Week 75

Our trio now consists of Sister Doolhoff, Sister Isert and me!

We sang 3 songs this morning at the Catron County swearing in ceremony! 

Sister Isert is so cute and is a very talented singer. All of our non-member friends there approved of her! We got many compliments on how much they love us missionaries and what a great job we are doing at being involved in the community. People recognized us from helping out at the County fair and really complimented us! (non-members). The program had our name on it 3 times as: MORMON MISSIONARY SISTERS.

We just barely had a REALLY good lesson with a young family here in Reserve. We taught them the restoration and the spirit was definitely present. They agreed to be baptized after they talk about it! We have a return appointment. They are looking for a way to bring their family closer to God. We promised and testified that they are on the right path! 

I love teaching to those who are truly seeking. And Andrea and David are humble seekers!

I love this area. I really do. Have I said that before? I will probably marry someone from the Eagar stake. I don't know who haha I just want to be a part of the Eagar stake family FOREVER!

Last P-day on my birthday we played soccer for a few hours in the dome. My lungs have gotten smaller probably :). It was so hard to breathe! Haha good thing being a good missionary isn't measured by how many times I can sprint up and down the soccer field! It was such a fun birthday,  my companions did everything possible to make it the best day ever. 

It snowed on CHRISTMAS!

Last night we got invited by the stake presidency to hike up Flat Top in Eagar to light the huge gas powered star on the mountain. There is a different person/ group assigned every day to hike up with the gas to power the star! It was a really good experience. We are really involved here with all of the stake leaders and members. The missionary attitude of this stake is outstanding. We got to the top and sang hymns. I absolutely loved it.

Also my brand new boots came on Christmas eve! And they already have a hole in one of the rubber seams on the heel...I tried fixing it at the Hamblins last night. Haha, I think it will be okay. These boots have just about been the death of us so I had to share. 

Yesterday we went to church in Luna and officer Hammond (the one who pulled me over) and his family spoke in church.He shared experiences from his daughter serving a mission in Scotland. He talked about how HARD missions are and talked a little about his own. I just related so well to everything he said, and needless to say I was crying the whole talk. He shared his favorite scripture form his mission and I want to share it with you.  

ISAIAH 40

28 ¶Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.

 29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.

 30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:

 31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

I LOVE this scripture now. He talked about what "might" is. Sometimes my willpower, desire, or "might" is not as strong as my mind or my heart in my service. I WANT to be fully invested in the work in every way but it is impossible without God's help. When I feel like I just can't give any more or hope any more or try again and AGAIN, I just have to remember to "wait upon the Lord". He gives power to my faint spirit and He increases my strength when I am COMPLETELY out of "might". I LOVE THIS! 

Mom I was laughing about what you said ALL WEEK. You told me that you are "trunky" haha. Well, God will increase our"might" and He will help us both finish my mission by increasing our imperfect strength. I love you :) thanks for teaching me and showing me what Jesus taught us. I am grateful for your testimony. You are my favorite mom and I can't wait to ask you 1 billion questions when I get home! I LOVE YOU!

Let your strength be "re-newed" by the Lord.

Con carino,

Hermana Christensen

Up on flat top lighting the star with Sister Isert and Doolhoff!

beautiful photography by me- elk carcass in Red Hill, New Mexico.

We killed sister Harrast! - saying goodbye :)

Week 74

Something that happened this week.

We were driving from lunch at the Green's who live about 20 minutes north of Quemado. (we had green and red chile of course, I love green chile so much, everyone always has it here.)

And we turned onto the main road in Quemado right next to the school and I saw a woman sitting on the curb at the school playground with little kids playing around her.

We turned around and Sister Harrast and I jumped out to talk to her quickly because we were headed to Eagar for our stake correlation meeting. We boldly introduced ourselves as representatives of Jesus Christ called by a prophet of God and invited her to learn more. We gave her a HeistheGift card with our phone number, invited her to watch the video on her phone right then, got her address and number and set up to visit her on Tuesday with her WHOLE FAMILY! Her name is Pallas. She was so astonished and pleased to meet us. 

I love finding people.... the rest of the 45 minute drive to Eagar I was so happy! It is amazing how inviting that one person brought me so much joy! And I hold on to those little moments for days. That's the only thing I miss about living in the valley- there were a lot more people to talk to on the street! Now street contacts just mean so much more to me because of their rarity.

Our Heavenly Father has placed us on earth at this time and has us live in a certain area for specific people. I love knowing that I am important in God's work- to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of people in little Quemado and Datil New Mexico. I love helping in the work of salvation!

Elder Neal A. Maxwell said: “All the easy things that the Church has had to do have been done. From now on, it’s high adventure, and followership is going to be tested in some interesting ways.”⁶
You have been sent to earth in this dispensation of time because of who you are and what you have been prepared to do! Regardless of what Satan would try to persuade us to think about who we are, our true identity is that of a disciple of Jesus Christ!

Thanks for all of the brithday wishes! Thanks for being such a great family. I loved FaceTiming you and I hope you have a very Merry Christmas!

In Cruzville

My birthday morning at the Eagar house!

It snows hard

 David's bird pooped on me

Week 73

FAMILY:
We had the opportunity to speak in church yesterday.
2 weeks ago after a dinner in a member's home ( Lenore Jones') I had a strong impression to share the story about Riley coming home- but didn't share it. I prayed that night for an opportunity to speak in church so I could share this experience with the ward that I have grown to adore so much.
3 days later- A high councilman cancelled and Bishop Payne asked us to speak!!!
Almost the whole congregation was in tears as I related the ways God answered my prayers during this experience. I had many people thank me and cry to me about how they have a lost family member and how much hope I gave them. It felt so good to know that I was able to remind the ward of the glorious plan of salvation and the hope we have in the Savior.
I love the Luna ward so much. I want to just be a part of everyone's family. And HAVE gotten several invitations to come back and live with people- both from members and non-members alike!
Also we had a night of Christmas music last night that we participated in. It took place in  Luna and it was multi-faith. I was fortunate enough to be puked on by a 12 year old boy during the program! That was a day I will NEVER forget. The puke got in my mouth... my eye... my hair.... my skirt.... my arm....saturated my music lyrics in my lap... got into my shoes... hahahaha. It was an experience that I will never forget! And a taste that I can still imagine. I will tell you the complete experience on Christmas... SO MUCH WENT WRONG LAST NIGHT IT.

I love my companions. We are such good friends. I love them! They are so patient with me. Things are going well up here! We are finding people left and right!

Something I was reminded of this week was the reenactment we did at the Book of Mormon quest from Alma 24. 

21 Now when the people saw that they were coming against them they went out to meet them, and prostrated themselves before them to the earth, and began to call on the name of the Lord; and thus they were in this attitude when the Lamanites began to fall upon them, and began to slay them with the sword.

22 And thus without meeting any resistance, they did slay a thousand and five of them; and we know that they are blessed, for they have gone to dwell with their God.

23 Now when the Lamanites saw that their brethren would not flee from the sword, neither would they turn aside to the right hand or to the left, but that they would lie down and perish, and praised God even in the very act of perishing under the sword—

24 Now when the Lamanites saw this they did forbear from slaying them; and there were many whose hearts had swollen in them for those of their brethren who had fallen under the sword, for they repented of the things which they had done.

25 And it came to pass that they threw down their weapons of war, and they would not take them again, for they were stung for the murders which they had committed; and they came down even as their brethren, relying upon the mercies of those whose arms were lifted to slay them.

26 And it came to pass that the people of God were joined that day by more than the number who had been slain; and those who had been slain were righteous people, therefore we have no reason to doubt but what they were saved.

27 And there was not a wicked man slain among them; but there were more than a thousand brought to the knowledge of the truth; thus we see that the Lord worketh in many ways to the salvation of his people.

I love the last verse. The Lord sometimes works in strange and unexpected ways to bring others to the knowledge of the truth! Not always by having many people be slain haha, but I know that this is true.

Hermana Christensen

Week 72

Last night I really came to see how blessed our area is, how much it is growing and how good God is. I look back and think to how completely confused and overwhelmed and lost I felt when we first moved up here. Planning out the next day seemed like an impossible task. When we did make plans to go certain places they almost always fell through. I questioned time and time again if my feelings were correct on moving up here. We talked to people on the roads who ignored us, slammed doors in our faces when wed knock. I just felt so confused, for a long time.

Last night I realized ho much has CHNAGED over the past 10 months in this area. We actually have forged friendships with the ward and branch leaders. Members ENJOY having us over. Investigators keep appointments. Complete strangers have heard of us and ask to hear us sing. We have a recent convert and as of this week have 2 other investogators on date to be baptized in January. I am starting to see the truly God given miracles each day. The Lord does lead this work and everything is to be done in His time. I am still struggling with patience. But I have no doubt in my mind now that God is TRULY aware of this little area in New Mexico.

I am able to receive revelation for this area and where we need to go, what I need to do, and what I need to say. Keeping our covenants gives us power!

One of our inactive members from Luna works at the coutrthouse in Reserve. After a few very low key first visits she grew to like us over some time. She told us to visit her sometime at the court house  few months ago .... So finally this week it felt right. We went in the court house to sing her a Christmas carol. She was delighted to have company and before we sang, she gathered all of her co-workers in her part of the building to hear. They all loved it and we gave them the "He is t Gift" cards and invited them to watch the clip. All were so pleasantly delighted. Then Sister Laney insisted on taking us around to some other co workers to sing for them. After we had been happily drug around the whole court house by our less active we had handed out "He is the GIft" cards to everyone we sang to and been invited by the head honchos to sing at the swearing in/inaugural ceremony on the 29th of this month! What a great way to meet all of the involved and proactive members of the community! I know that we wee led by the holy ghost that day.
We are teaching a new investigator named Crystal in Quemado. We found her on the street before Thanksgiving and she wants to be baptized. She has a little family that is struggling. Our first visit we asked her what she was looking for in life. She responded very solemnly, "I don't know what I am looking for exactly, I just now I am looking."

We also were able to sing with the Nashville Tribute Band on Sunday. They did a devotional in Eagar and invited the missionaries up to sing with them. I was so fun! I was bawling through every song, even up on stage hahaha so I am glad I can be a model for crying while feeling the spirit.

I am still in New Mexico! This is my last full transfer! I asked for sister Doolhoff to be the designated driver. My resignation ha brought me so much peace so far :). I bought lots of Dramamine to dampen my motion sickness :)

Love you all.

Hermana Christensen

My birthday brownies from the stake with 42 candles for my 42 weeks here! :)

after singing at the Reason for the Season

Brother Sanders giving us a Christmas basket :)

Brother Sam Fadala is famous. He is so cool. He wears his Judah hat all the time haha (he is from the tribe of Judah)

WIth Nashvile tribute band

 Shucking corn ! :)

Week 71

Lalo's baptism went so smoothly. So many member showed up to support him. Brother Elmer baptized him. Lalo's sister and brother in law came and we hope to start teaching them soon!

My favorite part of the baptism was after the ordinance while brother Vallejos and Elmer were drying off and changing.

We taught the restoration of the gospel and recited the first vision to the members and Lalo's family. Almost everyone was crying. I love how the truthfulness of the restoration can be testified to us over and over again by the power of the Holy Ghost.

Also my other favorite part was when Lalo bore his testimony. He tried to mention something about every single one of the pamphlets. How cute it was to hear his testimony about the law of chastity right after his baptism. The gospel is true! HE KNOWS IT! He is so happy.

Our Thanksgiving was great, we sang everywhere we went. We ate at three different homes. The Quetels, Hales and some non-members in Reserve the Kellers (who we have done service for).

I am so thankful for my mission. I am so thankful for the Holy Ghost and the guidance I receive so often. I love the Savior and know that His atonement has cleansed me. Seeing the change in Lalo is so neat. He is so much more at peace. He seems more happy and calm. After he received the Holy Ghost yesterday in class he wasn't nervous and sweaty like usual! THE CHANGE IS VISIBLE! He talks to everyone who comes through the dump about his increase in happiness and knowledge. We hear about this from non-members! Lalo is already a great missionary :)

Love you all! Happy Hollidays!

#sharethegift

Week 70

Family

This week was good for many reasons. 

That family I mentioned in my last email from Pie Town branch accepted to be baptized! We drove out there yesterday with our branch President who referred us to them. The lesson was so powerful and everyone was in tears. President Hobbs bore his testimony so sincerely to the Castanons and they listened because they trust him and respect him so much. My testimony of member present lessons increased ten fold! Two new investigators in Pie Town! (fruits of all of those prayers!)

Brother Lalo Vallejos passed his baptismal interview yesterday with President Platt! He will be baptized this Friday! 

During a lesson this week Lalo said that he has never prayed so much in his entire life than he does now. He  said it makes him feel so good! He accepts everything so easily sometimes we question if he is truly ready for baptism. But I know he is! He is just so humble, that it's hard to believe some people really can be that way!

Brother Jay Platt told us that yesterday in Priesthood they had Lalo stand up and introduce himself. He said with a big nervous smile on his face, "I'm brother Lalo Vallejos. I live in Aragon New Mexico. I am learning more about your church because I want to live with Jesus again someday." And then he sat down. Brother Platt said it was the cutest thing! We love Lalo! And he now refers to himself as BROTHER Lalo Vallejos. He left us a voice message yesterday because we didn't have service, he said, "Hi sisters this is Lalo, I mean bother Lalo Vallejos and I need to talk to you!" He is so good :)

We 2 Thanksgiving dinners this week. The one in Luna we had SO MANY investigators show up. The one on Quemado was at the Baptist church. It was the Multi-faith dinner for the Pie Town area. Our branch arranged before hand for us to sing a few songs. We sang, Nearer my God to Thee and a little later For the Beauty of the Earth. Everyone loved it. And afterwards we were invited to sing in the Baptist choir! We weren't able to make it to practice yesterday but we hope to next week. 

I love our area. I love the holiday season! 

I got a new coat. I am a lot warmer now :)

We are scheduled to sing at so many Christmas parties during December. It's amazing what singing has done for this area.

Thanks for your prayers. God loves me :)

ALSO!!! TENDER MERCY. After I received a package from you all this week and found that pocket size hymn book, I was flipping through it the next morning and reading the hymns, and just felt SO MUCH GRATITUDE. I haven't ever told you how much I wanted one of those. I know that God knew though! It was something I had never voiced, but you sent it to me. I was so grateful for that pocket size hymn book you sent. So THANK YOU!!! From the bottom of my heart.

Also- that general conference workbook is the neatest thing! Thank you!! Did you make it?

I love you so much! I am so happy that I can be with you all for ever and ever and ever! PLEASE! Be good :)

Hermana Christensen

Burn ceremony.

I am grateful for this beautiful place in which I live! Happy Thanksgiving!

Also I forgot to mention- we saw a bear this week!!!!! At night driving home. It was in the middle of the road!!

:) My dream came true. Ah.

Making a snow globe with the activity days girls.

Morning jog.