Letter from President & Sister Christensen

Dear Parents of Elder Lester,

As you know, your son was called to serve in the Mexico Puebla Mission and during the time that he has been here, the Mission was divided. This may have raised some anxiety at the onset of this news for those Missionaries who had to leave President Reeves and all of the Missionaries they had grown to love in the South Mission. Your son was one of those, of course, who is now serving in the Puebla North Mission. My husband, Ralph Christensen, is the new Mission President.

Seven of our nine children have served Missions, so we know something of a parent’s desire to know about the Mission President and wife who will be caring for your son.  My apologies for being so slow to introduce ourselves to you.  It has been a very busy month since our arrival.  However, I would like to now take a minute to introduce ourselves to you.

President Christensen has most recently worked at the Church at President Hinckley’s invitation as Managing Director of Human Resources. Prior to that he worked as Senior Vice President of Human Resources at Hallmark Cards. All of our nine children are now married and we have been blessed to have 30 (soon to be 32) grandchildren. I loved and feel grateful to have had the blessing of being home to raise our family. I know the busyness of a house full of children involved in sports, music, and other extracurricular activities. We have both enjoyed service in the church and loved the influence of the gospel in our home. Prior to going to Salt Lake City, we had no family roots in Utah. We raised our family in Maine, Washington, D.C., Colorado, Boston, and Kansas City. We loved the opportunities and experiences of living in those areas.

My husband served his Mission many years ago in the California Sacramento Mission, Spanish speaking. He enjoyed working with many Mexican people during those two years and considers it a privilege to now be able to come to their homeland to serve. I never served a Mission and I do not speak the Spanish language, but I am determined to learn. We are anxiously engaged in this great work and look forward to working with your son as we press forward together. right along the side of your son. What a joy it has been, so far, to spend time with the Missionaries.  They are outstanding young men and women. Thank you for doing your part to raise such a fine son. 

If you feel that your son has had a hard time adjusting to the changes that have taken place, or if you have concerns of any kind, please do not hesitate to contact us.  Below is the information to contact the Mission Office.  Also, please note that the address for mailing packages and letters has remained the same.
  
Email: 1802399@ldschurch.org

Phone: 01-800-874-6783

Fax: +52 222-230-0431

Oficina Mision Mexico Puebla Norte
Av. 25 Sur #907
Col. La Paz
Puebla, Puebla, C.P. 72160
 
With warmest regards,
 
President and Sister Christensen
 

Mission President Arrival Letter

Dear Sister Lester,

It has been a great pleasure for Sister Rex and me to have met your missionary son, Elder Lester, on his arrival here in Puebla, Mexico.  We had a good opportunity to get to know him and feel his enthusiasm and eagerness to serve our Father in Heaven.  Elder Lester has been assigned, with his companion, Elder Villalba, to labor in the Huacaltzingo area.

Missionary work is very difficult and challenging.  We have asked Elder Lester to write to you each week, and ask that you write your missionary each week as well.  Please make sure that all of your letters are encouraging and uplifting.  Plan on receiving two phone calls each year; one at Christmas time and another on Mother’s Day.

We are vitally interested in his success and will do our best to assist in his training as a missionary.  We look forward to watching his progress over the next two years as he serves diligently and obediently.

We know that you will be richly blessed because of the sacrifices and service of your son.

Thank you again.

Respectfully,

Steven G. Rex, President