Saturday, November 15, 2014

Elder Christofferson Visit, November 15, 2014

Hey! 
So this morning we had the mission conference with Elder Christofferson. It was great. 
This week was super busy getting ready for all of it. They have been working on the chapel for the last 2 months to prepare for this visit, which is kind of funny. They redid the roof, parts of the bathroom, and deep cleaned everything in preparation for it. 
I have never slept so little in one week in my whole life. (and don't worry, all of this is within President's approval)  It was so amazing how I always had the energy and strength to do all the things I needed to do. One night, after finishing all the prep stuff I was doing, it was super super late, and I had to finish putting in the baptismal records. I had put in like 30 and had 3 more. My eyes were closing as I tried so hard to keep them open to finish the last record. Finally, I finished, pushed save, and literally in the moment, just colapsed and fell asleep on my desk. I finished all of them. His grace is so real! 
Then today, after sleeping very little and fasting, I had the energy to stay awake during the whole meeting and receive the revelation I needed. Everything went super well. The West mission also came so we had plans for them and it was a lot of work, but there were so many tender mercies and it went so smoothly. 

Elder Christofferson visit.  Elder Engebretsen, our friend from Philly,  is next to Elder Tenney & Elder Christofferson.  

So the conference with Elder Christofferson was incredible. It was ALL about repentance. It was amazing to me because it was so singularly focussed and direct. I left with very clear guidance and exactly what I know the Lord wanted me to hear. I know He is a prophet of God. He literally said exactly what I was telling Heavenly Father I needed to hear. He said some great things. He said,"I used to think, 'how much more time before the Lord comes?' but my wife helped me to learn that what we lack is not time, but a prepared people." So it is not so much a matter of time, but a matter of who we are. 
Ah, now that it is all over, I am super tired. I look back on the whole week, and it all kind of blends together. But the word that pops into my mind thinking about this week isn't "sleep" or "tired" or even "Elder Christofferson" it is "GRACE". There are so many miracles I do not see and I do not notice, that I want to. There is so much He does for me that I overlook. But one thing I cannot deny and cannot look over is His grace. I felt His grace physically. I felt it intelectually, to remember all the important little and big things that we needed to do. I felt His grace spiritually, filling me with His Spirit even though there were so many opportunities to get stressed out.   
I know Christ lives. I love Him and am so grateful and amazed by His grace. 

I love you all! Have a great week!

Love,

Elder Tenney
 P.S.  (A note he sent to Courtney after writing the note above)  

Part 1:  Sorry I don't have time! Elder Christofferson is about to enter the office and I have to leave!!!
Part 2:
Woah. So when I sent that, I was partially joking. I didn't think he was literally coming in that second. I thought it was in several minutes. But he really came into the office, right when I sent that. And I met him and shook his hand and talked with him. We took a picture. He lived in Indiana for a while when he was in the military. I could feel the spirit just in shaking His hand. What an amazing experience. I know He is a man of God.


Pictures! 
Elder Valerdi and I !
This other one is President's office here that they converted into the waiting room for Elder Christofferson. They told us we couldn't go in and we shouldn't even open the door (this was taken after). I think that place was cleaner than the temple. 

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