From One Washington to the Other: 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