On the Move ... First Transfer!

December 30, 2013

Monday has quickly become our favorite day of the week as that is the day we get an email from Ethan! For his entire mission thus far, since he's been in Texas, his emails have arrived anywhere between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., so I have that in the back of my mind as I go throughout the day. It's always SO great to hear from him and hear how he's doing! And sometimes receive photos as well. So, today, when we hadn't heard from Ethan by about 2 p.m., that was curious. Then 3 p.m. passed, then 4 p.m. passed...moving a little past "curious" to "concerning" (to this mom, anyway). A little bit after 5 p.m., we finally heard from him! His companion had been pretty sick all day and Ethan was working with the mission office on getting him to the doctor, helping to take care of him, etc., thus the delay. (We hope all is going well!) In his email, Ethan shared the news that he's being transferred -- moving tomorrow, actually. He's going to be living and working in Flour Bluff, Texas, in the Corpus Christi area. It's about three hours from where he's been serving in McAllen since July 15th. He's been in the same area and ward for the past six months, and it will be difficult for him to leave the people he's come to love. This is part of the life of an LDS Missionary. New adventures and experiences await, and new people to love and serve! How fitting for the new year. He said he's really excited that he'll still be in a bike area: "YES -- bike areas are the best, I love them -- and it helps me not blow up from the food, ha-ha!" Lots of great cooks in the Texas McAllen Mission who are so kind to feed the missionaries!

Here's a map of where Elder Christiansen will be living and working now -- Flour Bluff is just south of the Naval Station:

http://www.cctexas.com/Assets/Visitors/Files/VisitorsMap.pdf

Here's Ethan's letter, December 30, 2013 -- he's referring to our Christmas skype call (so awesome!); a visit after Christmas from our dear friends, the Biens, from West Lafayette; and the MIT: Mormon Invitational Tournament (basketball), that Andrew played in over the holidays:

December 30, 2013

Hey y’all!

Yea it was super awesome talking to y’all too! Sorry I'm on so late; Elder Merica has been super sick so I've been talking to Sister Maluenda all day getting him to the doctor and stuff. Also I got the call on Sunday morning and I am getting transferred up to Corpus Christi! I can't believe it. I've been about 10 minutes away from Mexico for six months, and now I’m going to almost the top of the mission! It was sad saying goodbye to all the members I have gotten close to, but it's just a part of the mission. My new area is called Flour Bluff and I heard it's on an island, but that might not be true. I have no idea. I’m excited though! Other than that nothing really too big has happened this week. We don't have a lot of time to email today. On New Year’s Eve we all come in at 6 p.m. and we are going to be watching either Mulan or Finding Nemo, so I’m way excited for that! Oh, and I saw that play at a pizza place were Auburn beat Alabama on the field goal attempt…what!?!...I couldn't believe what I was seeing, that was crazy! But it's all good. That's cool about the frijoles (ha-ha that's beans in Spanish and I’m talking about the Biens). That's cool about the MIT, too. I love you guys so much family!

Cuidense,

Elder Christiansen

Christmas Skype!

December 25, 2013

At 5:00 p.m. today, we were getting a very exciting Christmas gift -- our skype call with Elder Christiansen! Doug, Andrew and I had a wonderful day together and we all were so looking forward to 5 o'clock!

We tested the computer connection, skyped from our computers in different rooms, and set up the iPad to record the Skype. We tested where to sit so Ethan would be able to see all three of us, and we would be able to see him -- arranging chairs so we could fit in the height and width of the computer screen and still be able to record. Quite the logistical and technological situation!

We were "go for launch" at 4:30 p.m. and counting down. Elder Christiansen was going to be skyping from a church member's home. We had so many questions we wanted to ask him, and we were so looking forward to "seeing" him!

The ring, the connection, and there he was! We could see his face, sort of back-lit by a lamp in the room; he was skyping from the basement weight room, and we had 45 minutes to visit. There were three missionaries after Ethan waiting to use the computer to skype with their families, too.

After we got the lighting figured out on his end, we could see his face. He looked great!!!

Here are a few highlights from the conversation:

• Good news -- Ethan hasn't been really homesick: "I've been too busy!" 
• He loves riding his bike every day, and kicks off his morning with 75 push-ups.
• The night before, at Christmas Eve dinner at the Bishop's house, he ate a tiny but powerfully hot pepper and within seconds he was sweating, crying, nose running, gasping, and gulping down water! The only relief came from rushing outside and throwing up in the yard. Good times, I'm sure! (This was actually the first thing he told us while we were trying to get the light adjusted so we could see him. Hilarious!)
• He loves the wonderful Mexican food, even likes salad now, and also was glad he hadn't been served soup that's made from the face and intestines of a cow.
• He absolutely loves the people he's met -- so warm and friendly.
• He's learned the importance of setting goals to help get things accomplished. Wonderful!
• He loves his mission president, Presidente Maluenda, and appreciates that he always tells the missionaries to enjoy every moment of their missions.
• Playing basketball is his favorite activity after all the chores are done on "P-day" (preparation day -- grocery shopping, laundry, cleaning the apartment, etc. -- oh, and writing to family and friends). :)
• He is so thankful and happy to be serving a mission, and recommends everyone read something out of the Book of Mormon every day -- "I'm blown away by how much power that book has."
• He is thankful for the many friends who have written to him!
• He ended our call by sharing his feelings about Jesus Christ, and his testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ -- all in Spanish. It was beautiful! We couldn't understand a thing, but could feel his spirit and sincerity. It was lovely. 

Favorite Christmas gift for our whole family! I haven't gone back to watch the recording yet -- giving the actual conversation time to wander around in my memory first. I'll watch it sometime between now and Mother's Day, when we get to skype again. Can't wait!! :)

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

We received these photos of Elder Christiansen today, out and about in McAllen, Texas. Absolutely love the rainbow! We were so happy to see him and the rainbow was a special bonus. One of these photos just might be on the Christmas card this year! :)

Halloween in Donna

November 4, 2013

Hola Familia & Amigos!

How’s everyone doing? It’s been another awesome month to be a missionary in the great TMM (Texas McAllen Mission)!! I on my third transfer, my second companion, and I’ve been in Donna, TX for three-and-a-half months! I’m doing my individual and companion study in pure Spanish now, so the language is starting to click, I guess. It was 70 degrees a couple weeks ago and I couldn’t believe how FREEZING cold I was, I’m so used to it being 95! Oh, and I LOVE Mexican food!!

All throughout General Conference,* I couldn’t help but think about how much I love the church and how it helps me learn and grow. When President Monson announced we had reached 15 million members and over 80,000 missionaries, I couldn’t help but feel proud to be a part of this work. It was amazing. I love his prophetic call to all of us, missionary or member, saying, “The time is now" for us to work together. Remember to pray, especially if you’re having a hard time. He is waiting to help us; we just need to ask. I love you all!

Con Amor,

Ethan Christiansen

*Note from me: General Conference is a held twice a year, in April and October, and broadcast throughout the world. It's an opportunity to hear talks and instruction from Church leaders.

Elder Christiansen and Elder Merica,
(Ethan's second companion in Donna, TX).

Elder Merica and Elder Christiansen at the Church
Halloween Party. Nice carving skills!

Elder Christiansen with some of his fellow missionaries.

September Memories ... and Amazing Scenery!

September 30, 2013

Hola Familia & Amigos!

It’s been another awesome month to be a missionary in the great TMM (Texas McAllen Mission)!! It’s been raining cats and dogs just about every day so I’m pretty much always wet – either rained on while we ride our bikes, splashed riding through puddles, or drenched in sweat because it’s still hot! After 17 days, it finally stopped raining and I’m excited about that. And really excited for General Conference next week – it’s like Super Bowl Sunday for missionaries!

We were able to baptize a wonderful lady named Kassy and it was amazing to see the strong spiritual confirmation she had about the Gospel. She has had so many trials but has continued to persevere. The Spirit was so strong at her baptism and I was so happy for her! (And I didn’t fall in the font and we only had to do the baptism once, so it was really awesome!)

I had my first spill on my bike – during a bad thunderstorm, my foot slipped on the pedals, I tried to brake and flipped up and over the handlebars with my bike landing in the puddle next to me (good thing I was already soaking wet). I was so blessed and thankful because there weren’t any cars nearby, and I only ended up with a small cut on my hand and it’s almost healed.

I’m loving my mission it is so amazing – teaching people, finding people, and just working hard and trying our best. It feels like I just got here and I can’t believe I’ve been in Donna, TX for two months! I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. I promise y’all that this is the Lord’s work and we are truly led by our Savior, Jesus Christ. Our Heavenly Father loves us more than we can even comprehend. And He has told us that if we love Him in return, we will keep His commandments. That is how we show our Heavenly Father that we love Him. We are truly led by our Savior, Jesus Christ. Because of Him we have all that we have, and the best part is that we can grow and change and repent to become more and more like Him. How cool is that?!?!

Remember to pray, especially if you’re having a hard time. He is waiting to help us, we just need to ask. I love you all.

Con Amor,

Elder Christiansen

 I love what Elder Christiansen wrote about this picture:
"This is the view from our apartment at 6:45-ish in the morning.
There is nothing prettier than a big ol' Texas sky!"

Scenery in Donna, TX

Elder Christiansen, blue tie and big smile, with fellow
missionaries at a training meeting, above and below.

First Baptisim ... Fourth Time's a Charm

Elder Christiansen was able to baptize someone into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. What an awesome experience!

September 2, 2013

Hola Familia & Amigos,

It’s been another awesome month to be a missionary in South Texas! It is starting to cool off – it got down to a chilly 88 the other day. The hottest it’s been so far is 110! It’s good though because people give us water everywhere we go, which gives us a chance to talk to them about the Gospel.

I was able to baptize someone last week and it was AWESOME!!!! It was my first baptism and I’ll never forget it! Her name is Paris and she’s 8 years old – her aunt and grandma are members of the Church so that’s how we started teaching her. It was such a great feeling to see her following Jesus Christ, and so humbling to be part of her baptism.

I’ll also never forget it because it was soooo funny! Here’s why: I was at the top of the font ready to go in, took one step, slipped and fell down four stairs into the water, grabbing onto the railing for dear life. The noise and echo were so loud, water splashed all over the walls of the font, I was soaking wet, and my foot was killing me. Thankfully, the doors to the font were closed, so Paris was the only one who saw this, but I turned to her and she looked so scared her face was almost white. She gently walked into the font, the doors opened, and we were ready. I baptized her with her full name, or so I thought. Her grandma then called from the audience that, no, that’s not her full name, so we did the baptism for the 2^nd time, with her real full name, and her toe came out of the water. So, we did the baptism the 3^rd time, and I didn’t dunk her all the way (that was my bad), and then on the 4^th time, I got it right. And y’all – the feeling I got after I baptized her for the final time was unbelievable! The Spirit was so strong it was amazing!! So yeah, basically, the first time I ever baptized anyone, I slipped and fell into the font and had to do it 4 times, but it was totally worth it!!

We are planning the Perez family’s baptism for early this month and I’m excited. They are a super cool famila – the dad has been in and out of jail and was in the drug cartels and gangs for a long time, but quit a few years ago because he realized it was destroying his life. It’s been amazing to see them change – they are awesome!

We see miracles every day and there’s no better feeling than having the Spirit in our lives! As we are obedient to the commandments that the Lord has given us, He blesses us in ways that we can't even imagine. There is no other alternative to finding that kind of happiness and joy. My mission is great, I can't imagine doing anything else! I love you all.

Con amor,

Elder Christiansen

First Apartment ... and Honoring Elder Walker and Elder Strong

August 5, 2013

Hola Familia!

I’ve been in Texas for 3 weeks and it’s awesome! I’m serving in the North Donna area of McAllen; it’s very poverty-stricken. My companion in Elder Sanchez from Mexico, and his old high school is now the Mexico MTC. On my first day here with Elder S. I had the opportunity to give 3 blessings all in Spanish. Holy cow, I didn’t even know what I was saying but I felt really good, and that is the Spirit, so I know that what I was saying was good. The second day, we had a lesson at a member’s house with one of her friends, it was going really well – Elder Sanchez is a HOSS missionary – and he kind of looked at me and I felt super prompted by the Spirit and then I asked the lady we were teaching if she would change her life and be baptized, and she said YES! It was awesome! We are still teaching her and hope to set a date soon. Also my first week we taught someone in a drug cartel and that was a cool experience, too. We hope he’ll come to church soon.

We are on bikes and I don’t think I’ve ever done a harder workout in my life than those first two days – nothing at Ensworth or working out with my friends at BYU can compare. I’m sore all the time, it’s SOOOO hot here, I completely sweat through my shirt every day, and I’m sunburned to a crisp so when I take off my watch it looks like I’m wearing a white wristband. I’ve been chased by a dog every single day, and nearly bitten, so I’ve mastered the sprint technique to get away and if that doesn’t work, then I swerve into the dog a little bit to get it to move away. Haha – it’s all good!

Something really humbling and special to share: About 18 months ago two missionaries in my area were killed by a drunk driver while they were riding their bikes: Elder Walker and Elder Strong. We taught someone this week who was last taught by them and it was a really humbling experience. I later talked to a member who told me that one of these Elders said the day before he died: “I will always be a missionary.” And he is. EVERYONE here knows Elder Walker and Elder Strong, whether in the Church or the community. These missionaries are definitely still working down here.

There are people who are prepared to receive the gospel; we just need to give them that opportunity. It is such a blessing and an honor to talk to people about the gospel and how they can turn their lives around. Member work is HUGE! When we have members at our lessons with investigators, they are much more receptive to our message.

I’m so happy, I don’t see how this isn’t the Lord’s work. I bike around all day in 100-plus heat being chased by dogs, still not really knowing the language, and always sweating, but I absolutely love it! Heavenly Father has His hand in this work and I’ve seen miracles every day. I hope everyone is doing well and if not, say a sincere prayer for help. He is always listening!

Con Amor (with love),

Elder Christiansen

First apartment, looking into kitchen.
Ethan's desk is in the foreground.

Elder Christiansen at his desk in his apartment. What a face!

Trying on a suit left by a previous missionary -- it mostly fits!

Missionaries in Donna, TX gathering around a white-painted
bike, honoring and remembering the lives and service of
Elder Walker and Elder Strong, missionaries who were
killed by a drunk driver 18 months prior. This group
met to sing hymns and express gratitude for these elders.
Elder Christiansen is second from right, beside a local member.