welcome home sister christensen from amelia christensen on Vimeo.

Last Days in Pictures

Last district meeting creating with Play-doh

showing our talents

Fun exchange with Sister Li in Manchester

China Town in Manchester

Planner I made Sister Oli for next transfer

Best looking companionship in the EMM

Last meal of Fish n' Chips

I made my companion dinner...my Mum's recipe for Salsa Chicken...YUM!

Last P-day at Trafford Centre
One of the Largest Malls in the UK

                                      

                                                

 Disney Store

Build a Bear

Thank you to the Ribble Sister's and J & J

For me and Sister Madsen...and to our companions for always calling us fat:)

Lego Harry Potter

New purse...only 5 pounds!

WE STAND THE TALLEST WHEN WE FALL TO OUR KNEES

The Dream Team




So, I guess this is my last email home. That went by quick.

Of course this week has been a roller coaster of emotions but the Lord has not ceased to bless me. I just have two miracles to share with you today but I have seen so many over the past 18 months. I'm overcome with gratitude for all those who have helped me and put up with me along the way. Thank you for being apart of this spiritual journey with me.

On Thursday, we were going to teach a less active member at the chapel but it suddenly fell through. We had in our back up plans to do some tracting. So whilst we were walking to the street we had previously picked, a man called after us. We turned and he asked us as he approached, "are you from the church up the road? Are you the Mormons?" Yes, we are. He proceeded to tell us that he is actively catholic but had a disagreement with his local leader and is looking at other churches and is interested in ours. So we got his number and gave him ours and told him when the services are. Sunday rolled around and we called but his number was busy. We then texted him in hopes that he would come. We were just a minute or two late to the meeting because we were walking with some of our other investigators but thankfully the elders were there to greet him when he came. It was very different to what he was used to but he walked away with a Book of Mormon and a gospel principles manual. He said he will come again next week and if he enjoys it, he will "enrol in discussions".

This next one is simple but special to me. Saturday, we had planned to go by a less active family in the evening. So we went and found they lived a bit of a walk away from the bus stop. Not a problem. We always walk a lot in Walkden. Hahaha. We knocked their door and, to our surprise, they were very active. We had not connected the name to the face. Sister G saw our surprise and informed us that they were members of the church to which we responded with an awkward laugh and recognition. She invited us in and we had a lovely gospel discussion about protecting our homes and the importance of family scripture study. It was really sweet though because they told us that during the time they've been married, missionaries had never just "popped by". They expressed their gratitude for our spontaneous visit a couple of times and that helped me to really believe in their sincerity. 

It can be hard to go to new areas, and for me knowing that I would only be in Swinton for 6 weeks, it can be hard to build relationships with the ward. It sometimes seems that the members are too busy for you. Don't get me wrong, Swinton is lovely. The members are great and they serve us constantly. But when you have been tracting all day and no body is listening and you can't find a Fellowshipper for the one scheduled lesson you have for the day, you feel like the whole world is against you. And to have someone say that they are grateful for your visit can mean the world.

                                      

Also, I think I have taken it for granted always having the priesthood and the Holy Ghost in my home. I have seen what a difference there is without it in people's homes. When I go to a members home now, I feel the spirit so strongly and it gives me a spring in my step to walk away from their home. They may say is a blessing for them to have missionaries in their home but it really is a blessing for us as well. So that experience helped me feel the Spirit and know that people  accept and benefit from the gospel. There are good member missionaries out there. I am not on my own knocking doors in England. God is aware of me, loves me, and loves the people in England. He shapes all of us to bless each other. I know it to be true.

I love you all and I look forward to seeing you this week. Thank you for your love, support, letters, emails, and prayers. I will see you soon!

Love, Sister Christensen 

Some funny things I forgot to include from last week:

In England you will see ice cream trucks around all year and you can always hear the music playing from them as they go around the neighbourhoods. There is an elder from Bosnia and he always hears the music but never sees the truck. So whenever the music is playing he looks around then says, "Ugh, ghost van!" Haha I laugh every time I  think of it.

The other week we were walking and sister oli was holding an umbrella, the map, a Book of Mormon, and something else, I can't remember. But when I asked which way to go she directed me by pointing with her lips. I laughed and she said that her hands were full! So she couldn't direct me using her hands. I thought, fair enough. Then she started doing it all the time even when she was holding nothing! "Sister Oli, where should we go?" Pucker up buttercup hahaha she's a cutie. 

SAILING THROUGH SWINTON

Me with my Brilliant Mission President
President & sister Ulrich

                                       
This week has gone by so quick! I can't believe it! This next week is going to go by faster..It kind of scares me. 

We've done so many things! We had a tea appointment on Tuesday- I ate so much I couldn't eat for three days-I kid you not.

The next day we went to the temple! It is my last time before going home. It was wonderful to go with the missionaries in my departing group and with President and Sister Ulrich. They are both fantastic!

We got out late and "had" to have a sleep over with Sister Madsen and Sister Arias. I love them so much and we had a blast with them.

A Britian Sleepover

                                                                                                                                                                                                          

We've been having a great week getting to know the ward more. Everyone has been on holiday until this week because school has started again. So people are inviting us to meals again. I love getting to know the members and hearing their conversions. They are all so stalwart and incredible people.

James was baptised on Saturday! 

James' Baptism

                                                                                                                                                                                                          

President loves them so much and was the one who got to baptise James. I love their family so much! They are such a miracle. I would even say they are the biggest miracle of my mission. Sister Madsen sent this to me last week concerning James deciding to be baptised, "He said he'd been reading in 3 Nephi 11, when the Saviour comes and visits the Nephites, and he felt something. Then he said that he heard a voice speak to him almost, and it said, "you were born into a Catholic family for a reason. Having this faith in Jesus Christ blessed you and your family so much. And the Lord isn't trying to take away any of that; but now, He's shown you and your family more, and it's up to you to make the decision to follow him." In that moment, the spirit literally filled the room. Perhaps some tears escaped from James, Jane, and I as he shared his experience. He gets it, exactly. We don't come to tear down what others believe in, but like Joseph Smith said, we invite all to bring whatever they have that is good, whatever they have that is true, and test our message. Add to what they have. And James fits this statement perfectly."

The Blunck's--Greatest Missionary Couple Ever

                                     

Isn't that incredible? wow. Jane was also able to speak at a fireside yesterday. She was so nervous but did an amazing job. She is so lovely, I wish you could all meet her. This family has made a special impact on my life and I can't express in words the love I feel for them. They are amazing.

This House is ready to receive the Gospel, too bad no one was in...

                                     

I love you all. thank you for all your letters and prayers. I look forward to seeing you all soon!

Love, Sister Christensen