Thank you

Thank you from our family to all those that came and "decorated" Bryce's grave site. It was fun as we came back several times during Memorial Day to see that someone else had been there and left something. It was a very nice day. Thank you from the Christensens.

Bryce's Last Letter to his Mission President in South Africa

President Probst--What have I gained, learned and experienced in the South Africa Cape Town Mission that has blessed my life?--by Elder Bryce Kim Christensen
Well of course there are too many things that I gained, learned and experienced while serving a mission to even write down a fraction of those things so I will attempt to highlight some of the more important things, in no particular order:
The First Presidency message on page 5 states "More happiness awaits you than you have ever experienced as you labor among it's children." I feel that my view of what happiness actually is has become much clearer, those things we do in our life that make a lasting impact and cause others and ourselves to change for the better, bringing peace into our lives and lasting satisfaction, a clear view of what is important. These things bring lasting happiness into our lives, and I know that it is possible because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
I have really come to love my family and have gained an understanding about why families are so important. My mom has a little wall section at home with pictures of the missionaries from our family, and above the pictures the scripture 3 John 1:4 "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth." As I have been able to see the effect of what the gospel and truth and light does for a family, some of my most favorite experiences have been able to communicate with my family each week and knowing that every single one of them walk in truth, with my little brother leaving for Japan to serve a mission just weeks after I get home, it just is a great feeling.
*I have learned how important it is to develop good habits as soon as possible. I have gained the ability to recognize quicker the temptations and traps that Satan leaves for us, and how to best avoid them. I also have come to see how Satan can destroy the greatest by small means. I have experienced the most difficult days and weeks of my life while serving a mission. I have also never felt the Spirit in more abundance, and have never been more aware of what Heavenly Father wants for me.
*I have learned the importance of a good first impression, and how important quiet dignity is, where ever we are whatever we are doing we are always being watched.
*I more fully came to know that God is there and he answers prayers and I have more fully come to the knowledge of how he does it. I have experienced the sorrow that comes from people I love choosing not to act upon that which they know is true. I have also experienced the joy that comes from seeing peoples lives change as they embrace the gospel.
* I have learned how to manage time and money and how to be self reliant.
*I have learned how to cook some crazy things.
* I have gained a love for many different cultures and a love for the country of South Africa and the saints in this great country.
*I have learned of the importance of teamwork and unity. The list could go on and on, but I truly have gained so much from my experiences serving here in SACTM.
I know that the true Church of Jesus Christ has been restored today by the prophet Joseph Smith, that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. I know that we are being led by a prophet of God today President Monson. I know that I have a Heavenly Father who loves me and sent his son Jesus Christ to pay the price for us to return to live with Him again, I know that the Savior lives, and suffered and bled and died for me that I might live again. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

skateboard contribution

 

Decorating Bryce--Memorial Day 2009

 

We walked over to the cemetery today ( Sunday) in between rain storms and enjoyed seeing a little skateboard and a pin wheel.

What is Bryce Doing Now? Things His Mother Read

"When men are prepared, they are better off to go hence( heaven)...The spirits of the just are exalted to a greater and more glorious work; hence they are blessed in their departure to the world of spirits. Enveloped in flaming fire, they are not far from us, and know and understand our thoughts, feelings and emotions, and are often pained therewith." Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith p. 326
"...those who labor so diligently in their mortal estate to establish the cause of Zion would not be denied the privilege of looking down upon the results of their own labors from their post mortal estate...they are as deeply interested in our welfare today, if not with great capacity, with far more interest, behind the veil, than they were in the flesh...Sometimes the Lord expands our vision from this point of view and this side of the veil, so that we feel and seem to realize that we can look beyond the thin veil which separates us from that other sphere." President Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1916, p. 1-8
What do people do in the spirit world?
"Apparently, righteous people in the spirit world are organized just as they are here, arranged in families and quorums. Priesthood operates there as declared: "When the faithful Elder, holding this Priesthood, go into the spirit world they carry with them the same power and Priesthood that they had while in the mortal tabernacle." Discourses of Brigham Young, p. 132 and D&C 124:130. The blessings of the priesthood are thus present in the spirit world. One elder who passed beyond the veil and returned spoke of the order he saw there: "While I was in the spirit world I observed that the people there were busy, and that they were perfectly organized for the work they were doing. It seemed to me a continuation of the work we are doing here---something like going from one stake to another. There was nothing there that seemed particularly strange to me, everything being natural." --Dale Mouritsen, Ensign, Jan. 1977 p. 49

A Frog Named Jiko--Journal Entry from Bryce March 23, 2007

I caught a frog and named it Jiko and put it in a pot to keep him but he got out of the pot so I decided I needed to get rid of him, but I didn't want to put on a shirt and go outside, and the balcony was too high to throw him off, so I put him on the edge of the balcony to let him make his own decision. It was interesting to watch him jump from side to side, peeking over the edge, contemplating suicide. I have never felt so much concern or interest for a frog ever. As it paused at the edge, it was intense. I could feel my heart pounding and then Jiko made that terrific leap of death. As he lay motionless on the pavement below, Elder Later proclaimed him dead, but I had faith in my Jiko. I knew he was strong. we were very close. As about seconds that passed by seemed like minutes, we waited for signs of life. Then Jiko made the victorious leaps away from the pavement, proving he had what other frogs didn't. He was daring and brave. he was the greatest frog that had ever lived...he was my Jiko.

Bryce's small plates

I didn't quite finish in time for Mother's day, but here is half of Bryce's notes from his mission. Click on the picture and it will open a pdf of Bryce's small plates 2007-08. These have been a joy for me to read because it is Bryce--uncut, raw, and uncensored. Most of his notes are spiritual reminders he writes to himself about things he wants to do and who he wants to become. Enjoy.

Bryce Songs

I was going through Bryce's computer a while back and found some more songs that Bryce had been working on.

I created a site to host all of his music. You can find it here.

A Mother's Prayer May 3, 2009

An experience with Bryce and Dallin came to me today. In Bryce's missionary journal he has an entry that he highlighted and in a different color of ink wrote as a preface: Mom prays for a miracle. Then he tells how he got my Hulu Nativity set that I love. It's a great story but this experience that I remembered today happened shortly after Dallin got his driver's license. It is not what you see in the photo, which is Dallin watching Bryce do a flip on his board in the back country at Canyons. The time I am remembering happened early one Saturday morning when Bryce had arranged a ride to the Canyons with friends but there was no room for Dallin. Dallin really wanted to go and called everyone he could think of that might want to go snowboarding with him. He finally found a friend and asked if he could take the van. I was not feeling real comfortable as it was snowing and he hadn't driven to the Canyons more than once maybe. He begged and even though I did not have a good feeling about it, let him take my car for the day. So off he went and for the entire day I prayed several times that he would be safe driving to and from the Canyons. It was before any of us had a cell phone. I was so relieved when I saw the van drive past our house just as it was really getting dark. I assumed it was Dallin taking his friend home and was surprised when Dallin and Bryce walked in the door together. I found out later that Dallin had asked his friend to meet at the end of the run at a certain time so they could head out before it got close to closing time. Dallin said he waited and waited and finally 1/2 hour later or more than the time arranged, his friend found him. Bryce was also headed to the car with his friends not knowing that Dallin had come to Canyons. He spotted Dallin far away and started calling to him and got his attention. Bryce told his friends he was going to go home with with his brother and when he caught up to Dallin, he volunteered to do the driving. Bryce was a good driver in the snow and since it was getting dark, Dallin was more than happy to let him drive. I have reflected on the coincidences of this experience...how Dallin left later and Bryce actually seeing his brother far away in all the crowd and leaving his friends to drive his brother home. That really isn't something he would normally do. I know a mother's prayer was answered that day. Dallin may have been just fine but I know that Someone wanted me to know that my prayer was heard.

Headstone complete and placed at gravesite

When the rain let up enough this afternoon we went for a walk and had a pleasant surprise as we approached Bryce's gravesite in the cemetery. His headstone is now in place. Eventhough it is quite simple there are some powerful reminders of Bryce's love of the mountains and a favorite scripture he had on his missionary plaque. We wanted it to stand upright (like Bryce) so that we could see it when there's snow on the ground. We're guessing it was installed yesterday because it was not there Thursday evening when Brooke and Mom strolled by. It was fun to discover it while the sun was shining and to see that someone had already been by leaving some beautiful flowers.

Bryce's Surprise 21st Birthday in Langa CapeTown South Africa

This was sent by a companion from Lindon, Utah. Elder Bean will be home next month. They weren't companions very long but had some good experiences together. This is their boarding and the food that was brought to wish Bryce happy birthday in August 2008. His mom was grateful because she didn't get anything sent off...she saved it for when he got home.

Bryce's Surprise 21st Birthday in Langa CapeTown South Africa