Adam's post from March 9, 2015

I am in awe of Bennett's performance at the dinner show! Freak, when did you get so good?
it's just gone uphill from the Jazz concert before I left! Now your going to sell Pizza? Does
this mean I can eat for free when I get back?! I always knew you would
pull through for me!
I wish I had time to comment more! Happy Birthday Mom! I took some
time to say it on Facebook, but thank you for making your life an
example for us to follow and showing us how to make the most of the
time we have.
Our main focus as a companionship has been our friend and investigator
D. He's only been an investigator for about 5 months, but he loves
the missionaries and is always giving his time for us. He has had a
lot of struggles in his life and is in the midst of overcoming several
of them which is taking a mental and physical toll on him and us. I
really have no idea how to help with most of them, but we're praying
as a companionship that the teachings of the gospel will sink into his
heart. We're trying our best to help him build a foundation for his
life on the gospel and start from square one despite many setbacks. So
often, I've taken the gospel and everything else in my life for
granted, but it's time to do my best to provide an opportunity for
others to try it out and see for themselves the peace and comfort that
it brings.
Love,
Elder Christensen

Adam's transfer to Hodogaya! February 25, 2015

Dear family,
I love you all! How can I explain the events of this week in a short
amount of time? First of all, my time in Odawara has drawn to a close,
and I'll be transferring to Hodogaya to be with Elder S,  my
second Japanese companion. I feel as though I've met him before, but I
don't really know for sure so I'll keep you updated soon! As a quick
run through,

1. One day of pure miracles Saturday the 21st; the first man we talked
to we went to his house, taught a full lesson, and gave him a Book of
Mormon, met a less active who has been really hard to contact,and  had
a incredible conversation about the necessity of this latter day
church with a potential investigator.
2. Combined Mission Conference with Elder Ballard, Elder Rasband, and
Bishop Stevenson; They all spoke about the absolute necessity of
complete obedience, become master teachers, especially about the
Restoration and PMG chapter 3 lesson 1, and taking advantage of every
opportunity given to us to preach and testify. Elder Ballard is truly
an incredible missionary and is one if the great missionaries of this
era, and when he spoke to us, I was moved by his desire, testimony,
and Spirit. He told us that teaching requires incredible amounts of
practice, but that it is indispensable in missionary work. My pride is
still an obstacle that I need to overcome since I tend to talk too
much and not listen or pay attention to teaching for understanding.
Fortunately, I have a lifetime of practice!

I wish I had more time, but I want you all to know that this work was
never meant to be for just a few people or for just a few years and
then be done. This is a work of eternal proportions and will role
forth until it fills the world with light!

Love, love love,
Elder Christensen

Adam's post from February 17, 2015

Dearest Mom, Dad, Amanda, Blake, Bennett, Aaron, and my friends all
around the world,
I wish I had enough time to say all that's been going on in my head
the last last, but I didn't plan out my time well today and only have
a few minutes so I'll try to make the most of the time that I have and
I pray that the Spirit will guide me to say something that will help
you all.
Our investigator with a baptismal date decided to stop meeting with us
and coming to church because he became incredible busy with his
physical training that he does to fight his diabetes. When we offered
to stop by and give a message or help out (he lives alone with his
mother who's fairly aged), he replied that he couldn't take the time
so it isn't worth the effort.
In gospel principles, we studied the meaning of honesty and how it is
simple in principle, but the temptation to be dishonest frequently
overcomes our better judgement.
I don't know all the reasons why the real world seems so much harder
and more complicated than the simple truths that we all know and feel
in our hearts. I don't know why religion seems to be the cause of so
much of the conflict in the world, and and there is nothing worse than
feeling like you're surrounded by influences at you can't escape and
you can't fight. We were able to teach a simple lesson at church to
the father, who is not a member, of a part member family about
Heavenly Father. As we taught, I felt in my heart, without a shadow of
doubt, the burning truth that God is there, that he loves us, and that
he is doing everything in his power to help us along. All we have to
do is have the faith to reach out, to let go of our own doubts, and
trust in Him. I promise that He will help you, and I testify of that
truth as a representative of Jesus Christ. If you seek after Him with
an honest heart, you can know of this truth for yourself, and when you
do, please don't hesitate to talk to one of the thousands of
missionaries around the world. It can get pretty lonely out here
sometimes, and I'm sure it would probably be one of the happiest
moments of their lives as well as yours.
Love you all,
Elder Christensen

Adam's nugget from February 9, 2015

Dearest mother, father, sister,brother, brother, brother, and friends, and family,

I read recently in the Old Testament, New Testament, and in the Book of Mormon about the practice of offering sacrifices and the connection between our determination to serve God and the types of "sacrifices" that we offer as a reflection of that commitment. In ancient times, they offered the firstling of the flock, unblemished. In the New Testament, the account of the widow's mite illustrates what constitutes a true sacrifice. Can we say with confidence that our sacrifices to God are the best that we have to offer? Are we holding back some part of ourselves because of doubt, fear, or stubbornness? I'm far from perfect, but the most joyful moments I've seen are when I put aside those concerns and lay everything on the table and let God do the rest. I hope that we can all think of something we're holding back and in a spirit if humility, let it go, and I promise that the blessings will come for God has promised it.

Love,

Elder Christensen

Happy Monday! Adam's e-mail from February 2, 2015

Happy Monday!
You know, it's kind of funny how a 6 hour drive home seems so short to
us in America, but for most Japanese people anything longer than a 2-3
hour trip seems unbearable! I've heard so many times that Tokyo is so
far from Odawara, but in reality it's probably the same distance as
Twin Falls.
This week I've spent a lot of time reflecting on past experiences,
past companions, past problems and working to learn from them in order
to help both in the present and in the future, and one thing that
stood out to me is that I've always hesitated to commit fully to
anything, people, goals, etc. and it's led to me not achieving as much
as I think God has planned for me. Part of it comes from a fear of
failure and part of it comes because I like so many things that it's
hard to make up my mind between what's right and what's a fleeting
fancy. Coming on a mission has taught me several things. First, God
does not expect us to do everything by ourselves. There are 15 million
people living in the Tokyo area, and there is not possible way I can
help all of them by myself, but I can do my best to help those few
people that God has blessed me to come in contact with. The worth of
souls truly is great in the sight of God, and there is also a time and
a season for everything under the heavens. God has his own timing for
everything, and our responsibility is to be ready, worthy, and willing
to do it. With that in mind, I've made a firm commitment to be a more
dedicated, compassionate, bold, diligent, and Christ like missionary
to my companion Elder N, our investigators and friends, branch
members, and random people on the street. We were blessed to meet 3
new people who have agreed to let us teach about the restored gospel
of Jesus Christ, and one of them, A, lives about 30 seconds from
the church, but had never heard anything about it before. We first saw
him as we were walking down the street, but he turned and went into
his home. Not to be deterred, we went and rang the doorbell, and to
our surprise the door opened to him sitting on the floor. We started
talking, and it turns out he had thought about joining a Christian
church years ago, but had never taken any steps to do so. After he
came to church yesterday, he has a lot more questions than before, but
we're working to help him build his faith step by step until soon he
can go on his own! Keep us in your prayers!
 Let us not take any relationships or the trust of others for granted.
It doesn't matter how much time or effort it takes because one can't
place a price tag on a true friend. Someone who loves you enough to be
straight with you sometimes and tell you when you're doing something
wrong, but will never, ever abandon you and will always make you a
better person than before.
And don't forget that the little acts of kindness are the most important!
Love you with all my heart,
Elder Christensen

The man with me in the picture lives n Meridian and came here for work and to visit a
mission companion who lives in our branch! I just can't seem to escape
Boise!

i

January 26, 2015 Letter from Adam

There really aren't a ton of new vegetables that I have learned to like, but there's
corn, lettuce, cabbage, mushrooms (I count them as vegetables), peas,

and probably some other ones although I haven't been keeping track :) wish I could say that I'm always bold, but I still can't say that quite yet.
The hardest part about being bold is that it's never the same and
sometimes it seems to be hurting more than helping. It would be nice
if every person was happy to talk to you about church, but that
usually isn't the case. Actually, I think I've been ignored more than
anything, which makes talking about anything hard. I never know quite
what to do when people simply don't acknowledge me. Sometimes I walk
around with them for a little bit and just keep talking, although as
far as effectiveness goes, it's not the greatest. However, there are
still a lot of people in Japan so there are many opportunities to go
out there and work! A lot of foreigners come to Japan for work and
because the government plays a big role in health care, etc.  

(referencing the Smiths being in the Tokyo airport recently)
Dang,  just missed them! I may only be a couple hours by train from
Tokyo, but it feels like a continent! There is just no end to the city
or to the people! Were they able to leave the airport at all?
The primary here only has a few kids, so it's kind of hard to picture
such a big group! It is nice to know that kids are pretty much the
same everywhere you go!
Go get em Aaron! How's the preparation  for all state band going?
 It feels like you've been traveling a lot recently, but maybe that's
just because mission time goes by so much faster. Will the whole
family be to St. George?
The Tanner's are an incredible example of both Christlike service and
missionary work, and give them my apologies for not being as diligent
as I should have been when they came over before. They are truly
magnifying their callings!

 I'm pretty sure it was my first covert baptism, but if it wasn't, it
was at least the first one that I can remember going to. Right after
the baptism, there was even a sacrament service in Spanish and
Portuguese! We didn't have any investigators to go with, but the other
elders from Odawara met a man on the way to the baptism who decided to
go with them. As we spoke, he told us in a somber tone that he had
recently become homeless and practically lived off the clothes on his
back, but that seeing so many happy people together was something that
he had never experienced before. Our Ward Mission leader, who is an
accomplished lawyer and great example, spoke to him about finances for
a little bit, and the Fujisawa missionaries, our zone leaders, began
to to teach him a little bit more about the gospel. He said that it
was the first time in a long, long time that anyone had shown this
much kindness and care to him. Plus, a woman from the Philippines came
into the building after seeing a lot of people gathering, and as the
sisters spoke with her, they learned that she already had a Book of
Mormon! After staying for the service, she asked how soon she and her
family could get baptized! The baptism was amazing, and in addition to
it being translated into 3 different languages at once, I got to bear
my testimony! I spoke about the power of new beginnings. 

The N family is so amazing! They're moving back to Brazil in February, but
they told me to visit after my mission so now I have the perfect
excuse! How would you all feel about a trip to Brazil?
They all have such strong testimonies, and are sensitive to the still
small whisperings of the Spirit.
They may not be Japanese, and it may not be me teaching them (one of
these days it will happen) but I really can't deny the hand of God in
this work even if I tried. There are simply too many witnesses to me
that God exists, that He loves us, and that he wants us to do
everything in our power to choose the right, just like any loving parent
would. However, Satan wants the exact opposite. He would rather see
our lives in shambles, our family torn apart, our dreams left
unrealized, and hopes shattered. He would rather our lives be filled
with oppressive pessimism than uplifting and inspiring optimism. Who
would want to follow such a being?! If there is ever a time where you
face a difficult choice, always remember this and choose the right!
God and Jesus Christ are our biggest fans, our sideline supporters,
our coaches, our trainers, and our teammates, and following their
counsel will bring you everlasting joy. No matter what you goals is,
to exercise more, to be a better friend, a better parent, a more
diligent student, this gospel will give you what you are searching
for!

Love you with all my heart,
Elder Christensen
1. Splits with the Elder Petersen with the Wada Family and Enomoto
兄弟,members from Fujisawa!
2. We went into the mountains to find a less active, but were
unsuccessful. We did, however, get to talk to some lovely people.

January 19, 2015 quick note from Adam

I wish I could tell you all how much it means to me to get all the
gifts and love that you sent, but I would probably  not succeed
because my English and Japanese are both not very good right now!
Quick update: the sister missionaries have a baptism this next week
for the daughter of a couple from Brazil who were baptized only a few
years ago. Their daughter came to Japan, began lessons, and now has a
baptismal date, right before going back to Brazil with her Family!
One big miracle!
We've had several appointments fall through and several people drop
contact with us, but we keep talking to more people and new
opportunities are appearing all around us!
Missionary work is the craziest thing I've ever done, the most
difficult thing I've ever done, but it's changing me in ways I never
could have possibly imagined. Things that I hated to do (eat
vegetables, invite people to learn more about the gospel, be bold)
have now become a part of me. I'm not even sure what I'll be like by
the end of my mission, but I know that as long as I give my all and
keep Christ in my mind at all times, and in all things, and in all
places, there is no need to fear. Christ and  God's plan for this
life is the only thing in this world that gives this life meaning.  
Without it, families are just a convenient organization, this life is
a time to mess around and have fun, and there is no hope to drive us
through the hard parts of life.

I love you!
Elder Christensen

Last day as a district in Odawara