September 26, 2016-Apple Hill!

Good day family and friends ! 

It was another good week . Transfers took place and luckily I dodged transfers. My companions are still elder D and elder M. I love those two. It has been fun being in a trio. It doesn't really get old. 

This week was exhausting, but it was the first week this transfer that we didn't have some kind of meeting that we had to attend.  So we took the chance to work in some of the other missionaries areas. Which was odd because it brought tons of blessings into ours ! Truly Heavenly Father blesses us for working in others areas. 

I had kind of another interesting Sunday with revelation. Among the couple of things i received, the most important took place in fast and testimony meeting. We have a man in our Ward with Down syndrome who bore his testimony. He bore an amazing testimony . Honestly it didn't make a lot of sense , but at the beginning he said something profound that pricked my heart and pierced my soul. He said " I love my testimony." Immediately the thought came " do I love my testimony ?" Then the voice of the spirit said "do you love the testimony I have given you ?" 

I'm someone who always wants more knowledge and information etc, and when you are like that you tend to forget what you already have. And it was such a blessing to be able to take that opportunity to then witness to the con generation and to my Heavenly Father that I do love my testimony . 

And I'll share that with you also. I love my testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Although that testimony has made me do some hard things, it has made everything worth it. The gospel of Jesus Christ is true. 

September 19, 2016-Service in Gold Country

HELLO FAMILY . 

I don't have anytime , I am so sorry. I have had another service project today so We haven't had another p-day. But honestly it's been the first time in my mission where I've served at a time where I haven't necessarily had to be serving. And honestly it has been a big blessing to me and a learning curve.  But I don't have time to talk ... Here are pictures !!! 

September 12, 2016- Sly Park Party

Today has been wild ! We got ourselves signed up for a world gold panning championship up here in the hills of el dorado. We have spent almost all of p-day help set up. That was quite the blast ! I didn't even realize how much Mormons influenced the sEttlement of California and gold rush. 

This week went well. We had a zone conference focused on Doctrine and Covenants 18:10 which states " the worth  of a soul is great in the sight of God." We talked a lot about the people whom we serve and their individual worth to our loving father in heaven. I have learned incontrovertibly  that Heavenly Father knows us each very personally and is preparing each of his children to receive of his gospel message. No matter who they are Or whatever part of the world they may be in, he is making ways to reach them. Social media is another one of those tools that has fulfilled prophecy in ensuring that the gospel is taken to the four quarters of the earth. Even to those places where missionaries cannot go. 

I also want to thank everyone for the birthday wishes. It means a ton seriously !! I had a great day! I got harassed at zone conference because it was my birthday . President made sure to tell everyone there. Later that evening I had delicious birthday food with the bishop from the Ysa Ward ! 

Also on p-day we went up to sly lake as a zone and went on a big hike and had a bbq at a members house ! That was a ton of fun.  Anyways here's some pictures. 

September 5, 2017- America Ninja Warrior

Dear family and friends ! 

It was a wonderful week in el dorado county ! We did an Mlc goal setting .which went okay. I m getting a little tired of meetings because Wednesday we had a 

two week new missionary meeting. Honestly this week was a pretty normal week other than that. Although I did receive An increased testimony of sincere prayers.

As a missionary we pray all the time. It becomes such a normal thing that sometimes for myself , I become repetitive or I don't put enough thought into what I've been asking and thanking Heavenly Father for. Something that was said in church was "people make time for things that are important to them." I had found myself sometimes running out of time at night to say a prayer or In the morning. So I first made the decision to not let anything restrict my time with personal prayer. Speaking with Heavenly Father is one of the most important things to me , and I wasn't making enough time for that sacred conversation. And truly my prayers have become sacred as I have truly recognized my weakness and have petitioned my Heavenly Father for the grace of the savior . I need his help so badly. And I am, grateful for the time I put into that ! 

This week we are looking forward to a few things ! One of them is zone conference on Wednesday ! I'll let ya know how that goes. But I love you all! 

Oh ya on Tuesday we as a Ward missionaries with our Ward mission leader made an activity. If any of you have seen American ninja warrior. That's what it was. But with a lot of Ysa kids and non members 

August 29, 2016- Is It Possible to be This Tired?

SO, I don't have a lot of time so here it goes. 

This week we had an insane week of non-stop running around. This week we had to get ready for two baptisms, be trained how to use Facebook, clean up Facebook profiles, train the rest of the missionaries how to use Facebook in proselyting, watch 20 videos on it , help other people clean up their Facebook according to guidlines given to us and still find , teach, baptize ! 

So  basically don't ever let 12 year olds get Facebook... I had to do social media repentance and sanctify 8 years worth of face booking. By far one of the most embarrassing moments of my mission. I am so sorry to all those who were friends with me on Facebook previous to my mission. Yikes. Consider this to be my apology. 

Facebook will be good . I can use it as a proselyting tool to answer any of my family and friends gospel related questions. 

We also had the two baptisms which went great ! K has quite the story and you can tell by how many missionaries she went through ! We just happened to be the lucky ones to reap the harvest. H is also one of the most humble and obedient son of a loving God that I know ! He would do anything to be right with the lord. 

I also want to share a brief experience with you that I had on Sunday that I now consider sacred. But I feel prompted to share as I know many others struggle with the same issue. I have a hard time seeing people lose testimony of the prophet Joseph smith and Jesus Christ, who they once loved and revered,  over things we don't fully understand or things that are part truths or wrong all together. As we had some experience with that subject this week my mind was troubled. After a correlation meeting with the stake president I walked past the chapel to hear an amazing rendition of the song "homeward bound." Although, the words were different. They were too the words "Joseph smiths first prayer." I cannot begin to explain to you what it felt like. But it was the softest reassurance. A reassurance strong enough to put my troubled heart at rest. I bear testimony that the first vision of Joseph smith is a reality and is a testimony of a loving Heavenly Father and our savior Jesus Christ. I bear testimony that regardless of what the worlds view is on the commandments or any modern revelation, they are from almighty God . He knows us, He loves us, and wants to protect us. And he knows how to do it best. I promise that any one can know of the calling of the prophet Joseph regardless of what the discrepancies or concerns may be. Concerns always get worked out. Just keep reading. Keep praying. 

Looking forward to another good week ! Love you all! 

August 22, 2016- FACEBOOK

What a great week it has been in the world of a mission ! 
So the big announcement that was had at the beginning of the month is that we are 1 of the 15 missions in the worlds that are receiving the new Facebook program the church has revised. So next week I will be on Facebook. I will have more details about it tomorrow. But because I am serving the Lord I will only be able to contact you over emails on Monday. So you still contact me only here !! 
Also we had a ton of meetings this week between new missionary meetings and new leadership training and iPad set ups. But yet it was still a successful week. 
Our first contact was with K who is awesome ! She is someone the elders in the GreenValley Ward before us was teaching . We extended a date and she openly accepted. But then during one of our meetings she texted and said she no longer would meet with us and go to church or get baptized because her family is so opposed to her getting baptized. 
So we stopped by with a member. And talked with her. We worked out her concerns and now she has been interviewed by president Jardine and getting baptized next week ! She is courageously moving forward with faith. It is amazing ! 
Also our good friend HB  got interviewed for baptism next weekend ! So that should happen also. 
We met another person from Canada ! Brother P from airdre Alberta ! Super random but super cool guy ! We have a couple mutual friends. His child also had a hurt foot and they had no idea what was wrong with it .... He couldn't even walk. No weight on it . So he asked if we could give him a priesthood blessing. We did and we left. That next Sunday we saw his kid running around on his foot . And we asked brother P about it  and he said ten minutes after the blessing he was on his foot running. How amazing is that miracle ?!?
I just want to testify of the restored priesthood of God. Miracles such as those don't just happen by chance. Gods hand is so involved in our lives. And the priesthood is the power and authority that God can authorize and organize his work. The priesthood can allow us to bless others lives, therefore blessing our own. The priesthood keys are only found in the Lords restored church, The church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints , and provides safety to families. by this same power people can eternally bind themselves to God through priesthood covenants and bind families together . 
I love you all ! Until next week ! 
Here's more pictures of our mission leadership !! 

August 15, 2016-WE HAVE A SURPRISE

Hello everyone ! 

It was a great week. We said good bye to our beloved elder R. who, returned home on Saturday. His two year mission was completed . We also said good bye to a lot of other amazing missionaries who have done a great job. A lot of very close friends. 

But regardless it was good ! That also means transfers happened ! Yup. Elder K got transferred which is heart breaking. But he only moved done the hill to Folsom. So I'll see him every Sunday . So it's not " good bye," but just "see ya next week !" 

He will be missed . Transfer calls came in Saturday night. I am getting elder M who I love very very much ! I spent a lot of time with him in north Sacramento. I also found out I'm training again! We  are training in a trio !! I also have elder D who is brand new as of yesterday !! I am super excited to train. We also now cover a family Ward and the shingle springs Ysa Ward. 

I don't have much time  but cool miracle, first contact we had as a trio accepted a baptismal day for the 27th of August and set up daily contact which is great. Gotta go but here are a few pictures !! 

August 8, 2016- It's Hot...

Hello family and friends ! 

It has been an incredibly busy week this week. It was zone training time. So we had MLC ( mission leadership council ). What an amazing meeting that was  Filled with revelatory experiences. The spirit was so strong ! It was really quite refreshing actually. 

There was some big news announced at this meeting to the zone leaders and sister training leaders. I'll save it for next time. 

Along with Mlc comes with planning for zone training on that following Friday. Also went splendid. Sister Lillie from Edmonton is the sister training leader in our zone , so it's a little strange having someone from the same place as you. 

We were trained on the proper use of technology or what the church has called it " safeguards for using technology ." We have been reading out of the booklet for the last year but president felt inspired to train on it again and helped us realize how important it is to live the safe guards provided for us not only here and now but especially as we arrive home. Technology is here to stay, so we must learn how to use it properly without falling into the temptations of Satan.  I am so blessed to be in a mission with these technologies to help prepare for my life to come. That was actually something president Jardine had said- that his main job was to ensure that we can become the eternal companions we are suppose to become. A little heavy but true. My life is being molded by the atonement and by the experiences I'm having here to set me up for life. 

I made sacred covenants in the temple before I left and my dad told me my mission is where I was going to learn to keep those sacred covenants. And that is exactly what has happened. 

The other half of zone training and Mlc was a huge focus on repentance and the principles to repentance . If we want to "teach repentance and baptize converts" we actually have to know how to teach repentance and fully.  We also have to apply those steps in our own lives which are : 

Recognize 

Godly sorrow 

Forsake 

Confess 

Restitution 

Forgive 

Keep the commandments. 

This is the pattern for receiving peace and joy in this life. Through the saviors atonement mercy can over power justice. Peace can fill us and drive us to go another day. We cannot merit anything of our own, and through repentance we allow the savior to change us and to heal us . It's a real thing the relief of proper repentance brings blessings we never thought we could have, and lightens a load that we never thought we had.  Only through the grace of Jesus Christ we are able to complete the beautiful process of repentance.  As we "bury our weapons of war," truly "confess and for sake" our sin, and "(seek) forgiveness with real intent (we will) be forgiven." The scriptures have always told us to "just repent" and we will prosper. Repentance is not the back up plan IT IS THE PLAN, even the plan of salvation and happiness. I know that the Lords  forgiveness will perfect and complete our lives. 

I love you all ! This week was awesome.  Things are moving long in the hills.... But why does it have to be so hot ? 

This is the California Sacramento leadership. Some of the finest in the world. 

August 1, 2016-Another Week?!

Hey family !  

I have to make this fast because I'm running out of time.  

So this week not a bunch interesting happened . It was just a super successful week  In the sense of teaching and finding . This week was also super hot. But I just want bare my testimony of the plan of salvation. No body can find the faults in the restored plan of happiness and associated covenants that bind us to our Heavenly Father. Knowing  where I came from, why I'm here and where I'm going has been a huge foundation in my life in making decisions . An eternal perspective will lead us to making the decisions most worth making in this life that lead to peace. Jesus Christ is central to the plan and is the only way of finding eternal life and peace in this life. I testify he lived and he died- but unlike any other he rose again. Perfected and exalted. He is the light and life of the world and no one cometh unto the father but by him. Covenants is how we go through him to return to our father in the celestial kingdom with our eternal families. I can't even begin to explain how precious that knowledge has become to me and each person that I have taught. 

Love you all ! 

Elder kristensen