Aug 26th Pics

Temple Day

 

Elder Rios and Christensen

 

Cypress District

Oops looks like Kendall got cut out of his own picture.

 

Kendall's former companion Elder Schofield was in Texas and decided to drop by for a visit. What a wonderful reunion that must of been!!!

Aug 26th Letter

August Is Almost Over!!!!!!!!!!! I’m so excited!!!!!!!!! That means only one more month of hot weather than its wonderful weather!!!!

This week was a better week nothing too big happened. But it was an Improvement over last weeks!!

How did yall enjoy the pizza from last week? You know how long it took to get it ordered. The person who was taking the order was so slow and did not know what to do so I’m glad that yall got it!!!

Did you also get the picture that the members from my ward send you!!! It was awesome we got done with a steak dinner at their house and we were leaving and they said hold on elders I have to send a picture to yall's family!! So we were like heck ya!!! So I tried to look my best. But the funny part of that dinner was I got sick after it. During the dinner my stomach was hurting, and you can just feel your stomach just feel upset I was nervous!!

Scary Moment of the week was at the horse ranch that we do service for. This little Girl was walking this huge horse to this pasture and she wasn’t smart and she guided the horse in between a tight space between the truck and the fence and all the horses came up to it and the horse got spooked, so the horse that this 11 year girl was guiding freak out and threw the girl on the ground and stepped on her arm. LUCKLY she didn’t break anything but dang it was bad. She is good but that was the worst part. But the best part was that is less active she has Mexicans work on her property to do the landscaping, well she forgot the names of the workers so she wanted us to go over there and find out their names. Well Elder Rios and I went over there and spoke to them. Asked them basic questions of how you doing and where you are from etc. And they asked us the same thing! So we told them what we do and gave them our general spill after 45 mins of talking to them about the gospel we tried to give them a Book of Mormon but my guy was Jehovah Witness and wouldn’t accept it but Elder Rios guy was Catholic and accepted it so he got the better deal out of it. It’s awesome any one can have gospel topics anywhere I am having them at any store like Best Buy, GNC, Wal-Mart. Everyone says that its hard It is so simple you have no idea!!!

One thing that Elder Rios and I are worried about is our investigator Dolores Sanders. She is supposed to be baptized this Saturday at 2pm but we ran into a problem. SHE AINT MARRIED!! So that just put a huge monkey wrench in everything. So please pray for her this week every one!!!! That we may know what to do and for her to be guided in everything she does! We taught her everything within two days which is crazy!! But when we taught her the law of chastity we mention that we needed to be married, she called her husband out in front of everyone! I was like O crap she didn’t not just do this. He got a little peeved and didn’t really talk to us. But they have been together for a long time and haven’t been married yet. So hopefully they can get at least a license that says they are married!

I’m sorry that my letter is so short but not a lot has been going on. We are trying to get on the uphill side of everything but I want to share a scripture with yall that I love.

Its 3 Nephi 5:13

Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life.

This is a scripture for FULL TIME MISSIONARIE both member missionaries and Us missionaries. We are all Disciples of Christ, we have promised to taken upon ourselves the name of Christ and we have promised that we would declare his word and help others out in time of need. So what can we do to declare the gospel among our friends and family? I know that this gospel is true, I know Christ lives, I’m so glad that I am out here in Texas. This is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I know God lives, and families can be together forever.

I Love yall

Elder Kendall Christensen

Aug 19th Letter

Well Hello to the part of Utah who is about half burned!!!

How are the fires? Any Updates? 

How was yall's week? Man I thought mine would let up, but guess what it didnt!!!!!!!!! 

Here are some of the better parts of the week!!!!!!! 

On Wednesday we went over to this family The Berry's. We stopped by their because we found out that they haven’t moved out of there house yet. So we decided to go over there and visit them. We were there for no longer than 10 mins than she had a spiritual question for us and she asked us what someone needed to do to enter into the temple? Like if someone didn’t like some of the standards or doesn’t fully heartily accept them, does that affect them in going to the temple? I think it was awesome that she asked us, because she mentioned that she is craving to have "the spirit" She is wanting to come closer to Christ. I was verytaken back when she asked us I think it’s awesome and it is cool how people can have that desire to have God more in their life, when they mentioned to us that she consider herself a Mormon. I have noticed that we can have very powerful impact on others, more than you ever know. I knew that at home but it’s 20 times more out here we are always been watched and we have the light of Christ with us and we have a special calling. 

Friday was full of adventures. First the day started off by going to THE HOUSE OF THE LORD!!!!!!!!!!!!  We went to the temple!!!!!!! And it was amazing!!!!! I love the feeling that I get when I go and the inspiration that I get when I go there. I’m so glad that I have the privilege in going to the temple. Ever since Igot my recommend I have always had a desire to go there! After temple I went on exchanges with my zone leader and can you guess who that was??????????? ELDER ZACHARY BROWN!!!!!!!!  That’s right 2 HYRUM boys were togetherkicking butt and taking name!!!!!! It was a very busy day. We gave 2 priesthood blessings and Found 1 new investigator. Elder Brown and I went to visit a Former Investigator, to see if he was still interested. He said that he isn’t any more. I asked him if he knew anyone who might need Jesus in their lives. He came outside and looks down and said that apartment needs it. So Elder Brown and I went over and knocked on their door and A Black Lady came out! We introduced ourselves and started going straight into the Restoration. Her daughter was bugging her and said. “Girl be quite these guys are talking to me about God" haha She stopped us in the middle of the lesson and told us to come back Saturday. Her name was Twilah. ( like twilight without the T ). The Really cool part before that moment was I met a girl Named Amerika ( america). I thought it was awesome!!!!! Scary part was that Elder Brown almost crashed his bike in the middle of the street into oncoming traffic. And awkward moment was that a car comes by splashing us with water, from the rain. And I got pooped on by a bird!!!!!!!! GOOD TIMES. It was good that Elder Brown and I were on exchanges. Talking about good old times and catching up on life. 

Sunday was a very interesting Day. The cool thing that happened was that a random guy showed up to church which was awesome. He said the last time he was here was 10 years ago. He came because he unable to go to the Baptist church with his buddies they left him so he found this church. The cool thinghe told us was that it was his 35 wedding Anniversary! The whole church servos were talking about Eternal families and how families have blessed us! So it was awesome. But when we asked if we can come by and teach him he said that he needed to talk to the bishop first. And that we can’t come over to his house. He said that he has radioactive Medal?! WHAT THE HECK. He said that he can’t sit on a medal chair because he would destroy it! I don’t know what is up with this guy. He met with the bishop for about an hour and he pretty much said that we can’t help him because his problems are for someone who is older and mature! He used the reference that we were 3yrs old and an adult trying to tell a 3 year old where babies came from. SOOOO this guy is literally nuts and we were advised by our bishop to don’t do anything until further approval. Later That day we went with our ward mission leader to go by some names that the bishopric gave us. These were names that just showed up on the records and don’t know why. So we planned on visiting 14 families within 4 hours. Some were part members others were just ones we want to go by. We only got done with 5 families. WE HAD SUCCESS!!! One of the families we went to we were looking for a women and we found there parents who are members and go to another ward. But the daughter is Super Anti. She doesn’t want anything to do with the ward. Her Husband Came down all pissed off because we came by to see her but met her parents. Well the husband was pissed off that wedidn’t come with his permission It was ridiculous! But we were able to find new people to visit and let the ward know we are doing work here.

The reason that this week was rough was because no one will answer their doors, no one will let us in. and we are doing everything we can to get new people to teach but we get nothing and this week just made us go over the edge!! But I went to the temple this week and seek the Lord’s advice and his help and Ireceived an answer and I want to share it with yall

21 I say unto you that if ye should serve him who has createdyou from the beginning, and is preserving you from day to day, by lending you breath, that ye may live and move and do according to your own will, and even supporting you from one moment to another—I say, if ye should serve him with all yourwhole souls yet ye would be unprofitable servants.

22 And behold, all that he requires of you is to keep his commandments; and he has promised you that if ye would keep his commandments ye should prosper in the land; and he never doth vary from that which he hath said; therefore, if ye do keep his commandments he doth bless you and prosper you.

24 And secondly, he doth require that ye should do as he hath commanded you; for which if ye do, he doth immediately bless you; and therefore he hath paid you. And ye are still indebted unto him, and are, and will be, forever and ever; therefore, of what have ye to boast?

Every single time that I go to the Lord for help. This is his answer to me. “If I keep the commandments he will bless us". I know that for a fact. This can be taken in so many ways but if we want to have success and blessing in our lives all we need to do is keep his commandments, be a good boy and good girl. He will bless us. It’s a promise I know that God loves and lives. He wants to bless us but only if we are open to receive it. I have a testimony of Joseph Smith; it has been strengthened this week. Iknow he restored Jesus Christ church here on earth. I know that families will be together forever. And that is where happiness comes is from a Christ centered home.

I love Yall 

Aug 12th Letter

Okay I am chopping at the bit, after seeing the pictures of the Fire at home. 2 years in a row are you kidding me!!!!!!!

 It better happen when I get home that it will be still active!!!

 Thank you for the pictures. AHH I can’t wait till I get home for that!!!!!!!!!!

 This week was kind of a rough week. It was hard to get into people's houses! But this week we went to do service at the peanut butter factory. Houston has the only peanut butter cannery for the church. We went there on Thursday and I was responsible to but all the ingredients together to make the peanut butter. We were only there for a couple hours but we made so much peanut butter it’s crazy. After volunteering there you go home with a free bottle of peanut butter. Some cool facts that every jar of peanut butter is 97% real peanuts rest is the stuff that makes it stick together. So the church has the healthiest peanut butter. And every jar contains 2.5 pounds of peanuts which is crazy and they can make up to 1000 bottles of peanut butter within 30-60 mins which is crazy fast, but it was awesome.  The thing is I didn’t know I was supposed to wear pants so they had to give me mesh one size fits all pants. It was legit, I look like MC Hammer!

 Saturday was a good day one thing that happened that was awesome was we had service for our number one investigator. Her name is Dolores Sanders. We go over and help remodel her home she moved into this home and the renters trash the place. Let’s just say I am learning quick how to fix up a home. But we went over there and cleaned everything. I felt like I was back at work at the school wiping down everything cleaning everything but it was awesome. After we sat down and had a lesson. We taught her the restoration lesson and she was so open!!!!!!!! She said that everything is making sense to her and she knew what a prophet was before we ask her. I was like holy crap!!!!!!! The even cooler part was that we asked her to follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized and she said YES! We have a date of the 31 of August. She said that she might not be ready for the date but I promised that she would and she got all happy when I did that. But the cool thing is that she recognized the Spirit. I asked her what she was feeling and she said a lot of peace. We explained to her what that was and that it was the Holy Ghost and she said what do i need to do to be baptized. I am so excited to be working with her and get her to come back into the fold of God!. Another way cool thing that happened this week was that here in Texas they have a holiday called Tax Free Weekend, Where you go to stores and you don't have to pay sales tax, straight up how much you pay is what is on the tag. Well we were going to the store looking around and also contacting people. Well I went to GNC Nutrition Store. I go in there asking questions about some products and this nice lady was helping me out. After talking with her I walk out of there with 50 dollars’ worth of free samples of products. Oh yeah that's right I know how to work it, But I gave her something worth more A Mormon.org card! She was semi interested in learning more, but it was awesome because you can still go shopping and talk with people about the gospel. The funny part about this is everywhere we go we get asked if we work there because they think we are managers that work there. It is so funny!!!!!!!! I love it!

MIRACLE

So I wanna tell yall about a miracle that happened that meant a lot its small but it was all worth it!!! Yesterday was a very frustrating day!!! We were low on miles and no one would answer their doors. People who we would normally visit by stopping by were like you need to call first other people being jerks to us. I had enough. I wanted to quit the day early around 5 but I knew that I need to push on. So we went to this area that is our black hole of the area. People go in there active and we never see them again or they go less active. But we went in there to contact some of them. We parked the car and before we got out we said a prayer. We just prayed for a small miracle, Have some success. Just to let someone in. We got out and there is one active family in this area so we go over there to at least have her answer the door and let us in. We go over there and they were home!!!!! and let us in!!!!!!!! We were talking with them and they asked us if we had dinner. I said no they cancelled on us. She said well I’m making a new pot of Spaghetti. After talking with her she said that her husband wanted to have left overs but she was looking at it and was having a prompting that she shouldn’t make it. But that she needed to make Spaghetti. She didn’t know why until we answered the door and she said that she we were the answer. She was prompted to feed the missionaries. I can tell you that I have a testimony of that God does answer prayers Big or Small. He answered ours to have a small miracle and that was to have a member feed us dinner, and she was prompted to do it.

I hope that yall have a safe week. I love yall. Stay strong. Remember who you are and who you represent. Both your name and Christ! This is the true gospel of Jesus Christ. He lives and he loves us

Elder Kendall Christensen

Aug 5th Pics

Elder Christensen and Elder Whitney

Elder Hardy and Elder Christensen (Elder Hardy was one of his companion who just went home)

Elder Christensen and Sister Jones

Elder Christensen and Sister Hara

Houston Fire Department

"Hyrum Fire Department or Houston Fire Department"

"Went golfing today and I still suck"

Aug 5th Letter

Hello from the state that has A/C problems. It is freaking hot here and it is the hotter month out of the year so that means it’s time to sweat alot. haha

How is the cooler state of Utah!! I know it’s hot. But I think it’s a lot cooler than Texas.

This week was a good week so GIT R DONE

Tuesday was Zone Conference. This time they were talking about how we should become Christ like companions and work on focusing on the atonement in our life and in our companionship. It was good to talk about it. The funny part was they warned us to prepare a five minute talk about how we can become a Christ like companion and they were going to choose random missionaries. And I was the lucky one with two other sisters. The funny thing was I knew I was going to get chosen but I didn’t prepare as much as I should have so I went up there letting the spirit guide me. I felt like I did a good job and it help me realize what I needed to do to become a Christ like companion to my companion. I have to say ever since then our companionship has done pretty well. That night we went to our old ward mission leader’s house. He is in a band and his band was practicing and we were invited to come watch and it was legit. They are so good!!!!! Don’t worry I took videos

Wednesday we said good bye to Elder Hardy. His two years were up and we had to send him to the church so he can get pick up by the AP's. So we took him down and it was a little sad to see him go. He is an amazing missionary and I got along very well with him, while we were coming home from dropping him off I have to admit I was a little nervous, because I was pretty much white washing an area and have a companion who doesn’t know a lot right now because he is brand new. So I was a little nervous but all that went out the window when we went to dinner and the members gave us some names and a friend for us to go by that they think might be interested. That gave me some boost that we are getting help and we are not alone doing this out here.

Friday was a service day! We went to a Potential Investigators house to do some service. We are remodeling her house. She rented it out to people and they left it a mess and the owners are moving back and so they need help cleaning it up and getting it to look good. How we found this service was this woman came to church and we never saw her before, and we talked with her and she mentioned about how she lives out of our area but really close to the church. So we offered to help and she agreed for us to come over. We went with other missionaries and GOT R DUN. I used the nail gun and put new base boards in and painted. It was pretty fun. The cool thing is that we got a return appointment to come do more service, lunch and teach her the lessons. So I totally know that service is the key to teaching moments. So do all you can to do service for everyone.

Saturday was another service day. But it was for a Part member family. Their names are the Berry’s the Mom is a member but doesn’t use the title of her being a Mormon, daughter is a member. We helped them pack things up. They are moving out of the area, near towards the temple. But it was good to get in there and to get to know them and help them out. They had a friend over helping as well and ask what we did and had good questions. I honestly get a kick out of people's reactions when I tell them the life style that we missionaries live for two years. It’s Awesome!!!

Yesterday was a very interesting day. First it all started with President Pingree Coming to our sacrament meeting. I was like O crap. I swear I have seen him more in the past 6 months than I have ever in my first year of the mission. I hope it’s a good thing that I keep seeing him. But he bore a powerful Testimony and told the ward that they should support us and become missionaries and help us! I was like THANK YOU! We needed others talk about that but later that day we were going around visiting with people and we stopped by a part member family named the HUDSONS and we talked with them for about an hour and she told us why she is coming to church and all that good stuff at the end of us meeting with her we asked if we can come by and teach her daughters and she said that she would love it if we did that. So we got some new investigators!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lately I have been trying to find my relationship with Christ and help me recognize him more in my life. And I have come to the understanding that God and his son Jesus Christ are in our lives more than we imagine. They are in everything we do, they should be how we act, what we should say ETC. cause remember we have made a covenant that we will take upon us his name. And so how we act is how we should act with him there, and how we should represent him. We have been given this blessing of being on this world. Cause "this life is the time to meet God". I want all yall to find your relationship with him and develop it and keep him in your life. Cause how we find joy is through Christ and his gospel in our lives. I love each and single one of yall. Remember that and thank you for all yall for being an example to me!

Love

Elder K.Christensen

July 29th Pics

                                           The families Kendall said goodbye to in his old area.
                                           He didn't say who they were.

Shane Roye coolest member ever. Yes, He is wearing handcuffs. Bad boy!!!

                                                 Investigator CJ and the Atoigue Family

                                                                 Daelin's Baptism (little boy)
                                                               His grandfather baptized him

Daelin and his family

Elder Christensen, Daelin, Elder Cornwall

Kendall and Morgan Beard (Shawn Beard's daughter)

Kendall and Shawn Beard

TWINKIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!