It has been a great week and we are pumped for the next one!

Sorry but I don't have a lot of time this week. We have had a great week though. We picked up a new investigator, Margret. She is super solid and has been prepared. We taught her the restoration and she came to church. We meet with her again this Wednesday. We will also be stopping by a family this week who will hopefully start taking the lessons and we will be able to pick them up as new investigators. They are a super nice family and we are very hopeful. We did a lot of tracting this week haha. It was a blast! 

The zone is trying to hand out as many copies of the Book of Mormon as they can so that what we have been doing. Elder Pugh and I handed out 28 copies this week. But 14 of those were on Sunday alone. So this week we are going to try to smash that record. We want to try to hand out a whole box of them. That would be 40!!! We are totally going to pull it off. We have seen some great responses and found some potential people we are going to follow up with. It has been a great week and we are pumped for the next one! 

Hope you all have a safe week!!!

Elder Anderson

#JustKeepSwimming!

Elder Jake's new companion, Elder Pugh
Jake said he is "super sick" which in Jake language means AWESOME!

(Just a side note from a mommy perspective, Elder Pugh has only been out for 3 months.  Elder Jake has been out for 16 months.  I only mention this because the color of their shirts speaks volumes.)

Well this has been a good week! We have been really busy and the work is catching on fire! It's sweet! We are getting lots of people to teach and lots of referrals from members. This is going to be a really good transfer.  Here are a few cool experiences from this week. A less active man asked us if we could teach him, a less active family moved in to the ward and want us to teach their son who's about to turn 8 and be baptized, and we set up a lesson with a new investigator for tomorrow. Not to mention we stopped by a potential and got a great response that will turn into teaching opportunities. Plus we picked up a new investigator who is crazy and a druggie hahaha. And we had a great visit with a part member/less active family that was over an hour long. Super solid visit.

So a couple months ago (maybe) I wrote home a message about Lot and his wife. About how she looked back and got turned to a pillar of salt. Well this week I have a similar message, with a slightly different twist. In the Bible, in Philippians chapter 3, Paul talks a little about what the past is for. He says:

 

"13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

Not only do we have to let go of the things in our past, but we are to reach forward to the future and embrace it. There will be times that come which will be trying and hard, but we must have those experiences in order to grow. 

This scripture talks about "the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." A prize is something you get when you have accomplished something. The prize we are striving to achieve requires trials and hardship. It requires some suffering. So suffer a little. Feel a little pain. Struggle and fight to overcome Satan. Fall down. Fail a couple times. But never forget that the whole point, the most important part, is that we are always pressing toward that prize. The most glorious prize of all time. The amazing reunion we will have in the life after this with our friends and family. The joy we will feel as we conquer our trials. The strength we will gain as we get back up. And the love we will have for Jesus Christ as we come to better understand all that the Atonement enables us to do. 

"Press toward the mark" and never look back. Move on from mistakes. Forget about the failures, and prepare for the battle ahead of you. Ephesians 6:13 "13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." After we have done all we can, Christ gives us the power to stand. To stand tall and unshaken before our foes. To stand tall and not back down. To stand tall and keep moving forward. 

I know God is with us every step of the way. I know he will be at our side when we need him. And I know that no matter how many times I fall, no matter how many times I slip, or forget who I am, or forget what I am striving to achieve, there will always be another chance for a better life. #JustKeepSwimming! I can't think of a better phrase. 

I love you and hope and pray that you are all safe. God be with you til we meet again.

Elder Anderson

We are here to gain experiences that will help us grow closer to our Heavenly Father

Man what a week!  Thursday we had transfers. I literally moved across Macleod. I am super close to where I was. It's pretty sweet! My comp is Elder Pugh (Sounds like puke without the k). He is sweet. He's from Rexburg Idaho. He's been out for three months so I'm greenie busting him haha, but he's a super solid missionary already. He's a stud. So far we are getting along great. I think it will be a good transfer. Right now we are living with our zone leaders because the basement where we live is having the floor redone so it's under construction. It's kinda crazy. But the place where we are supposed to be living isn't even in our area so the mission office is trying to find us a place in our area. So we probably won't even be living there anyway. Living with the zone leaders is pretty sweet though haha. They are a ton of fun and I think by the end of this transfer I will have a six pack because of how hard I have been laughing. So fun! And the two wards we cover, McKenzie and Sundance ward are sweet! They are super nice and welcoming! I feel right at home already. The young men especially are super nice. They came up and introduced themselves to me. This is going to be a great area. I am so pumped!

The best part so far about this transfer has to be how much work we are getting. When I got here, the area was pretty dead. There wasn't much teaching going on. Over the past three days we stopped by a former investigator who was super nice and said that she would love to have us over at the beginning of May. She seems golden and was so nice it was crazy. We thought she was a member when we first started talking to her. Then the next one was a call that we got from a member who said she has a friend who lives in the ward and wants to be taught by the missionaries. Pretty much loco. This almost never happens so we are super pumped for that. We have an appointment set up with them on Friday. Then at church, a member stopped us to tell us that he got an email from another member who also has a friend who wants to be taught by the missionaries as well. Not only that, but she said that she already knows who she wants to have baptize her. She has already started making plans for baptism!!! We haven't even met her yet! It's seriously insane all the work that is just falling into our laps. We can't believe it!

Anyway, just a quick spiritual thought before I go. The first verse in the Book of Mormon is Nephi speaking. He is the son of Lehi. This is what he said:

 "I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents, therefore I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my father; and having seen many afflictions in the course of my days, nevertheless, having been highly favored of the Lord in all my days; yea, having had a great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God, therefore I make a record of my proceeding in my days."

There is a lot we can get out of this one verse. What I want to focus on is how Nephi says he has seen many afflictions in his days. If you look that scripture up in the Book of Mormon, you will see that there is a cross reference to the topical guide. It will take you is to "blessings". The cross reference for afflictions is blessings. How on earth is that right? Well in order to understand this, you have to understand God's plan for you. The purpose of this plan is to come down to earth, gain a body, and grow. We must progress. We must learn how to deal with hard things, how to overcome trials, and how to endure to the end. We are here to gain experiences that will help us grow closer to our Heavenly Father. When we go through a tough time, we are forced to turn to him and ask for help. When he helps us, our faith and love towards him and our Savior grows. Trials are necessary. It was the trials that gave Nephi his testimony of the gospel. It was trials that helped him understand the "mysteries of God". And it is trials that allow us to become all who God has created us to be. I am grateful for the trials I have had to face so far in this life because without them, I would not be where I am now. And I wouldn't want to be anywhere else.

Those are my thoughts for the week. I hope they will help you with the things you will be facing this coming week and that you will have a better perspective throughout the trials you will undoubtedly face. I am praying for you always. 

Elder Anderson

Because of Christ's incredible atonement, we all have the opportunity to return home again.

Well I am getting transferred. I will be staying in Calgary. I won't know exactly where until Thursday. It's been fun in this area but I'm excited to go to a new area. Here is a little spiritual thought I typed up a few days ago.

I wanted to talk a little bit about the Parable Jesus gives in Luke Chapter 15 known as The Prodigal Son. In this parable, Jesus talks about a man with two sons. One son asks his father to sell the inheritance that is his and give him the money for it. The father does as he is asked and the son leaves home. Well he spends all his money right away on "riotous living". Now without any money to support himself, he found any job he could. Which happened to be a servant for a man. The man sends the son in to his field to feed his swine. The son being hungry and poor eats the husks of corn that the swine ate. Realizing how pathetic his situation was, he realized that his father's servants were better paid and taken care of than he was currently. So he decides to go to his father, apologize, and ask if he can he be a servant for him. Well, on his journey home his father sees him far off in the distance.

"20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him."

His father was overjoyed to see his son return. The son asks for his father's forgiveness for being so foolish and asks if he can be his father's servant. His father's response is truly touching and, I think, life changing.

" 22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:

 23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:

 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry."

There are times in our lives in which we see friends and family go astray. We see them choose a path that is not good for them. Make mistakes. Fall away. Get lost. Because of Christ's incredible atonement, we all have the opportunity to return home again. No matter the mistakes or bad choices we have made along the way. And when it is us who sees a friend or loved one return, we must have the same reaction as this father had to his son. We should run out to our loved ones. Reach out to them. Show them that we have missed them. And most importantly, show them that we love them. More than they might know. No matter the person. No matter the mistakes. No matter the circumstances. God's commandment remains the same, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." (Mark 12:31).

I hope all is well back home. Stay warm and stay safe. Until next time!

Elder Anderson

Take comfort in the fact that God is on your side. And he will fight along side you in every battle you face.

There is an awesome story in the Bible found in the book of 2 Kings. There is a prophet by the name of Elisha who was currently living in a city called Dothan. At this time the King of Syria was looking for the prophet Elisha and found that he was in Dothan. So he sent his army to go and capture Elisha. In Chapter 6 of 2 Kings, verse 14 we read the following:

"14 Therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city about."

The next morning, the prophets servant, a young boy, woke up and saw that they were surrounded and that the King of Syria must have found them. We read this in the next verse.

"15 And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?"

The boy asks what should they do. He cannot see any way out of this trap they have found themselves in. Well the prophet Elisha gives a response that I think we can all take comfort in if we apply this story to our own lives. He says the following:

"16 And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.
17 And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha."

I absolutely love this story! Elisha prays and asks God to open up the boy's eyes so that he can see the angels surrounding the army. Angels with horses and chariots of fire! This young man saw no escape. He saw his enemy and that was it. Nothing else. However, God saw much more. His perspective was much greater. He was able to see exactly how the prophet and this young boy were going to escape. I think there are times in our lives where our perspective is exactly like the young boy's. We can see no escape from the trial or obstacle we are facing. We think that we have been defeated. But God can see with a greater perspective. He can see our escape. He can see what we need. And he can help us. However, if the boy never asked what he should do, he would have never known that they were protected by God's angels.

I know that we are always surrounded by angels, armed with horses and chariots of fire. And those very angels are there looking over us and our situation. They are looking for any threat we may face. Any fear that may come in to our lives. And they will be there to drive our enemies away. To fight right along side us. And to protect us from Satan's army. But we must ask!!! We must ask our loving Heavenly Father for help. I shared this scripture on Facebook the other day and I will share it again. Doctrine and Covenants 10:5 "Pray always, that you may come off conqueror; yea, that you may conquer Satan, and that you may escape the hands of the servants of Satan that do uphold his work." Prayer is a powerful thing we have in our lives. Let us take advantage of it!!! Take comfort in the fact that God is on your side. And he will fight along side you in every battle you face. I know it's true. We have no need of fear. 

I hope you have a good week and stay safe. I will talk to you next week. 

I love you all!

Elder Anderson

I know Heavenly Father is waiting to answer our prayers.

Sorry but I don't have much time. This has been a great week this week though. Here's a quick one for you all. If you will remember the story of Alma the younger. He was described as the vilest of sinners. Well one day an angel comes to see him and call him to repentance. So that's exactly what he does. Well after he repents, he goes to serve a fourteen year mission for his church. In Alma chapter 5, he is bearing his testimony about how he came to know all he knows.

45 And this is not all. Do ye not suppose that I know of these things myself? Behold, I testify unto you that I do know that these things whereof I have spoken are true. And how do ye suppose that I know of their surety?
46 Behold, I say unto you they are made known unto me by the Holy Spirit of God. Behold, I have fasted and prayed many days that I might know these things of myself. And now I do know of myself that they are true; for the Lord God hath made them manifest unto me by his Holy Spirit; and this is the spirit of revelation which is in me.

Alma sees an angel, but when he bears his testimony of how he came to know, he never mentions that he saw an angel. He talks about how he fasted and prayed many days in order to know. Laman and Lemuel saw an angel, but that didn't help them know the gospel was true. Sometimes we want a sign like the one Alma the younger got, or Laman and Lemuel. But what we don't know is that our testimony doesn't come from that. It comes from searching the scriptures and prayer. We can have the same testimony and conversion that Alma the younger had as soon and we want to. All we need is to ask our heavenly father. I know he is waiting to answer our prayers. But we must ask the questions we have. D&C 10:5. Pray always!

I hope you have a great week. I will talk to you all next week! Love you all!

Elder Anderson

The atonement is all encompassing! I use it everyday on my mission.

This is something cool President emailed us this week. I don't have time to write much so I'm just going to steal what he wrote haha:

 

"The Book of Mormon is full of stories about people who change and either commit or recommit themselves to the Lord. One of those stories is of the father of King Lamoni as he was taught by Aaron.

After hearing Aaron teach him from the scriptures, the king “…did bow down before the Lord, upon his knees; yea, even he did prostrate himself upon the earth and cried mightily…” I can imagine the king prostrate upon the ground with both hands outstretched as he prayed that he would “give away all his sins” to know God.

Through this experience, he and his people were converted and religious freedom was declared throughout the land in which the Lamanites lived. The sons of Mosiah were able to teach the gospel freely throughout the land. The result was that thousands were brought to the knowledge of their Redeemer and made covenants with the Lord in such a way that “…as the Lord liveth…” they “were converted to the Lord” and “never did fall away”

As part of this conversion process, “they did lay down the weapons of their rebellion, that they did not fight against God any more.”

Being willing to “give away all of our sins” and to lay down the “weapons” of our rebellion means that we are not holding anything back from our service to the Lord and are able to pledge both hands, so to speak, to His work.

Holding back with one hand those sins that we are not quite ready to give up or continuing to hold onto a “weapon of rebellion” with one hand limits our ability to serve fully.

We need both hands available to accept the outpouring of forgiveness from our Savior that will come as we “give away” and “lay down our weapons of rebellion.”

We need both hands to serve with all our “might, mind, and strength” and to “lay hold upon every good gift” that would come to us from Christ as we do so."

-President Nicholas

I love what he says here. It remindes me of the talk by Elder Holland called Remember Lot's Wife. I love studying the atonement. It has so much influence in our lives. And it's not just for sin. It is there to help us overcome every trial or hard time we go through in life. Just read Alma 7:11-13. 

11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictionsand temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loosethe bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.

13 Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he mighttake upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me.

The atonement is all encompassing! I use it everyday on my mission. It is what made me who I am today. I has the power to litteraly change who you are now into who God created you to be. Don't be afraid to use the atonement. It's not a bad thing when you need it. It's a blessing! And it never runs out! You can use it as much as you want! Why? Becasue God loves you more than you could possibly fathom! As does Jesus Christ. I know it's true. I cannot express my gratitude enough for all that they do for me. Never forget who you are. You are a son or daughter of God. The greatest and most glorious being in existence! And he does exist. And he does love you.  #GodIsAmazing!

Well not much is new this week. Same missionary stuff. Tons of fun. Great times. Maybe never a dull moment but always an awkward moment on a mission. Hope all is well with you! Love you all!

Elder Anderson