Prayers Are Answered!

Hey everyone! What a week! Thank you all for all of your prayers in my behalf. I've felt them and have gained a lot of strength from them. I know that prayers are answered! I know it. I just wish that everyone else in the world knew that. Prayers that are filled with faith and not empty words are powerful.

We had a zone conference like thing this week and President Walker spoke about having the faith to pray for people to find you. Everyone was just so surprised about this concept, they had never thought of it before. It was weird to me because that is how I find people. I think that we waste way too much time knocking on doors. If we pray that people find us, then they want to learn and are willing to make changes in their lives. I'm just so thankful for prayer. It makes my life so much easier.

In April's Priesthood Session of General Conference President Monson said, "Remember that prayer is the passport to spiritual power." So true! Prayer brings power. I've always loved the Bible Dictionary definition of prayer that says, "The object of prayer is not to change the will of God, but to secure for ourselves and others blessings that God is already willing to grant, but are made conditional on our asking for them. Blessings require some work or effort on our part before we can obtain them. Prayer is a form of work and an appointed means for obtaining the highest of all blessings." Prayers are answered all day every day. That isn't something that I believe, it's something that I know. There is power in just one prayer of faith, think about Joseph Smith. That one prayer changed the world. I love the personal study activity on PMG pg 95. I think that it is something that is helpful for all of us.

This week I've been thinking about how wonderful the Gospel of Jesus Christ is. So many people are confused about what they need to do in this life but it is all plain and simple. There is a direct path that we each need to take in order to live with those we love again. It is faith, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. That's it. Simple.

This week I was able to see it all in action. It was so great. We started teaching all of Candy's daughters. Only 2 of them are baptismal age but the other 2 want to learn as well. It is so great to see these little girls hungering and thirsting after righteousness. It's incredible. I love teaching kids because it reminds of how Christ says that we need to be like little children. They have so much faith. They believe all of our words, they know that what we say is true. We were talking to them about the Holy Ghost and they were all just sitting on the edge of their seats. They had so many questions and comments. After we talked to them about the first vision they all said things like they felt warm or God's love in their hearts. It was really sweet.
(Me, Devon, his cousin/brother, Sis. Thomas)

Repentance was demonstrated in Devon's baptismal interview he was asked what it means to repent and he said, "It's like when you're a football player... you're wearing all of those heavy, uncomfortable pads. Taking them off is like repentance. The weight is gone and you can feel comfortable again." Pretty good explanation if you ask me. I think that it's pretty funny actually. On Saturday Devon was baptized! It was incredible! Devon describes himself as "a pretty crazy guy." He's always trying new things out and hurting himself. He's pretty loud and hyper as well. Well, after he was baptized it was like there was a whole new Devon. He was mature and very contemplative. It was amazing. You could see a huge weight had been lifted off of him. I love to see the way that people look after they've started coming unto Christ. After he was confirmed yesterday it was like he was the happiest person alive. He glew. It was so cool. I loved it.

Seeing people change makes everything worth it. All of the hard times, all of the doors slammed in your face, everything is worth it. So yeah, I've definitely seen the Gospel in action this week. It's been so great!

Most of us are on the enduring to the end part and I think that the best way to describe that is in 2 Nephi 31:20 where it says, "Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life." So beautiful!

Let's press forward with hope and love! I just love the Gospel. It has brought so much purpose and joy to my life and the lives of people that I meet. The Gospel is definitely true and we are blessed to know that. I think that I sound like a broken record, I always say the same stuff but all of it is true. I hope that you all have a great week!

Thank you all for all that you're doing for my family! You're all the best! I love you all!
Love, Sister Anderson

The Atonement of our Savior

Hey everyone.  I feel like I should talk about the atonement of our Savior.  I just ask that each of you consider your relationship with Him and how He can help you overcome anything that you're feeling or going through right now. 

Christ has a lot of different names.  Here are some that I can think of: Lord, Savior, the Son of God, the Prince of Peace, Redeemer, Advocate, Brother, and Friend.  Jesus Christ literally is all of those things and so much more.  He knows us.  He loves us.  He wants the best for us and wants to help us.  When we've done what we can, He makes up the rest.  He truly is everything.  Christ is our Rock and our Salvation.  He is the beginning and the end.  The way, the truth, and the life.  Only in and through Him can we be saved.  

One of my favorite scriptures is John 3:16-17 which says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."  Beautiful huh?  Our Heavenly Father loves us so much and wants us to be with Him again.  I can't imagine how it would be to give up your son but I do know that it takes so much love that we can't even imagine.  Why did He do that?  Because He loves us. 

Our Heavenly Father knew that life would be hard, even overwhelming at times and that we would need help.  So, He gave up his son.  I love 2nd Nephi 2:24.  This chapter is all about the Plan of Salvation and particularly the Fall of Adam and Eve.  In the world, people look down on Adam and Eve.  They blame their problems on them and think that everything bad in the world is because of them.  Well, that is not true.  God has a plan and we are so lucky to be a part of it.  Verse 24 says, "But behold, ALL THINGS have been done in the wisdom of him who knoweth all things."  The next verses go on to say, "Adam fell that men might be; and men are, they they might have joy.  And the Messiah cometh in the fulness of time, that he may redeem the children of men from the fall..."  I love it!  Our Heavenly Father knows ALL THINGS.  He knows the good things, the bad, the happy, the sad.  Everything!  How comforting! 

Christ came to the earth for each one of us.  I truly believe that the atonement is an individual thing, sure it all took place at the same time but it is very individual.  Christ suffered for us individually.  He suffered for you and He suffered for me.  In Alma 7:11-12 we learn that Christ suffered for everything - not just our sins.  It says, "And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and 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.  And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the 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."  Christ knows it all.  He knows each of our pains, our sicknesses, our problems and He will lift us all up to help us to overcome everything. 

Remember when Peter was walking on water and started to sink?  All he had to do was cry out to the Lord and IMMEDIATELY He was there pulling him out of the water.  When we are drowning, we can trust that He will immediately pull us out of anything when we call out to Him.  I love in the Bible when Christ tells those who are mocking him that the whole need no physician.  He came for the sick, for the meek, and lowly of heart.  I love Christ.            

This week was pretty good.  I truly love being a missionary.  I can't believe that I only have a month left but I sure am going to give it all that I've got.  This week Devon should be getting baptized.  We're really excited about that.  Rycca is continuing to progress and is doing really good.  We were kind of worried about Candy because we hadn't seen or heard from her since Monday.  Well, this morning I was just studying in Ether and the phone rang.  It was Candy!  She informed me that she and her boyfriend broke up!  Obviously she was a bit upset and crying but through the tears she was able to say, "even though we broke up, I don't want to stop this.  I really want to continue with this."  Amazing!  What a tender mercy!  The Lord really does look out for His people.  He wont give us more than we can handle and He gives us tender mercies in the perfect timing to help us going.  It's amazing. 

Another note worthy thing that happened this week is that a lady told me that I was going strait to hell.  Honestly it was pretty funny.  She was a referral.  So we went by to meet her and she told us that our works are condemning us and that we are saved by grace.  We brought up the fact that we are saved by grace after all that we can do.  She was adamant that that was against the "doctrine of Paul."  I thought that it was so funny and said something to the affect of, "well, I guess it's a good thing then that we believe in the doctrine of Christ."  Don't worry, I said it very tactfully.  It was just so interesting because she mentioned that sometimes she feels like doing nice things for people but then quickly realizes that that would be wrong and she needs to stay in her house, away from good works.  I'm so thankful for the truth.  Pretty much the conversation ended with her crying and saying, "please understand... you're going to Hell and I know that you don't even believe in Hell but that is where you're going.  I'm praying for you."  Basically, I ended it by thanking her for her concern and we went on our way.  Pretty funny.
 
Yesterday was the 90 Stake, Stake Conference in AZ.  It was really neat.  Sister Thompson talked about how the Book of Mormon gives us strength.  Elder Cook talked about living in the world and not of it.  President Monson talked about reaching down and lifting up those that are in need.  This is something that we all need to do.  We all need each other.  Please help each other.  Bishop H. David Burtain spoke about being grateful so I want to end this email with what I am thankful for.  

I am thankful for my Savior, my family, temples, covenants, the scriptures, the opportunity to serve a mission, technology, love, life, BYU football, the Gospel, warm weather, mountains, friends, the sacrament, church, callings, a prophet, inspiration, the Holy Ghost, a loving/all-knowing Heavenly Father, prayer, patriarchal blessings, kindness, repentance, the atonement, investigators, people to talk to, and so much more.  I know that each day we can all find something to be grateful for.  The Lord is on our side and we can not fail when he is our captain.  Have a great week.  Stand a little taller and be a little better.  The Gospel is definitely true and because of it we can overcome EVERYTHING!  I love you all so much!  Have a great week!  
Love, Sister Anderson  

I can't believe that this is my last transfer!

(This ones for Heather. Home in our area).

Hey everyone! Like always I just have to say that I love being a missionary. Seriously, it is SO amazing! I love every part of it.

I can't believe that this is my last transfer. There is so much to do and so little time! I'll be ending here in San Manuel and I'm so excited about it! It is going to be an amazing transfer!

Well, we just had an amazing week. It was so great. For a few weeks I've been thinking about this lady that I contacted when I was in the North West this summer. I've tried to explain to the sisters how to get to her house but the couldn't figure it out so I went to the North West to be with Sister Bodily from Monday night to Wednesday morning so that we could find that lady. Well, it was easy for us to find this home. We knocked on the door and they woman's husband opened the door. I basically said, "Hi! We're missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We have a message for you that will bring you closer to Christ and will bless your family." He was like "really?!? I'm busy right now but can you please come back?" Isn't that cool! The Spirit is amazing because I talked to that lady in June for like 5 minutes but I knew that now was the time to go back. The Spirit just tells us what we need to do and when we need to do it. Our lives are so much easier when we are worthy to hear the promptings of the spirit and when we actually open up to hear it. It's like in 3rd Nephi 11. We need to open ourselves to hearing and understanding the words of the Lord.

This week we continued to work with Devon, Rycca, and Candy. It's amazing to see people who have truly been prepared and really want to follow the Lord. They are all doing so great and all came to church! Saturday night President Walker called us and told us that he and Sister Walker would be joining us for church on Sunday. He needed to talk to my companion about some family issues and so he said that Sister Walker would be coming to sunday school with me. Well, I never prepare my sunday school lessons but I read through it twice so that I would be prepared for them to be there. The lesson was on the spirit world and I was pretty sure that it would be a great class.

Well, It was so funny because this elderly less-active sister that hasn't ever been active came and she had all of these crazy comments. They were so funny and I just would smile and try to bring the class back on the subject. One of the comments was so funny that Sister Walker and I just lost it and started to laugh. I was so thankful that Sister Walker laughed with me. The whole time I was wondering what she was thinking. President came in for the end of the lesson and a less-active brother tried to argue with him because he said it doesn't matter what we do in this life because we'll have a second chance in the spirit world. President said, "don't procrastinate the day of your repentance!" That got the man fired up and I just had to end it by saying "thank goodness Christ knows best and He asks us to give Him our very best and then He'll make up the rest." It was really funny. After the crazy lesson Sister Walker hugged me for a long time and said, "Sister Anderson, I just love you. Keep smiling and laughing." I guess that they understood that I did the best that I could considering the comments. President said that we need to visit with the brother about Alma 34. Should be fun!

(District Meeting)

Despite all of that church really was amazing on Sunday. It was probably the best sacrament meeting we've had since I've been here. There wasn't a lull at all in the testimony bearing. When I got up, our investigator Devon gave me a rock on and punched the air in support. Lucky for us he was on the back row. He is so funny. He is probably our age, a redneck, plays Madden football all day, and has a curly mohawk. One lady got up and said, "I'm old and I'm slow but I still love the Gospel!" Amen! It doesn't matter how old we are, we can and should still love the Gospel!

We were so excited before church because Rycca, Devon, and tons of less-actives were there. During the opening song Candy walked in with her 4 little girls. I was so happy that I just lost it and started crying. I'm not a cryer but when I see people that want to come closer to Christ and are willing to put effort into it I'm so happy. It makes everything worth it.

After Sacrament Meeting everyone greeted the Walkers like they were celebrities. It was so funny. In his interview with Sister Thomas, President Walker told her that he could tell that we were being obedient because of the miracles that he is seeing in our area. This area was reopened to missionaries last year and it had been closed for 8 years because of some dumb things done by missionaries. When I first got here everyone (especially members) told me that they were sorry for me because this is the worst area but we are proving them wrong! At church on sunday everyone was saying that this area is changing and that they're so happy to be a part of it. It was so good to hear that. People are starting to want to be missionaries and to help those in the community. I love it!

Yesterday a lot of the missionaries in our zone were getting together for lunch. It was kind of one last hurrah before some went home. Sister Thomas and I really wanted to go but decided that it was a good thing but not the best so we stayed here and we saw so many miracles. When we got to Candy's house she had her daughter Alissia waiting to learn more. Alissia turns 8 two days before Candy's baptismal date so we plan on her getting baptized then as well. I have a strong testimony that when we give up our will and do what the Lord would have us do we are blessed. Sometimes it's hard because we want to do "good" things but they're not always the "best" things. We have to keep everything in perspective.

Last night we stopped by a ward FHE and the brother giving the lesson said, "You can't stand still in the Gospel. Either you're going forward or you're going backwards but you don't stand in place." So true. What are we doing to make sure that we are going forward?

I just really love the Gospel. It's so simple. When we do what Heavenly Father asks we are blessed. When we don't, we aren't. Strait is the gate and narrow is the way. Yesterday we visited with a sister who had lots of issues with going to church but it boiled down to tithing. I know that sometimes people just get overwhelmed and think that they aren't doing enough/can't do enough and just give up. All Heavenly Father asks is for us to do our best.

One of my favorite scriptures is 2nd Nephi 31:20. It says, "Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life." I know that I want to live with Heavenly Father, Christ, and my family forever and all that Heavenly Father asks is for me to go forward. Heavenly Father is merciful as long as we are doing are part. We just need to take things step by step, little by little until those things that we used to think were so hard become easier.

The Gospel is definitely true and we are so lucky to be able to take part in it. I hope that you all have a great week and remember who you are. We're children of a king and entitled to so many blessings. Act the part.
I love you all! Bye!
Love, Sister Anderson
Remember, come what may and love it!