tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57821141354336255372024-03-13T13:58:16.674-07:00Christensen Missionaries"Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God ye are called to the work; For behold the field is white already to harvest." -D&C 4:3-4Missionary Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13343506408808949417noreply@blogger.comBlogger198125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5782114135433625537.post-15036501582911824202012-03-27T20:04:00.012-07:002012-04-14T16:30:27.674-07:00WELCOME HOME ELDER CHRISTENSEN!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNE3L3wJpWqbkjla6a2g_umVKiOBS30eVZCDYIp9JsZqtYkMeJsFBjlakpy-8J3leBBCGdbLXke_WZbjlynIOxatb-qA_Qdf3CCSH_Iu0A8KJpdEQihQvd__DLrWkrmtfY52asbcUyQtt6/s1600/IMG_3666.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNE3L3wJpWqbkjla6a2g_umVKiOBS30eVZCDYIp9JsZqtYkMeJsFBjlakpy-8J3leBBCGdbLXke_WZbjlynIOxatb-qA_Qdf3CCSH_Iu0A8KJpdEQihQvd__DLrWkrmtfY52asbcUyQtt6/s640/IMG_3666.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elders Monsen, Christensen & Young!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsH8NYBXV-RPSut2-lp9r4KxBNsze2A4XjRQ20uwmtx2oeZBfkMcWdRScRBDtLPJ671hvHWD6V6_9WwgzWXGwas4uVeSDvCodP1I7huvo6bvZwZTI6I_6lwH4u61qavp-nIuabvS2rq3l9/s1600/Welcome+Home+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsH8NYBXV-RPSut2-lp9r4KxBNsze2A4XjRQ20uwmtx2oeZBfkMcWdRScRBDtLPJ671hvHWD6V6_9WwgzWXGwas4uVeSDvCodP1I7huvo6bvZwZTI6I_6lwH4u61qavp-nIuabvS2rq3l9/s640/Welcome+Home+2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">COUSINS!!!!!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJRrDGnt0kZh3LzxiPqDWMdxmjnA24f4W6iThghIbFYRoH1rtEbdks-Lb7STGmX9ZdjmVBFYQf6L0qNVTt4dC1jgoSMVSyxSchKsD9RTTsDBm9XxNs4Chj1F7CPrUSrVJVKQDf0OgFWE7_/s1600/IMG_3671.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJRrDGnt0kZh3LzxiPqDWMdxmjnA24f4W6iThghIbFYRoH1rtEbdks-Lb7STGmX9ZdjmVBFYQf6L0qNVTt4dC1jgoSMVSyxSchKsD9RTTsDBm9XxNs4Chj1F7CPrUSrVJVKQDf0OgFWE7_/s400/IMG_3671.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeC6br-_VjRpXdyitXS5n7yOauLy-w5MWhHsFfB4Edz_KTRXY-o1R-4N-F2UsddWkQ6yM1mT8P2hXDRvAUHG1XJehzXMCerQtGso40xRn61CYrThSRNRqJpcq5_9c8mlPqFCAv2qKcaIf-/s1600/IMG_3669.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeC6br-_VjRpXdyitXS5n7yOauLy-w5MWhHsFfB4Edz_KTRXY-o1R-4N-F2UsddWkQ6yM1mT8P2hXDRvAUHG1XJehzXMCerQtGso40xRn61CYrThSRNRqJpcq5_9c8mlPqFCAv2qKcaIf-/s400/IMG_3669.JPG" width="400" /></a></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIF4ZL8zl-H_A3HVw1Bs3_tgTQGq3Qx8cQp2Rehhh_ZMbotHrosg-xO7eu1E7zADvQ9rqpBOvyN_Lfl24FlAj0UdEA_zvK6t2OssutXe3fpMrECFZAgJ73K7qyaVceut0lenpEmjqKCdt9/s1600/IMG_3678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIF4ZL8zl-H_A3HVw1Bs3_tgTQGq3Qx8cQp2Rehhh_ZMbotHrosg-xO7eu1E7zADvQ9rqpBOvyN_Lfl24FlAj0UdEA_zvK6t2OssutXe3fpMrECFZAgJ73K7qyaVceut0lenpEmjqKCdt9/s400/IMG_3678.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl6QEtliSVdMG-SVPWsZCBhtO-F_YY7VWj4xmCqWCMxF262wPwUOpwLrBDPnqt1iLp8NOrPJLBs_1gU3iXgEcqU4wxk1RzyC03AJ2XLI0Z-lbxZc27m2mMGTCS2Z5hvw2ic2xJr88TJpzA/s1600/IMG_3674.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl6QEtliSVdMG-SVPWsZCBhtO-F_YY7VWj4xmCqWCMxF262wPwUOpwLrBDPnqt1iLp8NOrPJLBs_1gU3iXgEcqU4wxk1RzyC03AJ2XLI0Z-lbxZc27m2mMGTCS2Z5hvw2ic2xJr88TJpzA/s400/IMG_3674.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><img height="63" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdHGWZHMjXTO_7sF2lcWu93NxYMz6Fk4XYRyEkuYtAGrbggOpXO0d7ewO8tJaWzXvXsQxTvtMoCNiv2qu1AW-2RBaefvSkzlYA61yCkUSoNaoH9ZJYafRR137graPq3Uo7Bw3seGdJXRpm/s320/IMG_3674.JPG" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 441px; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 290px;" width="96" />Missionary Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13343506408808949417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5782114135433625537.post-83188702642631753172012-03-26T21:00:00.000-07:002012-04-14T16:03:53.908-07:00Elder Christensen "Here He Comes" 3/26/2012<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ZqtDcos88lGK8ljlPIyMpEOvdBiRtR_g529L9dNxhy9NFgr9g6c66x3Q_7M4qeZ0N9TfGH3mlfIQK1SHCaRg3T70-9z9nk0FMjLGc1Qxhuhns7gZdp7LiykpnveljFBdaBZQRlIYqIFP/s1600/Elder+Christensen+++++3-26-12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ZqtDcos88lGK8ljlPIyMpEOvdBiRtR_g529L9dNxhy9NFgr9g6c66x3Q_7M4qeZ0N9TfGH3mlfIQK1SHCaRg3T70-9z9nk0FMjLGc1Qxhuhns7gZdp7LiykpnveljFBdaBZQRlIYqIFP/s640/Elder+Christensen+++++3-26-12.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hermana King, Elder Christensen and Presidente King at the airport!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Here he comes! <br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">You sent your son we send you home a Man of God. You can be so proud he is wonderful.</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">This is a hard day for us but we are so happy he is going from our arms to yours. </div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Take care of our Elder "C" we love him so much.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDlphESBkQdrP_sx8OEGa_L7b97cIO8L0JuNCjQov_o8Ee6edaUF1uq8_sCb1bg7IJaf1Pa5en-kDNGgXaWUmYtQD6pJkusVtqNrejAHKm0YpcOoB1Cpf1nDuNN7Hm1DRCH7RBmWSJYs25/s1600/Go+Homers+March+26,+2012++Elders+Monsen,+Christensen,+Young.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDlphESBkQdrP_sx8OEGa_L7b97cIO8L0JuNCjQov_o8Ee6edaUF1uq8_sCb1bg7IJaf1Pa5en-kDNGgXaWUmYtQD6pJkusVtqNrejAHKm0YpcOoB1Cpf1nDuNN7Hm1DRCH7RBmWSJYs25/s400/Go+Homers+March+26,+2012++Elders+Monsen,+Christensen,+Young.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Go Homers Elders Monsen, Christensen & Young"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Have so much fun he has miracles to share.</div><br />
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</div>God bless you all,<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">President & Hermana King</div>Missionary Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13343506408808949417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5782114135433625537.post-34534060674120286412012-03-19T16:13:00.015-07:002012-03-25T10:37:10.588-07:003/19/2012 Elder Christensen "This Is It"<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpPhfMq04Dl0wMVgJGTUjnLRm8iOp8r8fCdTM3-yeKGIIz9aNKI7CBe6nFBp_uxR1j_sQ8zhFnTV-WFhAip5sv4cncuFKrHg088Vmb_7rWSyPUDAQnDjBioUOEEtQ18svr0Pnzh7AYrbg_/s1600/DSCF2821.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpPhfMq04Dl0wMVgJGTUjnLRm8iOp8r8fCdTM3-yeKGIIz9aNKI7CBe6nFBp_uxR1j_sQ8zhFnTV-WFhAip5sv4cncuFKrHg088Vmb_7rWSyPUDAQnDjBioUOEEtQ18svr0Pnzh7AYrbg_/s400/DSCF2821.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We went to do SERVICE!! I LOVE YARDWORK <br />
TONS!!! Get ready front yard!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I... am not really sure how to feel right now... It`s like somebody put all of the possible attributes into a blender and turned it on high for a few minutes... Just a jumbly mix of... emotions... I`ve been able to leave my Utahnic bubble for two years and put myself in the shoes of a Chilean... Living their culture, speaking their language, and walking their streets... The only difference between us and whatever person in the street is the eternal message, the good news, the beloved gospel of Jesus Christ that we have in our lives. It`s been hard.... I`m not exactly sure how to put 2 years of feelings into one last email to the friends and family.<br />
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I`ve changed. WE`VE changed... Why? Because we`ve all progressed. We`ve all experienced an emotional spiritual supercharge. I am SO grateful to my Heavenly Father for letting me serve a mission... For letting me call myself Elder Christensen and proclaim his gospel to his children here on earth... It`s so simple... So easy to understand and perfect to apply... I feel like the same person but at the same time I feel like... not at all. Now I`ve seen with my spiritual eyes.. Now I know how to set real, worthwhile goals AND acheive them... Now I know WHAT MATTERS. THIS is what matters. It`s not about who has the coolest phone or clothes or any of that garb... What matters is who we are now, and what we will become.. Then it becomes our duty to GET IT.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsqTJvfONT9LyrD9r9hdex5I6zadhNsLNvIrPgLAJub3cjrhwjWLYymIh3AhR7OXMcGCDzb1C9WpXWafqG_SNJYY_8v6Y8SCV60wcCGf2jPA1tHr5VoMa0APQvAeeVCiXBvhk-xLdkw9kM/s1600/DSCF2823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsqTJvfONT9LyrD9r9hdex5I6zadhNsLNvIrPgLAJub3cjrhwjWLYymIh3AhR7OXMcGCDzb1C9WpXWafqG_SNJYY_8v6Y8SCV60wcCGf2jPA1tHr5VoMa0APQvAeeVCiXBvhk-xLdkw9kM/s400/DSCF2823.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birthday Cake!!! Peaches, cream and manjar.. Wow.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">This week we`ve seen miracles... On Sunday we had FOUR of the inactives that we`ve been working with for some time now ALL show up. They are from different families... I was just. BLOWN AWAY when I saw one, then two, then three, then FOUR all show up at different times. Not to mention one of our investigators went as well. I was honestly overwhelmed with the spirit. We`ve spent time with these people... we`ve spent tears with these people.. But really, all we did was teach.. The spirit and the Lord did the rest. It`s amazing to know that one has played a part in God`s eternal plan and that HE is making a difference in their lives. </div><br />
I am so happy as well that I`ve had THE BEST family and friends supporting me through these two years. THANKS SO MUCH to everyone who did so much as send a little card or wish me happy birthday. The little push that I receieved from each one of you has helped me think, plan, and keep working here in Chile. NOW... I need your help here. I`m about to be LAUNCHED into some strange 4th dimension and put back into the real world.. Things are gonna be weird.. It will be VERY different. I will now be a very much more capable Elder Christensen in a very familiar yet different place.... I`ll need your help to keep the focus and move on. Life moves on right? It`s on to the next stage... EVERY MEMBER A MISSIONARY. Thats the plan. Teach, preach, HELP everywhere possible. Lift where we STAND!!<br />
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To be honest I don`t have more words than these to describe how I feel. I wish I could put it all into writing so you could truly understand... I KNOW with all my heart that this is the true gospel restored today on the face of the earth. This is GODS will that we are bringing to pass every day. He loves us and has an eternal plan of happiness for us.. Just like an inteligent father sends his or her daughter to school when they are young, our Heavenly Father has sent us here, to this earth, so that we can become great. Let us treasure this time... Let us treasure every minute of our earthly probation and do what it is that we were fore-ordained to do. I KNOW that God has put his prophet on the earth to lead and guide us.. He knows the fathers will... He knows the fathers plan... He knows the fathers face... Through the fruits that he shows, we can be lead by the hand of Christ all the way back to our fathers presence. I know that the Book of Mormon is Another Testament of Jesus Christ... Some of you know... many of you don`t... Before the mission I read that book in ONE WEEK... did I get anything? No. Did I understand it? No. Did I learn it all? No. I just read it so I could say I read it and go on a mission..... NOW I KNOW THAT EVERY WORD CONTAINED IN BETWEEN THOSE TWO COVERS IS FOR OUR BENEFIT. I spend 30 minutes on ONE PAGE now just analyzing and looking up other scriptures....Searching diligently.....Feeling the spirit.... KNOWING for myself that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. I love this. I love this so much. There is no other way to be happy apart from this. THIS IS THE WAY AND THERE IS NO OTHER WAY. Thanks Nephi.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxgEKpdZLi9ahuRYXGe6BdaHsyOf0cs66k45jCFMchhNV0KjBpsAdkV87xgjjsIrJpIsZwGHCIwNVe54hTgSQsttJ0iKbfLfeJqYoWfekInwroC7IiAiO72iumni1hOI4JT0bUDLPbwyG9/s1600/DSCF2820.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxgEKpdZLi9ahuRYXGe6BdaHsyOf0cs66k45jCFMchhNV0KjBpsAdkV87xgjjsIrJpIsZwGHCIwNVe54hTgSQsttJ0iKbfLfeJqYoWfekInwroC7IiAiO72iumni1hOI4JT0bUDLPbwyG9/s400/DSCF2820.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">President, Sister King and I... Zone interviews... </td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I`m grateful for my family. I`m grateful for this church.... I`m grateful for all of the tools that we have that help us grow closer to our heavenly father...... I`m grateful for who and what I`ve become. I`m grateful for this 2 year experience of a lifetime..... "I know that my redeemer lives, what comfort this sweet sentence gives"......... It`s been wild. It`s been great. It`s been true. The time has come to put it into practice now... My last words come from 2 Timothy.... </div><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto; border: 1pt windowtext; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">7 </span><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I have fought a good </span><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto; border: 1pt windowtext; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">fight</span><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">, I have </span><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto; border: 1pt windowtext; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">finished</span><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto; font-family: "Georgia","serif";"> <em>my</em> course, I have kept the faith.</span></span></span><br />
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See you soon. Love, your son, your friend, Elder Kurtis William Christensen.Missionary Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13343506408808949417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5782114135433625537.post-42587097835157873782012-03-12T16:16:00.003-07:002012-03-12T16:39:29.909-07:003/12/2012 Elder Christensen "Here I Am"<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYhCK3sr1cBbWDTV4tavnE-LaH2X9ttS1VPOTFvRApSfBSaPtc_20PQ_2RuZ7XhvumgSKRtO-d-sJGpUhMkMi7VkmAomhNRnJXtH9T_omhmG-u7zJXip5k-IOmwijekwJ1dq-PHkl1URTz/s1600/DSCF2791.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYhCK3sr1cBbWDTV4tavnE-LaH2X9ttS1VPOTFvRApSfBSaPtc_20PQ_2RuZ7XhvumgSKRtO-d-sJGpUhMkMi7VkmAomhNRnJXtH9T_omhmG-u7zJXip5k-IOmwijekwJ1dq-PHkl1URTz/s320/DSCF2791.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My companion and I at church. Know you like the paisley!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Friends and Famliy!!! This has been such a great week here in the work of the Lord. As always, I`m happy to be here working and preaching our fathers eternal gospel. We had some POWERFUL lessons this week.. I had my socks ripped off by the spirit a couple times to be honest... Like wow..<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyqzIBrEbjjxBbc936h9WoPKW_zI01Qwi5r_Nlm6WqEtubBb89Iui760L8hEFnhLmWdo6UfSdJQToij9N_bcBrRkMfpV9Glu6gN_yBUCgUSBMxezHl1h4qWcg7kxrBJE-tBjUI2yiUVDRY/s1600/DSCF2794.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyqzIBrEbjjxBbc936h9WoPKW_zI01Qwi5r_Nlm6WqEtubBb89Iui760L8hEFnhLmWdo6UfSdJQToij9N_bcBrRkMfpV9Glu6gN_yBUCgUSBMxezHl1h4qWcg7kxrBJE-tBjUI2yiUVDRY/s320/DSCF2794.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My companion and I in front of a huge fountain!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>1.) We had a huge miracle this week. We read the family proclamation to the world with an inactive man and his active family... They have hugeeeeee marital problems and many reasons why not to be happy.... Really sad... Anyways, this was like the 3rd or 4th POWERFUL lesson that we had with them regarding these things.... This time was sick. We talked all about satan... How his goal is to destroy the family and assure that we do not get our goal of eternal life together... The first presidency warns us of this... RIGHT THERE. Its so clear. I love the fam proc.. It`s amazing. We were at church the next day and to my AMAZEMENT, HE WALKED IN.. HUGEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE Miracle.. My jaw literally dropped wide open. Super emotional. Kinda sad though because his wife got up and bore her testimony.... really she just ripped him apart along with her kids.... I don`t think she saw him come in the back but I felt..... really bad..<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYUEsl7vRJMvVD9uNzmcFLoJfxu8143BzGwK6jIOe7tOQ7Z0fOqHWCUwq6WqiAABwIpHpNVaPp0_iIJF1-f2BK1YQzhR9wZrAVqD5utZvGZP51As2vdLWyeM_kh6LFI_2F8XvncfpZFMmZ/s1600/DSCF2775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYUEsl7vRJMvVD9uNzmcFLoJfxu8143BzGwK6jIOe7tOQ7Z0fOqHWCUwq6WqiAABwIpHpNVaPp0_iIJF1-f2BK1YQzhR9wZrAVqD5utZvGZP51As2vdLWyeM_kh6LFI_2F8XvncfpZFMmZ/s400/DSCF2775.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Beasty sombrero much? Know you love that one Sister Tawny!</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>2.) Had a family home evening with another family that is all active... The 19 year old girl has NO testimony of the church and just goes because her mom obligates her.... She actually doesn`t believe in God at all... We figured that out just BARELY after out appointment had ended.. We taught them this day about the gospel of Jesus Christ. You all know it.. 5 steps, faith, repentance, baptismal, gift of the holy ghost, endure to the end... It was average at best.... We closed as usual and then we noticed that the girl was just laughing and making fun of the lesson.. You could almost say she was mocking God.... I got sick to my stomach and didn`t want to be there but my mouth opened and I asked..... " Usted todavía cree en Dios?" Do you still believe in God? She laughed and sputtered out a really cocky... NO. I DONT... In my head the entire lesson we had just taught disappeared and we started another one... We asked her about this life on earth... Why are we here? What do you think? She believes that we are all here on a "mission" and that once it is completed, we will all receive our rewards depending on the work that we`ve done on earth... ***The spirit hit me in the face at this point and told me to go to Alma 30... The story of Korihor... I actually had no idea why I was going there apart from the fact that I knew "satans doctrine" appeared there..... President King taught us all about "satans doctrine".... and as the promise is made in the scriptures, it was given to me IN THAT MOMENT what to say... We read from 12 to 18.... I was actually really really really mad... she was just LAUGHING at us... She said... "Oh so now I`m the antichrist like Korihor?" At first she was laughing, but that laugh quickly turned into DUMBSTRUCK. It happen to fall on me to read verse 17... Halfway through I realized that those were her EXACT WORDS....... <br />
"every man afared in this life according to the management of the creature; therefore every man prospered according to his genius, and that every man conquered according to his strength" <br />
<br />
The spirit did some hard hard hard working right there.... Honestly.. God used my companion and I to give a very loud warning cry to one of his daughters here on earth. It was honestly... Insane.... We left her with the strong commitment to pray and ASK God if he existed.... ASK WITH FAITH and you WILL receive an answer.. Simple recipe... and it`ll never change.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixc57GDBD51kQT6yWs2BsV-rGvC_Czo6Z0tvGTJR_8MbhBCESvUgR-H5UAGIU5OWgatpvJn62YCPIvEZbAXsMoFcXVUxI5sgVS7Dd_4Qb0nKi2LJwE1fdsEufSNHoDWpgvbPZ9_Pg6b6hw/s1600/DSCF2804.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixc57GDBD51kQT6yWs2BsV-rGvC_Czo6Z0tvGTJR_8MbhBCESvUgR-H5UAGIU5OWgatpvJn62YCPIvEZbAXsMoFcXVUxI5sgVS7Dd_4Qb0nKi2LJwE1fdsEufSNHoDWpgvbPZ9_Pg6b6hw/s400/DSCF2804.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My companion Elder Braddy and I in front of a cannon! Ignore the finger tip!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Those were some of our big highlights this week... I would tell more but I`m out of time unfortunately...... I just wanted to leave you with my personal testimony yet again... HE LIVES. I KNOW HE LIVES. I know that his gospel has been restored to the earth in its plentitud and its perfection. THERE IS NO OTHER WAY. THIS IS THE WAY. I testify that the Lord really does work through small and simple things.... that he really does teach us LINE UPON LINE... That is how I`ve been built up during this time.. That is how the Lord has changed me. Slowly but surely. I know of a surety that these things are true and that this is the only way that we can actually be happy.... I hope that this week brings the best of results to all of you and that you can continue faithfully serving and building the kingdom of God on the earth.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP8gaxRqwdrQsJERcXfterKfbsqkZs_96IExpLRyLeQhG-We-xFW9yzh5nOtngxE0JMC56F1YhUTz0Ug_eCPExslHKQ4m2eOLu5ZppM4obPnidGv3X-Q8Vdut3oy0P-MJs1Qu0gz7RIJ18/s1600/DSCF2786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP8gaxRqwdrQsJERcXfterKfbsqkZs_96IExpLRyLeQhG-We-xFW9yzh5nOtngxE0JMC56F1YhUTz0Ug_eCPExslHKQ4m2eOLu5ZppM4obPnidGv3X-Q8Vdut3oy0P-MJs1Qu0gz7RIJ18/s640/DSCF2786.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">My last leadership meeting.... Elder Monsen, Elder Lewis, Elder Barrett and I in the hall. SICK! </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table> Much love, <br />
<br />
Elder Christensen.Missionary Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13343506408808949417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5782114135433625537.post-89619688638380083912012-03-05T18:58:00.003-08:002012-03-05T19:08:16.410-08:003/5/2012 Elder Christensen: "The Church and Coca Cola"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigBK7Is2HR7g_NwoL9C60t-lSgc1mhkDOmC7jos3fB-YLeOQEEUJQTEoy-tmWnGUkIF6Kr_srld8qio5KlqxBgWaslObRme3k9uTC2_pMR4s1LPqH8ILIHz3OGenp7lCBOuWzsZxaFLGgL/s1600/DSCF2715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigBK7Is2HR7g_NwoL9C60t-lSgc1mhkDOmC7jos3fB-YLeOQEEUJQTEoy-tmWnGUkIF6Kr_srld8qio5KlqxBgWaslObRme3k9uTC2_pMR4s1LPqH8ILIHz3OGenp7lCBOuWzsZxaFLGgL/s400/DSCF2715.JPG" width="300" /></a>Okay lets get down to it. Not lots of time here... </div>First comes first... The title of this email... FUNNY STORY.. We get into this house right? Miracle! These people were amazing. Anyways, they start asking us questions about the church right? Then this one comes out... The dad told us that he heard our church was founded by coca cola... He heard that that was how we were able to achieve such a world-wide influence. I laughed out loud and just shook my head.... Did I tell you guys about the lady who told us that Joseph Smith was swallowed by a whale? She claimed Joseph Smith took credit for what Jonah did.... Ya... BEWARE of false doctrine much? Haha.<br />
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It`s been a rollercoaster ride this week. Not really sure how it already disappeared. We burned our totts off walking in the sun though. The members told us that it was 38 degrees farenheit here 2 days ago... Needless to say we are taking Lotsssssssssssssssss of cold showers. Also, we went to a guy in our ward`s house this week that you guys would LOVE. Mom it has a huge vineyard full of grapes.. I got some sick pictures for ya. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaWrNA65UPpOeGuQAnxhiZ7jJdT51xLsOCAR7FgalgWszDBeLlEPJm3AQIIfqY8mHfEA4eGAHQQygcJ4nQ-WAhtYKWYpSuSPqWuKjG6ynstSqfOqn09UAzHEnjym71yJ9EL9smQ5-RHGZt/s1600/DSCF2719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaWrNA65UPpOeGuQAnxhiZ7jJdT51xLsOCAR7FgalgWszDBeLlEPJm3AQIIfqY8mHfEA4eGAHQQygcJ4nQ-WAhtYKWYpSuSPqWuKjG6ynstSqfOqn09UAzHEnjym71yJ9EL9smQ5-RHGZt/s400/DSCF2719.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is MY VINEYARD!!! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>We`ve been working a lot here with the less active people as well as the leaders of the ward.... What is the difference between knowledge and inteligence? Kinda a weird question right.... There are LOTS of smart people in this world... The sad thing is, there are many SMART but INACTIVE people... I`ve run into people that are wayyyyyyyyyyy smarter than I am with the gospel yet they refuse to go to church and take the sacrament... Hmm... Where more is given more is required.... and he who doesn`t use that will have greater condemnation... Knowledge transforms into inteligence when it is APPLIED. For example.... I can KNOW that cafe rio has delicious salads.... But if I do nothing I`m going to die of hunger.. Correct? I need to put my knowledge into action, get up, and go get myself a delicious salad! THEN it becomes something inteligent. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ijPpocw-ZXEGo_FKsgkl_RckRKenB4hyBq7Wv2xA1PeijKyUnT2UHNR1UJNbWDnLfRih_RGH8dqJNq66QGZqbhhPf_cPyo3M7URr-Imf-gW7GZAYEsTt3xEjyXii1ah1bVzr2Rifo25a/s1600/DSCF2729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ijPpocw-ZXEGo_FKsgkl_RckRKenB4hyBq7Wv2xA1PeijKyUnT2UHNR1UJNbWDnLfRih_RGH8dqJNq66QGZqbhhPf_cPyo3M7URr-Imf-gW7GZAYEsTt3xEjyXii1ah1bVzr2Rifo25a/s320/DSCF2729.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Like my grape necklace?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>First the funny example, and now the serious one......... I KNOW that the sacrament is something necessary in order to renew my baptismal covenants AND maintain the spirit with me.... That is knowledge.. As well it is a blessing. You could go as far as calling me STUPID or UN-INTELIGENT if I didn`t apply this knowledge and actually do what I know is right... It`s something simple, but its often looked over..... <br />
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<span style="color: blue;">DyC 93:28 He that keepeth his commandments receiveth truth and light, until he is glorified in truth and knoweth all things.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">31 Behold, here is the agency of man, and here is the condemnation of man; because that which was from the beginning is plainly manifest unto them, and they receive not the light.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">36 The glory of God is intelligence, or, in other words, light and truth.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">37 Light and truth forsake that evil one.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnKZjGm09MqRhLv95atLpEbveW8PZYGc7skIgysxBHtzjadoRflL0DoIVsMHE1b3Tz_Vw3ZoFhZVgvsj3MbVxWg3HRhqmi3UpJm2URyvL1uesQQWc624zwmpHB7wWpIWf3X3cf-Qja96rs/s1600/DSCF2743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnKZjGm09MqRhLv95atLpEbveW8PZYGc7skIgysxBHtzjadoRflL0DoIVsMHE1b3Tz_Vw3ZoFhZVgvsj3MbVxWg3HRhqmi3UpJm2URyvL1uesQQWc624zwmpHB7wWpIWf3X3cf-Qja96rs/s400/DSCF2743.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elder Monsen and I at Presidents House. You KNOW that tie is SICK! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>We have the choice every day to receive and rejoice in the light. Like I said, lets be inteligent. Sounds funny, but behind it all it has a deeper meaning.... If you are in a fallen state, it is important to maintain a constant vision of what you want to become. Maintain the eye of faith and see the end results from the start... Thats one of the greatest lessons I`ve learned in my entire mission. SEE WITH THE EYE OF FAITH. Nobody sets your limits except yourself. Who says you can`t set a baptismal date in a contact today? Only YOU impede yourself.. So set your goal... Receive the KNOWLEDGE, and apply it. That is how we become inteligent.... <br />
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<span style="color: blue;">Alma 32:40 And thus, if ye will not nourish the word (Place your goal here instead of word), looking forward with an eye of faith to the fruit thereof, ye can never pluck of the fruit of the tree of life.</span><br />
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If we don`t see with this eye, all is impossible.. All is lost... Remember that through Christ we can become anything we want... He made it possible. I hope you all have a great week and that you can really think about your futures.... Today is the day to change. <br />
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Much love, Elder Christensen.<br />
<br />
PICTURES!! FINALLY! YEAAAAAAAAAA!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkbpjQWBw_iCzVt4cTww-2F5j2EKWjO5uIZ-wzoRG5g1hvAE3CDELJaeCtXnOueUf78iRfad6DirpE5XUJznioHr9C3nJScIdv2ooWZO6VFfxOMitqPDk4myz0B5CCOnn0SlbRkpinVNZf/s1600/DSCF2751.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkbpjQWBw_iCzVt4cTww-2F5j2EKWjO5uIZ-wzoRG5g1hvAE3CDELJaeCtXnOueUf78iRfad6DirpE5XUJznioHr9C3nJScIdv2ooWZO6VFfxOMitqPDk4myz0B5CCOnn0SlbRkpinVNZf/s400/DSCF2751.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our group of.... Well.... Really old missionaries.....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Missionary Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13343506408808949417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5782114135433625537.post-4521751508719302662012-02-27T13:11:00.005-08:002012-02-27T13:22:09.638-08:002/27/2012 Elder Christensen "Small and Simple Things"<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hey there everyone. It`s been a great week of work ONCE again doing that best thing a teenager can do.... I`ve felt a lot of gratitude these last few days regarding my mission, and who I am. I honestly feel SO blessed for everything that has happened to me during this mission and as well for the things that happen every day... I read something interesting in Preach my gospel... I don`t remember exactly what it says but its like.... the best way to be humble to God is through gratitude..... I really liked that and it got me thinkin.</span><br />
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
We did LOTSSS this week.. My comp had to get his chilean identification renewed so we had to head down to santiago... Can`t lie I felt like I was back in the office haha. We also found some sweet ties being sold right outside the registro civil... o sea... its like the government... I dunno. Can`t describe it.. Where foreigners go to become legal! But anyways these ties were cheap and sweet! It`s like a missionaries dream to find sick cheap ties so we were happy.... Also we got together as a zone and did whats called a cosechón... It means harvest in english... We just all get together and take the trash out on ONE sector... Thats a LOT of priesthood in one place hahah. Had some success there.. <br />
<br />
More than anything I`m grateful for where I am, and who I`m with. My comp is amazing. Step by step we`re seeing changes in the ward. One miracle is our mission leader. When I got here he was DEAD. Just going to church and that was it.... leaving after first hour... But now? We have our meeting with him EVERY week.. Also, we got him to come out with us! We had a MIRACLE and got into the house of a contact we did a few weeks back. It`s amazing to see the fruits of your labors.. This guy has cualquier enthusiasm and he`s excited now to work with us. I just wanted to share my testimony with you guys this week about doing the SMALL and SIMPLE things... In our ward we get like... 30 people to church every week.. I feel bad for our bishop because he has SO much on his plate.... Basically we`ve just gone to all the leaders of our ward and shown them our desire to WORK. To be PUT IN during the clutch moment. To lift where we stand and support everyone.. however we can. That`s what has sparked the change in the people.. You can`t just do something and expect instant changes. No. It doesn`t work like that. GOD doesn`t work like that. These things require time, patience, constant nourishment and attention. ( Alma 32:37-43. ) It depends on US. Our desicion to do what is right. AGENCY.. I KNOW that everyone thinks I`m that person who needs things NOW.. Mom I know you even put "urgent" as my ringtone on your phone...(By the way I heard that song this week and it brought a tear to my eye) But now? I know who God is.. I know how he works... I have a testimony that everything works out how it should and when it should.. Sometimes we want things our way right now.. but its not like that... Sometimes we want the results of hard work without actually doing any work.. but that? IS NOT FAITH. We have to be constantly looking forward with an eye of faith if we actually want to get anywhere in life. If we can`t see with that eye? We will NEVER achieve what it is that we want in this life. (Ether 12:19, Alma 32: 40)....<br />
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I just wanted to end with these scriptures that have to do with what I`ve written about today....<br />
<br />
DyC 64:33 Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great.<o:p></o:p></span> <br />
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34 Behold, the Lord requireth <span style="color: black;">the heart </span><span style="color: black;">and a willing </span><span style="color: black;">mind; and the willing and </span><span style="color: black;">obedient </span><span style="color: black;">shall </span><span style="color: black;">eat</span><span style="color: black;"> the good of the land of Zion in these last days.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">In spanish it says... "No os canséis de hacer lo bueno....." DO NOT become tired of doing what is good..... We as members of the church are doing it! We are putting the foundation for the church in years to come. I know it`s HARD to be consistent with a calling... I know its HARD to have a real responsability in this church... But we can do it. We are all that the Lord has to build and fortify his church in these the latter days. Heres the invitation that King Benjamin gave in Mosiah 5.....</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">15 Therefore, I would that ye should be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in </span><span style="color: black;">good</span><span style="color: black;"> works, that Christ, the </span><span style="color: black;">Lord God Omnipo</span><span style="color: black;">tent, may </span><span style="color: black;">seal</span><span style="color: black;"> you his, that you may be brought to heaven, that ye</span> may have everlasting salvation and eternal life, through the wisdom, and power, and justice, and mercy of him who<span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">created</span><span style="color: black;"> all</span> things, in heaven and in earth, who is God above all. Amen.<br />
Lets do it. We`re a team. On top of that, GOD and his son Jesus Christ are with us. I can testify of this work. This IS the church of Jesus Christ restored on the earth.. The only way.... and there is no other way... (2 Nephi 31:20-21) <br />
<br />
Hope the week is as good for everyone else as it is for us here in Peñaflor. Sigamos adelante con buen animo hermanos míos.... Yo se que Nuestro Padre Celestial está con nosotros y nos ayudará a que seamos ejemplos de los creyentes....<br />
<br />
Elder Christensen.<o:p></o:p>Missionary Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13343506408808949417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5782114135433625537.post-62615139041997617802012-02-20T12:59:00.002-08:002012-02-27T13:06:30.551-08:002/20/2012 Elder Christensen "Busy Busy Business"<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">WOOOOOOOOOOOoooo! Changes have come and gone.... My new companions name is Elder Braddy from North Carolina.. I saw this kid get BORN in the mission! He has two changes less than I do and we´re already having a ton of fun here in Peñaflor. This week we walked like latter day children..... We walked and walked and walked and walked.................. Haha. The country is such a great place. Let me be honest... We just eat random stuff off of trees like plums, apple pears, and black berries... Its... wonderful. We were eating TONS of blackberries and then randomly we saw a dead cat on top of the bush... Definatelyyyyyy gross.... Spit it all out. Other funny things that happened...... I got bit by a german shepheard on the hand. My own fault for trying to play with it.. Everyones gotta get bit once in the mission right? DONT¨ WORRY THOUGH... I am already all healed up. I don´t have ANY rabies either... Last funny thing... This random girl like... proposed to my comp and I.... SUPER GROSS.... we just were contacting her sister and she was saying all kinds of stupid stuff.... The worst one was that one though..... "Just so you guys know, I´d get married to either one of you."................. Ahemmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.... Ya...... We just laughed over that one for a few hours. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Okay now that I got all the cuestiones locas out of my mind, let me talk about the gospel. Here in our zone, we have this initiative to take our pictures of Christ around and use them to get into peoples houses... On Wednesday, we were knocking doors and we found this guy who was ticked off with the missionaries... Apparently, one time some missionaries were really mean to him in his house so he HATED them from that moment on... Anyways, after a few minutes of conversation and testimony bearing, he let us into his house... We basically just talked about God... Who he is, his natural being, what role he plays in our lives... This guy was sick! Honstly super cool. He had a few particular things he wanted us to pray for... his family is pretty messed up and they live in separate places... so he wanted to ask God for unity and blessings in his work.... He asked me to say the prayer and we kneeled just like always... I dunno this was kinda weird...the spirit was STRONG there... you could have cut it with a butter knife... I don´t even feel like I spoke during that prayer. It was like God just took over and talked through my voicebox.. This man FELT Gods spirit. He FELT his love... He just sat there for several minutes and cried....We testified that it was his spirit...Super super fuerte.. After that he gave us the tour of his house haha. Kinda funny. We´re gonna pass by there this next week.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><br />
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Just wanna end with a scripture.... 3 Nefi Chapter 13</span><br />
<br />
<span class="verse"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #2f393a; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"> 19 </span></span><span style="color: #2f393a; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth</span><span style="color: #2f393a; font-family: "Georgia","serif";"> and rust doth corrupt, and thieves break through and steal;<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span class="verse"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #2f393a; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"> 20 </span></span><span style="color: #2f393a; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">But lay up for yourselves treasures </span><span style="color: #2f393a; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span class="verse"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #2f393a; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"> 21 </span></span><span style="color: #2f393a; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Try to see with celestial eyes this week. Often times we get lost and focus on things of this world.. We won´t take any of that with us to the next life..... We need to be constantly focusing on worthwhile goals.. CELESTIAL goals.... may we lay ourselves up treasures in heaven... Hope all goes well this week. Love you all! Elder Christensen.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Pics... I only took like two.. I´ll take some with my new comp this week and send them next week! Love you! Take care! Chaoo!<o:p></o:p></span>Missionary Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13343506408808949417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5782114135433625537.post-91683378102831261252012-02-13T18:38:00.000-08:002012-02-13T18:40:10.155-08:002/13/2012 Elder Christensen "Dios nos da milagritos" <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Zbx5helVIQXoIZo5zxe9MZ8G3r4OPj5N3kKEUPDLIM6ZnvGk1JrrEGwqonUanyDckmnAfkKqUybjRIXk8fAv3E1qCNVHCGIsPP0u5FvEWoJZTO9Y9-H2Jo0KpApR-6D0B9nI9YNabFon/s1600/DSCF2662.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Zbx5helVIQXoIZo5zxe9MZ8G3r4OPj5N3kKEUPDLIM6ZnvGk1JrrEGwqonUanyDckmnAfkKqUybjRIXk8fAv3E1qCNVHCGIsPP0u5FvEWoJZTO9Y9-H2Jo0KpApR-6D0B9nI9YNabFon/s400/DSCF2662.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our zone picture!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Okay guys... I have like no time once again. Sorry this always happens. It`s been a week full of adventure and MILAGRITOS...Miracles.... I`ve been able to see God`s hand on various occasions.....<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I got to go on divisions with an Elder from Australia this week......It was funny because in the same house that night, we had an Australian, a Canadian, an Argentinian, and an American.. (Me... yours truly.) We all had a bunch of different slang and words we were using at the same time without really even meaning to haha. Anyways.... Our day was pretty frustrating... We got SHUT DOWN a couple times and we had a few lessons that didn`t go well either... On top of that, their baptismal date priscilla stood us up and had some family problems that may impede her from being baptized... After that stand up, we tried to do a contact and once again got SHUT DOWN...... I could tell that my comp was kinda down.... then he started to cry in the street.. Just out of pure frustration... I felt pretty bad to be honest. Horrible...I kinda froze and didn`t know what to do... The first thing that came to my mind was just testify.. I testified of God`s love... and of this mission that we are serving... It turns out that this companionship has been really frustrated because they feel they have been working hard and having very little success....We probably talked for a good ten minutes in the street before working again.... It was POWERFUL. Maybe one of the most powerful things I`ve lived on my mission. THE VERY NEXT HOUSE we knocked, they let us in and we blessed their house.... Honestly it was pretty amazing. Right when we said amen, one of the guys asked us..... ¿Ustedes pueden regresar cualquier día de la semana? He asked if we could come back ANY day.... then he explained to us that he had just gotten out of jail... and that he wanted to follow the path of Christ... I was honestly blown away. I KNOW that God loves us and blesses us with miracles... Also I saw the BIG smile on that Elders face as we walked out... </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguOMcWhBL3-bpZrciKLceEwDRTSQ_IkyBM3zoOtdCx7CpkpFWd6TxwKXIVZOjmycCOjgZrDL_fNhtYo2kVd6oAPb3_GBcLysuv1p5BkBwL04-KKzjtGv9HuWDDa3YKBlk-V0PFBG4AgvpT/s1600/DSCF2665.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguOMcWhBL3-bpZrciKLceEwDRTSQ_IkyBM3zoOtdCx7CpkpFWd6TxwKXIVZOjmycCOjgZrDL_fNhtYo2kVd6oAPb3_GBcLysuv1p5BkBwL04-KKzjtGv9HuWDDa3YKBlk-V0PFBG4AgvpT/s400/DSCF2665.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and the Aussie Elder... SICKEST division ever!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>BUT HOLD ON PEOPLE thats not it...... Later on, this random guy started yelling at us and motioning to us... He looked like your typical drunk... so.... we ALMOST didn`t go talk to him... but something told us to.... so we did.. TURNS OUT... he`s an inactive member from the year 1993 who wants to come back to church... Also, he had the missionaries coming over to their home in the south to give his family the lessons so they could be baptized... They are pretty new here to Peñaflor... Anyways, we met his wife, they told us a bit about themselves, and set an appointment for the next day... I didn`t go, but the Elders went and they said the people even have their TEACHING RECORD from the missionaires in the south, and that it`s like all the way full... They just need to go to church and they are ready to get in the water. TWO HUGE miracles in the space of only a few hours. I KNOW that our Heavenly father is aware of us.... He knows how we feel and what our needs are. It was amazing. Honestly... <br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div> <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT2DpNRKP7KjIfv7Ii3p4zM3iH6AdA6kghjJOmehUvD4l6BaQgKj_Mzr-2oj-X2QAIHck74TBsDCFaHANqLz-qK4wkpYSq66cwuUiooPLEyGsAgMhioqLFZO76lcqgBFMJztU2HAtoQhQr/s1600/DSCF2673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT2DpNRKP7KjIfv7Ii3p4zM3iH6AdA6kghjJOmehUvD4l6BaQgKj_Mzr-2oj-X2QAIHck74TBsDCFaHANqLz-qK4wkpYSq66cwuUiooPLEyGsAgMhioqLFZO76lcqgBFMJztU2HAtoQhQr/s400/DSCF2673.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me getting my haircut haha. The guy cutting it happens<br />
to be the... well.. mission leader.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The last thing I`m gonna share... We were doing some SIMI work this week.... looking through ALL the member records and visiting them in their houses... We got to this one, and this lady was MEAN. She just said... I DONT WANT YOU TO EVER COME BACK HERE..... What can I do to get my name off of the church lists FOREVER? Man... it made me so sad... She didn`t even care.. We tried to reason with her and there was no hope.... I was BLOWN AWAY.... How could someone get baptized, and then just completely TURN on their experience? Turn away from their covenants? Turn away from GOD? There are so many people like this that are lost... just lost..... Just please maintain your testimonies.. How hard is it? Read, Pray, go to church.. Pray... repeat.... NEVER be lost. Maintain both hands and all ten fingers on that iron rod... CLING to it. By small and simple things, great things are brought to pass. Remember that. <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMBqrwIo_2k6LVPeU6K5hVuml5G70l1CZ5jMI6Sq6QnZXgiYrNhbcvhI6Z9CUezEieiddbnjqwFzQsx1Txw-9UIYak1Jy7yl0TLX1A2ghTq-mlXGDqWZ28v02B8OaztJfFJdh7qL7uiadJ/s1600/DSCF2675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMBqrwIo_2k6LVPeU6K5hVuml5G70l1CZ5jMI6Sq6QnZXgiYrNhbcvhI6Z9CUezEieiddbnjqwFzQsx1Txw-9UIYak1Jy7yl0TLX1A2ghTq-mlXGDqWZ28v02B8OaztJfFJdh7qL7uiadJ/s400/DSCF2675.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My comp and I eating Chinese food about an hour<br />
ago... Ohhhh yeaaa!!<br />
<br />
<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Well.... getting changes tomorrow. I`ll get my last comp and we`ll be ready to rock another change here in Peñaflor. I hope you guys all know I love you tons... Keep up the hard work. Lift where you stand.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Much love, Elder Christensen.</div><br />
Take care guys. Godspeed.Missionary Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13343506408808949417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5782114135433625537.post-57951309071667137522012-02-06T15:55:00.000-08:002012-02-06T15:56:25.583-08:002/6/2012 Elder Christensen "Without it, we are NOTHING!"<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7OMMMvM9KFrgcTNvFwxaS8YRDBoMQYZsCJyT6EIvWla_1StTtgtfZdWL1zAmDgCRtNYa6SwTGwUgYAgTKI1_YlxxV5lrygng_zVcKpQqZ9phKG_lwwWuFPf-V3N6jaucOr-e__kwd5qoh/s1600/DSCF2629.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7OMMMvM9KFrgcTNvFwxaS8YRDBoMQYZsCJyT6EIvWla_1StTtgtfZdWL1zAmDgCRtNYa6SwTGwUgYAgTKI1_YlxxV5lrygng_zVcKpQqZ9phKG_lwwWuFPf-V3N6jaucOr-e__kwd5qoh/s400/DSCF2629.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Found some sick train tracks... Yea.... had to take this pic..</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Hey there guys! Man this week flewwwwwwwwww right by. It seems like we just get so busy sometimes that by the time we stop to take a breath the week is over... Is the real world like that too? Haha. Let us begin.<br />
<br />
We had a sweeeet special training this week in Maipu. (Laugh it up Colby... laugh it up..) It had to do with "Santificando el´día de Reposo"...... What does the word.... Sanctify mean? Holiness... Purity.... cleanlines... Basically, here in our mission this is one of the most broken commandments in the church. HONOR THE SABBATH DAY..... keep it holy.... This meeting honestly hit me in the face like a ton of bricks people. We should do things that help us become closer to God.... I started thinking a lot about my life before being a missionary... I would go to church, get home, throw my stuff on the floor, change, eat something, and go downstairs to play Halo... Like everyyyy week. Then in the night time, I would do laundry and clean my room a bit.... Maybe do some homework... EVERY................ SUNDAY.............. Sure that`s not BAD by any means.. I wasn`t buying stuff, out at the movie theater, or playing organized sports! But hey... I was doing other activities that may be numbing to the spirit of the Lord that SHOULD be present with us on this sacred day. Thats why it`s a rest! We are taking a worldly rest and focusing on the spiritual side of life only. Man... Looks like there`ll be some changes in the future... We should do entertaining things... things that help us grow in love and unity as a family... But we should try to do that through other entertainment that isn`t "Worldly"...... Am I preaching doctrine here? I dunno.... Am I saying what HIT ME IN THE FACE on thursday? Yes..... We need to PURIFY the sabbath day... not just go to church and stay inside.... <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmFhdorqjUWtfwYbPwEv1nyCChl_1dLfYcISEYJdLO-CpviIN1dRDwEEpsT259LK0OUuDQ9bLErzCS6-gRpjtqrLOvjqmcQjDdaQm7uDjbdFe21vnOlZWYVtLibIMBZgfaZYfn1gySUfYz/s1600/DSCF2641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmFhdorqjUWtfwYbPwEv1nyCChl_1dLfYcISEYJdLO-CpviIN1dRDwEEpsT259LK0OUuDQ9bLErzCS6-gRpjtqrLOvjqmcQjDdaQm7uDjbdFe21vnOlZWYVtLibIMBZgfaZYfn1gySUfYz/s320/DSCF2641.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elder Monsen and I... Presidents House..</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
The NEXT day, Friday, we went to presidents house for our monthey Zone Leader Council... as they call it. Super long but SUPER good. We got lots of new and inspired initiatives to apply here in the mission. Once again... talking about charity. BIGGEST attribute ever... GO AND READ 1 CORINTHIANS 13.... That one will change your life... Maybe even make some cross references to Moroni 7 if you have time. CHARITY PEOPLE..... I just want to attach one verse....<br />
<br />
2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.<br />
We can have ALL of those wonderful gifts.... we can be amazing people..... but if we don`t have charity? WE ARE NOTHING. Man... we all need to work constantly to obtain this one.... Just read that chapter and be blown away!<br />
<br />
Last thing... sorry... not a lot of time..... Moses 1:39..... Very known Scripture right?<br />
<br />
39 For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQDSAyhdQuXVpU6x1rtlfXVG7PyA7K-ae_LC9nqo8TS830k28n0qGxHOUeMJhzcM1X08nDgw4xhuJuP3Hh22voDfR0PZKtuv1ylAQzrUCNdsOEl2jWn_zW0KL1ZIvEOZ7e-zEo4rjTb_nt/s1600/DSCF2643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQDSAyhdQuXVpU6x1rtlfXVG7PyA7K-ae_LC9nqo8TS830k28n0qGxHOUeMJhzcM1X08nDgw4xhuJuP3Hh22voDfR0PZKtuv1ylAQzrUCNdsOEl2jWn_zW0KL1ZIvEOZ7e-zEo4rjTb_nt/s320/DSCF2643.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elder Fuhriman and I.... Presidents House...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Gods work... His true purpose... his plan... is to get us BACK to his presence.... To help us acheive an eternal life of happiness with our families.. Simple. But what is our job? What can WE do? Link that to DyC 11:20..... <br />
<br />
20 Behold, this is your work, to keep my commandments, yea, with all your might, mind and strength.<br />
<br />
POWERHOUSE.... A member shared this one with us and it really impacted me. OUR work is to obey... To do what he has already commanded us to do. WE are the ones who complicate it and try to get fancy. It`s like sports... We can just do the classic and well known layup, or we can try to to some 360 dunk and blow the whole game. I know that Tawny has been saying.... its simple... its easy... and I`m here to testify that it IS. ITS SO EASY. It`s all been done before. It`s prepared. Its GODS ETERNAL PLAN and he has commanded us to OBEY with all of our might mind and strength. That`s it. We can do it. This mission has helped me so much in my spiritual progression as a child of God and with every coming day, I become stronger. Obedience is the first law of heaven my friends. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo49R7tRIkNYoDkpCLajLyOuZkA9MnZjPqYM_43_ombvMuALRGoirSnXlC_dkJrmG-WEOncL6B1iiImVf6zkun-ZgpF-tthp7XHCd5q1YQCHJxtUuQ0CeMB2ifjH0-zIo0gXXw3Xx6LK8l/s1600/DSCF2648.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo49R7tRIkNYoDkpCLajLyOuZkA9MnZjPqYM_43_ombvMuALRGoirSnXlC_dkJrmG-WEOncL6B1iiImVf6zkun-ZgpF-tthp7XHCd5q1YQCHJxtUuQ0CeMB2ifjH0-zIo0gXXw3Xx6LK8l/s320/DSCF2648.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Found this HUGE spider right by my desk... <br />
Freaking huge. We burned it with matches. Hahah...<br />
Got that one on video. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>Well.... Thats about it... I`m gonna see if I can`t send some pictures today... Super ghetto computers everywhere I go. Lots of bad luck! Hope all is well and that they continue to that way for everyone no matter where you may be. Love you. <br />
<br />
Take care, <br />
<br />
Elder Christensen.<br />
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YOU ROCK!Missionary Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13343506408808949417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5782114135433625537.post-4141029956282956542012-01-30T20:40:00.000-08:002012-01-30T20:40:43.581-08:001/30/2012 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... <br />
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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....<br />
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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. <br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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!Missionary Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13343506408808949417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5782114135433625537.post-49719572126524718122012-01-23T10:49:00.001-08:002012-01-23T10:59:32.883-08:001/23/2012 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! <br />
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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<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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)<br />
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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.)<br />
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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.)<br />
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23 And he who cannot abide the law of a terrestrial kingdom (State of happiness.) cannot abide a terrestrial glory.<br />
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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.)<br />
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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.....<br />
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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.<br />
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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<br />
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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. <br />
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Chaoooooooo! Elder Christensen<br />
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Pics!! Uhhm.... Well.. I have some pics to attach but my computer is Ghettisimo. VERY ghetto.. Soo... next week? Double pics? Love you! Chao!Missionary Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13343506408808949417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5782114135433625537.post-84665082244153064892012-01-16T11:25:00.000-08:002012-01-23T11:39:40.187-08:001/16/2012 Elder Christensen "Busy Week!"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiN3PGaqCsVvQg2_8f614IZnmThA_FWB-N2lcrLqXrpVzoxnJvODPFllTQpY21_Gn6a8tMnldlyQklkYrsu70ZmeHKx2SCS3FpPHhzPiEZg3QuEVY1K9K_vWYv1HvMS8bJEIABSX9Sz1y_/s1600/DSCF2555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiN3PGaqCsVvQg2_8f614IZnmThA_FWB-N2lcrLqXrpVzoxnJvODPFllTQpY21_Gn6a8tMnldlyQklkYrsu70ZmeHKx2SCS3FpPHhzPiEZg3QuEVY1K9K_vWYv1HvMS8bJEIABSX9Sz1y_/s400/DSCF2555.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>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. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ZwXksCcACUufXYiCJ67HRpWOIsKGlncwBmtyI6MrsWy1r8ii5rhCYKSDfw-xRkYp_Kc65dRIQKi0jx5Ooz7QeACUBwpnCAVes_Vyk-efGuEkCis8ps31kYcOfAwk2pN7HXkF8cT9jIrl/s1600/DSCF2603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ZwXksCcACUufXYiCJ67HRpWOIsKGlncwBmtyI6MrsWy1r8ii5rhCYKSDfw-xRkYp_Kc65dRIQKi0jx5Ooz7QeACUBwpnCAVes_Vyk-efGuEkCis8ps31kYcOfAwk2pN7HXkF8cT9jIrl/s400/DSCF2603.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>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.<br />
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Okay... gotta wrap up.... THOUGHT of the week! Alma 34:38-39.... <br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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! <br />
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Su querido Elder Christensen...<br />
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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! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmPY1CGLJ6QdWlrhMIYqUpKfjRjKufiKfHrLUzedn3FDbGPqZJWoPwqSkejgZVuQWIeO4K9pJzJCFIqh1s4pzxOcNqAKNIjreQ5YSUy_I-8NiTUAIvEvpAYj5MZHkR2u41aTjjBZnnBn1D/s1600/DSCF2534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmPY1CGLJ6QdWlrhMIYqUpKfjRjKufiKfHrLUzedn3FDbGPqZJWoPwqSkejgZVuQWIeO4K9pJzJCFIqh1s4pzxOcNqAKNIjreQ5YSUy_I-8NiTUAIvEvpAYj5MZHkR2u41aTjjBZnnBn1D/s640/DSCF2534.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Missionary Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13343506408808949417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5782114135433625537.post-92010424831964736232012-01-09T11:12:00.000-08:002012-01-23T11:25:35.948-08:001/9/2012 Elder Christensen "Yoo" <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg18WKI-_g1-J8gheZhzkn5HXnCd3GnkaZYwmLiTOPI8GdzRIVeGnRIp_ziyaRyoLg-nV1c5mCNJHoSXrTO8qIc3ryB7iCnymgtfmqDIBQUtLiNCa6i7QE17BGiuyaJ_EEZPslTMk8zee5s/s1600/DSCF2523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg18WKI-_g1-J8gheZhzkn5HXnCd3GnkaZYwmLiTOPI8GdzRIVeGnRIp_ziyaRyoLg-nV1c5mCNJHoSXrTO8qIc3ryB7iCnymgtfmqDIBQUtLiNCa6i7QE17BGiuyaJ_EEZPslTMk8zee5s/s400/DSCF2523.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My old companion who came down to visit at changes... Elder Gutierrez! </td></tr>
</tbody></table> 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. <br />
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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. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS2ZXL3A2QDULg8eQNPJbO3QF4EletDR9yJGyPXJsuLOFgzViZvBFlLLkdvWgxWqpk1-RX6Uw7hZWpjfMFO25taw95G3UHAS5B9U41aOpvkzc1iXsHelQqsnQpmNVnIhee0IEXzlkX0tGj/s1600/DSCF2522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS2ZXL3A2QDULg8eQNPJbO3QF4EletDR9yJGyPXJsuLOFgzViZvBFlLLkdvWgxWqpk1-RX6Uw7hZWpjfMFO25taw95G3UHAS5B9U41aOpvkzc1iXsHelQqsnQpmNVnIhee0IEXzlkX0tGj/s320/DSCF2522.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Elder Higgs and I at changes</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Got a couple little thoughts for you before I gotta run. Lets just say.... The Book of Mormon is.... SICK!<br />
<br />
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 .<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcKZpStwLqrpsBGE2t406nzPdPQnYkeO-D1oBoKCxqYSAJC8lXoPd6JBOf6Jua90_8bPEJQLukfEmOx0nVdEAlP_7a47PMGLQfF_pjdNcYTbC4Sbjo_nvmRQ2LCGpDeLZcOuw8uASyMUNZ/s1600/DSCF2489.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcKZpStwLqrpsBGE2t406nzPdPQnYkeO-D1oBoKCxqYSAJC8lXoPd6JBOf6Jua90_8bPEJQLukfEmOx0nVdEAlP_7a47PMGLQfF_pjdNcYTbC4Sbjo_nvmRQ2LCGpDeLZcOuw8uASyMUNZ/s400/DSCF2489.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PARENTS... This little full bread german shepheard is 6 <br />
weeks old..... the people bought him for 20 bucks... <br />
SICK DEAL! Super Cute too</td></tr>
</tbody></table>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....<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvzNP4EAkuLw1NGt46YX76HNa0sWk4RmYNJyhfhXVmDA5CVzhx57VHYpBHkpCLIuxd6RxIdO8bDXB6eaAn-jK5delA_OQop_fSVjid5eGmfxg9AIVwmNeoFwoqx_KCoVcRW9luk8w4GqUJ/s1600/DSCF2526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvzNP4EAkuLw1NGt46YX76HNa0sWk4RmYNJyhfhXVmDA5CVzhx57VHYpBHkpCLIuxd6RxIdO8bDXB6eaAn-jK5delA_OQop_fSVjid5eGmfxg9AIVwmNeoFwoqx_KCoVcRW9luk8w4GqUJ/s320/DSCF2526.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elder Monsen and I at changes</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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. <br />
<br />
Take care. <br />
<br />
Elder Christensen.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ZZIEhGDHxwGcByqZZK03Mcd_OCgSasIRE_Utrk59GCgxM4YHbl8QoX_bGNEnhMta-z60YdJiTcqfbDllGb5he3LMQMo9iI5t5Dpvv9Jo_Km6P6j1R8YfGcJED9N-c1GvCUdkg0Vhs72k/s1600/DSCF2528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ZZIEhGDHxwGcByqZZK03Mcd_OCgSasIRE_Utrk59GCgxM4YHbl8QoX_bGNEnhMta-z60YdJiTcqfbDllGb5he3LMQMo9iI5t5Dpvv9Jo_Km6P6j1R8YfGcJED9N-c1GvCUdkg0Vhs72k/s640/DSCF2528.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>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!Missionary Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13343506408808949417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5782114135433625537.post-69388004796643018832012-01-02T19:14:00.000-08:002012-01-02T19:39:17.109-08:001/2/2012 Elder Christensen "Nos Vemos Parque Combarbala"<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u2-4wgsMtoo/TwJ2YJJENyI/AAAAAAAAAv8/A0oA7WFbeTk/s1600/DSCF2458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" rea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u2-4wgsMtoo/TwJ2YJJENyI/AAAAAAAAAv8/A0oA7WFbeTk/s320/DSCF2458.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Went on divisions... Elder Cervantes and I.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>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. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O8RmAirshGI/TwJ2nOoXsOI/AAAAAAAAAwI/eQGNL22g3Bg/s1600/DSCF2462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O8RmAirshGI/TwJ2nOoXsOI/AAAAAAAAAwI/eQGNL22g3Bg/s320/DSCF2462.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HAPPY NEW YEARS! Or.. if you`re a Christensen..<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> MERRY NEW YEAR!!!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zHRLgXDtZX0/TwJ23qciUyI/AAAAAAAAAwU/wkKR7I8NS48/s1600/DSCF2476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zHRLgXDtZX0/TwJ23qciUyI/AAAAAAAAAwU/wkKR7I8NS48/s400/DSCF2476.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We as missionaries can`t hold babies.... but the rule says nothing<br />
about dogs! Shes just a little smaller than Steffi.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>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..... <br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
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..... <br />
<br />
I`ll talk to you next week in my next sector. Hope all is well in orem. <br />
<br />
Much love, <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ox-iuS1TiFg/TwJ3fa9CnTI/AAAAAAAAAws/R1fDvPjKCYg/s1600/DSCF2483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" rea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ox-iuS1TiFg/TwJ3fa9CnTI/AAAAAAAAAws/R1fDvPjKCYg/s400/DSCF2483.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is priceless... RIGHT NOW, as I was typing this letter, a cat jumped <br />
up on to my desk and I started to pet it.... As sister King says with her <br />
5 fingers..... 1 we 2 are 3 in 4 chile 5 now. Welcome to south america haha. </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N-EICkHtzmc/TwJ3J4TXUgI/AAAAAAAAAwg/s2p6C5cAMBM/s1600/DSCF2445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N-EICkHtzmc/TwJ3J4TXUgI/AAAAAAAAAwg/s2p6C5cAMBM/s400/DSCF2445.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BEAUTIFUL sunset..... The catholic church there was just a bonus. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>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.Missionary Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13343506408808949417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5782114135433625537.post-64264002095504032162011-12-26T19:10:00.000-08:002012-01-02T19:29:16.522-08:0012/26/2011 Elder Christensen "Bah Humbug!" <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a9p7HmuxlJ0/TwJ02Srme9I/AAAAAAAAAvM/es3anJR59zo/s1600/DSCF2424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a9p7HmuxlJ0/TwJ02Srme9I/AAAAAAAAAvM/es3anJR59zo/s320/DSCF2424.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White elephant extravaganza. Its two pictures<br />
because its two tables full of gifts!</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Merrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrryyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy Christmas to you all!!!!!!!!!! Man it`s still too dang weird to have a hot Christmas. This is the 3rd hot Christmas of my life and I still don`t really know what to think of it. Once again this year I forgot on various occasions that it was even Christmas.. only to be reminded by some ghetto decor and the smell of beer. Haha. Actually I think this has been one of the best Christmases I`ve ever had. The ward has been really..... warm.. Does that work? They´ve just LOVED us. We got a mountain of gifts as well from the members which is something I never had even thought of! Everything from ties to scripture cases to MOUNTAINS of food. I honestly was blown away by them... everyone... not to mention the spirit of Christ that they have really determines the way they live their Christmas. It`s interesting to see the difference between the members and the non members.... the difference in both spirit and atmosphere only separated by a chain link fence. We, being members of Christ`s church, have EVERYTHING it seems like. I dunno... kinda weird to describe. I just love our gospel and what it does in our lives. On Christmas eve and Christmas day we just shared with all the members we possibly could about the Atonement.. Although we went with roughly the same lesson plan for every one, the lessons all turned out different and special for different reasons. We also tried to sing all the Christmas songs we possibly could with EVERYONE. As I`ve written in previous letters, the Spirit of Christmas is the spirit of Christ... and we tried to take it to EVERYONE during this special time. Excellent.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oK_mTklApu4/TwJ1P93D31I/AAAAAAAAAvY/eFyJdUjb0YA/s1600/DSCF2425.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oK_mTklApu4/TwJ1P93D31I/AAAAAAAAAvY/eFyJdUjb0YA/s320/DSCF2425.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>As a mission, we got together in a chapel here in la cisterna. WOW it was hotttt there honesty. 180 missionaries in a fairly small chapel. We listened to talks, choirs of missionaires, and watched " A Christmas Carol" together. Man WHY have I never seen that movie??! Honestly I loved it. Simple story but it has a very powerful message. This man HATED Christmas... you could even go far enough to say that he hated charity... but as he was reminded of his past and saw things in the present and future, he changed. He promised himself to remember Christmas forever... Past, present, and future. Thats honestly something that each of us could do. Obviously we won`t keep the tree and lights up year round but we CAN maintain that same spirit and respect for what our Savior, Jesus Christ did for us. Thats something I plan on doing... In turn, I believe that will help us live with a spirit of Gratitude like the prophet has asked. <br />
<br />
One little thought I`d like to share before I wrap up, about the atonement... I find it very interesting that in verse 11 it says.... "laying it aside.."<br />
<br />
11 And now remember, my son, if it were not for the plan of redemption, (laying it aside) as soon as they were dead their souls were miserable, being cut off from the presence of the Lord.<br />
<br />
12 And now, there was no means to reclaim men from this fallen state, which man had brought upon himself because of his own disobedience;<br />
<br />
13 Therefore, according to justice, the plan of redemption could not be brought about, only on conditions of repentance of men in this probationary state, yea, this preparatory state; for except it were for these conditions, mercy could not take effect except it should destroy the work of justice. Now the work of justice could not be destroyed; if so, God would cease to be God.<br />
<br />
14 And thus we see that all mankind were fallen, and they were in the grasp of justice; yea, the justice of God, which consigned them forever to be cut off from his presence.<br />
<br />
15 And now, the plan of mercy could not be brought about except an atonement should be made; therefore God himself atoneth for the sins of the world, to bring about the plan of mercy, to appease the demands of justice, that God might be a perfect, just God, and a merciful God also.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jbH_xYX5hHs/TwJ1d3V4fzI/AAAAAAAAAvk/1reYqcASFeg/s1600/DSCF2427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jbH_xYX5hHs/TwJ1d3V4fzI/AAAAAAAAAvk/1reYqcASFeg/s400/DSCF2427.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elders Monsen, Christensen, and CRIST... The Utah 3 Party. At the Christmas Party.</td></tr>
</tbody></table> The atonement is amazing... My understanding of that great merciful act is one of the key pillars of my personal testimony as a member of this church. Sometimes, we as members, "Lay it aside", we take Christ and his atonement for granted... We sin. We stray from the straight and narrow path.... But, at one point or another, we recognize once again how NECESSARY the atonement is in our lives.... As the scriptures say, without it, we have no way to be reclaimed. We have no way to be rescued. The entire plan of salvation is voided.... What a miracle it is to have a Father in heaven who loves us.... as John 3:16 says, he loves us SO much that he sacrificed his SON for us.... so that WE could have eternal life. Amazing. Bliss. Love. That is how I`m feeling during this time of the year. Grateful.. Maybe I even feel a little bad because I`ve neglected these same feelings for YEARS. Being a missionary has opened my eyes and changed the way I see with them. I used to trade time with the family or friends for time playing xbox or even just time alone. I would think about myself... what I needed. What I could do. Why I wasn`t happy. But now, I don`t even know who I am anymore. I hope to never re-discover that either. I`m happy with who I am now. I`m happy with what I`m doing now... I KNOW that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is GODS KINGDOM ON THE EARTH. I know it. I know that he sent his son as a great part of his eternal and loving plan for us. I know that through Christ and his atonement, we can once again find the peace and joy that is eternal... That lasts... I know that the backpack of pain, sorrow, and grief, can be taken from our shoulders if we just submit ourselves to our fathers will and agree to take it off.... to live a higher law. That is why we make covenants.... to sign the contract and agree to change. It`s so clear to me... it`s so perfect to me. I`m converted. This is the best time of the year to really count your many blessings and plan for the future. So do it. Kneel down and thank Heavenly father for all of your blessings, then, by the spirit, set some worthwhile goals for this year. If its by the spirit, it`s God`s will. Remember that. Bueno. I`m wayyy outta time now... but I love you all. I wish you all a Merry Christmas (belated), and a Happy new year. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B-eFoDEjpbg/TwJ1xVaWS_I/AAAAAAAAAvw/qAXV2HwDVnQ/s1600/DSCF2435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B-eFoDEjpbg/TwJ1xVaWS_I/AAAAAAAAAvw/qAXV2HwDVnQ/s320/DSCF2435.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas BREAKFAST! Actually I made that today<br />
because I wasn`t hungry on Christmas Morning... Haha.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Much love, <br />
<br />
Elder Christensen.<br />
<br />
MERRY CHRISTMAS!Missionary Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13343506408808949417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5782114135433625537.post-90321778037442835092011-12-20T19:04:00.000-08:002012-01-02T19:29:52.596-08:0012/20/2011 Hermana Christensen comes home!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SHv31HCKqoc/TwJveGQmmxI/AAAAAAAAAuc/uw_h_LBUHS4/s1600/DSC08495.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" rea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SHv31HCKqoc/TwJveGQmmxI/AAAAAAAAAuc/uw_h_LBUHS4/s640/DSC08495.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zUhMvh55fq0/TwJvrV8XGII/AAAAAAAAAuo/e0iB_vOffng/s1600/DSC08496.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" rea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zUhMvh55fq0/TwJvrV8XGII/AAAAAAAAAuo/e0iB_vOffng/s640/DSC08496.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9xZ5yDswYyQ/TwJwJHkiutI/AAAAAAAAAvA/Qy3sS-2IF_M/s1600/DSC08499.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9xZ5yDswYyQ/TwJwJHkiutI/AAAAAAAAAvA/Qy3sS-2IF_M/s640/DSC08499.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">YEA!!!!!!!!!!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Missionary Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13343506408808949417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5782114135433625537.post-17989817764411616442011-12-19T18:44:00.000-08:002012-01-02T18:54:26.768-08:0012/19/2011 Elder Christensen "The Spirit of Christmas is the Spirit of Christ"<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IirLPZ6pkYA/TwJshF1QJzI/AAAAAAAAAtg/wHrLNlSd8LI/s1600/DSCF2412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" rea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IirLPZ6pkYA/TwJshF1QJzI/AAAAAAAAAtg/wHrLNlSd8LI/s320/DSCF2412.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elder Tialavea and I... He`s GONE...........</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Dear Friends and Family, <br />
<br />
<br />
Wow.... Life is insane to be quite honest with you all. This whole thing is just breezing right by my face... This week, our group becomes the oldest group of Elders here which is mind boggling to me. Ugh. Anyone who has served a mission knows how I`m feeling..... just in a state of unbelief. <br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-poIKekvXkJw/TwJs1NHiz7I/AAAAAAAAAts/gfw9Rj8cJJI/s1600/DSCF2410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-poIKekvXkJw/TwJs1NHiz7I/AAAAAAAAAts/gfw9Rj8cJJI/s320/DSCF2410.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elder Monsen and I....... Thank rella for the SWEET TIE!</td></tr>
</tbody></table> We`ve been working like crazy here both in the sector and in the zone. Our zone is really special.... We just have a really good mix of people that get along and work well together. This change we have a special iniciative from President King that is called.... "El Espiritu de Navidad es El Espiritu de Cristo"..... During this time of year, it`s SO important that we can remember Jesus Christ. My whole LIFE I`ve heard people say that... but I guess I never really understood it until now.... Now I know because I`m converted... Now I get it because I have come to know Jesus Christ and his gospel. But how can we remember him? What can we do to make this the best Christmas ever? Our initiative is a chain of scriptures in the Book of Mormon... It starts talking about the prophets and the prophecies they received about the coming of Christ... then it goes all the way from his birth to his death... really pretty cool.. We read this chain of scriptures with members and invite them to give away THAT Book of Mormon, with the chain already marked, to somebody special. Then its up to us as missionaries to go to the house of the person, sing a hymn, and start sharing the gospel. That is just an example. There are TONS of things that we can do to honor Christ and make this the best Christmas ever. You can pile up a bunch of money and go deliver sub for santa stuff... or you can take dinner to someone who you know is in need. I`d like to invite you all to pray in your families and think of something you can do. There is NO better time to preach the gospel than during the Christmas season. Even in Utah there has to be people that aren`t members. You return missionaries try to find someone who speaks your mission language! The opportunities are all around us.... thats why it is important that we pray so that we can be alert. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fgdd8Xop8yE/TwJtIRLcEEI/AAAAAAAAAt4/uuGXL5gVD_U/s1600/DSCF2419.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fgdd8Xop8yE/TwJtIRLcEEI/AAAAAAAAAt4/uuGXL5gVD_U/s320/DSCF2419.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">COMPLETOS! Our Pday Lunch</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Runnin out of time here so I want to just share this last thing.... Mosiah 4:6-9...... <br />
<br />
6 I say unto you, if ye have come to a knowledge of the goodness of God, and his matchless power, and his wisdom, and his patience, and his long-suffering towards the children of men; and also, the atonement which has been prepared from the foundation of the world, that thereby salvation might come to him that should put his trust in the Lord, and should be diligent in keeping his commandments, and continue in the faith even unto the end of his life, I mean the life of the mortal body—<br />
7 I say, that this is the man who receiveth salvation, through the atonement which was prepared from the foundation of the world for all mankind, which ever were since the afall of Adam, or who are, or who ever shall be, even unto the end of the world.<br />
<br />
8 And this is the means whereby salvation cometh. And there is none other salvation save this which hath been spoken of; neither are there any conditions whereby man can be saved except the conditions which I have told you.<br />
<br />
9 Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0uwaE8EAa8I/TwJtTQQTAUI/AAAAAAAAAuE/EP3H8QN8rhg/s1600/DSCF2413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0uwaE8EAa8I/TwJtTQQTAUI/AAAAAAAAAuE/EP3H8QN8rhg/s320/DSCF2413.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elder Clark and I after our divisions..... </td></tr>
</tbody></table>..BELIEVE IN GOD.... believe in his son Jesus Christ... Tawny this is personal so I hope you don`t mind me sharing... We had a lesson yesterday with some members.... and I felt prompted to share this.. It doesn`t have a ton to do with Christmas until you really piece things together.... It talks about coming to a "Knowledge of the goodness of God"... as well it talks about the atonement and the plan that has been made for us. I shared with this family about your accident in Lake Powell Tawny... about Chase who passed away... the spirit was suppperrrr strong by the way..... then I went on to tell them that your testimony had been made strong because of that... You were converted even more to this gospel because of what happened to you. I remember once you also said.... " I dont know how people can live in this world without having this plan, without having a surety of what will happen tomorrow." WE have that surety... WE have that plan. We know our savior Jesus Christ.... During this special time of year, we need to make it known. We need to really push our testimony into the hearts of everyone. Whatever is to be done, it is to be done with the spirit.... Lets make this the BEST Christmas ever... and remember.. the Spirit of Christmas is the Spirit of Christ...... <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4anl1MRsUQQ/TwJtsoQkbRI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/m_4FSiYEKbc/s1600/DSCF2421.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4anl1MRsUQQ/TwJtsoQkbRI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/m_4FSiYEKbc/s320/DSCF2421.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me at the Ciber! Mom thats the Tawny tie.... <br />
Wore it in her end of mission honor</td></tr>
</tbody></table> I love you all. Elder Christensen<br />
<br />
CHAOPO!!!!Missionary Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13343506408808949417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5782114135433625537.post-7762946440347230062011-12-13T14:27:00.000-08:002011-12-13T14:29:18.318-08:0012/13/2011 Hermana Christensen "you are no longer an american. you are a LATIN american" <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgazbv2o66n4VLhJR5jZhaC3g1ScAW9ns5ouvW6AJuG69JkfvVt2bngweQHlIExaUYeJvWX7400STWCxojPuehLJBL_e7WaVM4kuTtQW03hZMA2JkvqU5GD8QDAaMmMe6Z71bUj33Qbl93I/s1600/IMG_0174%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgazbv2o66n4VLhJR5jZhaC3g1ScAW9ns5ouvW6AJuG69JkfvVt2bngweQHlIExaUYeJvWX7400STWCxojPuehLJBL_e7WaVM4kuTtQW03hZMA2JkvqU5GD8QDAaMmMe6Z71bUj33Qbl93I/s400/IMG_0174%255B1%255D.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">so we met this lady named zelda gave us these slippers because <br />
we helped her move a rock.. hahah they're so funny!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>hello beauties.<br />
<br />
what a week. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIMAWnNY04CuqJxy2xpYPHxiz-QIIyFVF_W1sh9r4y9a_4Do4zw497uuF88UQb7yVSEw1YZns3tuHJnnd8ebUKoBp07MVZXDeI3dMoXadOqNjMW3zIlhikBGcD7cy5gCq5-uNgBFGFsx0Z/s1600/IMG_0177%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIMAWnNY04CuqJxy2xpYPHxiz-QIIyFVF_W1sh9r4y9a_4Do4zw497uuF88UQb7yVSEw1YZns3tuHJnnd8ebUKoBp07MVZXDeI3dMoXadOqNjMW3zIlhikBGcD7cy5gCq5-uNgBFGFsx0Z/s320/IMG_0177%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this is us after a devo blowing out our candles</td></tr>
</tbody></table>well, i must say that there is absolutely nothing in the world that could possibly physically even come the slightest bit close to the indescribable beautiful incandescent translucent full complete eterno love and happiness i felt on friday night as i sat across the room from my chilean father, armed in the robes of righteousness, making covenants with our heavenly father. it. was. BEAUTIFUL. i got to sit next to his sister, dearest sister peterson, and we just giggled and cried and held hands and rejoiced together. i don't think our feet were on the ground as we floated in the celestial room together. a bunch of his ward members came; i loved seeing those familiar faces and feeling that love and unity and gratitude for our father's plan that unites us all. ahh. so joyful.<br />
<br />
a funny: the session started at 8. do you realize what that means?! we were looking at sealing rooms at 10:15 at night. HA! uuum.. we got outta there fast. (don't worry, president knows.) but as we were drivnig home (not speeding!) we saw a utah license plate on the car next to us. now, normally i would've flashed my fellow utahn the black badge of honor and glory to foster some instantaneous camaraderie (sp?) without palabras... but imagine that! missionaries cruising down the freeway at 10:20 at night! hahahah. needless to say we just smiled at her innocently.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFc9lL06czH81H2GR0gaV-WtZFJDAj24LNTtKYubgIa0w3RCet890fxOW5vtra4o5yDlETvgI7xsrT5HkI-EPhjCG69z-cm0pAv1ZwYeiarD11bLcGGLSFQbittwquMTBSSvA8TRWE1T6s/s1600/IMG_0178%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFc9lL06czH81H2GR0gaV-WtZFJDAj24LNTtKYubgIa0w3RCet890fxOW5vtra4o5yDlETvgI7xsrT5HkI-EPhjCG69z-cm0pAv1ZwYeiarD11bLcGGLSFQbittwquMTBSSvA8TRWE1T6s/s320/IMG_0178%255B1%255D.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">look familiar? surprise! paulita as the soldier!</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
oh, i forgot the sweetest part of all. we got to also be in the session with our members who got sealed on saturday. they received their investiduras that same session and it was stunning to be with the rama, too. on saturday, after their sealing, there was a fiesta at the capilla. they had a guy come and do mexican tacos and oooooooooooooooh were they good! they are so happy, it was unreal to see them and the great difference they've made. they'd invited a ton of friensd and we were able to get things set up so they can also have that joy. ah. and also, what was so neat, and sis mccullough and i talked a lot about this afterwards, was the FEELING of their "reception" you could call it. it wasn't a utah, mormon reception. ew no. boring. it was a celebration. and it ws for the RIGHT REASON. it was that this family (mom, dad and two kids) had been united for ETERNITY. that they'd changed their lives and they were one with god. it wasn't about the dress. it wasn't about the ring. it wasn't about the colors or the decorations or the hair or the bridesmaids or ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL the garbage that it ALWAYS is about. it was simple and plain and about this family. and the spirit was strong. and it was just beautiful. i was so inspired and uplifted!<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyoGJAjHqwezh1omRX1qjBUkqGFXmA3s7YuUN7fra14z_mj_Uz41XYx_OFxY2qFFhMNcq1ghYlovKVTeCsTpIHrzrZbilksyd2K_bEJbsZ5BoKpkWLuxfA2USL3iMOrTm9OUUC9Q8JAXKT/s1600/IMG_0180%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyoGJAjHqwezh1omRX1qjBUkqGFXmA3s7YuUN7fra14z_mj_Uz41XYx_OFxY2qFFhMNcq1ghYlovKVTeCsTpIHrzrZbilksyd2K_bEJbsZ5BoKpkWLuxfA2USL3iMOrTm9OUUC9Q8JAXKT/s320/IMG_0180%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hermana C with Paul, Angela, & Grandma Judy</td></tr>
</tbody></table> on thursday we went on exchanges. i'd talked with one of the sisters who's struggling with her companion, and we'd kinda plotted that i'd go out with this struggling sister to help her realize that she actually does want to be here and doesn't want to go home and that this is the GREATEST WORK AND TIME OF OUR LIVES EVER!! but i was sad that day man. i was just way bummed out because our area's kinda struggling and i'm feeling like a really small little missionary doin nada buena. so what went down? well so we go on this exchange, and this sister... holy cow. she just... she transformed. she lifted ME. she boosted ME. she helped ME remember. we taught people and made THEM happier.. and it just.. it wasn't about us. it was about losing ourselves! and as we did, holy hannah. it was pure bliss. both of us rejoicing. and we saw milagros and had way bomb lessons and added people and just felt so guided by the spirit. it was incredible. that's how the Lord works. he answers our prayers as we just get to work. as we serve him. as we forget ourselves. <br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3fsmhBp9lYX3MtoteVf5thyphenhyphenHl0_sYoWoMk_tJYAP4r6r0B-ugw2nRykdh2aPuvdxwspaVvTZQaR4nd3SNwhA9mdhyphenhyphenWdcKJTDJ_XohJAq30Kc8_M7Iqm4VIIC6Qb87eTRWEjE_lLfRG9tg/s1600/IMG_0192%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3fsmhBp9lYX3MtoteVf5thyphenhyphenHl0_sYoWoMk_tJYAP4r6r0B-ugw2nRykdh2aPuvdxwspaVvTZQaR4nd3SNwhA9mdhyphenhyphenWdcKJTDJ_XohJAq30Kc8_M7Iqm4VIIC6Qb87eTRWEjE_lLfRG9tg/s320/IMG_0192%255B1%255D.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this is one of our sweet members. she made us <br />
straight up pose with these hats in front of her <br />
tree... in frnot of the fireplace.. i've got like 500<br />
more pictures from this photoshoot. <br />
she was so into it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table> ps. something about that that touched me: the rs pres was going to come out with us, but she couldn't. so what did she do? she didn't just say, " no lo siento hermana otro dia" freak no she FOUND SOMEONE ELSE! i was blown away. this is coming from one of the branches with the highest baptisms in the US. and why? beucase the leaders GET IT. this is about ETERNAL LIFE AND HAPPINESS AND SALVATION. they get it. and that's one of the many millones de reasons that i'm grateful for my mission. in some small way, i GET it now. i get it a little more and i want to ALWAYS be a missionary and ALWAYS be building the kingdom and ALWAYS be striving to share the gospel. <br />
<br />
does the lord bless us or what? on sunday we had FOUR SEPARATE INVESTIGADORS AT CHURCH!!!!!! the room was FULL!!!!! the ramam is creciendo! it was sooooo cool! ah! and one of our investigadores committed to live the word of wisdom and is reading and coming to church and saw the baptism on saturday and AH! we're going to invite him to get baptized THIS WEEKEND so pray hard for alberto to accept the invitation to move his date up!<br />
<br />
i'm sorry this is long and i've got soo much to say! it's just been a great week!<br />
<br />
on sunday night it was my last spanish charla foganera. i wanted to go SO badly! but. we didn't have an investigator going. now we could've gone anyway to sing in the choir, but we KNEW that god would bless us if we sacrificed. so we didn't go and we found a new investigator and one of our investigators (who's ebeen coming to church for 11 years but WON'T GET BAPTIZED) CALLED US!!!! we were SO bold and invited him to get baptized. it was just amazing to see how the lord truly does provide when we sacrifice.<br />
<br />
i have some great homework for you and me, it's going to be fun! in the liahona this month, there's an activity for the jovenes to make a list of 100 things you're grateful for. it's right at the beginning and it's going to be EEEEEEASY and way fun. will you do it? it's on page like four or something, right after e eyrings message.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp8Jd3VG9keTXTGA1IY07l4zpw0lPI4zbisy70bhRhoGhfC65jAim1rRf3iRLs-Suwj5NNH_lgKb1D0_5XW7PZ6Kh2v7N3xw1g0f_6vDo6apSJDWHgAgu3eqs0hXK05B2Srthn2-Hy7l1U/s1600/IMG_0181%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp8Jd3VG9keTXTGA1IY07l4zpw0lPI4zbisy70bhRhoGhfC65jAim1rRf3iRLs-Suwj5NNH_lgKb1D0_5XW7PZ6Kh2v7N3xw1g0f_6vDo6apSJDWHgAgu3eqs0hXK05B2Srthn2-Hy7l1U/s320/IMG_0181%255B1%255D.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this is us settin up the christmas tree. willy <br />
you would LOVE IT! it's a huge, full tree! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>last night we watched the joseph smtih dvd with another investigadora and her novio who's islamic. huH? well, it was SO AMAZINg. the spirit in that movie is UNREAL! and they FELT it. i was just flooded with emotion. i am so eternally thankful for the clarity of the restored gospel of jesus christ. it is SO CLEAR. it always has been! it's so simple! there is NO OTHER WAY to be happy. there is no other way! tha path is clearlyu outlined; got wants to answer our prayers and he WILL tell us if the bom is true if we just READ IT and ASK. as i gave them my testimony i was so overcome with the realization and gratitude of the profound blessing it is and has been to testify on the daily that there has been a restoration of the truth, that god never leaves us alone or confused. i am so thankful. i love being a missionary more than i could possibly put into palabras. i feel such deep gratitude for my savior and for his sacrifice. i love him . i love his gospel. i am more sure than ever that there is no other way to everlasting joy than by living his restored gospel and the making and keeping of covenants through his restored priesthood power. i know that joseph smith restored that poiwer, that he's a prophet, and that tomas s monson is the profeta hoy en dia. i know that god lives. i know that jesus is the christ. i love him. i love representing him. i will always and forever be grateful for this sacred time of my life that iv'e been able to draw ever nearer to him and my father in heaven. i love this work. it's his. he's at the head of it. his spirit directs us. let us always follow him and ALWAYS share this message of great tidings and glad joy with the world. <br />
<br />
i love you. so much. and i thank you for your continued support and prayers. have a beautiful week!<br />
<br />
hermana christensen<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid77GEFtekm8ELGggwUnVl54kSB4VCDGvwvdpWDsvCmkJnP_cFeLScdtoeP2M7PVqs0RyI6YtpZWMBilCEkbdbPgCkftt7W3pufSwdOIM8NRk7zplXEaSTocTNWYqYdAS6njho7Dou71Mu/s1600/IMG_0184%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid77GEFtekm8ELGggwUnVl54kSB4VCDGvwvdpWDsvCmkJnP_cFeLScdtoeP2M7PVqs0RyI6YtpZWMBilCEkbdbPgCkftt7W3pufSwdOIM8NRk7zplXEaSTocTNWYqYdAS6njho7Dou71Mu/s320/IMG_0184%255B1%255D.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the solanos sealing. :) kristen, she's wearing the <br />
pink crystal earrings!<br />
<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_vOAvcdBe2rmTZmrExbj2crYlfwPik2hEOe4c-gKlXVGPBiCHrn_7SOAMQ77G8IZFS7sUvLwD51EETni0lfKjAkCHlkffOW5403AXSDzDar8v_X83zQhdP1MHAT5t_CV6Cn01Yx0hfN3b/s1600/IMG_0190%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_vOAvcdBe2rmTZmrExbj2crYlfwPik2hEOe4c-gKlXVGPBiCHrn_7SOAMQ77G8IZFS7sUvLwD51EETni0lfKjAkCHlkffOW5403AXSDzDar8v_X83zQhdP1MHAT5t_CV6Cn01Yx0hfN3b/s320/IMG_0190%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a>Missionary Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13343506408808949417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5782114135433625537.post-24113137579148554942011-12-12T13:55:00.000-08:002011-12-12T13:56:13.489-08:0012/12/2011 Elder Christensen "The Light of Christ"Man aliveeeeeeee is it HOT in Chile! Almost every day I ask the people.... "¿Y como suportan este calor?" How to you guys put up with this heat?????????? They usually say...... WE DONT. Hahah. Super funny. I miss the ozone layer. What a great thing. <br />
Moving on! We had a pretty sweet week to be honest... A couple MIRACLES. My mission doesn`t seem to be stuffed full of miracles like that of tawny, (haha!) so when we get one I KNOW that Heavenly Father sent it. We were walkin in the street one day and this guy we had contacted the week before just yelled from a distance, HELLO BROTHER! In english and everything... Then he just opened up his door and said... Come in! Again in english... We talked to this guy and his family for a good half hour about their beliefs... They aren`t married because the guys is "waiting for his ex wife to die"... Sounds CRUEL right? It`s just really expensive to get divorced here... kinda kills us sometimes. Anyways, he seems pretty interested so we`ll be going back there. We sang a hymn, blessed his house, and bounced.<br />
<br />
The next day, we showed up superrrrrrrr late for one of our citas. We had another two set citas as well that were going to end the day so we tried to re-schedule it.. The people wanted us RIGHT THEN so we were kinda... unsure of how we were gonna do it. These people are catholics... Also a miracle. REALLY SICK people. We taught them the first half of the plan of salvation...they loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeed it. Like pretty much everyone not of our faith, they had always thought of Adams fall as a BAD HORRIBLE thing... but they just don`t realize the GREATNESS of it becuase they don`t have the Book of Mormon. We read <u>2 Nephi 2:19-25</u> with them and just talked about it... I was about to ask.... now... Was it good or bad that Adam ate the fruit? But before I had the CHANCE, the lady, Graciela, just blurted out... SO IT WAS GREAT that Adam ate the fruit! Now we have a chance to get bodies! I could see her whole face change and her eyes light up as the power of the restored gospel sparked the light of Christ in her. AMAZING honestly. SO cool. <br />
<br />
Alright.........HOMEWORK TIME!!!!! Everyone MUST read <strong>Alma 37</strong> this week. DRINK from it please!! Don`t just skim over it! Wow it`s full of goodness. The following are GREAT....<br />
<br />
<strong>34</strong> Teach them to never be weary of good works, but to be meek and lowly in heart; for such shall find rest to their souls. <br />
<br />
Relate that to <strong>D&C 64:33</strong>... Man SO good. We should neverrrrrrrrrrrrr be weary of good works. Just serve and serve and serve and serve with a smile... Realizing that this is what God wants us to do. LOVE it. This is even BETTER.... 41 to 45.... <br />
<br />
41 They were slothful, and forgot to exercise their faith and diligence and then those marvelous works ceased, and they did not progress in their journey;<br />
<br />
42 Therefore, they tarried in the wilderness, or did not travel a direct course, and were afflicted with hunger and thirst, because of their transgressions.<br />
<br />
43 And now, my son, I would that ye should understand that these things are not without a shadow; for as our fathers were slothful to give heed to this compass (now these things were temporal) they did not prosper; even so it is with things which are spiritual. <br />
<br />
44 For behold, it is as easy to give heed to the word of Christ, which will point to you a straight course to eternal bliss, as it was for our fathers to give heed to this compass, which would point unto them a straight course to the promised land.<br />
<br />
45 And now I say, is there not a type in this thing? For just as surely as this director did bring our fathers, by following its course, to the promised land, shall the words of Christ, if we follow their course, carry us beyond this vale of sorrow into a far better land of promise.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1V1YMczA4cRwJu4kttwuXYDylQ1gbascwrz8OvVMjtcrlySwWv_S6B-nCbKyRFgIc1tRmbQdKJZX2SDyvcPjSdHih5x3AX2cOGASHkRLApHBOIR3g1DbOx1CguhK0jUlcZKdmjuci1vwr/s1600/DSCF2408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1V1YMczA4cRwJu4kttwuXYDylQ1gbascwrz8OvVMjtcrlySwWv_S6B-nCbKyRFgIc1tRmbQdKJZX2SDyvcPjSdHih5x3AX2cOGASHkRLApHBOIR3g1DbOx1CguhK0jUlcZKdmjuci1vwr/s400/DSCF2408.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>SO good... I love it in spanish... the start of 45 in spanish says.... Is there not symbolism in this?? THERE IS. Often times we CHOOSE to make ourselves suffer. We CHOOSE to fall off the path or even go in an entirely different direction.... They "Tarried" in the wilderness.... LET US NOT TARRY. We can read the scriptures, find the quickest route, and TAKE it. Why do we as human beings CHOOSE to do things that disctract us? That NUMB us.. that freeze us. IT IS EASY TO GIVE HEED TO THE WORD OF CHRIST.... As it is promised.... we will be carried beyond this place into a FAR BETTER land of promise. Don`t be stubborn.. Don't let the natural man take over... I know that this is what we need to do to be happy... Its the recipe for rejoicing. Obviously if I want something to turn out right I gotta follow the recipe EXACTLY... When we decide to add salt instead of sugar is where life turns sour... Please just be obedient everyone. Pay attention to the compass and I promise it will really change your lives as it has changed mine. Know that I love you all.. I hope you have a great week and that you welcome home my wonderful SISTER and my good friend Ammon.... Man alive.. Shoulder to the wheel yet again! <br />
<br />
Chao!! Elder Christensen<br />
Just one pic.... Sorry I`m lame! We went bowling... Gotta love it.Missionary Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13343506408808949417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5782114135433625537.post-3082980504630305182011-12-06T14:34:00.000-08:002011-12-12T13:50:17.941-08:0012/6/2011 Hermana Christensen "Always"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdQ0p2uC0OF6NvEpkyOw0oOraDGpwHKtEry2buEhWFnX_14uBp3wPR40NeY8Y0Q9GcUe-fh06AxicVqCeH_JKweUmGnotcP2A_X9ZCTGx-0MuM4_gxlOq_IUFt03etoMnck_eJr8VfhGxY/s1600/IMG_0166%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdQ0p2uC0OF6NvEpkyOw0oOraDGpwHKtEry2buEhWFnX_14uBp3wPR40NeY8Y0Q9GcUe-fh06AxicVqCeH_JKweUmGnotcP2A_X9ZCTGx-0MuM4_gxlOq_IUFt03etoMnck_eJr8VfhGxY/s400/IMG_0166%255B1%255D.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">awww a bunch of battalion sisters after shift</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Oh my dearest darlingest familia!<br />
<br />
what an amazing week. holy hannah. i feel like i have so much to tell you i don't know where to begin! haha. <br />
<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivNwq9b57G-7kzpg1s6vA0TjJjywLbitX4DFQZeXIqLNEjtOidAPdWSPN0KG-lqFLSzyx5FUAjbK2CADt7cBNO8h-O1N3d55BGgQwVLKlzwHxH70uxHOVCgCOOuhmyG7q1g_1YgoTCVIb7/s1600/IMG_0165%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivNwq9b57G-7kzpg1s6vA0TjJjywLbitX4DFQZeXIqLNEjtOidAPdWSPN0KG-lqFLSzyx5FUAjbK2CADt7cBNO8h-O1N3d55BGgQwVLKlzwHxH70uxHOVCgCOOuhmyG7q1g_1YgoTCVIb7/s320/IMG_0165%255B1%255D.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">me in my fave place: the BATTALION!!!!<br />
just chillin after our meeting</td></tr>
</tbody></table>so on thursday we had a bomb<br />
lesson with our golden family... FINALLY. haha. what went down was one of our rockin members invited them over for a carne asada. and what's cool is that this family went through a lot of the same probs that our golden familiy is going through... but they overcame with the gospel and are getting SEALED on saturday! so they can testify hardcore of the power of the atonement and how the gospel blesses families. it was amazing. really. we watched the "remember lots wife" mmessage and then our member just started in promising them blessings. and then there was another solid family there that also testified hardcore, and it almost turned into everyone promising this family tons of change and blessings and ahhh. i think she felt a little overwhelmed because there were a LOT of us and one of her arguing her point... but it was wonderful. it was also a bday party so it was deeeeeeeelicious and we just had a fiesta. and tonight we're having another one. YES!!! anyway. the family is coming.... kind of. we're nervous about it. they aren't keeping their committments and stuff. agency is SO HARD. it's so hard. i'm so grateful for it. but i hate watching people use their agency like this. it's killing me. i love that family so much! keep the salvador fam in your prayers.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVIGknzNjL7W-B-FFuJexh1KFypeX4uRUjlVssnSEkGBZZCiYXDpEkoG4xbngKhLdvSDhzQ1_RwetJ4wAvw9jbXOMN972Fj6TWyzS4IjqVik_dtUrO19Md_r6083z2KcLuuw5I15XC1C3n/s1600/IMG_0145%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVIGknzNjL7W-B-FFuJexh1KFypeX4uRUjlVssnSEkGBZZCiYXDpEkoG4xbngKhLdvSDhzQ1_RwetJ4wAvw9jbXOMN972Fj6TWyzS4IjqVik_dtUrO19Md_r6083z2KcLuuw5I15XC1C3n/s640/IMG_0145%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sunset... from our apartment!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
i had a really bomb study the other day. i was delving into perseverar hasta el fin (enduring) and i came down to this gorgeous conclusion as we studied in pme capitulo 13 about strengthening new converts/ less actives. go check it out. but okay so look at this. it says that these people need to have an amigo, an assignment and be nutridos por la palabra de dios. so i was thinking about this and they need to be taught about the gospel of christ... they need to unerstand that restoration especially and then all the commandments. aka so they can be obedient and perseverar verdad que si? okay so then what do they need? they need to be given opportunities to serve. mosiah 2:17 right? okay so then check this out... as they serve others their own testimonio va aumentando and they are able to... PERSEVERAR! so then look at what we've got here! our conversos recientes need to understand what exactly the gospel is so they can keep the commandments and be obedient--which is how we show our love for our heavenly father. and then they need to serve others by sharing the gospel and serving in different capacities and callings... is this sounding like the two greatest commandments to anyone else out there?! LOVE GOD (by being obedient to him and keeping his commandments! that's why we teach lessons 1-5 after their baptized so they CAN do that!) and to LOVE THY NEIGHBOR?! it was so cool. the gospel is... SO COOL. it is so full! it is SO TRUE! <br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFswzFRA2pR5iony2Cv8gAZbHuZgliFyIfGa_QUWp0xdjFppBgOKXFHdFHIK1GDwa5nCk6_sgiyHFK3mXgDw7_VD0FINjqb81aWmmUgGSwOaqkbYvwEQJxjq_pudFzGww1p5FAQwzcEhbu/s1600/IMG_0147%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFswzFRA2pR5iony2Cv8gAZbHuZgliFyIfGa_QUWp0xdjFppBgOKXFHdFHIK1GDwa5nCk6_sgiyHFK3mXgDw7_VD0FINjqb81aWmmUgGSwOaqkbYvwEQJxjq_pudFzGww1p5FAQwzcEhbu/s320/IMG_0147%255B1%255D.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">your caramel!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table> ready for a beautiful story? okay so remember how the solanos (the couple helping us with our golden family) are getting sealed on friday? well, we aren't allowed to go to that becuase we're not the missionaries who taught them. BUT. remember ENRIQUE HERNAN GONZALES?!!! my chilean father?! WELP! he's receiving his endowment on... FRIDAY AT 8!!!!!!!! hahah i am THRILLED that it all worked out and i'm just hoping that they'll be in the same session. and so, beacuse he's my convert, WE GET TO GO!!!! we get to go see my sheave taken to the garner! i am just EXPLODING with joy here!!!! and it'll be in spanish, too. :) can't wait. heavenly father is so generous! pics to come.<br />
<br />
something else about His generosity towards me. this past week, well, it's been good of course, but it's been hard. we feel like we worked our TAILS off all weekend to get people with dates and at church and stuff, and then, last minute, they all fall through. they CANNOT progress unless they come to church! and i'm feeling like a failure of a missionary over here because no one is coming to church... how are they supposed to progress towards baptism! anyway, so me and my misery are sitting in sacrament feeling miserable as alma 30:60 haha not really but you know what i mean... i'm feeling all sad and discouraged, hearing hermana mccullough in my mind from earlier in the morning when she asked, 'are we not working hard enough?"... when into the reunion sacramental walks our good friends alberto, monica and olivia. I GASPED AUDIBLY!!!!!!!! hahahah of COURSE! Heavenly father NEVER lets me be sad for too long! i'm telling you! on thursday we were headed to go visit someone in our plans, but it didn't feel right. i am trying SO HARD to follow the spirit and be an effective missionary who heeds myf ather's promptings, so we pulled over and prayed and felt like we should go visit alberto. this guy has so much potential and has met with missionaries for like 10 years off and on.. anyway, he's not progressing so it was going to be the charla franca. we go and had the most beautiful lesson. and the spirit was strong. he cried and said he wants to change, and accepted the baptismal invitation. so he comes to church with his inactive roommate and another investigator and they loved it. i was just... i was so happy. i was so full of gratitude for my heavenly father and his infinite patience and love and GENEROSITY. i know i'm a weak missionary and i know i mess up and i could be so much stinkin better it's discouraging, BUT! he knows that i'm trying. he knows that i'm esforzandome al maximo and so what does he do? blesses me way more than i deserve. :) ah. so there's that. we'll see what happens with our dear friends! bottom line: heavenly father loves us! we just do our part and wait for the blessings ... and they'll come! and oh, they will be sweet! so this week, when you're feelin down, just think what more could you do to esforzarse, do it, and then wait. you'll feel better after that, and you'll feel EVEN BETTER when you see the blessings!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrILYN7f-9kPCFEptGlXONbRPY1JukEHamLOZ5frMxtl6iFZDrd5A-s4cTfn31PcHrQH_2rXSo0zp-gcWvhjrtsk5-is8Y4dKgcOSdsw3nThPVAuBhGij8iPat5tcbnAjoFT29WaLM3yWw/s1600/IMG_0153%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrILYN7f-9kPCFEptGlXONbRPY1JukEHamLOZ5frMxtl6iFZDrd5A-s4cTfn31PcHrQH_2rXSo0zp-gcWvhjrtsk5-is8Y4dKgcOSdsw3nThPVAuBhGij8iPat5tcbnAjoFT29WaLM3yWw/s320/IMG_0153%255B1%255D.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">these are the three families: the salvadors,<br />
solano y aguilar after our riiiiiiiiiiico <br />
carne asada. oooooooooh!<br />
<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
life's a bowl of cherries. i love being a missionary more than anything. thank you for the support and emails! i sure love you guys! hope you have a GREAT week!!!<br />
<br />
hermana christensen<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP3V50lKLlBkRPPdeP9J7NOuD2-pPFOUva1o9GU9KDGlU7qsquKQsvG6XtzNZ4z4tWO7TdMFzejXavNRLuDNXtK_ButINEA3jbNkE7Nf48xydnOhmrJuvBOCEPoYb-02uM0O76jhbUgGx8/s1600/IMG_0168%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP3V50lKLlBkRPPdeP9J7NOuD2-pPFOUva1o9GU9KDGlU7qsquKQsvG6XtzNZ4z4tWO7TdMFzejXavNRLuDNXtK_ButINEA3jbNkE7Nf48xydnOhmrJuvBOCEPoYb-02uM0O76jhbUgGx8/s320/IMG_0168%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the woodburys took us to el torito! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>Missionary Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13343506408808949417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5782114135433625537.post-22392091791800311932011-12-05T12:07:00.000-08:002011-12-05T12:08:34.730-08:0012/5/2011 Elder Christensen "Workin Away" <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ms3O2aJBvbK1wh9mJX-1Khb2bjnA54z9gfYpGoAIO-XajwTQv4Bh8u9sLJwpiJpAc1RhphXMbl9iRyesMtAercqE4nRfS5xMOKRV5QzUhqJICNNMRxrYeSi8RGxICnvccI9SLAOW1BWP/s1600/DSCF2403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ms3O2aJBvbK1wh9mJX-1Khb2bjnA54z9gfYpGoAIO-XajwTQv4Bh8u9sLJwpiJpAc1RhphXMbl9iRyesMtAercqE4nRfS5xMOKRV5QzUhqJICNNMRxrYeSi8RGxICnvccI9SLAOW1BWP/s400/DSCF2403.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SICK hawaiian tie! Wow... just wow. Great for pday! Hahah</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Hello Friends and Family!<br />
<br />
Not sure what happened to this week.... whoops! Just disappeared!<br />
<br />
Okay anyways, lets get down to business here. This week was pretty good.. Lots of contacting to be honest. Every spare second we had we were contacting. I think we did 142.... which is a TON at least for our mission. As well we found ourselves talking to several pastors which is always...... well.... you get the point. Its LAME! All they ever want to do is fight and share stupid scriptures nada que ver. Yesterday we ran into some guy from a church I`ve never heard of. They also claim to have a prophet and twelve apostles... It was horrible honestly... we just sat there humbly while he pounded us into the ground with his doctrine.. But you know what? It means NOTHING.... Nothing at all... they were all really deeply analized scriptures with all kinds of deep apostate interpretations..... but whos going to argue that? All we could do was boldly testify of the Book of Mormon... I love that Book.... It is a second witness to the bible. It testifies of the exact same doctrine.... except it is pure because it has only been translated once... I KNOW that Jesus Christ came to the Americas after his resurrection. I know it. In the end we talked about the Priesthood... We testified boldly yet again about how Peter, James, and John came down to confer the priesthood upon Joseph Smith... THAT is how it was restored to the earth... He couldnt tell us where his "Prophet" had received the priesthood... We are 20 years old... We`re not that smart. BUT we DO have the truth of the restored gospel in our lives.. I can recall saying that like 6 times in the contact... The world is lost.... and its up to US to rescue all of those found on the side of the trail. Interesting what things happen when you talk to everyone eh?<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghSPwNj4tzeD8VPPEXtg3Q3C9IvXkxmYYWbBf7zRfM7lCfm1MM8FrSefTjg9SVhpq7fi7uVVf7ugckG9EbaWJ-vGVYMh8FmetmgkkEi0C5hdCJ5wkvqN8Toti8zdO-r2rLDOOYTF2VEJxh/s1600/DSCF2401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghSPwNj4tzeD8VPPEXtg3Q3C9IvXkxmYYWbBf7zRfM7lCfm1MM8FrSefTjg9SVhpq7fi7uVVf7ugckG9EbaWJ-vGVYMh8FmetmgkkEi0C5hdCJ5wkvqN8Toti8zdO-r2rLDOOYTF2VEJxh/s400/DSCF2401.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The advent, all the presents, and yours truly. You guys truly are amazing. <br />
Thanks! Christmas is gonna be a BLAST!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
I`m runnin out of time here so I gotta be quick.. Last week I had the opportunity to do a baptismal interview... Man that is COOL. Knowing that you get to give the green light for somebody to be baptized and in turn, enter into GODS KINGDOM.... Is just a great feeling.. Anyways, she passed no problem and we had a great time during the interview. On Saturday, we were able to go to her baptism only a few minutes away in a taxi.. We showed up and there was NOBODY there except for us 4 missionaries, the lady (Iris), and the bishop from the ward... I had only met this lady once when I interviewed her but I noticed right away that something was wrong.... I sat down and talked to her a little bit. How she was you know... small talk. Then I asked where her NEW husband was.... They had been married 2 days before her baptism..... Turns out, they had gotten in a fight as she was leaving for her baptism, and her husband told her he wasn`t going to go. This is a return missionary we`re talking about here.... just inactive.... She started to cry.... I honestly felt awful for her. Here she was, about to make coventants with her heavenly father, and her own newlywed husband turned his back on her... Not to mention that NOBODY from her family came to support her and nobody from the ward had shown up yet.... I pulled out the scripture 2nd Nephi 2:27.... It shows that satan wants us to be miserable.... Ya we`re free to choose and all but he wants us to be just like he is.... I congratulated her for having come and testified to her that she had beat satan. Honestly it was amazing and the spirit was strong there.... That was a HUGE testimony for me.... It would have been SOoooooo super super duper easy to say.... Nope I`m not gonna get baptized today.... See ya. But no.... she chose to follow through with her commitment and to be baptized. She chose to do what God wanted her to do even though maybe the circumstances in her life weren`t that great in the moment.. Thats how I want to be... We are members of this church and even we aren`t that strong sometimes... Thats my challenge to you guys this week.. CHOOSE GOD. Choose his way. Choose what he wants. No matter what may be your plan... no matter what other thing you might have going on.... Drop it. Make your will and his will be one. Forget yourself and go to work as Gordon B. Hinckley did.... Is my prayer for each and every one of you.<br />
<br />
We have an investigator progressing well for his baptism on the 8th of January. Keep praying for him. His name is Eduardo. Every prayer counts. Onward, ever onward, as we glory in his name. Thanks to all of you for everything that you do for me. The church is amazing. I hope you all have a great week! <br />
<br />
Chaooo! Elder Christensen.Missionary Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13343506408808949417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5782114135433625537.post-79674554423445119522011-11-29T13:41:00.000-08:002011-11-29T13:46:39.503-08:0011/29/2011 Hermana Christensen "Verge of Explosion" <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoct3kwtujqaoMxDALKKTJsQ4lAI1yyLUMs9CRK2GvhOSrtLADSKr9smkVgMgqAX42XFovcsfldJCZY7FhqNAWIjc2paaBI85HRgcwH0WkCtozT6kkG0wLSdLfxyMXszbyVlz6AOZaT2s2/s1600/IMG_0101%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoct3kwtujqaoMxDALKKTJsQ4lAI1yyLUMs9CRK2GvhOSrtLADSKr9smkVgMgqAX42XFovcsfldJCZY7FhqNAWIjc2paaBI85HRgcwH0WkCtozT6kkG0wLSdLfxyMXszbyVlz6AOZaT2s2/s320/IMG_0101%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">making a "mad" face. no more pumpkin pie! hahah elder<br />
woodbury, brenchley and sis kearsley</td></tr>
</tbody></table> (from being so full and being so joyful)<br />
How am i emailing you again?!<br />
<br />
well. it has been a WEEK! and i mean that with emphasis on the week because it's been great. it's actually been really rough. haha. but it's been great! funny how those two words always seem to coincide verdad? <br />
<br />
how was everyone's thanksgiving? i have got something REALLY exciting to tell everyone, mostly grampa. so.. you know how i hate mixing foods? well for TWENTY TWO YEARS OF MY LIFE i have been missing out on a SCRUMPTIOUS experience! but this past thanksgiving, elder brenchley cooed me into trying gravy (sorry folks, i've never been a gravy lady. but for e brenchley i'll do anyting. especially when he fantastic chef of a wife cooks it!)... and i put it on my potatoes.. and ate that WITH GRAVY! alll in the same bite! hahah ooooooooh my goodness! what have i missed all these years!? it was wonderful. we served in the battalion that morning, and i knew it was going to be crazy. last year it was busy but then everyone magically stopped coming around lunchtime. all day long i was wondering what was going to happen when our feast started at one with tons of people here... well, of COURSE people started trickling away, but at one on the dot a cute brown family came in wanting a spanish tour. haha. so the person who'd been counting down for thanksgiving missed the feast. but it's okay becuase i am a firm believer in sacrifice bringing forth the blessings of heaven. and they were great family. and when i was done being edified by their lamanite goodness i still got some grub. sweet potatoes OH so good kaylynn! i love serving at the battalion. seriously. i am so blessed! these sisters and the senior couples... it's just this family, this bubble that we're in. i love it. there is so much love here actually that elder evans told us we can't hug so much anymore because people think we're lesbians. dot dot dot question mark. but okay. anyway. moral of the story, i love my call. second moral. thanksgiving was bomb. i've always heard stories of missionaries eating so much they felt sick and wanted to burst, but i've never experienced it. well, i did then. haha. never before have i prayed first to throw up and second to just not explode, please. haha. our branch mission leader fed us and it was tasty but i was SOOO FULL I COULDNT'! and then he was all offended and said we ate like cats.... umm well roxy eats a lot... haah but seriously. it was annoying. and i didn't get any pumpkin pie. i'm still bitter about it. but i am SO THANKFUL for all that i do have! i count my many many many blessings--namely my family and the gospel! and also that i didnt' explode on thanksgiving. it's been four long thanksgiving away from jude's so i was thinking fondly of all of you. i love you all so much!<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO1_mvY0bYiX9tLYRs-gWAEAaLb6o-1YJKK7YeEVcd2u0g_rU5g0CRfzkQ7NXQ4VvsBUi5ZWUHt74-2NQKQ3zT8wDtjmIwCCfP2D-XsQ_cxaclP02xMgBjy_CBW7NDekQccpGJL62sWD5C/s1600/IMG_0097%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO1_mvY0bYiX9tLYRs-gWAEAaLb6o-1YJKK7YeEVcd2u0g_rU5g0CRfzkQ7NXQ4VvsBUi5ZWUHt74-2NQKQ3zT8wDtjmIwCCfP2D-XsQ_cxaclP02xMgBjy_CBW7NDekQccpGJL62sWD5C/s320/IMG_0097%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">most of us before the feast.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>we had a really beautiful devotional on thanksgiving. we always have devos at the mb on thursday--have i ever mentioned that? well, this week the sisters had us make a list of all the things we were grateful for yadda yadda and then we shared two each. and then they pointed out how strong the spirit got as we all expressed gratitude. so true. express it. it's prideful to withhold gratitude! ---- and theeeeen they asked us to think back two or three years ago to what our gratitude lists were like. we all kinda chuckled and then these sisters got quiet and invited us to think about how much our lives had changed from serving missions. it was stunning. the moment was just... so tender. we are all so thankful to be missionaries. i love what the mission has done for my life and how much my Savior has helped me to change. life is so much clearer and better and i am just SO full of thanks!<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgBdqSQ2H1PI_8ePlng8mll2C7fFLN1lrbYD_7xv8vQyhJZuPzrDvwoBfp9cBkyL5kY7rlmLBN0B1FNGzE9eiZYDTh4uwHOUTtrlZ_5BkteCKOqnp9VJ-VUIQJXhCMECIwi8EFJkaO-l2-/s1600/IMG_0082%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgBdqSQ2H1PI_8ePlng8mll2C7fFLN1lrbYD_7xv8vQyhJZuPzrDvwoBfp9cBkyL5kY7rlmLBN0B1FNGzE9eiZYDTh4uwHOUTtrlZ_5BkteCKOqnp9VJ-VUIQJXhCMECIwi8EFJkaO-l2-/s320/IMG_0082%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">we've got a drill to clean dishes after people feed us. <br />
haha tiny kitchen lotsta brown love.</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjipHLthi9pTP-GmRU0rA8tBoB4RkkAI7mm4yV11SQm0iETuLoTb0yOekKOns6GxFVkuDyJoMq0HgptSPdAQlSy38lcv6R_RusBpPkuNW6QxRryepoa7h8dDlEhmyFKhmncCF9Ty2eDCtre/s1600/IMG_0112%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjipHLthi9pTP-GmRU0rA8tBoB4RkkAI7mm4yV11SQm0iETuLoTb0yOekKOns6GxFVkuDyJoMq0HgptSPdAQlSy38lcv6R_RusBpPkuNW6QxRryepoa7h8dDlEhmyFKhmncCF9Ty2eDCtre/s400/IMG_0112%255B1%255D.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">i didn't get enough food so i had to dumpster dive...<br />
in a pioneer dress... hahah no jk. lost car keys.</td></tr>
</tbody></table> speaking of baptism.. our golden family is failing. we haven't been able to find them all at home for weeks. they haven't come to church. it's been sooooo sad. so so so sad. they lost their baptismal date. but. finally. on sunday night, we found them at home and we had a great lesson. we made no bake cookies and had each part represent a part of the gospel, like FE is that we're going to have the cookies... but you have to START! butter and sugar. but then you mess up (cocoa) so you need to REPENT. and then what? BAPTISM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (leche) and then you add the other garby like vanilla and pb and oats and then what? the cookies STILL aren't done because they've gotta harden.. they've gotta ENDURE TO THE END. it was cool to see the lights click in their brown eyes and the realization about what they need to do. they know they need to get married and get baptized. the mom doesn't want the girls to do it without them,a nd she doesn't want to get married to her h usband. we were REAL bold.. we asked 'what is your butter and sugar? where are you going to start?' and it's annoying because she just points all the blame at her husband and the marriage therapist inside of me just boiiiiiiiiiiils but i can't counsel people on their personal matters.... so we throw down doctrinally. but she's just so stubborn. please pray for the familia salvador. the girls and the dad want to get baptized but they can't. they're just stuck. but we're going to seguir and hope that the Lord blesses her with a softened heart. the cookies were fun though, even though we left a little sad. we have faith it'll all work out.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4cYqMKIM-zykhmEhbdmWQYOZJI1IW8XOS9rw-AOfo7CHhb3jWDTj29OkAMQabtWHQG5927wMtC3uYbfepGJ7b4QAIczc5LnAzpH-pkwDJ_wiwKSIEKS2hBu6CiuF2OVyz5YpqkJ4Fsipb/s1600/IMG_0089%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4cYqMKIM-zykhmEhbdmWQYOZJI1IW8XOS9rw-AOfo7CHhb3jWDTj29OkAMQabtWHQG5927wMtC3uYbfepGJ7b4QAIczc5LnAzpH-pkwDJ_wiwKSIEKS2hBu6CiuF2OVyz5YpqkJ4Fsipb/s320/IMG_0089%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">after our no bake cookie lesson. :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>so guess what? on saturday we had two baptisms in the rama! comin comin comin comin! even though it's been a hard week, there is sooooo much light and potential for this ramita! just gotta be patient and look towards the future with a bright eye of faith and hope.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrPsHz2F67kclUJz6WXCTtEpxJ5C5t6mzL6liL3dHd-XmzKzqiQtJmE5amSLKnHxHvXC8LOe_iuTJSBIsWq47-A9XDnuLpUWkqPcrnXihyeLRC3sgHV9RJBC60EOhWW2rSkuKsWmBenovS/s1600/IMG_0143%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrPsHz2F67kclUJz6WXCTtEpxJ5C5t6mzL6liL3dHd-XmzKzqiQtJmE5amSLKnHxHvXC8LOe_iuTJSBIsWq47-A9XDnuLpUWkqPcrnXihyeLRC3sgHV9RJBC60EOhWW2rSkuKsWmBenovS/s320/IMG_0143%255B1%255D.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">purple pioneer dress in honor of kristen!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
life's good. the work of a missionary is hard and slow but it's noble. i love my father in heaven for giving me this chance to understand a MORSEL of what he feels. a tidbit? i tiny sliver. i love him for that. i love him for his endless love and patience. and wow. lately i've been feeling and recognizing how short i fall. and i was just thinking about how heavenly father will somehow accept my small, humble weak offer because the atonement of our savior jesus christ makes up for all my deficiencies. somehow. wow. i love jesus christ. He is the only way. i love His gospel, more than anything. i am so thankful to be a missionary--it is unreal. i wouldn't trade this time for anything in the universe. hermanos, we are so blessed. let us always just keep in mind the blessed state we're in.<br />
<br />
i love you. que esten bien y sepan que les amo muchismo.<br />
<br />
hermana christensen<br />
<br />
ps two weeks worth of picsMissionary Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13343506408808949417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5782114135433625537.post-52764808024019424812011-11-28T13:37:00.000-08:002011-11-28T13:42:42.108-08:0011/28/2011 Elder Christensen "Hot, hot heat!" <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPXXk6v0wbrYggp2TNp99pHyxGnuDqxzrpX2msFCh27NhP6ydhNJIRwEgPF4V7hlaezpA2BCgdkvNLXIvgDCzawWbzcUFn2mNjgqBxy0PJGvxRDeCPG50Z-E6MxkO-PPgqX8iOqTw-XxIB/s1600/DSCF2388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPXXk6v0wbrYggp2TNp99pHyxGnuDqxzrpX2msFCh27NhP6ydhNJIRwEgPF4V7hlaezpA2BCgdkvNLXIvgDCzawWbzcUFn2mNjgqBxy0PJGvxRDeCPG50Z-E6MxkO-PPgqX8iOqTw-XxIB/s400/DSCF2388.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elder Crist and I at changes... He was nervous for the <br />
whole office thing! Check that FACE out! haha.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Hello from sunny burning hot Chile! Man I do NOT know how the people get used to this heat over here! I was just day dreaming about being in Alaska with Elder Roney in that -15 degree stuff... Man missionary work is the greatest. Remember Elder Roney, many are called but few are frozen. They should invent a saying like that for us missionaries in HOT places. Anyways, I think it`s a cool thought that we, the missionaries of the LDS church, get to go out and preach the gospel ni importa how the weather is. To think that we`re getting burned here, the Elders in Africa as well, then you have Elders in other parts who are FREEZING. But we do it for a reason... because we KNOW that what we share can change lives. I`ve definately seen the change in not only myself, but in many people who I`ve been blessed to share with for an extended period of time. The gospel blesses families. Second principle of lesson one. I can testify of that honestly. Just doing simple things like reading the scriptures, praying together, and having an edifying yet FUN family home evening can bring us together, united in Christ.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjltoNUJezsi1TgBisPPmWvdVFaIkpkywpMvcozuZLD1WM5JbkMlF6c4c2wU7YJIQMkFtXp0eg-fcnYMCrkKknX0C-1kisaiXE1o7eyW7Ear039TB7dRWh5Tb8redQi-X0sl-NV7jTLB59h/s1600/DSCF2391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjltoNUJezsi1TgBisPPmWvdVFaIkpkywpMvcozuZLD1WM5JbkMlF6c4c2wU7YJIQMkFtXp0eg-fcnYMCrkKknX0C-1kisaiXE1o7eyW7Ear039TB7dRWh5Tb8redQi-X0sl-NV7jTLB59h/s320/DSCF2391.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elder Tialavea and I at Presidents house... He finishes the same<br />
time Tawny does... SOON! Check that sick tie out parents!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
This week, we had one really interesting lesson... We had previously had a baptismal date with a kid named Eduardo. He`s great honestly and has the desire to follow the Savior. Before, for family reasons, he was unable to follow through with his goal for baptism... A couple days back we taught the whole family together in their back yard. We put a blank piece of paper down and asked them to write down some goals that they want to achieve as a family. Of course it started out with stupid stuff like money and cars and blah blah blah.... Then it got more serious.... They wrote down Eternal Life.... From there, we made a tree of goals... Eternal life> Sealing in the temple> Bishops interview> Priesthood> Receiving of Holy Ghost> Baptism > all the way down to reading the scriptures and praying.... They themselves wrote down ALL the necessary things to gain eternal life.... This example helped them see the importance of the commitments that we leave and WHY they have to commit to doing the small things... Most everybody lost attention except Eduardo... We set another baptismal date with him for January 8th. PRAYYYYY please.... We took him to church... he went ALONE... What a huge leap of faith and a miracle for us as missionaries. The work moves on.... hay que poner tu hombro a la lid... Put your shoulder to the wheel and WORK... <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTQx6bQOvfQ5CtZJBId4eD820WG1lx8aLKbzrHfYxfC6tfeZjyzV7UW3Q_VZ0kfFwzgDEKzWr4cbsCE_TFRSTdVLOaAAUIJx4KyODHRU_efI0dsGN3ymhR7njJ8lzPCC5IinQiIBmdH6Q8/s1600/DSCF2393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTQx6bQOvfQ5CtZJBId4eD820WG1lx8aLKbzrHfYxfC6tfeZjyzV7UW3Q_VZ0kfFwzgDEKzWr4cbsCE_TFRSTdVLOaAAUIJx4KyODHRU_efI0dsGN3ymhR7njJ8lzPCC5IinQiIBmdH6Q8/s320/DSCF2393.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We didn`t have turkey for thx giving, but we DID buy <br />
a whole Chicken, fries, and make a cheescake.... all<br />
of which you see on the table. Happy Thanksgiving!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>1 Nephi 17:13 And I will also be your alight in the wilderness; and I will prepare the way before you, if it so be that ye shall keep my commandments; wherefore, inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall be led towards the bpromised land; and ye shall cknow that it is by me that ye are led. <br />
<br />
Push on... he will be your light in the wilderness.. Love you all a lot and I hope you have a great week in the SNOW. Much love, Elder Christensen.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfHQcGBIUdK9Zbmg-ckuJ5-c7eGd-Zyj00tKc7bMn_3d9zym1NOgg0InDSl-0H1aACPXUF1osCWXy7VzpyiCWiRZ78sGucVKSlwncz8Ztbn6VBlvTleppUD0ZfHkmPsaDN4DnWTpi8HSU9/s1600/DSCF2396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfHQcGBIUdK9Zbmg-ckuJ5-c7eGd-Zyj00tKc7bMn_3d9zym1NOgg0InDSl-0H1aACPXUF1osCWXy7VzpyiCWiRZ78sGucVKSlwncz8Ztbn6VBlvTleppUD0ZfHkmPsaDN4DnWTpi8HSU9/s320/DSCF2396.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">About to FEAST on some pollito!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Missionary Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13343506408808949417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5782114135433625537.post-50979521253917845042011-11-22T17:44:00.000-08:002011-11-29T13:45:58.835-08:0011/22/11 Hermana Christensen "When God give you rainstorms......PUDDLE JUMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFhYdmSMbuNktl3admnQDYRkztjixuXa1sm6URhjfvOdGrBKjaX7osA_CEmtTB2w1bIqp7OGTek-x959Wdc66DTDeymVvc419E4992I7hF8mtRe3Kk2L37BKQLnEfLTeF77xVJ0DXffUzH/s1600/Hancock_191.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFhYdmSMbuNktl3admnQDYRkztjixuXa1sm6URhjfvOdGrBKjaX7osA_CEmtTB2w1bIqp7OGTek-x959Wdc66DTDeymVvc419E4992I7hF8mtRe3Kk2L37BKQLnEfLTeF77xVJ0DXffUzH/s400/Hancock_191.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this is from one of my friends weddings here in sd! so cute!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>well hello my dears.<br />
<br />
we just came from a huge spiritual banquet (aka zone conference). loving my life.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ZUV-299vs97b9c-bOYLn9mAgpU1QQtVz270pv-L0hsl0g7VVcA1_y6gfnC84zAlEVNpjD14PZln2em4RSeW8haPEcSVEc25jCR4S9yIEUdWWZBoQuPar_JETCFCMdLrrVh6Nl_fJ34rH/s1600/IMG_0080%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ZUV-299vs97b9c-bOYLn9mAgpU1QQtVz270pv-L0hsl0g7VVcA1_y6gfnC84zAlEVNpjD14PZln2em4RSeW8haPEcSVEc25jCR4S9yIEUdWWZBoQuPar_JETCFCMdLrrVh6Nl_fJ34rH/s320/IMG_0080%255B1%255D.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this is the pic of us outside the temple after<br />
our awesome leccion</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">this week has been bomb. on saturday we had an incredible cita with one of our investigadores who was a referencia from a filipino member up north in a different stake. BUT. we decided to get this guy here to the cita we had INSIDE THE TEMPLE and it was soooo cool. first of all, our investigator is BOMB. she is SOOO solid! we showed her the pictures of the inside of the temple and explained everything to her (that was how this whole thing came about... she was talking to her member friend about the temple because she lives right by it) and it all basically just came down to the restoration of the gospel. and it was AMAZING because the members were just ON FIRE! and they threw down testimony and did EVERYTHING that an ideal member would do.. they didn't interrupt the missionaries but testified of what they said, invited the investigator to listen to us and to do what we said and they promised blessingsand shared stories from their own conversion. oooooooh so good. and she felt the spirit. and sister mccullough! she invited her FIRST EVER REAL PERSON to be baptized! and? SHE SAID YES!!!! oooooooooh the spirit was so so strong and everyone left edified. i have pictures. the best was her (our investigators) prayer at the end. she was all, " we come before thee from all different parts of the world--my friends from the philippines, me from mexico, and my sisters from the states--and we're all speaking different languages, but here, in your house, in your presence and by your spirit we are all speaking the same language..." uh! and then she prayed to be able to make her baptism... it was just.. amazing. </div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_JwDZHcO2bHcNIqVcHXSR39qIaPq0EFH9Atb21ADzbSQkTgdnFPBRtpq5XA8Ph61MgerqRQMhYUE8Iq8K4fuoANUOScA6AAnd_IFqgfXMVvEQBXBgHsOptUrASjCIwrbkDHNaOs5SuFRh/s1600/IMG_0096%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_JwDZHcO2bHcNIqVcHXSR39qIaPq0EFH9Atb21ADzbSQkTgdnFPBRtpq5XA8Ph61MgerqRQMhYUE8Iq8K4fuoANUOScA6AAnd_IFqgfXMVvEQBXBgHsOptUrASjCIwrbkDHNaOs5SuFRh/s320/IMG_0096%255B1%255D.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lioness after the rainstorm. haha so wet! <br />
love puddlejumping! </td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">and earlier on in the day we went to one of out less actives--well wait. we took a member out that i've been thinking for a long time would be good for one of our investigators who's 81.. but this lady wasn't home. so we had a member with us and we had good backup plans, but i asked if she knew so and so.. and she went on to tell me that they worked in the temple together. they are best friends! they talk everyday! but they live far away and they don't get to see each other very often (and the one lady is inactive because she was offended). so! we go over there and our member THREW down. we'd planned to share matthew 18 about the talents and the debt and forgiveness and that, and our member was just like, "you aren't forgiving when you have been forgiven of wayyyy more." bold. just like that. and then she started crying and said that everytime she goes to the temple she thinks of this less active lady and knows that SHE NEEDS TO COME BACK. </div><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAkrVX4fRoLXpPWIqENQPDnkpIKz0r4PpG5b1UMHgYahYrarV5v0SDXvSPIifbeJmBlYavNBYxM6Brvv6nleCuhJRo5Djv8E-jyAUxH8HfhLJ9ZjBhnKhvS3y5x0TZwY7aPIkiCQ2xazuz/s1600/Hancock_151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAkrVX4fRoLXpPWIqENQPDnkpIKz0r4PpG5b1UMHgYahYrarV5v0SDXvSPIifbeJmBlYavNBYxM6Brvv6nleCuhJRo5Djv8E-jyAUxH8HfhLJ9ZjBhnKhvS3y5x0TZwY7aPIkiCQ2xazuz/s640/Hancock_151.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ahhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
and i loved that. i loved that both of these lessons BEGAN WITH THE TEMPLE. that is the goal! our district leader a few weeks ago talked about how if our investigators could just see that the TEMPLE is what it's alll reeeeeeeeeeeeeally about, baptism would just be a little step to get there! it wouldn't be SUCH a holdup! and i remember president donaldson always saying that our converts should be able to see the temple spires from the baptismal font. THAT'S what this is all abuot. and just barely in zone conference we talked about alma 26 ( :) my favorite ever! small world broseph!) and how SHEEVES are our fruits, our converts. but the garner is the refinement that comes from the TEMPLE. from making covenants. <br />
<br />
family. i love you. i am so grateful for you. this gospel is so clear and simple. heavenly father's plan is that jesus christ could come to the world to save us. to give us the example. we live in dark times, truth has been lost. but it is RESTORED. enduring to the end isn't simply enduring and performing tedious tasks like sitting through sacrament meeting. enduring to the end is really enduring to the endOWMENT. the phrase of enduring to the end LITERALLY means to make everlasting and omnipotent. as we make those covenants through the restored priesthood power, we are able to live our lives with the light, knowledge, and JOY of the gospel in our lives. it's so simple! that's what this is ALL about! remember how simple it is! and get our brothers and sisters under covenant, first, but then onto higher covenants and the consistent renewal of them!<br />
<br />
and, well, with that, i'm off. i've been studying gratitude, like the rest of the world, and we talked the other day bout how gratitude is an expression of our faith. WOW. as we humbly express our gratitude, our faith increases. so. if we want increased faith in our Savior and His plan, let's be GRATEFUL for it and share it with the UNIVERSE! Let us live in thanksgiving DAILY! (alma 34:38) <br />
<br />
know that i am thankful for you. i am thankful for my Savior. i am thankful for His atonement. I am thankful for my gracious father in heaven and His infinite patience with me as i struggle weakly to preach his gospel. i love. love. LOVE my mission. i am so grateful i came. i am thankful to all of you for your love, prayers, support and encouragement. my heart is SO full of thanks! i hope you have a wonderful thanksgiving. feel my sincere love and prayers for you and know that your sister in sanD has you on her mind.<br />
<br />
love,<br />
<br />
hermana christensen<br />
<br />
ps my subject line is because it poured down on sunday night. and when i couldnt' see and stepped into a puddle, it was all downhill from there. i guess uphill. because i then just started puddle jumping. haha. hey! if you're already wet, why not have FUN!? my compa thought i was crazy but i thought of staisha ann and had a BLAST. i love you sassar! never forget that day! gutter laying, red truck splashing...! gotta find joy in the journey my friends! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbE3K9wRR1Uympi6txuk9yRukk735t2_LksddNYI8NgSApC39yzMTGTq21BTKzOC-4025FXHuhjIrBs3Mdpi6yekY228AUlVfg8xMvprnCmgY9cl0QY85F-nHI_bLl3tSsbvk-vIz5osxH/s1600/suFoto4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbE3K9wRR1Uympi6txuk9yRukk735t2_LksddNYI8NgSApC39yzMTGTq21BTKzOC-4025FXHuhjIrBs3Mdpi6yekY228AUlVfg8xMvprnCmgY9cl0QY85F-nHI_bLl3tSsbvk-vIz5osxH/s640/suFoto4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>ah! totally forgot!<br />
<br />
1 we had a BOMB lesson with our golden family! th ey came through the tour and thenwe watched the js movie and the mom siad she knows js was a profeta. they are movin slowly but sure. aren't they ADORABLE?!!!!Missionary Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13343506408808949417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5782114135433625537.post-88304481400841363782011-11-21T14:38:00.000-08:002011-11-21T14:38:59.408-08:0011/21/2011 Elder Christensen "Happy Thanksgiving"<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA8MGcWj3gXqS-KOZxgmV4yzvdWk_XuG_wnuv2US2Zq_gPuQLzUr2uKMQwYbNehWlItKThF13jrf151HsO9BYT2VGfhIaoFs6Z3n_en718BmyfeK4VXclEAJ0LEWgVAYuhNvVwi0dB-Dtg/s1600/DSCF2383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA8MGcWj3gXqS-KOZxgmV4yzvdWk_XuG_wnuv2US2Zq_gPuQLzUr2uKMQwYbNehWlItKThF13jrf151HsO9BYT2VGfhIaoFs6Z3n_en718BmyfeK4VXclEAJ0LEWgVAYuhNvVwi0dB-Dtg/s400/DSCF2383.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elder Van Dyke and I... After our division!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Happy Thanksgiving.... does that even work? Merry Thanksgiving? I dunno anymore. If we are lucky we might end up making some cheesecake on that special day sooo.... Keep us in mind while you`re eating all that rico (delicious) garbage in the US of A! <br />
<br />
What did we even do this week? We shared a lot of lessons with members and did a heck of a lot of contacts. Our ward is a ward that is full of older people or families that have been here for a really long time. Other people have been here but they have come and gone with the time. The work of the Lord does not function at all with just missionaries... the members MUST get involved. Anyways, we`ve been working a lot on strengthening our recent converts and helping a lot of the families. President King described to us once a parable of a flywheel... I didn`t even know what that meant when I heard it so I hope you guys can imagine something.... Its like a big huge metal wheel and, like any wheel, its purpose is to spin. So... this work, the work of the Lord is like this flywheel.... Now.. The flywheel is at a stand still... The work isnt moving. Nobody is working. Us, being the missionaries or members, have to push with ALL of our might to even get this wheel to budge an inch or two. It takes a lot of work but it moves several feet. After a long time of constant effort it makes one entire revolution. It`s moving slow but it is still moving. Eventually, it starts to get faster and faster and faster... it becomes so fast that we don`t even need to push anymore and it spins on its own... What do I want to say with this.... Think of something in your life... some goal that you REALLLLYYYY want to achieve... Then apply the flywheel parable.... here in our sector the ward seems to be at a stand-still with the obra misional... People just aren`t understanding that this is IT. I don`t care about sports or video games or any of this garbage that they seem to be doing... lets think about the game of life here.. I don`t care if you`re tired or if your friends might not want to listen... At one point or another in life we decide that we are ourselves and the rest don`t matter.. That my friends and family is what we want to change. This needs to be a ward of miracles. A ward of people that want EVERYONE to arrive to the correct conclusion. The conclusion that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Day saints is the only true church on the face of the earth.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6figkBiBF35_UHgGstN3t2gUOyf-k3D_RmlUHgP6i784lQ35eX5mmKbxn6aDK7jCfHAdhoSKmsWHZLzcKm6b_DUJMAFi-K8m1UjLAcZSKzNsuBj_Tllp2hLqxk8sgppoj_CgaI0IYvnxZ/s1600/DSCF2382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6figkBiBF35_UHgGstN3t2gUOyf-k3D_RmlUHgP6i784lQ35eX5mmKbxn6aDK7jCfHAdhoSKmsWHZLzcKm6b_DUJMAFi-K8m1UjLAcZSKzNsuBj_Tllp2hLqxk8sgppoj_CgaI0IYvnxZ/s400/DSCF2382.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Zone</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Changing temas a little bit here... A great friend of mine, Elder Poulsen, taught me a lot about charity. Yesterday in church my companion and I had the opportunity to discursar... o sea... to give talks in church. I can`t lie I`ve actually grown to really like giving talks. I still don`t like when they ASK US right in the moment.... "Elder... can you give a talk?" uhhhhh...... Diez Virgenes plz? Fill your lamps with oil already! Whats the scout motto? Haha. But, as I said, I like it. I chose to speak on... well.. you guessed it. Charity! I thought a lot about it before I got up there.... Obviously we know that Christ was our biggest example of Charity... His atonement was the SINGLE greatest act ever of Charity... I also used the example of him performing miracles.. Theres one point in matthew where he is healing a lepper... The lepper asks Christ to heal him and Christ responds by saying..... in spanish... "Si Quiero"... YES I WANT TO! Desire.... Desire is one of the greatest things that we need to have in order to be charitable! We gotta really want it. Service is a great thing.... but if we have a bad attitude the whole time we are doing service then it doesn`t mean anything... we aren`t having the desire.... I invite you ALL to read Moroni 7 45-48..... I think about these verses several times every day... Man its hard to have charity but.... read those verses and you`ll understand... Pray to the father with ALL the energy of heart.... and he will grant unto you this attribute.. the greatest of all. <br />
<br />
Okay... well... i think that about wraps it up. Kind of a boring letter... not too many miracles or anything huge this week. We have a few investigators we might leave because they aren`t really progressing... Its an inactive couple with investigator kids... super complicated... They have been going alot to the Evangelico church... We´ll see. Pray for us. Be grateful for all your blessings this week.. Count them, name them ONE BY ONE as the song says, and be happy. Like Tawny said.. an attitude of Gratitude. I`m going to read the prophet`s talk from 2 conferences ago for my personal study that day.... DO THE SAME! SOoooooooooooooooooooooooooo baller. Love you all so very much. Have an excellent thanksgiving week. Have fun putting the Christmas tree up as well. RAWR!! Chaooo! Elder ChristenseMissionary Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13343506408808949417noreply@blogger.com0