Sister Riley Christensen: 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