I didn’t take many pictures, but everyone was there and it was the usual 4th of July happening, with lots of pie.

The boys are all getting super old and tall. Even Luke, he is taller than Easton and his voice has changed a ton.

Alex, Ryker and Easton went shopping with Nana and they ended up buying matching shirts.

Overall it was a lot of fun, but everyone always talks about how much they all miss you. It really isn’t the same without you there.

We love you!

These past weeks have been really good! We had transfers 2 weeks ago and I’m staying here in Plano. My new companion is named Elder Theriault and he’s pretty old in the mission. He’s got 4 months left and he might end his mission here. We are working hard together and we are teaching some amazing friends. 

We have had fun playing soccer with our friends. We play almost every Thursday and Saturday. Last night we found a group that plays in a court on Sunday nights. We got to chat it up with them and make new friends. We were going into a lesson but all of friends were outside. So we ended up teaching about 8 people in a circle outside which was super cool. They all locked in on the message and Elder Theriault and I felt really fulfilled after and we are going back to teach them tomorrow. 

There is a family of 4 who we are teaching who should get baptized this week. One of the kids is 6 so he has to wait a little longer but he is our #1 fan and gives the best prayers. We also are teaching a couple that need to get married but could get baptized this week with the other family. This week will be a super fun week of finishing everything done. Elder Theriault and I are very excited. 

A week ago we got a message from a lady in our area that used to be taught. I had taught her on exchanges and gotten to know her but she never was able to go to church. She sent us a message asking us if she could come to church and she has come the past 2 weeks. We texted her during the week and learned that she wants to be baptized and be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ. We taught her and her daughter yesterday and they will get baptized the 31st! 

We had an amazing sacrament meet yesterday. One of the Seventy came and shared a talk and shared in the second hour. For those that don’t know there is a living prophet, 12 apostles and 70 Elders called to serve the 12 apostles. Just like Jesus established they go and organize the church. He shared about how everything we do is to become more like our Savior and that we have to follow the laws or commandments. Similarly to scientific laws our Heavenly Father has set the way to come closer to him and return to his presence. I love the plan that our Heavenly Father has for us and how we can follow him. His work is amazing and the change in the lives of our friends is real. He loves us and anxiously awaits us. 

I love you all! 

-Elder Christensen 

So much of what you have gone through in life has been hard. So many things unfair. So many questions left unanswered or answered incomplete. There are times that you probably have felt so mad and other times so sad.

For all of this, I am sorry. Sorry you have had to carry more than your fair share of what someone should go through at such a young age.

I’ve always been inspired by you. By your kindness and dedication. I’ve missed you. Missed knowing how life is for you. Missed being there to support and love you.

I’m not sure if you remember it, but I loved you fiercely and always tried to show that to you. I will always love you.

When you are ready, I am always here.

Love you,

Jen

P.S. here is a picture from an epic battle we had at Jenga. We kept freaking out every time we wouldn’t make it fall. You were for sure that I would make it fall and then on your turn I was for sure that you would make it fall and we kept going and going until it was super tall. I’m pretty sure in the end you won…but it was a great memory!

This week Tanner and Alex are doing High Adventure with our ward. Rafting and biking. Should be cool.

Last week we climbed Mount Saint Helens, that was super cool. Very hard, but totally worth it! Maybe someday we can all do it together.

Jen is headed to Utah to photograph a wedding.

Hummm. Not much else. Just doing our thing and missing you like crazy.

Oh Grammie and Grandpa John are moving back to Montana. So that’s big news too.

We love and miss you more than ever! Love you boys.

Tara is at BYU studying premed. She has a boyfriend and her roommate is dating his brother, so that is kind of funny, but cute.

Morgan has been doing great on his mission. He was super excited because he beat the missions push up record of 120 and did 125 and got $100. Then he beat the pull up record too. I can’t remember what he said it was, but it is crazy. I can’t remember barely do one pull up! He has had lots of baptisms and his faith is so strong. It is cool to see him talk about keeping mission rules and bringing people to Christ. Can you believe Morgan is keeping rules! It’s pretty awesome!

Updates for around here. I taught at The college your dad and Uncle Ryan went to last weekend. I was pretty nervous and planned for two months, so I was really happy when it was over. Your dad and I drove around all the different places he, Uncle Ryan, and Uncle Ty lived. At one point Aunt Karie lived up there by them too.

Your dad and I are training for a half marathon in a few months and Tara, who ran her first half marathon in November is doing the full marathon. It’s going to be awesome! Your dad has never done a half and Tara has never done a full. I might be nursing them both back to life afterwards.

Alex is doing Clark and working. He is still huge into 3D printing and got a PLA system, so the printer can print all different colors at once. It is making for some really cool looking prints.

Tanner is doing basketball and really enjoying it. We’ve been spending a lot of time at Skyzone with his friends because they all bought a monthly pass for themselves and have been trying to go as much as possible before it runs out.

Well, we love and miss you incredibly. The prophet told us to Seek and Expect Miracles and I know someday that miracle will happen and we will get to see you again. I have complete faith that it will come.

Love you so very much!

Fourteen years ago you came into this world to forever change it for the better. You are always so sweet and caring to those around you. Of all the kids, you were always the least likely to cause trouble or fight with anyone. You truly are a peacemaker.

We made a fruit tart and sang you Happy Birthday! We all miss you so much! I hope that I’m not too long we can celebrate you and what an amazing person you are.

Lots of Love,

Dad and Jen

This day is always full of mixed emotions. Five years ago was the worst day of my life and yet strangely enough the biggest blessing as well. I had hit rock bottom. It threw your lives, Jen’s life and her kids lives all into disarray. It was scary and confusing for everyone. I’m so sorry my actions put you through that. It’s been hard not being in your lives, helping you and watching you grow. I morn that loss.

But it’s been a huge blessing because hitting rock bottom really has propelled me forward into recovery and into what is important in life. I have been able to focus on being better and doing better. I hope one day to be involved in your lives enough that you’ll be able to see that. I love you and think about you boys often. I hold hope for the day to see and talk to you again.

Love always

Dad

Hi boys, I was just thinking about you today and missing you. Five years ago our lives all drastically changed. Some people would say for the worse, but in retrospect I am grateful for everything that happened, minus loosing communication with you.

Your dad and I feel that he had a second chance and has been able to take his struggles and help other people. He is always getting phone calls from guys who need his help, a listening ear and guidance on how to navigate their addiction. He supports people he met in jail, often with life advice and how to have a healthy life and relationships. Every Thursday he is a leader in two different men’s groups.

I support women who have been betrayed with their feelings and emotions. It can be hard sometimes but I love supporting and doing what I can.

With other people in community and those who know us, we freely share our story and what has happens. It’s not a fun story to share and often times it is embarrassing, but we share our story to help those around us.

I’m not sure why I’m writing all this, maybe just because I wish you really knew us. Not just everything you’ve been told. But that you could come see our actions, who we are, and find forgiveness and healing in your own hearts.

Nana sent me a picture today of Isaac when he was a little boy. I’ll attach it here. She said, “I miss that little cutie ” we both talked about how happy the day will be when we can have you in our lives again. We all miss you. Terribly. We all love you. I believe healing will come, but it will just be a manner of time.

Love you so much!

Jen

I really wish you all could have connected before you all grow up, but at some point it will all work out. I have faith it will.

She is the best big sister and we all loved having her home.