I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!!

Good morning !

This week was wonderful. Remember like 6 months ago when I got to go to a conference in Richmond for like 4 days? Well I got to do that again. I went to Richmond and stayed at a house in Midlothian that the mission owns. The missionaries there have it made. 2 floor house with 2 appartments. It was so sweet. We listened to trainings by President and Sister Perry, the assistants, and bore our testimonies. I enjoyed it and the ride home was filled with talk of our purpose and ways we can apply what we learned so I know that everyone from the zone that went feels the same way. I got a good 13 pages of notes haha I maybe write too much but I have learned a lot from studying those notes so far.
WE HAD A BAPTISM THIS WEEK!!!! That was my first. Well, second if you count Makiah (I do).  Wow what an experience with Josh Debres. I really felt weird though, because I wasn't as happy the day he got baptized as I thought I would be. Really, the most joyful moment of that whole experience was the lesson just before his baptism. We went over the baptismal interview q's and Josh got really quiet afterward. We asked him what was going on and he said something that broke my heart.
"Elders, I don't think I'm worthy."
We said, "Well, have you repented of your sins?" He said yes. We asked, "do you feel ready to be baptized?"
His answer was surprising; "I understand repentance, and I understand that I will be clean after baptism, but I don't feel like I deserve that second chance"
We just let that sit for a second and then answered, "Do any of us deserve that second chance?"
He answered that we as mortals and sinners probably didn't. We asked him "Do any of us even deserve to be here in the first place?" He just got really quiet and we could tell that he got the point. The spirit was there.
Elder Narramore and I explained that God, being our Heavenly Father,( and in His eternal grace and love), gave us this life as a gift. He knew that we would all make mistakes and so he prepared a way that we can all be given a 2nd, a 3rd, and a 4th chance. He gives us as many chances as we need as long as we have a pure heart and repent and turn to him every time. He just lit up! What a sweet moment. When somebody truly UNDERSTANDS the Atonement I feel like I'm doing my job. That was such a sweet experience. Josh Debres understands!!!
We have 3 others set for baptism right now and we are doing our best to make things happen. William O'Neal is progressing well and working towards his date. Also, we have Dusty + Sherrin who are reading and praying daily. We haven't gotten them to church yet though. I know they love this message we just need to figure out how to get them there.
I am having a blast. This is just way too fun! I have been practicing hymns nightly on my keyboard and Elder Narramore plays the guitar so we are going to play at an FHE in a couple weeks.

This week my study has centered on the doctrine of the gospel. Doctrine, when understood, changes behavior. This week as I listened to the fundimentals of Preach my Gospel, I wrote a list of "Things to get to the bottom of" in my study journal. Doctrines that I want to understand that will change bad behaviors in my life. I have just written all of them as I hear them. I'll be studying the doctrines of Agency, obedience, prayer, the Atonement, accountability, The Father, The Son, The Holy Ghost, fear, love, inviting, baptism, success, knowledge, learning, the Word of Wisdom, the Natural Man, revelation, Grace, a mother's love, teaching, addiction, sin, faith, hope, charity, adversity, light, the Bible, the B.O.M., Scripture in general, councel, Problem solving(TG), ordinances, church attendance, covenants, honesty, integrity, virtue, rationalizing, listening, discerning, silence, repentance, forgiveness, converrsion, contention, and any others that come to me. I love this stuff.

Pres. Perry said this week that as a 70, he would find new truths and be so excited to tell the other general authorities. One day, he shared what he thought was a huge discovery and one that would benefit the church, when he did,  Elder Nelson of the twelve put his hand on President Perry's shoulder and said "you are starting to scratch the surface"

I am so excited that I have so much to learn!!!!!

I hope that everyone is doing well. I didn't have time to read your e-mails so I'll print them off and read them today. I Love you all! Peace be with you, my peace I give unto you. Not as the world giveth, give I unto you.
-Elder Skyler Andreasen
P.S. I Choose Christ!!
"Sometimes a dose of adversity is just as needed as a dose of medicine"-Unknown

Hola, como esta

Hello TANNININMEXICO,
I can't believe you guys leaving for Cozumel like that! That just isn't
like you! Haha just kidding I wasn't even surprised. I hope all is well
there and that mom has fun feeding the fish again. EASY ON THE M&M's!
I always loved those trips I just hope tanner is doing well at home I'm
gonna write Claire and tell her to text Tanner I think haha.
Josh Debres is the man. He already wants home teaching families and to
serve. He will be baptized this Saturday along with SIX OTHERS!!!! This
saturday will be a baptism frenzy with no time to drain and re-fill the
font. I am so stoked for the missionaries in the zone. What a moral boost.
:) WOOT WOOT! I had the opportunity to train in Zone Meeting on the
doctrine of our purpose. It was fun! The VA beach zone is a joy to work in
and I just love all of these missionaries.
Nothing too big happened this week, but I'm not sick, struggling, sad,
frustrated, or content. I see that as a miracle. There is a sense of
consistency here that I like. Not idleness, but a consistent betterment.
"It is an holy place" - Elder Narramore. Haha And this transfer should be
an holy transfer.
As far as our other investigators, some are progressing quickly and others
have some improving to do, no different than any of us. It's cool to see
how our purpose and our vision for people is so universal. If you look at
a scale from 1-7, some investigators are at a 4, some at 7(baptism), some
only at 1, but our purpose is just to get them from a 1 to a 2 or from a 4
to a 5 or if they are ready to baptize them. We give everybody the vision
of baptism right off the bat but not everyone is ready. I really liked
that stuff you gave me to read Dad.
Well, I have 15 min left and I am going to write to some other loved ones
ok? Have a fun safe time in Mexico, take some good pictures for me!!!!
Love,
Sonstachio.
BTW I'll be at the beach today for p-day playing soccer, so I'm not TOO
jealous of you.
P.S. I choose Christ

Spring break in Virginia Beach

Hey everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tell Grandpa Andreasen I received his e-mail and I appreciate it. He is a funny guy. I love all of our family so much I am praying that everyone is doing well.  I am so STOKED to be here. This has been the best 3 days of my mission. I'll tell you all about it. Transfer was great:) I love the new area. I love Elder Narramore. I got everything back. Yes. Yes.

 

Woo, that was a doozie,

I am going to attempt to answer everything you asked I feel bad when I leave things unanswered so here goes nothin:

 

I loved your letters this week thank you. I can just see everything that is happening to the wazoobies playing in my head while I read the letters. I love reading those letters. I have been emailing Andy Maughan back and forth too he's such a stud. Glad you got my package:) Ya that snake belongs to some members in hampton who had us over for dinner and I almost held that snake but she said it was angry after feeding and would bite me. I wanted to pull a Rob Dyrdek and put a shark suit on just to say I got bit but my dreams of being bit by a big orange snake will have to wait cuz I chickened out. Woah congrats to Shane ANDRUS!!!! woot woot!!! Tell him hi from me and I still have a letter from him that he sent our priests quorum. I read those often and they keep me going. at some point I'd like to write the quorum but IDK who to send it to. Let me know on that one.

Dad, I'm glad you liked that hat. And the sticker, I totally forgot about that. I do love this area, it has been refreshing. This is a huge area with some great potential. We have 3 set for baptism, Josh, Devin, and Sherrin, all in the Salem ward. Elder Narramore and I set David and Sherrin last night. They are the first people we taught together and it was great. They are married and living with less active members but it's so funny how these less active members are carrying on like they go to the temple weekly and they haven't been to church in months. They are great at doing missionary work and they feed us a lot but they don't feel the need to come I guess haha we'll see what we can do. We're hoping the baptism of their friends will spark them up.

Josh is a stud. He was going to wait for april to be baptized but he feels ready now so yesterday when we saw him we said, "let's just do it on saturday" he was like "let's just do it today" haha he's decided that in two weeks is a perfect time to do it' I'm excited for that.

The appartment I live in could not be better. I love it. DID I TELL YOU THAT ELDER MILLER IS LIVING WITH US!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, Elder Miller, MTC comp. He and his companion serve in Kempsville. We have so much fun every day driving our 2012 dodge van around teaching. I love this Mom and Dad I don't think I am coming home for another year and a half ok?

I gotta go but this has been truly amazing. I get to talk to the assistants a lot and Elder Wheelock is one of my favorites. He invites me to do something every time we talk and this week so far he has invited me to bless the life of a missionary in the area, and to also seek council from one or two missionaries on something I'm struggling with personally. I have seen my charity for others grow as I have saught council from them and we are building unity and trust with the missionaries around us. I love where I am right now, I get to cross paths with so many different missionaries and learn from them and bare testimony to them. It is AMAZING.

So also in the singles ward one kid just moved here in the Marines and he's 18 from parawon Utah (spelling) he gave me his military watch. It's so sweet. He's been out 6 months too and his twin is serving a mission. An instant friend who looks just like Layne Lawson and he gave me his watch. Look him up on FB and write him. Support him ok? just make friends with him he's a stud. He plays soccer too. Del Gull is his name.

Love,

 

Elder Andreasen

 

P.S. I chooseChrist

BIG NEWS BIG NEWS!!

"I think me and my friends, are ready to go pro:)"

Haha Dadstachio, thank you for the email. I loved it. I haven't found that info yet you sent but I'm searching. I forgot what book it was in but I just looked it up so I'm good. I'll find it. Sorry about all the pictures, I just like takin em. I'll delete the stuff, but I can't delete the videos and I need them off of there so we need to find someone savvy enough to do it.

Week was fine. No baptism, but I'm not crying. Thomas and his fiance got into a huge fight and we (the missionaries) were almost taken to court for helping Thomas get rid of all of his tobacco and coffee. We weren't thinking, it was stupid of us to help him carry it out and stuff but it's all blown over. Thomas was so embarrassed about everyone prepping for his wedding and baptism and then falling through, so he didn't want to come to church. We thought he had completely given up. Then Saturday he called and explained that he couldn't deny the truthfulness of the restored church and the Book of Mormon and said "I'll see you tomorrow at church" everyone at church respected him so much more for coming and he said now he understands the Atonement and he feels like he can start progressing toward a worthy baptism. He is a stud and I think the LORD humbled him for a reason. I know the LORD humbled him for a reason. Ether 12:27 :)

Momstachio, I love you and I'm sorry I don't have enough time to write much. We just got flagged down while emailing and taught the watered down version of the RESTO. The guy was stoked. He asked how he could find the will of God in his life and live it, so we told him. Sorry that took up most of my time. Bro. Smith is here now and I have to go. We have a dinner tonight with 2 investigators and 2 member families. We're gonna eat with them all and then leave and let them all watch a movie and have some bonding time. Thomas and Tony are coming. Great opportunity to hand them over to the branch.

Haha tell Jen hi and I'm sorry I missed that show, it sounds amazing. Happy birthday Grandma Davis, I love you and hope it is a good one.

I am getting transferred to VA beach. I'll be in an area called Salem, but over the whole VA beach young single adult ward. I'm so excited! That will be way fun. And we are in a VAN apparently haha. WOOT WOOT! I am gonna miss Elder Richardson and Elder Case. I have learned so much in the past 12 weeks from and with them. WOW I can't believe it. I don't know my address yet, but I'll let you know. Bro. Smith will maybe call you with that info. The crowning event in our week was when Thomas called and said he wasn't giving up because he knows this is true. No baptism, but guess what? He's planning on moving to VA beach. We'll see how things work out.

I love you all and I am so excited to be a missionary today. Grace is the reason you and I have the power and strength to do what we do every day for The LORD, and it's the power that will save us after it helps us do all we can do. I want you to know how important it is that we learn all that we can for ourselves in this life, there's no other time to learn it.

"If you accumulated all the money on the entire Earth, it would not buy so much as a loaf of bread in the economy of Heaven"-Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Well, I'll tell you this. What you can learn today in one hour of study will get you a whole sirloin steak dinner in the economy of heaven. Knowledge is power, and pure doctrine can be found today if you look hard enough. I love you guys,

Stay safe and keep up the good work.

Elder Skyler Mark Andreasen
P.S. I choose Christ