Week 2

My dearest loved ones,

I feel much better this week than I did last week! I feel excited about the work. Slightly nervous about what to say and how to be normal when bringing up the gospel. More myself and less like a robot. Sister Tau'aho helps with that so much. I am extremely blessed Heavenly Father has placed me in a location where I get to see a wife and her two daughters be baptized by their husband this Sunday. Sister Tau'ho has created a special bond with this family and helped them truly grow to love the gospel and everything about it. She is an amazing example to me. Its been fun to witness and slowly be a part of it.

Wednesday was probably my favorite day. I met Sister Tau'aho and she welcomed me with open arms! We went to pick up bedding from Walmart and ran into a less active member that the sister lost track of because he moved and stopped coming to church. We got his new phone number and headed back to the apartment. 

Sister Dixon asked us to fill out some paperwork at the apartment complexes leasing office and while we were there one of the managers, Tracy, sat down and started talking to us. She began to ask us how missions work and how her church goes on missions to Haiti every year. She had a lot on her plate and began to tell us some of the struggles she has been through and currently going through. She noticed the Book of Mormon we had on the table and said she had one. WHAT? She said about 15 years ago elders gave one to her. She hadn't read much of it.  We shared a video that deeply touched her and then read 1 Nephi 1:20 with her. You could tell by the tears in her eyes that she felt the spirit. We prayed with her and then she had to go back to work. 

Next we went to visit a less active member. As we were walking up to her apartment we passed a man on the stairs. We might have said hi but that was it. We knocked on the less actives door and she never answered. We went back down the stairs and the man was still there. We began talking with him and found out he had the Book of Mormon in Hindi! WHAT?! Elders gave it to him when he lived in Ohio and he has read quite a bit. We gave him another one in English, committed him to read a chapter and got his information so we can come back and see him.

That night we went and met with the Lee family. The sisters have met with them a few times. They have a little blonde two year old girl.... sound like anyone you know?haha. (Tender Mercy). We taught them the Plan of Salvation and it lines up with beliefs they already had. They have been so prepared by Heavenly Father. Sister Tau'aho asked them to prepare to be baptized on the 27th of September. The spirit was so strong. They said they would pray about it and Sister Lee wants to read the entire Book of Mormon before she decides. They said its interesting because September is a very special month to them.. birthdays, anniversaries, etc. September is a special month to me as well. Both of my parents birthdays are in September, and my grandpa's, and my grandparent's anniversary, and last but not least my birthday. When I told them that they were a little taken back. I don't know if I believe in signs like that but I think Heavenly Father knew it would mean something to the Lee family and it is no coincidence that I am here in this place at this time. He loves us all and if we align our will with his the blessings just pour out.

The hardest part about this week has been not knowing who, where and what in the world is going on. Also being sick and not being able to breathe for a few days was rough. Sister Tau'aho, prayer, and lots of water have really helped though!

Love you more and more each day! 

Sister Christensen

Quote from studies this morning:

President Spencer W. Kimball (1973–1985)

“Now is the moment in the timetable of the Lord to carry the gospel
farther than it has ever been carried before. … Many a person in this
world is crying, knowingly and unknowingly, ‘Come over … and help us.’
He might be your neighbor. She might be your friend. He might be a
relative. She might be someone you met only yesterday. But we have
what they need. Let us take new courage from our studies and pray, as
did Peter, ‘And now, Lord, … grant unto thy servants, that with all
boldness they may speak thy word’ (Acts 4:29)” (Teachings of Spencer
W. Kimball [1982], 546).

Sister Riley Christensen

7103 Dunleaf Arc Way

Norcross, GA 30093

Send me love.

Also Sister Tau'aho please. 

first selfie with the name tag

First companion- Sister Walker

Microwave popcorn

Mission Home

Trainer- Sister Tau'aho 

On the way to email our peeps

smile!

President and Sister Bennion

Arrived

Dear Brother and Sister Christensen,

Sister Christensen arrived in the Georgia Atlanta North Mission safely and in very good spirits!  We are thankful that your daughter has been called to serve with us here in this great mission.  It is a privilege to work with the finest young men and women in the world as we teach the message of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ to all who will receive it.

We have enclosed a photo of Sister Christensen taken with us upon her arrival at the mission home.  We are excited to have the opportunity to become acquainted with your daughter and to feel of her spirit and testimony.

 

Week 1

Loved ones,

First of all, I love you. Second, how do I condense this week into one email? The MTC is quite the experience. I can't believe the roller coaster of emotions and how much I have truly learned and grown in just one week. 

Day 1:

My companion is Sister Walker! I stalked her on insta before I got here and I had a feeling she would be my companion. She is from Compton, CA and is from a pretty large family. You're days are packed full of studying and stretching and being put out of your comfort zone. All hard things and all good things. We were in a big group lesson of teaching an investigator and Sister Walker and had an impression at the same time that we needed to share as a companionship. So cool. Love her.

Day 2: Felt overwhelmed and that I don't know enough. Read 2 Nephi 32:1-5. Prayers are answered through scripture study.

Day 3: Tried to go to bed on time and wake up on time (exactly) and got way more sleep. On average I probably get 3 hours. I got a lot more and had way more energy! Exact obedience brings blessings.

Day 4: Hardcore humbled

Day 5: Watched the famous Character of Christ by Elder Bednar.

Favorite thoughts:

I hope you remember what you feel more than what is being said

My conversion is the the Lord

My witness is of the Savior

The last few days have been a blur. Sorry. I love the mission life. I know it will be hard for me to leave it behind in 18 months. I am soaking in every single thing and trying to learn from every experience. We had Elder C. Scott Grow come and speak to us on Tuesday night. " God makes us mighty when we serve with all our might".

I know that to be true. Jesus is the Christ. God is our eternal Heavenly Father and He wants us all to find our way back. We do that by living the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Continually humbling ourselves and becoming more like Him. I love you. Pray for me and my companion.

Love (lots of it)

Sister Christensen

ps. No pics. I'm not tech savy and didn't want to waste time figuring it out. I've seen Elder Woodwell a few times and just saw Elder Peterson on my way over. I got a pic with him and will send it soon

• pps. <3

why am i serving a mission?

In less than 24 hours I will be set apart as a full time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. As I reflect on the past 10 months and what has brought me to this point in my life I thought I might share the email I sent to my little sister, who was serving her mission in Scottsdale AZ at the time, to let her know of my decision.

October 12, 2014

HI!!!!

So hi. I don't even know where to begin. Soooo.. On thursday I was texting Shauna Blotter (We're pretty much BFF's and I love her). She asked if we could get together and catch up because it had been so long with the Temple Dedication and Conference and us not being in Beehives together anymore. I picked her up to go get Orange Leaf. We talked about my dumb drama for a while and talked about Josh and you and Trev and just everything. It was nice to talk with her. She is such a wise woman! So as I was dropping her off she asked me if I had ever thought of a mission... Not the first time I have been asked that question ha. And I gave the usual shrug answer I give people. She said "Well this Sunday is fast Sunday and you should fast about it". And out the door she went. I kinda thought about it a little bit but not really. Last night came and I was getting ready for bed I thought eh, might as well begin my fast and it might as well be if I should go on a mission. 1. I have never truly really started a fast on my own the night before. 2. I've never had a direct question like if I am meant to go on a mission. So not the most whole hearted start to this story but its more than I've ever given to a fast. So the meeting starts and Nicolle Ensign gets up and talks a little about missionary work... Then Diondra gets up and bears a simple but STRONG testimony (her homecoming is next week... can't give too much away ;) ). But the two that hit me hardest were David Oman and his daughter. She was visiting and they got up about the same time but she went first. She has three little kids and talked about how her husband was out of town during conference but they watched all the sessions together. She was so cute and you could tell what an awesome mom she was. Next Dave got up and said "If you couldn't tell... She's a return missionary." He talked about one point when he asked her about her decision and she said "I wouldn't know what I would have missed if I didn't go." 

Susi taught half of Sunday School. She touched a little on her mission on the lesson was in Isaiah 22: 24-26; 28-30. I love her. 

Relief Society was the kicker... Our opening song was Hymn 270 I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go.... Tears. Then the lesson was given by Teresa Giles: Proclaiming the Gospel to the World. I think it is the only lesson that 100% focused on missionary work. The closing song was Hymn 249 Called to Serve. Do you think I should go? haha. I think I have come up with every excuse not to go over the past year and Heavenly Father knew he had to be as blunt as possible with his answer to my fasting and prayers (as weak as they were). He loves me. He knows me. He has a plan for me and I know I have to work so hard. As soon as RS ended I went straight to dads office. I told him I had been fasting to see if I should go on a mission and that I got my answer and I need to go on a mission. He looked at me with tears in his eyes, gave me a hug, told me he loved me and that I am going to be a great missionary. He had other things going on so it was short and sweet and he said he'd talk to me when I got home. I have told our family and a few friends. After everyone had left it was just me and the 'rents. Dad looked at mom and asked if she was fasting today and she said she did but didn't say what for. He looked at me and said " I was fasting for you today". Tears. He said he didn't know exactly what for but that he should fast for me and that he hadn't in about a year. We are lucky She. We have the coolest parents in the world.One of the HUGE reasons I have found excuses not to go is because of how awesome our family is and how I don't want to miss anything. 

We are studying Joseph Fielding Smith in RS. He was called to serve a mission 1 month shy of his 1 year wedding anniversary.... That would suck. But he went and one of his first letters home to his wife said: “I know that the work I have been called to do is the work of God or I would not stay here one minute, no, I would not have left home. But I know that our happiness is dependent upon my faithfulness while I am here. I should be willing to do this much for the love of mankind when our Savior could suffer as He did for us. … I am in the hands of our Heavenly Father and he will watch over me and protect me if I do his will. And he will be with you while I am away and watch over you and protect you in all things.” Tears. I still have a long road ahead of me. My availability date will be August and I'll start my papers in Mayish. The adversary will be strong in my life. Probably stronger than he ever has and I need to make sure my faith is that much stronger. I love you. I am so happy that I will be able to learn so much from you when you get home and for all you have taught me while you are out serving. I love you i love you i love you i love you. I love you. Now I hope you will wait for me.... But I will be okay if you don't.

MUAH

Ri

I have never been so sure of any other decision I have made in my entire life. I love you all. You will be in my prayers. Keep me in yours?

With all the love that I poses,

Sister Riley Christensen