Who knew soooooo much could fit in such a small space!!!

Hey Everybody!

So, today is P-day before transfers and guess what I learned! First off, I've been living in the confines of a very small bedroom for four (and a little bit) months! Let me tell you: I did not realize I had the much stuff! I'm not really sure how I got it all here from Memorial Park let alone Utah!!! :-) Now what do I do? I don't think all of my stuff is going to fit in three suitcases anymore?! Hehe! But don't worry, not all of it will come home with me. A lot of it is stuff that will run out and I wont have to replace. However! I must tell you I did get a very precious gift. So, in case you can't tell I'm being transferred. We found out early because my companion is going to be a trainer. I missed that train! (Hehe...I'm so funny) Anyway, because we knew last Thursday night, I was able to tell a couple of people I've been working with. Last night I received a most adorable gift from them. They apparently went to Build-A-Bear on Saturday, and made me a super cute bear! They named it Angell Rose! Isn't that sweet?! I'll have to send a picture next week.

It's been really hard for me to get ready to leave and say goodbye to so many people! I love these people so much! They are all so precious. The people in the ward, the people I've served, the people I've taught....everyone! They are all so special to me and the Lord! I don't really want to leave, but I'm grateful to know that I'm leaving them in the loving care of Sister ----. She is an AMAZING missionary. She is probably the most hard working and loving person next to Grandpa I've ever met! She is really great!

I'm kind of nervous at to where I'm going and to whom I'm going with...I get the feeling a lot of unexpected things are happening. Including four sisters training two trainees and one of those sisters being a 19 year old that's only been out one transfer herself! It's amazing what the Lord is going to do with all these wonderful women!!! He's totally got a plan in action in. If I've learned anything out here it is how purely detailed God's Plan is for each of us. We teach a very generic version of that plan, but the truth is: Heavenly Father has a specific Plan of Salvation for each one of us! It's been prepared since the beginning of time, and He's finally being able to see them unfold!!! One thing's for sure! You'd never want to play any kind of strategy game with Heavenly Father- He has too much patience and He plans things out perfectly!!! I wish I was more like that!!! That's why I'm here! Isn't that great? ;-)

Know that I love you all an extremely incalcuable amount!!! You are special, and I'll talk to you again soon!

Forever,

Sister Christopherson

Happy President's Day! 2/18/13

Hello everyone!

Hope all is well! Just a reminder that transfer meeting is next week, I'll let you know Monday what's happening! ;-) It should be really exciting next Wednesday, they are opening new areas and all sorts of stuff, and there are going to be BIKE ONLY sister areas!!!! That should be fun! Hehe!

I wanted to let you know that I had Bignigets! At least I think that's how you spell it! They are like sweet scones with powdered sugar on top of them. Some really nice members took us out for Brunch on Monday. It was fun.

Yesterday was Stake Conference and it was regional, broadcast from SLC. Elder Scott and Pres. Eyring both spoke. It was really cool. Elder Scott talked about the importance of women and how we are very precious, and talked to the men about taking care of us and helping us know and treating us as such. It's was really an awesome talk!

Sister ---- and I went on exchange so I was serving with Sister ---- for a couple of days, because she had a dream about one of her converts around my area. President set it up so she could come down and visit with her. She had gone inactive, but had been praying and felt like she needed to go back to church. It was a really cool experience. Heavenly Father answers prayers and helps us prepare to be those answers. In turn all things will make sense and we will help each other understand it.

I had a really powerful lesson last night with some Less Actives. We were talking about what Heavenly Father wants us to become, and how we're supposed to do it. I studied hard for it and was completely guided by the Spirit! It was amazing. I know that this is Heavenly Father's work and Christ is the head of this church. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet and Thomas S. Monson is one too. I know that we all have a long road ahead of us. Baptism is only the beginning of a long process of becoming like our Heavenly Father and Brother. We all have a lot to learn, and I pray we are humble enough to receive it in our hearts.

I want to let you all know that I love you so much! You are so special to me, and I know that you will make it through the hard things that are going on right now in your lives. I promise that Heavenly Father is mindful of you, because I know he's mindful of me and my prayers for you! Keep the faith, and remember that you are precious to a little ol' sister missionary somewhere down south that might as well be a different coutnry!!! ;-)

Be safe, stay strong, and God bless!

Forever,

Little Sis. Chris.

Baaa....Baaa. Just for you!

Valentine's Day 2013

"Verily I say until you all:
Arise and shine forth,
that thy light
may be a standard for the nations...."

Happy Valentine's!! 2/13/13

Hey everybody!!!

I hope all is well and everybody is in good health with all that cold weather up there! Trust me, it doesn't feel like the year has ended I still haven't seen winter! The weather down here is not what's expected for my personal season chart! That's for sure. It's been a little bit since you've heard from me. I'm doing okay, I'm still in Seabrook and I went to the temple today! It was great! I still love the temple more than anything! I'm so grateful for all the sacrifice that was made that I could enjoy those blessings and that opportunity. From the Atonement, to the endurance of a young prophet and all the saints that came before!

My new companion is great! She is Samoan from Samoa and she is so funny. Her name is Sister ---- ----. I am in fact pretending to learn Samoan. It's super cool. It's a whole lot of vowels. I'll have to say something to you on Mother's Day.

Anyway, I can't tell you how much Heavenly Father loves each of us! These last few weeks have been an adventure. Full of ups and downs and miracles! This weekend is stake conference, and then transfers are coming up again soon. There are twelve new sisters, and there are already nineteen year old sisters in the field with me. In case you were wondering! I think it is so amazing what the Lord has in store for all of us, and what He can do with the very young and willing hearts of the valiant youth!

I'm teaching some new investigators that we found by the Spirit. I'll keep you posted as things progress. I've gotta run now though, so I'll talk to you next week! I love you all so very much!

Forever,

Sis. Chris.

FYI - Transfers:

(Send all desired mail before the Monday of the week of transfers)

Feb. 27

Apr. 10

May 22

July 3

Aug. 14

Sep. 25

Nov. 6

Home Dec. 17th

I'm sorry, yesterday was a holiday. ;-) 1/22/13

Just pretend that you are receiving this yesterday early in the morning. Last week I didn't even realize I wouldn't be able to write on Monday. You see, we use library computers to e-mail every week, and they were closed yesterday because of Martin Luther King Jr. day. So, here I am rambling on while you are probably freaking out in anticipation to hear what my transfer fate is....yeah. I know, it's exciting.

Texas has some of the weirdest names for their streets, but this intersection made me smile.
There is also a Friendship, but not intersecting with these two anywhere.

Something cool about transfers, or new missionaries in general. Is we are going to have more than doubled our english speaking sisters by next transfer! According to my calculations everybody will be training at LEAST one sister, and some will be training two! I'm excited to see the miracles the God is bringing to the THSM (Texas Houston South Mission)! So many sisters, and so many young ones. It's amazing the work that will move forward. Elder Ballard said something like, "If you're awake you're seeing the signs of the times...He is hastening His work!" I am so grateful to be alive at this time of preparation for the Savior's coming! I'm grateful to be a part of His missionary army going forth to bring the world His truth! I'm grateful to build up His kingdom. I imagine I am not alone in my rejoicing. :)

This is a snowglobe that made me laugh really hard.
I thought you might enjoy it. Because it's so true! Winters here are LAME! :)

This week has been crazy. We still don't have any solid investigators, but there is always hope and faith for the future. It is coming, with all the miracles around how could it not be?! We've been finding a lot of people who have the desire to come back to the church. To remember what they felt so long ago. We are all missing home in some way or another, and they only way to get the comfort and feeling of home we miss so much is to live the gospel of Jesus Christ. We will always feel at home with those who love us most and through the Spirit we can feel our heavenly family's love. Help someone feel a little more loved this week, because, "The people in your heart, don't know what's in your heart. Tell them that you love them everyday!" Father tells you He loves you everyday! Listen to His tender mercy whispering through the sweet moment you needed most, and then share it with those you love! Know that I love you, probably more than any e-mail, letter, or package can carry but I try to make sure you remember that I do love you. Oh! and by the way...I'm staying in Seabrook, and I will become the Senior companion. Next transfer it would be a surprise if I'm not training. So pray for me! Did it take me long enough to tell you? Hehe...I'll tell you about my new companion next week. :)

 

Just so you know I finished the Book of Mormon and I've started over!
Keeping up with my New Year Mission Goal!
Don't forget to read, it's a wonderful thing!

Love you forever and always!

Forever,

Sis. Chris.

Family, Family transfers are coming...who knows where I'll really go! 1/14/13

I want you to know that I typed that subject to a song....really that just happened. :) Anyway, Don't mail anything out until next Monday now. I wont know if I'm staying or going until then. I'll try and e-mail earlier in the morning to let you know. There are five new sisters coming into the mission this transfer and sixteen by next transfer. So, this should be exciting. Elder Ballard said with all the mission papers being submitted the twelve is getting worn out issueing calls! :-D I was excited about that. If I'm not training this transfer I'll be training next. That's for sure. And next transfer is only five weeks instead of six because of what they did at the MTC to hold everybody.

The Lord really is hastening the work, be aware of it.

It was really cool to hear from Elder Ballard, but I'll be honest I sat behind the ASL missionaries so I watched the interpreter and listened to the talks; however, I didn't write down a whole ton. He talked a lot about the rescue and getting people back into the church. He talked about working with the members and ward. He read to us from 3 Nephi 11, and talked about that a bit. It was beautiful. I was grateful to have the experience. Bishop Davies' talk was really good too. I learned a lot from the experience, and a lot more from the spirit!

I want you to know that I'm excited to be a part of the mission goal of 1,000 baptisms. But don't think I don't know how that will happen. It will be through mighty miracles and precious people like Bro. ----, ----, and ----. I know that it will come about one at a time. Through helping, serving, and teaching like Christ did. Or as close to that as I can manage and letting the spirit and the Atonement take care of the rest. I know that I am here to do the Lord's work, and I continue to strive to do it.

I've learned throughout my life, that trials are our greatest blessings. Now, don't think they are overally enjoyable, but they are great gifts as we learn to rely on God more than ever before and consistantly. There is an article in the January 2012 Ensign by Elder Christofferson that might be useful if you would like to understand further how trials help us draw near to a Savior and Father. We also receive gifts of patience, endurance, mercy, empathy, etc. through such things. Christ went through the greatest trials of all, not for himself but so He could keep us safe. Such trials help us, help eachother and become a little more Christlike in the process. I'm not asking you to be happy about it, but at least be grateful. :) The joy will come in time. I love you all and wish you the best this week! I would love to hear from you soon! :)

 

Today, we went over and spent time with a member we're working with. She is a make-up artist and gave us makovers. It was really fun, and we got to know her better. This is what she did to my eyes. :)

This was a cake we made for ----'s grandson's birthday. We are still working with her son to get him back to church, and through the hardships he is facing. It took a lot of time, but it was fun.

 

Forever,

Sis. Chris.

Echo....Echo? 1/7/13

How is everybody doing? I don't have a ton of time today, because I had to update my mormon.org profile, and I wrote a really long e-mail to President ----. I can tell you I'm excited for this weekend! Elder Ballard is coming to visit the Texas Houston missions; really he is coming for the Houston South mission but we let the other two come along. :-) I get my humility from my Bapa! ;-) Anyway, so I'm super excited for that, I'll have to let you know some about it next week. For me I've had a pretty rough week, our one investigator that was going to be baptized this month got taken away by her "husband". I'm not really sure if we'll see her again. All of our other investigators dropped us or we had to drop them. So it seems we're starting back at the bottom. Since this is a brand new ward, it's been really hard to get missionary work off the ground. We're still building it up, and the members are great but there is still a lot of work to do and we can't do it all. I've kind of come to a stall in my inexperience I don't know how to handle the situation; that's in part why I'm looking forward to Elder Ballard. I'm sure he will bring some answers to my pondering heart as to the direction I must go.

I want you to know that I truly believe we will get 1,000 baptisms by the end of the year. I know that it wont be easy, but I know that the Lord has already prepared and is setting forth the plan. I'm just blessed to be a part of it. I have to believe that this part of my mission is very important and essential to my ability to play my part in His plan for this mission. I want to thank you for all the prayers and love you offer me. And those who've encouraged me with written words as well. I know that I have not been left alone here, and there is a larger plan I don't see. All is well, just a little rocky. :)

I pray all of you have a most wonderful week! In case you don't remember, I resolved to finish the Book of Mormon five times before the end of the year. I'm currently at Helaman, and hopefully will finish it with in the month. So that I can read it once every two transfers the rest of my mission. How are your resolutions coming? I'd love to hear about your progress and your goals, and you in general!

Love you very much!

 

Forever,

Sis. Chris.