I am recommending a medical release....

Dear Friends and Family of Sister Jenkins...

Thank you for your many prayers on Sister Jenkins' behalf, putting her name on the prayer roll at Temples throughout the world and sending your love & good wishes for a speedy recovery from a month long illness that has racked her respiratory system.  We are blessed and grateful for all the love and care Kylee has received in the Urdaneta Mission and the Manila Missionary Recover Center (MRC). While the medical staff at the MRC have been wonderful, Elder/Dr. Arner has as a last resort made the difficult decision to return Sister Jenkins' home for advanced pulmonary care and healing.

In his letter to us this morning, he said....

"If Sister Jenkins were my daughter or granddaughter

I would absolutely want her to

return home at this point. 

I am hoping that this will be easily correctable

and that she will likewise recover quickly. 

In that case, she will be

WELCOME

to return to the Urdaneta mission....

Sister Jenkins is indeed saddened by this decision....

She has done every single thing

she has been asked to do

and we have pretty well

exhausted our resources in the field. 

I want to tell you what a

wonderful missionary she is. 

She is absolutely great. 

If everyone serving had her faith,

testimony and determination,

the work would go forward

with greater speed and success. 

She had done everything she can. 

She has never once asked to go home. 

That decision was entirely mine. 

Now she needs to get better, and then,

if it is her desire to do so,

 she may return again. 

She has blessed the lives of many people

here in the Philippines."

 

We spoke to Sister Jenkins' tonight as she said good-bye to her beloved Urdaneta mission, President & Sister Deyro and her brothers & sisters in the Philippines.  Hearing her voice and witnessing her chronic cough testified to us that Heavenly Father knows and loves her.  Elder Arner's difficult decision is right.  It is clear after hearing her tonight, she needs advanced pulmonary care and further testing in America.  We will pick her up at the Boise airport Wednesday, August 19th, at 2:30 pm...my head is spinning trying to think of all her favorite comforts to surround her with... #1 pumpkin cookies...#2 Uncle Guy's sure all remedy (OJ & Sprite)... #3 Kristie Dorsey's chicken noodle soup...and, #4 Green Chili Chicken Enchiladas (when she's up to that one).

 

Sister Jenkins' loves being a missionary.

She loves the Philippines.

She loves the Filipino people.

She loves her Urdaneta mission.

She loves her companions.

She loves the culture, the food and Tagalog.

Please pray for her quick recovery!!!

 

I leave you with a thought from one of Sister Jenkins' favorite books,

"The Peter Potential"...

 

"Thou Art The Christ,

The Son of the Living God."

- Matthew 16:16

 

"There will be a point in this journey

where you will have to leave neutral ground. 

That moment will require you to

GIVE HIM YOUR HEART...ALL OF IT.

 

He is the Christ.

Let Him guide your life.

Counsel with Him.

Ask for His input.

Allow Him to change you.

Trust that He will make

you something more."

 

Our hearts are heavy and eyes flowing with tears.

Sister Jenkins' is leaving "neutral ground"

and she is letting Him guide her life

and allowing Him to change her.

We know He lives and He dearly loves all His children.

There is peace & comfort with Dr. Arner's decision.

She is our spiritual giant.

And, she trusts in the Lord and His plan.

 

BLESS YOU ALL.

 

Godspeed, Sister Jenkins!

 

 

 

 

 





Angels are around me always....

Sister Jenkins and her MRC companion Sister Wilde...
life long friends!!!

 

I love this...
"ENTER TO HEAL GO FORTH TO SERVE"

 

NOTE FROM MOM: 

Last Wednesday, August 12th, we received word from Elder Arner, an Area Medical Adviser in the Philippines that Sister Jenkins' had been transferred from her Urdaneta Mission to the Manila Missionary Recovery Center (MRC).  About three weeks ago, she developed an upper respiratory infection which resulted in a chronic cough that is not responding to any form of treatment. 

 

PLEASE pray for Sister Jenkins

that she will heal soon.

Include the physicians and medical staff

in your prayers that

they will find the cause

of her health challenges. 

 

There is great comfort knowing Sister Jenkins' is in the Missionary Recover Center as it is the only one in the Church (worldwide).  It is a very pleasant residential facility across the street from the Manila Temple and on the same campus as the MTC.  It is not a hospital, but rather a place where missionaries can be evaluated and obtain more advanced assessments.  The MRC is supervised by two excellent experienced nurses and the Area Medical Adviser/Doctor who have access to St. Luke's Medical Center about 5 km from the MRC which is the premier hospital and health care center in the country. 

 

Elder Arner reported that Sister Jenkins is in "wonderful spirits, smiling and happy and truly a delight to be around.  She will brighten everyone's day here.  Sister Jenkins' radiates the joy of her work and loves being involved in teaching the Gospel here." 

 

In Sister Jenkins' words....

"I know the only person this sickness is a surprise to is ME. 

Heavenly Father has known and does know. 

He is so mindful.

 I know He cares just as much about the instrument

as He does about the work. 

I know angels are around me always! 

I trust Him." 

 

We love our Sister Jenkins!

She is strong, trusting and in His hands.

She is a spiritual giant.

XO

 



Come unto Jesus from ev'ry nation...."Come to me"

This week flew by!

It feels like it was just P-day yesterday!

This week we had a ton of fun doing the Lord's work.  Tuesday we had FHE (family home evening)/Happy Birthday at the 1st counselor's house.  It was way fun and one of our investigators came too.  Wednesday one of our investigators was making dinner when we came over so we asked what she was cooking, and....it was crickets & frogs!  Masarap!  Haha jokelang!  We worked with a recent convert that is preparing for a mission and it was so great to hear her testimony.  She is awesome!  Sunday was AMAZING!

We really tried to extend a lot of invitations this week to less active members and investigators too.  It is hard for one to act on their faith without the invitation to do so.  This Sunday it was great to see new and old faces at church.  The first Sunday we had 43 people attend church and yesterday there was 73.  It really helped strengthen my testimony about extending the invitation and acting on our faith.  I am so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father and His beautiful plan he has for each of His children.  I am grateful that it is never too late for us to come unto Him.  His arms are always extended.  His love is always there.

I've been reminded and comforted this week

by the hymn,

 

 

"Come Unto Jesus"

Come unto Jesus, ye heavy laden,
Careworn and fainting, by sin oppressed.
He'll safely guide you unto that haven
Where all who trust him may rest.

 

Come unto Jesus; He'll ever heed you,
Though in the darkness you've gone astray.
His love will find you and gently lead you
From darkest night into day.

 

Come unto Jesus; He'll surely hear you,
If you in meekness plead for his love.
Oh, know you not that angels are near you
From brightest mansions above?

 

Come unto Jesus from ev'ry nation,
From ev'ry land and isle of the sea.
Unto the high and lowly in station,
Ever he calls, "Come to me."

 

Matthew 11:28-30

28 ¶Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

 

2 Nephi 26:33

33 For none of these iniquities come of the Lord; for he doeth that which is good among the children of men; and he doeth nothing save it be plain unto the children of men; and he inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile.

 

Love you!

Sister Jenkins

 

My heart is about to burst...
LOVE LOVE LOVE the sweet little girl
and our sister missionaries!

This was dinner for a Filipino family...crickets & frogs!

 

Kind of a hilarious yet morbid picture of me. 
A less active member we were visiting owns a
funeral home and she was so nice and insisted
we take this photo.  FILIPINO HUMOR!!!

 

 

"Be not afraid...only BELIEVE"....

Hellooooo!

This week was good!  I LOVE sister Montenegro and our super cool Kabahi's Sister Miller & Sister Bonediano.  Monday we had FHE (family home evening) with some members and investigators.  After we tried balut ....not going to lie, probably the grossest thing I have ever eaten, but it was pretty hilarious!  Tuesday, we had a great district meeting!  And learned about how to better recognize the Holy Ghost in our lives. Which is so important for us to recognize the promptings Father gives us through the spirit.  We went to our far area with our branch president and his beautiful wife on Wednesday.  It's about an hour from Baguio, it is beautiful.  Friday we went to new missionary training and it was great.  We learned about KFC..."Keep Father's Commandments"...and, we also feasted on KFC so it was pretty great.  Towards the end of the week, I lost my voice but I was so proud and impressed with Sister Montenegro for opening her mouth and teaching (sa tagalog) when I could not.  My favorite quote of the week comes from "The Mortal Christ" talk given by Jack R. Christianson (look it up)....

"Be not afraid...only Believe.

To those whom God calls, He qualifies...."

 

"The Mortal Christ"

Popular speaker Jack R. Christianson is back

with his warm stories, personal experiences,

and inspiring insights that will bring you closer to the Savior.

Drawing on examples and teachings of Christ's

mortal ministry, brother Christianson explains

the importance of getting to know Him.

He teaches that we, like Christ,

should seek to please the Father,

help others live, and follow

the promptings of the still, small voice.

The Mortal Christ will motivate and inspire you

to strengthen your relationship with Deity,

and help you to enjoy the blessings of the gospel more fully.

 

I LOVE YOU!

Sister Jenkins

 

 

A Filipino delicacy, balut, is a culinary fascination a

round the world.  18-day-old fertilized duck egg!



Joy of laboring in His vineyard....

This week has been AMAZING!

The first half of the week, I was with Sister Antenorcruz in Mangaldan.  We were pretty sure she was transferring because she has been in this zone since December.  Sister Antenorcruz was pretty much packed by the time transfer awareness came.  Wednesday, we found out I was actually being transferred which meant I would be training in an open area!  I was super excited.  I know Heavenly Father is so aware of us and has great things in store for us!  So, Wednesday night after attending the farewell party for Sister Santo's, I got all packed and Thursday morning I headed to Urdaneta to meet my anak! 

My heart was pounding the whole way there! 

 

What would she be like? 

 

Filipino or foreigner? 

 

Where would be our new area?

 

When I got there, I introduced myself to each of them!  There were two Filipinos, two Poly and three Americans (which as kind of cool because there are only three American sister missionaries right now).  We headed into the meeting and President Deyro started calling companions and areas...and, slowly by slowly the two Filipinos were called, one Poly, two Americans and it was me and another trainer plus American and Poly trainees left.  Then a few seconds later, it was just me and the American sister left!  I jumped up and gave her a MASSIVE HUG (hopefully, I didn't freak her out too much...hahaha).  Her name is Sister Montenegro, she is from Las Vegas and I seriously love her so much!  We look and kind of talk similar so we have been asked if we are related a few times.  Hahaha

 

Our area is the wonderful Binalonan Branch and our zone is Urdaneta North.  This has been an Elders only zone, so we are the first sister missionaries there!  We are way excited!  We have had to seriously deep clean our "celestial" apartment out, we love it!  The branch leaders and President are great and have been working with us, helping us get familiar with our area and we had FHE (family home evening) & met tons of members.  Sunday we had dinner with a family and we got some new names to contact. 

 

I am so grateful for the trust the Lord has put in us to help strengthen this branch!  I love my Sister Montenegro.  I am excited for this transfer and the hard work ahead of us, all the awesome memories we will create and the joy of laboring in His vineyard! 

 

Love to all!

Sister Jenkins

Binalonan Branch President, his wife and family and me & Sister Montenegro!

 

Loving our new area and my new companion!

One of my last days with Sister Antenorcruz.



HIS hand in my life....

First, I would like to give a huge shout out to my beautiful sister and her wonderful husband on the birth of their sweet little baby girl, Indie Pearl.  I am so excited for you and your cute little family! 

So, this week was packed.  I have had some very humbling experiences.  It amazes me how each week I feel myself coming unto Him and truly coming to see His plan for me and His hand in my life & my mission.  This week started with me finding out my sister had her little girl!  Lots of emotions flooded in my heart & mind after hearing the news, but I remembered the words of a friend who had once encouraged me to focus on my mission.  There is no going back to the way things were before my mission.  There has been so much growth in me since the time I first read the words to now.  I know that far better things lie ahead in the plan that the Master Teacher has for me.  Truly loving my mission has been the first step for me to really understand the importance of living in the here and now, not dwelling of the past or wishing for the future! 

Continuing with my week...

Wednesday, I received a call from the Assistant to our Mission President and received the word that I have been called to be a trainer.  I feel so humbled by the trust the Lord has placed in me to help train one of His precious daughters.  I am eager and hear there are lots of American sisters coming, so I am just trying hard to get ready for whatever happens on Thursday.  I look forward to meeting my anak!  Thursday, we met with our new Mission  President, President Deyro and his wife.  I love them and am grateful for them!  Friday, we had "train the trainers" in Urdaneta...it was fun to reflect on my own 12-week training and all of the wonderful & key things Sister Navarro taught me!  Sunday was great.  We had a very effective MCM which was great! 

So, I'll leave you with a funny story!  For those of you who don't know me, I am terrified of spiders...to the point that I can't even protect myself to kill them.  So, Sunday night I go to grab a letter from a box next to my desk and BAM....I see a HUGE spider leg jumping onto my desk.  I am crying...Sister Antenorcruz is beating the spider to death with a stick.  Let me tell you, it was the biggest spider I have ever seen.  HUGE!!!  It was unreal!!!

Love to all,
Sister Jenkins

Mom Notes....I asked Sister Jenkins a couple questions and thought I'd share her responses to give you a better glimpse into her life as a missionary.

• It's the rainy season here...I haven't seen the sun in over a week.  (We know Sister Jenkins loves the rain so I'm sure she is in heaven.)
• We are sharing the gospel with six wonderful Filipinos:  2 are in their late teens, a sweet couple and an amazing lady who is probably 30 years old. 
• I love our new Mission President & his wife!!!
• My zone is "14 brgy" which is like if you did the loop up Orchard Avenue to 10th Avenue then back maybe 2 or 3 times.  We walk a ton!  Most everyone in our zone farms or works in the fields. ----  Okay, so I had to google "brgy" to see what Sister Jenkins was referring to...."A barangay (brgy or bgy) is formally called a barrio, is the smallest administrative division in the Philippines and is the native Filipino term for a village, district or ward."  When the first Spaniards arrived in the Philippines in the 16th century, they found well-organized independent villages called barangays.  The first barangays started as relatively small communities of around 50 to 100 families.  By the time of contact with Spaniards, many barangays have developed into large communities."  INTERESTING.

Enjoying some fresh corn...



A walk with my friends...

Always a good day to see Sister Smith!!!




Not my hand or our spider, but its identical twin...HUGE!!!

 

Thanks Bo...Go Chukars Baseball!!!

 

And, then Sister Jenkins sent this sweet photo & message to her Kendel...she writes, "...The pictures are beautiful!  I have a three photo picture frame I bought last week with pics of you and Indie in it....I cry too!  haha  Just sitting there staring at it, but I am overwhelmed at what an amazing Mom I know you are!  I got to take baby pictures for one of our investigators, she had her baby and the day after we went to their house & I saw her baby and we taught them about the gospel!  I realized their cinderblock walls were bare with no pictures, so I asked her if I could take  a couple pictures and print some photos of him and she was overwhelmed with gratitude.  It was so sweet!  I love you!" 

 

Sweet Filipino baby boy...

I am an AUNT

WOW!

 

This week was good! 

Crazy how Ken had her baby!

I'm bawling in the internet shop right now...hahaha....

ahhhh, I am dying. 

Literally, she is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen! 

I am so proud of Kendel and am anxious to return AFTER I do His will. 

She is "sobrang mataba"...hahaha....fat & chunky.

I bet Blake is so happy! 

She is the perfect mixture of both of them! 



I am an AUNT....

It's hard...

kind of a weird sensation,

a mix of heart break and mending! hahaha

Mom note:  I love this girl...I pray her heart will mend quickly!!!

I felt like it was happening because this week I have been totally in love with it here and everything has felt good! And when you feel at peace, us missionaries kind of learn that usually some refining moment is headed your way;)

Its been raining constantly and hasn't stopped for 38 hours.  It is starting to flood, so I'm going to do some retail therapy later and buy some rain boots.  

Suddenly, nothing seems too eventful about my week. 

Wow...wow...WOW!!! 

Flooding fields

 

I love you all!!!

Sister Jenkins