Week 8: One Month Down

I've been out on my mission for over a month! Time has flown by so fast. Not a lot has happened this week but there's a few things that are worth mentioning.

One of our friends that we're teaching asked us if we could feed her birds while she was gone this past weekend. We felt so honored that she trusted us enough to do that! She said she wants to come to church again this coming Sunday and take us out for breakfast sometime too!

Lola has handed out 178 Book of Mormons since last October and her goal is 200 before this coming October. She's a missionary powerhouse for sure.

I went on an exchange with Elder Taylor on Friday and it was so cool! We visited a family that was referred to us and they actually let us in their house and we talked to them for a little bit! Their kids were so sweet and showed me all their toys. One of the little boys asked me to pick him up so he could sit on my lap and I had to tell him no (because missionaries aren't allowed to hold children) which broke my heart cause he looked so sad and confused. Oscar, the dad, told us he will be gone for 2 weeks but that we can share a message with them on the 23rd when he gets back. Woot Woot! We also stopped by a couple's house that we hadn't been able to contact for awhile. We found out that they were gone in Equador so that's why we couldn't contact them for a long time and Elizabeth's mom also passed away. We were able to share some hope with them and a video that explained our Savior's love. They're also gonna be gone in Mississippi for the next 2 months for work training so that's kinda sad, but they said we're welcome to keep sending them scriptures and spiritual thoughts over text. Elder Taylor and I were out biking for a solid 3 1/2 hours in the heat of the day so I just about died. But it was worth it because we got in contact with a lot of people and we met a guy named Jordan who gave us his number!

Remember Austin from my last email? Yeah we him on date for baptism!! August 28th here we come!!

Oh, I don't know if I mentioned this but, Elder Atkinson got transferred like 2 weeks ago so now we have a new Elder in our apartment, Elder Watts. I really miss Elder Atkinson cause we got along really well, but Elder Watts is cool I guess. 

The scripture of the week is Alma 7:11-12.

"11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities." 

It's so important to remember that Christ didn't only suffer for our sins, but He also suffered for all of our pains, afflictions, sicknesses, etc. Christ knows exactly how we feel and can perfectly empathize with every struggle we face. Christ didn't suffer every pain of mankind for us to only rely on Him during the biggest trials in our lives. He wants us to go to Him even in the most miniscule problems we have. That's something I really need to work on and I invite you to do the same!

I love you all! Let me know if there's anything I can help you with.

Elder Christensen

Pictures!!