Goodbye Kirkland

January 25, 2021

Goodbye Kirkland

Hellooooo everyone!!! I hope everyone had a great week. It was a good but crazy week here to end transfer 6!!! Lots of change is coming but all the work in the Kirkland area is headed in an awesome direction!!

I'll start off with some transfer news!! Get ready for a curve ball…. I was pretty sure I was staying here in Kirkland due to lots of logistical pieces and even had told a lot of investigators and members that I would stay here! Hahaha oops. Heavenly Father and President Beardall obviously had a different idea!! I'm actually leaving Kirkland today for Federal Way!!! I'm leaving the beautiful wooded marina town to go to the busy city right on the Puget Sound. It'll be such a crazy change. And...I'm gonna be a mom!! Again?!?! I will be picking up a brand new missionary tomorrow. I definitely thought I was finally going to get a break from training after the last 6 months but here we go again :) Pray for me! For a cherry on top, I'm becoming a mom for all of the Hermanas as well!!! I've been called as the Sister Training Leader (STL) with my new companion Hermana Johnson! So we will be co-training new Hermana Wies together and taking on the responsibilities of STL. This next transfer will be a ton of fun and I'm excited!! Definitely send lots of prayers my way!!

It's been a hard few days saying goodbye to Kirkland. I have made so many amazing friends here and they truly have touched my heart. The Lake Washington ward is truly incredible and I have become a better missionary through all of their examples and testimonies. Letting go of some investigators is never fun but I know that they are in good hands here with my companion Hermana Zacarias. I'm super grateful for the gospel and the chance it gave me to meet so many great people and explore such an amazing place. Saying bye to my zone broke my heart a little bit and especially the English sisters here that have become my bestest friends. I pray that I get to serve with these amazing elders and sisters again soon but for now, it looks like I am needed somewhere else! I have absolutely fallen in love with Kirkland's trees, lakes and even its rain storms. So lucky to call it my second home! I came here terrified, with my eyes full of tears and with so much uncertainty of the future. But now I'm leaving here 8 months later as a completely different missionary full of excitement for what's head but still with my eyes full of tears to have to leave. I will miss Kirkland tons but can't wait to come back once in a while for exchanges and to bring my family in the future. Long live Kirkland!!!

I had kind of a surreal moment sitting in my last sacrament meeting this past Sunday. As a musical number, two young 8 year olds played a piano duet of "I Hope They Call Me On A Mission". I swear I hadn't heard that song since I was in primary singing it. It was choppy and simplified but absolutely touched my heart. I sat there on the bench listening to them play and felt so much love from my Heavenly Father pouring down on to me. I was overwhelmed with gratitude that He has indeed called me on a mission and trusted me to do His work. I knew in that moment that He knew exactly what I was feeling and exactly what I needed. Although change can be hard, and a mission is full of them, I know it is all directed by a higher power for our own benefit. I am so thankful that I get to wear my Savior's name on my chest everyday and live the reality of that primary song. Cheesy but so true.

For a spiritual thought I would love to share a quote that I read earlier this week from President Nelson's book "Daily Joy" (thanks Momga!) This is a common but awesome excerpt from our prophet.

"As disciples, each of us will be put to the test. At any hour of any day, we have the privilege of choosing between right and wrong. This is an age-old battle that started in the premortal realm. And that battle is becoming more intense every day. Your individual strength of character is needed now more than ever before.

“The day is gone when you can be a quiet and comfortable Christian. Your religion is not just about showing up for church on Sunday. It is about showing up as a true disciple from Sunday morning through Saturday night - 24/7! There is no such thing as a part-time disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ.”

No matter if you are a full-time missionary or not right now, our Heavenly Father needs us to be His full-time disciples! We read in 3 Nephi 15:12 that "Ye are my disciples; and ye are a light unto this people." May we be a light to others through our dedicated discipleship this week!

You are all amazing and I'm so grateful for all the love and support everyone shows me on a weekly basis. I love you all! I'm terrified/excited/grateful for the challenges that lie ahead this next transfer and am so lucky to have such a killer support system with all of you. You all are in my prayers!!

Sending love from sunny Seattle!!

Difícil es bueno.

Xoxoxo Hermana Christensen