Monday July 30, 2012

You're right.  I should send you a present.  Wow.  Good job mom.  Maybe I'll send you a "Virginia is for Lovers" sticker that they give out at the city office.  Its insane that I head back off as soon as I get home.  I've been thinking long and hard about what I want to do for work when I get home.  I don't think I'll go back to scout camp during the summer.  I think I'll just start working like crazy so that I can pay off student loans as fast as possible.  I don't want to be in debt for longer than I can help it.  Kadee had better not get senioritis.  She needs to stay focused.  My biggest regret in life is not doing what I should have to graduate high school.  And especially not doing what I should have to graduate with a good GPA.  Now enrollment fee's and insurance are going to kill me when I get home.   Dad sounds like dad.  Sounds like he had a great time like usual.  There are lots of places out here to go fishing if he decides that he wants to.  Just don't eat anything you catch out of the Shenandoah River.  Everything there is mutated.  Not kidding.  Fish with four eyes or three fins and all that.  Nobody eats anything that they catch out of the river around here.  Private ponds of ward members is the best place to fish.  They have it stocked and mountain streams are the source for them.  There ya go.  By the way.  Where did dad get a Kilt?  Did he get me one?  If not then he's in big trouble.   I wish I could have gone on trek.  HUGE disappointment.  Deseret News published an article about the trek from our stake.  I guess some people out west made some comments that the stake out here isn't very happy with.  Trek is trek and an intensely spiritual experience no matter where you attend it at. This week we were able to teach a man named Greg about the Plan of Salvation.  Greg's dad started a Bible Church our here where he was the pastor until he died.  When we talked about the Spirit World though we really caught Greg's attention.  He started asking several questions and gained an increased desire to study the Book of Mormon.  We're going to see him tomorrow night and share more about it with him.   I testify of the Plan of Salvation.  A knowledge of it has brought me great comfort in the few trials I've faced while on my mission and before.  I testify of revelation and the power of god to speak to men on earth.  God lives.  Jesus Christ lives.  They are all knowing all loving beings.  I bear solemn witness of this in the name of Jesus Christ.  Amen.   "Feed my sheep..."   Elder Christofferson

Monday July 23, 2012 (yes, another late entry)

"This Viginia.  Where we rai rednecks, pull out their teef, giv em' lil reb flags and send em' on their way.  At the six mon reunion we giv em' their racin tattoo and Ernhart beer mug."  The Ward Mission Leader told me that this week.  If you'd like it in modern english, "This is Virginia.  Where we raise rednecks, pull out their teeth, give them a little rebel flag, and send them on their way.  At the six month reunion we give them their racing tattoo and #3 beer mug."  I love Virginia.  Its so redneck.  Or FRedneck as some call it (Front Royal Redneck).  You can't drive more than a mile in any direction without running into farm land.  Most of them are Vineyards.  Everyone has a desire to own a winery...including the members.  Don't try arguing it with any of them because you'll get the same answer. "My soil is different than the one on the next hill over so my wine will taste different."  The members out here remind me of President Shephard.  Just a bunch of Gool ol' boys.  Especially Rusty Stickly and Brother Sweeny the Ward Mission Leader. No.  You didn't tell me that someone donated money for a new stadium.  We use mormon.org all the time.  I wish more family members would hurry up and make links already.  I'm getting tired of showing Mom and Kadee all the time. This is the most beautiful area in the western region of our mission.  Annapolis is probably the most beautiful in the east because there are little bay inlets scattered throughout the city.  I think its awesome out here in the west.  I'll have to take some pictures of the scenery to show you.  It would be cool to spend some time in West Virginia, but I'll take what the Lord gives me.  "Come what may, and love it." By the way.  Went and played football and soccer for an hour and a half today.  I'm beat.  But I'm running faster and further than I ever could before.  I love football.  When we come back to visit in the future we'll have to go to a Ravens game with the Hills in the Chesapeake Ward.  She's the Executive Secretary for Under Armor and they are die hard Ravens fans.  Mormon Night at Camden Yards is on August 10th.  I need to find a black and orange paisley tie to show some Oriole pride.  THIS IS BIRDLAND!!!  I'm in a really good mood today if you couldn't tell. President and Sister Richards are awesome.  They definitely are different.  And technically they only take care of 120ish missionaries. I don't have very many cool stories to share this week, except that our youth went on Trek in this ward (God is taunting me now).  I heard stories about how or recent convert of now one week this last Saturday went on Trek and just amazed everyone.  Every time his family got their hand cart to a resting spot he was the first to ran back to the next cart and start pushing it till they caught up.  Then he'd go back to the next one.  Then the next one till the last cart had arrived.  After the last cart had made it, he'd go pick up the handle to his own cart and start going again.  At the end of everyday of Trek he'd pass out from sheer exhaustion then get up the next morning and do it all over again.  15 youth had to leave Trek because of either heat exhaustion or heat stroke.  One from pneumonia.  Jason (Our Recent Convert) didn't complain once.  Not till he got back.  "Those carts were heavy.  They weighed 700lbs."  Thats what he said.  Then we found out that that was their weight when empty.  I heard many testimonies on prayer on sunday from leaders and youth. I too have a testimony of prayer.  It is the most pure form of communication with our father.  He wants to hear from us and we should speak to him.  I bear testimony of the Father and the Son.  They live.  They watch over us always.  I bear testimony of the Restoration and living Prophets.  I do so in the name of Jesus Christ.  Amen. "Feed my sheep..." Elder Christofferson

July 15, 2012 (Late Entry)

Yes.  New state.  I'm in one of the most Redneck areas of the mission...I fit right in.  After all.  I am from Spanish Fark!  I said that the night that I met the Bishop and he nearly had a nervous break down.  I also found out that Ecclesiastical leaders hold huge pull in the south.  I'm in the south!  Take that Cameron and Tyson.  I got a chunk of it too.  I also found out that Tyson is serving in the mission where President Richards' (Our new mission president) dad was mission president and he was living in Peoria Illinois when his dad received that call!  So many divine rendezvous.  I've gotten over the bitterness of the circumstances of my transfer.  "Come what may, and love it."  Its a good talk given by Joseph B. Wirthlin.  My commitment to all of you is to go back and watch it again. I don't have pictures this week, but I should be sending you some next.  I'm in one of the most beautiful parts of the country.  The Shenandoah Valley.  Look it up. Still hate seafood.  Not gonna touch it.  I tried crab once, but that's because you can't go to Maryland without trying it. There is one aquarium in Baltimore.  The bay is too disgusting to see anything in.  You could go trolling and find a diaper, dead body, dead shark, or dead alligator. (The first two are actually accurate) We have a Zoo also, but its nothing compared to the national zoo though so everyone says that the national zoo is much more worth it. That's awesome for Cahill.  We don't have much for the Rodeo out here, but we do have Rednecks and spicy relish. (I'll send you some) Nuff' said.  They say that the relish is so hot that they have to store it in plastic bins because it'll eat a hole in metal. We were able to have a baptism on saturday.  An 18 year old kid named Jason Sours.  He's dating a member. (Flirt to convert, go figure)  Now he wants to serve a mission, but girlfriend says no.  We're working on it.  It was amazing to see that the gospel changed a kid like Jason.  I've only heard bits of his past, but he experienced a mighty change of hear unto conversion. I know this work changes lives.  It brings about the greatest good in the world.  It is the Lords work and he is moving it forward.  We are all blessed to be a part of it.  You don't have to be perfect people, because the gospel you participate in already is perfect.  Of this I bear humble testimony.  In the sacred name of Jesus Christ.  Amen. "Feed my sheep..." Elder Christofferson

New Area! July 11, 2012

Hey family.

My new area is Front Royal Virginia.  My companions name is Elder Holden  Our address is

Elder Christofferson
409 Cherrydale Ave
Front Royal VA 22603

Love you all!

Elder Christofferson

"PICTURES"  :)

Brother Wright of the Woodstock Branch who is the Author of The Christmas Jar.

Me and Pappa Lyons.  My trainer.  He said goodbye to the mission today.

Elder Rebaza and I with the Burrs.  They took us to transfer meeting.

Elder Rebaza and I

Elder Park and I

Elder Jenks and I

All four Elders who were in that apartment.

The Burr's Rav 4 which we loaded our stuff into.

Me in a Boba Fett Helmet at the Vinson house.

Tuesday July 3, 2012

So I'm starting a new Diet.  Yes.  I said diet.  Nobody fall out of your chairs.  Its not the end of the world.  The diet is called D&C 89.  The Word of Wisdom.  Elder Rebaza and I were talking to a member who said that they were going to take the Word of Wisdom literally and in a year 1 had lost 100 lbs and the other lost 25 lbs (He's a marine so he's already skinny).  They said that if you eat a strictly plant based diet for a year you can lose an average of 100 lbs in that year.  So Elder Rebaza and I decided that we're going to try it.  I've gone vegetarian for six months and I want to see what happens.  If it works I'll keep doing it.

I thought about not emailing you till next week, but decided that that would be cruel and unusual punishment.  Our library near where we live is without power so we had to come down to Annapolis to email.  The Mini storm knocked out power all across Severn.  The Moses Family who just moved here from Idaho had to come stick everything in our freezer because they had no power.  It was cool though.  We were able to help out at least one family. I'm attaching pictures for you also.  We have four full size watermellons at our house.  Well three now.  Elder Rebaza and I ate an entire one yesterday. A cake made by Sister Seger in our ward.  It was delicious.  My last non plant part of my diet before I started yesterday. And last.  A 72 Chevy Impala we found.  Some guy bought it a few years ago.  Painted it and stuck it in storage.  When he pulled it out recently it was practically mint.  A couple paint problems and he just dropped a 350 in it.  A little small of an engine, but a cool paint job. We just met President and Sister Richards today and their 16 year old son McKay and their 13 year old daughter Josie.  President Belliston is now gone.  He was awesome.  Nobody will be able to replace him, but hopefully President and Sister Richards will be able to do something new for us that President Belliston couldn't do. I want to bear my testimony that the leaders in our church are called by God.  They are the ones chosen to fill their positions for a reason.  They aren't always the most qualified for the job, but the job is qualified for them.  I testify of the love of the Savior.  His atonement is infinite.  I testify of living Prophets and Apostles.  To my loved ones I declare as have so many others before me, "The Heavens are not closed."  Think about that.  I bear this testimony in the name of Jesus Christ.  Amen. "Feed my sheep..." Elder Christofferson

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