I have learned to expect resistance and opposition and to overcome it! Every time we climb up the steep hill to teach our families, sweating profusely, I begin to sing the 4th verse of “Come, Come Ye Saints” (And should we die, before our journey’s through…). The best way to deal with it is to have a sense of humor and to not let it stress you out.
Jose Abel, 8 years old, was the last member of the Sanchez family to be confirmed this Sunday. We went to their house on Saturday afternoon to remind them to be early to church, and we came early on Sunday to accompany them to church (at 8 am). And, they were not there. We called various times and they told us that Jose Abel was at his soccer game. However, God always prepares the way so that His children can accomplish the things that He commands them (1 Nephi 3:7). And, it rained. No, it poured. And Jose Abel’s soccer game was cancelled.
We took a mototaxi to pick up a soggy Jose Abel (it was after sacrament meeting). We could not find the house where he was, so we began to pray and search. 2 minutes later, Jose Abel and his family pass us in their mototaxi and they see us and stop. Hallelujah! After changing into his Sunday clothes, Jose Abel, Hna. Tepen and I cram into a mototaxi and make it “to the church on time” for him to get confirmed. In this moment, I began to think of the worth of a soul, and the countless sacrifices that my parents and teachers and church leaders and people at work have made for me (and continue to make for me). And they do it because they love me. And, it is only by sacrificing that we learn to love. It is because God and Christ gave the ultimate sacrifice that they have so much love for us. So, if I want to love God more, I need to give up more of the behaviors and thoughts and sins that are keeping me away from Him.
That´s all for this week!
Love, Hna. Christensen
Monday, January 25, 2010
Monday, January 18, 2010
It's a Jungle Out There!
Shout outs and thank yous to the following people for their letters and Christmas cards: Lisa and Matt Gee (I listened to the CD twice, thank you so much for making it), Kay Wilkins, Jan and Allison Wilkes, Mom, Rachel Christensen, Michelle Lizon, Liz Stitt, Kezia Carter, Amy Huffman, Sharon Bigelow (Freshman Academy) and anyone else I forgot. FYI, Some people use www.DearElder.com to send a letter via email and then the mission prints it off for me. It might be cheaper than regular post.
And happy birthday this week to my nephew Emerson, who will turn one-year old!
I was grateful to hear that Karen and Adam are safe. I had heard from a neighbor about the earthquake in Haiti, and my companion and I have been praying for them and the Haitians. Keep Haiti in your prayers, as well as the Peruvians.
I am in my new area and I am very content. What a contrast from big city Lima! So, they told me I am going to the jungle, but I am actually in a city, with the jungle surrounding me. I still slather myself with bugspray and sunscreen, though, and sleep under a mosquito net. They say the temperatures get up to 38 degrees Celsius, even more. It’s a good thing they use the metric system, because I don’t know what the temperature means. But, sorry to get your hopes up. It is still a city, with the accomodations of internet cafes, hospital clinics, paved roads, and markets. It feels like a tourist town. The church is just a few blocks from our house, which is extremely convenient. We have 4 branches in this district.
I love my new companion, Hna. Tepen. She is from Guatemala and was working before coming on her mission. She only has two transfers left. I tell her every day, as a joke, “No sea trunky!” (Don’t be trunky) It’s a lot easier to work together as a companionship when both of us have some experience under our belt. I learn a lot from her every day to not just teach, but to testify. Testifying is what invites the Spirit in the lesson. I believe that I need to be companions with her in order to learn how to develop the Christlike attributes of love, patience, and humility. She rocks.
I am so happy here! I’ve really been putting my focus on loving God and loving my neighbor, rather than getting caught up in all the details of the mission. What a difference it makes. We woke up super early on Sunday to accompany the Sanchez family to church for their confirmation (they were baptized Saturday, a complete family...dad, mom, sister and brother!). When we arrived at 8:30, they were not even close to being ready. They had to wash all their clothes before church. So, Hna. Tepen and I helped wash clothes. Fortunately, Hna. Flores had taught me a week or so ago how to wash clothes by hand, including how to rinse and dry effectively. You have to squeeze the water out and then shake it. I was grateful for this new skill. Does this count as part of a merit badge towards my Eagle?
Our zone is small (8 of us) and we do fun activities together. For example, today we are going to a lagoon. We did a service activity when we went to the Branch Presidents’ houses and cleaned their yards and their homes. I could tell some of the women were a little embarrassed or offended, so I kept on telling them, “It’s easy to clean a house that is already clean!” I also gave the women back massages and washed dishes. It was more than anything, a demonstration of our willingness to support and serve the 4 branches in our district, and it unified our district. Everyone in our zone is da bomb and so willing to serve and to love. Awesome! We will have miracles in this area. Stay tuned!
Con mucho amor,
Hermana Christensen
And happy birthday this week to my nephew Emerson, who will turn one-year old!
I was grateful to hear that Karen and Adam are safe. I had heard from a neighbor about the earthquake in Haiti, and my companion and I have been praying for them and the Haitians. Keep Haiti in your prayers, as well as the Peruvians.
I am in my new area and I am very content. What a contrast from big city Lima! So, they told me I am going to the jungle, but I am actually in a city, with the jungle surrounding me. I still slather myself with bugspray and sunscreen, though, and sleep under a mosquito net. They say the temperatures get up to 38 degrees Celsius, even more. It’s a good thing they use the metric system, because I don’t know what the temperature means. But, sorry to get your hopes up. It is still a city, with the accomodations of internet cafes, hospital clinics, paved roads, and markets. It feels like a tourist town. The church is just a few blocks from our house, which is extremely convenient. We have 4 branches in this district.
I love my new companion, Hna. Tepen. She is from Guatemala and was working before coming on her mission. She only has two transfers left. I tell her every day, as a joke, “No sea trunky!” (Don’t be trunky) It’s a lot easier to work together as a companionship when both of us have some experience under our belt. I learn a lot from her every day to not just teach, but to testify. Testifying is what invites the Spirit in the lesson. I believe that I need to be companions with her in order to learn how to develop the Christlike attributes of love, patience, and humility. She rocks.
I am so happy here! I’ve really been putting my focus on loving God and loving my neighbor, rather than getting caught up in all the details of the mission. What a difference it makes. We woke up super early on Sunday to accompany the Sanchez family to church for their confirmation (they were baptized Saturday, a complete family...dad, mom, sister and brother!). When we arrived at 8:30, they were not even close to being ready. They had to wash all their clothes before church. So, Hna. Tepen and I helped wash clothes. Fortunately, Hna. Flores had taught me a week or so ago how to wash clothes by hand, including how to rinse and dry effectively. You have to squeeze the water out and then shake it. I was grateful for this new skill. Does this count as part of a merit badge towards my Eagle?
Our zone is small (8 of us) and we do fun activities together. For example, today we are going to a lagoon. We did a service activity when we went to the Branch Presidents’ houses and cleaned their yards and their homes. I could tell some of the women were a little embarrassed or offended, so I kept on telling them, “It’s easy to clean a house that is already clean!” I also gave the women back massages and washed dishes. It was more than anything, a demonstration of our willingness to support and serve the 4 branches in our district, and it unified our district. Everyone in our zone is da bomb and so willing to serve and to love. Awesome! We will have miracles in this area. Stay tuned!
Con mucho amor,
Hermana Christensen
Monday, January 11, 2010
Touched by the Spirit
Before I forget, I just got my new assignment. I am being transferred from the city to the jungle!!! Mosquito nets, sunscreen, hot sun, hot sun, hot sun. I can finally create those stories for my grandkids that begin with “When I was in the Amazon…” It will be a humbling experience.
This week Hna. Flores and I have seen many people’s hearts touched by the Spirit. We didn’t do anything, but be where we needed to be at the right time and say the things we were prompted to say. Here are some of the milagros (miracles):
We visited a family and found out that one of the sons was 18 and a half. We shared some of our mission experiences with him and encouraged him to serve a mission. A week later, we had a Family Home Evening with the same family on goal-setting. The young man announced that he had decided a few days earlier to serve a full-time mission. Surely there were many factors going into his decision, but his parents believe we helped to “tip the scale.” I believe that decision will bless his life and the life of others.
We were making phone calls in a locutorio (business where you make phone calls) when the owner came in. Turns out that Gaby is a member of the church who has been away for a few years. Before, she has served in many church callings, including seminary teaching, Insitute, etc. She is coming back to church, and we are so grateful for her and that we were able to talk with her that day in the locutorio. I believe that the Lord puts people in our path as we just go about our normal business.
Sunday we were disheartened because we are starting from scratch to find new people to teach. We were walking down the street and talking about what changes we need to make when Abel stops us and starts talking to us. This young man, a member of a different Christian congregation, is on fire with his faith and testimony! He talked of Christ and how we need to depend upon Him and trust Him. He told us, “You need to teach people the importance of the scriptures. Not just to read them, but why they need them and why they need Christ.” I realized that I was caught up in the details of the mission and had lost my focus. This young man’s testimony was exactly what we needed. His faith was contagious!
We were so happy when our friend Carlos realized that playing soccer with his friends on Sunday instead of attending church was destroying his relationship with his wife and with God. He decided that his family was more important. Yea!!!
That’s all for the week. Choose the right!
Love,
Hermana Christensen
This week Hna. Flores and I have seen many people’s hearts touched by the Spirit. We didn’t do anything, but be where we needed to be at the right time and say the things we were prompted to say. Here are some of the milagros (miracles):
We visited a family and found out that one of the sons was 18 and a half. We shared some of our mission experiences with him and encouraged him to serve a mission. A week later, we had a Family Home Evening with the same family on goal-setting. The young man announced that he had decided a few days earlier to serve a full-time mission. Surely there were many factors going into his decision, but his parents believe we helped to “tip the scale.” I believe that decision will bless his life and the life of others.
We were making phone calls in a locutorio (business where you make phone calls) when the owner came in. Turns out that Gaby is a member of the church who has been away for a few years. Before, she has served in many church callings, including seminary teaching, Insitute, etc. She is coming back to church, and we are so grateful for her and that we were able to talk with her that day in the locutorio. I believe that the Lord puts people in our path as we just go about our normal business.
Sunday we were disheartened because we are starting from scratch to find new people to teach. We were walking down the street and talking about what changes we need to make when Abel stops us and starts talking to us. This young man, a member of a different Christian congregation, is on fire with his faith and testimony! He talked of Christ and how we need to depend upon Him and trust Him. He told us, “You need to teach people the importance of the scriptures. Not just to read them, but why they need them and why they need Christ.” I realized that I was caught up in the details of the mission and had lost my focus. This young man’s testimony was exactly what we needed. His faith was contagious!
We were so happy when our friend Carlos realized that playing soccer with his friends on Sunday instead of attending church was destroying his relationship with his wife and with God. He decided that his family was more important. Yea!!!
That’s all for the week. Choose the right!
Love,
Hermana Christensen
Monday, January 4, 2010
Teaching and Learning
We are teaching a golden investigator named Antonio. He is in his seventies and his girlfriend is a member of the church. He is a gem! We ask him if he’s done his homework (his reading assignment in the Book of Mormon) and he shows us the parts that he likes and has highlighted. He has practically highlighted the whole thing. He is the perfect student and is eager to learn on his own.
As a missionary, I understand and appreciate even more my teachers and my piano teacher. Sometimes I would come unprepared for my lesson (I didn`t practice during the week). My piano teacher, Mrs. Corwin, told me, “There’s nothing I can do for you if you don’t practice on your own. You won’t improve if you don’t practice during the week.” This is how I feel as a missionary. We can visit our investigators, but if they don’t do their homework, (pray, meditate, and study) they will never be converted by the Spirit. Same with members and missionaries alike. We can go to church every week and trainings, but if we don’t do our homework on a daily basis, we will never improve! Discipleship is a daily endeavor.
Hermana Flores and I are improving our teaching by using more pictures and by keeping the lessons shorter. We are also asking ourselves after each lesson, what went well and how can we improve? I am becoming addicted to planning. I am convinced it is one of the greatest things in the world. If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. (Thanks, Dad, for teaching me that lesson).
Happy New Year!
Hermana Christensen
As a missionary, I understand and appreciate even more my teachers and my piano teacher. Sometimes I would come unprepared for my lesson (I didn`t practice during the week). My piano teacher, Mrs. Corwin, told me, “There’s nothing I can do for you if you don’t practice on your own. You won’t improve if you don’t practice during the week.” This is how I feel as a missionary. We can visit our investigators, but if they don’t do their homework, (pray, meditate, and study) they will never be converted by the Spirit. Same with members and missionaries alike. We can go to church every week and trainings, but if we don’t do our homework on a daily basis, we will never improve! Discipleship is a daily endeavor.
Hermana Flores and I are improving our teaching by using more pictures and by keeping the lessons shorter. We are also asking ourselves after each lesson, what went well and how can we improve? I am becoming addicted to planning. I am convinced it is one of the greatest things in the world. If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. (Thanks, Dad, for teaching me that lesson).
Happy New Year!
Hermana Christensen
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)