Gratitude thoughts from the Netherlands!

My dear friends and family,

Well, this is one of those weeks where it seems forever long but still passes in the blink of an eye! I'm loving working with Zr Bush - why didn't you tell me I had a twin, Mom? We are so similar it's kind of scary. But mostly just fun. :)

The first part of this week included more planning (surprise, surprise). Putting together a zone training is more work than I thought! But the thing finally happened on Wednesday, and it went well so all is well. :)

We have a new investigator this week! Her name is Anastasia, she was actually taught by missionaries before but they haven't been in a while. She is originally from Ghana, and she's awesome. She responded very positively to us teaching the Restoration, and she showed us her favorite African gospel music. :)

Saturday evening the elders' investigator was baptized! She had been investigating for several months. It was a nice service. I love how, no matter what background they come from or what age they are or wat dan ook (whatever), newly baptized members always say they feel clean. They feel in a very real sense reborn. What a blessing to be able to feel that, and again each week as we take the sacrament! Het is mooi (it is beautiful). :)

Well I'm running out of time, as usual - we've got to catch a train soon to go play some good old American football. Turkey Bowl for the win! Hopefully I'll catch the ball at least once. We'll see. :) In any case, it is Thanksgiving this week and I would be remiss if I didn't share a thought about gratitude. I can't remember what I shared in my email last year at Thanksgiving time, so sorry if it's a repeat. :)

Take a moment to think about what you're grateful for. There are a lot of things! Now think about what you are most grateful for. If you're like me and all the people I've talked to about this, you probably said something like your family, your testimony, your Savior, or something like that. Something which is eternal and truly a treasure for you. In 3 Nephi 13:20-21 we read the words of Christ when He said: "But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

As we treasure these wonderful, eternal things our heart comes closer to our Heavenly Father, for they come from Him. And it's always so much nicer to live when we live with hearts close to Him! Take a look at your priorities this week, make sure they're properly sorted, and express gratitude for all that Heavenly Father gives us. It truly is everything.

Love you all!

-Zuster Jensen

P.S. for more thoughts on gratitude, see Mosiah 2. It's one of my favorite chapters in the whole Book of Mormon. :)