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.