Not that I am counting but we just realize that we have been in Tennessee 9 months. We are called for 18 months so that means we are half way. I still feel like a greeny but I guess we have gotten a little better at what we do at the office. We understand the missionaries more and we love the work more. It is an amazing time to be part of missionary work. The world needs the truth we have and so many are prepared to at least listen. We keep planting seeds and hope that someday someone will come at the right time to continue the work by weeding and harvesting. We have to realize that seed planting is just as important as the harvest. I was telling the new group of missionaries that came this past week. That all are laborers in the vineyard of the Lord. Some will baptize and some will plant the seed. For example we have some neighbors the Swenson's. Some of you have met them when you came to visit us. She is a school teacher that has two daughters 17 and 11 and they noticed us because of our car. She dates the traffic manger of Knoxville and he was so interested in the Tesla that he wanted to talk to us. They both have been friendly and we have had conversations here and there about the church. She came with her daughter to lunch at our apartment once when I invited them and I had the sister missionaries also. So they have been exposed to Mormons. But when she first heard about us and that we were Mormons the thought that came to her was from a young man that she hired as a life guard at a pool she managed a long time ago. She immediately told us that this kid was a mormon and such a nice young man. Now that may seem like nothing of great signifigance but it was what she remembered about mormons. In the actions of this young man he planted a positive seed that sprouted up and received a little water when we told her that we were Mormons. Now it is our turn to feed that idea of what is a Mormon. So we have been trying to do that. I invited her to RS program called Women at the Well and she came. That is a little water for the sprout. We had the lunch and she came and met the sister missionaries that is more water and I might add some sunshine. Because sister's mostly bring sunshine to the field of the gospel. Like our Maddie and her companion. Love our sister missionaries could not do missionary work without them. We have a movie night scheduled with them where we will show Meet the Mormons. They will hopefully enjoy that and it will give them more food for the seed to grow. It is all part of the way people are converted. Then one day at the right time and with the right people they will want it all.
This is what we hope for with all those we have shared something about this gospel truth in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
This past week has been great because we opened up area that had been closed because we didn't have enough missionaries. We received 18 new ones. They will do well. Then in the month of October we are receiving 29 new missionaries. WOW that is a lot to train and make places for. Sister Griffin usually does the first night and first meal at the mission home but it is to many to house so they will put some of them in a hotel near the mission office. With new coming in there are a big number going home. Sister Wagner who is the blonde you have seen in pictures is on her way and Sister Blickenstaff was transfd to a far away area in Virginia. We loved those sisters and they loved us but it just gives a chance to help the new ones coming.
Also this week end we did some things on our own, just dad and I. We went to a historic Appalachian Museum. It was so interesting to see the buildings and relics from years ago. To read the stories of these pioneers. We went when there were not a lot of people there. But one a couple came up to us who had seen us walking in they were visiting from Utah and of course had to stop and talk and ask about our missionary service. They had sent a daughter out to a school that gave her 3 scholarships. One for sports one for academics and one for religion and she plays soccer and is the only mormon on campus. They came to visit her because the school was in Tennessee. Again this young woman will be planting seeds as her teams mates and class mates learn about Mormons.
Just remember we are all laborers and we will be planting thought into converts minds. Their first ray of sunshine or water might be you. Make sure you do those things that will testify to them what Mormons are like. Kind, interested, religious, freedom loving, family oriented, honest, and willing to sacrifice their own personal desires for others.
We love you and hope you remember to plant seeds by speaking to others of what you do and what you think. Just because they are not a member doesn't mean you can't plant somethings about a member. One of the best example you can use is our prophet. Let them know what a prophet has said. Keep something in mind that you can tell someone. Jesus had prophets and apostles called when he was on the earth apostles are not a foreign word to most Christians. Be brave live like someone that is pleased to express thoughts about the Savior and anything connected to Him. Even if it is to tell a friend what your favorite scripture is. Memorize it and then say " hey do you want to know my favorite scripture?" You can do it. Love you all Mom, Grandma and Sister Christensen
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| In front of the relic building |
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| Example of a country store |
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| Cheese |
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| The sky and terrain of Tennessee |
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| Walking through the buildings on the property of the museum |
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| Elder Goldsberry with Elder C he was a tec elder and left last week |
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