April 30, 2012 - It's Your Birthday Elder!!

Mom, Everyone has sent me stuff and yet I haven't received any of it. I'm guessing because the mail here is just out right stupid. I really dislike the postal service. The company is a dying breed. They have become completely obsolete. They are like that toy that you just haven't played with in a long time but no matter how hard you are on it, it tries to stay around. The shoulder thing is nothing really serious. Slight(and I mean a very slight) tear that will heal quickly. He was more worried about a part of my shoulder blade that has seemed to separate itself from the shoulder. It's nothing super serious but if pain persists than we'll have to do something about it. I'm not worried. The pain from the shot he gave me was killer though. I have an appt. in 6 weeks with him and it should be okay by then. I don't feel like I'm 21. :) I went to the temple this past week which was good. I love learning new things and this session gave me a lot of insight. I love it here truly! Love, Elder Christensen

April 23, 2012 - A Visit from an Apostle

We taught a lot of people this week and it went well. We had members at nearly all of our appts. They drop everything when we call for their help. It's cool to see members working hard to keep the work progressing. I love it. We also are going to the temple this week for endowment sessions and such. Wednesday will be super busy as I also have a Doctors appt. I don't think it is anything too serious but Sister Ball thought I should probably go see one. I may or may not have torn my shoulder so they have to do x-rays and stuff on Wednesday to find out for sure what is going on but only time can tell. I didn't say anything but I'm sure you have heard already, Elder M. Russell Ballard came and spoke to the mission this past Saturday. I shook hands with an apostle and it meant A LOT to me! He was very formal and inspired about what he talked about(which was putting the Lord's will above our own). He also had a very keen sense of humor! It seemed like he was always cracking jokes. a very personable man that I had the pleasure of meeting. But at the end of his training he bore the most pure testimony I have heard! He read from 3rd Nephi, specifically the 11th chapter, when the Nephites bore witness of Jesus Christ in the Flesh. I've read that chapter what feels like a thousand times but I've never heard it read to me like he did. There was nothing new I hadn't read, but it was as if I was finally able to understand it fully. Place myself there at the time when it happened. It was spectacular to feel the presence of the Savior as he spoke few verses from The book. It is amazing to witness such an extraordinary man who is called of God, speak plainly in the words the Savior would have him speak. I loved it! I was grateful for his time in teaching us.

April 16, 2012 The Fisher's of Men

Mom, First of all, when Sunday came around I thought to myself, "A new week already?" It feels like things are just speeding up and I just can't get a grip on the days. They just go by way too fast. Last Monday was one of the best P-days for sure. At like 3 in the afternoon we were so bored we got this grand idea to go buy fishing licenses and fish the lake. They are 120 for a non resident here. I know it's ridiculous. But the manager came out and helped us get through the process and we gave her a California address for it and she gave us the licenses at residency price! I was so happy that I walked behind the counter and gave her this GIANT hug. We were only going to get 10 day passes cause the annual was too expensive. I explained to her that I don't hug women because of my calling but I was more than willing to make the exception for her. She just laughed. She saved us quite the hassle. So anyways we went fishing Monday night and I caught a couple rainbow trout. Then Tuesday afternoon we were talking to [our friend] D,and he told us of this awesome place to fish next to the dam so after teaching him a discussion, he took us to it to show us the number of fish in there. The water was so clear I could see what seemed like 50 fish in there. So we decided to have District meeting there while fishing haha. We caught our limit in two hours(10 fish) but it works out, cause if you think about it... fishing is a lot like missionary work! It takes a lot of time and patience to be a good fisher of men:) and sometimes you will go what seems like forever without getting a single catch. But it's that one catch that rebrightens, refuels and resustains your courage to go on. So we used the analogy and fished hahaha:) I Got sunburned so bad that it still hurts. It peeling terribly haha but hey a small price to pay when one wants a catch! I have been marinading them in a sauce called Jamaican jerk. It is quite the tasteful blend to a broiled fish:) None of the guys here know how to clean or prepare the fish so guess who got to teach them... ya that's right.. THIS GUY! D is making such huge changes! he is coming back from inactivity and has now come to church the past 4 Sundays in a row! Isn't that awesome?! He is planning on proposing to his girlfriend, S, soon. I got your Easter package and loved the ties. all the girls in church loved it too. They said I look good in pink. I just smiled and said duh, that's why I wear it :) haha confidence is bliss:) Elder Crandall liked his as well. He thinks it's so awesome that he gets presents too when I get packages. He says you are the best! I love you dearly my motherly one!:) don't forget that! The picture of my bros are awesome. I can't wait to come home and hang with them. It will be fun! Love you much MUM:) Elder Christensen

April 9, 2012

I spoke in church yesterday. With it being the Saviors Resurrection and all I decided to talk on one of the Saviors most overlooked commandments, Forgiveness. It was a humbling experience and I spent a lot of time on my knees praying for the guidance and forgiveness needed to feel at comfort while writing. There was a lot of visitors there from different places but all in all it was a very spiritual sacrament mtg. It was one that I will not forget for a while that is for sure. After Sacrament, Kevin, a member who has been recently returning from inactivity, posed a question that i had not yet thought about. "is there such a thing as not being worthy enough to go to church?" obviously the answer is no. but I just never expected that question before from anyone. Luckily I paid attention to Conference and was able to tell him that no matter the sin.. we are always capable of returning to the path to celestial glory! The Saviors arm is always extended and waiting for us to take hold. but we have to be willing. I answered the best that I could but I felt like to answer the question I needed to pose another one back. Are you willing to Repent and become like the Savior? It was quite the conversation to have. I also was able to teach the youth in Sunday School as well, ages 14-18. In California they don't have separate ages because there is not enough youth to do so but indeed it was awesome. I can see why the Lord gave me 5 extra brothers and sisters on top of the 3 that I already have. I needed to be taught patience so that i could teach the youth here! they are all so filled with energy. I feel like i mix better with them though than with the adults. But i caught their attention with some deep Doctrine about the Resurrection of our Savior and than jumped into the Last few Moments of his life and the nest few days of his Glorified Ministry. That is the funny thing about teens. Teach them something that they maybe have not yet thought about and you can have them thinking about it for the rest of the hour... intently paying attention waiting for more or even possibly an answer to the question in their hearts. It was awesome to see the Lord working within me to give them the answers they needed. It was a great Sunday to be alive on this earth today. I ate at bishops house yesterday [Easter] and had all the good stuff. Sweet potatoes, Ham, Homemade mac and cheese, green beans, bread, Deviled eggs, and peach cobbler to finish it off! Bishop's wife reminds me so much of Gma Johnson. It was like having a holiday dinner at one of my own family members house. It made me miss grandma greatly. The past couple of weeks have been hard. I have thought of her a lot. But that is the way it is sometimes. Love, Elder Christensen

April 2, 2012 - "Conference was amazing..."

Conference was amazing as it always is. I didn't really have a favorite this time but I think Jeffrey R. Holland's talk was quite amazing, as he is one of my favorite speakers ever. But Henry B. Eyring's talk was very good as well. I can almost always enjoy all of the talks from those that speak at conference. There are so many good things that can come from the talks of other People. They are meant to strengthen us and help us make a better decision in Life. They truly give us a clear and simple path that is easy to follow if one would fasten to the Holy Spirit. We watched Conference with Less actives at the church the entire weekend. It was good to see that they are making great decisions in their life. There is still so much ahead of us, Young and old! We have time and always have a way back to the path if we are lost.

We commited D and S, Our less active couple, to get married this week. D seems pretty adamont that he wants to tie the knot since they have been together for almost 4 years. He really wants to come back to church and has now been coming for two weeks straight. I think he is the reason I am here. He hasn't been to church since July. I think missionaries were just too focused on trying to get new investigators that they forgot who is in need of all the help possible. He has been thinking of when they want to get married but he is thinking August. We plan on helping him with a good proposal scheme. We are really excited to see them up and enjoying the blessings of the gospel once again. I am really excited for them.

Well The truck is still not done getting out of the shop yet and the mission doesn't give missionaries replacement vehicles so we have been stuck. We have tracted literally EVERYWHERE within walking distance and I'm just beat. One can only study soo much you know? I won't complain though.

Well it's time to go. Thanks for the package mommy I appreciate it much. I hope you are doing well and that you have a good week. Tell everyone I love them! I work hard always!

Elder Christensen

March 26, 2012 - Big Bear

It has been quite the heck of a week. Our truck went into the shop and so not much work happened cause members up here don't stay up here on weekdays. They all usually work in the valley so we can't get a ride anywhere.
It was a super good Sunday. I was able to have 4 Less-Actives come to church and 2 of them bore their testimonies! I thought that these guys are just straight up brave, and they know that this gospel is true. It is one thing to hear people speaking, but testimony of truth from someone who hasn't even let themselves hear it is more amazing by far. I could not believe it! Their first day back was such a large step for them to take and then on top of that they bore their testimonies too? These guys are going to be a peace of cake to bring back into the church!:)
I loved all the pictures of Hanna! They looked super awesome! It makes me sad though that I am not able to be there. Last one[birthday]. I will be home for the next one for sure. Was it a good b'day at least? Was she happpy happy happy?? I miss her greatly.
We got 3 inches of snow last night. Winter isn't going without a fight here. I'm kinda sick of it to tell you the truth. I love you Mom. don't worry about me.

Elder Christensen

March 19, 2012 Picture from past area