Sunday, February 16, 2014
Friday, February 14, 2014
January 27th, 2014
Well this week went quick! They all seem to now. Here is some advice.
Become best friends with the workers at the library. When the computer line gets crowded, they give you extra time on your computer, so you don’t have to log off, wait, and then back on. Thank you Milton!
Southern Moment: Things that only happen in the South: Recently, we have been going around knocking on doors with a new approach. We let them know that we are representative of Jesus Christ and then say that we would like to say a prayer with them for their family or home. Then they let us! Everyone loves a prayer! Even if they aren't intrested, they usually won't turn down a blessing. "So when life gets dark and dreary" or "So when the weather gets dark and dreary"...don't forget to pray! It will help you into a nice warm home.
This week was truly humbling. We went to meet with a family of a man who wanted to come back to church. They had no running water, or food, or money. Something I am learning a lot about in the South is our needs. We really don’t need all that we think we do. Half of the people we teach have no bike or car or really anything. We are so blessed to have both!
Well here is a thought I had about a story I was reading:
There is a story in the Book of Mormon of a group of people who got in a lot of fights. They fought so much that they killed many in battle. One day a great missionary came and taught them about the gospel and forgiveness. They repented of their sins and decided to not fight anymore. They were so committed that they buried all of their swords deep in the earth so that they could not sin and be tempted. I love that concept! We need to get rid of all the things that cause sin and temptation in our lives. If we smoke, get rid of the cigarettes. If we want to go on a diet, get rid of the sweets!
The second part to this story goes as follows: They put away all of their swords. “Since it has been as much as we could do to get our stains taken away from us, and our swords made bright, let us hide them away that they may be kept bright, as a testimony to our God.” (Alma 24:15) They knew repentance was hard and they didn’t want to risk having to repent of that sin again. They knew they needed to get rid of the things, so that they would not relapse, and fall back into their old ways.
Well they went on with that, but soon the enemy came to attack. The Anti-Nephi-Lehi’s decided to not fight back. “But behold, they had rather sacrifice their lives than even to take the life of their enemy” (Alma 26:32). They cared for their enemy, children of God, so much that they wouldn’t fight back becuase that would take another life. They decided instead, to sacrifice their own.
The enemy took advantage of that and started slaying them, so they started praying. Many were killed, but pretty soon the enemy noticed that they weren’t fighting and felt guilty. They saw their good example and decided to not fight them and come closer to Christ.
Friends! This story is very relatable to our lives. When we set a good example, others will see it. Some, like the Lamanites, will take advantage of us, but some will also see our good example and then join with us. “And it came to pass that the people of God were joined that day by more than the number who had been slain” (Alma 24:26). I know that as you set a good example, others will see it and follow. Some peoplpe will still give you a hard time, but it will give you an opprotunity to pray!
Well, I love ya'll! Next week I will write down some of the crazy things that happen. Miracles and Mission Moments!
Weekly Invitation: Will ya'll go and burry your swords. Will you dispose of that which is holding you back and distancing you from God? I know that if you do, you will set a good example for others!
Love Always,
Sister Anderson
Pictures:
1) Sister Daniel and I cooking in her kitchen! I love her family! They were baptized on October, she was not active in the church, she is now!
2) Ssiter Stanley and I in the car
3) Atalya- means "watchtower" in spanish. An older castle of sort built in the 1900's.
February 10th, 2014
This week I learned that often times, we don't see the impact that we have until long after events transpire.
--Questions: Our purpose is Clear
This week we were at a going away party of our friend (we had an investigator there). While at the party, we met a man who belives in being spiritual, but not religion. We were sitting at her house having a conversation when he looked into my eyes and asked us "Your trying to convert people to Mormonism, right?". At first I was taken back, I struggled for the correct words to say. The longer the pause was, the more awkard it got, becuase in essence we are, but we aren't. Moment later (seeming like an eternity) I told him, that we aren't converting people to Mormonism, but to Christ. That as a result of following Christ, they choose to become baptized, thereby joining His church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Our purpose is to invite others to come unto Christ.
He seemed to take that answer then moved onto another topic. I am grateful that our purpose is clear, we invite others to come closer to Christ. Everything else, such as attending church, reading the Book of Mormon, praying, its all a result of following Christ.
--"Let there be light": The miracle of a prayer.
Before Christmas, my companion and I visited a less-active member, named Leotta. Less-active, means that she is not very active in the Church. She was baptized a couple of years ago, but has not gone in a while, a long while. We taught a lesson, which wasn't to out of the ordinary, then as we went to leave, asked to conlcude with a prayer. She accepted. We eagerly asked if there was anything in specific that we could pray for. She responded finincail help, so we offered a heartfelt prayer and left. Well a month or so went by.
Yesterday, Sister Stanley felt that we needed to visit her, so we went! Upon coming to her home, she welcomed us in and shared this story. She said that she went to pay her power bill a while ago after we left and found that it had already been payed. Apparently, she had filed papers for financial help a while back and she recieved it. The orgniazation she filed with had some extra money at the end of the month, and found her name. They paid all the money plus they gave her a $25 credit. She told us that she knew that this blessing happened becuase we prayed for her.
I smiled at this. I knew that the Lord did hear our prayers and answered them. He is "so good" as everyone loves to say! This just stuck out to me becuase often we do things and we don't know if anything came of it. My faith was boosted to know that something did indeed happen. Something that helped her come closer to God.
--5 Months in the Making:
Another blessing from this week! Tim,26, was baptized in Ocotober. Well this past week, his Mother came to Book of Mormon class and then to a lesson! She wants to be baptized! So you may read this email and think, "ok, thats great...but nothing too unormal." Wrong! She was never interested in the church before. She would hardly speak to us and we never once were allowed inside the house! We always taught on the sidewalk. Tim has been missing church for a while, but he randomly came to BOM class. Turns out she asked him is she could come! It took 5 months, but she saw his example and wants to join the church! It may not be immediate, but others do see our example!
--Giant Frog:
This week, I ate fried frog legs again. They are from a giant frog, bull frog I think. Enough said.
--Kindness goes a long way! :
Before Christmas, we were in Loris hopeiong to visit a less-active member when we met a kind family on their porch. We spoke for about 10 minutes, got to know them, and sang happy birthday to their father. Their Father was in his late 80's had flown a bomber in the war. Well Becca, told us that she was moving store locations for work to Conway from Loris, about 20 miles. Then we never saw them again.
Well, one of our dear friends was evicted and had about 24 hours to move. So we came over to help her frantically move. We packed and packed, but then they ran out of boxes and had no money for more. I had the idea to go to a store and look through their dumpster. So we went with a member to the nearest one, a dollar general. We went inside to ask if could have their left over boxes that we saw in the back.
The clerks name was Becca. Before we could speak to her, she rememebered us and thanked us for our kindess! She willing complied to letting us have the boxes! So we went and go the boxes. There was a huge stack and it had rained that day soaking them. But there was one pile that was dry. It was a miracle! We brought them to the Sister in need and it was just what they needed.
It was amazing that Becca remembered us and then helped us! There are TONS of dollar general's here. Almost as many as there are churches. She just happened to be at this one and willing to help us out. What a blesing!
--Thoughts:
I know that Heavenly Father answeres our prayers and watches out for us! Sometimes, we don't see the fruits of our labors until long afterwards, but they are there. I am grateful to be a missionary! I love being a missionary!
I know that if ya'll look for these blessings, you will see them! Will you think about a prayer for offered a while ago and then look for the answer or blessing that came from it. I know that if you look for God's hand in your life, you will find it, becuase it is always there.
Love,
Sister Susan Anderson
P.S. If anyone doesn't want to be on the email list anymore, just let me know :)
The story
Monday, February 3, 2014
February 3rd, 2014
Hello Ya’ll! This week it snowed in Conway, South Carolina!
The people went crazy! School was canceled for four days because there was so much black ice on the road. The whole county was covered in an inch or ice for two full days! We weren’t allowed to drive, but when the weather got better, we were able to go door knocking. It was a very successful week because it was so cold that everyone was home.
There was just sheet of ice everywhere, we could walk across it over the grass and it wouldn’t even crack! The weather is typically warm here, so everyone freaked out. They bought all the milk, eggs, and bread out of the stores. They warned us for days that this would happen. It was like the end of the world was coming. Stores were closed, people stayed bundled up inside, and jobs were cancelled. Then everyone referenced that we must be use to this being from Utah, I just smiled and laughed. Everyone member naturally assumes we are from Utah.
Something that I have been thinking about it a scripture from Mark 8:36 which reads “What shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Here are a couple situations from this week:
1) A lady we are teaching is going through a difficult time financially and family wise. Sadly, she has made very poor decision in her past that are now catching up with her. Well, she wants to change and be baptized! In order to do such she needs to stop smoking and live the law of chastity. She has been trying to do both because the Lord has a clear standard. After just moving into a new home, she must kick her boyfriend out (she chose not to marry him) and during this stressful time (when she wants cigarettes even more) she must quit.
2) We have been teaching a very well known and respected Reverend for a couple of months now. He is like our church a lot and he is a wonderful man. But he must be baptized into Christ church to receive all the blessings, by doing so, he would be denouncing his past church. The whole community will take notice.
The first part of the scripture reads: “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his soul? What will a man give in exchange for his soul? We are all called upon to give up certain habits, life styles, pasts, or futures. I guess the question is: What will be give? Or rather, what will we not give? I know that there is no price to big, no cost too heavy in order to follow Christ.
There was a King in the Book of Mormon, named Kind Middoni, who was taught by a missionary named Aaron. He learned about eternal life and said: “What shall I do that I may have this eternal life of which thou hast spoken? He then continued: “I will give up all that I posses, yea, I will forsake my kingdom, that I may receive this great joy.” (Alma 22:15)
King Middoni realized that gaining the world will not carry with him in the life to come. On this subject, President Uchtdorf, an apostle of the Lord, stated: “You could pile up the accumulated currency of the entire world and it could not buy you a loaf of bread in the economy of heaven.” I know that if we follow Christ, we can have that eternal life. He already paid the price, for us, we just need to follow him to receive the gift.
It’s called the Bible Belt for a reason: Many people study their bible throughout the day. Some people, even debate it for fun with each other. We started teaching a lady named Iris, who every week, has her sister come over and they debate the Bible. Well we happen to be teaching Iris, when, her Sister came over for that weekly appointment during out appointment (of course). We were able to stand our own because “we have been called of God to share what we know, and we know that our message is true.” I enjoyed having another person to teach, two is better than one, but it was exhausting! Needless to say, I went home and memorized some more Bible scriptures. Its really not that bad all the time. Some people know the Bible up and down, but some people really don’t. It just depends.
The South and The Super Bowl: We were invited by an investigator, to come to her church’s super bowl Sunday service; she even kindly gave me tickets.Welcome to the South. From what I can tell, southerners love football and they love church. Therefore someone thought, so why not put them together? They had food, games, fun, and what not, and then the service. It was a nice idea to get people to church. But, I prefer having things seperate. (disclaimer: We didn’t go and kindly thanked her for the offer.)
Well Ya'll. Life is great here! The next time a task or decision seems tough, will you ask yourself: What will I give in exchange for my soul? I know that if you do, it will make a difference. Love Ya!
Love,
Sister Anderson
Monday, January 20, 2014
January 20th, 2014
Hello Ya'll!
Well this week, our Bishop came to all of the classes during the last hour of church and said that the ward needs to feed the missionaries more. Well the congregation reacted. We had two different batches of fried chicken made for us that very day. Oh, how I love the South.
I am attaching some photos from our trip to Myrtle Beach: Huntington State Park last week. Enjoy!
This week, we were able to rely upon the Lord more. Things were hard, but that's just life. Sometimes, you roll out of bed and its a hard day, but too bad. You got to keep going on and smiling. Sometimes, we have people tell us the most ridiculous things, so all we do is just smile. Smile at life!
Our prophet, President Monson, said " Were it not for challenges to overcome and problems to solve, we would remain much as we are, with little or no progress towards our goal of eternal life." I know this is so true!
"Heavenly Father has organized our journey through life to be a test of our character. We are exposed to both good and evil influences and then given the moral agency to choose for ourselves which path we will take." - Elder Richard J. Mayes.
Well, I am getting off my soap box now. Fun updates. Destiny and Infiniti are doing great! Their Mother and Sister now want to join them and be baptized. It's amazing to see their lives change as the gospel enters it. "True doctrines, understood, changes attitudes and behaviors. The study of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior." -President Packer. When we focus more on the gospel, our natures are changed and we become more happier and lighter in heart.
Funny Moment: The power of Women: Well we were teaching two men and recently the Elders started teaching them instead of us. The Elders mentioned to us in passing that it was hard to get a hold of them and that they wanted them to come to church but that they weren't sure if they would come. So we got our phone out and called them. They answered right away and agreed to coming to church. They came an hour later!
I love ya'll and I love being a missionary!
Will ya'll all smile today? I know that if you do it will brighten someone's day, if not your own!
Love,
Sister Anderson
Monday, January 13, 2014
January 13th, 2014
Dear Family and Friends: Warning, this is a long one! Proably longest letter of my whole mission!
This was one of the best weeks of my whole mission! Miracle after miracle after miracle!
Highlights: Baptisms! Destiny (15) and Infiniti (16) Brown were both baptized this week! It was amazing to see them take this step in their life! (see pictures)
Busy Work: This week, Sister Stanley and I taught more lessons in one week than I have my in any singluar week before. We were so blessed!
Funny Moment: During a lesson we were demostrating how some gets baptized, so that Destiny and Infiniti would not be nervous. Well I practiced with Sister Garlick, who was visiting for the day. I was the one baptizing and she was the one being baptized. Well we were practicing and as she bent down....I dropped her! Right on the hard floor in the middle of the lesson. I felt so bad, I didn't think she was going to bend! It was hilarious. Turned out to be a blessing, it was just what we needed to lighten the mood!
Insights: Yesterday, we taught a lesson on enduring to the end, which simply means contiuning to live a Christ like life every day, even after you are baptized. It means maitainese and repairs. We are all like homes. Homes comes in many different shapes and sizes and are built differently, but regardless of what type of home we have, must must maintain it. I may have a lot of windows in my house but you may have a lot of trees in your yard. Overtime I may have to dust off the windows so that light can more fully come through to lighten and illuminate my house, but you may have to cut back some tress. Just as homes are different, so are we. We all have different areas on which we need to improve.
So my invitation to ya'll is to have you do a self-assesment of your home and see what needs fixing.
Will yall do that? Will you take a self evaluation and see what you can fix? I know that as you do this you will feel better as you follow God's teachings more.
Spanish Miracle: I taught another lesson in spanish! I was so excited for this lesson; I practiced all week long! Well, we got there and the man would not listen to what I had to say, he kept chaning the subject, or acted like he couldnt hear me. So I started to ask him more questions. I found out that both of his parents had previously passed on and that he was hurting inside. I changed the lesson from talking about who God is and the Book of Mormon to talking about Eternal life and God's plan for us. Everything changed. The mood, his attention, the Spirit, everthing!
Moral of the Story: I learned that people don't want to talk about what is important to you, they want to talk about what is important to them. If you listen well enough, you will find that. Then you can truly touch them and make them your friends. I loved that lesson, he sure made me work for it! Miracle! Also, I taught it in spanish! I have been practing during my lunch hour. Heavenly Father helped me out a lot because of my extra effort!
Story Time: A story I heard at church: "A Tail of Happiness” told by Wayne Dyer, a self-help author and motivational speaker:
"An old wise cat and a small kitten were in an alleyway. The old cat saw the kitten chasing its tail and asked, “Why are you chasing your tail?” To it the kitten replied, ‘I’ve been attending cat philosophy school and have learned that the most important thing for a cat is happiness, and that happiness is located in my tail. Therefore, I am chasing it and when I catch it, I shall have happiness forever.’
“Laughing, the wise cat replied, ‘My son, I wasn’t lucky enough to go to cat philosophy school, but I’ve gone through life. I too have realized that the most important thing for a cat is happiness, and indeed that it is located in my tail. The difference I’ve found through is that whenever I chase after it, it keeps running away from me, but when I go about my business and live my life, it just seems to follow after me wherever I go.”
I loved this becuase I think this happens to us so much in life. We often say, "Oh, I will be happy when I buy that house" or when "I lose ten pounds" but that's not the point. We need to set goals for the future, but we also need to learn to find happiness in the day. I belive that that is true happiness, being able to be happy regardless of where you are.
Well, as ya'll can tell, I am am very happy here and love my mission!
Ok, seriously last thing: Background. We almost always sit in the same spot at church. Well I have on a couple of occasions, I have had people who are looking into the church (investigators) tell me that the speaker at church was "glowing" and had this "aura or light" around them. I just took this as a great sign that they felt the Spirit.
Well a couple times now, when I have been sitting in the 3 row, middle of the bench, I have noticed that same thing. It turns out that if you sit in the right spot, you can see the lights flickering and the speaker truly does look out of this world. No way, I am going to tell my investigators that! I am going to let them attribute that to the Spirit, because it is a combination to both. Hooray for faulty lights!
Love,
Sister Susan Anderson
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
January 6th, 2014
Hello Ya'll! Shorter Email this week!
Well this week Sister Stanley and I got the flu! I got sick and then as a result, she got sick. So needless to say that much of our week was spent it bed. Some of the members of the congregation heard that we were sick... We had 3 different homeade soups delivered, 1 packaged soup, 2 different drinks for our throats. We felt so very loved and cared for! We are doing better now, but still taking things slow.
Miracle Moment!
Three weeks ago, Brother Brooks asked us to deliver a Book of Mormon that his wife wrote in and a christmas card to a lady in Loris (about 20 miles from our home). We drove it up there, but she wasn't home. He told us that when we found her it would be the right time.
Two weeks pass by. Then Sister Stanley calls the Carter family and asks them to invite some friends over for dinner. They do and we have dinner with the Brusceros. They mention that they know Sister Pearson. We asked if we could come by their home to share more and they said that they would think about it but didn't give us their address.
The next day, Sister Pearson drives us to Loris to drop off this Book of Mormon and card. As we pull up to the house, I look down and read the name. None other than the Brusceros! They knew three members of the congreation, who all happened to be thinking about sharing the gospel with them!
The moral of the story is that when it is the right time, it is the right time. God has perfect timing! He knows when others are ready to have the gospel in their lives! We just need to do our part and invite.
I know that God is really aware of us. He knows exactly where we are in our life and what we need. Sometimes we loose Him in our lives, but He never looses us. Often He answers our prayers through others.
Transfer Update: I am in Conway for another 6 weeks! At the end of this transfer, it will make 6 months here! I sure do love Conway!
Prayer Request: We have some baptisms coming up this month. Please pray for Destiny, Infinity, Justin, Christina, and Leo. Thank you!
Will You: Will ya'll all invite someone who is not a member of the church to your house for dinner? I know that if you do, they will feel the Spirit! It will be a great missionary opprotunity!
Love,
Sister Susan Anderson
Photos: I am attaching some photos from our trip to Myrtle Beach last week! The missionaries in Conway went to Myrtle Beach with our ward mission leader to play beach volleyball. It was so much fun!
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