mais 3‏ Mon, 23 Nov 2015

Whats up family!,

Man this week was a blur. I've probably already said this a billion times. But its for real. These weeks are flying by. We worked a bunch and it was good to finaly bring someone to church after all this effort. Her name is Rosa and she is 88 years old! ha But she is great. She is the mother of a lady that we have been working with. Really funny people and yeah pretty humble too. But Rosa is great cause she is a little more reliable. First time we asked her to come to church she said no.. Then a week later she said yes and was actually ready to go and kept her word. You can always rely on the older people who still have moral codes and keep their promises. Looks like this next week will be her baptism too. (I know is pretty fast) Should be good though. She has sufered a lot in her life so this should be something that will really help her feel comfort. haha her daughter is still a work in progress. We also found some cool investigators that wern't able to make it to church but should be cool to work with this week. Really seeing the blessings in my life and getting home exagsted everyday. Maybe I will have a thanksgiving this week witrh Maritza but we will have to wait and see. She is a recent convert who lived in USA and London for 6 years of her life so she still carrys on the american traditions. Should be great!

Family, M&D- nooo email down.. haha but thats all good. I will still be on for another 40 min or so. So if you get this in time just shoot over a message. Glad to hear that the sisters are great and that christmas is coming up already in the house. Dave and Deb were in our house? cool cool. Lambsons- Jen I loved the poem. Thought it was sweet. So true about the RedVines though.. Miss it. Keep on keeping on there in the cold. When does school get out for Conway? W&S&B- Love you guys and I hope the house is great. Kodras- Thanksgiving on strike. haha Black Friday.. man.. i still have nightmares of that stuff. Crazy people. Have a good one and I hope the move is over with this week then.. 

Family.. Still havent bought any of you anything.. haha I know its pretty lazy and procrastination on my part but this next week for SURE. Mark my words. Alright? Very good 

#3moreweeks

Amor de coração!

Elder Christensen 

we had time to kill before the churrasco last week so we went into Carajás (brazilian home depot)​

Hey there everyone‏ November 16, 2015 at 6:32

Family, 

Oh my heck this time is just flying. I have never felt so tired. Everyday I get home I just feel dead. But this is good. Gotta work until ya drop right? This week was full of good things and a lot of lessons but we didnt get anyone at church. Less Actives nor investigators. But man yeah its kinda a bummer to not have anyone there but we will work even harder with different people this week. We have a woman named Joseleny that is cool and we gave here a blessing and then visited her later that day and she was tons better. SO now she has a testimony in the power or the priesthood and faith and stuff but now she has to get married.. Lets see if we can help them out in time before I leave. Its a complicated family. Ha We are doing a bunch a FHEs and inviting people who we are working with to go a participate. So that is working and we will continue to do that. 

P-day today was pretty good. Played some soccer at the church. Did I mention to you guys that I live right next to the chapel. So yeah it was pretty good and for lunch we will go to a churrasco (bbq all you can eat meat). For lunch we always just do our own thing and today the money falls on the card so you have to ball out right? Should be good but again we will not have time to buy stuff downtown today. So next week for sure haha. These P-days are growing shorter.. weather here is getting crazy hot. Its so weird to me when you guys say that its cold outside. haha Just burning out here! haha 

Alright family. 

Sorry for the short letter but you know how it is sometimes..

AMOR de CORAÇÃO

​Our car.. haha jk we took this pic in the morning after soccer. haha ​

ELDER CHRISTENSEN

éta nos‏ Date: Mon, 9 Nov 2015

Family!

Man I feel like I say everytime but this whole thing is moving way too fast. So this week was a pretty simple one with a lot of new investigators and working a lot to reactivate these less actives. So it was been realatively good. Sunday was pretty stressful to see that our members arent really doing their part to help out the recent converts and frustrating that members kinda look to the missionaries to do all of the work here. But hey its all good. Just exhausting. Yesterday I went to a Baptist Church in a trade with a lady that went to our church in the morning. It was pretty cool to be the "investigator" and watch what other churchs do to welcome people and especially when the welcome 2 mormon missionaries. haha But i have to say overall it was a good visit. It also happend to be the Pastors birthday.. so we ate cake and mini pizza things.. haha it was a good day to visit! haha We are working a few families that were baptized be a few of my friends here on the mission and so I will start to reactivate them. Maritza speaks 3 languages fluently and she always trys to speake english with me but I am too nervous about it. haha She keeps on trying to destroy my portuguese by making me speak english. Other than all that this next week should be more of the same so lets get to it. P-day today I wont be going to Centro so you guys will still have to wait for all the goods. I think I should be able to get almost all of what you guys want. As far as packing for home. I dont plan on taking a lot of stuff home so there should be a LOT of space.

Alright I am out. Tired and ready for the end I think but I gotta give till I drop. Love you guys. Until next week

Tchau

ELDER CHRISTENSEN

Batizmos for dayzz.‏ Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2015 12:28

Hey Family.

Glad to hear all about the Halloween festivitys and all the good stories. My week was good and thankgoodness it was filled more with treats than tricks! haha So new area new companion. It has been good and I know that I am learning and growing a lot more than if I had just stayed comfortable in Geisel. So yep. My companions name is Elder Thomas Santos and he is from São Paulo. Pretty funny kid and its fun to work with him and see things through his eyes. I just have to remember that sometimes he really just doesnt know what to do. Have to guide him more than I expect sometimes. Its been great thou. This last friday we had to pleasure to watch and participate in the Baptism of Julia! It was awesome and the whole family was there. I was asked to do the Baptism and everything went by smoothly. I hope that her sister Ana keeps studying with the other Elders but it looks like she already felt a little attacked and shocked about the Baptism that the other missionaries tryed to mark with her...I know problem with brazil. But its all good. I told her to keep chill and just keep visiting the church and taking the discussions. Love that family. So then this sunday we also had a baptism in my area. It was all pretty much set up and should have happened last week but this week was better for the family so I got to help out as well. Arthur is the name of the young man and his Older brother was the one who baptized him. He reactivated himself these past few weeks with the other misisonaries and then recieved the priesthood this sunday and everthing worked out great to be able to baptize his brother. I think its a pretty neat story and fact that the older brother did the baptism should have a more lasting effect I think. Great family as well. We will keep working with them and leave him firm and strong in the gospel.

Funny story of the week that actually happend this morning. Was that we all went to play some soccer and then after to a backery to drink some Coke. We were chillen next to some bar side make shift sketch table cause all the other tabels were taken. I was sitting there talking to the new american missionary in English cause he just got here and I was helping him feel more comfortable when he both sit down on the ledge of this sketch (fake marble) counter top. Gave it 5 seconds before everything broke... haha So we both go tumbling down and everyone in the Bakery stops and is just looking at us... I was already laughing it out but the people there were pretty upset. haha So bottem line we will talk it out with the people cause the whole thing wasnt our fault. Could have happend to anyone so Im glad it was us and not some poor kid just playing on the side. haha Funny as heck though... 

Christmas is your call. Some new clothes would be cool but same size I think. I need to amp up my skinny jean game when I get back. Brazil has raised the bar.. hhaha jkChristmas will be a blast I am amped. Next week I will go Downtown and try to buy abunch of stuff for you guys. I think I got a rough sketch of wat to buy you guys. ITs the most wonderful time of the year!

Tchauuuuu Amor

ELDER CHRISTENSEN

ups and downs‏ Date: October 26, 2015 at 6:50

Hey there family.

So yeah this week was a pretty great week. Good to finish the transfer with such an awesome find and great family. Julia went to church again and its pretty much undoubtable that she will be baptized someday this week. The only reason that she didnt get baptized on Sunday was that her sister Ana (who also is super elect and ready to follow her sister) Has a pretty messed up foot and needed to go to the hospital sunday morning and couldnt make it to support and be there alongside. So timing just didnt match up. She is so great though and I got really close to that family. The only down side is that President in all of his wisdom, decided to transfer me... for my last transfer on the mission. So yep, Ramazotti stayed and so did some other missionary in the house with a lot of time there both stayed and I, who just got there this last transfer... was trasnfered out. So yeah Im just trying to keep a smile on. Not gonna lie it will be hard to have to leave the area but Im pretty close still and I think I will be able to make it to the Baptism on Julia on Friday night. Also crazy story before I move on to the next topic, was that all day Saturday, I was in the Hospital with Ramazotti. 12 Hours there... haha he had a monster high blood pressure and a pretty bad head ache so they didnt let him leave and had to do a bunch of tests. So Just a fun fact. I was thinkin about you that day nano.. Hospital at the same time right? close at least. But yeah Ramazotti is good to go and should have much problems there. 

So right now I am in Rangel with a new companion from São Paulo. He just started his mission 5 weeks ago so I will finnish his training right now. Should be interesting and we already know eachother from being in the same district. It will be a good way for me to finnish my mission. Training.. Gotta keep on my A game to help this kid out. Good ward it looks like. Just us 2 in the ward but we live right next to the chapel with another companionship. So just brazilians and one Peru in house. Looks like I will come home without any english practice. haha But seriously it should be a great learning experience and for sure Heavenly Father has a plan in all this. He knows where he wants his misisonaries and when he wants them there. Feels so werid to be on my last transfer already.....crazy how fast time passes.

Family, First OFF NANO CONGRATS!! Thats awesome! So happy for you guys and Reese is a keeper for sure. Just because he is more Christensen as well... haha Mom&Dad- Mom way to be a champ and arrive just on time. Glad you like your new calling and I hope you enjoy your week there taking care of Nano. Dad, your a spritual stud. Way to find the keys. haha Work hard and keep ridding that bike. Your the man. Lambsons! Halloween already? Thats awesome! Like the ideas. Jen way to help out but that is a bummer that you missed seeing Reese. Have a great week of Tricks and Treats! Love you guys. W&S&B- Wyoming! Thats so sick! Glad you made it there and that the hospital isnt too sketch. Keep working hard bro and for sure we are going ice fishing/snow mobiling when I get there. Kodras!- NANO YOUR NOT PREGNANT ANYMORE! good feeling? haha glad all went well and it appears that everything was a lot easier than when Maggs came. Love you kiddos and I hope the transition back home goes well.

Alright so these past weeks I must admit. I havent bought anyone anything.. Please send me a shopping list of everything that everyone would like and I will try my best near the end to get all of it. Pictures will come next week then...

LOVE YOU ALL

Com amor da coração

Tchauuuu

ELDER CHRISTENSEN

Baptisms Date: Mon, 19 Oct 2015

Hey family!,

So this week was pretty great. Just like the subject suggests, we had 2 baptisms this weekend. Nyra and Nielyda! One is the daughter of Sandro (who I am sure you guys have already heard about and have seen in the pics i have sent) and the other is his neice. They have been coming to church for quite sometime already and they already recieved basically all the lessons when I got here. Super awesome people. The reason the two have been held up so long on the baptisms was that the moms of each of them both thought they were too young and didnt really know what they were doing.. (Nyra- 11 and Nielyda with 9) but then the hour came when we really were trying to help them out that the mom sat down in front of the 9 yr old and asked her all these questions of why? and What does it really mean? and Nielyda just layed it down! She is so smart and she just bore her own testimony to her mom and convinced her that it was something that God needed her to do. Spirit was super strong! Love that in the church, a childs knowledge can confound the old and so called wise. Great experience and it was a really special week for Sando.

In other news about the work. We also found a lady named Julia while we were looking for a less active member. She is so open and loves us. She has two little ones and is just progressing super fast. She loved church and she really is studying and listening. It was an awesome find and 100% guided by the spirit. Hopefully she will continue to progress and we can talk to the husband this week two to see if she will accept a date for Baptism as well. I am SO HAPPY. I know that there are a lot of things that are still blowing up and going wrong around me and whatever small drama that the mission creates sometimes. But It hit me yesterday in church! I am just so naturally and comfortably happy. Gotta preach till I drop then.

This next week will also be the last week of this transfer.. I know its all jacked up. But this transfer ends and the last transfer of my mission will be 7 weeks as opposed to 6. (still get home at the same time and everything)  So look forward to Transfer news and what happens here in Geisel and what it will look like in the end for me. I would be surprised if I left for sure but I would also be surprised if the other Elders in house stayed. SO something has got to change. Should be an interesting week!

Family- M&D- House looks great! Good work people. I finnished reading Emails and I was like.. well.. looks like mom didnt want to write then.  Almost 2 years straight but looks like she just got tired of writting..ha (I got your email though.. now worries) Dad your a stud. The thought of 3 Hours on the bike makes me sick. Lambsons- Vacation! Happy B-Day JEN!!! whoot whoot! Para Bems então! Glad you are fillin your role as our second mom and taking care of nano. keep it up! W&S&B- Enjoy the Hotel for the next few weeks then! haha Hope all goes well with the transition. Kodras- NANO! Hang in there one more week! You can do it girl! Dig deep.. haha Enjoyed the sports update Anton but I am pretty sure if you say anything about sports during the labor, my sister will ring your throut.. haha 

Family, I love you but I dont miss you too much.

Lets get too it. 7 (8 but lets be honest the last one will be almost nothing) more emails until home!

Fica firme e forte! Até próximo gente!

Tchauuuu

Elder Christensen

ps the leg picture is a story... super funny. Just wait till after the mission..

Oh hey and the fireside stuff if whatever.. anytime anyplace I will be there.. dont know how many good pictures of stories I have but I will do whatever...

Happy Birthday everyone!‏ Date: October 12, 2015 at 8:13

Hey there people! 

What's up! I am 21? Craaazy talk. Man Well this week pretty much flew by for me! So yeah it started off pretty normal and we have been working a ton. Then about friday night, all the parties just went a-wall. We had chinese food with a part member family that is dope. Then we ate 2 more cakes on the day of my Birthday with some family and then that night we all went over to Sandros place and ate Açaí for dayzz..IT was a sick birthday and I am so gratefull for all these wonderful people in the ward. Man there are some good eggs over here. Sunday we brought a lady to church but is was the church in the afternoon and we actually found her on my birthday. I was a really quick, "Hey do you live here? Yeah awesome. Want to go to church tomorrow? - Sure... - Alright then." haha So yeah we went to the other ward that has there church in the afternoon. She is a really great lady and super nice. The original desire to visit was just to see how it was like but I really think she enjoyed it and maybe she has more of a purpose to take what we will teach more seriously now. But yep it was good. Also on sunday, I gave a talk that the bishop had told me about like 3 weeks ago when I first got here but never reminded me of. The church is being renevated and so the whole chapel is reduced to bricks and dust on the ground and no pulpit and no sound system. Also nobody wanted to use the fans cause everyone thought that they would die if the turned on the fans, and therefor the  lights had to be turned off because aparrently the light and energy needed will make it hotter... yeah.. but hey at least there isnt such a thing as glueten free bread here... haha (jk people these are all jokes. dont be offended) The catch fraze for the week was "The church is still true". SO yeah anyways It was a good talk I think. People laughed at my jokes.. I pretty much use the same material every talk I have to give so it was good. Talked about the Conference talk from april about the Music and Dancing. Got to have both. (aka Spirit and the funcions of the church) it was good. Then yeah Idk it was overall a great week and time is really just flying by. 

Family- Mom&Dad!- Merry Christmas! haha put West to work then and hope it looks good in the end! Love you guys and stay strong in the callings. You may not relize it from your angle but taking it from mine.. I would kill for just one Person that fulfilled their calling well.. So be the best Counciler or whatever comes and the lord will see it. Thats all that matters in the end. Lambsons! Happy Birthday Ellese! I remember that when you were born, you almost shared a spot with Simba on the Lion King Stage! haha Love ya Jen. Have a great visit helping out nano. W&S&B- hey there moving people! Thats awesome you guys are with the rents! On to the next experience now! Just in time for the Snow Tornados! haha Hope the trip is a success!  Go broncos.. or something like that. Kodras! - Hey the light is at the end of the tunnel right! Thats awsome that He is coming already! 2 Kodra Kids equils Krazy. Love you guys and hang in there nano! Thanks for the countdown... haha Yeah and what is this mom. Take down the flight plan! haha Crazy people..I will get home and it will be cool for like 1 day. Then you will all want me gone again... haha 

But hey dont worry about me. Im just having the time of my life and I am more full of energy than ever before. I love my mission. Also I studied ALMA 18:34 as my Ponderizer scripture this week. Super humble guy and just wanted to serve the lord. Good scripture. Also do you know the end of the stroy about Jonah and the Whale! haha super good and reminds us that we need to stay humble and love all people.

Alright well stay frosty there my people! Até próxima semana então meu queridos!

Tchãooooo

ELDER CHRISTENSEN