Week 82

Dear Family,

This last week flew by. This next one probably will too. I still don't have much to say. I love this area beyond believe. How did I luck out getting to serve in 2 areas my whole mission!! I am so grateful for the close relationships I have made with so many people here!

I am amazed at how much I am still growing each day. I can never be complacent, Satan is working on us 24/7! I am grateful for my increased knowledge, I know that I can pray, and call upon help when needed (which is ALWAYS)!

Sunday's Miracle- We met a man on the street 2 weeks ago riding his bike. He was wearing a Manchester United Sweatshirt so naturally we invited him to Friday night soccer! He was excited and we exchanged info. He has been working a lot though and hasn't been able to come the last two Fridays. We got a text from him yesterday at the end of Sacrament MTG saying he was outside of the chapel! We ran outside and brought him in, He stayed through the rest of the meetings. What a miracle!! 

We are still meeting with Mario and Maribel. She is working on getting her Identification up to date so they can get their marriage license. They were both working yesterday and couldn't make it to church. But we had a lesson after church with Mario and he is doing great. He listens so intently to what we teach, he understands the scriptures we read and he kneels and prays everyday now.

We had a really good experience going out with the stake leaders this last week. We had Branch Conference this week. On Thursday night we all split up and went out to minister! I was with the Branch and Stake Young women's leaders and visited some less active young women. I know what it feels like to be a teenager and not want to go to church. I remember those days. I am so glad to see the difference in my life between then and now,  I know that we are blessed with peace and love from our Heavenly Father when we keep His commandments. Our agency is so vital to our progression.
2 Nephi Chapter 2 tells us how Redemption comes through the Holy Messiah—Freedom of choice (agency) is essential to existence and progression—Adam fell that men might be—Men are free to choose liberty and eternal life.

I was able to help by bearing my testimony to these girls. I don't know what they are going through exactly, but I do know that whoever follows God's commandments is happier! The best part about being a missionary is bearing testimony. Testimony of Jesus Christ and His atonement, his restored church and the prophet who leads and guides us today! 

Jesus Christ lives! This is His church! And I know that He will come again! I want to be continually progressing and exercising my agency righteously until I meet Him again.

"We testify that He will someday return to earth. “And

the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall

see it together” (Isaiah 40:5). He will rule as King of

Kings and reign as Lord of Lords, and every knee shall

bend and every tongue shall speak in worship before

Him. Each of us will stand to be judged of Him according

to our works and the desires of our hearts.

We bear testimony, as His duly ordained Apostles—

that Jesus is the Living Christ, the immortal Son of God.

He is the great King Immanuel, who stands today on the

right hand of His Father. He is the light, the life, and the

hope of the world. His way is the path that leads to

happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come.

God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son."

SEE YOU SOON!!! I love you!

Hermana Christensen

All of my planners!

I have been enjoying the back seat :)

We saw meet the mormons at the VC with Cinthia!!! I LOVE HER!!! 

My home girls and me at the gym

Week 81

I don't know where to begin. I have so much to say but don't know how to say it. I AM REALLY AFRAID TO COME HOME!! Not afraid. Just nervous. I love mission life. It is so fulfilling. Each day we accomplish so much! This week we had to most efficient baptsim ever. President Clyde and other ward members were talking about writing it down in the record book because we started on time and ended with in 45 mins! It was so great! Everything went so perfectly. :)  That's what prayer and careful planning will do for you!

Marcelino is really happy. He is still crazy and funny as ever ( his brain I think is a little damaged from his previous addiction to alcohol) BUT he is progressing and doing great still. 

Dinners with all the members are so good. Us three companionships in the branch takes turns giving the dinner message. We ate at the Nunez the other day and it was the elder's turn. However, as dinner ended Hermana Nunez brought out a gift with balloons and thanked me for my service in their branch and for being the hard working cute missionary I am. Then she asked me to share my testimony about my mission. I almost refused because my mission is not over! But I did. It was horrible. (I did fine) just I don't like thinking that I need to think back and reflect on my mission yet. It is still an unfinished story. But she was so sweet to do that for me! I love our members :)

At church I was able to sit next to Hermana Hancock and translate Relief Society into English for her. And then translate her comments into Spanish for the women. I was so surprised at how well I did. I feel like I am back to I was when I left here- even better actually! I am so grateful for the gift of tongues. It is real! I amaze myself each day. My prayers are progressively better each day. I love Spanish and want to continue learning it!

The wedding won't happen the 21st anymore :(, President Clyde will be out of town. But at least it will happen! 

I am so grateful for my companions. We get along so well. We are all really patient and kind people. :) It makes the work go so much better!  I learn so much from them every single day. They are such good examples to me. 

Elder Jorg Klebingat spoke to me this morning about facing trials. I am so grateful for General Conference! Thanks for sending me the magazine. I am tearing it apart. I love it so much. I love the modern day prophets!

"When these trials come, the adversary’s minions begin broadcasting that you did something wrong, that this is a punishment, a sign that Heavenly Father does not love you. Ignore that! Instead, try to force a smile, gaze heavenward, and say, “I understand, Lord. I know what this is. A time to prove myself, isn’t it?” Then partner with Him to endure well to the end. Spiritual confidence increases when you accept that “often trials and tribulations are allowed to come into [your life] because of what [you] are doing right”

"Acknowledge and face your weaknesses, but don’t be immobilized by them, because some of them will be your companions until you depart this earth life. No matter what your current status, the very moment you voluntarily choose honest, joyful, daily repentance by striving to simply do and be your very best, the Savior’s Atonement envelops and follows you, as it were, wherever you go. Living in this manner, you can truly “always retain a remission of your sins” (Mosiah 4:12) every hour of every day, every second of every minute, and thus be fully clean and acceptable before God all the time."

I LOVE MY MISSION. The gospel of Jesus Christ is true. I want to live it and love living it for ever and ever. I am so grateful for it. IT MAKES US HAPPY! This is true. 

Hermana Christensen

Day before Marcelino's baptism.

Practicing with Oscar before the sports night began.

Hermana Tenney and I 

My desk covered in Pistachio shells ALWAYS. My favorite snack.

Exchanges with Hermana Short!

Sister Knapp and I hiked to the top of Camelback today and ran down

Baptism & Chocolates.  Gracias Aunty Mary and Unko Lala :)

Braiding a member's hair in the hospital :) 

Week 80

The engagement happened! Not mine, not Riley's, but Mario and Maribell! We figured out in our lesson that they are not yet married. They have been living together for over 18 years now. So we committed them to marriage. They said yes. She was laughing and crying hysterically and kept grabbing my hand. I suggested they do it on February 21st. No specific reason haha... But they agreed. So hopefully we can get everything all together before then! They have to get a license and such and we hope that they are legal ENOUGH to do so! Then they will still be able to be baptized March 1st! They both came to church yesterday with their grandson. They loved it. Hermana Medina was in shock because she helped with their lessons a few months ago. The timing is just now right! It is such a miracle! 

Also the Cardenas came to church again!!! Alvaro is still sober and he volunteered to say the opening prayer the last lesson we had with them. WHAT?! You can actually feel the spirit in their home. They are talking with President Clyde to figure out when they can go to the temple! 

We invited them to fast this week. Alvaro hesitated and said that he hasn't fasted since they lived in Mexico-over 20 years ago! He agreed! I CAN'T BELIEVE how much he is changing. He is so humble and willing to obey God's commandments. 

I bore my testimony yesterday in Spanish. I just looked at Maribell the whole time. I love her a lot. She cried. She had a daughter die a few years ago and the idea of being able to live with her again really keeps her going!

I read a talk this week that really helped me appreciate the sacrament. By Cheryl a Esplin.

The sacrament provides a time for a truly spiritual experience as we reflect upon the Savior’s redeeming and enabling power through His Atonement. A Young Women leader recently learned about the strength we receive as we strive to thoughtfully partake of the sacrament. Working to complete a requirement in Personal Progress, she set a goal to focus on the words in the sacrament hymns and prayers.

Each week, she conducted a self-evaluation during the sacrament. She recalled mistakes she had made, and she committed to be better the next week. She was grateful to be able to make things right and be made clean. Looking back on the experience, she said, “I was acting on the repentance part of the Atonement.”

One Sunday after her self-evaluation, she began to feel gloomy and pessimistic. She could see that she was making the same errors over and over again, week to week. But then she had a distinct impression that she was neglecting a big part of the Atonement—Christ’s enabling power. She was forgetting all the times the Savior helped her be who she needed to be and serve beyond her own capacity.

With this in mind, she reflected again on the previous week. She said: “A feeling of joy broke through my melancholy as I noted that He had given me many opportunities and abilities. I noted with gratitude the ability I had to recognize my child’s need when it wasn’t obvious. I noted that on a day when I felt I could not pack in one more thing to do, I was able to offer strengthening words to a friend. I had shown patience in a circumstance that usually elicited the opposite from me.”

She concluded: “As I thanked God for the Savior’s enabling power in my life, I felt so much more optimistic toward the repentance process I was working through and I looked to the next week with renewed hope.”

I thought about how often I commit the same mistakes over and over and over a gain and I get discouraged sometimes as I evaluate my progress each day and week. I do this so often that I forget to notice the times where I AM strengthened to resist temptation a little more. I know that we can be given more divine strength as we partake of the sacrament each week and remember the covenants we have made! He will ALWAYS help us, no matter how Christ-like we are in any moment. He can always strengthen us. I really loved this story. 

Also we went and taught a former investigator from when I was here with Hermana Pew. She commented on how she never wanted to talk to us but we ALWAYS said hi to her, and waved as would ride past her on our bikes. She grew to be curious and love Hermana Pew and I. I know that small and simple things can go along way! That is why she let us start teaching her. Every drop in the bucket counts. Artemia will be interested one day! She still isn't right now. She is a very straight forward and cold kind of person at the moment. BUT she trusts us! She called us on Saturday and kept asking for me on the phone but I was driving so my comps talked to her. She STARTED CRYING and asked if we could come visit her. She is really worried about her son. Anyways- we were in Mesa at the moment and couldn't so we sent Hermana Medina over. (BEST MEMBER MISSIONARY IS ONE WHO WILL VISIT THE INVESTIGATORS WITH OUT THE MISSIONARIES!) That was a miracle. We are going to see her again tonight.

I love helping people. I love it so much! We have a baptism this weekend! His name is Marcelino. He is really really crazy haha. But he has a lot of faith and comes to church! He is really excited! His family was not AT ALL interested but we are now teaching 2 of his nieces! And 3 of his nephews came to soccer on Friday! SOOO things are going well!

Hermana Christensen

My study view. Just a city. But I love this view :)

Friday night soccer. We had 5 teams of 8. SO MANY PEOPLE COME!

All I eat for lunch.  Spinach salad with lots of yummy toppings. Rosemary olive oil and balsamic vinegar. MMMH.

Mesa Temple VC- Meet the Mormons

With my dear Hermana Medina in front of her special truck

Camelback 2nd Hermanas

Week 79

I am still so happy I cannot believe it. I feel like a whole new person! I feel the Spirit in greater abundance and I have more hope in every moment! I love change! 

The entire Cardenas family came to church! I guess the last sisters here stopped working with that family- cause of reasons I still don't understand, but now that I am back we can work with them again! And they are preparing to go to the temple! This is a true miracle! The husband was a DRUNK always last year and the wife wanted to go to the temple so bad but he was not ready. Seems that now he is! President Clyde was in awe as well that Alvaro came to church! I sincerely love the Cardenas family so much. And the teenage girls (one not a member) really like me! They didn't like the other sisters and felt judged I guess. I feel like they are my little sisters and with them I really can say I "hate the sin but love the sinner."

When I came into the area Sunday night- we had about 4 investigators TOTAL..... and 0 people on date to be baptized. We have 3 on date this week! This area has needed a lot of help... BUT we have had miracle after miracle each day.

We spent one night calling and setting appointments with a bunch of former investigators... One of which (Maribell) is now on date! SHE IS SO READY NOW! I cannot believe how directly we were led to her by the spirit at the PERFECT time. Her husband ( part of the reason she was dropped) is coming home from jail today! And now he has a desire to change. We hope to get him on date tonight with her! 

I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY MORE THAN EVER BEFORE! 

MY SPANISH IS COMING BACK SO QUICKLY! Thank you so much for your prayers.

The Mora family is doing so amazing I cry almost every time I see them haha. They are involved in EVERYTHING in the church. Mario is in the priesthood presidency and teaches, and they come to soccer on Fridays and scripture class on Wednesdays with their kids. It makes me so happy to see their progress! They are taking the temple prep classes and will go through in March!

I am so grateful for the extra time I have to live! I should be dead- yet still am alive. I am enjoying every second :).

This is a letter I just got from a woman we caroled to on Christmas Eve! What a miracle!

Shelby, Elizabeth & Mary,

I hope I entered all three of your email addresses correctly. I sure want this email of thanks to get through to all of you. You came to our house in Alpine AZ, and sang Christmas carols for us on Christmas Eve. Harry and Barbara Sink had given you our name and told you how to get to our house. After you sang for us, we asked you in and we had the best visit with you.

You see, We had made tamales all afternoon and then went to a beautiful Christmas Eve service at our church. It seemed it was a perfect Christmas Eve. Then, we heard beautiful Christmas music coming from outside our door. Because our house is not very easy to find, we have never had carolers at our door until you came. You three just put the finishing touches on our family's celebration of our Savior's birth.  Words cannot express the joy that you three gals brought to our family. You three sing beautifully together, even standing out in the cold!

What I want you to know is: Neither my husband or I were able to go up in the attic and get our Christmas decorations down. Nor were we able to go cut a tree. That was okay because we couldn't decorate it anyway. :-) He is twisted with rheumatoid arthritis, and I had just had my hip replaced. We didn't think either of our children and families could come for Christmas. Our daughter had a new job and couldn't leave. Our son was being transferred and in the middle of a move from AZ to NM. It was going to be the first Christmas we were alone since our first child was born 50 yrs ago. (we've been married 54 years) But we were very content to celebrate the Savior's birth and concentrate on our blessing of eternal life thru HIM. Our son & family just stopped in the middle of their move and came to celebrate with us anyway. They blessed us with that surprise. And then you gals came and sang so unexpectedly. That blessed us all very much. We loved visiting with you afterward and you were all three so gracious and precious.

I just feel compelled to write and thank you once again. Our simple Christmas turned into a huge elaborate one, and you were a big part of it! No decorations even needed or missed!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Mary Blair

PS We did watch the video you suggested. It was really good! Thanks!

I LOVE everyone and everything. 

Hermana Christensen

The board of cleanliness I made for us :)

 

mis queridas hermanas

Week 78

I feel like I am living a dream. I never thought I would actually be back in my first area again! I can't believe how surreal it feels! I love the Camelback 2nd branch! 

My faewell dinner on Sunday was not fun. There were about 15 of us there and half were going home this week and half of us extended. I didn't feel like I should have been there! I don't think I am going home yet. It's not real. Needless to say I didn't cry much because I AM STILL HERE :).

After the farewell dinner on Sunday I went straight to my area. Monday I was struggling speaking Spanish. HAHA I have not had real conversations in Spanish for many months! The past few days a LOT has come back to me. So I will just keep remembering and progressing the next few weeks!

 Monday we got to see Minerva Mora's family, we were all so excited to see each other! They are SO ACTIVE and doing wonderful! They seem SO HAPPY!

Hermana Medina came out with us on Monday. She is now a branch missionary! Finally- she LOVES missionary work so much. SHE has progressed a lot over the past year! We visited Jonathan. He is a golden investigator. We taight the Plan of Salvation. We asked if he had read the pamphlet to prepare for the lesson and he said,"Yes, but I don'thave it now. One of my friends is having a really hard time so I gave it to him and told him to read it, that it would bring him peace."

He accepted a baptismal date, and reads The Book of Mormon during his whole lunch break at work! He just works 3 jobs and coming to church on Sunday is the struggle now.

We also visited the Cardenas family! Hermano Cardenas wasn't drunk- he is on medicine for his blackened/diseased leg- so he can't drink! What a miracle! We invited him to the temple and set a date with both of them! He committed to it so we will see! We have to see him as many times as we can in the next two weeks while he is sober! 

I LOVE the work here! I forgot what it is like to be around SO MANY PEOPLE! I am in awe at the traffic and lights. Also the NOISE outside of our apartment. I feel so claustrophobic almost! Change is so good. I am never bored. There is so much to look at here! Haha no more vast fields of grass and trees!

Sister Doolhoff, Isert and I sang "Holding Hands Around The World" at transfer meeting yesterday. There were a few missionaries crying. I love the children's songs because they help me remember the excitement I had in primary while learning about the gospel. 

My companions are both Spanish speakers of course. Hermana Knouse (from Maryland) has been in this area for 6 weeks. And Hermana Tenney (from Orem UT) just finished being trained in Phoenix! We all love each other a lot. 

I am so happy. I love the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that daily repentance is necessary. The atonement is real, and relief is available to all who repent! I LOVE the relief I feel when I willingly seek forgiveness.

 "Without repentance, there is no real progress or improvement in life. Pretending there is no sin does not lessen its burden and pain. Suffering for sin does not by itself change anything for the better. Only repentance leads to the sunlit uplands of a better life. And, of course, only through repentance do we gain access to the atoning grace of Jesus Christ and salvation. Repentance is a divine gift, and there should be a smile on our faces when we speak of it. It points us to freedom, confidence, and peace. Rather than interrupting the celebration, the gift of repentance is the cause for true celebration."

("The Divine Gift of Repentance" by D. TODD CHRISTOFFERSON)

Hermana Christensen

Braiding a less active member's hair in Pie Town. I love Sister Tillotsen. She is super sick all of the time and kind of grumpy. I felt so privileged that she asked me to braid her hair! :)

My new trio! Hermana Knouse, Hermana Tenney, me

Last night in Luna with Hermana Isert.

My soccer ball flew out of the car we realized after driving 22 miles- I thought my Datil thrift ball  was long gone. I said a prayer to find my baby ball and a few miles back we found it on the side of the road! Here I am talking to it- so happy it was okay :) :)

Week 77

Sunday was my favorite day this week. I don't know why I always favor Sundays. Probably because they are Holy days set apart by God. After ward council I was eating my fiber one bar for breakfast waiting for people to walk into the church doors to greet and I spotted an investigator  walking in! So I grabbed sister Doolhoff and whisper/yelled who showed up! He saw us and gave us a hug (sometimes hugs from men are impossible to avoid). I was so SHOCKED that HE out of all investigators was there! Sister Harrast and I found him by knocking on his trailer door in Apache Creek because he lived right next to a member that wasn't home. He anti'd us pretty hard. He asked us a lot of questions about things from the bible and we promised him that we would find out the answers and return! That was in Sept. We have seen him one other time-didn't go well either. We've left him notes here and there on his trailer but haven't really met with him since.Yesterday at church he said, "I've been doing a lot of studying and I finally felt ready to come to church." He seemed really sincere but I was still half expecting him to start yelling blasphemy during the meeting!

......WE HAD GREAT speakers luckily. A stake High Councilman and his wife and a return missionary sister form temple square who bore testimony of Joseph Smith and the First vision. After the meeting Don came up to me and said, "I never understood what Joseph Smith really did, he had the same questions that I have. Thank you so much." He said as tears rolled down his cheeks and he embraced me in a hug. I was speechless!!! He was read the whole Book of Mormon since Sept, and is reading it again. He was so overwhelmed after sacrament meeting that he went home to digest. He wants us to come over and we will see him this Tuesday. He also has been meeting with some members who are helping him along! WHAT A MIRACLE! I know with out a doubt that the Holy Ghost is real! God does exist and he is aware of EVERY soul. 

Other Highlights from this week:

• I was blessed with essential oil and other strange things by a woman pastor from another church at our dinner appointment with them.
• We met a VERY good potential investigator family this week by knocking on their door after we saw the dad teaching his daughter to ride a bike outside. 
• We dropped Nancy.
• We sing a lot in the car. (practicing for transfer meeting now too)
• We tried to contact a less active family we have never met before. They were home, didn't come to the door, so we sang  "Angles we have heard on high" on their door step with hopes to soften their hearts. They still didn't come.
• I like to run randomly down the road a ways next to the car after backing up the car for sister Doolhoff.
• We contacted a family referral. They have strong baptist beliefs and he denied wasnting to learn more about our message right away because he believes that we downplay the role of Jesus Christ. SIster Doolhoff said she was praying to know what to say but felt nothing, i felt SO STRONGLY that I needed to recite The Living Christ. I did and the spirit was so strong. The father and his children ( ages 17, 12, and 9) were so intrigued.  After I finished Sis Doolhoff bore her testimony of the divinity of Jesus Christ while choking back tears. Needless to say, the dad agreed for us to come back. 
• We street contacted an uninterestted man 2 times in a row, very awkward both times but he can't say one day that we didn't try!
• Our stake is starting a 40 day fast for missionary work Feb 1st. We introduced it yesterday and passed around the calendar for sign ups. We got home last night to find a message from Brother Vallejos (recent convert) saying, "Sisters this is Brother Vallejos speaken, I really need you to call me back this is urgent!" We called him back and he was so worried because the sign up to fast had somehow skipped him and he needed to know what days were open so he could sign up! He is so good I love him! And so do all of the members. Bishop yesterday said, " you know sisters if you would have asked me one year ago about Lalo joining the church I would have said no way. But look at him! I cannot BELIEVE how well he fits in and is doing!" :)
• I LOVE LUNA
• I will be going to the farewell dinner on Sunday, Sister Thompson and I will drive down 5 hours to the valley together! Then I will be in Scottsdale ( my first area)Sunday night! My new companion will be Hermana Knouse! Hermana Pew trained her too :)

I love you, I love the scriptures and I love being a missionary!

Hermana Christensen

Hermana Doolhoff wanted to be just like me and came out wearing this outfit. Love her haha.

We knocked on this door, nobody answered, we left a nice note on their chalk board!

Watching the snow girls shoot things. Had to have the pink!

 Pie in Pie Town!

Week 76

I LOVE THIS AREA. I WILL MISS IT SO MUCH.

 Things are going so well! We found a new investigator last night- member referral. She has 4 kids and her husband just left her and she is really religious and wants to learn more about the restoration! We have a return apt this Friday!

 I think about leaving this area and it seems like its not real. That it will never happen. I LOVE THESE PEOPLE SO MUCH! I love it. Seriously. I think about leaving and want to bawl haha. But I am excited to stay friends with theses people- investigator and member alike- for forever!!
I started a gratitude journal and it has helped IMMENSLEY with my attitude! I am trying to develop an ' attitude of gratitude'.
I love my mission. It is so hard. I struggle every single day. But I find love and hope and peace in every day too.
Sister Isert fits in SO PERFECTLY in this area. She is incredible and so calm and relaxed! She has made a great addition!
Also a tri- companionship is so necessary in this area. We have done splits with members the last few weeks and it is looking really bright if we continue doing that in this large area!

I LOVE THE SCRIPTURES! "If you want to talk to God, get on your knees, if you want God to talk to you, open your scriptures."

I LOVE STUDYING THEM! I know they are true and contain a divine power that we may feel as we study them diligently.

I LOVE EVERYTHING AND EVERYONE.

Hermana Christensen

On New Year's Day we got to play sports in the dome in Eagar with all the mountain zones from 9 am to 3pm. I played soccer the whole time (minus lunch) and had the time of my life. It was so much fun! There are lots of soccer missionaries up here. What a blessing. Happy New Year to me! :)

But I got a nasty blood blister and Sister Isert found out about it and immediately attended to my needs haha. What a wonderful companion she is!

We drive 100+ miles a day. This is how we look! :)

You know Elder Christensen from "The District" who is from Florida?

His sister is in my mission!! She played soccer with me all New Year's day :)

Hermana Wheelwright and I

Sister Christensen and I

With Bishop and Nyla Payne <3

Lesson with Lalo in the Apache Creek Fire Department ( where we always meet for lessons haha)