December 27, 2011

Heyo!

I was so excited to talk to you on Christmas! It was so good to hear all of your voices! Thanks for all of your support and your love I can't get enough.

 

I love this gospel and I'm so excited now every day to fulfill my purpose. I wake up thinking of Christ and inviting others to come to him and I go to sleep thanking him for the opportunity to do so. But through all of this, I know that it is not my strength or spirit doing these things. Every trial Heavenly father has put us through has been in preparation to help others. In my first week in the mission, Elder Wheelock shared with me this quote and invited me to apply it.

"The most important thing we can do in preparing
individuals to recieve the full blessings of the
Atonement is to understand it and believe in it
ourselves. By understanding and believing in the
Atonement personally, you and I can teach with
greater gratitude, greater love, and greater power." -Neal L. Maxwell

I can now testify with greater grattitude, greater love, and greater power because of the things I have been through and overcome through the help of Jesus Christ's atonement. I have felt my testimony explode in size and spirit because I have applied my understanding of the Atonement and what the saviour has done for me into my missionary work. I can look anyone in the eye and tell them about the book of mormon, the gospel of Jesus Christ, or even just bare testimony of Christ's suffering in a way that brings the spirit into the room and will make them want to learn more. Not because of my own strength or because I'm so good, but because The Lord has put me through some trials that have required me to repent and move on, and because of that, I can help someone else. We go through trials in this life not only to learn and to grow personally, but so that we can bare stronger testimony to others. So that we aren't just floating around thinking it might be true. We can KNOW. In Preach My Gospel, it says "No one can know of spiritual truths without prayer" This is so true. I love the connections I can make with the prophets of old and the book of mormon stories. I do have weaknesses, I do have strengths. Nevertheless I know in whom I have trusted. I love 2 Nephi 4 18-23. The things we go through in this life, when overcome, do not help us at all if we don't use them to help someone else. 1Corrinthians 13 1-3 means so much to me now because I know why we need charity.  We need it to propel us to help others with their problems and we need it to fulfill the first and great commandment as well as the second in Mathew 22:36-40. This is why the Savior says "on these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets" because without charity your strengths mean nothing.
I have learned so much so far being out here. I love it. I'm going to keep working hard and I know that the Lord will keep blessing us. I am so thankful for that.'

I'm sorry that this sounds so rushed, that's because it is. My E-mail to president Perry took forever because it wouldn't send then I had to re-write it so just so you know you got some parts of it in my e-mail to you.

 

This area is pretty fun. I love it. We see so many miracles every day and I guess I'm going to have to wait till next week to share some big things but I love you all so much and I know that this gospel is true. I want everyone to know about this gospel because I have lived it and I love it and I KNOW it will bless each one of us. In a lesson this week Angel asked us why in the he** we wanted her to read the book of mormon so bad and I bore testimony for about 20 min of it. I felt like ammon. I started from adam and recited all that I knew about the priesthood and the role of the book of mormon in the eternal scheme of things. I felt like a literal mouthpiece for God. I know that I am weak, but God calls us in our weakness to declare these things. He has never called a perfect missionary!

 

Read 2Nephi 2:16, John 7:17 and 2 Nephi 2:26+27, I have learned a lot about agency and the choice to chose God. Being on the fence, or not chosing God, is chosing satan because his purpose is to get us to not chose God. Have a good week and choose Christ in all you do!

love,

Elder Andreasen

 

December 19, 2011

HOOOOOOEEE!

Remember on Polar Express when the fat guy falls off the train and grabs the other guy's beard? That's how I feel right now.
Got my bike fixed and he did a full tune up on everything, new back rim and tire, new brake cable installed, everything oiled up, 70$.

Sorry :/

 

That address is correct and I'll be calling from Bro. Smith's house anywhere from 12:00 to 4:00 so be ready whenever! I don't know what to expect as far as exact time I just know that's when we'll do it.

 

I am doing so well, better than I have yet. Elder Case (boise Idaho) is such a hard worker and has put me in the go go go mood. We get home at night and pretty much fall into bed and pass out. Especially the new guy, Elder Richardson. He's everything I could have wished for in a son. He's got an amazing story that I don't have time to tell, so I'll give you the short run. From Ethiopia, parents both died. He lived homeless and raised his little brother for over a year and got kidnapped by a crazy white woman and put into a horrible orphanage. Someone took him from there and sent him to america. Adopted in Idaho by an LDS family and converted 6 years ago. He has more faith than anyone I have ever met and he'll teach me more than I could ever teach him. Works hard, laughs a lot......Like father like son eh? I am so thankful for two humble hard working companions. Paired with the branch leaders in the Newport News 3rd branch, anything is possible. I'm excited to see how things will play out.

 

As for turkey buzzards, 1 for sorrow, 2 for joy, 3 for letters, 4 from a boy, 5 for silver, 6 for gold, 7 for secrets that have never been told.

I heard the Jackson 5 singing I saw mommy kissing santa claus today ahahaha ("tickle tickle, santa claus")

 

We are in the process today of stuffing 829 stockings for the children of the ghetto and we'll hand them out on friday night, I'm so excited for that, it should be quite the expirience. I attached some photos of us and all of the donated toys and candy from today and me in the back of Bro. Smith's truck on the way from transfers to our appartment.

 

I only have time to really tell you one expirience that has happened here so far. Dad, thank you for all of the people skills you taught me by example. I feel blessed to be able to connect with people half as well as you can. We knocked on this old couple's door next to a member's home (we haven't had to feed ourselves yet, I love this place) and they told us not to go there because he's cranky and won't talk to us but we all felt like we should so we knocked. He opened and was very stand-off-ish at first and said that he didn't want anything from us and that the last set of missionaries had already talked to him. I was just praying for something that we could say that could change his mind and he said he had to go so he started closing the door and I felt like I should offer to give him a blessing. He looked at me kind of funny and I explained that we had the authority to lay our hands on his head and give him a blessing. He let us in. He told us about all of the rods and screws in his back and that it was just killing him to stand there. We were in his room and his wife was way mean to us, didn't smile, answered q's with a yes or no. I annointed and Elder Case gave a beautiful blessing that threw the spirit at these people. When he was done, that man jumped out of the seat and hugged each of us. He told us a chill went through him that took away his pain. He was almost crying. She sat up and we had some small talk and I pulled a " you can't be a day over 40" she laughed so hard and she had a huge smile on the rest of the time we were there. I said, "you two sure do smile a lot" and he said "you three are making us smile" I felt as though the spirit had re kindled a fire that went out long ago. We had to leave but we plan on following up with Thomas Samuel Jackson.

 

I'm out of time. I love the area, I'm so excited every day to be a missionary, I love you all!

Elder Andreasen

Wazoo

 

Visit at Virginia State Capital

Skyler,

Thanks again for taking time on Monday to visit with us at the State Capitol.  I hope you enjoyed your visit.  We certainly enjoyed hosting you.

I am attaching the picture we took in my office, which turned out quite well, although you certainly make me look short!

Good luck to you on the remainder of your mission.  We will keep you in our prayers.

Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling

December 12, 2011

HEYYYYYYY!

So first off, I am getting transfered to an area called Newport News 3rd Branch. Another downtown city atmosphere but apparently a little scarier. I will have to be in at 8 apparently. I'm texting around right now to find out the address so you can send stuff there so we'll see if I get it. If not that's ok I'll just write you from there. Ok my address is: 5606 York Circle Newport News VA, 23605

I will be training, in a threesome, and  we're getting shotgunned in there, so I'm a bit nervous. "Nevertheless I know in whom I have trusted." :) Elder Case is the name of my first new companion and I have been on exchanges with him, I really like him so that's comforting. President said Elder Case will be the District leader down there and I will be training. I am pretty excited, this should really stretch me as a missionary and I already know I have so much to learn from whoever I train and from Elder Case. One goal I had was to be the type of missionary that could train at the end of my training so I feel very blessed to have accomplished that. I could not have done it without the support of the Lord and the support of all of my family and friends. I continue to pray that I will be able to magnify this exciting new calling.

Sorry we couldn't connect last week Mom, I missed ya! That's ok though. I'm glad your surgery went well. I can imagine how you feel, I remember recovering. I remember what I did to recover though, I recomend it. Put an x-box 360 and a tv at the foot of your bed and wrap an Ice pack around your head, then get really really good at Modern Warfare 2. No seriously though, thank you for sending that Ensign, I had given mine away to a less active member. Read "The power of Scripture" in that conference Ensign that you sent to me, there's a line in there that says the scriptures don't only heal us emotionally and spiritually, but phisically also. I love that. Dive into the scriptures every day and "Drink deeply from the pages of the Book of Mormon" I have seen such a change in my emotional health and spiritual well-being as I have tried to apply this. I read and study now because I love it. It's amazing how much the scripures do for us.

I am so glad to hear from Grandma Davis. I miss them so much. Thank you for the Christmas package!!!! I loved it! Those pants fit me and I didn't open anything I wasn't supposed to, so I'm excited to open them in my new area on Christmas. I'll adress the Wazoo Mannequinn moms in a sec hahaha.

I wish I had Mitsy's E-mail or address, can someone get that to me?

The weather finally got cold this week. I don't know exact numbers but this morning before basketball at 5:30 it was cold as death. I had to wait by the church for like ten minutes as some other elders went to pick the keys up and I just about died. Today we had a tour of the Virginia State capitol by invite from The Lieutenant Governer. He's is not a member but his son is serving a mission in Salt Lake City, and he is good friends with Pres Perry.  Steven Spielburg is also shooting a film on Abraham Lincoln at the capital building this month and I was there! I saw Steven! He's not what I expected, but whoever was playing Abe is a cool guy. I couldn't take any pics of that part of the tour for copywrite reasons but I saw them. The Governer will be sending you a little present soon, I'm excited about that. Our tour guide almost beat that guy in Chichenitza, but not quite. When we were in the capitol, our tour guide winked at the sisters and it was soooo funny I don't know why but we all just started laughing (Quietly because steven was filming) but that was priceless. We are going Ice skating today too!

Ok, I'm sorry I spent so much money last week. I got all of my Christmas shopping done in one place pretty much, but I have to find one more gift. It'll be small. Ihave some bad news though. Another Elder who left for brazill last week was using my bike and bent the rim. It has loosened more and more and it collapsed. I have to get a new rim and I don't know how much that will cost. I have to do that today or tomorrow, there are no extra bikes down in "the news". I'm hoping it's not more that 40 to get a used rim and have all the components transferred over. I'm sorry we can't counsel more about this I just have to get it done. Please make sure I have enough in my account for that. I really feel bad.

I love you all, I know the Savior is waiting at the door and all we have to do is knock. Everybody make sure you are reading your scriptures daily and praying constantly. The world is turning increasingly dark and we desperately need to choose Christ over and over throughout the day!

Wazoo!

Love,

Elder Andreasen

December 5, 2011

Well hello everyone!

Dad, I'm glad you enjoyed that message "Sanctify yourself" I can tell you when I watched that I was in the middle of the library bawling my eyes out. The spirit definately testifies of the truthfulness of everything Elder Holland says. The next one you should look up is also from Elder Holland, it's about the persecution that the Book of Mormon has gotten and his testiomony about the book. I'm honestly getting chills thinking about it. I don't know what it's called but he is such a power house. I love his talks. You are right, there is nothing better than labouring for others. I am so thankful for my mission and the things I have learned so far.

I'll know next week wether I'm getting transfered and Elder Tramell and I think I will. We can't be sure obviously but I know that's what our Zone Leaders put on the transfer suggestions because I saw them. haha As far as a call on Christmas we just call from our cell phone whenever and I can talk for like 45 min I guess so we have sacrament at 10 here and if I get transferred I'll let you know what time church is there. Whenever you can gather everyone together after like 11:30 you just let me know when you want to do it.

Haha I did get up and bear my testimony I have every month, I love doing that it's the best. plus that will be my last one in Downtown if I get booted so I had to. In testimony meeting, Sister Ibrahim (eebraheem) from Nigeria that feeds us weekly at fhe got up and bore her testimony and she is so hard to understand. She told a story about one of her patients pulling a knife on her and these were her words " I say, man, you betta put that knife down or I gonna get my own knife and stab you, you paralized and will die, I fat and will not die" hahaha one of the best testimonies ever! She turned it around and told us about her family and made us all cry. She is better at speaking than she thinks.

I feel so selfish in my e-mails. I want you to know I am so thankful for the thanksgiving package you sent and all of your letters and E-mails. I draw so much strength from those things and it seems to me like they always come just at the right time. Thank you

This week was definately the best yet on my mission. I had the opportunity all week to go to a leadership training (from 10 am to 5pm tuesday through friday) and it was in an area that I can't remember the name of but I have never felt so strengthened of the spirit. We talked a lot about what we can do to gain personal revelation for our areas and for specific people. Pres. Perry is having back problems so he only came on the last day but it was so good. What a powerful man. We were taught by his wife and the A.P.'s all week and if you remember correctly Elder Wheelock was my Zone Leader prior to being an assistant but he is such a strength to the mission. I love meetings now is that wierd?? The personal revelation and edification of the spirit that happens in any meeting is something I failed to key in on before now. I get like two pages of notes from sacrament meeting. It's nuts. I feel like my relationship with the spirit is such a strength. I am so thankful to God for all of my weaknesses that compel me to be humble. Elder Wheelock got up and started off his testimony by saying "If anyone ever says we aren't Christian, they are crazy" I was thinking the exact same thing. I rely on my savior moment by moment. I have to take a sec three or four times a day and just tell the air that I choose Christ. I love the concept of agency. That gift is so amazing. The more times in a day you choose to follow Christ the more you learn and grow.

This week we didn't do much in our area. All 5 progressing investigators stopped progressing. No one came to church, no one read. I don't get it. I had to learn this week the difference between sadness and discouragement. I can be sad at these things but not get discouraged and just keep on workin.
Another pair of levi's would be nice, I'm glad you asked. I don't know if you noticed in any of the pictures but my once slim fit jeans are skinny as can be. Biking all day every day has made my legs bigger they look like the Hulk or some other really strong person. just kidding but really I'M HUUUGE! Remember that time that Sister Federico told dad he was a big muscly man one day hahaha

Mom, that trip sounded fun with the yw! I am so thankful that we went to Palmyra, I can testify of that place and the spirit there. I wish we could go to the temple here I hear it's amazing.

Well, I love you all, keep on truckin! It sounds like you are all doing well. I haven't heard from T-bird in a while but I would love to! Tanner I love you and miss you!


Thanks ya'all,


Love Elder Andreasen.

November 28, 2011

HEYO HEYO HEYO!!  mappy hyber conday

I realized right after emailing last week that I didn't even say Happy Thanksgiving I'm sorry about that. Happy Thanksgiving. haha

I have to say with all of the holidays that are coming up in the next year, I am most excited about 12/12/12 baby! It's gonna be so sweet 

Still no snow, it's been 70 and sunny for the last half of the week, which was perfect for the turkey bowl! I took some good pictures of our team t-shirts and before and after the game shots but none of the actual football so I hope you believe I actually played! It was just like the glory days! I dropped like 4 touchdown passes and let a touchdown in on Defense but still had fun! haha man I should have just played the bassoon and gotten that scholarship 

It's been fun to rake yards and mow lawns as the season winds down. Service is an awesome thing. We went to Makiah's house and raked all of her leafs up and then the kids had a blast jumping in them and making a big mess of them so I gave up and just played in the leafs for a minute. I didn't take my camera sorry. You might notice a $25 charge to my card at family dollar, that was 20 cash and 5 for garbage bags to put leafs in just so you know. It has been a week full of service and some good meetings. 

 

We got word from the relief society pres that there was a member who might need her yard winterized and cleaned. Single mom, white, works every day and has no time to keep up the yard. So we decided to go help her out, all four of us in the apartment. It took a good 5 hours and she showed up in the middle (off early from work) and she just started crying and was so appreciative of it. It was so humbling. She fed us dinner and told us that her fiance passed away 4 months ago and the  stress of her yard and everything else was just building up and this service would get her through the winter. Some of these stories just break my heart!!!

I really don't have much to say this week. Like I said, we raked a lot of leafs, mowed a lawn, and had a couple appointments cancel. Turkey day was fun, we ate a ton of food at Bro. and Sister Feather's house. I am just so thankful for everyone! I thank you all for your love and support! This has been the best time of my life so far. I have grown so much and according to Elder Tramell I have changed a ton. I don't know in what way but I guess I have. I am so thankful for family and friends. There are not words enough to describe how thankful I am for family, whether close or extended. Tell everyone from Davis, Andreasen, and Buetler families that I love them so much and miss them dearly. I feel so blessed!

Elder Andreasen

waZOO

November 21, 2011

Hello family,

Alright, need to start off with something I forgot last week. Eleven! eleven! eleven!
eleven! eleven! eleven! eleven! eleven! eleven! eleven! eleven! eleven! eleven! eleven! eleven!eleven! eleven! eleven! eleven!

Hello hello!

Golf was pretty good. I didn't keep score. Next subject...

We were at a member's house (fourth time since I've been here that we've been fed) and Brother Brockbank told us that he actually served in this mission, now he lives here. Cool, huh? Anyway, he told us this idea for a personal study that put him more in tune with the spirit than anything else on his mission. I have now done it three days in a row.

The Recipe:

1 of all the reference books, scriptures, biographies you have, and a PMG(Preach my Gospel)

1 Question of the soul. Anything you want answered or something you need to work on.

1 Fervent prayer, asking Heavenly Father for his help and guidance, asking for inspiration from the Holy Ghost to answer this question.

1 Open heart, desirous to hear the promptings of the Holy Ghost

    Pre heat mind to (listen to the Holy Ghost) Degrees, and insert question.

Write the question at the top of the page, and let cook untill you get the slightest prompting to turn to "PMG page 19" or "Mathew 12:12"

Whatever comes into your head, follow it. It doesn't matter if you know what it will say when you turn there or have no Idea what it means when you read it, you will start to see a difference in the voice of the spirit, and your own thoughts. You will start to learn lessons and gain light and understanding to your questions. I end up with three pages worth of answers when I do this. As I see it apply throughout the day, we have felt the spirit tell us where to go and who to talk to, because we know the voice and feeling of it. I love it. Try it.

 

This week flew by too, Imagine that. :) I can't imagine how fast the secont half of my mission is going to go if the first couple months (supposedly the hardest) are going by this fast. Still learning a ton and having funny expiriences every day. I'm sad to say that most of them are innapropriate and I wouldn't feel right sharing them in this e-mail haha the people here are really crazy. I'm writing them in my journal though don't worry. So I didn't get a letter with the Wazoo crew's schtuff idk if you sent it or not but I didnt' get it.

 

We have six people progressing, but only two came to church :( Latrice, and then Marie came haha she still comes but doesn't want to believe EVERYTHING. I don't know about her. Joanne and Stone are still reading, she's in alma 40 or something, but we haven't even taught her the 1st discussion. Still stumped by that one too, she won't keep her appointments. Dewayne and Latrice are reading, they lived the Plan of Salvation last week and they keep talking about it. Latrice told us that she told her whole family she's mormon now haahahaha and she's dead serious. The only problem is they aren't married. We're workin on in. We told Dewayne about transfers and he got so mad. He demanded Pres. Perry's adress and said he'll get him to let us stay. He goes "They can't split you up like that, that's not right. I won't let em" like they were torturing us or something haha we tried to explain, he's just too funny. The last time we were over there he showed us burn marks on his leg where Latrice had tazed him (he wouldn't get off the playstation 3) hahahahahaha I have never laughed so hard, she brought out the tazer and he get's all serious and goes "Latrice, I'm studyin with the church boys," then she pressed the button and it made that really loud sound and he screamed like a girl" PUT THAT THING AWAY" they are such a funny couple.

 

I do have somewhere to go for Thanksgiving. Brother Feather, a less active member of our branch, offered a couple weeks ago to feed us. I'm way excited. They are a cool family and we like them. We also get to play in a turkey bowl!!!!! A couple zone's are getting together to play on thursday and we're gonna win. I'm just playing J.V. though.

 

We are having a ton of fun. Still working hard, and that is such a strength. Elder Tramell is a very hard worker and is showing me how to do the same. Yes I'm a bit taller than him.

I love you!

WaZOO

Elder Skyler Mark Andreasen

 

Nov 14, 2011

Hi Hi,

   I have to tell you, I'm disappointed in Virginia's weather so far. I've been waiting for snow and I guess it's never gonna come. Ever since that one really cold day it's been just fine, maybe my ear muffs while I'm riding or something but I don't ever need a coat. I'm thinking that's probably going to change though. So to answer your question about the appartment, we have 4 Elders staying in it. Elder Harris, in some of those pictures, and Elder Beardall are the Richmond Zone Leaders. I feel really blessed to live with them they are great leaders and I'm learning every day how I can be the best missionary that I can. I have come to love constructive critisism and even if it's harsh I take it for everything it's worth. As I have prayed for help with being patient and long suffering, I have seen help with being patient and long suffering. I am seeing prayer work like it never has before and I think that's because I'm listening more, not because Heavenly Father is talking more. Deep, I know, haha just kidding I'm sure everyone but me knew this before now but I have loved the relationship with Heavenly Father that comes through humble prayer and sincerely treasuring the words of life throughout my day. (DC84:85) So in the appartment it's Elder Harris, Elder Beardall, Elder Tramell and I. Then we get Elders from all over the zone coming in to do exchanges with the zone leaders and we do zone p-days so it is so much fun being here. Not that it takes away from the work obviously but I feel so blessed to be able to meet all of these different Elders and learn from them. It's been an amazing expirience as far as my own personal growth. I have tried hard to forget myself and find myself in Christ. It is a continual process and will be for my whole life. I have developed this love for learning that I never new before. I love it!

 

  Enough about me I'm sorry. So Marie has been lying to us the whole time saying that she believes this message just to see if Pres. Hanes (branch pres.) would give her welfare money. He met with her and asked her a couple questions and said he felt very uneasy during the meeting. He told us to push the date back and figure out what was going on with her. He said to use the spirit in discerning her real intentions. We prayed really hard about what to teach her after that and we decided to go with what a testimony is and why we need one. We were going to talk about lasting conversion and what it means to endure to the end. Right off the bat, she told us that we were wrong about Jesus and Heavenly Father being seperate beings and basically retreated back into all of her old beliefs. It was heart braking. She lied to us the whole time. I have a hard time believing we didn't do some sort of good though, she still wants to come to church and we are going to keep reading with her, but she is having a hard time with a couple things. AAAAAHAGHHGHAH

 

Yesterday I saw a really cool sport, bike polo. They play every sunday and this weekend was the Championship in Richmond. There were teams from seattle and NY and it was awesome. We got some contacts that were VCU students and I gave the underdog team (winner of the losing bracket) some water and they said "the mormons gave us holy water, we're gonna kick some....... It was so funny. They were awesome guys. The team that won last year lost to the underdog in a 5 to 4 double overtime game. I was blessed to be able to see it. haha it was just in a park in downtown, nothing special, but I see this sport going bit. Look up some vids on youtube or something I guaruntee you'll see us.

 

Downtown is really hard. Not one investigator has a car and we are constantly calling members for help.   John is doing so good.  Joanne and Stone are doing well, this week was stake conference and We didn't see them there but She still reads and prays and they want to keep coming so YESSS!

 

Ok I gotta go golfing so wish me luck, I'm shootin for 99

Elder Andreasen

Pictures 11-11-11

November 7, 2011

OH HERRO,

Thanks for the E-mail today I loved it! There is a guy sitting next to me watching rap videos and he keeps turning to read my e-mail and ask me how stuff is going at home. HAHA Anyway I got the SD cards but nothing was on them. I have some pictures to send home I'll do that today. If you want to just print some out or something that would be good because even if I do get to look at them I don't have time to print them and I'd rather just have them to look at. Congrats on bearing your testimony Dad! I bore mine yesterday and I wasn't going to cry but a member of our branch that was before me teared me up. I love the downtown Richmond Branch they are so full of the spirit. 

You'll have to get me the name of that kid who was called to serve here, I would love to know who it is. I actually talk to Sister Waters sometimes she's way cool and the first day I was here we made that connection because I met her Daughter at Tanner Hunt's farewell that was cool. I'm glad everyone is doing well, tell all of our family hi and that I'm gonna miss all of them at Christmas time.

As far as Christmas goes, I really do need a gps. We don't have one and I know it would be good for the rest of the mission. Even on a bike we could use it in nightly planning to plan a route of less actives and increase efficiency. Also if anyone has any sweater vests or sweaters that would be nice. It's kind of a fad among missionaries here and I think they are 3 dollars at the DI :) If there was a DI here I'd get them here but sadly there is no DI. The guy who is reading over my shoulder just told me to behave or else he would"Call my parents and beat me with a switch"then left. He was trying to be funny but I was typing so I didn't say anything then he just walked away so it sounded more like a real threat and all of the Elders next to me are just cracking up. I love people.

So Joanne and Stone. They are so so cool. Joanne is overcoming some addictions and is such a good Mother. We get to see them every week and they have come to church once but this week they couldn't. Stone is ten and the smartest kid I have ever met. He reads the Book of Mormon and writes chapter summaries and pulls more out of a verse than most adults. Joanne and Stone both want to be baptised and we are helping them to get there. She always texts us during the week with what she has learned about the atonement from Nephi or what Alma taught her about courage. They honestly feast on the scriptures and they just found out about the Book of Mormon a couple weeks ago. She is so cool. Sorry I don't know if I have time to tell you the whole story :/ I'll keep you updated.

Marie's baptism is put back one more week to the 19th of this month. We are making sure that she has a testimony and really trying to discern if she is getting baptized for the right reason. Yesterday's lesson was the best yet. We taught her about some commandments and She hasn't had any coffee for a week. This is amazing seeing as she used to have 8 cups a day. She has come leaps and bounds from her old self. It's bitter sweet that our lessons have turned from big parties with lots of cookies to very serious spirit filled discussions but It's ok I guess. JK I love it she is coming along well. The only problem is that when we ask her what her testimony is about anything it always comes back around to I hope the mormons have my back financially. This is hard to decide if she has a testimony at all. We're trying hard and using the spirit so we'll see.

Mom I just hung that up on my wall to remind me that my family is very important. It makes me smile when I see it! I haven't used those pants yet but I will soon. I miss Corrine and Stephanie Poulson and all of those friends in that group they were all amazing. Pass that along ok? Tell T-Crocket I love him and he needs to write me a letter. I haven't heard from Jadon at all what's he up to? Shoot him a text for me ok?

I'm doing well. I still love this with all of my heart. Not only that, but my might, mind, and strength! I have gained like 12 pounds I think. It's all muscle no worries. I weigh 162 and look exactly the same. It's the biking and the morning work out. We don't get fed that much, so have some missionaries over to our house and maybe karma will help us out eh?I ran out of money last month so I had to use my debit card. I need to learn how to spend at a grocery store to make it last a long time. Mom do you have any recipes? I'm not really getting sick of hot dogs yet but I might in the future hahaha. Our favorite food is a piece of toast with a little mayo and Chalula and a hot dog. MMM:)

WAZZOO, GEE YA SLATER, and as we say here in Richmond VA,keep it on the skrait and narrow

Elder Skyler Mark Andreasen

 

October 31 2011 - HAPPY HALLOWEEN

HEy everybody!

 This week just flew by, I can't believe I've almost been out one transfer. Tell grandma that I did baptize Marie in between classes. She said the word baptism so we just took her in the basement and did it right there! Just kidding, I just felt prompted to ask her to get baptized, and she said yes. We have had similar expiriences with Marie this week and we taught her three times. She just loves having these "little surprise parties" and she is gaining a testimony of the Book of Mormon, she is seeing the aplication of it in her life. I love that about the Book of Mormon, it applies to us all. My favorite part in any lesson is when I pull out a copy of the Book of Mormon and hold it out in front of me, and testify of how much I love it, of how much they are going to love it. People can really connect with something if you can just look in their eyes and tell them you love it and it will change their life. this is the best work and the most dissapointing work you'll ever do" I always heard that but now I understand. I have never felt such high highs and low lows. Not like this. I can't get enough of this:)

I got an e-mail from Elder Green today! And Elder Lawson. Very refreshing to hear from those guys. I still have yet to hear from Blake or Brock. HOLY COW WE ARE AT A NEW LIBRARY AND I ONLY HAVE ONE MINUTE LEFT>

And thus was my e-mail last week. haha Mom, I am so sorry I didn't get to press send last week and I want you to know I e-mailed President Perry already so you are the first one I'm writing today because I was so heart broken that I got a letter from someone named "angry mom" I laughed at first but then I felt really bad. I apologize. I will not be transferred. The new training is a 2 transfer training and it lays out our day to day study so I am being trained very well. I can't believe I've been out here six weeks it's so nuts.

  The weather here is so much like Utah so far. We have days where it's 60 and sunny then it's 40 the next day. This morning was the first morning there was any frost on the cars so it's starting to get pretty cold here. On Saturday we biked like 16 miles, clear to the end of our area and back twice,  and despite the huge coat you sent me and my gloves and ear muffs it was so darn cold. But we did find a ton of people that day it was cool. 

  So an update on Cedric- He dropped us. We knocked on the door and his wife was like yeah, he's not home. (we could hear him in the other room) I asked how they were doing and she said good but stop coming by because Cedric was going to stick to the bible from now on and they have nothing against the Mormons but they just like the bible too much to read another book. I tried to say something like "but we love the bible, I read it every day!" but she slammed the door. I was a little sad but that's the life of a missionary. 

 We meet with Marie almost every day. The most time we've had between lessons is 3 days it's so awesome. She called me the other day because she had just seen someone get hit by a car and she went and helped the person (she's a nurse) she put her coat around the lady, checked her leg, and then she said something really sweet. I'll tell you in her words. Keep in mind she had at least 8 cups of coffee this day and was wired.

    "So I did a head to toe check on the woman, she was doing okay. The boy who had hit her was a VCU student and was freaking out and crying and didn't know what to do so after I got the lady situated I stood up and told him to calm down. I told him he did the right thing and that God would bless him for stopping to help in stead of driving away" she went on to say afterwords " those were not my words! They can't have come out of my mouth. I want to thank you Elders for coming over here and teaching me because 2 weeks ago I wouldn't have said anything like that" 

  After she was done telling us that story, I asked her how many cups of coffee she had had that day. She said none, then admitted to 8! Ha ha we had committed her to stop drinking coffee last week and I could tell she needed help keeping this commitment so we had a really spiritual lesson about the plan of salvation and committed her again. She didn't want to, but we PROMISED her she would be blessed and she said OK, I'll try. This was Saturday night. On Sunday, she came to church and was so awake and ready, it was really funny because she kept apologizing for having no makeup and no stockings because she didn't have her cup of coffee this morning. HAHA I was laughing so hard, she is hilarious. My point in telling you this though; When you give up the things that God asks you to give up, he blesses you. Even when you don't see a reason for it, you do it. Marie is applying this and it is so fun for me to watch her learn and grow. I love these people so much! Richmond city, the rough downtown part, has so much talent and potential I could cry. There are all sorts of amazing artists and little kids who do things like painting, tap dancing, violin lessons, and get straight a's. These people are so so cool and I love them. Pres. Perry told me in a meeting that I will be serving in areas like this my whole mission because that's just who I am and that's where I belong as a missionary. He is an inspired man. I love it here and we are really starting to see some success. 

   I am not a perfect teacher. I actually skruggle (hood talk) a lot with being simple. I just want to tell them everything at once! It's really hard but Elder Tramell and I are starting to really click and when we are simple, the spirit is there. The spirit testifies of simple truths and that's what I'm trying to do right now. Just a fun fact, something I'm working on. If you want to read something that says a lot in just a few words, read Preach My Gospel. It's so amazing. 

  I am doing very well out here. Mom, it sounds like you are doing well, and I'll be praying for your second surgery. I love getting mail from you! I will be sending you one soon. We have to stay in all night tonight because of Halloween so I have time to write :) I hope and know that you are being blessed for your faithfulness and it sounds like you have attended a lot of meetings lately! I absolutely love church. I don't have time now, but next week ask me to tell you about Joanne and Stone. Some of the most amazing people I have ever met, mother and son. I know you will appreciate their story. Have a good week and I love you.

 Dad, you are the man. I love getting your letters. They always uplift and inspire me to be the best person I can be, not only as a missionary, but as a man. Thank you for being my friend.  We have a unique relationship that I am very thankful for and we are blessed to have it. I strive to do the things you do and say. You are my biggest role model and I wish some of these kids in Richmond could have a Father like you to shape them into who they can become. I love you

 

  T-bird

I just made that up

What the heck man? I miss you. I have learned so much in the time I have been gone. I want to tell you everything, but there just isn't enough time. Remember the time we were in Iowa and that wolf tackled you? I told that story in a lesson haha it was sweet. I don't know why I told it but it was funny. We've had some good times man. I miss going on trips and always having you by my side. I have a new comp. now but you will always be my companion and the best brother I could have asked for. It's me and you buddy, we're going to have a lot of catching up to do after we both serve. I love you!

I'm having a good time out here and loving the people. Have a blessed week and WAZOO!

Elder Skyler Mark Andreasen

October 24, 2011

NO EMAIL WAS SENT TO MOM AND DAD THIS WEEK!!!! YES HIS MOM IS ANGRY!!!!!!

October 17, 2011

Hello Family,

This week has been the hardest yet. The first of the week was so disappointing! We had 11 people in a row bail on us in like 15 different appointments. OH MAN I PRAYED SO HARD. Haha, I have learned a lot this week though, that's why we have challenges right? In the time between Friday and Sunday we found and taught 5 new investigators and this one lady, we'll call her Marie, actually came to church! My first! I'll tell you all about it.

Last week, probably Thursday, we get a call from Marie, whom we had never met, saying that she was in a really tough bind with money and was about to become homeless. She said she was calling to see if the Mormons could help and had gotten our number from a friend. I had to be kind of a jerk because she just kept telling me that we had a lot of money to give away and that she would really apreciate some of it. I told her we had a lot of people struggling inside of our church and I was sorry that as a missionary I couldn't give her money because I didn't have any either. She basically talked my ear off for 20 min and said "oh boy, ok. So what you're telling me is the Mormons can't help. Got it" haha i was a little torqued but I asked if we could come over and visit anyway and she accepted. Marie is the funniest lady I have ever met. She invited a friend over and bought like 6 packs of cookies for the lesson and some Hawaiian punch that wasn't name brand (she made sure to apologize about that) Her friend's name is Jai Philippe and she calls him John Philippe the Frenchman. We didn't even know he was a member until halfway through the lesson it was the funnest time I've ever had in someone's home. So there I was, in the small living room of her apartment which had one chair, almost like a throne. She was sitting in it eating cookies, in her own words, "like a truck driver". Elder Tramell and I were on the floor on pillows on either side of Marie and we had a member with us sitting across from her and she kept telling him to eat more cookies because he wasn't eating anything. Jai was sitting next to me and he is a whole story by himself. He has Gold fangs that he wears in the hood because he doesn't want to get jumped. SO FUNNY. Anyway, her dog, Snoopy, is in the middle of all of us trying to get our cookies while we talk and she just keeps eating and eating. For every two cookies she ate she gives one to snoopy, and then tells Brother Deju to eat some more. She said it was a celebration of her new friends. It was awesome. She said she would read the Book of Mormon and then Jai was just making jokes during the whole lesson. Oh and we were eating our cookies and drinking our punch out of the fine china from her great grandma. There was a moment where all of these things came together and I just started laughing. Jai was tickling my side (weird) and I was holding a little teacup with off brand Hawaiian punch and a stack of like 10 cookies that I couldn't eat as fast as she kept loading them on my really nice china plate, she gave snoop a cookie and told Brother Deju to eat some more, and I look at Elder Tramell and we just started laughing so hard. It was as crazy as it sounds. We left her with a book of Mormon and she read from it, she came to church yesterday and loved it. She learned all about work for the dead in gospel principles and asked if it was ok for her to baptize all of her dead catholic relatives. I told her yes. haha, and then the spirit told me to do something funky, and I extended the invitation to be baptized in between sunday school and relief society. She accepted. She said she believes all of this and really had a great time in Relief society. It sounds like they are going to be able to help her find a job after all. :) The Lord will provide!

I am doing so well. In district training I was asked to do a training on Substance over Flash, or being a good missionary at heart as opposed to just acting like a good missionary. It was scary, but it went well. I then recieved the most influential talk that I have ever read. I encourage all who have a missionary, are a missionary, or want to be the best missionary they can be, to read this talk. It has changed me already. It's called "The Fourth Missionary" by Lawrence E. Corbridge. I have learned so much from it and I wish EVERY SINGLE missionary EVER could read it. Please try to find it it's amazing. Mom and Dad, if you want to know what my goals are and figure out what I'm gunning for, it's in there.

I love this gospel! I have become so much happier, I have seen people realize their divine potential, I feel the spirit when I read, ponder, and pray, and I testify that this Church is the true church. There's no way around it. :) It blesses families and individuals and brings us closer to Jesus Christ. I love you all and pray for you every day! Mom, get well soon ok? I love you. Dad, you are the man. It sounds like you are still bald because your words are wise. Just kidding i'm sorry. Tanner, good job:) from what I hear you are really maturing. Keep it up. to anyone else that is reading this, I love you and I want you to know that Jesus is the Christ, that He lives, and that your Father in heaven loves you. He is the most powerful being in the universe and numbers every hair on your head. PRAYER WORKS, and the Book of Mormon is legit.

Elder Andreasen.

October 11, 2011

HEYO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I must say the E-mails this week were superb. The library was closed yesterday so I couldn't write and I was devastated. I love hearing from home. I love hearing that you are all doing well. Tell Clayton I love him and we need to e mail back and forth ok? I miss everyone but the Church has never been more true. I have never been so happy or felt more blessed. I love this work and I am gaining the testimony I have always dreamed of. The funny thing about our testimonies is they don't grow until you bare them to someone else. I absolutely love baring my testimony every second of the day. Sunday and Monday for personal study I read 2Nephi 2 and 9, highlighting all the references to Jesus Christ and his attributes and actions. I would mirror these scriptures in testifying to you the Greatness and Glory and Mercy of our Savior. He has done so much for us. That was quite a faith building exercise for me and I would recommend it to anyone anywhere.

Dad thank you for your letters and all of the support. You write me more than anyone and I feel bad I don't have as much time as I would like to write letters but I'm going to try to write you back. 

Right now Elder Tramell and I have 5 investigators :) The downtown Richmond Branch is amazing. The members are all about missionary work and sharing this message with everyone. We take someone from the branch to almost every lesson and I am so grateful to them for their testimonies. I would encourage anyone reading this to try and go out with the missionaries once, you will be addicted after the first lesson. I love missionary work and I know you will too. Also, always be thinking and watching for those people in your life that are being prepared to hear the gospel, because everyone is. Keep those people in your mind and contact the missionaries and go with them to teach that person. Laboring for the salvation of souls is a noble work and you will be so blessed for your efforts.

 Like I said, we are teaching 5 people. Ashlee and Cedric live next door to each other and are both amazing spirits. Cedric knows the bible in and out and when we told him there was another book he jumped up and yelled "I knew there was another book! I knew there was!" He was so happy to hear about the Book of Mormon and he is set to be baptized on the 29'th of this month but he won't be able to for a while. He has a great desire to learn that is an example even to me.

Ashlee is a single mother of three and is so young. I bore my testimony to her of her divine nature and that God loves her, she really felt the spirit and is reading, we just can't catch her when she's home she's like me before my mission. 

Anthony is way cool, he is a father but not a husband, which seems to happen a lot here, but we haven't met his family yet. We always teach out on the front porch for some reason. He has a really bad memory though and we have discussed the restoration with him twice and he just doesn't remember any of it the next time we go over. That is really frustrating but we will figure it out. 

 John is the next one we are teaching, an amazing guy. He has a big problem with the W.O.W. and he told us the first time we went over that he wanted so badly to stop drinking and smoking but he couldn't. Before we went on in the lesson I stopped and told him to look me in the eyes. I told him that I promised, if he read the book and accepted the message of the restoration of Jesus Christs gospel, he would get help. He would be able to stop and think clearly. I had no clue what to say after that so we went on in the lesson, then we got to the end and again I had a prompting to start talking and I did. What I asked him to do surprised even myself because after I said it I was so afraid he was going to be offended or something. I said "John, next time we come over how about we start fresh and sober, I'm going to call you Wednesday morning and remind you not to drink or smoke at all that day, and if you do, I promise you will have a clear head in our lesson and the Holy Ghost will be with us so you can understand and know for yourself that this is true and it's for you." He waited a second then agreed. I'll tell you what, the next time we went over there he was sober. He swore a lot, because he said he needed a drink to take the edge off so he wasn't so jittery, but I prayed before we started that we could rely on the Holy Ghost to take the edge off. It did. He is reading and said his first prayer with us. We meet again tomorrow so we'll see how that goes.

We find new people that are being prepared every day. This work is moving forward, God's hand is so visible if we are looking for it.

I love this so much. I always tell Elder Tramell how amazing it is that your whole day can suck, you can be rejected 20 times and have someone yell at you in their home, it can rain all day, your bike tire can pop, but on the way home we meet a man named Marcus and bare simple testimony of Jesus Christ and his atonement and we walk into the apartment jolly as can be. It's an amazing thing, your testimony. I once learned from Shane Roberts that if you bare your testimony to someone they will never be the same. Bare it always, because this life is about service. This life is the time to prepare to meet God, and perform our labors. Alma 34:32. and if you cross reference labors you will find that it says good works. Serve others, you will never ever be more happy. :)

Elder Skyler Mark Andreasen

A Comment from Mark and Paula,
Wow, what a letter. This makes a parent proud. Skyler is full of the spirit of being a missionary and of missionary work. We are going to try to live up to his challenge. We love him and are ever so proud of him. 

October 3, 2011

October 3, 2011

WELL HELLO THERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey tell Tanner thanks! I'll write him on paper.

I have one hour to mail but it's really a half hour because we have to write our reports to the mission Pres in that time. I do print your mail so it doesn't take to much time and that helps. I can E-mail anyone really I just have to personally be wise about it. Whoever wants to E-mail me can, I just might have to write them back by hand so whatever you want to do. I do not have a rain Jacket I've kept my eyes open and we are asking around for extras left in appartments and the ZL's are sure they can find me one. I have an umbrella so it's not that bad I'll keep searching. If worst comes to worst I usually just borrow someone's who is in a car that day so I'm ok don't go buy one. I'll let you know though. I'm ok with the G's I have so no problems there but I do have a couple requests. I need more shirts. If you could please send me my reading rainbow shirt I would love it.  There are really cool thrift stores here so I'm going to get some shirts today but just my reading rainbow. Also if you could tell the Andersons that they need to tell Ben hi and remind him that I'm doing this for him.

So this recent convert had us over for dinner and it was nothing to write home about. Also, we had some pasta the other week that was nothing to write home about and the weather here is not anything to write home about. I stepped in a puddle one day, but I wouldn't consider it anything to write home about. 

This week has been pretty sweet, Elder Tramell and I are starting to see some success. We have only taught a handfull of lessons but we really work well together and the spirit is always strong when we are being obedient. I loved conference. It was so sweet. I watched all of it, and got so much out of it. Some of my favorite talks were D. Todd Christofferson Sat. Night and Jeffrey R. Holland in the priesthood session. I hope everyone was listening in that one. It pumped me up so much. Satan is real and his hand is easier to see in our lives then God's hand. We are at war. Everything we do should testify of Christ. I have had to learn this as a missionary but it applies to everyone. Stay on your toes because the adversary is ALWAYS waiting for the right moment to hit you in your weakest spot with a temptation. In moments when he does hit me with temptation, I have found great power in memorizing scripture, and my favorite to recite is 2Nephi 4:27-28 I loved W. Christopher Wadell's talk too. "Our challenge is figuring out how to use what the Lord has already revealed (Priesthood, Welfare programs, Atonement, Book of Mormon, etc.)"The Atonement happened, so we just need to apply it in our lives.

I hope everyone is doing well. I haven't heard anything from the Wazzoobies like Zing and Jewbee and T-bird but I know the Lord is blessing all of them. I lost Elder Green's adress and I sent one to Elder Anderson but I haven't seen anything back. Imma write Elder Lemon today. I miss all of them. I miss everyone! But I know now more than ever that this is the Lord's work and I am privileged to be on his errand today. Joseph Smith didn't see the Father and the Son for nothing. Did you know that it took 50 men to translate the Bible at 1 page a day? The Book of Mormon was not translated at the rate of 8 pages a day by the power of God so that we could maybe read it sometimes. It was brought forth in this day to us for a reason. This work is not done and we can all do our part. I love serving :) I've already changed so much in 4 weeks. Imagine what another 23 months can do? Just think of it this way Mom, you only get to bare your testimony 23 more times in fast & testimony meeting. It's not that long. In fact, it's probably not long enough. I'm gonna keep smiling (thanks to Claire) and working hard and praying for all of you, because I do pray for all of you! I hope you are all doing well. Mom, get well soon k? I love you. I hope you aren't in to much pain. Recovery sucks.

WAZOO ERRYBODY, WAZOO

Elder Skyler Mark Andreasen

Pictures from Virginia

I'm in Downtown Richmond, VA

Hey how ya'all doin? 

Everybody says this so I'm trying to get used to it. it's so weird. Ok , I have a blanket. I have five blankets and if you get too worried I could sleep with all five :) I'm telling you mom, you need to quit worrying. I'm just living my life, on a mission in DOWNTOWN RICHMOND VIRGINIA!!!! When we were sleeping at Pres. Perry's house we were all anticipating where we would be called to serve our first area and Elder Miller was like I bet we're both on bikes. Elder Miller and Elder Nelson and I were the only ones called to biking areas. i did get a bike. It's a trek 4-series and it's so sweet. someone along the lines put road slicks on it and it was the coolest bike in the garage (they told us before we even left for our area we had to pick out a bike and they had every bike in the mission at the mission home so I had to choose one right off) I got a pretty good bike but nobody has told me a price yet they are trying to get the missionary's info who left it so when I contact him i'll offer him 200 and see where that goes. I'm sure he'll be happy to get an offer it's a little beat up.

 

I love my area. it is one of the smallest areas in the mission but has SO many people in it. I am on the campus of VCU every day. My new adress is 900 West Marshall St. #106 Richmond VA 23220. Our appartment is the coolest place. It's called The Biggs and it has the biggest rooms I have ever seen. I'll send pictures.

 

My trainer's name is Elder Tramell, he's from Mckalla Alabama or however you spell that but he's been out 3 months or so and we got shotgunned into the area which means he knows nothing about it either. We started from scratch which is pretty tough but I'm so excited for the challenge. It's been so cool to meet everyone on the street, my specialty right? We have met so many people that are just high as a kyte. We met some guy on the street and I asked him what his name was and he mumbled "My name is cook it up and I'm the owner of the united states of america" to which I said that's awesome man where are you from and he was just staring at my ring so he asked me what it meant and I said Choose The Right and all he said was "now that's what's up". So i invited him to church. Later that night we met someone who said he has never told anyone his name but he'd tell us because our badges said Jesus on them and his name was Dennis but when we call him we are supposed to call him Nothing so no one knows. He says Jesus must have left earth because he was way too hot. "Jesus must be in outer space or somethin because he is red hot, he can't even BE on earth anymore. Ya know those monks that just stand on their heads in the mountains and learn things for 50 years.............." He had some cool beliefs I guess.

 

I love downtown, it's so sweet. We have 4 elders serving here because there is a lot of work to do, but the members are so so sweet. We are meeting with two of them this week for dinner and to get some referrals but EVERY member gives us someone to talk to. We are having a lot of fun. The ward mission leader is this guy named Brother Chamblace, and he is so excited about missionary work. We are gonna see some success here I know it. We have 6 new investigators since thursday which just means we have an appointment set up but we'll see how it goes. So far, I haven't been able to teach a lesson yet but we have our first one set up for tomorrow so I'm so excited to bare testimony of these things and invite people to come unto Christ.

 

This is the funnest thing I've ever done. Every day I think to myself at least once, "Im on a mission" it's so sweet. I hope things at home continue to go well. Tanner, good job on the ticket man but my record is like 22 over so beat that! You better write me back I know you're busy but it is so good to hear from you and from everyone. Ive gotta go, but keep on keepin on and if you can send me the stuff from the Wazoo crew and any other missionaries like Layne. I lost his adress but I need it. Love you all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wazoo

Elder Skyler Mark Andreasen

 

P.S. check out downtown richmond VA on google maps or something and look up 2nd st. there are so many cool people here.

 

Elder Tramell and I live with the Zone Leaders, who are such studs. One is Elder Harris from St George and the other is ElderWheelock and I forgot where he's from but we play basketball on sat. and Mon. and 530 am and It's so much fun

Safe in Virginia

I'm a little slow writing this.
6:30 Wednesday morning (Sept 21) Skyler called us from the airport.  His group was headed to Virginia.  They hadn't gotten much sleep but sounded excited for the journey.  They didn't have much time so he said he would call us on his layover in Atlanta.  Around 11:30 a.m. he called us from Atlanta.  He had gotten a good nap on the airplane and shared an experience of where one of the sisters had shared the gospel with a passenger on the plane.  They were having a very good trip.  He had been elected flight leader so he was making sure everyone was getting their luggage to the right places and seated properly.  All the traveling we have done as a family I'm sure prepared him for this assignment.  He sounded very good and excited to get to Virginia.  Paula cried a little again and I of course gave him some advice.  It was nice to hear his voice.  He also mentioned that he really enjoyed the MTC and would miss some of the things he experienced there.
Later that afternoon, Elder Rickson who is one of the assistants called Paula and informed her that Skyler had made it safe and was excited to have him there.  He felt of his spirit and knew that they had a great missionary joining their mission.  He has local ties to us here as he is the nephew of our friends John & Kris Apedaile.  He is also very close friends with our neighbors son Trevor Hansen.  It was a great day Wednesday and we look forward to hearing from him Monday to see where he is serving.

Last MTC Letter

Hey there everybody!!! Dad, I did recieve your letter and thanks for the picture. I'll be honest, at first I had no clue what it was but I recognized it pretty quick. Elder Miller and I just got out of the temple it was a great session. Thank you for sending those adresses and stuff. So I leave for Virginia tomorrow!!!!!!! I'm so excited. I haven't done any packing yet so I think I'll start with that after dinner. We did our wash today and all I've been doing is writing letters and eating and stuff. It's been a great Preparation day.

        I think if one person has influenced me the most on my mission so far it would be Billy Bob Thorton. We wake up pretty early to get good showers and what not and every time my alarm goes off I either think "Tiiiime to get up........" or "BEAVERS N DUCKS"

        We were released as Zone Leaders on Sunday and that sucked because I now feel lazy and have to deal with more study time in the wake of extra meetings. I'd rather be at meetings. Don't get me wrong, I learn a lot and love to read the scriptures, but when you have 2 3-hour study blocks in a day you try to get away from it as much as possible. I smell burning feathers all the time. Elder Miller smells them too. Also, I can't believe I've been spelling Wassail wrong my whole life, I thought it was wassle. 

       I have to be at the travel office at 4 am and our flight leaves SLC at 7:50. I don't know how long the flight is because our plans are in the room but we have a couple hours in Atlanta and that's when I'll be calling. We're going to get on the P.A. on the plane and make sure everyone there has heard about the Book of Mormon so we can know who to teach on the way. That reminds me, tonight I'm going to get on the P.A. in our residence hall at 10:00 and make sure every elder gets in one last pop-lock-n-drop it before bed. Our district has made this a nightly practice.

       Someone write the Wazoo crew and tell them that I found a video in our Days Inn hotel room in Vegas at four in the morning of everyone sleeping, we all had some symptoms that night. Oh, and  E. Miller is from Cali and he says Shamoo is a fake, and he has a season pass to sea world so he knows. He says there's multiple shamoos and that just bugs me. I had a lot of faith in shamoo. There's an Elder in my district that says people are like tumbleweeds and that when they come in front of us on our path we need to not swerve and crash but we should just speed up and hit them with the full force of the gospel. This isn't true, ask Elder Anderson. If it was, we would have like 20 investigators chillin on the side of our house by the boat every fall.

        I just overheard Elder Tumbleweed say that we only have 709 days left on our missions. Then I overheard some typing. Then I overheard my companion say dinner is at 4:30. Then someone said that we're really doing it and that we'll be real missionaries in 24 hours. THAT IS SO EXCITING! I am having so much fun, I wish I could see all of my friends and my family and the real shamoo but I've given those things up now, I'm on a MISSION. I have gained such a strong testimony and companionship of the spirit. Diligence and working hard makes hard work fun. I just hope that still applies to the field. I'm sure it does.

       Just to finish off strong, Id like to tell you a story that happened on sunday. We were on our temple walk and I turned to E. Miller and said, "All I ever say in my journal is how much I love you" What I meant by this was that I was thankful that I had a comp. that was a goof and really fun and wasn't a BIEBER D. We turned the corner and he just kept looking in front of us as he says, "yeah, my journal probably thinks I'm gay"

                               -Elder Skyler Andreasen

       P.S. WAZOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Week 2 Letter

September 13, 2011

HELLO!!!!

The MTC is treating me well. I am actually going to bed before 11 and I didn't know that was possible. The food here is like being on an all inclusive cruise ship, in that after seven days every meal tastes the same and it's only good if you cover it in Guacamole. the salads are spot on, I have like a thousand croutons a day. I have made so many new friends and Elder Miller and I are having a blast. Did someone tell Bob that Elder Anderson loves him? I'm still worried about that. I am so glad the surgery went well, I was praying for you constantly Mom. But I know you're already over it. We got our flight plans this week and I have to pack next tuesday because we leave at FOUR IN THE MORNING! That's going to be so fun though I can't wait to be in Virginia. I am so so stoked. I have gotten all of your boxes and I use my knee brace when I work out. That backpack was much needed and it's perfect thanks. How long is mom in the hospital? I really want to write Brock and Blake and Andy Bales and Ryan and if you could get a hold of Jaden that would be awesome I don't have his adress. Also, I want to tell you a story.

               Last thursday we were teaching a fake investigator who threw a curveball at us and asked us all sorts of questions about why God does bad things if he loves us and her mom just died so I was trying so hard to think of this scripture that I had read that week and it wouldn't come. We told her that our Heavenly father gives us challenges to strengthen us but it was weak because we didn't have any scripture back-up. So she listened and it was good but I got out of the lesson still racking my brain about this scripture and as I walked in the classroom I went "Oh shoot, I remember! Ether 12:27. It would have been perfect!" We read it together and decided to use it next time we taught nancy. Just to show her why would give us families and then take them away. (tough question) anyway......... I recieve a letter from dad and I read through it as I sit down after the lesson and at the end is this statement.

            "Here''s a scripture for you that I have used in my life when I need a faith boost. Ether 12:27"

              It was so cool! I told everyone in the room what had happened and we read Ether 12:27. It was great. Everyone loved it! But there is an underlying story here. As I looked to my right I saw Elder Kelly, from Las Vegas, with his scriptures open to Ether 12:27 and his head was down and he was crying. I left the group and asked him if he was ok and he looked up at me with a smile and said "You tell your dad thanks for sending that scripture. I have been having such a hard time here and I didn't know why the MTC was such a challenge for me when it was so easy for everyone else. I've been praying that things would be easier, this is an answer to my prayers."

               

          Hey Dad, thanks:) that scripture has helped me too. Elder Bednar spoke to the MTC a while ago and we got to see a video of it but in there he told of a random act of kindness that he performed out of nowhere when he gave some money to a general authority as a missionary, just because he thought they might get hungry on the train ride. That money ended up saving his life and Elder Bednar didn't find out for like 20 years that his random act of kindness even made a difference. In fact, he even forgot about it. What I learned from his talk was this, sometimes the spirit doesn't need to work through an overwhelming feeling to do something or a voice in your head. Just by being a good boy or a good girl  (Elder Bednar's words) you can have confidence that the spirit is guiding you constantly. You may never know the impact you'll have in someone's life just by being who you are. Dad, how does it feel that you had a hand in helping one of God's children come closer to Jesus Christ? and you probably weren't even thinking when you did that. Thanks for being who you are. You and Mom will never know how many times you saved my life. I love you, and the next time I E-mail I will be a day away from the real thing. Next week I leave for Virginia and I can't wait to be the Lord's mouthpiece!

 

I have seen so many people I know and EVERYONE is doing so well. Andy Maughan is always around, I see Zander constantly as you'll see in some pictures, he's on my floor in my residence hall. I see Tanner Hunt all the time and Kyle Moore sits by me sometimes in the meals. I'm loving this mission thing.

 

To the Wazoo Crew, Wazoo. To everyone else, Wazoo too.  Love

Elder Skyler Mark Andreasen

Week 1 Letter

September 6, 2010

WOAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't believe it's been one week. I'm sorry I forgot to tell you my Preperation day in the MTC is on tuesdays. First off, I want you to know that I love you. I have had a lot of time to think about our family. I miss you guys but I know you will be ok. I gotta keep my heart locked. Will someone tell Bob Beutler that Elder Anderson loves him please? I totally forgot. It's been on my mind every day. Also Mom, Elder Anderson says hi from like six months ago. Just thought you should know. So a scary but awesome thing happened my fifth day in. I am a zone leader. I really don't have to do that much more than I did it Just means I get to act in the place of our branch pres in keeping our zone in line. But our zone is the best and we all do the right thing so my job is easy. It has been a blessing to serve as zone leader with Elder Miller because we get to use our knowledge and spirit to help and serve the other elders who may be struggling or anything like that. In our district we have no sisters but in district c there are three and they are way fun. Elders Miller, Reynolds, Nielson, Nelson, Dotson, and I are headed to Richmond Virginia. Elders Fuller, Kelly, Smith, Hardy, and Wood are headed to Houston. The other district in our zone leaves tomorrow, half to Fresno, and half to Fort Lauterdale, with one sister going to SLC south. I love them all so much. They're great. We will be getting three new districts on Wed. and that should be way fun. Elder Miller and i get to do their orientation and tour of the MTC so I'm way excited to meet them all. One of the best things we have done as a district was yesterday when we had one Elder at a time sit in the middle of the room and each of us told one thing we love about him. After one week we all had some amazing and uplifting things to say to eachother. That is the work of the Lord. 

I have so much to say and only a couple more minutes but I am doing great. I'll write some letters to you and stuff but know that I am having fun and Elder Miller and I are striving to be exactly obedient. I have seen direct blessings from this. I want you to know Elder Fuller is from hawaii and he is the wisest and most handsome Elder I've seen yet at the MTC. Also, Elder Nielson says Hello. He's from st george.

I love you all so much but I have 2 more minutes so i need to go!

Be exactly obedient Tanner. You will be blessed.

Love ya,

Elder Andreasen