Five Years...but whose counting

Bryce's Journal
30 Dec. 2008  Well, I've been snowboarding 5 times this season.  We got a few feet in the mountains this Christmas week.  I even went snowboarding by myself once.  It wasn't too bad.  I went to 2 family parties.  I got a weight bench for Christmas.  I built a jump at Willy's to a picnic table but it wasn't much fun so we made it just a jump.  Willy would push me and I did front flips off of it.  Yesterday I I bought a 2002 Toyota Rav 4 for $4,900.  we got a way good deal on it but by the time we do all the needed repairs and things to get it road ready, it will be about $6,000 which is still a dang good deal for what we got.  I love that car.  I need to name it.
31 Dec. 2008  Well yesterday I went snowboarding.  I drove the Prism up by myself.  It does pretty good up the canyon if the roads are good.  I met up with Ben and his brothers there, did about 5 runs on Saddle Back with them and then they had to go so I

rode the Terrain Park by myself the rest of the day.  It was really fun.  I did a way cool trick on the C-box to flat box.  I did a board slide and slid a 360 degree while I was on the box and rode away so smooth the very first time.  It must have looked so cool.  Then my new bindings came and I put them on.  They are soo cool.  Every day that passes, I love my car even more.  I need a name for her.  I weighed 180.4 lbs. this morning, butt naked. 

Bryce's Talk Before Going to South Africa

This is Bryce 5 years ago at Christmas time wearing his great DI find...a girl's club jacket from England.  He got home from South Africa in time for the holidays.   It has been a time of reflection and remembering.  There is just something about 5 years being gone that seems significant...and then it will be the ten year mark, etc.
 It is interesting to see how our thoughts about Bryce continue to flow.  I sometimes wonder if we lived in a different house where all his scratch marks, doors in the cupboard that don't close right because he would hang on them as he decided what he wanted to eat, and his room that yells at me every time I enter were all gone ---that  my thoughts would not be jolted as much.  Sometimes I just have to stop and remember things.  It is as if he is reaching through the veil and saying...Mom do you think about this or that? 
Today was a day  like that.  I went down and got out his letters to the Mission President where  his letters home and  journal pages were included.  I never did finish all of it.  Some things are still too hard.  This was the find of the day...his talk that he gave before leaving for South Africa. 

Learning ....

Nov. 6, 2006

I am awesome and not very humble yet but I will work on that and then I will be awesome for reals.  

Jan. 28, 2007

Near the end of the day nothing special had happened and I was just thinking how nice it would be to be home.  Then our last appointment with Thando and Bubela made me glad to be on mission again.  It happens alot where I just want to be done with mission, and then Heavenly Father does something to keep me here. 

Jan. 28, 2007

Then we went and hung out with the sisters...it was kinda weird.  their fun and African. They have B.O. so that's not fun.  I'm trying hard to learn how to be hard core, by being friendly and not thinking bad about others and situations.  I think it's working some.  I am more happy to be here and I think others can see a change in me too.  I felt good about being a missionary today. 

Companions, Almost Home, and Will I Adjust?

Sept. 2008
Bryce served in 8 areas, had 14 companions with 9 being from Africa and 5 from elsewhere. He was companions with Elder Nyzungu from Zimbabwe in the MTC in Johannesburg for 3 weeks. Elder Shipp from Virginia was his trainer in Port Elizabeth-Kwa Dwesi for 12 weeks. Elder Baldwin from South Africa was his companion for 6 weeks in Kwa Dwesi. Elder Later was his companion in Port Elizabeth-Walmer for 6 weeks and Elder Robinson for 9 weeks (from St. George, Utah) . He went to George and had Elder Faerch from Johannesburg for 9 weeks. He went to East London and had Elder Marelmela from Johannesburg for 6 weeks and then Elder Nielsen ( his greenie) from American Fork for 19 weeks, then Elder Andriandrisoa from Madagascar for 6 weeks. He went to King Williams Town and had Elder Mdanda from Durban for 6 weeks, Elder Thethe from Lesothu ( only missionary serving from his country) for 6 weeks, and Elder Randrianirinaniarivo from Madagascar for 6 weeks. He then went to where he really wanted to go and that was Capetown-Langa with Elder Bean from Lindon, Ut. for 6 weeks. He is finishing up in Port Elizabeth--Kwa Nobuthle where he began with Elder Ekeya from Uganda for 5 weeks. 

 Elder Bean and I have been working with crazy less actives and we take time to reflect and think about all the crazy people we work with and their problems, all the insane things we see, feel, and hear. We can really see first hand the damage that Satan can do. I am so grateful for the circumstances that I am in and for the opportunities that I have. The people here need the gospel so badly but they just can't seem to get it. Satan has blinded them so much, led them sooo far from the path. It is so great when we are able to see lives change, to see people's countenance change. I think I'm going to have a huge culture shock when I get home.

I Am Thankful For Prayer

May 26, 2007 It’s interesting that the Sunday I spoke just before leaving to my mission
here in South Africa, I was assigned to speak on prayer. Something that would seem
so simple. Now 8 months later as I look back at all of the investigators I have had or
that other missionaries have had I can link back almost all of their progression or not
progressing to prayer. Just the other day we met an investigator who we have been
seeing for a few months. We committed him long ago to read, study, ponder and pray
to know if the Book of Mormon and the Church were true…as we do with almost every
appointment. I asked him –Ryan, did you pray about the Book of Mormon? Ryan said
yes but he didn’t get an answer. Well Ryan, when was the last time you read the Book of
Mormon? About a week or two ago. Than I think to myself, no duh! You didn’t get an
answer. It has occurred to me that sincere prayer is something that takes up most of your
day or even most of your week or month. Every time someone is not progressing it’s
because they are not sincerely praying. That means they are not studying and learning
about the church or thinking about our message. 

I remember Neeba, my first baptism, when we taught, how he was excited and asked questions. When we would come back he would bring friends and type up reports about what he learned from his study of the scriptures. He received answers to his prayers because he was sincere and put forth effort. It’s difficult to get everyone to do that. It’s great to see the progress of the people I worked with in my first area. Neeba was baptized in Jan. just before his 18th Shortly after that he received the Aaronic Priesthood. Then he baptized a good friend of  his and taught his two younger brothers and brought them to church each week as well as his mom. He gave us referrals like crazy and asked  us for Book of Mormons to give to people he was sharing the gospel with. He brought friends and family to his house for us to teach. He went to the temple to do baptisms for the dead even though he could not afford the 8 hour trip. He has now receive the Melchezedik priesthood and is preparing
each day to serve a mission; When he turns 19…this is someone who 6 months ago had
not heard of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Archie whose wife and daughter had been members for 1 year was baptized just the last
week or two before I left Dwesi. He now has the Melchezedik Priesthood as well and
is the Young Men’s President. There are so many good things happening. Those good
things happen because of sincere prayer and action on answers and promptings to those
prayers. The better we can master communication between us and our Father in Heaven,
the better we can fulfill our purpose here on this earth and the better we can help others
fulfill their purpose. 

 Oooh, mom and dad…mission is crazy. I’m still the same Bryce, but I’m different. The gospel is so simple..but it’s so complicated. Things are so easy, but they’re so difficult….it is a great thought. I meet so many crazy people all the time and see the strangest things. It just happens so much that it doesn’t even faze me.
 It’s crazy to think about the relationship we all had in the spirit world and what we were all like, and what we all did to be blessed with knowing and accepting truth.

Nativities

Bryce could not leave the Nativities that were placed around our house during Christmas alone.  He was always rearranging them.  One day I stopped to look at one that was in the entrance way of our front door.  I noticed Baby Jesus was under his nativity set and that everyone above him was in peculiar groupings.  They were all wondering where Baby Jesus was.  I had to take a picture.  Later, I found Bryce had gone around and taken all the animals from the different sets and placed them in a circle surrounding one of the Baby Jesus.  I was wishing he would just leave the sets alone but now I am wishing I had taken more pictures of his arrangements.  He had too much time on his hands!

Missionaries Who I have Given a Hair Cut

Just some trivia:  Bryce gave at least 48 haircuts while on his mission.  He kept meticulous notes of who they were, where they were from and how many times he cut their hair.  Here are some of the places they were from:

 

Goals and Skateboarding

11 April 2008
Since we can hear the conversation of our landlords constantly I decided to listen to them while I brushed my teeth.  They were talking about what they would do if they could start over.  I decided too.  I don’t want to have any regrets.  If I want to do something, I’m going to do it so I don’t feel like I didn’t live up to my potential.  When I set a goal I’m going to accomplish it.  I’m going to eat better and less, work harder and smarter. 
Today we tracted into this home.  This guy skateboarded so I talked to him about skateboarding and then got his sister involved and they were so happy to hear about the restoration.  It was cool. 

Oatis the Board

Bryce had a love of boards as you know.  He decided he wanted to make his own longboard because he has a lot of Fife blood in him and wanted to save money and make it his.  He had a few rough starts and failures but he persisted and finally had some boards that he really liked.  We had a home teacher that was wonderful to always visit us and encourage Bryce and Dallin to get their Eagles.  He took them flying in their first plane rides for aviation merit badges, etc.  When Bryce showed Dave ( our home teacher) the long board, he offered to spray the board with the lacquer because he owns a woodworking shop.  It turned out really nice and they were both happy with the results.  Bryce promptly gave it the name Oatis which was his nick name that he gave himself and used for a lot of things ...he liked to name things.  He loved that board.   Bryce went to South Africa and his longboard, Oatis was left in his spot in the garage.  I loved seeing it there and being reminded of Bryce.  When Bryce got home, all the things that happen with family and get togethers, etc. happened and Oatis continued to hang.  Then came the snow and snowboarding.  Bryce never got to ride Oatis again, as far as I know.  We continued to leave it hanging.  One day, I got an impression that I needed to give Oatis to Willy.  I knew he already had one of Bryce's boards so I dismissed it.  The thought continued.  I could hear Bryce saying to me...Mom! Give Oatis to Willy.  I told Willy I would give him the board in the spring...or summer.  I guess that wasn't good enough because one evening Willy came to visit and I knew I had to give it to him then.  I cried after he left but I knew that I needed to do it.  Willy has never said anything but one day not too long ago when the weather was good, I saw on Willy's facebook a message to one of Bryce's friends ..."Hey Weston...how about us going longboarding?" It made me smile and I think of Bryce when I see guys zooming down the street on a long board with their hair flying behind them. 

Soda Pop From Mexico

When Brooke came home from a trip to Peru,  she brought pop for the boys.  Bryce’s bottle sat on the shelf over his bed unopened.  He didn’t like pop. 
 He finally gave it to his younger brother but Dallin had already drunk it and put colored water in the bottle.  Dallin said it took a while to match the color of the pop.  Bryce never caught on and the bottle sat there for a long time before he finally decided to give the "pop" to the kid. 

College--BYU Late Night Surprise

Bryce’s application to BYU  Dec. 2008

I have had a unique educational opportunity in film and broadcasting by working at a local television station and at the Nebo School District's television station. I also had the opportunity to teach other students in the broadcasting class while serving as a teacher's assistant. I am an Eagle Scout. I served an honorable full time mission in Cape Town, South Africa. Through leadership experiences on my mission I learned to communicate and work successfully with others from a wide variety of cultures and backgrounds.  I am the fifth of six children. All have served missions and are pursuing their college education.  All of us have supported ourselves in school through scholarships and part time employment. Three have graduated from BYU and three (including me) are BYU students. Throughout my life I have been able to achieve near perfect attendance in all of my school classes. I graduated from high school with high honors. I have also placed three times in the top three for films that I produced for the Utah High School Film Festival.

The reasons why I want to attend an institution within the LDS Church Educational System are simple. I want to go to a school where others will encourage me to be the best that I can be. I want to live the highest standards of conduct and accountability. I also know that BYU has one of the best film programs in the country. I plan on pursuing a career in the film industry and I want to maintain the standards of the gospel. BYU provides the best opportunity to obtain this balance. I know that the decisions I make now will have a great impact on the rest of my life. In order to make the best decisions I know that I need to be in the best places.

The value I will add to BYU will be seen through my hard work and diligence in keeping the school standards. I will help others do the same by leading by example.  When I do this I know that I will have the help of the Holy Ghost. I will feel good and will have opportunities to serve and help those around me and to be a positive influence in their lives.

CES Admissions to "Christensen, Bryce K" date Tue, Jan 6, 2009 at 9:53 PM subject CES Application

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Birthday Boy...some last emails home from South Africa

9-08-09
We have to always wake up extra early church starts at 8 and we need to be there at 7 so we have to wake up extra early for that as well.... basically I am about short of 10 or so hours of sleep. I am trying to figure out a way to get it back... but I think they're lost forever.

...whatever can be thrown at me these last 5 weeks now and I will just take and do my best, I'll take anything... maybe I will be able to sleep on the plane ride home then... yeah so these last weeks will be hard but I'
m just going to do it. some extra prayers might help as well. Kwa-no is nice... the ward seems pretty cool... there was about 120 at church....well let me know if you want to know anything in specific... o and brooke thank you soo much for the birthday package it was great.... the tie looked like our couch though... so I am afraid I wont be able to wear it... but it will look good on some african. Well I hope everyone has a good week. Elder Christensen

Last Email Home from Mission

Well. there is a scripture in 1 john chapter one I think. it is what I wanted to write home today .... but I left my scriptures are in the car.... I think it might be verse 4. I hope you find it.   Love Elder Christensen

10-5-2008 Questions and Conference

WEll this week was good I loved conference I came with questions and they were answered very
fast. I think we should to that with more of the meetings that we go to. Come with questions.. it make things more personal and you are

Port Elizabeth...Soccer!

more prone to revelation.

Helping Others to Be Happy

December 16, 2007

I just got done praying for my personal study.   I prayed that I could avoid sin and that I could be happy and then it hit me like a brick wall to do both of these things I need to make others happy and help them to avoid sin.  I’ve known that before but right now I have a perfect 100% understanding of that principle. 

December 2007 Bob Marley to the Rescue

Well today was freakin nutters!  So we got transfer news in the morning.  Me and Nielson are staying and they are making this District here in East London one huge district again.  Here’s the big kicker about transfer news.  All of the sisters in South Africa missions are getting new assignments and will be leaving South Africa on Monday.  I almost pooped my pants when I heard that.  It’s strange..it’s like a part of me died, only having sisters in my district and now they are extinct. 
 Well I think Heavenly Father knew how weird and depressing today was for me so I think he blessed me by playing Bob Marley everywhere I went.  It was good.  Well, I am going to attempt to sleep now. 

These are  the first sister missionaries in Mozambique for many years.  They have just arrived.
Now I am wondering if South Africa will get Sisters back?

Random things Bryce said at the end of his mission....

9-15-08
It was nice because the next day at zone conference they talked a lot about accountability. Elder Young from the Area was there with his wife. it was nice I bore my departing testimony... that was kind of interesting ....sister Young was the talk before the testimonies and she talked alot about things near the end of missions. and it got me thinking about all of the blessings that I had received  while here in Africa serving a mission... and it was hard for me to even get words out... I may have even cried a little bit... which is not normal for me at all.

.Meatloaf is playing... I would do anything for love.... but I wont do that... yoh! trunky! ... just kidding... but this is a way good song... oh the email shops...oh yeah about the season pass can you take money out of my zions cd account yet? how close is it to being done? how much did I make? oh yeah and I was thinking it might be cool if just mom and dad pick me up at the airport and then I could meet everyone when I get home... I dont know how everyone else feels about that... but I think I might like that. Well Have a great week. Elder Christensen.. PS. I only have 3 pages left in my journal.... but I feel bad because Elders Will ask me... so how many journals have you done now.... and its just one .. everyone else has done like 3 or 4... you would be proud of them mom. well bye.

I thought Bryce's request for just the parents to welcome him home at the airport was rather strange and seemed even stranger when we got there and all the other families had big group of people and signs to hold up, etc.  However, now I know that Bryce was responding to a prompting by the spirit.  He did not know he would be gone 2 1/2 months later and he knew that we needed to hear what he had to say to us as we drove in the quiet big van back to Brooke's house where everyone was waiting.  I will never forget his emotion filled voice as he expressed his love and gratitude for us and all we had done for him in his life.  I feel God's tender mercies when I reflect on that special moment. 

This is one weird picture of me but it most clearly represents the fun we had Thursday night when we decided to make money for a trip to Vegas by selling all of the stuff our missionary sons had that we thought they might not miss while they were gone. My face reflects the paltry amount of money Steven was willing to offer for Bryce's bass. I won't get much gambling done in Vegas! Behind me the sign says, "Missionary Mom Yard Sale."
Here was Bryce's reply when he say the posting on our family blog:
Mom... I just saw the blogspot.... thats not funny please dont tell me you sold my guitars or snowboards and things... I know you wouldnt.. well hopefully I know... really this is the most scared I have been in a long time.....Im sure you wouldnt to something crazy like that with out telling me.. but I need to know. now I have a week of crazy anticipation of finding out if I need my stuff is all gone... yeah I know that it is just stuff but ...no theres no way you could have sold my guitar... ..mom! what are you tryin to do to me? argghh! this is not cool.

The Missionary Moms had a great time with our missionaries most prized possessions.  No one got quite the reaction that I got from Bryce.  I mean really...would I sell his stuff to go to Vegas?

Missionary Journal:

The beginning of Bryce's snowboarding days

2007 Dec. 5   Well Sunday was Fast Sunday and our D/A forgot us so I opened my Christmas package so I would have something to eat.  There was a crazy lighting storm that night that was awesome.  P-day we went to the driving range with Armstrong and Fromling.  It was way fun.  I'm getting good with a driver.  Yesterday was alright.  Dec. is a hard month.  We have lots to do so far but just the holiday spirit makes me a bit trunky.  I just want to go snowboard and listen to music, play guitar and watch a movie or something ....arrrgh! 10 months.

Laying the Foundation of a Great Week!

21 July 2008
President Probst:  This week has been really good.  Langa is nice and we are working with some great families and potential priesthood holders.  Even though the rain was pounding Langa this Sunday Theboho still came and is doing great. H e would be baptized but he needs to get his girlfriend out of the house.  We are praying for miracles to happen. 
Elder Bean is a great missionary.  I am grateful to be serving with him.  He is kind of running everything right now because I am not as sure what is going on.  It's been interesting to have to know what the Zone needs when I have not served with these Elders.  But I think of you and how you got a whole mission to worry about and how the Lord has been able to inspire and guide you to know what to do and I know he will do the same for me.  ( Just transferred to Langa and called as ZL).
I am grateful for the opportunity to serve a mission.  I know we are laying the foundation of a great work.  I hope you have a great week.  Elder C.

The picture is one from an afternoon after school in our backyard.  It was Bryce's birthday but we had not planned a party.  The boys just came over to hang out with Bryce.  Everyone in this picture is a returned missionary.  Well...Daniel is still on a mission--he went later.  Some have moved away and some are married. 

Papers With Poem's on them Oct. 20003

Period 1, Mrs. Zemp and Bryce's poems...not something he put his heart into. 
Nothing to Do:
I'm at my friends Willy's house
and there's nothing to do.
I just sit there and stare at my shoe.
I guess the bulldog violet was too.
Because she started biting it,
I didn't know what to do.
The more I moved my foot,
the more of a grasp she took.
so as I sat there, scratching her ear,
Wondering what to do?
Then she let go, and I hide from her.

Mrs. Zemp's comment...Interesting rhyme pattern

Bryce's analyst of The Coxcomb Bird by Alexander Pope...is a ballad because it tells the story of what the coxcomb bird is like.  I didn't like this poem because I'm really getting sick of poems, sooo many poems all day long.  Why?  why us Mrs. Zemp, were a good class, we do what were told, we don't cause any trouble.  What did we do to deserve the wrath of the poems.  What?