July 20, 2015 Last Email!

Hello Everyone! 

Well last week we had a pretty good turn out at our Noche de Deportes! We had quite a few less active members and a couple investigators come to play soccer. They may have roped us into playing in our shirts and ties, but that's not important. It was a lot of fun and helped a lot of people become friends again. 

We have been facing similar struggles lately with getting people to church and such, but we had some cool experiences this week including a church tour with a new investigator family! Their names are Alfredo and Lilia. They both want to come to church but she has to work on Sundays. It seems like that is always the issue, especially when you find someone super solid. This week at church we had a few members come though, which was great. We sang "I Believe in Christ" half in Spanish and English with the Choir. It was fun even though neither of us really knew what to sing, we could say the words at least! Its been cool to see how the Cedar Hill Ward is adjusting to being a "bilingual ward". Next week I will be speaking as well as Hermano Castruita, who will be speaking in Spanish. We will have someone translate his talk into English, which will be the first time thats happened! I'm excited. 

I love this ward. They have been so awesome and kind and loving. I will miss so many of these people I have come to love. Being on a mission truly has changed my perspective and my priorities. I love my Savior Jesus Christ and I know that He Lives. I know that His gospel is the only way to find true happiness. 

I will save the fluff. I am sure you all get it. I invite you all to my Homecoming talk.

Well this is pretty weird, but I guess this is it! See you all next week! I love you and look forward to seeing you.

Love,

Elder Collin Christensen

July 6, and 13

July 6-

Mom,
Sorry I didn't write this week. We were at BEARIZONA looking at some
wildlife and I fell asleep afterwards. I'm doing good. Glad you had a
fun and safe Fourth of July. Talk to you next week.

Élder Collin Christensen

July 13

Hey Everyone!

Sorry I didn't write much last week. Last week we went to BEARIZONA, a wildlife sort of park and took a bus through the whole park to see some pretty cool animals. I didn't get many pictures unfortunately, but it was fun. Today was awesome. We got up at 4:45 to climb Mt. Humphreys with a couple other Elders who are going home with me. It was super fun to be able to climb it again. I'll bring home some pictures of the hike and the top because they are all on my normal camera. 

Mom asked some general questions about the Spanish Group that I'll answer. Yes we are the only Spanish elders in the Stake. We still haven't received the new translation equipment. And as far as the vision for the Group, the Stake is being selective in who they pull from English Wards to help support it. The goal is to create a strong functioning unit of Spanish Speakers were any investigator or member can go to feel comfortable learning the gospel and feeling the Spirit in their culture and in their own language. We are focusing primarily on native Spanish speakers, and it's been a slow process but we have got one active family almost completely moved into the group, and a couple less active families who will be moving or have moved their records as well. Basically our focus is still the members. The Facebook events we have been making for Sacrament hasn't yielded any huge results, but it has put church on people's mind more and I believe it has helped remind our semi active family to come. Facebook has been a good tool to just try to unify and excite everyone, and most the members have been good at being involved. And my group coming home is the last group that won't be taking our iPads home. Beginning with the next group after us had the chance to pay for theirs to take it home.

It's been a little tough lately to get people to keep their commitments honestly. It's kinda been wearing on us. Part of the culture is that these people are so nice and hospitable to us that most of the time they will say "yes" to anything we ask them or invite them to do. Then it doesn't happen and we get confused. We really are working on teaching the doctrine of the Sabbath Day and church attendance, inviting with power and then following up, and setting goals. The last three weeks we haven't been able to get Investigators to church but at least some members have still been coming even with Summer vacations.

Well we found an awesome new couple to teach, and now we are also teaching a guy named Alejandro who a member introduced us to. The work is hastening, but it's just happening in a different way than we expect. I love the Lords promise to us as we labor in His vineyard, both as members and missionaries: "And blessed art thou; for because ye have been diligent in laboring with me in my vineyard, and have kept my commandments, and have brought unto me again the natural fruit, that my vineyard is no more corrupted, and the bad is cast away, behold ye shall have joy with me because of the fruit of my vineyard" (Jacob 5:75). I have experienced this joy as I have labored with the Lord. I love that. He truly is by our side laboring with us. He is the one hastening His work. I may not see a baptism happen after working in this area for a total of nearly 12 months now. But I know the Lord put me here for a reason, and that I've been able to learn valuable lessons as I have planted seeds that will someday be harvested. I have complete faith in that.

I love you all, and I hope you have a great week!

Élder Collin Christensen