Monday, February 23, 2009

Happy Half Year In Mexico Sent: Monday, February 23, 2009 4:09 PM

Hola Family of Gringos

So i saw some pictures of me today of when i was in the mtc, and i was white haha i almost had to look twice to check how white i was haha also my hair was longer. I looked younger haha a whole 8 months younger. Anyways sorrry, that was kind of a random note but now im back on track.

How are we all doing today? I hope that everyone is doing great and that we are all dominating in our respected areas haha School, work, sports, friends, boys, not girls ( still too young coop haha much love). Love getting all of your letters and hearing from all of you. Even better when its like two or three letters haha thanks tay. So yeah, im having the hardest time focusing right now, but im going to try my best to stay focused for half and hour and write this letter
you are welcome.
thanks for informing me about the shoulder dad, sorry i didnt pay more attention before. loved that quote about love, poderoso. Hope things continue to go well with that and with all the youth activities. Mom, congrats on finishing the BofM, i am also trying to finish it in this next month but we will see. Congrats on the business and remember to have patience with cooper. Im sure i was worse haha. I didnt get the pics of the furniture but it sounds like everything i want to nap on and congrats on the newer entertianment set. Nano, have fun in Pheonix, or had fun. Sarah is great. Jen, love you, hope everything is going well and that i can hear some funny stories soon from your side of the town.
Ok the package. I cant think of anything in specific to ask. Just more stamps possible. I think the church system is way better. Thanks for forwarding the dan letter. Hope he is doing well. I need to write everyone but i always seem to be running off to some other place.
Thanks grandma for that letter, it was way cool. Glad to see someone else understands that baptism dont equal success.

The knee is doing good, dad asked. I played soccer today with the zone and yeah, felt good. I had some tumbles and i never once thought twice about it. Almost a year since it happened.... how crazy. thats rough to hear about spence. how did he do?
ok my week very quickly
tuesday my dl came to my area, to help me. Yeah.... I am working out my issues with him haha its just that every leader is so focused on numbers that they forget what it represents. I presented him to my family aguilar, who i love, truely love, and the hermana was like, i dont feel the same spirit with you as i do with them, i dont want to talk to you haha i thought it was funny. I love her! I just love how she testifies about the gospel, so powerful! she went to a funeral for her sister in law and taught her family the plan of salvation. My dl tried to convince her to take her baptism this week and she replied that her husband had doubts and that when she started investigating the chruch that the gospel was about the family and that she was not going to leave her husband behind haha i loved it, but its true... i am working on helping the husband haha if i were to only baptize and seal this family in my mission, i would leave with a smile. I love this family!!! but i know i can do the same with another family, that same joy. and thats why i want these next months.
A couple days ago the Hermana was like, elder i have a surprise, i was like what? she was like, i picked a date for my baptism. i was like great hermana! when? she told me, the fourth of april. I was like, hermana, thats my birthday. She was like I know.... oh man haha i had to fight back just screaming with joy i was so happy to have the chance to know this family. haha she also wants to give you a gift that she is going to make mom.... for letting me come.... i give full permission to cry cause im doing it right now haha niñita haha love this family. I just wish i could feel this love with every investigator.
so that was my favorite family rant. the rest of the week, not as awesome. We were frustrated and trying to get around to every side of the city to get to all of our appointments. which is great that we have those appointments but they are just not progressing like they should and yeah... its just frustrating to put all the effort to only see them take it lightly. idk. also the leaders are all mad at me cause im not, completing with my goals, i supposably, lack the desire to complete them. I have to laugh at it just to avoid getting angry haha but its true, partly, i need to complete my goals more.
Friday we went to tequisquiapan, my branch, say that ten times fast haha and we met some inactives that happen to own and texas road house there in the centro haha yeah eat your heart out sterl haha much love. so yeah they invited us to eat breakfest, lunch and dinner to carry out every day that we are there haha we will see haha working on keeping that weight down. but yeah that was cool.
so que más? oh yeah, sunday everythig went wrong haha, no one came!! we had two in the chapel! it was not good and yeah the members were being dumb and said things that made my investigators think twice about coming next week... sigh yeah haha ok so i understand that not everyone is doing the testimony every week thing but atleast home teaching. So much harder to invite people to come back if they dont have a friend or a support. I can call people out because i was lazy before and i have woken up haha ten mintues, every month, not hard. love you all

ok sorry im not more focused with my love and news but thats just how it has been today. I promise to do better next week. You are all in my prayers and heart. Know that i know this chruch is true. It is not the easy chruch, its the true chruch. Do work son haha
i learned an elder in my generation went home the other day because he couldnt do it anymore. I didnt know him that well but it hit me pretty hard. Be that reason someone sticks it out until they find THE ROCK.

to the moon and back
con amor

Elder Westley Gene Christensen

Monday, February 16, 2009

Subject: Who wants advice on how to be a father? hahaSent: Monday, February 16, 2009 3:42 PM

Hola family of Americans,

Just wanted to say hi real fast and check that everything is good and say that I am great and I love my companion and that we are dominating. That was all haha, ok yeah I have little time and a lot to write so it's going to come out in blurts.
First grandma, yes I print all my letters to read later so put whatever you want. I thoroughly enjoy every letter from you guys. i dont understand white washing an area and Mexico is not that bad. All the drugs and stuff is in the north, but down south everyone is relaxed and pretty nice. Just wanted to stick up for my country.

ok family
yes mom, i would have to agree with Dad that you and I were both a little nieve about "Raising the bar". Presidente is getting the hang of sending people home, not that he enjoys it but yeah... you know. And let me tell you how much I love my Presidente. If i could talk to him every day, I think I would be an Alma walking down the street. I have no doubt that he is callled of God. I am honored to serve with him.

Dad, I am ok with you quiting basketball after this year if you want. I know you were waiting for my opinion. But sounds like everything is going well and you are taking the parents like you should. Coop! buy some sick kicks(shoes) man, they can look cool too. I would go with murdered out black.
Mom, didnt have Radasovich, (Cooper's HS advisor) cant even really remember what she teaches. and no, cooper is not in high school yet haha when he is in high school, im on the back slope. Family furniture sounds great. Can't wait to take my first nap on them and pillows, that was the problem last time.... just saying haha

Nano! your great! sounds like you are dating up a storm and good luck with the job. Just dont be a flirt, no one likes a flirt haha
Weather here is hot! like burns me hot. I havent seen a cloud for months unless i cross my eyes and pretend that the smog is some clouds haha and thus my allergies are fine, I haven't had a bad day yet.

Jen! loved the every morning waking up and thinking, I'm a missionary, time to get to work. Thanks for that. Congrats on the job! that is so awesome, i think you will totally dominate it! and the they are expecting story had me laughing for a while. I could see mom running towards dad waving her hands like that haha and britton, you know I love you man. Thanks for the shout out.

ok, my week extremely fast....
ok my companero is not named elder morales haha learned that on the hard way when I arrived at the district meeting and a new guy was sitting there but was elder Valdez, so i said hi and didnt pay much attention. Everyone was asking me if he was my comp and I was like no! elder morales not Valdez until we finally asked and he said that Elder Christensen was his companion, yeah im a good father, no worries haha but man this kid is great! I have hardly taught him anything and he is rocking it. He has so much desire to work that i have trouble keeping up haha he is from monterray and speaks really fast... yeah I had troubles the first couple of days but now I am good. we had few appointments this week but always seemed to be doing something. and Sunday was great! everyone came! I was extremely happy and elder Valdez was liike, and what? haha I explained that this doesnt happen very often, so enojoy it! haha jk v dad wasnt anything special, but i did get a kiss on the hand from a drunk friday night and im counting it haha sometimes its fun to be out here.
ok yeah, we went running at 630 in the morning.. we are going for three times this week. I might die, keep you posted. Also, haven't gained more than one kilo out here! Go me!

wednesday was us vs mex in soccer. 2=0 us haha I enjoy reminding everyone. We got some great families that we are working with, just got to keep working. I love the family Aguilar and when they are baptized, oh man.... its going to be a good day.

OK, I got to get on a bus right now to go to quaretaro. I love you all so much, remember who you are and dont let it get you down haha no, be the great thing that happens tomorrow. I have a testimony of this church and hearing my investigatores testify to me about the plan of salvation has done nothing but confirm that feeling. The Church is true. Believe in it.

To the moon and back
con amor
Elder CHristensen

Monday, February 9, 2009

Longest Six Weeks Sent: Monday, February 09, 2009 12:40 PM

Hello family of gringos,
I love you all.

i love you all so much. I had been studying D&C 122 alot this last week and one important part that I love is where it says, fear not for thy friends still stand beside thee. And in a very general way, you guys are my best friends no yeah lame but yeah what can you do?
I would have to say that this last couple of weeks have been the hardest in my life. But that's when we grow the most right? or something. I'm just excited for it to be cambios and see some elders go. So looking forward to my "kid"!!! haha grandma, where is the love? Watch me train haha I pray ever moment for the Lord to prepare me and I'm trying to think back to my training and all the things that I said I would have done different. And when in doubt, going to the scriptures and PMG. Sad days though, he has not arrived yet, he is having lunch with the presidente but his name is Elder Morales and he will get here about 6ish. So pumped!!! Right now im just chillin with Elder Ortiz and trying to convince him to not call the presidente and complain about his next companion, me encanta a veces.

ok onto you guys, first I hope to read some good news about uncle Tyler. I did my fast yesterday and ready to go again when you need me. Coop, dad, good job in the tournament. Third still gets on the medal stand haha no but as long as you are having fun. Always glad to hear that Coop is giving up the rock for some sweet shots. keep in up bro.
To answer some question from before. My shoes are pretty good, holding pretty well. It is my reversable belt that looks like... yeah haha so a belt for my birthday would be great, or just money for it. And also a way for playing music. like an old cd player or an old ipod nano without the screen with church music. Just an idea.
Also I still dont know the story with dads shoulder?! haha please tell me, all i hear is rehab, what happened? and danielle, glad to hear you have been working out and stuff, throwing up some threes haha crazy kid, have fun. jen, love you haha and tell Britton that i now know what it means to not be the most favorite missionary.

ok my week very fast. You know the beginning of the week already so ill just go to wednesday. So we had our interview with for our investigator, which I wasn't all for but whatever, Elder acevedo decided it, so our dl came and didn't do anything, only filled out the paper work and said felizidades! So I was like, oh heck no. i dont care if you choose to screw around with your own mission and do a half effort job, but your not going to do it with mine. So i called the zls and they were like, dang, alright we will handle it. So i felt better for a moment until elder acevedo got totally pissed at me and called my dl to say I was screwing everything up haha so long story short it was a long week with Elder acevedo with him hating me, even though we had the interview and the baptism. But we really did nothing this week. Five lessons, I could do that in one day. and saying good bye today was a pleasure also they called me a bushel of names and whatnots but at the end I just smiled and said have a good one. I was thinking of dad the whole time, i imagine cause i was trying to imitate his patience and love. Always another cheek.

So yeah, we had a baptism and it was pretty good, she was just one of those people that went to church every sunday and knew everything but didn't want to get baptized until for whatever reason we came. Elder Acevedo performed it.
and that was really my week in a nut shell. I just have a large task in front of we of regaining the trust of the members back, finding the investigators, and training. Easy right haha alma 26:12 son, all day.

ok fam and fans I got to run and do some great things. Know that I have only been bruised, but that my testimonie of this church is stronger than ever. I have a dertermination to share this with others. Thank you for your prayers and thoughts. I love you all and pray for you often.
Mom I just feel like I should say I love you tons. Don't worry about me, those that be with me are more than those that be with them haha who can find that scripture?
Do great things, be the changes you want to see, and of course, keep feeding them the carrot. haha love you guys!
to the moon and back
con amor

Elder Christensen

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Haha made you look!! Sent: Tuesday, February 03, 2009 7:59 PM

hello american family
how is everyone doing tonight? no worries, I spoke with the President and asked for special permission to write this letter because i wasn't going to have two no letter weeks in one transfer, mostly I didnt want to get anyone mad.. mom haha but its all good. so no worries, still obedient, just wanted to share some love
anyways, most recent and most exciting to say the least and past

I AM GOING TO BE A FATHER!
haha yeah raise those eye brows, no it means I'm going to train next cambio (companion)if things go to plan, which i hope they do. I was so pumped when the Presidente asked me if i wanted, I was like, heck yeah and then in the bus ride home I was struck with a sudden collapsing fear that i am going to be a father haha i imagine it something like the real situation haha but Im good now haha so yeah the President asked me this morning when we had interviews. Best thing ever! I think mine lasted 30 minutes, it was ridiculous. mostly it was the presidente trying to figure out what to do with my companion. He said something along the lines of, I dont know why he came out. So yeah.... but the rest was great. I am going to be a dad! A mexican baby! haha there are no more Americans coming for a while so yeah.... but it happens. To answer your question mom, no it just means that there will be more Mexicans than Americans for a while.

That's cool about Aaron going to Vera Cruz, I have heard alot of good things about that mission. Also extremely hot haha good luck. and Nano, I think a transfer to byu would be great if they would give you a scholarship. Boarden alot of views but yeah if you need an apartment, all of Tays roommates are getting married so.... haha jk
also Jen, hope you found your glasses, I can imagine Danielle standing behind you saying, i cant see without my glasses, in that nasiley voice haha glad to hear you two are getting along and doing great.
Coop, bro, how are you man? sorry about the loss, but you know that Henry is not going to go pointless in many games. keep up´the hard work and the grades. your are stud man.
oh yeah, Mom, thanks for the card number, works great, your wonderful for that. Glad to hear the business had a good night, very impressive.
Dad, love ya, haha sorry about the loss. Thanks for the story
ok yeah Uncle Tyler, i didn't get the e-mail till now but you got me on Sunday. You have my prayers as well.

ok my week really fast.
Yesterday i couldn't write cause we went to the PEÑA. Which translated means, big rock, but it was a touristy thing and my comp wanted to go so we went and it was not very exciting, but whatever already over it.
so Sunday we went to quaretaro for no reason and went to a members house to watch the super bowl. I wasn't pleased.
Thursday was the longest day of my life. I was arguing with my comp and my mission leader about the meaning of success as a missionary and how to go about it and yeah i was tired, angry, wanted to fight someone. When we got home I went to my patriartical, i cant spell, blesssing and it didnt help. it told me to be an example and a light and i felt like i was doing neither. I kelt in prayer and pleaded for help... the only answer i got was a line from my PB over and over in my mind. broaden your shoulders. Its been different since. Im happy to report that today was much better. We still dont talk to each other outside of appointments though haha oh well

alright I got to run but hey, love you all.

Fam, do great things this week, I want a report on bearing testimonies.
Love you all, but you all know that. lean on the LORD. HE lives and knows us.
to the moon and back,

Elder Christensen

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

From: DAVIS CHRISTENSEN Sent:Mon 2/02/09 7:50 PM

Sorry, nothing came from Elder West today.:(