Come to Zion, Come to Zion!!! 7/15/13

Hey Everyone!

I pray all is well, and life will continue to improve! We always have something to look forward to in the future! I love that hope will always shine bright, when we believe in Heavenly Father's promises!

There are a couple of amazing things that I want to tell you about from this week! First to explain the picture. 

This is a picture of our map-now, I hope you can see it, there is an orange line drawn across the map I want you to know that me and my companion biked that! We biked all the way from our house in Houston to a lesson with an investigator in Sugar Land!!! It was EPIC! We were biking for 2.5 hours. Crazy fun! When we got there we were quite soaked from the heat and hummidity. It was somewhere in the range of at least 100 degrees or more. Good times! So we decided to leave our legacy on the map we made by highlighting the route and puting a note say, "This is the epic bike route biked by Sisters B. Jones and A. Christopherson on Thursday, July 11, 2013! A-MAZING!" Yup, that happened! ;-) Our District Leader has since put a ten mile radius on us. So, we can't bike further than 10 miles away from the car.... but it was still cool!

 

Now, another wonderful thing that I'm sure you want to hear about! Let me tell you about a miracle! On Friday night we got two text messages from an investigator that we had dropped because of inconsistant contact; they said: "I want to get baptized." and the next, "I know it's all true." We were so happy. At the beginning of the month we set goals for how many people we're going to find, teach, baptize, etc. At the beginning of this month I felt very strongly two baptisms! Now, at that time we only had one investigator. But I set the goal and we've been trying to work towards it. This last week we still hadn't found any new investigators, it didn't look like we'd be able to meet the goal, because it takes time for people to be baptized right. That's were faith plays a role, we were praying and praying and working our whole hearts out. Father answers prayers. Would I have been able to meet that goal this month? No. Would my companion and I? No. But Father, Heavenly Father could and He did! We are so grateful that He has allowed us to be a small part of His work! Miracles do happen!

 

I hope that each of you are heading the prophets call to be missionaries. The Lord is hastening His work, please don't pass by the opportunity to be a part of it. He needs you, and the full-time missionaries need you. You can make a bigger difference in the lives of the people you know that we can! Pray for and seek opportunities to share the gospel this week. Give a pass-a-long card, a Book of Mormon, your testimony, whatever the Spirit prompts you to do! Just do it! You will see similar miracles in your life unfold as you move to the front lines in sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ and the message of His restored church! In the words of my investigator, "I know it's all true." It is true, and that should be burning in your hearts every minute of the day! Don't forget to share it! ;-)

 

I love you all, I love this gospel, and I love my Heavenly Father and Savior! I don't love Texas, but I love the people I've met here and the experiences I've been able to have! I'm grateful for every moment that has been alloted me! Have a wonderful week! Be safe, and courageous in sharing the gospel! I'll see you soon!

 

Forever,

Sis. Christopherson

Hello Hello Hello! GUESS WHAT?! 7/10/13

Hello to all my wonderful family!

I miss you all very much! I'm sure you're doing great and exciting things, and having plenty of adventures! Whatever you are doing, please make sure you're learning something by the Spirit every day! Whether you are at work, school, or chillin' like a villian at home - we all need to learn by the Spirit! I hope you are filling your time with good things, that you are being good examples. And the kinds of sons and daughters Heavenly Father would be pleased with. Because I know if you do those things, you are truly happy! It makes me excited just to think about it!

This is my hair bow that I wore for the Sing-a-long and
the 4th of July AND how super LONG my hair is! CRAZY, right? ;-)

I'm e-mailing today because we went to the temple, which was wonderful! And much needed. I miss that place so much. Every three months is just not often enough! Sorry, I didn't warn you last week because I didn't know we were going until Saturday. But I'm glad that we could! Love it! Tender mercies of the Lord! Go to the temple this week! Just feel it....it's so filling! Filled to overflowing!

This is my district and the members that drove us to the temple today! ;-)

So, some exciting news: Do you remember Sister ----? Well, if you look at the very first set of pictures I mailed home, or on the blog ( I think they're on there--I'm not sure, because I was hesitant to put faces up, back then...). You will see a super sweet Sister ---- who was my first companion in the MTC. Well, I want you to know that she is doing great! So great she gets to be my companion again! ;-) It's been really fun this last week, being her companion! She is super fun, and we've done a lot together on our missions. It's kind of a surprise that we're together, because so many new sisters are in the mission. I didn't think President would put me with someone as old as I am in the mission. You know? But he did! And I'm glad he did because I LOVE it!

These two pictures are of a gigantic map that we're making!!! So, this map covers our entire wall, and is not even 1/3 of our area! However, our key map stopped going out that far! ;-) Anyway, I have more pictures I'll send next week that will show you how big it is...really. It's been nice to have this week though. The work became so much easier to plan!

A lot of effort in the map, but God is good and blesses us for the work we do! That is me in the corner over there. I didn't know Sis. Jones took the picture! However, it kind of helps you see the map size better. It's bigger than I am! ;-) Love you!

Braes Bayou is still the same. It's rockin'! We're actually fixin' to hop over and teach ---- right after this. She is really looking forward to her baptism at the end of this month. And I'm excited to be a part of the miracles that Heavenly Father sends this area! A lot of the people we talk to, we can't actually teach, but we've had some really amazing miracles this last week. We gave away two copies of the Book of Mormon within 20 minutes of each other! They were really excited to read it, we'll have to pass them on to the missionaries for the family ward for sure!

They have SUPER big wreaths down here in Texas...that is all. :-D

I just want you to know, that even though we can't understand or always see how Heavenly Father is guiding us, and blessing us you can count on the truth that He is! Our lives, and experiences don't always go the way we plan, that's for sure, but we can know with surety that Heavenly Father will direct our paths to what's best for us. He always gives us what we need, and usually a little more! I love that I know Heavenly Father loves me, I love that I know that the Savior lives! I know what this means in my life, and I know as I continue to seek and do I will gain even more understanding of the mysteries and promises of Heavenly Father!

Remember that He loves you, you are doing better than you think you are, and you are special to a little ol' Sister Christopherson down in Houston, TX!

 

Forever,

Sis. Christopherson

Happy Fourth of July! 7/1/13

Hello to all who fare in distant lands! 

So, to start out I want to share a story for Bapa! We have a mission choir down here in the THSM, and they have an annual Sing-A-Long for the fourth of July in the Houston South Stake. We were invited to attend and sing a couple of songs, along with the sing-a-long songs too. It was lots of fun!

In the process we sang all of the military hymns, and we got to stand if we or someone in our family served in that branch of the military. I'll have you know, I proudly stood up, when the time came, and sang as best I could:

"From the halls of Montezuma, to the shores of Tripoli. We fight our country's battles in the air, on land, and sea! First to fight for right and freedom and to keep our honor clean. We are proud to claim the title of United States Marine!" (If the Army or the Navy ever look on heaven scenes, They will find the streets are guarded by United States Marines. )

Yup, that happened! And I am proud to claim the title of Granddaughter of a United States Marine! ;-) Bapa, you're a hero! Thank you so much for all you did and do for this country, and our family. This is a land of liberty, and you proudly fought for those same things that Captain Moroni fought for! (Alma 46:12-13) Thank you, I know it wasn't easy. If nothing else you've been the means of making on VERY patriotic granddaughter! ;-) I am proud to be an American, and to live in this promised land! I'm grateful to all the men and women who have also made such sacrifices. Please thank them for me.

2 Nephi 10:11~ And this land shall be a land of liberty unto the Gentiles, and there shall be no kings upon the land, who shall raise up unto the Gentiles.

Ether 2:12~ Behold, this is a choice land, and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall be free from bondage, and from captivity, and from all other nations under heaven, if they will but serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ, who hath been manifested by the things which we have written.

Anyway! Just wanted to share that part of my life with you. Also at the Sing-A-Long I saw Brother ----, and I got to talk to him for a couple minutes! I can't tell you how special he is! I can't wait for you to meet him. Really. He goes out teaching with the Elders in Memorial Park quite regularly, he has received the Melchizedek priesthood, as well as given blessings, and he is preparing to enter the temple to receive his endowment (which he invited me to attend). He already goes to the temple as often as he can to do Baptisms for the Dead. He is just the sweetest! I'm so grateful Heavenly Father allowed me to be a part of that experience, and His life. God is good!

This week was CRAZY! I went on three exchanges and transfers are next week. I'm staying, but Sister Vea is leaving, which is fair. She has been here since she got in the field 8 months ago! So, it's been a who knows what's happening week! This transfer just flew by! I don't know where June went! We are teaching a new investigator that wants to get baptized at the end of July. That is exciting. She is doing well, we've been able to see her twice this week. That is going good. There's lots to say, but no real way to say it, and no time. It's just flying by!

Okay, well. Know that I love you with all my heart! I hope and pray that all is well, and that everyone is in good health or will recover quickly. Please remember to take care of your body, and don't do anything silly while I'm away!

Forever,

Sis. Christopherson

Heavenly Father is a God of Miracles! :-) 6/24/13

Hello everyone!!!

I hope all is well! I'll continue to pray for the newest addition to our family, ----! It is exciting to have him, even under such circumstances, and I know that Heavenly Father has already wrought miracles in our family with ----, why not with ----? :-) Remember that He really does grant us the righteous desires of our hearts, and He knows all the pieces and how to put them into place. Come what may, we know that family is eternal and Heavenly Father keeps ALL His promises. 

I think there is a talk that will really comfort your hearts at this time. It's from Elder Scott a handful of years ago. I'll share one of my favorite parts but you should really read or watch the whole thing it is beautiful!

"When you pass through trials for His purposes, as you trust Him, exercise faith in Him, He will help you. That support will generally come step by step, a portion at a time. While you are passing through each phase, the pain and difficulty that comes from being enlarged will continue. If all matters were immediately resolved at your first petition, you could not grow. Your Father in Heaven and His Beloved Son love you perfectly. They would not require you to experience a moment more of difficulty than is absolutely needed for your personal benefit or for that of those you love."    ~Richard G. Scott Trust in the Lord, Oct. 1995 CR  (Bold, underline, and italics added)  

I know that Heavenly Father is with you and that you are being taken care of by the hand of the Lord. Trust in that hand, for you have been graven there (Isaiah 49:16). He knows you perfectly, He loves you perfectly, and I know that to be true. I know that the Atonement is extremely real, and absolutely essential to our progression! It does more than get us back to our starting point; when we allow it, it takes us much further than that! It involves the greatest and most profound suffering that we cannot endure, nor comprehend even with what we suffer; and it is also the greatest act of love that has ever been performed! Utilize that sacred experience in your life now and forever. If you will do so, you will become a new creature in Christ, and you will be able to let Heavenly Father's will be done, whatever that means, trusting in His promises. I know it works, it's true! I know Christ lives and He will guide us by the power of the Holy Ghost as we walk this path of learning in mortality! Oh! It's so beautiful! I'm so grateful! What more can I say?

I hope you all watched that amazing and historic-sign-of-the-times broadcast last night! The Lord has issued in the 2nd half of the restoration (D&C 88:70-73); He is indeed hastening His work. The time is not far off that we will be welcoming our Brother, and King back to the earth to reign! If you didn't have the chance to watch it yesterday, watch soon, if you can. It was amazing, the work is changing miracles are coming! It's beautiful! Heavenly Father is gathering, and Zion will be established! Don't forget to do your best to help the missionaries in your area. I can't tell you enough how essential you are to the Lord's work. We can't do too much without the members! Especially in Braes Bayou! The excitement in my heart has not gone down, but my desire to share the gospel has increased to overflowing! I can feel the spirit, I feel the hastening, Prophets saw our day! Promises are being kept, and prophecies coming to pass! It's amazing, it's miraculous, it's the work of the Lord! :-D

I also wanted to share with you one of the many miracles that happened this week in my life. On Friday, June 21, I received a text message (as follows): "Hey Sis. Christopherson, ---- and ---- will be getting baptized Saturday (tomorrow) at 3. They would like you and Sister ---- to speak on the Holy Ghost and baptism. You have permission to call and decide between the two of you which one you want to do. Also, I recommend having exchanges with Sister ---- and having Sister ---- and Sister ---- work together while you are at the baptism."

I was so happy! I taught ---- and ---- while I was in Sunnyside! They were so wonderful! I loved them so much. They were also a miracle then. Anyway, I got to go back for their baptism and it was a beautiful experience! Heavenly Father is too good to me! It was an amazing day! I would say more, but I'm running out of time. So, know that I love you lots! My prayers are with you, and angels round about you! Do not doubt, but be believing! Until next time.

 

Forever,

Sis. Christopherson

Hey, Hey, Hey!!!! We're fixin' for a week of miracles! 6/17/13

Hello my wonderful friends and family! I must say, I hope you all had a wonderful week! Just as a side note. I wrote the Bugs and Tom letters. I would encourage you to ask them about what they said. There were a couple of good stories in there. ;-) Hehehe! Anyway! It's been another week here in the field. Two of our investigators have moved. We're back down to one, but that's okay! We should be picking up another one tonight! ;-) Pray for it. By the way, I want you know that your prayers are felt and heard. I've seen miracles happen down here, and I know that it is because of the mixture of your prayers, my prayers, and Heavenly Father's loving grace! Know that those humble prayers are felt and strengthen me. I appreciate your sacrifice, your thoughts, and your encouragement! You're doing great! Heavenly Father love me, and loves joking around with me. I still don't know how I feel about singles wards. ;-) But it's kind of a different spin from a family ward. We play Ultimate Frisbee (and other games but mostly Frisbee) every Saturday for like two hours. We are all soooo gross after we're done, but it's so much fun! I've said it before and I'll say it again: I'm looking forward to going home to snow! ;-) It never cools down here. Not even at night. It's like always at least 70 degrees, or that's what it feels like to me. And this seems to be a hotter summer than last years. Oh, goody! :D Anyway, we talk to a lot of people, and there are actually a couple of non-members that come out to play with us each week. It's been an interesting way to do missionary work, plus I get to wear pants. ;-) Really though, it has opened my eyes to all the ways that I could've been (and plan to in the future) sharing the gospel in such a casual non-confrontational way. Don't get me wrong, we go out in Pros. clothes and work our hearts out teaching and doing what every missionary does too. But this experience has made me excited to share the gospel with people my own age now and in the future. It still is a lot harder to find people though, because we have such a limited scope and such a large area! We cover all of South Houston down to Sugar Land and Richmond and parts of Rosenburg. Covering three stakes, which I think I've mentioned before. And we are only able to teach young single adult women ages 18-30. Tough crowd to find. But the Lord knows where they all are, and it's been an adventure following the promptings of the spirit. It's amazing what Heavenly Father can do in your life if you will just follow His counsel and trust in His plan even with your limited understanding. I know that our Heavenly Father loves us, we are NOT spiritual orphans nor will we ever have to be. I know that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Redeemer. I love Him with all my heart, and will be forever indebted to Him. I know that come what may the Book of Mormon has the answers. When life gets dark, please DO NOT run away from the source of light! If you will pray, you will find the peace and answers you are looking for. Heavenly Father loves you, Brother loves you, I love you! I hope you have a most wonderful week! Keep doing great things!   Forever, Sis. Christopherson

Texas, oh Texas, why can't you snow?

Hehe! Hey everybody!

How is everything going where ever you are?! Hope all is well. Life isn't too crazy, right? Crazy enough to keep exciting and to keep you moving forward, but not overwhelming I hope. :-)

So, I feel the need to calm Graydon's concerns. Contrary to popular belief I have not nor will ever be infected with the incurable Texas Pride Syndrome. I am confident that if I have not yet contracted it, it will not come. I will look fondly onto my mission experiences, but Texas is Texas. Without snow there is no need for pride. Besides, it's because Texas is so insecure that they feel the need to boast and make themselves noticed or to feel special. When in all reality they are just as good as everybody else. They are just louder about it, and they spend a lot of money to be that way. It all honestly it just makes me laugh really hard. Some people are so silly. However, don't show this e-mail to any Texans or I wont make it home in December! ;-) Really, though. I hope you had fun with the package.

Anyway, all is well down here. It's getting hotter and hotter. I really do miss the snow and the cold. It's my natural habitat I think. :-) I got in the car the other day and it said it was over 100, I was like, "You've got to be kidding me" Heavenly Father wasn't messing around when He sent me to a real refiner's fire! ;-)

I've gotta go. I need to get a couple of other things done, but know that I love you all very much. May the Lord be with you, my prayers already are! I keep strong and carry on!

Forever,

Sis. Christopherson

Another week, another wonder! 6/3/2013

Hey everyone!

I hope life is a party back home this week! ;-) I hope you got the package. I worked really hard on that, me and my crazy ideas. I spent two P-days trying to find some Texas noodles, and I finally found them....but they were out of stock. And the next closest thing was too expensive. So, you didn't get any. But enjoy it anyway! ;-) The Texas pride is still alive and well, eh? :-) I hope you have an awesome time together though. It's crazy to think that I've been on my mission for a year. It doesn't seem to have been that long, and at the same time is seems so much longer than that!  I must say I'm very glad I came out on my mission though. It's changed my life. God is good.

Anyway, this week has been pretty basic. We are still getting over sickness. I'm actually hopefully going to the doctor today, but it's a two hour drive! Bleh! But I get to go through the country-ish places to get there. I enjoy that part. Other than that we spent a lot of time trying people and trying people and trying people. No one really wanted to talk with us though. Or they weren't home. Such is the life of a missionary. Expecially one trying to chase down the group of people that work during the day, and party at night! :-)

A few days ago (I'm sure you saw on the news) 4 Houston firefighters died just off of Hillcroft and the 59. I drove right by that heading to a dinner appointment....traffic was really slow. Today we are going to tie ribbons on trees in memory of them. I'm really glad I have the opportunity to do that kind of service for these valliant men. I've seen so much down here, there are sirens going off all the time. It's a comfort to know that we can have peace in our hearts when the world is in such turmoil and sorrow. So many people are struggling, and are so lost. They just don't know where to turn. I've helped people who are just having a bad day - and I've noticed that it seems they day is so bad because bad things happen and they don't know who to rely on. They don't fall back on prayer or scriptures. It doesn't seem to be a part of their thought process. I'm glad that I know where I can turn for peace, even when the storm is raging. Because the storm rages on all of us whether we're prepared for it or not.

I've been thinking a lot about the parable of the 10 Virgins and Noah, strangely enough. I think both of those scriptures teach us a lot about preparedness, believing when no one else does, and preparing for the storms of life by keeping the commandments that God has given. There is a lot more to them, I'd love it if you read them and wrote me back with some insights. I think that would be fun. We could have like a little study! Oh! Exciting! :-) Who wants to learn with me?!

Anyway, it looks like I'm out of time. Sorry. Know that I love you all very much! I see God's hand in my life every day, and I believe He is blessing you too! His work will go forth until it is finished! How great a blessing to know that truth, and many others of the restored gospel! I hope you all have a most wonderful week! I'd love to hear about your adventures. ;-) God bless, and protect.

Forever,

Sis. Christopherson