"I guess my ego is pretty fragile."

Well P-Day was pretty neat.  I saw Teresa Richardson at the Bookstore and I told her to say hi to Linda for me.  We walked past Linda's old dorm twice and each time was caught up with some memories.

We are now veterans of one-week.

Yesterday was Thursday and new missionaries got here.  I still feel somewhat new.

Elder Brown and I got some shots yesterday.  He received the yellow fever injection and I received not only that but a re-vaccination of small pox as well.  As usual, the shots never are as bad as they looked.  But let me say they looked bad.

Thursday was kind of a bad day.  I did pass off F-10 which makes five for me but the rest of the day didn't go well.  There is one reason why.  I guess my ego is pretty fragile.  Elder Brown went to get a drink of water from the classroom.  Elder Ostler came over and told me that I should always be with my companion.  Well it was the truth but I didn't take it too well.  I guess the pressure and other things helped but I just felt bad.  I feel as though I were harboring some pretty bad feelings for Elder Ostler.  We had a branch meeting last night.  President Barrett spoke about the martyrdom of Joseph Smith.  After that we had an ambassadorship class.  We talked about perception and then saw a film.  Well by this time I was feeling bad because I didn't feel as though I had the spirit with me.

It was hard but back at the dorms I asked Elder Ostler if I could speak with him.  I told him about today and I said that I was sorry and I asked for forgiveness.  He seemed more than happy to oblige me.  We hugged each other and I felt new love for him.  I also felt a lot better about myself.

Elder Laycock is our District Leader.  He will be great.  I think that he is very humble about his calling.

It's Friday morning and 6:00 am.  I feel good about getting up at 5 or so.  I don't feel guilty taking a little extra time to write in this.  It's time to study.

All About Elder Brown & A Funny Dream

It is about 5:30 on Wednesday morning and today is P-Day.  I hope that I can budget my time wisely enough so that I can make this day profitable.

I am trying to adjust to the long hours and I must say that the Lord is sustaining me.  Monday night I think that I dreamed that an alarm clock went off because I woke up.  Elder Nelson got out of bed and walked out of the room.  I got up and got all my things ready for a shower.  When I walked in the bathroom I felt proud of the fact that I was the first one up.  I looked at my watch to see what time this memorable event was taking place at.  To my amazement it was 11:30 pm!!  That was quite a shock.  But it did feel rather good to be able to climb back into bed.

I feel as though we are in a very choice district.  There is not one bad apple in the whole bunch.  Every day I see many examples of love.  Everyone wants the district to succeed.  Last night in our room prayer the four of us elders placed our arms around each other as Elder Nelson thanked the Lord for our countless blessings.  I felt loved and I felt love for them.

Last night Elder Marion D. Hanks spoke in a devotional.  He emphasized the importance of really learning to love the scriptures.  I was truly impressed with his knowledge and ability to use the scriptures.

Elder Brown and I have decided to try and get up at 5:00 am every morning.  We will see how it works out.  While on the subject of Elder Brown, I would like to write some impressions of him.  He is pretty big.  From Cincinnati, Ohio.  He has had four years of Spanish and he really picks it up fast and speaks it well.  This ability is sometimes frustrating to me.  I feel as though we get along well as companions.  I feel that we can both give and take a little so that we compromise rather well.  It is hard for me to really describe him.  Maybe I will try again later.  I do feel that the Lord inspired this companionship!!

A Prompting About Elder Christensen's Dad

I only have a few minutes now between dinner and class.  Yesterday was really neat.  I had a good interview with my Branch President.  President Barrett helped me get a few things off my mind.

We all attended the mission conference.  It was really neat.  They are re-organizing the MTC Presidency so all of the old MTC presidency members and their wives spoke.  President Pinegar is a real neat man.  The spirit was so strong that I almost cried with every song.  Every song was absolutely beautiful with 2,000 missionaries singing their hearts out.

After dinner and studying we went to our culture class.  It is really neat and it made me really excited to get to Bolivia.

After class and some more studying we had Family Night with my district.  We had a testimony meeting that was bar-none.  It was really neat and I felt the spirit as perhaps never before.

The most special event of the day though was when we were walking over to the administrative building afterwards.  For some reason my thoughts were directed to my father and I received the most wonderful spirit.  It filled my whole body, bringing tears to my eyes.  I didn't hear any voices but I felt as never before that things would be alright with my father and that things are going to change in his life.

I got up at 5:30 this morning and got right into things.  I am almost finished with The Book of Mormon.  It will be the first time in my life that I have read it clear through.  It won't be the last time.  I also passed off my third concepts in Spanish.  I know the Lord has blessed me tremendously and I pray that I can do better everyday so that I can be a good tool in His work and glory.

Adjusting To Missionary Life

Well it's Saturday afternoon and my mini-P-Day.  I am resigned to make journal entries short in interest of time.  Perhaps a paragraph here and one there then try to catch up on P-Day on Sunday.

Tomorrow is Silent Sunday.  I am not sure what to expect.  I wrote my family, Linda and Rick.

I really enjoy my district.  I feel as though I get along with them real well.  Our teachers are great also.  Passed off my first concept yesterday, F-3.

The lines to meals are very, very long.  I have read quite a bit out of my Book of Mormon while standing in there.  I wouldn't mind at all except for the standing still hurts my back occasionally.

We work hard and long but the days seem to pass by fairly rapidly.  It is hard to get my mind to slow down so that I can sleep.

Elder Christensen's First Day In The MTC

Wow, what a day.  Today was my first day in the MTC.  This missionary life is going to be different.  I feel as though I better start humbling myself and repent so that I can receptive to His spirit.  I will truly need His help if I plan to make it.

I held together all week long until I said goodbye to my family this morning.  Perhaps I could have made it if I would have said goodbye to each member at different times.  All together it was too much and the tears came.

I met my companion Elder Brown.  He is from Ohio.  He seems to know a lot of Spanish.  I hope he can help me.

I saw quite a few people.  Jeff Smith, Eric Dahle, Jep Hunter, Mitch Klaich, Bruce Johnson and others that I can't remember.

I am tired and I am going to bed.  I will read scriptures first.

JC's Mission Farwell & Being Set Apart

Today was one of the choicest days of my life.  Today was Father's Day and the day of my farewell.

I think the best thing about today is the special feelings that I have had for my father.  I don't think that I have ever seen him better.  He showed real joy and appreciation for the gifts which he received.
The most special part of the day for me was Sacrament meeting.  The bishop spoke.  He even remembered a talk that I gave when I was 14.  Then Kerri in her meek but beautiful way, got up and told me that she loved me.  I get nervous every time she stands before a crowd.  Not because I'm worried about her speech difficulties but because her words always bring out my strongest emotions.  I often find myself choking on tears when she stands.  Jan followed Kerri with a "Dear John".  She reflected back on some of the moments that we have shared.  The long talks (which haven't been long enough) and shared confidences were mentioned in the talk.  Next came Kris.  She reflected some experiences that she has had with me.  Saving me from choking on a jack.

From time to time throughout the service, I struggled vainly with my emotions and tears.

Sister Marion Pond sang a song entitled "My Little Boy".  The song was composed by her.  It was very stirring.

Mother spoke of the missionary mold and the qualities that this particular "model" has.

I believe that the highlight of the day was when my beloved father spoke.  He fairly quickly wandered off of his notes.  His manner of speaking is so beautiful that no one would have guessed.  He expressed his appreciation to those people in the ward who had made contributions in my life (there are many).  He then went on to thank my friends.  It is hard for me to remember exactly what he said.  I was too busy fighting tear drops.  I do know that I don't believe that I have ever felt closer to him in my entire life.  His words came from his heart and I could feel his love for me as never before.  He closed his talk with some Spanish phrases which really hit me.  He said "John, 'Noja con Dios', 'Bueno suerte'" and one other that I can not recall.

The Lord helped me get through my talk somehow.  I wouldn't be surprised if no one heard anything.  They were probably pondering and savoring the preceding excellent talks.  I talked about missionary work.  I read a letter to my grandma that was written while my grandfather was in the mission field in 1912.  I closed by bearing my testimony and reading from Alma, his parting words with Shiblon who was going on a mission.

Brother Ken Lowell finished by singing "Ye Who Are Called To Labor".  Mike Chovey offered the benediction.

After Sacrament we had an open house.  It was enjoyable talking to those people whom I love so much and have helped me so dearly.  While at the open house, Bishop Christensen walked up to Jeff and I and informed us that we were both going to be set apart tonight.  Jeff and I both headed for the phones.  He to call his girlfriend and I to talk with my dearest Linda.  She must feel terribly left out.  Linda sounded kind of down.  I did my best to cheer her up but I am not too sure of my success.  It was hard saying goodbye.  I later found out that it would be OK to call her even after I was set apart.  I doubt that I will call her again however because I think that it will be easier for her not to hear my voice again.

After Sacrament the Bishop handed me a check.  It was for the sum of one-hundred dollars.  Even though it was written on a Church check, I would not be surprised if the money came out of his pocket.  Sister Klaich gave me a book by Carol Lynn Pearson and twenty dollars.  This good woman has two sons on missions and she does not have a lot of money.  I know the Lord will bless her.

At 8:00 pm we went to the Stake President's office.  He interviewed me then Jeff Smith, I then had the opportunity to stand in while Jeff was set apart.  Then Jeff and his Dad, my Dad, the Bishop stood in while the Stake President set me apart.  President Cleghorn said some marvelous things.  I hope and pray that I will be able to live up to the blessings that are in store for my family and myself.

We came home and listened to tapes of conversations and my birthday party.

We are going to head up to Aspen in the morning.

I took Debbie out last night and she gave me a pen to match my pencil.  I was touched.

Friday night we (the young adults) went to Birline Lake to water ski and swim out.  Afterwards we went to Pizza Hut to munch down.  On Wednesday night I took Julie Waldrop out.  I had to get my two year quota filled.  It was fun.  I enjoyed talking to her.

I AM A MISSIONARY!!!!!  I can't believe it.

Thinking About The Mission Farewell Talk Coming Up Soon

Well just one week and two days before I go into the MTC.

I got a surprise tape from Linda that was really neat.  I will have to return the favor.

Jeff Smith and his parents spoke at his farewell.  All of the speakers had some good thoughts.  Jeff's talk was short and simple.  Not like the big production that no doubt is in my mother's head.

I better get on the ball and plan my talk.  I hope it will be OK.

I just got a great idea.  I am going to gather my belongings and then will them to my family.

Right now I am waiting for a guy who wants to look at my car.  I hope he shows up soon.

Kris is arriving tomorrow afternoon.  Can't Wait.