March 14

How was your week?

This week has been awesome. We got a couple new investigators, like 8 to be exact. hhahaha I love it out here.

And to answer your question before. My teeth are a little messed up and i think it;s from drinking soda haha so I stopped. But can you send me my Retainer i think it's in the night stand by my bed. in a box. YESSS I'm getting all your packages I love them. thanks for the gift cards too. If you send them Priority mail then they send them right away. But yeah getting mail is the best.

That's awesome that your almost done with the BOM.
I gave a talk on Sunday and we had 5 investigators there. It was really weird cause I was not nervous at all. My talk was on my own conversion story and I talked about the BOM and reading in 60 days as a mission. I loved it. And i brought up you and your reading and how reading the BOM can truly bless your life. I started to cry right when I brought up family. It was sad, but everyone really liked my talk. It was 25 min long I never thought I would be able to give a 25 min talk, but i loved it and we had a bunch of investigators there. This week was really good!!!

Is George getting baptized this week?

YESSSSSSS, He's getting baptized on the 18th and I'm baptizing him. I'm so pumped and nervous. It's going to be a great day. We had a lesson with him and Brother Crouse like 2 weeks ago when we committed him to be baptized and he said yes and at that moment I knew i was going to baptize him. I love the guy.

About my other Investigators:

Fernando i guess use to be in a gang and he has a bullet hole in his back and a bunch of scars from knife fights, so that cool and he really likes our visits and loves to learn more about Jesus Christ. He grew up in Oxnard. So pretty ghetto. Oh he's also been to jail and stuff. I llove the guy.

We have a new solid Investigator. his name is Sam Goodway we just got out of Prison in December he's not on parole or probation any more. He took the lessons in prison and went to church there. He lives with his Fiance and Sister and Mother. Very poor. I gave him one of my Shirts and a tie so he doesn't feel weird at church. He's like in his 30's with a baby. He is awesome and told us he wants to be baptized. So when your obedient blessings do come your way. Sam found us too. His future wife wants to be baptized as well. I love it.

Were also teaching a Navajo family. There really nice and we hope to help them strengthen there faith in Jesus Christ. I love them. It's a Family of 4 and I have been praying for a family to teach ever since I came to Peoria. So life is good here. I Love it.

How's your room mates?  Do you have just your greenie?

I just live with my SON. In a 2 bed room appt. It's pretty nice just in a little ghetto area. We hear the sirens and police everyday haha Its pretty crazy. I Love it though. Elder Carroll is doing really good though. He's kinda cocky, but he has nothing to be cocky about so its funny. Anyway I Love him.

How's your district? Are you having a good time with them?

My District is going really good. I went on Exchanges with Elder Scafer and learned a lot from him. he's crazy, but It's really good and we might get another sister in the district this transfer. So I'm excited.

Any fun activities?

Well i got to do a baptismal Interview so that was sweet. I love doing those interviews. Only a few people in the world hold that authority to interview someone to get baptized and I'm so glad the Lord has trusted me with that.

Funny story:

So we had a lesson and this is like 3 miles from our appt. And we locked our bikes up and went to our lesson. I come back and my front tire was flat. I was so pissed, so I called the other elders and they said they would pick us up. So we were waiting for them on the street and this big truck drives by and then backs up towards us. I was like sweet a member is going to help us or give us money or something. Instead it was a guy that just started bashing with us. So we just started going at it cause I was pissed anyways. He believed that Saturday was theSabbath Day and I asked where did you find that out and he said the Internet. i just started laughing and made some mean comments I shouldn't have, but he ended up taking a Book of Mormon and said he was going to read it. GOOD STUFF.

Are you playing bball everyday or exercising? Are you using the perfect push-ups I sent?
Do you want me to send you an ab wheel?

Yeah I'm using them. But the Ab wheel would be sweet thanks.

Thank you so much for everything Mother and Family.

I Love you!

Elder Trent Anderson
 

February 21

How are you?

Well this week was Great. I am doing great. I'm starting to get some pretty crazy tan lines and what not haha. We are starting to teach a lot more people now. Finally our teaching pool is big ha. We are teaching up to 7 people right now and they are awesome.

On Saturday I went on exchanges with the Zone Leaders and we went to my area. We extended 3 baptismal commitments. And all of them said "yes". So we should have some baptisms coming up. None of them have dates yet but that is soon to come, we are truey finding the Lords elect. And that is what I have been praying for since I have been here. So it is great and I know that our Heavenly Father answers our prayers. I just love this Gospel and everything about. It's so hard not to believe it's true. But that's why were here. This past week has just been awesome. I swear the Harder I work, even though I have no feeling in my legs and all I want to do is sleep, I am way more happier with myself. In my room I have a picture of Christ and underneath it I have written "Elder Anderson what have thee done to feed my sheep today?" It is so great that I'm able to tell Heavenly Father in my prayers that I gave it my ALL. I just Love missionary work it's that simple. Just watching people truly change their life around and strengthen there faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is awesome. I love it!

How are your investigators James and George? Any progress?

We haven't been able to contact James yet but George is doing awesome. We had the first lesson with him and he understands it all. He has such a sweet spirit to him, but he does talk a lot haha. The lesson was very spiritual and It went really well. We have another lesson with him tomorrow so I'm pumped to go teach him again.

We also got a couple more investigators. Fernando he is the man and we have a lesson with him tomorrow as well and he said that he would be baptized. We are also teaching the Garcia family and we have a lesson with them on Saturday. They are really nice people, Catholic but Good Catholics make good Mormons hahah. I love teaching people.

Anything funny, spiritual, inspiring stories?

Yesssss I fell on my bike hah. So there is this curb and then some dirt going up hill and another curd. I decide to ride up it, so I jumped over the first curb and I was riding up and about to jump the second curb and be aware there was a member up on the top with milkshakes for us. So i wanted to show off a little bit. So I went to jump over the second curb and my front tire caught the curb and I totally went over the handle bars. It was great. Except I kinda hurt my finger and bike hahah GOOD STUFF. I got a milk shake though and the member couldn't stop laughing haha.

Oh i also got a Valentine from this little Mexican girl that lives in our apartment complex haha she's like 7 years old and she gave me a chocolate heart and some stickers haha it was awesome.

I also have the biggest Crush on Tangled haha One of the members bought me a book and stickers and a pin of Tangled it was awesome. I love that girl hahahaha

Best drink ever- CHOCOLATE COKE at SONICS haha I get them every Tuesday with our Ward mission leader haha HE's awesome.

Love,
Elder Trent Anderson

February 14

How was your week?

This week was really hard and difficult at some points. It was hard cause we only had one lesson with an investigator so that was tough. We continue to work hard though, We are in finding mode cause a lot of our investigators blew us off. It's sad but they will have their time to come unto Christ, just not right now:(. But the good news about this week is "MY SON" (Elder Carroll) he's a really good guy and we get along. He likes to work hard but that's because he's new haha. We did a lot of finding and got 2 pretty solid investigators. I'm starting to get some pretty crazy tan lines. Summer time is going to kill me but I'm actually really excited.

We got into a little Bible Bash with a Women and I put her to shame it was awesome haha Probably not good, but she was asking for it. And it just wasn't the time to mess, I was having a bad day cause a lot of our appointments fell through. But we have to just keep working the Lord never took breaks in time of need. We teach this inactive guy, his name is Frank really good man and we just read the Book of Mormon with him. One night we went over he said " the spirit is always so strong with you guys and I have decided I'm going to go to church this week" and he came it was awesome. He only stayed for 1 hr, but that's good for beginners haha. I love serving and being aMissionary even though it is really tough. The Lord said "I never said it would be easy, I only said it would be worth" I love that quote.

Any new investigators?

We have 2 new investigators.

James: he's a Free mason and he seemed really interested in learning more, so we will see how committed he is. But a great guy last time we met with him I helped him with his
changing his car brakes. haha I don't really know how, but I tried. It was pretty funny.

George: he is a great guy and we had a really good lesson with him yesterday. The spirit was there and our Ward Mission leader did a really good job. I love my ward Mission leader funniest guy ever. Brother Crouse, he takes us to Sonic every Tuesday after splits haha. But George is a awesome man and he is really interested about learning more and we have a lesson planned for this weds. I'm pumped.

What happened to the lady from Pete's baptism that told you she wanted to be baptized?

She is getting baptized on the 26th of Feb.I'm really excited. We're not teaching her though. The other missionaries in my District are though and they are great guys.

Does Pres Beck stress reactivating member as much as getting investigators and baptisms?

Not really big on the in-actives mainly cause that's the wards problem, but we have like 6 less-active lessons a week.


Are your wards really active or are there a lot of in-actives?

Our wards are super in-active its ridiculous. We have over 80 elders that are inactive. Crazy stuff.

How's the trainee doing? Who is he and where is he from?

My SON is doing really well. His name is Elder Carroll. He likes to collect rocks haha. He's from Pocatello ID. All of my companions are from ID i don't understand. He is willing to work hard that's what I love about him. We really don't have much in common, but we both believe in Jesus Christ which is good. Oh I pulled a prank on him Brother Crouse and I and Carroll were doing visits and we told E.Carroll that we were going to visit a crazy man and he is a Jehovah Witness haha But the guy was really one of our Ward missionaries and he just yelled at us and we yelled back and Elder Carroll was just freaking out, it was really funny. Then we told him it was just a prank haha I love it.

I also love teaching him how to contact people and teach. It's pretty crazy cause I'm pretty new, but i love it! Missionary work is awesome!

Elder Carroll also had to give a 15 min. talk on his first Sunday out in the field. I felt kinda bad for him.

How's your district doing...are they working harder and making progress?

They are doing a lot better and finally starting to trust me and listen to me. So that's good. We have doubled our contacts as a district from last week which is great. And I challenged everyone to extend 2 baptismal invites a day and they are starting to do it. So the district is doing really well.

What was your favorite moment of the week?

Well, I had cow cheek so that was pretty good. Next week I'll prob get the tongue haha gross.

But my favorite part of the week was definitely the prank we pulled on Elder Carrol. It was classic.

I love you and thank you for everything.

I love the packages too. 

Elder Trent Anderson

the past three weeks! sorry!

January 11:

So how was your week?

This week went really well. We got a 140 contacts this week and that was the first time my companion has ever had over a 100 contacts in one week. His companion earlier didn't do any work. But yeah we worked really hard and got 5 new investigators and we'll see what happens with them. Peoria is really quiet fun and ghetto. haha Its kinda scary walking around at night, but also really fun. My legs are getting stronger cause we are in a all bike area so its hard. I'm doing good on my reading, I think I'm on page 101 2 Nephi 26. I love 2 Nephi 25 one of my favorite chapters and verse 26 is what we believe and really helps our investigators realize what we believe. This week was awesome.

How is your district doing?

My District is doing really good. I've challenged them to get more contacts and we have double our contacts from last week which is really good. District meetings are pretty fun, cause I'm in charge of the whole meeting. its really neat and I'm learning a lot about how the mission works and what not.

How's your companion? Is he opening up a little?

My Companion is doing really good. yeah he is opening up a little more. And we actually start talking a lot more which is good. He's a really goood guy and fun to teach with, but he is really quiet. We still haven't gotten in a fight yet and I found out his weakness yesterday he doesn't like to call members to do things for us. Good thing I love to talk to members, so I'll work on him with that haha.

What are some of your spiritual moments ?

We had a lesson with Pete and the Spirit was so strong the whole time we were there. He says we have a glow and some times he could even see wings on us haha its pretty awesome and he is a Golden Investigator. The spirit is always so strong when we talk with him and it is so comforting.

I also feel the spirit every morning when I read the Book of Mormon and the spirit confirms to me that this church is true and that the Book of Momon is true too. I love serving.

Funniest moments?

Well i got to see My Daddy Elder Beard haha. The district leaders and the zone leaders all had a meeting together and when I saw elder beard we both screamed and gave each other huge hugs and Pres. Beck was like and now that is good companionship unity. It was pretty funny.

Best and worst food? Are you eating better?

Pete made us some cactus and pork stuff which was very interesting and good at the same time. But there is a taco truck in our area and it's owned by some members, so we get free tacos and food. And they reminded me a lot like the ones we have back at home. Yeah I'm eating better. thanks for the bars haha

Investigators and their progress?

Pete: Is solid. He came to church and we visit with him like 4 times a week and he is getting baptized on the 22nd. Awesome.

Terry: we taught her lesson 1 and she came to church and she is doing really well. Haven't yet extended a baptismal date.

Jennifer: She's new her mom is LDS and they came to church and I went up to them and started some small talk and then the mom said they should take the missionary lessons so now they are taking the lessons. Awesome

How are the Wards?

The wards are great and the members are really nice. I really miss Kingswood Park though. Our ward Mission leaders are way nice and really funny.

I love you and thank you for everything,

Elder Anderson

January 18:

So how has your week been?

This week went by so fast. It has been really good and exciting. We worked really hard and the area that I'm in hasn't baptized in months and now we have a baptism this Saturday. I love how the Lord blesses me and my companion with new investigators that are ready to hear the gospel. I love it.

Investigators?

hahaha yeah we got 2 new investigators this week. First one is Jose and hopefully our lesson today doesn't fall through. But he is way funny a sketchy. The first time we met him we were by a wall, we contacted him and got his info and then all the sudden he jumped over the wall and told us to come over on Tuesday at 3, so that was interesting. I'm in the ghetto.

We also got a new investigator in the Windrose Park ward and they haven't had a new investigator in months so that was exciting.

Pete is doing awesome he passed his interview and he loves the gospel. He helped us move one of the members and he is a working Mexican haha crazy man. But i love him.

Terry: we found out that she has some problems with drugs and tabacco but we are working on it and hopefully she will turn her life around. I love being a Missionary.

How's your district?  Where are all they all from? Do you have any missionaries that are having problems?

My District is awesome. We all get along and like to joke around with each other. We all consist of Idaho, Nebraska, Alaska, and California hahaha quiet the District and yeah there are some disobedient missionaries and I have talked to them about it. But I love them.

Any funny?

Well elder Davenport he lives in the apartments right by us and he's not in my district, but he loves the Jazz and I love the Lakers so we always fight about it and pull pranks on each other. And I found a mannequin and I'm going to set it up in his room cause we have the key to there apartments, so that should be funny.

Spiritual ?

Yes, during my reading in the Book of Mormon. I'm in Mosiah ch.18 by the way. But while I was reading the king James Address and today when i was reading about Abinadi. I felt a surity that this gospel is true and I truly felt that. it was an answsr to my prayers. Heavenly Father has answered my prayers and I know that he hears us. I love it. and I love reading out of the Book of Mormon it brings me closer to our heavenly father and it is great.

Difficult moments?

Just a little stress being a DL, but thats normal.

Are you eating better? Are you still gaining weight?

No for some reason I'm not eating much at all. I think its because all the stress and what not. But I've lost like 5 pounds.

I really like the Chocolate peanut butter bars hahaha


Love,
Elder Trent Anderson

January 31:

So how has your week been?

This week went by so fast. It has been really good and exciting. We worked really hard and the area that I'm in hasn't baptized in months and now we have a baptism this Saturday. I love how the Lord blesses me and my companion with new investigators that are ready to hear the gospel. I love it.

Investigators?

hahaha yeah we got 2 new investigators this week. First one is Jose and hopefully our lesson today doesn't fall through. But he is way funny a sketchy. The first time we met him we were by a wall, we contacted him and got his info and then all the sudden he jumped over the wall and told us to come over on Tuesday at 3, so that was interesting. I'm in the ghetto.

We also got a new investigator in the Windrose Park ward and they haven't had a new investigator in months so that was exciting.

Pete is doing awesome he passed his interview and he loves the gospel. He helped us move one of the members and he is a working Mexican haha crazy man. But i love him.

Terry: we found out that she has some problems with drugs and tabacco but we are working on it and hopefully she will turn her life around. I love being a Missionary.

How's your district?  Where are all they all from? Do you have any missionaries that are having problems?

My District is awesome. We all get along and like to joke around with each other. We all consist of Idaho, Nebraska, Alaska, and California hahaha quiet the District and yeah there are some disobedient missionaries and I have talked to them about it. But I love them.

Any funny?

Well elder Davenport he lives in the apartments right by us and he's not in my district, but he loves the Jazz and I love the Lakers so we always fight about it and pull pranks on each other. And I found a mannequin and I'm going to set it up in his room cause we have the key to there apartments, so that should be funny.

Spiritual ?

Yes, during my reading in the Book of Mormon. I'm in Mosiah ch.18 by the way. But while I was reading the king James Address and today when i was reading about Abinadi. I felt a surity that this gospel is true and I truly felt that. it was an answsr to my prayers. Heavenly Father has answered my prayers and I know that he hears us. I love it. and I love reading out of the Book of Mormon it brings me closer to our heavenly father and it is great.

Difficult moments?

Just a little stress being a DL, but thats normal.

Are you eating better? Are you still gaining weight?

No for some reason I'm not eating much at all. I think its because all the stress and what not. But I've lost like 5 pounds.

I really like the Chocolate peanut butter bars hahaha

Love,
Elder Trent Anderson

Peoria

Elder Trent Anderson's Letter:

So how was your week?

This week went really well. We got a 140 contacts this week and that was the first time my companion has ever had over a 100 contacts in one week. His companion earlier didn't do any work. But yeah we worked really hard and got 5 new investigators and we'll see what happens with them. Peoria is really quiet fun and ghetto. haha Its kinda scary walking around at night, but also really fun. My legs are getting stronger cause we are in a all bike area so its hard. I'm doing good on my reading, I think I'm on page 101 2 Nephi 26. I love 2 Nephi 25 one of my favorite chapters and verse 26 is what we believe and really helps our investigators realize what we believe. This week was awesome.

How is your district doing?

My District is doing really good. I've challenged them to get more contacts and we have double our contacts from last week which is really good. District meetings are pretty fun, cause I'm in charge of the whole meeting. its really neat and I'm learning a lot about how the mission works and what not.

How's your companion? Is he opening up a little?

My Companion is doing really good. yeah he is opening up a little more. And we actually start talking a lot more which is good. He's a really goood guy and fun to teach with, but he is really quiet. We still haven't gotten in a fight yet and I found out his weakness yesterday he doesn't like to call members to do things for us. Good thing I love to talk to members, so I'll work on him with that haha.

What are some of your spiritual moments ?

We had a lesson with Pete and the Spirit was so strong the whole time we were there. He says we have a glow and some times he could even see wings on us haha its pretty awesome and he is a Golden Investigator. The spirit is always so strong when we talk with him and it is so comforting.

I also feel the spirit every morning when I read the Book of Mormon and the spirit confirms to me that this church is true and that the Book of Momon is true too. I love serving.

Funniest moments?

Well i got to see My Daddy Elder Beard haha. The district leaders and the zone leaders all had a meeting together and when I saw elder beard we both screamed and gave each other huge hugs and Pres. Beck was like and now that is good companionship unity. It was pretty funny.

Best and worst food? Are you eating better?

Pete made us some cactus and pork stuff which was very interesting and good at the same time. But there is a taco truck in our area and it's owned by some members, so we get free tacos and food. And they reminded me a lot like the ones we have back at home. Yeah I'm eating better. thanks for the bars haha

Investigators and their progress?

Pete: Is solid. He came to church and we visit with him like 4 times a week and he is getting baptized on the 22nd. Awesome.

Terry: we taught her lesson 1 and she came to church and she is doing really well. Haven't yet extended a baptismal date.

Jennifer: She's new her mom is LDS and they came to church and I went up to them and started some small talk and then the mom said they should take the missionary lessons so now they are taking the lessons. Awesome

How are the Wards?

The wards are great and the members are really nice. I really miss Kingswood Park though. Our ward Mission leaders are way nice and really funny.

I love you and thank you for everything,

Elder Anderson

Happy New Year!!

Hey,

 

How's your new area? Where are you?
 My new area is pretty fun and it's an all bike area which is fun in a way haha. I'm in Peoria. We cover the Windrose Park wardand the Peoria ward. My mission leaders are awesome and super nice. My new area is a lot more poor then my last area and I loved my last area. The members were awesome there. But we will see how this area does for me. I know why President sent me to this area cause there was no work being done and my companion said I'm the hardest working missionary he has seen in the area. He has been there for 8 months and his last companion would fake sick a lot and stay in. So we are here to work hard and a lot... meaning all tracting, cause there was no progressing or Investigators in either ward. So were working on that.

 
How are the wards? The members?
 The Wards seem really nice. The member missionary work in the Peoria ward is really good. And the members are pretty nice. My new companion is really quiet and doesn't really talk much, so we don't really have any member friends like my last area. Oh well. I've only been to one ward so I really don't know much. One of our wards is like middle class the Windrose Park ward and the Peoria ward is like low class really poor.
 
What's your new pad like? Is it as nice as the other one?
 Our Appartment is pretty ghetto haha We are in the ghetto of Peoria. My last area had nicer apartments, but these will do good. It really sucks though cause its just me and Elder Ward living in a 2 bedroom app. It gets really lonely, causes he's super quiet. 
 
How's your new companion? Where's he from? What's he like?
 My new Comp is alright definitely not a Elder Beard. I miss elder Beard a lot. Elder Ward is willing to work hard and he doesn't complain which is good. And we work hard. except for the time I got sick on new years eve and threw up and I was also sick on new years, but i still taught Pete our new investigator a lesson and I'll talk about him more later on. So Elder Ward is from Idaho. I just keep getting these Idaho elders hahaha. He's quiet and kinda weird. He didn't play sports in high school. But is willing to work hard and he is a good missionary.
 
What's it like being a district leader? 
 Its pretty crazy. I was so shocked when I got the call from President Beck, but its pretty fun. There's a lot more stress and I have to earn the respect from the Missionaries in my District, but that will all come over time and hard work. Our first district meeting was really stressful, but it went really well and I think my District likes me. Its weird being the youngest yet being in charge of everyone. Its fun though.  I really get to see how the mission works and see what the missionaries need to improve. I also get to do Baptismal Interviews which I am pumped for, so far District leader has been really fun. 
 
Any new investigators?
 Yeah, we have 4 new Investigators, but only 1 is solid. His name is Pete Orora. HE IS AWESOME! We tracted into him on Thursday and set up a return date for Saturday. He is golden. We had like a 3 hour lesson on Saturday 1/1/11. And he cooked us some authentic Mexican food like cactus and red rice but I wasn't feeling good, so i took some home. I committed him to Baptism and he is going to be baptized on the 22nd. I'm so pumped for him. He came to church on Sunday and bore his testimony about us coming to his door and how he was praying to find a church to visit and get his life in order. He is in his 40's. I love teaching him he has some crazy stories about being in a gang in Chicago and crazy stuff. He is a super nice guy and awesome. We will continue to meet with him and he is going to teach us some fighting moves hahah I love him. 
 
Any other news?
 Well on the way to District meeting it snowed on us as we were biking haha its crazy. So I need to buy more sweaters at Goodwill. This week has been really good. And I really have felt the power of prayer in these last couple of days and I know that this church is true. I love you and thank you some much for everything.

Elder Anderson

First Transfer!

Hey,

By the way I'm getting transferred and I'm the District Leader it's crazy. My 3rd transfer out and already a DL. I'm really nervous, but i know Heavenly Father will help me and he has a plan for me. I'm so grateful for this gospel and I love my mission.

 

So how was your Christmas dinner? What did you eat?
Christmas was really fun and i loved talking to you. I miss you guys a lot. I know that the Lord is watching over us.

We went to the Hogner's and had some really good pasta and goodies.

Did any of your investigators come to church yesterday?
How are they doing?
Yeah 3 of our investigators came to church and I set a baptismal date on Thursday on splits with a priest in our ward. I did it all by myself and now I have to organize my new district and plan district meetings every week. The really cool thing about being a DL is that I get to do the Baptism interviews. But all of our investigators are doing really well. I'm going to miss this area a lot.

 

What was your favorite event that happened last week?

Prob when I committed Brother Maul to be baptized the spirit was so strong and overwhelming. It seriously just took over my body and everything went really well.

Most spiritual? 

Baptismal commitment like above.

Funniest?

Oh we did a prank on Elder Vaughan we took the box spring off his bed and put my mattress in and he is on the top bunk so when he jumped into to bed the whole bed fell through and it freaked him out. It was really funny.

What else can you tell me that we didn't talk about on the phone?
Yeah that was a very short phone call. I really don't know what to say. I'm so nervous and so many things are going through my head right now. I need to say a prayer.

Well I love you and I'll tell you about my new area on Monday and how I'm doing. As of right now I am doing great and I love it out here.

Elder Anderson

 

We were able to talk to Trent on Christmas! He sounds great and is really loving his mission.

More pictures are coming soon!