Cold, snowy Hyrum, Utah
OR
Warm and sunny Tomball, Texas?
Hmmmmm......
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Jan 29th Letter
Greetings to the people of the snowy white part of Utah!!!
Just to let you know it is warmer in other parts of the United States especially here in Texas. Its nice and warm and rainy haha like I have mentioned before I rather take rain than snow any day!!!!
This week has been Awesome, Amazing. Crazy, Frustrating, Exciting, Spiritual, Emotional, and Miraculous. I think that best explains how my week has been this week it was a week that went by way to fast.
Tuesday was our day to go the temple with our Zone it seems like that happened a week ago with all the things that has been going on this week but it was a very good session that I had. We went there for a specific purpose and that was to find answers for our investigators with problems that they are dealing with for their progression in getting baptized. It was cool getting promptings and ideas on how we can best help them I love going to the temple for that purpose alone is to go and get inspiration and feel the spirit in roids hahah ok that probably wasn't funny but the spirit is so strong there.
Thursday was a very awesome day besides being my 20TH BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was part of a huge miracle on my mission. So we have a family who has had a recent birth in the family and she was born 2 months premature and weighed in at 3lbs and 7 oz. Well the baby was rushed into the ICU unit this was about week and a half ago that she was born. The mom has been able to go in every day and get to see her baby and makes sure everything is going well. Well the baby was not doing so good her weight was dropping and she wasn't getting enough oxygen to her brain and her blood pressure was decreasing. The Bishop has been asking if the home teacher would go over and give the baby a blessing but he has been slacking so he asked us to go over there and perform this ordinance. We quickly agreed and talk with the family on Wednesday we then went the next day to give this baby a blessing. So we got to the hospital Thursday morning and we go to the infant ICU and they make us scrub up like we are going in for surgery I’m at the sink scrubbing up and I make the stupid comment. 'Well I’m ready for surgery" they just laughed. But the interesting thing was my comp was sick so he couldn't go in the ICU so I had to do the blessing all by myself. I was just thinking oh crap I hope I don't mess up luckily I didn't haha but going in there and seeing this little baby in an incubator was a humbling experience. As I was giving a blessing I felt this huge warm feeling I knew it was the spirit! After I got done the parents thank me for everything and was appreciated I said no problem it seems like every year on this day there has been a miracle of some sort happening. I told them that this is very meaningful to me and yall have a huge place in my heart. It was one day that I will never forget I got a call from them the next day saying that ever since I gave the blessing the baby’s weight has improved and she hasn’t had any problems what so ever so the doctor was surprised the family isn’t because they knew exactly why.
Later that night we went on splits with our Elder’s quorum and I was with an elder and we went to see a potential investigator. She is a friend of a member I think I mentioned it to yall last week. Her name is Lily we wanted to go by and see her and to get to know her. We got her friend who is the member to come with us and to go visit with her. We got to the door and she was like I knew yall were up to something when her friend called to get her address. haha. But while we were talking to her I mentioned about how about coming to church and remember to read and pray about things because you wanna learn more and this is the best way. The next thing I know she is just laughing. It was really awkward later to come to find out that she was so happy and that she never felt this happiness before so the only way she could overcome it was to laugh. I know for a fact that it was the spirit.
Saturday was a full day of emotions. We started the day off with some service for a member that we help each week on Saturday After we got done we had some appointments lined up but one after the other they dropped like flies. I was so confused and more frustrated I didn't know what to do to salvage the rest of the day. But I came up with a plan that we go visit some referrals and potential investigators. We go to this one who is a member's neighbor. Her name is JANET!!! But she is a little cu cu for coco puffs. (Needless to say she is crazy) she is a heavy drinker. And you can defiantly smell it on her breath. She was saying that she knows a lot about our religion because she knows a lot of our doctrine from other pastors. So I asked her so give me an example and she said that Joseph Smith was wondering in the desert for a time and found god. WRONG GUESS AGAIN! Needless to say she doesn't know anything. It was kinda awkward talking to her cause she was slurring her words and acting weird, we had girls going up and down the street going " OW OW" " HEY SEXY" and stuff like that. Then it got more awkward when Janet said to not have a crush on the members 12 yr old daughter. I was like “what are you talking about Janet that was the dumbest thing I have ever heard. She said that when the neighbor came by while we were doing service she was all dreamy eyes when we were working. I mean this was getting awkward and we are trying so hard to leave. Janet told us that it was cause we were tall dark and handsome. I was thinking well you are thinking of the wrong person here ma'am cause I’m not tall nor dark. so sorry haha!!!
After we got done talking to crazy Janet we were walking down the street and this car came pass. Elder Hilton said that he waived at us. Than I notice the car stopping going, stopping and going. I knew something was up and I ignored it and went to a house to knock and right before I was going to ring the doorbell I had a strong prompting to go find this car. So I told Hilton lets go find this car so we found the car and knocked on the door and this gentleman came out and said " Elders how are you" First thing that came into my head was are you a member??? You must be?? But talking to him he has some friends who are members and have gone on a mission. We found out he is Roman Catholic and he gave us a drink of water and ask us so how does this all work what do yall do? I was like well can we share our unique message with you? He said come on in!! We got to know them a little bit and the man name is Joseph and his wives name is Kayla. Joseph is a history teacher and I can’t remember what Kayla does I think she is a stay at home mom. But we were sharing the restoration lesson with them I felt bad I took over the lesson but I was filled with the spirit so much I couldn't stop. I know that I was smacking him in the face with the spirit. When we were going over Joseph Smith and his experience he couldn't look at us in the eyes. Later he was telling us about his religion and he was trying to explain everything what the church believed in and he was trying to back it up with scripture and he couldn't or with history unlike us when we were backing everything with scripture. He was asking us question and I was answering them. I was so shocked like one question was about how do we know that God and Jesus Christ are separate and not one person I remember hearing someone saying always refer back to the restoration So I mention again about Joseph Smith's experiences and the other part was something that popped in my head and it was so in the bible it talks about Elohim and Jehovah and how can god be both and not separate When I mentioned it he was shocked just because he says he believes in the bible but how can you believe in the bible and where it states specifically about them being separate It just was a testimony building for me in how much I actually know and have a testimony of and how much the spirit can be used and how we can be instruments in thy hand. We gave him a Book of Mormon and will visit with him soon.
Sunday was just another miracle. So lately we have been trying to work with his less active girl. She is the granddaughter of our Relief Society President. She is the same one who brought Carl to us she has gone through a lot in her life and she brought a friend with her to church. I noticed this so I made my way to go talk to her and they came up and said this To me " Elder Christensen this is my friend" I said " Well nice to meet you I’m Elder Christensen The Friend said " I WANNA GET BAPTIZED" I was like wait what did you say???? I was shocked. She gave me her info and said I really like your church and I need a church and I want it to be this one. I was like well here is a Book of Mormon and explained it to her and she was so happy. All she mentioned was I wanna do this for me and I know that it is what I need. After church she came up to us and asks for a blessing so we gave her one of comfort to make sure she is doing what she is supposed to. Talking to the Relief Society President She felt the spirit Cause she was crying!!!! This girl is golden
I have been SOOOO Amazed with all the miracle that has been happening to me, our companionship and to the ward. This area is blooming. I’m so grateful that I can be part of this marvelous work. I know now why I am out here on my mission and that is to bring souls unto Christ but more importantly to see these miracles take place and it couldn’t happen if I didn’t have the love and support of all yall. THANK YOU SO MUCH
I love all yall and be safe this week
Elder Christensen
Just to let you know it is warmer in other parts of the United States especially here in Texas. Its nice and warm and rainy haha like I have mentioned before I rather take rain than snow any day!!!!
This week has been Awesome, Amazing. Crazy, Frustrating, Exciting, Spiritual, Emotional, and Miraculous. I think that best explains how my week has been this week it was a week that went by way to fast.
Tuesday was our day to go the temple with our Zone it seems like that happened a week ago with all the things that has been going on this week but it was a very good session that I had. We went there for a specific purpose and that was to find answers for our investigators with problems that they are dealing with for their progression in getting baptized. It was cool getting promptings and ideas on how we can best help them I love going to the temple for that purpose alone is to go and get inspiration and feel the spirit in roids hahah ok that probably wasn't funny but the spirit is so strong there.
Thursday was a very awesome day besides being my 20TH BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was part of a huge miracle on my mission. So we have a family who has had a recent birth in the family and she was born 2 months premature and weighed in at 3lbs and 7 oz. Well the baby was rushed into the ICU unit this was about week and a half ago that she was born. The mom has been able to go in every day and get to see her baby and makes sure everything is going well. Well the baby was not doing so good her weight was dropping and she wasn't getting enough oxygen to her brain and her blood pressure was decreasing. The Bishop has been asking if the home teacher would go over and give the baby a blessing but he has been slacking so he asked us to go over there and perform this ordinance. We quickly agreed and talk with the family on Wednesday we then went the next day to give this baby a blessing. So we got to the hospital Thursday morning and we go to the infant ICU and they make us scrub up like we are going in for surgery I’m at the sink scrubbing up and I make the stupid comment. 'Well I’m ready for surgery" they just laughed. But the interesting thing was my comp was sick so he couldn't go in the ICU so I had to do the blessing all by myself. I was just thinking oh crap I hope I don't mess up luckily I didn't haha but going in there and seeing this little baby in an incubator was a humbling experience. As I was giving a blessing I felt this huge warm feeling I knew it was the spirit! After I got done the parents thank me for everything and was appreciated I said no problem it seems like every year on this day there has been a miracle of some sort happening. I told them that this is very meaningful to me and yall have a huge place in my heart. It was one day that I will never forget I got a call from them the next day saying that ever since I gave the blessing the baby’s weight has improved and she hasn’t had any problems what so ever so the doctor was surprised the family isn’t because they knew exactly why.
Later that night we went on splits with our Elder’s quorum and I was with an elder and we went to see a potential investigator. She is a friend of a member I think I mentioned it to yall last week. Her name is Lily we wanted to go by and see her and to get to know her. We got her friend who is the member to come with us and to go visit with her. We got to the door and she was like I knew yall were up to something when her friend called to get her address. haha. But while we were talking to her I mentioned about how about coming to church and remember to read and pray about things because you wanna learn more and this is the best way. The next thing I know she is just laughing. It was really awkward later to come to find out that she was so happy and that she never felt this happiness before so the only way she could overcome it was to laugh. I know for a fact that it was the spirit.
Saturday was a full day of emotions. We started the day off with some service for a member that we help each week on Saturday After we got done we had some appointments lined up but one after the other they dropped like flies. I was so confused and more frustrated I didn't know what to do to salvage the rest of the day. But I came up with a plan that we go visit some referrals and potential investigators. We go to this one who is a member's neighbor. Her name is JANET!!! But she is a little cu cu for coco puffs. (Needless to say she is crazy) she is a heavy drinker. And you can defiantly smell it on her breath. She was saying that she knows a lot about our religion because she knows a lot of our doctrine from other pastors. So I asked her so give me an example and she said that Joseph Smith was wondering in the desert for a time and found god. WRONG GUESS AGAIN! Needless to say she doesn't know anything. It was kinda awkward talking to her cause she was slurring her words and acting weird, we had girls going up and down the street going " OW OW" " HEY SEXY" and stuff like that. Then it got more awkward when Janet said to not have a crush on the members 12 yr old daughter. I was like “what are you talking about Janet that was the dumbest thing I have ever heard. She said that when the neighbor came by while we were doing service she was all dreamy eyes when we were working. I mean this was getting awkward and we are trying so hard to leave. Janet told us that it was cause we were tall dark and handsome. I was thinking well you are thinking of the wrong person here ma'am cause I’m not tall nor dark. so sorry haha!!!
After we got done talking to crazy Janet we were walking down the street and this car came pass. Elder Hilton said that he waived at us. Than I notice the car stopping going, stopping and going. I knew something was up and I ignored it and went to a house to knock and right before I was going to ring the doorbell I had a strong prompting to go find this car. So I told Hilton lets go find this car so we found the car and knocked on the door and this gentleman came out and said " Elders how are you" First thing that came into my head was are you a member??? You must be?? But talking to him he has some friends who are members and have gone on a mission. We found out he is Roman Catholic and he gave us a drink of water and ask us so how does this all work what do yall do? I was like well can we share our unique message with you? He said come on in!! We got to know them a little bit and the man name is Joseph and his wives name is Kayla. Joseph is a history teacher and I can’t remember what Kayla does I think she is a stay at home mom. But we were sharing the restoration lesson with them I felt bad I took over the lesson but I was filled with the spirit so much I couldn't stop. I know that I was smacking him in the face with the spirit. When we were going over Joseph Smith and his experience he couldn't look at us in the eyes. Later he was telling us about his religion and he was trying to explain everything what the church believed in and he was trying to back it up with scripture and he couldn't or with history unlike us when we were backing everything with scripture. He was asking us question and I was answering them. I was so shocked like one question was about how do we know that God and Jesus Christ are separate and not one person I remember hearing someone saying always refer back to the restoration So I mention again about Joseph Smith's experiences and the other part was something that popped in my head and it was so in the bible it talks about Elohim and Jehovah and how can god be both and not separate When I mentioned it he was shocked just because he says he believes in the bible but how can you believe in the bible and where it states specifically about them being separate It just was a testimony building for me in how much I actually know and have a testimony of and how much the spirit can be used and how we can be instruments in thy hand. We gave him a Book of Mormon and will visit with him soon.
Sunday was just another miracle. So lately we have been trying to work with his less active girl. She is the granddaughter of our Relief Society President. She is the same one who brought Carl to us she has gone through a lot in her life and she brought a friend with her to church. I noticed this so I made my way to go talk to her and they came up and said this To me " Elder Christensen this is my friend" I said " Well nice to meet you I’m Elder Christensen The Friend said " I WANNA GET BAPTIZED" I was like wait what did you say???? I was shocked. She gave me her info and said I really like your church and I need a church and I want it to be this one. I was like well here is a Book of Mormon and explained it to her and she was so happy. All she mentioned was I wanna do this for me and I know that it is what I need. After church she came up to us and asks for a blessing so we gave her one of comfort to make sure she is doing what she is supposed to. Talking to the Relief Society President She felt the spirit Cause she was crying!!!! This girl is golden
I have been SOOOO Amazed with all the miracle that has been happening to me, our companionship and to the ward. This area is blooming. I’m so grateful that I can be part of this marvelous work. I know now why I am out here on my mission and that is to bring souls unto Christ but more importantly to see these miracles take place and it couldn’t happen if I didn’t have the love and support of all yall. THANK YOU SO MUCH
I love all yall and be safe this week
Elder Christensen
The Singer family made him a cake for his birthday
MATCHING TIES!!!!!!!!!
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Happy 20th Birthday Elder!!!!!
On January 24, Elder Christensen hit another milestone in his life; he turned 20!!!!!!!! No longer he is a little boy but a full grown man who is now a missionary. Crazy how fast 20 years has gone by. We love you!!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY KENDALL!!!!!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY KENDALL!!!!!!!
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
More pics
Some examples of the houses in his area. Crazy!!!
Making gingerbread houses with recent convert Kelsey after doing an amazing job on her first written talk in church.
Elder Hilton, Kelsey, Elder Christensen
Service Project
Working hard or hardly working? This sight is very common with him. He just loves being with kids, probably because he is the biggest kid of them all.
In a member's fire uniform. He was very excited to try it on
Handsome like his dad!!!
Last week's pics
Here are the pictures that was supposed to be uploading last week.
6 month tie that he burned
Tailgating bus
Injuried himself while doing service
Our prices we won for Elder Christensen in St. George
Jan 22nd Letter
HOWDY YALL!!!!!!!
how is everything going for yall?
Man i love mondays. i look forward to these days all the time now not just because its P-Day but it the chance that i get to sit down and email yall. i love it.
how is everything going for yall?
Man i love mondays. i look forward to these days all the time now not just because its P-Day but it the chance that i get to sit down and email yall. i love it.
Well as many of yall know it was my 11th month mark this week. HOLY CRAP!! I cant believe it has flown by so fast. Im surprised each day how fast it goes. It is alot different than when you first get out. At first you think that i goes so slow and that you are going to be out here forever. Some days its true but i know for a fact that if you stay busy and stay focus that time flies when you are having fun. I know for a fact that this has happened to me. I can barely remember things that has gone on at home. Member always ask question about home and stuff. and i cant remember. i look stupid sometime but they always say well elder thats good. That means that you are focused on your work and you have nothing that is holding you back. So its awesome being lost in the work. i never believe that i would be able to do it but it just come naturally and just by working hard.
Wednesday we had our zone conference. It was a good conference. President Pingree hit on some thing that kinda hit me strong. he was talking about how when he first came out he was wondering which missionary can go with another. and he was help by the Assistants. and he remembers that they would always say. that this missionary would be awesome if they were with a good missionary. he mentioned to us that we need to be that good missionary that other missionaries can be with. And also he gave us an analogy of a cargo ship. He showed us a picture of a boat at dock and how it was staying there because of some ropes that was holding it there. He mentioned that we as missionaries have some ropes that are holding us docked. Do everything that we can to have those ropes loosed so we can go full steam ahead and to the lords work. not one rope can hold us back. so he was mentioning how be a hard working missionary and lose your self in the work.
This week was amazing week. So many things happened to us that i cant even explain. So many miracles. It was a shock to us because it seemed that we were just in a stand still but nope god has some other plans for us instead.
One miracle was that thursday our bishop called us up and said hey do yall wanna come with me and visit some families in the ward. We said of course. it was a good chance to get to know some more less actives and fill up our teaching pools. Well we visited this elderly couple who the husband is less active some reason. But when we were talking he was telling us alot about history. he lives in a house full of old radios and the first radios to communicate and this guy is an expert at morris code. man it was so awesome just sitting there and he telling us about the history of all this. And everything that he has still runs and he knows how to use it. Than he was telling us about family history and how he is direct descendant of brigham young. This guy is amazing. im glad we came to get a foot in the door and have something come of it. That night we visited with a in active family whose mother is in town. she wanted us to come by and visit with them. it was funny she wants the home teachers, missionaries, and visiting sisters come by asap. you can definatly tell that she has a plot of bringing back her daughter active before she leaves haha its funny to see.
Friday My companion had a strong prompting that we needed to be in this certain area. he said that we needed to be there cause someone needs us he said i dont know who but we need to go to this area. Well we go to this members hosue to ask when they wanted us to come by this week for some service. She was doing some when we got there so we helped her out. Well her neighbor came by and drop something off and the member introduced us to her neighbor. They sat there and talk and went inside. she came back out a little while later and pulled us aside. She said that her neighbor was so impressed in what we do, and how good of young men we are. that she said that we can come by anytime to stop by and visit. It was amazing we found our person who needs us. And talking to the member it was obvious that she does need us so we are excited to eventually work with her soon and see what comes out of it.
Now for the biggest miracle of them all came sunday!!!!!!!! So we were in church and before sacrament meeting started we go around and shake others hands and welcome them to church. i noticed this one person who look new. i felt like i need to go up and talk with her. So i went up and ask her how she was and introduced my self and ask her if she was visiting today. she said that this was her very first time coming to this church. She later told me that she saw this church every time she would drive the street and wondered what this church was all about. So she decided to come by today. ( now this has been my dream to have some one come to church on there own ) I sat next to her during church and after the talks were over she leaned over to me and said that she wants to learn more about this joseph smith guy. I was like ah yeah gotcha ya!!!! so i ask if she had time to talk about him right after and she said no not today but when i come next week than we talk about him after church. So she she is a solid person and wants to know more. even though she is out of our area its amazing. Later in church a member came up to us and said that her daughter has a friend that has been coming to church alot and seminary once in a while. and the member says that she is ready for the disscussions. So i go up to this girl and talk to her and introduced ourselfs and ask if she wanted to take the discussions and she answered YES!!! she is 15 yrs old and has friends who are mormon and she seems really solid.
As i said earlier i thought god didnt have anymore miracle for us. But sure enough i was wrong. I always have this doubt in my mind which is. i work so hard but am i really getting blessed for it ? I can tell you for a fact that every work and effort is a blessing in gods eyes. he does bless us for all that we do. It might not be this month, year, or lifetime but everything that im doing im going to be blessed for all my righteous actions. I love my savior and find joy in serving in the work. just how camille said it to me this week. Its going to be hard for me to come home in a year i love my mission im so glad that im out here. i swear i say this every week, but im so glad for the trials that i get and are facing i love the blessing and the miracles cause it brings me so much joy to my life and there isnt anything else that i wouldnt want to do.
I love yall so much that you again for all yalls support in me.
Love
Elder Christensen
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
11 months!!!!!
Blogger has had some problems recently and we are unable to upload the pics that Elder Christensen sent this week. Sorry for the inconvenience, we will try to upload them when the system is working well again. But on a lighter note, yesterday (15th) Elder Christensen hit his 11 month mark!!! One more month til he hits his 1 year mark!!!
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Jan 15th Letter
BURRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
How is things going? With everything that yall have been saying. Sounds like yall are sick of the cold weather. The weather is awesome here. 50's and windy a lil but the rain is awesome here. it rained alot here this week. I loved it. I honestly dont miss the snow or the freezing cold. So im blessed to be here in texas. Where it is warm and rainy.
So sounds likes all yalls trip to st george was amazing. Let just say IM JEALOUS. i really wanted to go and have fun. but i guess i will go when i come back. But i love the pictures that yall sent. i hope fiesta fun was awesome. yall are soldiers doing that.
Lets just take a look at my week here SPRING CREEK.
Wednesday i was on exchanges with my district leader. in his area. And it was a pretty busy day. It was also rained all day and it was a flash flood warning and it flooded. So the day started out when he forgot his backpack at a members house. So at 7:00 am we had to go to that members house and get it. He was also hungry so he bought me donuts and breakfast burritos. he bought himself the same thing. We did service for a member at there ward and it was awesome. We came back and he wanted to go to this awesome hamburger place called JAX burger. And had a burger there. MAN it was so good. After lunch we went to this awesome members house and we burned our six month tie. Elder Wilstead came out with me so we did our ties together. It was awesome i will have to send you the videos of it. i soaked it over night in lighter fluid and it was a HUGE torch. We visited some families and for dinner we had the women who we did service for took us out for dinner at this place called NEALS. I had for the first time fried catfish. It was so good. I loved it. But i had alot. But after we ate we went to a less active family. to teach them a lesson. Thats what i thought we were doing. But when we got there they asked us what we wanted for drink for dinner. She left and i look at my companion like what the heck! he said i forgot they were feeding us sorry. I ate so much today. I dont know if you kept track of how much i ate. let me recount. 2 breakfast tacos, a donut, half pound hamburger and fries, all you can eat fried catfish hushpuppies and fries, and to end the night had pasta vegies, garlic bread, meatballs, and ice cream. I was so sick that night i was about to puke. I have never ate so much. But i cant complain i didnt pay for any of it.
When i got back from my exchange my companion was so excited to see me. He took over the area for the first time and he was freaking out. so i had to make sure things were moving smoothly again. He was excited to have me back which was good that he appreciates what i do. But thursday was a very productive day. We helped kelsey hodson figure out a talk that she has to give for a fireside that she is speaking at on sunday. Its called the Why i believe it helps present the church in a non awkward way. She did awesome. I had to go up with her to give her comfort she was nervous and she wanted me to come up with her. We met with elena kent and watch special witnesses of christ. We watched the part of where president monson talked about the book of mormon. we did that to help her with the idea of the prophet on the earth and everything. Monica and justin are doing good. We are still helping with there smoking and helping them try to quit that. It is kinda hard trying to find out ways we can help them quit smoking a realize that they dont need any of that. If yall have any ideas how they can quit let me know.
So another miracle happen this week. so we were trying to contact a referal that a member gave us. we went there and they werent home. But this kid was playing basketball next door. and he said. hey are yall church people. I said yes we are. we started talking to him. we also started playing basketball with them. it was fun playing with kids. i guess we do anything to get new investigators. but the mom was outside cleaning the garage and we talked with her. she started asking what the difference between the baptist and the mormons. we talked with them for a while and they agreed for us to come back next friday. but the cool thing is that we fasted and prayed that we could find a new family to teach and this might be the one. They are even in our old teaching records about a year ago. FREAK!!!!
So i call this part Missionary Moment:
This week we had the awesome oppurtunity to hear an apostle of the lord. Elder M Russell Ballard came to visit the houston area. Elder Gifford nelison came and also Bishop davies from the presiding bishopric came. It was so awesome. Right when Elder Ballard came in this huge wave of spirit came in. It was so amazing. I know this was a huge testimony builder. I know for a fact that he is an apostle of the lord. it was amazing. i wanted to share some thoughts from the conference and from the people who spoke
Elder Gifford Nielson
Elder Nielson was talking about why we are out here on a mission. and how we should always remember why we are out here and who we represent
-This is our time with the lord
-DONT WASTE A MIN
-You are going to have a profound impact on your companion for the rest of there lives.
Bishop Davies
He was talking about how we can be a successful missionary and gave us tips on how we can
-Have the spirit with you combined with your knowledge
- As you read the Book of Mormon You will have a testimony that cannot be shaken ( this was a promise that he gave us if we do. pretty strong promise)
- Its the best 2 yrs not of your life. But for your life. ( my favorite quote from this conference )
Elder M. Russell Ballard
Elder Ballard told us that he is a direct descendent of hyrum smith. he is his great great grandfather. He just told us that he knows what we go through. he knows that tracting isnt the most productive way to do missionary work. but he gave us some ideas to help with the work. Work more with the members.
- He has given us power to teach, testify, and baptize to build up the kingdom in houston texas
- Build relationship with the bishop and ward mission leader.
- We have the power to change the attitude of the ward and mission.
- Alma the younger is a " repented rascal"
- Every Thursday we pray for you in the temple.
- You will be blessed with baptisms, and success if you strive all day if you up lift and bless others.
Let me tell yall again how awesome and special it was to be with elder ballard. i know for a fact that he is someone who knows jesus christ, and represents him. i was so uplifted and blessed to be with him. I know that we have a prophet on this earth. This church is true, i know that we all have a plan here on this earth and that god loves us.
I love all yall and hope yall have an awesome week.
Love
Elder Christensen
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Jan 7th Letter
GOOD MORNING ANTARCTICA!!!!!!!!!!!!! (UTAH)
So I hear that it is freezing in Utah? Same here it is in the 40's and 50's :0 hahah i love rubbing it in with yall haha
How was all yalls New Year’s? I hope yall had fun. By the look of the video it is look a lot of fun. I wish I had that much fun :( (sad me)
Man let me tell you about the week we had a lot went on there wasn’t a lot going on in the beginning of the week but it sure picked up quickly. One of the good things that happened to us this week was Sunday, we had someone come to our third hour class last week and she is super good at member missionary work. She taught our ward about what the roles of the members are and the role of the missionaries are and how they can come together and get new people to come to church and convert. It was pretty legit at the end she made us go to the board and write down our number so everyone has it so they can call us or text us and let us know when there is a non-member in their home so we can come by. Well this week was amazing we have been in a member house with a non-member family or person EVERY SINGLE DAY THIS WEEK it is amazing. The Ward is truly catching the fire and it’s amazing we haven’t received any new investigators YET! but the members are trusting us so much more with their friends that I just know that one of these time we will get a new investigator. I know that we will see the fruit of our labors very soon I am very confident that we will be rewarded.
The cool thing that came out of it was we got called from a member saying that she was going to have a non-member family at their house and she wanted us to come by. So we had a little dinner and played games with them it was a good time to associate with them and get to know them. I got along very well with the couple and before we left we shared a message about families. I didn’t know this until last night that after we left they had a long conversation about church and what not so we did our job and I have high hopes that we will see them again and maybe again teach them.
Cool thing have happened to us this week. I just mention we have been in a members house with a non-member there well on Wednesday we were walking this area and it was cold and I was not smart and didn’t have a jacket on well we started walking when we hear " Hey Elders" we look over and its a member of the ward we go to the van and started talking to her. She asked if we had dinner we said we have a dinner appointment at 7:30pm but we can come to your house. She said please do its cold outside so we started walking to her house. We got there and she said. Well elders I called your dinner appointment and they cancelled on you so I am going to feed you man we were so happy. When we were there her dad was there and he has been through so many missionaries and still hasn’t converted to the church yet. But it was funny when we got there the member went to her dad and said " Dad I have a surprise for you the missionaries are here to convert you" haha we started laughing he said " I know they are but we will see what comes out of it" we taught him and idk if he wants to take the discussions from us but I hope so. Sorry I bet you were thinking something awesome was going to come out of this but nope. Just the miracle of someone letting us in to eat with a non-member is the miracle hahah
Thursday we had lunch with an inactive member he took us to chili’s and it was interesting. He called us and said that he was bringing a church member from another church he also warned that he would try to preach to us. So we were prepared for one of his church friends to come and potentially tell us how bad we were and kind of bash with us but it was totally different. He brought a coworker who is a Mormon and it kind of shocked us. The inactive member was really nice to us his only request was that we can’t teach him at his house because his wife doesn’t like us and he chooses his marriage over our religion. I guess long time ago there was something that had to make him choose his religion or his marriage so he chose his marriage. But he loves talking to us he is a really nice guy and he said we can meet with him whenever he has a hard time with some of the doctrine and joseph smith but that can be solved over time.
Man Elena Kent is doing awesome. We haven’t seen her for a week or so because right after she was confirmed she got sick and was sick for the whole week but we got in to see her on Friday. Man there is something that has changed in her she is so more receptive of everything we watched a dvd called finding Faith in Christ and she loved it she said she has seen it before but after we had a great discussion with her. She came to church this week and she was interactive in class it was shocking. She told us something it was when she first attended relief society she was wondering why are all these women crying and she didn’t want to be like that. But when she was given the gift of the Holy Ghost she said that when everyone saw me I would turn into those crying women I guess that is something that happens when you have the Holy Ghost so she has come such a long way it awesome to see.
Monica and Justin finally came into town from their vacation. We met up with them yesterday and they came to church and Justin got a new set of scriptures with a case he loves them. We met with them last night and they were so happy to be with us it was good to talk with them again. We were sitting and talking with them catching up on everything that has been going on since the last time we talked. Well we shared a cool lesson with them and before we left we talk to them about how there smoking and coffee is going. Because before we left we taught them about the word of wisdom and they said they would quit but I guess that has been hard for them. So I had a feeling to challenge them, I found out how much they smoke and I told them that they need to cut that in half. Monica you smoke three cigs a day and Justin you smoke 10 a day and I want yall to report to us every night to see how much yall have smoke they said that they would. And on top of that they gave us all there tea. They gave us three boxes of their tea and so we have over 200 bags of tea from them. I know for a fact that this is going to help them I have faith in them Monica said that she wants to become more spiritual and this is there way how. They loved the idea of reporting to us every night it gives them a sense of responsibility and accountability. So we will see what comes out of it.
I love this time that I have to write all yall. Feels like a long time ago that I wrote with yall but I love Mondays and the time I have to write yall and tell you I’m still alive hahah
I love you be safe I pray for all yall every night and day
Elder Kendall Christensen
So I hear that it is freezing in Utah? Same here it is in the 40's and 50's :0 hahah i love rubbing it in with yall haha
How was all yalls New Year’s? I hope yall had fun. By the look of the video it is look a lot of fun. I wish I had that much fun :( (sad me)
Man let me tell you about the week we had a lot went on there wasn’t a lot going on in the beginning of the week but it sure picked up quickly. One of the good things that happened to us this week was Sunday, we had someone come to our third hour class last week and she is super good at member missionary work. She taught our ward about what the roles of the members are and the role of the missionaries are and how they can come together and get new people to come to church and convert. It was pretty legit at the end she made us go to the board and write down our number so everyone has it so they can call us or text us and let us know when there is a non-member in their home so we can come by. Well this week was amazing we have been in a member house with a non-member family or person EVERY SINGLE DAY THIS WEEK it is amazing. The Ward is truly catching the fire and it’s amazing we haven’t received any new investigators YET! but the members are trusting us so much more with their friends that I just know that one of these time we will get a new investigator. I know that we will see the fruit of our labors very soon I am very confident that we will be rewarded.
The cool thing that came out of it was we got called from a member saying that she was going to have a non-member family at their house and she wanted us to come by. So we had a little dinner and played games with them it was a good time to associate with them and get to know them. I got along very well with the couple and before we left we shared a message about families. I didn’t know this until last night that after we left they had a long conversation about church and what not so we did our job and I have high hopes that we will see them again and maybe again teach them.
Cool thing have happened to us this week. I just mention we have been in a members house with a non-member there well on Wednesday we were walking this area and it was cold and I was not smart and didn’t have a jacket on well we started walking when we hear " Hey Elders" we look over and its a member of the ward we go to the van and started talking to her. She asked if we had dinner we said we have a dinner appointment at 7:30pm but we can come to your house. She said please do its cold outside so we started walking to her house. We got there and she said. Well elders I called your dinner appointment and they cancelled on you so I am going to feed you man we were so happy. When we were there her dad was there and he has been through so many missionaries and still hasn’t converted to the church yet. But it was funny when we got there the member went to her dad and said " Dad I have a surprise for you the missionaries are here to convert you" haha we started laughing he said " I know they are but we will see what comes out of it" we taught him and idk if he wants to take the discussions from us but I hope so. Sorry I bet you were thinking something awesome was going to come out of this but nope. Just the miracle of someone letting us in to eat with a non-member is the miracle hahah
Thursday we had lunch with an inactive member he took us to chili’s and it was interesting. He called us and said that he was bringing a church member from another church he also warned that he would try to preach to us. So we were prepared for one of his church friends to come and potentially tell us how bad we were and kind of bash with us but it was totally different. He brought a coworker who is a Mormon and it kind of shocked us. The inactive member was really nice to us his only request was that we can’t teach him at his house because his wife doesn’t like us and he chooses his marriage over our religion. I guess long time ago there was something that had to make him choose his religion or his marriage so he chose his marriage. But he loves talking to us he is a really nice guy and he said we can meet with him whenever he has a hard time with some of the doctrine and joseph smith but that can be solved over time.
Man Elena Kent is doing awesome. We haven’t seen her for a week or so because right after she was confirmed she got sick and was sick for the whole week but we got in to see her on Friday. Man there is something that has changed in her she is so more receptive of everything we watched a dvd called finding Faith in Christ and she loved it she said she has seen it before but after we had a great discussion with her. She came to church this week and she was interactive in class it was shocking. She told us something it was when she first attended relief society she was wondering why are all these women crying and she didn’t want to be like that. But when she was given the gift of the Holy Ghost she said that when everyone saw me I would turn into those crying women I guess that is something that happens when you have the Holy Ghost so she has come such a long way it awesome to see.
Monica and Justin finally came into town from their vacation. We met up with them yesterday and they came to church and Justin got a new set of scriptures with a case he loves them. We met with them last night and they were so happy to be with us it was good to talk with them again. We were sitting and talking with them catching up on everything that has been going on since the last time we talked. Well we shared a cool lesson with them and before we left we talk to them about how there smoking and coffee is going. Because before we left we taught them about the word of wisdom and they said they would quit but I guess that has been hard for them. So I had a feeling to challenge them, I found out how much they smoke and I told them that they need to cut that in half. Monica you smoke three cigs a day and Justin you smoke 10 a day and I want yall to report to us every night to see how much yall have smoke they said that they would. And on top of that they gave us all there tea. They gave us three boxes of their tea and so we have over 200 bags of tea from them. I know for a fact that this is going to help them I have faith in them Monica said that she wants to become more spiritual and this is there way how. They loved the idea of reporting to us every night it gives them a sense of responsibility and accountability. So we will see what comes out of it.
I love this time that I have to write all yall. Feels like a long time ago that I wrote with yall but I love Mondays and the time I have to write yall and tell you I’m still alive hahah
I love you be safe I pray for all yall every night and day
Elder Kendall Christensen
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