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