Sorry this letter is so short.
About Elder Miller first, I think his dad is the Branch President of Indian Wells which is the area that we wanted to stay in the trailer and work for a week, then come back to Greasewood. After a long while we decided that there really isn't enough work to spend the money and have Pres open it up. Plus there is already a senior missionary couple working out there.
Hey, I am pretty stoked that Jordan is working on his Eagle Project soon. I am so glad I got mine. I have only run into one Elder who did not get his and everyone gives him a bad time about it. He is a really awesome Elder though and works really hard.
We haven't done much work this week because I got sick on Saturday. Things are looking up though. We found more new investigators and by the end of the week we actually found 4 of them on the same day!!
Today we went hiking and made it down to some cool caves. I will send pictures soon.
Love ya,
Elder Christensen
Monday, February 20, 2012
January 9th Letter
Hey Everyone,
I am glad you guys are enjoying the holidays. We didn't do much for New Years because the family who invited us over for a party ditched us! So we went back to the trailer and I made some good food and then I wrote in my journal and that was pretty much it. Elder Hunsaker wanted to stay up until midnight but all I could think of doing was dumb stuff so we went to bed at 10:30.
Anyway, the baptism we had last week was someone that the previous Elders were teaching. His name is Kevin Begay and he is a really solid guy! His baptism was great and he already has been able to recognize the feelings and promptings of the Holy Ghost! Hopefully soon he will get the priesthood. On Thursday we had a lesson with him and we talked about the priesthood and got deeper into the topic. We talked about why it is so important and that only through this church can you receive the keys to the priesthood which is the power to act in God's name. We had to also explain that Medicine Men don't have this authority to heal but they can pray for you. I wasn't that bold about it this time and they didn't get upset at all. Remember what happened last time I talked about medicine men? Lol, not good!!
Why, things are changing so much in our ward!! I guess I prepared myself for all that stuff that has been happening at home so I am not mad or homesick or anything in fact I think its dumb that it only happens when I leave! Just my luck!!
We had interviews this week and I really loved talking with the President. He told me how much he appreciated my "goodness" and that it was something this mission needs right now and he is glad that I "bring it" when things are not going so good.
So I am glad Brittany is doing well. It sounds like you guys have found a great way to help her out. I know Ashley will do great and will make friends and survive in college because she is awesome. Tell Jordan to keep reading and exercising and tell him I love him too.
Oh also we were able to attend to a horse ceremony where they killed and ate a horse. It was really cool because it was full of ceremony and it is a huge part of Navajo tradition. They believe that in the winter the horse meat boosts their strength against illness which I don't think it's true because the next day I felt like I was getting a cold so I drank orange juice which is better for you anyway and I got over it! Horse meat is pretty good though. I kind of liked it. It's sort of juicy and has a weird flavor so if you can, try it sometime.
Well I gotta go. Talk to ya later guys.
Love ya!
Elder Christensen
I am glad you guys are enjoying the holidays. We didn't do much for New Years because the family who invited us over for a party ditched us! So we went back to the trailer and I made some good food and then I wrote in my journal and that was pretty much it. Elder Hunsaker wanted to stay up until midnight but all I could think of doing was dumb stuff so we went to bed at 10:30.
Anyway, the baptism we had last week was someone that the previous Elders were teaching. His name is Kevin Begay and he is a really solid guy! His baptism was great and he already has been able to recognize the feelings and promptings of the Holy Ghost! Hopefully soon he will get the priesthood. On Thursday we had a lesson with him and we talked about the priesthood and got deeper into the topic. We talked about why it is so important and that only through this church can you receive the keys to the priesthood which is the power to act in God's name. We had to also explain that Medicine Men don't have this authority to heal but they can pray for you. I wasn't that bold about it this time and they didn't get upset at all. Remember what happened last time I talked about medicine men? Lol, not good!!
Why, things are changing so much in our ward!! I guess I prepared myself for all that stuff that has been happening at home so I am not mad or homesick or anything in fact I think its dumb that it only happens when I leave! Just my luck!!
We had interviews this week and I really loved talking with the President. He told me how much he appreciated my "goodness" and that it was something this mission needs right now and he is glad that I "bring it" when things are not going so good.
So I am glad Brittany is doing well. It sounds like you guys have found a great way to help her out. I know Ashley will do great and will make friends and survive in college because she is awesome. Tell Jordan to keep reading and exercising and tell him I love him too.
Oh also we were able to attend to a horse ceremony where they killed and ate a horse. It was really cool because it was full of ceremony and it is a huge part of Navajo tradition. They believe that in the winter the horse meat boosts their strength against illness which I don't think it's true because the next day I felt like I was getting a cold so I drank orange juice which is better for you anyway and I got over it! Horse meat is pretty good though. I kind of liked it. It's sort of juicy and has a weird flavor so if you can, try it sometime.
Well I gotta go. Talk to ya later guys.
Love ya!
Elder Christensen
Friday, January 6, 2012
First E-mail of 2012!
Hey Everyone!
Wow what a week! I apologize for not e-mailing home last week but we didn't have anyone close by that had a computer so I was sort of bummed about that. Some news was this week was that we had a baptism on Saturday and that was so cool! Our truck was out of gas money so we walked everywhere which also made it difficult, but we are good to go now!
I was really happy to talk to all of you and so happy your doing great! My companion is still having troubles and it was really hard to get him out to walk and see people. Lately my thoughts haven't been on our investigators or the Savior as much as I want. Instead I have been trying to find ways to get my comp out to do something and to find ways to help him be more obedient to the mission rules, and to help him get excited about the work! It is really distracting sometimes and has been affecting me a little. I have been praying hard and asking my Heavenly Father for help and comfort and to stay determined and he has really been helping me and giving me comfort.
Yup so that's the depressing news this week!
Oh, also since we cover two areas we are going to talk to the guy in the mission office to see if he can turn on all of the utilities at the trailer in Indian Wells. We figured out that we can be more effective if we spend a week in Indian Wells and a week in Greasewood. Indian Wells is about 35 miles south of Greasewood and that should give you some idea of how big our area is!!!
Well that's all I have this week. Sorry my e-mails are so short and especially this week because we didn't get out very much.
Hagone! (goodbye)
Elder Christensen
Wow what a week! I apologize for not e-mailing home last week but we didn't have anyone close by that had a computer so I was sort of bummed about that. Some news was this week was that we had a baptism on Saturday and that was so cool! Our truck was out of gas money so we walked everywhere which also made it difficult, but we are good to go now!
I was really happy to talk to all of you and so happy your doing great! My companion is still having troubles and it was really hard to get him out to walk and see people. Lately my thoughts haven't been on our investigators or the Savior as much as I want. Instead I have been trying to find ways to get my comp out to do something and to find ways to help him be more obedient to the mission rules, and to help him get excited about the work! It is really distracting sometimes and has been affecting me a little. I have been praying hard and asking my Heavenly Father for help and comfort and to stay determined and he has really been helping me and giving me comfort.
Yup so that's the depressing news this week!
Oh, also since we cover two areas we are going to talk to the guy in the mission office to see if he can turn on all of the utilities at the trailer in Indian Wells. We figured out that we can be more effective if we spend a week in Indian Wells and a week in Greasewood. Indian Wells is about 35 miles south of Greasewood and that should give you some idea of how big our area is!!!
Well that's all I have this week. Sorry my e-mails are so short and especially this week because we didn't get out very much.
Hagone! (goodbye)
Elder Christensen
Christmas Phone Call!
Hello Everyone!
I just wanted to give you all the latest on Devon. We were able to talk with him on Christmas Day which was so great! He sounds awesome, up beat and just like the Devon that we all know and love. He said that Greasewood, Arizona is really remote and that they have to travel about 30 minutes to get to the nearest town which is Indian Wells, Arizona. Then from there it is another 40 minutes to Holbrook Arizona for civilization and groceries. They live in a trailer and the area that they are in has not had tracting missionaries for along time so they have a huge area to cover and lots of people to get to know. They also have been getting more familiar with authentic Navajo culture, food and learning the language. He said that the people in this area are so nice and friendly so that helps to get to know people. They only thing that they have to be careful of right now are the packs of wild dogs that roam the area. You know as his mother, I really think that I do not want to know these things. Then again, I know that the Lord is watching over him and protecting him from all of those wild beasts that are out there.
Devon also said that there is alot of exciting things happening in this mission. In the next 6 months they will be getting over 30 new missionaries and opening up more areas for proselyting. There is a real focus developing on helping and teaching the Indians in this area and he is so excited to be a part of it.
He was so grateful for the letters and packages and he did get them all before Christmas! Because of the remoteness of the area it takes about 4-5 days for letters to reach him and about 7-14 days for packages. The letters and packages are forwarded from the mission home to the nearest Post Office but then the Post Office waits for enough letters and packages to warrant a trip to Greasewood, so it can take a few extra days.
I want to thank all of you as well for the support and love that you give to Devon and our family!! We have been so blessed and are so grateful for the kindness and prayers sent in Devon's behalf. We are looking forward to a great 2012 and more great and inspiring letters from Elder Christensen!
Love,
Shana
I just wanted to give you all the latest on Devon. We were able to talk with him on Christmas Day which was so great! He sounds awesome, up beat and just like the Devon that we all know and love. He said that Greasewood, Arizona is really remote and that they have to travel about 30 minutes to get to the nearest town which is Indian Wells, Arizona. Then from there it is another 40 minutes to Holbrook Arizona for civilization and groceries. They live in a trailer and the area that they are in has not had tracting missionaries for along time so they have a huge area to cover and lots of people to get to know. They also have been getting more familiar with authentic Navajo culture, food and learning the language. He said that the people in this area are so nice and friendly so that helps to get to know people. They only thing that they have to be careful of right now are the packs of wild dogs that roam the area. You know as his mother, I really think that I do not want to know these things. Then again, I know that the Lord is watching over him and protecting him from all of those wild beasts that are out there.
Devon also said that there is alot of exciting things happening in this mission. In the next 6 months they will be getting over 30 new missionaries and opening up more areas for proselyting. There is a real focus developing on helping and teaching the Indians in this area and he is so excited to be a part of it.
He was so grateful for the letters and packages and he did get them all before Christmas! Because of the remoteness of the area it takes about 4-5 days for letters to reach him and about 7-14 days for packages. The letters and packages are forwarded from the mission home to the nearest Post Office but then the Post Office waits for enough letters and packages to warrant a trip to Greasewood, so it can take a few extra days.
I want to thank all of you as well for the support and love that you give to Devon and our family!! We have been so blessed and are so grateful for the kindness and prayers sent in Devon's behalf. We are looking forward to a great 2012 and more great and inspiring letters from Elder Christensen!
Love,
Shana
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Transfer to Greasewood Arizona
Hey Everyone!
I am in Greasewood Arizona now and it is a pretty neat place! We have a huge area!!! I mean bigger than Tohatchi! Our truck takes the normal beating from the roads and I sit in the passenger seat and laugh because its fun to try to get to peoples houses and where else can you go 4 wheeling on your mission and call it work lol! So we go to either Hollbrook or Winslow for shopping which is like 120 mile round trip, so ya it's pretty fun!
We got a bunch of snow here, like 4 inches! My new companion is Elder Hunsaker and he was in our district but served in Tohlakai for 2 transfers and then he and I were sent here together. I am a little sad because his old companion is taking my place and he and Elder Marple are getting a bunch of baptisms this month! I know that is the nature of the work but I would have liked to have been there for them. I have also been wondering what does the Lord want me to do? Does he want me to be the kind of missionary who works hard to fix the places were the work has struggled? Because that is how it was in Tohatchi until Elder Marple and I got there. I figured that is what the Lord wants me for and I won't let him down and I will help my new companion and this area it going to be awesome! There are so many nice people here!!
Anyway the senior missionary couple in Indian Wells has a computer for Skype and I would love to do that but I have to ask our mission prez on Tuesday. Wait for my call between 3 and 6 on Christmas Day and I will tell you all that is going on here and things that are going to happen and all of that stuff!
So that's all I have for this week!
Love ya all and Merry Christmas!!
Elder Christensen
I am in Greasewood Arizona now and it is a pretty neat place! We have a huge area!!! I mean bigger than Tohatchi! Our truck takes the normal beating from the roads and I sit in the passenger seat and laugh because its fun to try to get to peoples houses and where else can you go 4 wheeling on your mission and call it work lol! So we go to either Hollbrook or Winslow for shopping which is like 120 mile round trip, so ya it's pretty fun!
We got a bunch of snow here, like 4 inches! My new companion is Elder Hunsaker and he was in our district but served in Tohlakai for 2 transfers and then he and I were sent here together. I am a little sad because his old companion is taking my place and he and Elder Marple are getting a bunch of baptisms this month! I know that is the nature of the work but I would have liked to have been there for them. I have also been wondering what does the Lord want me to do? Does he want me to be the kind of missionary who works hard to fix the places were the work has struggled? Because that is how it was in Tohatchi until Elder Marple and I got there. I figured that is what the Lord wants me for and I won't let him down and I will help my new companion and this area it going to be awesome! There are so many nice people here!!
Anyway the senior missionary couple in Indian Wells has a computer for Skype and I would love to do that but I have to ask our mission prez on Tuesday. Wait for my call between 3 and 6 on Christmas Day and I will tell you all that is going on here and things that are going to happen and all of that stuff!
So that's all I have for this week!
Love ya all and Merry Christmas!!
Elder Christensen
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
The work is going great!
Hey Everyone,
Thank you for the money! I will be getting a suit today because the one I have is starting to get dirty and sorta smelly and needs to be dry cleaned soon.
Well we haven't had any transfer news this week but we will find out on Saturday! Our predictions are Elder Marple will be a zone leader and I will be training! The exciting thing is that there is a big focus on the work here! In January we are getting at least 14 more missionaries and 16 after that and 20 after that! It is crazy but amazing!! We need it so bad because there are still areas of this mission that we just don't have enough missionaries to get to! Things here are looking up we are having a baptism on the 17th and we are setting 2 more dates this week. I hope that I don't get transferd just before this baptism and because the work here is going so great now! The Lord has made it possible for us to keep working and I am so grateful, I just don't want to leave yet!
If you really want me to make list of what I want for Christmas I will gladly do it! I want a computer, some movies and..I'm just kidding! I really would just love some music! It doesn't matter what it is, but that would be nice and oh, Elder Holland's talk about the Book of Mormon from I think the 2008 or 2009 General Conference in April I think, so that would be great!
My most spiritual event this week was when I was in Tohlakai, New Mexico last Monday and Tuesday. Elder Marple was in Farmington for a bit and I went with the other missionaries in Tohlakai to all of their lessons and stuff. We met a man named Willard who reads the Bible and the Book of Mormon and compares them and it was super amazing. The spirit led us to say what we really needed to say. It was such a blessing to help him understand what the Spirit feels like and to help him understand how the Book of Mormon is another testament of Christ!
Anyway I'm outa time gotta go!
love ya
Elder Christensen!
Thank you for the money! I will be getting a suit today because the one I have is starting to get dirty and sorta smelly and needs to be dry cleaned soon.
Well we haven't had any transfer news this week but we will find out on Saturday! Our predictions are Elder Marple will be a zone leader and I will be training! The exciting thing is that there is a big focus on the work here! In January we are getting at least 14 more missionaries and 16 after that and 20 after that! It is crazy but amazing!! We need it so bad because there are still areas of this mission that we just don't have enough missionaries to get to! Things here are looking up we are having a baptism on the 17th and we are setting 2 more dates this week. I hope that I don't get transferd just before this baptism and because the work here is going so great now! The Lord has made it possible for us to keep working and I am so grateful, I just don't want to leave yet!
If you really want me to make list of what I want for Christmas I will gladly do it! I want a computer, some movies and..I'm just kidding! I really would just love some music! It doesn't matter what it is, but that would be nice and oh, Elder Holland's talk about the Book of Mormon from I think the 2008 or 2009 General Conference in April I think, so that would be great!
My most spiritual event this week was when I was in Tohlakai, New Mexico last Monday and Tuesday. Elder Marple was in Farmington for a bit and I went with the other missionaries in Tohlakai to all of their lessons and stuff. We met a man named Willard who reads the Bible and the Book of Mormon and compares them and it was super amazing. The spirit led us to say what we really needed to say. It was such a blessing to help him understand what the Spirit feels like and to help him understand how the Book of Mormon is another testament of Christ!
Anyway I'm outa time gotta go!
love ya
Elder Christensen!
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