Monday June 25, 2012

One of many pictures from the Tag wall in Baltimore city.

We had lots of tender and emotional moments.  President Belliston goes home this week and none of us will see him for some time.  Wife be willing, that man is going to be the one to perform our temple sealing.

 

Now for some fun moments.

 

Maryland Baltimore Mission Articles of Faith

 

1.  We believe in Baptizing MONTHLY.  Weekly if necessary.

 

2.  Just because another Missionary "Said" or "Did" it, doesn't make it alright.

 

3.  We believe in parking in the outskirts of parking lots in order to avoid door dings and scratches on our cars, we also believe in polishing hubcaps.

 

4.  We believe in not slacking off and in not doing dumb things on P-Day.  So kwicherbellyachin.

 

5.  We believe in obeying the White Handbook if we want our soul to be saved.

 

6.  We believe in numbers.

 

7.  We believe in studying a scripture on Faith everyday.

 

8.  We believe in memorizing scriptures daily.

 

9.  We believe in inviting investigators to be baptized on the first lesson.  If you don't you've blown it.

 

10.  We believe in extending meaningful commitments to members.  Because members need to repent too.

 

11.  We believe in doing saving ordinances for the living.  NOT the dead.

 

12.  We believe the Book of Mormon to be the Word of God, we also believe Preach My Gospel to be the Word of God, and we believe the Bible to be the Word of God...sometimes.

 

13.  We believe in being Obedient, Prompt, and Faithful in all aspects of our work; as we have the responsibility to help God's children achieve Eternal Life we set meaningful, achievable goals, that reflect the desires of our heart and then proceed with Faith to fill them for we like Alma glory in "..that which the Lord hath commanded...that perhaps [we] may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance..." (Alma 29:9)  So get out there!  Exercise Faith!  Have Miracles!  AND BAPTIZE!!!

 

We threw those together a couple of days ago.  They reflect everything we know and love about our Mission.

So the pictures include me standing on a boat dock with the Maryland Capital and Cathedral in the background.  Annapolis is beautiful.  Kadee would love to go house looking there.

  

 It seems that you've had a rough week.  To take a line from President Belliston, "I love hearing that you've had a rough week.  Because it means that your faith is going to build and you're going to have a better one next week."  Prayer is one of the greatest gifts that we recieve from our heavenly father.  I had a feeling that this week was going to be different for those back home.  I've had a long week spent in much prayer as well.  You can never go wrong with prayer and there is no such thing as too much of it.

 

As prophesied the world is in commotion.  http://mormonchannel.org/mormonmessages?v=1289877050001

 

I haven't very much more to tell you than what has already been said by the leaders of our church.

 

But this week I was able to teach a man from Nepal names Suvha.  Suvha converted to Christianity not too long ago.  While looking up information on christianity he stumbled across lds.org where he found many good things that he liked.  He learned many key doctrines.  From there he was directed to mormon.org.  He then recieved a number for a nearby church in Glen Burnie Maryland.  He called and was able to get in contact with the Missionaries named Elder Henninger and Elder Nelson.  He said, "Hello my name is Suvha.  I'd like to know what I need to do to be Baptized."  The other missionaries taught him the Restoration then called us to give us the information.  We were abel to teach him part of the Plan of Salvation.  He's on date to be Baptized on July 14.  A good date to be baptized.

 

Miracles are worked by our Heavenly Father.  He does so by our faith in him.  Never forget that he always wants to bless us or grant us some small miracle.  I testify of these things in the named of his beloved son our our beloved Elder Brother.  Jesus Christ.  Amen.

 

"Feed my sheep..."

 

Elder Christofferson

A couple of Arabians owned by the non member wife of a member we're working to re activate.  The Horses are siblings.  One of them is 37 years old and the other is 25 years old. (I hope she wasn't lying to me)

Monday June 18, 2012

Well.  I had a really cool picture to send you, but the computer that I'm sitting at doesn't have the USB hook up in a spot that'll work for me.  Sounds like you had an eventful fathers day.  Keep up the good work.

 

I'm excited to hear about the new member that was confirmed in church on sunday.  That is standard protocol for Missionaries.  Baptize the investigator on Saturday.  Confirm them on Sunday so that they can have a good warm welcome by the whole ward.  Take care of that convert.  Many good things can come from her pertaining to the future of the church.

 

Remember that calls don't come from the Ward or Stake Leaders.  They come from the Lord.  I'll testify of that.  I was called to the Maryland Baltimore Mission by the inspiration that an Apostle recieved from the Lord and I wouldn't want to be in any other Mission.

 

Well if Melissa and Danyon come out here, I probably won't be able to see them.  It would probably be the best if I don't, but if they decide that THEY want to see me have them call the office and talk to President Belliston or President Richards.  Seeing family can distract a Missionary.  Which is one of the reasons that I don't want to be picked up from mine either.  You get trunky.  VERY TRUNKY.  Not a good thing.

 

We lose President Belliston at the end of the month. :(

 

Ask me about my emails with President Shephard when I get home.

 

Elder Argyle did leave some impressive shoes to fill I bet.  I hope to leave a pair for a future generation...but since they're made out of tractor tires I highly doubt that I'll wear all the way through them in my two years.

 

I've done a little bit of Karate.  I've been practicing Kumite on days that it rains outside.  I do Kata on clear days in the back yard.  Elder Rebaza and Elder Jenks want to practice with me from time to time.  Elder Jenks wants dad to train him when he gets home.  By the way.  Large concensus is that Elder Jenks and I will be coming home the same day since we have a funky transfer that time.  So if we do then Leslie will have to be at the airport also.  I'll email her and let her know.  Sometimes we go running for our workout.  We change it up almost day to day though.

 

So today we went up to Baltimore.  The only place that I would recommend taking the family in the city is Camden Yards to watch the Orioles, M&T Bank Stadium to watch the Ravens, and the Inner Harbor to see some of the historic ships.  Everywhere else is pretty much really ghetto and not worth it.  There are a lot of places outside the city to check out.  Not Cherry Hill.  We'll get shot there.  Severn just got a casino so not there.  Annapolis has the Naval Academy.  Hagerstown and a few places is West Virginia and Virginia are cool though.

 

I'll try to include pictures next time, but I want to close with my testimony.  God loves each of us.  He is literally our father in heaven.  He watches over us like a father and wants our happiness.  I testify that Jesus is the Christ and the only begotten of the Father.  I know he sends the Holy Ghost to comfort us.  I so testify in the Holy name of Jesus Christ.  Amen.

 

"Feed my sheep..."

 

Elder Christofferson

Monday June 11, 2012

 I love the boldness of little children.  Sometimes I wish I was that bold in my mission.  But I am pretty bold in my teaching.  "The Spirit will not testify of phoniness." -Elder Jeffrey R. Holland "Sometimes not being bold is being phony." -Elder Jess Christofferson.

It sounds like you had many wonderful experiences on trek.  Tell Andrew not to be a punk and to save the video for when I get home.  Then I'll check it out.

This week was pretty interesting in a few ways.  We found a pair of sisters to teach named Ashley and Brittany.  Their uncle is a pastor in D.C. so we knew that once he found out that they were meeting with us and thinking about being baptized he was going to jump on it and try to indoctrinate them against the church.  Hopefully we were able to teach powerfully enough to prevent that.

We haven't heard from Abram or Mira in a little while so we're still praying for them to have a mighty change of heart.  Mira isn't on date yet, but we're still praying for her.  We'll have to see what happens though.

At 18 months you burn a pair of pants.  Thats how I'll celebrate.

So I guess I don't have much to report on this week except how jealous I am that I couldn't go on Trek and feel the amazing spirit that you did.  I guess I'll just have to have my own amazing experiences out here. (You can't see it, but I'm sticking my tongue out at you while I'm typing this) So the pictures are of me in my bed and also Ray Morley when he was a Bishop in Salem.  Ray sent out the Severn Ward's High Priest Group Leader on his mission to Japan back then.  Small world.  You should show that to Ray and tell him.

Martins Cove really can be a Temple of Faith.  When we look at experiences in our lives and places we're at when we feel the spirit we can identify an almost innumerable number of Temples of Faith.  You see the church constantly trying to build temples everywhere.  Why don't we try to build Temples of Faith everywhere so that we don't have to feel completely and totally bombarded by the world around us.  We can put up our own spiritual safe house.

I testify that Jesus is the Christ.  The son of the Living God.  He was sacrificed for our sins.  So that we may attain eternal life.  I know that he guides his church today.  I shall know it always.  I may not ever know it any better than I do now though.  I leave this testimony of his love with you in his Holy and Sacred name.  Even Jesus Christ.  Amen.

"Feed my sheep..."

Elder Christofferson

Monday June 4, 2012

I know that you like longer emails and letters, but sometimes being exactly obedient blesses more than the missionary.  It blesses his family too.  If everyone were exactly obedient then we'd have a peacefull world.   Now the story about Mira.  Elder Rebaza and I went over to a member's house one night because we had heard that she'd been in the hospital.  Upon sitting down and visiting with her for a minute we decided to share a message.  After the opening prayer for our meeting she jumped up and said, "I've got someone for you to teach so hold on a minute."  She left the apartment.  We were confused and wondering what was going on.  She came back and motioned for us to follow her.  We went to the apartment upstairs and inside was Mira.  We taught her the Restoration and invited her to be baptized.  She said yes.  Although shy she continued to keep commitments and even came to church on the Sunday that President Belliston was speaking.  It was Awesome!   Now Abram is an interesting story.  So we got a referral from the Assistants for this less active part member family in our ward that we didn't know about.  We knocked on Abram's door thinking it was the right one.  Turns out it was the next house over that we were looking for (Stinking trailer courts).  We went over and knocked on the door.  Nobody was home.  When we came off the porch Abram was outside.  He came up to us and told us that he was interested in our message.  We talked for a little bit.  Left him a Restoration Pamphlet and went on our way.  Saturday night he calls us and asks us if we're having worship services on sunday.  I told him, "Yes.  They start at 11:30."  His response was asking if he could come.  I answered yes while in total shock.  Then he asked for a tour of the building.  I told him we could arrange it.  After getting off the phone I still hadn't fully grasped what had happened.  We had a potential investigator coming to church on the Sunday that President Belliston was speaking.  He came and enjoyed his time.  We sent him home with a Book of Mormon and another invite to go on mormon.org and learn more.   Now for the after results of Abram.  In his desire to learn more he began looking up every bit of information that he could about the church from every source that he could find.  He has since formulated his own ideas and in essence antied himself and is now no longer teachable.  We can't progress with him.  Even though we told him where to go if he wants to know the truth of some of the age old questions about the church he didn't listen.  We told him that there are enemies that would sway his thoughts in other ways, but that God wouldn't.  He just won't get over some things.  I wish that being as bold as some other people would help, but the situation now would be a bash fest on doctrines.   For every hundred truths the Adversary gives, he throws in one lie.   He knows what would have happened if Abram had listened to our counsel and taken everything to God.  We will meet with Abram again.  Next time will be a chance to declare boldly and by the Spirit, the doctrine's of salvation.  The Evil One will not win.   You can share anything I say with anyone that you think needs to hear it.  As for times in life that we may be having some issues.  Remember what Spencer W. Kimball said, “There are great challenges ahead of us, giant opportunities to be met. I welcome that exciting prospect and feel to say to the Lord, humbly, ‘Give me this mountain,’ give me these challenges.”  Also remember what President Eyring said, "If we have faith in Jesus Christ, the hardest as well as the easiest times in life can be a blessing."   Upon making my decision to serve as a Missionary, I adopted a personal slogan, "I never said it would be easy.  I just waid it would be worth it."  This isn't an easy church to be a part of.  The demands aren't easy.  The callings aren't easy.  They give us mountains to overcome in life.  Will they ever be easy?  No.  Elder Bednar told us that when he became an Apostle he had a chance to talk to Elder Holland.  He asked him, "Does it ever get any easier?"  Elder Holland responded, "I'm told that twenty years down the road it gets easier."  After sharing the experience with President Packer he was told, "No.  It never gets any easier.  In fact it gets harder.  Much harder.  You realize your responsibilities and discover that they are just that much more demanding."  Dont let your head hang down though about callings.  Stresses come, but as long as we have faith we can get over them. http://mormonchannel.org/mormonmessages?v=1289877050001   I testify that our savior knows our stresses.  He doesn't let us go through them alone.  He gives us a comforter.  You just have to get on your knees to find him.  I testify that God the Father loves us.  He strengthens us.  I solemnly declare it in the name of Jesus Christ.  Amen.   "Feed my sheep..."   Elder Christofferson

Tuesday May 29, 2012

Cant talk much in this email.  I have lots to do today.  Tom is Elder Jenks' uncle not his dad.  We claim cousinship now.  Anyways.  No card games with the missionaries.  Its not allowed.  Then again missionaries called to Utah have it easy.  So many members to take care of them and all.   Mira is doing well.  She still wants to be baptized.  President Belliston was able to talk with her briefly as well as our other new investigator named Abram.  Both really cool.  Really awesome miracles.  Email me next week and remind me to tell you the story.   I have to email President Belliston still.  I just wanted to tell you how much I love all of you and bear you my testimony.   By exact obedience to god's commandments and the Gospel of Jesus Christ is where blessings and miracles come and God wants to bless us.  So don't do anything that will deny him the opportunity.  I testify that Jesus Christ is the Savior and the son of God.  I know that he lives.  I know God calls Prophets to the earth to lead and guide his children and provide them with life changing counsel.  I so testify in the name of Jesus Christ.  Amen.   "Feed my sheep..."

Monday May 21, 2012

So this week was a slow week family.  We found some new people to teach.  A lady named Mira.  She's 18 and has a 1 year old son, but earlier in her life she had a miscarriage.  She called us one night and asked us if we do christening in the church and we told her that we'd answer her question at our return appointment.  Since we were going to be teaching her at a member's house it ended up working out great.  She was there before us and asked, "Where they at?!  I need my questions answered!"  We showed up and she beat the member to answering the door.  We were able to teach her from Moroni 8.  The Spirit was strong and she felt comforted knowing that she doesn't have to worry about her child at such a young age.  We've invited her to be baptized and she feels that that is something she can work towards.
 
According to Leslie one of the Missionaries in my apartment, Elder Jenks is practically my cousin.  I guess his dad and Uncle grew up with Leslie.  I'm pretty sure I have another cousin in the Mission.  Elder Holm.  I'm going to see if we can lay out our genealogy and figure it out.  He's a Spanish Missionary.  We'll have to see if it lines up.
 
I found out some other great news today.  A girl that I started teaching in Hagerstown named Delany is getting Baptized.  She's Tiffany's sister.  Tiffany is the one that Elder Schwicht and I baptized in Hagerstown.  Delany's dad finally agreed to let her get baptized.  I guess Delany has been reading the Book of Mormon and other Church Documents in the secret of night because her dad would always take them from her if he found them.  She finally confronted her dad about it.  He told her that if that's what she really wants then he'll give his permission for her to be baptized.  It made my P-Day ten times better before it even started.
 
I know that this gospel is true.  I know that for those who really come to know of it and stand up for it will be blessed by our heavenly father.  Never forget what President Monson said about standing alone.  http://mormonchannel.org/mormon-messages-for-youth?v=1634378330001 I testify that Jesus is the Christ.  He is our Savior and redeemer.  I know that Joseph Smith restored his church to the earth.  Thomas S. Monson is his mouthpiece today.  Of these things I bear earnest and solemn Testimony.  In the name of Jesus Christ.  Amen.
 
"Feed my sheep..."
 
Elder Christofferson