. I went down to Potsdam with Elder Lamb (a great missionary) we contacted a lot of former investigators in the outlining areas. We came across a former in an awesome Colonial house by the river and she let us right in! buuuuut... she did not hesitate in letting us know her beliefs... This... sadly led into a Bible Bash! MY FIRST! She was definitely very knowledgeable. She had scriptures memorized left and right! BUT she based almost her whole beliefs out of Leviticus and Ephesians. So you could say she was pretty stubborn with her beliefs... We were trying not to bash with her at all, I kept my peace and bore my testimony of the Truthfulness of the Book of Mormon as much as i could. And so was elder Lamb, Until she told us our faith was foolish... then  Elder lamb lost it, and the bashing commenced. To make a long story short we ended with a testimony and she said she loved us and wanted us to come back better prepared... SO that was an experience haha

After our awesome exchange in Potsdam I woke up with a weird sore throught... But i payed no attention to it. As the day drug on it slowly became worse... But instead of resting and kicking it in the butt, I stayed out and continued to work. That was a mistake. So you might be able to guess how we spent the remainder of the week... I was told by the mission presidents wife i wasn't to leave our apartment, until i turned around. After a couple days of rest and weird dreams I STILL DIDN'T FEEL ANY BETTER! it was getting worse...
 So this Sunday, (Still very sick)  they banished me to the corner so i wouldn't shake anyone's hand, or pass the sacrament and infect the entire branch with my sickness. 

We later found out that our chorister would never show up, so i was volunteered to lead the music. This tall, lurpy deathly ill missionary, who could barely lift his arm, let alone carry a note lead the music! hahaha it was a ...Interesting experience.. I almost past out a couple times from getting up to fast and i kept forgetting where i was! Elder Mecham had to keep fighting himself to not record me conducting the music! haha 

But i woke up this morning feeling like a hundred bucks! I'm so grateful and excited! ...so that's good 

So this past week as definitely been a learning/ humbling experience for me. I'm so grateful for elder Mecham and his patience with me, as well as his constant loyalty. He is the best.

Thanks to all of you for all of your love and support!

I hope you all STAY HEALTHY and have a great week!

Love always

 -Elder Jepsen