Wow, what a week...‏

Another week has come and gone, just like that! This week sure has
been interesting. Where to begin...

This week has been full of success, rejection, etc, you name it. We
have been rejected so much, its kind of a bummer. I've been called a
liar, a fake, and gringo, I don't know how many times. But, looking
past all of that, I just have to remember who I am, why I'm here, and
the message I bring. I don't have a ton of time, this computer was
freaking out for like 15 minutes. :/ I was so stoked to hear from my
bro's!! Thanks so much for writing me guys, I really appreciate it. I
love to hear about your lives, and whats going on! Bridge, I told you
from the beginning that rap=crap. Jaja, I'm glad you finally realize
it now :) Tanner! Bro, way to go with your recital! You are doing so
good on the piano! Keep practicing, and when I get home, I expect to
hear even better! Ethan, dude your trip to St. George sounded like a
blast! That's sweet you got to go in the Caltons plane! Oh, mom, tell
Chloe and Chase congratulations for me! I'm stoked for them! And tell
Danielle as well! That's so great she's found "the one", lol. Send them
my love!

So anyway, our baptism didn't turn out this week. I've never seen
Satan work so hard! 2 weeks have passed, and still she hasn't been able
to be baptized. Its really made me realize how real Satan is, and how
hard he works on us as missionaries, and even more on our
investigators. But, I know that we have power over him and his lies,
so we will move forward everyday without rest!

I am continuing to learn so so much. Every day I learn something new.
These skills and habits I learn here in the mission will help me
throughout my life! I love my mission more than anything. This really
is the best thing I can be doing right now. Even though at times I get
down. When I was called a liar and a fake, it hurt. I was down for
almost that whole day. But I talked with Humberto, and he helped me a
lot. How can I get down and discouraged, when we have this knowledge
and hope? I will for now on try my best to continue to be positive and
share my smile! :) I hope you enjoy the pictures this week! We hiked a
huge mountain, and today were going to Lampa to check out a cave!

Anyway, I have to go now! Mom, my old pensionista and their family
loved the gifts! Good job! I hope that everyone is doing well, and in
good health! I love you ALL more than you know. Keep your heads up,
and keep reading the scriptures and having FHE. Mom, get me some good
FHE ideas! Porfavorrrr!!!! I continually pray for each and every one
of you. Keep my investigators in your prayers. We've been finding a
ton of people to teach, and its truly an answer to my prayers.

Hasta la proxima semana,
Elder Christensen

De Perù, con amor.‏

Well, another week has come and gone just like that. Were almost done
with March! Crazy how time flies.

So, as you all know, I'm training a new missionary. Elder Aguilar. He
is fresh out of the CCM, and is as green as can be. Jaja, I love it
though. He has a desire to learn and to work, and I'm showing him the
ropes. I'm trying my very best to be a good example to him. Waking up
at 6:30 on the dot, exercising, studying, all that jazz. I LOVE the
exercise bands you sent me!! They are fantastic. All that I'm missing
now are the Perfect Push ups. ;) I'm keeping up my physique pretty
easily. Especially when the food isn't all that great here. Last week
I was sick for about 5 days, but now I'm better! We live with members
as you know, and the mom is a nurse. She takes good care of me! My
pensionista is the best. Hermana Paulita!! I love her to death. She is
the abuela that lives here with her son. Hermano Humberto, her son, is
a former stake president, bishop, and missionary. He is amazing. We
always love to talk about the gospel while were eating, and I learn so
much from him. So, I know its a little late to be telling you about
the people we live with, but yeah! Its great here!

We have been given a new key indicator by our president, and its to
contact 20 people either in the street or knocking doors, every day.
That's 140 every week! So, its been really great talking to more and
more people. We have been finding more people to teach, finally. Its
been kinda slow, but I've been praying super hard every day that the
Lord will lead us to people who are ready to hear the gospel and
accept it with open arms. We finally confirmed Nidian yesterday!! So I
was pretty stoked about that. We were supposed to have a baptism on
Saturday, but she had to travel to Puno that day, so she couldn't come.
It was a bummer because we had everything set up, the water warm, all
ready to go! But her mom showed up and told us that she couldn't make
it. :( We were bummed, especially because it was supposed to be my
comps first baptism. But yes or yes, she will be baptized this week!
She is so awesome and always reads her BOM, and has prayed and has a
testimony. Its a feeling that I've never felt before to see my own
investigators accept this gospel and to see the happiness that comes
from it. Missions are the best!!! I cant wait to help more people
accept Jesus Christ and to live His Gospel. Something that kind of
bothers me here in our zone is that the missionaries talk about
numbers a lot. They talk about missionaries who have baptized over 100
people in their missions and that they are the best missionaries!....
that's all fine and dandy, but it saddens me that they focus on the
numbers, and not the fact that they are people, and souls. I will not
come home to be judged of the number of people I have baptized. I work
my hardest with the investigators that I have, to truly convert them.
I can honestly feel a genuine love for them and I want the best for
them! I want them to feel the love of the Savior in their lives. I
want them to know that there is something more in their lives. I love
teaching them the Plan of Happiness and seeing their eyes widen when
they hear that this death isn't the end. I will work my hardest until
the day I come home. I wont come home one day early. This is MY
mission, and MY time to serve God. He is on our side, and nothing can
stop us.

I love you all so very very much. Know that you are all in my prayers.
Ma, thanks SO much for sending me my Patriarchal Blessing. I have
missed it so much! Bridger, congrats brotha!!! I'm so stoked for you,
you'll have to send me a copy when you get it! I want to read it. :) I
miss you all, but my head is where its supposed to be, and I'm working
hard! Keep trying your best to progress spiritually, and live this
Gospel. I hope all of you are in good health, and continue so. Keep me
and my investigators in your prayers please! I love you so much. Have
an amazing week!

Con mucho amor, siempre,
Elder Christensen

PS Sorry about not having pics, next week! :) oh and the scripture
this week is Helaman 5:12. Love it.