October 21, 2013

Hola familia!

Well, this week I was able to go to the Mesa AZ temple! We got up at 3:30AM Saturday morning to leave, and there was a full session of people at the 6:30AM session! It was great, I finally saw the new video, and on top of that, it was actually in English! I really got a lot out of it. The Mesa Temple is gorgeous. I learned quite a bit about Law of Consecration and what it means to me as a missionary. I have heard missionaries here say that we should be "consecrated missionaries" but I haven't really understood what that means. When we live the Lord's law of Consecration, we help others in whatever way we can with whatever means we have been given for their well being and benefit (Doctrine and Covenants 42). I was always under the impression that to consecrate was similar to the word to sanctify, or make holy. Well, after some study, and time in the temple, I realized that in order to be a consecrated missionary, I have to GIVE myself up to the Lord. When we do this and sacrifice our old habits or natural desires, we realize that the Savior is walking right beside us, and carrying us through our struggles. We may think the road we walk is hard. Well, he already walked it, and so much more. Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven, and when we do, I believe that we do become "sanctified" because we have turned our will over to the Lord, and we are allowing ourselves to be instruments in his hands. A Brother at church this week said "It is what we do AFTER we think we have done enough that brings forth the blessings heaven." It is so true, and I am trying to learn it more and more everyday. 

A cool story that actually happened a couple weeks ago. We went to pick up a young man to come to a lesson with us. He wasn't there, but Elder Hicks felt like we came to his house for a reason. We waited outside the house, and a few minutes later his older sister came out to talk to us. After talking a while, Elder Hicks mentioned his brother just got his mission call to Federal Way, Washington. She got super emotional all the sudden, and told us she had a dream the night before that she got a mission call to the same mission. Apparently she had thought about serving a mission but didn't want to leave home, so she ignored it. She had been praying to know if she should go that day, and then she said we came by. When we were there, she told us the Lord had answered her prayers and she knew she needed to go on a mission. We left her there crying, and the next day we saw her at the church as she walked out of the Bishops office. She started her mission papers, and she had  the biggest smile on her face! She said "Elders! I am going on a mission!" The power of the Spirit is real. The Lord truly uses others to answer prayers. If Elder Hicks hadn't followed that prompting, she may not have received the answer she was so desperately searching for. We are the Lords instruments, as members of his church, and he needs us to be ready and willing to serve and go where he needs us to, so that we can be the medium through which he "succors his people". If we are consecrated and humble, the Lord will guide us and we will witness miracles. 

Well, yesterday was the baptism of LG! She was taught by the Sisters in our ward, and last week she asked me to baptize her! I still hardly know her, but I know she has a very strong spirit. She started the missionary discussions about 6 or 7 weeks ago. She was so prepared to hear the gospel. She embraced it, she loved it, and immediately began living it. I felt an immediate love of the Lord for Laura. The desire of her heart was to follow her Savior, and she knew that she was entering the path that leads to eternal life. It is my testimony that the path the Lord has prepared for us to return to Him is real. It is achieved through living the teachings of His Restored Gospel. His purpose is our happiness, and I know that as we take the simple steps in our life to follow him more fully, we begin to feel that happiness more and more. 

I know that this church is true. I love it, and I know it is for everyone. They may not know it, but they need it. Alma 13:24 says "For behold, angels are declaring it unto many at this time in our land; and this is for the purpose of preparing the hearts of the children of men to receive his word at the time of his coming in his glory." 

There are people waiting to hear the good news! 

I love you all! You are in my prayers! Stay strong, press on.

Love,

Elder Christensen

This is one of the pictures that he said in his PS that we could "hopefully" use to PHOTOSHOP him into the wedding pictures!  LOL!  This is the only one that wasn't blurry, or just too silly! I'm pretty sure he was pulling our leg!  He IS wearing the wedding tie though!