Monday December 19, 2011

I sent Kadee an article, but I"m going to forward it to you too and let you post it on the blog.  President Belliston sent it out to the Mission this morning.  I'm happy that I'm able to stay also.  Things here are picking up.  We were able to bless the lives of a few people aside from Fonne.  Even as I type this letter my companion is sitting here teaching a lady the Restoration.  What a joy it is to be a missionary at this time of the season.  We get to help people learn the fullness of the savior at the time we celebrate his birth.  I love this work. I love my Advent Box.  I open a present every morning.  I like seeing the things you've sent me.  Hopefully I can use one or two of them to bless someone's life this season. Remembering the words to Rindercella wasn't the hard part.  Telling it in front of three Zones of Missionaries was.  Elder Dutson is in Essex now.  The other half of the first ward that I covered out here.  We dont have any sisters in our area or even our district. I think we have twelve companionships of Sisters in our mission.  Sister Anderson is out in West Virginia.  We went down to the Visitor's Center on Friday and we'll get to go do parking on the 26th and the 30th of this month so I'll be sure to take lots of pictures for you. This week is a great week for members world wide.  The saviors birth takes on new meaning when in missionary service.  May we each remember why he was born.  The life he lead.  The men he chose to lead his people.  Such is my prayer in the name of He who is our Savior.  Jesus Christ.  Amen. "Feed my sheep..." Elder Christofferson I suppose everyone remembers his or her first Christmas away from home. The reason might be missions or military service, student life or employment assignments but, whatever the reason, that first Christmas "away" is a poignant memory for all of us. To those who have been away from home at Christmas, or who may be away from home this year, I dedicate my own such remembrance. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland In my case it was my service as a missionary. For 19 years I had enjoyed Christmas surrounded by family and friends. I suppose in my youthful self-centeredness I had never considered spending it any other way. Then, as the Yule Season approached in 1960, I found myself half a world away from all that. I had been in England less than three months when, on the first of December, I was summoned to the mission office to meet Elder Eldon Smith, newly arrived from Champion, Alberta, Canada — my first junior companion. We were sent to open up the very conservative city of Guildford in the county of Surrey, an area that had never had Latter-day Saint missionaries and, to our knowledge, had only one member somewhere within its boundaries. We were young, inexperienced and a bit overwhelmed, but we were not fainthearted. We registered with the police, arranged for lodgings and, initially unable to locate our lone member of the Church, threw ourselves into the only thing we knew to do — knock on doors. We knocked on doors in the morning, we knocked on doors mid-day, we knocked on doors in the afternoon and we knocked on doors at night. We rode our bicycles through those streets in what must have been the rainiest British December in history — or so it seemed to us. We were wet in the morning, we were wet at mid-day, we were wet in the afternoon, and we were wet at night, but we kept knocking on doors. And we got in almost none of them. So it went until Christmas Eve, when people were even less inclined to hear a couple of missionaries "from the colonies." So weary but devoted, we retired to our one-room rental and had a Christmas devotional. We sang a Christmas hymn, then offered an invocation. We read from the scriptures and listened to a tape recording entitled "The True Story of Christmas." Then we sang another hymn of the season, said a closing prayer and went to bed. We were too tired to have visions of sugar plums dancing in our heads. On Christmas morning we kept our morning study schedule then opened the two or three packages that had caught up with us due to our transfer. Then we went out to knock on doors. We knocked in the morning, we knocked at mid-day, we knocked in the afternoon, and we knocked at night. We didn't get in any of them. For such an uneventful Christmas — clearly the least festive of any I had ever had before or since — it says something that those special days in December of 1960 remain in my heart (after 50 years!) as one of the sweetest Christmases I have ever had. I think that is because for the first time in my life I found myself understanding Christmas rather than just enjoying it. I think for the first time in any truly significant way I was getting the message of Christ's birth and life, His mission and His message. And His sacrifice trying to do something for others. I should have made that connection at an earlier age but I hadn't, at least not strongly enough. But that Christmas in England — as a cold, wet, somewhat overwhelmed 19-year-old — I "got it." I can truly say that because of my mission, Christmas, like so many other aspects of the gospel, has meant more to me every year since that experience. On this Christmas I send my love to every missionary, every man or woman in the military, every student, every employee or traveler who won't "be home for Christmas," as the carol says. Keep your faith. Look for the good in your situation. Do something kind for someone. You will find that in spite of external circumstances, Christmas — like the kingdom of God — is "within you."

Okay.  Now I can email.  Its Transfer Day in the Maryland Baltimore Mission.  Missionaries gathered from the four quarters of the earth to find out where they're going and to see the new Missionaries coming in.  I'm staying in Columbia.  I was able to meet Sister Anderson from Lehi though.  She's in Harpers Ferry.  I think thats in Virginia or West Virginia.  My new companion is Elder Dobson from California.  He came out the Transfer after I did.  He enjoys skating and soccer.  Thats all I know about him right now.  I'll be working on more information.  Two weeks is coming up pretty soon.  I got the package from home today.  I just went and picked it up at the office after the transfer meeting so now I can start opening it.  When I found out that I can only open one per day I was excited.  A new present everyday!  Yay!  Elder Dobson has been feeling each present to determine what they are.  When I opened the Cider and Popcorn he thought it was fruit snacks and assorted nuts.  One that I'm supposed to open Christmas day he's determined is a tie and another is a CD.  We'll have to see how correct he is.

I better get a chance to talk to everyone there and Colton had better be there too.  I'll probably call in the evening here so that you have an idea of when to expect the phone call.  Its too tough to guess a certain time though.

It was raining pretty hard the night the Sister Stucki sent you that picture.  We ran half a mile in the rain to catch Brother Stucki for dinner and we hit three or four puddles that were each a few inches deep.  It was one of the best nights we ever had.  We ended up wearing Brother Stucki's sweats while our clothes were drying.

The Zone Conference Talent show was good.  I told the story of Rindercella.  I was the hit for our talent show.  I'm going to try figuring out how to do that to Twas the Night Before Christmas.  Elder Dutson recorded my talent.  Have Kadee write him and ask him.  Tell her to send the letter to the Mission Home.  We haven't set goals yet.  I don't think we have a Mission Blog.

I do have a Christmas Tree.  Elder Dutson left his behind.

Fonne was placed in a Hospice last week.  Elder Dutson and I were able to go over and give the family members a blessing because he isn't expected to live much longer and they just wanted some comfort.  I was able to tell them about Grandpa and it opened them up to us.

I want to bear you my testimony of the Birth of Christ.  If he wasn't born then he wouldn't have died and there would have been no resurrection.  Can you imagine that?  Think about it.  He was laid in a manger.  The best place they could find.  It was similar to how his life would be.  A perfect being in an imperfect world and in imperfect surroundings and conditions.  I bear you this witness in the name of Jesus Christ.  Amen.

"Feed my sheep..."

Elder Christofferson

Monday December 5, 2011

 I have one really interesting experience to share with you all.

Friday night we got a call from our ward mission leader to go see a gentleman named Fonne in the hospital.  We went in to the emergency room to give him a blessing and found out that neither Fonne or his daughter Darlene who was there are members of the church.  His son Rod is a less active member though and the one who requested that we come give him the blessing.  We were able to give him a blessing and share a scripture with Darlene and her husband a blessing.  We left that night not really thinking anything of it.  When we were at dinner sunday night we recieved a call from President Belliston requesting that we go give Fonne a blessing.  We were surprised and a little annoyed that they wanted a second blessing.  But we're good missionaries, so we called the number we were given and got in touch with Rod.  So we set up a time to go give Fonne a blessing.  When we arrive at the hospital we found Rod, Darlene, and some of Fonne's children and grandchildren.  They were all excited because Fonne was responsive for the first time in two days.  Rod's wife told us that she didn't think Fonne would last the night though.  We were able to coach Rod in giving the first blessing he's given in several years to his ailing father.  Before we left I told Rod to call us if anything changes.

I couldn't help thinking that even though I wasn't there for grandpa at the end I was able to comfort a family that was on the verge of losing the Eldest member of the family.

What joy we can find in the gospel and its teachings.  We are able to understand the things that science cant explain.  Death and illness are all part of God's plan to make us stronger wiser being in this world.  I pray that we can all take the things we learn from our hardships and build our testimonies of the Atonement and other works of Christ into our lives.  I pray that we can feel the spirit in a new understanding as we seek to help others understand as well.  Such is my prayer in the name of the Savior.  Jesus Christ.  Amen.

"Feed my sheep..."

Elder Christofferson

Thursday December 1, 2011

 I did feel a change when I woke up yesterday morning.  I actually woke up at about 6 in the morning and couldn't fall back asleep.  I felt a little weaker yesterday and a little sick.  So yes Dad.  I did "Feel a disturbance in the Force."  When President Belliston called and told me last night I have to admit that I wasn't very heartbroken so I have to assume that the Spirit had spent the day preparing me for the news.  I think I may have only shed two or three tears last night. I'm going to keep this email short because I need to get out to work.  I think the work will keep my mind off things.

The following is some of the stuff I wrote for the funeral this morning.  Some of it I think of while I type this:
I don't have the greatest memory when it comes to things of the past, but what I remember about grandpa has always been special to me.
Fishing trips, camping, going for a drive, cutting a whiller to tan my hide. (No I didn't mean for that to rhyme)
Grandpa had a way with all of his posterity.  Making each of us feel special and loved and that we all held our own little place in his big heart.
I was blessed to be able to spend a considerable amount of time with him before my mission.  We went to a lot of doctors appointments together.  I'm still convinced that the State of Utah has a small building full of grandpa's blood.  I watched them prick him with enough needles.  We had lunch together on several occasions.  Usually after his weekly blood donations.  I know that he enjoyed our little outings.  I enjoyed them too.  He liked going to the Provo Tabernacle which is now being renovated as a temple.  I took him on rides to see a few different temples a few times.  We always enjoyed driving up and looking at temple grounds no matter what time of year.  I think he just liked getting out with someone from time to time.  I'll never forget one day I went to see him.  He was sitting in his chair and staring at one of the football games on TV with a really depressed look.  So I walked in and in the most enthusiastic (and least mischievous) voice I could muster said, "Grandpa!  I'm taking you over the Nebo Loop today."  The response, "My shoes are under the bed and I'll let you pick out my hat for me."
Grandpa was like most grandpa's.  He'd save the day.  He came to the rescue when my friends and I broke down in Rawlins Wyoming on the way to South Dakota and for those of you who have been through Rawlins you know that there is nothing there.  The biggest attraction is McDonalds.  He took Dal and I to the Castle Dell Pageant where the three of us gorged ourselves on lamb chops and Dal and I spent the rest of the night running around until we managed to find an old Cowboy to play the Harmonica for grandpa before it was time to go to bed. 


To think that having a Missionary out in the field meant that much to him.  I'll forever be in his debt.
Grandpa influenced and blessed so many different people in so many different ways.  I remember President Hales of the Spanish Fork West Stake Presidency telling me "Your grandpa was like a second dad to me"
The pinnacle moment of grandpa's involvement in my life was the night that I was set apart as a Missionary.  I hadn't seen grandpa stand for a lengthy period of time in a few years.  But that night when he rose to put his hand on my head to participate in setting me apart he did it.  He stood.  As tall, proud, and strong as I can ever remember him.  It was amazing to feel and see the Spirit work this small, but mighty miracle just for him.  I had always hear about grandpa being a man of great and mighty faith.  That night I was able to see it first hand.  "God is my strength and power; and he maketh my way perfect." (2 Sam 22:33)
Our Father in Heaven strengthened Grandpa enough to participate in setting me apart as a Missionary.  Now Grandpa has returned to him.  He's returned to his son.  He's returned to his sweet heart.  Now they can serve the couple Mission in the Spirit World just like all old couples should. (Hint hint) Thank you grandpa.  Thank you for your love, your kindness, and your example.  I love you grandpa.  I'll miss you.  Grandpa was a simple and straightforward man.  I can't put grandpa in anymore simple and straight forward words than these.

With my memory of Grandpa I leave my testimony of God's Plan of Salvation.  Death is not the end as some people would believe.  Its the next step in this grand adventure we know as life.  Grandpa will gain his body back.  It will perfect and whole.  Of this I bear testimony in the name of the Master and Savior.  Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Grandpa is "Feeding his sheep" now.

Love Jess

Monday November 28, 2011

Our thanksgivings were awesome.  All three of them.  Yes.  You read that right.  We had three.  Lunch with the Kuhn's.  Dinner with Shawn and Sister Ashcraft and her family, and 8:00pm dessert with the Spencer's.  The east coast doesn't do much different for thanksgiving than the west coast.  Other than missionaries not being allowed to participate in the turkey bowl it was pretty much the same as Utah.  We did have a different kind of stuffing though.  Shawn brought back this blueberry stuffing recipe from when he served his Mission in Canada.  It was delicious.

So this week was a tough week.  Even though we didn't reach our goals we've learned what we need to do to improve.  We had a great finding experience though.  We were driving to see a less active family in the ward when we see this guy broken down on the side of the road.  His name is Derek.  We pulled over and found out that his front right wheel isn't turning.  So we get out and I jack up his car, take of the tire, and find out that he only has 2 1/2 lugs!  No wonder his wheel is wobbly and not turning.  I look down behind the brakes and find out that another lug has popped off and is inside of the the axle.  After a lot of muscling and a little McGyvering I manage to get the lug out.  We then put the tire back on. (The lugs remaining are bent so it took a little more creativity to get it back on) We then follow him to his house.  Derek it turns out is from Ghana and has friends in the church.  So we give him our number, write down the address, and tell him we'll stop by soon.  Thank goodness for what dad taught me about cars otherwise he would have never figured it out.

Anyways.  Thats be biggest news of my week.  Okay.  If you're doing dollar store shopping I'd like candy.  Lots of candy.  I'm just kidding.  I'm trying to cut candy out of my diet.  We'll see how it works though.

Anyways.  I'd like to close with my testimony on finding people to teach.  God places people in our paths that are ready to hear the gospel, but may not realize it.  I dont know what will come of Derek, but we met him at a time and in a circumstance that was prepared by the Lord.  I know this work is true.  I know this is eternal and that we need to push on through it.  I bear you this witness in the name of the Savior.  Jesus Christ.  Amen.

"Feed my sheep..."

Elder Christofferson

Monday November 21, 2011

Before anyone reads the blog this week I'd like you all to watch this video that the church released.http://lds.org/pages/mormon-messages?lang=eng&query=opportunities+do+good#opportunities-to-do-good

Can you feel the love in President Eyring's words?  Is there any doubt at all that this man is an Apostle of the Lord?  Think about them for a minute.  Now you all have a non member or a less active friend that you can send this too.  I invite you to do that.  Send this link to them. 

So the mission this week was pretty cool.  Till we found out that our one and only investigator lives in the Zone Leaders Area!  So we have to transfer him over to them.

For thanksgiving we're going to be at Sister Ashcraft's.  She signed up over a month ago because she thinks that since we live with her it would be better that way.  Shawn is cooking us the Ugly Steaks the next night for dinner. (Yes I got the package) I dont really know if Sister Ashcraft decorates for Christmas.  She didn't for halloween or thanksgiving.

Max is awesome.  He's got one of the most genuine smiles of anyone that I've ever.  I don't doubt that a family was baptized because of that smile.

Dont think about how soon anybody gets to talk to me.  I don't need you being trunky.  I'm not so you shouldn't be either.

Thats great that you got to see Braxton this week.  He's such a cute little guy.  I can't wait to see how big he's grown.

Well I want to close with my testimony.  That Jesus Christ is THE Master.  He lived for us.  He died for us.  He was resurrected for us.  This is his church.  Its true and full and gives light to all the earth.  Of these things I testify in his name.  The name of Jesus Christ.  Amen.

"Feed my sheep..."

Elder Christofferson

November 14, 2011

Impressive.  I'm happy to hear about the boys heading out.  They're in for the best experiences of their lives.  I'm going to have to talk to someone about teaching a mission prep class when I get home.  I know I went, but I wasn't nearly prepared enough for what was to come.

Good old Max. (He is talking about Max Bingham returning from his mission in Japan)

Did I tell you that I met one of the companions of Kyra's Fiance?  He's pretty cool.  He played volleyball and football with us.  We played more sports today.  My companion is putting me through training to get me ready for Rugby when i get home.  We went to the turf fields to run some drills today.  Pretty cool.  We'll probably be doing it again tomorrow or the day after.  I love working out now.  I feel better physically than I have in a long time.


We're the highest baptizing mission in the north eastern states.  Something President Belliston is proud of and we don't blame him.  We worked hard for this.  Now we're working to exceed our goals.  We wanted to baptize 400 this year.  For a state side mission on the east coast thats hard to do if you're working the way you're supposed to.  But reward and blessings come from faith.

Yup.  Transfers is the day before my 1 year mark and five days before my halfway mark.  At least thats what my district leader keeps reminding me. (He goes home in a month and he's trunky beyond all belief)   I have some for you now though.  Okay.  The little girl with the red and black face is Anna.  The six of us sitting on the couch from left to right is Elder Dutson, Anna, Me, Tommy, Allison, and Teressa.  This was at the Trunk or treat.  For the Zone Conference over halloween we had a pumpkin carving contest.  My helmet to second place.  I can a sucker, Where's Waldo hat, some goofy eyes, and Where's Waldo glasses.  I thought it would look cool.  The other two are just sunsets.  I took them last night.

I'm going to close with my testimony and a link to a talk from President Monson that I want anyone who reads this email to read alsohttp://lds.org/general-conference/1974/10/my-personal-hall-of-fame?lang=eng&query=My+Personal+hall+Fame

I wrote out my own hall of fame, but I'm not going to put the names on here, because everyone means something different to me.  Just as you mean something to the Lord for each of your own reasons.  If you wonder if you made my list just think about if you made the list of your Father in Heaven.  Think about it.  You chose to follow his plan and come to earth.  You chose to leave him for a time.  You chose to be live his teachings.  If you think differently then just remember that with his plan you chose agency.  Whether you want to believe it or not I testify to you in the name of Jesus Christ that its true.  Never forget that.  Think about it often.

"Feed my sheep..."

Elder Christofferson

Letter from the Mission President.....

Dear Parents,

 

Thank you for having such a wonderful missionary in the Maryland Baltimore Mission!  The mission just exceeded the baptisms for all of 2010.  There are many miracles taking place in the lives of your missionaries in this remarkable work.  The Lord is richly blessing us!  It is a tremendous joy to see the changes taking place in the missionaries as they exercise their faith and work diligently.

 

Please send any Christmas packages to the Mission Office address below.  There will be transfers the middle of December, and some of the missionaries will be changing areas.  If it is possible, it would be best to try to have the packages arrive before December 6 as we will be having our Zone Conferences and can distribute them at that time. 

 

We are most appreciative of your faith and prayers.  Please don't hesitate to ever contact us if you have any concerns.

 

Warmest regards,

 

A. Brent Belliston

Maryland Baltimore Mission

 

Mailing Address

Maryland Baltimore Mission

4785 Dorsey Hall Drive, Sutie 105

Ellicott City, MD  21042

Monday November 7, 2011

 I'm very happy that I didn't get transfered.  It means that I'll be spending thanksgiving in this area and probably Christmas.  Its awesome.

The young men in the ward continually impress me.  They're strong in their faith.  They'll go far. 


AH!!!  I only have a year left!  I need to work harder or else it'll pass me by.

Okay.  Its really cold here.  We're supposed to be expecting snow this week (Not fun on a bike).  I'm always full.  Members like to feed us.  So now Elder Dutson and I go running every other morning for 1.2 miles.  Just till I can work up enough endurance to go longer.  It'll happen someday.  I can't think of anything I need right now.  I'm just trying to be a little more thrifty so that I can look into a few other supplies that are designed for this area i.e. a backpack.  Mine is about thrashed and not waterproof at all.  I'm looking into finding one that is though.  We're going to go check out R.E.I. today and see if they have any holiday deals coming up that I can invest in.  I don't have a CD Player.  The mission has provided every companionship with a portable DVD Play for trainings that we use to play music right now.  My daily can be found in the White Bible (handbook) that Cameron and Colton have.

So we've been blessed with some new investigators.  Charles is on date for baptism on the 19th of this month.  He's a really humble guy and pretty much accepts everything that we teach him.  We have a few more appointments with him to make sure he understands everything, but otherwise he's just an awesome guy.  We always feel the spirit while teaching him.

I know that Jesus is the Christ and our savior.  He did more for our salvation than any other man.  Joseph Smith is the Prophet called to restore the Church of Jesus Christ to the earth and now Thomas S. Monson is the President of the church.  Christ chose, prepared, and ordained this man to fill this calling.  I bear this witness in the name of our savior.  The son of God.  Jesus Christ.  Amen.

"Feed my sheep..."

Elder Christofferson

Monday October, 31, 2011

We got the call for transfers today and!  Drum roll please!  I'm staying in Columbia.  So is my companion.  He'll have been here 7 1/2 months.  The longest out of any missionary since the Elders started living with Sister Ashcraft.


We've been told almost 30 times that our Halloween costumes of going as full time missionaries is VERY original.  We've heard all the jokes.  Tonight we're going to hang out with our ward mission leader.  We have a hard time tracting during all major holidays including Thanksgiving, Valentines day, and when the Ravens play the Steelers.  The last one might as well be treated as a state holiday.  Not very fun if you ask me.  Speaking of football.  I hear the Cowboys are getting slaughtered this year.


Kadee is ambitious.  I dont think that I can say more than that.

Its weird.  I have less to report from this area than I do from any of my other area's thus far.  I love you all though!

"Feed my sheep..."

Elder Christofferson

Monday October 24, 2011

Just to let everyone know.  When you come to the east coast on a vacation or something...BRING A GPS.  You can get lost really quickly.  I've had one since my first area and am grateful that I got it.  It seems that a lot of you went on vacations in the last couple of weeks.  Sounds like fun.  Hope you all were safe and weren't crushed by stampedes of camels (or in the case of the east coast stink bugs).

I just want to say that I love my mission and I love my area.  People here are so much more polite than the last two.  Nobody honks at us or yells at us.  The doors that we knock on always have a polite person behind it.

In case you haven't heard yet I've lost my driving privileges in the mission.  I got rear ended during a rainstorm a couple of weeks ago and it cost the church over $18,000.  The other car had a quarter panel partially ripped off and the other insurance company decided that they wanted to total the car when they could have replaced it for cheaper than totaling the car (at least thats what our vehicle coordinator tells me).  Turns out that if you get into an accident that costs more that $1,500 you lose the opportunity to drive while on a mission.  Fortunately nobody got hurt.  This gives me time to renew my license before I come home.  Mine expires a couple of weeks after I get back and at that season the DMV will probably be closed down.

So thats been the headache of some of my weeks.

On a happier note we've found some new investigators with some really interesting concerns.  One suffers severe depression, one has deep doctrinal questions, and the other is slightly special needs.  But we love them all and are happy to be helping them learn more.

I'm so happy to be a missionary in this Mission.  We have great members, exceptional missionaries, and the greatest Mission President ever.  I know that I'm here working with them because of the lords great influence.  I testify of his divine influence in all things that go on in this life.  I do so in the name of Jesus Christ.  Amen.

"Feed my sheep..."

Elder Christofferson

P.S.  So how is everyone doing at home?  I haven't gotten any updates on much of the family.  How is Kent and Missy and family?  Bart and Leann?  Scott and Linda?  EVERYONE!!!  By the way.  I HATE playing sports every P-Day.  Its driving me crazy.  One of our Zone Leaders is a dictator and says that the ENTIRE Zone has to play on Mondays.  There is a lot of history and sites in the area that I want to see, but wont unless he's transferred.  I just go along because one of our AP's biceps are as big as my head.  Elder McMaster benches 345lbs.

Monday October 16, 2011

I got the package.  Thanks for the Horse Liniment.  i plan to put some on at the end of the night and hope that it helps with the pain in my legs.  We played football, volleyball, la cross, rugby, and soccer.  So needless to say.  I've played almost every sport there is in the last month.  We've also played Racket ball, tennis, and handball.  I'm getting a little more tired every week.  I'm waiting for the time we can do boxing.  Then I'll own all of them.  Except for Elder McMaster.  He's been benching 345 lbs for his entire mission, but he's maxed out at like 360 lbs or something.  He's pretty intimidating.  We figure that he could shotgun Russia or Venezuela by himself and be successful.

Shotgun means that a brand new companionship goes into an area with neither of the Elders or Sisters having been in that area the transfer before.  It happens from time to time.

We had another baptism this week.  Le Bihn Vuong aka Winnie was baptized on Saturday.  After her confirmation she was in tears.  She couldn't stop thanking us.  There tends to be a language barrier because she learned English from Cantonese, but she does okay.

Since this letter is going to be short this week I'll just close with my testimony.  I know that Jesus Christ is the savior of the world.  That Joseph Smith restored his church and all the ordinances of salvation.  The Gospel of Jesus Christ can be found in its fullness in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints.  I bear you my solemn witness of this in the sacred name of Jesus Christ.  The redeemer of the world.  Amen.

"Feed my sheep..."

Elder Christofferson

P.S. Do we have any Scottish Lineage in the Holm side of the family?  If so which clan?  There's a member here who is willing to make Elder Dutson and I Kilts and she needs to know which tartan is ours.  I'm going to check with Leslie about the Christofferson side of the family.  If you find out can you send it to me in a letter this week please?  I'd be most appreciative.