HEY

so.  I feel bad because I wasn't able to send much home last week.  

but so that you understand how I was feeling last week (*coughEveryweek*cough) and because I just wasted time doing it I wrote a dialogue of my thoughts to try to understand why I never want to write an email.

>>skSVKL;SLDSKLDNk

>>augh I never know what to write.  

>>it is so weird to be on a mission close to a year.  I feel like I have effectively split my life in two, and every week there's this [prompt] to reconcile the two somehow.  I CAN'T OKAY?  I DON'T KNOW HOW TO, IT HURTS EVERY WEEK. 

>>so then I stare at a screen for close to an hour until my time is up and then I put it off for another week. 

>>what I want to do is run home and jump in your arms and tell you all of the things that are exciting and uplifting and tell you all of the things that are frustrating and challenging.  it would look something like mosiah 25: 4-11,17.  (yes the same fantasy that ends with a baptism.)

>>but that isn't really an option.  so I don't know what to write. 

>>It's kind of the same problem with my journal, but there it's really just become a suck hole of procrastination.  some day I will write in that thing.

>>I just want to be there, and be here.  can I have both?  can you all just move out here now? 

>>obviously that wouldn't work either.  

>>oh well.  back to the same problem.  wanting to be there. wanting to be here.  wanting to have some influence there, and needing to focus here.  just another 9 months of this. fun times. 

>>oh look 11:30.  only half an hour now.  maybe I'll save this to review and add to each time.  it's kind of funny actually.  

>>and a lot closer to how I actually feel than how I've written in probably the last 5 weeks. 

>>ugh.  I'll just get to the point. write something funny.  write something spiritual.  leave out all of the possibly detracting thoughts or comments about leadership and ward members and investigators.  paint myself as a perfect missionary.  that'll make them happy.

{Something Funny: there was this time when it blizzarded and we decided to go knock on doors. my companion had never seen so much snow in her life so we spent at least 10 minutes frolicking and jumping in snow (about 4-6ft in plow piles. it's crazy guys.).  I fell on my butt and dropped a bunch of pass along cards everywhere, kicked giant balls of snowdrift at my companion and threatened to throw her bodily into snow, which she responded by actually throwing me into snow.   much joy was had in 20 degrees and blowing snow. 

then we got our acts together and tried to talk to people who had no interest in talking to us. 

thirty minutes later we realized that we had lost our phone. I figured that we had just left it at our last appointment, so we went back there and searched their couch, and didn't find it.  it was in the snow. of course.  so we went back and by this point my comp was freaking out that she had lost the phone, and was worried about the weirdest stuff, like that she would have to pay for it and we'll be in so much trouble, and I just had no doubt in my mind we would find it.  so we said a prayer, and went out to search the five snow piles that we had jumped in.  after about 5 minutes and some inquiries by curious plowmen it wasn't in the first one, so we agreed to move on to the next set about 20 ft down the road.  as we were walking a thought came to my mind that maybe I was seaching for it wrong, digging deeper into the holes, and that maybe I should start from the bottom to the top.  I bend over, brush some snow and within five secconds find the phone.  there was much rejoicing.  there was also a prayer of thanks offered in righteousness. The phone acted really weird on account of being drenched, but a night in rice later it's as good as new.  now our district leader refers to it as the resurrected phone.  }

{Something Spiritual: this is actually from last week, but it's still great so I'm sharing it.  perhaps another similar story to follow.  so there was this one time that the [wonderful] zone leaders thought that (underline should actually be read as a strike through)we weren't working hard enough for our areas [we could be inspired by higher goals] and they set a lot of unrealistic [inspiring] goals that were impossible to reach [made us work harder than ever before] and affected the zone in dual ways discouraging many areas and causing them to resent goals and key indicators [humbling many areas and causing areas to think of key indicators differently] that then required that they build us up.  (both viewpoints are true, this is almost a lesson in pessimism and optimism.  imagine the effects that rewriting my thoughts has every week.) anyway, so they had a conference call night with the whole zone in which we all told everyone our # of investigators and # invited to baptism.  Kind of a potentially competitive thing to do and it felt really weird but was supposed to lift us up? IDK. after which they asked us to share inspirational stories from the week.  long awkward silence.  followed by a couple of nice but uneventful winter stories about diligence and faith and the much drilled street contacting. 

I looked at my companion.  she looked at me. we weren't struggling.  at all. we hadn't been meeting the goals they had set, but we have been amazingly blessed in the past five weeks.  they announced that there was only time enough for one more thought.  so I grabbed the phone and started talking.  

back when sister rust and I were Companions, we had gone through the former investigators and picked a few that stood out to us.  among them was a couple who lived on Conant road. there isn't a Conant road on our Presque Isle Maps, so we decided to search it and found a conant road in Fort Fairfield.   when we went there, the address didn't exist so the thought was dropped as un-contactable.  

later when Sister Drew became my companion she also felt impressed about this family.  I frowned at it, but remembered that a new member in the ward had told us that they lived on a conant road in Presque Isle.  so we followed their directions to the road, and found the house.  they invited us right in, and we had to schedule a return appointment because we didn't have the time to stay.  when we went back, we had one of the most thoughtful and reverent discussions about the state of the world, and the need that people have to come closer to God in a society that seems bent on forgetting him.  

we asked who God was to them, and the mother simply replied, 'he's number one.'  the feeling in the room was one of holiness, and I have no doubt in my mind that the spirit of God, even the very Holy Ghost was there present with us to testify that He loved them.  We bore out testimonies of the very fact, and they told us that because of our examples they had hope for our generation, and their daughters generation, and hoped that one day she would be able to know just a surely as we did of the same truth. 

it was when i recounted this story that I testified that our zone will find new investigators.  I know it.  The Lord knows his sheep and he can do his work, whether or not we are here. we just need to remember that through our faith all things are possible. 

also this week we met with another lady who is near and dear to my heart, and we finally were able to invite to be baptized.  now when missionaries invite people to be baptized it's not for a goal, it isn't a statistic, but it is really the best way we can show people that what we want to share with them is important.  it is really significant.  pehaps the most emotionally real conversations I've ever had with people on my mission have to do with baptism or inviting people to be baptized.  because baptism is something that we know will bring greater hapiness, purpose and blessings into their life as they learn the Docterine of Christ, and Follow the saviors example in submitting their will to God's will.  there is nothing more important that I have ever used my time on in life.  learning about God and his eternal plan for us should be something that happens for everyone at some point in their life because it is the purpose, it is The Center to our very existence. but so often we pass people by, allowing complacency and trivial matters to cloud our minds and occupy our attention, never really addressing The Point.  lots of things in life are there to be pleasing and bring us joy, but until we come to know that God has a plan for us and a Way for us to live we will never truly be satisfied. 

that is why it is important to learn.  it is important to know that Jesus Christ came for us and was offered as a sacrifice on our behalf, because he loved us and there was no other way that we could be saved from our own stupid shortcomings. it is important to know that that fact up there that sentence is so important that God would not leave that truth to be disputed by doctrine and by practice in thousands of sects that claim to know the truth of God without providing one that has it.  he has also provided us ways to know it.  "by their fruits ye shall know them" jesus said.  The fruit of what we share, the result of the restored Church of Jesus Christ is found in the Book of Mormon, and in the hearts and testimonies of millions who have read it and done as missionaries and ancient prophets in the americas and jerusalem have admonished people to do: Read the Book of Mormon, and ask God, the very Eternal Father if it is true. until you do, you will never have the privilage of knowing by God's spirit, the Holy Ghost, that it is true.  Baptism is a result of our conversion.  that is why it is important to be Baptized.

If only I could impress the magnitude of that fact.  this is really important.  this is really significant.  this is real.  that is not the rant of a missionary, or a fanatic, I know I might sound redundant or brainwashed or religious, If so perhaps I should settle down and petition people in a more private and pleasing manner that would cause anyone who feels that way to reconsider that this is real.  I know it is real.  

now you wonder why I don't write very much.  it's because I feel so personally and deeply the truth of what I'm doing.  and I don't know how to tell those who used to know me that those 15 years I was goofing off I was sitting on something more important that I was willing to study and realize, and more important than you could ever imagine.  putting it into words without being able to get a reply and answer questions and not offend and build up and strengthen is really, really hard 2,000 miles and one-email-a-week away.  Perhaps I shouldn't write it.  it hurts me so much who knows how much it will hurt you. or perhaps just go over your heads.  

anyway really deep, but those are my spiritual thoughts. }

>>there.  now hopefully they will write something that I can talk about next week.  

>>who am I kidding, when is anyone ever going to want to have a discussion about lesson one in an email?

>>welp, until next week.

Sister Christensen

hey.  this week has been really good.  I will just head right into it. 

actually this happened last week, but I'll tell you because it's funny anyway.  we had been promising various people that I'd make them cupcakes because I never did bake my birthday cake and still had it waiting for a spare couple of hours which we never have.  So we decided to just bake cupcakes during weekly planning.  It was going well, we weren't wasting time and they had gotten into the oven, when I put the cap back on the only source of oil in the apartment and did one of those "oh crap" moments where I just yell out loud.  it was olive oil.  it read consecrated on the top. 

For those who don't know what I'm talking about, quick desc. consecrated olive oil is just regular olive oil that is set apart by a special prayer and used to bless the sick and afflicted, by those who hold the priesthood.  yeah, it wasn't supposed to be in my cupcakes. 

So I texted the district leader and asked him what I should do, explaining that I hadn't known, and he just laughed at me really, and said that it's okay, but don't use it again in the future.  so now my district makes jokes about consecrated cupcakes.  

Other funny things.  I guess it is just really funny to work with a lot of either mentally or emotionally unstable people.  It provides a lot of really awkward moments for me and my companion Sister Drew, and she finds awkward stuff really humorous, so we just laugh at everything all the time.  like here is an example:

yesterday was fast and testimony meeting, and it was really good and spiritual and rah.  But, a great person in our ward got up to give the closing prayer, and he is seriously, a good person, but socially really awkward.  All the time. like heavy breathing Stargate, Atlantis Live action Role Playing awkward.  So he starts to pray the beginning to the sacrament prayer over like the bread, and gets through "O God The Eternal Father  oh wait." before realizing it was the wrong time to be praying that prayer coughing and starting over.  and then the ward has this list of the missionaries names so people can remember us and follow the prophet's counsel to pray for us by name.  it's on the podium.  I know it is.  but he starts to pray for us and stumbles over Sister Drew and I, but takes several moments to remember the first elder, and the second he had to turn around and ask the bishop.  it's Elder Hadley, he's been in the ward the longest out of all of us.  needless to say I was dying, trying my best not to be audible as I was laughing uncontrollably.  

and so it goes with my average missionary life. 

but there are also a lot of really good and spiritual things that happen, and I will relate those now.  we have been working hard to make our companionship studies effective, and to have our role plays as far as practicing lessons actually helpful.  I have really felt a difference this week, and seen the progress that sister Drew and I are making in trying to earnestly invite others closer to Christ.  one of our members introduced us to her friend, who has a lot of questions about who God is, and what his plan is for her.  it has been an awesome experience to talk with her about all of the questions she has in life, and I have just had my testimony strengthened that God Loves each and every one of us, and even though we all learn differently, and he may teach us differently, we all have a relationship of some sort with him, and I have been honored to help others strengthen that tie.  It really is what keeps me going.  Also Sister Drew invited Holly to be baptized, and we are both super excited about the progress she has been making as far as reading and coming to church goes.  

We really have felt blessed this week, and I know that it is in part to all the prayers that are offered for the missionaries each week.  including the awkward ones.  I hope you all know that I love you all and am thankful for all that you do.  

anyway, I love you have a good week.

Sister Christensen

hey everyone!

this week has been good.  it's weird to be a leader, because I kind of just follow my own pace in everything like I used to, but not really because I'm doing missionary work?  so I don't know if that is a good or bad thing.  my companion is on fire though, and I just keep working hard because she wants to work hard.  I do too, but not in the same way?  it's hard to explain.  But life is good because I love missionary work. 

It kind of makes me excited to come home and be a member missionary, but then I also want to go to the gym again because I got this weird fat belly over the holidays that I can't physically get rid of until I can go to a gym and work it off.   not something that is going to happen when we are ordered to do an 11 minute work out plan with a neighbor that bangs on our door when ever we run in place.  that and I refuse to run outside because it's blue nipple freezing out there. so my life is missionary f minus as far as real exercise goes. 

funny things this week.  so there was this one time that we were going to visit this less active member, and she is great.  but we have to wait outside the building until her husband can come and open the door because it's kind of a shady establishment on top of a vacant store with windows that have been broken/ shot out.  and while we were waiting this guy comes up and my companion starts to talk with him, she asked " are you staying warm?" he said "I wish I was in a place like that where I could be warm." and she was like "have you ever met missionaries before?" and he said something that didn't apply and she caught the stench of alcohol on his breath. good times.  well instead of getting an appointment with him then she just talked with him about the gospel and Danny opened the door and talked to him a little bit and we were like "okay bye have a good night!' and he was like "I love you!" and pulled me into this awkward drunk homeless hug.  i really did not know what to do with myself.  at all. then we parted ways because we had nothing else we could do for him.

then there was this funny time that we had a chili cook off at the church and the Ward decided that we were supposed to judge it as missionaries.  okay no big deal.  they didn't really know how to do it, we suggested having individual bowels so that we could scoop chili into our own and then eat it with our own individual place setting. well for some reason they decided that it would be better to share bowls with five spoons in them, pass them down and take a spoon as we go.  ended up using like 5X more spoons but that's fine. one of the elders is a little handicapped though, undiagnosed, but probably asbergers at least.  and for some reason sister drew and I were the last ones to get the bowls. well we do this thing and the fist bowl goes by I get it with two spoons, take one out pass it on kind of thing, third bowl there is three spoons.  I get really uncomfortable but take a spoon anyway thinking "maybe there were six." nope.  I have the thing in my mouth when I hear the elder say "whoopsI left my spoon... in..."  and I JUST WANT TO GAG. SO BAD.  WORST THING EVER I TOOK HIS SPOON AND PUT IT IN MY MOUTH.  after that I watched him like a hawk and had to give it back to him two more times to make sure he took his spoon out.  worst thing of my life.  never being a judge in a food contest again.

so that was interesting. 

there were plenty of inspirational things that happend this week too, like that we went and saw dorothy again and I just want her to come back to church.  so baad!!!  how can someone who has a testimony like she does deny themselves repentance?  it is so heartwrenching to think about sometimes because I seriously want her to meet mom and Kathy.  you could be best friends.  she's awesome I swear. I often imagine my mission life and my home life colliding and in this instance I think it would be awesome.  but sadly you guys are on the other side of the continent/country.

we also had a good zone training this week that asserted a lot of the things I've been thinking about in reguards to member present lessons and such.  it's interesting because the ward leadership is having us use some... interesting personalities as friendshippers, but I know in my heart they are not the role models of a strong priesthood leader or personable and relatable friends that they need.  huff.  

I just keep working and studying and praying.  I know that we are doing someting worthwhile, and something that is inspired.  there is no other way that a lot of the stuff that happens to us would happen.  it is only by the lord that we see success and I know that with all my heart.  it's funny, we were talking in relief society about inviting people in a realistic way and the missionaries came up like we always do and sister grover said "I apologise, but it is amazing that the church survives the missionaries." and in some ways, that is true.  we are inexperienced.  we are young.  we are not really the best of teachers, but we have testimonies that this work is of God.  if it were left up to me and my own efforts and talents, I don't believe that I could honestly inspire anyone to keep commitments and commandments.  The spirit of the Lord is what carries this work, it touches the Hearts of the people and by that understanding we all can gain we are blessed. 

there is nothing greater. 

Love Sister Christensen

this week!!!  man it was so crazy that I can't even remember half of it.  

it would be easiest to say that it is really weird to watch one missionary take the last steps on her mission and then jump back to one who has all the excitement and energy of a new missionary.  it's like watching your grandma die and then deciding you need more excitement in your life so you get a puppy lab on an impulse buy off the internet. basically.

so but really umm things and stories.  so sister rust and I had a really good past few days.  we basically tried our best to have lessons with people but ended up just saying goodbye to everyone. we would be like 'so the gospel" and they'd be like  'sister rust what are you going to do when you get home??" and she would be like "I don't know PROBABLY DIE. I'M GOING TO BE A MISSIONARY FOREVERRRRRR!!!!!1!!!!11!!!!1!1!!!' while I just sat awkwardly in the corner.  it was actually really hard to watch her go home, makes me never want to go home.  side note she is still a missionary, and here is a story from the life of sister rust-

"I also had an experience that I thought you would appreciate. After we figured all the flight stuff, I was sitting there waiting to get on the flight to Grand Junction and there was a girl sitting across from me and we started talking. She told me that she was from India and she was going to Utah to do a science experiment. So then I told her I was on my way home from my mission and for the past year and a half I have gone and taught people about Jesus Christ. Then she said, "Well I'd love to talk to you!" I was like, "Well I'd love to talk to you!" She told me how she had gone to school in France and had gone to a church there and loved it. She loved learning about Jesus Christ and wanted to learn about him more. So I went in and started teaching and it came to the point where the Book of Mormon came up and as I'm talking about it and showing it to her this other woman comes over and says to her, "Have you read the Koran? You should read the Koran." As soon as she came over I knew she came to argue with me. But I gave her the benefit of the doubt and was friendly with her, as she continually made jabs at me to make sure I knew she didn't like me. Then she asked me, "So you aren't even allowed to talk to you family right?" I told her on Mondays and on Christmas and Mothers Day. Then she said, "well that's kind of isolating don't you think? Yeah your kind of isolating yourselves kind of like a CULT." I was done talking to her at that point. haha Then she said, "I love the Mormon religion." No she didn't. She had told us earlier in the conversation that she was Muslim and that she just traveled around everywhere. Then she said, "I'm actually not Muslim, I'm from Denver and I think Mormon's are a cult." So then she went on this huge rant of how horrible we were. I did what I could to testify but her heart was so hard it did nothing. She turned to the Muslim girl and was like, "stay away from the Mormons. Stay far away from them!" Then the girl told her, "I was the one asking her questions, I just like to learn!" It was crazy. I just turned and ignored her. Eventually she got up and walked away, and the girl from India had left already so I was sitting there alone when this other woman comes over and says, "How are you doing. Are you ok?" This woman was an angel sent from above! Such a sweet lady! She told me how she appreciated what I was doing and that her nephew went on a mission and how much he loved it. She just took care of me after that. I know Satan had to make one last jab at me before my mission ended, but God sent some one to support me as well. Heavenly Father is so mindful of us."

so yeah.  I just really love her a lot. 

I got a greenie on thursday though!  we have been having fun ever since.  it was actually really relieving to ride back to our area (a drive that takes 4 hours) and realize that she is just as weird as me.  now we just make crazy cat jokes and talk about crows and sharing the gospel to all our animal friends all the time.  we will be sisters snow and white just you watch.  things are great though, she has all the energy in the world to be the best missionary she can be so I will just ride that through the next three months.  her name is Sister Drew.

.  

I gave up reading the Book of Mormon in the month of january too.  now I'm just trying to get to page 200.

I"M HITTING NINE MONTHS THIS WEEK????!!!!!  i don't know what to do with myself.  sister drew says I should stuff a shirt full of tissue until I look pregnant and take a picture.  I am pretty sure I will do nothing to celebrate.

everything keeps changing, I don't know what to do with myself but keep working hard.  I got a letter this week so I will be trying to write a few people back hint hint wink wink.  get ready for it to take two months. 

I love you all, and here's a scripture: Mosiah 5:15 "Therefore, I would that ye should be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works, that Christ, the Lord Omnipotent, may seal you his, that you may be brought to heaven, that ye may have everlasting salvationa nd eternal life, through the wisdom, and power, and justice, and mercy of him who created all things, inheaven and in earth, who is God above all.  Amen."  let's all endure this together.

Sister Christensen

this week!!!  man it was so crazy that I can't even remember half of it.  

it would be easiest to say that it is really weird to watch one missionary take the last steps on her mission and then jump back to one who has all the excitement and energy of a new missionary.  it's like watching your grandma die and then deciding you need more excitement in your life so you get a puppy lab on an impulse buy off the internet. basically.

so but really umm things and stories.  so sister rust and I had a really good past few days.  we basically tried our best to have lessons with people but ended up just saying goodbye to everyone. we would be like 'so the gospel" and they'd be like  'sister rust what are you going to do when you get home??" and she would be like "I don't know PROBABLY DIE. I'M GOING TO BE A MISSIONARY FOREVERRRRRR!!!!!1!!!!11!!!!1!1!!!' while I just sat awkwardly in the corner.  it was actually really hard to watch her go home, makes me never want to go home.  side note she is still a missionary, and here is a story from the life of sister rust-

"I also had an experience that I thought you would appreciate. After we figured all the flight stuff, I was sitting there waiting to get on the flight to Grand Junction and there was a girl sitting across from me and we started talking. She told me that she was from India and she was going to Utah to do a science experiment. So then I told her I was on my way home from my mission and for the past year and a half I have gone and taught people about Jesus Christ. Then she said, "Well I'd love to talk to you!" I was like, "Well I'd love to talk to you!" She told me how she had gone to school in France and had gone to a church there and loved it. She loved learning about Jesus Christ and wanted to learn about him more. So I went in and started teaching and it came to the point where the Book of Mormon came up and as I'm talking about it and showing it to her this other woman comes over and says to her, "Have you read the Koran? You should read the Koran." As soon as she came over I knew she came to argue with me. But I gave her the benefit of the doubt and was friendly with her, as she continually made jabs at me to make sure I knew she didn't like me. Then she asked me, "So you aren't even allowed to talk to you family right?" I told her on Mondays and on Christmas and Mothers Day. Then she said, "well that's kind of isolating don't you think? Yeah your kind of isolating yourselves kind of like a CULT." I was done talking to her at that point. haha Then she said, "I love the Mormon religion." No she didn't. She had told us earlier in the conversation that she was Muslim and that she just traveled around everywhere. Then she said, "I'm actually not Muslim, I'm from Denver and I think Mormon's are a cult." So then she went on this huge rant of how horrible we were. I did what I could to testify but her heart was so hard it did nothing. She turned to the Muslim girl and was like, "stay away from the Mormons. Stay far away from them!" Then the girl told her, "I was the one asking her questions, I just like to learn!" It was crazy. I just turned and ignored her. Eventually she got up and walked away, and the girl from India had left already so I was sitting there alone when this other woman comes over and says, "How are you doing. Are you ok?" This woman was an angel sent from above! Such a sweet lady! She told me how she appreciated what I was doing and that her nephew went on a mission and how much he loved it. She just took care of me after that. I know Satan had to make one last jab at me before my mission ended, but God sent some one to support me as well. Heavenly Father is so mindful of us."

so yeah.  I just really love her a lot. 

I got a greenie on thursday though!  we have been having fun ever since.  it was actually really relieving to ride back to our area (a drive that takes 4 hours) and realize that she is just as weird as me.  now we just make crazy cat jokes and talk about crows and sharing the gospel to all our animal friends all the time.  we will be sisters snow and white just you watch.  things are great though, she has all the energy in the world to be the best missionary she can be so I will just ride that through the next three months.  her name is Sister Drew.

 

I gave up reading the Book of Mormon in the month of January too.  now I'm just trying to get to page 200.

I"M HITTING NINE MONTHS THIS WEEK????!!!!!  i don't know what to do with myself.  sister drew says I should stuff a shirt full of tissue until I look pregnant and take a picture.  I am pretty sure I will do nothing to celebrate.

everything keeps changing, I don't know what to do with myself but keep working hard.  I got a letter this week so I will be trying to write a few people back hint hint wink wink.  get ready for it to take two months. 

I love you all, and here's a scripture: Mosiah 5:15 "Therefore, I would that ye should be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works, that Christ, the Lord Omnipotent, may seal you his, that you may be brought to heaven, that ye may have everlasting salvationa nd eternal life, through the wisdom, and power, and justice, and mercy of him who created all things, inheaven and in earth, who is God above all.  Amen."  let's all endure this together.

Sister Christensen

Animal Crackers and Fruit Punch

this has been one of the craziest weeks of my life.  so much stuff happened.  oy.   

so

starting at the beginning we did some stuff on monday but tuesday we ended up just going to district meeting and then driving to moncton and then to halifax for sis rust.  I stayed in moncton with Sisters Dougherty and Comfort, both somewhat experienced missionaries.   sis comfort has been out for 4.5 months, and sister dougherty for 7.5 months.  so the first night we planned none of us really knew what we were doing, especially because the district leader decided for some bizarre reason to go on visits that wednesday while we were already on exchanges. (visits is when the district leader and his companion come and help train sister missionaries in a foursome... in this case a fivesome.) so I took over and helped sister doughterty decide the less actives she needed help or training with and areas that she is looking to improve upon.  it sounded good so we went with it.  well wednesday started and the elders missed the less active appointment for language study and then proceded to follow us around the rest of the day to people who weren't home and streets that were empty, giving little to no useless training on the way.  so that was awesome. at one point we just made phone calls in the car.  it was really dumb especially because the district leader's angsty feelings were flagrantly reciprocated by sister D who's area it was, and she had no intentions of respecting or learning anything from them.  so the whole thing was really dumb.  I just got to follow around and watch.  at the end of the day we went to this house church for one of the district leaders potentials on a whim,  where a guy who claimed to be christian protestant or something was 'demonstrating faith', that's really the best way I can describe kindly what I saw happened.  the truth is that he was running a cult.  he taught no docterine, referenced no scripture, claimed to be prophetic and shared lots of stories where it just sounds like he performed miracles without true consent of parties mentioned, in other words he went around claiming to have a power to do things and take people's agency away.  super creepy when you meet an antichrist these days.  even creepier when they perform stuff like that in the name of Christ.  and then at the end he invited us over for dinner so he could "discuss Docterine." in other words bash.  it was at the point that he challenged Elder Widdup to prove the bible was flawed so this man could denounce scripture entirely that I stepped in and said "Excuse me, we did not come here to argue, and now we are leaving."  the room went silent and we left. 

but that was just the beginning to my week!  we didn't end up getting back to our area until friday morning, when we went to a bunch of lessons with our ward missionary Angie.  we went and saw holly, and assuaged her fears that even if she did marry she and dwight would still be living in sin. (false btw.) (marriage solves the problem of living with your boyfriend.  that would make him your husband.) then angie gave her a pile of books about the prophets a mile high and we asked her if she'd been reading the book of mormon which she hadn't.  we emphasised the importance of the Book of Mormon and bore our testimonies that it is the foundation of knowing truth about the restoration of Christ's gospel. and the peaced out.  we also saw our favorite excommunicated member and handed her an olive branch to come back called Laborers in the Vinyard and angie and her became friends!  which is awesome.  I also found out that Dory is 51 which freaked me out a little for the reason that SHE'S MY MOM'S AGE and that they WOULD BE BEST FRIENDS if only they knew each other.  but that is a dream for another day. I love her so much. 

Sie Got Baptized!!!! on saturday.  so that was awesome. we set out to the church in the morning and it started to rain.  and it kept raining. keep in mind that it is also 16 degrees.  AND RAINING. what the heck Maine??? so the roads were kind of crazy and all the people we invited bailed and our ward mission leader was doing his Eeyore thing as per usual and dramatizing the fact that the pianist might not come and OH NO WE'LL HAVE TO SING A CAPELLA!!!!  seriously? some people.  anyway.  so sie showed up with his wife and Brother in Law who is actually a less active, and they were well groomed!  which says a lot for a guy who doesn't shave and has mile long hair, and a lady who lives in pajamas.   so that was great.  we found sie a jumpsuit and he made jokes about how he felt like an innmate, and the water in the font was warm and even though only the bishop's wife first councelor and the pianist came (ha) and we had our baptism.  sister rust and I got to give five minute talks on baptism and the holy ghost, which brought the spirit in.  over all it was just such a happy and spiritually uplifting experience.  then the baptist Jimmy stepp who's a priest age Young adult took four tries to get sie under the water.  I just wanted to facepalm so badly.  the bishop and mission leader told us to use him but even so we asked sie to pray about it and he picked Jim Stepp his father, but the mission leader and bishop went ahead and asked jimmy anyway, even after we told them that sie had prayed and chosen.  but it was fine because sie's awesome and a good sport, and decided to make more jokes instead.  "just pretend like I owe you money!" he kept telling Jimmy, "Just shove me under I won't care!"

So that was fun.  then next day in sacrament meeting he was confirmed and Brother o'connell a Recent convert of about 9 months gave his blessing.  it is so cool to see that this ward is growing so quickly.  the spirit was definitly there, and I definitely got excited when his blessing included a few scentances about missionary work.  Yeah Sie as a member missionary!  that is a good day.  the best thing though was that he get to take the sacrament for the first time.  we don't really discourage people from taking the bread and water, but sie wanted to wait, every week he would wave his hand and shy away.  It was so amazing to be able to pass him the tray and have him partake.  There are a few times in my life where I have really felt the true meaning of the sacrament, and that was one of mine.  but of course, he then bent over and said "they should have animal crackers for bread!" I laughed at the thought of sie 'a proud leo' holding a lion animal cracker for the sacrament.  funny stuff. he also joked that the water cups look like thimbals and should be fruit punch.  It was at that point that I snickered a hush and prayed he would calm down.

we asked him how he felt after the service. "I feel like a new man." shall we not go on in so great a cause?

have a good week this week everyone!

ps I'm training.

Sister Christensen