Rollercoaster

When the dog is your most attentive investigator....ha ha!

 Happy fall everyone!! It's crazy to think that it's already September. Colder weather is coming fast here but the sun is still shining thank goodness!! Masks have kinda come back on in some situations but on a brighter side, we got news that temple trips for missionaries will start in October!! It's been a long 19 months for me without the temple. Good things are happening!

It was another awesome week as a missionary here in the WSM! We saw some miracles and learned a lot from more leadership meetings and devotionals. Our small but mighty Dumas Bay branch is basically my family now and really good work is happening here. They are all such great member missionaries. We were able to watch two of our recent converts, Andres and Rafael, receive the Melchizedek priesthood and be ordained Elders last week and we have started to teach temple prep classes to them. It's so fun and fulfilling to see the change within them from a shy investigator to a rock solid Elder in the branch! 

Missionary work is a rollercoaster. Our teaching pool flips around every single week as we find, drop and contact new people. As we worked to find new people this week, we found our friend Clara. She's an older woman from Cuba that was taking out her trash. We had an amazing first lesson with her a few days ago and the Spirit was almost tangible it was so strong!! As we taught her about Joseph Smith's prophetic calling, we explained that any child of God can become a member of Christ's restored church today through baptism and confirmation. We warned her that Satan continually tries to stop anyone who has a desire to make and keep the covenant of baptism. She then sweetly told us (in spanish) "Don't worry Hermanas. I have listened to many other churches for years. But I have never felt this feeling before until today. I will never forget this." It was a powerful moment! We are working to get Clara to church and hopefully into the waters of baptism in the next few weeks. Prayers up! 

As I have mentioned in past weekly emails, I have had a ton of Church leaders speak to my mission in different councils, devotionals and tours lately. As I reflect on what I've learned, I can't help but note the boldness that all of them used as they described our situation in the latter days. Each leader in their own way instilled a huge sense of responsibility in us to strongly stay active in the Church after our missions. All of the council the past few weeks has given me a greater desire and motivation to always live a gospel centered life. It reminded of this President Nelson quote: 

"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. … There is no such thing as a ‘part-time’ disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ."

As scary as the world is right now I'm so grateful for the change I've experienced on my mission. I'm so thankful to have a mission president that prioritizes strengthening our personal conversions and leaving our missions 'changed.' I know that we are living in a dark world but I'm happy to be focusing on the light as I strive to be a full-time disciple of Jesus Christ! 

Have an awesome week everyone!! I love you guys!! And of course….

GO UTES BABY! 

Sending love from sunny Seattle!!

Difícil es bueno.

Xoxoxoxo Hermana Christensen