September 26, 2011

I can't believe its Monday.  We just got done having a Zone Activity where we played football (Go figure).  We live in a lovely two story home.  The owner is Sister Ashcraft.  She's pretty cool.  She's a convert from Judaism.  Pretty big leap if you ask me.  We live with her and this guy named Shawn Black.  Shawn is a cool guy too.  He served a Mission in Canada.  He likes to hang out with us whenever he gets the chance and talks with us.  The house is two story + basement.  We share a truck with the Columbia 2nd Elders.  Its weird.  I"ve driven two Toyota Corolla's, a Subaru Imprezza, and now a Chevy Silverado.  We're supposedly trading the truck for a Grand Caravan soon and the mission also uses Chevy Malibu's.  I don't think our leaves in this area are like they are in Utah.  Its very green here.  I've also discovered that Columbia Maryland has a LOT of Bamboo. Every Missionary affects someone no matter what area they are serving in.  For some its by how polite they are when they're on the street.  For others it when they first meet someone and they instantly connect.  Because of what we understand about our message we can often figure out how to help them through whatever struggles they have in their lives.  Thats how amazing the gospel is.  Elder Allan Packer of the Quorum of the Seventy told us, "The Mission President's job is to place in whichever area the Lord Directs him.  Yours is to find out why you are there." There's a reason why each of you live where you live.  Whether you think its because thats where you work, thats where you went to high school, thats where you want to retire to is probably not the true answer.  The Lord let you live there because there is someone else there that you need to influence.  Now go find out. Divine inspiration runs everything.  The all powerful hand of the Lord guides his work as we work for his guidance.  I bear you this as my simple testimony in the name of Jesus Christ.  Amen. Elder Christofferson "Feed my sheep..."

Wednesday, September 21, 2011 "TRANSFER"

Hey Mom, I've been transferred to Columbia 1st Area.  The city dad not the country.  No worries about me getting shot at yet.  Its in Howard County which is the 3rd richest county in America.  My new address is Elder Christofferson 5222 Eliots Oak Rd Columbia MD, 21044 My new companion is Elder Dutson from Coeur d'Alene Idaho.  100 Miles from Canada.  No clue where it is, but its tight yo. Love ya Elder Christofferson

Monday, September 19, 2011

Okay family.  This is my attempt to improve my emails to all of you.  First.  Mom.  District Monkey means that my companion is the District Leader.  It means that I have double the normal responsibilities and half of them are his.  There you go.

 

So Sunday we were able to confirm Jason a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  It was very emotional.  We were able to go over that night and start preparing him for the priesthood.

 

By the way.  I'm getting transferred on wednesday.  So you'll probably want to send anything you have for me to the Mission Office address till I can let you know where I'm going.  With Christmas coming up it would be nice to have copies of my Trans-Siberean Orchestra Music out here (hint-hint).

 

I found one person who I was supposed to meet.  I want to share something with you from my personal study though.  Over the past nine months I've been preparing and working on a copy of the Book of Mormon that I teach and study out of.  As President Belliston has asked us to study ONLY from the Book of Mormon and Preach My Gospel I haven't used my quad except in Trainings and at church.  At the end of my Mission I'll pass it on to a missionary preparing to leave on his mission.  I've been putting in little notes here and there that I hope will help them as they go forth and teach.  In Jacob Chapter 2, Jacob speaks very boldly to the readers.  But as I read and studied with an open heart and trying to pay close attention to the Spirit I was able to feel the love that Jacob has for those who would come to read of the book.  When missionaries are out teaching the masses we are to speak boldly and lovingly to them.  How else can we hope the Spirit to work for them?  When Christ spoke boldly to his disciples some of them left saying "This is too much to ask of us".  Then Christ turned to Peter (Paraphrasing of course) "Will you leave me Peter?"  "Where am I going to go?  Who else has the words of eternal life?"  Peter felt the love that Christ put into his bold words.

 

What can we do to invite the Spirit?  Be bold and loving.  If you don't know how to do this then seek help from your Father in Heaven.  As has been said in the past.  As we seek his help he will give it to us.  I bear you this testimony in the name of Jesus Christ.  Amen.

 

"Feed my sheep..."

 

Elder Christofferson

 Everyone should do this.  We call it the President Monson Referral Approach.  At the next family party.  Have everyone that can kneel, pray silently, and ask heavenly father for someone that they can introduce the missionaries to.  Then collect the names, addresses, and phone numbers and give them to the missionaries.

Pictures from 9/05/2011

So, Elder Christofferson sent me pictures of himself.......Wearing every single tie he owns.  I only posted a few of them, but you can imagine the same picture over and over and over....just with different ties.  It crashed my email because there was "to much data".  That's what I get for telling him to send me pictures of him.....

I am thinking the other pictures are of  "Tiffany's baptism" and "Tiffany's mom and new step dad".

Either way......COOL PICS!

Monday September 5, 2011

This has been an eventful week for us.  Constantly out and about.  Looking for people to teach.  A wedding on Tuesday and a baptism on Sunday.  We have another baptism next week for Tiffany's Step dad and Tiffany's confirmation.  Lots to take care of still.  We clean almost every day now.  Its become habit for us.  Living in a four man apartment is crazy sometimes.  And being the District Monkey adds 50,000 more responsibilities.

I hope you enjoyed yourself for your birthday.  I usually enjoy myself for mine.  I tend to make myself laugh.  I sing myself a song once in a while.  I used to sing AC/DC or Led Zeppelin to myself, but now Ye Elders of Israel is the only one heard around our apartment.

Cream Puff Motorcycle huh?  I guess when you have so much chrome that happens.  Did dad find one yet?  After I pay off all my debts I'm going to start saving for a Honda Shadow or something.  Used will be fine for me.  But first is missionary work.  Our Impreza treats me just fine.

Elder Christofferson is a great man.  I wrote him a letter thanking him for the example he set for me and the council he provides for the world, but I dont think I idolize him.  All of the Apostles are great men.  Most missionaries listen to Elder Holland more than any other Apostle and sometimes even their Mission Presidents.  I think President Monson, Elder Packer, and Elder Scott appeal to me the most out of all of them.  They have a very straightforward and bold way of declaring things.

But we cant overlook the other Apostles past and present.  To say nothing of President Erying and the overwhelming compassion he feels for all of god's children would be devastating.  Or Elder Ballard's efforts to encourage the family to learn and grow from each other.  I'm very grateful for President Uchtdorf's council about being Exactly Obedient and never varying your course in his talk A Matter of a few degrees.  That's why we constantly study the words of the Prophets and Apostles between conferences.

I'm picking up the package tomorrow.  UPS didn't leave it at the door.  I guess you requested a signature.  So when I go pick it up tomorrow I'll be able to let you know.  But since I'm sure I will I'll just say.  I LOVE IT!!! Thanks mom!

I'm pretty sure I've said it before so I'll say it again.  Prophecies and signs are being fulfilled.  Tempests, earthquakes, thunderings (We had those for about 7 hours yesterday with no rain).

Tiffany's baptism was beautiful.  She asked me to give a talk on Baptism for it.  The support that she and her family have received from the ward is awesome.  The chapel was almost completely packed for her baptism.  The young women were rushing around after church to remind everyone of the baptism before they went to prepare a special musical number for the baptism and refreshments afterwards.

I know this gospel is true.  There are thousands of people out there who are prepared for and ready to hear it.  Seeking them out involves paying special attention to the spirit.  Look for your loved ones who you think may be ready to hear this message.  If they aren't take small and simple steps to prepare them.  This message is the fruit spoken of in Lehi's dream.  We've all partaken of it and found it to be delicious.  Now we want to share it.  I bear this testimony in the name of Jesus Christ.  Amen.

"Feed my sheep..."

Elder Christofferson