Monday, October 24, 2011
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 17, 2011
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.
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.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Monday October 11, 2011
Its strange to know how the Plan of Salvation works and to understand the Priesthood. The Priesthood is the ability to act in God's name on earth. Thats why conduct priesthood blessings. This is no small thing to have the Priesthood present and so easily accessible today. Imagine those living in the remote places of the earth where the gospel hasn't reached yet? They don't have access to it yet. How fortunate are we?
This week has been crazy. I've been trying to learn one of the most confusing area's in the mission for almost three weeks and still haven't put a dent in it. I'm looking into buying a compass. We'll have to see though. Hopefully I'll be able to figure things out. We have a baptism coming up this week. Her name is Le B Vuong aka Winnie from China. She speaks Cantonese and used to be a Buddhist, but has since embraced Christianity. She's a lovely little lady and cuts hair at a military base in Washington D.C. She's offered to cut ours for free. Pretty cool. This mission is weird. There aren't enough easily accessible barber members so we end up have to pay for our hair cuts or do them ourselves. My clippers have gotten their fair share of use.
East Coast saints face a lot of adversity. Many are ridiculed because of their faith. Many claim that we aren't Christian and that we worship Joseph Smith. Lately we've been arming members with the resources they need to put the accusations to rest. Namely the strengthening of their testimonies and helping them to understand the scriptures more...and a few well placed talks from General Authorities. We were trying to see a potential investigator a couple of weeks ago and a man gave us a pamphlet that read "Mormonism worships a different Jesus". The author quoted the Book of Mormon and Bruce R. McConkie and attempts to use the words against us. Why do these people make such claims? We dont know and we dont need to know. We just need our testimony.
I know that Jesus Christ is the only begotten of the Father. He's the savior of the world. Joseph Smith Restored his church and Thomas S. Monson is the Prophet now. I know this Gospel is True. The Book of Mormon changes lives. This is my testimony which I bear in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
"Feed my sheep..."
Elder Christofferson
This week has been crazy. I've been trying to learn one of the most confusing area's in the mission for almost three weeks and still haven't put a dent in it. I'm looking into buying a compass. We'll have to see though. Hopefully I'll be able to figure things out. We have a baptism coming up this week. Her name is Le B Vuong aka Winnie from China. She speaks Cantonese and used to be a Buddhist, but has since embraced Christianity. She's a lovely little lady and cuts hair at a military base in Washington D.C. She's offered to cut ours for free. Pretty cool. This mission is weird. There aren't enough easily accessible barber members so we end up have to pay for our hair cuts or do them ourselves. My clippers have gotten their fair share of use.
East Coast saints face a lot of adversity. Many are ridiculed because of their faith. Many claim that we aren't Christian and that we worship Joseph Smith. Lately we've been arming members with the resources they need to put the accusations to rest. Namely the strengthening of their testimonies and helping them to understand the scriptures more...and a few well placed talks from General Authorities. We were trying to see a potential investigator a couple of weeks ago and a man gave us a pamphlet that read "Mormonism worships a different Jesus". The author quoted the Book of Mormon and Bruce R. McConkie and attempts to use the words against us. Why do these people make such claims? We dont know and we dont need to know. We just need our testimony.
I know that Jesus Christ is the only begotten of the Father. He's the savior of the world. Joseph Smith Restored his church and Thomas S. Monson is the Prophet now. I know this Gospel is True. The Book of Mormon changes lives. This is my testimony which I bear in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
"Feed my sheep..."
Elder Christofferson
Monday, October 3, 2011
October 3, 2011
I'm glad to hear that the family is doing well. What position does Cameron play? I'm excited about the tabernacle temple. I was in shock when I heard about it. So was everyone that is from Utah or had been there. Sister Ashcraft is a very nice lady. We live upstairs. That's where our office is also. We actually get fed dinner by a different member everyday, but we do have a kitchen. By the way. Since I got to this area. I've developed a liking for Salsa. Never saw that one coming did you! Shawn makes awesome salsa. Shawn works for a money trading company. I love this area. Its so green. The weather just changed and its getting colder now. Fall has finally hit. I ride my bike every so often.
Okay. The story on the word Hooker. During the Civil War a General stationed at Antietam Battlefield with the last name Hooker was a brilliant leader. Not only was he a great military mind, but he loved the ladies. When he was in Washington DC on leave with other officers he had recruited EVERY lady of the night to be their escorts. They gained the nickname Hooker's Harlots. The immorality became so intense that President Lincoln threatened Hooker. Over time Hooker's Harlots was shortened to Hooker. Thus the name Hooker. That's the short version. Imagine what his ancestors said to him when HE got to the Spirit World? "What have you done with my name?"
A name is a powerful thing these days. I remember dad telling me to never dishonor the family name. What can I say now? Especially having a relative in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles? Serving a mission? Being a presence in the lives of many? What should I do with my name? As Latter-day Saints we take upon ourselves the name of Christ. I wear in on my chest everyday. I've been baptized in his church and made sacred covenants with him. We renew them every Sunday. When we stand before the Judgment bar of Christ and he asks us "What have you done with my name?" What are we going to say to him? Will we say, "I lived a life free of cares and burdens." "I lived the way I wanted to and was happy all the time." or will we say, "I lived my life in remembrance of your atoning sacrifice. I made, renewed, and kept the covenants that I made at baptism and in the Holy Temple. I followed your teachings. When I sinned I repented and showed others my devotion to you and your church. That is what I did with your name."
I bear you my testimony that Jesus Christ is the savior of the world. I've come to cherish his Atoning sacrifice for us. Thomas S. Monson the anointed Prophet on the earth today and that this Church was restored through Joseph Smith. I bear the solemn witness and pray that it can carry you through a hard time in the sacred name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
"Feed my sheep,,,"
Elder Christofferson
Okay. The story on the word Hooker. During the Civil War a General stationed at Antietam Battlefield with the last name Hooker was a brilliant leader. Not only was he a great military mind, but he loved the ladies. When he was in Washington DC on leave with other officers he had recruited EVERY lady of the night to be their escorts. They gained the nickname Hooker's Harlots. The immorality became so intense that President Lincoln threatened Hooker. Over time Hooker's Harlots was shortened to Hooker. Thus the name Hooker. That's the short version. Imagine what his ancestors said to him when HE got to the Spirit World? "What have you done with my name?"
A name is a powerful thing these days. I remember dad telling me to never dishonor the family name. What can I say now? Especially having a relative in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles? Serving a mission? Being a presence in the lives of many? What should I do with my name? As Latter-day Saints we take upon ourselves the name of Christ. I wear in on my chest everyday. I've been baptized in his church and made sacred covenants with him. We renew them every Sunday. When we stand before the Judgment bar of Christ and he asks us "What have you done with my name?" What are we going to say to him? Will we say, "I lived a life free of cares and burdens." "I lived the way I wanted to and was happy all the time." or will we say, "I lived my life in remembrance of your atoning sacrifice. I made, renewed, and kept the covenants that I made at baptism and in the Holy Temple. I followed your teachings. When I sinned I repented and showed others my devotion to you and your church. That is what I did with your name."
I bear you my testimony that Jesus Christ is the savior of the world. I've come to cherish his Atoning sacrifice for us. Thomas S. Monson the anointed Prophet on the earth today and that this Church was restored through Joseph Smith. I bear the solemn witness and pray that it can carry you through a hard time in the sacred name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
"Feed my sheep,,,"
Elder Christofferson
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)