Hello My Beautiful Family!
Wow! What an awesome day. Right now I want to take this time and express my love for all of you that were able to talk to me today. I was so excited to get to talk to all of you! I think the happiest was when I got to talk to you Aunt Pammie! You faithfully write me me as often as you can and give me the best advice! But my Mommy beats you all! I get a letter from her every week. All of you REPENT! and send more letters..lol jk!!!
No but really. It was so amazing to hear Tanner's voice! I haven’t talked to Tanner in over 3 years. Hey by the way thanks for addressing me as Elder and not Ryan! ughhh I like Elder so much better. I bet you were the same..Wow I'm glad to hear everyone is doing good! Again, I can't believe Talia is getting married without me, and tanner and Max! Who's next guys? NICK? lol. Oh well you will definitely be there for mine..right Tal? Shaeley and Shira sounded so grown up I couldn’t believe it was actually them. Shira, I heard you miss me the most! If that’s true I will send a belated birthday present your way! Uncle Derek stay strong in your business, I know the Lord is waiting to bless you. Grandma, you are so funny you thought I wasn't in Taiwan! No I’m still here and can't wait to talk and catch up with you in November. Max, haha you were pretty shocked to talk to me..me too, I didn't have much to say sorry, but you know what I’m thinking...GO LAKERS!!! haha if its the Magic vs Lakers again let’s hope they can play against each other next year so we can watch it together! Nick, what can I say buddy! You are my best friend ever, make the Lord and I proud and get your bum to church and go to the temple before I get home! I would love to go to the temple with you and my family when I get back! I know you have been trying but everyone can do a little better and change. I'm still learning how to change every day. I hope when I talked to you, you didn't feel resentment towards me. I said all of that because I love you and want the best life for you! Lynsey, if you are reading this hi!!! Kind of a bummer I couldn’t talk to you but remember you are going to marry my best friend.
Have fun when you get married but when I get back we are going to hang out all the time! lol I want you to know that you are so lucky to marry a man like Max..he will treat you like Gold! Kind of like I treat my investigators.
Ok as much as I love you all, this letter is making me trunky so on to better things. Our investigators right now are awesome, but they have no desire to come to church and it makes me sad because they have a lot of potential to get baptized this move. They just need to stop and think what’s the purpose of life? Preparing to meet God or making money? I know it’s not money that’s for sure. Maybe they just need to understand the purpose of life so they will be willing to change! Even though we have taught that a billion times to them they just don't want to change. We might have to drop some of them and find some new Golden investigators that actually want to come to church. That’s my focus this week is to hit the streets. So since my time is almost up that’s where I’m going! I hope to contact every single soul out there. My goal this week is to really stop and talk to everyone! Maybe that can make a difference.
I love you all and am so grateful for your love and support and especially your prayers. They help me get through those tough days! Remember to send more of your love my way and I will be happy to return the favor!
I was also overjoyed to talk to you guys. Dad you gave me great advice that I will start to apply to my mission. I hate it when the card cuts us off like that. I hope everyone had a chance to talk and ask me their questions they wanted. If not don't worry I will send more letters next week. Mommy I hope your Mother’s Day was better than last year. For now I need some new socks and deodorant that’s it thank you! I can't believe that was my last call home. I am on the home stretch see you all at the finish line!!!!!!
Love, Elder Christensen!
May 3, 2010 - Sprained Ankle and Pizza Hut
Hello My Beautiful Family!!
How is everyone? I am doing really good except for the fact I hurt my ankle this morning playing basketball. I tripped over an Elders feet and then fell forward on the ball and rolled my ankle pretty good! I went with some local Taiwanese Elders to a clinic to check my ankle. At first I thought I just twisted it really bad but the more and more it hurt. Elder Li taught me a new word he said, you hurt your ren dai! Haha which I had no idea what he said but asked the other Elders, they didn’t know either so he explained the ren dai is the soft tissue connected to the bone. I guessed ligament and later on at the clinic our member in the 4th ward I’m in the 3rd ward checked me!
Ya serving in a big ward is nice, the city is so crazy though. Anyways Brother Chen said that I sprained my ligament in my ankle. I have never done that before. Reminds me of when Max sprained his ankle playing ball, it really hurt but not as bad as me right now! I’m fine, I can walk and stuff but it will only take a week so hopefully I will be ok! Chen wrapped it up and said in the morning don’t run but do some ankle flexes to get the water out so I need to be careful this doesn’t swell up! Man the life of a missionary is full of surprises! I was playing good too before I rolled it! Haha this is for Uncle Derek and Aunt Michelle in Utah...GO LAKERS!!!!!!!!!!! Haha I heard the jazz lost today!!! I can’t wait to watch Kobe again man! You guys better root for my Lakers! Tell max I said that Kobe vs. Lebron...Kobe will win!
So the work is moving forth really nice here in Tainan we only got 3 people to church on Sunday but that’s ok because all of them are really good, I hope to get them baptized! We want 7 this move call. If we can pull it off it will be me and my companion Elder Yu's personal record.
So ya I can’t wait for Sunday night, but would Sunday morning be better? That’s Saturday night your time. Hopefully you can get everyone together.
Picture time...I love you bye bye!
Elder Christensen
"Pizza Hut all you can eat!!! Today I ate 11 and a half, beating all the missionaries who competed with me!"
April 26, 2010 - Move Calls
Hello My Beautiful Family,
Here are the rules for our Mothers Day call:
Mothers Day Phone Call Home
• I was thinking calling on Sunday night what do you think? Do you want to call me this time?
• You are authorized to talk to your family during Mothers Day. You have two options for this phone call. You can arrange to talk to your family on the evening of Sunday, May 9th or the morning of Monday, May 10th. (Taiwan time) *Calling on May 9th will be Mothers Day morning in the States. *Calling on May 10th will be Mothers Day evening in the States.
• Your phone call should not exceed 60 minutes (if your parents are divorced, then you may make two 40 minute calls, one to each parent)
• You and your family are responsible for the cost of the phone call; please budget and be sensitive regarding the financial burden on your family.
• Please make sure your call home is uplifting to your family – this is a great time to let them know how much you love them and appreciate their support. Let them know how much your testimony has grown on your mission.
• Plan now how and when you will call your family, or receive their call. Coordinate with your companion, and then email your family giving them a couple of options for the best times to talk.
• Have your family call your apartment landline, do not use cell phones!
• If your family does not have an international call plan, the cheapest way to call is using a phone card.
• If you call your family, the cheapest option is a phone card. You can buy an international calling card at convenience stores (7/11) which can then be used from your apartment phone.
• The time differences are:
o Australia 2 hours ahead
o Malaysia, Singapore, China are the same as Taiwan
o Hawaii 18 hours behind
o Pacific 15 hours behind
o Mountain 14 hours behind
o Central 13 hours behind
o Eastern 12 hours behind
How does Sunday night sound which is Monday my time at 9:00? My companion left to America today! My new companion is Taiwanese! Yu Zhi Yuan! He’s way cool. I’m excited for this move call. I am still in Tainan! He is on his 14th move call from Taibei and that is all I know right now! But I am sure my Chinese will get better.
This last week I finally fixed my bike. It was 800. So thanks for the 1000 bucks you put in there. I might need to pull another 1000 out. Sorry to be a burden!
Dad, thanks for the letter it was really good, You nailed stuff right on the nose!! Send me another deep letter when you get mine! Ya darn CTR ring, I guess my finger is really small. Ya I will send it back. Get me an 8, hopefully by my birthday lol.
Hey boys how are my Lakers doing? Fill me in before I find out… I heard Kobe is hurt that stinks. Alyea you looked so pretty for Prom, who’s the guy? I don’t know him!
Well here is a picture of my new companion…by the way his English is good. He say’s we speak English inside but Chinese out, he seems super cool already! Guess what, I’m getting old, today I’m on my 11th move only 4 or 5 to go. No, I hate how time flies faster and faster every move! I love you to the moon Mommy!
Love, Elder Christensen
Here are the rules for our Mothers Day call:
Mothers Day Phone Call Home
• I was thinking calling on Sunday night what do you think? Do you want to call me this time?
• You are authorized to talk to your family during Mothers Day. You have two options for this phone call. You can arrange to talk to your family on the evening of Sunday, May 9th or the morning of Monday, May 10th. (Taiwan time) *Calling on May 9th will be Mothers Day morning in the States. *Calling on May 10th will be Mothers Day evening in the States.
• Your phone call should not exceed 60 minutes (if your parents are divorced, then you may make two 40 minute calls, one to each parent)
• You and your family are responsible for the cost of the phone call; please budget and be sensitive regarding the financial burden on your family.
• Please make sure your call home is uplifting to your family – this is a great time to let them know how much you love them and appreciate their support. Let them know how much your testimony has grown on your mission.
• Plan now how and when you will call your family, or receive their call. Coordinate with your companion, and then email your family giving them a couple of options for the best times to talk.
• Have your family call your apartment landline, do not use cell phones!
• If your family does not have an international call plan, the cheapest way to call is using a phone card.
• If you call your family, the cheapest option is a phone card. You can buy an international calling card at convenience stores (7/11) which can then be used from your apartment phone.
• The time differences are:
o Australia 2 hours ahead
o Malaysia, Singapore, China are the same as Taiwan
o Hawaii 18 hours behind
o Pacific 15 hours behind
o Mountain 14 hours behind
o Central 13 hours behind
o Eastern 12 hours behind
How does Sunday night sound which is Monday my time at 9:00? My companion left to America today! My new companion is Taiwanese! Yu Zhi Yuan! He’s way cool. I’m excited for this move call. I am still in Tainan! He is on his 14th move call from Taibei and that is all I know right now! But I am sure my Chinese will get better.
This last week I finally fixed my bike. It was 800. So thanks for the 1000 bucks you put in there. I might need to pull another 1000 out. Sorry to be a burden!
Dad, thanks for the letter it was really good, You nailed stuff right on the nose!! Send me another deep letter when you get mine! Ya darn CTR ring, I guess my finger is really small. Ya I will send it back. Get me an 8, hopefully by my birthday lol.
Hey boys how are my Lakers doing? Fill me in before I find out… I heard Kobe is hurt that stinks. Alyea you looked so pretty for Prom, who’s the guy? I don’t know him!
Well here is a picture of my new companion…by the way his English is good. He say’s we speak English inside but Chinese out, he seems super cool already! Guess what, I’m getting old, today I’m on my 11th move only 4 or 5 to go. No, I hate how time flies faster and faster every move! I love you to the moon Mommy!
Love, Elder Christensen
April 19, 2010 - Letter
Hello My Beautiful Family and Brycson!!!!!
Ya that’s my Bro!!! Grand Slam ya!!! Your swing looks so good. How far did you hit it? It was nice to hear Alyea’s, Dad’s and Mommy’s voice! Wow I can’t wait to watch you next year buddy!!! Did you guys win that game? By the way tell Mr. McCartin I say hi! I didn’t know he was coaching you guys. Hey tell him to teach me math when I get home and I will teach him Chinese and the gospel!!
Wow thanks for the up-lifting letters Mom and Dad. My cold is way better. Right now I am so full, we went to eat at a bbq place in Yong Kang where I used to live. I ate so much meat! It was awesome. Also there I met a returned missionary that served here in gao siung 5 years ago. He went to BYU Idaho and just graduated, met his wife there who is Taiwanese but moved to America when she was 11. He also caught me up on my Lakers. I guess they won today! haha tell Max the Cavs and Magic are going to lose. Kobe’s going to win again even if he is a little hurt! lol.
Anyways this week was good! We have another baptism this week. We have been seeing a ton of miracles lately! We have a family right now that is preparing for baptism, we are just working on the Dad though. He smokes and thinks about money and his restaurant too much. The mom is golden, she hasn’t rested in 8 months since they opened this restaurant. She said it was nice to come to Sacrament yesterday. The dad might need some time. It’s sad we might have to hand them over to the sisters! Oh well we want the Mom and her two kids to get baptized first. When everything works out this will be my first family that I helped find and baptize! Please pray for the Qu Family!
Move calls are this Saturday night! My next companion will probably be on his last move so pray for me to have a good one!
I got my CTR ring, unfortunately it doesn’t fit my ring finger like I wanted. I gave my bigger one to Elder Williammee, he says thanks! I think I need a size 8 and I will finally be able to wear it on my right ring finger. So if you can send me an 8 and I will give mine to another Elder that would be great!
I didn’t get Dad’s letter yet, probably tomorrow. Alyea and Brinae hello!!! If I write you today promise me you will write me back same goes for the boys! I will send your letter Mom and Dad tomorrow. In a second we are going home so I will write everyone! I sent one to Aunt Pammie last week. It was super long for their FHE so I hope they like that! I love you, I have to write my presidents letter now.
Much love, Elder Christensen!!!
Ya that’s my Bro!!! Grand Slam ya!!! Your swing looks so good. How far did you hit it? It was nice to hear Alyea’s, Dad’s and Mommy’s voice! Wow I can’t wait to watch you next year buddy!!! Did you guys win that game? By the way tell Mr. McCartin I say hi! I didn’t know he was coaching you guys. Hey tell him to teach me math when I get home and I will teach him Chinese and the gospel!!
Wow thanks for the up-lifting letters Mom and Dad. My cold is way better. Right now I am so full, we went to eat at a bbq place in Yong Kang where I used to live. I ate so much meat! It was awesome. Also there I met a returned missionary that served here in gao siung 5 years ago. He went to BYU Idaho and just graduated, met his wife there who is Taiwanese but moved to America when she was 11. He also caught me up on my Lakers. I guess they won today! haha tell Max the Cavs and Magic are going to lose. Kobe’s going to win again even if he is a little hurt! lol.
Anyways this week was good! We have another baptism this week. We have been seeing a ton of miracles lately! We have a family right now that is preparing for baptism, we are just working on the Dad though. He smokes and thinks about money and his restaurant too much. The mom is golden, she hasn’t rested in 8 months since they opened this restaurant. She said it was nice to come to Sacrament yesterday. The dad might need some time. It’s sad we might have to hand them over to the sisters! Oh well we want the Mom and her two kids to get baptized first. When everything works out this will be my first family that I helped find and baptize! Please pray for the Qu Family!
Move calls are this Saturday night! My next companion will probably be on his last move so pray for me to have a good one!
I got my CTR ring, unfortunately it doesn’t fit my ring finger like I wanted. I gave my bigger one to Elder Williammee, he says thanks! I think I need a size 8 and I will finally be able to wear it on my right ring finger. So if you can send me an 8 and I will give mine to another Elder that would be great!
I didn’t get Dad’s letter yet, probably tomorrow. Alyea and Brinae hello!!! If I write you today promise me you will write me back same goes for the boys! I will send your letter Mom and Dad tomorrow. In a second we are going home so I will write everyone! I sent one to Aunt Pammie last week. It was super long for their FHE so I hope they like that! I love you, I have to write my presidents letter now.
Much love, Elder Christensen!!!
April 3, 2010 - Pictures
"This last week we had a baptism!!! It was hard to get him in the water but in the end he finally stopped drinking tea. He will be an awesome member for sure!"
"We went tomb sweeping again. The people firefighters remembered me from last year, they said, handsome boy."
March 29, 2010 - Letter
Hello My Beautiful Family,
This week was really good. We had Zone Conference and it was on how to find with faith! It was the best one so far. My new area is way awesome. I love the city, there are a ton of people in our area. Last night was cool, we rode to a really far place down by the beach and found some Filipino’s. They were living in a small shack. They called it their barracks. lol we read from the Liahona with them and learned they were fisherman and they should have been out to see yesterday but the wind and weather was too bad. So we got to teach them. We are going back there next week. It was way hard to teach in English though...oh man! My companion keeps making fun of me because I said "I know that this church is true. When you know this is true are you willing to act on the truth?" Then as we were riding home I came to a red light. No one was there not even one car. Kind of out in the middle of nowhere but really close to coming into the city. I heard the spirit say stop, so I did. Then had a feeling to run the light again. Again it said no stop. I looked around for somebody to contact but nobody was there, then again ok I’m running it! The spirit screamed NO ELDER! I was freaked out wow ok I will stay but nobody rode up behind me and no danger ahead. Then the light turned green and about 10 seconds later two Filipino’s rode up next to me.
I invited them in my poor English to come follow me to our church. They said ok! Then as we were riding to the church I asked if they believed in Jesus Christ. They said of course we are Catholic. I was surprised but very happy to give them a tour of the church. Afterwards we taught them and they were very happy to meet us and said on Sunday they would come to church. So hopefully I can translate for Nali and Mar when they come! Super humble people. Chris Packer must have loved it there!
They told me a crazy story… there is a Christian sect that believes in order to have forgiveness of a man’s sin every good Friday on the Passover they literally crucify themselves!!! They do this for 10 minutes. They take 9 inch nails and pierce the hands and feet but not the wrist of course. Just like Jesus Christ. If you ask me I think they are crazy and that is BLASPHEMY! I heard this before from my companion Elder Pack, but he didn’t know if it was true, but I found out from Mar that ya there are people in the phillipines that area a part of this church that really crucify themselves. Learn something new every day!
Well sorry this week no pics because I forgot the cord. Today we played basketball as a Zone. The Zone activity as we call it, then after that we went to Pizza Hut! I ate so much... I’m kind of retarded tho, cuz I drank a ton of soda so it filled me up really fast, so I couldn’t down 15 slices like my companion did! I love you all thanks for sending shoes!! Wow how did you know I need a new pair and the suit will be very nice.. Haven’t sent the ring yet, due to no money...everybody is suffering, money hasn’t come in yet..Hopefully tonight or tomorrow. Can you send the 8.5 first then I will send mine? keyi ma? Can you? Hey you never told me what your mouse pad looks like...what character is it? I love you to the MOON! The boys are studs! JV right? Hi Brinae write me soon.. Alyea nice hair hahah and Daddy can’t wait to get that letter from you.
I love you!
This week was really good. We had Zone Conference and it was on how to find with faith! It was the best one so far. My new area is way awesome. I love the city, there are a ton of people in our area. Last night was cool, we rode to a really far place down by the beach and found some Filipino’s. They were living in a small shack. They called it their barracks. lol we read from the Liahona with them and learned they were fisherman and they should have been out to see yesterday but the wind and weather was too bad. So we got to teach them. We are going back there next week. It was way hard to teach in English though...oh man! My companion keeps making fun of me because I said "I know that this church is true. When you know this is true are you willing to act on the truth?" Then as we were riding home I came to a red light. No one was there not even one car. Kind of out in the middle of nowhere but really close to coming into the city. I heard the spirit say stop, so I did. Then had a feeling to run the light again. Again it said no stop. I looked around for somebody to contact but nobody was there, then again ok I’m running it! The spirit screamed NO ELDER! I was freaked out wow ok I will stay but nobody rode up behind me and no danger ahead. Then the light turned green and about 10 seconds later two Filipino’s rode up next to me.
I invited them in my poor English to come follow me to our church. They said ok! Then as we were riding to the church I asked if they believed in Jesus Christ. They said of course we are Catholic. I was surprised but very happy to give them a tour of the church. Afterwards we taught them and they were very happy to meet us and said on Sunday they would come to church. So hopefully I can translate for Nali and Mar when they come! Super humble people. Chris Packer must have loved it there!
They told me a crazy story… there is a Christian sect that believes in order to have forgiveness of a man’s sin every good Friday on the Passover they literally crucify themselves!!! They do this for 10 minutes. They take 9 inch nails and pierce the hands and feet but not the wrist of course. Just like Jesus Christ. If you ask me I think they are crazy and that is BLASPHEMY! I heard this before from my companion Elder Pack, but he didn’t know if it was true, but I found out from Mar that ya there are people in the phillipines that area a part of this church that really crucify themselves. Learn something new every day!
Well sorry this week no pics because I forgot the cord. Today we played basketball as a Zone. The Zone activity as we call it, then after that we went to Pizza Hut! I ate so much... I’m kind of retarded tho, cuz I drank a ton of soda so it filled me up really fast, so I couldn’t down 15 slices like my companion did! I love you all thanks for sending shoes!! Wow how did you know I need a new pair and the suit will be very nice.. Haven’t sent the ring yet, due to no money...everybody is suffering, money hasn’t come in yet..Hopefully tonight or tomorrow. Can you send the 8.5 first then I will send mine? keyi ma? Can you? Hey you never told me what your mouse pad looks like...what character is it? I love you to the MOON! The boys are studs! JV right? Hi Brinae write me soon.. Alyea nice hair hahah and Daddy can’t wait to get that letter from you.
I love you!
March 22, 2010 - Letter
Hello my beautiful family!
Ya the big city is so fun! My new member called the church yesterday James! Guiren is only 30 minutes away so he is coming to treat me to dinner next Wednesday and then he will stay and attend my English class. Ya me and my new companion get a long great I think he is my favorite companion so far and will be until I go home. He is worried to go home but I am helping him get lost in the work and work really hard and try to be exactly obedient so we can see 10 people get baptized this move call!
Ok i'll answer your questions...Mom..ya Taibao is my favorite area so far just because of all the members. But proyselyting was hard not much people to talk to. Ya everything fit but it was the hardest packing yet I didn't get to bed till 3:30! I'm wearing a ring that a random investigator gave me for free at 7-11 just because I was from Las Vegas. lol to answer Dad's question everybody loves us, except for some old people because they are afraid when they die their family won't worship them so some people oppose us and the church hardcore.
Drayson..... I have baptized or personally attended 8 baptisms. But the other aspect of it. I taught 12 people that later got baptized when I moved so I guess so far I have helped 20 people be baptized.... my goal is 50!!! great question buddy!
Brycson... today I ate pineapple ice cream, but other days oatmeal, or the breafast shop. A breakfast burger most of the times when I have enough money and sometimes I don't eat breakfast just wait till lunch. Alright next
Alyea they drive on the right side lol that's only Europe and Austrailia. Cool question tho.
Brinae: Monday, Wednesday and Friday we get up at 6 or 6:30 depending how late me and my companion stayed up talking if we stay up late we get up at 6:30, then till 7 lift, then on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday we run outside! Sunday no excerise of course. 7-8 prepare for day. 8-9 personal study. Then 9-10 companionship study. 10- 10:30 language study. 10:30 out the door home at 9. Home at 9:30 if teaching a lesson. 9-:930 plan for the next day. 9:30 till 10 fill out area book or call people to set up, then 10-10:30 study Chinese. 10:30 go to bed! Great questions everybody keep doing that from now on!
I love you guys!
Ya the big city is so fun! My new member called the church yesterday James! Guiren is only 30 minutes away so he is coming to treat me to dinner next Wednesday and then he will stay and attend my English class. Ya me and my new companion get a long great I think he is my favorite companion so far and will be until I go home. He is worried to go home but I am helping him get lost in the work and work really hard and try to be exactly obedient so we can see 10 people get baptized this move call!
Ok i'll answer your questions...Mom..ya Taibao is my favorite area so far just because of all the members. But proyselyting was hard not much people to talk to. Ya everything fit but it was the hardest packing yet I didn't get to bed till 3:30! I'm wearing a ring that a random investigator gave me for free at 7-11 just because I was from Las Vegas. lol to answer Dad's question everybody loves us, except for some old people because they are afraid when they die their family won't worship them so some people oppose us and the church hardcore.
Drayson..... I have baptized or personally attended 8 baptisms. But the other aspect of it. I taught 12 people that later got baptized when I moved so I guess so far I have helped 20 people be baptized.... my goal is 50!!! great question buddy!
Brycson... today I ate pineapple ice cream, but other days oatmeal, or the breafast shop. A breakfast burger most of the times when I have enough money and sometimes I don't eat breakfast just wait till lunch. Alright next
Alyea they drive on the right side lol that's only Europe and Austrailia. Cool question tho.
Brinae: Monday, Wednesday and Friday we get up at 6 or 6:30 depending how late me and my companion stayed up talking if we stay up late we get up at 6:30, then till 7 lift, then on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday we run outside! Sunday no excerise of course. 7-8 prepare for day. 8-9 personal study. Then 9-10 companionship study. 10- 10:30 language study. 10:30 out the door home at 9. Home at 9:30 if teaching a lesson. 9-:930 plan for the next day. 9:30 till 10 fill out area book or call people to set up, then 10-10:30 study Chinese. 10:30 go to bed! Great questions everybody keep doing that from now on!
I love you guys!
March 17, 2010 - "Dan Jones"
That's me doing the Dan Jones. I was preaching to all those people at the stop light!
March 15, 2010 - Transfer to Tainan
Hello my beautiful family!
WOW!! I am finally in the city! I moved down to West Tainan. I came to east tainan on exchanges a couple of times. So it was cool coming back today. But I have never been to west so this will be a fun experience.... I am very excited because I have been wanting to serve in the city for a long time. I'm sure I will be able to go to tai zhong later on. My new companion is way cool and super funny because he has alot of stories. I have run into him a couple times. Last zone conference he translated so his chinese is really qiang lol. So his name is Elder Joshua Aaron Williammee from Raleigh Stake North Carolina, he is on his last move so it looks like I have to learn how to work in the city.
I don't have much time today, I want to send a lot of pics so I can catch you up with what happened last week. Man I am going to miss taibao I was there for 6 months! It's different in the big city my goal is to baptize 15 this move call! so I am very excited to start working towards that goal! I love you all and yes I finally got the pics thank you. The ctr ring doesn't fit on my right ring finger. I need an 8.5 but I am wearing it on my left pointer finger which works too! Check into that for me.
WOW!! I am finally in the city! I moved down to West Tainan. I came to east tainan on exchanges a couple of times. So it was cool coming back today. But I have never been to west so this will be a fun experience.... I am very excited because I have been wanting to serve in the city for a long time. I'm sure I will be able to go to tai zhong later on. My new companion is way cool and super funny because he has alot of stories. I have run into him a couple times. Last zone conference he translated so his chinese is really qiang lol. So his name is Elder Joshua Aaron Williammee from Raleigh Stake North Carolina, he is on his last move so it looks like I have to learn how to work in the city.
I don't have much time today, I want to send a lot of pics so I can catch you up with what happened last week. Man I am going to miss taibao I was there for 6 months! It's different in the big city my goal is to baptize 15 this move call! so I am very excited to start working towards that goal! I love you all and yes I finally got the pics thank you. The ctr ring doesn't fit on my right ring finger. I need an 8.5 but I am wearing it on my left pointer finger which works too! Check into that for me.
New companion: Elder Joshua Aaron Williammee
from Raleigh Stake, North Carolina
March 14, 2010 - Leaving Taibao
"Ya...a lot of people came to see me off to tainan. Lamar is better than ever. When I baptized chen yi lin on Saturday he was begging to get baptized!! But he still has to come to church one more time and pass a interview! He is the most golden investigator I have ever taught in my life sorry Nick! He was faster"
March 8, 2010 - Letter and Janfusun Fancyworld
Hello my beautiful family!
Haha I knew you would be worried! Ya last Thursday was the biggest earthquake I have ever felt. At 8:25 in the morning I was reading Jesus the Christ at the time. I stood up and screamed ya!! Repent Taiwan!!!...then my dresser fell over..and that’s it. But it started off slow and after I yelled repent the earth shook hard! In jia yi xian taibao it rocked us a good 6.4! I guess 38 people have died but of course all missionaries are ok! pretty crazy.. Woah!!! EARTHQUAKE!!!! wow is the world going to end already? nah this must be the beginning me and elder pack just said. haha
So the picture I just sent you was a picture of the most golden investigator I have ever met. Even though he has one eye because of a car accident, I still love him to death. So I found him at 7-11 last Friday..haha he just called me and said woah di zhen! Haha you guys are learning chinese.(In the subject of his letter this week we put Hello Di zhen) hen bang! I contacted chen li wei at the 7-11 invited him to church but he couldn’t make it to go to church. So we met with him in the afternoon. Then invited him to English class. At English class I showed the testaments in English and at the end switched it to Chinese when Jesus Christ came down to visit the Nephites. At that point he felt of the truthfulness of this church and the 30 minute testimony I bore afterwards! In my testimony I said I know the angels just wrote down my testimony in heaven! Lamar believed! I gave him his name. I wanted him to have Kobe, but he said no it doesn’t match li wei. So I chose Lamar as in Lamar Odom #7 for the Lakers! Then the next day he went tracting and that night all the members were outside the church. I asked him in front of them if he believes that the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the true church on the face of this earth? He said yes!! The members were shocked! Then he came to church and after church his boss called him and said since he skipped work he is fired! I told him I know that God will provide for you! He is very happy he has no work and wants to go back to school and when he gets baptized he said he wants to follow my footsteps and be a missionary. But for now he just wants to learn! YAY!! I hope I don’t move, he wants me to baptize him. If only I met Lamar a little earlier, we both would not be so sad!
I love you Mommy!! MISS YOU TO THE MOON
Love, Elder Christensen
March 3, 2010 - 6.4 - Magnitude EARTHQUAKE
"The dresser that fell over in the closet from the earthquake"
6.4-magnitude quake hits southern TaiwanMarch 3, 2010 9:46 p.m. EST
6.4 quake rocks southern Taiwan at about 0120 GMT
Aftershocks follow; no immediate reports of deaths
Quake hits northwest of Taitung, on the southeast coast
Residents in southern Taiwan report blackouts; train services disrupted
(CNN) -- A 6.4-magnitude earthquake jolted southern Taiwan on Thursday morning, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. There were no immediate reports of injuries or deaths but some damage has occurred to buildings and major bridges, and power was cut off near the epicenter.
The quake struck at about 8:20 a.m. (7:20 p.m. Wednesday ET) in a mountainous region about 25 miles northwest of Taitung, on the southeast coast, and 40 miles east of Tainan and Kaohsiung on the southwest coast.
The region, which includes Maolin National Scenic Area, is recovering from a direct hit by Typhoon Morakot that killed hundreds in August. The typhoon dumped more than two feet of rain, causing serious mudslides in the south, including one that buried the village of Shiao Lin under 50 feet of mud.
Thursday's quake was followed by several aftershocks, the largest reaching 4.8. The initial 6.4 quake rumbled to the surface from 14 miles deep. Were you there? Did you feel it?
The Taiwan Ministry of Interior and the National Fire Agency said electricity was cut off near the epicenter but had no further information.
Residents in southern Taiwan reported cracks in some buildings and major bridges. Train service was also disrupted in some areas, Taiwanese media reported.
Albert Yu, communications manager of the humanitarian organization World Vision, told CNN he was about halfway through a 90-minute trip via high-speed train from Taipei to Tainan when the quake struck. Passengers did not feel the quake, he said, but operators stopped the train and announced what had happened. More than an hour later, the train had not resumed its journey.
Yu said World Vision "has already been on high alert responding to the quakes in Haiti and Chile, so we're closely monitoring reports in the earthquake in southern Taiwan."
Residents in the capital Taipei, 155 miles to the north, also felt the shaking.
Earthquakes are not uncommon in the 13,892-square-mile island -- about the size of the U.S. states of Maryland and Delaware combined -- which sits across the juncture of the Eurasian and Philippine tectonic plates.
A 6.4-magnitude earthquake struck the same general region in December. The island took a double hit on December 26, 2006, when earthquakes of 7.1 and 6.9 magnitude hit eight minutes apart.
The largest recorded quake to strike Taiwan was an 8.0-magnitude quake in 1920, but the worst earthquake disaster stemmed from a 7.1-magnitude quake in 1935 that killed more than 3,200 people -- followed by a 6.5-magnitude quake that killed more than 2,700 people three months later.
More recently, a 7.6-magnitude earthquake killed more than 2,400 people in 1999.
March 1, 2010 - Letter
Hello My Beautiful Family,
This week was really good! We got 5 investigators to church and one of them said she is willing to be baptized in 2 weeks. I hope she is for real this time and will start reading more of the Book of Mormon. Her name is chen yi lin. Wow dad I didn’t know you had 14 baptisms in a month! Here in Taiwan the mission record is 11!!! I want to break it so bad, but it’s so hard, a lot of our really good investigators lately just don’t have any more time and zheng still doesn’t have the priesthood. He just can't wake up on time! But we hope to hit our goal of 4 baptisms this move call. If not when I move to another area, hopefully a City, so that I would be able to break that 11. Wow 14 is amazing Dad thanks for sharing that with me! MOM I didn’t get a package or the pics yet but I am sure it will come tomorrow or the next day! I am excited to get the CTR ring. I am happy Dad and I have the same one, that is so cool. YA boys I am so proud of you. Have faith, I know you both will make the team. Your the best at Damonte!!! Alyea a senior!! I don't believe it. Good thing I will be home for your Senior Prom! and no guy is taking you I will take you!! lol you are growing up to fast sweetie!!!
Well brinae, you deserve a little letter from me. I am so proud of you. I am sure the Lord prepared many things for you to hear at this time in your life. But remember that blessing is sacrad and doesn’t make much sense unless your prepared to hear it and that time you need it. I read my blessing at least one a week in personal study and find new things that the Lord wants me to recognize! I am so happy for you that blessing is so precious to me! I know its March and by the way happy 20 th birthday in a couple days. You are getting so old! Like I was saying I hope time goes slower because my time is getting short I feel so old compared to all the new missionaries coming on! But I still have a long time! As much as I miss you and the family I cherish every day, I don’t want to go home I feel like I am exactly where I need to be at this time in my life. Haha yesterday my new member told me, “Sun if you die your hair black you would look like a Taiwanese!! haha it is against the rules! haha why do I look Chinese?
P.S. I agree with Dad put the blog off of private so everyone I give the address too can see my blog faster! Alright thanks, picture time! This is my Taiwanese Mom!!! I love her so much. She is the nicest member I have ever met in my life!!! I hope you like my new dragon tie! Has anyone ever tried sugarcane before? If so Taiwan is better!!! Ya New Years dinner at my mom’s house! I don’t call her mommy. You are my mommy, mommy! She is my mom! Lol ya chinese food!!!! My mom is a painter! The last supper! All the sugar cane we ate!
Ok I better send this off; I love you so much and don’t forget that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love’s you more!
Love,
Elder Christensen
This week was really good! We got 5 investigators to church and one of them said she is willing to be baptized in 2 weeks. I hope she is for real this time and will start reading more of the Book of Mormon. Her name is chen yi lin. Wow dad I didn’t know you had 14 baptisms in a month! Here in Taiwan the mission record is 11!!! I want to break it so bad, but it’s so hard, a lot of our really good investigators lately just don’t have any more time and zheng still doesn’t have the priesthood. He just can't wake up on time! But we hope to hit our goal of 4 baptisms this move call. If not when I move to another area, hopefully a City, so that I would be able to break that 11. Wow 14 is amazing Dad thanks for sharing that with me! MOM I didn’t get a package or the pics yet but I am sure it will come tomorrow or the next day! I am excited to get the CTR ring. I am happy Dad and I have the same one, that is so cool. YA boys I am so proud of you. Have faith, I know you both will make the team. Your the best at Damonte!!! Alyea a senior!! I don't believe it. Good thing I will be home for your Senior Prom! and no guy is taking you I will take you!! lol you are growing up to fast sweetie!!!
Well brinae, you deserve a little letter from me. I am so proud of you. I am sure the Lord prepared many things for you to hear at this time in your life. But remember that blessing is sacrad and doesn’t make much sense unless your prepared to hear it and that time you need it. I read my blessing at least one a week in personal study and find new things that the Lord wants me to recognize! I am so happy for you that blessing is so precious to me! I know its March and by the way happy 20 th birthday in a couple days. You are getting so old! Like I was saying I hope time goes slower because my time is getting short I feel so old compared to all the new missionaries coming on! But I still have a long time! As much as I miss you and the family I cherish every day, I don’t want to go home I feel like I am exactly where I need to be at this time in my life. Haha yesterday my new member told me, “Sun if you die your hair black you would look like a Taiwanese!! haha it is against the rules! haha why do I look Chinese?
P.S. I agree with Dad put the blog off of private so everyone I give the address too can see my blog faster! Alright thanks, picture time! This is my Taiwanese Mom!!! I love her so much. She is the nicest member I have ever met in my life!!! I hope you like my new dragon tie! Has anyone ever tried sugarcane before? If so Taiwan is better!!! Ya New Years dinner at my mom’s house! I don’t call her mommy. You are my mommy, mommy! She is my mom! Lol ya chinese food!!!! My mom is a painter! The last supper! All the sugar cane we ate!
Ok I better send this off; I love you so much and don’t forget that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love’s you more!
Love,
Elder Christensen
February 22, 2010 - Letter
Hello my beautiful family!
I have been in taiwan for 1 YEAR!!!
How is everyone! So happy you finally got the ring. Dad Happy Fathers Day!!! lol. That will be cool for you to sport a chinese ring! Do you know what it says? lol Yes I am being faithfull and patient the other day I saw so many miracles I felt so lucky but wondering why God wanted to bless us so much with new Families!!! So I will tell you the best story I have had here in tai bao. Last Saturday afternoon we went to go find a less active as we were about to leave I saw a row of houses with only 7 doors to tract. I tracted there before with Elder Shane Gallagher, by the way go on his face book to see if he is really engaged! So I doubted that anyone would be home or we would find someone, but the spirit prompted me again no stop and tract then go with our plan.. Now Elder pack that day already planned for the day because I was in jia yi on exchanges so I wasn't there when he was planning. But I stuck to my guns and told him, Elder I think we should tract these houses then we will stick to the plan and ride top pu zi! He said no, we have to stick to the plan. I said I know but I just had a strong feeling to stop and tract. He said really? I said yes! Elder trust me please! He said ok fine Elder, I trust you. So the 4 th house in I rang the door bell, no answer walked to the next one then I heard a lady on the 2nd floor saying what! I went over tried to get into her house to share the gospel, but she said she is busy watching her newborn. I patiently yeiled and said ok when can we come back? Is tomorrow night ok? She said ok come back Sunday night at 7:30 when my husband is home. I said great see you tomorrow. After that I knew my feeling was from the spirit! But I didn't want to get my hopes up because Taiwanese love to lie just to be polite, it's the culture. They would rather lie to your face than tell you no they are not interested! So last night we went back and the mom was happy to see us and let us in and added them or invited the mom, kid and husband to be baptized when they know this church is true! My companion turned to me after the lesson and said man I am glad I trusted you Elder! I said no it wasn't me it was the spirit! We were both so happy! Then after that we went to another families house, the mom is christian and the dad hasn't been baptized yet long story short after we met that mom on Sat. we rode away and then I heard a little girl crying and saying I want my mommy in chinese. She is like 7 so to me this is amazing because for any missionary it is very hard to understand children they talk super fast and their tone of voice is like a child expecially girls! So I am shocked because again I told my companion to stop riding we need to go back. Now he was thinking what? What now! Are we ever going to go through with the plan? So I turned around and called the little girls over to the fence of their gated community. The older sister told us her little sister fell off the swing. I told them to go get her mom to get the girl help. Plus I was hoping to talk with the mom not about her little girl, you know, so the older girl was like no my mom is busy! So then my companion started to leave. But then I asked them, hey can we come back to your house tomorrow to meet you parents they said ok and I set up a time for 8:30. Not thinking it would even work, but the girl actually told her parents and the dad was waiting for us to come!!! Added the family we are going back on Thursday!!!!!! No i'm not done we finally arrive at pu zi and as we were riding a guy rode his bike next to me. I quickly opened my mouth, said I was a missionary, where are you going? He said home to eat with my family. I said oh cool do you think that I can accompany you, I hope I can meet your wife and kids! Now guys this is bold! maybe too bold. Even though Taiwaneese are nice they still don't like other strangers to know where they live. So his answer was sure come follow me! As we were riding we chit chated about me being from America and all. He was very interested about America like every other Taiwanese here! lol. Then we taught a first and also added them. So my goal for this week is to visit these families again and make sure every one of them comes to church next week!!! I love you all and hope you liked my 3 family miracle stories!!! All happened in one day!
Love, Elder Christensen
I have been in taiwan for 1 YEAR!!!
How is everyone! So happy you finally got the ring. Dad Happy Fathers Day!!! lol. That will be cool for you to sport a chinese ring! Do you know what it says? lol Yes I am being faithfull and patient the other day I saw so many miracles I felt so lucky but wondering why God wanted to bless us so much with new Families!!! So I will tell you the best story I have had here in tai bao. Last Saturday afternoon we went to go find a less active as we were about to leave I saw a row of houses with only 7 doors to tract. I tracted there before with Elder Shane Gallagher, by the way go on his face book to see if he is really engaged! So I doubted that anyone would be home or we would find someone, but the spirit prompted me again no stop and tract then go with our plan.. Now Elder pack that day already planned for the day because I was in jia yi on exchanges so I wasn't there when he was planning. But I stuck to my guns and told him, Elder I think we should tract these houses then we will stick to the plan and ride top pu zi! He said no, we have to stick to the plan. I said I know but I just had a strong feeling to stop and tract. He said really? I said yes! Elder trust me please! He said ok fine Elder, I trust you. So the 4 th house in I rang the door bell, no answer walked to the next one then I heard a lady on the 2nd floor saying what! I went over tried to get into her house to share the gospel, but she said she is busy watching her newborn. I patiently yeiled and said ok when can we come back? Is tomorrow night ok? She said ok come back Sunday night at 7:30 when my husband is home. I said great see you tomorrow. After that I knew my feeling was from the spirit! But I didn't want to get my hopes up because Taiwanese love to lie just to be polite, it's the culture. They would rather lie to your face than tell you no they are not interested! So last night we went back and the mom was happy to see us and let us in and added them or invited the mom, kid and husband to be baptized when they know this church is true! My companion turned to me after the lesson and said man I am glad I trusted you Elder! I said no it wasn't me it was the spirit! We were both so happy! Then after that we went to another families house, the mom is christian and the dad hasn't been baptized yet long story short after we met that mom on Sat. we rode away and then I heard a little girl crying and saying I want my mommy in chinese. She is like 7 so to me this is amazing because for any missionary it is very hard to understand children they talk super fast and their tone of voice is like a child expecially girls! So I am shocked because again I told my companion to stop riding we need to go back. Now he was thinking what? What now! Are we ever going to go through with the plan? So I turned around and called the little girls over to the fence of their gated community. The older sister told us her little sister fell off the swing. I told them to go get her mom to get the girl help. Plus I was hoping to talk with the mom not about her little girl, you know, so the older girl was like no my mom is busy! So then my companion started to leave. But then I asked them, hey can we come back to your house tomorrow to meet you parents they said ok and I set up a time for 8:30. Not thinking it would even work, but the girl actually told her parents and the dad was waiting for us to come!!! Added the family we are going back on Thursday!!!!!! No i'm not done we finally arrive at pu zi and as we were riding a guy rode his bike next to me. I quickly opened my mouth, said I was a missionary, where are you going? He said home to eat with my family. I said oh cool do you think that I can accompany you, I hope I can meet your wife and kids! Now guys this is bold! maybe too bold. Even though Taiwaneese are nice they still don't like other strangers to know where they live. So his answer was sure come follow me! As we were riding we chit chated about me being from America and all. He was very interested about America like every other Taiwanese here! lol. Then we taught a first and also added them. So my goal for this week is to visit these families again and make sure every one of them comes to church next week!!! I love you all and hope you liked my 3 family miracle stories!!! All happened in one day!
Love, Elder Christensen
February 15, 2010 -Letter and Taiwan Mom
Hello my beautiful family,
I have so much I want to write but you have to see some pictures first YES Happy New Year!!! Everyone wrote me yay!!!
Wow you got those pics fast. I love this new e-mail service pics upload super fast!!!! How is my american Mommy? Thanks for having an awesome e-mail for me today! I got your letters and the memory card in I think a week!! You sent it Friday right? Tell everybody thank you so much. Haha Rudy is funny trying to speak Chinese tell him I will teach him when I get home if he can re teach me Spanish! Wow David is a studd! I am so happy for them! Also why are the boys not playing basketball, dumb move they should be playing both! Tell Sandra I said hi and I hope to hear from her and Tanner soon.
Ya it should be there any day now. My guess is tomorrow you will get it. The Taizhong secretary Sister Greene does a really good job sending them without mistake. She knows I am the one with the decorated envelopes! haha
Well this week is Zone Conference, I am excited about that. And 2 of my investigators are getting a baptismal interview on Friday so hopefully we will have 2 baptisms next week! Our goal this move call is 4 so I am pretty sure we will accomplish our goal. So not much has happened this week except for the Chinese New Year. A ton of members have already treated us to their huge abundant meals! This year is the year of the tiger do you know? I have a present for all of you that I will send home next move when we get more money also the coolest painting I have ever seen. No nothing about dragons! Even better, has to do with the gospel. Can't wait for you all to get that.
i love you... gong xi fa cai
Elder Pack
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