Rough Week 3-15-14

 Well this was a different week for me. There isn't a whole lot to talk about. We met some very prepared people this week. The very thing that we were asking for in our prayers. We are finally finding some different people to teach that want to listen to our message. We have seen miracles in this area. One of them being we have found a counselor for the Branch Presidency. He just needs an interview now with the mission presidency. But that will soon come. I am very excited about that! We need a fully functioning branch so that the work can progress the way it should. 

   That is really it. Sorry it is so short. Thank you all for you support and prayers.

Elder Henderson

Journal Entry 3-8-14

This week I would like to start off with a journal entry of mine from earlier in the week. 

   Today was terrible. I am tired, my companion is driving me nuts, we have no one to teach, there is no end to the things we have to do in the office, the work is slow, it stinking rained on us and I am wet, I feel like just sleeping, I just want a break, people are so very disrespectful to us in the office, my comp keeps leaving stuff and forgetting things, the branch is not going anywhere fast, people are dumb,.............(it goes on but I think you get the point) But, I am grateful for the atonement so that I can have the strength to carry out this work from day to day, a companion who will at least work hard, to have a bed that doesn't hurt my back, to be in a tropical paradise, to have food to eat in the pantry, to have a guitar that I can play, to have a healthy body and not be sick, to be able to eat jerk, to have a truck, to be able to play basketball......................You know what after putting things like this it makes it very clear for me, 1. I need to eat and 2. I really don't have any problems worth getting angry over especially when I count my many blessings.......

I want you all to know that this is the same for you. I don't know how many arguments I get in with people out here who have a nice car, nice cloths, etc. and beg for money. They want to always know why I won't give them some and I will respond with this question "Well, I could but what about the kid down there who has no cloths, car, and no roof to live under?" They will then explode on how they don't have food. But that is not the point. The point is that we all have so many things yet every single day we think about what it would be like if we had ________. (fill it in) When in reality we have so many things, we should be sending prayers of thanks and praise up to the almighty. Remember that when you have a bad day, get a bad score on a test, or simply don't have anyone to teach because you have limited time to proselyte like me.

   Many things happened this week. First I want you all to know that Elder Newcomb and I worked everything out. He is a stud. The coolest thing that happened to me this week was probably what took place yesterday morning. We got up to just go shoot some hoops in the getto part of town, that has a really nice basketball court. While we were shooting a Jamaican walked up to us and asked to play. Of course my experience in the past I wasn't too thrilled but we never the less started to play some 21. Come to find out he was really good! I was shocked what is even more is that he played professional in Jamaica in the NBL D1 league. I don't know what that is. But long story short I beat him 21-13 and 21-8. Oh and he wants to set up a game with us and his buddies. Did anyone call for some Mormon Yankees? I think yes! Hopefully we can play them and also get to teach them. We are still working on the idea. 

   Another finding idea that we had came to us last week when we went to meet with an investigator at a park. Emancipation park is a amazing park. You have a track around  the outside with trees, a theature (the outside one), pond, chess tables, and ping pong tables. We went back another night and played some ping pong while the other talked to the people were watching. I got stomped! 21-9. I didn't even know the ball could do some of the things that man did. WOW! We did how ever get a referral for the missionaries in Port-more. We are going back tonight to do two things. 1. Play some chess and ping pong while getting people to teach. 2. We have planned out a sermon we are going to teach in the middle of the park just like how they used to do it in the olden days. I will keep you all updated on how that goes. 

    I know this email has been a little bit random but I have had a wonderful week! We get to do a lot of cool stuff here in the office. I know though if you will but simply "fear not" and trust the lord you can do all things. I have seen that ever more prevalent every single day here. I am amazed at the end of the day how much we get accomplished. The Lord is truly in this work. I would invite you all to take a step outside of your conforte zone and invite someone to church. We need every ones help! I love you all.

   Grandma! How is Duke doing? Probably not as good as North Carolina but that is okay because well I am not sure if they will ever be as good. :) I hope that the snow isn't getting you this year. I love you. Thanks for all your do. I really appreciate all the letters and stuff.

   Grandpa how is everything? I sure do miss the war stories and the simple counsel you have given me. Because of you I have made choices that I am glad I have made. You are a hero to me. I can't wait till we can talk again. I have questions for you but that will wait. I love you. Keep going only 4 more years till 100!

   Thanks again. I miss you all. I am grateful for all you do every day in my behalf and in the behalf of my brothers and sisters all over the world. Keep it up. By the way Nathan. That card you sent me, were you just sending that because you were being funny or did you have an impression. I did meet someone who only speaks Spanish. We will be giving them that card later. Let me know. Till next week. 

Elder Henderson

Where Does the Time Go? 3-1-14

Once question for all of you out there. Where the devil did the month of February go?!?!?! Wow it has been one quick month. I expect that this one will be the same way. The days just keep going faster and faster. I swear it is always night time and time to go to bed!

   Anyway, this was a really fun week for me! The highlight of the week had to of been our "road trip" to Portie aka Port Antonio. We had to help some missionaries move houses out there. So, late last week President asked if Elder Newcomb and I could do it. Of course we responded yes. So on Thursday we sat down to discuss the route we wanted to take. There was only one route that came up and so it was sort of easy to decide. But I had a great idea, I switched the direction points from going to coming from to coming from to going. And we discovered a new route that lead across the whole eastern half of Jamaica. It was a lot longer distance but after talking back and forth we discovered that the amount of time was about the same. So we did one long loop. Oh man I didn't know what I was in for! What splendor! What gorgeous beauty! If any of you come to Jamaica you must see what I just saw! Wow. 

    We set out Friday morning as the sun was coming across the mountains (yes mountains!). We drove and drove. We saw spectacular parts of the jungle aka bush. As we went we took a wrong turn and drove on this dirt road for like 20 minutes! I felt like I was on a safari hunting lions, because we were in a bunch of cane fields. But after 20 minutes of head bobbing we discovered a construction sight. I will send a picture of it here in a minute. We climbed up to a ridge and took some pics they were awesome! Back in the car and finally after much teasing on my part we made it back to the correct road and drove the rest of the way along the beach. I wish I could do it justice and describe it in words but I simply can't. Just like the Nephites couldn't write things because they couldn't even utter words which described how they felt. Same thing. I was truly a blast! And what's more is the drive home. We went through some of the most curvy roads known to man. ( I of course was the driver then.) And guess what!?!?! There was no speed limit so people were crazy drivers and flew around those bends. I will not lie though I felt like a race car driver with a stick shift and all. Yes you will see the highlights on ESPN tomorrow night. But that was a beautiful drive as well. 

   This week was fun as well with teaching. We never seem to stop. Always going. Thank goodness for a truck. As I have been thinking about what President Brown told me that I needed to do I got a revelation. His exact words were quote "Your task will be to baptize in the office". While we are still trying to get 'water' baptisms I was prompted that I am more here to baptize those less actives by fire. As we have started to do this I have noticed that we have run into many more people who are members who are less actives and some who aren't even members. So we stick them to the less actives and ask them to help us teach. Boom killed two birds with one stone! Slowly but surely this branch is progressing. Also, the Relief society finally has all the counselors! YES!!! Big step there. We have one for the Presidency and one on the way. Small increments. 

   Another cool story for all of you. We just finished teaching a lesson. (my bicycle was in the bed of the truck. We were taking it to Elder Nelson to use) Elder Newcomb wanted to get some fries really quick so we did. When we returned my bike was gone! It killed me because we forgot to strap it down to something. Elder Newcomb said we should say a prayer so we did. We then drove around the block twice and decided to get out and look in people's yard. (People here are not the most honest) as we were walking down  this one street I noticed a man who was walking quickly away from us. We crossed the street and he went to the other side. So I crossed back, leaving Elder Newcomb on the other side of the street. He picked up his speed. I followed him a little bit and he went into his yard and brought out my bicycle saying "sorry". I was so grateful for that tender mercy. God is truly good to all of us if we will but let him. What is even more awesome is that is almost a 0% chance that anyone would fess up to it here. I think that part of the tender mercy was the fact that he thought we were CIA. I have not ceased to thank God for that blessing. The next day we saw him sitting on a fence. He looked really down and sad so I took a pack of the seeds Mom sent me and gave it to him. Not only did he look shocked he smiled. I felt an overwhelming feeling that God loved him just as he does you or me. I will never forget those smiling, thankful eyes. He truly needed that.

   There are so many more things that I wish I could share with all of you. But what I have said will have to suffice. Remember that the Lord is always looking out for you. "consider the lilleys  of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:.... Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?.......BUt seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." If we will but trust God he will help us in our every circumstance. I promise you! If you are lonely turn to him he will comfort you. If you are struggling with finances turn to him he will provide. If you are simple looking to help yourself become a better person turn to him because he will make all things become our strengths. (Ether 12: 27) I bear solemn testimony that Christ is our Savior and that he died not only for the sins of the world but for all the other "pains" the world has. Turn to him. No longer let him knock endlessly on your door but open the door and watch as he will make you and your life into far greater than you could ever imagine. He lives and loves you. I wish I could speak to you all face to face and let you know how much he loves you and how much I do. But that will wait until I have finished the work my Father has asked me to do. I love you all. 

Elder Henderson

First Full Week in Office - CRAZY!!! 2/22/2014

   All I can say about this week is that it was one crazy week. Man!!! I am so glad it is P-Day and we can just take a moment to slow down for a bit. There is a lot that happens in here. I had no idea! Truthfully I am grateful for the Spirit of remembrance and patience because with out those two things I would punch a hole in the wall and things in here would be a mess. But things aren't a mess they are running very smoothly for the mission. And there isn't a hole in the wall. So there are things to be grateful for. :)
    As I sacrament meeting started last week I looked around and there was less than half of the people I was used too. I think there was like 15 or less. It was very disappointing for me. Especially after I found out that the Downtown Kingston branch used to be one of the strongest branches in the mission. Ever since that point I have been pondering and praying for guidance on how to get this branch back up to the spot it once was. There is a lot to do. I came to the decision that first there needs to be full auxiliaries that are working together properly. Right now there is a Branch President (no counselors), a Relief Society President (no counselors) and an Elders Quorum President (No counselors). So throughout this whole week that was on my mind. We sat and discussed with the Branch President (President Stewart) 'What his vision for the branch was'. He had no idea. So after about an hour of discussing we got a vision that us as missionaries and he as the branch president are working toward. Getting things back to where they were.
   Over the course of this week we have found and interviewed one person for relief society and identified someone who could serve as a counselor for the branch. Small steps makes large leaps not so large. And that is where the work is at right now. I wish I had more time so we could get things moving a little faster but, who knows, maybe God thinks I am too impatient. So, I am going to have to learn a little more patience with the work, people, and of course with myself.
   This week I was reading Enos. It took me over three days to finish the whole book just because I took my time and really thought about what he was saying. There are enormous similarities between him and 1 Nephi. I really enjoyed the first verses in each book how it talks about their parents. "I, Nephi, having been born of goodly  parents, therefore I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my father; and having seen many  afflictions in the course of my days, nevertheless, having been highly favored of the Lord in all my days; yea, having had a great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God, therefore I make a record of my proceedings in my days."
    "Behold, it came to pass that I,  Enos, knowing my father that he was a just man—for he taught me in his language, and also in the nurture and admonition of the Lord—and blessed be the name of my God for it—"    Wow. I can not tell all of you how these two verses as so similar to me in my life. 1. I was "born of goodly parents". Mom and Dad you have always showed my the way that I needed to go. You gave me the perfect example of trusting God and leaving the worrying up to him as you did you best. 2. I was "taught...in the language, and also in the nurture and admonition of the Lord...." I have been taught in the language of prayer, the language of the scriptues, the language of the Spirit and the language of food (okay I was just kidding about that one). As I have learned and grown I have always been able to ask you questions and sometimes I don't ask questions but just watch and observe you. No matter which way I choose I always get the answer I am looking for. 3. "Blessed be the name of my God for it." How am I to put into words they way I feel about two of my best friends? Just know that I truly am grateful, just like Nephi and Enos to have such amazing and wonderful parents. I love you both. I truly hope that one day I can look you in the eye and truly tell you that I have done my best not only in my mission but also in getting and obtaining a personal relationship with my Father in Heaven. Keep up the good work.    I love you all. You are all in my prayers. I invite all of you to reread those precious verses in 1 Nephi 1 and Enos 1. There are many more eternal truths in those books. Even in those two short verses that I shared with you. I can promise you that because I have found many things just in the first verse alone that I haven't even shared with all of you. I will let stand what I have said but keep the others. I don't want to rob all of you the opportunity of having the joy in finding something yourselves. Love you all again.
Elder Henderson

Me and Elder Norman in Spanish Town

Elder Hamilton at transfers. I played baseball against him in Provo.

Down Kingston Office Elder 2/15/14

Well it seems like Mom didn't receive enough emails from me so they gave me a different P-Day. I get two in one week, man de Lord is good.

    This was one hectic week for me. With transfers we had hardly any time to go out proselyting. At least not as much as I would have liked. we had to get vehicles working properly, office stuff, take people all over the island back to their areas, etc. The first day we didn't reach home till 9:29. Safe but we were all over the place all day. I may sound busy but I have really liked it so far. There are a lot of things that I will be getting to do this year as the office elder. Just to name a few: buy the whole mission new vehicles, get all the paper work and passport stuff for the next incoming wave of Elders and Sisters. We have a whole heap coming out this next transfer. Plus I will be here when the summer months hit. So, it will be a blast.

    I am now in the Downtown Kingston branch. It is very very different from the one in Spanish Town. Wow. There is a lot of work that needs to be done. As I have sat and talked with the members it makes me start to realize how much we need to come together as a church and achieve the vision. What ever that vision might be. Then take steps toward the goal. That is the only way it will be accomplished, nothing changes over night. So press on, push on, I know that you can do it. Other wise why would God put you here on the earth right now? \

   My companion is awesome, his name is Elder Newcomb. We are kind of learning the office together. He is still pretty new at it just like me. Causes for a ton of laughs. Not to mention we are both learning stick. But I haven't gotten to know him a whole lot we have only been together 2 and a half days. So I will let you all know more next week. 

   I am really grateful to all of you for all you do. Nathan keep the work up. You are a stud! Gregg same goes for you! I haven't heard much about Tiff could I get an update on how she is doing? Thanks! But I truly do love you all. Keep building the church.

Elder Henderson

Last Week in Spanish Town 2/10/14

Hello again for yet another week! Well big news everyone I just spent my last week in Spanish Town..........Garbage......There is still so much work to be done in preparation for the stake. The work here isn't all complete yet so why the devil am I being transferred?!? Ug.........Oh well, I am very excited though to go to my new area. I will be the new office Elder. So basically I take care of the finances of the mission, peoples passports, the mail, the maintenance of the cars, etc. I will get to drive all over the island so I will know the whole island like the back of my hand. Also, I will be whitewashing Downtown Kingston.......let us just say that it isn't the best area in the world to be. Then about 4 P.M. President wants us out teaching. So I do at least get to go teaching for a bit of the day. This is sure going to challenge me but i am excited for what the Lord has in store for me. I guess we will soon find out. Oh by the way my new companion will be Elder Newcomb. And my new P-Day will be on Saturday until I leave the office.

   Yesterday was another wonderful Sunday. We had a whole heap of investigators come, and more less actives too (different ones even). It was also kind of sad for me. The branch President asked me to give a leaving testimony and well I didn't know what to say. How do you put words to feelings such as the ones I feel for this area. So much time i spent here. I literately love this place just like a home. Yeah.....that was a rough testimony for me, and it didn't help that the members were crying either! But after sacrament meeting we had our next three days filled out because members came and asked us to come for dinner, lunch, breakfast, say goodbye, etc. The next few days will simply be saying goodbye to the members. Not the most effective but what can you do? I don't even have to buy groceries this week. haha sick huh? It was a very eventful Sunday so many funny stories I wish I could share with all of you but I don't have the time. When I come home.

   I have been reading the Old Testament recently because people always ask if I have read the whole bible and also I want to know a little more. I am reading it when I have the time too, like before bed. I am in Lev. and so far it has astounded me on how much preparation Aaron had to have from Moses before he could fulfill his office. Wow it is like 30 chapters worth. It is so symbolic of the crucifixion of our savior it isn't even funny! No wonder the Pharisees had a hard time understanding it. It was because the Savior had not come yet. The new testimate and Book of Mormon would sure have helped them out! I have come to realize that in the short time out here that people simply have not put in the time to read the bible. Because there are a lot of religions that would not even exists if they would read the bible. I love it when people ask me to prove my point when I teach so I wipe out the Book of Mormon. Then they are like no out of the bible so I pull out a very similar scripture out of the bible. Weird where did we hear that? Bible, Book of Mormon go hand in hand maybe? What I am trying to say is we should all spend some more time in the scriptures there are many many many hidden treasures there. Especially in the Old Testament.

   I really enjoy all of your insights to the scriptures. Swensons thank you for all the letters! I particularly enjoyed the last talk you sent about the fall, and creation. It made me think but it all makes sense. Like how the tree of good and evil was like a veil to the tree of life. And several other things I learned a lot from it! I am grateful to Carrolyn for her letters as well they are great! Thanks aunteeeeeee. And everyone else! It always picks up my day. Well I hope you all have a great week! I will talk or read your emails on Saturday. Keep up the faith and I hope the snow keeps on coming. I am still in the sun at 88 degrees have fun!!!

Elder Henderson

Another Week In Jamiaca... 2-3-14

Hello family and crew. Another week has passed us by leaving us older and hopefully more refined and better. 

This was a great week for Elder Norman and I!!!! We just seem to have more fun than anyone else but we get 

more work done than anyone else!!!!! I sometimes struggle to remember what we did this week because I swear 

that it has only been a day since I left. One long, extremely fun day. So forgive me if I reiterate some things from 
letter to letter.

   Yesterday was a fabulous day!!! First off most of (except 1) less actives that we have been working with 

became active! Secondly we had 2 less actives that we just started working with come to church for the first time in weeks yesterday. Third, we had 6 investigators come to church.........WITH MEMBERS!!!! That's right the 

members brought them. I'll tell you what we couldn't have done it with out them! They make all the difference, 

you make all the difference! It isn't hard to invite a friend and bring them to church. If we all did that.......wow 

that's a lot of investigators. So this week try it. Bring someone to church. You never know they might love it. 

    We taught a whole lot of people this week and it has been crazy for Elder Norman and I trying to prep the area for the split here in a week. We have members we need to talk to, to help them with their missionary work and to 

make sure that the transition to two brand new elders is seamless. We also need to help members with their 

cottage meetings. We also need to do some work and solidify some of the other area to help the next Elders 

not have to completely white wash. Investigators to see. As well as less actives to see and reactivate. It sure 

has us busy! But I am so grateful for that because it makes the days seem to slip by. Man I love this place 

and I don't want to leave!!!!

    I hope that everything is going well with all of you. You are all in my prayers constantly! Every single day! 

Joshua again happy birthday. Mom........I forgot it was your birthday a month ago.......sorry but happy birthday. 

Nikayle and Siri same with you,........I forgot..........happy 4 month late birthday!!!! I would send you all a present 

or something but there is too many options. Way too many so I will just wait and buy you all something when 

you come out here with me okay? I am so sorry, I just have been so busy. I can't believe it is almost my birthday......weird.........I think I may be turning 9 inside.....or maybe 8. At least that is how I feel. I am never going to grow up in some things. Again I hope that this week is better than the last. I love you all. Keep the faith.

Elder Henderson