3:30, 3:00, 1:30 - that's my excuse for no journal entries the last couple days. I can't believe how blessed I have been.
There have been some real trials for me to overcome in this life and I'm still working on quite a few. The Lord has given me so much.
School is going well and my social life is going along after than I can manage.
Tonight I was asked if I would be the lead in the ward play, "Cinderella". I am going to play the part of Prince Charming. I don't know what to expect.
Valerie is on vacation and I'm looking forward to a letter from Anne.
Last night I doubled with Jim and Laneeda Lucero. I took out Laneeda's friend, Mary. We had a barbecue which was fun. Then we went to a dance which was not fun because every girl I've ever met in the whole wide world (including Lisa) was there. All of Val's roommates were there. Founder Bridge was playing and I felt like everyone was watching me.
Luce and I went golfing for the first time on Saturday. I haven't golfed for 10 years and it was a lot of fun to get out and hit a few.
JC
Showing posts with label blessings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blessings. Show all posts
Sunday, June 3, 1984
Monday, September 3, 1979
The Night Walk Home
Yesterday was really neat.
Besides baptizing Hermana Rosa, Elder Kupu, President Jeran and I blessed eleven children. They ranged in age from just born to 7-years-old. It was really neat because we could really feel the spirit. It made me think about that someday when I would be doing the same with a little child of my own.
I felt really good yesterday. I even didn't mind having chunyo and rabbit (guinea pig) for dinner.
We went over to Ibanez after dinner. We were supposed to have a Family Home Evening with the branch but nobody showed up. They are really nice and super humble.
I really enjoy walking home at night from Huayropata. That mile or so of trail gives me time to think. I usually look at the lights of Colquiri then gradually get into my mind. I think of me as a missionary and how the Lord has blessed me with so many things. I think of the people here, my companion and how neat he is. I think of my family, my girl and someday of raising a family of my own. What a great responsibility!
That high mountain air really revives me and I usually get any bad feelings out by the time we get to the room. Then I sleep like a log.
Today was a learning experience. It's P-Day but we decided to work anyway. We had several "citas" set up but not one of them was home. That is just the way it is in Bolivia.
Besides baptizing Hermana Rosa, Elder Kupu, President Jeran and I blessed eleven children. They ranged in age from just born to 7-years-old. It was really neat because we could really feel the spirit. It made me think about that someday when I would be doing the same with a little child of my own.
I felt really good yesterday. I even didn't mind having chunyo and rabbit (guinea pig) for dinner.
We went over to Ibanez after dinner. We were supposed to have a Family Home Evening with the branch but nobody showed up. They are really nice and super humble.
I really enjoy walking home at night from Huayropata. That mile or so of trail gives me time to think. I usually look at the lights of Colquiri then gradually get into my mind. I think of me as a missionary and how the Lord has blessed me with so many things. I think of the people here, my companion and how neat he is. I think of my family, my girl and someday of raising a family of my own. What a great responsibility!
That high mountain air really revives me and I usually get any bad feelings out by the time we get to the room. Then I sleep like a log.
Today was a learning experience. It's P-Day but we decided to work anyway. We had several "citas" set up but not one of them was home. That is just the way it is in Bolivia.
Saturday, August 18, 1979
"I think I need a mini P-Week!"
The days are going faster than I can write them down. It's Saturday. We have a mini P-Day to wash our clothes and pack. To do all the things that I need to do I think that I need a mini P-Week! I have worked harder than I have in my whole life, prayed harder, and tried harder. I have read The Book of Mormon, Jesus The Christ, half of a Marvelous Work and a Wonder and half of the New Testament. I have grown incredibly, mentally and spiritually, and I know that the Lord has blessed me to. Then why do I feel so unprepared?!
Saturday, July 28, 1979
"If it's going to be, it's up to me."
Three more concepts today. One more than my goal for the week. I have accomplished all my goals except two. Those goals are: Finish The Book of Mormon and finish reading five chapters in Jesus The Christ. I have tomorrow morning and I think that I will be able to get them done.
It was really neat how the Lord blessed me today. I had the "thought" for the morning. We are supposed to give them in Spanish. However hardly anybody has given them in Spanish. I almost decided to go along and give mine in English too. I then thought of the words "If it's going to be, it's up to me." I spent the morning translating my thoughts into Spanish while I could have been studying the scriptures (for myself) or getting a head start on the first concept like a lot of us try to do.
It was interesting because after I gave my thought I sat down and I was the first one done with my concept!! Later, Elder Casey was joking that he was mad because I got a headstart like he did!! He had memorized half the concept before class. Before I even got around to opening the discussion book. I know the key to my fast learning was the fact that while he was memorizing before class (for himself) I was translating a thought (for others) and the Lord blessed me accordingly. I hope that htis will be something that I can keep in my mind while out in the field.
It was really neat how the Lord blessed me today. I had the "thought" for the morning. We are supposed to give them in Spanish. However hardly anybody has given them in Spanish. I almost decided to go along and give mine in English too. I then thought of the words "If it's going to be, it's up to me." I spent the morning translating my thoughts into Spanish while I could have been studying the scriptures (for myself) or getting a head start on the first concept like a lot of us try to do.
It was interesting because after I gave my thought I sat down and I was the first one done with my concept!! Later, Elder Casey was joking that he was mad because I got a headstart like he did!! He had memorized half the concept before class. Before I even got around to opening the discussion book. I know the key to my fast learning was the fact that while he was memorizing before class (for himself) I was translating a thought (for others) and the Lord blessed me accordingly. I hope that htis will be something that I can keep in my mind while out in the field.
Thursday, July 12, 1979
The Little Girl & The Popsicle Stand
I have a little time before our branch meeting. I was reading a letter that Linda sent me. She asked me what my vision was of missionary work. She also asked me what I thought of when I hear the word 'missionary'.
Well, one thing that I think of when I hear that word is a little girl. Elder Brown and I were walking back from the barber shop on Wednesday. Right in front of the mailbox at Carroll Hall, a little girl was selling popsicles. One half for a dime and a whole one for twenty cents. Elder Brown gave me a quarter to buy one. After giving us our popsicle and taking the quarter, this sweet little child of God realized that she didn't have a nickel for change. Instead of trying to sweet talk us out of the nickel (which she could have done with just one gapped tooth smile), she held up a dime in her hand, and with a big grin said, "Here, because you're missionaries!" Well we told her to keep the change or give it to her brother for his mission fund. The point that came across to me was the love and respect that even small children have for missionaries. A nickel isn't much, especially in this day and age but to her it was a good chunk out of her income and she offered it so willingly. At the time that this occurred it didn't seem like a big deal but I have thought about it since.
Right now I have a very respected and loved title. Missionary! However I am still old John Christensen. I am really unworthy of all the respect. It does give me a lot of growing room however. I hope and pray that I will never do anything that might not uphold the ideal of "the missionary".
The Lord has really blessed me. I am beginning to translate fewer words in the concept and I believe that I am learning them faster. Right now I am on schedule to get all 8 discussions. I hope that I can keep it up.
Well, one thing that I think of when I hear that word is a little girl. Elder Brown and I were walking back from the barber shop on Wednesday. Right in front of the mailbox at Carroll Hall, a little girl was selling popsicles. One half for a dime and a whole one for twenty cents. Elder Brown gave me a quarter to buy one. After giving us our popsicle and taking the quarter, this sweet little child of God realized that she didn't have a nickel for change. Instead of trying to sweet talk us out of the nickel (which she could have done with just one gapped tooth smile), she held up a dime in her hand, and with a big grin said, "Here, because you're missionaries!" Well we told her to keep the change or give it to her brother for his mission fund. The point that came across to me was the love and respect that even small children have for missionaries. A nickel isn't much, especially in this day and age but to her it was a good chunk out of her income and she offered it so willingly. At the time that this occurred it didn't seem like a big deal but I have thought about it since.
Right now I have a very respected and loved title. Missionary! However I am still old John Christensen. I am really unworthy of all the respect. It does give me a lot of growing room however. I hope and pray that I will never do anything that might not uphold the ideal of "the missionary".
The Lord has really blessed me. I am beginning to translate fewer words in the concept and I believe that I am learning them faster. Right now I am on schedule to get all 8 discussions. I hope that I can keep it up.
"I WISH I HAD MORE TIME!"
Yesterday was a bad day to try and catch up. I have 20 minutes right now so I will try to write a little.
We had a great day at the temple. It was the first time that I had seen the movie session. After that all the new missionaries had a question and answer session with President Gunther. I learned a great deal about the temple and what goes on inside. At the temple I saw Brother and Sister Leany. They were really excited to see me as I was to see them. Brother Leany is our new counselor in the Bishopric. They told me that Dad has been to Church twice in a row. That really filled my heart with joy. I just can't express the importance of my father to me. The whole family for that matter. I truly have been blessed.
After the temple session we ate lunch. I got a care package from Mom and Jan. It was great. Then after leaving the major part of what hair I had in the Wilkinson Center Barber Shop. That has to be the only place in Provo that doesn't have a line. After that we did our laundry and managed to write four letters.
I WISH I HAD MORE TIME! I just can't find the time to do everything that I want to. If I really buckle in on my Book of Mormon then I don't memorize my scripture cards then I don't repass my charlas. Oh well I guess that I will have to learn to be more efficient. Well time is gone. Next time I will have to write about Elder Laycock and my robe.
We had a great day at the temple. It was the first time that I had seen the movie session. After that all the new missionaries had a question and answer session with President Gunther. I learned a great deal about the temple and what goes on inside. At the temple I saw Brother and Sister Leany. They were really excited to see me as I was to see them. Brother Leany is our new counselor in the Bishopric. They told me that Dad has been to Church twice in a row. That really filled my heart with joy. I just can't express the importance of my father to me. The whole family for that matter. I truly have been blessed.
After the temple session we ate lunch. I got a care package from Mom and Jan. It was great. Then after leaving the major part of what hair I had in the Wilkinson Center Barber Shop. That has to be the only place in Provo that doesn't have a line. After that we did our laundry and managed to write four letters.
I WISH I HAD MORE TIME! I just can't find the time to do everything that I want to. If I really buckle in on my Book of Mormon then I don't memorize my scripture cards then I don't repass my charlas. Oh well I guess that I will have to learn to be more efficient. Well time is gone. Next time I will have to write about Elder Laycock and my robe.
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