Monday September 17, 2012

More Pictures!  I've already repented of the first three so don't worry about it.  The last one is of Elder Brown and I at a Luau we found in Luray.  Its a branch that we go down and help with from time to time. Its amazing to see an older brother ordain a younger brother to the Melchizedek Priesthood.  I can only imagine what it would be like for a son to do it for his father like Elder Bednar did for his dad.  I don't blame Tyson for not wanting to come home.  Our mission has about four Missionaries with either a sibling or a cousin on a mission in Little Rock Arkansas.  I'm still trying to gather names.  One of them may have been Tyson's companion.  I'll have to email him and find out.  Teancum is still a legend in our mission because of his name.  So many legends in the MBM. I can't wait to see Braxton again.  I can then go back to being "Uncle Jesse".  Did I tell you that Cooter lives just in our Mission Boundaries?  When I found that out I nearly did back flips.  He goes to Luray a couple of times a week to drive laps at the fair grounds in the General Lee.  Braxton sounds like he's doing awesome.  Everyone asks if I have any nieces or nephews.  I tell them that I have one and that he's awesome.  I love that little guy. Thanks for checking out housing for me.  I trust that you'll have everything in order.  I've been so overwhelmed with spiritual feelings and experiences this week that its not even funny. My schedule is never the same from day to day.  This week we did service for two full days.  One was as you can see in the pictures cutting limbs off trees after which we mowed a lawn.  Then saturday we went and moved a deep freeze for our bishop and then moved a couple that is going through a separation.  We had to move both of them out of the house and into different ones.  Very emotionally taxing on the couple and their kids.  This last months we've been so busy that unless we have a dinner with a family we don't get to eat till we get home.  Its a good feeling to be constantly busy.  I ended up giving that Joseph Smith eternity ring to a less active member in my last who ended up deployed to Afghanistan.  We had taught him a lesson using it when we first met him and got him to come to church for the first time in over twenty years.  The lessons you can apply to different things are so amazing.  I figured that it would be a good reminder to him about what he's looking towards these days. Anyways.  We've had an interesting week with our investigators.  Jimmy has some trials that have him really stressed out, but we're going over tonight to try and help him through some of them and provide him with a few things to build his faith.  William and Jennifer had to take their two year old daughter in for surgery this week.  She was born with some heart problems and was going in to have them corrected.  We've done more praying for our investigators this week than we ever had before. I have a testimony of prayer.  We've been the answer to it at least twice this week.  Its been good to know that the Lord called us to do the work that others couldn't.  I've spent many hours this week on my knees and never have I felt so tall and strong than when I turned to our Heavenly Father.  I know that he does hear our prayers and he does answer them.  Of this I humbly testify in the name of Jesus Christ.  Amen. "Feed my sheep..."

September 10, 2012

Tell Cameron that I'm not trunky.  It sounds like a quote from him.  If you keep talking about trunkyness then I'll end up that way so STOP MENTIONING IT!!!  Jeez.  When will people learn.

I don't know if that date is for sure.  I've been told that by one of my Zone Leaders who is also going home with me.  Okay.  Just got a message from President Richards.  My group does go home December 18.  It'll be strange.  DON"T MAKE ME TRUNKY!!!  No trunky packages!  Kadee and Kayla!  This means you!   I'm told that the people in the church office building bend over backwards for family.  Also Elder Koelliker is coming and I could just write a letter and have him give it to Elder Christofferson for me expressing my desire to meet him after I get home and see what he says.  Ya never know.  Calm down Kadee.  You'll get the chance to meet them someday.  I'm sure of it.  I've been thinking about visiting him from the day that I went in the MTC.  I'd love to meet all of the Apostles, but I don't think that that will ever be possible.  I've met Elder Andersen and Elder Hales already that I know of and can remember.  I've met Elder Allan Packer.  The Eldest son of President Packer.

We were a little affected by the storm.  We mowed a lawn in it.  I'll have to steal Elder Brown's Camera and send you pictures of it.  We looked like drowned dogs.

Anyways.  This week we were able to visit with some great people.  William and Jennifer is an awesome couple.  William used to play on the Defensive Tackle for the Raven's Practice team.  Jennifer is his Fiance.  They're asking us all sorts of questions that link directly back to the Book of Mormon and its given us a unique chance to get them to want to read it.

We've also taught Jimmy.  He was on date for September 22 to be baptized, but we realized that Jimmy has been pushed so much by missionaries that he hasn't wanted it as badly as before.  We were able to sit down and tell him that if he wants it then its his and we were there to help him.  Jimmy asked to move the date back till he finishes to Book of Mormon and learns more about the church.  We putting together the most unique lessons just for Jimmy now.

I know that listening is more important that talking.  I get it now dad.  "Eyes and ears.  The mouth has nothing to do with it."  I wish I'd learned that sooner.  I get to listen to people all day long and learn to understand them.  I know thats how our father in heaven is.  He listens.  I pray that we will be able to learn to listen also.  I bear testimony of the savior.  He lives.  He speaks AND listens.  I know this and testify of it in the name of Jesus Christ.  Amen.

"Feed my sheep..."

Elder Christofferson

September 4, 2012

I knew my anticipated date of release in the MTC.  It was supposed to be for CHRISTMAS DAY.  Thats not the case.  The church doesn't allow Elders to be out for three Christmas'.  They just don't do that.  Instead we go home December 18th.  Does that answer your question?  I need more college details so that I can inform President Richards of whether or not I need to move the date up.  I never told anyone a date because I don't want anyone getting trunky during the last months and weeks of my mission.  Trunkiness is an infection.  I do have one request to make though.  I want to stop at the Church Office Building on the way home from the airport. There is a missionary in my mission who's little brother is serving in the Arkansas Little Rock Spanish speaking mission also.  Small world.  Very small world.  My current companion's older brother served in Little Rock many years ago. I know very well the difference between bold and overbearing.  I've met many former investigators who have said they want nothing to do with the church because of overbearing missionaries.  I'm bold when I need to be and I say only what needs to be said.  It does no good telling an investigator "Unless you join this church your life will be hell."  No you tell them "Joining this church is going to bring you such great blessings in your life.  Knowing that the Book of Mormon is true and that Joseph Smith is and was a Prophet will bring eternal happiness for you and your family."  Then you bear testimony of the Savior's love.  I've only ever been overbearing once and because I did that I'll be help accountable because that person threatened the missionaries when they went back later.  You teach boldly because you love them.  Not overbearing because you want a baptism.  Anyone planning on serving a mission who's reading this blog or will read it in the near future better learn that lesson now, because its a hard one to learn once on a mission. We haven't seen Dave since we met him.  We haven't been able to get down to Luray. If we're lucky we get to go to the temple before we come home.  Usually those that go home at the beginning of January don't get to because the temple is closed for cleaning.  I might not get to because we'll probably be going to the mission home on a Monday.  We'll have to see what happens though.  I'm honestly trying to take more pictures before I come home. We hiked to the top of Harpers Ferry yesterday and studied on the Mountain as a Zone.  It was a pretty good hike.  It had a great view.  I'll try to get the pictures the Zone leaders took of the group.  My battery died after a couple of them. Remind me to give you a copy of the Divine Companionship when I get home. I'm going to close with my Testimony.  I know that Jesus Christ lives.  That he loves all of us.  I know it because I've felt it.  I'm not a perfect person, but Christ helps me out where he see's that I need it.  Never forget that.  I bear you this testimony in the name of Jesus Christ.  Amen. "Feed my sheep..." Elder Christofferson

August 27, 2012

I'm absolutely loving Front Royal.  This is quickly becoming my favorite area.  The women here are the same as the men.  Sister Stickley is probably the sweetest sister in the ward.  I opened the door to her car for her and she said, "Well aint you a right gentleman!"  I said, "Momma raised me to be a gentleman and dad forced me."  "Well thank ya son!" was her response.  I love the people here.

I'm still spoiled and don't have to ride my bike.  I get a car all the time and I'll use it where I can.

I'm not worn out I'm just wearing out.  Maybe this'll put it into perspective.  President Hinckley said that he felt like a sign he saw on a barbwire fence in texas.

Burned out by sun.
Washed out by flood.
Ate out by Jack Rebbits.
Sold out by Sheriff.
Still here.

I feel the same.  And I'm happy to still be here.  D&C 123: 12, 13, 17  says
"12 For there are many yet on the earth among all sects, parties, and denominations, who are ^ablinded by the subtle ^bcraftiness of men, whereby they lie in wait to ^cdeceive, and who are only kept from the truth because they^dknow not where to find it—

 13 Therefore, that we should waste and ^awear out our lives in bringing to light all the ^bhidden things of darkness, wherein we know them; and they are truly manifest from heaven—

 17 Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us ^acheerfully ^bdo all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the ^csalvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed."

I saw a rebel flag license plate that says "Not hate, herritage" the other day.  It was hilarious.  I wanted it.

My new companion is awesome.  Elder Brown from Ft. St. John British Columbia Canada.  He used to drive a service truck on the Al/Can Highway for people who's tires would blow out.  He likes Jeeping.  I told him that if he comes to visit me in Utah that we'd take him to Moab so that he can see what real Jeeping is like.  He kind of reminds me of KJ.  I'll have to send pictures of him later.  In the Front Royal are we have us and Elder and Sister Carlson who also do a lot of work in a Branch just down the road from us.  We have a total of Six Companionship's in our district.  There is Front Royal (us), Luray (Carlson's), Petersburg (Sisters Walker and Sorenson), Woodstock (Elders Dahl and Holden), Wichester Spanish (Elders Holm and Occasio) and Shenandoah Valley the Zone leaders (Elders Mace and Tiatia)  Its a big district.  Zone Conference is once a quarter.

So we went with the Carlson's to Luray on friday to help them with some Proselyting.  While we were there we got a call from a member who said he had a referral for us.  We went and taught Dave.  It was the most BOLD lesson I've ever taught to anyone, but he understood perfectly what we were talking about and he understood that everything he thought he knew or did about Christianity hung on our lesson.  He said that we flipped his world upside down and that he was going to read the Book of Mormon and find out if we really were telling the truth because he doesn't lie to anyone and he doesn't like being lied to.  I was about to die from sheer terror.  I was thinking, "Oh shoot.  I messed up big time.  I've completely blown our chances of teaching this guy again", but as we were wrapping up our lesson I couldn't help but feel calmed by the spirit and I just knew that I did everything I was supposed to do.  I knew that if I had sugar coated anything to him that he would never find out the truth nor would he want to find out the truth.

I want to bear my testimony that our Father in Heaven is bold with us.  Any other way and we wouldn't get the message.  He tells us what we need to hear and it always works out even if its not what we need to hear.  I know that he loves us enough to hurt us.  We grow from it.  We learn from it.  If we aren't willing to do whats necessary when we're in the situation to do it then God's purposes wont come to pass.  I bear you this in the Holy name of Jesus Christ.  Amen.


Elder Christofferson

"Feed my sheep..."

New Companion August 22, 2012

Got a new companion today.  His name is Elder Brown.  He's from Fort St. Johns, British Columbia Canada