Hurrah for Israel!

Hey Fam,

Its so good to hear from all of you! I miss you all tons. All of last week and the week before I was thinking that I was really lucky because I wasn't homesick or anything. And then Saturday it hit me. I realized that serving a mission is probably the hardest thing I've ever done but also the best thing I've ever done. I'm trying to look at being home sick in perspective and I don't think that I would want my mission to be easy. I want to work for it. So I guess I'm glad to have it. I don't know if that makes sense. So thanks so much for all of your letters. I just love reading and getting them. So this past week has been a really good one! On Tuesday we had a special devotional. Elder Bednar came! He told us that the number one question he gets is if we are really feeling the spirit or if it is just us making up decisions on our own. He said that the closer we come to Christ the less major spiritual experiences we need because Christ trusts us and knows that we will do the right thing. He also said that we can't be paralyzed from waiting for the Spirit. That is so true. He said that if we are "good boys and good girls" we will have the Spirit with us and our steps will be guided and when we open our mouths words will come out. This is so true. I know it is. My companion was talking to a man who wanted a Book of Mormon and he wanted us to call back and talk to him. He is our first investigator and we just talk to him on the phone. The first day we called him I had no idea what we were going to say. But, I just opened my mouth and words came out. Pretty much I think he is just a lonely guy who wants to talk but he seems to like what we say. Also, we've been doing a lot of practice teaching this week. Its hard stuff especially since my companions don't speak English as their first language. I was thinking about the need for the gift of tongues. I need it so so so much. I think I have it because I can understand my companions better than anyone else and sometimes translate what they want to say to people. Spanish is way hard but I know that if the Lord asked me to speak Spanish than I can. I am just trusting in him and not letting myself get worried about it.
So when I got your letter about Reed doing better I almost started to cry. I had been worried about him and my prayers were answered. Its the same for with grandma. That is so great that she can be by herself at night and that she had that special experience. I think that our family is very blessed I can see blessings from Reed and I serving missions. Also, that is so great that Ruth got to ride the helecopter. Oh, I shared the wonderful treat you sent me with my district. They LOVED it. The elders said to tell you that they love you in an "elderly kind of way." Not because you are old, but because they are elders. Oh, I saw Uncle Norman at the temple today. It was great seeing him. I love the temple because it is so peaceful. I could just sit in there for hours. That is crazy about the angel Moroni. Oh, the other night I woke up to thunder and my bed shook and I thought it was an earthquake. My companions were awake and I asked them if they felt it and they said no but one had a hard time sleeping the rest of the night because she was sure we had one and was nervous. So funny. Oh, they have recently aquired a lot of Korean food and our room smells so so bad. Its a good thing I sleep by the window. Thanks so much for finding my drivers license! I sent the pictures last week so you should get them soon. My projected departure date is August 5th! Well, I love you all! Write me back soon. I am like Reed and LOVE letters. Have a great week! The church is so true! Hurrah for Israel!

Love,

Hermana Anderson