small world meeting!

September 14, 2015

Dear Mom and Family,

The American man who came to church and sent you the picture of us is actually in the mission presidency of a mission in Georgia and has met the Hansens before! Small world stories just keep popping up! His former mission president is in our ward and loves giving us advice on what to do during our proselyting haha, to which we kindly respond that we follow both our mission president and the Holy Ghost but we would love to help him and his family with missionary efforts. 

It rained for a solid week here in Yokohama, but it didn't really flood here and cleared up beautifully! As of right now, we haven't heard of any instruction to assist with the relief efforts, so it seems like we will most likely be staying. Thank you for being such great people and giving your best in everything you do! Bennett, Sounds like your senior year is off to a great start! Keep it up my brother! How did you feel about the test?

This week we've been working to meet with those we've found over the last few months and helping them grow in the gospel and becoming more Christlike. With transfer calls in one week, we're trying to get in contact and meet with as many of them as we can just in case I end up leaving. One of the opportunities we had was to paint a bed frame for our investigators' daughters. Their dad is an uptempo man who often jumps to quick conclusions and judgements, which can be kind of frustrating since when we make even the smallest mistakes he points them out. While we were painting it was obvious that things weren't planned out very well and there were lots of flaws in the plan laid out: not enough paint or time to do it, kids running everywhere, etc. It could have been very easy to say either out loud or in my heart something like "who's talking now! It's not so easy being perfect is it?" But even stronger than my desire to be right or to defend my pride, I felt a love for him and for his family. How many dad's hand paint their children's beds? He may have many weaknesses, but he loves his children which is something praiseworthy and a godly attribute.

As it says over and over in the Book of Mormon God has "given us weakness that we may be humble" (Ether 12:27) for " this life is the time for men to PREPARE to meet God" (Alma 34:32). If we were already perfect or had everything handed to us on a plate, this life wouldn't be too fulfilling. 

This week I learned how to be more patient with the weaknesses of others and to forgive them their trespasses as I wish to be forgiven of mine. In the end, we all " sin and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23) and we all rely on Christ's Atonement for ultimate forgiveness. Don't hold grudges. It's not worth it. Help others be better than they are now and it will all be worth it!

I love you all!

Elder Christensen

small world experience! September 14, 2015

September 14, 2015

Dear Mom and Family,

The American man who came to churchs and sent you the picture of us is actually in the mission presidency of a mission in Georgia and has met the Hansens before! Small world stories just keep popping up! His former mission president is in our ward and loves giving us advice on what to do during our proselyting haha, to which we kindly respond that we follow both our mission president and the Holy Ghost but we would love to help him and his family with missionary efforts. 

It rained for a solid week here in Yokohama, but it didn't really flood here and cleared up beautifully! As of right now, we haven't heard of any instruction to assist with the relief efforts, so it seems like we will most likely be staying. Thank you for being such great people and giving your best in everything you do! Bennett, Sounds like your senior year is off to a great start! Keep it up my brother! How did you feel about the test?

This week we've been working to meet with those we've found over the last few months and helping them grow in the gospel and becoming more Christlike. With transfer calls in one week, we're trying to get in contact and meet with as many of them as we can just in case I end up leaving. One of the opportunities we had was to paint a bed frame for our investigators' daughters. Their dad is an uptempo man who often jumps to quick conclusions and judgements, which can be kind of frustrating since when we make even the smallest mistakes he points them out. While we were painting it was obvious that things weren't planned out very well and there were lots of flaws in the plan laid out: not enough paint or time to do it, kids running everywhere, etc. It could have been very easy to say either out loud or in my heart something like "who's talking now! It's not so easy being perfect is it?" But even stronger than my desire to be right or to defend my pride, I felt a love for him and for his family. How many dad's hand paint their children's beds? He may have many weaknesses, but he loves his children which is something praiseworthy and a godly attribute.

As it says over and over in the Book of Mormon God has "given us weakness that we may be humble" (Ether 12:27) for " this life is the time for men to PREPARE to meet God" (Alma 34:32). If we were already perfect or had everything handed to us on a plate, this life wouldn't be too fulfilling. 

This week I learned how to be more patient with the weaknesses of others and to forgive them their trespasses as I wish to be forgiven of mine. In the end, we all " sin and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23) and we all rely on Christ's Atonement for ultimate forgiveness. Don't hold grudges. It's not worth it. Help others be better than they are now and it will all be worth it!

I love you all!

Elder Christensen

October 19, 2015 letter

October 19, 2015

My dear family!
I'm listening to the talks from Conference often! It's difficult to
pick one in particular right now, but I loved them all! I haven't
gotten the package yet, but that doesn't mean it's not at the mission
office. I'll let you know when I get it!

Wow, I don't think I have to say it, but time is speeding by and my
friends are growing up without me! It's one thing to know that people
will eventually grow up, but it's quite another to actually see it
happen. We really need their strength, obedience, and faith in the
mission field because there are a lot of forces out here working
against us as well.


I guess I never really felt much of that opposition before or at least
I chose to ignore or avoid it before. The blessings and truths of the
gospel are certainly real and the happiest and most joyful of truths
out there. We are sons and daughters of a Heavenly Father who loved us
before, loves us now, and will always love us and seek to bless us.
The wonders of the world around us bear witness of it! Jesus Christ
lived, suffered for each of our mistakes, failings, shortcomings,
sins, died, and rose from the midst of the dead. Because of Him, we
too can overcome our natural desires to do wrong, do right, and live
with our Father in Heaven and families forever. This joyful message
was always a part of my life that I guess I didn't consider what the
burdens would be. Recently, I've felt perhaps God has been allowing me
to feel more of the burden and pain that comes with discipleship
although I'm not sure I fully understand why.
When all is said and done though, I would much rather choose this
path, the path less traveled. I don't know all of the lessons that I
need to learn from my mission, but I do know that Christ has promised
that he won't leave us comfortless when we must, of necessity, suffer.
As painful as the climb of repentance can be, the joy of looking back
from the summit of success is worth it.

From your loving son,
Elder Christensen

Adam's e-mail from October 11, 2015

Dear Mom, Dad, Panda, Blakey, BenBen, Aayayron, 

Yes! We watched all of the sessions as an entire stake, members and missionaries included.

One thought rang particularly true for me today as I was trying to pay better attention to the promptings from the Spirit during the day. With the thousands upon thousands of people around us, there are really endless opportunities for us to talk to people, but God in his infinite mercy and understanding often places prepared people literally RIGHT NEXT to us. He could easily guide them somewhere else and then make us pay extra attention to the Spirit and do something really bold like push through a crowd, run across a street etc., but instead, he has them walk next to us so we can casually say hello to start it off. Elder Renlund's words are fitting description for this: God often calls and blesses us "in spite of what we've done". For all our weakness, he rewards every step we try to take in the right direction. 

I love the Carswells so much! Norah looks like a happy healthy baby too. How do they all feel about their new baby sister? 

I haven't gotten the package yet, but I'll keep my eyes open for it! 

Have you all picked scriptures to "ponderize" this week? I would love to hear all of the ways you come up with to share those scriptures with those around you and incorporate them into your lives!

God knows us and our situation perfectly, and I have chosen to believe that God knows the thoughts and intents of our hearts and acts in the way that will best help us. For "all things have been done in the wisdom of him who knoweth all things". How do you feel about the idea of a God who knows everything, from start to finish, from top to bottom? 

We spoke to a woman on the street the other day who thought that such a God might as well be a puppet master manipulating us on his whims, and if we accept that, then we must simply be chess pieces, lab rats, in some already decided game. It wouldn't be fair. Rather than believe that, she believed that there must be no God, and only she decided what would happen to her. No one already knows what she will do.

On the other hand, we believe in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints that although God knows everything, He has given YOU the power to choose, whether it will be to you eternal benefit or eternal condemnation. He knows there will be some people who deliberately choose to do wrong despite knowing what is right, and there will be many who will earnestly seek to do the right. "Well, what is right and what is wrong?", the cynics ask. The truth is, you already know. It has been etched into your heart, taught to you my loving leaders and parents, and perfectly shown to you in the life of Jesus Christ. If you openly and honestly review the teachings of Christ, with nothing held back and with a desire to change to do what is right, you will know in your heart that they are true. If you do that, I promise you that making decisions will become so much easier. You can know for yourself what is right. Don't listen to all of the false voices telling you that it's different for everyone or that each person decides what is right and wrong for themselves. That is a not true principle. 

There is more to this life than just to have fun, get a lot of money, see the world, or other such empty goals. Don't give up hope! If you ever feel unsure or frustrated, I want you to know that you can come to me with questions or please ask my parents or my siblings! They're amazingly loving!

With all my love,

Elder Christensen

From strangers to friends. October 4, 2015

October 4, 2015

Dear Mom, Dad, Amanda, Blake, Bennett, and Aaron,
General Conference is one of the 7 Wonders of the Modern World in my
opinion, and I think my favorite part is that we can review it over
and over and over again whenever we feel so prompted! I think I can
patiently wait until next week. There's one thing in particular this
week that stuck out to me in a whirlwind of emotion and events. Last
night, we were invited over to dinner with the family we met whose
sister is a member and nephew is serving in Fukuoka. I really didn't
know what to expect and both Elder P and I were wondering if
they would give us any time to share a message. We felt the chances of
a nice, full "lesson" was not really something worth considering. More
than anything though, we felt their love. It's not often we get
invited to spend time with anyone. Rather than trying to plan how to
create a gospel discussion, I was reminded of a quote from Elder
Holland in Preach My Gospel: "These people are not lifeless objects
disguised as baptismal statistics. They are children of God, our
brothers and sisters, and they need what we have." As we ate over one
of the most delicious meals I've ever had, their hearts opened up. We
felt a connection with them, and they felt the same. As we shared our
testimonies of morality, faith, and prayer, we could see hope building
in their eyes. Even though one or two expressed several times that
they didn't have any inclination to believe or rely on any god, let
alone a Christian one. It seemed like they wanted to believe in
something good that could bring an end to the various problems in the
world. I felt somewhat like Paul when King Agrippa said that he almost
felt like becoming Christian, but we both felt a strong love for each
and every one of them. Each and every person has doubts and struggles
and reasons for their beliefs, but I truly believe that often they
want to believe in something more if only given the chance. The
restores gospel of Jesus Christ is that hope that never dies, it has
held up to thousands and thousands of years of pressure and still
brings hope and changes hearts. You have my promise it will not fail
you! Keep trusting! Keep believing! Share that hope with someone else!
We all need saving after all.
Love you all!
Elder Christensen

New City and New Companion September 28, 2015

There are 6 missionaries in Kamakura, which means that both Heavenly Father and President Wada trust us here to find people who are prepared to hear about the gospel! I've gone back to the "less populated" parts of the mission where there are just hundreds of thousands, not millions of people to talk to! The ward has about 60 people who come actively, and many more less active. So many of the ward members are bright, energetic, and fired up, which gives me energy too! We have several investigators who have all begun to take lessons recently. Lots of interest in learning, but the faith to make changes in their life is still something we are trying to help with.  

A hasn't responded to our messages yet since he's gone to America. I first made contact with his family with Elder M, while we were housing one night. His mom answered the ping pong box and said they weren't interested in religion. At that point, we had no idea who A was. Fast forward several transfers, and Elder M and I were in a store getting chopsticks before going to meet an investigator, when I saw a tall boy and a younger girl walking in front of me. I wanted to talk to them, but I wasn't sure what to say at first. They stopped and looked at some ice cream, and I went over and began talking to the. That was A and his younger sister. At the time, they were unsure about making any promises, but we invited them to church. The next transfer, Elder N ran into him on the street without knowing who he was, but A remembered me and wanted to come to church the next Sunday, which he did! When I went back to his house to visit him, I realized that I had been there before and how incredible the whole experience was! Who would of thought that the son of the woman who turned us down would be interested and then bring his mom to church?! That is simply a miracle, and I am grateful God let me see it!

My new companion is Elder P from Payson, Utah! He's a singer and a fan of hearing long stories! I love you all so much! 

Tell me all the good news from Conference!

Love, Elder Christensen

Transfers and new friends! Sept. 21, 2015

Dear Mom!

We did hear about transfers this last Saturday, and after 7 and a half months in this lovely place called Hodogaya, I'll be transferring to Kamakura, home of the giant Buddha statue! Check it out online;It's pretty big and Japanese! Actually, our ward and Eikaiwa went there for a trip my first transfer here so not a first, but still a first for living there! My companion is Elder P  from  Utah, which is right next to Spanish Fork and although asked, it seems that he doesn't know the Anderson's, sorry! 

Care package......black shoe polish would be fantastic! I would love to have some thoughts and testimonies from everyone that I can share with people or put into Books of Mormon. I think that should be all from me though!

There are usually one or two missionaries in each area who are there for over 6 months, which provides a nice foundation of trust in both the ward, at English class, and with investigators and experience for the younger missionaries. It was a little strange being that missionary for the first time in my mission, and I feel like I may have gotten a little power hungry  and a little cocky by the end. By cocky, I mean assuming that I need to take the lead in everything and be the first one to answer, volunteer to do something, or assign something to be done. 

I seem to spend so much of my time looking up to incredible people and dreaming of the moment when I can be that great, that when I finally am in that position of leadership, I expect everyone to look up to me in the same way that I did. As I've thought about the person I want to become, I don't want to be a solitary leader who does everything on his own, no matter how skilled or intelligent I am. To be honest, it's lonely and only leads to conflict with those around you and overconfidence in yourself. There is a reason why there are so many councils in this church and no solitary leaders. The only person who has the right to solitary leadership is God. No normal human should ever think himself as more important than another, but as a fellow imperfect brother or sister. Once we realize this than we can all learn to rely on the one person who gave everything, his life, his blood, his whole being, so that we could overcome our weaknesses, and that person is Jesus Christ. We all need saving, and no one is excluded.

Mom, I just want you to know that what you did for that girl is literally the thing I most aspire to emulate! To all the people who receive this email, please never forget the people around you. Take the time to make someone's day. If you're busy, I understand. Maybe it's only that one person on the bus to work or in the lunch line, but I promise you that it's THOSE actions, those Christ-like actions that make this world a better place. I promise that if we take that little effort without fear, we will notice that when we lift our hands and serve, God truly does bless us as well.

On the invitation of Elder A's father, we had an elder's lunch at a steak restaurant called Hungry Tiger. For those of you who don't know, today was a holiday in Japan called 敬老の日 or respect the elderly day. At this restaurant, we took our orders and began to talk amongst each other. When the waiter came back, I asked him whom he was specifically honoring for this holiday. He replied that there was a server who had worked there for 48 years and that everyone was honoring him today. I asked the waiter if he could invite that man over so I could say thank you in person, and he agreed. Mr. Oi was one of the kindest people you could ever meet! He let us take a picture, and I bet he came back about 5 times after that to say thank you, give us some chocolate, and then say thank you again. We told him we were missionaries, and that he was a truly special person! I have no idea what happened after that, but I am grateful for little miracles and people that God places in our life. 

Good luck at Homecoming Bennett! Be a gentlemen and a stud! 

You're going to to amazing playing at halftime Aaron! Play some Kenny G too( I know he's not the best, but I like him!)

Love you all,

Elder Christensen

Also, this is  friend Andy came to church with his mother and sister yesterday! He is planning on getting baptized before going to Las Vegas for boxing next week! Do we know anyone their who he can meet and go to church with? Keep him in your prayers!