....and the adventure begins

July 08, 2020

....and the adventure begins

Hello everyone!

So much has happened the last 7ish weeks. Thank you all for the kindness, support and love that I've received during the beginning of my mission. I really do feel like the luckiest missionary ever!

So as alot of you know, I began my online MTC on May 20th! This was definitely a new experience but I was so glad that I had the chance to do it. Being at home while being a missionary had its challenges but was so much fun. I've learned so much studying in the scriptures and working on the Spanish language. My time in the MTC flew by! Really long days but really short weeks! I'm beyond grateful for my CCM district and teachers. We all grew to be best friends and I know their testimonies will touch so many people's hearts around the world.

I departed for the mission field on Tuesday June 30th with an early morning direct flight to Seattle. Goodbyes are so tough and the entire time it really felt surreal that I was the missionary leaving! But overall I am so blessed to have such great family and friends that make "see you later" so hard sometimes. I know everyone will do great things in the next 16 months! It's hard not to cry thinking about those tender moments but I know you are all with me here!

The phrase "angels round about you" in the classic missionary scripture, D&C 84:88, really became a reality for me the day I left home and the rest of this week. Walking away from my family and my dogs was definitely breaking my heart a little bit but the minute I had said goodbye and was standing in the security line, I knew I wasn't alone. I distinctly felt my two grandpa's from the other side of the veil standing next to me. The knowledge of their presence put a smile on my face and gave me the reassurance and confidence that I was about to begin the best journey of my life in Seattle. That feeling continued as my plane took off and broke through the layer of clouds that was covering the city on that rainy day. I truly felt that I was next to heaven and had so many cheerleaders around me hyping me up! As Scott said to me as I walked away, "It's go time baby!!!!"

Washington is gorgeous! Everything is so green here. It feels like you're driving through a forest every day. My area is Kirkland, Washington in the most northern part of my mission. It's about 20 minutes north of Seattle and borders the Everett Washington mission. I'm in the Lake Washington Spanish ward and there's tons of Latinos here, mostly Mexicans! I'm in a trio with the Spanish Sister Training Leaders in the mission! Both Hermana Mather and Hermana Fredrickson have about a year in the mission. I really have don't have much in common with them but they're nice to me and different is good! They both have great Spanish and baptized 3 people a few days before I got there so I have a lot to learn from them! There are some restrictions on the work but we do a lot of contacting on the phone, in person knocking and member referral work!

I think this week has been the hardest of my life! Having lived at home my whole life surrounded by my AWESOME family set me up for a really hard transition into full on mission life! The first 3 days I was so homesick and had so much doubt in my decision to be serving. I had convinced myself that the only thing that would help would be just going home. BUT, thanks to a lot of tender mercies from my Heavenly Father I know that I need to be here! He has work for me to do here, both for other people and for myself too! Lots and lots of prayer, studying in the scriptures and recieving encouraging emails/messages from my family have gotten me through this first week in the field!

I've only been here a week and my testimony of my Savior has already grown. I've never felt His love and presence more than in my moments of doubt and worry. I know that Christ has walked this path before and that He is walking with me now! Whenever negative thoughts creep in, I feel an angel right next me telling me to keep going! Serious missionary blessings. My brother Scott told me that being a disciple of Christ is supposed to be uncomfortable. We can only grow outside of our comfort zones. I have SO much to learn, both in Spanish and in the gospel in general, but I know that a mission is the right place for me to do that! And plus, if Scott could do this and loved it, then of course I can right?!? Hahaha

Funny note, I've met a few members already this week and all of them have started to laugh when they see that I'm an actual missionary with a tag. They ask me how old I am and are shocked when I say 19. They call me the "cara de bebe" Hermana which is "baby face" hahaha oh well. I thought I looked my age but Latinos obviously don't agree! Hoping by the end of my mission they remember me for my great Spanish and missionary abilities instead of looking like a lost puppy. I can only hope hahaha!

Also, BIG shoutout to my best friend Jane receiving her mission call to the Texas San Antonio Spanish mission. They are SO lucky to get her. I still have no idea what I'm doing but I do know that the mission is life changing...even after my huge 7 weeks lol!!

I love you all SO much and am grateful for all of you. Any prayers or emails are much appreciated!

Dificil es bueno.

Xoxoxo Hermana Christensen

P.S. Come Follow Me is so awesome, do it.