"If you go to Austin, be careful, it's a wicked place." -Sis. Campbell
Oh the irony. Guess what? I have been transferred to this place called Austin, Texas. You might of heard of it. I really enjoyed my time in San Antonio and the wonderful people I met there. That will always be my Texas family. But it's been interesting to go from San Antonio, ghetto, to Austin, incredibly nice. Definitely a change! My new companion is Elder Shipley. He has been out for three months and he is from Orom, Utah. He is a musician who is good at pretty much every instrument. He also writes his own music ranging from electronic music to classical. Pretty cool! We cover two wards, Walsh Ranch and Vista Ridge. And the best part is we are on bikes! It has been a blast to ride bikes. I love it. It is so nice to always be outside and around people to share the gospel with. And another bonus, it is cooling off. It hasn't gotten much hotter than 80 this past week so it has been beautiful. Riding back at night is perfection. It feels about high 60s, which makes me think it's going to get cold soon. We shall see!
We get fed every day. It is incredible. Today we didn't even buy very much food because we only have to buy lunch and breakfast stuff. I don't know, it is soooooooooo different. A total 180. It feels like I have come to a whole other mission. It's also been interesting to go from a Ward where we had so much to do to an area where we don't have a whole lot to do. Hopefully this transfer we will be able to get some stuff done. It also interesting because in SA everyone is living a life of sin and they don't care if anyone sees so it's easy to see the need to share the gospel with them. But here everyone tries to show that their life is perfect, all is well. You have to look deeper for opportunities to serve and find the people that need and are open to feeling the spirit. My motto thus far on my mission though has been "if you do your best God will do the rest." I know that as I do my best to find them it will happen. People have been prepared and they are everywhere.
So on Thursday we had transfer meeting which is always fun. But I went to the one in SA and if they don't read your name then you know you are going to Austin. They didn't read my name. So you have to load up your luggage in a trailer and then you ride over to Austin for their transfer meeting. It's about an hour and a half drive. Then at the transfer meetings we all sit down, the senior office couples give us some announcements, and hen they do call outs. They will say so and so is with so and so. And then you stand up, go to your new companion and give him an abrazo. And abrazo is a manly hug. And then you stand up front until they read off all the people in your zone. Then you go and sit down! I always get nervous when I get a new companion. Elder Shipley is a nice guy though, so all is well.
General conference was wonderful. I loved the Beautiful Savior hymn sung by the kids choir. So good. All the talks were wonderful as well. I feel like the strength of the church only increases as time goes on. The apostles seem spiritually stronger than ever. Elder Holland's talk on mothers was great, the ponderize idea is awesome, Elder Nelson always gives great talks, loved Monson's talk on be an example to the believers, Elder Bednar was great, in conclusion, they all were great. Always inspires me to do better and pushes me onward. It's a wonderful time to refocus on the Savior and the basics of the gospel. We watched it with Bro. Greer. He is the Ward mission leader in vista ridge Ward. He has three kids who are hilarious. The oldest is 10. It was fun to watch it at their home. They fed us after the morning sessions were over and then we went and worked a little then went back for more conference. Oh I also loved Eyring's talk about the Holy Ghost. Ya, they were all good.
Almost forgot, I do live with another set of missionaries. We live in the place called, "the mansion." It's ridiculous. It's not even an apartment, it's a town house. We have two floors, 3 bathrooms, 3 bedrooms, a backyard, a garage, and it's quiet. We have windows in the room we study in so we get the sun coming through in the morning. It's awesome. The other elders we live with are the zone leaders of the zone right next to ours. They make things funny.
I will make sure to take pictures and send them to you of the area, our home, etc. next week.
Oh the irony. Guess what? I have been transferred to this place called Austin, Texas. You might of heard of it. I really enjoyed my time in San Antonio and the wonderful people I met there. That will always be my Texas family. But it's been interesting to go from San Antonio, ghetto, to Austin, incredibly nice. Definitely a change! My new companion is Elder Shipley. He has been out for three months and he is from Orom, Utah. He is a musician who is good at pretty much every instrument. He also writes his own music ranging from electronic music to classical. Pretty cool! We cover two wards, Walsh Ranch and Vista Ridge. And the best part is we are on bikes! It has been a blast to ride bikes. I love it. It is so nice to always be outside and around people to share the gospel with. And another bonus, it is cooling off. It hasn't gotten much hotter than 80 this past week so it has been beautiful. Riding back at night is perfection. It feels about high 60s, which makes me think it's going to get cold soon. We shall see!
We get fed every day. It is incredible. Today we didn't even buy very much food because we only have to buy lunch and breakfast stuff. I don't know, it is soooooooooo different. A total 180. It feels like I have come to a whole other mission. It's also been interesting to go from a Ward where we had so much to do to an area where we don't have a whole lot to do. Hopefully this transfer we will be able to get some stuff done. It also interesting because in SA everyone is living a life of sin and they don't care if anyone sees so it's easy to see the need to share the gospel with them. But here everyone tries to show that their life is perfect, all is well. You have to look deeper for opportunities to serve and find the people that need and are open to feeling the spirit. My motto thus far on my mission though has been "if you do your best God will do the rest." I know that as I do my best to find them it will happen. People have been prepared and they are everywhere.
So on Thursday we had transfer meeting which is always fun. But I went to the one in SA and if they don't read your name then you know you are going to Austin. They didn't read my name. So you have to load up your luggage in a trailer and then you ride over to Austin for their transfer meeting. It's about an hour and a half drive. Then at the transfer meetings we all sit down, the senior office couples give us some announcements, and hen they do call outs. They will say so and so is with so and so. And then you stand up, go to your new companion and give him an abrazo. And abrazo is a manly hug. And then you stand up front until they read off all the people in your zone. Then you go and sit down! I always get nervous when I get a new companion. Elder Shipley is a nice guy though, so all is well.
General conference was wonderful. I loved the Beautiful Savior hymn sung by the kids choir. So good. All the talks were wonderful as well. I feel like the strength of the church only increases as time goes on. The apostles seem spiritually stronger than ever. Elder Holland's talk on mothers was great, the ponderize idea is awesome, Elder Nelson always gives great talks, loved Monson's talk on be an example to the believers, Elder Bednar was great, in conclusion, they all were great. Always inspires me to do better and pushes me onward. It's a wonderful time to refocus on the Savior and the basics of the gospel. We watched it with Bro. Greer. He is the Ward mission leader in vista ridge Ward. He has three kids who are hilarious. The oldest is 10. It was fun to watch it at their home. They fed us after the morning sessions were over and then we went and worked a little then went back for more conference. Oh I also loved Eyring's talk about the Holy Ghost. Ya, they were all good.
Almost forgot, I do live with another set of missionaries. We live in the place called, "the mansion." It's ridiculous. It's not even an apartment, it's a town house. We have two floors, 3 bathrooms, 3 bedrooms, a backyard, a garage, and it's quiet. We have windows in the room we study in so we get the sun coming through in the morning. It's awesome. The other elders we live with are the zone leaders of the zone right next to ours. They make things funny.
I will make sure to take pictures and send them to you of the area, our home, etc. next week.
Not much to report on teaching wise this week. Sis. Campbell is on track for baptism next weekend. So is Claudia and Jalissa in SA. Elder West is training a missionary now, Elder Acor is still a zone leader in SA east zone, and now me and Elder Rowland are in the same zone. That's the update on my companions thus far. They are all doing well.
President Slaughter has been using a scripture that I would like to share. It's John 3:30. He must increase, but I must decrease. We must decrease, just like John the Baptist. Christ must be in our countenances because only then can we help others know the way, the light, and the life. How can we help others know Christ of we don't know Him ourselves? We can decrease and Christ can increase as we study and ponder the scriptures, listen to the council of the prophets, and look to Christ in every thought. I think this ponderizing thing is a wonderful step in the right direction. I'd say give it a go! Some of the blessings promised if we ponderize are as follows: increase of spirituality, able to lift those you love, deeper understanding of the gospel, and an uplifting place for thoughts to go. It may be hard, but hard is often good.
Love you!
Elder Christensen
Do Good Stuff
