October 27--Phoenix Open house and More

Dear Family and Friends,

Well, we had a roller coaster of a week! Definitely had some highs and
lows, but all in all I am grateful for each of them. We met some super
interesting people this week... One was a previous investigator who
has abused drugs most her life. She called us and told us she had some
evil Spirits in her home...so we went over to say a prayer and she
proceeded to tell us how Happy she is when we come, and also when she
gets high because it's more fun to play with her animals when she is
high. :P it was funny for us at the time, but looking back it's pretty
sad to see what can happen to your life if you hand it over to what
the world has to offer you. Then another guy (who had been
drinking...) stopped us on the street to try and convince us to stop
preaching the Book of Mormon because "it just couldn't be true, and is
unnecessary." He would not give up, until he heard us bear our
testimonies from the Holy Ghost. He couldn't do anything to discredit
that, no matter how hard he tried to discredit everything else. It was
neat! He was pretty hilarious though, especially when he got down on
all fours and began to imitate a tadpole, terra-dactyl, and Ape for
us. People....haha. We also ate Quail, Bison, and Elk this week. Today
we explored the Lava Caves which was pretty cool...and cold...and
dark!

We got to go to the Phoenix Arizona Temple open house with 3
investigators (Francisco, Josh, and Shania). It was incredible! I love
the Spirit found in the temple. Each of them felt it for sure, and it
impacted their perspective and feelings about the church for the
better. Afterwards Josh kept going on about how amazing he felt, and I
just asked him "so when do you want to be baptized?" He responded
without hesitation "ASAP, bro...ASAP." :D he has some things to work
through still, but his testimony was strengthened and desire to do
good increased. I'm just plain amazed at all the work that goes into
making temples what they are, and grateful for the chance to use it as
a teaching tool. I know the temple is God's house, and there we can be
receive blessings that will last for eternity.


One rough part of the week was last Saturday, when F. told us
he didn't feel ready for baptism in two weeks. He has a ton of
influences working on him right now. He has felt the Spirit confirm
the truth of the Book of Mormon and of Jesus Christ as his Savior, but
he is just struggling with a lot of doubt and confusion. The Holy
Spirit witnessed to me the truth as I was able to share how the
Atonement of Jesus Christ has changed me. I chose to fast for him on
Sunday, so he could figure out his life and know what he should do. I
love this guy, and I felt an increase in love for him yesterday. I
felt an increase in love for the people in general. There is something
special about feeling God's love for another one of His children.


A. is doing well and is still on for Baptism on Nov. 8. She has
ADD and a pretty short attention span, like any kid, but her mom is
super supportive and her brother just got the Priesthood! She was in
the Primary program last week and did awesome.


Well anyways, I should wrap this epistle up. I am grateful for this
Gospel. I am grateful for the unconditional love our Heavenly Father
has for every single one of us. I'm grateful we can choose each day to
follow his perfect plan. Sharing that message these last 14 months has
truly been the greatest joy of my life.
I love you all! Have a fantastic week!

Elder Collin Christensen