What a fantastic, incredible, exhausting week! Super week was so super!
It started with our WorldWide Missionary Training on Wednesday! There were many things shared about repentance as well as baptism and the new focus the brethern of the church are having in helping others to more fully come unto Christ through these things. Also our missionary schedule has been changed! We now are doing what they call "being agents unto ourselves" which means we have more freedom to choose how we want our schedule to be like. It's kinda different and crazy to adjust but it's a neat way to help us exercise our agency and prepare for real life when we come home after our missions to know how to fit in the important things in life like praying, reading the scriptures, etc.
After the training, we had exchanges! I had Sister H with me here in Greenfield. I just adore that human! She works so hard and has the biggest heart! She is so energetic, and we had so much fun! We went tracting for a nice chunk of the day, and we had one of the laurels with us. We had a lot of people not answer, but fourth floor, last door! The last guy answered! We had a great conversation with him, and he almost accepted a copy of the Book of Mormon! But we might be working with him in the future on a service project, so he said he would take one then. We also got to teach a recent convert together, and I loved teaching with her! She follows the Spirit so well, and she makes me want to be so much better!
Friday was MISSION TOUR!! What an incredible day. I finished the day being so spiritually exhausted in the best possible way. We received some amazing counsel from Elder and Sister Echohawk. He shared some pretty incredible stories with us about the influence that missionaries have, and it was so inspiring. I left feeling so empowered and motivated to help every person around me! Something else that he mentioned was that we aren't in this mission because of some random selection, God called us here because we needed it! I am in the Canada Edmonton mission for a very specific reason. I feel a big part of that is President Pattison. I love that man more and more each time I see him.He sustains and lifts me every time I see him I'm in awe of his diligence and careful effort to help each missionary. Every time he talks to me or writes me an email, I feel like I'm his favorite person! And I know that he makes everyone else feel the same. It has been such a blessing to have him as my mission president.
Saturday was one of the best days of my entire mission! I had the opportunity to go see P and W K get baptized in Sherwood Park! Fun story- I didn't know W was also getting baptized! I had called Sister A just to make sure the baptism was at 2, and she said they had a surprise for me. I had my own theories, but I didn't want to get my hopes up. So we show up, and P & W sprint out of their car to come see me. Totally made my day! After we get inside, we start getting everything ready near the font, when I am informed that W IS GETTING BAPTIZED TOO! I tried to keep it together, but the tears just started flowing! My heart just exploded! I love those two kids more than I can describe, and they both made the decision all on their own to be baptized. It was perfect. As I spoke to them about the Holy Ghost, both of their faces just lit up with joy. They get it! They know that it's true, and I can't wait to see what they will do in their futures.
I have been so blessed to watch three incredible people enter the waters of baptism over the last 2 weeks, and I can't express the joy that I feel! This is truly the greatest work on Earth! Nothing is as fulfilling as helping others come closer to Christ. That was a big theme I noticed during mission tour. This is truly a sacred work! What a privilege and honor to work alongside the Savior in His work. My time is starting to get fairly short, but I know that I can't slow down even a little bit. There is too much to do, and too many people to help. I am so grateful for my role as a representative of Jesus Christ.
I love you all so so much! Have an amazing week!
Sister Bethany Christensen
#blessed