Results of Faith

Hey Everyone:

   Some cool things happened this week. First, I got called by President Pagaduan to be a trainer. Second, my trainee is an Australian haha. He is way rad! His name is Elder Miano and I got some pictures so I could show you. He is cool and trying his best to learn quick. Training is way different. Instead of two hours of study every day we have 4! We have one hour for personal, two hours for companion and one more hour for language. It takes us out of our area and gives us less time to actually be proselyting but it must be effective or the Prophet would not have implemented it into the missions for training. It is a little more tiring too because I have to do everything haha 100% of talking, teaching, planning, etc., but it is a way good experience. So I am still in Pototan and will probably be here for a while longer! Which is fine since the work is going well. We had three investigators at church this week which is less than expected but isn't too bad. A couple we are teaching, that has baptismal dates, were out of town so they weren't able to go to church.

   Yes mom, they all believe in "aswangs" here which is similar to like a witch. I have not seen one nor believe in them, but what people do is use a clothes pin to hook a piece of garlic to the babies clothes so “no aswangs will steal them” haha...They also sometimes hook an empty bullet shell to the babies so "no strangers will steal them" haha. They are way superstitious here.

   To be honest, I have no idea yet what to do about college. Taylor is trying to talk me into Dixie and Kyle is trying to talk me into the U. They both have pros and cons. I am thinking football is slowly losing its light to me haha. I love it, but am not as sure as I used to be that I want to play. I have a while left so I still have time to decide better.

   We had a cool experience last week where we had a member whose sister was supposed to be having a baby but was in severe pain and wasn't able to deliver due to whatever problems I'm not sure. They called us and asked us to give them a blessing. So we went (like 30 minute drive away) and got to the hospital to find them in the center of tons of other patients. It was not a private room. So we said oh well and gave her a blessing. We then left and didn't really think about it much again. Then when Sunday came around, our member told us that her sister gave birth to a healthy baby girl about two hours later, which they say was a miracle! It was sweet to bless someone using the power that is entrusted to me and seeing results of faith.

   That is so awesome about The Reber's call and I will write them before they leave! That is also cool that Dallen will fly to them before he goes home. He will be fluent in Spanish too. so the language will be different but that will be cool.

   Thank you all for your opinion on whether to go home early or late. After thinking about all your suggestions and stuff and also my feelings I am leaning towards October but I will talk to President and finalize things before I tell you a final answer. The vacations and stuff sounds awesome though mom! I am so excited for all of it and to spend time with all of you! I love you all!

Elder Garrett Christensen

Hey Papa:

   How is everything going? I am glad you enjoyed some high school basketball. That is over which means its baseball time! I love baseball time. I have a question for you though regarding football. I don't know if I want to play when I get home? I really wanted to when I started my mission but over the months I kind of see that it would be fun but do I REALLY want to? I obviously know I won’t play like pro football so it would almost be like just to get in shape and have fun but it would take away from my studies and stuff and I have realized how important studies and stuff like that. Kind of like it’s time to grow up but I don't know. Did you LOVE college football? Or was it just kind of lame? I want to hear your opinion before I decide whether I will play or not. Because you know when I set my mind to play or not I won’t turn back. It’s crazy that time is so fast and in only 7 months I will probably be home (assuming I go home early). I am excited but nervous. Thanks for everything. I love and miss you lots. I thought of Clint Madsen this week haha. How is he doing? Is he is Argentina or Brazil? I couldn't remember?

Love your son,

Elder Christensen
All the vacations sound awesome Mom. Mexico sounds so good. Just to relax and sit on the beach haha. Also I can't wait to snowboard and go to South Dakota. Thanksgiving sounds fun. I hope lots of the family will be there so I can see them. I am proud of you Mom and love you lots! I am getting off now! Love you more!