Comming Home

So the day finally came!! September 17 2014 the day that Sister Chatwin came home! 

It was a crazy few days leading up to the flight home. The day before was spent with President and sister Miller. Along with the other departing Missionaries, whom I have grown to love so much! The morning of the flight was insanely fast, there were lots of tears. But after flying for almost 4 hours I finally made it home!!! So here are the pictures of what it was like! 

This is the Sign my parents made for me. Very Cute! 

This is me seeing my family!

This is me seeing my mom!!!

THis is me running to my mom

This is my mom seeing me

This is me finally hugging my mom for the first time in 18 months!

It was a long hug!

This is me seeing my dad

This is me hugging my dad

He is the best

Me and Grandma Chatwin

So excited to see everyone!

Waiting for Morgan and the kids… They were late.

Another Hug for mom

Still Waiting for Morgan

This is Mindy Smith, she is a member in Santa Fe who was there to see me and another missionary come home! Also she has family in Logan.

This is me hugging my girls for the first time in 18 months

Me hugging My big sister :)

This is Ganny who was 2 weeks old when I left…. He is so big!!

The sign in the above picture was from this cute little dude! Mr Talmage Jex Squire! He was born 2 or 3 weeks before I got home. He is amazing!!!!

Ganny was so afraid of me, it was really funny ;)

The whole gang who came to see to welcome me home!

I am finally home!!

This is the banner they mad for me

I was so excited to see grass! They don't have much of it in El paso.

This is the chalk sign!!

Me and My Dad

Me and Mom

This is my mission calendar compared to Makalls….. It is kinda funny ;)

Me and my Coco seeing each other for the first time!!

Me and the Christiansen clan!

It is so good to be home!

The End

Well it is actually time for my final email as a missionary. Next week there will not be much time and I will want things to talk to you about when I get home. It is strange to think that the time has gone so fast. It seems that just yesterday I left for the MTC and cried like I would never see you again. I have not seen any of you in person for over 18 months, and I have missed y'all more than you can ever imagine. This past year and a half I have seen, heard, and experienced so many things. And there is so much that I wish I could tell you, but there are something's that words can not express. However in this my final email as a missionary I will do my best to try and give y'all a piece of what I have learned.

 

I know that God is my father and that he loves his children. As a missionary you are given the special ability to feel how much God truly loves all of his children. It does not matter who they are, where they come from and what they have done. He is always there and will always love us! I have had the chance to be an instrument in the hands of the Lord. And God has shown me many great things, and many great people. This past week we were out in a small town that we cover named west way. The people that we went to see weren't there and so we were on our way back home. When I got a feeling to go and see our investigators Olga and Eddie. Which meant that we would just stop in unexpected. This is not my favorite thing to do so I tried to tell myself that we would see them later in the week. But again as we were driving down the street I felt it again, this time with the words "You Promised". It seems that every time I try to do my own will and not Gods he reminds me of this. That I promised long ago to do his will, and that it is all that matters in this life. So I turned the car around and we went to there house. while we were there not only did we see Olga and Eddie. But we also met her husband David, who has never been there when we have met with them in the past. He told us that had we come a few minutes later he would have been in bed, and we would have missed him. We had an amazing lesson about our purpose in life, and how much God truly loves us. As we were talking he stopped me and told me that as I was reading the Book of Mormon the pain in his heart stopped. And that he truly felt the Lord, he asked if we knew why it was the he felt that. And I told him that it was the Holy ghost witnessing to him that the words which we spoke were true. He has committed to read the Book of Mormon, and to be there when we meet next Friday. I know that God lives and loves his children.

 

I know that Joseph Smith was a Prophet, and that this is the true church of God on the earth today. I have met many people from many different religions. And many have tried to tell me other wise, but they have done so in vain. For I have received a witness from the Lord that they are wrong. This is the one true church of God here upon the earth today. I have been told by many people that they wish that they could save my soul. That I should not listen to the things that I have been brain washed to think. And you all know that I am not going to do any thing just because someone tells me I have to. No I am here and have stayed on my mission because I wanted to. Many people think that it is crazy to 'waste' 18 months of you life to do 'nothing' with your life. So yes to some I am crazy, and have wasted 18 months. But they do not truly see the reason behind why I did this. I have been given these 18 months to learn more of my Savior, and my self. I did not give this time to God because it was not my time to give. Everything that we have has already been given to us from our Father. The only thing that we can give to him that is not already his, is our will and our hearts. I have been trying these past 18 months to give God the only thing that I have to give him. Because life is not about what we want but what the Lord wants.

 

I know that my Redeemer lives, and he knows and loves me. I know that Jesus is my Savior, and the only means by which we can gain eternal life. It is through him that our families can be together forever! It is because of his great sacrifice that I can be cleansed from my sins, and made whole in the eyes of God. I know that we will be with the ones that we love for time and all eternity. That as long as we do the things that we have been asked to do that we will find piece in this life and the life to come. I am so blessed to have this gospel in my life and in the lives of my family. I know that we reap what we sow, that we must treat others the way that we want to be treated. And in the way that Christ would treat them. We are all children of God, and he loves us. So we in turn must love one another.

 

This mission has been the single greatest things that I have every done in my life. I love my Father in Heaven for giving me this chance to serve him with all my heart might mind and strength. I pray that I have been able to do enough in my time here in the Albuquerque New Mexico Mission to possibly repay in some small fraction of a way all the many great blessings that the Lord has given me.

 

 And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which I give of him: That he lives!  For I know that Joseph Smith saw him, even on the right hand of God; and heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father—That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God. I know that this work will go forward and that all the people of the earth will have the chance to learn of the true gospel of Jesus. I love my Savior and my Father in Heaven more than I have every thought possible. I love y'all so much and pray that I can live my life to make y'all proud! Again I love you and cant wait to see you next week , and next October. By the way mom President and sister Miller gave me permission to hug Makall first! But any way I will see y'all soon!

 

Love always and for the last time

Sister Jenna Sherrilyn Chatwin 

A Missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints       

Canine attack

Hey y'all how are ya doing?!?! I hope that all y'all are doing good, and enjoying the last little bit of summer. Well this week has been fun, we have seen some people and seen the way that gospel affects people. So I actually have a few stories this week! So lets get started!

Story 1 The Tale of the Super Sunday

These past few weeks I have been writing to you about Olga and Eddie. Well this past Saturday we went to there house with a member. And we were able to invite them to church and the member offered to give them a ride. Well they came!!! And they loved it!! We are going tot meet with them again next Saturday! I know that God has truly touched there hearts and that they will one day be baptized!

Story 2 The Tale of the Carnivorous Canine

So this past Saturday we were walking down the street in Canutillo by our house. Ok well back story the people out here do not train there dogs. They just let them do what ever they want and let them wander around the street. I cant tell you how many doors we go up to and the people tell us to watch out for the dog. Because he attacks people.... And they say it like it is a normal everyday thing.

And while most the dogs are little yappy things some of them are huge!!! So needless to say we are very weary about the dogs out her. Well I am sure that you can see where the story is going. So we were walking around trying to talk to people when these two little yappy dogs came out and started yipping at us. The little ones they don't bark they just yip. So this little Chihuahua, and a medium size white mutt came out and tried to scare us. So I just walked normally by and told them hello. Well something in how I said that must have gotten the mutt mad. because he came up and started to follow me. As I continued to walk away he bit my leg!!! Not bad he didn't break the skin but I do have a nice bruise there in the shape of his mouth. I put pictures in the drop box so you can see.

Well that was the week, we had people at church and I got mauled by a little dog. So fun right! Well I love y'all so much and I cant wait to hear from you soon. Love ya!!!!

Love Sister Chatwin

Tale of the Hungry Door

Well family how are y'all doing?! I hope that you are all doing well and that you all know how much I love and miss y'all so much! It is crazy to that my 18 months is almost over! Well this week was ok, not much happened. Well except this morning. So here is my story for the week.

Story 1 The Tale of the Hungry Door

This morning we were doing things the normal way. And we were getting ready to leave and go to the store. Well our front door is very stubborn and does not like to open or close. So you have to pull really hard to open and hard to close. Well this morning the door was be just as stubborn as it usually was. So as I went to close the door I pulled really hard so that it would close. Well it did close but decided to eat my finger while is was at it. My right ring finger got smooched in the door. ​  So the bottom 2 pictures are my make shift band aid, till we went to the store. It hurt so bad and bled a lot, I think that I will loose the nail.  So you cant laugh when I come home with only 9 fingernails ;)

Well that is really the most exciting thing that happened this week. We are still trying to find people but I know that things will turn out alright. I Love yall and will write more this week!!!

Love Sister Chatwin!!

A Slow, Long Week!

Hello Family! How are y'all doing? I hope that you are all having a great week and that you are enjoying the end of the summer:)  Well this week has been long, and slow. But that is ok because I know that things will happen when they are supposed to happen. But I am just trying to work hard and to stay focused. It is crazy to think that in less than a month I will be home!!! time has flown by faster than I could have ever thought possible! I am very blessed that the Lord has given me this time to be close to him. There really is not much to say about the week, we stopped by lots of houses, and no one was home. But we will continue to look for the ones that the Lord has prepared to receive the gospel. But I cant wait to hear from you and to know how things are going! I know that this church is true and the this is the wok of God! I will strive to do my best and to finish strong! I love y'all so much!! Write back soon!

Love sister Chatwin

What an amazing Testimony!

Hello family how are things going? Things here in the west Texas town of el Paso. We have been trying to find people so we are talking to everyone. My new comp is sister England, she is from Mantica California and has about 4 months left. She is a very sweet girl and I am excited to work with her. So this week we taught a total of 1 lesson... Yay! Well that is one person that is brought closer to Christ. So there is really not much to tell about this week. We drove around a lot and walked a lot. We did get a washer and dryer this week so that's good.

The only saving grace that has helped me get through the week is my Savior Jesus Christ. Sister England has a CD that I have fallen in Love with. It is called the "Lamb of God" by Rob Gardner. It is kind of like Savior of the world but it is about Christ Last week. I urge all of you to get this CD (Mom get Makall a copy). It is so amazing and has helped me so much to have an understanding of my Savior that I have never know. There is one point after Peter denies Christ he says,"As Thou hast taken stripes for me,Could I not take but one for Thee?". Christ has done so much for us and all he ask is that we follow him and keep his commandments. After this the Peter speaks of how he can not watch the Savior be Crucified. And this is what he says

'"For I know this Man! I know Him! I know this Man! I cannot watch what He must bear. For surely He must carry all my burden. Forgive me, Lord, that I’m not there…But, when my eyes are closed in death, These words will hang on my last breath: I know Him." 

And this really hit me, how often do we "deny" that we are disciples of our Lord. Maybe not in word but in the things that we leave undone, or when we tolerate things that we know are not right. I have been guilty of this my self when I did not stop someone from taking my Lords name in vain. Or heard talk that was contrary to the things that I believed and know to be true, and say nothing. This is not to be rude to people but to kindly to stand for what we know to be true. There is another song that is called Here is Hope. It is Mary the Mother of Jesus after the Savior is crucified. And this song says this,

 "He who healed our sorrows, Here was bruised and broken. He whose love no end knows Here was forsaken, Left all alone, Here despair cries boldly, Claiming this its vict'ry. Sweeter peace enfolds me: Hope did not die here, But here was given. Here is Hope." 

I realized that this is why we share the gospel, and why I am on a mission. I am here to tell the world that there is hope and that it is through our Savior Jesus Christ! I want to be like Peter and shout to the world, I know Him! And I will forever be in his debt for what he has done for me and you. I came on my mission because I knew that I was supposed to. God had given me so much could I not give him a few months of my life? Over the past 17 months I have realized this it is not me giving this time to the Lord, but him giving it to me. He has given me this time to learn and grow. And to know my Savior more deeply than I had every thought possible. I thought I loved him before but know I can not even think of him with out tears coming to my eyes and the spirit burning in my chest. He is my Savior and yours, the King of Kings, the HOPE and the light of the world. I know that my redeemer lives! And that is why I am here to try and repay but a small portion of the debt that I owe to him. I love Jesus Christ and I know that he loves me. I love you all and have a great week!

Love Sister Chatwin

The tale of Gods great plan of happiness

Surprise its my p-day! And that it because this week is transfers. So here is the news.... I was born here in El Paso and I will die here in El Paso! My comp is getting transferred so I will be getting a new companion. This will be 10 companions and 5 areas for my whole mission. It is so crazy to think that this in my last transfer. I will be home in 6 weeks! I am so excited, but so sad at the same time. This is a great work and I will be very sad to leave it. But I can not wait to see y'all again! I hope that all is going well and that you are enjoying the summer! Well this week has been a pretty good one. We have been blessed to find a new family and they are a great example of member missionary work. So lets get on to the stories of the week!     

Story 1 The tale of Member Missionary work!

The Elders that are serving in the ward next to us told us a few weeks ago that they had found a family who wanted to take the lessons. This family has had many friends that are members, and they have been very good examples. This family is named the Flores family. The have two sons, and have been living here in El Paso for most there lives. They have seen how the members of the church have raised there children and how they are very good people (generally). There oldest son has been going to another ward with some of his friends. And there younger son has been going to scouts with his friends. We met with them yesterday and had a great lesson and they are so prepared for the gospel. They want to see what it is that makes the people so different and how it is that we have such strong faith. This just goes to show that we need to be the best examples that we can be in order to help others come unto the gospel.

Story 2 The tale of Gods great plan of happiness

I have told you about a Olga and Eddie. They are another very prepared family, and we have been seeing them every week for the lasts 3 weeks or so. And every week Olga tells us how happy she is that we come by. This past week she was waiting outside for us to come by, and it is so great for us to see how far they have come! Well this past week we taught them the Plan of Salvation. This is one of my favorite things to teach people! Well this time was no exception, especially when we tell them about  how families can be together forever. Olga told me that in her church they told her that in the next life we will not know our families. That we will not have our families in the next life. And she said that this thought always made her so sad. She thought that heaven would always be with her family. And she was so excited to hear that there would be a way that her and her family would be together forever. I am so grateful for this plan and for a the fact that we can be together as a family forever.

Well that was the week and we are seeing great miracles in our area. I am so excited to see you all in 6 weeks! Have a great week and I cant wait to hear from you soon!

Love Sister Chatwin