Hello my amazing family,
That is so crazy that you met Elder C's parents :) Well, I saw someone too. Guess who ;) The Goo family came and spoke at our little Chinese branch this Sunday. You remember them I'm sure. They were the Temple President/Matron in Hong Kong. Well they say hello and send their regards. I walked over to them after their talk and I said, "I lived in Hong Kong while you were temple President there." Sister Goo looked at my name tag and then her eyes went wide and here face lit up. She said, "You're the Christensen's son... Nadine and Brian." I said yes. After talking a little while I also told her that Sarah was in Hawaii and Sister Goo said that if Sarah will be in town they would love to have her over for Christmas.
This past week Elder Egbert finished his mission and I received a new companion named Elder Thackeray. He is a great missionary and we are already having a lot of fun together. We are putting our minds to the work and striving towards some worthy goals that will push us to our limits. It has been a wonderful week. This week, we sat down with Schuyler and he said that his father will be in town the week of new years and so we set a baptismal date for December 30, 2011. We haven't been able to meet with Derrick this week, but from what his friend has said he is doing well and is excited to continue meeting with us. We are very happy. Also on Sunday, I was able to go back to Fremont to accompany Elder Thackeray to the baptism of an investigator he was teaching before he left. It was great to see everyone again.
I also wanted to share a couple of things the families in that area said to me from when I served with them previously. I share these because I know that mom has been praying that I see the hand of the Lord and ways in which I have affected those I have served and I wanted her to see how those prayers have been answered. A sister, whose family I would often eat dinners with, came in a little later during the baptismal service and sat down in front of me. She saw me as she was sitting down and a smile came across her face. After the wonderful baptismal service she stood up and said, "Elder Christensen I have to tell you something..." She proceeded to tell me that as one of her sons named Joseph was preparing his baptismal program he told her that he wanted me to be a part of the program. She then had to explain to him that I had been transferred and what that entailed. After he understood, the sister said that he broke down crying. She said that she just wanted to thank me for connecting so well with her children.
This past week Elder Egbert finished his mission and I received a new companion named Elder Thackeray. He is a great missionary and we are already having a lot of fun together. We are putting our minds to the work and striving towards some worthy goals that will push us to our limits. It has been a wonderful week. This week, we sat down with Schuyler and he said that his father will be in town the week of new years and so we set a baptismal date for December 30, 2011. We haven't been able to meet with Derrick this week, but from what his friend has said he is doing well and is excited to continue meeting with us. We are very happy. Also on Sunday, I was able to go back to Fremont to accompany Elder Thackeray to the baptism of an investigator he was teaching before he left. It was great to see everyone again.
I also wanted to share a couple of things the families in that area said to me from when I served with them previously. I share these because I know that mom has been praying that I see the hand of the Lord and ways in which I have affected those I have served and I wanted her to see how those prayers have been answered. A sister, whose family I would often eat dinners with, came in a little later during the baptismal service and sat down in front of me. She saw me as she was sitting down and a smile came across her face. After the wonderful baptismal service she stood up and said, "Elder Christensen I have to tell you something..." She proceeded to tell me that as one of her sons named Joseph was preparing his baptismal program he told her that he wanted me to be a part of the program. She then had to explain to him that I had been transferred and what that entailed. After he understood, the sister said that he broke down crying. She said that she just wanted to thank me for connecting so well with her children.
After that I was cleaning up the chairs and ran into two brothers who also remembered me. It was great to see them again and when I talked to their parents later they said that the whole family heard a voice over the crowd and said, "We know that voice." It was Sister Hansen who sent the picture of me on Santa's lap last year. They were also an amazing family and I admired their children and their family greatly. I was smiling all night long just being able to see the growth that had come among the members of the Ward I had grown to know and love. They are all incredible!
Elder Thackeray and I were both extra excited to come back to Pleasanton and work our tails off. I am excited for this transfer. I know that the Lord will bless us and we will go far through our exact obedience and hard work. I love the gospel of Jesus Christ and I know that it is the key to our Salvation. I know that God lives. I know that He is our Heavenly Father. I know that Jesus Christ died for us and paid the price of our sins that we might be freed from the bands of justice. I know the Book of Mormon is true. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Elder Thackeray and I were both extra excited to come back to Pleasanton and work our tails off. I am excited for this transfer. I know that the Lord will bless us and we will go far through our exact obedience and hard work. I love the gospel of Jesus Christ and I know that it is the key to our Salvation. I know that God lives. I know that He is our Heavenly Father. I know that Jesus Christ died for us and paid the price of our sins that we might be freed from the bands of justice. I know the Book of Mormon is true. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Sincerely,
Elder Christensen
