Transfers

Hi everyone,

So this week was transfers. The good news is: nothing changed. Elder Schroeder and I are still companions, we're still in Access Services and our P-Day is even the same. So that's a good thing.

I'm doing well out here. My anxiety has been acting up and it has been difficult, but I am taking counseling, so I'll be fine. And the Lord will help me through everything. I know the Lord called me here for a reason, and He is not going to let me fail and with His help this weakness will become a strength. This is all part of the Lord molding me into the person He wants me to be.

So, I've reached 3rd Nephi on the Book of Mormon challenge. I just recently read in chapter 17, where Christ heals the afflicted Nephites. The part that struck me was afterward, when Christ prays for them using "words that cannot be written." And this was all because of their faith. Christ even makes a point of saying that he had not seen such faith at Jerusalem. I testify that the Lord grants unto us according to our faith. I know that there are wonders and knowledge that the Lord wants to share with us, we only need to show Him, through our faith, that we are worthy of it. And if we do, there is nothing we cannot do, because the Lord will teach us anything and everything we need to know.

I hope you all have a wonderful week. And, just in case no one has told you this today, you are wonderful. The Lord knows and loves you better then you do and He is aware of any trials you may be facing. And you only need to ask and He will help you, often in ways you never think of. I know that because I've seen that in my own life. I love you all and hope to hear from you.   

-- 

Elder Christensen

Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid: for the Lord JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation- Isaiah 12:2

One month down, 23 to go‏

Hi everyone!

It's official, as of yesterday I have been here one month! Which is exciting and kind of weird. I mean, I feel like I just started a week ago. I am also no longer a new elder anymore, due to the fact a new group came in this week. In line of all this, I'll list stuff I'm grateful for:

Flowers: I love all the flowerbeds around Temple Square

Microsoft Excel: The program my companion created makes putting films away so much easier

Music and the Spoken Word: That is such a wonderful way to start a Sunday morning and it is such a different experience to be there live.

The Book of Mormon challenge: I'm feeling closer to the Book of Mormon I ever have. I can feel the humanity of all the prophets within it because I'm reading it too fast to do an in-depth study of the doctrines. I can see that a lot of them had similar experiences to the ones I'm having now, both good and not so good.

The Temple: I love how strong the spirit is inside and how safe I feel. It truly is a house of God.

Elder Musgrave, the APs, my zone leaders, my district leader, Elder Schroeder and all the other elders here: Everyone has been so supportive and helpful. I have struggled with anxiety, but that's okay because everyone is here to help me and I know it.

Jesus Christ: I've come to better understand the Savior then I ever have. I have felt how much he loves me, I have a better idea of the magnitude of the Atonement, at least in terms of me and I am so grateful that He performed it. I know He lives and that all we need to do is come to Him and keep the commandments and He will take our sins, our pain, and everything that is unfair about life and He will heal them.

Well, that's about it for this week. The director of the mission choir, which I'm in, told the tenor section that we are singing too loud, which is probably the first time that's happened in the history of the church. But other than that, very there was very little about this week that was exciting, zone-wise. But that's okay, they can't all be exciting after all

Keep smiling everyone!  

--

Elder Christensen

Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid: for the Lord JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation- Isaiah 12:2

Films, Films, and more Films

Hi everyone,

This week I drowned in microfilms. Our friend from France was still active this week, so that was always exciting. Also we cleaned out a lot of the films that were being held for patrons in the office, so my companion and I had to put those away as well.

However, this was easier because my companion and I came up with a system involving an excel spreadsheet. In honor of the Book of Mormon reading challenge I will explain it in terms of Jacob 5:

The Allegory of the Microfilms

There once was a High Density storage facility (where the shelves are close together and mechanized, kind of like an overflow) in a library in Salt Lake City. Several of these films had gone missing, whether by vagabonds or error is unknown. When the Lord of High Density (Elder Enderle, the Assistant Zone Leader) saw this, he saith "it grieveth me that I should lose these films, for the patrons are coming and wish to view them to do their family history. What more can I do for High Density?" Then the servant (Elder Schroeder) said unto him "let us make a spreadsheet and scan the barcodes thereon and when we return the films, write upon it the cabinet number wherewith we place the films, that they go not missing." And when the Lord of High Density heard this, he was glad and saith "Go, do as thou sayest; scan the bar codes upon the films into the spreadsheet that they go not missing." And they all went and did as was said, and when the patrons came films were not missing and there was much rejoicing throughout the land.

Hey, even missionaries need to have fun. But in all seriousness I could see the Lord's hand in that experience. I could see Him guiding Elder Schroeder and I through the process of making and refining that excel spreadsheet, because we needed to not lose those films. It was a wonderful testimony that the Lord is invested in everything we do, as long as our intent is righteous and in the service of others.

Well, that's really it for this week. I'm doing okay. This whole missionary thing is becoming a lot easier to manage. Transfers are coming up soon, so maybe I'll be moved somewhere else. I love being around all the books in the library. I really love the work I'm doing. One of these weeks I'll remember to include my mailing address in the email so if you want you can send me a letter or something.

Love you all

Ryan     

Working in the Library

The view from my old apartment

My companion, Elder Schroeder, holding a Q book. Those are very large books that have a special section in the library. The one in the picture isn't the largest.     

Hi everyone!

This week I finished my training and started officially working in the library. That has been interesting and fun. A gentleman from France ordered over 100 films from the Granite Mountain Record vault and a couple of days ago he came and started looking through them. So that's been crazy, particularly when he finishes with a set of them we have to file them which involves a lot of shifting to find a place for them all. My companion and I refer to him as "our friend from France." That's been a very interesting experience so far, and we'll keep doing it for the next couple days.

And that's the most exciting thing that's happened zone-wise this week. I have started the Book of Mormon challenge and I can say it is wonderful. I've noticed a lot of patterns because I'm reading it too fast for details. I've especially noticed a lot of repetition, particularly of the exact nature of the covenants the Lord made with Israel and reminding people how the Lord has blessed His people in the past. And that has made me think of how the Lord has blessed me in the past. And it really is amazing how much He has especially in times of difficulty. I can testify that the Lord is aware of our challenges and He does bless us, even if we don't understand it in the moment 

Well, that's about it for this week. I'm doing well, feeling happy. I feel like I'm doing a good work and the Lord is pleased with what I'm doing.

Love you all,

Elder Christensen