October 11, 2013 - 2nd week in the MTC

Hey Family!! I love you!!! 

This week has been really crazy:) I can't believe that I have already been here for over a week and I'll be leaving in just over 2 days! Time flies and goes so terribly slow all at the same time! The days are so long but the weeks are short! I have had the flu this week. So that wasn't fun. It is really cool that people can tell I'm a missionary without a name tag on. They say they can see it in my eyes, I don't need the tag for them to tell. That was a pretty cool thing for them to say and it is humbling. But I got a blessing and I'm doing well now. I was able to go to the temple today again! So that is always fun! I'm hoping to send pictures today, so we'll see how that goes:) I have so much to tell you but I don't even know where to begin... so here it goes!

General Conference was amazing in the MTC!! It was incredible being surrounded by so many missionaries! Everytime we stand and sing the spirit is so strong! I love it when we stand and sing Called To Serve!!! On Sunday night we had a devotional and Vocal Point came and sang to us! It was amazing! 

Also that night we watched the talk titled the Character of Christ by Bednar!! My life is changed! Christ was the perfect example of turning outward and helping others when He had every right to turn inward and feel bad for Himself. In my studying right now I am reading the scriptures and marking anything that has to do with the Character of Christ. (I bought a little book of mormon to do this in) I love studying the life of the Savior. I have grown a lot closer to Him this past week. 

Thank you for the letters and packages!! They are all great and give me motivation and encouragement to keep going! I always love days when I get to hear from back home! 

Our main investigator, Christian, is slowly coming around. I can't remember if I've told you about him or not so I'll share a little bit about him with you. He studies theology and youth ministry. So he is very familliar with all of the different religions. So that's a little intimidating because I don't know very much about a lot of the other religions. He knows the facts but isn't really willing to find out for himself if its true or not. But he has made great progress since we first started teaching him. And..He committed to be baptized when he feels that it is true. I have learned so much from teaching and helping him. It is so important that we have the spirit with us because that is the real teacher. It's not so much what you do in the lessons, its what you do outside of the lessons. It is important that we read the scriptures, pray, and do the little things that invite the Spirit to be in our lives all the time. 

Oh before I forget.. rumor has it that I might get to call you on monday! No promises but I will really try!! I'm leaving the MTC at 3:30 am on monday morning!! I have to take the front runner so wish me luck! If I'm able to call I will call your cell phone mom! So keep it close to you! I'm guessing it will be between 5 or 6 but I have no clue!! Sorry! My flight leaves a little after 8 I believe..:) 

Dad, I hope you have a great birthday this next week if I don't talk to you before!!! I'll be thinking about you! I love you!!

As a family, watch the mormon message titled Lifting Burdens! It is great!! I want you all to think of the relationship you have with Christ, how He has helped you, and what you each can do individually to gain a better relationship with Him. 

I want you all to know that I know this church is true! I really feel so strongly that it is! I have never felt the spirit so strongly in my whole entire life! It is incredible! I know that we have a father in Heaven that loves us more than we could ever imagine! He wants to hear from us. It doesn't matter what mistakes you have made, how far gone you think you are, how you look, how much money you make, etc.. He will ALWAYS love you and ALWAYS be there for you! All you have to do is pray to Him and you will feel His love that He has for you! I love this gospel and the joy that it brings to my life and others. I am excited for this next chapter in my life as I head out to Nebraska. I know that there are people there that are prepared and getting prepared for me to help them. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. My purpose is to bring soulds to Him.  This is not my mission. It is the Lord's. I am just standing in proxy for Him.

I love you all!! I have the greatest family and friends!! You have been so supportive of me since I have been out and I am so thankful for that! Thank you!! 

With Love,

Sister Erica Lynn Christensen!