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.