Monday, January 30, 2012

1/30/2012 Elder Christensen "The Story of the Lightbulb"

Hey family and friends! It`s been a super busy week here in El Sauce.. I can`t believe its already over... We had a lotta things goin on.... We had zone conference, ward council ( MILAGRO!), baptismal interview, and the baptism itself. Somehow, we still managed to have a decent amount of success in our sector. The Lord is really blessing us. I actually had the opportunity to interview this lady named Mirta Rubio for her baptism.. Man it was incredible... to be honest. This lady is like 60 and her conversion story completely blew my socks off. She had a dream and she saw her grandson who had passed away... He told her that he wanted to be together with her one day and that she had to talk to her daughter that day... She woke up, went and talked to the daughter, received the missionaries, and got baptized. She went 3 weeks in a row and even got up her first sunday to BARE HER TESTIMONY!!! Wow.... anyways.. this lady had already lived the principles of the gospel and just needed an "Empujonsito" as she said... or just a little push in the right direction. I would say there were about 70 people at her baptism. HUGE status. One cool thing... We talked for about 25 minutes in the interview before we even prayed. It was kinda out of control. She just started talking and telling stories IMMEDIATELY. But... I loved it. I learned a lot from her. She actually BORE TESTIMONY to me in the interview... she just said.. I want to assure you that THIS is God`s church.... and that it is all true.... I sat there shocked and was just like... uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhm.... Whos doing the interview here? I felt like maybe I should get re baptized! Haha. No. But it was incredible to see somebody so prepared by our Heavenly Father...

Okay... So this week we listened to some talks on my iPod while we went to sleep. One of which was President Dieter F. Uchtdorf`s talk about "The lightbulb". Super good talk. He tells the story of a plane that crashed and killed over 100 people... All of this because of ONE little tiny 5 cent lightbulb that failed to illuminate. This was the light that showed whether or not the landing gear of the plane was down... They got distracted, panicked, and weren`t paying attention to the constant descent that the plane was making. All of this could have been avoided had they just stayed the course and payed better attention... He went on to explain that its the same in life. We need to stay focused on the MOST IMPORTANT THING and work for IT. Not losing our focus... This can be hard... it requires FAITH, and consistency. I found a story that is strikingly similar in my scriptures... In Alma 51.. One of the war chapters believe it or not..... Moroni is one of the best leaders there is... great example... there began to be contention and problems between the people... a little group called "Kingman" were the ones causing it all as well.. What happened? This people became divided.... They stopped worrying about the most important thing, (Their freedom? The existence of their people?) and started worrying about something much less important.... which was the changing of a few laws and the placement of a king over the land.... In the middle of a war, why in the WORLD would you worry about such stupidity? Goodness.. anyways, this contention cost Moroni and his people... We read....

Alma 51:2 Behold, it came to pass that while Moroni was thus breaking down the wars and contentions among his own people, and subjecting them to peace and civilization, and making regulations to prepare for war against the Lamanites, behold, the Lamanites had come into the land of Moroni, which was in the borders by the seashore.

23 And it came to pass that the Nephites were not sufficiently strong in the city of Moroni; therefore Amalickiah did drive them, slaying many. And it came to pass that Amalickiah took possession of the city, yea, possession of all their fortifications.

26 And thus he went on, taking possession of many cities, the city of Nephihah, and the city of Lehi, and the city of Morianton, and the city of Omner, and the city of Gid, and the city of Mulek, all of which were on the east borders by the seashore.

27 And thus had the Lamanites obtained, by the cunning of Amalickiah, so many cities, by their numberless hosts, all of which were strongly fortified after the manner of the fortifications of Moroni; all of which afforded strongholds for the Lamanites.

All this happened..... because they LOST THE VISION.. They LOST THE FOCUS.... Just like one little 5 cent light bulb can kill 100 people, one little stupid contention caused the death of many and the loss of many cities..... So we can apply lots from this... We need to have our GOALS, and stay focused on them. Little things like sports, movies, music, video games, etc, shouldn`t take our eye off the prize. Let us maintain the focus on the task at hand and, with the help of God, endure to the end. Hope all is well there. Take care. Have a great week. Elder Christensen.

PICS.... Ya.... well..... I attached my pictures and its pretty dang fishy... I dont want anyone getting any viruses! Looks like it`ll have to be another week. Truth be told... Internet cafes= Not very good! Sorry everyone!

Monday, January 23, 2012

1/23/2012 Elder Christensen "Strict Obedience=Eternal Happiness"

Hey there everyone! Man I have a lot to say and only about 15 minutesto say it so.... LETS GO!

This week... Well.. the cosa de mayor importancia... we set a baptismal date with a ten year old in our sector! To most missionaries this seems like something easy but this girl? Is probably smarter than I am haha. Not that that is saying

much... but anyways... At first she was really shaky... her name is Aline (Ah-leen) and she wants to be SURE that the church is true before getting baptized. We painted a big rock and wrote "Orar" on it with sharpie... she keeps it in her pillowcase which is cool! So the fecha is set for the 26th of Febrero. We have our work cut out for us and shes got to be praying constantly.

We had a leadership meeting in Maipú that was super good. It went from 10am to 5pm (ARE YOU SURE!?!?) but it was honestly amazing. President King is the man plus the classes that we had were amazing. We have excellent Zone Leaders and District leaders in this mission. Even President says that the mission is the best its ever been... All the leaders are just Powerhouses! You know what I think the reason is? Two things.... 1.) A desire to work... A desire to thrust in the sickle..... 2.) STRICT obedience to the mission rules. That right there is a recipe for success.

We had a sweet lesson on obedience in our Zone Leader Council up at Presidents house a couple weeks back and I`d like to share a little thought from that.... The lesson was called.... The transforming power of obedience... SICK. President told us a story of a missionary from our mission who went home not that long ago that made him sad... He said that in his last interview, this missionary explained that he was plenty happy without having to obey the mission rules AND that the Lord was still blessing him with success... President said that he KNOWS the Lord loves us and is going to bless us... right? The difference is, that through obedience we can receive even MORE blessings. God will ALWAYS give a commandment AND a blessing together. Thats just how he is. ... Heres a scriptural example.... SWITCH the words kingdom for state of happiness..... (DyC 88; 21-24)

21 And they who are not sanctified through the law which I have given unto you, even the law of Christ, must inherit another kingdom (State of happiness.) even that of a terrestrial kingdom (State of happiness.) , or that of a telestial kingdom.(State of happiness.)

22 For he who is not able to abide the law of a celestial kingdom (State of happiness.) cannot abide a celestial glory. (State of happiness.)

23 And he who cannot abide the law of a terrestrial kingdom (State of happiness.) cannot abide a terrestrial glory.

24 And he who cannot abide the law of a telestial kingdom (State of happiness.) cannot abide a telestial glory; therefore he is not meet for a kingdom of glory. Therefore he must abide a kingdom which is not a kingdom of glory. (State of happiness.)

KINDA confusing but VERY true.... if we are not sanctified thorough our strict obedience to the law, we will not be able to receive the state of happiness that we really desire... Yes we will still be happy and we will still be blessed because God and Christ love us.. but, imagine what more we can do if we just OBEY. Like this missionary who had his interview with President... He had success! He was happy! But he could have gone even farther with the principle of self mastery and become more like God is. I love this church. I love the doctrine of Christ. Its the greatest. Last thing.....

DyC 78:7 For if you will that I give unto you a place in the celestial world, you must prepare yourselves by doing the things which I have commanded you and required of you.

If we want a place in the celestial world, its time we make celestial decisions... Its time we be obedient to EVERYTHING that God asks.... after all... our goal is Exhaltation. I know its tough to choose what God wants.... I know that Dad.. My dad... Will Christensen always was trying to put good principles on me... trying to teach me things that are correct... Did I want to do it all the time? Nope... Sure didn`t... I did NOT want to cut the lawn every wednesday.... I did NOT want to go to scouts and get merit badges..... but hey.... I obeyed (barely) what my earthly father asked and it has made me a better

person... I wish I could go back in time with the knowledge I have now and spend time only doing those things... the things I didn`t want to do... By being obedient to what our heavenly father asks, even when we don`t understand it, we achieve a GREATER state of happiness. Remember that in your crazy daily lives. I testify that the doctrine of Christ makes us happier. I`m living proof of it. I hope you like the new me because its a lot more obedient than it was before.... :) That’s chatter for another matter... I love you all and I hope you have a great week. Be obedient.

Chaoooooooo! Elder Christensen

Pics!! Uhhm.... Well.. I have some pics to attach but my computer is Ghettisimo. VERY ghetto.. Soo... next week? Double pics? Love you! Chao!

Monday, January 16, 2012

1/16/2012 Elder Christensen "Busy Week!"

HEY everyone.. wow. this week has been really excellent here in Peñaflor. Super tranquilo. I have like nooooooooo time to write though because I attached some pictures... that took a good chunk of time.. Anyways! My comp and I are doing GREAT. Having tons of fun and taking the trash out. We get along really well its kinda weird haha. Its kinda like the Lords spiritual scout camp out here haha.
The work is kinda slow but at the same time we are seeing CUALQUIER milagritos... We did a little cosechon this week.... its called a harvest. We got everyone we could from the ward and split up the SIMI... its like.. a roster of inactive members... So everyone took some names, some addresses, and we were off. My comp and I didn`t have too much success.... but the other groups? Found SEVERAL families who are part member, and want to listen to us! So we are stoked about that and we know the Lord is blessing us... GET THIS.... we stopped to eat ass.. (Remember thats FOOD people.. not a swear word!)..... at a place close to our house.... Then suddenly one of the workers asked if we could give a health blessing to a baby IN THE RESTAURANT... I was like... uhhh..... Uhh........ um...... We`re eating? Haha no I didn`t say that... we did decide that it was Irreverent though.... so we got her address and promised to pass by... turns out that this girl knows EVERYTHING about the church because her parents are members in a neighboring ward... she never got baptized because an elder offended her... Story of our lives... Anyways!! Her AND her friend want to listen to us.. Milagrito de verdad. We`re gonna be going by like every Sunday to see what we can do.... The Lord is truely blessing us and we can see his hand on a daily basis.

Okay... gotta wrap up.... THOUGHT of the week! Alma 34:38-39....

38 That ye contend no more against the Holy Ghost, but that ye receive it, and take upon you the name of Christ; that ye humble yourselves even to the dust, and worship God, in whatsoever place ye may be in, in spirit and in truth; and that ye live in thanksgiving daily, for the many mercies and blessings which he doth bestow upon you.

39 Yea, and I also exhort you, my brethren, that ye be watchful unto prayer continually, that ye may not be led away by the temptations of the devil, that he may not overpower you, that ye may not become his subjects at the last day; for behold, he rewardeth you no good thing.

These scriptures blow my mind!!! We need to make up our minds and DECIDE to take upon ourselves the name of Christ.... To receive the spirit... we can do this by being his witnesses EVERYWHERE and really deciding to give ourselves to him. Think of ammon..... In alma 17... 24 and 25... Lamoni offers ammon one of his daughters right? Had Ammon done that, he would have been a prince in the Kingdom... he would have been filthy rich and well off among the lamanites... I had NEVER thought of it like that...but because he had the spirit with him, because he KNEW his purpose and had taken upon him the name of Christ, he rejected that offer. HE KNEW that he could perform much good among the lamanites and convert many. That was where his heart was. That was his interest... His desire. He didn`t care about fame and riches... he cared about God and his will. We need to do that. CHOOSE GOD. Every minute of every day. Think about what you would do if you were in the prophets presence... Christs presence... Gods presence.. that will influence what you do, say, and think and whether or not you are capable to maintain the spirit with you... Remember... what is not light, IS NOT from God.... May you have a wonderful week. Much love!

Su querido Elder Christensen...

PICS!!! Lets be honest here.... theres a TON of pictures... NO time to put a caption today... We hiked up a HUGE hill for pday and took some SICK pics... My comp and I got a few pics together in there as well.. ENJOY! CHAOOOOOOO!


Monday, January 9, 2012

1/9/2012 Elder Christensen "Yoo"



My old companion who came down to visit at changes... Elder Gutierrez!
 Heyyyyyy! Well, as you know, changes came and went.... I was super duper nervous throughout the entire change meeting.... Its kinda sucky knowing that you`re gonna finish the mission in your next sector..... Actually why beat around the bush... ITS AWFUL! But hey, I got a sweeeeeeeeeeeeeet sector over here in Peñaflor. Elder Fuhriman is too dang sick as well. We`ve already spent a lot of time cleaning up the pension and making it look like a vacation spot. Haha. No not really..... but it does look nice and organized. I`ll get you some pics next week.

The ward I`m in is called "El Sauce" which I think means... the willow? If I`m not mistaken. It`s a big change from the city.... There is no smog whatsoever..... My first day I just stopped and sniffed up a big beasty breath of fresh air.... Man... its insane. I realized I was back in the campo when I rang somebodys doorBELL. It`s a literal bell attached to a string thats mounted way up on their deck. Haha. It`s already been great and I know we`re gonna work like crazy over here. I`M EXCITED to be where I`m at and with a good companion as well.
 Elder Higgs and I at changes

Got a couple little thoughts for you before I gotta run. Lets just say.... The Book of Mormon is.... SICK!

Mosiah 28:3 Now they were desirous that salvation should be declared to every creature, for they could not bear that any human soul should perish ; yea, even the very thoughts that any soul should endure endless torment did cause them to quake and tremble .


PARENTS... This little full bread german shepheard is 6
weeks old..... the people bought him for 20 bucks...
SICK DEAL! Super Cute too
This is my attitude regarding the work of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ..... It`s kinda strange... as you get "older" in the mission, you REALLY start to care more. You realize that everything... EVERYTHING... that we do as missionaries is important. I have come to realize that EVERY single person that we talk with is a son or daughter of God... I know that somehow, with some words and with the spirit, we as missionaries can touch the light of Christ in them and WAKE THEM UP. ¡DESPIÉRTATE! I know that every missionary has felt the sadness that comes after a really great lesson or contact.... where the spirit is just testifying like none other...... and you just spill your heart out and throw down some testimony... Then, after it all, they smile at you and say.... "No me interesa.... están perdiendo el tiempo aqui." Like the scripture says, I CANNOT BEAR THAT! Knowing that the eternal gospel of Christ is being rejected just hurts me.... I LOVE these people. I LOVE being a missionary... We just gotta work with all our heart, might, mind and strength, and the Lord will do the rest... Just the fact that the people use their agency poorly makes me... upset.. It`s out of our control though.... we can do all we can do.... and thats all we can do...May we remember that and use our agency well. I`ll close with this last one....

DyC 123:16 You know, brethren, that a very large ship is benefited very much by a very small helm in the time of a storm, by being kept workways with the wind and the waves.

17 Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed.
Elder Monsen and I at changes

It`s amazing the influence we, as active members in the church have on other people...... This is one of my favorite scriptures found in the DyC...... It`s time for us to act... it´s time for us to serve... I just love what it says... Let us CHEERFULLY do all that we can...... everything that is offered to us.... then we can just stand still... because we KNOW that we are good. We know that we have done all that our Lord wants us to do. These are gonna be the best two changes of my mission here in Peñaflor. Why? Because we`re dedicated.... we`re converted... and we`re gonna do all that we can with BUEN ANIMO.... Just as the Savior himself did..... Amazing. This is Christs Church. I`m grateful that we can live happily and that we can be safe from evil if we just.... do as it says in the scriptures countless times.... Obey the commandments.... Endure to the end... How hard is that. It`s simple. We are so blessed to live in the time that we do.... May we remember that in our daily lives. Many members of our church have suffered and even died to get the church to where it is at this point today. Now it`s OUR turn to lift where we stand and take the trash out. So lets do it. I love you guys and I hope this can be a great week for you wherever you may be.

Take care.

Elder Christensen.

A VERY PAINFUL tie trade.... you be the judge... MOM.... I`ve said NO NO NO to everyone who has asked for that orange tie... but Elder Fuhriman is a baller... Couldn`t help it.... To this moment it is painful haha but check those paisley ties out! SICK! ENJOY!

Monday, January 2, 2012

1/2/2012 Elder Christensen "Nos Vemos Parque Combarbala"

Went on divisions... Elder Cervantes and I.
Hola Hola! How we doin? Man it sure was fun to see you guys on skype last week and to chat it up a bit. I can`t beleive that time is just..... gone. Tawny already finished. MOVING ON! New Years and Christmas were both pretty fun. Lotttttttttta alcohol in this place haha. We spent a lot of time just fortaleciendo or strengthening the faith of our members. The Atonement of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is something amazing and we can all change our lives through it.
HAPPY NEW YEARS! Or.. if you`re a Christensen..
 MERRY NEW YEAR!!!

Well.... We got the call on Saturday and I`m being transferred. I had definately expected that though...to finish the mission with 5 changes in one place is... practically un heard of. Either way? I`m STOKED. The next two changes will be the best that I`ve had yet I can promise you that. WORK WORK WORK. That is the secret..... I`ve seen a great change in the members and the leaders of this ward during my 4 months here. We just try to do little different things to brighten up everybodies days... for example.... every day after we are done eating lunch with the members, we try to sing a hymn and just help them feel the spirit. Over time, the members have really come to treasure that. I spoke this sunday... ( SURPRISE! ) and I let them know that I really do love them and that I`ve seen the change in each of them. The gospel is amazing.... I will never stray from this camino and I hope that we can all be happy... as Tawny says... Find joy in the journey. Life principle right there folks.

We as missionaries can`t hold babies.... but the rule says nothing
 about dogs! Shes just a little smaller than Steffi.
Well.. my keyboard is super fome so I`m gonna finish up. Sorry this is short.... I want to remind you of one of my favorite scriptures.....

35 Now have we not reason to rejoice? Yea, I say unto you, there never were men that had so great reason to rejoice as we, since the world began; yea, and my joy is carried away, even unto boasting in my God; for he has all power, all wisdom, and all understanding; he comprehendeth all things, and he is a merciful Being, even unto salvation, to those who will repent and believe on his name.

36 Now if this is boasting, even so will I boast; for this is my life and my light, my joy and my salvation, and my redemption from everlasting wo. Yea, blessed is the name of my God, who has been mindful of this people, who are a branch of the tree of Israel, and has been lost from its body in a strange land; yea, I say, blessed be the name of my God, who has been mindful of us, wanderers in a strange land.

37 Now my brethren, we see that God is mindful of every people, whatsoever land they may be in; yea, he numbereth his people, and his bowels of mercy are over all the earth. Now this is my joy, and my great thanksgiving; yea, and I will give thanks unto my God forever. Amen.

We have reason to rejoice because God loves us. This is his Church. I LOVE IT. If this is boasting, then let me BOAST. These are the latter days and we are in the middle of a spiritual war. May we remain faithful to our God by heeding to his word and that of his prophets. There is no other way.....

I`ll talk to you next week in my next sector. Hope all is well in orem.

Much love,
This is priceless... RIGHT NOW, as I was typing this letter, a cat jumped
up on to my desk and I started to pet it.... As sister King says with her
5 fingers..... 1 we 2 are 3 in 4 chile 5 now. Welcome to south america haha.

BEAUTIFUL sunset..... The catholic church there was just a bonus.
Ps Don`t worry about changes. Gotta run. Hvea a great week. I`ll go where you want me to go dear Lord. Even to the ghetto and dangerous place. I`ll say what you want me to say dear Lord.