Sept 28, 2015

Sorry this one is going to be kinda short and copy and pasted from assorted emails to my family and to President! But I hope you all had a great week! 

This week was a really great one for Yasmin. We had an FHE at a members house on Monday with her and another family in the ward. The father of the other family told her his conversion story and testified of the happiness this Gospel brings. He said things that she really needed to hear, as did everyone else that was there. Everyone shared very strong testimonies that I really think helped Yasmin feel the influence of the Spirit. She also went to watch Women's Conference at a members home as well with the same mom and daughter and member who were at FHE and it was amazing. At one point she leaned over to me and said "You know when you're feeling super sad and then you just feel that...ahhh? Like that relief?" I explained to her that I had and asked her if she knew why she was feeling that. After she said she did't know I explained that it was because she was here listening to people say things that are the words that God wants her to know right now to help her. It was amazing also because we gave her a notebook to write things down on and she wrote down some quotes from the speakers and even some things that weren't quotes but were things that she got from what they were saying. It was very special to see her feel of the Spirit and to mature in that way. I'm very thankful that I was able to watch her do that because it helped me grow my testimony in the power of Conference. There was also a church photographer at the home we were watching at so we could maybe be in an upcoming Ensign! :O hahahah

Dina is back from Peru!! She was very very happy to see us and we were also sooooo happy to see her! She came to church and then we went to see her in the afternoon one day and she was very appreciative that we came to visit. She calls us her "little angles"! I love her so much!!! She even went to Women's Conference at the Stake Center with her granddaughter who is a member. It was a little disheartening because after women's conference we went to go see her and after chatting for a moment and asking her how conference was, we asked if it would be ok if we shared a scripture with her, she said "No, we just got back from church!" But really I couldn't help but laugh at it because she's so feisty and hilarious!!!! 

So I'm being transferred!! But I have no idea where to yet!!! How it works is they just tell you if you're leaving or staying in your area but not where you go, we find that out tomorrow. and they just told me I was leaving. So Hna Green (who is in the same ward as I am right now but in the north area that I don't cover bc I'm in the south) is the only other Hermana who is leaving. So it would seem that the only possibility is that we just would switch, which is a possibility but not the ONLY one. So Hna Duncan is currently in and English ward (bc President said he was going to start rotating Hermanas and Elderes out into English) but she's leaving her area. So she could go to a different English area or she could come back to Spanish. so basically long story short, there are 3 possibilities to where I'm going to be in order of most likely to least likely, 1. North area of this same ward 2. Go down to San Clemente in a trio with Hna Garcia and Williams 3. they could put me into English work. So basically I have no idea what's going to happen! hahahah Which is kinda fun for me! But also I just want to know where I'm going! But I know wherever I go I'll be where Heavenly Father wants me to be! 

Im really sad that I have to leave some of my favorite people I've ever met in my whole life and the people that I've come to love sooooo much!!!! But I know that they'll be taken care of and that I'll get to meet even more of my brothers and sisters!!! 

Sorry that was all kind of random but thank you all for your prayers and support! I really can feel them! And I know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love all of you so much!!! I know He has a plan for each of us that is individual and that has more happiness in store than any plan that we could come up with ourselves!!! So I encourage you all to pray to find out what plans Heavenly Father has for you and what He needs you to do to follow it!!! I love you all so much!!!!! Have an amazing week!!!! 

Love,

Hermana Christensen

Sept, 21, 2015

Hello everyone!!! I hope all of you are fantastic!!! 

This week was a crazy one with lots of blitzes and meetings and planning and windows (aka things that are set) but amongst all of that I found lots of great things that helped me become a better missionary and that helped hasten the work. 

Monday night we went to see one of our focus members assigned by the ward(the granddaughter of our investigator Dina) and it was so awesome!!! I seriously love that family!! the girl, her name is Demi, is super adorable and always so happy to see us! It was funny because she just turned 12 and so when Hermana Warner and I were planning a lesson with her we both thought of Personal Progress (a book of spiritually enriching activities for young women) but decided to focus on something else so as to not overwhelm her (which now in the scheme of things was not very smart) so we found another thing we felt good about and shared it with her. But then at the end of the lesson she said she wanted to ask us a question and then left to get something from her room. And what does she pull out? Her personal progress book! hahaha It was very awesome to see her already interested and I know that will be something that will help her grow her faith. 

On Friday we had a Zone Conference with a member of the Quorum of the 70 of the Church! It was absolutely amazing. The whole time my heart was just pounding so hard because of the Spirit I felt. I really felt like the questions I had thought of before and even questions I didn't realize I needed answered, were answered. It definitely helped me to gain confidence in the work I'm doing but also to really find out ways in which I can approve. We all got to shake his hand and tell him our name, where we're from and how long we've been out. I kind of felt like the kid from a Christmas story and was like "Hi I'm Sister Christensen...Hermana Christensen... either one!" hahaha I felt awkward but I don't think it was that bad because I was just being myself!! I think everyone was a little frazzled. My newer roommate was a head of me and she turned about and asked me how long she'd been on her mission! hahaha But he was very nice to let us all do that. He said that if he could he would want to interview every one of us and get to know us which was really cool.

It really was an honor to hear from Elder Cardon and I'm so thankful for that experience.

Right after it ended I felt the strongest desire to go see Yasmin and to talk to her again about the Book of Mormon. I was practically running up to her house because I was so anxious to do what I was prompted to do. I really felt like what he said about the Book of Mormon and also about Peter's experience in the bible were what I needed to hear to help Yasmin. he talked about his change and took us though a bunch of scriptures that showed us that when he was near to Christ and doing the things he was asked to he could have the light of Christ and how after he denied him he re-gained that light and received the Holy Ghost after testifying of him. Then an Elder pointed out that it was after he didn't keep the commitment Christ has extended to Him to pray and stay up while He went to suffer in the Garden that Peter denied Him. Which I thought was super super super cool. 

So we told her about the power of the Book of Mormon and read the story of the Liahona with her and she was really receptive. She asked us if the Book of Mormon was kind of like how the Liahona was for the family. So we told her yes and also testified that this will help her in her family just like it helped Nephi with his. So I think she got more excited about it.
I also really was motivated to apply those things in my life as well. I'm going to commit myself more to reading the Book of Mormon with sincerity and with a true desire to receive answers and with faith that I will be able to do so. I've already noticed a change and I hope that I will continue to grow from it. I also really appreciated Sister Orgill's words because that was something I really needed to hear. I think like most missionaries I often don't believe I'm good enough but I know that through Christ I am and I know that if I continue to strive to be better I'm doing enough. 

We also played volleyball after English class one night which was SUPER SUPER fun!!!! I missed it a lot!!! 

We also went to an amazing cultural activity with lots of dances and displays from different central American and south American countries and it was so fun!!!!! A lady in the ward braided ribbons into my hair like the traditional way and it was so fun!!!! It made me miss the home Spanish ward!!! extrano a mis amigos del barrio de Lake Austin!! Ustedes son los mejores!!! <3
I'm very anxious to see what happens for transfers and what path Heavenly Father has in store for me!!! I'm ready and willing to go wherever I am needed! I will be sad if I leave but I know that will pass quickly because I love change and new challenges and opportunities to be in different situations in which I can grow and learn more. 

We'll see what happens though!!! For now, back to the MV life!!!! We went to a trampoline park this morning, then to a Japanese store, then to Café Rio, did some laundry, now were off to go bowling with the hermanas and some people from the other area!!! I LOVE EVENTFUL P-DAYS!!!! 

Love all of you so much!!!! I hope you all have a wonderful week!!!! Que les vayan bien!!! Les quiero!!! 

Con mucho amor, 

Hermana Christensen

Sept. 14, 2015

Hi everyone!!! I hope everyone had an amazing and fun filled week!!!! 

Some things that happened!: 

We had a lesson with Yasmin that was pretty hard. It's kind of frustrating right now because she has told us that she's pretty sure she knows what we're sharing is true, but she just doesn't know if it's worth it to try to go choose a better path when she's already so far back. We tried to explain the Atonement and how baptism will take that away but she was very persistent with her thought of that she will still remember everything she's done and been through so why is it worth it. We tried to explain but it wasn't really getting through to her. We just did what we could and committed her to keep praying to know what path she needs to take. So we'll just continue to fast and pray for her. We still love her and it's always a blast to be with her and talk to her!!!! 

Dina(the old women who was our investigator who took a super long trip to Peru) is coming back this week!!!! We could not be more excited!!!!! We had dinner with her daughter and her granddaughters the other day!!! We ate the most amazing Peruvian food and I love that family so much!!! Their last name is Mosquiera and they pronounce it in a way that is very hard to say and it's awesome!! They're soooo amazing and hilarious!!!! it was a really, really cool experience. We shared 3 Nephi 11:15 and I shared some of my personal testimony with them and it was something they really needed to hear. The coolest parts for me where 1. that one of Dina's granddaughters who isn't a member was there and was super engaged and very responsive and 2. after I shared my testimony they told me that that is why Dina has let us in. They told us that before she didn't like to talk to missionaries at all, but they told me because of the experiences that I've had and the things I've learned that I can understand her and that that's part of the reason why she let us in. I love them a lot!!! Hna Mosquiera's other daughter who's a member is soooo fun!!! We've gotten really close to her which is good because her mom is a little worried about her and wants us to help her out. She just turned 12 and is soooooo hilarious!! The whole family is soooo funny!!! One time Hna Mosquiera was talking about how it's important to dress modestly and talk to Heavenly Father in a meaningful way and also about having manners and respect for other and she related it to walking into someones house and rudely making yourself comfortable and being all crazy and she totally got up and acted it all out for us. She even went out the door, let herself in, kicked off her shoes, hopped over the couch(in a dress) and slumped down. hahahah IT WAS HILARIOUS!!! I love them a lot!! They're super fun and really nice!!! I'm sooooo excited for Dina to come back this week!!!! 

Some things coming up: 

Tonight I'm going on an exchange in San Clemente with Hna Williams!!! I love going down there!!! It's so cool!!! 

Then Saturday theres a cultural activity! There's going to be food and cultural thingys on tables from different Hispanic countries and there'll be dances from each country and it's going to be soooooo fun!!!!!!! 

On Thursday the ward is playing volleyball so hopefully we can go to that if Emilia or someone goes! I WANT TO PLAY SOOOO BADDDD!!!!!!

A member of the Quorum of the 70 is coming for a mission conference and he's going to pick random people to give a talk on the spirit and will be going on exchanges and will be checking apartments and cars and EVERYTHING!!! They also called some people to tell them they're going to have an interview with him, one of which was Hna Williams and another my roommate since my mission birth, Sister Weston!!! So that's crazy!!! I'm nervous but excited. I may or may not have deep cleaned the bathrooms this morning like a crazy person. I woke up 30 minutes early and scrubbed EVERYTHING. Even the ceiling. It was insane and super gross. Sometimes missionaries forget to clean apartments and then you go to deep clean and realize that nobody has tried to clean that in a long time. and there's mold. and gross stuff. BUT NOT ANYMORE BECAUSE HERMANA CHRISTENSEN THE CLEANING MACHINE GOT RID OF IT ALLLLL!!! MUAHAHA! I also killed a giant horrifying, orange spider that has been there for about a month now that was keeping me from the mop that's been drying on our porch. So I killed it with Kaboom, cleaning spray...  My roommates told me I was the "real MVP" and my companion said "thank you Mom! Love you!" hahaha 

So  this morning was an adventure!!!

But I'm really really excited for the member of the 70 to come!! What a privilege it will be to hear from him!!! I've been studying a lot in preparation about the Holy Ghost and what an amazing gift it is to have a member of the Godhead with us to help us to know the will of God. I've also been thinking a lot about what a blessing it is to have the holy scriptures of the Bible and the Book of Mormon. I would like to invite all of you to study your scriptures everyday. If you don't have one, ask the missionaries in the area for one. If you do, but know someone who doesn't, give one to a friend, family member,ect. Please, please, please read it. If you've never really heard a whole lot about it, start by reading the first, and last two paragraphs of the Introduction page. I testify to you that the promises contained in those paragraphs are true. I testify that you can come closer to God and to our Savior Jesus Christ by reading that book. It has brought me much comfort and many answers to the questions I've had. 

With that I'll just end by saying that I love you all so much!!!! I'm so so thankful for all of you and I know that Heavenly Father loves you so much!!! You are all amazing children of God and don't forget it! hahah I love you all! Have a wonderful week!!!! 

Hermana Christensen

Sept. 8, 2015

This email is definitely going to be a short one and I'm super sorry!!! But I had an amazing week!!!! 

I just want to thank my family sooooooooooooooo sooooooooooooooooooo sooooooooooooooooo much for all the fun stuff for my birthday!!!! it was one of the best ones yet!!!! Thank you for all the birthday wishes too!!!! It was amazing!!!!

We went to lunch at Peruvian restaurant with Hna Williams and Carmack and it was amazing!! Then we went to dinner with Emilia and the crew and they had two cakes for me and we hit the amazing piñata that my mom glammed up and it was sooooooooooooooo fun!!!!! 

I loved every minute of it!!!! I'm so thankful for all of you and for all the love I can feel from you!!! I hope that you all have a wonderful week and can feel the IMMENSE and INDIVIDUAL and PERFECT love that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ both have for each of you!!! I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!!! Please forgive me for how short this is but there's literally a clock counting down from a minute waiting to kick me off of the computer!!! I feel like I am the weakest link! GOODBYE!!!

LOVE AND BLESSING!!! 

Hermana Tay!!

We went and ate at a Peruvian restaurant that one of the members works at and he gives us food for free!!!! It's called Inca Mamas and its sooooo good!!! 

August 31, 2015

Buenos dias mis hermanas y hermanos!!! Feliz lunes!!!! 

This email might be a little short because today for p-day we are going to try to go to the Irvine Spectrum!!! so we have to leave pretty soon but here are some highlights of the week!!!!
1. We were going to visit a less-active member and they weren't there which we were sad about but THEN!!!! We just happened to see this guy that I, and I think Hna Roos, taught the first lesson to in a park one day! He was super super nice the first time, but didn't  have a phone/steady place to live where we could visit him. and his situation is still kinda the same but he lost our number and said he wanted to go to church so that was soooo awesome!! He also looked a lot more healthy than before and cleaned up and it was awesome!! MIRACLES!!!

2. We asked Yasmin about baptism again and she said she wasn't sure but she'd ask God about it. We asked her how her relationship with Him is and she told us that they are "friends"!! She's so cute!! What a good example to us all to try to have a friendship with our Heavenly Father who is the best friend we could ever have!!

3. A recently returned less-active went to the LA Temple Trip that our ward went on with her daughter who is a YSA recent convert and they LOVED it!!! I think it really motivated them both to continue to get to the temple often (for the recent convert) and to get a recommend (for the recently less-active). They have come such a long way and are excited to keep learning more and more!!! 

So yeah that's I think all I've got for this week!!! Sorry it's a short one!!! But I love you all!! I hope you all have a wonderful week!! I encourage all of you to try to strengthen your relationship with Jesus Christ and with Heavenly Father and strive to make them your best friends. Going along with that you all should read the talk "What is a Friend?" ITS AMAZING!!!!!! (there may or may not be an Abe Lincoln reference in it so that might be a huge reason why I love it...)

 But anyways!! Love you all so much!!!! 

P.S. Here's a picture of me and Hna Williams and the cake I got her for her birthday!!