Week 27

This week was incredible.

Tuesday night we had our lesson with Cheli and Jenny and Hermana DeLa Torre again. It went really well and Cheli and Jenny were prepared with questions and listened intently and are still praying ALL THE TIME. They are so awesome. Then they went on to say how they have felt weird and scared in their home and how hard the last week was and they were struggling. It sounded like Satan was giving them a hard time. Hermana De La Torre told how she felt the exact same way when she was investigating the church and the elders gave her a priesthood blessing and shared how much it helped her. We also told how they could bless the home.  Wednesday nights we have the scripture class at the church so we told them they could come and the Elders could give them blessings after the class. I have never seen so much faith from anyone than I witnessed from Cheli and Jenny. 

Sister Wheelwright and I taught this week on adversity and we studied the story of Nefi and Laman and Lemuel in 1 Nefi 16. It was good and we had a full class. They waited for a good 40 minutes after the class because the elders were giving a church tour to some of their investigators that came. So we talked and played with Favritzio while we waited. Finally the elders came back, the sisters were still there and the ward mission leader and a member of the branch presidency- Juan Guillen (anna Guillen's son). Juan explained to Cheli and Jenny what the priesthood was and how it depends on their faith to receive the blessings of it. Jenny went first and Elder Quiros gave her a blessing of comfort and counsel. Afterwards Jenny just sat there and smiled and cried. She explained how she felt this rich delicious warmth inside of her. It was so cooooooool!! Then Cheli went and Elder Black (who she had the really spiritual dream about) gave her a blessing. Afterwards- same thing. Cheli sat there and cried and said out loud to us what she was feeling and thinking. She knew know matter what happens they need to be baptized and keep following the commandments and that she will do whatever it takes no matter what happens. Then her and Jenny hugged and cried and we were all watching in awe at the miracle God just let happen before our eyes. He truly worked a miracle by his priesthood power through two worthy elders that night I know it. Cheli and Jenny were SO happy as they left the church building. 

Friday night we dropped off Jackie Cardenas and got a call from Cheli and Jenny at 9 as we were about to head home. They asked us to talk to them real quick. Luckily Cardenas live right across the street. Cheli and Jenny told us how Thursday a lot happened and their son Adrian Christopher (who we have been including in our prayers since lesson 1) really needs them in California. They are moving this week to Mexico with their "hard-hearted" dad then back up to California with Adrian. They told us sorry and thank you a million times. They told us Adrian wants to receive missionaries. They told us they want us to come to their baptism in California.They are planning on going to church in mexico and California and reading the Book of Mormon still. We exchanged emails and testimonies one last time, then took a picture, said goodbye and had to get home by 9:30. We didn't say one word on the car ride home. But I couldn't cry or be sad. Because I know we did all that we could with them while they were here. They moved to Utah for these 7 months to meet us. I am so happy for them- even if I can't see them get baptized I know I will see them again someday and I know we helped plant seeds. I love Cheli and Jenny so much... maybe you can attend their baptism in Santa Clara for me?!

We had a successful week as a companionship! We had lessons with 9 new investigators this week. We seriously can just stand on a corner in little Mexico and it's like people people come to us saying "teach me teach me!!" No not really, we have to awkwardly approach them all, but we are finding so many people!! And definitely reaping blessings of asking EVERYONE for referrals. We had 14 member present lessons and are so grateful for our wheels! What a blessing that is!!

Love you all- I know the priesthood had been restored upon the earth, Cheli and Jenny know it too. The spirit testified to all of us that night of the reality of that truth. I am so happy to have a front row seat to see God work miracles in my Scottsdaleans lives.

I love Jesus Christ and am striving every day to learn to be more like Him.

Hermana Wheelwright are going to finish El Libro de Mormon this week! (my first time)

Woo!

Also we are going to the Gilbert Temple open house tomorrow with Aurelio! He is making efforts to learn again. We will see...

Hermana Christensen

Jackie and Daisy riding with us on Alvaro's bike hahaha.

Sister Carrillo, Sister Pew, Sister Wheelwright y yo.

Grandma, daughter, daughter, granddaughter

OUR FAMILY

Week 26

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. How lucky am I to be a missionary right now? The work is moving forward with the help of all the members!

This last week was by far the best week of our entire mission.

We received so many blessings and witnessed the Lord work miracles through our efforts.

We had an incredible experience with member present lessons this week. After we were chastised (not really) at Zone Training meeting about getting member present lessons on Thursday we were determined to prove our faith. That night our lessons were with Cheli and Jenny and Minerva. Our member who was planning on coming cancelled at the last minute. So after dinner we called Hermana Medina's sister- Hermana DeLaTorre. Hna DeLaTorre told us that she was really sick and her feet hurt really bad from her diabetes. But she said yes and ended up coming with us. We picked her up ten minutes later. Cheli and Jenny are two of our closest investigators to baptism. The lesson ended up being to most spiritual lesson I have ever been a part of. Cheli proceeded to tell us of how someone from the catholic church approached her at the park last week and began to belittle Cheli for being a "mormon" (Cheli called herself a mormon!) So during the lesson Cheli brought up doubts about false prophets and shared with us that she smokes to help with her arthritis and drinks coffee. Hermana DeLaTorre had the same EXACT issues. The spirit was so strong as Hermana DeLaTorre testified to Cheli about prayer. We were all crying all 5 of us. Cheli shared with us that she had a dream the other night. A dream marvelous, that she will tell us after she is baptized. As she was telling us about this dream that she cant tell us yet, her and her daughter Jenny were crying and got really emotional. I love Cheli and Jenny so much. We have seen them grow closer to the Lord.  Cheli and Jenny are praying about being baptized on the 15 of Februray.  

Then we were late to our next lesson with Minerva who we had 1 lesson with the week before. She was a referral from the English elders in her area. We got there and her 2 sisters, mom and kids were waiting for us, sitting around the kitchen table reading The Book of Mormon. Minerva had read the whole plan of Salvation pamphlet and loved it all. They all agreed to be prepared to be baptized. Hermana DeLaTorre told us on the way home, the spirit whispered to her to come out with us that night. By the end of the night her pain was gone.

I can't even explain everything correctly that happened this week. All I know is that it happened. It really did. My favorite part was during the lesson with Cheli and Jenny Hermana Wheelwright and I turned and looked at each other for a second with huge smiles and our eyes filled with tears.

That night Hermana Wheelwright and I just bawled ourselves to sleep. That was the best day of my life. To see Cheli and Jenny listen so intently to a member's testimony of prayer. Wow. All I know is that Heavenly Father is shedding his love on me. I feel so extremely blessed.

So many more miracles happened this week. The car is so nice. We were able to have 7 member present lessons in one day and 17 this whole week as a companionship. Elder Black told us... miles or salvation! So we got our car less members to all of our lessons! Our whole zone had 77 member present lessons this week. We are working our way to 100!

Oh yeah, WE GOT A CAR. President Sweeney called and told us Tuesday he had a brand new 2014 VW for us to pick up and I screamed a little bit! 

I LOVE THIS AREA and these PEOPLE AND I NEVER WANT TO LEAVE. I love Hermana Wheelwright, we have been working so well together.

I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY. This week finally made me realize how REAL this work is. We are helping people change their nature by helping them live the principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Alma 37:32-33

I love this scripture... "inculca en ellos un odio perpetuo contra el pecado y la iniquidad. Predicales el arrepentimineto y la fe en el Senor Jesucristo"

Hermana Christensen

Jackie and Daisy Cardenas and I on the Trolley.

I love these two so much. We have a lot of fun.

We made our beds bunk beds last week. haha- they fell for a second but we have successfully slept in them for a week now!  And yes I am still talking in my sleep!

I love Hermana Wheelwright! 

We love Hermana Medina (Hermana Meds) 

The new 2014 VW

Week 25

This week Hermana Wheelwright and I had a companionship goal to recognize tender mercies.

I often use the line... "what a blessing that is" said in a slow, choked up voice.

So, last week was tranfers right? Elder Andersen, the other District leader in our zone got a new companion this week who he is training. We were told before Zone conference through text that this new elder has Asperger's. I was instantly ecstatic. Needless to say, Elder Orme and I hit it off. I love talking to him so much. He is a genius. The Elders are not especially nice to him. In front of him too. It makes me really sad. So Elder Andersen is having a hard time and went to the mission office for a while with Elder Black. Elder Orme came to dinner with Elder Tellez and us hermanas. He knows Spanish and he kept us entertained with his Spainsh jokes all through dinner at Hermana Guillen's. Anyways, we had been told Elder Orme served a 4 month mission in Salt Lake to make sure he could handle a 2 year mission. During dinner it clicked.... I remembered an email Dad sent to me while I was in the MTC I think. About an elder serving in our stake that you were working with. A flood of emotions fled through my body and I felt SO MUCH LOVE FOR ELDER ORME. I knew he was the elder dad mentioned to me! So after dinner I asked elder Orme where he served in his Salt Lake mission. He said Bountiful and  Ogden. I just smiled trying to choke back tears and asked if he served in the Val Verda Stake. He responded yes. I told him he worked with my dad! And I don't think he realized how exciting it was entirely. But he said "yeah I knew I recognized the name Christensen" so maybe he remembers you dad!

Anyways I took a picture with him and then tears streamed down my face as we biked back up Mcdowell. I know Heavenly Father assigned him to Scottsdale mission, to Scottsdale zone, not by chance. That right there was such a tender mercy that God arranged. To know that my parents had prayed for this Elder specifically in Bountiful, and now I get to work with him just a few months later!

Last night we went to contact a referral we received who lives in the very far end of our area with Hermana Medina. It was dark and took us a minute to find the house. But we found Minerva inside with 2 of her kids and 2 of her grandkids. She proceeded to tell us how elders always visited her neighbor and waved at her. One day they talked to Minerva and gave her a Book of Mormon which she is now reading... WHAT!? She was really excited to tell us how much she liked reading it. She is adorable and looks likes she is 20 but has 2 grandkids. She attends Catholic church every week and works at Burger king right by our house with our friend Cesi! We are excited to teach Minerva :)

Funny story... We met a Maria last week as we were wandering around trying to find a bathroom. She told us to meet her at the same spot, same time in 2 days. So we went back in 2 days at the same spot at the same time. We noticed a woman across the street waiting for the bus. So we figured she maybe didn't recognize us. We walked over and I said, "Maria?" she said "si.....?" And we were excited it was her so proceeded to ask how her day was at work and such. Anyways after about 10 minutes we figured out this wasn't the same Maria! But this new Maria is coming to church! We had a really good visit with her. Haha EVERYBODY is Maria.

We had a really neat experience this week testifying to a new investigator on his doorstep. Something prompted us to testify of Thomas S. Monson and it was the perfect thing to say that caught his interest. We know that the Spirit guided us to the things we were saying, it was really neat.

I love sharing the gospel :)

I am learning so much!

Have a good week I love you family!

Hermana Christensen

We cool.  Completely candid.

Hermana Wheelwright and I at the temple a few weeks ago!

Sister Freeman and I on exchanges

Christmas day at the Clyde's

With some of our zone at Buffalo Wild Wings on New Years Day.

Bathroom pic at Buffalo Wild Wings on New Years day <3

Mission Conference

Elder Orme and I

Guess what mom!? Hermana Wheelwright and I filled in for Hermana Clyde and got to be in charge of singing time in primary this week! Without a pianist! YAY I love the little kiddies!  Singing Time in Primary!

Week 24

Okay a few weeks ago we were on our bikes waiting to  cross the street at about 1 PM in little mexico. A cop car pulled up to us and rolled down his window and said, " you know this isn't the safest neighborhood right?" I quickly responded, "yeah!!".... then re- thought what he said and responded again, "wait what do you mean?"

He waited a long few seconds and said, "oh nothing just be careful you two."

So that was heart warming!!

Then last week we were told by a man that there had been 36 gun shots in that neighborhood since thanksgiving, and a drive by shooting that he witnessed last week, and three weeks ago there was a body stabbed on the neighboring street. And then last week Thomas (one of the main roads) had every cop car ever and helicopters and things looking for a man who tried to hold up a CVS. Did they ever find him? I find myself still looking for him haha.

We have gotten A LOT of advice recently to stay away from little mexico at night time. We have never felt a little frightened until now. But I trust the spirit to help guide us in where to go and when! All is well.

The other night I was having a dream about teaching Froylan haha.

 I remember it was in Spanish and Hermana Wheelwright was helping me teach. All of a sudden I woke up the her saying, "tenemos que recordarle a leer y orar!"

Still half asleep I muttered back to her "mande?"

She, now awake and embarassed said "Nothing!"

I was so confused cause what she said went right along with what I was dreaming! I had been talking in my sleep!

We had been teaching a lesson in our sleep in Spanish haha. 

I was sick again last week. So were a few others. It was the flu. We didn't get to teach a lot last week but we were blessed with 5 investigators that came to church. Wow so blessed.

 Our lesson last night with Cheli and Jenny was one of the best ever. We finally watched the other Joseph Smith movie with them. I tried to feel every doubt and concern they might have while watching. I put myself in their shoes. When it said that the same John the Baptist who baptized Jesus conferred the priesthood keys to Joseph Smith they both looked at each other with wide eyes. I thought, do I really believe that to be true? Immediately I had the spirit confirm to me that it was true! This happened several times during the film. Cheli and Jenny were so happy too when it talked about families being able to be sealed together forever. 

They told us they want to do everything they can to turn their lives over to the Lord. I love them so much and am SO GRATEFUL I am still in this area to help them change!

I poured out my heart in gratitude last night. I feel so extremely blessed right now. Especially to be able to see Cheli and Jenny so happily accept and live the gospel. I pray with all my heart that we can help them change their lives to LIVE the commandments for the rest of their lives.

I love the scriptures, I love seeing how real they are. I love when I read something and go, "WOAH this is talking to me!"

They do that for every person in the whole world. How crazy is that? 

I love being a missionary. It is weird I am 1/3 of the way done... Time is flying by.

Love you, keep reading the scriptures everyday!!

LIVE the gospel. It's what makes us truly happy. That will always be true! 

Hermana Christensen

The only picture this week.... sickly Shelby.  The Elders brought me this humidifier... I was In LOVE with it. It changed colors too.