I will go forth

Advertising our English classes

 Happy Monday everyone! (Or whatever day my mom sends this out haha) I hope everyone had another awesome week. I know the golf fans at my house had a good week since it was finally time to watch the Master's!! I was sad to miss it but luckily Scott kept me updated :)

It was another rainy but good week here in Kirkland! This week our mission goal was to use the Book of Mormon as a focus in all of our teaching. It was awesome! We passed out lots of books and were able to implement lots of B of M verses in our English classes. We saw lots of success with this and it was good to see some hard work pay off! Other random highlights this week include visiting the first ever Costco for the eye doctor...news flash...it doesn't look any different than the one back home so I was low key disappointed hahah but the hot dog made up for it :) I also finished Saints Volume 2 this week as well and wow the Church better be working on Volume 3 as soon as possible!! I'm a big fan of Saints and it's been so much fun reading them!

The work continues to progress really well and we are staying busy! I've seen the gift of tongues work in crazy ways with my Spanish the last few weeks as I have begun training and am so grateful for the heavenly help I receive on a daily basis! There have been tons of situations where I know my vocabulary, pronunciation or just the right phrase to say, came straight from the Holy Ghost! On that note, we taught the Flores family again this week and it was another really uplifting experience. I was able to answer a lot of their questions about the Plan of Salvation that I never knew I could answer in english, let alone spanish! We extended an invitation to be baptized and they're seriously praying and thinking about a baptism date in early December! I am so excited to continue to teach them. Pray that the Flores family can receive their answer! 

This weekend we had a little Covid scare as well! An Elder in my district tested positive with the virus this past week after all of us had been together at District Council….so Sunday morning consisted running around finding a place to give us a Covid test, cancelling all of our appointments and calling the ward members in a panic to sit with our investigators at church! After all of that we received a call that our mission nurse was mistaken and that we have no restrictions on us since we were wearing masks the entire time… super fun to be told that. After the frustration faded, we were overall just super happy that we get to continue to work and leave our apartment like normal! We do know that cases in Washington are increasing and that the governor has issued more regulations statewide. We are awaiting news from President Beardall to see how that affects us, but unfortunately I think a lot of things might need to change. This is disappointing but I'm keeping an open mind and will be ready to think outside of the box as I'm stuck inside a box...haha!

For a spiritual thought I would like to share a scripture from the Book of Mormon that Elder Bednar highlighted in our missionary devotional this past week! The scripture is simple but strong in explaining what we need to do in times of distress and worry:

1 Nephi 4:6-7

"And I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do. Nevertheless I went forth."

I love this verse and especially the concluding phrase. Things in our world are crazy, confusing and often times really hard. I've experienced these moments plenty of times as a missionary and know that all of you back home are feeling these same negative emotions in your own ways as well. However, we are reminded by the faithful actions of Nephi in these verses that no matter what, we need to go forth. We can seek the guidance and leadership of the Spirit by the power of prayer and positivity. Heavenly Father has given us everything we need to be successful and steadfast throughout our trials when we have the faith to continue on. So whatever challenges all of you face this next week, have faith like Nephi to seek the Spirit and remind yourself that "nevertheless I [will go] forth." I promise Heavenly Father will be there to strengthen you. We can do hard things!

Love you all!!! Have an amazing week and always know that a sister missionary in Seattle loves and cares for you. Stay safe please! 

Sending love from chilly Seattle!!

Difícil es bueno.

Xoxoxo Hermana Christensen 

P.S. Needing something to read this week? "The Culture of Christ" by Elder Jackson is the way to go! 

SO good

Always worth it for the hot dog!

You can't beat this scenery or smoothie.