Elder Jepsen - Elder Jepsen is Going on a Mission

Elder Lee Jepsen came home off his mission March 31st 2011 and was released as planned!


Lee went to the the Copenhagen Temple and married a sweet Spanish girl on Canada Day 2011, also known as July 1st.


Now, everything is about to change. Another Elder Jepsen received his calling to serve on a mission. Lee's other brother Eric just received his calling today and is planning to be checking into the Provo MTC on his Canadian Grandmother's birthday, also known as December 6th (2011). In retrospect, it now takes a little longer for a US visa to be precessed than it did in the past and we experienced a delay in Elder Jepsen's plans. The date of departure for the US was postponed, giving Elder Jepsen an opportunity to serve a portion of his mission in the Denmark Copenhagen Mission before going entering the MTC.


Eric will be serving in the Washington Spokane Mission (the State in the US closest to his Canadian birthplace--British Columbia, Canada). 


As the green area on the map indicates, this mission covers portions of Washington, Idaho, Montana and a small corner of British Columbia, Canada.

Spokane Washington Temple, erected 1999

The Washington Spokane Mission includes the following Stakes:

Coeur D'Alene Idaho
Colville Washington
Ephrata Washington
Hayden Lake Idaho
Lewiston Idaho
Moscow Idaho University
Moses Lake Washington
Othello Washington
Moscow Idaho
Sandpoint Idaho
Spokane Washington
Spokane Washington East
Spokane Washington North
Spokane Washington Valley
Spokane Washington West
Wenatchee Washington

President and Sister Palmer

The Washington Spokane Mission President S. Mark Palmer and Sister Jacqueline Ann Wood Palmer, of the Barton Creek Ward in the Austin Texas Oak Hills Stake, began their mission back in 2009 and will be serving until 2012.


Brother Palmer was Born in Te Puke, New Zealand and has in the past served as a stake president and counselor, bishop and counselor, high councilor, high priest group leader and missionary in the New Zealand Wellington Mission.


Sister Palmer was born in Rochdale, England and has in the past served as a counselor in a ward Relief Society presidency, ward Young Women president, ward Relief Society teacher, seminary teacher and missionary in the Spain Barcelona Mission. 

Elder Jepsen - Mission Entry 52 - God Lives and He Will Answer Prayers Coming From the Heart!

I feel so blessed, it is very nearly is overwhelming. The happiness resulting from seeing the change in people as they discover that God is there for them, that He answers prayers and understand your fears, worries and concerns is impossible to describe with mere words. It is truly an indescribable blessing to be here and I feel privileged to be a part of it.

Our snow just barely melted and all that is left is just some small stubborn remnants. I hear that Minnesota usually gets a surprise snowstorm in March, but we'll see.

We just had another baptism this week! It was great! It was of the couple that I told you about last time. It was great to see them make this covenant after such a long time of meeting with the missionaries. Forty-one people showed up for the baptism!

I love how I the Lord provides opportunities for me to learn and grow even though they usually never are easy. Oh well. That's why I am on a mission right?

My year-mark is coming up this week, halfway done already? This is going way too fast!

I am really grateful for the gospel. Recently we just found another family that had been looking for a way to bring their family closer to God, waiting for the gospel to come into their lives. It was obvious to us that as they have been seeking God, He has allowed gradually greater insights into His truths. It's awesome that God trusts us with families that He has worked with for so long. They are truly good people and they have a great desire to learn about the gospel. It makes you feel really small to be a part of something so great.

Love you all and I wish you the best. Miss you, but I like where I am and what I do. Looking forward to talking to you all for Mother's Day.

Elder Jepsen

Elder Jepsen - Mission Entry 51 - I Wouldn't Want to be Any Other Place Than Right Here, Right Now!

Things are going great. We are blessed to bring several less active people to church and it is awesome! I feel it a great pleasure to serve here. I could praise this area to the skies all day long. The ward leaders are doing a lot of work to ensure that our time is never wasted and our work goes as smooth as possible. I consider it an honor to be on their side in this work. The ward here has an exemplary degree of dedication and willingness to do what has to be done to optimize their missionaries efforts.

I am grateful to the Lord for surrounding me with missionaries and leaders that I can look up to and learn so much from. A mission is truly an opportunity for constant progression as long as you keep challenging yourself.

I love this area. We bus around a lot and we get to see many interesting scenes on the way to our appointments. It is not uncommon to see a police cars with big flashing lights arresting somebody right there on the street as we ride by on the bus. The contrast between people being arrested laying prostrate on the asphalt in between moving cars and the people we teach who are sensitive to gentle whisperings of the Holy Ghost is one to really make you appreciate the gospel.

The snow is finally melting. I have not seen a lawn or any greens the last four months and was surprised the other day when the snow gave way. I had nearly forgotten the color green.

Give Jennifer a shout out from me! Respect! My sister is rocking with all the smart people! Yes! Kudos to her from me!

We have two people getting baptized this weekend and they are awesome! We have just been working with them the past couple weeks, but they have been working with missionaries before us for a year. So I'm just blessed to be at the end of the line. We'll be setting everything up for the baptism for Saturday.

I am continually humbled by the Lord trusting me with teaching these wonderful people about His gospel. It is as if I am not doing anything and yet I get all the credit and joy from the experience. The people we find, decide for themselves to listen, first to our message, then to the promptings from the Holy Ghost. They want an answer to their prayers and they decide to listen to and follow that answer. As we teach these people, they read the scriptures that hold the directions for bringing God into their lives. I haven't made them a product, I haven't created anything and I am not doing anything of my own. God is already there for them and the gospel is already there. Reading the scriptures is nothing new and living Gods commandments is nothing new. Certainly praying to God in earnest humility is nothing new. Joseph Smith tried prayer and it worked for him, I tried it and it worked for me. All I do is share what I know and feel about God, His gospel and my experience in trying to align my life with God. It is all really so simple and yet it changes lives everywhere around us, every day.

Gotta go. Love you all!

Elder Lee Jepsen

Elder Jepsen - Mission Entry 48 - WOW, WOW Minneapolis!!!

I'm sorry to hear that you're still not well. I hope and pray that you both soon get better. Soon the present will just seem like a small bump in the road. Like you have told me so many times before "The best blessings do not ensure maximum ease, but does provide maximum opportunity for growth - and growth is always an uphill road." I know the Lord will continue to bless you, He loves you more than even I do.

WOW, Minneapolis - WOW! I love this place even more! It's awesome!

If you still remember? I never was a man of many words... well that's no longer an option available to me! We are splitting up with members every day and that allows us to get more than twice the work done, because the members here also give us referrels and bring us around to people that they have in mind for us to teach, as well as to our own appointments. The Lord is showing us a great deal of trust by allowing us to be the missionaries to teach all these wonderful people. Last week we were blessed to teach thirty or more lessons to people prepared to hear the Lord's message. I feel so grateful and I love being a part of this! I'm teaching... and that's why I am here (well, teach and BAPTIZE).

Life has already fallen into a more steady and effective rhythm in our apartment. It doesn't take long, really. Transport here is a simple matter, we bus it everywhere and it didn't take long to sort out all of the routes. I love the ward... they're so amazing and they're so pro-active in the work as well. This is a fantastic experience and I just love being a part of it!

Remember how I sometimes (or every other week) used to get frustrated, irritable and have bad days where I was down? Well, forget all about it, I haven't been in that corner for the last four months. To constantly see people's lives change for the better, as they apply the very gospel that we teach and find the short route to God's direct counsel and direction is the best. God is changing me as much as those I am teaching, I feel so ALIVE!

I love you! Thank you raising me in the church!

Elder Lee Jepsen

Elder Jepsen - Mission Entry 47 - WOW, Minneapolis!!!

I appreciate your prayers on my behalf, thank you! I am sure that as my mission speeds though my life, much of the good that I experience is thanks to your many prayers for me.

Sorry to hear that you guys are not well. Couldn't you take some of these challenges in small portions, one at a time? My prayers are with you, I hope and pray that you all get better soon.

WOW, Minneapolis! I am actually in Minneapolis, WOW!!!
WOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOO!!!!

I love it here!!!! What more can I say, I love it!

Currently I am serving with Elder Noffsinger. He's a quiet elder, but he is at the same time a diligent and hard worker. We've already conncted really well and we are getting along great. I love it!

It's not as cold here as in Thunder Bay, but it snows much more...We have so much snow, it's crazy! We use the buses to get around a lot, allowing us plenty of opportunities to meet and contact people and keeps us out the snow, when it's at its worst.

I still have a hard time finding my way because we have a big area, just bordering downtown Minneapolis, I love it here. I'll be working on getting my camera repaired as fast as possible, I need to show you this place! We get to talk to a lot of cool people and because it's a bigger city, not everyone we meet or contact is ready to receive or accept the gospel. One such example is when a person we contacted turned out to be a drug dealer. His agenda being in rather stark contrast to ours in more ways than I can begin to number, it was a brief but eye opening encounter. Not that I mind the odd challenge, but I don't think he or I was ready for this one.

We were downtown the other day and I saw that they have skyways in between most of the buildings to keep people focused on shopping without getting distracted by the snow and cold, clever! We went there because the stake-president owns a restaurant called "Eddington's," they have a special discount to missionaries on what they call "The Bottomless Bowl of Soup" I have never tasted better soup (or it probably seemed that way because I haven't been home for while, Mom), but they let you eat AS MUCH AS YOU WANT, how can you not like this place? I love it!

But it gets even better. The best part of it all here is the congregation, they're amazing!!! They are really focused on missionary work, and all the members are pitching in. Their goal is to have enough members available for the missionaries to work in splits with the members EVERY NIGHT, and also feeding the missionaries EVERY NIGHT. I've come to missionary HEAVEN!!!

Like our great Bishop back home and many Bishops I've met before, the Bishop here is a hard worker and he's constantly supporting and helping us in our work. Not only him, but the all of the auxiliaries are doing what they can to assist us in the work. I've met so many awesome members here that truly back us up and work with us as missionaries. It makes me want to work harder than my hardest and be a better missionary than I thought I could. I really loved my old area, but my time was up and am so grateful to have come to this area and I am excited to work here! I really hope that the Lord may find me and what I can do with His help to be of some use in His plan for this area.

Well I love you all and I really miss you, but then again not really. ;)
Take care!

Elder Jepsen

Finding Hope

Remembering all who were affected by September 11th, those who died, and those who live.

Words from an LDS survivor of the attack on the World Trade Center in New York:

Minnesota State Seal

The state motto on the seal is French, "L’Étoile du Nord" for "The Star of the North (the basis for Minnesota's nickname as the North Star State).

The symbolism found in the seal is as follows:

The sun on the western horizon signifies the flat plains covering much of Minnesota.

The Indian on horseback is riding due south and represents the Indian heritage of Minnesota.

The tools: the Indian’s horse and spear and pioneer’s axe, rifle, and plow represent tools that were used for hunting and labor.

The stump is a symbol of the importance of the lumber industry in Minnesota.

The Mississippi River and St. Anthony Falls are depicted to note the importance of these resources in transportation and industry.

The cultivated ground and the plow symbolize the importance of agriculture in Minnesota.

Trees: beyond the falls, three pine trees represent the state tree and the three great pine regions of Minnesota–St. Croix, Mississippi, and Lake Superior.

[http://www.statesymbolsusa.org/Minnesota/stateSEAL.html]

The original version, drawn by Seth Eastman while Minnesota was still a territory, depicted a Native American galloping east, not west, into the setting sun. The Latin phrase "Quo sursum velo videre" ("I want to see what lies beyond") represented the pioneer heritage of Minnesota, but was unfortunately misspelled. When Minnesota became a state in 1858 the seal was corrected. The Native American was depicted galloping east and the Latin phrase was changed to the state motto "L'Etoile du Nord". When Minnesotans began questioning the depiction of Native Americans on the state seal in the 1960's the seal was changed again. The new seal depicted a white settler, not a Native American, galloping off into the sunset. In 1983 the fourth and current state seal was approved by the legislature. Several state trees (the Norway Pine) were added and the settler on horseback was replaced with a Native American on horseback galloping toward the farmer.

[http://www.mnsu.edu/]

Minnesota State Flag

The present state flag of Minnesota was adopted in 1957 and is blue with the state seal superimposed on the middle of it. The three dates woven into the wreath represent:

1858 - The year of statehood.

1819 - The year Fort Snelling was established.

1893 - The year the original state flag was adopted.

The nineteen stars symbolize the fact that Minneapolis was the nineteenth state to enter the union after the original thirteen. The largest star symbolize the North Star and Minnesota.

[http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/history/mnstatehistory/state_flag_of_minnesota.html]

The most common color seen in Minnesota is lighter than shown here, usually a royal blue, though it may not be official. Minnesota is a Dakota word meaning approximately sky tinged or tinted waters. That is, waters the color of the sky. Minne = water, sota = sky color.

[http://flagspot.net/flags/us-mn.html#blue]

Elder Jepsen - Mission Entry 022 - Soon, I'll be OFF TO MINNESOTA!

The MTC is a spiritual feast beyond the mere inadequacy of words, but words are my only tools available for sharing this, so I have to try: I've had the privilege of being district leader for a wonderful district these last two weeks. Conducting interviews with my whole district every week is a new experience which can be awkward at times, but extremely giving. I'm surprised how much I've learned in my short time here and how much it has taught me about myself. Besides the obvious in preparing for a mission that I am already in the middle of, it's as if everything I am doing here will forever change my priorities and views on life. I'm so much looking forward to use the new me and what I have learned for my mission, although I strongly suspect the impact of this to carry far beyond the bit of time that a mission really is. I really feel like my life has taken a more permanent turn for the better over these last few weeks.

Since my last e-mail to you I have had a pretty intense week. No time is wasted here at the MTC and there is not a moment in the day that has not been planned for. All missionaries here are completely accounted for at all times of the day. Except for the Temple Square (Salt Lake City) excursion, we only leave this place to go to the Provo Temple. It may sound restrictive to some, but being here has been a one the best and most teaching experiences in my life so far, and as long as they have something planned for me here I have no inclinations to be anywhere else than here. Life here is so uncomplicated and so very simple, you wake up, follow the schedule, eat, and go to bed again. This allows the freedom to totally focus on the task at hand and I've never done or learned so much in a day as I have here. I love it.

But, as much as the experience here is incomparable, I know it can't go on forever. I like it here but I am looking forward to what comes next. I have a mission waiting and in view of all the obstacles with the new visa rules it was almost looking as if it would never happen, but it is happening: I'm out of here next Wednesday and off to Minnesota and I have so been looking forward to that part. I was supposed to be arriving in Minnesota only five whole months ago (that's like being told on the morning of December 24th that a new rule has postponed Christmas). I almost can't wait to see what new exciting adventures await me ahead. I've heard that there is twenty-eight missionaries going to Minnesota at the same time as me, not at all like my first mission travels where I stuck out like a sore thumb. For this first time in my mission I don't stick out and I can blend in, although probably not for long though. I have noticed an uncanny ability og mine to stick out no matter how uniform a crowd I might try to hide in.

There is a flu going around in my district and I'm the latest victim. My voice has gone down two octaves and my nose is like a faucet that just can't be turned off all the way. To speed up my recovery I have asked sister Harris (branch presidency counselor's wife) to bring me some cayenne. That stuff works miracles every time!

Well, I wish I could just hug you all and you would know exactly how great an experience this really is. Words are such a poor substitute. I love you all! I hope that things are going OK at home! I miss you! (not enough to wish myself to anyplace other than here though). How are you all doing these days?

Loves!

Elder Jepsen

PS: To watch the videos you must install Flash Player in your browser (unless you already have it). A simple and easy process, it installs itself if you download it by clicking on the link below:

http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/

Elder Jepsen - Mission Entry 021 - Unpacked and Ready to Learn

I was at Temple Square today! What an experience seeing the Church so... everywhere! We saw the new conference building, the Tabernacle, the Church History Museum, Joseph Smith Memorial building, the big church office building, the Lion's house, the Beehive House, the Visitor's Center and a nice replica of Bertel Thorvaldsens "Kristus"... (the original, together with Thorvaldsen's twelve apostles still remains in Copenhagen, Denmark). Our day was all very impressive and quite an enjoyable experience.

But, while playing the tourist what really tempted me, all I really wanted to do, was to get inside the doors of that beautiful temple. I'll be back. (Yes, the Schwarzenegger pun was intended, sorry--can't help it).

My companions are wonderful and they are a great additional blessing to my MTC experience. We have lots of fun and our compatability helps get things done.

I have been called to be a District Leader and I am looking forward to what I might learn from that experience, although I wasn't exactly looking for more responsibilities as becoming the kind of missionary that the Lord can and will use a pretty big responsibility in itself.

The Missionary Training Center (MTC) is like a little University Of Christ and I have learned so much already. The Spirit here is very strong, and it's clear to see how it influences all involved.

I am really trying to get as much out of this experience as I can and I've been busy filling in the gaps from my previous missionary service, trying to improve and become a better, more commited missionary before I leave. I don't want to waste any time becoming as effective as I can be, as I know that the Lord sends prepared people to prepared missionaries. I need to be more prepared.

When God reaches into his great toolbox I want to be one of the sharp and ready tools that he can use. Chipping away with a dull chisel accomplishes little more than tiring the handler and I wouldn't want to do that. Effort spent on keeping a chisel honed and sharp minimizes wasted time and need for repairs, placing the effort as a sharply defined edge exactly where needed and wanted, producing a good piece of work in the hands of a Master. Even the smallest miracles and marvels don't come about with dull tools.

Love y'all,

Elder Jepsen

Elder Jepsen - Mission Entry 020... finally, at the MTC

I'm finally at the MTC and oh, does it feel weird. While I still have a long way to go and lots to learn as I have only just arrived, I was surprised to discover how much I've already learned while serving in Denmark!

I have 2 way cool companions. Elder Taniuchi from Japan, who is going back to Japan for his mission (he plays the ukulele) and Elder Tuiasosopo from the Samoan Islands. The are both very special people and I admire their dedication. I am truly blessed being here, experiencing the spirit and the testimonies of the missionaries I serve with.

I hope you are doing well back home. I recieved a blessing from President Olausson before I left for the MTC. In it he mentioned my family and that they will be blessed and taken care of in my service. The Lord knows our struggle. Later during testimony meeting he made me a promise that with the authority and keys that he held as a mission president, the wishes I had for my family would be fulfilled. I would not need to be concerned, for they were taken care of and they were in loving caring hands. It truly makes me grateful to know that the Lord knows us, I love you all and I am so grateful that we have the priesthood.


Here is my mailing address for the next three weeks:

Elder Lee E. Jepsen
MTC
Information desk
2005 North 900 East
Provo Utah 84604-1793
USA

Following MTC my address will be:

Elder Lee E. Jepsen
Minnesota Minneapolis Mission
5931 West 96th Street
Bloomington MN. 55438-1715
USA

Take care!
Love y'all

Elder Jepsen

Elder Jepsen - Mission News - The Unexpected Phonecall

Editors Note: Computer problems unfortunately are preventing my usual efforts on the blog. I must complete this entry away from my computer and software. Consequently I am unable to modify any pictures for internet use.

Elder Jepsen's brother Paul was kind enough to take some pictures at the Copenhagen Airport and I am looking forward to share them with you all. As soon as I again can access my computer I will process the pictures of Elder Jepsen's departure from Copenhagen Airport to a sufficiently small format to suit normal internet use (people have to be able to download them in order to view them).

We did however get a phone call from our dear Elder as they at the MTC had asked him to call to notify his parents of his arrival. I have tried to the best of my ability to share that phone call with you. We should soon have regular e-mails and pictures again, I hope.

After crossing the Atlantic Elder Jepsen had three hours in Atlanta, Georgia where he was looking for something more substantial than the light lunch served in flight. Having spent his last cash on luggage fees it was time to pull out the plastic. The magnetic strip on his credit card was damaged and he was asking a stranger where there might be place that had a credit card chip reader. Noting the missionary attire and missionary badge the stranger mentioned that he to was a christian and that christians should help one another. Figuring that our Elder Jepsen was looking to buy food he offered to buy him lunch and helped him out of a tight spot. Landing an impromptu dinner appointment out of his area is not at all a bad start and a terrific opportunity to talk about missionary work and the church.

Elder Jepsen was soon on route again and off to Provo, Utah where he had already had breakfast when we spoke to him. There had been nothing else on the schedule yet except meeting all the other missionaries when we spoke to him. I am sure we will hear more exciting news later.

When he called, he was tired after nineteen hours of transit but Elder Jepsen is well and happy. He enjoys where he is and what he is a part of and that is really the most important news.