How my week was this week

Hello and welcome to "how my week was this week" this week!

First off, a GREAT BIG SHOUT OUT to Grandpa Davis for FINALLY turning 28!!!!!! Happy Birthday grandpa! I feel sorry for you when Grandma comes to give you those birthday spankings........

Pretty crazy week. I'm at the mission office right now with one of our Elders, Elder A who was having a hard time (understatement) last night and we did an emergency exchange. We went at 10:00 pm to their apartment and did the exchange while Elder A was asleep and Elder B left with Elder Coon and Elder Hart so Elder A woke up this morning with me as his companion. Surprise! We woke up late because I disabled all of the alarms so that Elder A could sleep in and relax, then we had a nice talk over eggs and toast and we came up to the office to meet with President. It was good. Elder A is doing better and we got permission to go to downtown Richmond for the day and see the Jefferson Motel and some museums to relax and take a good preparation day. If we can, we might go bowling. For the next week or two we'll be switching off with Elder A and Elder B until transfers. President Perry told us that we are staying another 6 weeks, did I tell you that? I have had some more opportunities to feel the spirit and try to uplift our missionaries. I am so grateful to be able to do that. I am using the computer in the office and the assistants still need to email soon so I am going to get off here in the next minute or so.

This was a slow week. We did see some good things though. April is back from out of town, and the night she got back we decked out their front entrance so that when she got home from the airport, she saw a bunch of glowing pirate balloons and a banner that said happy home day (crossed out birth and wrote home). She loved it. Then Sunday she didn't come to church but we went over there and had a powerful lesson. 

Brother C is the man. He came to church! Sister C has read the Standard works, for the strength of youth, gospel principals, and every "friend" or "Liahona" for the past 5 months. She is progressing so quickly and has expressed her desire to be baptized soon and to get her husband, kids, and grandkids on board. What a HOOT!! She has bright blue hair and calls me "the Clown" I'll have to get a picture of her for you. 

Snow this week has kept us inside a couple days this week because Virginia drivers abandon their cars in the road at the sight of snowflakes.

Love you :)

This has been "how my week was this week" this week,

Brought to you by

Elder Skyler Mark Andreasen

p.s. I choose Christ

HEYA HEYAAA!

HEYA HEYAAA!

Woot woot! I'm going to answer your questions.

 

I am doing well today. I'm learning recently what it means to be digified and still be myself. I struggle with that. Put me with the right missionaries and we'll be marching around the appartment with flags on our heads and chocolate smeared all over our faces. Haha ok not exactly but I am learning how to chill out a little. I have felt in the past that I either have to be dignified or I can be happy. If I am ever mild for more than 30 min all of the missionaries in the appartment come up and ask if everything is ok. HAHA I am fine I'm just learning how to be more mature about being excited I guess. Yesterday was a really good day but everyone asked me multiple times if something was wrong. The only thing that was wrong was that everyone kept asking haha I guess that's just a testament to the fact that I need to chill out a little. THAT is how I'm feeling today Mom :) 

 

Things went very well with Josh! I got a ride from the Shelton family on Sunday. I was very appreciative of Josh for asking me to come down and do that. What an expirience. He really appreciated the line of authority as well. 

 

Thank you for ordering those pants! 

  

The area is BOOMING. I am so amazed every day at the success we are having. With all of the things we have to do in a day we shouldn't be having this much success but the Lord places the things we need to do right where we will be and opens up windows. Not windows as in we can see but windows of time. I think that scripture "the windows of heaven" means windows of time sometimes. Things just happen as they happen and all of a sudden we got a lot done and that investigator was right where he needed to be when we were there and the father walked in right when we were talking about the plan of salvation which was just what he needed and we had just the right amount of books and pamphlets and our lesson was just the right amount of time to get to the next one. I am so thankful for the blessings of serving the Lord. Nothing can compare to this.

 

The Roach's came to church and it was an awesome expirience. I was feeling the spirit so strongly as we went through all of the classes and as all of our investigators participated. Sister Wagner was also there. What a miracle this woman is. I wish I had 10 pages to write about it. She is going to be baptized soon with her husband.

 

Monica was baptized on Saturday :) and I got to confirm her on Sunday. I had such a spiritual Sunday confirming Monica, giving 2 blessings, and ordaining Josh. HOW AMAZING it feels to use the priesthood to bless others and to feel it working.

 

I have to go, but as always I love you.

 

Love,

Elder Andreasen

P.S. I choose Christ

There's a snake in my boot!!

There's a snake in my boot!!

Dear Mom and Dad,

I am so tired. Haha.

Monday was dinner with President Scott, Stake President. That was so good. His family is amazing and very excited to do missionary work. We watched a talk by Bruce R. McConkie (er howaver ya spall et) about Christ and the role of Christ and how his testimony is just one in a sea of testimonies that have been and will be borne. He said that one day his testimony would turn into 10 million and that the world will be filled with the gospel. That is such a cool visual. I know the Gospel will reach every nation and tongue. How COOOL that we get to be a part in that spreading.

Tuesday was our most busy day. We had 4 appointments AND weekly AND zone planning to do. It was a frenzy!! We had a lesson with a lady (she's catholic and had some serious concerns but we had an amazingly unified lesson and the spirit was able to bare witness to her that our words were true. We invited her to be baptized right in the first lesson, which shouldn't surprise anyone anymore, and she said no, which doesn't surprise anyone anymore either. We simply asked why and humbly taught to her concerns. She didn't agree but we left her with a commitment to read and pray) Then it was off to teach Sarah and Monica. First, a lesson to Sarah about Christlike attributes and the process of living the gospel, and then a lesson to Monica on prayer and Scripture study to prepare her to be studying in between lessons. Right after that it was on to D's house to teach the Plan of salvation, focused on families; we were in God's family, we are on earth in Adam's family, we have the opportunity to create families, and we will potentially be with God in his family with our families. He cried and cried and cried! We were so blown away. Family really struck a nerve, and through his tears he ended up saying something along the lines of  "I love this so much, every time you come over I just get this tingle from my head to my toes and when I was a kid I was happy going to church but I lost that and now it's back and I really love this church and I was wondering if I can bet baptized on Feb. 23 because it's my birthday and I love this so much......"

Haha we said "well... it's kind of hard to get people baptized around here, but we'll see if we can't pull some strings for you" ;) He is super excited and we are just overwhelmed with grattitude for these blessing from The Lord, AND IT'S ONLY TUESDAY.

Wednesday we had district meeting, which was uplifting and edifying. We had district lunch as well. We then did all of the planning that wasn't done tuesday. We planned at our desks for an eternity. Then it came to pass that when an eternity had gone by it was 6pm and we had dinner at the Alder's.

Thursday we had some other district meetings in the zone. We try to attend at least 3 out of the 4 to get some face time with the zone. It's been pretty effective. Then we taught D again (the plan of salvation, since we couldn't really teach to a hysterically crying man on tuesday) and we stopped by to see April. She loves us! We love her. It's so funny, because most of the times we are at their house it is in between lessons. She opened the door and said "#*%$ you guys are persistant" and then let us in for a minute to talk. HAHAHA She is so funny and ex army.  She's been reading though. Out of town for 2 weeks so that's sad but you can bet we've been calling and texting and being persistant :). Not annoying, we draw the line somewhere.

We then contacted a referall from the Bishop, from a mother in Utah who's son is in VA in the Army on Fort Lee. He is MP and lives of base. He was cool but wasn't too happy to see us.

Then the Elmores took us to Don Jose's for dinner. MMMMMMexican! 

Friday I GOT TO USE A CHAINSAW YEEEAH MAN STUFF!!! Brother Roach had us over to help clear up a tree. Lesson with the Wagners. She has been reading and said she'll get baptized after she finishes the book and prays for sure. I LOVE THE SPIRIT OF GOD!!!!!!!!! 

Saturday was lunch and a lesson with the Roach fam. STRONG lesson. Plan of salvation stuff. Deep feelings were felt and invitations were made and their daughter wants to be baptized so we're just trying to spread that sweet Idea to everyone else with the knife of testimony and invitation. Dinner at the Buis fam. STOKED TO DO MISSIONARY WORK and might be bringing an investigator to our next dinner. That's what I'm talking about.

Sunday. Church was good. I'm out of time. I love you bye!!

Elder Skyler Mark Andreasen

p.s. I choose Christ

Jan 7 2013 Wish I had more time

I wish I had the time to write you more. I just spent an hour explaining some important things to President Perry about an exchange and a situation in our zone. My companions want to go shopping and get home, and when I get there I will write a hand written letter. Sorry :( Pictures though and Sara's baptism was phenomenal. 
I had a lot of time to learn and grow this week. We were on exchange for a good 2.5 days and it was good. I learned a lot! We now have Elder Hart as our companion! President felt it was necesary for him to come be with us because of some situations in his area. He is a fun missionary and we are truckin along!

 

Have a wonderful week
-- 

Elder Skyler Mark Andreasen

p.s. I choose Christ