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.