Week 3 MTC

Hiya everybody! So this week was pretty standard. We started teaching two new investigators so that's exciting. For those of you who don't know, our "investigators" are our teachers who act as someone they know of that they either taught on their mission or someone else. So we're teaching real people played by our teachers. Our first investigator was really easy and eager. These next two are definitely pushing us to work hard which is excellent. 

So I'm kind of sad because everyone in our 30+ missionary zone is leaving for the field on monday which includes Lyon and Paris, France, Tahiti, and Vanuatu. So for two days there will be 7 people in our zone until we get 11 more missionaries on Wednesday so it will be an emotional next few days. 

My French is still improving more than I ever thought it could. Heavenly Father is definitely looking out for me. I now subconsciously write french words when I'm either taking notes or writing in my journal and it's really fun to notice it. I'm already pretty bored here to be honest. From here on out, it's just practice practice practice the lessons and learn new French grammar. 

Well this Sunday is Easter.  I think It's really important to remember why we celebrate this holiday. Notre Sauveur, Jésus-Christ a souffri pour tous les gens. Sans L'Expiation, nous ne ressentions pas la paix and la joie. Je suis reconnaissant pour Dieu and son fils, Jéus-Christ. 

Translation: Our savior, Jesus Christ had suffered for everyone. Without the Atonement, we couldn't feel peace and happiness in our lives. I am thankful for God and his son Jesus Christ. 

This Easter is a time to remember him and the sacrifice he made so that all of us could return to live with our Heavenly Father in immorality forever with our families. 

Well that's about it for this week. 

Scripture for the Week. John 14:26. I don't have my scriptures on me but it's a great scripture about the Holy Ghost.

I love you all!!!

Week 2 MTC

Hi ya everybody!! So things are going so great here in the Provo MTC. Once Monday hit I felt happy and excited and ready to learn and teach. The first few days here were super brutal but I feel so much better now. I'm positive and my French is seriously better than I could've imagined. This week and last week my companion Elder Crandall, (he's from Spanish Fork btw for those that asked) Sœur Mitchell and I taught more lessons in French and it was awesome!! I asked our investigator if he would be baptized and he said yes and it was just an amazing feeling knowing what I was saying and understanding his questions. French is going great. We're always speaking it to each other. Our zone is amazing! There are about 30ish people now because the Canadians left for Montreal. (Depending on the mission you get a different nickname haha. Elder Crandall and I are Tahitians and we have some going to Lyon, France, Paris, France, two Elders just left for Vanuatu. It's crazy how much fun I'm having here. We all get along and no one is crazy. This Sunday the Provo City Temple dedication is happening so that's super exciting. We get to watch the dedication and get special Temple recommends for one of our buildings on the campus that will hold the broadcast for the dedication. Our district gets to host missionaries next Wednesday so that's exciting. It'll be fun to welcome new elders especially since most of our zone leaves in 10 days. Once they're gone, I think our district will be really sad because I really do love our zone. During the week we talked a lot about the Doctrine of Christ and how simple everything is in the Gospel. It made me think about Alma 30 when Korihor is asking for a sign and Alma tells him that he knows the Gospel is true. And that scripture made me think about 1 Nephi 17:41 which refers to the simple things the Lord asks of us. Anyway that's about it. I love you all so much!!

Love Elder Christensen

Week 1 in MTC

Bonjour mes amis!!!! Well for those of you that don't know how entering the MTC(missionary training center) works, I'll give you a little summary because that's what I've always wanted to hear from missionary emails. My sisters, Mike, my brother-in-law, and my cousin Chloe all dropped me off at the MTC and an elder took my bags and walked me inside. Saying goodbye was a lot harder than I thought it would be. So I walked in and received my MTC id card which I use to get in buildings and stuff. After I got that I received my name tags. Putting that on felt pretty cool because from that point on everyone gets to see that I'm an ambassador for the Lord. I was then escorted to the first class of that day which was language learning. It was pretty simple French but it was still helpful to go over the simple things that I can use all the time. It was there that I met my MTC companion Elder Crandall. Of the missionaries that arrived on Wednesday, three of us are going to Tahiti. Myself, Elder Crandall and Sœur Mitchell. In our district there are five missionaries. The other two elders in my room are Elders Russel and Zobell. They're both going to the Congo and speaking only French so in 6 weeks we'll have to say goodbye to them because I'm speaking Tahitian as well and that's another three weeks of learning. Sœur Mitchell is from Australia and she has no official companion so Elder Crandall and I escort her when we have classes and such. I keep thinking how weird it'll be getting to the mission field and not having a sister missionary with us most of the day haha. But anyway, after I met our district, all of the missionaries who arrived that day met together and listened to the MTC presidency and their wives speak to us. After that, we had dinner I think. Honestly we do so much that I forget what happens during which day and I've only been here three days!! My companion was made district leader for the first three weeks so that means I get to go with him to collect the mail twice a day which is nice because I know someone who works there! Seeing a familiar face will help me a lot I think. Oh I totally forgot! Yesterday morning I received all of my language materials for French and Tahitian. The bag I had was at least 20 pounds. They also gave me a water bottle that filters water from any water source. I'm thankful for that and that also worries me a bit because that means I have to filter my water when I'm in Tahiti. In the bag there was a Tahitian and French version of Preach My Gospel, The Book of Mormon, The Bible, the pamphlets we use, and about four language books for each language. The food here is killing my stomach so that's wonderful...but at least I'm getting fed so yay. There isn't too much to talk about because I've only been here for three days. Our district is the smallest in our zone so that's pretty cool. I think that'll help a lot because that means during language classes, we get more personalized teaching. Well that's about all I have. I'm sure next week I'll have lots more to share. If you want me to email you, please email me first because I actually don't have really anyone's emails by heart. Also If you feel so inclined to send me something in the mail here's my mailing address at the bottom. You're all awesome!

love, Elder Christensen

Elder Dallin James Christensen

MAY10  TAHI-PAP
2005 N 900 E Unit  63
Provo UT 84602

From left to right, Elders Russell, Zobell, and Crandall

Elder Crandall and I

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And he's Off!

Hi I'm Dallin Christensen.  I grew up in California. I go to Brigham Young University. I'm a mormon.  I chose to serve a two year mission to serve the people of Tahiti and teach them about our Savior, Jesus Christ.  
WHY I AM A MORMON 

I was studying Mechanical Engineering and plan to become an aerospace engineer. I used to pole vault and I love music. I play the french horn and I have played for many years. Music is a huge part of my life. I'm currently serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the Tahiti, Papeete mission.

I'm Mormon because I've seen my Heavenly Father's hand in my crazy life. Having knowledge of my Savior and his sacrifice for not only me, but every single person who has lived on this earth and who ever will live on this earth fills me with gratitude and appreciation. To know that Jesus Christ suffered for my sins is an amazing thing. I've had experiences that haven't made me very happy and no matter how badly I've felt, I've been able to repent of my sins and feel the loving arms of my Heavenly Father wrap around me. We all make mistakes, but we don't all have to dwell on them. The privilege I have to be forgiven of my mistakes is a unique and special one. I know that only through Christ could we be forgiven. Because of the Book of Mormon, I have a true knowledge of what comes after this life and I don't fear death. When my time comes, I look forward to seeing my Father in Heaven. I know that everyone will be resurrected and we all have the opportunity to return to our Heavenly Father because of his plan. I love this gospel and I love the Book of Mormon and the principles it teaches, the testimonies of prophets, and the blessings it has brought to my life.