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