Happy Valentines Day!

Dear Mom, Dad, Amanda, Blake, Bennett, Aaron, friends and family!

I just want to say right off the bat how impressed I am at Blake's sassy face. You, my dear brother, have a natural talent! In all seriousness, I hope you will keep singing Acapella and let your younger brother join you in making beautiful acapella tunes. How did you and the other members decide what to sing? Are there section leaders in that kind of group?

You are amazing! Also, Aaron, how did your competition go? How did you feel going into the concert?

I did get the package and immediately enjoyed the warm, fuzzy sweater you sent! On Sunday the   weather warmed up and it felt like a wonderful glimpse into spring. Winter, however, is not quite finished. Today we have been blessed with sleet and snow as a reminder to not pack up our long sleeve shirts and overcoats. I almost thought that I might not need them again!

Elder F and I had a ton of opportunities to teach people for the very first time this week as we were outside trying our best to find people who will make the time to listen and who can overcome the many influences opposing the work here in such a modern country. As part of keeping organized records for ourselves and helping the leaders of the mission and church know how the work is progressing,  we keep results and numbers of all the people we invite, lessons we teach, investigators we have, and other important information. I was actually told on the street by a man that the work we do must be hard because of all the quotas that we have to fill and the deadlines to make. I hope that this is taken as seriously as possible when I say that not a single aspect of my work, of our companionship's work, and of any of Jesus Christ's missionary's  work is done in order to simply meet some set quota that marks us as a success or failure or gives us any sort of reward from the leaders of the church. When we stop someone and talk to them, it is driven by our love for them, however imperfect, and our sincere desire to somehow, someway, bring them into contact with this simple, but powerful message, that God the Father exists, that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior and Redeemer of the world, and that complete gospel of Jesus Christ and the authority from God necessary to perform saving ordinances were restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith. Then, we ask that everyone please test this message through study, sincere prayer, and a humble heart to see if it is not true. 

We're meeting with a young man who hasn't decided whether or not he even needs God in his life, but who had a desire to become a kinder person and eventually the kind of father who understands his children. He may be 25 years old, but I feel that we are similar in many ways. Please pray that he will be humble enough to recognize the promptings of the Spirit guiding him.

I love you all!

Elder Adam Christensen

In a good groove! February 8, 2016

I hope that after this last transfer Elder F and I stay together for a while! Working with new people is definitely a skill and provides opportunities for new growth, but now we've been able to get into a rhythm together and meet some incredible young people with interest in meeting and learning more, which means that a lot of changes often leads to people dropping off and a drop in effectiveness at least for a bit. We tried planning some time to play soccer last week, but with preparation for a mission tour from Elder Whiting of the Asia North Area Presidency we had to cancel it for now. But don't worry! We will do it eventually! We're getting a lot better at planning with each other and preparing for things in the future so that we can maximize what time we do have. I've grown to realize how precious time is especially in missionary work, and more now than ever we're trying to make the most of it.

Right now, we have a goal as a companionship to visit more members each week and build their confidence in us as teachers of the gospel and capable of inviting the Spirit into their homes. 

I haven't caught any glimpses of hamster bread yet, but you can bet I'll keep my eyes open! Something like that will surely not go unnoticed.

I love you,

Elder Christensen

New Companion in Kunitachi February 2016

Dear Mom,

 Transfer calls came and went! Sorry for not letting you know last week! Elder F is a fireball from Brigham City, Utah and has spent his whole mission up till now in F, but joined me in T to bring the gospel to everyone here! He's still 19, but is on transfer 12. He wants to become a Psychiatrist and wants to study at Utah State University after his mission.

He is the youngest in his family, and actually, his dad served in the Tokyo South Mission 35 years ago! Can you guess what his favorite sport is?

Those are two of the people who we are meeting with about 3 times a week to teach! The sisters here in Kunitachi actually teach the mother, who is 80 years old, separately for some "woman to woman" lessons, which seems to be working. When Elder D and I taught them together, she didn't seem to understand very well and her retention of information wasn't very good, but now she is flying! The sisters have given her the Liahona magazine and the children's Book of Mormon, complete with pictures. I wouldn't have thought that it would make too big of a difference to use the children's book versus the real thing when teaching, but it did!

She has slowly been developing her faith that there is a God in heaven, who is our Father, and that His Son, Jesus Christ, is our Savior, and she has said several times that she does believe, but that acting on that belief isn't as simple of a choice. 

Sister T, one of the Sister Missionaries and a Japanese sister, has really been able to help resolve the concerns she does have to help her build confidence. Resolving the concerns of others is an exhausting endeavor since there always seems to be more no matter many you solve. Plus, more often resurface when you thought you had solved them. There has come new meaning into the phrase "Charity suffereth long" (Moroni 7:45), but oh, how terrible I still am at being charitable.

Thankfully, I haven't had to correct people many times, and actually, all of the missionaries here are trustworthy people that have a determination keep the commandments and remain worthy to enter the temple of God. There are a surprising amount of temptations here in Japan that could threaten anyone, not just a missionary, to violate temple covenants or loosen their standards, but the missionaries and members stay faithful. The only corrections I've had to make have come when a standard just needed to be clarified so that there was no misunderstanding. 

Having entered the 14th transfer on my mission, I'm seeing more and more of the faces I know returning back home and going onward and upward to bigger and better things, but it is incredible how the mission is progressing as a whole. Under the leadership of President W as he was inspired of God, the missionaries here have grown in their ability to powerfully testify of the divinity of the Savior Jesus Christ and the reality of the Restoration of the His Gospel through the Prophet Joseph Smith in whatever language they may be speaking. 

I too know that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, the Savior prophesied of by ancient prophets, and I will put my entire reputation, all that I am, as little as that might be, on that testimony, which I know by the power of the Holy Ghost.

I love you all!

Elder Christensen

Sister K came to Japan with me, and is already going home! 

e-mail from January 25, 2016

Dear Mom, 

I know exactly how you feel, and I've actually felt myself end up on the painful end of the communication. 

As a district leader, a zone leader, and even before I had any formal leadership responsibilities I sought diligently to not only be an example of a disciple of Christ, but to encourage and assist others to live a higher standard of obedience.

In the Missionary Handbook, on pg. 62, there is a passage that I remember very clearly;

Opportunities to correct the attitudes or behavior of other missionaries [or anyone else for that matter] are important teaching moments. When handled with love, these opportunities build faithfulness and effectiveness in those who may otherwise fall short of what the Lord expects of them.  
And one in Doctrine and Covenants Section 121:43;
Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy;

Correction isn't too difficult to do, but it is one of the most difficult things to do well, and I'm not even a parent yet.  Dad and Mom, I'm sure you've felt this before, and I would really appreciate any insights you've gained on the subject. As a missionary, about 99.9% of the people I meet on the street, on the trains, in their homes, and in other various places have differing beliefs than I do as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I've also met people who remind me a lot of myself in a lot of ways, have many of the same desires as me, and have very similar personalities to myself as well. And yet, for example, the specific beliefs that we have are different. In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, we believe in a God, the Father of our spirits, in a Savior, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost. In Japan, there is a predominant belief in an "8 million gods" or a God in pretty much everything around us.

Trying to teach these principles on the street to people in Japan, I sometimes wonder to myself if its really that important or worth the trouble to clearly define the definition of God. While were visiting a less active member this last week, he got clearly upset with us as we taught that God gives commandments for us to follow because he believes that God is ok with what ever he chooses to do, and he felt like we were trying to force our perception of God onto him. 

I never want people to get angry at me! I don't like it, and I certainly don't look for opportunities to make people angry! However, I want to focus on "what is right, rather than who is right". 

I'm grateful for the chance that I have to teach the truth that I do know about our true identity as children of God with a potential to return to live with Him and eventually to become like Him, and for the truths that I don't yet understand, I hope that I can patiently, but diligently find the answers and help others find them as well.

We've actually been incredibly blessed to be working with a ton of amazing people here in K and this last week, there was progression and some resolving of concerns. One of our investigators is fine to meet and even to read the Book of Mormon and pray, but joining the church is something that he just refuses to do. In fact, he hasn't come to church for the past few weeks because he says that if we isn't joining there isn't any purpose in coming. But, we have pleaded with him to continue to come and at least continue to interact with the amazing people who attend on weekly. You don't have join the church to come to come to church! 

Love you all,

Elder Adam Christensen

Letter from January 19, 2016

Aren't birthdays incredible! I'm grateful for the chance that we
recognize each person for the great impact that they make in our
lives. What would life be like if they weren't there? One of my
favorite movies, "It's a Wonderful Life" explores that possibility and
teaches with simplicity the beautiful truth that "the worth of souls
is great in the sight of God" (Doctrine and Covenants 18:10) You never
know how much good you do. Grandpa has lived 88 years of blessing
other people, and we love him!

One of the fun activities that we get to do as missionaries is called
a "kubarikai", "配り会", or more appropriately, "see how many people you
can stop by just talking to them in English!".
In Japan, many people have a negative opinion of people passing out
fliers or just stopping people on the street in general. Oftentimes,
there are people trying to coerce customers to come into their bar or
check out their club. So In order to avoid that negative stereotype, a
lot of advertisers stand out of the way and quietly hold out fliers,
usually placed in a convenient package including free tissues (in case
you ever need them!).
In the midst of this craziness and with the pressure of become an
"お邪魔" weighing on your mind, I have found truth and success in the
scriptures. "Ye are a light unto the world. A city which is set on a
hill can not be hid...Let your light so shine before men that they may
see your good works and glorify your Father which is in Heaven"
(Matthew 5:14-16)
When you work with all your heart to love and serve others, you WILL
stand out. Some people will ignore you. Some people will call you not
very kind words. Some people will resent you and say you are just
seeking for attention. However, never, ever let yourself become
discouraged. When you are serving others in the name of Christ, you
are bearing witness of His love for them. When you sincerely serve
others, teach others true doctrine, and invite others to come unto
Christ in His name, you are "only in the service of your God" (Mosiah
2:17)

What a wonderful time to be alive!
Love,
Elder Christensen

Happy New Year! January 3, 2016

Dear Mom, Dad, Amanda, Blake, Bennett, Aaron, family and friends,

What a blessing it is to have deadlines! I've come to terms with the fact that I've entered the final 5 months of my mission here in Japan, but I don't think I've ever felt more prepared or more excited for anything in my life. Who could ever get trunky when there is so much good left to be done? I think it's pretty incredible that each of you are doing such great things, and I can't believe how far we've come already.

I love what is written to us in the Missionary Handbook from the Quorum of the Twelve  Apostles, "Time is one of the most precious resources you've been given". God has lovingly given us time to learn, grow, and experience, and he has also mercifully and lovingly given us an end to that time as well. Death comes suddenly and it also can come slowly, but if we are prepared, we don't need to fear. I am grateful for God's loving gift of His Son, Jesus Christ, who showed us the way to prepare, and who, through His sacrifice and through our obedience to commandments and sacred covenants, will lift us to the greatest gift and reward in existence, eternal life! 

I love my Heavenly Father. I love Christ, and I desire to be like them!

With all my love,

Elder Christensen

So great to talk to you!! December 27, 2015

Dear Mom, Dad, Amanda, Blake, Bennett, and Aaron,

 Sometimes the biggest weaknesses I find in myself are in the simplest human relations, but thank goodness for a Savior who gave us second, and third, and fourth, and fifth chances, Even Babe Ruth, the king of home runs, also had the less well known stat of most strike outs. 

I was thinking about your scripture challenge, Dad, and I had a really meaningful study into the scripture," give us this day our daily bread". The ancient Israelites in the Old Testament were given manna every day, exceptSunday, for 40 years to remind them of their dependance on the Lord. Even then, they were often slow to remember Him and were in need of constant correction. When Christ taught, He encouraged us to seek after correction, to submit ourselves to the Lord, rather than having to be submitted before following Him. When we pray, we should always remember our dependance on the Lord and need for His guidance in the things that matter most. I've lived many days that went according to plan, but since it was only my plan, nothing meaningful really happened. On the other hand, the days when I sought the Lord's guidance and what He would have me do have been the most meaningful and the most impactful. 

We will never reach a point in our life where "the touch of the master's hand" can't make our efforts, however big or small they may be, infinitely better. We just need to ask! And then follow the answers we are given.

What a blessing it is to serve!

Love,

Elder Christensen

This is not a random person, but an amazing family in our ward!

The kid in the bottom picture on the right is going to Salt Lake City for an exchange program!