November 4, 2014

Well, in 10 days I hit my 6 month mark!!! 1/4th done already - wow, time is flying by!

So, I hope I get to spend another transfer in pride and celebrate Christmas with all these amazing people I have met!! I just found out my recent convert went to the temple her first time!! Wow, I got so much joy after hearing that. I swear if you can just get to the temple your faith increases so much! This woman has gotten so knowledgeable so fast. The Holy Ghost is a powerful thing.

I sure love my mission! I have been doing so so so so much better. I'm able to get up on time and keep going through out the day - what a miracle! Before it was a drag to be alive and to get out of bed. I'm so glad the Lord is merciful to me. I love you all so much!

We got to do trunk-or-treat and it was hilarious! I dressed up as a grim reaper and my companion acted dead in the car. We played scary music. The kids were too scared to come over and get candy from us. Haha! And the ones that did we scared them till they pee'd! They were super cute, though! We got one of our members sister Bibb really good! She was talking to some people and we came up behind her and screamed and she screamed like a banshee! Haha! She said she was going to make us pay for that! but it was great!

God bless the Bibbs! Cause they have given us so much meat! i don't know how missionaries survive without getting fed! I sure love these people. They all are so Christ like!

Also i never got to show y'all what I helped them build!! It's insane!!!

- Elder Anderson

October 28, 2014

Bo sent this meme to us. For as long as ever he's wanted to get married. That's why it's funny!

I sure love that little stinker!

- Brooke

October 27, 2014

Hey everyone! It's been an amazing week!

What a miracle it has been! We have on average like 5 lessons a week. Our area is really slow... but this week we had 12 lessons!! We almost tripled it! We met a lot of less actives and went with some members of the ward and wow you could feel the spirit. We committed 3 people to come to church, 1 of which is our brand new investigator. He truly wants to change his life. He told us - I am so sick of hurting, I have had a hard time for the past 3 years, and I'm ready to change. I was just so impressed by this man. That's a hard thing to admit. We were teaching this lady who suffers a lot of health problems and has back pain and something miraculous happened. It was weird - it wasn't me.

I shared a scripture in Malachi 3:10 which states.

10. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

I added a little twist: I told her, "Come to church and prove to me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of Heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."

I made her this promise. I told her Satan will not make it easy for you, especially when you start going to church. I promised her in the name of Christ that if she came, she would see miracles take place in her life. She suddenly just burst in tears and joy. That moment in the mission field really made all this hard work worth it. When you can see the burden lifted from a person and you promise them a blessing. You can just feel the power of God. I never ever do that. but for some how my tongue was loosened and I spake words that were not mine, but of God.

What a miracle, to be a tool for the Lord. God truly loves his children.

In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.


- Elder Anderson

October 20, 2014

Well, transfers are almost over!

It's crazy! I'm probably going to be moved out of the area which is sad, but I know that it will be because I am needed somewhere else.

Elder Stewart keeps telling me I'm going to be an AP (Assistant to the President) which would be so dope! I would love to do all of that! I can't wait for the future of my mission. I hope I can keep trailing and going on. The mission sure is hard but it is most definitely the best thing I can be doing for myself now in my life.

So, the missionary work is starting to pick up now. We are seeing more people and we are starting to coordinate better with the bishop and ward mission leader. Work was really slow and that's probably why I felt down. I'm excited to see all these less actives. One thing that they have in common for their reasoning is because they don't understand. By that I mean they don't understand how important the Scriptures are. A lot of them stop reading and then stop going, or someone offends them. Then they forget the importance of turning the other cheek. Remember we can never ever learn enough of the Gospel. I thought I knew everything before I came out but boy was I wrong. Through studying hours everyday I have learned so much. These truths have become knowledge for me. I wish I could share that love with everyone i come in contact with.

I love you all so much! I hope you all take every chance you get to open your mouths and proclaim the coming of the Messiah.


- Elder Anderson

October 13, 2014

This week has been the hardest week for me in the mission so far.

I have been to lowest of the lows and it has been consistent throughout this entire week. I wonder why i am going through these trials... As I lay in my bed completely paralyzed with the burdens that I have to do, thoughts race into my mind saying - How am I going to do this? Am i ready to do this? Why am I out here? How can I ever hope to overcome this? Why am I going through this?

With the pondering of these questions, I realized I already have the answers. I just forgot how much I needed hope. Sure, I have faith and charity, but without hope you lose all desire. I'm glad i was taught the importance of hope this week. Without hope, as Moroni put it, there cannot be faith; and without hope and faith, there cannot be charity. Hope is the desire to do all things.

I know God is giving me these trials because he knows that I can handle them. He will make the weak parts of my body (which are many - physically and mentally) strong. I am a rough raggedy stone. Slowly my Maker is carving me and shaping me until I am made smooth. As Elder Holland put it in the talk, "Like a Broken Vessel", he said, "We are all pots with cracks and bruises all over. Slowly and carefully our loving maker is piecing us back together." Because of the Love of God we can do all things.

We got news that one of our less actives fell down and is now in the hospital. Shocked and scared we prayed for him. An overwhelming feeling of peace came over us and we knew that everything would be fine. We told his home teachers. One who had not yet received the Melchizedek Priesthood expressed to me that he was useless, for he could not give him a blessing. I then responded - You are wrong. You are not worthless. You have the love God about you... with that you can do anything! I sure hope he realized how important he really is to God.

On a happier note, we have found our go-to family when we are having a rough day. They are the Marbles. We went over last night and just laughed and giggled. It made me feel like I was back at home.

One last scripture I would like to share with y'all:

Romans 8:35-39

35. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

36. As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

37. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

38. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39. Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.


Nothing can separate us from the love of God.


- Elder Anderson

October 7, 2014

This man is learning to cook! Oh, and, Mom wanted to see my ripped body! :p

"Somebody call the vet! These puppies are sick!"

- Elder Anderson

[As his sister, I agree. His biceps are as big as my head! Dad says his muscles got that big when he was a young weightlifter.]

October 6, 2014

So, this week we got to go around and tell everyone including the Less Actives about Conference! I sure hoped they saw it! Cause it was just amazing.

We went over and visited this Less Active name Ruby Cade. She's an old black grandmother who takes care of 7 grandchildren by herself. Their parents didn't want them, so she took them and has been raising them ever since. She's an amazing woman! We discussed with her the worth of souls and how much her Father in Heaven loves her. We invited her to see conference and come back to Church. Tears flowed in her eyes. She's just an amazing woman!

General Conference soon followed after this. I really enjoyed it!

One talk that i really want to focus on that makes me better in the one given by Elder Jorg. He explained some very important principles that I personally need to take to heart and do better at. He reminded us to see where we were at spiritually with god. He told us to stop making excuses on why your right and someone else is wrong and then he gave us these 6 points.

1. Be honest enough to admit your faults and then TAKE care of YOURSELF!!!! 
2. Embrace Obedience - you can't love God and break his commandments. 
3. Become good at repenting! Haha! 
4. Establish a HAPPY on-going-repentance and become good at forgiving - don't hold grudges. 
5. Don't think you don't need apply to these commandments. 
6. EXPECT setbacks. Trials happen because you are being faithful. Acknowledge your weakness and DON'T let them immobilize you. 

There was one other talk that I took to heart, given by Elder Carlos A. Godol. He talked about how can we make the best choices.

• Think about the future consequences. 
• Prepare for the challenges that come along with your choice. 
• Share your vision with others that you love. 

I really liked this because it gave me a better outlook on how to deal with my depression.

I really enjoyed General Conference! I hope all of you got to experience what I experienced.

- Elder Anderson










[The 184th Semiannual General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (October 4-5, 2014)]

September 30, 2014

Well, [we had transfers again and] it looks like I still get to stay!

I love this! All the members really know me now and love me. It's great to be out here in one area for so long. It really gets you close with the members, which helps the missionary work tremendously!

Things have been interesting lately. The missionaries in our district got in a car accident. Someone ran into them. The have some whiplash but for the most part they are fine. Elder Jenson (in my Thor picture) is going to Brazil in 3 weeks! That's gotta be way cool! He's been here for 9 months now. Elder Stewart (my companion) is a great guy. He really does care about if he's good enough. He asks me all the time - Am I a good companion? The reason why is because he a had a companion who hated him. I just can't stand people being so mean. Like, he's totally okay! Missions are hard enough! I couldn't imagine having to be around someone who hates you all the time for 6 weeks. That would just make life not very fun.

Right now we are the only stable missionary couple in our district. Everyone else has their quirks and need a break from each other. Its great to be able to provide some love and support for everyone. I know we all are here for a reason. I definitely love all these guys.

Our missionary work is starting to progress. We are going to get more Less Actives coming to church now! Which counts as a baptism in my book! We met this sweet old lady. Her name is Ruby Kade. She's a black grandma that took care of 7 grandchildren by herself! She's a boss! She only has 2 now! But it's still crazy! She's got very little, but she sure loves the Lord! We saw her and invited her to listen to the General Conference coming up. She said she would do it. I hope she does!

General Conference is so profound! How many churches actually have a living prophet? How many churches have living Apostles and continuing revelation? Take General Conference very seriously. It literally is God speaking to you - his children. As one investigator said it, "If you have a real-life prophet, I would do anything to hear him speak! Nothing would stop me from shouting with joy that we have the true church."

Sometimes we forget how important these truths are. I love you all! Have a great week!


- Elder Anderson

September 22, 2014

Well, I've been out over 4 months now! It's awesome!

Anyways, missionary work has suddenly burst in our area. This was unprecedented for a long time in our area (Pride, Louisiana). We are seeing like 10 more people now each week instead of the usual 5. The Lord is truly hastening his work. This is a great experience to be apart of.

My biggest fear is that transfers are coming up, October second, which means I may be moving. I really hope not. Right when the missionary work is booming in my area would be terrible to leave. So I'm really excited for the future of this area. I know this gospel is true without a doubt!

Our Baptist minister has suddenly started wanting us to come over more. We are making progress. He's seen the missionaries for over 8 years now! This just awesome for him! I don't deserve any of these blessings but it sure is great to be apart of such a great work.

I love and miss you all. I cant wait to hear from you all!


- Elder Anderson

September 16, 2014

I can't believe I've been out for 4 months now! Time is going by really fast!

So, this week has been awesome! We are working with Jerri Willey to get her baptized. She's planning on doing that on the 21st! I'm really excited for her. We've been helping her quit smoking! She's been dong awesome - she's 6 days smoke free! She use to smoke 21 cigs a day, but now she smokes 0! God can truly heal and take care of his people when they have a desire.

It's Leopard gecko season! We have like 6 small baby Lunas (geckos) in our house! They are so cute. It makes me feel just like I am back at home. We've been mountain biking a lot lately, also! I went down this one path that I said I would never do because it was like 15 ft straight down and up! It's crazy! I did it! Well, I didn't die but it was fun, and I am never doing that path again! Haha! It's cool being out on your own and learning all these things.

We visited an old couple last night for dinner. They were in their 80s. I asked them how long have y'all been married and he told me 55 years!!! That's insane! I told them - Wow! I could only hope to find love that would last that long! It seems like now a days people view marriage as a contract to get tax refunds or something. It's really sad how people are losing these important qualities. Such as Patience, Communication, Love, Understanding. Anyways I just thought it was a really neat thing to see. Oh, and, she cooks way good food! That's another plus! Man, the old people got the right kind of women! I want to be a cook, also, but it would be nice to come home every now and then have a nice meal on the table! It's cool finding qualities that you want out here, even though I could only hope to think about marriage! I still got 20 more months! Haha!

Anyways, the mission has been going great. I love you all very much!


- Elder Anderson

September 2, 2014

Alright so the past 2 weeks have been kind of weird. The first week was transfers. I got my new companion Elder Stewart. Turns out we have a lot in common. Anyways, he's awesome! We mostly talk about Girls (the lack thereof) and just still getting to know each other. It's that weird phase where you just ask a lot of questions but I can see were going to have a great companionship.

So the second week was great. I got better and I'm doing great now. Something really cool happened to me. I was thinking of how can we better the missionary work? How can we hasten God's work? I never in my life have received revelation like this. Receiving revelation for the people in Pride is a whole different experience. Anyways, I was told that we need to use the members and help them understand their role in missionary work.

I'm thinking this revelation given to me will be helpful for our current investigator. He's a Baptist Minister. His name is Kerri Gerald he has Cerebral Palsy, but is only limited physically. He's such a kind man. He loves God so much. He knows the Book of Mormon is true and that the Church is true. He really wants to convert. In fact, he even teaches the people at the Baptist Green Well Springs Church Mormon doctrine and they don't even know it! He wants to convert, but he doesn't have the faith and courage. He told us he was afraid. I knew that was Satan working on him. I'm trying to help him understand that everything will be okay.

So, how is this all relevant? Well, there's a member in our ward that joined the church 2 years ago. He was a hardcore party guy and smoked 30 cigars a day. His conversion story is really great. So, he's going to go with us and he's going to share that conversion story with Kerri. I'm hoping that Kerri will see that God will take care of him and that the members are great people (another one of his fears). We are scheduling more appointments with him now, which is amazing!

A miracle happened this week. Our investigator that left us wants to meet with us again. She's working on quitting smoking. Her name is Jerri Willey. She's 18. She's a funny girl. She doesn't have censorship on her mouth, though - haha - it can be kind of awkward at times. Anyways, she's seeing us again and is willing to work to baptism again. I'm so glad that she made this decision.

Things are going well out here in Pride. The members are suddenly really liking me a lot now. I don't know why. Our feed the missionary schedule just filled in 1 week which is unheard of. We eat at someones house 24/30 days this month. The people here really love us.

Rest assured we are being taking care of. I love you all so much.


- Elder Anderson

August 19, 2014

So, an experience I ran into this week.

We were asked to clean out a shed for a member. He told us something crawled in there and died... and he couldn't find it. So, I had to find whatever that thing was. There were black widows, etc., inside the shed. It was pretty rank and nasty. I cleaned it out and found the dead animal. It was a large rat... half-eaten, covered in maggots... it was way nasty!!!

He was like - What's that falling off the shelves? I told him it was maggots. Man, it was nasty - just about lost it!

The things we do as missionaries... We should be on dirty jobs!


- Elder Anderson

Hello Louisiana!

Here is the address for our missionary!  He's finally in the field! Write him and tell him how excited you are for him!

Elder Christopher Bo Anderson
11721 Morgan Hill Court, #A
Baton Rouge, LA 70818

Email @ andersonc@myldsmail.net

Thank you Brother Marshall for taking pictures of Elder Anderson and Elder Fowler in the MTC!

June 16, 2014

It's good to hear from our Elder!

"We've got 2 people that are trying to get baptized and we got 2 new investigators on, top of a couple more that we already have. We are doing 50+ hours of service a week ... really busy!! I sure miss my family! I found lots of lizards frogs and bugs. I painted a frog! Haha! We were painting for a service project and a frog was in a corner and I didn't know it. I painted him so he's forever different to his kind. I'm journaling a lot more now! I tend to forget the day, though, because you get this curse as a missionary where you can't remember anything. So I literally have to write everything down asap. Anyways, love you!"

Service in the humid, sticky Louisiana air!

 

Then they found a tank. If you can convert a tank, you can convert anything, Elder! (All in good humor.)

Bo was sent to the right spot! He loves lizards!

So, this is called this the Final Ride. All 400 missionaries in their mission went biking in honor of their Mission President leaving July 1st.

Of course! There has to be a Thor element! Our missionary somehow found a Thor poster, and for some reason, is dressed as the God of Thunder. It's awesome!

June 2, 2014

Here are some memories and pictures from the MTC in Provo, Utah.

Elder Anderson with his companion, Elder Fowler.

According to Bo's mail, Elder Fowler and him really became good friends during that two week (or so) time spent preparing for their missions at the MTC.
We luckily were able to help Elder Fowler contact his mom in Colorado. They had a super slim window of time to call home during a layover on their way South - the last time until Christmas. Kids these days don't know how to use payphones, apparently. Momma Fowler was sure happy to hear from her boy when she finally got to speak with him.

Here he is with some of his MTC buddies. You know it's the Lord's work because it requires so many different personalities and skills to build His Kingdom.

There is no forgetting Eric Marks, one of Bo's best friends. It's fun that they got to see each other in the MTC. Elder Marks is serving in Taiwan. These two are total, lovable goons.

Some things he's learned:

"There are 3 rules to success that I learned for motivation:
1. This guy wanted to be a successful person, so he met this old man who said he could change his life. He went and saw the man at 4 in the morning in a suit on the beach and the old man told him to go into the water. The young man said, "I didn't come here to get wet, I came here to be successful." The old man replied, "If you wanna be successful, then show me how bad you want it." So the man went in and the old man told him to go further and further and further. Then the old man entered the water with him. He held him under the water until he almost passed out. Right before he passed out, he lifted him up out of the water. The old man asked, "What was the first thing you wanted when you came up?" The young man replied, "To breathe." "That's right," the old man responded. When you want to be as successful as much as you want to breathe, then you can do anything.

2. Be willing at any moment to give up who you are for what you can become - something greater.

3. Pain is temporary. It might hurt for a week, a day, a year ... but what lasts forever is the pain of giving up and quitting."

May 22, 2014

Hey Family,

I love and miss you so much!

The MTC has literally changed my life! Everything is so much easier now and the spirit is so strong! People are telling me they can just see the spirit in my eyes, and when I bare testimony of something they just feel the power! I feel it too! I love this Gospel so much!

I’m so proud of you all for praying! Make sure Amanda writes me. I haven’t gotten anything from her. :( Brooke has been wonderful! The comments you all send to me really help when I get them. PLEASE, PLEASE keep writing me! It doesn’t have to be everyday, but I look forward to hear from you each day!

I want to invite you all to have at least 1 FHE a week on any day. I know it will help you all grow more closer as a family. Keep praying always! I spend at least half my day on my knees praying for help!

We are teaching 4 investigators right now! We got one to commit to baptism, 1 to pray to God and she just cried her eyes out. WOW, such a spiritual experience! The other 2 are still progress but we will get there!

I want you all to grow really close together while I’m gone. I’m realizing how important family is and how I took it for granted. PLEASE develop a spiritual bond with each other furthermore!

One challenge in our MTC is once you get good at something take it one step further. Continue to better yourself. Also write down a goal that you all want to do better as a family and keep it on a place where you all can see it! As you fulfill these you can grow in Spirit with me!

Family, my testimony is so so strong now. Really I’m learning so much. The Spirit really teaches you so much and I want you to come apart of that.

Amanda and Derrik, I challenge you both to prep yourselves for temple work a little bit harder each day. Continue to progress - don’t stay idle! Do more and more!

Mom and Dad, I challenge you both to have companion prayer at night with each other and by yourselves morning and night. Pour your soul to God.

Brooke, I challenge you to keep up your hard work with school don't get discouraged.

We are Andersons!!!! We can do hard things.

I know all is possible through the Lord Jesus Christ. His Grace really is sufficient for all of us. Just try and little and he will do the rest. But you have to make that first step.

Also, Thank you Ken and Darlene for the food! I loved it!

Brooke, the banana pineapple bread is soooooo good! Ahhhhh!!! I loved it.

Really, though, these letters I’m getting are so helpful - thank you for supporting me!

On our first Sunday night we got to talk to Elder Bednar and we asked him questions and had a nice 30 minute discussion about the Gospel. He taught us so much about Christ and His characteristics and now we can apply them. I realized how imperfect I really am. But that’s okay. He talked about how we need to bring ourselves outward and not inward. Focus on others and pay attention to when you are turning inward.

I love you all! Keep writing me please!

In the name of the Son, Jesus Christ, amen.

Sincerely,

Elder Anderson

May 15, 2014

Dad, the MTC is so great! I'm loving it and I'm hating it! It's so hard but so fullfilling! I've been made a zone leader over my districts already (second day there). I'm blown away that I was already called to such a high calling! I know the these responsibilities will make me! I miss you and the family so much! Please tell them all I love them!

Dad, promise me you guys will have family prayer from here on out! I have such a testimony now of prayer and kneeling together and praying! Please keep praying for me its hard out here but I love it!

Something also cool is my companion is Elder Fowler and we are so much the same! We both love working out, gym, singing, we both have a great knowledge of the Gospel ... it's so nice to start off with someone like this! My P-days are on thursday so I'll check them once every week! Getting up hasn't been hard for me at all so far. We've been doing really well together! Oh ummm we forgot to pack my work out shorts haha so you guys need to send them to me! I don't have my address to send to you and I can't go get it or else my time will be cut short. I want to use every minute I got with you guys!

Family, this experience is already changing my life. I'm gaining a greater understanding of the Gospel and what I'm called to do. We met with our branch president and told us only 2 callings you get called as an Elder. He said the missionaries and Apostles. That's how important our calling is. We literally represent Jesus Christ. The difference between us was put like this, "we are the smaller A and the apostles are the bigger A because they live this everyday" we are in the Apostles' shoes right now! I'm so ready to go out and serve! I know the gospel but right now the MTC is teaching me patience and the routine!

Working out has been good so far, we kinda have to improvise with what we got. We are making good time for working out. The Lord blesses us if we are obedient.  He somehow figures out how to make time for us to take care of ourselves.

I miss all of you so so much and I want you to know I love all of you so much. Do not fight or have contention between each other. Love each other and serve each other like Christ serves you. I've already had such wonderful experiences and miracles happen. I got sick and I said a prayer and instantly it was gone. Also my pen ran out of ink as I was writing and it was during note taking so I couldn't afford to stop taking notes I said a quick prayer and bam ink flowd through the pen like crazy!!!!!

I got to  teach a Christian man who lost his daughter when she was born and his wife. He felt guilty of loosing his child and he wanted to see them again but didnt bnelieve he could be a good person because he killed his daughter. We told him that it's not his fault she died. She lived for 3 days. I made him read  D&C 137: 8,10. He began to sob and reread it at least 10 times. His life has already changed and so has mine.

My time is running out! I love you all and miss you all! Please write me its hard to keep positive out here. Pray always and on your knees! It shows such humility. You can just feel the love of God. Tell Brooke I found her little note in my journal and it made me cry. I love you all so much.

Sincerly,

Elder Anderson

Hello Elder Anderson

Our Bo was set apart Tuesday night by Pres. Tranter as an Elder, called to serve the Lord in the Louisiana Bayon Rouge mission. After that, his sisters bought him his favorite Superman ice cream and we watched movies for the last time for 2 years.

Wednesday was packed with emotion, obviously. Cale, Bo's best friend, joined us in our sleepover and in dropping him off at the MTC. We had breakfast at Village Inn in Provo - where Bo dripped red strawberry sauce from his crepes down his tie. It was pretty funny. Thank heavens for Tide pens!






After that we visited the LDS Provo Utah Temple. The temple's in a truly beautiful and mountainous location. It's back drop is earth and blue sky. It faces Utah Valley and looks out over Utah Lake. It's also a short walk from the MTC.

Family pictures were fun. We are a goofy bunch - and perhaps that's an understatement.

We piled in and headed for the drop off. The workers said to be quick about it - the drop off. Regardless of how much restraint I personally had to stay in the car, I couldn't. He's my baby brother! Of course I'd go to him and have that one last hug!

We watched our missionary walk forward with the Lord at his side. As we left, silent tears streamed down each of our faces. Our hearts swelled and we already missed him so, but we were proud. More so, we were filled with the Spirit, knowing that our boy is where just where he is meant to be.

We'll miss our little guy, but we know he will accomplish so many things on his mission. He's a blessing to those who have contrite hearts and lost spirits. Like he said, it's not about the number of people baptized, it's about the number of souls who are shown the light. It's about impact. It's about conversion.

Louisiana is blessed to receive my brother.

God speed, Elder Anderson.