Week 105: The End

We were riding to a lesson last Monday and this guy named Isaiah on the street stops us, gives us waters, and asks if we can say a prayer with him. We said a prayer with him at a crosswalk on a super busy road and he was so grateful. I'm gonna miss doing that. 

Elder Taggart and I almost got absolutely destroyed by a very aggressive blind dog. I swear it was using echo location because it knew EXACTLY where we were and it wasn't afraid to chomp. After we got away my heart was pumping so fast haha. I really thought we were going to get bit.

We met a basher mom!! We saw her outside with her kids and asked if we could read a scripture. She said yes so we read Helaman 5:12. She started asking some questions and it was going pretty well at first but then it quickly went south and she started bashing. At one point she told us that the Book of Mormon is useless... That made my blood boil a little but I kept my cool. She also told us that the Book of Mormon may be written by prophets but they're sinners so it can't be the word of God. We told her the Bible is no different in that aspect but that doesn't invalidate it so how would that invalidate the Book of Mormon? That stumped her yet she continued to say that the Book of Mormon wasn't true. We testified like Alma and Amulek and I invited her one last time if she would read and pray about the Book of Mormon so she could know for herself if it's true or not and she accepted. I was honestly really surprised. She told us we could come back in 2 weeks to talk about it. Hopefully that goes well for the Elders here after I leave.

On Saturday we had a lesson with a man named Zeb who put in an online request to meet with us. We knocked on his door and he told us to come in. It was almost completely dark inside except for a really dim light he asked us to turn on. He was also playing a movie with creepy music so I asked him if we could turn it off and turn on more lights. That definitely helped but then he proceeded to tell us that there's a demon inside him and that he doesn't know how to get rid of it. I told him we could give him a priesthood blessing and he accepted. I've never had to cast a demon out of someone before so I wasn't sure if there was a certain procedure but I think it worked? We had a lesson with him after and he said he was going to listen to the Book of Mormon all day. Sadly I'll never see him again.

Well, this is the end my friends. I've completed my mission and I'll be returning home on Thursday. I have truly loved my mission and all that I've learned. I'm really going to miss so many things about being a missionary but I'm satisfied with the effort I gave and now it's time to move on to the next chapter of life. To end this email I would like to leave you with my testimony:

I know that Jesus Christ lives and is the Savior of the world. He is my friend and my advocate with the Father. He knows and loves each one of us perfectly. His atoning sacrifice means everything to me. I have truly been changed by His grace on my mission and I've felt His pure love flow through me for those I've met and interacted with. My mom has always told me that even if nothing but my own conversion comes as a result of my mission experience then it was a success. I have been blessed to play a part in many people's conversions but the biggest and most profound conversion that occurred on my mission is my own. I am so grateful that the Lord has allowed me to be part of His great work. It really is a privilege more than a sacrifice. I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord's kingdom on the earth today and that Joseph Smith played a vital role in the restoration of the gospel. I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God. This is confirmed to me every time I read in it. It has truly changed my life. Despite the trials I've experienced on my mission, I have felt pure joy as I've labored here in Texas to bring others unto Christ. I know that true joy only comes through Him. God has worked mighty miracles through my faith and the faith of others. I have experienced it myself and I cannot deny the testimony I have gained over these past two years. Nothing in the world could ever take it away from me. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen. 

- Elder Christensen

Pics

☆ The Fish family

☆ The Ayalas

☆ The Filiagas

☆ The Chois