Pre Christmas Letter 12-23-13

HEY!

 

I hope you are all doing well!! I get to SEE you in TWO DAYS! WOO!!! I can't believe it's already Christmas time. Time is flying WAY too fast. I wish it would slow down a little bit...

 

Last Monday I went to the Pentagon! A member of my ward works there and gave us a private tour!!! It was so cool. I wouldn't mind working there... :) There were little tables lining every hallway that had old war gear and stuff in glass cases. It's like a museum! I really liked the 911 memorial they have. It's not too big, but when you walk in, it's really reverent. There is definitely a special spirit in there. It really made me appreciate where I am. I am proud to be an American!!! I got to peak inside the secretary of defense's office. (I think that's what it was) And I loved the carpet and fancy furnishings. I love the colonial style. It was a great experience. My tour guide said that if my family came to pick me up at the end of my mission, she'd be happy to give us all a tour!!! How cool is that? Today we're going to Mt. Vernon. Can't wait!

 

We took one of our less active members who is really wanting to come back to the church to the temple visitor center! So we got to see the temple lights. They aren't as spectacular as they are at temple square, but they're still fun. I really like being on the temple grounds. Those sister missionaries who get to serve in the temple visitor center sure are lucky! :)

 

Sister Anderson in front of the Pentagon.  I need help rotating Pics. If you know how, HELP!  Ha ha.

 

This past week was pretty good. The bug exterminator guy finally came around and gave our room clearance of all bed bugs! So we moved back in. I have my bed in the center of the floor so it's not against any wall. I also put duct tape on all four legs of my bed with the sticky side out so that bed bugs can't crawl up and get me. I also have plastic bed covers on both my mattress and box spring. I might be a little paranoid...but I have good reason! I am NOT going to be a midnight snack any more! Hahah!!! Last night as I was laying in bed after prayers, I called out, "I say bed you say bug--BED" and Sister Hansen called out "BUG"! hahahaha.

 

It's really nice that we are moved out of our tiny living room and into our bedroom. It makes the apartment feel a ton cleaner. Also, we had the aparment workers clean our carpets. And they cleaned twice! So we feel pretty good about our living situation at the moment. :)

 

Last night we went to check on a former investigator that we haven't been able to get ahold of because he works two full time jobs. We stopped in at his apartment last night, and he was home with his sister and niece!!! It was great. We tried to teach him a lesson, but lost the interest of his sister really quickly... His name is Ibraheim and he's from Sierra Leon. He said that he has issues with what the missionaries before taught him...He doesn't believe that we have spirits. He thinks that once we're dead, we're DEAD. And that's it. He was trying to teach US and make us believe. But I just don't see the mercy of God in his way of thinking. There would be no progression or purpose to life if there was no life after death. It made me sad.. We didn't even try to correct him because his heart was so set in his ways and we didn't want to bible bash with him. The spirit prompted me to let it go. So I decided to share a "special Christmas message". Immediately, Ibraheim's niece got excited and went to grab her mom. She came out and sat on the couch next to us. People just love Christmas! I shared John 3:16-17 and bore testimony of Jesus Christ. I challenged them to make Christ the center of their Christmas and to think of something they could "give" to Him this season. It was cool to see the spirit work within Ibraheim's sister as she talked about how she wanted to help the less fortunate children and the elderly. She wants to find something to give them this season in order to give back to Jesus. It was really touching. We left with a prayer. I love Christmas. People are so open this time of year. Even though we didn't teach them a lesson about the Restored gospel, we helped them come a little closer to Jesus Christ, and that's what it's all about.

 

We went Christmas caroling in the Pentagon City Metro Station again! It's so fun. It's a great way to help people feel a bit of the spirit as they quickly walk by. There was a man down the walkway who was selling candy bars and ringing a bell. He was obviously handicapped, as he was in a wheelchair. Immediately, my heart went out to him. It was aparent that he was homeless, and rather than just begging for money, he was trying his hardest to sell candy. I went up to him and asked him if I could sing next to him to help him sell his candy. With a big smile on his face, he said he was fine and that he could handle it. It was hard to understand what he was saying...but I think the spirit helped me understand just enough. So I tried to start a conversation with him. I asked him what he was doing for Christmas. He said that he wasn't doing anything... I felt so guilty in that moment. Earlier that day, Sister Hansen and I were talking about how hard it is to be away from home for Christmas. I just felt so selfish! At least I have somewhere to go and people to be with! So I finished my conversation with him and walked back to the group of caroling missionaries. I told an elder and a few of the sisters standing near me what had happened, and the elder gave me $5 and told me to go buy some of his candy! So I did. :) As I approached this man again, I asked him what his name was. He said "Teddy!" So I asked, "Teddy, what's your all time favorite candy??" And he said, "ohhh I like Kitkats!" I looked down in his bucket, and he didn't have a single kitkat! So I said, "Oh man Teddy! Looks like Kitkats are a best selling item! What's your second favorite? Do you like M&M's??" He laughed at me but of course he said YES! So I picked it up and handed it to him and said, "Here's your Christmas present!" And walked away. Later as we were leaving, I could see that he had put the M&M's off to the side in a special spot. That little bag of peanut M&Ms very well could be the only gift he recieves this Christmas. It really put things into perspective for me. I really hope and pray that God will take extra special care of him this year. I hope I find Teddy again the next time I go sing at that metro station. I want to find him and get him a Kitkat!

 

As a missionary, my entire perpective of Christmas has changed. It really is all about Jesus Christ. As hard as it is being away from home, I am so grateful for this opportunity that I have. I hope that I can be a blessing to others in helping them come closer to Christ. Jesus really is the reason for the season. <3

 

I love you! Have a great Christmas and be sure to serve as many people as you can! Don't do it for me, do it for Christ! :)

Love,

Sister Anderson

December 16. 2013 - I cry all the time these days....

Thanks to all of you who send Julie letters and emails.  She really appreciates your support.  So do I.  A big shout out for the Singles Ward in DC!  Thanks for making Sister Anderson and Sister Hansen feel so loved!  Transfers are coming this week.  If Julie gets transferred I will update her address this Friday!  Thanks everyone for your love and prayers in behalf of Julie.

 

It was a pretty great week. We have a new investigator that I might've mentioned in my last email home. He's too intellectual for me to handle. He is so serious about investigating the church to the point where he is looking at every side. The last time we saw him, he told us to go study D&C 45 about Joseph Smith's prophecy about a temple being built in Missouri, which of course hasn't been built yet. UGH! Chad is just letting every little technical thing stop him from feeling the spirit. It's hard!!! All we can do is bear pure testimony because we don't want to battle him and prove him wrong. It's hard for me to understand where he is coming from because the gospel of Jesus Christ just makes sense! Everything is so simple and pure and perfect! He has his own agency, so I mean, we do what we can to help him. It's also hard for me because if the gospel is so simple and easy to understand, then why do I struggle explaining things in simple and easy terms?! I guess I'm good at complicating things. Haha.

 

We had a lesson with a less active in a two story McDonalds. That was interesting. But there was no one around and the spirit helped make it a sacred place. Which is weird because we were in...McDonalds... The spirit works in mysterious ways sometimes. Anyway. It was the longest lesson of my life and my ADD started to kick in up until the very end. This man has had a hard time being humble enough to pray. We've been working with him for a long time and both Sister Hansen and I didn't feel like we should end the lesson until we figured out what has been holding him back. We found out that he doesn't feel worthy enough to ask God for anything. And I guess he's had spiritual confirmation from God telling him that he will never get married in this life. So naturally, he's angry. So he's been giving God the silent treatment. And as a result, he feels lonely. After he bore his soul to us, I was so overcome with the spirit and being me, naturally started bawling. Greeeaat. I'm positive he thinks I'm insane.. But I don't care! I couldn't help it! You know those moments when you feel the tears starting to come, and you can force them back by blinking a bunch? Yeah that didn't even work this time. They just poured out. Sister Hansen said that maybe it was good for our less active to see that. She thinks it softened his heart and that he'll be a little more open the next time we meet with him. I hope so. haha.

 

So if you have any advice about either investigator or less active, I would greatly appreciate it. And prayers would be great as well. Pray for them both to soften their hearts and for me to have patience with them and myself!!!!!!! haha.

 

I totally am using the 21 day prayer promise that you sent me!!!! The members LOVE it. I presented it to the ward council last Sunday, because I know that if you get the leaders on board, the rest of the members will follow. And I know it's going to work!!! I have so much faith that God will keep his promise as the members diligently pray. Miracles are GOING to happen!!!!!

 

I got a few letters from the ladies in the ward! Please tell them all that I love them so much! Their little love notes made me cry! (GOSH I am SUCH a baby these days...It must be that time of month again.....hahahahaha) I am so grateful to know that I have such a strong support system back at home. Over the years I have really grown to love Olympia 4th ward. I'm glad that I decided to make it my home! It used to be hard because of how spread out the ward is...but the grass truly is greener where you chose to water it. Heavenly Father has been teaching me a lot about Relief Society. It's because I didn't particularly enjoy it before my mission... I have a stronger testimony of its importance and its role in this restored gospel. (I have a copy of Daughters in My Kingdom that I've been reading) The women in the Olympia 4th ward relief society are all great examples to me of what a relief society member should be. I know this might be a big request because there are many women, but will you give all of them a hug for me? haha! Let them know that I love them and look up to them!

 

I am so grateful for Christmas!!!!! This season itself provides many powerful missionary tools! I love helping people realize the true meaning of Christmas through song, testimony, service, scriptures...there are just so many great opportunities that have opened up. We are taking one of our less active members who earnestly want to come back and relearn the gospel to the temple visitor center. It's outside of our mission boundaries, but we have permission to go! :) There is such a strong spirit about that place. I want to take every single person we meet there. The spirit is strong enough to convert anyone--including non members, less actives AND members. For Christmas, they put Christmas lights all over temple square and they have free performances every night. I'm pretty excited.

We were late for church yesterday. We had a rough morning and struggled getting out the door. We walked in late (embarassing...) and were called on to talk right when the meeting started. Bishop Larsen got up and announced that their speaker had gone out of town last minute and so we were called on to speak in his place. Ever since my first Sunday, I had been dreading and waiting for this moment to happen. It's freaky being called on the spot to speak in church! So, I grabbed my scriptures, and prayed for inspiration as I walked to the stand. We got up there, and bishop started praising us. I was like, "Oh man, thanks Bishop, but just let me get this over with!!!" And then one of the counselors came up with a HUGE basket full of goodies!!!!! I was so confused. haha! He presented it to us from the ward for our service. It was full of post-it notes, pens, office supplies, candy, hot chocolate, oranges and two scarves for me and Sister Hansen. HOLY COW. It was so unexpected. It felt really good to be taken care of. I don't have to go buy groceries today! I almost cried! (AGAIN!) haha.... So I stood there awkwardly with my scriptures and was laughed at when I didn't go to sit down right away. PSH I was ready to give a talk!!! At least the ward knows that I was prepared...kinda... :) Although I still think singles wards are super awkward, they take good care of us.

 

I just love being a missionary! It's so hard, but it's so fun. Transfers are coming up this Thursday. I'm feel like I'll probably stay here for another transfer, but you never know. If you don't hear from me on Friday, I haven't been transfered and I have the same address. Oh man, if I do get transfered, I'm praying for a family ward. One of my members in the Potomac ward grew up in the Great Falls ward. Her name is Annette Antonelli and she knows Alida Abbott! Great Falls ward is the ward Alida grew up in. I really want to go to that ward because Alida's parents are there! And I already know them! :) Sister Hansen served there a few transfers ago and has told me all about it. I just want to be in a family ward so badly!!!! I miss little kids. Haha. I emailed President and told him I want to serve there some day. ;) 

 

We will be able to skype on Christmas!! We have to find a member who will let us use their computer, so I don't know what time yet. I'll be in contact with you when I get more details. I don't really know much about it right now...

 

I'm glad to see that Mom's concert went well! Mom, Belana, Sharon and Stephanie are all beautiful! I miss everyone so much! As for my Christmas package, I don't think I have anything to ask for. I have everything I need and want. :) I just want love letters. I love love letters. They keep me going! There's just something about a handwritten letter from people I love!

 

I love you all! Have a great week!!!!

Love,

Sister Anderson

 



Sister Missionaries of the DC South Mission



View from apartment window.

View from a different apartment window.

Sister Hansen and Sister Anderson with a Christmas Tree.

December 2013 - Birthday

Thanks for my package! I did get it on my birthday! I loved it! My roommates and companion thought the teeth were funny.



Birthday Teeth!  Ha ha.  Sorry, Don't know how to rotate pics yet!



 

I'm excited for your concert! I think it's great that you and Belana are in it together. You'll have to let me know how it goes. Mr. Shaw is hilarious. I added him on FB.

 

Please don't worry about the FB thing. I am an obedient missionary. I do not want to do anything that puts me at risk of losing the spirit. The thought is terrifying to me. And also, the church is one step ahead of you. In order for missionaries to be on Facebook, both companions need to be able to see each other's screens at all times to keep each other in check. Our mission president is really strict on the face that if one missionary breaks any of the rules, both that missionary and their companion lose internet privileges for the rest of their mission. Ouch. So no worries.

 

There's a muppet store in the Crystal City plaza! hahaha I had to take a picture. Am I a MAAAAAAAAAAN or am I a muppet?! ;)

Add caption



Sister Anderson's Thanksgiving November 28, 2013

This is last week's letter from Sister Anderson. 

 

Thanksgiving was great. We went to a pie party in Vienna with a ward member for breakfast, and then had dinner at Jonathan Stewart's house. I made sure to get a few pictures for proof that I actually ate. :)

 

 





Sister Anderson at Thanksgiving!



Sister Anderson and Sister Hanson



Cute Picture when she first arrived to DC.





Sisters and Elders singing at the Pentagon Metro Station.



 

Okay, so just reading about how you are inviting the missionaries over is REALLY EXCITING!!!!!!! I am so happy! :) You should forward me their trade secrets so I can use them! ;) Because copy catting is the biggest form of flattery! Besides, we're all on the Lord's team anyway, so it can't hurt right? Hehe! Give them a big hug for me! Sister missionaries love hugs!!!

 

So sorry for not being more personal in my emails. I try! I just don't ever know what to say. I really try to keep the more positive things going so that you don't worry about me. But if you want more personal, here goes. Missionary work really is hard. Satan works so hard on you because he knows how important this work is. A few days ago, I was just letting every little thing get at me. I was annoyed with my companion, I was annoyed with the roommates for never cleaning up after themselves in the kitchen, I was annoyed with my sleeping situation (which we currently have new beds and are camped out in our little living room) just everything was getting me down. And on top of that, I was homesick. Not that I want to come home, but I miss you guys a lot! I was a little sad that I missed both sets of grandparents coming over for Thanksgiving. Holidays are hard away from home! They always have been-even when I was at school. SO all these thoughts were weighing me down and I remember looking at some pictures that I had printed off and thinking, "I'm done." I stopped myself immediately! I couldn't believe it! Why was I htinking that? I didn't want to be done! I LOVE my mission! I love being here! I knew that that thought was not from God. I allowed Satan to get inside me by letting all those negative thoughts and feelings get the best of me. I knew in that moment that I needed to pray. I needed to pray just as badly as I need to eat after I come home from church on fast Sunday. It was that bad. As soon as I got down on my knees, my internal battle came to a halt. Prayer is so important. It is vital in our lives. We need it to feed our spirits. I know that if I hadn't prayed in that exact moment, I would have continued to go down that road that Satan was dragging me down. No bueno. But I prayed for strength to get through the rest of the day. I prayed for more patience and humility. I prayed to turn negative situations into service opportunities. Heavenly Father heard my prayer and has answered it. And he continues to answer my prayers. As I continue to pray for patience adn all those things, I am able to be even happier at all times of the day. I am able to clean the kitchen without being bitter about it haha. Ever since then, everything has been looking up. And I'ms o grateful for that.

 

I hope that was personal enough :) I never know what to say in my emails. They mostly just stress me out because I never say all that I want to!

 

I thought of you guys on Friday! I told everyone about our Christmas tree tradition and they all thought it was great. I'm surprised you didn't get a big tree this year. We always get the biggest tree that our house can hold!

 

So we HAD to go shopping on Black Friday. ;) We really did! I promise, no rules broken! I'm still the most obedient missionary ever!!! Haha. We had to buy mattress covers for our beds. Don't want no bed bugs snackin on me any more! That is SO FUNNY about Brendan! I totally laughed out loud in the library! My companion thinks I'm nuts, but I don't care! :) "Don't let the bed bugs bite" sure brings on a whole new meaning...... thtat's for sure!

 

I'm sorry about Austin. I saw Janna's post on facebook. I've been praying for their family. That is SO sweet about him being called on a mission. He is going to convert so many souls in the spirit world!!!! He's going to be the best msisionary there. I just know it! But Oly 4th ward is not going to be the same without him. I was always jealous of him because he got to bring his blanket into church! :)

 

I'll be sure to have fun on my birthday. I get to celebrate it in the work of the Lord! That's a pretty great gift I'd say! I'm so lucky to be a missionary in the DC South mission. I love the people here. They are all so great.

 

The pictures are of the dinner group at Thanksgiving! Great group of people. The bald guy on the right is Jonathan. He's the one who hosted. He makes KILLER mashed potatoes. SO yummy!!! He puts blue cheese in them! :)

 

We had a miracle lesson! One of the members invited her really good friend to lunch with us and we taught him about service. It was really obvious that he was feeling the spirit. He opened right up to us! The member said that he never would have opened up to us like that in the past. Which just goes to show that the Lord is preparing his children to hear the gospel! :) It also shows the importance of member referrals. The people who are brought into the church by a friend is more likely to get baptized and stay active because they have such a strong support system. Pray for someone you can introduce to the missionaries! :)

 

I love you all! have a great week! I pray for you every day.

 

Love,

Sister Anderson

November 25, 2013 - I've Got the Late Night Munchies!

OK - So all I can say is I TOLD YOU SO!  Read on!  Julie's rash is going to clear up!  YAY!!!  Excited for her.  Sounds like she is doing great and hanging in there! 

 

Hello! This week has been beyond crazy. I have good and bad news.

 

First, I solved the mystery of the rash!!!! I have been praying like crazy to know what is causing it. But as soon as I stopped asking about the WHY and starting asking for help in overcoming the itch to stop scratching, Heavenly Father helped me figure out what the cause is! WOOOO!

 

And now for the bad news.

 

Ater having lived in the area for a week, mysterious bumps started showing up on my arms, neck and legs. My first initial reaction was that there were lots of mosquitos out. Mosquitos love me. After a few weeks, more and more itchy bumps started spreading up my arms and legs. Since I'm a missionary, I don't have permission to search Google whenever I want, so I asked around.  Kinda freaking out, I asked the elder couple missionaries in my zone what it could be. They asked the basic questions that everyone else asks which include, "Could it be bed bugs? Have you changed soaps? What kind of detergent do you use?....." and so on. I went home and checked all around and under my mattress. No bed bugs. I didn't change soaps or detergents...so that wasn't the case. I didn't change any of my eating habits... It was so confusing! And scary! What in the WORLD. Nothing made sense until just this last week.

 

Back to the beginning. The very first night that I slept in my apartment, I saw a little beatle crawling on the wall next to my bed. I got some toilet paper, squished it, and flushed it down the toilet, only thinking that it was some sort of bug native to Virginia. I didn't see another beatle for a few weeks. Over time, I would see more and more of these odd little beatles crawling up, down and sideways all over the wall. Could these weird little bugs be the cause of my allergic reaction? They definitely weren't bed bugs, because I had check my mattress multiple times. If they were bed bugs, wouldn't Sster McKenna be eaten too? She didn't have a single bump on her anywhere! It was so baffling. The six weeks of my first transfer came and went, during which time, my "condition" continued to worsen. Then Sister Hansen moved in. Sister Hansen does NOT like bugs. At all!! She doesn't even like lady bugs! She just gets creeped out. Right around this time, I was praying for help to follow Mom and Dad's advice to just stop scratching so that I can heal. We saw a few of these beatles crawling around and immediately, Sister Hansen said that we needed to tell the front desk of the apartment complex. So we went and told them of the problem. The maintenance guy showed up (he's a really good potential investigator. He always asks really good questions about the gospel! So I like when we have problems with our apartment, because he comes to fix them. I read him a scripture one day when he came to fix our stove. And I asked him if he believed what I read was true. He said YES! And then I said, that scripture is from the BOOK OF MORMON! HAHAHAHA totally shocked him. He's African American and has a great accent. He always says, "Ya'll are tryin' to GET me!" with a big smile on his face! He's a fun guy.) So the maintenance guy shows up and sees a bug on the wall. He didn't have the slightest idea what it could be! He put the bug in a cup and took it downstairs. Five minutes later he was back with the manager of the building. She came back into our room, saw another bug on the wall and announced, "Yep. You have bed bugs."

 

It was as though someone slapped me in the face. I was really hoping that I actually was allergic to something because the thought of little bugs feasting on me every night is repulsive. I almost cried. So they left and we were alone in our room with the little blood suckers. I lifted up my mattress. Nothing. Then I was prompted to lift my box spring. DING DING DING WE HAVE A WINNER. Bed bugs.

 

I told Sister Hansen that this is the most disgusting blessing that I have ever had in my entire life. I mean seriously, I didn't even go to a foreign country! And I have BED BUGS? Really?! Hahahaha. Oh my goodness. The blessing is that I know why I have bumps all over...so that's good right? Haha.

 

Also, what I thought was mold right in the place where the wall meets the ceiling turns out to be bed bug babies waiting to hatch. Talk about nasty. I don't even want to live in that apartment any more!!!!! YIKES.

 

So this week has involved a lot of DEEEEP CLEANING. We had an exterminator come and tell us that our beds are toast and we should throw them away. So the office elders came and got rid of them for us. I super vacuumed the carpets and every corner of the room. I got the bleach bathroom cleaner (the only cleaner we had at the time) and scrubbed all the "mold" larvae from the walls. We went and blasted all our clothes with heat from the dryers and are currently sleeping in another sister's apartment. Our ward members are great. They gave us blow up beds that we're sleeping on. So life is a little crazy right now. I can't wait to get rid of the bed bugs for good so that I can just focus on the work that I was sent her to do. :) I realize bed bugs are hard to get rid of. Don't worry, literally EVERYONE and their dogs have told me that. So we're doing what we can. It's under control right now. When I'm done emailing today, I'm going to go home and clean everything all over again.

 

Haha. Can you believe I've been living with bed bugs for SEVEN WEEKS?! Makes me just want to throw up!!!! It's a trial of our faith. It's a disgusting miracle. If I wasn't a missionary, I don't think I'd be so positive about this whole situation. The Lord is really helping me with my patience with this entire situation. I know I'm going to enjoy life so much more when it's all over with!

 

Julie and her bites

Julie's empty room--Cleaning time!

 
 
 

 

 



Sis Anderson and Sister Brady

Sis Anderson and Sis Hanson

I'm attaching some pictures of the bugs and their larvae. And the other pictures are of me and Sister Hansen and with a Less Active lady named Susan Brady. We took Susan to the temple visitor center and the sister missionaries there gave us a guided tour. We watched a movie about eternal families.. During the movie, I got a little nervous. This movie portrayed the "perfect mormon family", which is what Susan doesn't have. She's divorced and has two children and a crazy hard life. I was so worried that she would have negative feelings about coming, and that she'd be upset that we made her watch that movie. BUT! God knows what he's doing. He knows so much better than I do. The spirit helped her see and hear what she needed in that moment. We asked her questions about what she thought when it was over, and what she said amazed me. The spirit of the Lord is so individualized for each and every one of us. It really does teach us what we need. It shielded her from comparing her life to the family life that was shown. After the movie, we all had a lesson about the atonement. The spirit was just so strong! That was probably the first time that I've really cried in a lesson. I was asked to bear my testimony in the end. I testified of the importance of her example to her children. I told her that I've never been a mother before, but I have experience being a daughter. I told her that because of the example of my parents, I am able to have a strong testimony rooted in the gospel of Jesus Christ. I talked about my mom and dad and how I really appreciate their love and their teachings. So, Mom and Dad, thank you for teaching me about Jesus Christ and the importance of patterning our lives after Him. Thank you for your great example. Thank you for your love. That is the number one thing I am grateful for this Thanksgiving. I love you so much.

 

This Thanksgiving we were asked not to tract or street contact because we don't want to disrupt anyone and their families. So we're going to a member's home. He's awesome. I think he's throwing a big party for a bunch of the other singles from the ward who couldn't make it home for the weekend. I'm excited. Have fun with Grandma and Grandpa K! Give them a bear hug for me!!! Thanks for the little medical care package. I really appreciate it. Though I'm not allergic to anything, I have put most of the things to good use. :) haha.

 

I just finished reading Mosiah 24 and a few chapters before. It's the story of the people of King Limhi and the people of Alma and both of their stories involving being in bondage by the Lamanites. In both cases, the Lord delivers his people! We WILL be delivered from this bed bug situation! All is well! :)

 

I love you! Happy Thanksgiving!

Love,
Sister Anderson

November 18, 2013 - God is a Refiner of Men

Sister Hanson and Sister Anderson

This week was great. We got transfer calls Tuesday night. Sister Mckenna was gone to Kingstown or something. I can't remember haha. But my new companion's name is Hillary Hanson! She's pretty much the coolest person ever. She has big poofy hair and loves to talk! We both have a lot in common in the fact that we love talking to people, and we're really outgoing. So tracting and street contacting is great. She's been on her mission for nine months. I'm so glad that she's going to finish training me because she knows a lot about being a missionary. She's been at it for a while now. :) She's from Vacaville, California and she is the youngest of three kids. She has one older sister and an older brother who are both married. Her sister is less active. Sister Hanson's really excited for online procelyting so that she can help reactivate her sister! Sister Hanson's super chill and we communicate really well. She said that we are going to be powerhouse teachers! I can't wait!

 

I've been keeping busy, but there isn't anything super exciting to write about this week. I think I wrote about my prompting to drive to Falls Church to visit our potential investigator named Julio in my last email... We set up a return appointment with him for the next day. We were five minutes away from his apartment when he texted us and said that he was called into work early and that he wasn't interested anway. We even had a member drive all the way out there to come to the lesson! So we just talked with the member for a little bit. Turns out, as she has been praying for missionary experiences, she has been able to share the gospel and see miracles every single day! She told us about how she took our advice that we gave her weeks earlier to pray to enlist the help of angels. And so many doors have been opened to her! She is a great missionary. She talks to people about the gospel at the grocery store, at the park, at work. She told us about how she went to a restaurant where they offered her wine right when she sat down. Instead of politely saying no she responded, "I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints, and I do not drink alcohol!" WOW. Talk about courage! Her faith strengthens mine! There are ways everyone can share the gospel every day! Pray for teh guidance of the Lord. He has placed people in our paths that are ready for the gospel!

 

The Lord is a refiner of men. In Malachi it says, 2 But who may ^aabide the ^bday of his ^ccoming? and who shall ^dstand when he appeareth? for he is like a ^erefiner’s ^ffire, and like fullers’ ^gsoap:3 And he shall sit as a ^arefiner and purifier of silver: and he shall ^bpurify the ^csons of ^dLevi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an ^eoffering in righteousness.
Just as a metal refiner would have to heat up gold or silver in order to burn out the impurities, the Lord "heats" us up to burn out our own impurities. We are given challenges and trials to make us stronger. I know the Lord will not give us anything that we can't handle, and he expects us to turn to him in order to make it through. He wants us to become the best that we can be in this life. I know that I have my rash for a reason. It's not fun at all, but I am learning patience and long-suffering. And I'm probably learning a lot more than that, but only the Lord knows. He is definitely pushing me and testing me. But it's strengthening my faith. I have to pray a LOT to make it through sometimes. Thank goodness for the atonement of Jesus Christ!! The atonement covers a LOT more than just the sins of the world. Christ suffered for the pains and afflictions as well.
Alma 7:11-13And he shall go forth, suffering pains and ^aafflictions and ^btemptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will ^ctake upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.
12 And he will take upon him ^adeath, that he may ^bloose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to ^csuccor his people according to their infirmities.
13 Now the Spirit ^aknoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the ^bflesh that he might ^ctake upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me.

Just pay attention to the order of his sufferings in this scripture. First he suffered the afflictions, or hard trials that are inflicted upon us, then he suffered temptations and THEN he suffered the sins of the world. Christ went through a whole lot just for US. So that means that Christ suffered my mystery rash! I pray for help in enduring the pain that comes from trying to resist scratching. I pray to have the itch taken away during lessons or at night so that I can focus on the spirit and sleep well. The atonement of Jesus Christ is real and it works when we apply it to our lives with faith. A metal refiner knows when his work is complete when he can look into that piece of metal and can see his reflection. Alma 5:14 And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye ^aspiritually been ^bborn of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty ^cchange in your hearts?
Have you recieved his image in your countenance? I think of that cheesy song that we sang in Young Womens Camp a few years back. :) When all of our impurities have been heated and when we have become the best we can be in this life, people will be able to see Christ through us. Becoming the best we can be is a gradual process, and it's not easy! We need continue to develop Christlike attributes all the time! It's all about enduring to the end! I have a strong testimony of my Savior and his infinite atonement! I love testifying of him every single day! I love being a representative of Him and wearing his name over my heart! Whenever I don't know what to say in the middle of a lesson or if I forget what to say in the middle of a tracting situation, I immediately start testifying of Jesus Christ. It works! :) This church is true. This is a gospel of love! I am proud of who I am and who I represent. Missionary work is THE most important work anyone could ever do. Help the missionaries in your area. Give them people to teach. Invite EVERYONE to an activity or church. If you truly love your friends, you'll share with them the greatest gift that anyone could offer; the gospel of Jesus Christ.
I love you all! I hope you have a great week!
Love,
Sister Anderson

November 11, 2013 - Finally an email from Sister Anderson!!!

I didn't post anything last week, because there really wasn't anything to post.  Julie just emailed us and let us know she was alright.  Maybe a totally of six sentences.  Needless to say, we were disappointed.  This week, however, she sent a great email that I am posting.  I looked up the scriptures on the bottom and I like the one in Joshua, I didn't get the humor in the Alma verse.  Maybe it is just some funny missionary humor?  I don't know.  Anyway---she seems happy.  Trying to figure out her rash.  I have a picture, but I hesitate to post it, maybe later!   Enjoy and please feel free to mail her anything at her address. If she is transferred tomorrow I will be posting a new address tomorrow.

Oh--also, if you have noticed, there are some links on the side of this that are blogs of a few of Julie's friends who are serving from this the Olympia/Lacey/Tumwater area. (Or in the case of Elder Oliver--used to live here).  It is a work in progress and if you would like me to include your missionary please just let me know!  Thanks!  How exciting!!!

Sister Anderson

Sister McKenna and Sister Anderson

Here's is the email from Sister Anderson--

I was able to print off your emails from last week. So I can actually answer your questions! Yes, I  bought a coat from TJMAXX. It's a Calvin Clein. And it's really long. AND SO WARM. Mmmm. It's nice. I love it. It was supposed to snow today...

 

You asked about how money works for missionaries. The missionary department pays for rent, the car, insurance... When it comes to food and things that I need, they put $175 on a debit card that they gave me every month. And if I don't use it all one month, it spills over to the next month!

 

Sister McKenna has a card reader she's willing to let me borrow. Unfortunately, she forgot it at home today. So I will send pictures home next week. Be patient with me! Sorry!!!

 

Just so you know, those websites that you referred me to are probably great. But they are not mission approved!

 

Speaking of websites, I am able to go on Facebook to enhance my missionary work as of today! Woo! Before I actually start using it to find and teach though, I have to clean it up a bit. So don't be alarmed if you see any changes.

 

AS FOR MY ALLERGY THING: I went to an allergist last Tuesday. He had no idea what was going on either. I took a picutre that I was going to send to you today...but the card reader is at home. So you get to see it next week. It's all over my arms and legs. It looks like a combination of chicken pox and bed bugs, but it's neither of those things. I have little red bumps/boils all over. They itch really bad and when I wake up in the morning, it hurts a lot. I subconsiously itch, so I have lots of scabs. It's really embarassing. I wear long sleeves and tights every single day. Seriously, it confuses every doctor I see. This last allergist though took a picture of it and is working to find out what it might be. I know for a fact that it's not bed bugs, I've checked my bed a gazillion times. I am not sick, and it's not contagious, otherwise Sis MCKenna would have it too. That's all that I really know how to describe. I'm sorry you feel out of the loop.

 

President Riggs wants everyone to tell their friends and family to send letters directly to their apartments. The mission office is overloaded right now, and sorting letters is adding to their stress. My apartment address is 3201 Landover St #502 Alexandria, VA 22305. Please let everyone know to help out the mission office!

 

Transfers are this week. I don't find out if I'm being transfered until later tonight. If I do end up being transfered, I am allowed to email you my new address this Friday.

 

Okay. I think I covered everything. I hope I didn't miss anything. And if I did, I am sorry. I'm not perfect!

 

So Halloween was okay. I made sure to eat lots of chili. Not the same as Dad's famous chili, but it made me feel a little bit at home. :)

 

My mission is just the best. I get to try all sorts of different foods from different cultures! I've had Korean, Italian and WEST AFRICAN food in the past coulpe of weeks. One lady in the ward from Korea made us cod, black rice, sea week stuff and something else that looked like a cross between green beans and garden worms...I forgot what it was called. But I ate all of it! Be proud! I actually like it okay. Another member jsut loves to cook. He made us an Italian dish called Carbonara. It was delicious. I told him the story about how my dad would make food for us and put the word "mission" in front of its name and how I wouldn't eat any of it. He thought that was funny. He told me to make Mission Carbonara for my dad when I get home to see who makes better mission food. :) So I have the recipe! Be prepared for yummy food in 17 months! Haha! Sunday night one of t he members had an African dinner party. You HAVE to tell Stacey Ejim!! It was the coolest thing ever! I ate real African food with real Africans! hahaha!!!!! They thought it was funny to try to convince me that I needed to eat all the chicken bones. They told me that it was custom to eat it to get the bone marrow! I guess that's how they do it in Africa, but I just couldn't do it! They laughed at me for a long time... oh dear. Two men were from Ghana, one from Liberia, and one from Sierra Leon. One man had served his mission in Uganda, and one had served in Nigeria(which is why I immediately thought of STACEY!!! ahhh!!) Seriously. Going to Africa is on my life bucket list. Out of all the many people that I've met out here from many different countries, Africans are by far my favorite.

 

Update on the work: George isn't progressing. So we're going to give him a break. He flat out told us that he lets us meet with him for social purposes....awkward. He just doesn't get out much. We have a lot of potential investigators though. We have Say, Jay, Ibraheim, Mauricio, Doug, Julio, and Ann. Pray that these people will make time for the missionaries!

 

We were able to run home and grab the card reader!!! WOOO

 

It's almost impossible for a missionary to not be homesick. We teach of families all day long. Families are central to Christ's church. I am constantly reminded of the blessings that come from having an eternal family. And I'm just so grateful that I get to share those blessings with each of you! Now, by homesick, I don't mean that I really want to come home...because I want to be here on my mission! But I miss my mom and dad. I miss my built in best friends. I miss going on brother/sister dates. I miss sneaking into my sister's room late at night to giggle over silly boys or to cry over school problems. I missed Dayle scaring me. (Okay. I DO NOT miss that aweful chicken. UGH) I miss dancing and giggling and being weird with Brendan. I miss being able to get a hug whenever I need one. I miss calling or texting them whenever I feel like it. I miss you guys a lot. I wish I could have taken you on my mission with me! The best part of it is though, is that eventhough we can't be together right now at this moment, we've got all eternity! And I wouldn't want to spend eternity with anyone else! I love you all so much!

 

Be sure to look up Alma 60:7. it's funny. and also Joshua 3:7. it gives me strength.

\

Love you all so much! Have a great week! I think about you gusy all the time!

 

Love,

Sister Anderson

October 28, 2013 - Online Proselyting Missionaries

Here is Sister Anderson's last letter.  Sounds like she is doing well.  She is excited about the online adventure that will soon be presented!  Still working on the rash deal.  Hope she gets that all worked out soon.   Thanks everyone for your love and prayers on behalf of Julie.

 

Hey everyone! So since I only get ONE HOUR a week to email (and that includes writing my mission president and doing online work) it would be really easy and convenient for me if you could sent me letters throughout the week. You could type them up and print them out and send them to me. That way I have time to read them during personal time before bed. I like to plan out what I'm going to write in my emails on a piece of paper before I get to the library. It's a lot less stressful that way. I spend a lot of time reading all my emails- especially the longer ones....

 

Okay. News on the skin allergy thing. The silly doctor had no idea how to help me. And he sat there for at least 15 minutes asking me the same questions over and over, but worded a little differently each time. Everyone is a politician out here! It drives me nuts! No matter how many times they ask me the same question, the answer is going to be the same! Oh boy....but yeah. They're going to call me hopefully tomorrow morning with my lab results. Thanks for sending my insurance card though. That helps a lot. I'll be sure to call the customer service number as soon as I hear about the results.

 

My sister training leader told me that a lot of people see allergies on their missions that they've never had before because this is such a critical time and Satan wants to get us down. I feel like that's true. But Satan's NOT going to get me down! It's made me work even harder!

 

EXCITING NEWS! We're going to be online proselyting missionaries!! That means we get iPhones and iPads. AND we get Facebook. I am going to be the BEST Facebook missionary ever! I'm such a good stalker! Pretty much professional. ;) But seriously though. I am so excited to use media in my missionary work. Media has such a negative influence on the world as it is. And yet! There is opposition in all things! It is going to be used for SO MUCH GOOD! It's so exciting! President mentioned something about how we could Skype friends and family from home and teach them the missionary lessons. :O wut. I don't know the details, but I will keep all of you updated!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

This Friday we had a mission conference for all the sister missionaries. Sister Riggs spoke about women's role in the priesthood. She said that even though we don't actually hold the priesthood, we still have access to it. The way that she explained it was really empowering. She said that we can ask for help from angels and that we can pray for specific angels to come and help us. Sometimes I pray for GG to help me out because I actually knew her. :) Sis Riggs also talked about how when the Lord hastens his work on one side of the veil, you'd better believe he's hastening it on the other side as well! I know that's true! There are so many of my ancestors who are helping me! There are also ancestors of my future investigators that are helping me find their children! God has two armies working together. He has missionaries and people that we can see on this side of the veil, and he has numberless concourses on the other side that we can't see. Satan's 1/3 army doesn't even stand a chance! It's so great.

 

Update on George, our only progressing investigator. Yeah...he's not progressing. It's so sad. We're probably going to have to take a break with him for a while and it makes my heart hurt... He's SO CLOSE. But he isn't keeping any of his commitments. We're going to meet with him one more time to see where things are before we call it quits for a while.

 

Miracles happen! We were at the right place at the right time. We stopped into the church building for a quick bathroom break and ran into some other sister missionaries. they needed to go on a split because two of their appointments were going to overlap. So I went with one sister and taught their investigator the restoration. Their investigator decided last minute to bring a friend that was curious!!!! AND he is 37 which means he'd be in the Potomac Mid Singles ward!!!!!!!! WE might have a new investigator!!! We were SOOOO exciteedd! God is so good.

 

I'm really trying hard to be united with sis McKenna. The closer we get to teaching with unity, the more annoyed with each other we get over petty topics. It's so dumb. Satan knows that when we start teaching with power, we are going to start changing lives. That's because when we teach in unity, the spirit can step in and take over. The spirit is the real teacher here. Obviously, Satan doesn't want that.... So we're trying not to let that get us down!

 

Quick word about modesty: Let everyone who is going to go on a mission know that the rules are for serious! Let the sisters know to be more professional than fashionable. It's exciting that we get to wear colors and patterns, but we are servants of the Lord. Just spread the word. Make sure that skirts cover the front and back of your knees and that the hemline is one length. So no high-low skirts or tribally skirts (like that one that I brought. :( )

 

I've been thinking about LIGHT a lot recently. In D&C 88:67 it says,

And if your eye be single to my glory, your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you; and that body which is filled with light comprehendeth all things.

 

WOW. I mean, we have some pretty great blessings that are promised to us! And all we have to do is keep our eye single to the glory of God! Granted, it's much easier said than done, but it is so worth it!! I had a blessing from an elder in my zone at the MTC the night before we left for DC and I was promised that the people I came in contact with would see my light as I testified of the Savior and his restored gospel. What a great promise! It reminds me of the scripture mastery Matt 5:14-16, Part of it says, Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your father which is in heaven... We have to LET our light shine! Don't hold anything back! I'm just really motivated to be myself with every single person I talk to, even though sometimes it's hard.

 

"She walked not in the borrowed light of others, but faced the morning unafraid and invincible" -tribute to Eliza R. Snow at her funeral by Joseph F Smith.

 

I want to be remembered by my light and the light of Christ when it's my time to go home. :)

 

I've been trying to keep up with my Book of Mormon reading goal.... it's hard. but it's going. 2 Ne 22:2 behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid; for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also has become my salvation. A few versus later in verse 5 it reads, Sing unto the Lord; for he hath done excellent things; this is known in all the earth. I don't really like the Isaiah chapters of the Book of Mormon because Isaiah is good at confusing me...but I really like how much he talks about singing and rejoicing in our God. I love singing! The first thing I'm going to do when I make it to the celestial kingdom is to audition to be in the top heavenly choir! Haha. But in the mean time, I have to sing heavenly praises in these earthly choirs. Which are pretty great! I love that I get to use my talent to praise the Lord! It's the best. :)

 

I love you all! I loved the homecoming pictures! Everyone looks so good!!!! Andersons are just attractive! That's all that there is to it! Haha. Have a great week!! You're all in my prayers!

 

Love,

Sister Anderson

One more picture

OK, so this picture was posted on Sister Anderson's FB and I thought I would share with everyone.  Just have to say how much I love these kids and what a great group of friends they have been for each other.

Elder Risk, Sister Anderson, and Elder Clark

October 23, 2013

This email was received on Wednesday.  I was starting to get a little worried.  Glad she is well.

 

 

HEY! Sorry I didn't email you right on Monday! Don't worry! I'd NEVER forgot to email you! We switched Pdays so that we could do an endowment session in the DC temple today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IT WAS SO COOL! I love that temple so much. It's so beautiful.

 

Okay so first off. 3 Ne 5:13.  Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life. I have this scripture hanging on my wall where I can see it every day. I love it. It's just a simple but strong testimony the reminds me of the importance of this work!

 

Okay so I can't remember everything that happened this week. It's all running together. I can't believe I've been on my mission for over a month now. I feel like I just got here. SO WEIRD.

 

I have a few funny stories from this week.

 

1. I street contacted into a drunk lady. Oops. We were walking around a busy street. When we're walking around I don't really look at the shops because I'm looking at the people. So I didn't notice that I was right outside of a busy SPORTS BAR. Heh heh.... so yeah. It was actually really funny. I'm not really afraid of anyone, so I walked right up to a group of two men and a woman and asked, "Hey what's up guys! What do you know about the Book of Mormon?!" I had one in my hand and the lady took it and started flipping through it. The two guys got kinda mad and said they didn't want to talk to me. So I said, "Oh that's fine! I'll talk to her! :) :)" Hahahaha! I think I scare my companion sometimes.... But by the end of our 45 minute conversation we were great friends! She was cracking jokes and everything! She said that we should go and talk to every drunk person and give them our phone number and say, "Hey when you wake up in the morning and feel like crap, give us a call!" So that's what I told her when we had to leave. She thought it was the funniest thing. Oh boy... Hey, I mean, Jesus hung out with the drunkards right?

 

2. Our number one investigator, George, thinks he's going to marry my companion. He has always hinted at the fact that he came here from Kenya to find an American wife. We met with him one night before his graveyard shift for work. We were talking with another man who just randomly came up to us in the street (Also from Africa) about the differences in culture. As if right on cue, George turns to Sister McKenna and says, "If I had it my way, I'd take one of these back to Africa with me. Especially THIS one." ......BAHAHAHAHAHAH! I cracked up! Probably not the best thing to do in that situation...but I just couldn't handle it! He was so serious! And the look on her face was PRICELESS! I tried to cover it up by saying, "NAHHH George! You can't have her! She's MY companion!" Oh boy.... We decided that we're only going to teach him in the church building or on the street rather than in his home any more.... So funny. Hey. Sister McKenna has a free ride to Africa! I'm never going to let her live that down.

 

3. AH! So I was TOTALLY hit on. So gross. We were street contacting on Mt. Vernon St. We were trying to go back to our car so we could go to an appointment with one of the members. We walked by a man standing at the bus stop. As we passed him he said, "Oh what a beautiful lady!" And me, being me, thought he said something about the beautiful night! AH! So I replied, "Oh, it's beautiful all right!" As soon as the words came out of my mouth I realized what he had actually said.....OH MY GOODESS. So he got a kick out of that and started calling after us and making nasty kissy noises. We definitely picked up the pace. He yelled behind us, "Oh you like that huh?" I turned around and called back, "NO WAY!". We started walking even faster. After a few seconds the yelling stopped. I turned around hoping to see that he had gotten on his bus...but he was RUNNING AFTER US! I turned to Sister McKenna and said, "Oh boy. We've got an issue." He caught up to us and started walking next to me. Before he could say a single word I blurted out, "You must want a Book of Mormon I just know you do!!" Thankfully that caught him off guard and he stuttered a bit and said something about how Mormons were weird. I don't really want to know what he actually said... But right then we had to cross the street for the car so I shouted BYE and from the crosswalk called back and told him that we believe in Jesus Christ! He just stood there all confused...hahaha. Before I hopped in the car and drove away I told him to go to mormon.org! HAHAHAHAHAHA SO FUNNY

 

4. Okay. This isn't as funny. But one of the members made me eat an anchovy. Her name is Annette Antonelli. She's super cool. She told me that there were other missionaries in the world who were eating worse things. UGH it was gross. Haha.

 

 

So now for some miracles.

 

1. There's a lady named Katya. She's from Russia! And she is a less active member. She's had a pretty rough life and has been inactive for a while. Her first Sunday back to church was MY fist Sunday in the Potomac Mid Singles ward. Coincidence? NOPE. The spirit is amazing. It blows my mind every single day! I have been able to really get to know her and help her! She hasn't had very many visitors over, so she loves having the missionaries over! We went over one night and shared with her 2 Ne chapters 2 and 9, about the atonement. I was able to testify of the importance of the atonement and how we can use it for literally everything. Christ died to save us, but he suffered our pains, our afflictions, everything! He knows everything that we're going through. That was the first lesson that I walked out of and felt that I was used as an instrument in God's hands to help one of his children. It was amazing. During the whole lesson, I thought of Sierra and Tyler and Belana and how right before I left on my mission, they bore strong testimonies of the atonement during mission prep or when we were just hanging out. Man I just love being a missionary. I told Sister McKenna that if I didn't help anyone get into the waters of baptism while I was here it would be okay because I was able to help Katya remember the importance of the atonement in her life.

 

2. We got ahold of a former investigator!!! His name is Mauricio! He already knows everything a bout the gospel! So he's as good as baptized! ;) Just kidding. He's really close though! We'll be able to help him get there! I just know it!

 

3. Even though I'm in a Mid-Singles ward, I was able to see a Primary Program! And investigator that we've been trying to get ahold of for WEEKS invited US to another ward!!! (usually it's the other way around!) But as soon as he called us, we were there! And it happened to be the day of the primary program! I just love the testimonies of young children! They are so pure and simple! But they are strong! I thought of Brendan and started crying. :) Everyone around me probably thought I was crazy, but I don't care!

 

Oh hey! Just on another note, we get to do service once every week. We go to a place called Lindon. It's right across the street from where the church building is. They hire special needs adults. And we go to help them out! We were in charge of weeding a garden and planting bulbs! And oh my goodness! I just love those people! Most people look at my face and then my name tag and run the other way. But these sweet, sweet people don't care who I am, or why I'm there! They don't judge at all! They are so loving. I'm thinking that sometime in my life when I figure out what I want to do when I grow up, I'm going to work with special needs people.

 

Cool scriptures that stood out to me this week:

2 Ne 7:8 and the Lord is near, and he justifieth me. Who will contend with me? Let us stand together. Who is mine adversary? Let him come near me, and I will SMITE him with the words of my mouth!--Oh man. How cool is it that as I testify of Jesus Christ every day I am SMITING the adversary every day! It just makes me feel powerful. :)

 

2 Ne 4:16 Behold my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord; and my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard.--I am always humbled because of the work of my God. He really is all powerful. I have seen so many miracles every single day.

 

 

Oh hey. I was asked to pray in sacrament meeting this last Sunday. That was my first official Sunday in this ward because of general conference and the single conference. And also my very first time praying in sacrament meeting. Dad would have been proud. He likes to see me pray. Also, just for all of your enjoyment, being the new missionary means that you get to pray every time you meet a new member. So I get to pray a whoooooooooooole lot. So you don't need to add up all the Mondays I'm missing. Unless you really want to. :)

 

I decided that missionary work is Visiting Teaching on steroids. Like mega steroids. We go around and visit SO many people. And we go visit a lot of members and less actives in this ward because that's what this area needs right now. So yeah. Tell the Relief Society ladies that they are all missionaries!!!

 

Keep praying for George!!! He's so close to baptism! I have complete faith that he will accept this restored gospel of Jesus Christ and all its teachings!

 

Sorry if you asked me questions. I don't even have time to read all my emails today! I love you all! Have a great week!

 

Love,

Sister Anderson