Bueno 

This week went by really fast. I don’t really have much to say because I am almost sure that it should still be Wednesday! We had many divisions last week. But it was real good. We saw some miracles and found some new people to teach but the highlight was a baptism that the Sister missionaries had in our Rama. 

Saturday a man named M was baptized and truly it was the most spiritual baptism I have seen. He was so prepared even though he had a ton of trials to pass through.  He got baptized and then he bore his testimony. It was so cool. He said," Before I didn’t believe in what the missionaries were teaching me, I did not want to be Mormon and I did not believe in Mormon or in Smith. But then I kneeled down one night and asked God to tell me or show me a vision of the truth. And he did he answered my prayer and I know that Mormon and Smith are true!" Those were almost his exact words. 

I was just impressed with his testimony. Also the Sister missionaries are so good. They prepared so much for M.  They had church videos, pictures, a book of congratulations, and treats. The sisters really work hard to help people feel welcome. 

I was also impressed a lot this week in the importance of the scriptures. I read a talk called Spiritual Protection, or something similar. And It talked about the need of daily scripture study. It is not just a good Idea but it is a need. If we read and study and ponder everyday on the word of God we will be protected by him and receive guidance. We have so many options too. The Bible,the Book of Mormon, D&C, and General Conference.

In Ether 8:26 it says Wherefore, I, Moroni, am commanded to write these things that evil may be done away, and that the time may come that Satan may have ^ano power upon the hearts of the children of men, but that they may be^bpersuaded to do good continually, that they may come unto the fountain of all ^crighteousness and be saved.

  

The scriptures not only protect us but they take out and destroy the Evil that is in our lives. I know we need to read everyday.

I love you all yes especially you mom

 Elder Christensen

 

The Narnia Cupboard

Visiting the Mission Areas!

We had a really good week seriously! I had the blessing to go visit areas of other missionaries and it was very rewarding. We taught really good people and we found a lot of people who in reality are ready to listen to the Gospel. I am happy.

First, I went to the Country and we were riding on bikes. And as my pictures indicate I did fall. But that is ok-I was still able to work and I really loved riding on bikes. I had a blast getting to know the other missionaries better. 

The miracle of the week was we were going to a baptism. And we entered the church and a man stopped us right inside the gate and he asked if he could learn about the church. His name is Ignacio. And we said “But of Course you can, lets go”. And he said good lets go. He wants to feel closer to God because he never felt like he was very sincere in following his religion and now he is on the search to find the true church. We testified to him about the church and we invited him to come to church on Sunday and he came.  He got to know Presidente Barreiros. So he was very blessed. I know that God is preparing people for us to help. Just like the people Amelia and Peter got to know!

We are also teaching a Cuban man named Jorge who is Atheist but he has a ton of questions and he said he will read a little of the book of Mormon. We want to help him. But he has to read the Book of Mormon and he will come to know that God exists and not only that he exists but that he is our Father. He loves us and will do anything to bless us and to help us if we just look for him. If we ask he will come to our aid. I know God will help Jorge know that he exists.

Thanks for everything you do for me I love you Mom and Dad and all the Fam

Elder Christensen

 

Sometimes you fall...off a bike...so God can pick you back up!

Wonders of the World...yes the Salt Lake Temple

WE CAN’T WASTE TIME!

This week I had a really cool experience that helped me appreciate this time I have to help others. First, we did so much service. I don’t think I have seen so many spiders in my whole life! I made it through, but it was tough. Service is always really cool. We cleaned out storage areas this week!

We were visiting with our friend JP who started coming to church again a little while ago. And we went with our ward mission leader named HM. We were talking to JP about what he is going to study and about his friends. HM then said " and what about a mission" He said, “ I don’t know maybe in a couple of years." Then HM said. “I am going to be sincere, you are wasting your time here. You can’t lose the two years as a missionary because there is no other place where you can progress so much spiritually. I realized that too. This time is great. The changes are many. The prize is huge. I know the blessings don’t stop coming. Now we have to get JP on a mission!

Another miracle we had was that we cleaned out a storage room. And we were working with one of our Investigators named O. We were working for another Investigator named M and  we worked hard for about 2 hours to reorganize her patio and to clean out all the spiders and dust. Then she invited us back to visit her because she wants to know why we do so much service. It was a little miracle because before she said she is Catholic and doesn’t want to change. It is cool how such a small act of kindness, just an invitation to help someone, can change their hearts.

Thanks for all the help and support and prayers!

 I Love you,

Elder Christensen

Making bread

working

Elders Avocado

Happy New Year

This New Year was super special. We had to be in the house at 8 pm and so we made a giant smoothie and pancakes and macaroni and cheese and we ate ice cream. It was a big night. Also we cleaned the whole house so that was something very good.  At 11 30 we were all sleeping and the next day--2014 started! It was crazy. It was a good time. I am thankful that I can be serving here during the New Year.

I have been reflecting a lot on the year that has passed. 2013 was really short and I am thankful that I have been here in Chile.  It has been a great learning experience. But it still goes on. I have to keep going.

The other week we contacted a guy named J L and we invited him to church. He said that he was an Evangelist so he can’t come to our church. But he came and then he came to an activity and to church again yesterday. We haven’t even taught him yet but he really likes the church and he keeps coming to the activities. It is really cool that there are people who just like church and are ready to listen to the gospel. 

I also learned the importance of Humility. We were working with a brother in our branch and he was talking to us about his life. He is very successful and still humble.   Usually when one is successful they want to show off their success but it is more impressive to be humble. That is a sign of spiritual strength  I am grateful for the example.

I am also grateful for the example of all of you my family,   I love you all.

Elder Christensen

Everyday...

Jumping the Wall

Food for the New Year

Pot of Smoothie

Nightly Phone calls

Chile is Burning.....

Food

More food...

and more...

Whoops, Today is Tuesday…what happened?

Hahaha just kidding!   We had our preparation day today because we had changes yesterday so we didn’t have very much time to do anything. It was a good change. I can’t believe that 2013 has already ended. It makes me think how short life is, how little time that Heavenly Father has given me to work here in Chile. 2 years is all. At times it is true that it feels like it will never end. But most the time I hope it never does. My companion told me the other day," what is the point to start something if you are just waiting for it to end" It is true there. is no reason to serve a mission just to see the end of it.  We must love it and change through it. This time is precious and I don’t want to waste any of it.

Ok, I am going to make it short this week. I have a  Miracle of the Week and then Lesson of the week. First; the Miracle of the week: 

We have investigators named E and J. They are super cool, but we went to their house yesterday and they said we had to talk. They said they don’t want to listen to you guys anymore. We like your visits but we don’t want to get married or go to church. And we said whoa whoa whoa, Who said anything about that?  We just asked you guys to read the Book of Mormon and we can get to the rest a little later. They said oh that is ok we like to read the Book of Mormon because we feel better in our day and everything goes better. We also like the stories, so we will keep listening to you and reading the book of Mormon!!! Bam Roasted!!

I know that if we just read the Book of Mormon it will change our lives. We don’t need to think about anything else because that just complicates our lives. We need to pray everyday and we need to read the Book of Mormon and nothing else.

Lesson Learned:

Today I called a sister to see if we could just pick up our lunch so we could have more of a p-day. She said no. Then we went to her house and she started talking to me in English because she lived in Arizona for a long time. But she asked me," What does your mom do when she invites a lot of people over to your house to eat or have a party," So I said well she cleans up the house and cooks all day. Sets up the tables and makes the house look its best. And she makes sure everyone is happy and fed before she eats. Then the sister asked me, " How would she feel if they called and hour before to ask if they could just pick up the food".    Obviously that was bad. In Chile we call this a PALO which is like a Slap to the Face. I did not appreciate the work and the sacrifice the sister made to invite us to eat lunch with her and I felt sorry for that.  I will always remember to be thankful to eat with a family here. They sacrifice so much to have us over for lunch. I love the Chileans!!!

                                       
                                       

I love you Mom and Dad

Elder Christensen

With my Rudolph pen

I love Pretzels!

 

Friends

Elder Hipster

Friends

The Church?

Christmas Day Phone Call

Hey, I just wanted to let you guys know that I am super happy here, that I love the mission; that I love you guys, I love you all, you guys are the best; but also I know the Book of Mormon is true; we should be reading it everyday; it is so cool. It is the best book ever; and if we read it every day, it is going to help us as a family; it will help us in every way that we need; it will help us concentrate to do every thing we can to prepare for when he comes again; He needs us; we need him; thank you mom and dad for teaching me that to help me on the mission. I love you all.

MERRY CHRISTMAS from CHILE

I LOVE YOU GUYS!

Family I love you all! I think one of the most important things I have learned in Chile is how to tell people that I really love them. Do we take the time to tell our loved ones how much they mean to us? But more importantly is to show it--am I right? I feel so happy to be here in the mission because I feel like we always say I love Christ or I love my heavenly father. But do we show it? How can we show it? I have asked that question before and what better answer than leave two years to serve my Father in Heaven.

Really this week was a little hard because we had a ton of Meetings! We had to go to Santiago and we had divisions and a ton of stuff. But I noticed an old habit that was creeping back in to my life, which is when I compare myself to others. But it is such a waste of time. What is the point to compare ourselves when God made us who we are for a reason. Maybe we are not the best sports players or maybe we are; maybe we are not the smartest but maybe we are. In the end does it matter? No. I have never found the scripture that says only the Best are welcomed to have Eternal life. 

So I decided I am not spending enough time on my knees.

Truthfully I love Chile. I love the people I love the food. I love the culture. I am so blessed to be able to spend Christmas here. Sunday we went Christmas Caroling. It was so fun. We went to visit less active members but we sang to all their neighbors too. There are people who don’t have anything for Christmas, They don’t have a tree or they don’t have family. But they all said thank you for the music. I am impressed. I will be more thankful for the blessings I have. 

I love you all and See you Wednesday! 

Elder Christensen