Monday April 30, 2012

I've been thinking about Cameron and the other Missionaries in the family a lot lately. Having reflected on the phrase "Are you a Missionary or are you just doing Missionary Things?" I've looked back and done an evaluation. I've seen both stages in my Mission. Being a Missionary and just doing Missionary Things. Being a Missionary means standing as a witness of Jesus Christ and Proclaiming it to the world. Elder Bednar says "Missionaries are full time teachers..." I've come to love teaching. I don't know if I would want to do it for a living ever, but I've really enjoyed my time preaching the Gospel and teaching people how to recognize the Spirit and gain truth in their lives. Being a Missionary means more than just doing it for two years. Missionary service never ends. I've come to understand the importance of members finding people for the Missionaries to teach. I'm going to have to do more of it when I get home. I know that thats the way to teach and baptize people. The members have to do the finding. Not the Missionaries. Thinking about those things has made me realize that us "boys" in the family are Missionaries. A good Missionary isn't determined by the position you hold in the Mission or the Area you serve. I've been out for somewhere around sixteen months. I've never been a trainer, District Leader, or Zone Leader. I'll never be an Assistant to the President either. But I've been a Missionary serving in the Maryland Baltimore Mission. Thats the best thing I've done and the best thing I can be right now. I'll come home. Go to school. Marry in the temple. Have children. Then I'll be able to become something better. A husband and father. This has been the best thing I've ever done in my life. It'll become second though after finding a wife that'll have me for time and all eternity. Thats something I look forward to becoming and I can hardly wait to see the blessings from it.

Many blessings come from Missionary Service. President Thomas S. Monson said, "Missionary work is the lifeblood of the kingdom." Elder TiaTia in our mission said, "We give up our family for two years, so that the people we teach can have theirs for eternity." For those parents who may regret or miss a child that serve Missions. Stop it. We're out here because we know that someone needs us just as much as you love us. You'll get us back. A little more worn out than you sent us off, but thats okay. You get the chance to clean us up a little bit then send us off to terrorize college campuses and Singles Wards.

Lets see if I can recite this from memory. "Behold. I will send you Elijah the Prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the hearts of the children to the fathers, lest I smite the earth with a curse." I think I got it down. I memorized it once. The Sealing Keys. The most carefully guarded of all the ordinances and priesthood keys in all the church. They can only be conferred by President Monson or whomever of the twelve that he authorizes I'm told. Family history work and ordinances for the dead. They're of great value in the world today. Remembering the past and those who's name had once been forgotten or lost. Its a powerful Spirit and an imprtant ordinance. Did I get it right? Kadee is turning into quite the intelligent young lady. She'll be a spiritual giant by the time I get home.

I still wish I could go on trek.

I dont hear anything about the national news around here. I wish I did. Maybe I can find something about it on church news. Oh well. If it doesn't assist with my calling its isn't worth it.

We met Rico while we were walking. I wouldn't be surprised if he just wants a friend. Some people here just want or thrive off of that. I'll explain the prayers on the phone. They'll make more sense that way.

Anyways. I'm going to close this email. I don't have a lot of time left. Just know that I know without a doubt that this gospel is true. That it changes and improves lives. It allows us to find the peace and joy that we need for eternity. This church is true. Jesus is the Christ. The Living Son of God. I bear you this testimony is his name. Even Jesus Christ. Amen.

Elder Christofferson

"Feed my sheep..."

April 23, 2012

Sounds awesome. Teancum will be a fine missionary. I'm excited for those boys. Wendy and Shon are going to receive so many blessings now. Double since they have TWO boys on missions. Dang. If only I had a twin or another little brother.

Elder Heywood is my Grandpa in the mission. I love that guy. Is he married yet? He should be by now. He's been home long enough.

 

Colton did email me. I'm excited for him and Molly to start getting stuff ready for me for when I get home and headed to college. I'll be busy at that time. I think I want to go to school full time when I get back. Get it all done and out of the way as fast as possible so that I'll be able to pay for my wife to go to college after that. Or vice versa. Work while she's in school and then go to school while she works. I'm still thinking about going into Marketing and Advertising. I'll talk to President Belliston about it and see what he thinks. Maybe I can get a job out here in DC or Baltimore somewhere after college and then handle things that way. I still don't know where I'll go to college after getting my associates done though. I just don't want to go to BYU or LDS Business College.

Yeah. Called to Serve can be a heart breaker for mom's with Missionaries out.

 

I don't know if they would have that conference out on CD yet or not. I just know that the majority of that Conference was on what we talk about as Missionaries. Shocking isn't it? And at least two Apostles invited the listeners to be baptized over the course of it.

I know you wish they could keep me longer, but I think when the time is up then it'll be time to come home. I don't want to extend. By then it'll be time to move on with my life. President Belliston has never extended the Mission of a Missionary because he understands how important it is for us to become true members of society. The only exceptions he's ever made has been for those who go home for medical purposes and then come back out.

Anyways. I have an interesting story for you. We had two extremes this week. Both on opposite ends of the spectrum. The first was a guy we met today. He decided to take the liberty upon himself to come and say "Hello! I grew up in the church! My parents are active. And I want to tell you everything that you've got wrong." I was shocked to hear that a member who grew up active and in full participation would say such a thing. He proceeded to tell us that we have a clouded and distorted view of salvation and went on to tell us how those whom God has chosen to save truely understand religion, salvation, and the Bible (So many people are hooked on the Bible and only that. Sometimes I think they have a testimony of the Bible and not Jesus Christ) and all things that they must do to live eternally. He told us of many distorted doctrine that he says we have. I couldn't help, but say a silent prayer that his eyes and understanding be opened and enlightened. We encouraged him to go back and read the Book of Mormon again and rekindle his testimony.

The second was when we met Rico. Rico is a pastor from another church. He's a big black man with a busy beard and a bald head (Looks kind of like dad). Through the course of our conversation we came to learn that all he wants to do is be able to talk with others about the gospel and grow in faith together. It was a very spiritual experience we had. Rico had pure intentions of talking with us. Before we left he demanded that we say a prayer. (Keep in mind that prayers in Baltimore are very eccentric) We agreed. A sweet spirit was felt as we parted ways with this man who held us as brothers in faith of Jesus Christ.

I know that god lives and loves all his children. Jesus is the Christ. The savior. These things are available to all and so is Salvation. Never forget that this is his church. I bear you this testimony in him who is our Redeemer. Jesus Christ. Amen.

"Feed my sheep..."

Elder Christofferson

April 16, 2012

There are a lot of missionaries either leaving from home or out right now. I'm impressed. Hopefully they enjoy working in the Lords vineyard. I read Elder Hollands talk from conference again this week and realized there is a lot of repenting and a lot of forgiving that I need to do. Sometimes I hate how those men are so good at calling people to repentance. I also read President Erying's talk, Mountains to Climb. I don't think I'll ask for any Mountains to Climb yet. Let me just finish the Mission first then I might ask for a little hill or something.

So our area is right next to Ft. Meade Army Base. Its a Hot Spot for Military Intelligence Personel. NOBODY can talk about what they do, but you figure it out anyways. CIA, FBI, Secret Service, DEA, NCIS will all tell you who they work for. NSA tells you "I work for the Federal Government so I can't tell you what I do" to which our response is "Must either be NSA or Mercenaries." They get annoyed when you say NSA I guess. Oh well. There are a ton of less active members in this area who want their name removed from the records of the church. The bishop has told us not to contact them, but President Belliston tells us to ignore that request and go see them anyways. We take orders from President Belliston and coordinate with the Bishops and see what we can do to help the wards. But in the end President Belliston is the one who directs us in our missionary work. My money budgeting is going terrible right now. I literally am living off of peanut butter sandwiches and left overs from member meals right now. 

How many times to I have to ask you not to count time? You'll just make yourself trunky and then you'll make me trunky too and then no missionary work will get done. Just ask Cameron or Colton. I AM NOT A TRUNKY MISSIONARY!!!

Anyways. I hope you all are well. I know that Christ lives and guides his Church. I pray that we can continue to remember the easter season as the months go on. I do so in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

I also got a new companion. His name is Elder Rebaza from Bountiful Utah. I never get anyone from our neck of the woods.

"Feed my sheep..."

Elder Christofferson

April 9, 2012

We watched Saturday Conference at a members house and Sunday Conference at the Church. We kinda got fed on saturday, but sunday we fed ourselves. We don't get fed that often here. Which is why we have to learn to budget our money. Conference was great though. So much of what we talk about as missionaries was talked about during conference.

So as for any new big things we don't have a lot. We have a guy on date. His name is Juan. We had a little scare with him last week. He was attacked by someone and they beat his face in, but he's okay now. He came to church on sunday. He thanks the Lord everyday for his safety. This is a rough area to work in, but things are improving now.

I want to end with my testimony. In light of the Easter Season I've been giving a lot of thought to Christ and how is the Master and the Savior of the World. He lives. He comforts us when in trouble and shows his love always. His church was restored by Joseph Smith and is lead by Thomas S. Monson. I bear you this witness in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

"Feed my sheep..."

Elder Christofferson

April 2, 2012

Do you realize how much Missionaries thrive on mail? Not emails. Mail? Especially from single girls that are in our age range? (HINT HINT!!! Please include pictures) We don't care so much about money, or packages (okay maybe we like packages a little bit and pictures of family), or little gifts here and there. We like mail. Letters. Envelopes. Cards. Stuff like that. Something that can bring a small ray of sunshine to our day to day lives. There are at least five missionaries in our mission that get letters everyday except Sunday (for obvious reasons). Sorry to chew you out right there, but it needed to be said.

Family night. I can't wait to come back to those. Oh. By the way. I may end up going missing for about two and a half months. Missionaries become really spontaneous. Road trips, backpacking across Europe, then church history tours. Lots of stuff to do. Long stories. Tell ya later. The road trip one came from a dream I had to drive from Utah to Maryland and back on motorcycles. I want to do that.

 

I need you to do some research for me. I need to know of any schools that offer degrees in advertising or publicity. I've been thinking about going into that field. I remember doing some advertising for some school activities and I enjoyed it. I'll keep you updated as I go though. I still want to do some stuff with psychology and maybe forensic science.

 

I think one of my favorite talks from Conference was Elder Perry's on missionary work. He always talks about such great things. This Conference felt different than others. It seems a lot of the statements made were very bold and straightforward this time around. More so than usual.

 

After listening to the leaders of the church and especially after Elder Holland's closing comment, "By the way brethren. Its getting late." I've thought a lot about the Doctrine of Christ. The time to act is now. The time to share the Gospel and the Book of Mormon is now. Why would we wait to share this message? Are we afraid? Are we binding our tounges? Are we not remembering the Lord's command and promise to "Open our mouths and they shall be filled."? If we are then its time to repent. Its time to say something. All of you reading this email know someone who is not a member of the church. Open your mouth and invite them to learn of it. I know that as you do so the Lord will soften their hearts and they will explore the words of Eternal Life. Such is my testimony, though it be a simple one. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Elder Christofferson

"Feed my sheep..."