(Hello brother and sisters I would like to thank everyone that came here today to support me. I’m noticing a lot of Sam's extended family here today too. I didn’t know you guys cared so deeply about me.)
I'm Walt Jensen soon to be Elder Jensen, serving in the Arkansas Bentonville mission; and I know what you're thinking “Wow Walt, what a great mission” and you would be right. My topic assigned by Bishop Wilson is to talk about my life and what led to me choosing to serve a mission.
When I was 9 years old I was a huge Ipad kid, and my family had this rule. No video games on Sundays. But I do my own thing; and so I'm in the middle of playing fortnite, probably about to catch a dub. When my mom rudely interrupts me telling me how she's putting screen time on my iPad and I wouldn't be able to use it on Sundays. Hearing this I started yelling at my mom, then she told me “Idk how you’re gonna survive on a mission”, Me being a 9 year old kid and not knowing how the mission works responded with “When im on my mission it okay if i don't play video games on Sunday”. My mom now laughing tells me how I won't have video games ever during the mission. That broke my heart. Not even a second later I’m on the floor crying, slamming my arms against the floor screaming, that's so boring, that's so boring, I'm not serving a mission, I’m not serving a mission.
Genesis chapter 22 verse 12 Abraham was asked to kill his son Isaac, offering him as a sacrifice. You can say me and Abraham both have our fair share of trials.
Years later I’m now 15; which is around the time BeReal was popular, for those who don't know BeReal would send a notification once a day at a completely random time. I’m walking with some friends (Shout out Jonah Peyton Carston) and we're walking to seminary and we’re talking about mission and one of them asks me if I wanted to serve a mission, and I go “Na that sounds mad boring. But I’ll tell you what, if Bereal goes off right now, I'll serve a mission”. Bereal goes off. I'm freaking out. I go up to brother Marsh and Brother Dragger, and I tell them how I'm gonna be serving a mission. It really shows that God has a plan for us. Brothers and sisters not even two weeks go by and I’m already back to how I was originally feeling, “I’m not tryna serve no mission, that's mad boring”. I chalk it up to a coincidence.
Elder Neal A Maxwell says “God does not do things by coincidence, but by divine design. They are not by accident but by God's plan” end quote
Another two years pass and I’m leaving on my HXP trip. And I'm having the time of my life, I'm in the DR, an area that is completely different from Lehi Utah; and I loved talking to these strangers while we got this language barrier; I loved how the kids would react seeing us build a school for them; I loved the people I was living with; I loved how I was doing this for two weeks, because of this I wasn't really missing home. During this I also realized I’m not missing my phone at all. One night we were laying in bed, talking (shout out my Hxp leaders Nate and Mary) and we were talking about missions and Nate asked the group “Are you guys gonna serve mission’s” and my boy Tyler answers “of course I'm serving a mission”; and then it goes quiet. Nate yells out in the dark “Walt you serving a mish”. “Me? Nah; I mean it just seems so boring, every hour of the day, 7 days a week, for two years straight and all you’re doing is talking to people about heavenly father?” He ask me another question “Walt is this boring”, “Nate what are you talking about “Is this boring” this will be one of the greatest memories I'll ever have, this is so fun”, and says something so simple, so obvious “Walt, this is what a mission like” At that moment I instantly feel the spirit, a feeling I could never forget, it was like if I was being hugged by a thousand people, and I start tearing up asking “This is what a mission like?” And I’m just laying there letting it sink in, feeling the love and warmth of my savior. I realize a mission wasn't ever something I need to decide but something I need to do.
President Russell M. Nelson says “Today I reaffirm strongly that the Lord has asked every worthy, able young man to prepare for and serve a mission.” End quote
I was tryna figure out how to end my talk. I realize there is nothing else I can talk about other than my family.
And I want to talk about each of them. Which I know sounds crazy because that’s 8 people.
But I love them and need them to hear this before I leave.
So first is my twin sister Daisy who I experience the hardest moments of my life with. And I wouldn't have it any other way. Me and Daisy were driving back home from school and we’re talking about something and I’m starting to get upset with her. So she shares a story about someone I love very deeply. And after hearing this story my mind goes blank, and then I realize I can’t breath, I started gasping for air, then I start screaming, and those screams turn into tears. Daisy I love you.
The person who was in that story is here today, that story was about my mom. Mom, you are the most forgiving person I know. I know this is false doctrine but mom you are a perfect mom. Who chose an equally perfect husband, my dad. Dad I hope to be half as good of a father as you are to me. Mom, dad; being your child is the greatest thing that has ever happened to me. Mom, dad, I love you
Max I remember when I was 8 years old laying on your lap sleeping during sacrament. And afterwards telling dad how great of a father you were going to be. And here you are. Max I love you.
Hanna, there isn’t a thing I would change about you. Hanna I love you
Van, growing up I always wanted to be like you, you are my best friend. Van I love you.
Clark, you’re actually pretty cool and good looking like me. Clark I love you
Jane, I hope you know there isn’t a thing me and your siblings wouldn't do for you.
Jane I love you
I like to bear my testimony...
