Missing the snow... Loving the work.‏

Hey everyone!! 

Well, where to start? This last week has really flown by. I can't believe that it is only 2 weeks until Christmas!! Time is a strange thing in the mission. 

So, we have been really trying hard with the family of 4 to help them progress, but this is the third week that we have invited them to come to church, but they just don't come. I don't know what the deal is. The dad can be kinda weird at times. For example, on Saturday we had an appointment with them at 7, so we went over and it was just the dad. He said that his wife sends her apologies that she wont be able to come because of something that came up. So, he was kinda pushy to get us out, I don't know why, but I knew I had to at least invite them to church. I started talking about the church, and he just cut me off right in the middle of my sentence. We all left after that, pretty upsetting. So, I guess we'll see if they end up accepting commitments and progressing. 

We had something interesting happen just this week. We were told that our old investigator that moved to Puerto Maldonado would be moving back to Cusco because her husband is basically a piece of crap. So, even though she has a little 1 year old, and is pregnant, she is leaving him. So, we are going to visit her this week, seeing that she gets here tomorrow! She told us that she really wanted to get baptized, so that will be another on the 24th! We have 2 for sure baptisms programmed for the 24th, and a few possibles. So, we'll have a "white" Christmas this year! Were all real excited! Were trying to get a couple married, but I don't know if it will happen. He works up at Machu Picchu for months at a time, and when he comes home (like he will tomorrow) he comes home for only a week. Then he leaves again. So, we'll see if they decide to get married. If they do, the wife really wants to get baptized. She told us that yesterday at church. She is so awesome! Her and her 7 year old kid were waiting outside of their house yesterday morning to go to church at 8 with us. She is making a lot of friends in the church and she whispered a couple weeks ago during the sacrament, "I feel so peaceful." It was really special. Her boyfriend (whom we have taught many times before) told her once that he would belong to the church. He didn't say when, just that he would. So, before you know it, they will be a complete family! Such a great feeling. 

So that's what's going on in the work for now! Thank you guys for getting after the boys to write me. It was good to hear from them. And thank you dad for helping with Machu Picchu! I am meeting with a guy today from another ward that is a tour guide to talk about all the details for our trip next Monday! We are all really stoked to go. We will be waking up at around 2am to take a bus from Cusco to a place called Ollanta to get on the train that will take us to Machu Picchu Pueblo. There is a little town at the bottom of the mountain that actually used to have missionaries there, but it was closed. So from the pueblo we will get on another bus that will take us up to the actual mountain. We will be there for the sunrise, and most of the day just exploring the ruins and taking pictures. It's gonna be so fun!!!

And yes, Skype this year! It's gonna be so strange to see all of you! I will have all the details ready by next week. I know that the President wants all of us office elders to spend Christmas at the mission home, and I'm way stoked for that. Last year they said that they spent Christmas eve there, watched Disney movies, and just slept over until Christmas. I am so lucky to be in the office for Christmas! It should be a lot of fun! So we'll see when and where we will be skyping, and I will let you know next week! Mom, I'm sure they will love the present you got! It sounds perfect. Really, it does. I can see him putting it in his office or the house somewhere. But, no. I have not gotten the package yet... Still waiting. You might want to call Vanessa and see whats up. But I'm excited for the package! Thanks so much for that. What am I NOT supposed to open till Christmas? I will wait, I just need to know! Also, yes dad, I will be here until the 27th, That's when we will have the change meeting here in Cusco. I don't know where I will go yet, and I don't know if president will let me pick either. But you'll know when I know! Keep your fingers crossed for jungle! ;)

So funny story. Yesterday we got to Sister Carrascos house for lunch, when we hear from behind us, "The Mormons from America!" We spun around to see kind of a scraggly looking guy with long hair. I said, "Yup, that would be us. Where are you from?" He answered, "I'm from Norway. (pause) I like Joe Smith. I like what he found... the... the... the script! I listened to the missionaries in 1970." So then we asked him where he was from or if he was visiting. He started to walk away, then turned around and put his hand on the side of his mouth like he was whispering and said in a voice that I cant really explain, just that it was hilarious, "I'm looking for something!" Hahahaha, we walked in the door and bursted out laughing. Oh man, you should have heard it. He was a crazy. For sure. So, training is going well, Elder Buckner is learning quickly how to do everything. 

Anyway, I don't think there is anything left to say, just that I love you all! Be sure to tell Stu and Lori thanks for me! I will be sending them something special in the mail for sure. I'll just send it to the house, and you guys can take it over to them. They are so great. I miss them! Tell Stu that I'm still taking my vitamins! And I got an email from Stewbabe, so tell him thank you very much for that. I also got an email from Uncle Mike, he sent me an electronic copy of his season card he does every year. It's so great to hear how everyone is doing. Especially this time of year! You're all missed dearly, and I can't wait to see you Christmas day! Take care everyone! 

P.S. Were listening to Mannheim Steamroller Christmas right now, and were lovin it. I love Christmas! Sure miss the snow!

--
ELDER CHRISTENSEN
Secretario Financiero

Misión Perú Cuzco

(51) 984-503-861

(51) 084-242-521

RPM #623574

Its December!‏

Hey family,

 

Happy December! Wow, already December! This will be quick because I didnt have any emails in the morning and I was waiting to get something from someone, and now its time to leave! Maybe more will write next week?

 

How sweet of you mom to hold onto that for me for when I'm... (gulp).. married. Haha, but really, you can get rid of the Christmas decorations that you don't need. Unless your dead set on keeping it, then ok!

 

So, I'll just quickly update on some news this week. First off, I'm leaving the office this cambio! Right now, I am training Elder Buckner from Vernal that entered the mission with me to be my replacement! We shared a room in the Lima CCM and everything. He is way cool, and a super smart guy. He will do a great job. The task of training a new Financial Secretary is pretty intense. There is so much to do and to remember! But we keep working in our sector and we are still visiting the family of 4! We have invited them to a FHE tonight with the mission pres, so were hoping that they are able to attend! Right now we will be passing by their store to see if they are able! Cross your fingers...

 

What else, well, two days this week we were stuck in the office. The ZL's had their training, then the DL's & Trainers had theirs the next day. I had to be there the whole day helping ZL's with their Zone Fund, and the next day giving reimbursements to the DL's.

 

So Bridger finally has his braces off? I need to see a picture of that! You can attach pictures to emails ya know... Haha. So, good for you big guy. You're probably a lady killer by now, huh?

 

Yes, mom, we are hoping to go to Machu Picchu this month! Hopefully it'll be possible! I really haven't visited a lot of cool places here in Cuzco, even though I've been here for what, 7+ months? Oh well, hopefully we'll have some cool pdays this month. It's about the cost of $60, for us! Because we have something called a "Carnet De Extranjeria". Its basically ID here in Perú for foreigners. With that, we pay CHEAP to get into Machu Picchu. Normally its $100-200 to go and pay for everything.

 

We still have 2 people with a fecha for the 24th! They are cousins, but one has a "boyfriend" and they have a 7 year old kid. So, we need to help get them married, and they are willing to get married in order to get baptized. So, I guess that would be 3 con fecha! Were excited!! Pray for them please!

 

I'm glad that everything is okay with the house! That wind sounds absolutely crazy. Elder Whittaker told me that his house was without power for 2 days! Insane. Thankfully we missed the worst of it.

 

And about the Christmas call... You'll also have to count down the days until you see me... because were gonna be Skyping!!! That's right, President gave us permission! How cool is that? We're all pretty stoked. So, you'll have to have a bunch of people over to see me! Ha, its gonna be so weird. But cool! Look forward to it!

 

Love you, hope you all have a good week! Take care! Chao!

--
ELDER CHRISTENSEN
Secretario Financiero

Misión Perú Cuzco

(51) 984-503-861

(51) 084-242-521

RPM #623574

Pic of me and Rogers doing the laundry run last night. Rained pretty hard!

 

Christy! You're the best, thanks for writing! Whats your address? I hope you knee is doing better!! Haha, take care! :)

Savin' lives.‏

¡Hola!

First off…. HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRIDGE!!! Man, you’re 17 years old. That’s weird to think about. Hope your day is great buddy! Sure love you! Next year you’re getting cake in your face.

This week has flown by! Man, this week (if I leave the office) my replacement will come! So strange to think about. I’ve gotten so accustomed to being here in Cuzco and the office, but I am so excited to get back out in the field where its just my comp and me. Next week you’ll know if I’m leaving or not! So, there are a number of possibilities where I can go next. I’m still banking on jungle! We’ll find out soon enough. The task of training a new financial secretary will be a good challenge. I’m going to write up a sheet that explains EVERYTHING, so that he can just look to that when he has questions. I’m not sure though if its gonna be a Latin or a North American. Time will tell

So, I kinda have a crazy story. Elder Whittaker and I went to an appointment on Tuesday and we were teaching two cousins. One of them has a 7 year old kid, and the other isn’t married. Well, the one with the kid isn’t married either, but anyway. So, we were teaching them about the Doctrine of Christ, 2^nd Nefi 31. When, one of them receives a phone call from her boyfriend and leaves the room with her kid, apparently because it was an argument. So, we try to wait for her, but she didn’t come back very soon so we kept teaching. We came to their house that day with the goal of challenging them to baptism, and we were about to do so, when all of the sudden the kid bursts into the house and says, “A man fell in the river! He needs help!” So, we jump up and rush outside to see whats going on. Now, you should understand, this river has walls of concrete about 12 feet high on both sides. This man, who was WAY drunk, had fallen into this river head first. When we got out there, he had managed to stand up, but was just standing there like… confused, didn’t know what happened, etc. He was soaked, but not all of it was water. It was the blood gushing from his head. He had a legit hole in his head, definitely a broken skull, and a mashed nose. So, Whittaker jumps down into the river and helps him to get his footing at the base of the wall. He boosts him up and I grab his arms to lift him out. He was HEAVY. (Thank you adrenaline!) We got him out, sat him down, and I called President Carrasco, the doctor, for help on what to do. He said to call the equivalent of 911 here in Cuzco which is 105. We called, but no one answers. By this time there were 2 people with us and they said, “No, if you call from a cell phone they don’t answer because they think it’s a prank.” I don’t understand that at all, and I got preeeetty mad about it. That would never happen in the states. So, we were freaking out, when thankfully a policeman showed up, but was on a motorcycle. He said that he can't do anything and left. What??! So, I call President Carrasco again, and he leaves his interviews from the chapel, and says he is on his way. That was a relief. We wait a few minutes, and then a police truck shows up. So, we had to cross a class “A”, sketchy, wooden bridge to get to where the police truck was. This bridge is 3 feet wide, and every other plank is missing. But, we get on the “bridge” with this drunk guy with a serious head wound. So, I go first, backwards, holding his arms, while Whittaker is behind him, grabbing his jacket. We get almost all the way across, and he almost faints. I yank him over, and he stumbles off, while Whittaker almost fell off the bridge. We load him into the police truck, and they’re off to the hospital. I call President Carrasco again, thank him, and tell him that he doesn’t need to come. We went to the chapel to wash up though. My hands/forearms were all bloody and nasty, and everyone in the chapel that night knew what happened because the stake president told everyone that he had to go help us rescue this drunk. So, needless to say, it was a craaaazzy night. We saved that guys life. There was no one else there to do anything, because we were in the hood part of our sector (well, basically all of our sector is ghetto), and I can honestly say that I don’t think anyone else would have helped him or even seen him. If our investigator wasn’t out there talking to her boyfriend, she wouldn’t have seen it happen, and if we weren’t there that night, we wouldn’t have ever known about him or what might have happened.

So that’s my crazy week! Besides that, we continue with the family of 4 in the glass business, and we taught them the first lesson along with the Book of Mormon. They just ate it up! The dad especially is so excited to read the BOM and his wife asks so many great questions! We have a follow-up appointment with them this week. Thanksgiving was a hit, we went to Fuego where they prepared a true American Thanksgiving meal: bread, french onion soup, turkey from Lima, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, green bean casserole, candied yams, and to finish it off, pumpkin pie! So delicious, all for about $10. We were happy campers.

I love all of you! Thanks for your support and prayers. This week I heard a line from a song that really hit me: “Maybe success is measured best, by nothing less that our obedience.” That hit home with me for sure! It’s so very true, that my success here in the mission is measured by my obedience. That applies to each of our lives as well. I’m gonna stay faithful, stay obedient, and finish strong when my time comes.

 

Till next week! Take care and be safe!

--
ELDER CHRISTENSEN
Secretario Financiero

Misión Perú Cuzco

(51) 984-503-861

(51) 084-242-521

RPM #623574

PS--- Sorry about the pics, hope everyone has a strong stomach. If theres no pictures, its like it didnt happen! The other pic is of the smallest lizard I've ever seen! And then our Thanksgiving, with Elder Sowards and his comp. Yes, Sowards is doing much better. He is back to normal.

New section 139 of the D & C - LOL‏

Jordan sent this to Deb and I today.  It is pretty funny, but also says that he would love to receive letters from home.  Those that have served a mission know what letters mean.  So click on the attachment and open it up. 

This section 139 of the D & C,  at least the missionary version.  It is pretty funny.!

 This is Jordan's last Christmas, so if you can, drop him a letter or email

Have a great Thanksgiving and Christmas!

Mark

Enjoy this, haha. I just translated it. :)

--
ELDER CHRISTENSEN
Secretario Financiero

Misión Perú Cuzco

(51) 984-503-861

(51) 084-242-521

RPM #623574

SECTION 139

Revelation given through the Elders of Israel to the Saints of the Ward and various friendships. While they were scattered preaching the Everlasting Gospel in the remotest regions of Perú, they found a number of vessels, in them containing various papyri of unknown origin. They were brought to Elder Christensen to be the translated, the following was obtained.


1-11 Family and friends are encouraged to be more diligent in correspondence to their Elders en the mission field;

12-17 Referral to the parable of the two friends;

18-28 The consequences of fidelity to choose the right are mentioned;

29-38 We are reminded that all documents should be sent promptly;

 39-42 An allegory to the promise of Malachi;
43-46 A final exhortation to everyone.


For behold, the day will come when many shall say: A letter! A letter! We have written a letter! Why do we need to write more letters?

2 O fools! Why do ye murmur? Do ye not know that there are more than one day? And thus, more than one event in said day? Why do ye think that such events need not be written?

3 Why do ye think that we having already received a letter that we should not receive another? For behold, the mission is not over yet.

4 For it has been commanded that all men in both the East and West, even in the North and South, and in the islands of the sea, that they should write letters to your missionary (My servant Elder Christensen).

5 And then the postman will say, “I will give to missionaries letter on letter, package by package, a little here, a little there.”

6 Therefore you must be constantly writing letters, for he who writes without ceasing will not be found guilty at the last day.

7 Verily, verily, I say unto you: you should not send postcards, behold, these are small.

8 Woe, woe, unto him who says: “All is well in the mission,” the missionaries have received their letter and they need no more.

9 For they have written many family and friends but have not written back. And why then did they not write back?

10 Because their hearts are set upon the things of this world and do not aspire to the friendship of the missionaries.

11 For what good is a mailbox if no letter is written? Why then, were post offices built?

12 Hear ye this parable! To see if ye derive wisdom: “At the twelfth hour of the day a Pharisee and a Publican sat down to write a letter to a missionary.

13 And behold, the Pharisee thought of many things to write, but he thought so much… he did not write anything.

14 However, he rejoiced in his heart for his good intention.

15 And the Publican, wrote during lunch, but felt guilty about how little he wrote.

16 And behold, two years passed and the missionary returned home and passed the Pharisee’s house, but visited him not.

17 And he passed the house of the Publican, and visited him, and they rejoiced together.”

18 For verily I say unto you, unto whom a letter is written, a letter is required.

19 Now, my beloved brethren, I perceive that even still you doubt in your hearts; for this, I have been asked to speak concerning these things.

20 For the one who hears the voice of truth, shall know then that one must write letters. For the voice of the evil one does not teach a man to write letters, but it teaches man that he does not need to write letters.

21 Behold, I say unto you yet again that ye must constantly write letters and do nothing without first writing a letter to the missionaries who are in the field.

22 For this is the time to remember your missionaries; yes, behold, the day in which ye must write letters.

23 And now, as it is recommended you many times, I beg you not to procrastinate the day to write your letters until the end, for behold, after these two years that have been given you to write your missionaries, if ye do not improve your time during these two years, then cometh a day when my servants shall complete their missions and
come home, where you can not write letters.

24 Ye cannot say, when ye are brought to that awful crisis, that I will repent, I will write to my missionary. Nay, ye cannot say this; for it shall be too late.

25 And in that day there will be many who shall say: “Elder… Elder… Did we not send a postcard in your name? And to your name a card for your birthday and another at Christmas?”

26 And then will I profess unto them: I never knew you; depart from me, ye that write not.

27 A true friend can not send short letters, as such a bad friend can not send long letters.

28 And every friend who does not write any letter shall be cast out, and there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

29 And by their letters ye shall know them.

30 Oh the vanity and ingenuity of man! For they believe they are wise when they are not, and leave their letters to one side assuming soon to find a stamp. Behold, these will not be preserved and their letters perish with them.

31 O, remember, my son, and learn wisdom in thy youth; yea, learn to quickly take thy letters to the mailbox.

32 Do not leave thy letters on the table where the soot and moth corrupt them and where thieves read and steal.

33 Instead, place thy letters in the mailbox where neither moth nor soot can corrupt them, and where thieves do not read or steal.

34 Nor write letters like the hypocrite, using large letters that makes his letters seem to be long. For I say unto you, they have their answer.

35 Moreover, when you write thine letters, use small print, and paper large in size.

36 Therefore, he who hears these things and doeth them, he shall be compared to a wise man who sent his letter as “priority”.

37 And came the rain and winds lashing the plane, but it did not fall. For it was a Boeing 747.

38 But he who hears these things and doeth them not, he shall be like unto the fool, the letter sent by boat, and when the rains and winds battered the boat, it deflated and sank, and great was the misery of the man.

39 Will a man rob the mailbox? Yet ye have robbed the mailman. But ye say, Wherin have we robbed thee? In your letters and parcels.

40 Bring ye all the letters to the mailbox and have parcels in hand, and prove me now herewith, saith your friend the missionary, if I will not open the doors of my house and serve you a roast with salads until there shall not be room enough to receive it.

41 And neighbors shall call you blessed, because the smell the roast at a distance of a stones throw and it be a desirable thing, saith thy friend the missionary.

42 Behold, I will send the chef who prepares the food before me, so long as each who feasteth, was faithful unto me in his letters and parcels.

43 Now my dear brothers I would like to tell you all the ways and means for you to send your letters; for they are without number.

44 But this I can tell you, that if ye send not thy letters, packages, gifts and sweets and remember not your missionaries who are in the field, then ye must be cast off forever.

45 For verily I say no letter will not be received with joy, though, perhaps (for lack of time) can not be answered.

46 Oh! Remember my brethren these things I have said that ye not perish, behold, I will be waiting for your response every day until the end of the mission. Even so, Amen.

Día De Gracias‏

Hey family,

Well, this week went by pretty quick! We have been busy with a lot of stuff this transfer week. Training, the actual transfer meeting, helping ZL’s, buying bus tickets, etc, etc. So, needless to say, its been a busy week. We have had some really awesome contacts though, and Elder Whittaker and I can see the Lords hand in our lives. He seriously guides us to these people, and not kidding, 4 out of 5 doors that we knocked, the people accepted us, and we set up appointments with them. We found this family of 4 that we are so excited to teach, and we have a lesson with them tomorrow at 6! The dad owns and operates a glass business, and we have visited them before (when I was with Elder Williams), and they are so nice and are excited for our visit. The mom has been having some trouble with her legs, I’m not sure exactly what happened, but she went to the doctor and had treatment, and that has been helping her. We also knocked the door of an OLD man, who let us into his patio to talk. He is probably 90 years old, and actually knew a lot about the church. His daughter is a member, and her husband is a bishop where they live in Lima. He said that he talked to him, as we talked to him, and he said, “Cuanto quisiera cambiar mi vida…” That basically means, “I would love to change my life.” But, the thing we found out with him, is that he doesn’t believe in God all that much and therefore doesn’t believe in the Bible either. So, we are going to visit him this week again, and see how we can help him. He seemed very interested, so who knows!

When changes rolled around, an elder that was in my old sector in Juliaca, sent me a gift from one of my converts there! She sent me a gift, and my son a gift as well. It was really cool actually! This elder was saying crazy stuff about me hahaha. He was like, “Elder what did you do there? Everyone asks about you, they miss you, and you really left a mark!” Crazy, right? As we were conversing, I came to find out that her sister was baptized! Whenever we taught her, we always invited her sister to listen in, but she ALWAYS denied us. But, about 4 months after I left, she too was baptized. Way neat.

There was an INSANE storm yesterday. It was intense. The worst I've seen on the mission. It started raining lightly, then started to rain way hard. Then it started hailing and raining. The hail gathered on every patch of grass that there was, and it looked like snow! Haha. Stairs literally turned to waterfalls. The thunder was so powerful that car alarms were going off. Hahahaha. I can't really describe how crazy it was. It was like walking in a shower. We got home sopping wet, to say the least. Shoes, pants, shirt, and all. I made a video, so I'll see if I can burn it to a disc sometime. 

This week, was also Hermana Calderón’s birthday! The president invited us elders in the office up to the mission home that morning for breakfast, and then to the party later that night. Hermana Calderón is awesome. She is so good to us, and we all just love her. So, President invited a bunch of people to the mission home, and we had a party! President went all out too, he hired a band to come and play! It was just 4 people, and they played very traditional Peruvian music. One guy played the guitar, another played the charango (Peruvian instrument), another played the zampoña & the kena (Peruvian flutes), and the last one played a big drum thing. I took some videos, so hopefully I can send them off on a CD soon! But man, the culture here is so different. Everyone danced, and afterwards we had a feast for dinner: beef, chicken, pork (which were prohibited to eat here), rice, stuffed peppers, cheesy potatoes, etc. All of which was delicious. We got home at like 11:30, but man it was fun. The next day I was SO tired though, haha.

Well, I’ll finish off with some things that I am grateful for… This week being Thanksgiving and all. I am so grateful for you, my family. I couldn’t imagine my life without my punk brothers, or my wonderful parents. I’m grateful for my mission. For this time irreplaceable time that I have to learn more about God, His Son Jesus Christ, and about myself. I will NEVER forget my mission and all of the wonderful experience I am gaining. I’m so grateful that I was raised in this Gospel! What a genuine blessing. I’m grateful for the scriptures, for the word of God that we can go to daily for comfort, guidance, and peace. I’m so grateful for the freedom that we enjoy and for those who make that freedom possible, God Bless America. I’m grateful for the friends that I have, and for their great examples. I’m grateful for the beautiful home that we live in. For the support that I receive as a missionary from my loved ones. I’m grateful for the testimony that I have, that continues to grow for this Gospel, everyday. And lastly, I am grateful for Jesus. I’m grateful for His perfect example, His unconditional love, His willingness to forgive. I’m grateful that he would willingly sacrifice Himself, for each and every one of us that we may live with our Heavenly Father again. He is our Savior. He is our Redeemer. I’m grateful to be his representative.

I hope that each of you who read this will take some time this week to notice the things that we have, that bless our lives each day. They are all around us; it’s just that sometimes we don’t open our eyes to notice them. So let’s each open our eyes and give thanks to God for everything that He blesses us with.

Les amo a todos. Cuidense, ¡hasta la proxima semana! Besitos…

--
ELDER CHRISTENSEN
Secretario Financiero

Misión Perú Cuzco

(51) 984-503-861

(51) 084-242-521

RPM #623574

PS, enjoy the pics, sorry the shirt picture took forever to send! 

PSS, I really want the ukulele!!!!