July 11, 2016- The Land Bountiful

Hello family ! 

It has been such a cool week. I'm glad to be back in the hills. I definitely have missed them. It feels weird coming back to the type of area I started my mission in but it has helped me see my growth also. We have seen a huge spark of excitement in the el dorado zone this new transfer as we chose to focus on the need for extending baptismal invitations to people. We have already seen tons of miracles. Even in our own area that has been struggling. Some how the lord worked it out where we have added a bunch of new investigators and have a potential baptism for the 30th of July. 

The Ward is awesome. I have already met tons of people whom I love ! Plus living in the middle of no where is great. One night after planning I

We jumped into the bed of our truck and we star gazed as an apartment of four. 'Twas a good bro moment for all of us and quite unifying ! 

I was able to attend a leadership meeting and I saw elder H , who has now been called as a district leader ! So cool to see his growth from when I trained him first in the mission. Elder T has also been called as a district leader. Glad to see that. I've seen so much growth in both of those companions . 

It helped me in my testimony in the savior and his ability to change people through the atonement of Jesus Christ. We also had to write a page about the atonement to president Jardine . As I was writing and completed writing my page, I realized everything I knew about the atonement of Jesus Christ was from the pages of modern scripture , especially the Book of Mormon. The bible tells the beautiful  story of the saviors sacrifice, but the Book of Mormon tells of the divine ability and role He has in cleansing our lives. Even to the purification and perfecting of our souls. The Book of Mormon  outlines exactly what mankind must do to receive peace in this life and eternal life in the time to come. I know that it is only through the atonement of our savior that any of us can achieve the pursuit of happiness.  we can discover these doctrines most clearly through the words of the divinely appointed record known as the Book of Mormon. 

Love you all ! Here are pictures ! 

Back in the land of Zion. 

Elder kristensen . 

Yes my companion and I are twins. 

July 4, 2016- "Run to the Hills!"

Hello my family and friends ! 

Another great week in restoring and gathering scattered Israel! It was for the most part a wonderful week. But there seemed to be a lingering of uneasiness as we approached July 3. The day of transfer calls. We focused and worked as if nothing was happening but , something was still going to happen so you couldnt avoid it. Saturday was the worst. I feel as though the longer I've been on my mission the more transfers seem to hang over me like a black rain cloud that  hanging over me. But in the end it brings some rain , and as a consequence, there is growth. Although when it seems to rain at transfer time ... It pours.  

I received a transfer call from president Jardine. My new area is shingle springs YSA in the el dorado hills zone. I have been called as a zoneleader. My new companion is elder K from American fork utah. Some fun facts about my area :

-I can see my first area (ione and Jackson area ) from where we live which is in the middle of the woods at a members home in a little house they built in the back. it sits up on a hill. It feels so cool to back in an area that is so much like my first area. Same beautiful scenes. Same kind of work ! 

-I am now in ysa work (young single adult Ward). I think it's funny because I kind of disliked Ysa wards before my mission. So Heavenly Father  placed me in a Ysa to learn to love Ysa ! I am actually quite excited. 

-I came into east sac when elder K first started his mission. We have followed each other around since over to north sac... And now we are companions ! So excited. I love this elder ! It made the transfer easier to swallow. 

I do have to say transfers have been some of the most heartbreaking times on my mission. Every transfer a piece of your heart gets scooped out and left in the area. So I just want to thank natomas 3rd Ward and tala'ofa for everything they did for me. I know I could have done more in those areas. But I did gain such an appreciation for all those who loved me and my companion, and took us in as if we were one of their own. And that is a understatement . Truly I feel as Ammon and his brethren felt after they had finished their work converting the lamanites to the anti-nephi-Lehi. Mormon said that those whom Ammon served and so "dearly beloved" -loved him Also "for they were treated as though they were angels sent from God." Alma27:4. 

Truly that is how I have felt in both wards. I love you guys with my whole soul! 

Also I want to give a  tribute to my companion elder Y who is literally a born natural at missionary work. All I had to do was show him and he'd do it. As if it needed no practice. When he knew better, he did better. Which is the very thing elder Lawrence from the 70 said was the key attribute of Christ. Not only is  he a great missionary, but also my brother and friend. I know he's got my back. He would do anything to help me become better. He taught me a lot of things about giving that I may not have learned from anyone else. 

Here are some pictures : 

Nathan.kristensen@myldsmail.net

Love you all - elder kristensen 

June 27, 2016- Elder Ross

"If you want to go fast , you go alone.  if you want to go far , you go together " African proverb .

The name of this email has nothing to do with this email. 

 So a lot of exciting things happened this week in the mission.

Elder Lawrence from the first quorum of the seventy came and did a mission tour. That Zone conference melted my brain with delicious knowledge of the gospel and the twelve tribes of Israel. Sister Lawrence first got up and taught us the Old Testament, New Testament and the restoration of the gospel as prophesied in a a matter of two hours. She talked to us a ton of the scattering and gathering of Israel and helped us realize the very serious reality of our role in gathering scattered Israel. I wish I had the time to tell you all about it because it made all of the gospel make so much sense including a lot of the idioms that we use. But all and all just know that scattered Israel is being gathered and the Book of Mormon is the proof of the gathering beginning ! 

Elder Lawrence got up and talked about the needs of the mission.  He first talked about how he no longer had to do "missionary training 101" but our mission is now on "missionary training 301." We were advancing from the law of obedience to the law of sacrifice. He says now it's time to lay things on the alter of sacrifice that will help us now be more centered on the work. So we all have had to chose one thing this week. Some are offering up some of their music choices, and others maybe drinking soda. I know of a few elders breaking up with their girlfriends. All so that they can sacrifice and become more dedicated to the work. I have made my own personal sacrifice. And I have chosen something that I know I need help from the atonement of Jesus Christ. And the only  way I will overcome my weakness is throughout the Saviors atonement . So it'll be one of cool to see the change begin over time. 

But that was probably the biggest thing we learned was the importance of sacrifice. 

Sacrifice in our lives to do the Lords will brings blessings."sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven." This is an eternal truth taught by the savior himself where he says if any man will lose himself for the lords sake shall find himself. And I know that to be true ! I'm discovering more about myself every single day that I didn't know about ! 

Also another miracle . We chose Asa district to do a district fast. In which we fasted for 3 people to be baptized this month who had not yet accepted baptism. That Sunday 2 of the three people accepted baptism and I did one of the baptismal interviews. We had to have a translated because she was Spanish. But we had one of the most spiritual experiences of my mission as we heard her bare her testimony. She chose not to get baptized. But then she went on a temple tour and when she heard of the sealing power that is within the walls of the temple she knew that is what she wanted. It was incredible to hear of the spiritual experience she had at the temple. 

Love y'all ! It's getting hot here ! 

Elder kristensen