My new companion is Elder Joseph Fife! He is from Blackfoot Idaho. But
don't worry, it gets better, he speaks Spanish! We are pumped to be
serving together. He has been out a little less than a year, turned 19
the day he got to Flagstaff, and was actually companions with Elder
Muñoz last transfer in Peoria. We speak Spanish as much as we can, and
he had a hard time switching from Spanish to English. He also spoke
with me both at Kevin's baptism and in Sacrament meeting yesterday. He
also ate some moldy bread in our house his fourth day here and then up
chucked his whole breakfast. Needless to say, we are off to a great
start!
So Bishop Brown asked us both to speak in Sacrament Meeting yesterday
on how to make member missionary work practical. It went really well,
and I got a lot of ideas for my talk from Elder Ballard's talk
"Creating a Gospel-Sharing Home." He said "Creating a gospel-sharing
home is the easiest and most effective way that we can share the
gospel with others" (Creating a Gospel-Sharing Home -
http://www.lds.org/general-
I invite you to read/watch this talk and learn more about SIMPLE
things we can do to create a gospel sharing home. My thesis statement
was "As we consistently live the gospel of Christ, sharing it with
others will become a natural part of who we are." I really believe that
to be true. It's not about how big of a deal we make of sharing the
gospel, it's about the consistent, little efforts we make each day.
Elder Fife has taught me a bit about lumberjacks recently, which is
pretty appropriate up here because of NAU. Anyways, cutting a tree
down with an axe will take you quite a while if you only take a few
crazy nutso random swings at a time. The most effective way is to take
consistent, angled swings until the tree falls. I thought that was
sweet! Because sometimes we participate in these huge initiatives the
church does to share the gospel, or in other words we make a couple
big ol' swings, and then we get burned out and discouraged when we
don't see immediate results. Elder Ballard talks about the consistent,
methodical swings we can take, figuratively, in order to be the best
gospel sharing members and missionaries. "Wherefore, be not weary in
well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out
of small things proceedeth that which is great" (D&C 64:33 -
http://www.lds.org/scriptures/
Kevin is pure evidence of this. Kevin was consistently invited
and worked on by members for 10 years before he decided to be baptized
and join the church this last Saturday. 10 years ago he was first
invited to a church function! I am grateful for the consistent efforts
of those members, and for the opportunity I have had to watch and be a
part of his growth. At his baptism this last weekend, he bore a
powerful testimony of the love and truth he has felt. He also made
some delicious cookies for everyone who came, so overall it was a
rewarding experience. Anyways, I hate to ramble, but I know that
members play a powerful role in the Work of Salvation, because I've
seen it firsthand.
Also, Steve received the Aaronic Priesthood yesterday and will
be blessing the Sacrament next week! It's been amazing to watch the
Atonement of Jesus Christ play take effect in the lives of these two
men. This gospel really is life-changing.
Well I hope you're all well! Sounds like you're having a great Labor
Day weekend!
I love you all!
Elder Collin Christensen
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