Navidad and More

Hellllooooooo,

Bueno, super sorry for the bad emailing. We went to a super cool spot last week for P-day, and I wasn't able to write a whole lot. I’ll send pics to make up for it.

Our dear friend Leo was baptized as of two weeks ago! It was super special, and many of his family members came and supported him, which led to us being able to share a lunch with them and a small lesson as well. WE OUT HERE PLANTING SEEDS MY FRIENDS.

We spent Christmas with our bishop and his family, I love them soooooo much. Just want to take them home with me jaja.

Something very interesting that they do here for Christmas that really isn't all that interesting at all is everybody, and I mean everybody, buys a ton of beer and wine, and just drinks til the cow comes home. I'm not sure if it’s like that everywhere else besides Utah or not, but Christmas here is nothing like home. But thats okay, didn’t come here for Christmas presents jaja.

We found 12 new people this last week who all seem to be really wonderful people that want to learn more. Among them are Matias and Milagros, a young couple that have a baby on the way. For a few weeks we helped Matias wash a few cars as a little service, and from that we were able to teach him and his wife about baptism. They wanted to baptize their baby and were looking for a church to do it. We explained that baptism is for the cleaning of sins and that their soon to be born son is and will be unaccountable for his sins until he can actually make his own decisions. They seemed to really believe what we taught them, and we hope to see them progress. As always, they need to get married first lol.

Love you all so much! I know that Christ lives, and that He is guiding His church in these last days through his living prophet Russell M. Nelson. I also know that as a missionary, I have the chance to change people’s lives everyday, but it doesn’t take a missionary tag to do that. GO MAKE A NEW FRIEND! GO HELP SOMEBODY! Love you all!

Elder Anderson

Fotos- Leos baptism, Cacheuta

Estoy Vivo

Didn't have time to write. Imma try and send a little something something on Christmas. Leo got baptized guys!!!!!!!! He's super happy!!!!

Love you all, I’ll write a good one soon.

Elder Anderson

Lagrimas de Gozo

These last few days were super special.

The grandma of a family in our ward passed away and we were able to go and support them at the cemetery grounds. Funerals here are nothing like what we do back home. Instead of having a nice service before going to the cemetery, we went directamente to the cemetery and they placed the her body in the ground without saying anything.......they all just stood there without saying a word and cried. Its was honestly so sad because the family wasn’t able to come to a conclusion on how they would do the service because they’re all from different religions. So they just stood there without saying anything about the life of their grandma, or that she was in heaven, nothing. So sad.

After the major part of the family left, those who are members of the church in the family came together with us and the family of our bishop. We were able to dedicate the grave. After the super powerful and special prayer from the bishop, the family members shared their simple but powerful testimonies about the Plan of Salvation, and the spirit was soooo strong. I was truly able to see the joy and happiness that the restored gospel brings to our lives. It reminded me a lot of my brother’s funeral, and specifically that of my grandmother Dawna. So much so that after the testimonies, I felt prompted to sing Come Come Ye Saints, which if I remember right, was one of the hymns that we sang at the grave dedication of Dawna. I asked permission first, and they agreed instantly. Boy was it special. The young family was able to truly dedicate the grave of their grandmother in such a special way. Instead of leaving the cemetery sad and depressed like the major part of the family did, they left with uplifted spirits and hopes of seeing grandma Rosa once again on the morning of the resurrection.

I love the chances that I have as a missionary to bless the lives of others just by being able to do small things like singing a hymn or helping them with their bags. Although many many people tell us that we´re crazy or that all we do is annoy and bother the people, I know that this work is important, and that this work is incomprehensible. I love the mission!!!!!

I was also able to teach the Sunday school class about Revelations 1-11 in Come Follow Me with my comp, and the lesson turned out wonderful. Such a miracle for me jaja.

Love you guys,

Elder Anderson

Super Quick

Hey friends,

Had a steller week with my comp Elder Swiderski. It’s truly a blessing to be with him during this time of my life. Love him to bits.

Anyway, the sisters in our zone asked us to perform a special musical number at their baptismal service, and we were able to invite the Spirit. We sang I Know that My Redeemer Lives, and my comp totally rocked the melody while I strummed the guitar and sang the harmony. It was so great to be able to help the new converts have a special service that they can remember for the rest of their lives.

For Light the World, we’ve been sharing the video of Joseph and Mary with literally everyone, and if y’all haven’t seen it yet, time to check it out, it’s awesome. We were able to go to a member’s house with Leo to watch the video, and he was able to share his testimony afterwards which was so great. Leo finally came to church, but you’re not gonna believe what happened to him Saturday night. He got jumped! They didn’t steal anything from him, but they really beat his face up pretty bad. He showed up to church with sunglasses to hide the bruises, but man it’s crazy how badly Satan doesn't want him to get baptized, and yet Leo still continues to fight. His testimony continues to grow. Such a champ.

Love you all, sorry for the short email!

Elder Anderson

WEEEE DIIIID IIIIIIITTTT!!!!!!!!

Que tal pibes,

Guys......we had a baptism. Juan Jose made it! He was able to remember all that we taught him, and was baptized on Saturday! We’re so happy for him. Now we just gotta help him learn to READ the Book of Mormon instead of just listening to it on his computer, but we’re taking it one step at a time. It’s hard for people who don’t know how to read, but luckily he’s got super good internet, which helped us a ton with videos and listening to the scriptures. The baptismal service was a little different because only 2 other people came to support, and they were the two testigos, but I’m not gonna lie, it was super special.

A small family that we found from a reference was baptized in another ward this last week as well! They moved from our area to the area next to ours. It’s super awesome that the missionaries could help Brenda and her two oldest daughters come unto Christ. Their father passed away just about a year ago, and we were truly led to them. The Lord is truly mindful of His children.

Welp, they put me in charge of our two zone choir for Christmas, and we finna see if we can pull off some magic. Gonna try and implement some majors and minors, maybe a few sevenths if you know what I’m saying....;) .......NOT.

Anyway, love you guys a ton, and it sure was great to talk with the fam this last week. Hope Thanksgiving was just as fattening as ever lol.

Què esten bien, and everybody go tell my dad that he’s great and that the whole not sending the Christmas package on time thing doesn’t matter, we still love that man to pieces jaja love you dad.

Elder Anderson

Fotos- Juan Jose and his baptism, our lizard friend that shows up at the same time every night when we open the window....se llama facundo, my shoes are dead, and our faithful bishop who rides his bike literally all over the city of Mendoza....he’s a baller, just check out his awesome helmet!

Let Downs

Hello fam,

Happy happy bday mom!!!!!! You the greatest. Everyone that thinks they have an amazing mom..............you’re probably right, just wanted to say that mine is great too jaja.

This Sunday, we were really excited to see Leo at church, but sadly, he didn't come, and now his baptismal date has fallen. We tried calling him to see what happened, but he didn’t answer us, so that was sad. We later received a call from a sister who’s been helping us teach Leo, and she told us that she had seen a few pics of Leo with some friends participating in some of his old habits. That made us even more sad. He had told us that he had relapsed, but we still aren't sure if he's been telling us the truth about his addictions. But, we know he has a testimony of the church, he just needs to get away from his friends. We’re not giving up on him.

Anyway, Juan Jose, a very interesting man who doesn’t know how to read, has been listening to the Book of Mormon on his computer. He’s come to church about 3 times, and we’re really hoping that he gets baptized within the next week or so.

A few days back, we taught a sweet lady named Gabriela. The lesson went very well, and at the end, she offered the prayer and asked Heavenly Father if what we shared with her was true. She was able to feel in her heart that Joseph Smith was called by God. After the lesson, she agreed to come to church, and Sunday, we went to her house to accompany her to the chapel. She seemed to have a great experience. We’re gonna see what happens with this sweet sister.

Hope you’re all doing well. I love this gospel so much, and if any of you are having doubts or have questions, feel free to send me an email! I’d love to try and help you come closer to Christ.

Que tengan una buena semana!

Elder Anderson

Fotos- you can buy cereal in really big quantities here, exchanges with Elder Becerra from Salta Argentina, Boca.....lo mas grande

Leo, Jose, and Miracles

Super quick,

Love y’all. Had a great week, besides the fact that my comp got a little sick.

We had a little miracle with Leo, and I guess he was able to declare himself without having to go to jail for 7 years. He's slowly losing his habit of smoking, and as far as we can tell, he's reading the Book of Mormon everyday. He wasn't able to attend church this last Sunday due to some medication that he’s been taking for his destroyed leg that’s still healing. It’s all super complicated, but we received permission from our mission president to baptize him once he stops smoking for at least a week.

This last Sunday we had a bit of an interesting situation in the ward Sunday school class. The class got a little out of hand with a few members freaking out about the difference between priesthood power and authority. It got to the point that like 4 people left the class super fired up, and it was super sad. It made me super sad, so I just wanted to write to y’all and ask that if you could all do your best to be understanding and patient with others at all times, because you never really know when there it someone new getting to know the church, and due to your loss of temper, they don't feel the spirit. The spirit of contention doesn't come from anyone else besides the advisory.

On a happier note, I feel like I’m speaking a lot better, and I can really feel the Spirit directing my thoughts and words. I recently finished the Book of Mormon for the second time in Spanish, and I was truly moved once again by the last few chapters. I can honestly say that I’ve been able to receive personal revelation almost every time that I read. Read the Book of Mormon to receive guidance in your lives!!!! Stop waiting.

Love you all,

Elder Anderson

Fotos- we made chocolate chip pancakes, we use a train rail to work out....so hard core, my beautiful family

Sorry

Sorrrrryyyyyyy about last week!!!!

Didn’t have time to write y’all. Crazy stuff has been going down out here in Pascual Segura. I’ll do my best to try and summarize all that's been going down.

Leo, one of our great people that we’re teaching, has really been having some hard times. His background is pretty dark, so many of the people in his life are low key evil/workers of darkness that just want to use him and stuff. And this week, his “friends” came over and picked him up and ended up mugging him and robbing his phone. That same day, we had called him to set an appointment, and his friends answered the phone and said some pretty weird stuff, which made me worried. We went by his house and his mom was a wreck because she didn’t know where he was. Leo didn’t show up until 7 in the morning the next day. We stopped by to see if he was there, and his mom answered the door with a look of shock and began to explain to us that she and Leo had recently offered a prayer asking God to send the missionaries to their house, and within 5 minutes we arrived..........wow. Anyway, he then explained to us what had been going down, and that he really need to straighten his life out. We taught him the Word of Wisdom and set goals with him so that he can stop smoking and drinking. In the space of 3 days he went from 15 cigarillos to 2, and was really progressing toward his date of baptism. He then explained to us that he couldn't leave the house because the police were looking for him because he had stolen a cellphone one month ago. I ‘bout slapped the man. Come on maaaaaaaan. Anyway, he now has to leave the country for a few days, and we’re not totally sure what’s gonna happen, but we’re confident that it’s all gonna turn out in the end. We’re communicating with our president to make sure we do it all right. Leo really does want to change his life, he’s just gotta come clean with what he’s done in the past.

Other than that, we’ve been seeing lots of little miracles all the time through our efforts of contacting in the street. My comp Elder Swiderski and I have been really grinding and pushing ourselves to talk with every single person that crosses our path, and a lot of times people straight up just ignore us, even when we’re walking side by side with them and asking them simple questions like, “Hi hows your day?” or “Hey can I help you with your bags?” Lots of people are super closed in and don’t want anything to do with us, so we always make sure to tell everyone that God loves them, and that we as missionaries are always willing to help strengthen families and help people come closer to Christ.

Hope this letter was a bit larger, sorry for being lazy haha. Have a wonderful week and please pray for Leo so that he can be strengthened during his time out of the country to not smoke or drink.

Love you all, have a great week.

Elder Anderson

Se Fue España Ya :(

Bueno,

My time with Elder Valencia has come to an end. Super sad to say goodbye to that man, he taught me a whole lot of great stuff. My new comp is from my MTC group, Elder Swiderski. Super awesome elder from Cali, probably the funniest kid I’ve ever met. Super excited to serve with him.

Anyway, none of the people that we’ve been teaching came to church but we’ve been finding a lot of new people to teach. Leo, Jorge, Susana, and Brenda are just a few of the people that are very close to baptism, so we're gonna see.

Anyway, my mom saved a child's life the other day, so if you see her, tell her good job for me. Thanks.

My responsibilities as zone leader have reached the next level and now I have the great chance to teach Elder Swiderski the ropes as a new zone leader, as well as leading the zone and all that jazz. There’s been a lot of things going on in the zone that need to be fixed, so we finna get on that.

I’ve been reading in 3 Nephi and it’s super great. Lots of doctrine in those chapters. Hope you're reading kiddos. Nobody responded to my challenge so I guess it’s fine..........NOT, QUE LES PASA!!!! lol Y’all gotta share your testimony in every moment. You don’t need a badge to share truth.

5. Por tanto, de cierto os digo, alzad vuestra voz a este pueblo; expresar los pensamientos que pondré en vuestro corazón, y no seréis confundidos delante de los hombres;

6. porque os será dado en la hora, sí, en el momento preciso, lo que habéis de decir.

Have a wonderful week my dear friends. I’ll try and write some better stories next time, today was crazy la verdad.

Church is true, the book is blue.

Elder Anderson

Fotos- Valencia y Yo, don’t worry mom I'm using sunscreen, Luna con su anillo de HLJ, my new comp Elder Swiderski

Actividades y Bautismos

Hola!

This week was nuts. We finally had our stake activity after like 2 months of planning. It was called “Viaje a Hawaii.” We had a bunch of fun activities and food and at the end we taught about the 3 Kingdoms of Glory after everyone had died in a plane crash. Jaja trust me, it was tight.

Directly after the activity we had 3 baptisms and service which was so great. Lots of nonmembers came to support. The two youngsters who we taught and were baptized are Esmael and his sister Luna. They’re so great.

Y’all come through with my challenge? I wanna hear about it! Email me fam.

That’s all I got for y’all!

I love the Lord, in Him my soul delights!!!!

Elder Anderson

One Year Older and Fatter Too!

Buen Día Queridos,

Guess it’s been a year, still trying to believe it. Super happy to be a part of such a great work, teaching others to come unto Christ, it’s the best.

This last week was super wonderful because we taught a lot of people who are super ready to make changes in their lives and follow Christ. My comp and I have truly been blessed here in this area of Pacual Segura. It seems like there’s just a never-ending line of people that have been prepared for us to find and teach.

One of these people is a man who about 2 years ago was taking lessons from the missionaries but had a few complications in the family and never could continue learning until yesterday when we passed by, thanks to our bishop who gave us the reference. We began teaching him and his wife, who really isn’t his wife yet because they’re not married, but she’s totally a member and is super great as well. They both want to make a change in their lives and want to start keeping the commandments, and boy are we just all so happy to help them do it. They’re gonna pray to know when they should get married, and after that, we finna baptize the man. Can I get an amen???!!

Anyway, I hope yall are still reading the Book of Mormon, cuz if you ain’t, we gonna have problems, and when I say we I mean God, the prophet, and then me. It’s a commandment guys, “Just do it.” -Nike

Challenge of the week: pray to find somebody that you could share your testimony with, and once you’ve done that, tell me how it goes. I wanna see if y’all actually do it. The ball is in your court kiddos. Make the Lord proud!

I know that the Lord will place people in your path, all you have to do is look for the chance and open your mouth in faith.

Love you guys,

Elder Anderson

Fotos- favorite pic I’ve taken in the mission so far, new missionaries, found a brother that served with my brother Hayden in brazil, finally mastered the Rubix cube!!!!!!!

Un Otro Milagro

Bueno,

Hope yall had a good week. I sure did. Conference was great. Hope you all listened to the words of Christ.

Had a wonderful miracle this last week. We had chosen a few names from the member list that we wanted to visit, and while looking for a man named Jorge, we found a young man that just so happened to be named Jorge, but with like 65 less years jaja. Anyway, we got to talking and the guys was awesome. He let us in and we taught him about baptism and the restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ. The spirit was strong, and I invited him to be baptized. Jorge accepted the invitation, and a few days later, he came and listened to the afternoon session of conference on Sunday. Such a stud. We’re really excited to keep teaching him.

Conference was steller. Something that was mentioned a lot was “everlasting joy.” That’s what this gospel brings, everlasting joy, to the lives of each one of us who is willing to be obedient to God’s commandments and follow the guidance of his living prophets. I have a strong testimony of that.

The Morales family were finally baptized last week in Media Agua, the family that we were teaching like 2 months ago. So happy for them. I’ll put a pic of them on here. My ex-comp got to baptize, Elder Chavez!!!!! What a stud.

Love you all so much. Que Dios les bendiga.

Elder Anderson

Anotha One

Heyooooo

Hello family and friends! The week went by fast. Super quick run down:

I learned how to solve a rubix cube.....*fist pump*

One of the people who we’re teaching was attacked in her house by people who live on her same street. There was some drama between the families, so they started throwing rocks and sticks at their house. Super strange and annoying because now she’s scared to leave the house.

Maria, an older lady who we’re teaching, went to church with us on Sunday!!!!

We set a baptism date with a young girl named Luna who’s been attending church for quite some time.

General Conference is this weeeeeeeeek!!!!!!!!!

Love you all so much. Sorry for the short letter.

Elder Anderson

Fotos- Facundo and his father from last week, Argentine graffiti, another tie from the sister in our ward, mi cara:)

Sick Week

Hello,

This week was long and painful, or painfully long, either one works. Tuesday at about midday, I came down with a fever and needed to take a break. And from about there, everything went to the devil. Lots of trips to the bathroom and lots of head pain. Hadn’t been too sick my whole mission so I took it hard jaja. I’m sure it’s worse for other missionaries. Anyway, I spent lots of time resting in bed. The worst.

Igual, we had a baptism in the ward on Saturday which was lovely. A young son named Facundo who’s 14 got re-baptized (they lost his papers so we had to do it again), but this time, his father was able to baptize him, and it was a super special moment for them. They’ve had a lot of trials within the family, so it was something that they really needed.

Hope you’re all saying your prayers. It’s something so simple, but also something so precious and important in our lives. If you’re not saying personal prayers, you’re not allowing God to help and guide your life. In the great words of MC-Hammer- YOU GOT TO PRAY JUST TO MAKE IT TODAY!

Love you guys!!! The mission life ain’t easy, but who said that it was!!! Amo a mi Cristo.

Elder Anderson

Another Week

Como andan familia!

Bueno, super quick update.

This week I had the great chance to have exchanges with an elder from Chile name Elder Hererra. Super special kid. I’m not sure what he has exactly, but he stutters a lot when he talks, and it’s really hard for him to find the words that he wants to say. He tries really really hard and it almost breaks your heart watching him struggle to bear his testimony. I’ve really taken for granted the ability I have to express myself without difficulty. Please, if you´re not already, share your testimony every chance you can, because there are those who want to, but can’t. The faith of Elder Hererra has really strengthened me. Knowing that an elder who can hardly express himself is willing to give himself to the Lord for two of the most difficult years of his life is something so powerful and inspiring. He’s come a long way as well. He’s truly amazing (he plays the piano like a champ!).

Hope you’re all preparing for General Conference. "It's gonna be big." Super hyped. We’ve been listening to last April’s Conference and I’m so ready to receive more spiritual strength!!!!!!

Y’all best be doing your Come Follow Me!!!!!!

Love you,

Elder Anderson

Take that, Satan!!!!

Como andan mis queridos,

Super crazy week. Lots of miracles.

First off, Victoria, a young girl of 12 years who we have been teaching since I got to this area, got baptized!!!!! We just needed the okay from her mom, so ya that was sweet. Trying to fill up the faunt was another story. I’m not sure if it’s like this for all missionaries but here in Argentina, we almost always have problems with the faunt. We could not seem to get water in the faunt. One second it would be filling up, and booooom. NO WATER. And then it started working again........and boooom. NO WATER. Pretty sure Satan was playing with the pipes or something I swear. Anyway, we eventually got a member to help us out and it all worked out. Satan-0. Los Misioneros-1 yeeeeeeeeaaaaaa!

We got transfers yesterday, and I’ll be staying in Pascual Segura another transfer with my man Elder Valencia. Super excited to learn more Spanish from this Latin wizard. He’s also teaching me how to solve a Rubix cube......can life get any better than this?????? I think not.;)

Love you all so much. Shout out to my boi Isaac who’s tearing it up on the stage. If you haven’t seen the play that’s going on over there at Skyridge High, get over there and support my boi for me!!!

Have a wonderful week!!!!

Elder Anderson

Fotos- I let my comp cut my hair (last time I do that......) jokes, Victoria’s baptism, super sweet tie that a sister made for me!!!!!