I'm grateful...

y dear family,

I love you all very much. I love being able to write to you. It is such a great blessing from God to know that I can sit at a computer across the world write a few lines and send them to you in seconds. I am grateful for the many blessings that I have received in my life. I am grateful for my being able to meet Jing Hao. My first investigator who I had the great privilege of baptizing. He is so wonderful and I know that he has been blessed by his desire to learn about the gospel. I am grateful for David another wonderful man who has been able to see the light of the gospel in his life. I am sure that he will be blessed in many more ways than he already has. He is such a humble man with no permanent home or job. He has overcome great trials and I am grateful that he has decided to follow in the footsteps of our Savior Jesus Christ. I am also grateful for all of those who have helped in trying me as a teacher, missionary, and example to others. All of the doors that have been closed have led me that much closer to finding one that will open. All of the meetings that were cancelled have led me to finding ways in which I can truly find the elect who are ready to hear about the wonders the gospel has in store for them.

I am grateful for Jennifer who strives constantly to look to the Lord. She has been an investigator with a heart ready to learn and an ear ready to hear. She has also led me to finding better ways to teach and serve others. I am grateful for the sunlight that comes in through windows or clouds. I am grateful that I have a Heavenly Father who loves me.

I am grateful that I also have an Older Brother named Jesus Christ who loves me as well. I am grateful for the rain that has fallen to help in cleansing the earth over and over again that we may live lives of comfort. I am grateful for the Spirit. As directed by the Father, the Holy Ghost is the one who truly leads missionary work. For a missionary or member to be effective we simply recognize and follow the promptings of the Spirit. The Spirit can be our constant companion as we actively invite Him into our lives. As we actively invite him to "reign within reign within us," we will be blessed "...that from morning till night and from night till morning we shall have the joy, the light and the revelation thereof.” (George Q. Cannon, in Brian H. Stuy, comp., Collected Discourses Delivered by President Wilford Woodruff, His Two Counselors, the Twelve Apostles, and Others, 5 vols. (1987–92), 4:137.)

The Spirit is what brings light into our lives and into our hearts. I invite you all to find ways in which you may better invite the spirit into your life. I am doing it now and I know that I am being guided and blessed. Because of my experience I know that as you desire the Spirit in your life Heavenly Father will lead you to Him. I Know that Heavenly Father has a plan for each of us. I know that God lives and loves us as His children. I love you all. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Sincerely,

Elder Christensen

Lessons in Quality and Quantity

Hello my wonderful family,

This week has been hard. Yet, it has been a week of great learning and growth spiritually and intellectually. I have been given a new concept of quality and quantity. I have learned that quantity doesn't necessarily lead to greater quality, sometimes it even leads to lesser quality, but quality leads to greater quantity. If a University provides great quality in their teaching, then students desire to attend the University and it grows in it's teaching pool. If a business provides quality products, then their customers will increase. When quality is neglected, then the quantity decreases. If a salesperson sells products of no quality, then the people buying will not be satisfied and they will not return. I am striving to apply this to my work as a missionary. I want to be a missionary that provides quality work. This will then lead to a greater quantity of people interested in the work that we do as missionaries. This quality comes from the guidance of the Spirit, taking the time to study for individuals, and being purpose driven in all that we do as missionaries. Isn't it interesting though how quantity can also be a negative to quality. Though quality leads to quantity, that quantity, if not taken care of, can lead to a decrease in quality.

Jennifer wasn't able to make it to church this Sunday. :( But we will be meeting with her and helping her to progress even more. I ask that you pray for her to really know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, that the Priesthood was restored to the earth through him, that the Book of Mormon is a sacred book of scripture, and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only true church on this earth today. I know that these things are true. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Sincerely,

Elder Christensen

A Fullness of Joy

My dear family :)

Jennifer made it to Church this week! :D She is doing so well. Her brother, Bismark, who reffered her to us was here for the holidays. Bismark and his wife were able to accompany us for our last lesson with her and they made a valuable contribution. Jennifer also brought her less-active aunt with her to church and she said she enjoyed the services. Fast Sunday was great. Since I have been in this Ward I decided to stand up in church each Fast Sunday and bear my testimony of the restored gospel. It has strengthened my testimony greatly and I have seen it affecting the lives of our members as well. I am also certain that Jennifer's coming to church was one of the first English speaking investigators this ward has had at church in a long time. When she came I could tell that the members were excited to see her and hear that she is investigating. The first in two years was really David.

The members are starting to see the fruits of our labors and I know that the excitement for missionary work is growing. I love this work. I have learned so much and don't have enough time to tell you everything that is happening. To keep things simple I can tell you that we are working hard and the Lord is blessing us. We are receiving and acting upon revelation given to us to know how to build the Ward in this area. I am being blessed to see more than I can describe and though it may not seem like much of a difference now I can see that we are preparing for a prosperous future. We are working on all portions of the work as we strive to fill the time we have with meaningful activities that invite others to come unto Christ. As we do these things I have already seen members returning to church and gaining confidence enough in their testimonies to share them.

I know that this gospel is true and I am grateful to be working with Elder Ng. We have trials but I know that the Lord helps us through them. I know that I am kept in the hollow of His hand as I strive to do my best. The spirit fills my heart and I know that there is no where else in the world I would rather be right now than in Fremont California. There is a lot to do and I am constantly exhausted :) but I am given strength beyond my own to accomplish the Lord's purposes. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet called of God to restore Jesus Christ's gospel to the earth. I am ever grateful for this gospel. I know that David and Jing Hao are well prepared for the future as they continue to attend church and strive to endure to the end. Jennifer will be a wonderful asset to the Ward here and I know that members are working to improve their efforts as we improve ours. Keep praying for us as we do our best. Exact obedience is necessary to receiving a fulness of Joy. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Sincerely,

Elder Christensen