June. 6

So this week went really good. We had a quiet a few lessons and I had a really good exchanges with one of the elders in my District. We are also living our purpose by talking to everyone. Like seriously it is so weird to think a year ago I would never go up to some one and just talk to them, unless it was a cute girl. But now we talk to everyone about the gospel. It is so awesome. I love just talking to crazy people on the street cause people just open up to us. It must be because we are representatives of the Lord Jesus Christ. I love talking to everyone and I have a strong testimony of it. Everyone deserves to feel the happiness that I feel in my life. It would just be selfish not to share the gospel. But this week was really good and I feel that i draw closer to our Savior everyday. This is definitely the best decision I have ever made. There is seriously no other place I would rather be. One guy that we were sorta bashing with said "So there is no other place you want to be right now?" and I said "No I love helping others strengthen their faith." and he was like speechless and said wow you have some serious dedication. We ended up giving him a BOM so hopefully he will read it and find true happiness. One of my favorite questions to ask people is "do you believe you can be happier?" And they always say Yes. I love it and then I'll share how they can be happier. Its great.

How are your other investigators doing?

Our Investigators are doing great. Sam and Hope are still on to get baptized on the 13th of July. So we are super pumped for that. I love that family and I can not say that enough. Sam is truly the man and he has been through some crazy stuff in his life time. I'm so glad that he has found the gospel and keeping to his commitments that he has made with us and the Lord. There gonna stop smoking and drinking on the 13th of June, so that way they will be clean for a month. They are making big changes in their lives for the better. I love it.

Sister Baldonaldo is doing really good. I didn't get to go to the lesson, cause I was on exchanges but it went really good and the spirit was there. Brother Crouse told me hah. But she is starting to break in a little and answering our questions so that is good, hopefully she will be baptized soon.

Emalyn is doing great. She has her interview tonight so that is exciting. I know that she will pass. This is going to be one of the coolest baptism of my mission so far, cause Jullian is going to be baptizing her. That is so cool, he just got the priesthood yesterday and now is going to exercise that priesthood and baptized his sister this Saturday. I'm so excited for that. And the whole family are going to bare their testimonies. The mom was baptized like a year ago and Jullian was baptized 2 weeks ago and now Emalyn. So AWESOME. I just love this gospel.

We also have Eddie and he going to be getting baptized this weekend as well. But he doesn't live in our ward so he is going to be getting baptized in that ward. but we still get to go cause he wants us to say the prayers. So that baptism should be really good as well. I'm excited for that. He is a really smart kid and he definitely feels the spirit.

We have a a lot more investigators, but there not really progressing and hopefully they will have baptism dates soon.

How's the big family doing? It must be really hard  to teach them, but you have always had a lot of patience. I'm sure they will catch the spirit soon!

They are doing great. It's just there super shy and don't talk much when they come church. So we are praying for them a lot that the spirit will touch them and they will know that this gospel is true. Cause they love coming to church.

Any cool events happen this week?

Well my exchange with Elder Hubbard. He is a really good missionary. And we caught Scorpions it was way sweet. Then we burned them and they killed each other cause the fire made them go crazy. But our exchange went really well. He told me after that our exchange will change his mission and the way he contacts people, because its all about loving everyone we teach and that is what I taught him.

How's your comp and roommate's?

They are doing great. And I love them hahahahaha

Have you heard about who's getting transferred? I hope they keep you as a dl and trainer, but Pres Beck might want to know you better before he leaves and move you. Good luck!

Well you will know about the transfer news next week. I really hope I stay here and train again. Being zone leader will be really stressful.

Thank you

I love you and thanks for all the support and prayers.
Elder Anderson

May. 31

I heard this song at one of Becca's friends farewell last week: I will not be still by Kenneth Cope, it reminded me about you.
MOM you don't understand that is my favorite song. I cry every time i listen to it. I seriously love that song and it helps me through hard times. Because the Mission is not about me, it's about who I serve. I love it. My favorite part is "How can I keep this gift to my self
When i can lift somebody else
I am (I'll be) a witness of his miracles and his mercy
I put my future in his hands
Knowing he's made me all I am
(When) I put my faith in him the (and) truth begins to speak
His power is real it moves me until I will not be still"

That's what I want to do. I just want to share the gospel with everyone. This week has been really good. One of the more spiritual weeks of my mission. I had my Sacred Grove Experience. I know that this church is true. And I'm willing to give my life for it. I know that our family will be together for ever. I just know. It all just hit me in one day when I was on exchanges with Elder Grady my Zone leader and a little about Elder Grady, he is a convert to the church, he converted when he was 17. His Mom died 6 months before he left on his mission. He has the strongest testimony of families and the church. His testimony has changed my life. That night I couldn't stop crying,cause i truly know that this church is true and I feel bad for everyone that has not had the chance or that is denying the blessings. It kills me. That night Heavenly father answered my prayers. I know my purpose now and I love missionary work. I love everyone. This week was really good.

 So how was Jonathan's Baptism?

It didn't happen. On Tuesday night I felt prompted to go over to their house and go over the interview questions so we did. And we found out that he is on parole for another 2 years. So we told him he might not be able to get baptized till his parole is off. So we left and I called President and told him about the situation. And he said he can't get baptized. So we went back and I had to do the hardest thing that I have ever had to do on my mission and that is tell Johnathon that he cant get baptized. I felt so bad and he started crying. I have never seen him cry, he's like a tough kid. But he cried and it was so hard. So I bore my testimony about trials and everything happens for a purpose. But it was HARD. I mean we go around and ask people to be baptized off the street and to tell a 16 yr old kid that he can't get baptized, but it made him stronger.

How's the family that your teaching to read?

They are doing really good. We had a really good lesson with them and I was With Grady. We talked about the importants of church and Baptism. Hopefully that family will be getting baptized soon. But there doing really good and It's hard teaching them. But were doing it. It takes lots of patients and that's a virtue. hah

How are all the investigators doing? Are they coming to church?

Our investigators are doing great. Right now we have 4 with a date to get baptized.

Sam and Hope are doing really good and they are planned to get baptized on the 13th of July, they need to get married and they have a hard time getting money. But they are doing great. there slowing down on their cig smoking, so that's good. I just love that family and they have the cutest kid ever.

Emalyn now has a Baptism date for June 11th. and Julian her brother who was baptized on May 21st is going to baptize her. So that is going to be an awesome sight. I can not wait for that day. She is awesome. We watched the Prophet of the restoration and after I asked her "do believe that this church is true? and she said YES and then I said "do you believe Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God?". And she said yes and then i said "what is stopping you from getting baptized?" and she said nothing really. So I told her to pray for a date that night and tell me tomorrow at church. So she came up to me at church the next day and told me she wanted to be baptized on the 11th. So that was sweeeeettttt.

Eddie is dating a member in the Windrose Park ward and he is just so solid. We taught him last night and the spirit was just so strong. We prayed for a date there and he said he wants to be baptized on the 11th of June. So the 11th of June is going to be a busy day for us. But i love it. after we prayed for a date his Gf and him just started to cry and he said" I feel the spirit in my life so strong right now and I know the things that you are teaching me are true" It was so awesome. I love being a missionary.

 

When is the next transfer? tranfers are on the 13th of June. 

Do you think you might be transferred or get a new comp?

I'm not sure. Cause if i get transferred i will prob be a Zone Leader and that is a lot of work and not very fun. So I hope I just get a new comp or train again.

 

Okay...you really need to eat better! What do you like to you carry around or grab fast? I like the Fruit bars and the energy bars there pretty good.
Fruit rolls, protein bars-which ones? Raspberry and strawberry and the energy bars. 

You should buy bananas, if they go bad before you eat them, then peel them, put them in a baggy and freeze them. Then there perfect for your smoothies. Buy bags of apples and tangerines too.

I do that hahaah
At least try to snack right! okay? Alright :)

Love,
Elder Anderson

May 23, 2011

So how was your week?

This  week went really well. I mean we had a baptism and baptism's just make the mission. I love them. They are prob the best days of my life. To see some one that you taught and watch the changes in their lives it is just to good. And Julian is going to serve a mission when he turns 19. It's great. I love it.
So we also got a new investigator and he is awesome. His name is Jessy Riley. He played AFL and  he is so much fun to talk to. I really hope his family will get baptized. We are teaching him today. So I'm pumped for that.
Our zone is doing great and we're breaking records back to back. We just broke the record for most baptisms in a single month and 8 of those our Carrol's and I. I love it. We are almost baptizing weekly.
But this week went really good. We got a nerf hoop for our apt and we play every night and we have bets on food challenges haha, Like last night I had to eat to burritos blended up. It was pretty gross. Our apt is way fun now. Living with just you and your companion gets really boring, but I must say we did get a lot more work done when is was just us. But staying with other missionaries helps me not get stressed or home sick cause we are always doing something.
Anyways this past week it was pretty cold and there was a ton of wind. I hate riding my bike in the wind. But this up coming week it is going to get really hottttttttt. And yes we have to ride our bikes in the heat all summer long. No unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing. I love it!!!
How's your health?

My health is doing great. I'm finally starting to gain some  more weight. I was at a steady 165 and now I think I'm getting up to 170. I would say I'm eating a little healthier food thanks to the smoothies.

Your investigators? Any new ones?

Our Investigators are doing great. I love each and everyone of them. We just started teaching Georges Baldonado's wife and she has a lot of questions and she is going to be a little harder then we thought, but I'm sure the spirit will touch her heart and she will be baptized by George our convert. He is awesome.

Sam and Hope are doing great. They keep bailing out on us and I think they are doing this because our next lesson were going to talk about there path to baptism and what they must do. So there going to have ti get of the cigs. I know that they have the faith to quit though.  We have a lesson with them today so hopefully everything will go good and we will have a date for them to be baptized on. So that is exciting.

JULIAN'S the man. His baptism was so spiritual. His Mom got up and bore her testimony after and said "this is he best day of my life. I cant think of a more special moment". And she was baptized a year before that. Then Julian bore his testimony on how excited he is. It was just a great day. I love that man. His Mom also came up to us after and sad that she was trying to get Julian to come to church and she was praying for help. And then we show up. I love the power of Prayer and I know I have an even stronger testimony of it now. Julian can now get the priesthood into that home cause its just him, his sister and Sister Jenkins. They are an awesome family. We got to be the witnesses of the baptism and watching Julian come out of the water with a huge smile just made all the hard times worth it.

Johnathon He is just solid and his going to be baptized this weekend. I'll tell you more about it next week.

Lopez Family well they are a family of 8 and we will prob commit them to be baptized this week. So that is going to be nuts. They have been coming to church for the past 3 weeks and they are awesome. Its just none of the them know how to read. So they make the lessons really interesting.

 
How are your members doing that you baptized?

The Yazzie family is doing great. They continue to come to church and they love it there. We taught them about the temple yesterday and were going to try to get them to do baptism for the dead.

George is doing great and still strong in the church.

Brittany  is awesome.

  

I love you and thank you for everything.

Elder Anderson

May 16,2011

So how was your week?

Well this week just flew by. It was crazy. I seriously feel like it was just Pday. Well it got pretty hot this past week and my tan lines are getting worst and worst every day. But that's all good. It's suppose to be cooling down this week. So it will be in the 80's I can't wait. But I love the heat cause it's like the foreign aspect of my mission. One of the hottest in the world.
Well this week I was praying for a miracle to happen. And it did! We got a referral from the MTC (media) and we went to visit the guy right away cause I had a feeling we should so Brother Crouse picked us up and we went over to the house. David Tafoya is his name. We taught him the first lesson and it turns out he was baptized but his records are lost. Salt lake can't find them. So we invited him to be baptized and his date is for this week but we might have to move it cause he could make it to church yesterday. Because he didn't have any nice cloths. I would have given mine to him, but he's a little bigger then me. So we have taught him all the lessons almost in one week and that was really fun cause he knows so much already and his goal is to get married in the temple, so we are pumped for him.

This week I truly felt the meaning of loving your Investigators. Yesterday I felt like we should go to Sam and Hopes cause they didn't make it to church. So we got there and they told us they couldn't make it cause they we were stuck at Sam's parents home. They don't have a car. So we just read a chapter out of the BOM with them. Alma 7 one of my favorite chapters ever. It talks about baptism and eternal life, I love it. Anyways I told them why I'm at their home and it is cause I love them and I want to see them live a better life and stand up straight. I was kinda bold and then I started thanking them for all they taught me and how to be a stronger person, cause that one time they kicked us out just tore me apart and I've grown from that. I started crying and then Hope started to cry. I love them so much, but there's only so much we can do as missionaries. Were just the guider and helper. So I really hope that they will start making the right choices and get on the straight and narrow. This week was pretty awesome though.
Investigators?

Our Investigators are doing really well. The family of 8 that we are teaching doesn't know how to read and speaks Spanish better then English, but they said they don't know how to read Spanish either. So we asked them if they wanted to go to the Spanish ward and they said no. So were teaching people that don't know how to read and have a hard time understanding. I love it!!!. It makes teaching so much more fun when they don't know a thing. But it is so hard. We had to change our whole teaching pattern, but it's okay.

Johnathon is still solid and now he is getting baptized in a POOL hah so sweet. He's also getting baptized on his birthday so were going to have a pool party after. JK. I wish. Anyways our lessons with him are just great and the spirit is so strong. He is just solid and is going to make a really good missionary some day. so that is great to hear I love it.

Julian is going to be baptized this week so we are so pumped for him. 21st is going to be a great day. he said the testimony I wrote in the back of his Book of Mormon made him want to be a member and know he is going to make a great missionary. It is awesome to think that I brought him to the gospel and now when he serves a mission he is going to bring others. I love the domino effect in the gospel. I love Julian and I hope some day that he will baptize his younger sister. She's not yet interested in the church, she has been sitting in on the lesson and we have been teaching her. But she doesn't want to take that step yet. She will though some day. I'm not to worried.
Roomies?

My Roomate's are awesome. We bought a Nerf hoop for our apt and it is sweet. I dominate it. We only play at night though other wise it distracts from the work. I love my roomies though and there really fun. And they have a car so they drive us around.
Your District?

My District is doing AWESOME. We are having the best progress since I've been here. The sisters are baptizing like crazy. Carroll and I are killing it. Changing a 1 baptism a year area to a 10 baptisms a year area. It's pretty sweet. I love it, but the district is doing great and they are awesome I love them.
Your wards?

The wards are doing really good. The people here are way nice, but that's just MORMONS were all nice. Anyways I've been in this area for awhile so I know about everyone so that's good. The members are just awesome. The Lady that cuts our hair had a baby like 2 days ago. crazy stuff.

Love,
Elder Anderson

May 9,2011

Well I'm guessing you forgot to write me because I talked to you on the phone yesterday. But, I just thought I would write you and give you another update on my mission life.

So life is great. I truly love it out here. I'm not gonna lie I did get a little emotional yesterday on the phone and I think Chad made me the most emotional. I can't believe that little guy is growing up. I'm kinda bummed I'm not there to see him. But that's okay I'm doing more important things right now. That's really funny they ask themselves "what would Trent do?" haha I find it funny cause what I would do now, knowing everything I know. I would be a whole different kid. My mission has truly changed me. My thoughts are different. I always ask myself "what would Christ do?" and I just follow the spirit. Mom I'm sorry for being such a trouble case I truly feel bad. Ashley kinda brought that to my mind yesterday as I was talking to her on phone. So I'm sorry is there anything you would Like me to do? I mean I'll be coming home when Chad turns 16 so I'll make sure that he won't be a trouble case like I was. I just feel bad now. I wish so bad that I could go back in time knowing the things I know now. But that's life and that's what repentance is for. I have a strong testimony of repentance. My faith in Christ I would say is unbreakable and trust it has been tested out here. I love this Gospel. And I know that it blesses our family.

Well About my mission. Our Investigators are doing really well. We have 2 people with a date.

Jullian and Johnathon.  They are bother great guys. We were actually talking about missionary work it was awesome. They both want to serve missions. I can't believe God has trusted me to serve his sheep. I would have never thought this day would come when I was a junior in high school and LOST,  but it has a I have a strong testimony of it. I love teaching people about the gospel. I just love going to bed knowing that I guided someone to salvation. I helped them feel the spirit stronger in their lives. I LOVE IT. I also love the people I serve and when I say that I'm willing to take a bullet for Jullian and Johnathon cause I know that they are going to make great missionaries and I'm so glad God has given me the chance to be an example for them.

So living with other Elders is really fun. We don't go to bed on time though so I'm like extra tired all the time. But were tired all the time anyways ha. But it's fun. Before it was a little tough and lonely but now we have people to talk too and share our experiences from the day. I love it.

Well this week was really good. Brittany got Baptized. It was a really spirit filled baptism. We got to do our presentation right after. And we pretty much just teach the first lesson in 10 mins. Its really fun. I always cry though. Yes I'm still a crier. Ha But it's okay. The baptism was great and she said she felt like she was doing the right thing. She has a really strong spirit about her. I loved teaching her cause she would pretty much teach the lesson. After the Baptism we went to old country buffet. YUM I ate a lot of food and felt sick but that's good I need to eat more. I only weigh 168 pounds. LOL good life.

Well I love you very much and thank you so much for everything.

Love,

Elder Anderson.

May 2,2011

Do you get to watch any of the playoffs? NO,we don't get to watch the playoffs I wish haha. But I get the updates from members and friends out here. So it's all good. I am jealous that you get to go to the game though. 

Okay back to life...
How was the Baptism?

The baptism was awesome. They were a little late so I was stressing out. I got to baptize Dana, Carolyn, Neem, and Rochelle it was really fun and exciting. The spirit was so strong there. I had to Baptize Rochelle twice cause she like jumped out of my hands, so that was really funny. And I guess the second time I did it. I slammed her in haha so that was funny. She's the youngest of the family and just wild. But the baptism was really sweet. I got a picture with all of us in white and I think it is my favorite one so far. I just love being a missionary. There is no other place I would rather be. I love it here and we just keep baptizing we have another one next week on the 7th. I love it.

All of the investigators?

Our Investigators are AWESOME I love them. And they know that. I just love people I serve.
Jullian has a Baptism date now and he's getting baptized on the 28th. So were super pumped for him. He is the reason why I think I'm staying this transfer. I believe I was sent here to find him and be-friend him, because he has no friends at the church and now the whole ward has taken him in. And the way I got to teach him was by playing basketball with him. That's the only way I got to talk to him and teach him at the beginning. Now he loves the church and wants to learn more. It is so sweet. I love the guy.

Johnathon is doing great too. he has a baptism date on the 28th also. There going to be baptized together. That is going to be a great day. Baptism days are the most stressful but at the same time they are the best and make me feel so good that I guided them to salvation. I love it. But Johnathon is the man and he is so solid he pretty much teaches us the lessons.

Brittany well her baptism is this Saturday, so were super excited for her. We taught her last night and she taught us the lesson and we went over the interview questions she is so solid. Golden! So we have her interview today at 7 so that should be good. I love teaching people.

Sam and Hope they came to Church and we had a lesson with them. They just need to get enough money to get married and they need to stop their addiction, but Sam said he wanted me to baptized him. I love the man and he knows I do. I just want whats best for them and they are striving to do good. So were just helping them out with that.

Lopez family well there are 8 people in that family and they came to church all of them. So that was so awesome. We have a lesson with them on friday.
Oh we SET THE RECORD FOR THE MISSION. 19 INVESTIGATORS AT CHURCH IN A SINGLE COMPANIONSHIP IT WAS SWEET. So that's pretty awesome. haha

Your district?
Are you losing your companion? Nope we are staying together. No one got transferred in my district. The other Elders are moving into our apt though. Party haha.
Any good stories from your week?  Well the best story is probably having one of the best weeks in the mission. For progress and baptisms. We had 5 baptisms and 19 in church. That is like unheard of. The AP's called us and Congratulated us. That was sweet.

Well we ran into this crazy guy. Not really crazy but really smart and tried to prove us wrong we talked to him for like an hour too. He is a dentist some weird religion He doesn't believe in God and he believes in evolution,but we just talked to him about the plan of salvation and the church. He tried to throw trick questions at us. But the ending results were He said "well i'm never going to shake your faith cause you guys are really spiritual and IN, but if you were to convert me I know that God would have a Gold chair and maybe even fist pump you as you walked into to heaven. So here's what I'm going to do I'll give you my address and you guys can come by and we'll talk about the God stuff." We just said alright and were going to visit him this week, so that should be fun. 

What time do I get to talk to you on Sunday? I'll call you 6 pm az time. So have everyone there.  

I need some photos. I'll send you the photos today there really good.
Do you need anything other than the m tab cd?

No I'm good thank you. I can't think of anything right now.
Did you get my package?

Yes it is awesome. I've been making smoothies all the time. Thank you so much.

Make sure you wear sunscreen everyday, I don't want you getting skin cancer!!!!!
Do you want me to send you some good sunscreen? No but can you send me some tanning oil? haha

Thank you so much. I love you. And we will talk soon on the phone:)

Elder Trent

Trent's last five letter...i fail!

Elder Anderson at his recent zonw conference. 

April 18:

That's Sweet that you finished the BOM it is truly the BOMB haha I love that book so much and now I'm reading it again, but directing every verse towards my investigators point of view or how the verse can influence my life. It's so good. I love the BOM. It's actually one of the few books I have ever read all the way through, sadly but true. But yeah All my friends are getting called to the coolest area's I'm pretty jealous, but the lord has called me here for a reason and I'm finding that reason out right now to baptize this Navajo family and the Part member families. I have a really cool story and I'll tell you about it later. I love testimonies and the power they have. In my Pblessing it says I have the gift of Tongues, I truly know what that means and I think it's my testimony. This week was one of the best weeks I have had on my mission. I love the people here even though some hate us and yell at us, it's all worth it when that one guy that is just totally prepared to hear you message comes to you. That one guy out beats all the rude and mean poeple out here. I love this gospel.

 

Emily just got engaged last night to Justin...they are getting married July 30th.
YESSSSSSS she emailed me I'M PUMPED BUT SAD I'M GOING TO MISS IT!

Any new baptism dates?

YES we have 1 new one and now we have a total of 6 right now and soon to be 9 haha this area is just blowing up. We committed Brittney Perkins to be baptized and she is solid we just starting teaching her last week and we taught the plan of salvation to her on Sunday and she pretty much taught it to us. Her husband is a less active member and we teach them at their cousins. But she is awesome and kinda cute haha She's getting married though. She gets married 3 days after her baptism, so sweet. So i committed her to be baptized and then asked her what day she would like to do it and she said "not this Saturday but next one" haha and her soon to be husband said " that's pretty early honey they still need to teach you more" hah so she's getting baptized on the 7th. So awesome.

So we had 12 Investigators at church on Sunday in one ward. Could you imagine having 12 investigators in our home ward that's nuts. There was so many people there. It was by far the best Sunday on my mission. I love it out here so much. So yeah the Navajo family came to church. Sam and Hope Goodway came. Julian our new part member that we are teaching came with his sister and mom and we're teaching the sister now. The mom is a member and the husband ran off. Johnathon came to church and he is going to be baptized some time very soon. Our new investigator JESSE BRAVO he is the man. He's so pumped to learn more and a really smart guy I love the man. It was truly amazing to see everyone there, it made me so happy to be a missionary and helping others to come unto to Christ.

Cool story about Johnathon and Jesse. So we had a planned lesson with Johnathon and we couldn't get a member to come with us to the lesson even though he's our ward mission leaders brother, Bro. Bowley, but we taught him in the park and I was praying that we would have a good lesson and a miracle would happen. I always pray for Miracles cause God is a God of Miracles anyways we were teaching Johnathon in the Park and just as we started. Jesse and Angela come to play basketball, not knowing we were there. So we invited Jesse to sit in on the lesson and Angela is a member. That was truly an answer to my prayers and a Miracle and after our lesson I got to play a quick game of BALL. haha

Funniest?

Well Elder Carroll totally fell on his bike this week. It was the funniest thing ever hahah He went completely over the handle bars and everything. And the cars on the street started honking he was so embarrassed. Good stuff. It was his Bday yesterday too.

Spiritual?

Really cool story and this is the one I was talking about in the beginning of my letter. So were teaching this kid Julian and his mom is a member. He is awesome and loves to play BALL. So we went over to his house and shot some hoops and before we went over there I felt that I should Write me testimony in a Book of Mormon and give it to him. I also wrote the steps of prayer. So after we played some ball and answered his questions. I gave him the Book of Mormon and told him to read Moroni 10, i didn't tell him that my testimony was written in the back. The next day I got a text from him saying "Dude, thanks for the note. I felt something inside me telling me to turn to the back. I prayed and i already feel his presence" it was so awesome and he is so solid I love the guy.

How's your companion? Are you sharing the goodies I send ?
Are you going to ride your bike when it gets really hot?

YESSSSSSSS

I'm in Idaho at Jake Rosza's farewell with Laurie and Libs.
Everyone says "Hi!"
It was a great farewell...he's going to be a great missionary he's going to Wash DC North.

Love,
Elder Anderson
April 10:

Hi,
Is it starting to heat up?

haha Yeah it's starting to heat up, but we had a storm this past weekend and it got really cold like in the 50's hahha The weekend before that was twice that hot. They say that this summer is going to be record heat. So I'm pumped for that haha The heat is like the only foriegn thing about the mission and all the mexicans hahaa I have my spanish contact down. haha But we just hand the Spanish to the sisters, so we give them a lot of referrals and what not. But yeah it's getting hotter.

How are the Yazzie's doing? Are they getting baptized at the end of the month?

The Yazzie fmaily is doing good. They didn't come to church which was devastating, but that's life. They said they didn't feel comfortable there. So i got pretty pissed at the leaders and pretty much called them out in ward council. I was so mad I almost just walked out, but it's all good there going to be friend them and take them cookies and food. So that's good. Other then that they are awesome. We taught them the lesson about Jesus Christ and did some hands on activities. They loved it. I love teaching them cause there so open to learning and just awesome. I love this gospel and how easy it is to understand, just hard to stay in, cause the Lord wants us to be safe cause he loves us. but there doing really good and we have lessons with them this week. Yes there still planned to get baptized on the 30th.
Are they still teaching you Navajo? yeah I'm learning a couple words haha It's really hard though.

 

Sam and Hope Goodway?

Sam and Hope they are doing alright. They no longer have a date to be Baptized. It was really frustrating and stressful. They just can't get away from Cigs and Alcohol which is really said cause i know that this church will really bless their lives and they know it too. But they are just not willing to take the steps. We have a lesson with them tonight and I'm just going to be bold in a loving way. I love Sam and he told me that last night and gave me like 5 hugs. It's just so tough to see them just slide into the devils way. But there is opposition in all things. Hopefully they will walk the path to baptism some day. We pray for them all the time. And i love them a lot. It's tough.

Jonathon Bowley?

Well Johnathon will Prob be baptized soon. Were going to teach him this week and he played Bball with us last week and Loved it. He's way good too, so it's fun. By the way I'm getting pretty good too! So I'll definitely will be able to beat dad when i get back haah. But Johnathon is a really good kid. He's 16 and he was adopted by Brother Bowley our WML. So i'm not to worried about him.

Any other investigators?

YES we got a member referral which never happens NEVER. But we taught her yesterday and our lesson was awesome. She wants to be baptized so cool. She's a Part member her husband is less active. So hopefully he will go active when she gets baptized. The Lord truly does prepare his sheep for us. She already started to read the Book of Mormon and finished 1 nephi. It's awesome. the work just keeps progressing. Her name is Brittany. We taught them at the Perkins and the Perkins have some crazy dogs. 2 great Danes they are huge and we also got to take pictures with his ak-47 haha its sick. There a really nice family and way funny.

We also have another Part member that is AWESOME. His name is Bobby gray and he pretty much said he wants to be baptized. We taught him lesson 1, the restoration and it was one of the best lessons I have ever had. the spirit was so strong. Even though we had the spirit sucker brother crouse there It was awesome. He said he believes it all and Loves the Mormon church. So he was also prepared by the Lord for us. He also gave the closing prayer and the Spirit was so strong. There is no doubt that he will be baptized.

Anything else interesting happen this week?

haha that's pretty much most of it.

Elder Davenpot burned a shirt cause it was his year mark hah, so that was funn.

Loved the pics...thanks!!! Take more!

Are you eating better?

YES hahaha

Can you send me the Motab Showtime CD?

Thank you so much for everything. Seriously thank you, i love you some much and miss the family a lot. 

April 4: 

Hi...
So this past week was really fun and crazy.

And by the way conference was way sweet. It's weird to think that I only have 2 more General conferences left. Time flies by out here.

But this week was really fun. We have 7 Investigators with a Baptism date in the month of April. So this is a good month. I just hope they all come through and don't drop us. We also met some pretty crazy people this week. But we meet crazy people all the time in Peroia the ghetto haha. I love it. So we have some new investigators in these really ghetto beat up apartments right next to ours. It's always fun going down there and just walking through. I always feel so safe. It's great.

How are the other investigators doing?

Our Investigators are doing awesome.

First off the Yazzie family (Navajo's) they are so much fun to teach. It's a family of 5 and the wife is not married. Their names are oldest to youngest. Caroline 17, Sherman 15, Meem 13, Rochelle they are awesome and Rochelle is crazy. She wants to be baptized so bad its funny. But we had a really good lesson with them. We taught the Plan of salvation with those flash cards you sent me they work really good by the way thanks. And they loved it. After Elder Carroll Committed them to baptism and they were all quiet for like 2 min. and then I said "ok everyone close your eyes and picture what heaven is like." and they closed there eyes and then I said " now describe to me what you see." and they said it was white, clean, joyfull. Then I said "who is there with you?" and they all said my family, God, and friends. and then i said  "now were able to go to heaven if we are baptized, so will you follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized by the proper authority of the priesthood?" and they said "YES" i was so pumped after that. So there going to be baptized on the 30th. I'm so happy for them.

Sam and Hope Goodway:

So Sam and Hope are doing really good. So we went to visit on tuesday just to see how they were doing and we went at the wrong time. They were in the middle of a fight and just really rude to each other. Hope let us in and just started talking about the situation and then Sam came in and started talking and it got all heated. Then Sam told us we need to get out and he also said the church isn't for him and he's not willing to change. So that just broke my heart I was mad after that. Right before we walked out the door he told us to turn around and look at him and he said he was sorry but it's just not the time for me. I didn't turn back I just left almost crying. Elder Carroll said he was sorry and stuff. But I just left. After we got out I was so mad. Like so angry. Well the next day I called to say I was sorry and stuff but they didn't answer. The next day we got a phone call at like 7 and it was Sam he said he was sorry for everything and said he wanted to see us that night. It was an answer to my prayers. I prayed forever that the Spirit will touch him and that he will call us back and he did. We went over there and it turned out that the day after there fight they read the Book of Mormon together. So we read a chapter with them and talked it was really good. I love them. It seriously tore me apart when they told us to leave and never wanted to see us again. But there back. I love this church and the Power of Prayer.

We got a new investigator this week too. His name is Johnathan Bowley, he's our ward mission leaders Brother in Peoria, it's awesome. So Brother Bowley adopted his Brohter and now we are teaching him. The blessings just keep coming as we work hard and are obedient.

Are you learning a little Navajo? How about Spanish?

Yeah I'm learning a little Navajo but it's a hard language. And yes I got my Spanish Contact down haha but that's all i know.

Any funny stories?

Funny stories well one of the missionaries in the other apartment got hit by a car and he's completely fine, but he is a Tongan missionary. So he's a tank. And the lady wasn't going that fast. But we have some crazy rules when it comes to getting hit by a car hahha. Safety first:)

Spiritual stories?

Well the answering to my prayers was prob the most spiritual part of the week.

How's the district doing? Do you have to check up on each missionary everyday?

The District is doing amazing, we have 10 investigators with a baptism date which is like un-heard of in the Peoria stake. So that's always good. But yeah I call some of the missionaries every night. It all depends on who I want to call so i just follow the spirit, but i don't have to call every day.

Thank you so much for everything. I love you all

March 28:
 So this week went really well. I mean we had 8 Investigators at church, so it doesn't get better then that. But I'll talk about it more later. 

Elder Carrol and I are getting along pretty well. I mean a lot better then i expected cause we have nothing in common.
But this week went really well. Elder Davenports new missionary is pretty sweet and he plays bball, but we'll see about that today haha. I love playing basketball. I'm so glad I played before i came out cause that's all we play here.

Well about the area a little?
So it's starting to get pretty hot. I'm getting some pretty crazy tan lines haha. And I'm going through a summer right before I come home, so I'll have some crazy ones when i get home hahhaha. I'm starting to love this area especially cause their actually work now. It is ridiculous how much this place has grown since I've been here. I love it.

About our investigators:

Dana and the Family (Navajo's) They are awesome. I love teaching them. teaching people that don't know anything about Jesus Christ is the coolest thing ever. Some times I do not feel like I'm in the states haha, but we watched the Prophet of the restoration with them and they loved it. Dana wasn't feeling well, so we gave her a blessing and the next day she was feeling great. The power of a blessing is the coolest thing ever and I love giving them. They also came to church and sat in the front row. I bore my testimony about prayer and love. I cried, but i cry every time. So we have appt with them this week and were gonna give them a Baptism commitment for April 30th. So hopefully they will cont. to keep there commitments.

Sam and Hope Goodway: I love them. Sam calls us all the time to see how we are doing and just tells us he loves us. He's the guy that was taught in prison. I love the man. They came to church as well it was there 3rd time. They are just awesome. They just need to get married. But there baptism is planned for the 16th, but it might get pushed back cause of the marriage. But their golden.

This Sunday was just awesome. Having 8 non members there was so awesome. I just had a smile on my face the whole time. We even had 2 less actives that we are working on there. The chapel was full. We also have a new tongan family in our ward and 6 of them bore there testimonies it was so sweet. Best Sunday of my life so far haha.

Funny stuff:
Well we went to Franks house last night and his uncle was there and He's cleaning up his life. Robert he's a good guy and has a lot of faith. So he offered to say the prayer and he put his hands out so we said a prayer together holding hands. It reminded me of Dad and the dinner table. I loved and he said the funniest prayer I've heard out here.

Well i love it out here and Thank you so much for all that you have given me. I got the package with my retainer and it still fits:) so thats good.

Oh i need a scripture case by the way hahah I gave mine to George cause he doesn't have one and he's off to the national guard in Missouri. He loved it though and I also gave him the ETTE pin. I love that man. 

And do you think i could get a Kobe Jersey shirt hahah Not a jersey cause i can't wear those with Garments but a Jersey shirt. Thank you and I love you. I hope your safe i pray for the family everyday all the time. 

Love Elder Anderson




March 21:
 First off this week went really well. I loved it. We had a baptism on Friday which was awesome and we have a lot more work. When i first got here in Peoria this area was completely dead and I did get a little depressed, but now we have 7 progressing investigators and 2 baptisms in Wards that haven't had a baptism in a year. I love it. When we work hard and are obedient the Lord Truely does bless us. I love it. We also got to do 2 blessings this week and the spirit is so strong during them. I love using the Priesthood and I just love this Gospel and everything about it.

So how was the baptism? I want photos!

That day was the best day of my mission. I was so nervous to baptize him at first and when the moment came i was just at peace. The baptism was great. I only had to dunk him once, so that was good. Keep in mind George is only like 5 feet if that so it was really easy. After the baptism when we were changing I asked him "so how do you feel?" and he said "I feel like the weight on my shoulders is gone and I feel like I'm bouncing around in a Bounce house just super light" later on he said "It was weird cause usually wet clothes feel heavy but i couldn't even feel them". I know that this church is true and we do need that Authority to baptize. I honestly love watching people change there lives. It makes all the hard work worth it. George is the man. On Sunday he got the Holy Ghost and that was awesome Brother Crous gave him that. But we got to stand in and the spirit was so strong and again he said" I just felt lighter and I also felt like someone was picking me up." Gosh its awesome. He also has the priesthood now as well. So he's going to get to baptize his wife and hopefully i will get to see them get sealed in the temple in a year. I love it.

Yes i took pictures and I'll send them today.

How were transfers? Did you get any new missionaries?

No one got transferred in my district. So, no new missionaries. But we are getting a new Zone leader so thats exciting.

How are the investigators doing?

Our Investigators are doing great.

Sam and Hope Goodway are awesome. This is the guy that took the  lessons in prison. There not married yet but soon to be on the 2nd, Im pretty sure. So we had a lesson with them in the church and we taught the plan of salvation I love this lesson cause it just answers all the questions. Anyways we committed them to be baptized and then we had Sam pray for a date and everyone in the room felt good about april 16th, so there getting baptized then. Im so pumped for them. That's in the peoria ward so hopefully the members will kick in. They don't believe in missionary work in that ward but were working on it. But they are solid and have come to church 2 times already. I love them.

We also have a Navajo family that we are teaching. Single mom with 4 kids. It awesome cause the kids don't even know who Jesus Chirst is. So we just start from the basics I love it. And there awesome. I even got to learn some Navajo, but they were laughing at me the whole time. We have a lesson with them tonight and were teaching the Plan of salvation with pictures and acting so this should be interesting haha. But it's always fun teaching them and they came to George's is baptism and the younger girl came up to me after and said "when are you going to baptize me ?" I just said Oh very soon. So hopefully we will be able to baptize the Navajo Family that would be sweet. I've been praying for a family to teach my whole mission.

The work is GOOD!!!!

Any funny stories?

Yeah so we were at a members house last night for dinner and the whole family and some cousins were there. And I noticed that the fur on these teddy bears was completely gone. So i asked why and this little boy comes up to and says this is why and he plucks some off and plugs one nose with his finger and snorts the fur up his nose and then cracks up. It was so funny. The little kid totally reminded me of Caden Rozsa. It was way funny.

We also ran into a crazy mexican guy on the street and started talking to him and he was just super excited to talk to us and it was way funny as well. I'm pretty sure there was something wrong with him. but a really nice guy though.

How are your Wards? Are they feeding you?

The wards are good. I'm finally starting to get everyones names down haha. But yeah we don't really get fed in the Peoria ward but the Windrose Park ward feeds us like everyday for half the month ha So that's good. It saves money.

I love you and send me some pictures of our house i want to see it all done. thanks 

Elder Anderson