Dear Family

This last week has torn out my heart, burned my mind, and taught me of the goodness of God. He is truly the greatest Goodness we can know.

Zone conference was amazing. I was especially touched by the messages on love for the individual and especially for the members that we serve with. Christmas is a resource I've been taking too long to tap into.

Kanyan's family has outright rejected us this last week. It was and still is a huge burden on my heart and mind as they were the first family that I have taught and baptised. I have now been in Sibu long enough to watch them fall, while another Merang's family has become one the strongest in the Branch. It's been slowly getting harder to meet with them, but this week they literally hid from us until we left. Thinking of Zone Conference, we went and rigged up a Christmas Present with the stockings from my package, we hope that will help, and we also Sis. Madeline still meets with them who said she could take us back today. We hope that will happen. The Sacrament took on a strong healing effect for me this last week for many reasons, but that was one of them.

We had a lot of rejection this last week, especially from our potentials, which I guess I had just gotten too comfortable with people just accepting our message because it's been so miraculously easy for the last transfer or two. Several potentials were either anti'd by their Roman Catholic Minister or just rejected us outright. One even called us, refused to talk to us, and told us to come back and take back the Kitab Mormon. We did end up giving it to her relative though.

Kelvinson and Ignatius have been doing great, but Kelvinson just happened to be circumcised the day of the Branch Christmas Party, which was absolutely a blast. It went really well, David Kong rehearsed a nativity, the Elders reenacted the Restoration story, and dancing and singing was fun. 

Oh yeah, I opened all my presents early, sorry about that. The Bible Video dvd has been one of the greatest proselyting tools ever invented. Thank you so much! We've already disected the candy and stuff for other people. Sister Ella has been struggling too, and we also gave her a stocking gift thingamabob. 

The week ended with a great miracle though. Last night after praying for guidance to find a priesthood strengthening family that wants to learn, we searched for a couple hours. Fruitless, we started heading home to find a moto accident on the side or the road. We asked some Police officers on the side of the road what happened, and started a gospel conversation. They were both Christian, live across the street from the Church, and after giving one of them a Kitab Mormon the other asked for one as well. I gave him my personal copy.

Thank you for the prayers, they were desperately needed.

-Elder Christensen