tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648852046917478322024-03-19T04:39:55.415-07:00Elder Joshua ChristensenCalled to Serve in the
Texas Houston Mission
July 2013-July 2015Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger109125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-164885204691747832.post-55403396992476430482015-06-29T16:17:00.001-07:002015-06-29T16:17:24.326-07:00Final Email!<div class="MsoNormal">
Well the time has come for my final email before I return
home. I can not even believe that the time has come for me to leave. I am just
so grateful for the opportunity I have had to served here in Houston. I have
been taught so much, and I know this is where the Lord would have me be. I am
grateful for all I have learned and for the way in which the Lord has built me
up and strengthened me! I am so grateful for the age change that took place and
for the time where the spirit witnessed to me that it was the time for me to
go! I know that this is the Lord's work, and it will continue to hasten and expand more
fully to every nation kindred tongue and people. So great things continue
to happen! <o:p></o:p></div>
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This week was amazing! We hit it so hard this week, and were
just able to see some amazing miracles! We were able to meet with more less
active members that have shown interest in beginning to come back to church.
And some of them we have been meeting with for a while now and they are now
been coming back to church consistently. And they are wanting to get a temple
recommends. <o:p></o:p></div>
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One of which we had a incredible baptism with Brother
Hoyer! It was such a blessing! I had the opportunity to be able to baptize him.
After he was baptized we went and changed. And before we went back in we
were able to talk with one another. And he thanked us for helping him get to
the point he was at. And he talked about how amazing the journey was. And I was
able to look at him and just tell him how this is going to be a wonderful
Journey for him. And luckily it doesn't end but it has just began. And told him
fight and do everything you can do to be in the temple in 1 years time. And I
was able to testify to him of his decision and how the temple will bless his
life forever. They are such an amazing family! </div>
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Brother Hoyer was able to be confirmed in church on Sunday.
After he was called up and sustained by the ward as the newest member he was
just beaming with light! That has always been one of the things I have loved
seeing on my mission! And you really can just see such a difference in Brother
Hoyers Countenance. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Well we had a great sacrament meeting, and then right after
the high councilor spoke the bishop got up and asked me to come up and
share my testimony with the ward. He told the ward he wanted to do this because
of how long I have served in the ward and they great things they have seen
happen with the ward over the last few years. I was so grateful for the chance
I had to bear my testimony to the ward. And the spirit was so strong. And I
wish to also share my testimony now. And I hope and pray that the holy ghost
can testify to each of you of the truthfulness of the message. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Over these last two years like I said I have learned so
much! But most of all I have come to an even great knowledge of our savior
Jesus Christ! I know that he lives! I testify that he is the Christ. I love how
often in the scriptures the Lord personally invites each of us to come unto
him. And this is an invitation that is always there for us. There is never a
point in which he is not standing at the door ready to answer. I know that he
preformed the atonement, and by so doing overcame the effects of the fall. I
know as we turn to him. That is when we can find true strength. </div>
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Brothers and
Sisters I testify that Christ has felt our sorrow. He has born our grief. He has
felt every pain that we have felt. And he did it all for the reason that he
could help us. So that is why when we humble ourselves even in the hardest of
times and turn to him, we can find relief. I know and testify that Christ came
here to the earth and established his church. And that he served and ministered
and taught the gospel of Jesus Christ. He taught us the things that we must do
that have peace in this live and and peace and salvation in the life to come.
He also came and he gave the priesthood authority to his apostles. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I know and testify that after the time that the apostles
were killed and the authority was taken from the earth. That after many years
the Lord reached out in love again to his children. And called Joseph
Smith to be a prophet here in the last days. I testify with my whole soul that
Joseph Smith truly was a prophet and that he saw and spoke with God the Father
and Jesus Christ. And that through the prophet Joseph Smith that the same
church which Christ had established was brought back to its earth in its
fullness. And by so doing as we listen and head the the council that has been
given to us by living prophets that we will be guided safely home. </div>
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The gospel
dispels all darkness from our lives. And it enriches and teaches us. I know and
testify that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. And does contain the
fullness of the everlasting gospel. Those of you who have not fully come to the
knowledge that this is true I exhort you to reach The book of Mormon and ponder
it in your hearts. And then ask God in the name of Christ if it is true. And I
testify to you that as you do so that the Lord will reveal to you the
truthfulness of the the Book of Mormon as you go to him with a sincere heart
and ready and willing to act upon the answer you receive. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I also testify that the commission that the Lord sets forth
in the Book of Mathew is in full force today. And that the gospel of Jesus
Christ is to be taken to every nation kindred tongue and people. And with the
blessing of technology and with our faith. Each of us can help fulfill that
divine commission. I know that this is the Lords work. I testify that he stands
at the head and does lead and guide it through his authorized representatives! </div>
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And I know that Thomas S. Monson is a living prophet! And he speaks the word
and will of the Lord. Hearken unto it with all of your might and see the change
that takes place in your life. I testify you and your family will be blessed
for time and all eternity by doing so.</div>
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I also testify also with the restoration
that with the restored gospel and authority on the earth that families can be
together forever. This is the will of the Lord. And the way in which is is made
possible is through our savior Jesus Christ. Brothers and Sisters there is
safety found within making and keeping covenants. I again testify as we do so
we will be protected and we will have no need to fear for the Lord will guide
us through the storms we face in each of our lives. And I know that these
things are true. For the spirit has manifested itself to me that they are. And
as a called representative I testify of these things in the name of Jesus
Christ Amen.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I hope each of you have a great week and I will see you
soon. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Elder Joshua V. Christensen<o:p></o:p></div>
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Last Pictures with the members of the great <o:p></o:p></div>
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College Park Ward! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-164885204691747832.post-24516497900232682922015-06-22T19:10:00.001-07:002015-06-22T19:10:35.229-07:00Faith & Sacrifice Brings Forth the Blessing of Heaven<div class="MsoNormal">
Another great week has flown by yet again. And week
after week the Lord is continuing to bless us. This last week has been amazing!
We had the opportunity to be able to go to the temple this last week as a
district. And it was much needed. Our mission president has talked about
how he wants to continue to build our faith in Jesus Christ. </div>
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He explained how
he was pondering on how to do this, and his thoughts came to the old testament.
He remembered the experience of Moses shortly after he was called to be the
prophet and to go talk with the people. He prepared by to going up to the
mountain of the Lord. Now anytime the scriptures talk about the Mountain of the
Lord we know the Lord is referencing the temples. And so by Moses going to the
mountain of the Lord he received strength. And so after thinking about that
President asked for each district to attend the temple and ponder on these
questions. <o:p></o:p></div>
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What are the blessings of faith? <o:p></o:p></div>
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How do we increase our faith? <o:p></o:p></div>
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And as we were able to ponder on these questions so many
answers and impressions came to me for the people that we are teaching now, and
as well as thoughts about my own faith. And just being able to ponder on those
things brought me so much closer to the Lord. And coming out of that temple
session I just felt so amazing! It helped strengthen my testimony for the need
of going to the temples and the happiness that is found with in.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Going to the temple is one of the biggest
blessing we can experience on this earth. It is the place in which we can feel
closest to God. And as faithful members of the church we are able to enter the
temples and experience the greater sense of peace and clarity that comes in to
our lives as we focus on the things our Father in Heaven wants for us. I would
invite each of you to evaluate your efforts in making it to the temple. </div>
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Many
times in our lives we think that we don't have time to be able to make it to
the temple. And truthfully by not going to the temple you are denying yourselves
the blessings that our Father in Heaven wants to give you. Life does get busy,
but I promise each of you that as you show your faith by setting aside the time
to go to the temple the Lord will bless you with the time to accomplish the
other things you need to get done. </div>
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Just as we learn in the Ether 12:6, we can
only receive a witness after the trial of our faith. I also promise you do this
you will have a great sense of purpose and peace in your lives. And the
blessings you receive will go far beyond what we can see now. <o:p></o:p></div>
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In addition to this week we were able to set another
baptismal date with someone in the YSA ward that we have been working with. His
name is Michael, and he has been progressing well. He mentioned to us that his
reading in the Book of Mormon has helped him to feel so good! And we were able
to teach him how those feelings come from the Holy Ghost and it was testifying
to him that the things he was doing was right! And then we were able to teach
the plan of salvation and then set a baptismal date for July 18th. The Lord
continuing to place people in our path that are being prepared! <o:p></o:p></div>
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And then last night was probably the best way to end our
week. We were able to teach Brother Hoyer last night. And just seeing him each
week there has been a change in his countenance you can tell that he is feeling
the spirit that comes from reading the Book of Mormon. </div>
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And we were
following up on his experience in reading the Book of Mormon while he was gone.
He read from the end of 2nd Nephi up until Mosiah 20 in less than a week. And
he just said he feels really good about it. And then we followed up by asking
him the big question. We asked how he was feeling about this baptism. </div>
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He paused
and then went on to continue by saying he was excited as he could be! He said
he felt he had received his full answer this last week and is ready to go
forward with being baptized. Now before hand we had set a date with him to be
baptized July 4th 2015. But after talking yesterday he asked if we could move
it to this weekend. He said he would do anything to be ready by then. We only
had two more lessons to teach him before he would be fully ready, and he
assured him that he would be able to do ready by Friday. And he then said
Friday is the day he wants to enter into the waters of baptism. </div>
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The Lord
answered our prayers. Since we have been back in College park we have prayed
for him continually, and then we were able to start teaching him. And then we
continued in fasting and prayer that we could be ready and receive his answer.
And as always when we sacrifice for the Lord he will answer when we call. And
he did that by helping giving Brother Hoyer the answer to his prayer.</div>
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And in
addition to that he has asked that this upcoming Friday that I go forward with
baptizing him. I promise Brothers and Sisters that the Lord does hear and
answer our prayers! If you feel you haven't been receiving the answers to
prayers, continue to hang on and know that he will answer. And have the faith
that the answer that comes is what will be best for us. The Lord is
mindful of each of his children. And Many times our faith and our answers to
prayers depends on us going to the Lord and asking for his help. And when we
depend on the Lord he will be there to lift us up and help us with what ever we
need if it be his will. <o:p></o:p></div>
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So last night we were able to finish the commandments
lessons, and then we will be going back tonight to finish teaching him. And he
will be interviewed and ready to go by tomorrow! Things truly are going so so
well! I am grateful for the chance I have to be a missionary. I now this is the
Lords work, and testify and we unite with his will and do our part in helping
with his work, great shall be our joy! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Well I hope all y'all have a great week! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Elder Joshua V. Christensen<o:p></o:p></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-164885204691747832.post-51804407520150106072015-06-22T19:02:00.005-07:002015-06-22T19:02:55.384-07:00Put your trust in the Lord!Letter from 6/15:<br />
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Hey everyone! <o:p></o:p></div>
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This has been an incredible week! <o:p></o:p></div>
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We were able to have some great meetings and lessons with
some of the Less active members in our ward. There has been some families we
have been working with. And both families are taking steps to coming back to
full activity. We are getting there focus changed to the temple, and as we have
done so and reminded them of the blessings that the Lord wants for them it has
helped to increase and strengthen their faith. It has caused them to pray for
the desire to act and by so doing it has brought much more happiness and peace
to there lives! It has been such a great blessing to be able to see that. <o:p></o:p></div>
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This past week we were able to meet with Brother Hoyer
twice. We taught him the plan of salvation the first time we went over this
week! And it was a powerful discussion. And by the time we had finished the
lesson we were getting ready to invite him to be baptized. And as we talked
with him, he discussed how he really wanted to be in the Celestial kingdom. And
we asked him why he wanted that. He explained he wanted to be with his family
and with God and Christ. And so we told him that he was exactly right, and that
is what Heavenly Father wanted for him. </div>
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And then we asked what were some of the
first steps he would need to take in order for that to happen. He said he
wasn't sure. So we turned open to John 3:5 and asked him the question, "
What do we need to do in order to be able to inherit the kingdom of God. And
answered by saying baptism. As soon as he said that the spirit entered the room
with even more power. We asked him, "Brother Hoyer, do you now see why it
was we invited you to be baptized last time? After thinking for a few seconds
he said he understood, and again the spirit was just so strong! It was such a
blessing. </div>
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So after we invited him to follow the example of Jesus Christ by
preparing him self to be baptized on July 4th! He accepted the date and said he
would pray and prepare himself for that time. We were able to meet with him the
gospel of Jesus Christ, and we had a great lesson with him! He is just
progressing so well! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We also did a finding exchange with the
Woodlands 1st area. I was able to go out with the district leader in that
area and we saw some great things happen.. Going into it I was determined to
not leave until we found a new investigator. So we started with a prayer and
started knocking at around 610 after dropping off the other
companionship. And we knocked for almost two solid hours. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The first door
we knocked a lady answered and said now wasn't a good time but she asked if we
could come back by in the next few days. It was awesome to see that to start
off our night. And we had a handful of others that said we could come back at
another time. But there were many houses that we knocked where no one had
answered. And we literally knocked an entire neighborhood. But like I said I
wasn't going to leave until we found someone. And so at around 750, I looked
over and told The elder I was with that we had ten minutes to find someone
and that we should stop and pray for the Lord to bless us with a miracle. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So we
did so and we prayed, and after knocking for about 15 more minutes, and the
last house in the entire neighborhood across the street from when we parked our
car: a 17 year old guy answered and started talking to us. We talked about the
activities of the church and he seemed interested in going to them. And then
Elder Pace asked if we could come back by another time. He said he was busy,
and so I asked him if we could teach him right then and he said we could . So
we taught a 15 minute restoration lesson with him, and set a return appointment
for tomorrow. And turns out this guy is dating a member from one of the wards
in spring. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So we prayed with him and then left after.. We prayed after to thank
the Lord for letting us teach, and then I testified to this Elder that is is
because of their faith that it happened. And it was just a great teaching
opportunity to teach him that as we put our full trust in the Lord and are
determined to find those prepared that he will bless us with the opportunity.
Truly we receive a witness after the trial of our faith. The Lord is aware and
he answers our prayers! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Lords truly is at the head of his work, and I know and
testify that as we put our trust in the Lord that we will see miracles. I would
like to invite each of you to continue putting your trust in the Lord and look
for opportunities to bring others closer to Christ. I know he will bless you
with the opportunity. We just need to be willing to truly act, and then the
promptings will come. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well I hope y'all have a great day! <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder Joshua V. Christensen<o:p></o:p></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-164885204691747832.post-4874856859534907182015-06-09T11:01:00.002-07:002015-06-09T11:01:09.607-07:00The Lords Promise to each of us!<div class="MsoNormal">
Another week has gone by way to fast! But it has been
another great week! We had MLC this last week, and we had all of the iPads distributed to us to take back to our zones. I didn't end up getting one
because I only have a few weeks left, the rest of the mission is now using
iPads. It will still be a few months before they are using the iPads to there
full use. But it was a great meeting we really focused on finding, and how we
can do better at helping our investigators progress to baptism.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We were also able to meet with Brother Hoyer this week, and
we had just an amazing lesson with him. We taught the restoration, and it was
one of the most powerful restoration lessons I have been in. The first vision
always invites the spirit so powerfully. So after talking about Joseph Smith,
the first vision, and the book of Mormon, we asked Brother Hoyer what it would
mean to him if everything we taught him was true. And he just took a second to
think. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And Sister Hoyer just bore her testimony at that point of how much the
church has helped her in her life, and immediately the spirit came even
stronger to the room. Brother Hoyer was just sitting quietly listening for a
second and he went on to tell us, how he is praying that everything we taught
him was true. He said this spiritual journey he has been on was a long and
difficult journey. He said he wanted to fine the truth so he could feel at
peace. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We then testified to him that this was true, and that as he would
continue to read the Book of Mormon and then pray about it he would be able to
receive and answer. We testified how once he found that answer he would be able
to experience that peace in his life. And then at the conclusion of this
amazing lesson, we extended a soft baptismal commitment to him. And he
accepted. So we will be meeting with him this next week, and we are excited. We
will be going back and teaching him the full plan of salvation, and we think
that will help answer a lot of questions. We are so blessed because the Lord is
leading us to these people who are truly prepared to receive the gospel. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And like I said we had zone meeting this week, and we
focused on finding alot with in our zone. And so I trained on that part. And
the part I focused on was found in Doctrine and Covenants 100, 4-8<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgba(255,255,255,0.00784314); line-height: 18.9pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #333333; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype', serif; padding: 0in;">4 </span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype', serif;">Therefore,
I, the Lord, have suffered you to come unto this place; for thus it was
expedient in me for the salvation of souls.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgba(255,255,255,0.00784314); line-height: 18.9pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="5" style="background-position-x: 0px; background-position-y: 0px;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0091bc; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype', serif; padding: 0in;"> </span></a><b><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #333333; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype', serif; padding: 0in;">5 </span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype', serif;">Therefore,
verily I say unto you, lift up your voices unto this
people; speak the thoughts that I shall put into your hearts, and you
shall not be confounded before men;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgba(255,255,255,0.00784314); line-height: 18.9pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="6" style="background-position-x: 0px; background-position-y: 0px;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0091bc; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype', serif; padding: 0in;"> </span></a><b><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #333333; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype', serif; padding: 0in;">6 </span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype', serif;">For
it shall be given you in the very hour, yea, in the very moment, what
ye shall say.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgba(255,255,255,0.00784314); line-height: 18.9pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="7" style="background-position-x: 0px; background-position-y: 0px;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0091bc; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype', serif; padding: 0in;"> </span></a><b><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #333333; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype', serif; padding: 0in;">7 </span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype', serif;">But
a commandment I give unto you, that ye shall declare whatsoever thing
ye declare in my name, in solemnity of heart, in the spirit of
meekness, in all things.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgba(255,255,255,0.00784314); line-height: 18.9pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="8" style="background-position-x: 0px; background-position-y: 0px;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0091bc; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype', serif; padding: 0in;"> </span></a><b><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #333333; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype', serif; padding: 0in;">8 </span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype', serif;">And
I give unto you this promise, that inasmuch as ye do this the Holy
Ghost shall be shed forth in bearing record unto all things whatsoever ye
shall say.<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgba(255,255,255,0.00784314); line-height: 18.9pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I just love the promises that are found with in these
scriptures. And they apply to each of us so well. Where ever the Lord sends us
in our lives it is expedient for the building up of the kingdom of God. And the
first thing we are asked to do is raise our voices and then we have the promise
that the Holy ghost will give unto us in the very hour and the very moment what
we need to say. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That is a powerful promise that is given by the Lord. And when
it talks about lifting up your voice that is even simple invitations for others
to come unto Christ. Where it be friends who are members of our faith, or even
with those we home and visit teach. But I love in vs 7 what the Lord commands
us to do. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He tells to to declare whatsoever thing we declare in his name. Well
you hear that and you ask what does that mean. The Lord is asking us to bear
our testimonies with others. And a testimony is such a powerful tool that we
have to protect us as well as bring others closer to our savior. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And in vs 8
The Lord promises as we do this the Holy Ghost will bear record of all things
that we say. If we believe that they will feel the spirit when we testify then
we have the promise they will. Many times we think that people we know
aren't receptive, or they aren't ready to accept the gospel or come back to
church. And sometimes this is true. But until you invite and bear testimony we
can't say that. Remember you are where you are at for the salvation of many souls.
This is a great and eternal work we are apart of. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I promise each of you as you
continue to exercise faith and then act, you will be able to teach and testify
with power. And as you ask the Lord for those experiences they will come. I
know and testify of that to be true. I would just invite each of you to really
pray for opportunities to reach out to those around you and pray to know the
best way to reach out to them! And as you do so you have the Lords promise that
he will help you. I testify of that.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> </o:p> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This week has also been great because we were able to meet
with some other recent converts and less actives that no one from the ward has
been able to contact. And a few of them we met with this week expressed
that they want to start coming back to church! And so now we will be able to
meet with them more regularly and help them as they are coming back to church!
It was so great because we had two of them start come to church
yesterday! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And speaking of church yesterday was just an amazing Sunday!
Fast and testimony meeting was so great in both the family ward and the singles
ward. But in the family ward it was amazing to see Sundae Lewis get up and go
bear her testimony of her experience coming in to the church. It was so pure
and so powerful. Over all it turned out to be just a wonderful Sunday. The
spirit was so strong! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The church is true! And it is such a wonderful time to be
living and be a member of Christs restored church. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well I hope y'all have a great week<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder Joshua V. Christensen<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEe8pbaJhYgvtNHti3_cahC1oPsvG3GjCD5r0N1vcwaaDXw9jR-uNILJBvA6GvQja1X5g_7TA8I4tkU9fdmQ7Xb3T5QlmNsTYPbTme4wVpCo-ZOxTDNURqQRgsAZnlQxNkXGcNi6EpTLV7/s1600/Bees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEe8pbaJhYgvtNHti3_cahC1oPsvG3GjCD5r0N1vcwaaDXw9jR-uNILJBvA6GvQja1X5g_7TA8I4tkU9fdmQ7Xb3T5QlmNsTYPbTme4wVpCo-ZOxTDNURqQRgsAZnlQxNkXGcNi6EpTLV7/s320/Bees.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
(one of our members has some be hives, and so he let us go
over and get a picture by them! )<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-164885204691747832.post-36139354889796812992015-06-09T10:51:00.002-07:002015-06-09T10:51:45.858-07:00The work of the Lord continues!<div class="MsoNormal">
Hey everyone,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
This was another great week! Sundae Lewis got baptized one
Saturday! And the spirit was so strong! We met with her on Tuesday night to
finish teaching her, and to go over the details of her being baptized. She said
that after she had pondered on her experience at church on Sunday and the way
she felt when she read the book of Mormon she had received an answer. And so at
that point she knew it was right and wanted to be baptized. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was so exciting!
So that night we went over the baptismal interview questions with her, and she
was so prepared. Just as she answered the interview quotients you could tell
that she had received a personal testimony of the things in which we were able
to teach her. And so a lot of this last week was getting the logistics of the
baptism figured out, and preparing the program to be a spiritual experience her
Sundae. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
These details would include getting the baptismal clothing,
getting the building reserved and then also getting the interview set up. So
there was a lot of planning that had to go into making it a good baptism. We also
wanted to make sure that the building was clean for when the baptism happened.
So we went Friday night to the building and cleaned it for two hours! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last week
when a baptism took place they had some problems with Ants getting in the font.
We did not want that to happen again. So we went to clean it all out. So that
way the next day we could just go by and fill the font. Well we showed up the
next morning ready to fill the font, and we looked into the font and found more
ants everywhere! We were in a mad dash to clean the font again to make sure it
would be ready. We went and got a vacuum and cleaned them all out of the
font so we could begin to fill it. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Luckily everything still turned out well,
and we were able to get the font filled and we took care of the problems with
the ants so we wouldn't have anymore problems. But the adversary defiantly was
trying many different things to have this baptism not work out very well. We
had a hard time with a bunch of outlets in the building working, so we couldn't
get the t.v to work so we could play Mormon messages in between the time of the
baptism, and the rest of the talks. But like I said when the baptism was all
said it done, it was wonderful! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You could tell that Sundae have felt clean
after coming up out of the water. She was smiling so big, and was happier than
ever. And then Sunday when she received the holy ghost she was even happier.
Everyone could notice and feel the great spirit she had with her. The Lord
truly has been preparing Sundae for the gospel. And I am again so grateful for
this wonderful gospel! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I love seeing others show their faith, and follow the
footsteps of the savior. And as they do so they begin to have there heart
changed and softened by the spirit, and they repent and make those changes in
there life that bring them closer to our savior, and help them to feel joy. And
then as they take those steps to be baptized and receive a full remission of
sins and receive the gift of the holy ghost, they experience true joy. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am so
grateful for our Savior and I know and testify that because of his atonement we
can all experience the joy that our Father in Heaven wants us to feel! And we
can have true peace of mind in knowing His plan. What a great gift. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJuyZ45Y4Zg-VcJ5PWAgNK97aCqrCOYv0qWg5sn2wq3xJgHujT6nza47i_wCzY3auEGexLy-gif6P7aQbecrOeBtQtviqyyENb1jEhMg5-Ak6hSbO9xyNBQUEda3rJnhwkRkBl6hHGkLtE/s1600/Sundae.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJuyZ45Y4Zg-VcJ5PWAgNK97aCqrCOYv0qWg5sn2wq3xJgHujT6nza47i_wCzY3auEGexLy-gif6P7aQbecrOeBtQtviqyyENb1jEhMg5-Ak6hSbO9xyNBQUEda3rJnhwkRkBl6hHGkLtE/s320/Sundae.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This week we also stayed very busy with many teaching
appointments! We are finding more people to teach in the singles ward, and are
having more opportunities arise in the family ward. The work is just exploding
here! There truly just isn't enough time in a day! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Another great thing that happened this week happened
yesterday. We had an appointment with a part member family that we have been
getting to know better. The husband isn't a member, but he is like one of the
coolest guys! We met with them last night and he began to ask us some questions
about the plan of salvation and baptism. And so we were able to begin to answer
them for him, and we had a great gospel discussion for about 1 hour. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And it was
able to help answer some of his questions. But soon after we had left we got a
message from his wife, and she had talked with him after we left. He said he
wanted to take the discussion from the missionaries! My companion and I both
literally jumped out of our seats. We were so excited. So in the coming weeks
we will be meeting more with them, and I think they will continue to progress
very quickly. They are such a great family! Well that is about all I have to
report on from this last week. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I would again just ask you to please be pray for missionary
opportunities, and be specific. Think of way you could reach out to people and
pray to the Lord and present your plan to him. I testify as you do so you will
be ready to help those whom are being prepared to receive the gospel. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I hope y'all have a great week!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpZjeWxezKZCaEBXdAVq1PkVGwdyQoEnrQCFnI15guUqUBL5iCUEptGQ7PYyQcYv6ZfbqCqxZUSBsOR2M1rTRvS0HuBZz0rlqKbbVXaQzx7M_avEQeqJBVxY5GKP7xrHdMvykUooIo8Ap0/s1600/josh2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpZjeWxezKZCaEBXdAVq1PkVGwdyQoEnrQCFnI15guUqUBL5iCUEptGQ7PYyQcYv6ZfbqCqxZUSBsOR2M1rTRvS0HuBZz0rlqKbbVXaQzx7M_avEQeqJBVxY5GKP7xrHdMvykUooIo8Ap0/s320/josh2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-164885204691747832.post-54766711326949274702015-05-26T17:00:00.002-07:002015-05-26T17:00:50.635-07:00Disciples in a Digital Age!<div class="MsoNormal">
This last week has gone by so fast, and has just in such an
inspiring week! Sadly I don't have as much time to explain everything that
happened. But we were able to get in with a handful of our investigators this
week. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We met with Brandon, and he told us that now he realizes the full
commitment that baptism is. He knows he wants to be baptized, he just doesn't
think right now is quite the best time. But he said he wants to continue to
meet with us, and then when he goes off to School next month he wants to get in
contact with the missionaries there, and start working towards baptism once
some of those things start settling down. But it has just been incredible to
see the change that has taken place in him in the last 7 weeks. The Gospel
truly can changes peoples live!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With Sundae we met with twice and we taught her the rest of
the commandments. She mentioned that she wasn't feeling quite ready for baptism.
She knew this would be the right path she just didn't feel that she had
received and answer to the Book of Mormon yet. So going into Sunday we prepared
her the best of our abilities to receive an answer. We discussed the importance
of the sacrament, and invited to to pray specifically about the Book of Mormon
during the sacrament. We knew that our mission president would also be speaking
in our ward on Sunday so we called him to ask him if he would be willing to
bear testimony of the Book of Mormon, and keep Sundae in mind as he was
speaking to help address any concerns she had. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We prayed so hard that during
church that she would be able to receive an answer of the truthfulness of the
Book of Mormon. Her baptismal date was scheduled for this next Saturday, but
her receiving and answer would depend on if she would go through with it. We
talked with her after church to see how she felt and to see if she had been
received an answer. She mentioned that she still wasn't quite sure. So we told
her that was fine and set up a return appointment for tonight. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And then today
after our mission conference about the ipads we got a message from her asking
if it was to late for her to still be baptized for this coming week!!! So we
are going to meet with her tonight to discuss the details of what needs to
happen for her to be ready. But it just goes to show that the Lord will answer
our prayers! Just as Sundae was sincere in her prayer, and as she came prepared
to receive and then she pondered upon it she was able to receive and answer. So
we are excited. We will try to still get everything to work out so it can be
this week! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last night we were also blessed to have the opportunity to
go over to the Mortensen's home for a family home evening with an investigator
family that we are working with! And it was so great! The spirit was so strong,
and you could tell the family that came loved it. After we were able to talk to
them for a little bit about when we can meet again. They are taking the steps
to find out if the Book of Mormon is true. And as they continue to do that they
will be able to receive and answer. We stayed there a little bit longer after
the family left because we had a pretty big storm hit yesterday. And so when
the time came it was like 10 and we just decided to drive home in it because we
need to go. We got home safe, but over this past few days we have had some good
storms coming through. But it was such a great night! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well I know I kinda mentioned this, but today we had a
mission conference. We received training on the ipads that are here. We will
get the ipads in the next week and a half. But we talked about truly how the
Lord is hastening his work with this wonderful technology we have! Christ
called his disciples and asked them to drop everything they had to follow
him. We know also at the end of his ministry the commandment the
Lord gave was to take the gospel to every nation, kindred, tongue and people.
And how that commandment is still in full force today. We see in today's world
everyone has access to a phone, and to the internet. This is common in almost
every part of the world. This technology that the Lord has blessed is a
wonderful tool to help us fulfill that commandment that he has given unto us. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With these wonderful tools we will be able to reach out to reach so many more
of the Lords children! And it will be such a great way to also help our
investigators progress as we will be able to keep in better contact with them,
as well as we will be able to use different Skype and face time feature to
teach more people. Now that part of it won't come for a few weeks, but that is
eventually where this mission will be. We had Elder Nielsen of the first
quorum of the seventy come and instruct us today. It was so inspiring! I know
this email does not do it justice, but I just have such a strong testimony that
this is the Lords work! I know that he is hastening his work! We are so blessed
to be apart of it! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I would just invite each of you to think of ways you and
your families can use this Technology to spread the gospel, and use it to help
lift and strengthen your families. Talk about it over dinner or even
during family home evening. I promise you as you prayerfully consider this that
the Lord will help you know what you can do to accomplish this. And that you
will have a great joy as you become a disciple of Christ in this digital
age! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I hope y'all have a great week! <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder Joshua V. Christensen<o:p></o:p></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-164885204691747832.post-34404967226316620712015-05-18T16:12:00.002-07:002015-05-18T16:12:55.752-07:00The Lord stand at the head of this great work!<div class="MsoNormal">
Hey everyone! It was another great week to be in the woodlands! We were
able to see a lot of really great miracles! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On Tuesday we were able to meet with
a former investigator named Andralia. I was teaching her right before I left
college park for the first time. And at one point she had a baptismal
date. The Chappells invited her over to their home to watch meet the
Mormons. They wanted to have us over for lunch and for the movie and a discussion
with Andralia. And as we watched it there was such a great spirit that came. We
talked with her after the movie to ask her what her thoughts were. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And she just
began to start talking about her experience when she first starting meeting
with missionaries. She talked about how her relationship with God changed as
she was reading and Praying daily. The reason she stopped meeting with
missionaries was because her family was not happy with her decision to meet
with the missionaries. So we were talking one with another and we invited to
start meeting with the missionaries again, and she accepted and said she was so
excited. She said she was ready to give it another try. And so we will be
meeting with her this upcoming week, but that was a big miracle we saw this
week with her. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On Wednesday we did an exchange with the Woodland 1st
Elders. And I stayed here in our area for it. But during the day we had planned
for several people that we were suppose to meet with. But it was just one of
those days where appointments fall through. So most of the afternoon we were
just going from place to place trying to get in with someone. And we were
contacting anyone we could find along the way. But we continued to work hard,
and that night the miracles came! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After having a great appointment with some
members and committing them to take the next step with their missionary we left
with a prayer. The spirit was strong, and we went out to meet with David who I
talked about a month ago. We were scheduled to come back and meet with him. But
as he came to the door he decided he did not want to meet with us anymore. We
tried to help resolve his concern, but he was was interested. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After this point
we had planned to go and drop by a member that the ward has been trying to
contact for a while. We went and knocked on this members door, and this guy
answered. We asked if this member was there and he said that she no longer
lived there. He mentioned that he had also been receiving mail for this member.
He said he still had one letter that hadn't been sent back yet. He invited us
into his home while he went to get it. Then it was sweet because after he gave
us the letter, he asked us who we were. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And then he proceeded to as us to share
our message with him. Now he didn't have a whole lot of time, so we did a brief
restoration. And the things we talked about were very similar with the
things that he had been talking about. After teaching about the Book of Mormon
he asked us when we can come back and teach him again. And so we set up a time
to come back this next Saturday! It was amazing. But the miracles continue. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We
left his home and with in 30 seconds some one coming down the stairs in the
same apartment complex said hi to us. His name was Greg,and he said it had been
a few months since he talked with us. We introduced ourselves, and he said he
talked with some other missionaries about 2 months ago and they gave him a copy
of the Book of Mormon. He said at first he wasn't sure if he was going to read
it, but then he said it is time that he looks more into it. He asked if he
could take us out to dinner on Tuesday and then we could teach him more about
the Book of Mormon. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was just an amazing night. And even though things didn't
go exactly as planned earlier, the Lord saw our efforts and he blessed us with
teaching opportunities. The Lord is truly at the head of this great work!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thursday we also got a call from President Chappell. He said
the Red Cross had called him and they need some help that next day.We have been
having alot of Rain here this last couple weeks in Texas. So we have been
having some flooding taking place. He told us that President Mortensen was ok
with us helping out with this service project, and asked if we could gather our
zone to help out with it. They needed 11 missionaries, and they needed us from
8:00 am till 5:00pm. They wanted to us to help load there vans with supplies to
give to those who are being affected by these floods, and we also went out to
gather information about the flooding and the damage that took place up in the
Montegomery and Magnolia area. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So we went there the next and helped them for
the day. It was a great experience. After loading up the vans we went out on
the road with some of there other volunteers, and we went to different areas
that were reported to have flooding. The first area we needed to go to we
couldn't make it into because one of the road was flooded over, so they have to
wait for the water to go down just a bit so they can get some clean up crews
back into this neighborhood. But luckily the other neighborhoods we were
assigned to check didn't have any damage to them. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So the rest of the time we
were helping we were looking at maps of where the creek was and checking
neighborhoods around it to make sure no one was affected by it. It was a great
opportunity to help out where we could. The Red Cross was grateful, and said
they really liked being able to work with our missionaries and members because
of their happy attitudes and they way they interact with others. It just goes
to show that our example as we serve can make a difference in the way people
view us and the Church. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifyd_x_-f4OjIVqeC9FwBMnJT20yPDeLF-ZCbwu4zMwtXoPi-NkiVlzMRDBhyFiaS0CdEWFaqYsCsHzJbZe5jq44Zofzv8xyoAanIGVQMuiAZCOAcGL0pIifhxSc5g9IBjc3ZvBqow_39l/s1600/RC1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifyd_x_-f4OjIVqeC9FwBMnJT20yPDeLF-ZCbwu4zMwtXoPi-NkiVlzMRDBhyFiaS0CdEWFaqYsCsHzJbZe5jq44Zofzv8xyoAanIGVQMuiAZCOAcGL0pIifhxSc5g9IBjc3ZvBqow_39l/s320/RC1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkpv4lLGhVSSWDg3fIv58IAOwPIfsdJfXRkxh_cuAyAO5LSLlhSkMa56TpR_vx40L56YU8iv12CWEOIFCZ2cuKbxOa1MTLurDq5_PaigpND-89-bo_bR9kA5kryt-UrRE2GZIckTsKdhG6/s1600/RC2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkpv4lLGhVSSWDg3fIv58IAOwPIfsdJfXRkxh_cuAyAO5LSLlhSkMa56TpR_vx40L56YU8iv12CWEOIFCZ2cuKbxOa1MTLurDq5_PaigpND-89-bo_bR9kA5kryt-UrRE2GZIckTsKdhG6/s320/RC2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFFBGZkTQcnmkmG_BN3AOLsgeCKeo-L1rpLuCkj_uctlr9AIfQ-nNzsAR57yo3ZlTDq9Ka0qgO2LqInZBiXHD8utFmqrnZdFoPmmcWooAacmgb3om695mK3eEzvtZ5EuiC1Zqmed0hq4V6/s1600/RC3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFFBGZkTQcnmkmG_BN3AOLsgeCKeo-L1rpLuCkj_uctlr9AIfQ-nNzsAR57yo3ZlTDq9Ka0qgO2LqInZBiXHD8utFmqrnZdFoPmmcWooAacmgb3om695mK3eEzvtZ5EuiC1Zqmed0hq4V6/s320/RC3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
( This was a field that was flooded by a creek near by up
in the country of Montegomery parts of this were about 3-4 feet deep)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And to finish off the week we had another great temple
tours. This time around I did not give any of the tours, but we went in hopes
that our investigator Brandon would show up. And we also took another
companionship down form our zone that was had there investigators there. Now
sadly Brandon did not end up coming, but while we were there we saw the
different tours go through. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
These temple ground tours have been so great to be
able to have! And at the end of one of them there was some one who was talking to
our mission president. And they had a few questions, so President was teaching
them. But another set of sisters in my old zone brought one of there
investigators they have been teaching. She is a baptist minister. And she had
some questions that she was confused about. The sisters signaled for me to come
over and start talking to her. They wanted to me to try and help address some
of the concerns of this investigator. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We had a great discussion. I talked with
her for about 40 min last night while President was talking with some of the
other people. "This lady is open to learning more, and she really is
searching for truth. She is reading from the Book of Mormon everyday, and she
is also praying to know. And the concerns that she had all came back to knowing
if the Book of Mormon is true. If the book of Mormon is true then we know that
Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer, and that Joseph Smith truly was a
prophet and that the authority of God is on the Earth today! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We know that The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is Gods kingdom here upon the
earth. And so I just testified to continue to read
everyday, pray, and don't stop meeting with the sister missionaries. I promised
her as she did so that she would receive and answer. I talked to sisters just
briefly after with some ideas they can use to help her find her answer.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Church is so true! I am so grateful for this
opportunity I have to serve the Lord! He really is at the head of this work,
and I know as we all continue to strive to serve him and pray for missionary
opportunities and pray for the those who are being prepared for the gospel to
be found, they will. I testify of these things! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So the time as also come where the ipads are here in the
mission. We will be receiving training next week of how to use them and after
the training we will be using ipads here in the mission! <span style="background: white;"> </span><span style="background: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">We are so lucky to be living in a day when the
gospel is on the earth so we can be led by living prophets and apostles. It is
inspiring that the Lord is enlightening minds to develop technology that
enables the message of salvation to reach all of His children. The Lord
is blessing this work, and it will continue to go forth. Miracles will
also coming with this blessing of technology. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well I hope yall have a great week! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder Joshua V. Christensen<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
(Tracting after a storm, and this is Elder Graves in this
picture.)<o:p></o:p></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-164885204691747832.post-64237392975649855102015-05-12T16:46:00.002-07:002015-05-12T16:46:19.514-07:00A week of exchanges and miracles!<div class="MsoNormal">
Hey everyone! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This week was a pretty great week! We are continuing to see
some great miracles take place here in the woodlands. The Lord is continuing to
bless us! We are seeing more and more baptismal dates being set through out the
zone. The Lord will continue to make it flourish. We also had some great
miracles happen this week. We were able to go on a couple different exchanges
this week. One was with one of our district leaders. And the other one was with
the assistants. Both exchanges we were able to see some great miracles come
from. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I was with Elder Thomas we stayed here in the
college park area, and we were able to find one new investigator.That same day
we met with Christian who was a former investigator, and we had a great
restoration lesson with him. There were so many points where the dots connected
for him and he understood so much better. He said how it made so much sense he
couldn't stop smiling! The Spirit was strong and we were bold with our
commitments and he accepted. We will hopefully be meeting with him again this
week on Thursday. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We also had a stake meeting that night. Many of you
may be familiar with the new program has been using called Just Serve. It is a
website that posts different service opportunities that can be found through
out the community. So as zone leaders we sit in on this stake Just serve
council, and we discussed the best way that we are wanting to get this all
rolled out to the stake. It was about and hour and a half meeting, and we
had some great discussion on when we wanted to present this to the different
wards in the stakes. And originally they said they would present after the
summer when everyone starts getting back to school. And it was a great idea to
do it at that time because many of the members here in the Woodlands go to Utah
or other Places during the summer. So many of the members are gone. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But as we
were counselling one with another I kept receiving the prompting to try and get
it rolled out before summer gets out. And the thought that kept running through
y head was, if we can get people to feel the spirit of this before summer
starts during the summer they can be doing service opportunities and feel the
great spirit that comes from serving others. And now only that they will gain a
stronger testimony of service that will lead members to want to continue to
offer service into the next school year. If we were to present it once everyone
would be back many people would be so busy with school and work and other things
so not as many people would be using this great program that the church
sponsors. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So after saying that we began to council some more and we came to the
agreement that it would be harder to get it all ready by summer, but it would
be worth it. It was just a cool experience for me because it just grew my
testimony so much of the revelation we are able to receive as we council and
talk about the things the Lord would want us to do. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The other exchange went great with the assistants. I went to
the Woodlands 2nd ward and we were able to teach some of there investigators,
and we were also able to go knocking some different doors and we were able to
find them a new investigator also that day! It was wonderful.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We had zone conferences on Friday and they were amazing! It
was a real eye opener for me! It made me see how fast my mission is coming to a
close. We discussed about a lot of things things that will definitely help me
when I am home. But at the end of zone conferences they have the departing
missionaries give there departing testimonies, and they called me up right at
the end. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now of course I still have a transfer, but it just made me realize how
short this time is that I have to serve the Lord! And it motivates me that much
more to work as hard as I can until the end! But the great thing is even once I
am done with the mission my spiritual progress does not end. This is one of the
big things I focused on during my testimony. I told everyone how the
spiritual growth that takes place on our missions should be a catalyst for our
spiritual growth through out the rest of our lives. This life is a life of progression
to become like our savior. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A question I would like you to ponder on is
"How am I doing with my spiritual progression." When was the last
time I had a spiritual witness that these things were true? I would invite you
to evaluate yourself, and set goals and plans of how you can continue to
progress in this great gospel. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I know that as you do so you continue to strengthen your
relationship with you Father in Heaven! And you will have a great spirit in
your home! I testify of these things! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder Joshua V. Christensen. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
( Just before skyping home to talk to the family after
tracting out a neighborhood!)<br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">( zone conferences)<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-164885204691747832.post-34183602193706501392015-05-12T16:39:00.002-07:002015-05-12T16:39:41.620-07:00The Road to Emmaus<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Email from May 4.......</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Hey everyone! This last week has been another great week! We
were able to have MLC and as a mission council one with another about standards
that we could set as a mission to increase your vision, and raise the faith of
the mission. Some of the new standards that we have established have to do with
the number of investigators we have each week at church, as well as the number
of member present lessons we have. It just makes so much sense, as we strive to
increase things the progress our investigators will make towards coming closer
to Christ will increase so much! Its such and exciting time to be a missionary
and be apart of the church when so much growth is taking place. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We also were
trained by President Chappel, and he talked to us about how to have more success
in our contacting and finding. He had us share some examples of some of the
things that have happened in our ward of the past couple weeks. We talked about
the miracle with David and teaching him about the Book of Mormon. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">(This is me, and my companion is on the left of me. He is a
new zone leader that I am training. Elder Harris is on the left of him, he is
the first missionary I trained, and then Elder Platt is on the end.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> We also had a great training about the Sacrament. We
read the account of the Saviors Resurrection that takes place in Luke 24. I
absolutely love this so much! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This talks about to people who were on the Road to Emmaus,
and they were discussing about the events that happened previously. So they
talked about Christ and his Crucifixion. Starting in vs 13 this is what we
read. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="13"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0091bc; padding: 0in;"> </span></a><b><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #333333; padding: 0in;">13 </span></b><span style="color: #333333;">¶And,
behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was
from Jerusalem <i><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">about </span></i>threescore furlongs.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="14"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0091bc; padding: 0in;"> </span></a><b><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #333333; padding: 0in;">14 </span></b><span style="color: #333333;">And
they talked together of all these things which had happened.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="15"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0091bc; padding: 0in;"> </span></a><b><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #333333; padding: 0in;">15 </span></b><span style="color: #333333;">And
it came to pass, that, while they communed <i><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">together</span></i> and
reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="16"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0091bc; padding: 0in;"> </span></a><b><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #333333; padding: 0in;">16 </span></b><span style="color: #333333;">But
their eyes were holden that they should not know him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white; color: #222222;"> So an important this
to see right now is the fact that Jesus Christ joined with them on there
Journey. But did they recognize him? No they didn't, it talked about how there
eyes were holden. So at this point in the story, they didn't have the eyes to
see. </span><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="17"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0091bc; padding: 0in;"> </span></a><b><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #333333; padding: 0in;">17 </span></b><span style="color: #333333;">And
he said unto them, What manner of communications <i><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">are</span></i> these that ye have one to another, as ye walk,
and are sad?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="18"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0091bc; padding: 0in;"> </span></a><b><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #333333; padding: 0in;">18 </span></b><span style="color: #333333;">And
the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou
only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to
pass there in these days?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="19"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0091bc; padding: 0in;"> </span></a><b><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #333333; padding: 0in;">19 </span></b><span style="color: #333333;">And
he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of
Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the
people:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;">Now we see here that Christ is beginning to teach these men. We can see
he checks to see what they understand before he begins to teach them. Now we
know at this point in the story that they still do not recognize Christ. But
Christ will continue to teach them. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="20"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0091bc; padding: 0in;"> </span></a><b><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #333333; padding: 0in;">20 </span></b><span style="color: #333333;">And
how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death,
and have crucified him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="21"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0091bc; padding: 0in;"> </span></a><b><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #333333; padding: 0in;">21 </span></b><span style="color: #333333;">But
we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside
all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="24"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0091bc; padding: 0in;"> </span></a><b><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #333333; padding: 0in;">24 </span></b><span style="color: #333333;">And
certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found <i><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">it</span></i> even so as the women had said: but him they saw
not.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="25"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0091bc; padding: 0in;"> </span></a><b><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #333333; padding: 0in;">25 </span></b><span style="color: #333333;">Then
he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to
believe all that the prophets have spoken:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="26"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0091bc; padding: 0in;"> </span></a><b><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #333333; padding: 0in;">26 </span></b><span style="color: #333333;">Ought
not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="27"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0091bc; padding: 0in;"> </span></a><b><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #333333; padding: 0in;">27 </span></b><span style="color: #333333;">And
beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto
them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="28"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0091bc; padding: 0in;"> </span></a><b><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #333333; padding: 0in;">28 </span></b><span style="color: #333333;">And
they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he
would have gone further.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="29"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0091bc; padding: 0in;"> </span></a><b><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #333333; padding: 0in;">29 </span></b><span style="color: #333333;">But
they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the
day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white; color: #222222;"> So from those vs,
what did Christ expound to them. How did Christ teach them, what did he use? We
see that Christ teaches them using the scriptures. But we see they still don't
recognize Christ. Now we can liken this unto our lives. So often as we are
searching for answers to questions we are reaching the scriptures we are
praying, but it seem like we can't find the answers we need. This isn't always
the case, but there are times in our live when we feel like this. But as you
read these last few vs, look for what Christ did to "open their
eyes."</span><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #333333; padding: 0in;">30 </span></b><span style="color: #333333;">And
it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed <i><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">it,</span></i> and brake, and gave to them.</span><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="31"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0091bc; padding: 0in;"> </span></a><b><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #333333; padding: 0in;">31 </span></b><span style="color: #333333;">And
their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.</span><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="32" style="background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0091bc; padding: 0in;"> </span></a><b><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #333333; padding: 0in;">32 </span></b><span style="color: #333333;">And
they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while
he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the
scriptures?</span><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> So
what made the difference? We see that it was after Christ gave them the
sacrament that their eyes were opened and they recognized Christ.
They even acknowledged after that they had felt the spirit. They felt good when
they walked with Christ and when they were taught the scriptures but there
understanding didn't fully come until they had partaken of the Sacrament. I
found that to be so interesting as I studied this. It made my testimony of the
sacrament increase so much. I know with out a doubt as we put in the
preparation just as the men in the story did, through scripture study and
prayer, and then we are prepared to partake of the sacrament we can find a
greater sense of peace in our lives, and we can find answers to the questions
we may have. I know this to be true! I just would like to invite each of you to
think about what you can do this next week to best prepare for the sacrament. I
promise you as you do you will truly find so much
more spiritual strength in your day to day activities. I know
that to be true! </span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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This week we also had a conference call with our zone. We
had a great discussion as a zone to the things that we needed to do to take our
zone to the next level in being much more committed to the Lord. And since we
had this discussion and zone meeting we have been seeing so many more miracles
in the zone. <o:p></o:p></div>
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One we have seen this week in our area came on Saturday when
we taught our investigator named Sundae. We had a powerful restoration lesson
with her, and she accepted a soft commitment for baptism. She also came to
church the next day, and we are meeting with her tonight so teach the Plan of
Salvation and hopefully extend a baptismal date to her! The Lord is truly
blessing This ward and this zone. <o:p></o:p></div>
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We have also been able to meet with our other investigators
this week also! Great things are happening with them. Each of them are taking
the steps to come closer to Christ! So over all it was just a great week! <o:p></o:p></div>
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I hope each of you have a great week! Sorry it was a shorter
email in terms of the things that happened this last week. We are just short on
time! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Please keep looking for those opportunities to serve others
around you. Pray for them and be willing to act upon them and the Lord will
help lead you to those who need help! I testify of this! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Elder Joshua V. Christensen<o:p></o:p></div>
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Just after our zone meeting we had a meeting about service
opportunities in the area. <o:p></o:p></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-164885204691747832.post-77677939747205208892015-05-12T16:34:00.002-07:002015-05-12T16:34:53.542-07:00The Lord is guiding His work in The Woodlands!Email from April 27th. Behind on posting again....<br />
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Miracles are happening here in College Park! I love The
Woodlands so much! So when we got here a few weeks ago our teaching pool was
not very big. And we didn't know any of the people the missionaries had been
teaching. We were trying to get a hold of them with very little success in doing
so. Elder Graves and I talked and I told him how we are going to work our tails
off in this area, and we are going to see success. He was all in and we started
going hard! </div>
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The first two weeks we had great things happening in terms of
building the trust of the members! But this last week we have seen miracle
after miracle! It has just been so amazing! The Lords is truly directing his
work here, and we are just so blessed to be apart of it. So Monday we were able
to go over and meet with a part member family. And we were able to do family history
with them. The Husband is not a member, but he is an amazing guy! We were able
to have a great conversation with him. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Tuesday<o:p></o:p></div>
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We were able to meet with some of the recent converts
in the ward and to meet with Robert. I think I mentioned to y'all last week
about Robert. We have been working with him to work towards going through the
temple to receive his endowment. This past few weeks I have been really
pondering about what things we can do to be able to help the zone rise to a
higher sense of commitment. And out of our zone, our area, the assistants area,
and the singles ward have our best chance of baptisms right now for the month
of may and June. So we talked and decided that we would call the assistants to
ask them about there plans for people they are working with in their wards. And
after talking to them for about 5 minutes we got a call from our bishop. And he
told us that there was a family of 5 that live up in Jacobs reserve that were
taught by missionaries the previous week, and they want to keep learning more
form the missionaries. Our mouths just dropped. </div>
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It was only a few days earlier
we discussed trying our best to find a family that we could teach. And a family
that could experience the blessings of the restored gospel together. The bishop
told us that they would be at the ward activity that following Saturday and
they would be attending church and the mission presidents fireside. The spirit
was so strong when we found out, and we were so grateful that the Lord had been
hearing our prayers and seeing the efforts that we have been putting forth. </div>
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We
called the assistants back to let them know of the miracles that are happening.
So often through out my mission I have heard, "no one baptizes in the
Woodlands." But the entire time I have been here I knew that it was
possible. And especially where I have served the majority of my mission in the
Woodlands being able to see the growth take places has been amazing. And each
week at church we have more and more families who are moving into the ward! The
Lord is preparing for some incredible growth in the church to take place here
in the Woodlands! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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This week we also went over with some other elder to help
them with their weekly planning. We spent probably 4 hours at least planning
with them for their upcoming week. It was a great teaching opportunity, and you
could tell that as they did they were able to feel the spirit confirm to to
them about going into the details of planning. Because this is a eternal
principal. And it relates very well with families. But planning is so
important, because as we have problems or questions in our life. As we study
them out and we make plans and take them to the Lord. We can know and gain the
assurance of the things that he would have us do. As we plan effectively and
put the Lord first, we will have the time to accomplish all the things we need
to do, and we be able to see the blessings of the Lord more fully in our lives. </div>
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We also met with another one of our investigators who will be moving at the end
of the month. He is agnostic, and he has been taught a bunch of the lessons.
But we really made the lesson focused on prayer. The reason why it is hard for
him to progress from where he is at right now is because he doesn't have a
testimony that there is a God. But we are continuing to work with him, and we
are excited for the change that will take place in him as he comes to that
knowledge. He is a really cool guy though!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We met with our Bishop Friday night and talked with him
about all the great things happening in the ward! We talked alot about the
relationship between missionaries and members. So often we think that as long
as the missionaries are obedient as they can be and are prepared then the Lord
will bless them success. Now this is true, but to really hasten the Lords work,
He needs to be able to trust the missionaries, and the wards. If the Lord can't
trust the ward to make sure the recent converts are going to be cared for and
nourished by the good word of God, and will be remembered, then they won't be
put in the missionaries path. And that is why it is so important the the
members and the missionaries come together with His work. Because that is how
he will hasten it. There are so many people that are prepared, and many of them
will be found as the members continually exercise their faith in inviting
people to learn from this missionaries. This is why we are seeing so many
miracles in the ward right now! The Lord is trusting us and the members, and
just with in one week our teaching pool has gone up by 7. The Lords is blessing
the ward! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We also had that ward activity I mentioned just a little bit
earlier in my email. Our ward did a family history ward reunion. The family
history specialists put the activity together. It was an opportunity for people
to come learn more about there family history, and the Miatello family came and
they were welcomed so warmly by the ward. We also got to talk to many of the
members about their missionary work, and so many members are saying how they
have friends that they are working with, and they want to meet with
missionaries. So great things are happening. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sunday was a busy but wonderful day. My companion and I had
the opportunity to speak in sacrament meeting. We spoke on the 8th article of
faith. It was a great meeting and we had 4 non members at church. The
members also greeted them so warmly. We also started back with the singles
ward. We will now be helping out with both wards. And right as they started
sacrament meeting in the singles ward we got a text from the sisters saying
their investigator broke down on Woodlands Parkway, and that she had run out of
gas. So they wanted us to go help her get to church. So we drove over and made
some phone calls to some members in the family ward, and were able to get some
help for her, and then we were able to help get her to church. So it was an
adventure yesterday, but we finished off the day with a powerful mission
president fireside. The Miatellos also came to that, and they set up and
appointment for us to come teach them on Wednesday! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have such a strong testimony that as we continue to
do the little things the Lord has asked us to do that we will be able to bring
others unto Christ. This is a divine and eternal work and we are blessed to be
apart of it. Please be praying for missionary opportunities and the
missionaries in the area. And see the miracles that take place. I promise that
to you! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I hope y'all have a great week! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder Joshua V. Christensen<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Family history activity. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-164885204691747832.post-79231622503644910962015-04-20T14:15:00.001-07:002015-04-20T14:15:31.283-07:00The Lord Provides!<div class="MsoNormal">
Hey everyone! It was another great week to be back in the
Woodlands! We were able to see some great miracles happen this week! We ares
till trying to get some more traction in the area with how new we are still,
but little by little we are getting there. We were able to meet with alot of
Less active members. And it has been so great to see how involved the members
are getting! There really is just this renewed excitement in the ward for
missionary work! It is amazing! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tuesday we also had interviews with our Mission President,
and this time around we did them just a little bit different. In the past
we would have big groups of missionaries come in and they would receive
training as the mission president would pull people out to interview them. But
this time we had them on a schedule where a new companionship would come in
every 30 min. So we had them come in shifts. And while one was being
interviewed we were with the other looking through their area books as well as
help train them about how we can get wards more involved with new member
discussion of recent converts. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So that took up almost our whole Tuesday. So
even though it was sad that we weren't out working in our area that day we
still saw miracles. We were able to help missionaries have a raised vision of
what they can accomplish in there wards, as well as during interview we kept
getting texts from some of our ward members. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So one text came from a member of
another ward asking if we could come help them move an investigator into our
ward boundaries that following Sunday and that she has been very receptive to
the gospel and wants to come to church. And then we also got another message
that Sister Chappel was in contact with one of our former investigators
that was really close to baptism while I was here. And that she was setting up
a time for us to meet with her! So even though we were out of the area miracles
were happening! </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And then also Sister Hoyer went over to get a limited use
recommend to go do baptisms for the dead at the temple. She came with her
family two weeks ago to the temple grounds tour. And after she decided that she
wanted to renew her recommend and learn more about family history. So it is
really cool because we will actually have the opportunity tonight go over and
teach them more about family history! So we are so excited for that! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This week we also realized that we needed to spend more time
out finding because we didn't have a big teaching pool at the moment! We
have a lot of great potential coming, but at the moment it is smaller. So we
talked with each other and said that we needed to put a great effort in to find
those who were being prepared by the Lord. And then for the next few days we
set new goal and plans for finding. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thursday we saw a great miracle with finding! So this week
has been pretty rainy here in Houston. We have had some intense thunder and
lighting storms. And we promised from 6-8 that we would go knock doors. And so
we started right at 6. And the first 15 min were great. But then it began to
start raining. So we went back to our car to grab our Jackets, and we put them
on and then we started walking back and the rain turned into a crazy storm! We
were soaked in like 10 min easy! And it rained like that the rest of the night! </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We went door to door and people just started laughing at us because there are
to Mormon missionaries who are soaked still trying to go out and find people to
teach. And it was fun being out in the rain, but for the first hour and a half that
was the response we would get from people. But we did meet a lot of really nice
people through out that time. But we just kept going knowing that we had
committed to the Lord to do better, and we knew that we would provide someone
for us to teach! </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And then at 7:30 a guy named David opened the door! He
saw how wet we were and asked us how we were doing. And then after he asked us
which denomination we were from. And so we told him that we were from The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He was nice but immediately said
"no no I am quite fine, have a nice night" And so I asked him if he
had heard any thing about the church or had any questions that we could answer.
And he just replied back saying, " No it's the fact y'all have another Bible
that I don't like." I then asked him if he would allow us to explain our
belief on The Book of Mormon, and that he didn't need to accept it, but just
let us explain it. He sat quietly thinking for about 5 seconds, and then opened
the door and told us to come inside. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He left the room for a second and he was going to grab
us some towels, and then I asked if he had his Bible that we could use because
it was so wet we left our full set of scriptures in the Car. As he left to get
it I turned to Elder Graves and told him to pray for me. I wanted to use a
different approach to explaining The Book of Mormon than I have used a few
other times. I think I have shared this way with y'all a few times, but I would
explain with talking about the 12 tribes of Israel. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So when he came back we had and opening prayer, and I
asked him about what he understood the Bible to be. And he explained that it
was the word of God. And I asked him how the word was revealed to God's children. And he then said how it was revealed through the prophets and the
apostles. And then I asked him, who was the primary record keepers of the Bible, and he didn't know that one, so I just explained that it was primarily
the tribe of Judah, and that is why the Bible is reference in the scriptures to
the stick of Judah. And he then understood that part. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I then began to talk
about the 12 tribes of Israel and how they were God's covenant and chosen
people. And he agreed with that. I asked him if God were to reveal his word to
the other tribes also if it would hold equal weight with the Bible in terms of
being the Word of God. He said absolutely. I continued to talk about how we
know that the Bible is the record form the tribe of Judah, but I asked him what
happened to the other tribes of Israel. He said that they were carried away
into Babylon. And I asked him how many tribes were carried away. And he wasn't
quite sure. So I told him how 10 were carried away. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So I said, " ok so 10
were carried away into Babylon, and then we know about Judah, what happened to
the other tribe?" He replied, "oh my goodness, the lost
tribe!" And by this point he is like on the edge of his seat. He was
asking me to tell him about it. So I opened up in his bible to Ezekiel 37:
15-18, and he read about the stick of Judah and the Stick of Joseph coming
together and being one in our hand. So he said the stick of Joseph is the
missing tribe. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This whole time you could tell that the spirit was testifying to
him. And then told him he was correct and then pulled a copy of The Book of
Mormon out of my back pack and put it on the table and he just went silent. He
understood, but he was still a little bit hesitant. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And so my companion started
testifying immediately about the Book of Mormon, and then committed him to read
the Book of Mormon. And he said he wouldn't read the whole thing but he would
commit to read for two hours out of it and then pray and ask God if the things
we had taught were true! The spirit was so strong and you know that he felt it.
And he asked us to come back in about two weeks. So we left with a prayer and
he offered it and he was so open and sincere in wanting to find out if it was
true! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So we again see how merciful the Lord is to us. And that as we do
our part that the Lord will place people in our path. I was so nervous to explain
the Book of Mormon that way but that is what I felt I should do, and the Lord
helped fill my mouth with the words needed. I am so grateful for the
spirit and for my Father in Heaven! This is such a great work to be involved
in. And like I said in the beginning we planned from 6-8 to find, and we walked
out of his house right at 8:00. The Lord provides according to our faith and
desires if it is His will. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well to finish off this week, we helped move the
investigator into our ward, and it was a great experience, and she was very
interested in coming to church and starting to learn. So she will be at church
next week, and hopefully we will start teaching her soon after that. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And Sunday
we had a wonderful stake conference! It was such an inspired meeting, and then
we were able to go meet with some different members in the ward. We had two
other families that wanted us to come over to meet there neighbors and try to
start teaching them! So we just see the Lord continuing to bless the
area! So it was just a great week! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well I hope y'all have a great week! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder Joshua V. Christensen<o:p></o:p></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-164885204691747832.post-43165408981762876662015-04-14T18:43:00.000-07:002015-04-14T18:43:01.092-07:00I am going home... to College Park!!!!!<div class="MsoNormal">
Hey everyone! So it has been quite the week! Many of
you may remember how last week I told you I was getting transferred! Well I
found out this last Tuesday where I was going! Turns out I am back in College
Park!! It is so crazy to think! I left college park about 1 year ago, and I was
there for about 9 months. I was so excited to hear I was going back to this
ward! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I was hear last time we had so many great things going on, and the
trust with the members was amazing. But I guess after I left over the next
several month the missionaries and members didn't work as closely together and
so the ward wasn't feeling that same missionary excitement, but things were
still going really well! The companionship that was here before me and my
companion( By the way we got white washed into the area, so we are trying to
get everything figured out.) did a great job and bringing and bond back between
the members and the missionaries. So things are really beginning to pick up in
this ward! This week alone we have been able to see so many miracles! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It has been a crazy week, but so good! Because we are new to
the area we went around to all of the different auxiliaries, We met with Bishop
Dowdle. Him and his family were really excited to see me again, and I was
excited to see them. We met with bishop 3 different times this week to discuss
the needs of the members and places he needed us to stop and and visit. So
already we have gained his full trust, and we are seeing amazing things
happening! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We also met with the Elders Quorum president and the relief
society President, and the High Priest group leader. and so on. So we have been
able to get alot of information this week about the ward and the needs of the
ward. We are so excited to be here in the ward and to just work as hard as we
can! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
In addition to that we had a baptism this last week, we got
to the area and then found out there was a baptism. So this week we met with
the investigator and finished up the lessons with her. Her name was Juany. We
had an incredible lesson with her this last week at the Jensens home. The
Jensens are the ones who found Juany. They saw here and her roommate trying to
unload furniture out of a moving van up 3 stories of stairs. They offered to
help, and brought members from the ward to help, and little by little over the
last 3 weeks it lead her to investigate and decide that she needed to be
baptized. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She has an incredible story. She comes from a rough background, and
as she learned more and prayed to know, she said the spirit came to her so
strongly and she knew that she needed to be baptized! So as I said we had a
great lesson with her. We taught the laws and ordinances lesson with her and
talked to her more about how she was feeling about her baptism. We also covered
the restoration of the priesthood and family history and temple work! Her
understanding of the gospel is incredible everything we taught she understood. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And one question I love to ask while teaching about family history is, "
Have you had any ancestors on you mind lately?" Now this sounds like
a weird question to ask, but so far on my mission every time I have asked this
question they have said yes, and it has been a relative that has passed away.
And we then explain the reason for why they are thinking of them. We will reference
to the promise found right at the end of the book of Malachi, where he
prophesies about how Elijah will be send and the hearts of the father will turn
to the children and the hearts of the children to the fathers. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We told Juany
the reason why she was thinking of them was because her ancestors have accepted
the gospel, and they are fully ready to take that next step, but on there own
they can not. That is why baptisms for the dead are so important as well as any
other temple ordinance. And after teaching about this the spirit was so
strong and Juany knew it was true. And that only made her that much more exited
to get to the temple and start doing family history work! So just a great week! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It took quite some time though to get everything ready for the baptism. There
were so many details that we had to get figures out, but we were able to
finish! It was a great baptismal service, and she even brought her room mate,
and she felt the spirit so strong also! So hopefully we will begin to be able
to teach her! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">And to finish the
week, I had a wonderful experience at church! I was able to greet all of the
members and see how they were doing! So many of them were so excited and they
want us over in there home to teach them and there families! It is so amazing.
But Sunday evening we got a late phone call from the assistants, and they
wanted me to come down to the temple that evening and give one of the tours of
the temple grounds! I gladly accepted and we went down to the temple grounds
that evening! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">We had so many people again! Alot of the groups were bigger than
last time! We can see the Lord hastening his work. The group I helped tour last
time was about 35 people. This time around I did the full tour on my own, and
then the group was around 64 people just in my group. These tours are amazing!
So many people have there visions raised and are wanting to work towards
getting to the temple so bad! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">We brought a part member family from the college
park ward. And the husband isn't a member, but you would never expect it! He is
so awesome! But their whole family came to the tour and was in my group! And
after they started asking more questions! So in two weeks we are going to start
meeting with them! The spirit is so strong while we were walking around and
talking about the temples! When they hear about all the parts of the gospel of
Jesus Christ that were restored back to the earth, the spirit can easily
testify to them that it is true! They can feel that peace on temple grounds!
Such a great</span></div>
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And to finish the night we met with different members and we
just talked about missionary work and so many members are beginning to be more
open to looking fore missionary opportunities. This week alone we have seen so
many miracles. And then this morning we got a call from our bishop. And he has
asked us what we did this week! He was so excited because he got and email from
the Part member family we were talking about and the wife wants to get a
limited use recommend for the temple and start doing our family history. And
the ward has been working with this family for a little while! So we just see
how much the Lord is guiding his work right now! It really is amazing! <o:p></o:p></div>
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And one more miracle to add to that we are in our office
emailing right now and like 15 min ago someone I met while I lived in this
complex walked in and started talking to me! He said after I left he met with
some missionaries and then for a while he stopped. But now he wants to start
meeting. And he said I need to be baptized so we can start working towards
that! What is going on! I just again know and testify that this is the Lords
work. He stands at the helm and leads us each and every day! And as each of us
as members and missionaries come together we can assist our Father in Heaven in
His work! I know this to be true!<o:p></o:p></div>
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I hope all y'all have a great week! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Elder Joshua V. Christensen<o:p></o:p></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-164885204691747832.post-27904024371090770862015-04-12T21:43:00.003-07:002015-04-12T21:43:54.181-07:00General Conference/ Final week in Tomball<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>(Josh's email from Monday April 6th)</i></div>
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Hey everyone! This week was a wonderful week! I so very much
enjoyed being able to hear from our beloved Prophet and the apostles! There was
so much great council that came over this last weekend. That is one thing that
I just love about General Conference is the fact that as we go in
prepared with questions and we are prayerful about them, we will receive
answers. General conference is just so inspired! And it builds my testimony so
much of how Christ church truly is on the earth again, and he is at the helm
leading us through his prophets and apostles.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We had some other amazing experiences this week! We
taught one of our investigators named Anca, and we retaught the restoration to
her. And as we began to teach about the restoration, and we recited the first
vision, she had an a ha moment where the spirit testified to her about
prophets. It was amazing we were teaching her out in this park, and after the
first vision we were just quiet. And after a few moments of silence, she said
oh my goodness. Until this point I hadn't even entertained the thought about
prophets. But what if there are prophets on the earth! That would be amazing!
And she just kept talking about how amazing it would be. And in follow up to
her excitement we invited her to come listen to general conference. </div>
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Now
unfortunately some things came up and she wasn't able to make it to
conference. But she will go back and watch some of them, and then we will be
meeting with her again this week. But some thing else she said really stuck out
to me. She said in the past she met with different people to learn more about
theology and to increase her knowledge of different religions. But she
said after the lesson that is would now be different. It was more a spiritual
thing for her now. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="background: rgb(243, 243, 243); font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">We also tried to meet with Julie and Madison
and we talked with them last night. And Julie said that her and Madison still
want to be baptized May 2nd and they are planning on it. So we talked with them
about the expectations and the things that would need to happen in order to
have her be ready to be baptized. So that was great and we will meet with her
this week also. But a cool miracle with their family happened this week. </span></div>
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<span style="background: rgb(243, 243, 243); font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">So
Julies Husband in the past has not been very open to the missionaries. And so during
the times we have gone over there the past few months we have been able to talk
with him more and more. And then on Friday when we talked with him he asked if
we could go running together the next morning around 6:00 am. We said that we
would love to, and then after he said " Once we are done running maybe we
can sit at a picnic table and you can share a thought or message with me that
can help me" Oh my goodness I was so excited when he said this! Over the
past few months the lord has continued to soften his heart and prepare him to
listen to the restored gospel. </span></div>
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<span style="background: rgb(243, 243, 243); font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">And so that next morning we went and ran with
him, and we felt prompted after to show him the Because he lives video. And at
first he said he really liked that. But after talking with Julie last night we
found out after seeing it and talking about it that he went home and showed
Julie the video and started talking about it! We see the Lord is continuing to
open doors to help others experience the joy that God wants them to feel. We
will hopefully begin to teach the whole family. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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One more miracle I wanted to share real quick happened when
I was on exchanges this week. So I went to the memorial springs ward, and while
we were there they had planned to drop by a few of the members in that ward.
And while we were biking from place to place, we biked past a man who was
getting something out of his car. And we passed by him and I had the thought
come in to my mind that we needed to turn around and talk to this man
specifically. And so I called a head to the missionary in front of me and said
lets turn around. </div>
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We went up to him and I started talking to him about the
because he lives video, and then he stopped me and he told me that he use to be
a member of the church like 20 years ago. I was very shocked. He said that he
was baptized shortly after high school and use to go teaching with all the
missionaries, but then when college came and the time for marriage he became
"too busy" to continue. But he still fully believes that it is true.
And he then asked me where the closest church building was at and we gave him
the address for it. We had a really good discussion with him. </div>
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So that ward will
pull his membership record in, and then he also said we could come back and
talk with his family. So it may be a great opportunity for those missionaries
to go back and teach the whole family and elevate there vision to the temple
where they can receive the blessing of being able to be sealed for all time and
eternity. </div>
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It just was a blessing to that the spirit prompted me to turn around,
and I was so happy that I recognized it and then went and acted upon it! I have
said it so many time but truly how great of a blessing is it that we are able
to help others come closer to Christ! It is a wonderful blessing! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Well I hope y'all have a great week! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder Joshua V. Christensen<o:p></o:p></div>
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Also just so you know I found out that I will be getting
transferred this week. So I will head to my new area tomorrow. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-164885204691747832.post-74112184169076636582015-03-30T15:39:00.001-07:002015-03-30T15:39:14.922-07:00Because He Lives<div class="MsoNormal">
Hello everyone! What a wonderful week we were able to have!
Like I mentioned last week we were able to have the missionary department with
us this week. And they did such a great job at training us, and helping us see
what things we could do to improve. </div>
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Tuesday night my companion and I had the
opportunity to meet with them, and then we went out that night on splits with
our Mission President. It was great to see him and his family again also! But
we went to dinner with President Mortensen, and we were just telling him about
how the zone is doing. We were telling him about all the great things that were
going on with the wonderful missionaries in our zone. We truly saw some
incredible miracles this month with in the zone. And the Lord blessed us
as we were able to elevate our vision as a whole. </div>
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From there he came with us to
a couple of teaching appointments, and they were very powerful. We taught a
recent convert about temples and family history, and his mom came and listened.
And after the lesson she told us that she would like to begin taking the
missionary lessons again. So we met with her 1 other time this week also and
she is praying to know if she should be baptized at this time of her life. </div>
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Then
following that appointment with the recent convert we went over to another
members home to meet with Brenda. We finished teaching her the Laws and
ordinances lesson, and as always you could see how prepared she was for her
baptism. Following that we went back to our apartment and had a planning
session with President, and overall it went really well. He gave us some great
pointers about what things we could do to improve, but he said we did a great
job with focusing the planning on the people we were working with. <o:p></o:p></div>
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We were able to find a couple new investigators this week
that we will begin to work with, so we are excited for that! The Lord is
blessing us so much! <o:p></o:p></div>
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With the missionary department being in town we had a big
MLC (Mission Leadership Council) meeting. It included all of the zone leaders and the sister training
leaders and the district leaders. They trained us on how we can plan more
effectively. As well as we were trained some different skills to help us
be more effective teachers and help our investigators better progress and be
prepared for baptism. Our meeting went from about 9:00 am until about 3:00 pm.
So it was a long meeting but it was really good! </div>
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They also showed us the new
video that the church has produced. It is called " Because He Lives."
It is amazing, but I will talk a little bit more about it at the end of my
email. </div>
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We had our zone meeting the next day, and it went very well.
This last month the zone put a lot of hard work into accomplishing the goals
that we had committed to. And we were even able to exceed the goal we had for
this month. And with all of the training the missionary department gave us I
can just see the zone continuing to see that same success. So I am excited to
see what the future has in store for this zone and stake.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We also had Brenda's baptism on Friday, and it was a
fantastic service! And then on Sunday is when we were able to confirm her a
member of the Church. But she just mentioned how great she felt after being
baptized! And now they are set on working to get to the temple to do baptisms
for the dead and also in one year to be sealed in the temple! It is such a
great blessing! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Well going back briefly to what I said earlier, the church
has put out a new video. The link can be found just below, but I would just
invite you as you watch this video, think of who comes to mind that you could
share it with. And in what way you could help others to see this wonderful
little video. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="background: rgb(216, 202, 169); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><a href="http://helives.mormon.org/"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Helives.mormon.org</span></a></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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This is such a wonderful little video. I want you to ponder
just for a minute on the way you felt as you watched the video. What does it
mean to you that Christ has risen. Because Christ truly has risen it means that
we can receive a forgiveness of our sins, but not just that. We can have a hope
in the Resurrection of Christ. We can know that He overcame the bands of death,
and by so doing He bridged the gap to help us overcome the effect of the fall. </div>
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I have found my self often this week thinking of the hymn #136 And I love just
reading through the lyrics. Again I would invite you to think of the same
question. What does it mean to you that Christ Lives. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I know that my Redeemer lives.<o:p></o:p></div>
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What comfort this sweet sentence gives!<o:p></o:p></div>
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He lives, he lives, who once was dead.<o:p></o:p></div>
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He lives, my ever-living Head.<o:p></o:p></div>
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He lives to bless me with his love.<o:p></o:p></div>
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He lives to plead for me above.<o:p></o:p></div>
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He lives my hungry soul to feed.<o:p></o:p></div>
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He lives to bless in time of need.<o:p></o:p></div>
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He lives to grant me rich supply.<o:p></o:p></div>
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He lives to guide me with his eye.<o:p></o:p></div>
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He lives to comfort me when faint.<o:p></o:p></div>
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He lives to hear my soul's complaint.<o:p></o:p></div>
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He lives to silence all my fears.<o:p></o:p></div>
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He lives to wipe away my tears.<o:p></o:p></div>
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He lives to calm my troubled heart.<o:p></o:p></div>
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He lives all blessings to impart.<o:p></o:p></div>
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He lives, my kind, wise heav'nly Friend.<o:p></o:p></div>
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He lives and loves me to the end.<o:p></o:p></div>
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He lives, and while he lives, I'll sing.<o:p></o:p></div>
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He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King.<o:p></o:p></div>
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He lives and grants me daily breath.<o:p></o:p></div>
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He lives, and I shall conquer death.<o:p></o:p></div>
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He lives my mansion to prepare.<o:p></o:p></div>
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He lives to bring me safely there.<o:p></o:p></div>
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He lives! All glory to his name!<o:p></o:p></div>
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He lives, my Savior, still the same.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives:<o:p></o:p></div>
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"I know that my Redeemer lives!"<o:p></o:p></div>
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He lives! All glory to his name!<o:p></o:p></div>
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He lives, my Savior, still the same.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives:<o:p></o:p></div>
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"I know that my Redeemer lives!"<o:p></o:p></div>
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I know that Christ Lives, and I truly am grateful for his
atonement that he made for us. I have found so much joy and comfort come as I
have turned to my savior. And because he lives, he will answer us, and he will
help us. No matter who you are, or what you have felt Christ can help you. That
is what the wonderful message of the Gospel of Christ is. </div>
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Please this week find
at least one person that you could share this video with. I know by you sharing
it with others that you will be able to help someone feel closer to Christ this
Easter season. The video is powerful and the Holy Ghost will testify of the
truthfulness that He lives. </div>
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And just think of how blessed we are also this next
weekend to hear from the Prophet and the Apostles and hear them testify about
the divinity of Christ. They truly are witnesses of Christ, and I know that as
you listen to them this week end and you prayerfully consider the questions you
have going into conference that you will be able to find and answer. </div>
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Take
the time to be prepared to receive what the Lord wants you to receive by going
to the Temple, and by reading your scriptures prayerfully! And as you do this
you will be able to feel uplifted and edified! I know this to be true and
I testify of it. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Well I hope y'all have a great week! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Elder Joshua V. Christensen<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-164885204691747832.post-27681243738306418122015-03-23T15:30:00.002-07:002015-03-23T15:30:37.018-07:00Who let the dog out!<div class="MsoNormal">
Hey everyone one! So this last week has been another great
week! We were able to see some really great miracles with the area. We were
able to teach Brenda a few more times and right now she is still good for
baptism this coming Friday. We are really excited for that! It has been
so cool to hear how excited and set they are for going to the temple in one
year also. They are both progressing so fast! </div>
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And in addition to that the
zone will be having 5 baptisms just this Friday! I think a few weeks ago I may
have mentioned about how at MLC we committed as a zone that we would get 6.
Well we were really nervous because some of the people that we were expecting
to be baptized were struggling with a few things. And so we talked with the
elders and decided that we would pray specifically that this family could be
baptized. And on Friday we heard that they were back on track fro this upcoming
week end and instead of 6 we will be having 7. So we will be able to
achieve the goal that we set. And we can just see that the Lord truly is
hastening his work! It just goes to show that as we put our faith and trust in
the Lord he will bless us according to the righteous desires of our
hearts. <o:p></o:p></div>
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We also got a call from our mission president this last
week, and he told us that this week the missionary department will be coming to
town. And he wanted to have us go out on splits with them. So the missionary
department guys are like the experts of missionary work! So we are excited to
be one of the 3 companionships that get to go with them. We will learn a lot of
great things from it. Then this coming week we will also have a MLC that is
from the missionary department! So we are excited to see the training they come
prepared with! <o:p></o:p></div>
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At the end of the week we went to help an area in our zone
that has continued to have a harder time when it comes to finding. So we
decided to do a district blitz. So we brought in 4 companionships to this one
area to help them find people to teach. </div>
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Well we got to the place we were going
to meet at and we got there a little early and some of the other area came
later. But we decided to open with a prayer and in the prayer we asked for an
opportunity to talked with someone else before the others arrived, and that we
knew with he Lords help that we could teach. And then after we start knocking
some doors. </div>
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And the first was a nice guy. He was a Jehovah's witness, but he
wasn't very interested in talking with us. So the 2nd door we knocked a guy
answered and immediately told us he was not interested. And he didn't seem very
happy to see us. And all of the sudden his little dog went out the door and
just took off! Like I have never seen a little dog go so fast before. And he
didn't seem to have any intentions just stopping. Well of course now the guy
who answered the door is even more mad with us. He told us to leave, and now
that his dog would never come back. </div>
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So we went out and instead of knocking we
tried to find this guys dog! So we walked for about 10-15 min trying to find it
with no luck. My comp wanted to just stat knocking some doors again, and we
just a talked for a bit about trying to find this guys dog. And I just remember
saying that if this is the Lords will we will find his dog. So were
walking back to the car to meet some of the other elders, and then out of no
where this little white fur ball runs across the street! My companion almost
yelled "there he is!" And so we started going after him to get him.
He saw us and started running towards us. I crouched to pick him up, and was
ready to dive on him if he was going to run off another way. But luckily we got
him! </div>
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We started walking him back to the owners home. And my companion had a
great idea to pray before we brought this dog back to thank the Lord and to ask
for a opportunity to teach. And in his exact words he said please allow us to
be able to have a discussion with this man. Well once we closed the prayer we
rang the door bell again and gave this guy his dog back. And he was so happy.
And then he put his dog inside and stepped out on the porch and closed the door
behind him. And he looked at us with a smile, and he said alright this calls
for a discussion what do you have for me! </div>
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My companion and I just turned to
each other knowing that this was a blessing from the Lord. We were able to teach
him about the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ to the earth. He has a
really busy schedule, but I know because of sincere prayer the Lord opened up
that opportunity for us to teach!<o:p></o:p></div>
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The Lord truly is in every detail of his work! As we rely
upon him and ask for his help he will be able to help us! You can see even from
this simple act of service it opened up opportunities to share the gospel! What
a great blessing! I know that to be true! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Well I hope yall have a great week! <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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Elder Joshua V. Christensen<o:p></o:p></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-164885204691747832.post-60663868505923047772015-03-16T16:08:00.000-07:002015-03-16T16:08:14.296-07:00Temple Tours and the Blessings of Elevated Vision<div class="MsoNormal">
Hey everyone so this week was a great week! And just
as always time continues to just fly by! I am excited for what is going on here
in the mission. So this week we were able to meet with our investigator Brenda
again, and she is continuing to progress. And right now she will actually be
getting baptized a day earlier that we had originally planned for. But she is
so excited to be there and to learn! </div>
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We taught her the gospel of Jesus Christ
this week, but before we began she started the lesson by saying, " So I
have been reading a lot as you know, and I don't feel like I have had an
experience with the holy ghost where I felt it super strong like my husband
did, but I can't deny that this is true. I know that this is the true church
and I know that the Book of Mormon is true. I have seen how much closer it has
brought me and my husband, and I am ready and anxious for my baptism." </div>
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Now
as a missionary this is something that brings you so much joy to hear! When you
see someone accept the gospel and apply in their life, and then see the
increased happiness they have: its priceless! </div>
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I have truly loved that aspect of
my mission! </div>
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But again while we may see that baptism is necessary, we know it is
not the final step. We know that we must continue to push forward and endure to
the end. Because we are human we make mistakes. But because of the gospel of
Jesus Christ we can exercise our faith unto repentance. And as we partake of
the sacrament we can be clean again! What a wonderful blessing. And then we
keep working hard until the point when we can enter into the temple of God to
be able to receive other necessary ordinances. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtPkKFKPhTB2s-GFQsoWGZqGDwQkbOU0cpch8u2RH9pxo5AIUkOkzDv3yXDdzIgZTKzkNm-Rtvk29VPQYVayVg9KUfYerz2n0EZ7dcw4RLwxw0l4FnhNCR9zKjQmORHgs0YO00usTXxwtu/s1600/temple5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtPkKFKPhTB2s-GFQsoWGZqGDwQkbOU0cpch8u2RH9pxo5AIUkOkzDv3yXDdzIgZTKzkNm-Rtvk29VPQYVayVg9KUfYerz2n0EZ7dcw4RLwxw0l4FnhNCR9zKjQmORHgs0YO00usTXxwtu/s1600/temple5.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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So also this week we were blessed with such a great
opportunity. We got a call on Saturday from the assistants, and they asked us
to come be some of the tour guides for the temple ground tours that we were
able to do yesterday. I was so excited when I heard of the opportunity we would
have to give the tours of the temple grounds. </div>
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President Mortensen started this
just last month. And last month when they did it they had between 200-300
people come to the tours. We were some of the first missionaries to be able to
help out with these tours so it was really exciting! We went to the temple on
Saturday to meet with President, and he walked us through how to give the
tours. </div>
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At first we were pretty nervous realizing how big a responsibility this
was. But at the same time we were so grateful for the opportunity to give tours
of the temple grounds! What a blessing! So we were there for almost 2 hours and
then we practiced. And obviously we had to go home and study that night to be
ready. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVd76eyRz32jztOURI35ff8R8xSKNOx1hRTHxgWPddBekWh6XiBdMRsb8umMaLWK6mB33CC55I86uwLe3qyfsU7VOt4-Ogg2cHAbkBYon8wIY2U0H3wwtr5BDBJ307NGJQW_1MfBbNTKhC/s1600/temple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVd76eyRz32jztOURI35ff8R8xSKNOx1hRTHxgWPddBekWh6XiBdMRsb8umMaLWK6mB33CC55I86uwLe3qyfsU7VOt4-Ogg2cHAbkBYon8wIY2U0H3wwtr5BDBJ307NGJQW_1MfBbNTKhC/s1600/temple.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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( Random picture while we were at the temple on Saturday! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Well Sunday comes and we were just about as excited as we
could be! We show up to the temple around 3:00 and we are just going through
and practicing so we will feel better about doing it. And then at 4 is when the
tours would begin. At first it didn't look like quite as many people would
come, but then at once you see about 80 people walk around the corner of the
temple. And from their they just kept coming! It was so cool! By the time the
temple tour was over we had about 200 or so people that were able to come! <o:p></o:p></div>
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One of the reasons I Loved this so much was because when
people came to the temple. They left with their vision raised. Like I said
earlier in order to really experience all the blessing God wants us to have, we
have to make it to the temple. </div>
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Now during the tour we talk about the history of
the Houston temple being built and how the land was acquired. We also talk
about the Angel Moroni and how he is the fulfillment the prophesy we read about
in the the book of Revelations (Rev. 14:6-7) in the new testament. We
talk about how when Christ was here he established a church but just as the
bible prophesies there was be a period of time in which it would not be found
here on the earth. But in 1823 the angel Moroni appeared to the prophet and
delivered to him a record later on that he translated through the power
of God. We know that to be the Book of Mormon. And as we read and ponder and
pray we can come to know that it is true. <o:p></o:p></div>
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After that we talk about the doctrine of baptisms for the
dead that was restored to the earth. And how when we go to do baptisms we are
able to liberate our ancestors from their sins by preforming baptism in their
behalf. This was an ordinance in Christ original church. We learn in in 1CRN 15
29. . Christ taught the doctrine of how baptisms is necessary in order to
inherit the kingdom of God. Then we talk about that is the reason why we
put so much emphasis on family history as a church! Because we know the gospel
of Jesus Christ is for everyone! So then we help find our ancestors and help
give them that opportunity to accept the gospel of Jesus Christ. <o:p></o:p></div>
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And then my favorite part of the whole tour is when we end
at the front doors of the temple. Because we talk about how in the temple we
learn more about the plan of salvation. We discuss how in traditional
Christianity the false doctrine has crept in that that marriage only lasts until
death. But we also know from the bible that the Lord intended for marriage to
last far beyond death. We read in 1st Crn 11:11 ,</div>
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<br />
"neither is the man with out the woman neither is the woman with out the
man in the Lord." And we also remember from the Bible that Christ is
teaching his apostle Peter about the keys of the kingdom and how what ever
Peter shall seal on earth shall be sealed in heaven. Now this power and
authority to baptize and seal is back on the earth today. It is the same
authority in which Christ had and gave to his apostles. And it is the very
authority and power of God which was used to lead and direct Christs church! </div>
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This authority was was restored through the prophet Joseph Smith by Peter James
and John. 3 of Christs original apostles. And now that same authority is here
and for the purpose and sealing our families together forever. Just think of
how amazing this is. This is truly what the Lord intended for his children!
That is why temples are so important. And at the end I was just able to bare as
strong of a testimony as I could about how our families can be sealed! </div>
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It was
such a wonderful experiencing to be on temple grounds and to feel of the great
spirit there. And it was a great opportunity for the spirit to confirm the
truth to those who came. There were many people who came to the temple and
received the answer that they needed to be baptized and instead of that being
their end goal, they had there vision raised to the temple! </div>
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This was the case
with Brenda! She started asking us after the tour how soon she could go to the
temple. And her and her husband are both committed to doing everything they can
in order to be sealed! They want those blessing. And truly Heavenly Father
desires all of us to receive these blessings! </div>
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The gospel of Jesus Christ is
truly eternal. And it is here to help us and those who have passed on return to
our Father in Heaven! And at the center of that is our Savior Jesus Christ! He came
and suffered and died in order to help us be clean and return home to our
Father in Heaven! That truly shows how much our Father in Heaven and Jesus
Christ Love us! I know these things to be true! </div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Well I hope y'all have a great week! Please keep looking for
missionary opportunities. And remember to focus your sights on the temple. I
would encourage you to go to the temple frequently! I know blessing await you
and your families as you do this! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder Joshua V. Christensen<o:p></o:p></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-164885204691747832.post-54016166790271944562015-03-09T16:32:00.001-07:002015-03-09T16:32:35.247-07:00The Joyful Burden of Discipleship<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
March 7th - Happy 20th Birthday to our Missionary!</div>
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This week has been a good week! We had so many great adventures
this week. We had MLC this week, and it was such an inspiring meeting. </div>
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President Mortensen had us ponder on the question of, " What would we need
to do differently as missionaries in order to double baptisms." As we were
there we were able to council as zone leaders and sister training leaders about
how we could accomplish this. President Mortensen then told us that this is the
new vision that the Lord has in store for our mission! And immediately the
spirit testified to me that this was true! President Mortensen then went on to
explain how the missionary department will be taking our missionary count from
270 to about 200. Now this wasn't to big of a surprise for me because in
previous transfers as an assistant we counseled about which wards we would pull
missionaries from and where we would place the ones we have to still get the
same amount of work done. <o:p></o:p></div>
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But we came together as zones to discuss what we could
commit to in terms of how many baptisms and our efforts with setting dates. And
we felt like for the month of March we could commit to 6 baptisms as a zone. So
that is what we committed to. And so we continued to council and discuss what kind
of efforts it would take in order to accomplish the new vision that the Lord
has for our mission. And at the end President Mortensen said to us, " this
might sound arbitrary but I want each of you to say your committed if your
in." And he proceeded to go around the room 1 missionary at a time, and
each missionary then said they were committed. At this point again the spirit
filled the room and testified to us this is what we needed to do. So I am
excited for what the Lord has in store. <o:p></o:p></div>
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After the meeting I sat pondering on the best way that we
could take this back to the zone. This was exciting to hear, but at the same
time you felt this wonderful burden upon you to make sure you could present it
well to our zone. So I continued pondering and my thoughts went to some
of the great missionaries we read about in the scriptures. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I started reading
through Alma 17 and 26, describing the way that they prepared themself, and as
well as the success they were able to have. Well I pondered on this over the
next several days, and little by little I felt I was able to receive revelation
of ways that were could share it. Elder DeLuca and I counseled about what we
wanted to accomplish and how we would go about teaching it powerfully. And we
truly were able to feel the Lords help. And we felt that as we got up on Friday
to teach that we were able o help elevate the vision of the zone. The spirit
truly was strong this week as we taught. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was also a testimony builder to me
because this week as I have looked back through the baptisms that took place
over the last year here in the Klein zone, I found that we averaged to 2-3
baptisms a month. Well this was exciting to me because like I said before
during MLC we committed that 6 would happen. And so we can see that the Lord is
having this doubling baptisms take place! Right now for March we have a
potential of having 9 people baptized into the church! How exciting is that!
The Lord is truly hastening his work! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But we also knew that the meeting
would not be enough to get this change to take place. It would take
consistent follow up and accountability through our district leaders and the
zone. So that is now what we are working on in order to elevate ourselves to a
higher level of commitment. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYd6bUhyphenhyphen5epC6ZIqZb9CRknNn5u5-z4t68JXBIMGDmSgRWwTB2LyvSsmOoixQlY6ZICBKju3vvlUNhnZM9Zf6MwLOmlH-Og5zHqJy7GPQirhKWldKuGEc_VXSYuZQHQHDRz-v1aAvIvFiS/s1600/districtmtg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYd6bUhyphenhyphen5epC6ZIqZb9CRknNn5u5-z4t68JXBIMGDmSgRWwTB2LyvSsmOoixQlY6ZICBKju3vvlUNhnZM9Zf6MwLOmlH-Og5zHqJy7GPQirhKWldKuGEc_VXSYuZQHQHDRz-v1aAvIvFiS/s1600/districtmtg.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Also this week we were able to meet with our investigator
Brenda. And she told us earlier in the week that she was ready and excited to
be baptized at the end of the month. She said she was ready to be baptized for
a remission of sins and feel clean again! We are so excited for her! </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We met
with her yesterday also and when we first arrived she said, I have kinda a
weird question for yall that is kinda off topic. But I hear so much about the
temple but I have no idea what it is. And then Elder DeLuca and I just
looked at each other and smiled. We came prepared that day to teach about family
history and temple work. As we told that to Brenda and the spirit began to fill
the room.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We taught about the importance of baptism and how it is needed in
order for us to return home and live with God. It is the "key" that
can unlock the gate that leads to him. And we asked her about everyone else in
the world who had died with out a knowledge of Christ and his gospel. How would
they get that key? And she just looked at us and said I am not sure, but I feel
like the Lord would provide a way for them. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We then testified that he would and
we talked about how in the spirit world they have that opportunity to learn
about the gospel. But because they don't have bodies they can't be baptized.
And we then talked about the temple and about baptisms for the dead. We talked
about her ancestors and how she holds that "key" for her ancestors
salvation. And the spirit was so strong and she felt it! What a wonderful
blessing it was to be able to teach her about the temple! By the end of the
lesson she could not stop smiling! It was amazing. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well to finish the week, we were out knocking doors for
almost 2 straight hours in the rain! We knew with this new vision that we had to make sure we are still out finding. And we knocked over 30 houses on this long
street, and each of them said they would not listen to us, and many of them
were in all honesty very rude. But door after door we kept going because we
knew what our message could mean for a family. We knew that we would find
someone who was being prepared. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We finished knocking all the houses on
the street. We were very wet by the time we had finished and on top of that as
we were walking back to our car a police officer pulled up. Someone had called
the cops and said that there were two guys dressed in dark slacks and coats who
were going door to door. But this is where the Lord blessed us, we tried to
still be as happy as we could, and the cop got out, and it turns out that she
was a member. She looked at us and laughed and said so you are the two guys who
are going door to door? We laughed and said we are, we are trying to find those
who the Lord has prepared. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She saw how wet we were, and she said that
there was no problem with what we were doing. She let us go, and we continued
back to our car. It was a tender mercy that she was a member. I have had other
times on my mission where cops are called and they aren't always the nicest.
But we went home that night knowing that we had done all we could that day to
find who was prepared. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It could have been so easy to just give up half way
through, and go back to the car. it could have been so easy to say the people
here aren't interested, and it is too cold and wet, but the fact is the message of
the restoration is far to important. I know how important this message
is to the world. I know of the power and the peace that it can bring to the
lives of families. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It truly is a joyful burden that we are blessed to be able
to carry to the world! At times it may get rough, but the Lord will always be
there to help lift our burdens as we come unto him. I know this to be true! We
are all blessed to be able to be instrument in the Lord's hands in bringing
souls unto Christ. I love this gospel, and I know it is true. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Please continue to do all you can to share it with friends
or family. I know as you do so it will bless your life forever. And know that
you truly do have the Lord on your side and he will guide you on what to say
and what to do. I testify of that!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Well I hope y'all have a great week!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder Joshua V. Christensen<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfpNbRyICdzWXTTmEenK-703SrAiafYnjE5a8zgIwNQU9oWkZsOZMqIHrTv3JCDza2qWMuyFWhZgIFgTjSZ5R7XYiISZqpGL8C_IMazTtYRhtDSgWxLMEKy_VqwnxxKUeRZs7q7pWFs2Xf/s1600/ZLs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfpNbRyICdzWXTTmEenK-703SrAiafYnjE5a8zgIwNQU9oWkZsOZMqIHrTv3JCDza2qWMuyFWhZgIFgTjSZ5R7XYiISZqpGL8C_IMazTtYRhtDSgWxLMEKy_VqwnxxKUeRZs7q7pWFs2Xf/s1600/ZLs.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-164885204691747832.post-81139253232103137212015-03-02T15:20:00.000-08:002015-03-02T15:20:09.860-08:00Waste and wear out your lives in the service of God<div class="MsoNormal">
Hey everyone! Things continue to be amazing here in
Tomball! The Lord is hastening his work. This week we were able to set 3
baptismal dates, as well as we have two of our recent converts who are committed
and actively working towards getting to the temple to do baptisms at the end of
the month. What better work could we be involved in! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have said it so many times, but this gospel truly is
such a blessing. I just think of the miracles that we were able to see this
week, and again how the Lord places those who are prepared and searching in our
path. We were able to teach one of our investigators that we found last week.
Her name is Anca, and we were able to go to the park and walk around with her
on Wednesday. She had so many sincere questions about the Book of Mormon, and
about the plan of Salvation. And she just mentioned how excited she is to
continue to learn. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She originally is from Romania, and is going to be moving to
Canada in a few months. She was going to leave sooner, but she is waiting for a
couple of things to be finished before she leaves. So we will have the
opportunity to continue meeting with her. We also invited her to a baptism in
our zone this week and to church, and she was about to come but she had
something come up last minute. But she said she would love to come in these
coming weeks!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We were also able to teach one of our new investigators
named Matt about the Book of Mormon and the restoration of Christ's church. And
once he was taught about prophets he was so excited and he said how it made so
much sense that there should be prophets on the earth today. And he said at the
end of the lesson how he feels as if God has been leading him to the church.
The Spirit was strong and we were able to leave him with a soft baptismal
commitment and he accepted. We will be hopefully seeing him this coming
week. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One of the other big miracles we saw this week was with our
investigator named Brenda. I talked about her a little bit last week. She has
come to church 3 weeks in a row and she is continuing to learn and progress.
When we met with her yesterday she said she had been reading from the Book of
Mormon and has felt as though she is becoming a better person by reading it. We
talked to her about if she has had a chance to pray about it yet, and she said
she wants to do it when she can go to a quiet place and ponder and really ask God
if it is true. I wish I could explain it the way that she did, but she was so
sincere in her response. Again you can see how she is a sincere seeker of
truth. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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Well she was keeping her commitment to read so we
were able to move on to the plan of salvation. And we were able to teach it
powerfully to her. She was able to answer the questions and you could just see
her countenance lift as she began to understand the plan of salvation and how
it relates to her. And at the end of the lesson we were able to talk about the
Celestial Kingdom and how we have lives with our families eternally there. And
then at the end of the lesson we invited her to set the goal to live in the Celestial Kingdom and explained how we can get on the path that leads back to
our Father in Heaven. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We read through John 3:5. We discussed how Christ taught
us the way to enter on to this path. And we discussed how it is through baptism
that we are able to start on that path. Once she read that it totally clicked
for her! And we then let the spirit testify to her of the truthfulness of that.
And then after a few moments, I looked at her and said, " Brenda, do you
now see why we invited you to be baptized last time we met?" And she just
was quiet for a second and replied how it made sense to her now. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The spirit was
strong and we invited to her to prepare to be baptized one March 28th. We
explained how baptism was just a short term goal, and is ultimately not the
end. The end goal is to return home and live with God again. But as we follow Christs
example through baptism we put ourselves on the path and can prepare our self
for returning to live with God. She accepted and is ready and excited to meet
again. We will be able to meet with her tomorrow to continue to help her be
prepared for her baptism. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Lord is providing! It again just makes me think of the
scripture in D&C 18:10-11<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgba(255,255,255,0.00784314); line-height: 18.9pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">10 </span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">Remember
the worth of souls is great in the sight of God;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgba(255,255,255,0.00784314); line-height: 18.9pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="11"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #0091bc; font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"> </span></a><b><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">11 </span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">For,
behold, the Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh;
wherefore he suffered the pain of all men, that all men
might repent and come unto him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Lord wants all of his children to return home and live
with him again! And EVERY soul is great in the sight of God. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgba(255,255,255,0.00784314); line-height: 18.9pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="13"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #0091bc; font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"> </span></a><b><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">13 </span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">Therefore,
that we should waste and wear out our lives in bringing to light all
the hidden things of darkness, wherein we know them; and they are
truly manifest from heaven—<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgba(255,255,255,0.00784314); line-height: 18.9pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="14"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #0091bc; font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"> </span></a><b><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">14 </span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">These
should then be attended to with great earnestness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgba(255,255,255,0.00784314); line-height: 18.9pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="17" style="background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #0091bc; font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"> </span></a><b><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">17 </span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">Therefore,
dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that
lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to
see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I know that as we follow this council in D&C 123 that we
shall have great joy as we bring souls unto Christ! And that the Lord will be
able to use us as instruments in his hand in bringing much good to his
Children! I know this to be true and testify of is as one of His called
representatives. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I would just invite you to ponder upon other things you can do
this week to help someone closer to Christ. I would also invite you to pray
specifically as families for missionary opportunities, and I promise you will
be given them. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well I hope y'all have a great week!<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder Joshua V. Christensen<o:p></o:p></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-164885204691747832.post-91487667205935543022015-02-23T16:54:00.001-08:002015-02-23T16:54:20.421-08:00The Great Sifter<div class="MsoNormal">
Hey Everyone! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This week we saw more amazing miracles with finding. We were
able to find 3 new investigators that we are beginning to teach. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We are still working with some of our areas that are having a harder time finding. And we went over for a companion study to work on finding
and role played talking with people. It helped us so much. We talked with
them about bringing up families and how they can live together forever with the
people they talk with. Everybody loves talking about their families! And alot
of time people become more comfortable with talking with us once we try to
relate to them. Well after practicing this with them during companion study we
were able to use it that night. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The previous night of planning we prayed to know where the
Lord would have us go. And we felt prompted to knock some doors in a
neighborhood near a member's house we were going to eat with. We didn't know
exactly which street but we knew we wanted to be in this neighborhood. So after
the dinner appointment that next night we went out and we prayed again to know
which street to visit. And we felt prompted to go to a certain street. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We began
knocking, and the first person to answer really didn't want to talk with us at
all. But we tried the next house with no answer. And then on the 3rd knock we
had a teenage girl answer the door. It had look like she had been crying, and
we began to talk to her about who we were and how we had a message about
families, and how through Jesus Christ our families can live together forever.
And she look at us and said, " this is so interesting that you came
tonight, my boyfriends dad just passed away a few hours ago." </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Immediately
the spirit testified to us that we truly had been led to her. We were able to
talk there on her porch with her for the next 45 minutes about the plan of
salvation. She thanked us at the end of the lesson, and we asked her if she
would be willing to meet again. She wanted us to follow up with her sometime in
the coming weeks when things calm down, and hopefully we will be able to meet
with her. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well after we left we received a referral for someone named
Lois. It just said she was in the Hospital in our area, and that she wanted a
blessing. So we went over and met her and it turns out that she wasn't a
member. Her member sister referred her. She hasn't learned alot about our
faith, but she wants to learn. She doesn't live in our area, but she is an
older lady who we gave a blessing to in the hospital. We were able to give her
a blessing, and it went really well. She told us how after the blessing the
most calming and peaceful feeling come over her. She said it was something that
she has never felt before. She then told us how she wants to start reading from
the book of Mormon, and how she wants us to begin teaching her about the church
and the beliefs. And so we have been teaching her and we hope to go back to
teach her tonight. The Lord truly is blessing us with people who are being
prepared! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The 3rd new investigator we found this week is the wife of a
member that is coming back to activity. They both came to church for the 2nd
week in a row, and they came up to us and said they wanted to start meeting. So
we set up an appointment for yesterday at our Bishop's house. And we went to
teach about the restoration. And it was so great to have our Bishop there. He
gave great insight and had a lot of comments that helped resolve different
concerns with this sister. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was amazing also because we had started to talk
about the Book of Mormon and she said she was already a good way through 1st Nephi. Now already you can tell that she is being prepared. The book of Mormon
truly is the best tool to see if someone is prepared. I believe it was
President Ezra Taft Benson that said that the Book of Mormon is THE tool to
find those who are prepared. It is the great sifter. If someone is willing to
truly read the Book of Mormon and ponder in their heart the message that it
contains then ask God the eternal Father if these things are true. The Lord
will reveal to them the truth. I know this to be true! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This last week we have
seen how the Book of Mormon is the great sifter and through it we were able to
find those who were prepared. When we ended the Lesson with this sister we
committed her to read and pray, and she said that she would. And then we
invited her husband to pray at the end of the lesson. And as he prayed he began
to cry. He felt the spirit so strongly as he prayed to God and asked for a
reconfirmation of the truth. Seriously being out on a mission is the greatest
blessing I have had so far. To see peoples lives changes because of this gospel
is incredible. I think of D&C 18<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgba(255,255,255,0.00784314); line-height: 18.9pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="15"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #0091bc; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"> </span></a><b><span style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #333333; padding: 0in;">15 </span></b><span style="color: #333333;">And if it so be that you should labor all your days in
crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be
one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom
of my Father!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgba(255,255,255,0.00784314); line-height: 18.9pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="16"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0091bc; padding: 0in;"> </span></a><b><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #333333; padding: 0in;">16 </span></b><span style="color: #333333;">And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you
have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be
your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgba(255,255,255,0.00784314); line-height: 18.9pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="17"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0091bc; padding: 0in;"> </span></a><b><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #333333; padding: 0in;">17 </span></b><span style="color: #333333;">Behold, you have my gospel before you, and my rock, and
my salvation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="18"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0091bc; padding: 0in;"> </span></a><b><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #333333; padding: 0in;">18 </span></b><span style="color: #333333;">Ask the Father in my name in faith,
believing that you shall receive, and you shall have the Holy Ghost, which
manifesteth all things which are expedient unto the children of men.<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background: white;">I
know if we follow this scripture we shall have great joy with in our families.
And I love how it ends with saying if we ask our Father in faith believing we
will receive, the holy ghost will manifest the things we should do.
I know this to be true and I testify of it. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">So I would just invite each of
yall to again pray for missionary opportunities. Pray and think of people
in your church quorums or classes that you could reach out to and lift their
spirits. Think of those your home teach and visit teach. What can you do to
help them feel Christ love and strengthen them. I promise you as you have this
mindset, great shall be your joy! I testify of this. </span></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="background: white;">Well I
hope y'all have a great week!</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgba(255,255,255,0.00784314); margin-bottom: 15.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background: white;">Elder
Joshua V. Christensen</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-164885204691747832.post-14816425758532781952015-02-16T15:35:00.002-08:002015-02-16T15:35:42.684-08:00Miracles in Tomball!<div class="MsoNormal">
So we had a great week! I wish I could explain all of it but
we are really short on time. But this last week we were able to find 4 new
investigators. I will explain some of them real quick. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One of the new
investigators names is Paul, and we met him at a apartment complex in our
area. And we began to just testify and teach about how families can be eternal.
We asked him what it would mean to him to know that his family can be together
forever even after death. And he grew up Catholic, and so he said it
would be incredible and so relieving to be able to know that. </div>
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<br /></div>
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And so we began
to teach him right there about the restoration of Christ's church and the
priesthood and how it is through the the priesthood that we can be bound
together with are families forever. We referenced Mathew 16 where Christ is
teaching Peter and the apostles. And we talked about the keys of the kingdom
that Christ would give to Peter was the power to seal and bind families
together. And he asked if we could come aback and talk to him more about
it! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Another experience that had was with a former investigator
this week. We went a back to teach her and her daughter. We taught them the
restoration, and this time around you could tell that some more things clicked
with them. About 4 years ago there was another daughter of the mom that was
baptized. And she is currently up at BYU. </div>
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<br /></div>
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At the conclusion of the lesson we
talked to them about baptism. And they said that it was something that they
wanted to work towards. But if they did continue they would want to be baptized
when her daughter Cathy was home form BYU. So we are going back tomorrow to set
a date with them for the last week of April or the 1st week of May. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At church yesterday we also had two non members there that
we may begin to teach in these coming weeks. They were both from part member
families. And they have come consistently to church for the past few weeks. So
we are excited to see what great things happen with them. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Also this last week we went on exchanges with one of the
district leaders. And we had a good exchange with them. They had a good
planning session the night before, so they were prompted to go to a certain
members home to check on them and see how they were doing. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And so we knocked on
the door and the family came to the door and they had been going through a
really hard time. So we were able to go in and teach them about hope and faith
in the atonement. By the time we had left they felt alot better and the mom
asked me to give her a blessing. And so my companion and a member and I were
able to give her a blessing. I am just so grateful for the way we are lead in
this work. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The elders the night previous had a prompting to visit this family
and there ward, and then as we went into teach teach the spirit directed the
conversation and as well as the blessing. I know that the Lord will continue to
guide us! He truly is yesterday today and forever! Because he loves each of his
Children he will listen and answer their prayers. I know this to be true with
out a shadow of a doubt! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well just to close the week we had a zone conference and a
mission president fireside! They both were so wonderful! This work is so great
and so true!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Please keep praying for missionary opportunities! The Lord
is hastening his work! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well I hope y'all have a great week! <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder Joshua V. Christensen<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-164885204691747832.post-9680301730692608472015-02-09T15:25:00.000-08:002015-02-09T15:25:09.186-08:00The field is white and ready to Harvest!<div class="MsoNormal">
Hey everyone! It has been a great week! I don't have a ton
to report this week, but Nikki and Pamela were baptized this last Saturday. It
was a great little service! We had a harder time getting in with them to get
things planned, but we were able to get it all figured out! And it was great!
They had the majority of there family was able to attend which was great! Elder
DeLuca Baptized Niki and then I was asked to baptized Pamela. </div>
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<br /></div>
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It was so awesome
to see how excited they were for there baptism. We went by this week like I
said to plan the baptism but as well as that we taught them the last few
principles of Lesson 5 which talks about missionary work and temples and family
history. And when we talked about missionary with them they were about as
excited as they could be! We asked them who they wanted to invite to their
baptism and they just started listing off members of there family and extended
family that were less active members or even not members of the church. They
also talked about inviting different friends to attend. It was very neat! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We
sadly weren't able to see them confirmed on Sunday though because we had
meetings the Stake presidency that morning. But they said it was so amazing.
And then even brought some family members to church. Their older Brothers name
is Orian and he said he wanted to start learning more. He is about 14 years
old, and had a great time at church being with the teachers quorum. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Other than that the only other thing to report on is
specialized training and interviews. It felt quite different not being apart of
the training with President and the Assistants. While I missed that for the
first part it was still very nice to be able to listen to the meeting and help
give feedback and training more one on one with the zone. We also had members
of the stake their to discuss how to work more effectively with ward councils
and with the members.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So during the stakes training I went back with
President Mortensen and had my first interview with him. I walked in and he
looked at me and said, "Wait a minute is this our first official
interview together since I have been here?" We kinda joked about it, but
he said he was with me so much with training and we had contact almost daily he
didn't need to interview me! But I had a great interview with him. </div>
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<br /></div>
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We discussed
more about the zone and potentially some changes that may take place with the
zone. And then also he talked to me about where we are at in terms of getting
on the Tomball lone star campus. He then helped me to think about some personal
goals that I want to set between now and the end of my mission. So It was a
great discussion and a great week! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After my interview I just went back in and
we helped train the missionaries on finding more effectively and we actually
did role play door approaches with them. So we had 4 different doors they would
knock on in the church building, and then they would practice talking to the
person who answers the door and how to make it a conversation that is focused
on the person and their families. And I think it did a lot to help the
missionaries feel more comfortable. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And looking at the key indicators this week
again almost all of our areas have found new investigators each week in the
zone! We know that along the way we are hear to plant seeds, but our main
purpose as missionaries is to harvest. That is what all of our responsibilities
are. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I love how in the Doctrine and Covenants section for it says, if ye have a
desire to serve God, you are called the work. The Lord needs every single one
of us to accomplish his work as it hastens! I would invite you to think about
if you have the desire to serve God, and if you don't how can you get it? Also
what can you do to show God that you have a desire to bless his Children?</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I
love how in Enos it talks about the great change that took place in Enos after
he had received forgiveness of his sins. He then began to pray for his brethren
the Lamanites. Once we experience this change we want to bless the lives of
others just as Enos did! But it doesn't just take prayer, it takes mighty
prayer. </div>
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<br /></div>
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I just have such a strong testimony that this is the Lords work, and he
is preparing his children to receive the gospel. WE are seeing so many great
things happening! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well I hope y'all have a wonderful week! And I would please
just ask you to pray as a family each day for missionary opportunities. Be specific.
I promise you that the Lord will bless you to see opportunities as you do this!
I know that to be true! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder Joshua V. Christensen<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-164885204691747832.post-44375832691714393642015-02-09T14:56:00.003-08:002015-02-09T14:56:44.272-08:00Miracles in Tomball!<i>(Email from Elder Christensen dated 2/2/15)</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So we have had another great week here in Tomball. We had
MLC this week, and it was so nice to be able to listen to the meeting and then
participate with the thoughts that I had! But we did a great training on
incorporating family history early on in the teaching process. Before hand it
used to be we would cover it in lesson 5 or when we felt it would be best for
the investigators. But now after we teach the plan of salvation lesson we we
will talk to them about family history and temple work.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We were able to meet with a few of our investigators
through out the week, as well as we were able to do some more finding in one of
the areas in our zone. This week we went on a little exchange from 6-9 with one
of our district leaders and his companion to help them find more people to
teach. They had voiced in zone meeting on Friday that finding was an area that
they wanted some help with. So we went with them on Friday night! </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And as
always, the Lord provided people to teach! I went with the District
leader, and his name is Elder Meyers. He is a fantastic missionary. This area
has not had any baptisms for about a year, and so going into the exchange Elder
DeLuca and I both were ready and knew we would see some great miracles. We
starting knocking on doors in the area, and we still ran into people who didn't
want to really talk with us, but we also had 3 different people say we could
come back and share a message with them. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We kept knocking, and right as we were
walking up to this next house a car pulled into the drive way. I turned it
Elder Meyers and said, " this is divine intervention elder!" I was
joking when I said it, but a 18 year old girl got out of the car and saw us and
started asking questions about who we were. We were able to then teach her about
the restoration over the next 30 minutes. We invited her to read from the Book
of Mormon and committed her to pray. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We then asked her once she comes to the
knowledge that the Book of Mormon is true if she would follow the example of
Jesus Christ and be baptized by someone who holds the priesthood authority of
God. After thinking for just a couple of seconds she agreed she would do that
when she finds out it is true. We walked of the porch of her house, and Elder
Meyers said " That was so awesome!!" They now have a return appt for
tomorrow and they will be taking a member who goes to the same high school as
her to have another lesson. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was great because Elder DeLuca and Elder Meyers
companion were able to also find a new investigator who also accepted to be
baptized once he knows the Book of Mormon to be true! The Lord defiantly
provides. That is just another experience where were were blessed to be able to
see the Lord work Miracles! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And then to finish the week we had two of our investigators
name Nikki and Pamela have their baptismal interview. They are the little girls
we have been working with. And so they are planning to be baptized this
weekend! We are just seeing so many great things happen this week! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Well I hope y'all have a great week!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder Joshua V. Christensen<o:p></o:p></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-164885204691747832.post-32342195553777238692015-02-09T14:52:00.005-08:002015-02-09T15:26:51.448-08:00Another Great Week in the City of Tomball!<i>(Email from Elder Christensen dated 1/26/2015) I am a little behind on posting:</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
We are continuing to see the Lords hand here in the Tomball
2nd area and the Klein 2 zone! We are still trying to do what we can to help
out some of the surrounding area so that they can also see more success in the
areas. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So about 2 days this week we were in other missionaries areas trying to
help them out. And we saw some good stuff. One of the areas we felt needed some
help was up in Magnolia! We have some great missionaries up there, but they
have just been having a harder time this last transfer finding! They are
working so hard to find. So we decided to go to there area and see some
miracles! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And as always the Lord provides! I went with one of the newer Elders
in the mission named Elder Hanks. He is a good Elder! So we talked about how we
were going to go knocking from 6-8, and we had them pick the area just previous
to going. And we went out! It gets darker a lot faster, and so the neighborhood
we went to had a lot of big dogs, and its so dark you can't tell where they are
you can just tell they are close! But we continued to knock even with the dogs
out everywhere, and we were probably knocking for about 1 hour and 50 minutes,
and we had about 4 people say that we could come back and visit. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
During this
time we were talking a lot about the need to have the faith to find. I was
talking to him about how we need to have the belief that people are prepared
and then we will be blessed for it! And the Lord blessed us again. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At 7:50 We
knocked on the last door we had planned on doing and a couple walked outside
and started talking to us saying that they have been looking for a church. We
were on there porch for the next 40 minutes teaching them about parts of the
restoration and the plan of salvation. They had worries and fears about not
having enough faith, and so we were able to talk with them and by the end the
spirit had testified to them. It was so amazing! They asked us if we could come
back and keep teaching them! They were very sincere! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So as we went out together
that night to find those were prepared the Lord provided! I hope it was a good
experience for Elder Hanks. He seemed to come out of it more confident, so we
are excited to see the miracles continue! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Also this week we met with some more of our investigators.
Our top investigators right now are Nikki and Pamela. They are two young girls
in a part member family in our ward. One is 9 and the other is 11. And these
girls have been taught over the past several months, and I think that they are
ready for baptism. I was very surprised with how much they knew and could
remember. We went through the baptismal interview questions with them, and some
of them we had to word a little different so they could understand but they
then answered great! So right now with them we are planning on having
there baptismal service on Feb 7th. So we are excited to continue working
towards that with them! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Lord is just blessing us so much right now! I am
just so grateful to be apart of this wonderful work! This gospel changes lives!
We are so blessed to be apart of it. I would just please again invite you to
continue to look for service opportunities, as well as chances to bring others
to Christ. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I hope y'all have a wonderful week! <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder Joshua V. Christensen<o:p></o:p><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-164885204691747832.post-34146307955798767602015-01-22T10:25:00.001-08:002015-01-22T10:25:15.154-08:00The work is booming in Tomball!<div class="MsoNormal">
Hey everyone! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />
Things are going great in my new area! Elder DeLuca and I are back in business
and we are going full on! It is nice to be back and being able to
proselytize full time again! I am going to miss having the opportunity to work
with so many missionaries, but I am excited to be able to focus on my own zone
again! </div>
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And so far this week we have seen some great miracles! So like I have
mentioned in previous email, we have been really focusing on finding new
investigator from 6-8 pm. That time is set apart each day for finding. And
coming in to the zone I had a goal of wanting to have each area be finding new
investigators weekly! I hope that all the missionaries in my zone will be able
to have plenty of teaching opportunities. </div>
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So this week we had a lot of phone
calls we were making discussing goals that have been set already, and following
up on how they were doing and asking what things we could do to help! We have
also been out almost every night talking with everyone in the neighborhoods
that we go to to find. And this week we were able to get 3 new investigators,
and even a couple of families that said we could come back. </div>
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One family we got
in with the husbands name was Bill, and we had knocked for about 2 hours with
having little success in the area we were in. And then the very last house is
when the Lord blessed us. We knocked and Bills wife answered the door and
before we even said anything she invited us in to talk with her and Bill! The
Lord truly does provide! So after seeing these miracles we started
sharing them with the zone. We have been trying to encourage and just get
everyone as excited as we can! And it has been paying off. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Its been cool to see just his week even how the
missionaries look at contacting at night differently. I love the example of
Alma and his bretheren in Alma 26. <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="27"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #486fae; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"> </span></a></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #2f393a; font-family: Georgia, serif; padding: 0in;">27 </span><span style="color: #2f393a; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Now when our hearts were
depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us,
and said: Go amongst thy brethren, the Lamanites, and bear
with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgba(255,255,255,0.00784314); font-stretch: normal; line-height: 16.5pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="28"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #486fae; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"> </span></a><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #2f393a; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">28 </span><span style="color: #2f393a; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">And now behold, we have come, and been forth amongst them; and
we have been patient in our sufferings, and we have suffered every privation;
yea, we have traveled from </span><b><span style="color: #2f393a; font-family: Georgia, serif;">house to house</span></b><span style="color: #2f393a; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">, relying upon the mercies
of the world—not upon the mercies of the world alone but upon the mercies of
God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="29"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #486fae; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"> </span></a><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #2f393a; font-family: Georgia, serif; padding: 0in;">29 </span><span style="color: #2f393a; font-family: Georgia, serif;">And we have entered into
their houses and taught them, and we have taught them in their streets; yea,
and we have taught them upon their hills;</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Even though there are still people who are not excited
when they have missionaries knocking on there door, the missionaries are doing
everything they can to share the message and help bring others to Christ. With
this and their increased faith we are all seeing miracles. This zone's average
for finding in the past has been about 4-5 new investigators per week. This last
week we got 18! So we are getting the ball rolling! I am just so happy and blessed
to be apart of this great zone! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Also this week we have been on the Tomball Lone Star campus
trying to get LDSSA up on this campus. And so it was cool because on Wednesday
they had a club fair day. So we went and were advertising for the club, and we
and we had different people coming up to us and asking us questions! It was so
great! So that is another thing that we are working on. We are also trying to
use the campus as a way to find and help out these young adults! And then to
finish this week we had a baptism! It was a great week! <o:p></o:p></div>
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But yeah that has been our week so far! I wish I could have
more time to share with yall the great things happening! But it will need to
wait till next week! I hope all yall are doing well and keep praying for
missionary opportunities I know the Lord will bless you with it! <o:p></o:p></div>
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I hope yall have a great week! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder Joshua V. Christensen<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheu4k3ja3exAqEtBDBWQ3iN2nCTS2WTCnFZFiRIhwTv1qpK98NwW_me5fppeNhodxJllMHwmYk79X6M_tOsUHRgLgCOzqCbAP4fxC5n4E75V07soydh0DrX2G9V7g7CCwYzmP6njNqf0rt/s1600/President+Mortensen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheu4k3ja3exAqEtBDBWQ3iN2nCTS2WTCnFZFiRIhwTv1qpK98NwW_me5fppeNhodxJllMHwmYk79X6M_tOsUHRgLgCOzqCbAP4fxC5n4E75V07soydh0DrX2G9V7g7CCwYzmP6njNqf0rt/s1600/President+Mortensen.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-164885204691747832.post-52176572653731787162015-01-12T16:47:00.002-08:002015-01-12T16:47:48.413-08:00Time for transfers!<div class="MsoNormal">
So I am getting transferred this week! And originally
I was planning on being sent back to an area that I previously have served in.
One where I was able to get to know the members really well and gain their
trust. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But as we met with our mission president on Wednesday to discuss
transfers. We started off with a prayer so that the spirit could help guide us.
And then after the prayer we dove right in and started discussing the thoughts
we had of where people should go. Well about 10 mins in President Mortensen
just looked over at me and said, " your going to a new area, I received
revelation last night about where you need to be!" Immediately my stomach
dropped with the surprise. I stood there waiting for him to tell me where my
next assignment would be and then he smiled and said," I think I will let
the boil with in you for a little bit! So he had me wait about 30 min until he
told me where he would have me serve. After having me suffer he let me know
where I was going. </div>
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He asked me to go serve as a zone leader in our Klein 2
zone. I will be serving in the Tomball 2nd ward there. And it will be cool
because I will get to serve with a companion that I actually trained. But after
next transfer the Klein 1 and 2 zones will combine and I will be over that
zone. And it will be the largest zone in the mission. So it is going to take
some work but I am calm knowing that the Lord will bless me and strengthen me!
I am excited to be back out and help out in a zone where I can work with more
missionaries! It will be a great experience. But my new address will be:</div>
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<br /></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Elder Joshua V. Christensen<o:p></o:p></div>
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1515 Rudel Dr. APT# 1207 <o:p></o:p></div>
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Tomball Tx, 77375<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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So that is the news for right now. But this last week we
were able to see many miracles! We had two exchanges planned as well as
conference for all of the YSA missionaries in the mission. So it was a busy but
great week! <o:p></o:p></div>
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It was Tuesday I was on an exchange in College Park. And we
had the chance to teach one of of the people they were working with. They met
Marissa on Lone Star campus, and then began teaching her. She had come to
church a couple of times, and has loved learning. But she had some family and
friends that found out she was learning from the missionaries. And they began
to question her decision and so it started to bring up more questions about if
she should be doing this or not. </div>
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So we knew she had questions coming into the
lesson. So we were prepared to answer that. She had questions about our beliefs
on Heaven as well as Hell, as well as the kingdoms of glory. (being in the
south it is very common to have questions like these.) So we went through and
answered many other questions she had. She has a very sincere desire to
learn. <o:p></o:p></div>
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So we were able to teach her from Mathew 25, as well as we
referenced Alma 40: 11-14.( In the Book of Mormon.) Now these scriptures
expound on the belief of Heaven and Hell. Alma 40: 11-14 helps us to understand
this principle. I would invite you to read it and look for..<o:p></o:p></div>
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1. Where does our spirit go after our life here on earth.
(Vs 11)<o:p></o:p></div>
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2. What is the state of the righteous, and where does that
sound like to you. ( Vs 12) <o:p></o:p></div>
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3. What is the state of the wicked, and where does that
sound like. ( vs 13) <o:p></o:p></div>
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4. And now look for how long they are in this state. ( vs
14) <o:p></o:p></div>
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So while many believe Heaven and Hell are our final
destinations, they are not. It is a state of mind that we are in while we are
in the spirit world. So we taught this to Marissa and she understood it. Then she had questions about the kingdoms of glory. She asked where
in the bible do we learn about the kingdoms of glory. And so we took her to 1st
CRN 15:40-42. We taught after the spirit world we are resurrected where our
bodies and our spirits are brought back together never again to be separated. And
then we will be judged according to our works and desires. Then we are judged
into one of the kingdoms of glory. </div>
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She asked if there were any other
references. And so then the spirit brought back a scripture into my mind. It is
2nd CRN 12:2 Now as you read this look for what Paul was caught up to. Now can there be a 3rd Heaven with out a first or a second?
Here Paul is seeing a vision of the kingdoms of glory. </div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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We testified so strongly to her that we know for our selves
that this is true. "This is the plan God has prepared for all of his
children to return home. And truly the goal is to get to the highest kingdom of
Glory known as the Celestial Kingdom! That is where God wants us to be because
that is the only place where we can live with God and our families forever! I
want you to take a second and really think about that. Do you feel this is
something that you desire?" </div>
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<br /></div>
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I would invite you to ponder on the same
question. Marissa then replied that this is what she wanted. And we began to
teach the key to get there. In the new testament Christ teaches us the way to
enter into the kingdom of God. In John 3:5 read and look for what Christ says
we need to do to enter into the kingdom of God. </div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Marissa read this and we asked that question. She replied
back by saying she needed to be baptized. We told her she was exactly right!
This is what Christ teaches us directly out of the Bible. We need to follow the
example of Christ and be baptized to return home to him. Now this is just the
key to open the gate that returns to Him. So we extended the invitation to her
to prepare herself to be baptized the first week of February. And she was very
nervous about it. She said she still had her concerns. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Now if many of you can remember my email from the previous
week where I talked about Peter and how he overcame his concerns. Now we went
through this with Marissa. just as I explained it in the email last week. And
after she felt the Spirit testify to her that it was true. She identified the
winds in her life. She saw that here situation in "leaving the boat"
of friends and family to follow Christ was more important. And it is for the
reason of it is the way to return home to God! I know this to be true! And she
felt it that day! So we had a powerful lesson with her and now she is ready
and continuing to prepare herself for that day. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I again in closing just want to bear my testimony that
God does have a plan for us. And he wants us to return home and live with him
again. And not just us but our families. There is power and spirit that will
come into your life as you focus on getting you and your families on the path
returning to God! I know that to be true and I testify that it is the celestial
kingdom God wants us to return home to because it is the place Heavenly Father
has prepared for us to be with our families. </div>
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<br /></div>
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I would just invite you to ponder
on what you need to do now knowing this. What is the next step to prepare your
self to return home and live with God someday? And think of who you can help out
along the way! Again I know these things to be true. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Well I hope y'all have a great week! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder Joshua V. Christensen<o:p></o:p></div>
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(Goodbye to some of the Ward members)</div>
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<br /></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0